Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1833-03-07


that he'll let out before long. For my
mart. think the Presidents Message is
about right. was setting with the Pre-
sident in the east room last night, chat
ting about one thing and another, and
the President, says he, Maj. Downing,
have YOU read my Message that ] sent
10 Congress to-day. l told him hadn't.
Well, says he, should like to have you
read it and give me your opinion upon 1t.
So he handed it to me, and sot down
and read it through.
And when got through, now says
Gineral, III tell you Jest what l think OF
this ere business. When was young
ster some of US DowningyiIle boys used
TO 90 down to Seba2o Pond every spring,
and hire out month or two rafting logs
across the Pond. And one time and
cousin Ephraim, and Joel, s Bill John.
son, and two or three more OF us had
each a Wrapping great log TO carry a.
cross the Pond. Ii was rather windy
day, and the waves kept the logs bob
bing up and down pretty considerable
bad, so we agreed to bring 'em along
side and side and lash 'em together, and
drive some thole-pins in the outer-most
logs and row 'em over together. We
went along two or three miles pretty well.
But by and by Bill Johnson begun to
complain. He was always an uneasy
harum scarum sort Of chap. Always
thought every body else had an easier
time than ne had, and when he was
boy always used to be complaining that
the other boys had more butter on their
bread than he had. Well, Bill was row.
ing on the leward side, and he begun to
fret and said his side went the hardest,
and he wouldn't give us any peace TIL
one of us changed sides with him.
Well Bill hadn't rowcd but little
ways on the windward side before he
began to fret again, and declared that
side went harder than 'tother, and he
wouldn't touch to row on that side any
longer. We told him he had his choice
and he shouldn't keep changing So
But he only fretted the more, and begar
to get mad. AT last he declared if we
didn't change with him in five minutes
he'd cut the lashings and take his log
and paddle off alone. And before We
had hardly time to turn round, he declar
ed the FIVE minutes were out, and w
hatchet and cut the lashings, and ava,
went Bill on his own log, bobbing anC
rolling about, and dancing like mon
key to try to keep on the upper side
The rest Of us scrabbled to as well a
we could, and fastened our logs togeth
er again though we had tough mattel
for i, the wind blew so bard. Bill had
mt gone but little ways before his log
begun to roll more and more, and b,
and by in he went splash, head and cars
He came up putting and blowing, ant
got hold Of the log and tried to climb u
on it, but the more he tried the more tn
log rolled; and finding it would be gon
goose with him pretty soon if he stai
there, he began to sing out like loo
for us to come and take him. We ask
ed him which side he would row if We
would take his log INTO the raft again
D says Bill, III row on either side o
both sides if you want me to, you'll
only come and help me before | sink
But, said the President, | hope yo,
did mt help the foolish rascal out till he
got pretty good soaking. lie got soak
ed enough before we got to him, says |
for he was jest ready to sink for the las
time, and our logs come pesky near get
ting scattered, and ifthey had we shoul'
all gone to the bottom together. AM
now Gneral this is Jest what think;
you let South Carolina cut the lashings
you'll see such a log-rolling IN this couu
try as you never see yet. The old Cir
eral started up and marched across th
floor like n boy. Says he, Maj. Dowr
ing, she shant cut the lashngs while m
name is Andrew jackson. Tell Sa
geant Joel to have his company sleep o
their arms every night told him the
should be ready at a moments warning
wish you would jest give cousin L
phraim up to Augusta a jog to know VIII
he don't write to me and let me kno
how the Legislature is getting along.
remain your loving friend,
NJ I,ry DawxIx1