The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-03-20
stances would permit. prepared to ascend

the tree. sfsa
In youth. the tulip tree, or Liriodem
dron Tahpiterum, the most magnificent of
American foresters, has trunk peculiar.
ly smooth and often rises toa great height
without lateral branches; but in its ripper
age the bark becomes gnarled and uneven,
while many short limbs made their ap-
pea-ance on the stem. Thus the diff
Guilty of ascension in the present case lay
more in semblnnce than in reality. Em,
bracipg the huge cylinder as closely as
possible with his arms and knees, seizing
with his hands some projections. and rest
ing his naked toes upon others, Jupiter,
after one or two narrow escapes from
falling, at length wriggled himself toto
the FIRST great tork, and seemed to consid-
er the whole business as virtually accom-
plished The RISK Of the achievement
was in fact now over, although the climb
er was some sixty or seventy feet from the
ground ..,s.g t....
Which way mus go now, Massa Will
he asked. 49,, -, .-.,t .szs
Keep up the largest braneh-..the one
on this side said Legrand The negro
obeyed him promptly, and apparently with
but little trouble: ascending higher and
higher, until no glimpse of his squat fig
ure could he obtained through the dsnse
foliage which enveloped it. Presently his
voice was heard in a sort of halloo.
How much fudder has got for go!'
How high are your asked Legrand,
'Ebbor SO fur replied the negro, can
see de sky fru de top Oh de tree, a5
Never mind the sky. but attend to
what I say. Look down The ,t7unk and
count the limbs below you on this side
How many limbs have you 2assed!'
One, two. three, four fibe--I done
pass fbe big limbs, messa. 'pon dis side.
Then go one limb higher. g ~
In a. few minutes the voice was heard
again, announcing that the seventh limt
limb was attained. -, a,..-., -. ~
Now Jup,' cried Lcgrand. evidently
mSeh excited, i want you to work your
way out upon that limo as far as you ear
If you see anything stran sc let me know.
BY this time what little doubt ! nigh
have entertained OF my poor friends in
sanity was put finally at rest. L had nc
alternative but to conclude him stricker
With lunacy, and I became seriously an
xious about getting him home. While
was pondering on what was best 10 b,
done, Jupiter's voice was again heard.
Mos, feeren for to ventur' 'pon dis lirnl
berry far-'tis dead limb putty much al
de way ss- M
Did you soy it was dead limb, Ju
piterY' cried Legrsud in a.quiyering voice
| Yes, massa, him dead as de door nail
done up for sartin-done departed di
here life.' 81
What in the name of heavens shall
dor asked Legrand, seemingly in tn
greatest distress.
Do!' said !, glad of an opportunity t
interpose a work. why. come home an
go to bed Do-that's fne fellow
It's getting late, and besides you rcmen
Der your promise 4.s..s-..
'Jubiter' cried he, without needing IN
in the least, do you hear ,me?'
Yes, Massa Will, hear -you ebber g
plain ID. .ss,,. .tsza>s -
TRY the wood well then with your knil
and see if you think it rery rotten e....,
| Him rotten, massa. sure enutf, replie
the negro in u few moments, .bat not $
berry rotten as mought be. Mought yeI
tur' out leetle way 'pon &c limo by mysel
dat's true
'By yourseIrl what DO yen mean?'
/ why, 1 meant de bug. IT'S berl
hebby bug. S'pose drop him dowa fus
and den de limb won't break wild just q
b weight ob one niger
/ You Internal scoundresP cried L,
grand, apparently much relieved. 'wh'
| do you mean by telling me such nonsen,
) as that? AS sure as you drop that bee,
III break your neck, Look here, Jup
ter, do you hear me?' - i..
:. Yes, massa, needn't hollo at poor nj;
! ger dat STYLE 49,
i We'll! now listenl if you will ventul
} out on the limb as far as you thiuk saf
! aud not let go of the beetle, I'll make yc
present of silver dollar as soon as ye
:. get down. .s
I'm gwine, Massa Will-'deed I is
replied the negro very promptly mo
out to de end now.'
sOm to the end' here fairly screamt
Legrand. do you say that you are out
the end Of that limb ~ f.-s..s...
, Soon be to de eend, massa-o.o-o-o o
Lor gol marcyl what is dis here pc
a, de tree?' s,-.-..-......F....
WE'LL cried Legrand, highly delighte
, what is it,?
J Why, 'taint nofin but skuli-som
e body bin lef him head up de tree and {
crows done gobble ebery bit OBJ de me
3 off, 49,.
S "A skull. you say?--very well!-ho
I is it fastened to the limb?--what holds
Q or?' II ..-. s,.-,
: Sure nuff, mus look. Why, dis Der
! curious sarcumstance, 'pon my word
6are's a great big nail in the skull, wh