The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1866-03-21
Entertainments Rsuhing.
COAL Man." A Queer Snake Story.

xraa a very INDUSTRIOUS, hAiA "Di A.ii-7 '''ii5
w. w. ~ tweutv-three years. Being the ei-
l ma child and the only son, he had always
ue-oained at home, assisting his father upon
re farm. John was very mich respected by
sverv one in the neighbOrhOOd, and many
Irio,bt-eved girl had thought she would Ike
70 change her name to Mrs. John Jackson.
Pint John was no "lady man. The fact
was John was very bashiul- lie would
a+Ier hoe corn al DAY than uudergO the
Ceremony Of an introduction 10 young
Iadv- Not that John disliked the dear crea-
tures: far from il. We believe that LIZ, IN
common with all bashful, Well meaning
men. entertained the very highest respect
and admiration for them. And this DO
doubt was the principal cause OF his bash
fulness. lie felt that they We're superior
beings. and that he was unworthy 10 assO-
ciate with them upon terms OF equality
But we cannot stop 10 moralize.
Nancy Clark was the daughter Of a yery
respectable farmer, whose lands aljOined /
the Jackson farm. Nancy was q pretty.
saucy little witch. and she liked John Jack /
son. When they were children they at i
tended the same school, and Is he was "a /
few years her senior, was usually her cham
piOn in the childish disputes that arose, and
her companion in going and returning Al
last, John became so much OF y0Gn@ man
az 70 be kept from school, a. she had been
Ia past wears John discovered, too that
he had been growing In stature, andt seem
ed as if he had been growing out OF shape.
His feet and legs appeared very awkward
be did not know what 20 do with his hands,
his face panied him, and taking all 10 all lie
was inclined 10 think that he was not more
than halt put together Now the truth
was. John Jackson was really q very fine
looking young man, and nothing but his
admiration Of Nancy would have ever sue
gested any such foolish thoughts about him
self
As nOvelists say, il was a beautiful lar 900
August The heavens were clear. serene,
and beautiful, the trees were laden With
golden fruit, and the beautiful birds tnHter-
ell their Songs OF love I'm The branches We
were about TO say that earth had lielleI
her bOuntiful harvest Of years grass and
clover, and honeysuchies, which the noble
yeOmanary OF Chesteryllie had gathered
within their storehouses, but upona second
thought have concluded 10 write 10 thus.
''The farmers Of Chesterviilc were done
haying."
John JacksOn's sister had aquIting party
that afternoon; his father had gone 10 get
some wheat ground, aud John was LETT TO
repair some tools 10 be ready on the morrow
to commence moving the meadow grass.
Suddenly il occurred % John that Do he re-
manned about the house in The afternoon
he would be called IN at tea time, and be
required 10 do the hOnors Of the table. To
avoid this, he quietly shoulders his scythe
and stole away TO the meadow half mile
distant, fully resolved that he would not
leave there until it was so dark that he could
not see 10 NOW at all and thus avoid seeing
rtaIf oil
sides by a thick forest, which electually
shut ont what little breeze there might
chance to be string The sun poured down its
rays as though the little meadow WAS the
focus point where the heat was concentrated
John moved and sweat-sweat and moved,
until be was obliged 10 sit down and cool
off. Then il occurred TO John that IL he
took of his pants he might Oe more comfort
able. There would be no improperly in it,
for he was entirely concealed from Observa-
ton, and there was not the slightest reason
to suppose that he could be seen by any
person. So John stripped Off and with no
covering save his linen-cOmmOnly called "A
shirt-he resumed work lie was Just
cOngratulating himself on the good times be
was having, when he CHANGED 20 disturb
huge black snake, a genuine twister, with
white ring around his neck. John was no
coward, but he was MORALLY afraid OF snak-
es. "Self preservation was the first pas
sage that flashed upon Johns mind-"legs
take care OF the body, " was the next. Drop
top, no was ready to strike a 2:l0 gait.
when at that moment his snakeship was
near enough TO hook his crooked teeth in
Johns shirt just above the hem With a
tremendous spring, he started OIL with the
speed OF locomotive. His first Jump took
the snake clear from theAyround, and as
John stole hasty glance over his shoulder.
he was Mortified 10 lind the reptile securely
fastened 10 the extremity OF his garment.
while the speed with which he rushed for
ward kept the serpent at an angle OF ninety
degrees with his body. Here was quandary
If he stopped, the snake would coil about
his body and squeeze him to death: il he
continued the race, he must soon fall from
sheer exhaustion. On he flew, scarce dar
Ing TO think how his dreadful race was 10
end lnstinctively he had taken The diTec-
ton OF home, and Is he emerged from the
forest feeling OF security came over him |
Suddenly flashed across his mind the true
state Of affairs-his father gOne-the quilt /
ing-and worst OF all-the girls. This new
horror sent the look back. curdhne about !
his heart, and he came to a dead halt. The !
next moment he felt the body of the cold. |
clammy monster in contact with his bare |
legs, as though his snakeship only medita- !
ted little fun 10y the way of tickling John |
upon the knees. This was too much for hui
man endurance. With yell, such rs q man
never utters save when i'm mortal terror |
poor John again set forward 40 break-neck /
speed, and once more had the pleasure of /
seeing the snake in his position. somewhat /
after the fashion OF the tail ola comet. On. /
on they few John forgot The quilting. |
forgot the girls forgot everything nit tho |
snake
His first wild shrek bad slaril.l the
quliters. and forth they rushed. w0ndcr'0-
II some mad Indian was not PROVING
about By this time John was within tcw
rods oithe harm. still running AZ the top OF
his speed, his head turned so that he might
Keep one eve on the snake, and with the
other observe what course he must take
The barn now concealed 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. For moment
moueSiy 0yercame fear, and no once more
matted The snake evidently pleased with Z
MS rapid transportation, manifested his
gratitude by attempting 20 Unfold the
legs OF our hero within his embrace.
With an explosive "oucH ~ and urro1
"a
forward by Circumstances over which he
had no control poor John bounded on
me next moment he was in view OF tho
girls, and as he turned the corner of the
Darn, the snake came round with n whi-
somewhat after the fashion ofa coach-whin
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
os's. he gathered all his strength. bound
ed into the air. snake ditto. AMI n no
alighted on the other side his snakesbin's
tail cracked across the upper bar.
The house now became the centre Of nj
traction, and around il he revolved with
Inc speed Of thought Four times in each -.
seS1iuuon' as he turned the corner. his Dc
came round with a whiz thai
Vas quite refreshing. While iescribinr Tho
oslru clFcle, as he came near the grouD Of n
Nonder-struck girls. without REMOVING hi
sac rom the snake. he managed IN crr
put -"CALL MAN - N''
Inc Dnyf fY1nD,a~.s L..