The Placer herald., 1862-03-08
NUMBER a..
Aggravating.

his way home from the city of New York,
where he had been to ascertain the market
price of potatoes, stepped out of his wagon
for some trif1e, and while doing 80, accident
ally missed his footing and before he could
regain it, found himself deep in tn, mystic
ries Of an uncovered pit. Something like
ISLAM" came up from the hole, followed bv q.
gross of "ohs" and "ahs," and the next
moment the smiling visage of the gentleman
appeared above the opening, with bis hands,
cIutched on some broken roots, with tenac-
ity that dying men are noted for. But alas,
for the things of this world, the roots were
tried, but found wanting, and in much less
time than he ascendel, he descended again
plump into pile of stones. Another
square inch of skin rubbed oH-another
choice selection of interjeciions, and then
another trial, but with no better success.
Twice more he tried, and twice more failed,
when becoming discouraged with his futile
attempts, and aggravated at the result, he
doggedly sqnatted himself on the stones, del
terminng not to try again until he had be.'
ter hopes of success lie had not long to
wait. Soon after, the welcome sound OF
footsteps greeted him. In an instant he was
on his feet, and giving glad shout, quickly
|
he grasped secure root, this time, one that
would retain his weight, and although he
could not escape by its aid alone, he could,
manage with almost superhuman strength
to retain his hold until the coming man res
cued him.
opson-Iiopson," he screamed, "come
quick, and help me out before fall and kill
myself again"
"llao, Rumage, is that you?' drawled
the new conner, stopping short in his walk,
and viewing his picked friend with aggrava-
tin. coo.neas. "IIev you bin ter York;"
"les-yes.' cried Ruinage in weaker
voice. "But for the love of mercy, heI mo
out. cant stand il a minute longer"
"Sartlngly' was the cool reply. "But
you didn't see about them tateYs did yer?"
Yes did, family artcuated Rumage,
as he felt his strength fast leaving him, and
visions of damaged shin bones overcoming
him. "IIopson, for humanitys sake, help
me out"
"Yes-yes! | will" replied IIopson, with
out moving. You didn't find out what they
gave a barrel did yea
This was almost too much for the nearly
exhausted man; his hands were fast losing
their hold, and his face grew fairly purple in
his strenuous efforts to hold on; but think
inc it best 70 gratify his tor,nentor, as the
only means of safety, and that there was no
more q estions coming, he managed to gasp
out the price:
''ren shilIngs"
"Wnh or without the barreH" quickly
questioned the anxious Ilopson
The reply, which did not sound like di
rect answer to the question: was lost in the
darkness, among the stones.
FuN.-We have been nearly sick for 4
week past, from the effect Of an overdose of
fun, which we with some Others saw, on
Sunday last Returning from the city just
as we were about to descend the hill near
San Mateo, we saw a fine carriage stop at
its foot. We don't say it was the carriage
Conness perambulated the States in last fall,
but it was very like it. AS the carriage
stopped a gentleman alighted gun in hand,
and started hastily into the adjoining field,
leaving his companions, an elderly and we'll
known French gentleman, and lady, await
inc his return. The stage in which we were
riding, was well filed and all cast their eyes
into the field to see the game which was
about to be so fiercely set upon, when 10,
what was our surprise to see our we'll dress
ed city friend getting into what we thought
rather close proximity to an enormous pole
cat. Having got as near his mark rs he
seemed to think necessary he blazed away
first with one barrel, then with the other
without more than wounding the game if he
hit it at all. We thought this would 'let
him out" but not So the skunk, more consd.
crate had reserved his fire for closer quarters,
and greeny didn't yet know his game. So
he dubbed his gun, and made after it in hot
haste, and as he hit him over the head, the
skunk for the first time
Lifted his tail toward the grecnhorn's face,
And did-all a beast dminutivc can!
Whew! what change was there The hui
man belligerent fell back for moment, rub.
bing his eyes as fire itself would make cool
ing poultice for them. But by this time our
party were making the weIkin ring with
laughter, and this seemed to madden the
willy hunter, who "waded in again" only to
meet the same salvation. But he determined
not to give up the ship, and continued to
charge until he killed the "booiful bir red,".
and the last we saw of him he was "toating"
it towards the carriage, evidently intending
to carry it home Whether he did or not,
we had no desire to stop and see, but if he,
did, we think that carriage mus be in good
oder for a political campaign about this time.
Our French friend who held the ribbons evil
IDENTIFY suspected that there was "a ngger
over that fence of some kind, as we passed
him, enquired if it was sun grand cologne?"
Well bet he found out within three minutes
afterwards, for just about that time the air
needed purifying for a mile around.
Sam Mnfeo Gorotfo