The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1868-05-05
"CALL A MAN.
A SNAKE STORY.

,loungman, if not literally true, has q
'sefsimilitade tarelv attaiuable in such
fiction, which will furnish any apology
tmay need for its introduction into pc
lite literature We do not know its or.
igin. 5
As novelists 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
birdsstwtttesed their songs Of love in the
branches. We were about to say the
'searth had yielded hersbeautifui harvest
of a years grass and clover and honey
suckles, which, the noble yeomanry of
sChesterville, had, gathered within their
sstnreehease, but upon second thought
have concluded to write thus. 1.-The far
mers Of Chesterville were done harvest
ing"
John Jaeksonas sister hadsa quilting
party that afternoon; his father had gone
/ To ger some wheat ground, and John was
leftsto repair some tools, to be ready on
the morrow for cutting the meadow grass;
suddenly il occurred to John that If he
remained about the house in the after
noon be would be called in at the time,
and be required to do the honors at the
table. To avoid this he quietly shoul-
dered bis scs the and stole away to the
meadow, half a mile distant, fully re.
solved that be would not leave there un-
til it was so dark that he could mot see
to NOV at all, and thus avoid seeing the
girls. The meadow was surrounded on
all sides bysa thick forest, which effect
ually shut out what little breeze there
might be. stirring. The sun poured
down. Its rays as though the little mead
sow was the focus point where the heat
was concentrated John moved and
sweat-sweat and moved, until he had
to sit down and cool off.
Then It occurred to John that if.he
took of his pants he might be more com
Portable. There would be no impropri-
ETY. in it, for he was entirely concealed
from observation, aud there was not the
slightest reason to suppose that he could
be seen.by any person. So John strip
ped of, and with no covering save his
lnen-commonly called a shirt-he re-
sumed his work. He was just congratu-
lating himself on thegood time be was
having, when he chanced to disturb a
huge black snake, genuine twister, with
white ring around his neck. John was
no coward, but he was lugrtahy afraid of
snakes. "Self preservation" was the irst
rpassage" that flashed upon johns mind
-~glegs take care Of the body, = was the
next. Dropping his scythe, and spin
ming around ike top, he was ready to
strike 2:40 gait, when at that moment
hisssnakeshipl was near enough to hook
his crooked teeth in Johns shirt just
above the hem. With a trem endous
spring he started off with the speed of a
loc6hotiYs.
His first jump took the snake clear
from the ground, and John stole a hasty
glance over his shoulder; he was horri-
fed to find the reptile securely fastened
TO the extremity of his garment, while
the speed with which he rushed forward
kept the serpent. at an angle of ninety
degrees with his body. Herewas guam
dary. If hestopped, the snake would coil
about his body and squeeze him to death;
If be continued the race, he must soon
fall from sheer exhaustion. On he few,
scarce daring to think how his dreadful
race was to end. Instinctively he had
taken the direction of home, and as he
had emerged from the forest feeling of
security came over him. Suddenly a
thought flashed scross his mind of the
true state of affairs; bis father gone and
worst Of oil, the girls. This new horror
sent the blood curdling back abous his
heart, and be came to q 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 med
itated little fun BY the way Of tickling
John upon the knees. This was too
much for human endurance. With yell
such as man never utters, save when IN
mortal terror, poor John again set for
ward 1t break.neck speed, and once more
had tbe pleasure Of seeing the snake in
his old position, somewhat after the fash
iensof the tails ofcomets. Or, ,oD they few.
John forgot everything but the snake. His
frst Wild shrek had started the quilters,
and forth they rushed wondering if some
mad Indian was not prowling about. 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 on the snake, and with the
other observe what course he must take;
Che barn now concealed him from tie
sight Of the girls. He knew they were
10 The yard, having caught q glimpse Of
them as they rushed from the house. For
8 moment modesty overeame fear, and
be once more halted. The snake, evil
dently pleased with his rapid transpor-
tation, manifested his gratitude BY at
tempting to enfold the legs of our here
with his embrace.
With an explosive "ouchi'' and urged
forward By "circunstances over which
he had 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 q
Whiz somewhat after. the fashion Of q
coach whip. Having reached the barn
yard, to his dismay he found the bars up.
The time was two precious to be wasted
in letting down bars. He gathered all
his strength. bounded into the air, snake
ditto, and IS he alighted on the other
side bis snake ships tail cracked across
the upper bar.
The house now became the centre oi
attraction, and around it be revolyed with