Year: 1879

ULOUS ESCAPE FROM A wATERY


GRAVE.


On Monday last two well-krown citizens of
our village, one of them being gentlemanly
telegraph operator, the other q follower OF
Blackstone, Office in Court House-we suppress
names out of respect to the parties-bethought
themselves to take little recreation from the
harrassng cares OF business aud so planned
little piscatorial excursion. Being ON pleasure
bent, they arrayed themselves in their best
holiday attire, armed themselves with fishing
tackle, rods, lines, hooks and bait, (not in a
bottle we are told) and hasted away in grand
make the inny inhabitants OF thar placid sheet
hunt for deep water All went lovely for q
time, and being Of persevering turn OF mind
our friends having driven on to Pine Island,
procured boat, and from nine O'Clock IN the
morning until the same hour in the evening
without cessation except to partake Of u frugal
lunch they chased the frightened denlzens of
the vastly deep to and fro, from end to end OF
the beautiful lake, and their efforts were well
rewarded by the capture of two magnificent
'punkin seeds" and one sinner, the latter
beng captured by the lawyer. Satisfied with
their brilliant success and feeling refreshed
and invigorated with their sport, our friends
prepared to return home and resume the
pressing duties of an active business life with
more than their usual energy and vigor. But
alas, they little knew the danger they had to
encounter from the sullen treacherous flood
Could they have foreseen what befell them ere
they reached the main land their hearts would
have quaied within them and their knees
Messing their prancing pegasus to their carriage
and carefully depositing their catch OF fish in
a pint cup and placing the same on the seat
between them, they began their homeward
journey. The shades Of night had fallen
around them and it was with some trepidation
that they approached the narrow strait of water
between the island and the main land. which rs
they well knew was in places nearly twelve
inches in depth.


Our telegraphic friend being rather more OF
horseman than Blackstone, courageously as
sumed the relns, aid with palpitating hearts
and bated breath our two heroes boldly drove
into the dark and dismal waters Not sound
was heard except the melancholy hoot OF SOL
itary owl and the ominous croak Of q monster
bullfrog perched on q log near by. Having
reached the middle OF the channel, the disciple
Of Blackstone suddenly grssped the lightning
manipulator by the arm aud in thrilling
whisper exclaimed, +" The horse is drowning,
let us fee fox our lves," and sultlng the action
to the word, he suddenly sprang into the lake.
sinking into the mire up to his knees. He was
Immediately followed by his companion, aud
both made break for the island, which they
reached in safety. But they we're determined
to make lone desperate endeavor to save their
steed from watery grave, and having recov-
cred themselves somewhat, they vaiently waded
back, over their boot tops IN mud and water,
and cut tue reins, thinking to release their
horse from the carriage and allow him to wade
ashore This not having the desired effect,
they were at a loss what farther action to take.
The telegraphist turned TO tho attorney and
said, with the fear OF death IN his heart, "Can
you pray?" His companion replied that it was
not IN his line,--he did not think he was equal
to tho emergency, and 30 they determined to
do the next best thing and sing a song OF praise.
And soon the melancholy, supplcating tones OF
cur friends rang over the blue waters to the
words Of the beautiful hymn beginning I'VE
SAL the Ocean Blue" This attracted the
attention OF some fishermen IN q boat short
distance away who came to their assistance,
and one Of them tying the severed reins,
mounted the buggy and drove ashore our
friends CALAMITY wading after. Reaching the
man land in safety, their hearts filed with
thankfulness for their dellverance from deadly
peril, they resumed their journey home, which
they reached at midnight in safety, with the
loss of one "punkin seed." When next our
friends visit the lake they will hitch their horse
on the main land and fish from shore.