Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1873-11-22
proceeded to unfold it. What it was,
the reader will see in the sequel.

one-he drank like fish, only mis- bev
erage was different. His natural in
clination was for Bourbon whisky, and,
for moistening purposes, he seldom
used anything else. For how much of
it he could furnish inward storage was a
disputed point which nobody cared to
go to the expense of settling by actual
experiment.
On Old Gins arrival ON that evening,
Sam and invited him to a little enter
tainment to be given at Sans room
after supper. 1t was to be strictly
private affair-none but the three of us
to be present, and the supply of Bour-
bon to be unlimited.
Old Gin highly appreciated such at
tentions from his juniors, and it was
wonderful how agreeably convivial he
could make himself at their expense.
On this occasion he outshone him
self.
"He holds as much as a bonded
warehouse" said Sam, aside, the fourth
time the demijohn was sent out to be
filled.
By drinking sparingly ourselves, and
keeping Old Gins glass constantly re-
plenished, we managed to put him to bed
boozier than he had ever been known
to be before. 1t was well we all stopped
at the same house, or the ques-
tion of transportation might have pre-
sented difficulties.
Next morning Sam and I were up be-
times and taking live water snake,
which boy had caught for us the even
ing before, and which had been kept
over night in box, we slipped it into
one of Old Gins boots left before the
door, bending down the leg SO as to
prevent the escape of the reptile. which,
it is needless to add, was quite harm
less. We then entered Sans room,
near by, and waited.
At length we heard Old Gins door
open, and moment after there came
an nproar that afforded ample excuse
for our rushing into his room, and, in
affected terror, demanding what was the
matter.
"Matter !'' roared Old Gin, rushing
after the snake with the poker, and
knocking over everything in his way.
"Just see what found in my boot p
making furious blow, which the snake
lodged.
"See what ?" asked Sam.
"Why, that confounded snake p
making another Intellectual stroke.
"Snake? [ see no snake" replied
Sam, looking directly at it.
Old Gin turned pale.
You-you don't mean to tell me
there's no snake there?" he stammered.
None that I can see," returned
Sam.
"Then, boys, rec got 'em!' screamed
Old Gin. "Run for doctor =
quick quick p
"You don't mean you've got de-
Hri,tDe h'enaenS ?" said Sam, looking
frightened.
"Genuine ,jin.jans!" gasped Old
Gin" for heavens sake run for a
doctor!'
Meantime the snake had disappeared
under the bed, circumstance which
only served to heighten Old Gins
alarm, as it convinced him that his
former impressions had all been de
lusive.
Leaving Sam to take care of the pa
tient, 1 fastened to call in DR.. Prebang,
to whom the case was stated.
The doctor was devout believer in
active remedies and plenty of them.
His first step was to throw Old Gin into
as deep sleep as opium could put him
in the next was to shave his head and
blister it. This last we would have
prevented if we could, for we had no
wish to injure the old wretch but the
doctor pooh-poohed our remonstrances,
adding that he "knew his own busi.
ness"
When court opened, Old Gin wasn't
there. Fallowbrain was nervous. Ht
asked moments indulgence while III
crossed the street to the hotel ,ra. NO.
inquired after his assoslatthe doctor.
met at Old Gins assfittanoe. asftt as we'll , as
VINO rei"seaation seation touching the condition
alnHls patient.
Poor Fallowbrain was mystifed. He
hurried back to the Court House, and
begged another days delay. I insinu-
ated that if sultors acOuld persist in en-
ploying counsel of too conpiuiaI habits,
it was but fair they should take the con-
sequences, concluding by reminding the
Court that the case had been set for
that day peremptorily.
The Judge said it must go on, and the
result was victory quite as brilliant as
l had anticipated.
My triumph was short-ived, though.
For two days Old Gin didn't show him.
self. On the third day he came into
court with his head swathed, looking
very pale, and as mad as Modoc.
The snake, it appears, after some
hours, grew tired of his hiding place,