The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-04-05
COL. DEM. -. VOL. XXXVI.-NO 7.

big ores, inquired whether the ferry
was profitable.
doesn't scarcely pay for raisin' the
boat" he replied.
Raising the boat 2" replied, what
do you mean by raising the boat ?"
"Mister," said he, resting for while
on his ores, "you be stranger in these
parts, bean't you?"
replied that had not been long in
the couRtry.
"Then," said he, pointing to the
shore, "this ere boat growed in that
pumpkin patch over yonder.'
"Grown in that pumpkin patch!" 1
exclaimed.
"Grown in that pumpkin patch, on a
pumpkin vine. Mister, this boat is
pumpkin shell, cut in two. That patch
is where it growed."
"Where, over by that barn ?" in.
quired.
80 That amt no barn, he answered :,
unless you choose to call it so. That's
a pumpkin too. But made hole in
the end ont and let the stock inside,
and when the wet seasons set in, why
you see, plug up the hole and let EN-
Winter there. They come out awful
fat in the Spring. That big green look
ing squash over yonder / an hollerin'
out to live in.'
care these the growth of the sea-
son ?' / asked.
1--WE don't have no sich difference
here on the San Soaguin as growin'
seasons and them others things keep
on CROWN all the time till we pull 'em
or they die
"As / was taking leave of the ferry.
man he gave me pumpken seed, with
the remark that L might astonish the
folks in the East with it; but before
twenty-four hours had elapsed 1 came
near having calmamity by reason oft
myself.
ut was in this wise: After riding
several hours in the sun 1 was so over
come by drOwsiness as to find it impos.
ible to keep in the saddle, and dis
mounting, lay down on the ground, in
tending to take short nap. L had the
pumpkin seed in my vest pocket Dur
ing my slumbers it fell on the ground
and 1 rolled over it. Ny great fatigue
caused me to overSleep myself, and l
aWoke in the morning by being roughly
hurled over the ground in my PROSTATE
position, with what seemed to be rope
around my body. 1 bouled Justify for
help, and my cries attracted the atten-
tion Of two men who where on their way
to the harvest field.
"On being relieved from my perilous
position the mystery became clear. The
warmth Of my body caused the pump.
kin seed to sprout and begin growing,
and one of the tendrils Of the new vine
had coilel itself around my body, drag
ging me along in its rapid growth dis.
tance Of more than half mile before l
was awakened. My deliverers had a
hard run to keep pace with me in the
clutches of the pumpkin vine, and f.
nalIy arrested my progress by cutting it
with their scythe blades. L gave them
''@@O NS' siiNAi iSN uhu we
cd on it less than three hundred young
pompkins, ranging from the size of a
hens egg to flour barrel.
"There is but one more thing I will
notice. Six years ago gentleman re-
siding near Stockton planted a grape
vine by his house. In two years the
building was completely enfolded in the
branches of the vine, and the gentleman
was surprised at seeing his dwelling
starting from It's foundations. The vine
grew with wonderful vigor, and carried
the house unframed up to the height OF
sixty feet in the air, where it remained
The gentleman now reaches his front
door by means Of a winding staircase
around the trunk of the grape. e.vine, and
anybody who will take the trouble to &c
and see, will find itjust as 1 have said. "