The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1867-04-19
Mistellaneous.
THE GOLD-B U G..
CONTINUED !

[CoNrISUEDl
"What dc matter now, NASSAU" said
Jup, evidently shamed into compli-
ance; "always for to raise fuss wild old
niger. Was only funnin any how.
Ne feered de bug! what / keer for de
bug?" Here he took cautiously hold
of the extreme end of the string, and
maintaining the insect as far from his
person as circumstances would permit,
prepared to ascend the tree.
In youth, the tulip-tree, or Lrioden-
dron TWipUe,1m, the most magnifi-
cent of American forcsters, has trunk
peculiarly smooth, and often rises to a
great height without lateral branches !;
but, in its ripper age, the bark becomes
gnarled and uneven, while many short
limbs make their appearance on the
stem. Thus the difficulty Of ascension,
in the present case, lay more in SEM
blance than in reality. Embracing the
huge cylinder, as closely as possible,
with his arms and knees, scizing with
his hands some projections, and resting
his naked toes upon others, Jupiter, af-
ter one or two narrow escapes from fall
ing. at length Wrigglcd himself into tho
| first great fork, and seemed to consider
| the whole business as virtually accom-
plished. The risk of the achievement
was, in fact, now over, although the
climber was some sixty or seventy feet
from the ground.
(which way mus go now, Massa
Will >" he asked.
"Kocp up the largest branch-the ono
on this side" said Lcgrand. The negro
obcycl him promptly, and apparently
with but little trouble; ascending high.
er and higher, until no glimpse of hi,
squat figure could be obtained through
the dense foliage which envelopcd it.
Presently his voice was heard in Il sort
of hallOO.
GLOW much fudder is got for go?"
riow high up are you?" asked lie.
grand.
"Ebbcr so fur" replied the negro
can see de sky fru de top oh de tree"
"Ncvcr mind the sky, but attend tC
what | say. Look down the trunk anC
count the limbs below you on this side
How many limbs have you passed."
"One, two, tree, four, fibe-I done
pass fbe big limb, massa, pom dis side.'
"Thcn go one limb higher"
In Il few minutes the voice was heart
again, announcing that the scvcntl
limb was attained.
"Now, Jup, "cried Lcgrand, evidentl,
much excited, 81 want you to wOrl
your way out on that limb as far rs yol
can. If you see anything strange, lie
me know"
BY this time what little doubt nigh
, have entertained of my poor friend
: insanity, was put finally at rest. / hat
no alternative but to conclude hin
/ stricken with lunacy, and l became sc
= riously anxious about getting hin
home. While | was pondering upo
what was best TO be done, Jupiter
voice was again heard.
"NIos lcerd for to ventur pom dis linn
berry far-tis dead limb putty mucl: a
de way"
"Did you say it was a dcad limb, Ju
pitcr?" cried Legrand in quavcrin
voice.
eyes, massa, him dead as de door
nail-donc up for sartain-done depart
ed dis here life"
' "What in the name of heaven shall
do: ." asked LeSrand, seemingly in tn
greatest distress.
"Dow said l, glad of an opportunit
to interposo a word, "why come hom
and 60 to bed. Come now!-that's
fine fellow. It's getting late, and, be
sides, you remember your promise"
"Juplter," cried he, without hcodin
t me in the least, "do you hear me"
"Yes, Massa VIII, hear you cbber
plain"
= "Try the wood well, then, with yol
knife, and see if you think it rc,y ro
" ten."
. "IIim rotten, massa, sure num-" +
! piled the negro in Il few moments, "bl
not so berry rotten as mought b
70 Mought venture out little way pc
de limb by myself, dat's true"
"By yourself!-what do you mean
"Why, l mean de bug, 'Tis 6er
= hobby bug. Spose l drop him dow
Il fuss, and den dc limb won't break W
al lust dc weight OBJ one niggcr."