Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1858-08-03
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THE FORCE CF IMAGINATION.
Peter SwichoSer's Adventure with Snake

/ Reading, Berks County, Pa, there lived
a cosy old farmer, named Swlghotier-of
German descent, aud an accent, TOO, as
his speech will ind cate. Old Swighoter
had once served as a member of the Leg
! Isiaiure, and was therefore no fool, and
he had also long commanded volunteer
corps of rustic militia, he should hardly
be inclined TO cowardice. His son, Pc
ter, was his only son, straping lad of
seventeen; and upon old Peter and young
! Peter devolved the principle cares and
/ tolls of the old gentleman'S farm, now
and then assisted by the old lady and her
I t,go bouncing daughters-for il is very
common in that State to see the women
and girls work III the felds-and upon
extra occasions by some hired hands.
+ Well, one warm day, ia hayng time,
/ old Peter and young Peter were hard at
II in the meadow, when the old man drops
his scythe and bawls OUT
O! mine G ott, Peter
. Nat's de matter, fader - answers the
son, strengthening himself up and looking
at the old man.
" Donder!' echoes young Peter, hur-
rying up the old man
Oh! mine Cot, der shnake Bit mine
leg -
If anything in particular was capable
! of frightening young Peter, 1t was snakes;
for be had once nearly crippled himself
for life by trampiiLg upon a crooked stick,
which spralned his ancle, and 50 Mortified
the Young man that he liked 10 have fal-
len thro himself.
Al the word snake young Peter fell
back, nimbly as a wire-draWer, and bawl-
ed out in turn
Where is der snake q
Up my troWsis, Peter-Oh mine
Gour'
=" oh, mine Cot y echoed Peter junior,
9 Kill him, fader Kill HIM
No-a, no-a, he kill me, Peter come
come quick-get utf my trowsis" !"
But Peter the youngeI's cowardice
oyercame his filal affection, while his
fear lent strength to his legs, and he start
ed like scared locomotive to call the old
burly Dutchman, who was in distant
pert of the field, to give his father lift
with the snake.
Old Jake, the farmers assistant came
bounding along as soon as he heard the
news, and passing along the fence where
on Peter and his son Lad hung their lin
sey woolsey vests, Jake grabbed one of
the garments and hurried to the old man,
who still managed to keep on his pins,
although he was quaklug and trembling
like an aspen Leaf III "a June gale OF
wind.
"Oh, mine Cot! Come, come quick,
Jacob. He bite me all to pieces--here
up mine leg"
Old Jake was not particularly sensi-
tive TO fear, but few people, young or old,
are dead to alarm when '.pizenous'
reptile is about. Gathering up the stiff
dry stalks Of staluau weed, old Jake
told the boss TO stand ready, and he would
stun the snake if he did Lot kill il stone
dead by rap or two. The old man, less
10th to have his legs broken than to be
bitten to death by snake, designated the
spot TO strike, and old Jake let him have
it. The first blow broke the weed, and
knocked old Swighoiler down mo hay
cock-cobmn
Oh roared old Peter, you broke
mine leg and de tan shnake's gone
We're, very7 2" cries old Jake. moving
briskly about, and scanning very narrow
~ the ground he stood upon.
Never mind him, Jacob help me up
and Ill go home"
Put on your vest, den; here it is; said
old lroat eater, gathering up his boss, and
trying 10 Get the garment upon his lumpy
back. The moment old Peter made Bis
effort he grew lived in The face-hs hair
stood on end, like the quilts upon the
lrightful porcupiue,'' aS Mrs. Partirgton
observcs-he shiyered-he shook-his
teeth chauered-and his knees knocked
a stacatoc accompaniment.
Oh, Jacob, carry me home | am
dead rs a nlis -
Vat ish DR. nodder shuake to your
trowshcrs p
No-a-Iook, I'm SWEET all up Mine
vest won't go on my back. Q. mine Cot
Douder and binz" cried old Jake, as
he took the same conclusion, and with
might and main the old man, scared into
a most wonderful feat OF physical activity
and strength lugged and carried the boss
some quarter of a mile, 10 the house.
Young Peter had shinned It home at
tie earliest Stage Of the dire proceedings, i
and 50 set the girls in alarm that they
were IN high state when they saw the ap-
preach of the good dad and his assistant.
Old Peter was carried IN, and began
to die as natural as life, when IN comes
the old lady. in great hustle, and want
ed TO know what was going on. Old Pc
ter, IN the last grasp of agony and weak
ness, opened his eyes and feebly pointed
10 his leg. The old woman ripped up The
panlaloons, and out fell a small thistle
top. and at the same time considerable of
q scratch was made visible
Call dis q shnake Bah" says the
cid woman.
o, bu, I am pizened to death, Molly.
See, am ali pizen-mine ves,-O, dear,
mine vest not come cEer mine body -
Haw, haw, haw :" reared the old wo-
man, wat a fool, Yog got Peters vest
u, Ha, ha, haw -
..Rosb ro.~z .oJd peter eb.l,;,o oa