Year: 1861


get some wheat ground, and John was left to re-
pair some tools to he ready on the morrow to
commence moving the meadow grass Suddenly
I it occurred to John that If he remained about the
house in the afternoon, he would be called 10 at
tea time and required to do the honors Of the
table Now John was bashrul, and to avoid this
he quietly shouldered his scythe aud stole away
to the meadow, half a mile distant, fully resolved
that he would not leave there until it was so
dark that he could not see how to NOW, and avoid
seeing the girls.


The meadow was surrounded on all sides Ivy
thick forest, which etfrctually shut out what lit
tie breeze there might chance to be stirring
The sun poured its rays az though the little
meadow was the focus point where the heat was
concentrated John moved and swc0t-sweat
and moved until he was obliged TO sit down and
cool off Then il occurred to John that if he
took off his pants he might he more comfortable.
There could be no improperly in II, for he was
entirely concealed from observation, and there
was not the slightest reason to suppose that he
could be seen by any person.


So John stripped off, and with no cover save
his linen-commonly called shirt-hc resumed
his work lie was Just conGratulatng himself
upon the good time he was having md the lucky
escape he had made from meeting with the glrIs,
when he CHANGED TO disturb huge black snake.
q genuine twister with white ring around his
neck.


John was no coward. but was mortaily afraid
Of A snake !" Self preservution' was the first
passage that flashed upon John smtnd. Drop
ping his scythe and spinning round like top, he
was ready to strike 2;40 gait, when at that mo
ment the snake was near enough TO hook hIs
crooked teeth into Johns shirt Just above the
hem With tremendous spring he darted off
with the speed of locomotive. Ills first jump
took the snake clear from the ground, aud as
John stole n hasty glance over his shoulder, he
was borrifed TO find the reptile securely fastened
TO the extremity of his garment. while the speed
with which he rushed forward kept the serpent
extended at an angle of ninety degrees with his
body


Here was ouaudary. If he stopped, the snake
would coil about his body and squeeze him to
death if he continued the race, he must soon


fall from sheer exhaustion. On he flew, scarcely
daring to think how his dreadful race was to end.
lnstinctvely he had taken the direction OF home,
, | n feeling Of security came over him. Suddenly


flashed across his mind the true state of affairs


his father gone-the quilting, and worst OF all,
the girls The new horror sent the blood back,
curdlng about his heart, and he came to dead
halt The next moment he felt the body of the
cold, clumsy monster in contact with his bare
legs, his tail creeping around them in n sort of
cozening manner, as though his snakeship only
mcdated a litde fun, by way of tickling John
upon the knees.


This was too much for human endurance. With
a veil such as man never utters save when in
, mortal terror, poor John again set forward at


break neck speed, and once more bad the pleas


ure of seeing the snake resume his horizontal


position, somewhat after the fashion OF the tail


OF comet.


On, on they few John forgot the quilting,


forgot the girls, forgot everything hut the snake


His active exercise Che had paid particular
attention to his running) together with the eX-
cessve heat. had brought on the nose bleed. and
as he ran, ears erect and head thrown back, his
chin throat and shirt bosom were stained with
the flowing stream.


His first wild shrek had startled the quilters,
and forth they rushed. wandering If some mad
Indian was not prowling about. by this time
John was within few rods OF the barn, still run
ming at the top Of his speed, his head turned so
that be might keep one eye on the snake, and
with the other observe what course he must take
The friendly barn now concealed him from the
sight Of the girls lie knew they were in the
yard, having caught glimpse OF them as they
rushed from the house.


A few more bounds, and lie would he in their
midst. For q moment modesty overcame fear
aud once more he halted. The snake, evidently
pleased with his rapid transportation manifested


his gratitude by attempting to cniold the legs o


our hero within his embrace,


With an explosive " ouch ~ and urged rorwar(
by circumstances over which he had no con
! troll" poor John rushed on The moment h'
\ was in iull view of the girls, and as he turned
y the corner of the barn, the snake came roun(
! with tcLiz, somewhat after the fashion OF
horse-whp


Having reached the barn yard, To his disma,


he found the bars up. But time was too precIou
to be wasted in letting down bars. Gathering


all his strength, he bounded into the air, snak
a ditto and us he alghted on the other side, hi
/ snakeships tail cracked across the upper bar
y swapping like an Indian cracker.
4 Again John set forward. now utterly regard
= less OF the presence of the girls, for the extr
!, tickle from The snakes tail, as he leaped tn
. bar, banished all his bashrulncss and modesty
. and again be had the pleasure of finding the snak
e in straight line, drawing steadily at the hem o
Y bis solitary garment.


/ The house now became the center Of attraction
. and around it he revolved with the speed q
4 thought. -Four times in each revolution, as h
r turned the corner, the snakeship came aroun'
= with uhiz that was quite refreshing.
G While describing the third circle, as he cam


near the group Of wonder struck girls, wilhou


removing his gaze from the snake he manage
D to cry out -


e "cALL MAN.
+ The next moment he had whisbed out Of sigh
5 and quick as thought re appeared upon the otho
e side Of the house -


1 "CALL A MAN"
: And away he whrled again, turning the col


ner 80 rapidly that the ehiz OF the snake sounde


halt way between a low whistle and the repeate
pronunciation OF double o.


S Before either OF the girls had stirred from thei
= tracks, he had performed another revolution =
" CALI. MASF'
5 Away he flew once more but his strength wa
e rapidly falling. Nancy Clark was the first to re
e cover her presence OF mind, and sezlng hool
+ pole, she took her station near the corner OF IN
: house, and as John re appeared she brought !
r upon the snake with a forco that broke his back
, aud his hold upon John neither garment at tn
c same time.


# Joan rushed into the house and to his room
and at tea time appeared IN his hess sunday sui
e but little the worse lor tpe ace, and to all ap
= pearance entirely cured OF bashtulness'


That night he walked home with Nancy Clark


The next New Year they were married, ant
o now, whatever John feels inclined to laugh at hi
r wife's hoops or any other popularity, she ha
+ only to say, 'Call a man., when he instantl


sobers down