Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-01-24
M MISCELLA N Y,
Fishing for an Irishman.
BY GLAUBER SALTS, MD.

BY GLAUBER SALTS, NJ. D.
The reader will please to accompany the good
physician along the banks of Dog River a
queer little stream which took its rise nobody
knew where among the hills, and turned great
many mill-wheels before it eventually found its
way into Long Island Sound. The Doctor is
suddenly startled by loud cries, as of some per.
son in distress:
On advancing little farther, and turning an
angle of the stream called Dove-tail Bend, be-
held woman walking up and down the bank
ringing her hands and beating her breast, and
filling the place with the bitterest lamentations.
AS this part OF Dog River is extremely wild
lying within the gloom of old trees, and the
foliage of its banks almost black in its luxur
ance, the spectacle of this distracted creature,
although she looked like any thing but spirit
ual being, forcbly reminded me OF one of those
unhappy ghosts who moan upon the banks OF
Styx, and cannot cross, because their bodies have
been deprived of burial. She did not at first
perceive my approach, but continued to weep
and talk to herself.
"Dennis shrieked she, in voice so sudden
and piercing that it went through my ears, and
then softening down, and clasping her hands,
she exclaimed in mournful tone: oh, hinney,
Kinney! and is he gone, and is he gomez
4 was affected by her genuine distress, and
reined in my horse. My good woman said l,
what is the matter? What makes you cry so p
She lifted up her eyes, red with weeping, and
with strong Irish accent, told the cause of
her grief. 1t was short story, but melan-
choly one On the day before, her husband, Den
mis-, and herself were returning at sun-down
from their daily toll, when they had occasion
to cross the stream in this place, where tree
thrown across formed rustic bridge She went
before, carrying basket on her arm. and reached
the shore in safety. But alas! for Dennis. He
hesitated in the middle of the bridge, and lost
his balance. First his right arm flew up into
the air, and then his left then his right, then
his left. 1t was to no purpose. Dennis had
taken 'drap' too much, and he fell into the
stream. Farewell, daylightp exclaimed lie,
throwing up his hands with philosophic resigna-
tion, and catching glimpse for the last time Of
the sky. His affectionate wife hastened to his
rescue, but he had sunk to rise no more. And
now she ceased not to call upon him in the place
where he had died, for his body had not yet
been found.
AS this waa case which unhappily my
medical art did not reach, was on the point ol
departing, and leaving her to that grief which
could not assuage, when my attention was at
tracted by rustlng in the thicket, and young
fellow bounded forth with gun in his hand,
and dressed in sportsman's attire.
''Hallor shouted he, what the DEVILS to pay
What's all this hullabaloo about9'
Il explained to him in few words the state
Of the case.
''Oh!' said he in commiserating accents, Pm
very, very sorry for you, my good woman.-
And would you like to know how to find him .
The poor creature paused, looked up eagerly
and invoked blessings on him: oh indade and
indade soould = replied she.
SWELL said he, I'll tell you. Go into the
woods
''Yas.'
''And get ten-foot pole
'sYas'
s'And put potatoe on the end of it, and put
it in the creek, and youW catch him p
s'The poor woman broke forth into tempest
of passion at such sudden disappointment oi
her hopes, and poured imprecations on the head
Of the offender, with volubility rarely equaled
| was myself vexed and indignant at this unfeel-
ing speech, and on the impulse of the moment
rebuked the young sportsman with severity
which forms no part of my disposition. To this
he replied by sarcastic reflections on my horse
aid sulky, and finally had the insolence to lei
off both barrels OF his fowling-piece near my
horses head, who was happily very hard Of
hearing or else The had been young and spirit
ed, be might have run away