The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-04-11
The Force Of Imagination.
From DR.. Bartlett's "Anslo-Saxon."

From Dr. Bartlett's "Anslo-Saxon'
Some years ago. near the town of Realinu
! Berks County, PENNSYLVANIA, there lived a
cozy old farmer, named Sweighoffer-of Ger
man descent, and accent, too, as his .peec!.
will indicate. Old nan Sweighoffer had once
served as member in the Legislature, an.
was, therefore, mo fool =" and as he had
also long commanded volunteer corps of
rustic militia he should hardly be supposed
inclined to co~srdice. His son Peter was
his only son-a strappins lad of seventeen ;
and upon old Peter and young Peter devolv-
ed the principal cares and tolls of the old
gentleman's farm. now and then assisted bv
the old lady and her two bouncing dsuyh
ters-for it is very common, in that State, to
see the women and girls at work in their
fields upon ex ira occasions, Ly some
Peter and young Peter were hard at it in the
meadow, when the old mas drops his scy,he
and bawls out
20. mine Gott, Peter"
"What's de matter, fader." answers the
son, strai ghtening up and looking at his sire
80, mine Gott, Peter" again cried the
old fellow.
"Donder!' echoes young Peter, hurryins
up to the old man.
20, mine Gots, der snake bite mire leg -
1t anything in particular was capable of
frightening young Peter, it was snakes: for
he had once nearly crippled himself for life
by 'trampling upon a crooked stick. which
ciampsd his ankle. and so Mortified the young
man, that he liked to have fallen through
himself. At the word snake, young Peter
fell back, nimbly as wire drawer, and bawl-
ed out. in turn
"Where is der snake ?"
up my trowsis. Peter-O. mine Gott 20
30. mine Gott ~ echoed Peter, junior
skill him, fader; kill him.
"No-a. no-a, he kill me Peter; come-come
quick-set off my trowsis ~
But Peter the youn.er's cowardice over
came his ilial affection. while his fear len,
strength to his legs. and he started like a
scared locomotive to call the old bur'y
Dutchman. who was in distan, part OF the
field. to give bis father lift with the snake
/ O!dJake, the farmers assistant, came
bounding along as soon as he heard the news,
and passing along the fence Whereon Peter
and his boy had hung their - linsey- woolsey'
vests. Jake grabbed one of the garments, and
hurried to the old man Peter. who still man.
aged to keep on his pins, although be wa.
quaking and trembling like an aspen leaf in
aJune gale Of wind
10, mine Gott! Come. come Guick, j.
cob. Tie bite me all TO pieces-here up mir
leg"
Old Jake was not particularly sensitive to
fear; but few people, y lng or old. are dead
to alarm when "Pizenous reptile is about
Gathering up the stiff dry stalks of a stal wart
weed, old Jake told the boss to stand steady.
and he would at least stun the snake BY a
rap or two, if he did not kill her stone dead
and the old man Peer less 10th TO have his
legs broken than to be bitten to death bv a
snake, desi 9natcd the spot TO strike. and Old
Jake let him have it. The first blow broke
the weed. and knocked old Sweishotf.r of
his pegs and into haycock-robim.
"O!' roared old Peter. "you broke mine
leg. and de shnake's gone :"
were we're ?" cried old Jake, moving
brlskly abou',and scanning very narrowly the
ground he stood upon.
"Never mind HIM, Jacob; help me up
! Ill 20 home
! Put On your vhes., den; here it is. said
the OLD crouteater, gathering up his boss and
trying to get the garment upon his lunpy
back. The moment ok Peter mad :. this efior,
be grew lIvId m the face-his haIr stood on
end, 'like the quills upon the fri shttul por-
cupine." as Mrs. Partington ohserves-he
shivered-he shook-his teeth chaterel-
and his knees knocked a s,acco accountant
ment.
80, Yacob, carry me home I'm dead as
nits, :"
Vat! Ish nodder shnake in your trou
shers?"
"No-a-look I'm swelt all up, Mine yhes
won't 90 on INV back. q, o. mine Gotr -
"Dun'der and blixen '" Cried old Jake
as he took tac same conclusion, and with
might and main the old man. scared into
most wonderful feat of physical activity an,
strength, lugged and carried the boss som,
quarter Of mile TO the house.
Young Peter had shnned it home at tn,
earliest stage of the dire proceedings, and St
alarmed the girls, that they were in high stat
when they saw the approach Of the good oil,
dad and his assistant
Old man Peter was carried in, and beca
to die. natural as life. when in comes the o
lady. in great hustle. and wanted 10 kno,
what was going on. Old Peter. in the las
gasp of agony and weak ness, opened his eve:
and feebly pointed to his leg. The old VIC
man ripped up the pantaloons. and out fell
small thistle-top. and, at the same time. cor
siderable OF scratch was made visible.
"Call dis shnake Bah" saws the ol
! woman.
20. but I'm pizened to death. Molly Sc.
I'm all pizen-mine vhest-O dear, min
vhest not come over mine body
Haw. haw. haw - roared the cid woman
"vat fool! You got Peters vhest on
haw. haw, hawv
! "Bosh " roars old Peter, shaking of
deaths icy fetters at one surge. and jumpin
up. Bosh, Jacob. vat an old fool YOU mus
be, to say | wash schnakebite! Go 'bou
your business, gals. Peter, bring me som
beer"
The old woman saved Peters life.
COCSINING.-A country gentleman lat.l