Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-11-14
BRATTLEBORO, VT: NOV. la, 1861.

crawling over his body. Nearer and nearer il
came, shortening at each serpentine convolution
the distance between it aud the now clammy-
cold body of the suffering Job, until jobs pa
Aence could endure it no longer Springing TO
his feet and uttering cry OF horror, he cleared
at bound the intervening space to the waters
edge, and plunged hcadlong into the protecting
waves of the river not needing the spectacle he
presented, until feeling himself safe from the
poisonous fangs Of the reptile and cooled into
degree of semi-consciousness by the genial water,
as he mechanically parted tin swimming; then
observing the young ladies, escaping as il in afl
fright in a homewurd direction, the catastrophe
burs, upon him in all its frightfulness, remov.
ing the last vestige of the faint hope that had
given him morsel of comfort in the painful
and deeply-mor.iiying situation in which he had
innocently been laced.
Attaining the shore without much efiort---for
it is very probable, had il required much effort,
this veracious history would have here ended
and hastily donning his apparel, he trudged
heavily homeward, laden down with feelings of
gloom and modification, not relieved by sin
gle ray of deliverance presenting itself to his
confused and wandering faculties
Quickly seeking out his friend Gadman, he
unreservedly poured the tale OF his sorrows in
to that gentleman'S bosom, who, sympathi2ing
in his distresses. kindly advised the sufferer to
CALL without delay upon Judge Wycherly at
his office, and make clean breast of the whole
disaster, accompanied by such an apology as
the occasion required.
The old Judge was seated in his easy Office
char, deep in the mazes of a knotty legal in
vestgation, when job, without announcement,
countenance expressing blended humility, pen
itence and remorse, and without accepting the
preferred chair, entered, and unregardful of the
common salutation, began hurrcdly and almost
incoherently to utter the words:
Judge Wycherly. have called this morning
evening, ! should have said. to see YOU this
morning-evening it isl have called and
Il insist on your being seated interrupted
the Judge. wholly at loss to account for the
stammering and blundering introduction, and
amazed at the woe-bcgone countcnance of his
pupil. Compose yourself? What is the mat
ter?'
Il called confusedly continued the perturbed
Job, Miss Wychcrly-tha is Miss Mary--Miss
Eugenie--dd not go a-fshing--rain-Glad
man
Pray quiet yourself my dear young friend,
soothinglv persuaded the Judges your mind
seems to be wandering; take time, collect your
thoughts trust nothing unpleasant has be-
fallen YOU
% Judger hesitatingy and unintelligibly
proceeded the painfully hgitated Job, Il never
was so unhappy-Nliss Eugenie-Nliss Mary
never dreamed of it-Gladman never told
me--the snake was us large as your body
and
'Mr. Heartvell,' again interrupted the Judge,
in vain trying to solve the mystery, what is the
meaning of all this nonsense? Rain-Gad-
man-snake-- daughters-ilshng. | am
unable to understand you you had better re-
,:.
will never make yourself understood at this
rate
% Sir imploringly begged the sufferer,
will you grant me your pardon; | would lay
down my life before would insult you or your
family
This passes all comprehension said the
Judge, more puzzled and annoyed than ever ;
Il am not aware that you have offered any in
suit to myself, nor do believe you capable of
insulting any member of my family. If you
ever had any such intention, freely forgive
you doubtless my daughters will do likewise ;
when you become more calm and collected you
had better see them Yourself
'rhank YOU, from my heart thank you, Sir
overfowing with gratitude, Job replied you
do me but Justice nothing was further from
my intention. Have ] your permission to see
the ladies, and make them my most heartfelt
apology in person"
Certainly, my dear young friend responded
the old lawyer; but would il not be best to
wait till tomorrow, when-'
The conclusion of this sentence was lost on
Job, who bolted from the office and dared
along the street with rapid step, until he had
arrived at the gate of the enclosure around the
family mansion of the old lawyer here paus
ing he seemed buried in reflection.
Before the Judge returned to his seat from
the door, whence he had followed llartweIl, as
he made his retreat. Mr.. Gladman hove &C.
ciden,ally in sight, TO whom the Judge made {
signal that he desired to speak with him.
'Mr. Gadman, said the lawyer, as that young
gentleman came within ear shot, have you
seen Mr.. Ilartwcll this afternoon Can you
give any explanation of his perturbation o
mind? lie has been asking my pardon tol
some imaginary insult, and has now gone foI
the same purpose to my daughters. Hereto
fore he has seemed to me to he a young man OF
sober habits and exemplary behavior
YES SIR said the innocent-l looking lndivld
ual addressed, Il always so regarded him too
, and his present insanity is II problem. liz
went a-fshing this morning, returned som'
half an hour ago, and commenced telling me
something about snake he saw, mngling hi
narrative with observations Of his innocence o
intention to insult Miss Mary or Miss Eugenle'
Feelin alarmed lest some accident might hap
pen to the young ladies' came this way to IN
quire.'
'No accident that am aware Of Thoughtful
ly pursued the Judge Il left home scarce hal
hour ago. and my family were all well then.
Will YOU have the kindness to step up to IN!
residence, and ascertain what all this excite
ment means? Surely Hartwell is too strong
r minded to lose his senses at the sight of I
snake =
= AS Gladman approached the residence o
t Judge Wycherly, he caught a glimpse of Jol
t as he entered the door, and without stopping
e passed on.
e The pause at the gate enabled Job PARTIAL
Z to recover his self possession. PerpleXing en-
f barrassment us to the manner of his wordln,
, the apology to the ladies, was the cause of hi
z detention there. His high-strung feelings o
: delicacy and reverential regard for the femal
1 character, alike forbade him, he conceived. Il
1 use that direclness and pointedness on the pre-
d sent occasion, in which his frank nature wa
II wont to express itself Unaccustomed to or
Z nateness in apparelling his ideas, and least O
- all To circumlocution. he was sorely troubles
2 and hamassed, in addition to his many othe
: causes for chagrin and modification, as to tn
Y manner in which, with the least offence to mod
i esty and strict drcorum, he could accomplis
p his purpose. Having conncd over in his mini
r. the beginning of his speech, he entered tn
Z dwelling, trusting TO the inspiration of the mo
~. q