Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1861-07-06
CALL A MAN !
A Run For Life.

ous, fard-Worling young man of TWEEN
ty-three years. Being the eldest child
and the only sen, he had always re-
mained at home, assisting his father
sapon Tie farm. John was much re-
epected by every one in the neighbour
hood, and many q bright eyed girl had
secretly thought she woald like to
change her name to Mrs. John Jack
son. But John was no "ladles' man.
The fact was, John was very bashtul,
He would rather hoe potatoes all day
chan undergo the ceremony OF an in
PRODUCTION to a lady. Not that John
disllked the dear creatures far from
it, We believe that he in common
with all bashful, wel-meaning young
men, entertain the very highest respect
and admiration for them. And this no
doubt, was the principal cause Of his
bashtulncss. lie felt that tney were
superior beings and that he was un-
worthy to associate with them upon
terms Of equality. But we cannot stop
to moralize.
Nancy Clark was the daughter Of
very respectable farmer, whose lands
adjoined the Jackson farm. Nancy
was pretty, saucy little witch, and
she liked John jackson. Nhen they
were children they attended the same
school, and rs he was a few years her
senior, was usually her champion i'll the
childish disputes that arose, and her
companion in going and returning. At
last, John became 50 much OF Il young
man as to be kept from school, as she
had been i'll past years. John dlscoy-
cred too, that he had been growing in
stature, and it seemed as if he had
been growing cnt Of shape. Ills feet
and legs appeared very awkward he
didn't know what to do with his hands;
his face panied him ; and taking al i'll
all, he was inclluel to think he was net
more than half put together.
Now the truth was, john Jackson
was really fine looking young man,
and nothing blt his admiration Of
Nancy would have suggested any such
foolish thoughts about himself
As noyc!l>ts say it was ! lovely day
IN August. The heavens were clear,
serene anl ba,utiful, the trees were u
den With golden frait, an | the beauti-
tul birds twittcred their songs Of love
IN the branches. E1rth-lherc-we
have slid down to earth once more;
such lofty 1ights-they make Our head
dizzv.) We were about to say that
."earth had yielded her bountitul har-
vest of a years grass, clover, and hon
ev sucklcs, which the noble yeoGanry
Of ChesterviIe had gaTnerel within
their store-houses' s''-b1t upon Il second
thought have con:.ulcI to say it thus
''The farmers Of Chestarvillc were done
glaying."
John Jackson's sister had q quilting
that afternoon; his father had gone to
''Keith's Mill" to get some wheat
ground, and rs John was left to repair
some tools, to be ready on the morrow
to commence moving the meadow
grass. Suddenly it occurred to John
that if he remained about the house in
the afternoon, he would be called in at
tea time to do the honOrs of the table
To avoid this he quietly shouIdered his
scythe and stole away to the meadow,
half mile distant, fully resolved that
he would not leave there until it was 50
dark that he could not see to NOW to
avoid seeing the girls.
The meadow was surrounded on all
sides by thick forest which efectual-
" shut out what little breeze there
might be stirring. The sun poured its
rays as though the little meadow was
the focus point where the heat was con
centrated. John moved and sweat
sweat and moved, until he was oblg-
ed to sit down aud cool off, then it Oc-
Cured to John that if he took of his
pants he might be much more comfort
able There could be no impropriety
IN it, for he was entirely concealed
from observation, and there was not
the slightest reason to suppose that he
could be seen by any person.
So John stripped off, and with nc
covering save his linen-commonly
called shirt-he resumed his work.
He was just congratulating himself OF
the good time he was having, and the
lucky escape he had made from meet
ing with the girls, when he CHANGED tc
disturb a large black snake, a genuine
twister with q white ring around hi:
neck
John was no coward, but he was
mortally afraid Of snakes. 'fSelf-pres
eryation" was the first passage" tha
flashed upon Johns mind, legs take
care of body was the next. Drop
pi ne his scythe, and spinning rount