The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-07-02
A CAPITAL STORY,

Barnes, was employed by farmer living
IN town some six or seven miles westerlv
from the Penobscot river, 70 dig well.-
The soil and substratum being mostly sand,
old Barnes, after having progressed down
ward about forty feet, found onemornine up.
on going out to his work that the we'll had
essentially caved in and was full nearly to
the top. So having that desire, which men
have, OF knowing what will be said of them
after they arc dead, and no one being vet
astir, he concealed himself in rank
growth of burdocks by the side of a board
fence near the mouth of the we'll, having
first left his hat and frock upon the wind.
lass over the we'll. At length breakfast be.
ing ready, boy was despatched to call
him to his meal, when 10 !! and behold IL
was seen that Barnes was buried in the
grave unconsciously dug by his own hands.
The alarm being given, and the family as
scmbled, it was decided first to eat break.
fast and then send for the coroner. the
minister, and his wifo and children. Such
apathy did not flatter Barnes self.esteem a
bit, but he waited patiently, determined to
hear what was to be said, and see what was
to be seen.
Presently all parties arrived and began
prospecting tho scene of the catastrophe.
as 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 it as his opinion that
they had better level up the we'll and let
Barnes remain; for, said he, "he is now
beyond the temptation to sin, and in the
day of judgment it will make no difference
whether he is buried five fee: under ground
Oh fifty, for ne is bound 10 come forth in
either case" The coroner likewise agreed.
that sit would be a needless expense to lia
family or tho town to disinter him when
ne was SO effcctually buried" and therefore
entirely coincided with the minister. His
wife thought that as che had lelt his hat
and frock, it would be hardly worth while
to dig him out for the rest OF iis clothes II
and so it wass settled TO let him remain.--
but poor old Barnes, who had no breakfast
"nd was not at all pleased with the result
OF the inquest, laid quiet until the Shade Of
evening stole over the landscape, then he I,
quietly decamped to parts unknown.
After remaining incognito for about three
years, one morning he suddenly appeared
(hatless and frockless as he wentl at the
door OF tho farmer for whom he had agreed
to dig the unfortunate well. To say that an
avalanche Of questions were raiped upon
him as to his mysterious re-appearance, &C.,
would convey but feeble idea of the en-
element which his bodily presence created,
But the old man bore it all quietly, and at
length informed them that on finding him,
self buried, lie waited for them to dig him
out, until his patience was exhausted, when
he set to work to dig himself out, snd only
the day before had succeeded! for. his
ideas being somewhat confused by the pros.
sure of the earth at the time he was buried.
he had dug very much at random, and in,
stead of coming directly to the surface, he
came out in the town of Holdne, siS wies
east Of the Penobsoot riuer!
No further explanations were sought for
by those who were so distressed and sor
rowful over his supposed final resting place,
Bangor Je0orsoniaa,
Il Young Hero-Master Walters had
been much annoyed by some one of his
scholars whistlipg in school, Whsnevep he
called boy to account for such disturb
ance, he would plead that It was uninteu.
tional-'he forgot all about where he Was,
This became so frequent, that the master
threatened severe punishment to the peXt
offender. The next day. when the room was
quiet, loud sharp whistle broke
the stiffness. Every one asserted that it
was certain boy who had the reputation
OF mischiefmaker and liar, ,He was
called up, and, though With somewhat
stubborn look, he denied it again and again
commanded to hold out bis hand A.
this instant, little slender fellow, not more
than seven years old, came out and Witt;a
very pale but decided face, held out hia
hand, saying as he did 80, with the oleas
and firm tone Of a hero,
"Mr. Walters, sir, do not punish hiua---I
I was doing long ,hsrd sum.
and in rubbing out:anothas, rubbed out sbv M
mistake, and spoiled Il al, and before
thought, Isgwhistlsd ripRt out. siFi.:sT uss