Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1871-02-17

scarce barring to think how this dreadful race
would end Instinctivc, he had taken tho
direction of home, when a feeling of sccuri-
ty canlc over him. Suddenly flashed across
his mind the true state of atfars--his father
gone-thc quiIting-and worst of all, tho
girls This new horror sent tho blood back
curdling about his neck, and he came to q
doad halt. The moment ho felt the body Of
the cold, clanmy monster in contact with his
bars legs, his tuil creeping around then in, n
sort of an oozing way, ns though his snake
ship only mcditntcd little fun, by way Of
tickling him upon the kneos
his was too much for human endurance.
With yell, such as man never utteys save
when IN mortal terror, poor John again set
forward at a broak-neck paoo, and once more
had tho pleasure of oooing tho snake resume
his horizontal position, somewhat after the
fashion Of comet.
On he flew IIc forgot the quilting, for.
got tho girls, forgot everything, but the snake.
His active exercise, Che paid particular at
tenton to his running) together with tho OK.
ccssiyo heat, had brought on the nose bleed,
and as he ran, onrs cre't and head thrown
back, his chin, throat and shirt bosom wero
stained with the flowing stream.
His first wild shrek had started tho ouil
ters, and forth they rushed. wondering if son
mad Indian was not prowling about. BY
this time John was within few rods of tie
baru, still running ut tho top Of his speed,
his head turned SO that he could keep one
eye on the snake, and with tho other observe
what course he must take. The friendly barn
concealed him from the sight OF the girls
lle knew that they were in the yard, having
caught glimpse Of them as they rushed from
the house. ~ few moro bounds and he would
be in thcir midst For moment modcsty
overcame fear, and he once moro halted
The snake evidently pleased with his rapid
transportation manifested his gratitude bv
attempting to entold the legs of our hero
within his embrace.
With an explosive ouch" and urged for.
ward ny, circumstances over which he had no
control, poor John bounded on. Tie next
moment was in full view Of the girls, and as
he turned tho corner of the barn, the snake
came round with whiz something after tho
fashion Of a coach whip.
Having reached the turn-yard, to his dis.
may he found tho bars up but time was tro
precious to be wasted in letting down bars.
Gathering all his strength he bounded into
-.
the alr-snakc ditto--and as he al;ghtcl on
the other side, his snalicsllip's tail cracked
across the upper bar, swapping like an India
cracker.
Again he set forward, now utterly regard.
less OF tho presence Of the girls, for the cx.
ira tickle of tue snakes tail as he lcapel the
bars, banished all tho bnshiulncss and modes
ty, and again he had the pleasure of iinling
the snake in straight lire, drawing steadily
at the hem of his solitary garment.
Tho house now became the centre of at.
traction, and around it ho rcyolycd with tho
speed of thought. -Four times in each reyo.
luton, as he turned the corner, his snakcslip
came round with wlliz which was quite ro.
freshing o
While describing the third circle, as he
came near tho group of wonlcr.struck girls,
without removing his gaze from tho snake, he
managed to cry out:
CALL A MAN =
The next moment ho whiSked cut of siuht
ard, as quick as thought, rc.aprcared on the
other side Of the house
CALL a MAN"
And away he whirlcd again, turning the
corner so rapidly that tho whz of the snake
sounded half way between "A whistle and the
repeated pronunciation of double.e.
Hoforc either of the girls had stirred from
their trucks, he had performed another royo.
luton
CALL A MANP
Away he flew, but his strength was rapid
ly failing. Nancy Clark was the first to re.
cover her presence Of mind, and sciying a
hooppo'o she took her station near the corner
OF tho house, and MS John re.appeared she
brought it down upon the snake with such
torcc that it broke his buck and bis hold upon
Johns neither garment at the samc time
John rushed into the house and to his room
and at tea.time appeared In his best Sunday
SUIT, put little the worse for the race, and to
oil appearance cured Of bashfuness That
night ho walked homo with Nancy Clark.
Tho New Year they were married, and now,
when John feels inclined to laugh at his