Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1862-07-26

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ened to the extremity Of his garment, wLilt
the rapidity with which he rushed forward
kept the serpent extended at an angle Of nirs'
ty 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 fall from sheer exhaustion. On he flew
scarce daring to think how this dreadful race
was t" end. Instinctively ho 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 worse than all, the girls! The
next moment he felt the body Of tho cold
clammy monster in contact with his bare legs
his tail creeping around them in sort of coz
ening way. as by way of tickling John upon
the knees.
| This was too much for human Endurance
With yell, such as man never uttered, save
in mortal terror, poor John Set foownrd at
break neck speed, and once more had the
pleasure of seeing the snake resume his hori
zontal position, somewhat after the tail Of a
comet
On, on they flew! John forgot the quilt.
ing. forgot the girls. forgot everything but the
snake.
His active exercise, (hc paid particular at
tention to his running,) together with the cx'
cessive heat. had brought OH the nOse-bleed
and as he ran, ears erect, and head throwr
back. his chin, throat, and shrt.bosom were
stained with the flowing stream.
His first shrek had started the quiltcrs
and forth they rushed, wondering if some In.
dian was not prowling aboat. 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 OH the
snake and with the other observe what course
he must take. Tho friendly barn now con
ccalcd him from the sight Of the girls. liz
knew the girls were in the yard. having
caught glimpse of them as they rushed from
the house. A few more bounds, and he would
overcome fear, and he halted. The snake
evidently pleased with his rapid transposi
ton, manifested his gratitude by attempting
to rntold the legs OF our hero within his EN-
brace.
With an explosive "ough" and urged for
ward by circumstances over which hc had
no CONTROL" poor John bounded on. The
next moment he was in full view Of the girls
and rs he turned the corner of the barn the
snake came round with whiz, somewhat Of
ter the fashion of coach.whip.
Having reached the barn-yard, to his dis
may he found the bars up. But time was toe
precious in letting down bars. Gathering al
his strength, he bounded into the air, snal,
ditto; and as he aligh,ed on the other side
his snakcship's tail cracked across the upper
bar, swapping mucl, like an India crackers.
Again John set forward, now utterly re-
gardless Of the girls, for the extra tickle from
the snakes tail, as he leapcd the bars Danish
ed all his bashfulness and modesty, and again
he had the pleasure of finding the snake in q
straight line. drawing steadily at tue hem o.
his solitary garment.
| Tho house now became the center Of at
traction, and around it he revolved with tho
speed of thought. Four times in each rcvo
luton, us he turned tho corner. his snakeshiI
came round with whiz that was quite r.
freshing.
While describing tho third circle, as ht
came near the group Of wonder-struck girls
without removing his gaze from the slMk.
he managed to cry out
"Call man."
The next moment lie had whiskcd out o.
sight, and as quick as as.tlhought rc-oppearcd al
the other end Of the house
"Call mani"
Away he whirled rgain, turning the corner
so rapidly that the wliiz Of the snake sounded
half way between low whistle and the re-
peated pronunciation of double-o.
Before either of the girls had stirred from
their tracks he had performed another revo
luton
"Call man |"
Away hs few once more, but his strength
was rapidly failing. Nancy Clark was thu
first to recover her presence Of mind. and
seizing hoop.pole, she took her station neal
the corner of the house, and as John reap
peared. brough it down upon tho snake will
a force that broke bis back and his hold or
Johns neither garment at the same time.
John rushed into tho house and to his room
and at tea.time appeared in his best Sunday
suit but little the worsA for the race. and ia
all appearances entirely cured Of his hashful.
ness. That night hs walked home with Nan
cy Clark. The next New Year they were
married; and now. whenever john feels in
clined to laugh at his wife's hoops, or any
other peculiarity. she has only to say, call =,
man." and he instantly sobers down.
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Cosr OF LIVING IN THE WRsT.-From {
letter written in Northern Illinois, dated De-
cember 9Th, VIZ Gull some interesting items il
regard to tho cost Of living at this season