The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-06-12

AGAIN the terrlOl0 concert eWeleu on the
evening breeze for while, and then grad
ually sunk away in the distance, thus:
Lean make ashoe-o-o-o-,
As well as you-o-o-o- .-s
4, ~ And better too-o-o-o- -, s......
Beo-o-o-O-o-
Bo-o-o-,
Bo-o- r. .-.-.-- d
At last their mysterious concerts became
very frequent, and the poor shoemaker was
nearly deprived of sleep. In vain did he
attempt to discover the authors Of the an
noyances. They could not be found; so
that he naturally began to think it was in
deed made by the frogs, and that he was to
be haunted in this manner all his remaining
days. This melancholy idea became seated
in his mind, and made him miserable. sOh!''
he said to himself, ssthat was an unlucky
day when disturbed such frog's nest for
that old rascal of tailor. But it can't be
helped"
The next time Timmy Drew stopped at
the tavern, he found the people in earnest
consultation. '.
"There he comes," said one, as soon as
the shoemaker entered.
''Have you heard the news?" all inquired
in breath. z>
"No," said Timmy, with groan.
"Joe Gawky has seen such cri.fer in the
pond A monstrous great frog, as big as
an OK, with eyes as large horses! l new
er heard of no such thing in my born days!''
s'Nor l." said Sam Greening.
'sNor ~ said Josh Whiting. r.
"Nor l." said Tom Bizbee. s... =
81 have heard say of such critter in
Ohio" said Eb. Gravity. "Frogs have been
seen there, as big as sucking pig; but no,
in these ere parts" -.. = s .-
"Mrs. Timmins," said Sam Greening,
"feels quito melancholy about it. She
guesses as how it's sign of some terrible
thing that's going to happen"
81 was fishing for pickerel," said Joe
Gawkey, who, by the by, was a tall spindle
shanked fellow, with white head, and who
stopped in his chest like crook ed
squash--s'I was after pickerel, and had on
frogs hind leg for bait. There was q
tarnation great pickerel just springing at the
line, wheu out sailed this great he devil from
under the bank. BY the living hoky! he
straddle-bug never seed! Iup lines, and
cleared out like a white head!'' d.
Timmy examined the faces of the compa.
nv, and saw that they all credited the story.
He began to feel alarmed.
"That are must be the critter heard 10th
or night in the pond, !" said Josh Whiting.-
81 swanny! he roared lou Ter than bull"
This extraordinary narrative made great
impression on Jimmy Drew. He foresaw
something terrible was going to happen. In
vain was he questioned touching his knowl-
edge of the monster. He would not say a
word. .r~ s.
After this introduction, the conversation
naturally took supernatural turn
Every one had some mysterious tale to re-
late; and thus the evening wore away
Ghosts, witches and hobgoblins formed pro-
life themes of discussion. Some told of
strange sounds which had been heard in the
depths of the forests at midnight; and 9TH
ers of the shapeless monsters which seamen
had behed in the wilderness of the deep
By degrees the company fell off, one by
one, until Timothy Drew found himself
alone. He was startled at the discovery,
and felt the necessity of departing; yet some
invisible power seemed to dissuade him from
the step. A presentiment of some coming
evil hung like an incubus upon his imaginn-
ton, and nearly deprived him of strength.
At length, he tore himself away. His
course Law over solitary road, darkened by
overshadowing trees. A sepulchral still
ness pervaded the scene, which was disturb
ed only by his echoing footsteps. Onward
he glided with stealthy PAGES, not daring to
look behind, yet dreading to proceed. At
last he reached the summit of hill, at the
foot of which. arose his humble DWELLING
The boding cry of the frogs was now family
heard at a distance. He had nearly reach
ed the door of his shop, when sudden
rustic of the leaves by the side of the pond,
brought his heart into his mouth. At this
moment, the moon partly emerged from a
cloud, and disclosed an object before him
that fixed him to the spot. An unearthly
monster, in the shape Of mammoth bull
frog, sat glaring upon him with eyes like
burning Goals. With single leap, it was
by his side, and he felt one Of his ankles in
its cold rude grasp. Terror, gave him
strength. With an Herculean effort he dis
engaged his limb from the monsters clutch
es, rushed up the hill, and in an instant was
gone.
ssBy the living hokey!' said Joe Gawky,
slowly rising from the ground, and arrang-
ing his dress, sswho'd have guessed this
ere old pumpkip-hea with o candle in it,
would have set that are fellows stiff knee
agoing at that rate rate! couldn't see him
travel of, for dust"
1t is harly necessary to add that Var
mount never seed no more of the Frog