Smyrna times., 1861-08-01
A. True Story,

Inc certain parish in the county Of FarfaT,
there lived, a few years ago, peculiar Indl-
vldual Of the name of jamie Johnston. jamie
was poor beggaT, who had no home OF his
own, but lived continually on the parish. As
report went, he had, at some remote period
lost the use OF his legs, and was in consequence
dependent for sustenance on the charity of the
people Of the district. Gifted with the knack
OF making himself agreeable wherever hs
might be, jamie had become great and uni
Versal favorite among the farmers wives, who
always took care that he should be provided
for in a comfortable way. Indeed, they strove
with each other who should treat him best, for
they were well aware that jamie had most
praise for her who put most butter on his bread
and most sugar in his teacup. He was well
come to stay at any farm as long as he pleased
and when he wished to remove to another place
he was invariably transported thither either
IN cart or, if the distance was short, on the
broad shoulders ofone or two stout plOughmen.
Never was king or beggar half so happy and
blithe-hearted as jamie Johnston. lie had
plenty to eat and nothing to do all the year
round, and he was truly. thankful. One day
two strong ploughmen, Rab and Jock, took
upon themselves the burden and responsibility
of conveying jamie from their own farm 10
another about a quarter of mile Distant
Hosted on Rab's back jamie was as proud as
an emperor, aHd he forth with began to crow,
and chucke. and crack his jokes with the great
est goodwill in the world. The ploughmen,
being in haste, determined to take what they
called smear cut" through certain park
where a number of cattle were grazing. They
were about half way through this park when
the three were il" struck all of heap" by see.
ing q large, black ferocious looking bull COM
inn eht ha nil lon
tail, paving aud tearing the ground with his
feet, moaning and roaring in manner calcu.
lated 20 strike terror and dlsmay into the stout.
est heart.
"Oh! for guidness' sake, Rab, rim wi a.
yer micht, and save me frae that brute," cried
jamie.
Rab ran accordingly as fact as he could
Jock helping him as best as he might. Not.
wiIhstanding all their efforts, however, it wat
too evident the brute was fast gaining ground
and would soOn overlake them. They were
still a pretty long distance from the fence, and
Rab was nigh falling to the ground exhausted
with the weight sf the unfortunate Jamie.
"JOek, my guild freeb,'" said that individuu
"could ye not stop behind bit, and try an
keep the beast back! Better ans should risi
himseF than that the three e us should be kill
ed. Rim, Rab, rim, and save me at any rate.
Jock, instead of acting as jamie desired. raj
away and left his friends to their fate. Th
bull was within few yards of them, when, L
the infinite astonishment of the exhausted Rab
the lame man on his bsc sprang off, and, ma k
ing good use of the legs long supposed to b
useless, soon left tho bull aud his two friend
far behind, leapt the fence with the agility G
maukin," and was out of danger and ou
Of sight in the :winkliug of an eyeld. Th
astonishment Of Rab and Jock it would be i'm
: possible to describe. FOTgetful of their pul
' suer, they stood. rooted to the earth, and staI
4 ed, with dilated eyes and open mouths, altel
nately at each other, and at the rapidly y,retrea
u ing figure of jamie Johnston. The infnriate
beast was likewise taken by surprise. and, il
stead of following up it's advantage. stood sti
i al at once and "glowered," amazed and " dun
foU nded"-like, at the scene before ID. As SOC
as the ploughmen were able TO comprehend no
" matters stood, they set up such roar ofIaugI
% ter as startled the echoes Of the distant hill
3, and frig ghteued the crows on field in a neigI
r boring county. Il is needless TO relate tn
jamie Johnston from that day was never aga
seen in the parish.