Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-07-18

ed forward kept the serpent extended at an an
gle of ninety degrees with his body.
Here was quandary. If he stopped the
snake would coil about his body and squeeze
him to death if he continued the race, he
must soon fall from sheer exhaustion. On he
flew, scarce daring to think how his dreadful
race was to end Instnctivey he had taken
the direction of 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 girls =
This new horror sent the blood back. curdng
about his heart, and he came 10 a dead halt.
The next moment he felt the body OF the cold,
clammy monster 10 contact with his bare legs
his tail creeping around them in a sort of coz
ening manner, as though his snakeship only
mediated a little fun, by way Of tickling john
upon the knees.
This was too much for human endurance
With a veil, such man never utters save when
in mortal terror, poor John again set forward
at break-neck speed and once more had the
pleasure of seeing the snake resume his hori-
zontal position, somewhat after the fashion Of
the tail of a comet.
On, on they few John forgot the quilt
ing, forgot the girls, forgot everything but the
suake.
His active exercise, (he paid particular at
tenton to bis running) together with the ex-
cessive heat, had brought on the Dose-bleed,
and as he ran, ears erect and head thrown
back, ais chin, throat, and shirt-bosom were
stained with the flowing stream.
His first wild shrek had startled the quilt
ers, aud forth they rushed, wondering if some
mad Indian was not prowling about. BY this
time John was within few rods OF the barn,
still running at the top of his speed, his head
turned so that he might keep one eye on the.
suake, and with the other observe what course
be must take The friendly barn now con
cealed him from the sight of the girls. He
knew they were in the yard, having caught
glimpse Of them as they rushed from the
house A few more bounds, and he would be
in their midst. For moment mOdeS'y ove"-
came fear, and once more he halted. The
snake, evidently pleased with his rapid trans.
portution, manifested bis gratitude by attempt
ing to enfod the legs of our hero within his
embrace
With an explosive " ouch ~ and urged for
ward by circumstances over which he had
no control" poor John rushed on. The next
moment he was in full view of the girls, and
as be turned the corner of the barn, the snake
came round with a0hiz, somewhat after the
fashion of a ho!se-whip.
Having reached the barn-yard, to his dis
may he found the bars up. But time was too
precious to be wasted in letting down bars.
Gathering all his strength, be bounded into
the air, snake ditto, and as he aHghted on the
other side, his snakeship's tail cracked across
the upper bar, swapping ike an India crack
er.
Again John set forward, now utterly re-
gardess of the presence Of the girls, for the
extra tickle from the snakes tail, as he leaped
the bars, bauished all his bashfulneSs and mod
esty, and again he had the pleasure Of finding
the snake in straight line drawing steadily
at the hem of his solitary garment.
The house now became the centre of at
traction, and around it he reyoved with the
speed of thought -Four times in each revo-
luton as he turned the corner, his suakeshp
came around with a 1rbi- that was quite re-
/ freshing
While describing the third circle, as he
came near the group of woAder-struck girls,
| without removing his gaze from the snake, he
managed to cry out =
"cALL A MAN"
The next moment he had whisked out of
sight, and qnick as thought reappeared upon
the other side Of the house =
"cALL MAN -
And away he whrIcd again, turning the
corner SO rapidly that the 1chj1 Of the snake
sounded half way between low whistle and
the repeated pronunciation of double-o.
Before either of the girls had stirred from
their tracks he had performed another reyolu
ti0n =
"cAIL NAN ~
Away he flew once more, but his strength
was rapidly failing. Nancy Clark was the
first to recover her presence of mind, aud
seizing hoop pole, she took her station near
the corner Of the house, aud as John reap
peared she brought it upon the snake with
force that broke his back, and his hold upon
Johns neither garment at the same time.
John rushed into the house and to his room,
and at tea time appeared in his best Sunday
suit, but little the worse for the race, and to
all appearance entirely cured of bashfuness.
That night he walked home with Nancy Clark
The next New Near they were married, and
now. whenever John feels Inclined to laugh at
his wife's hoops or any other popularity, she
has only to say, Call man." when he in
stahty Sobers down.
RGE- In Bangor, Me, there resides certain
William s., teamster, who is noted for
his jolity, and also for keeping late hours, as
he usually goes home at O'Clock in the morn
ing. Well, one stormy night about year ago
William concluded to 90 home early, and, ac-
cordingly, he arrived at his house at just mid
night In answer to his knock, his mother
opened window aud inquired -