Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1858-08-25
The Force Of Imagination.
PETER swIcHoFFER's ADVENTURE WITH
A SNAKE.

Some years ago, near the town Of
Reading, Berks County, Pa, there lived
cosy old farmer, named Swichofer-
OF German descent, and an accent, too,
as his speech will indicate. Old Swich-
offer had once served as member OF
the Legislature, and was therefore emo
fool, and he had also long command
ed volunteer corps of rustic militia, he
should hardly be inclined to cowardice.
His son, Peter, was his only son, a
straplng lad Of seventeen; and upon old
Peter and young Peter devolved the
principle cares and tolls Of the old gen
tleman's farm, now and then assisted
by the old lady and her two bouncing
daughters-for it is very common in
that State to see the women and girls
work in the felds-and upon extra oc-
casions by some hired hands.
We'll, one warm day, in haying time,
old Peter and young Peter were hard
at work in the meadow, when the old
man drops his scythe and bawls OUT
90! mine GOt5, Peter!'
"Vat'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.
go! mine Gott, der snake bit mine
legr'
If anything in particular was capable
Of frightening young Peter, it was
snakes; for he had once nearly crippled
himself for life by tranpling upon a
crooked stick, which sprained his ancle
and SO horritied the young man that he
liked to have fallen through himself.
At the word snake young Peter fell
back, nimbly as a wire drawer, and
bawled out in turn:
"Where is der snake?"
Cup my trowsis, Peter-Oh mine
Gott!''
ooh, mine Gott!" echoed Peter jun
ior, skill him, fader, kill him.
"No-a, No-a, he kill me, Peter
come-come quick-get off my trow-
sisl''
But Peter the younger's cowardice
overcamc his filial affection, while his
fear lent strength to his legs, and he
started like a scared locomotive to call
the old burly Dutchman, who was in
distant part Of the held, TO give his faith
er lift with the snake.
Old Jake, the farmers assistant, came
bounding along as soon as he heard
the news, and passing along the fence
whereon Peter and his son had hung
their 'linsey woolsey' vests, Jake grab
bed one Of the garments and hurried
to the old man, who still managed to
keep on his pins, although he was quak-
ing and trembling like an aspen leaf
in June gale Of wind.
ooh, mine Gott! 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 a "pizen-
ous'' reptile is about. Gathering up
the stiff, dry stalks Of a stalwart weed,
old Jake told the boss to stand ready,
and he would stun the snake if he did
not kill it 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
Swichoffer down into . hay cock
Goblin!
"Oh!' roared old Peter, syou broke
mine leg and de tan snakes gone!."
"Vere, vere?" cried old Jeke, NOV
ing briskly about, and scanning very
narrowly the ground he stood upon.
'Never mind him, Jacob; help me
up and I'll go home"
''Put on your vest, den; here it is
said old krout eater, gathering up his
boss, and trying to get the garment up
on his lumpy back. The moment old
Peter made his effort he grew livid in
the face-his hair stood on end, s.like
the quills upon the fightful porcupine, -
as Mrs. Partington observes-he shiv-
ered-he shook-his teeth chattered-
and his knees knocked a stacatoe ac-
compartment.
ooh, Jacob, carry me home! 1 am
dead as a nits -
"Vot! ish der anodder shnake in
your trowshers?" ?"
'No-a--look, I'm swelt all up! Mine
vest won't go on mine pack. O, mine
| Got.n
"Donder and biitz!' cried old Jake.
as he took the same conclusion; and
with might and main the old man,
scared into most wonderful feat OF
physical activity and strength, lugged
and carried the boss some quarter Of a
mile, to the house.
Young Peter had Skinned it home at
the earliest stage of the dire proceed
ings, and so set the girls in alarm that
they were in a high state when thev
saw the approach OF the good dad and
his assistant
Old Peter was carried in, and began
to die as natural as life, when in come.
the old lady, in a great hustle, and
wanted to know what was going on
Old Peter, in the last gasp of agony
and weakness, opened his eyes and
feebly pointed to his leg The old wo
man ripped up the pantaloons, and ou