The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-02-15


ncighborly art of borrowing, as prac,ised
in domestic affairs in Michigan, is chap
ter from new novel by lady of that
State, entitled "a nev Home--W Who'll
folloD?"
CHAPTER XVIII.
"M. ther wants your SITTER" said Miss
Ianthe Howard, a young lady of six years
standing, attired in tat;ered calico, thick
ened with dirt, her unkempt locks strag-
gliI from under that hidcous substitute
for a bonnet, so universal in the western
country, dirty cotton handkerchief, which
is used, ad nauseam, for all sorts of pur-
poses.
smother wants your sitter, and she says
she guesscs you can let her have some su-
gar and lea, cause you've got plenty"
This excellent reason, "cause you've
got plenty is conclusive as to the sharing
with your neighbnrs. Whoever comes into
Michigan with nothing, will be sure to bet
ter his condition but wo to him that brings
with him any thing like an appearance Of
abundance, whether of money or Of mere
household cnnvcnienccs. To have them
and not be willing 10 share them in some
sort with the whole community, is an IN
pardnnable crime. You must lead your
best horse to qni que &C SOFT, 10 60 ten
miles over hill and marsh, in the darkest
night, for doctor: or your team TO travel
twenty miles after "gal;" your wheel
barrow, your shovcls, your utensIl; of all
sorts, belonging, not to your self, but to the
public, who do not think it necessary even
to ask loan, but take it for granted. The
two saddles and brides of Montaontc spend
most of their tine in travelling from house
to house a.manback; and have actually
known stray nia:tingale to be traced to
four dwellings two miles apart, having
been lent from one TO another, without a
word to the original proprietor, who sat
waiting, not very patiently, to commence
n journey.
Then, within doors, an inventory cf your
plcnishing Of all sorts would scarcely more
than include all the articles which yoH are
solicited to lend. net only arc all kitchen,
utensils as much ycur eiehbars ~vonr
own. but bcdsteads, beds, bls5Sc,s sheets,
travel from house to honSa pleasant and
eG@ctnal mode oi sS>Sring the pcrp@,ui,y
of certain sIl>rcsrcnt pcculiarilies of the
skin, jswhich Michigan is becoming al
TSS IS famous as the land "'twixt Mai
denkirk and John O'Groa's. Sleeves,
smoolhinr-i irons and churns, run about as
if they ha'! legs; one brass kettle is enough
for whole ncighborhood; and | could
point to the cradle which has rocked half
the babies in Moutacute. For my OWE part,
l have lent my broom, my thread, my
tape, my spoons, my cat, my thinblc, my
scissors, my shawl, my shoes; anA have
been asked for nv combs and brushes; and
my husband, for his shaving apparatus and
his pantaloons.
But the cream of the joke lies in the
manner Of the thing. 1t is so straight for
ward and houcst--ncnc Of your hypocrit-
ical civiiiv and srrvilc gratitude! Your
true republican, when he iind; that youpos-
spss any thing which woa!G contribute to
his convenience, walks in with care you
going to use your horses today" if horses
happen to be the thing he needs.
"Yes, I shall probobly want them
"Oh, well, if you want thenl-l vas
thinking to get 'cm to go up north apiece"
Or, perhaps, the desired article come
within the female department.
"Mniher wants to get some butter: that
ere butter you bought of Miss Barton this
mornin'."
And away goes your golden store, to be
repaid, perhaps, with some cheesy, greasy
stuff, brought in dirty pail, with "lierc's
your butter!"
A girl come in to borrow "wash.dish,"
''bccausc we've got company" Present.
", she comes back: "Mother says you've
forgot to send a towel"
"Thc pen and ink, and sheet G. paper
and wafer" is no unusual request; and
when The pen is returned, you are general
Iy informed that You sent san awful bad
PEN"
have been frequently reminded Of one
Of Johnson's humorous sketches. 4 man
returning broken wheel barcrw % On
ier, with "iIerc I've BROKEN your rotton
usin' ont. l wish you'd
get it mended right off, cause want to
borrow it again this afternoon" The Qua
ier is made to reply, "Fricnd it shall be
lone;" and | wish l possessed mure of