The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1830-07-07
From the Neto York Constellation.
SLEIGHT OF TEETH.

There are various kinds of sleight in this
sighting world o. nurs-such as sleight of hand
sleight OBJECT, seight ofteeth &c. The first is
shown in the divertng tricks of the juggler
the second, in running away from a creditor
the third, in forgetting promise; and the
fourth in eating at other peoples costs, and
dining upon lire, la Cumberland the like,
But among all the teeth tricks, we have heard
of, The following is not the least worthy of COM
memoration.
A pedlar whom we shall call Peter Smoker,
put up at Dutch tavern in the interior, about
the commencement of severe northeaster, and
as the weather for some time continued stormy,
he was in no haste TO abandon his comfortable
quarters. Fer several days both he and his
horse exercised their teeth TO good advantage,
and a bill to the amount of some ten dollars was
incurred. As every storm, however, has been
or will be followed by sunshine, so in this case
the clouds began to break away, and Peter be-
gan to think of picking up his notions and be-
ing off Having broken his fast preparatory to
his departure, he took pipe as usual with mine
host, and both engaged very briskly in the pleas
ures offumigation and confa5ulation. At length
drawing the pipe from his mouth, and peeping
under the forestick at the red-hot flip iron,
ally styled loggerhead, Peter said carelessly ::
Landlord what1l you bet dollar can't
bite an inch off that red-hot loggerhead %
Wy, you tam Yankee fool, said the Dutch
man, Il knows you can't do it,"
Well now returned the pedlar, "I'll bet
you my load of tin ware, and other notions,
against the amount of my bill, that I'll do it,
Done !" said the landlord.
"Done !" said the pedlar
group now gathered round to see the ped
lar eat hot iron.
That's a cool load of tin-ware of yours, u
said one, with quizzical smile.
"Not so cool as you think for" said Peter
You're gone goose, friend" said another,
with an ominous shake of his head
"lf am, I'll give you leave to pluck me, .
returned Peter.
If was in your place, should prefer a
cold snack said third.
"I'm not very particular, said Peter, be
sides you know poor pedlar can't aIwayl
choose"
BY this time he had got the loggerhead nea
his mouth, and ready for the exhibition "Tak
notice, gentleman" said he, 8" am TO bite al
inch off this ere loggerhead, and have the amour
OF my bill for SO doing but if fail TO do it,
have 20 forfeit my load of tin-ware and othe
notions, and pay my bill into the bargain. Ism
that the agreement. landlord"
"Yes," said the Dutchman, {" dat is de akree
ment-take notice, zschentlemens
Now observe" said the pedlar, and Sc
that do il properly"
Yes, obsarye," said the Dutchman, an
zee that he does oroberly."-
The pedlar now moved the red hot iron tc
wards his teeth, gave a sudden snap, and II
placed the instrument beneath the forestick.
Is dat all :" said the landlord, drawing ha
dozen whiffs from his pipe. " If dat be all
could do il mineself"
"I.dare say you could" coolly returned tn
man OF notions, " If you had thought Of il. Blu
III be going now, if you please, and will than
you for my horse"
But de horse and de odder notions al
mine" said the Dutchman
0 no, my dear sir said the pedlar, " | har
pen to be the winner"
Ten thousand tifels" exclaimed the DutcE
man, dashing his pipe on the floor" how d
VOW make dat outs you did not bite off an inc
of de hot iron'
No, but bit an inch, if not more, off of
I'll thank you for my horse
80 ye tam Yankee cheat you gets rom
me once; but I'll look out for you next dim
Here Haunee, vetch up dc fellows herse, civ
him glass Of pitters, and let him 60"
A PRUDENT IMPosTOR. The famous Jemim
Wilkinson, who, with number of her follow
ers, had fixed her residence at the head Of Sci