Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1835-03-19
LIFE IN MISSOURI.
The following amusing sketch Of Western Life
is from Halls ..'i'ales of the Border.''

The following amusing sketch Of Western Life, 4,
is from Halls "i'aes of the Border"
"Some twelve or thirteen years ago,
when the good land on the Northern
frontier of Missouri was beginning to be
found out, and the village Of Palmyra,
had been recently located on the extreme
verge Of the settlements Of the white
men, Uncle Moses who had built his
cabin hard by, went into that promising
village one day, in hopes of finding a
letter from his cousin David, then at
Louisville, and to whom he had written
to come to Missouri Three hours
pleasant ride, brought him to town. lie
soon found Major Obadiah -, who
had been lately appointed Postmaster,
and who had such an aversion to con-
fnement, that he appropriated his hat to
all the purposes Of Post O flice-an ar
rangement by which he complied with
the law, requiring him to take special
care of all letters and papers committed
to his Keeping, and the instructions di-
recting him to always be found in his Of
fee, and at the same time enjoyed such
locomotive freedom, as permitted him to
90 hunting or fishing, at his pleasure
He was thus read y at all times, wher.
ever he might be, to answer any call on
his department promptly.
"'Fhe major, seating himself on the
grass, emptied his hat of its consents land
requested Uncle Moses to assist him in
hunting for his letter: "Whenever you
come to any that looks dirty and grea-
sy, like these" said he, "just throw them
in that pile, they are all dead letters, and
| intend to send them on to head quar-
ters, the very next time the post rider
comes; for / can't afford to tote them any
longer, encnmbering up the office, for
nothing" Uncle Moses thought they
were at head quarters already, but made
no remark, and quietly putting on his
spectacles, gave his assistance as re-
quired.
"Alter a quarter of an hours careful
examination, it was agreed by both, that
there was no letter in the office for Uncle
Moses.
"'But STOP said the Postmaster, as
Uncle Moses was preparing to mount
his horse, you arc a trading character,
come, let me sell you lot Of goods at
wholesale. Willy Wan, the owner, has
gone to St. Louis to lay in fresh sup
ply, and has left me to keep store for
him till he returns. He had almost sold
out, and hate to be cramped mp in n
house all day, so l have packed up the
whole stock in these two bundles-haul-
ing them out Of his coat pockets.
"Uncle Moses looked over them with
out ever cracking smile, for it was IA
grave business.
"'Here, examine them-caIicoes, rib
bons, laces, Sc. all as good as new no
mistake-lll take ten dollars in coon
skins for the whole invoice, which is
less than cost, rather than tote thom any
longer
"The Majors offer of lot Of store
goods, for less than cost, struck him ia
vorabIy, and he offered three dozen rae
coon skins for the whole 'Take them
said the Major--'it is too little, but if
Wan doesn't like the trade, Pll pay the
balance myself
"'Now,' said the Postmaster, 'let us
60 down to the river, where Hunt, and
the balance of the boys are fishing
We have been holding an election here
for the last two days, and as no body
came in to vote to-day, we all concluded
to 60 fishing
"tBut what election is it?'
"'Why, to elect delegates to form our
State Constitution
"I have heard of it, but had forgot it.
| am entitled to VOTE
"'Certainly you are. Hunt and ] are
two Of the Judges. He has taken the
poll books along with him:-come along,
we will take your vote at the river ust
as good as if it was in town. hate for
malities, and this three days election.
every one could as well do their voting
in one.'
''Down they went to the river; the
judges and clerks were called together,
and recorded the first vote that Uncle