The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-08-18


500 reversed how Time and Will
Have for me raised the veil.
--
A TERRIBLE PREDIcAMENT. - The
Memphis Appeal relates the following
"Marcus Levi, an enterprising Hebrew
resident Of Memphis, who has been en-.
gagged in the dry goods business as clerk,
and who is we'll known as q faithful and
industrious salesman, concluded to make
good use of the dull season by branching
out into the interior on little peddling
scheme, and to this end invested his small
capital, consisting Of the savings from his
wages during the past few years, in an
assortment of variety goods, such as he
thought would command ready sale at
farm houses and villages along the line
Of the different railways leading from
Memphis. He embarked for point on
the Mississippi river, few miles below
Memphis, where he shouldered his pack
and struck out.
Lewis plans were well laid, but un.
fortunately he fell into bad company Of
four negroes, who practiced villainous
deception on him in order to get him of
the highway and more securely into their
power. This they did by. proposing to
pilot him to very wealthy farmers
mansion about mile or so distant, where
they assured him he would find ready
sale for all his goods They led the way
through thick woods until spot vas
reached where the underground was
scarcely penetrablc, when they seized
him, took from him all his goods stripped
him Of nearly all his clothes. tied him
hand and foot. hard and fast, in which
condition they laid him on his back and
held a consultation over him, discussing
the propriety Of putting hin where he
would tell no tales. After about an
hour Of this kind Of mental torture, Lewis
bonds were closely scrutinizel and made
more secure and the iiends finally declared
that it was impossible for the man to free
himself. and they left him to his fate,
He says that he lay in this condition a
day and night, during which snake
bit him on the left arm, which is now
much swollen; and his arms above the
elbows. bis wrists and ank les, are consid.
erably swollen aud chaled by the cords
that bound him.
"llc went To work on The cords, how.
ever, with his teeth. and by constant
pulling and biting, succeeded in getting
one hand loose and then another, and
finally freed himself entirely from his
bonds, bat was 80 cmaciated from hun.
considerable time before he was able
10 move his limbs, excepting in u sitting
posture and he was So confused that he
did not know III what direction to start
to get out Of the thicket. He started,
however, and wandered five DAYS without
a mouthlul to eat, and had almost given
up to perish IN the wilderness, when he
came suddenly upon the farm Of Mr w.
Z. Williams. one mile and half back OF
Cat Island landing, on the Mississippi
river. Some negroes gave him food and
directed his course toward the landing
where he arrived in time to take passage
on the St Francis, the officers kindly
bringing him TO Memphis free, where he
arrived in the condition in which the
highwaymcn had left him His friends
however, provided him with clothing be.
fore he left the boat, and he visited the
appeal office and told the tale Of his tri.
ais as above narrated exhibiting his per.
son to verify his statements. Mr.. Levi
is in pitiable condition, and declares
that il he survives his injuries he will
never return to the State of Arkansas, fol
love MOI gold.
The MYSTERY OF llAIR.SNAKEs SOLVED
The common belief is that these crea
lures are a transformation of horse.haiI
that has remained for some time in the
water, When Il walking. stick" says
/ DR.. Slack, becomes snake, horse,
hair will become q worm. AS the form.
er miracle has not taken place, since the
departure of the lsraeiites from Egypt, i,
is safe TO conclude that the latter trans.
formation has not recently been made
A dry hair placed in water will Absorb
the moisture, and, from the unequal ex
peu,ion OF the exterior and interior lay
ers, will become contorted SO, too
would piece Of two.inch rope, yet VIZ
have never heard Of the latter having
been accused of possessing vitality. The
hair.snake is living creature, endowed
with organs of locomotion and respira
ton, and capable of propagating its spe
cies, Scientifically it is known as Cor
dius aquaticus, the generic name being
derived from the Gordian knot, in allus
ion to the tangled appearaoce often pre-
sented by a multitude of these little ami
mails. The specific name acquaticus il
not so appropriate, for they thrive out o
water" DR.. Slack has taken Gordii 81,
inches in length from the body of grass
hopper. They have also been found il
the stomachs OF iusee,ivorous birds
Turf Field and harm,
! Murot Halstad saws that merican