Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1838-08-30
from Tie Ladys Book for .iur
MY UNCLE JONATHAN,



the proof oTfhe E'.sSs-x % d. rae sssI.r-
Reader, you should have known Jona-
than Doolittle. or as he was Familiarity call.
ed by the children Of the pleasant village
OF -, and your humble servant was
one OF the number. UNCLE JONATHAN"
lie was rare specimen of a race now
almost extinct in New England-,he gen
uine old fashioned Yankees. Furnished by
nature with a kind heart and good head
he Was thrust out upon the world at an
early age, with scarcely any education.
TO sink or swim, as change or chance
should determine. But lie never made
any calculations upon sinking. The eve
OF his spirit looked onuard 81 guess"
said Jonathan DoolItile, Il guess II make
my iortin." 'Siah Golding made hand
some spec in the peddlin line; and. TO
smart entcrrrisin' char. like me, !, GER
ungiy does offer purity considerable in
ducement.' No sooner conceived than
executed. The enterprIsing Yankee was
soon on his way TO the Yves, with a wagon
we'll stored with the various motions" Of
our village shopkeeper.
Fortune ever iavors those who seek hcr
smile Alright, and loves TO reward the toll
than was seen returning with 4 light wa
gon, save the incumbrance of feathers"
and rags" which was ever the staple Of
the return cargo ofthe home ward bound"
pedlar. His stay was short. He merely
desired. as he said TO ''fit out" and again
he was on his route. Thus he continued
for some years, until report spoke favoura.
bly, OF his successes. and the village ma
irons began TO view him with ewes full
OF matTImony. What a smart chance
Of husband Mr. Dool.,tle riH make
What q nice match for Deacon Jones
Oldest gall, or for Sally Dollins" But
little rocked the subje OF their discourse
Tor their praise or censure. lie was bu-
sled. not with thoughts of Margaret Jones
or Miss Sally Dolllns, but rather how he
should make his wares acceptable 20 the
fair girls Of TIE Mohawk valley, and TO
their honest, but suspicious sires.
Years went by and each sue ceeding one
added TO the fortunes oi Jonaihn Doollllle
Far, however, from being elaied with his
prospects. his success seemed only TO FIX
more deeply his zeal aud high determine
ton. lie had now reached the meridian
OF manhood, when. 10 the surprise Of all
Who'll knew INN, he suddenly made his APP
pearanoe in -, and declared both his
ability and determination of redeeming
the "old honesied" and "sctilin' down. !"
This was no difficult matter. Though the
estate had passed through the hands OF
various proprIetors, Jonathan easily be 4.
came lis purchaser. and with his elder ais.
ter, (who had been long supported by bis
AID as female head OF his establishment,
he became from hence one Of the most
important and most respectable Villagers
| OF -.
Again was matrimonial speculation on
! the alert, and the comparative merits Of
Miss Margaret Jones and Miss Sally Dol
| Inns were daily discussed. Little how
| ever, cared Jonathan: and whenever the
names OF either of the aforesaid ladies'
were mentioned 90 HIM IN such connex.
ion. he very gravely sdded. that they
| were rally smart gals, bot he guessed aunt
/ Polly and he could get along, without any
assistance OF the ypung uns.' And so,
at last, the village dawes found. 80 their
/ chsgTIn. Jonathan, with his some " hat
venerable maiden sister, who had long
received land earlier than jusi) the famI-
hsr title above recorded managed matters
| TO the entire satisfaction Of all The little
! farm exchanged us exhausted aspect for
that Of fertility and beauty. while the an
( Gent. but commodious mansion seemed
/ Ince more 20 renew us youth.
Noyer dad Jonathan appear disagrc tcd
I with his situation except when Giles
] Townsend offered The "R~.l LYON" ia
\ veTn Cor sale. Jonathan had a. he eN-
I pressed a. "a material knaCk At tavern
/ ketpin and from his knovlcdge Of hu.
man mater, could InteriaIn folks N Jest The
/ perliiest way imaginable" So thought
his frends,--but Aunt Polly declared she
! had "a moral aniipathy TO iavefns-and
her good natufed brother vas forced "a
/ yield.
II there was one situation that SCENE
more peculiarly BETTING than another "a
the talents Of Jonathan Doolhtle, u Ger.
iainly was that Of host. Polite by nature
for true poliicness knows no rules OF
formal etiquette ADD consists wholly IN a
desire 20 ylease--of cheerful even tenn
permanent, possessed Of . large fund oi
merry sneodoie he vas such a compan-
ION % one wss loaih 10 leave and u hose
company vas agsin willingly resought
Though circumstance. the most obdu-
rate q which wss Aunt Polly. denied
Jonathan ihe Red Lyon" they could
not deprive him Of society. Aside from
the villagers. some one o. more Ut them
nigh, be found every evening discussing
the ments Of plentiful mug Of cider by
his cheerful hfe. or when the season ia.
viied seated with bim upon the old par
za--nol unfrequenUy were stranger guest,
present. 10 share his hospitality.
"fIs house was known 10 81 The "a.
grant train, ADD the only reward required
for h,s bounty Vas patient listening n
BIS marvellous travels. and bis disqui.
siiiont on human mater. This vas hi'
strong hold. From BIS acquaintance witt
men. scquIred 80 be migratory proiess,on
BE- Ed banned much, nor isit 70 bs rsT