Litchfield enquirer., 1831-04-21
From the illinois Mngazine.)
THE PHILADELPHIA DUN.

wei dressed good looking young man,
mounted upon what in this country would
be called, "the best kind of nag" His
appearance, altogether, was respectable e.
nough it was even, as respects exteriors,
a touch above what is common and he
would have passed along unnoticed, had it
not been for one thing, which excited uni
versaI attention. Although the streets were
crowded with people, and the fronts of the
stores adorned with fine goods, and such
fancy articles as usually attract the eye
TIE strangers gaze was fixed ON vacancy !;
he turned his head neither to the right nor
to the left he moved not liz nor eye-lid,
but rode forward, as if apparently uncon-
scIous, as we'll of his own existence, as Of
the presence of L;a fcliow-crcatufes.
1t was coufs-week, and an unusual con-
course of people was collected. Here was
the judge, with a long train of lawyers
The candidates for Office were here, dis
:ributing smiles ard !! S;iiudnesses, ana ,.Tac-
Using all those popular arts, which are so
we'll understood in every republican coun-
try. Here was the farmer, clad in his neat
! est homcspun, and mounted on his best
horse. Here was the hunter with his rife.
Here, in short, were the people collected I,
some for pleasure, and some for business,
exhibiting that excitement of feeling which
crowds always produce, with good humor
which is only found in countries where all
are free and equal. The public square ex-
hibited scene which would have been a.
musiHg to Que unaccustomed to such dis
plays Of character. AT one spot were two
neighbors driving bargain. Unlike the
people Of other countries, who transact
such business in private, they were sur
rounded by "a host of people, who all occa-
sionally threw in their comments. A
stranger, judging from the sly jokes, the
loud bantering, and the vociferous laughter
which passed round the circle, would not
have supposed that any serious business was
in hand: resident only, would infer. that
before this little circle parted, horse
would be snapped, crop Of tobacco sold,
or a tract Of land conveyed. Not far of,
was set Of politicians, settling the affairs
fthe nation. But the most amusing indi-
viduals were some two or three who were
covorting.
While the people were amused at the
vagaries Of this wild hunter. or engaged in
conversation, the sun had gone down, and
it was nearly dusk when the moving au-
tomaton, described in the commencement
of this story, rode solcmnly into the town.
1t is customary in this country for persons
who meet, although unacquainted, TO salute
each other, and this courtesy is especially
practised towards strangers and although
the new conner, OH this occasion, would not
have been expected to address each indi-
vidual in crowded street, yet, when those
who we're nearest nodded or spoke as they
civilly opened the way, they were surpris-
ed to see the horseman's gaze fixed on va
cancy, and his body remaining as erect as
il tied to stake.
"That mans asleep" said one.
He's as blind as bat," said another.
II reckon he's sort o'dead," exclaimed
third.
He rides an elegant nag" remarked
fourth !; and all were surprised that man,
who was apparently SO good judge Of a
horse, had not wit enough to see where he
was going, or to know who were around
him.
| In the moan while our traveller moved
proudly on, until he reached the best inn /;
fine brick building, presenting every in
dication Of Ueatness, comfort, aud even lux
ury. AS he rode up, two well fed athletic
negroes, with visages like polished ebony,
and teeth as white as snow, rushed forth,
and while one seized his bride, the other
held his stirrup as he dismoun,ed. Still the
automaton relaxed not muscle; but draw
ing up his body, moved ma estically towards
the house. At the door he was met by the
landlord, portly well dressed man, with
| fine open countenance, who had been hon
ored by his fellow citizens with several civ
il appointments, and had even commanded
some of them in the field, in times Of per-
il. He touched his hat as he welcomed the
stranger, and invited him into his house
with an air Of dignity and hospitality. A
servant took his surrout, and several gen.
tlemen who were seated round the fire,
pushed back their chairs to make way for
the stranger. But all these things moved
not the automaton the glazed eye and
compressed lip were still fixed, and the
chin remained in the cushion of an immense
cravat. After a mOmentary pause, the
gentlemen in the room resumed their con-
versation, the landlord applied himself to
the business of his house, and the silent
traveller was consigned to the oblivion
which he seemed TO cUvet and excited no
more attention except from an honest back
woodsman, who strOlled in to take peep,
and after gazing at him for quarter of an
4 L.. h~.,As o~l 49,