The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-03-12
THE sNAkE.n1rrEN nuroHMAN.

THE sNAKE-BITTEN DUrcHMAN.
Some years ago, near the town of
Residing, Berks county, Pennsylvania,
there lived a cosy old farmer, named
Sweighoffer-o German descent, and
accent, too, as his speech will indicate.
Old man Sweighoffer had once served
as member in the Legislature, and
was therefore, |" no fool;n and as he
dong commanded q volunteer corps Of
Rustic militia, he should hardly be
supposed inclined to cowardice. His
son Peter was his only son. strap
ping lad of II; and upon old Peter
and young Peter dev0lVed the princi-
pal cares and tolls of the old gentle-
mans farm, now and then assisted by
the old lady and her two bouncing
daughters-for it is very common IN
that State to see the women and girls
at work in the fields-and upon extra
occasions by some hired hands.
Well. one warm day in haying time
old Peter and young Peter We're hard
at it in the meadow, when the old
man drops his scythe and bawls out s
60, mine Gott, Peteri"
e What's de matter, fader ?n answers
the son, strengthening up and looking
at his sire.
.1Oh. mine Gott, PeterIn again cried
the old fellow.
Donder,n echoed young Peter
hurrying up to the old man.
90, mine Gott. der ehnake bite my
leg
If anything in particular was capa-
bic of frightening young Peter it was
snakes for once he had nearly Grip
pied himself for life by tramping upon
crooked stick, which cramped his
ankle aud so horrified the young man
he liked to have fallen through him
self. At the word snake, young Peter
fell back, nimbiy as wire drawer,
and ~bawled out in turn;
Where is der shnake %
Up mine trowsis, Peter-O, mine
Gott %
20, mlne Gottw echoed Peter, jun
ior, Eskill him, fader, kill him"
'tNo-a, no-a, he kill me, Peter; come
come quick-get off my trowsis ]"
But Peter the younger's cowardice
overcame his fflial affection, while his
fear lent strength to his legs, he start
ed like q scared locomotive to call the
old burly Dutchman, who was in a
distant part of the field. to give his
father q lift with the snake.
Old Jake, the farmers assistant,
came bounding along as soon as he
heard the news, and passing along the
| fence where Peter and his boy had
| hung their sslinsey wolsey" vests, Jake
grabbed one of the garments, and
| hurried to the old man Peter, who
still managed to stand on his pins, al
Il rry1o n Tram hi r7cr
| like an aspen leaf in June gale OF
wind.
90, mine Gotti. Come, come quick
Yacup. He bite me all to pieces
here, up mine leg.
Old Jake was not particularly sens
/ tive to fear, but few people, young
OF old, are dead to alarm when a spi-
zenous reptile is about. Gathering
up the stiff, dry stalks of a stalwart
weed, old Jake told the boss to stand
steady, and he would at least stun the
snake by a blew or.tWo, if he did not
XIII her stone dead aud the old man
Peter, less 10th to have legs broken
than to be bitten to death by snake,
| designated the spot to strike, and ole
Jake let him have it. The first blow
broke the weed and Knocked old
Sweighoffer off his pegs and into
ay-cock-cobim.
"Oh," roared old Peter, ssyou broke
my leg, and the shnake's gomez,
We're yere ?" cried old Jake, NOV
ing briskly about, and scanning very
narrowly the ground he stood upon.
Never mind him, Yacob; help me
help me up. I'll go home"
Put on your Yhest, den here it is, "
said the astonished Jake, gathering up
hisboss trying &c. get his garment upon
hislumpy back. The moment old Peter
made this effort, he grew livid in the
face-his hair stood on end, like the
quills of 2 frightened percupine,s as
| Mrs. PareingtOn obserYes-he shiVer-
ed-he shook-his teeth chattered-
and his knees they knocked staccato
accompaniment.
sob, Yacob. carry me home! I'm
dead as nits.1
"voti Ieh anodder shuake in your
trowsers7"
'No-a-look, I'm swelt all upi-
Mine vest won't go on mine back. o,
O, mine Gott."
Gunner and bIixen." cried old Jake
as he took the same conclusion, and
with might and main the old man,
scared into most wonderful feat of
physical activity and strength, lueged
and carried the boss some quarter or
half mile TO the house.
Young Peter had shiuned it home
at the earliest stage of the dire pro-
ceedings, and so alarmed the girls
that they were in high state when they
saw the approach of the good old dad
and his assistant
Old Peter was carried in, aIsd began
to die as natural as life, when III came
the old lady in a great hustle, and
wanted to know what was going on.
Old Peter, in the last gasp of agony
and weakness, opened his eyes aud
feebly pointed to his leg. The old
woman ripped up the pantaloons, and
out fell a small thistle top, and at the
same time considerable of scratch
was made visible.
sCall this a shnake? BahF' says the
old woman.
20, but Pm pizhened to death, Mol
llyi See, I'm all pizhen- mine vhest
% dear, mine vhest not come over
mine body!"
"Haw, haw, haw l"roared the old
: woman. "Vat fooll You got Pc
ters vlfest on-haw, haw, haw
; ssBoshl" roars old Peter, shaking of
deaths icy fetters at one surge, and
jumping up. Bosh, Yacob, vat an old
! fool you must be, to say vas shnake
; bitei Go about your business, gals
Peter, bring me some beer.
The old woman saved Peters life.
: Y,rrr =, o,irl aslad n ministar :.