The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1893-11-10

would fill his water-bottle at the spring
house, and then, seeking the cliff,
would sit for hours gazing down the
deep, rock-bound gorge Of the river.
The cliff was huge pillar of stone that
rose from the river, entirely detached
from the earth behind, inaccessible eX-
cept by a little wooden bridge that
spaaned the chasm between its fat top
and the bank. High bushes fringed
the bank, and one could watch the top
of the cliff unseen by anyone upon IL
At tnc hour of noon, when he was
sure that no inquisitIve guests would
be about the grounds 10 ply him with
questions, Davy stole down TO the cliff,
gingerly carrying a small chiclSen-coop
against whose Stats lay the folds Of
large rattlcSnake. Close behind him
followed Tobias, bearing a foriScd
stick. the fork just large enough 10 fit
about the snakes neck and hold il 70
the ground
Now You. Tobe. I'll ies hide dis box
in de bushes, an when de ole man
Bondcll comes down I'll let de snaik
out and shove him long de bridge todes
de ole man, an lay ash-leavcs benin,
an no rattlcr will cross ash-leaves.
Jes' when de ole man Is mos sca'd 70
dyeth I'll come runHin' out wif a club
an kin dc snaiz. You set down an
look at de snaik while / fling away all
dc sticks an stones dey il on de rock,
so de ole man won't have muffin 70 fight
de snaik wifi"
Uncle Davy soon cleared the top Of
the cliff Of all missiles and sticks and
lay down beneath a tree TO plan the
approaching campaign. He appreciated
the value Of climax and decided 10
let Mr.. Bondell become hard pressed
before he came TO the rescue, rightly
arguing that the size Of mis- reward
would be commensurate with the
danger Mr.. Bondell experienced. From
plans Of the attack and rescue he
passed TO plans for spending the five
thousand dollars. and from day-dreams
he passed 10 real dreams and was soon
snoring melodiOusly. His slumbers
were disturbed by a harsh. rasping sound
a. Of tearing wood. He leapcd 10 his
feet and saw the guilty face Of Tobe
peering anxiously out of the bushes on
the bank.
What you doin'?" inquired Uncle
Davy with severity.
Il was jes' givin' de snaiz toad 20
eat De toad was too big 10 go frew
between de Stats an ] pulled OFF de 'en
of one slat TO git de toad in"
Let dat sHaik alone. He doan' want
no toad Git away from heah befO' l
tar de hide often you. Git away, l
say yelled the old man.
"Cayn't | jes' put de slat-"
Cit away, / tell you" interrupted
Uncle Davy as Tobe accompanied his
words by movement toward the md
ing place of the snakes cage. Cit
away, you triflin', wuthless nigger, ef
you doan' want me 10 tar yo' hide all
of an make II into leather straps, an
whop you wifi 'em until de blood done
run;" and he started overwhelmingly to-
ward his grandson.
Il wish / knew how long l was
sleepin' ! reckon it mus be mos time
for dat ole miliiondaire TO come
stumpin' along Reckon I'd better git
ready for him." and Davy rose TO his
feet chuckling gleefully. Gosh. won't
Bondel jump when he sees dat
suaik?''
The last word was uttered in a horri-
fed shrek, for there before him was
the snake, lying coiled on the little
bridge. His forl1ed stick was lying by
the snakes whilom prison. He had
thrown away all means Of protection
when he had cast all the stones and
sticks on the cliff into the river below,
and now there seemed nothing TO do
Dul 10 cast AlillSCll dlLtI LlGIL 1obt
had been about TO replace the loosened
Stat of the cage when ordered away so
peremptorily.
The snake lay on the bridge quietly
enough, and Davy cautiously APP
preached it with a view TO leaping over
it, but the creature co lied itself and
sprung its rattle as he drew near.
''Oh, Lordv!'' groaned the poor old
fellow. I'D give quarter 10 any
body who'll save my life. / wonner If
/ cayn't shoe him off shalzin' my hat at
him"
Taking his ancient headpiece of stiff
white felt he hurled ii at the snake and
followed ii by large plug of tobacco
and a clay pipe. These missiles angered
the snake, and it started toward its
tormentor Davy leaped about In an
ecstasy of terror, giving vent to the
most frightful howls. No matter where
he lodged, the snake seemed TO bar the
way, and at last held him prisoner
upon a sharp, projecting corner that
jutted out over deep swimming-pool
in the river. He had ceased his calls
for help some moments before, and
semi-calmness had succeeded his abject
fear. The only way for him TO escape
was TO leap into the river The deep
pool would effectually break his fall
He was on his knees preparatory 10
swinging himself off the cliff, when
there was spluttering crash before
him. and the snake, crushed by a great
water bottle, writhed in agony see
ond bottle followed the first, and Mr..
Bondell came running across the little
bridge, and, with his stout cane, pro-
ceeded TO belabor out of the snake the
few sparks of life yet remaining in il.
Uncle Davy stared at his preserver in
silence. Providence has gainsaid the
blush to the black race. In the spas
modic grin that overspread the res
cued mans face ii would be difficult TO
tell whether JOY or shame was ex-
pressed.
There, he is finished" said Mr.. Bon
dell, exultingly, as he cut the rattlers
from the tail of the mangled reptile.
Uncle Davy fumbled in his pockets
irresolutely. and then, gazing AT his
preserver inquiringly, held out TO him
a grimy quarter.-Wardon A. Curtis, in
Leslie's Weekly.
Man Is "A Battery.
| The old time superStitious belief that
human beings should sleep with their
heads toward the north is now believed
to be based on scientific principle.
Some French savants have made eN-
| periments on the body of a criminal
who had suffered death, and these tests
| 90 To prove that each human body is in