Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-05-30
WESTWARD Hol
by ]. x. pAuLn1Sa.

work, which presents an accurate picture of the
popularity and originality Of the Western Cha.
racter. We have understood that the original
Che ''droH Uarmint' was no less apersonage, than
English Officer who has given himself some
fame by aridicuious attempt to ridicule American
manners and character
The party was seated on the roof
of the broadhorn, which consisted of
boards inclining at each end from the
centre, so as to let the rain run off,
and singing or telling stories according
to custom, aided by the indispensable
accompaniment of competent supply
of whiskey. Rainsford had seated him.
self also upon the roof Of the boat, to
enjoy the scene before him, and was
now casting a glance of admiration on
either side; now busying himself in a
labyrinth of reflections, which, wheth-
er he turned to the past, the present,
or the future, were equally fraught
with unqualified bitterness. Gradual
~, however, his attention was arrest.
ed by the following extraordinary tale.
"Well then, captain, if he won't
sing, suppose you tell US another sto-
ry," quoth Cherub Spooney.
cay, do now, captain; tell us the
story of the strange cretur you picked
up going down the river" said another.
'Ah! now do, Massa Cappin Sam, "
quoth blackey.
"Well, I'll tell you how it was. We
had hauled in the broad.horn close
ashore to wood; wind was upstream,
so we couldn't make much Roadway
anyhow. Bill told the niger to cook
a few steaks off Clumsy--that was
what we called the bear shot the dav
before--well, while We were atwood
ing
''That story's as long as the Missis-
sippi," said one.
"Shut pan, and sing dumb, or I'll
throw you into the drink" exclaimed
Spooney.
"Why, heard that story before"
"Well, supposing you did, | didn't;
go on, captain"
"Weli, as was saying, Spoon, the
nigger--"
81 think he might call UNI gemman
of choler," muttered blackey.
"The niger went to cook some bear
while we were wooding, so that we
q might have, somethin to 90 upon.
q When we came back, what kind of a
varInint do you think we started in the
q cane brake?"
81 reckon an alligator" said blackey
"Hold your tongue, you beauty, OF
you snail smell birthstone through q
nail aoie," cried Spooney, 'go ahead
go ahead, captain.
swell, as ! was SAYING we started
The drollest yarmint perhaps you ever
did see. Its face was covered with
n hair, like bull buffalo, all but little
n place for his eyes TO see through. L
Il looked mighty skeery, as though i
N thought itself a gone sucker, and cal
cuiated We were going to eat it, before
q we killed it; but we carried it ABOARD
n the broad-ho4n, and took compassor
on the poor thing. slapped it on thu
n back, and told it to stand up on its hin'
Il legs, and | wish | may run on saw
a yer if it didn't turn out to be a liv,
q dandy"
i ''lIad it tail?"
'I'll wool lightning out of you, Bill
if you interrupt me-"
''That's actionable in New Orleans,
ala! ha! whoopl wake snakes-g
ahead, go ahead, and don't be 50 ran
tankerous," shouted the audience.
81 swear, if he once gets my tail up
he'll find I'm from the forks of Roar
mig River, and bit of screamer,
said Captain Hugg.
"Well, go ahead-go ahead--tell u
about the dandy--ha, ha, hal shoul
like to have seen it when it stood upo
its hind legs. What did it sayP'
"Why, | asked what they Gale
such queer things where it came from
and it said Basil; and that the captai
of the steamboat had put it ashore b.
cause it insisted on going into the |,
dies cabin. Well, some Of us Gale
it summer.savory, some catnip, SON
sweet basil, and we had high fun wit
the cretur, and laughed till we wei
tired. And then we st him on a ba
rel forked eend downwards-"
"voughi youghl youghr' eiacuI
,ed blackeS, bursting into one of
mdescribable laughs.
"No laughing in the ranks there
throw that niger overheard II
laughs before come to the right piac
i ell harm NJ q