The Rhode Island Republican

A few days ago a Man lived at Allerton (Eng.) by trade a tailor, but who occasionally could handle his fiddle as well as his needle. On his way home from whence he had been exercising his musical talents for the entertainment of his musical neighbours, in passing through a field about 3 o'clock in the morning, in the month of June, he was attacked by a Bull. After several efforts to escape he attempted to ascend a tree. Not, however succeeding in the attempt, a momentary impulse directed him to pull out his fiddle, and fortifying himself behind it as well as he could, began to play, upon which the enraged animal became totally disarmed of his ferocity, and appeared to listen with great attention. The affrighted Joe Snip, finding his fierce and formidable enemy so much appeased, began to think of making his escape, let off playing, and was making off without even the slightest desire to know who should pay the piper. This, however, the bull would not suffer-- for no sooner had our Orpheus ceased his fascinating strain, than the Bull's rage appeared to return with as much violence as before. He was glad, therefore, to have recourse a second time to his fiddle, which as instantly operated again as a magick charm upon the bull, who became as composed and as attentive as before. He afterwards made several attempts to escape, but all in vain; for no sooner did he stop the fiddle than the Bull's anger returned, so that he was compelled to continue fiddling away till near 6 o'clock (about three hours) when the family came to milk the cows, by which he was relieved, and rescued from a tiresome and frightful situation. He is perhaps the first man upon record who may really be said to have fiddled for his life; and who has so truly fulfilled the Poet's idea, that

"Musick hath charms to soothe the savage breast."