Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1881-07-14

Valley Fast Express entered the mile cut
Immediately north Of our town on Tues
day last, the engineer was horror stricken
TO sec what he supposed to be the end OF
; the rail just ahead nf lis rushing Iocomo-
tive, sliding rapidly away from hin. ffis
first thought was broken rail caught Ivy
the pilot and expected an instant shock.
Wonderment usurped the place OF fear,
when second glance revealed a five foot
black snake of the species known as run
ners" gliding rapidly away from him on
top of the rail In the excitement of the
moment his hand sought the throttle, he
threw it wide open and the train bounded
under the impulse, but the snake main
tained its lead although the train was run
ming full fifty miles per hour. and when
the end of tile cut was reached and an OPP
portunty was afforded tor escape, it left
the rail, ran out into an open space, coiIing
itself UP, threw its head into an attitude of
defiance and died right there. An exam.
ina,ion proved, that the intense heat gen
Grated by the friction of the snake on the
rail had burned it to death
SPRING AND SUMNER GooDs.-Mr. b
Collifower & Son, of Franklinvile have
received their new stock Of Spring and
Summer goods, to which they desire to call
the attention of their friends. Their stock
consists in part of Ready Made Cloihing,
Cashmeres, Lawns, Prints, Alpacas, Lin
ems, Ginghams, Cloths, Worsteds, Suitings
Cassimeres, Blcachcd and Brown Muslins
Notions, Gloves, Parasols, Hosiery, Scarfs,
Ribbons, Hardware, Quceusware Cedar
ware, Clocks, Trunks, Mirrors, Oils, Paints
Flour, Meal, Bacon, Lard, &c. Also lot
of Rails and Posts. Call and examine our
stock before purchasing elsewhere.
Apr. 14tf y. COLLIFLOWER & son
DEATH OF SAMUEL BUssARb.-This
most estinabe citizen, Of whose prolonged
illness we have made frcduent mention,
died at his residence on Friday last and
was buried at Chestnut Hill church near
WoisviIlc on Sunday morning last A
large number OF our citizens attended tile
funeral, there beng great cohcourse pres
ent Mr. Bussard was appointed to fill
the vacancy in the board of County Com
missoners occasioued by tie death of Mr.,
Geo Ambrose and was recognized as be-
ing an able and efficient officer The &c
ceased has been one of the most successful
farmers in this end of the county, having
by indeMtigablo perseverance and hard
work become man of large means. Tie
had host of friends in this locality, hav-
ing by his STRAIGHTFORWARD and honorable
tyays compelled the respect and regard Ofall
with whom he came into intercourse. He
leaves large family, several of the older
children having arrived at an age and in
hcritcd disposition, that will doubtless
stand the family in good stead, no" that
| the head Of the family is no more. Mr.
Bussard was in his 49th year.
Our philosophical neighbor, the Chron-
tcle has been iummaging in history, in
quest of information on the veXed question
that has, during, 10! these many years,
lain hidden in the thrilling lines of the
narrative of"Jack and Jill.'
The main question at issue is.
Did Jack and Jill, either, or BOTH get
the water before they met with their Sc
rious mishapE"
! Now to us the question has been one of
no little moment and has been the occasion
ofmuch careful ialiocination, but finding
an "unListrmted middle" in every syllo
p;s,n that we have cndcavorcd to form
| from the subject matter of that ilyl, we
! have long since given over the attempt t."
! demonstrate the truth logically and have
concluded to accept in this instance, what
we find necessary TO do in many Others,
viz to depend upon illustrations to make
plain the intention of the author, and as
we r, call the first picture of lack that we
I ever saw we agree 10 believe, tina, in those
olden times springs and wells were always
to be found at apices of hills and that then
AS now it was most natural for the "Jills',
to tumble" to the "1arks" Aud further,
/ by inference. we might only expect to find
them sprawlng after they got the water;
no one was ever known to fall with an
empty vessel when there was likelihood
of having it filed
Yes indeed y; VIC say water, in this in
stance at least.
We are gratified to learn that some of
our builders will place bid for the erec
ton of the new school building AZ this
place and while we sincerely trust that
they may be fortunate to secure the con-
tract, we also may be permitted to hope,
that IN amonnt may he named, at which il
can be done at a reasonable profit. Ahe
great weakness of contractors here, has al.
ways been to secure the work, even though
there was no margin for profit, barring ac
cidents or delays. Sighted work and
trouble has been the invarable result OF
such undertakings and we hope for better
things in this instance.
Since writing the above we learn that
Mr.. Jos. A, Wcddlc, of this place has Sc
cured the contract for erecting our school
house. His bid WAS $2737. We are in