Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-11-01
s.CalI a Man."
4 LOVE ANp sNAKE STORY.


working young man, of twenty three years. -
Being the eldest child aud the only son he
had always remained at home, assisting his
father on the farm. John was much respec ted
by every one in the neighborhood, and many
bright eyed girl had secretly thought that she
would like to change her name to Mrs. JohL
jackson. But John was no ssladies' man.
The fact was, John was bashful. He would
rather hoe potatoes all day than undergo tha
ceremony of an introduction to Young lady.
Not that John disliked the dear creatures; far
from it. We believe that he, 10 common with
all bashfnl, we'll meaning men, entertained the
very highest respect and admiration for them.
And this, no doubt, was the principle cause OF
bis bashfulness He felt that they we're su-
perior beings, aud that he was unworthy to as
sociate with them upon terms of equality. But
We cannot stop TO mofalize. Nancy Clark was
the daughter Of very respectable farmer
whose lands adjoined the jackson farm. Nan
cy was pretty, saucy little witch, and she
liked John Jackson. When they we're chill
dTen they attended the Same school, and as he
was few years her senior, was usually her
companion in the childish disputes that arose,
and ber companion 10 going and returning
At last John became so much of young man
TO be kept from school, as she had been D
past yeaTs. John discovered too, that he had
been growing in stature aud II seemed as il be
had been growing out of shape. His feet and
legs appeared awkward; be didn't know what
to do with his hands; bis face panied him, aad
taking it ali in all, be was Inclined to think be
was not more tbau half put together.
Now the truth was, John Jacksongwas re-
ally tine looking young man, aud nothing
but bis admiration of Nancy could have sug-
gested any such foolish thoughts about himself.
As novelists say, it was lovely day in
August. The heavens were clear, serene, and
| beautiful, the trees we're laden With golden
fruit, and tho beautiful birds twittered their
songs of love 10 the branches. Earth--(theTe,
we've slid down to earth once more: such lofty
! flights, they make our head dizzy.I We were
about to say the earth had yielded her boun
/ tiful harvest of yesr's grass, and clover, and
honeYsuckles, which the noble yeomanry Of
/ ChestervilIe had gathered within their store
houses; but upon a second thought we have
/ concluded to word it thus: "The farmers of
| Cbesterville we're done baying."
! John Jackson's sister had quilting that
afternoon. His father had gone to 'Keith's
Mill'' to get some wheat ground, and John
! the morrow to commence moving The meadow
gross. Suddenly it occurred to John that if be
I remained about the house in the afternoon be
would be called in at tea time and required to
do the honors of the table To avoid this be
quietly shonldered his scythe and stole away
to the meadow, half mile distant, fully re-
solved that be wolud not leave there until it
was dark that he could not see to NOV, and
and thus avoid seeing the girls.
The meadow was surrounded on all aides By
a thick forest, which etfectually shut out what
little breezes there might chance to be stirring.
The sun poured its rays as though tho little
meadow was the focus point where the heat
was concentrated. John moved and sweat
and sweat and moved, until be was obliged
to sit down and cool off. Then it occurred to
John if be took off his pants he might be
much more comfortable. There could be no
impIoprlety in it, for be was entirely concealed
from observation, and there was not the slight
est reason to believe that he could be seen By
any person. So John stripped off, and with
no cover save his Iinen-eommonly called
shirt-he resumed his work. He was just con-
graduating himself upon the good time he vas
having, aud the lucky escape he had made
from meeting with the girls, whom he chaneed
to disturb huge black snake, genuine twis-
ter with white ring around bis neck.
John was no coward, but he was morlally
afraid of snake. "Self. lf.preservatiou" was
the first "passage" that flashed upon Johns
mind, and 'slegs take care of the body" was
the next. Dropping his seythe and spinning
around like top, be was ready to strike at
240 gate, when at that moment the snake was
near enough to hook his crooked teeth into
Johns shirt just above the hem. With tfe-
nendous spring he darted off with tie speed of
locomotive.
His frat jump took the snake clear from the
ground, and as John stole hasty glance over
his shoulder, be was horrIfied to find the reptile
securely fastened to the extremity of bis gar
meut, while the speed with which he rusbsd
forward kept the serpent extended to an angle
of ninety degrees with his body.
Here was quandary. If he stopped, the
snake would coil around his body and squeeze
him TO death; il he continued his race, he
must soon fall from sheer exhaustion. On he
few, scarce daring to think how this dreadful
race was to end. Instinctiyely be had taken
the direction for home, feeling of security
came over him. Suddenly flashed across his
mind the true state Of affairs-his father gone
-the quilting, and worst Of all, the glrlsi--
This new horror sent the blood back, c0rding
about bis heart, and he came to dead halt
The next moment be felt the body of the cold
elammy monster in contact with his bare legs,
his tail creeping around them in sort of
cozening way, as though bis sDakeship only
medita,ed little fun, BY Tay Of tickling John
upon the knees.
This was too much for human endurance
Wnh yell, such as man never utters save
when in mortal terror, poor John again set