The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-07-03
A CAPITAL STORY.


Some years since, an eccentric old genius,
whom for convenience we will call Barnes,
was employed by farmer living ir a town
some six or seven miles westerly from the
Penobsco: river, to dig well. The sol and
substratum being mostly sand, old Barnes,
after having progressed downward about for
ty feet, found one morning upon going out
to his work that the we'll had essentially cav
ed in and was full nearly TO the top. So hav.
ing that desire, which men have, of knowing
what will be said Of them after they are dead,
and no one being yet astir he concealed him.
self in rank growth of burdoeks by the side
of board fence near the mouth of the well,
having FIRST left his hat and frock upon tho
windlass over the well. At length breakfast
being ready,n boy was despatched to call
him to his meal, when 10! and behold! it was
seen that Barnes was buried 10 the grave uu-
consciouslydug by his own hands.- The alarm
being given, and the family assembled, it was
decided first to eat breakfast and then to send
for the coroner, the minister, and his wife and
children. Such apathy did not fatter Barnes
self-esteem bit, but he waited patiently, de-
.termined to hear what was to be said and see
what was to be seen.
Presently all parties arrived and began
"prospccting" the scene Of the catastrophe, Nc
people usually do in such cases. At length
they drew together to exchange opinions as
to what should be done. The minister at once
gave il us his opinion that they had better
level up the well and let Barnes remain; for,
said he, 'he is now beyond the temptation 10
sin, and in the day Of judgment it will make
no difference whether he is buried five feet
under the ground or fifty, for he is bound to
come forth iu either case.' The coroner like.
wise agreed that it would be needless ex-
| 7ense to his family or the town TO dsinter
him when he was so effectually buried and
therefore entirely coincided with the minister.
His wife thought that as .'he had left his hat
and frock, it would be hardly worth while to
| dig him out for the rest of his clothes;;' and
so it was settled TO let him remain. Bnt poor
old Barnes, who had no breakfast and was
not ut all pleased with the result of the in
quest, laid quiet until the shade of evening
stole over the landscape, then he quietly de-
. campcd to parts unknown.
After remaining incognito for about three
years, one morning he suddenly appeared
(hatess and frockless MS he went) at the door
OF the farmer for whom he had agreed to dig
the unfortunate well. To say that an ava
lancle Of questions were rained upon him as
to his mysterious re-nppearance, &c, would
convey but feeble idea of the excitement
: which his bodily presence created. but tn,
old man bore IL all quietly, and at length In
formed them that on finding himself buriet
he waited for them to dig him out, until hi
patience was exhausted, when he set to worl
to dig himself out, and only the day beior,
had succeeded for, his ideas being somew ha
confused by the pressure of The earth ut thu
time he was buried, he had dug very much a
random, and instead Of coming directly to til,
snrface, he came out in the town of Holden
sir miles east Of the PenobscOt rirer.
No further explanations were sought for b.
those who were so distressed and sorrow .u
over his supposed final resting place.