The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-12-27
..Call a Mann-A Snake Story.

HiSN any apDioS. II may hSIG 10 A. AN'otO
duction into polite literature. We do not
know It's origin; -
AS novelties say, it was beautiful day
in August. The heavens were clear, Sc
rene and beautiful, the trees we're laden
with golden fruits, and the beautiful birds
twiltered their songs Of love in the branch
as. We are about to say that earth had
yielded her beautiful harvest OF year
grass and clover, and honeysuckles, which
gathered within their storehouse, but
upon a second thought have concluded to
write il thus: THE farmers of Chester
Wills were done haying.
John J Jackson 5 sister had guiding par
ty that afternoon his father bad gone TO
get some wheat ground, and 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
II he remained about the house IN the al
ternoon be would be called in at the time,
and be required to do the honors at the
table. To avoid this, he quietly shonldered
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 to NOW at all, and
thus avoid seeing the girls. The meadow
was surrounded on ali sides by a thick for
est, which eventually shut what little
breeze there might chance to be stirring.
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
he was obliged to sit down and cool off,
Then it occurred to John that if he took
off his pants he might be more comforta-
bic. There would be no improperly in it,
TOR he was entire 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
coverings, save his inen--commonly called
a shirt-he resumed his work. He was
just c0ngratulating himself on the good
times he was having, when he CHANGED to
disturb a huge black snake, genuine twis-
ter, with a white ring around his neck.
John was no coward, but he was mortally
afraid Of snakes. Self preservation was
the first passage" that flashed upon
John mind-''legs take>eare Of the body, "
was the next. Dropping his scythe, and
spinning round like top, he was ready to
strike a 2:40 gait, when at that moment bis
snakeshjp was near enough to hook his
crooked teeth in Johns shirt just above
the hem. With a tremendous spring, he
started OF with the speed of locomotive.
His first jump took the snake clear from
the ground, and as John stole a hasty
glance over his shoulder, he was Mortified
to find the reptile securely fastened to the
extremity Of his garment, while the speed
with which he rushed forward kept the ser
pent at an angle Of ninety degrees with his
body. Here was quandary. Ii he stop
ped, the snake would coil about his body
and squeeze him to death. If he continued
the race he must soon fall from sheer ex-
haustion. On he flew, scarce daring to
think how his dreadful race was to end.
lnstinctively he had taken the direction Of
home, and as he emerged from the forest a
feeling Of security came over him. Sud
denly the thought flashed across his mind
the true state Of atfairs-his father gone
the quiiting-and the worst of ail-the
girls This new horror sent the blood back,
curdiing about his heart, and he came to a
dead hale The next moment he felt the
body of the cold, clammy monster in con
tact with his bare legs, as though his
snakeship only meditated little fun, by
the way Of tickling John upon the knees.
This was too much for human endurance.
With YELL such as a man never Gtters
save when III mortal terror, poor John
again set forward at break neck speed, and
once more had the pleasure Of seeing the
snake In his position, somewhat after the
fashion of the tail Of comet. On, on
they flew. John forgot the quilting, for
got the girls, forgot everything but the
snake.
His first wild shrek had startled the
quilters, and forth they rushed, wondering
If some mad Indian was not prowling
about By this time John was within a
few rods OF the barn, still running at the
top of his speed his head turned so that
be might keep one eye on the snake, and
with the other observe what course he
must take. The barn now concealed him
from the sight Of the girls lie knew lhcy
were in the yard, having caught a glimpse
OF them as they rushed from the house,
For moment modesty overcame fear, ana
he once more halted. The snake evidently
pleased with his rapid transportation, man
ifested his gratitude by attempting to en-
fold the legs of our hero within his en-
brace.
With an explosive ouch = and urged
forward by circumstances over which he
bad no control, poor John bounded on,
The next moment he was in view of the
girls, and as he turned the corner Of the
barn the snake came round with whiz,
somewhat after the fashion Of a coach
whip. Having reached the barnyard, to
his dismay, he found the bars up. But
time was too precious to be wasted in let
ting down bars lie gathered all his
strength, bounded into the air, snake ditto,
and as he alighted Gu the other side, his
snakeship's tail cracked across the upper
bar
The house now became the centre Of at
traction, and around it he revoked with
the speed o. Thought. -Four times in each
revolution, as he turned the corner, his
snakeship came around with Whiz that
was quite refreshing. While describing
the third circle, as he came near the group
of wonder-struck girls. without removing
his gaze FROM the snake, he managed to
cry ont 'call mani
The next moment he had whisked out Of
sight, aud quick as thought re-appeared
upon the other side Of the house call a
man -
And away he whirled again, turning the
corner so rapidly that the whlz Of the
snake sounded about half way between a
low whistle and the repeated pr0nuncia
ton of doublc-o And before either Of the
girls had stirred from their tracks, he had
IL