The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-12-03


to me there can be no satisfaction in it.
The chastisement is soon over, and there
is no chance for the culprit to reform and
become a better citizen, or spider, or
whatever he is. And the one am look
ing at is really pretty spideri none of
your clumsy, crawling animals, but a
real nice, sleek and good-looking member
of his tribe, one that would do honor to a
kings palace. But the fly is struggling
wonderfully; there is actually some fear
of its breaking prison; and the watching
spider seems aware of it, too. But he is
an ingenious fellow, and will soon do
something to make more certain of his
prize. Now he approaches the writhing
prisoner, and slowly winds thread
around him, which, now that he has
completely circumnavigated him, he
draws on tight, and the hum of the fly is
decreasing very much, because its wings
are fixed immovably. The spider is quite
pleased with his ingenious operation,
and, after contemplating it for moment,
he resumes his labor, and very adroitly
binds one thread after another around
the poor fly, so that she can not
move even foot. Now she is harmlessly
suspended in his net, and he confiden-
tally approaches, and, the rogue, en-
braces her, and smacking his lips, he i'm
prints ki-pshaw! 1t is not necessary
for the ladies to know what; but so much
I'll tell you, it is not out Of love, but
merely to bring his poisonous mandibles
in contact with the body of the fly, for
the purpose of destroying her life, as
such kiss-there you have it's inev-
itably fatal.
The hum is silenced, and we shall re-
sumo our story.
"After running about ten minutes, he
stopped, placed me on the ground, and
unbound my eyes. We were on the top
of a small hill, and in a part of the
country l had never before seen. Ny
mysterious companion still displayed
that innocent smile; and taking a small
glass, with golden frame around it, out
of his pocket, he motioned me to look
into it. obeyed, and was astonishcd at
what saw.
"'The first object that met my view
was the British flag. 1t was suspended
high in the air, and beneath il there was
an immense multitude of people, whom |
knew to be my countrymen. They were
laboring at all kinds of trades. In the
distance, / saw a number of ships; and
when they approached the flag, the sailors
mounted the masts, and cheered the en-
sign of their country. could not hear
the sailors voices, but their movements
and gestures showed very plainly what
they were about. Presently storm
arose, which wrecked the ships and tore
the flag into tatters, which were then
carried by the wind into all directions
When the tempest subsidized, / saw large
armies of soldiers in British uniforms;
and when they arrived at the place where
the multitude of people were at work,
they scattered themselves among the in
dustrious citizens, and took up the rags
and tatters of the flag, which turned into
serpents in their hands, and with them
scourged the people. The masses sank on
their knees, and asked for mercy, but
none was shown. But, when the people
at length saw that supplication was vain,
they resolved to resist. And / saw tall
figure rise from among them, who held an
eagle in his hand; and soon the bird
took to its wings, flew among the soldiers,
tore the serpents out of their hands and
devoured them. At the same time, the
tall man gathered our countrymen into
companies, and a war ensued, in which
the relocated soldiers were completely
routed. A new flag, which can not de-
scribe, now waved in the air; and with
this the old man returned the glass into
his pocket.
"Night had set in, and my compan-
ion gently approached me, blindfolded me
once more, to which made no resistance,
and took me into his arms and walked off;
in about ten minutes he stopped, brought
me to the ground, and, when my eyes
were opened, l was astOnished to be in
this city. The old man laughed ma
liciously, and went away, l know not
whittier. This was about two hours ago.
Now, gentlemen, make the best of it you
can; SO will 1. But that man whom l
saw in the glass, he who mustered the
army for the defense of his country, and
defeated the British, him / shall never
foiget. Oh, that my eyes could behold
him once more! The first sight of him
struck my heart with admiration-his
appearance was so venerable. so divine
That eagle glance of his! that majestic
air! that commanding carriage! oh,
can never forget them! neither can l de-
scribe them Out there there, he cried,
vehemently, as a gentleman passed the
door; there is the man l saw in the
glass!'
"And suddenly the strangers features
changed, his hair turned white as snow,
he staggered toward the door, but fell ere
he arrived there, and was corpse!
"The gentleman who had just passed
the door was Colonel George Washing
ton