Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-08-18
a.uother Hateful. JOEL.


A short yarn was spun 10 us last evening,
of and concerning the experiment in milling
of couple of friends of ours, now or lately
sojourning for health and pleasure at the Tai
ladega Springs. 1t is unnecessary to give
the names of these gentlemen, but for con-
venience we will call them, respectively,
John and Joel. They. it may be remarked,
have great similarity of tastes, and among
other pencil ants, are very fond of fishing;
and everybody knows that the vicinity of Tai
ladega Springs offers fine opportunity to the
skilIful knight of the fly.
Thus, John and JOeI-there being no reli-
giOus services at the Springs that dav-went
out, Sunday before last to the mill of Mr.
P, mile or two down the creek. with
a view to a dinner of small trout and Dream.
With them went their invited guest Mr..
Smith and Miles 'cOntrived' them down a
bottle or two Of wine
The party was snug: the wind was propi-
tious; and the fish altogether amiable. A
cosy, nice dinner of brown and crisp noun
tain fish was soon washed down with few
glasses of champagne; and then cigars were
lit. As the smoke curled langudly about
their noses. Satan (who was invisiblv present.
without an invitation) suggested to John
that that mill was ''slow coach" and
couldn't cut much, lumber; and John ex-
pressed the same opinion to Joel Joel
thought differently. aud so did Smith
Let's try her, said John.
agreed" said Joel and Smith.
1t was short work; a large pine log Law at
right angle across the carriage of the mill;
and it was agreed TO .'let her rip" through
this. Accordingly, the gate was raised and
Immediately the Stiffness of 'the grand old
woods" was broken by the rapid sharp
strokes of the saw. In minute the log was
brought up and the saw went rapidly
through.
John esSayed to do so.
But the mill wouldn't be stoned. butwent
Gathering away, as hard as everl
''Stop her, John. or by the Lord she'll
split herself in two, shouted Joel But all
the fixtures were obstinate and refused to
yield to the exertions of John and Smith
On went the saw, while John and Joel per-
spired.
Presently the carriage presented some me-
talllc obstruction to the passage of the saw,
but ''true STEEL it went against the oh
struction-and the teeth fetc TSome pieces of
mill iron had been left upon the carriage
way.1 But yet it creased not-up and down..
up and down! the true steel TO the dull cast
iron, until suddenly a small flame broke out
among the dust and spinters near the point
of contact.
Great Cd, john" said Joel; "the infer
nal machine is on fire. What shall we do?'
''Run down 10 the creek and bring up your
hat full of water" said John. Joel looked
affectionately at his handsome tile which is
always kept neatly brushed. but submitting
to dire necessity he straightway made it a
fire bucket and commenced fighting the flames.
John and Smiths straws were unavailable.
nevertheless, they did all those wild. incOn-
siderate things which most persons will do in
case Of fire. when there is no possibility of
doing any good.
Still that toothless saw ripped on. singing a
demon song as it scraped against the dull
cast iron. Aud the fire kept gaining a little
Joel laborcd faithfully, and every two min
utes brought up his hat full of water and
threw it upon the fire. John stood despair
ingly leaning against post in the mill. and
hallocd to his friend, as he seemed to pause at
the brink of the stream
Another hat-full, Joel, for Gods sake!
The Internal thing will cost us at least $1,000
apiece, if it burnsn.
'Bes,deS Hry hdt,n said Joel; but he brought
the water and poured it on.
On went the dcvilish saw, raking, rasping.
and tearing itself to pieces.
At this junctnre, Mr. r.. the owner of the
mill, having seen the smoke came down to
tue MILL and with great difficulty the saw was
stopped and the fire put out. Joel was
grievously "blOwn" with carrying water in
his hat, and John was quite used up with ex-
element. while Smith was breathleSs from his
cxcrtlons II: some lever which he supposed
might have some influence in quietng the
demon saw.
Gentlemen" said the proprietor, very pol
ltelY, lit Is easy enough to see why you
couldn t stop the saw after you set it a-going
This mill has some new arrangements which
| can easily explain
For Heavens, Mr.. P' said John, 'no
explanations on that point! Its the first mill
ever set a-gOing and shall neUer start another
just send US your bill for the damages, and
let's say no more about it,
The "boyS" paid $50 for not knowing how
to stop saw, and that night John. in u fever
ish sleep, (he has that blessing, chills and
fcvcrO shouted to his roommate
''One more hat-full, JoelH'-,N Montgomery
NpiL