Year: 1861

resolved that he would not leave there
until it was so dark that he could not see
to NOW, and must avoid seeing the girls.
The meadow was surrounded on all
sides by a thick forest, which effcctually
shut out what little breeze there might
chance to be stirring. The sun poured
its rays as though the little meadow was
the focus point where the heat was con.
centrated, John moved and sweat and
sweat and moved, until he was obliged to
sit down and cool off. Then it occurred to
John if he took off his pants he might be
much more comfortable. There could be
no improprioty in it, for he was entirely
concealed from observation, and there was
not the slightest reason to believe that he
would be seen by any person. So John
stripped off and no cover save his linen
commonly called shirt-he resumed his
work. lie was just congratulating him.
self upon the good time he was having, and
the lucky escape he had made from meet.
ing with the girls, when he chanccd to
disturb a huge black snake, genuine
tinter with a white ring around his neck.


John was no coward, but he was NOR
tally afraid Of snake. " Self preserva.
ton was the first "passage" that flashed
upon Johns mind, and "lcgs take care of
the body was the next, Dropping his
scythe and spinning around like a top, he
was ready to strike at 40 rate, when
at that moment the snake was near enough
to hook his crooked teeth into Johns shirt
just above the hem. With a tremendous
spring he darted off with the speed of a
/ locomotive


His first jump took the snake clear from
the ground, and as John stole hasty
/ glance over his shoulder, he was Mortified
to find the reptile securely fastened to the
extremity of his garment, while the speed
! with which he rushed forward, kept the
serpent extended to an angle Of ninety de.
grccs with his body.


Here was a quandory. If he stopped
the snake would coil around his body and
squeeze him to death; if he continued his
race, he must soon fall from mere exhaus
ton. On lie flew, scarce daring to think
how thi3 dreadful race was to end. ln-
stinctiycly he had taken the direction
home, feeling security cane over him.
/ Suddenly flashed across his mind the true
state of alrairs-his father gone--the quilt.
/ ing, and the worst of all, III" g1ylS This
new horror sent the blood back, curdlirg
about his heart, and he came to dead
halt. The next moment he felt the body
of the cold clammy monster in contact with
his bare legs, his tail creeping around
them in a sort oi cozcning way, as though
his snakcship only moditated little fun,
by way of tickling John upon the knees.


This was too much for human endurance.
With yell, such as man never utters save
when in mortal terror, poor John again
set forward at break neck speed, and once
more had the pleasure of seeing the snake
resume his horizontal position, somewhat
sitter the fashion Of the tail OF comet.
/ On they few John forgot the quilt
ing, forgot the girls, forgot everything but
the snake. His active exercise, (ho paid
particular attention to his running) to-
gethor with the excessive heat, had brought
on the nose bleeding, and as he ran, ears
erect aud head thrown back, his chin,
throat and bosom were stained with the
flowing stream.


His first wild shrek had startled the
quilters, and forth they rushed, wondering
if some mad Indian was not prowling
about. BY this time John was within Il
few rods of the barn, still running at the
top of his speed, his head turned SO that
he might keep one eye on the snake, and
with the other observe what course he
must take. The friendly barn now con-
cealcd 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
he would be in their midst For mo-
mcut modcsty ovorcome fear and he once
more halted. The snake, evidently pleas
cd with his rapid transportation, manifest
ed his gratitude by attempting to enfold
the legs of our hero within his embrace.


With an explosive "o''ch' and urged
forward by circumstances over which he
had no CONTROL poor John bounded on
The ncxt moment he was in full view o.
the girls, and as he turned the corner o.
the barn, the snake came round with