The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1893-11-17

anu Ilc Eduh. hHsu UuSiiCo iilhSOu
the bank, and one could watch the top
of the cliff unseen by anyone upon it.
At tne hour of noon, when he was
sure that no inquisitive guests would
be about the grounds to ply him with
questions, Davy stole down to the cliff,
gingerly carrying a small chiclxen-coop
against whose Stats lay the folds OF
large rattlesnake. Close behind him
followed Tobias, bearing a forked
stick, the fork just large enough to ut
about the snakes neck and hold it to
the ground.
''Now you, lobe. I'll jes' hide dis box
in de bushes, an when de ole man
Bondell comes down I'll let de snaill
out and shove him long de bridge todes
de ole man, an lay ash-leaves benin,
an no RATHER will cross ash-leaves.
Jes' when de ole man is mos sca'd to
dyeth I'll come runnin' out wifi club
an kill de snailS You set down an
look at de snaik while | fling away all ,
de sticks an stones dey is on de rock,
so de ole man won't have muffin to fight
de snaiI wiz.
Uncle Davy soon cleared the top OF
the cliff Of all missiles and sticks and
lay down beneath q tree to plan the
approaching campaign. He appreciated
the value Of a climax and decided to
let Mir. ROndell become hard pressed
before he came to the rescue, rightly
arguing that the size of his 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 to real dreams. and was soon
snoring melodiously. His siunlbeIs
were disturbed by Il harsh, rasping sound
as Of tearing wood. He leaped TO his
feet and saw the guilty face Of lobe
peering anxiously out OF the bushes on
the bank.
What you doin'?" inquired Uncle
Davy with severity.
81 was jes' givin' de snailS toad to
eat. De toad was too big to go frew
between de Stats an pulled off de 'en
Of one Stat TO git de toad in.'
''Let dat snailz alone He doan' want
no toad. Git away from heah befo' l
u l.
say" yelled the old man.
"Cayn't jes' put de Stat"
Git away, tell you," interrupted
Uncle Davy as lobe accompanied his
words by q movement toward the hid
ing place OF the snakes cage Cit
away, you triflin', wuthless niger, eff
you doan' want me to tar yo' hide all
off an make it into leather straps, an
whop you wifi 'em until de blood done
rum" and he started threateningly to-
ward his grandson.
Il wish [ knew how long l was
sleepin' l reckon it mus be mos time
for dat ole millionaire to come
stumpin' along. Reckon I'd better git
ready for him." and Davy rose to his
feet chuclzling gleefully. Gosh! won /
Bondell jump when he sees dat
snail1?"
The last word was uttered in horri-
fed shrek, for there before him was
the snake, lying coiled on the little
bridge. His forled 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
but to cast himself after them lobe
had been about to replace the loosened
Stat Of the cage when ordered away so
perenptorily.
The snake lay on the bridge quietly
enough, and Davy cautiously ap-
preached it with a view to leaping over
it, but the creature co lied itself and
sprung it's rattle as he drew near
ooh, Lordy!'' groaned the poor old
fellow. I'D give quarter to any
body who'll save my life. I wonner if
I cayn't shoe him off shaSin' my hat at
him.
Taking his ancient headpiece of stiff
white felt he hurled it at the snake and
followed it by large plug of tobacco
and clay pipe. These missiles angered
the snake. and it started toward it's
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 sharp, projecting corner that
J
in the river. He had ceased his calls
for help some moments before, and a
semi-calmness had succeeded his abiect
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 to
swinging himself off the cliff, when
there was a spluttering crash before
him, and the snake, crushed by great
water bottle, writhed in agony. A Sec
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 it.
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 it would be difficult to
tell whether JOY or shame was ex-
pressed.
There, he is Finished said Mr.. Bon
dell, eyultingly, 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
grimy quarter.-Wardon A. Curtis. in
Leslie's Weekly.
TOWING GtiE TRAIN.
An African Railroad Where Travellers
Have TO Work Their Passage.
The first railroad built in the in
terror OF tropical Africa was the little
line ninety miles long which connects
the towns of Hayes and Bafoulabe on
the Senegal river in Senegambia.
Steamers run up the Senegal from the
ocean to Raves, where the river be-