The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1871-06-10
MISCELLANY.


Some years since, IN eccertyic old
genius, whom we will CALI Bari was
employed by farmer living in town
some six or seven miles westerly from
the Penobscot river, to dig a well. The
soil and substance being mostly sand, old
Barnes, after progressing dounward
ABOUT forty feet, found one morning.
up,N going out to his work, that the
well had essentially caved in, and was
full nearly to the top. So having that
desire which men have of knowing what
will be said of them after they are dead.
and no one being astir, he concealed him
self in rank growth of burdocks by the
side of board fence near the the mouth
of the well, having first left his troek
and hat on the windlass over the well.
At length breakfast being ready, boy
was dispatched to call him to his meal,
when, 10 and beholdl it was seen that
Barnes was buried in the grave uncon
sciously dug by his own hands, The
alarm was given, and the family assem-
bled. It was decided first to eat break
fast. and then send for the coroner, the
minister and Barnes wife and children
Such apathy did not fiatter Barnes bit,
but he waited patiently, determined to
hear what was said, and see what was to
be seen.
Presently-all parties arrived and began
prospecting the scene of the catastrophy,
as people usually do In such q case. At
length they drew together to exchange
opinions as to what was to be done. The
minister gave it as his opinion they had
better level up the well and let Barnes
remain "for,'' said he. she is now be
yond the temptation to sin, and in the day
of judgements it will not make any dit
ference whether he is buried five feet
under the ground or fifty feet, for be is
bound to come forth in either case
The Coroner likewise agreed that "it
would be needless expense to his family
or the town to disinfer him, when he was
so effectually buried" aud therefore en-
tirely conceded with the minister. His
wife thought that as The had lett his hat
and frock, it was hardly worth while to
dig him out for the rest of his clothes;
and so it was settled to let him remain.
Barnes, who had no breakfast was not at
all pleased With the result of the inquest,
and lay quiet until the shades OF evening
had stolen over the landscape, when be
quickly departed to parts unknown.
After remaining incoguito for about
three years, one morning he suddenly ap
peared fhatless and fIockless as be VENT
At the door of the farmer for whom he
agEaed TO dig the unfortunate we'll. To
saFshat an avalanche of questions we're
Aned upon him as to his mysterious
zppearanee, etc., would convey but fee
bic idea of the excitement which his
bodily presence created. But the old
man bore it all quietly, and at length in
formed them that, on finding .seli
buried, he waited for them tosig him
out until. his patience was exhausted,
when he set to work TO dig himself out,
aud only the day before succeeded; for
his IDEAS being very much confused BY
the assure of the earth at the time he
was buried, be had dug very much at
random, and instead of coming directly
toee surface, he came out in the town of
. Holden, six miles east of the Penobscot
river.
No further explanations were asked
for by those who were so distressed and
sorrowful over his supposed final resting
pace