Year: 1868

The next moment he felt the body
OF the cold clammy monster in con.
tact with his bare legs, as though his
snakeship only meditated little fun
by way Of tickling John upon the
knees. This was to much fer hu
man indurance With a yell, such
as man utters, save wnen in mortal
terror, poor John again set forward
break-neck speed, and once more
had the pleasure of seeing the snake
in his old position, somewhat after
the fashion of the tale of comet
On, on they few. John forgot the
quitting, forgot the girls. forgot eve
ry thing bnt the snake.


His first wild shrek had startled
the quilters, and forth they rushed
wondering if some Indian was not
proving about. By this time John
was within few rods of the barn,
still running at the top of his, speed
his head turned 50 that he might
keep one eye on the snake, and with
the ether observe what course he
must take. The barn now concea-
led him from the, sight of the girls
He knew they were in the yard, hav-
ing caught a glimpse ofthem as they
rushed from thekouse Fora mo-
ment modesty overcame fear, and he
once more halted. The snake evi-
IDENTIFY pleased with his rapid trans
portation manifested his gratitude
by attempting to enfold the legs
of our hero within his embrace.


With an explosive ''oucAp and
urged forward by circumstances
over which he had 10 control"
bounded on. The next moment he
was in view of the girls and as he
turned the corner of the snake came
round with a whiz, somewhat after
the fashion ola coach whip Hav-
ing reached the barn-yard, to his
dismay he found the bars up. But
time was to precious to be wasted in
letting down bars. He gathered all
his strength, bounded into the. air,
snake ditto, and as he alighted on
the other side his snakeship's tail
cracked across the upper bar.


The house now became the centre
Of attraction, and around it he re
volved with the speed of thought.
Four times in each.revolution, as he
turned the corner, his snakeship
came round with whiz that was
quite refreshing. While describing
the third circle, as he came near the
group of wonder struck girls, with
out removing his gaze from the
snake he managed to cry out-"call
a mani -


The next moment he was out Of
sight, and quick as thought reap
peared upon the other side of the
house-scall man"


And away he whirled again, turn
ing the corner so rapidly that the
whiz of the snake sounded about
half way between a low whistle and
the repeated pronunciation of deub-
leo. And before either of the girls
had stirred from their tracks, he had
performed another 5reyeloution-
''call a man''


Away he few once more, but his
strength was rapidly failing. Nancy
Clark was the first to her presence
of mind, and selling a hoop, she
took her station near the corner of
the house, and as John re-appeared
she brought it down upon the snake
! with force that broke his back and
his hold upon Johns garment at the
same time.


John rushed into the house, and
to his room and at tea-time appeared
in his best Sunday suit, looking but
little worse, for the race, and to all
appearances entirely cured of bash
fulness. That night he walked home
with Nancy Clark. Tie next New
Years they were married, and now
whenever John is inclined to laugh
at his wife's follies, she has only to
say ''call mann' when he instantly
sobers down.