Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-06-26

patience to get to bed did not allow him tt
| pay much attention to these phenomena. Nc
| sooner had he laid himself down than the
| general onslaught commenced. The minute
ancers came down on him in myriads OF
millions, piercing him with innumerable barbs.
every one OF which, Gas he afterwards de-
clared,) was equal in effect to the puncture OF
darning- needle. He snatched off his night
cap and endeavOred, by tapping it all around,
to drive off his assailants; but if they gave
way for a moment they returned to the charge
with renovated vigcr and resolution. He
ieaped out of bed. and by dancing sort of
Spanish fandango over the floor, endeavored
to shake off the swarms of his blood thirsty
enemies which adhered like leeches to every
asSailable part of his person. Having exhaus-
ted himself with this exercise, he sank again
on the bed and rolled about in agony. until
his recovered energies permitted another sal
tatory performance on the floor. Thus the
night was passed in inconceivable misery, and
soon as the day dawned, Middleton threw
on his clothes and rushed wildly into the open
air. He rambed about the fields, and more
than once, thought seriously of plunging into
the river to allay the burning sensation which
yet fingered in his skin. AT length he en-
countereG ssCousin Bob'' who had now risen
and was driving his COWS to pasture.
''Ah, Cousin jack" cried Laskin, ''I must
give you credit for early rising. Hope you
rested well after yonr travel.'
"Never closed my eyes," answered Middle
ton. s,The mosquitoes literally dragged me
ont of bed.''
ssOh the mosquitoes They are rather
troublesome TO strangers, but after all Cousin
Jack, they are rather 4 good institution. For
the benefit of health, they answer the same
purposes here that the bed bugs do in Phila-
Gelphia. Only let them bleed you freely and
you are safe enough from the bilious fever
during the whole season. You'll soon be ac-
customed TO their operations, Cousin Jack"
s.Never'' cried Middleton, in great excite
ment "Another night like the last one would
finish me.''
.sPooh you may think so at present, Cousin
Jack,'' said Laskin, ssbut you are nervously
excited and overrate the mischief. You want
exercise and recreation. We will go oD a
fishing excursion this afternoon, a boat row
and the refreshing air from the river will COM
pose your nerves and strengthen your appc-
tite. By the way, Cousin Jack, / expect some
company to dinner to-day they are people
who do not admire dandyism in any shape,
and they are ap. 10 feel contempt for COM
mon folks who make high pretentions to gen.
tility. If 'hey should see and hear you talk,
they would be sure to laugh at you, and that
would be mortifying to myself, because you
are nv relation. To save yen from ridicule,
would recommend you to take dinner to-day
in the kitchen, where my coored man, Tom,
will try to make you comfortable. By all
means, keep out of the way of my company"
'sThunder and fury 20 cried Middleton in a
great rage, s'do You pretend TO tell me that
your clod hopping friends would presume to
make me an object of their merriment ?''
THAT is my meaEing," answered Laskin.
s'They are plain people, but very honest and
sensible. They do not board at first class no.
tells. nor follow any business which will not adj
NIT of explanation, but they know how to
value themselves, and would Scorn to associ-
ate with your friend Wriggler. Indeed, Cousin
Jack, doubt whether they would be favOra-
bly, impressed with your appearance and con-
versation. Therefore my advice is that you
should avoid them.''
sssTo be sure 1 will,'' roared Middleton, s.I
will avoid your friends aud acquaintances,
your musquitoes and yourself, for L see now
very plainly that you invited me to this place
merely to amuse yourself at my expense. 1t
was mean aud pitiful revenge"
sNo revenge at all, Cousin Jack. l merely
wished 10 give you useful lesson. You will
find that plain dealing, after all, is the best
policy with your country cousins. II you do
not like their company, tell them so at once,
and they will cease to trouble you; and for
your cwn credits sake, never let them suspect
that you hold successful sharpers and swind-
lers in higher esteem than decent, honorable
and hard working ruStcs."
81 do not expect to agree with you on any
subject, Mr.. Laskin," answered Middleton.
ssand / will not stay another hour in your
neighboIhood, will merely trouble you to
enquire how can get home by the shortest
route 2"
81 guess you will have to bear with us
little while longer,'' answered Laskin, ssfor as
the means of conveyance from this place are
very irregular, it will require some looking
around to secure you passage to the nearest
point on the railroad. Ifyou can endure us
and the mosquitoes for two or three days and
nights more
..No, not for another hour" exclaimed Mid
dleton, in a tone of bitter resentment. "I'd
rather make my way to the railroad station on
foot.''
ssThe road passes through thick forest,
and you'll find it rather gloomy and disagreea-
ble,' said Laskin. ssBeSides there are lots of
snakes, and some of them might bite worse
than the mosquitoes"
But Middleton could not be dissuaded from
undertaking a pedestrian journey of fifteen
miles, in order to escape from the objects of
his dread and dislike. After tedious and
toilsome walk through the sand and over
heaps of pine burs and decayed branches,
which made the road in some places almost
indisting nguishabe, he reached the railroad
track, and took passage in the first train for
Philadelphia. On his arrival at home, his
woeful ard forlorn appearance startled and
alarmed Mrs. Middleton, and when he made
her acquainted with the particulars Of his visit
to 'sCousiD Bob, the lady's indignation broke
out into furious eXclamations against .sthe
heartlcss ungratcful vagabond."
Ii does not appear from the record that any
subsequent intercourse took place between
"Cousin Bob" and ..Cousin Jack 20 and it Is
quite probable that the visits we have descibed
were the very last that each paid to the other.
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Savannah paper suggests that there are
certain snhsfances which by hein0 enclosed