Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1909-05-13
UNCLE DANIELS ADVENTURE.
TT was bitter day, with deep snow.
IYet Uncle Daniel was resolved on hunt

81 freezel" Uncle Daniel retorted
dressed as warm as am! And dom
YOU know have new beaver cap tha
cost six dollars And a-running aftel
rabbits most of the time. How could
get cold ?"
"But you might not be running most o.
the time; the snow is too deep; and it is
ten degrees below zero. Don't CO."
Uncle Daniel was sienced but not per-
suaded. After the midday meal he made
ready for hunting by drawing on heavy
boots and an extra waistcoat, and by
tying the strings of the ear-flaps OF his
fine new cap under his chin. With CUR
and ak and dogs he started.
Aunt Martha, in the doorway, was still
demonstrating.
"Don't worry about me I'll be back
soon |" he called, as he climbed the high
rail fence which separated his father-in-
laws land from his.
Uncle Daniels land was all cleared, but
this was thickly wooded, with much I'M
derbrush, where he thought there would
be plenty of game.
He had gone but short distance when
one OF the dogs scared up a rabbit. With
dogs yelping and baying and Uncle Dan
iel yelling, ii was soon despatched. Nor
was it long until another one shared the
same fate.
Soon the dogs were on the track OF
third rabbit, with Uncle Daniel in hot
pursuit. They ran under trees, over logs,
and through brush, until the old man was
almost spent. When he came up to the
dogs, they were yelping and smelling
about a hollow tree.
That's where you are, st ?" the hunt
er surmiSed. "I'll soon have you out."
Uncle Daniel laid the two rabbits on the
ground and leaned the gun and Ak against
the tree, preparatory to examiningwhether
the creature were in it or not. He looked
up. The top of the tree was lying near
on the ground. The butt of the top was
hollow, so he knew the body of the tree,
still standing, was open throughout.
There was a hole in one side Of the
tree which some one had cut long ago.
He thought to put his head in this hole TO
see if the rabbit were there. If it should
be, he would cut the tree down.
Sinking on his knees, Uncle Daniel,
trying TO put his head in the hole, found
he could not with his cap on, so he showed
it back until it hung on his shoulders by
the string round his neck Quickly in
serting his head, he found no rabbit there.
Then, attempting to withdraw his head,
he found that he could not do so!
Uncle Daniel pulled and twisted and
squirmed in vain. With frantic effort he
renewed his exertions. But the feather
edges of the wood being pushed inward
by the ak when the hole was cut, were
only so many teeth to catch his hair and
beard, and hold him fast.
He thought of his knife. If he had it he
might cut off those ugly splinters. But,
unfortunately, his knife was at home.
Uncle Daniel groaned and shouted at
the top Of his voice, but the sound only
went in echoing circles about his head.
He knew il was of no use to call. No
one would be out on such day. But
upon thinking, he concluded that he did
not want any one to undertake to cut the
tree down with him fast in it, for in fall
ing, it might twist round and break his
neck. Still, he wished some one were
there, for then there would be some plan
devised whereby he might be released.
What shall he do2 He was at least a
half mile from any house, and there was
not one chance in ten thousand that any
one would come along in time to save
him.
Uncle Daniel made every effort to free
himself, but not only his hair caught, but
the back of his head, his chin, or his ears,
in fact his head seemed too large. How
could he have put il in so easily?
His body was pierced with the cold,
yet he was so excited and terrorized that
the perspiration stood in drops on his
forehead.
He kept muttering to himself.
as it possible that am, such fool as
to put my head in place that | cannot
get it out of? Is such thing possible2
II | don't soon get out OF this shall die
Already am numb with cold. If it were
not so cold might live several days, and
someone would find me. Martha would
have people looking for me tonight"
Then he began speculating as to how
long he might endure the dreadful cold
"But here am" he said, "caught like Z
rat in trap"
All the time he was struggling with hi:
hands to tear out those splinters, which
held so cruelty.
Suddenly Uncle Daniel thought hi
might pray. He believed the Lord wa:
all-powerful. But he had never been ;
praying man. Martha was a good Qua
keress it might be the Father woulC
hear him for her sake
Buthe was ashamed to pray. Itseemec
not quite honest to put off praying unit
he was in tight place. He looked up,
ward, the way was clear to the top of tn,
tree. He could see bit of blue sky ia
above.
Although uncle Daniel was sensibl,
man, and knew thought could reach tn
heavenly throne, this seemed such an ex
treme case that he soliloquized, as he wa
looking upward, @That is the way that
would have it, for if | am going to pray,
want it to 60 straight up to Him quick"