Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-09-22
VOL. 5.--N0. 4.
"ANoTHER HAT FULL, JOEL"

A short yarn was spun to us last evening,
as and concerning the experiments I'm 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 Tor convenience
VIC will call them, respectively, John and Joel
They, it may be remarked, have great SINH
larity of tastes, and among other penchants.
are very fond of fishing and everybody knows
that the vicinity OF Taladega Springs offers
fine opportunity to the skilful knight of the fly
Thus John and Joel-there being no religi-
Gus services at the Springs that day-weut
out, Sunday before last, to the mill of Mr.. r,
a mile or two down the creek, with view to
dinner of small trout and Dream. With
item went their invited guest, Mr.. Smith,
and sMiles'' sscontriyed'; them down bottle
two of wine.
The party was snug; the wind was propi-
tious and the fish altogether arniabie. 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 langaidiy about
their noses, Satan (who was invisibly present,
without an invitatIon,) suggested TO John,
that that mill was ga slow coach, - and couldn't
cut much lumber; and John expressed the
same opinion of Joel Joel thought different
", and so did Smith.
s.Let's try her." said John.
"Agreed," said Joel and Smith.
II was short work q large pine log lay at
right angles across the carriage o. the MILL
and il was agreed to sslct her rip through
this. Accordingly, the gate was raised and
Immediately the stiffness OF "the grand old
woods was broken by the rapid, sharp stroke
of the saw. In a minute the log was brought
up and the saw went rapidly through.
Snow stop her,'' said Joel-and Smith and
John essayed to do SO.
But the mill wouldn't bc stopped, but went
Gathering hard ever
s.Stop her, John, or by the Lord She split
herself in two,'' shouted Joel. But all the
fixtures were obstinate aud refused to yield to
the exertions of John and Smith. On went
the saw, while John and Joel perspired.
Presently the carriage presented some me-
talic obstruction to the passage of the saw,
but sstrue STEEL" it went against the OBJ
struction-and then the teeth .fer. ISomc
pieces OF mill-iron had been left upon the
carriage way-1 But yet it ceased not-up
and down, up and down the true steel to the
dull cast iron, until suddenly small flame
broke out among the dust and sp4inters near
the point of contact
ssGreat Cd, John - said Joel, ssthe internal
machine is on fire. What shall We do ~
s.Run down to the creek and bring up your
hat full of water,'' said John. Joel looked af-
fcctionately at his handsome tile, which is al
WAYS kept neatly brushed but submitting to q
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, inconsid-
crate things which most persons will do, in
case of fire, when there is no possibility OF do
ing any good. AZ -
Still that toothless saw ripped on: singing
demon song as it scraped against the daH cast
iron. And the fire kept gaining little.
Joel labored faithfully, and every two min
utes brought up his hat full of water and threw
it upon the fire. John stood despairingly lean
ing against post in the mill, and hallooed to
his friend, as he seemed to pause at the brink
ssAnother hat-full, Joel, for Gods sake
The Internal thing will cost us at least $500
apiece, if it burnsi''
ssBesides my hal, - said Joel; but he brought
the water and poured it on.
On went the devilish saw, raking, rasping
and tearing itself TO pieces.
At this juncture, Mr.. p, the owner of the
MILL having seen the smoke, came down TO
the mill, and with great difficulty the saw was
stopped and the fire put out. Joel was griev-
ously ssblown'' with carrying water in his hat,
and j ohm was quite used up with excitement,
while Smith was breathless from his exertions
at some lever which he supposed might have
some influence in quieting the demon saw.
"Gentlemen,' said the proprietor, very po-
litely, ssit 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" .-,.--.
oFor Heavens Mr.. p, - said John, no erpla-
nation on that point It's the first mill ever
set a-going and L shall nerer start another,
Just send US your bill for the damages, and
let's saw no more about it.
The ssboys'' paid $50 for not knowing how
to stop a saw, and that night John, in fever
ish sleep, che has that blessing, chills and
fever) shouted to his room mate
ssOne more hat-full, Joel!''