The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-11-25
From The NeD York Mcrcuy
AN AMUSING SPECIMEN OF IIU-
MANITY

"A -N1h - S1-NS lLClNlL4N VI
MANITY.
Whoever travels through any Of the
New England States, and twigs as he
journeys, the eccentricities of some of
the natiucS, cannot fail to be amused; and
may if he chooses, derive many new
ideas i'll respect 10 etymology and divcrsi-
ty of character.
Some years since an acquaintance Of
ours set out, on horse back, from the
eastern part of Massachusetts for the
Green Mountains of Vermont. While
travelling through the town of New Sa-
lem, his road led into piece of woods,
of some five miles in length, and long be-
fore he got out of which, he began to
entertain doubts whether he should ever
be blost with the sight of human habita-
ton; but as all things must have an end,
SO at last had the woods and the nut
brown house of. a farmer greeted his Vi
sion. Near the road was a tall, raw
boncd, overgrown, lanthcrn-iaw boy,
probably seventeen years of'age, d;gz;ng
potatoes. lie was a curious figure to be-
hold. What was lacking in the length Of
his tow brecchcs was amply made up for
behind; his suspenders appeared to be
composed of birch bark, grape vine and
sheep skin; and as for his hat, which was
of dingy white fet-poor thing! it had
once evidently seen better days, but now,
alas! it was only the shadow of its glory.
Whether the tcmpests of time had beaten
the top 'n or the lads expanding genus
had burst it out, was difficult 10 tell; al
any rate it was miss!ng-and through the
aperture red hairs in abundance stood SIX
ways for Sunday. In short, he was one
Of the toughest specimens of domestic
manufacture that ever mortal beheld.-
Our travelling friend, feeling an itching
to scrapc acquaintance with the critter,
drew up the reins of his horse, and be-
gam
"Hallo, my good friend, can YOU in
form me how far it is to the next Lousc?'
Jonathan started up--lcaned on his hoe
handle---restcd one foot on the gambril
of his sinister leg, and replied,
"Hullo yourself! how'd dcw?-- ---wall, !
list can. Taint near so fur now as it used
to be aforc they cut the woods away:
then twas generally rcckoncd four mile
but now the sun shrvcls up the road, and
don't make morc'n tcw. The fust house
YOU come to, though, is barn, and the
next is haystack; but old Hoskin's house
is Oh beyant. You'll be sure to meet his
gals long afore you get there; tarnal
rompt' critturs, they plague our folks
morc'n a little. His sheep git into our
paster every day, and his gals in our Or
chard. Dad sets the dog arter the sheep
and me arter the gals---and the way he
makes the wool, and l the pctticoats fly,
is sin to snakes"
Il see you are inclined to be facetious,
young young man---pray tell me how it
happens that one of your legs is shorter
than the othcr!'
Inever lows any body to medd|c with
my grass tangiers, mistur; but scein' it's
YOU I'll tell We. I was born SO at my
ticker request, so that when | ho!d
plough, lean 60 with one foot i'll the far
rer, and tother on land, and not lop over:
besides, it is very convenient when NOW
round side hill
Very good, indeed--how do your po-
tatoes come Oil this year!
They don't come on at all: | digs 'em
Out; and there's an everlastin' snarl of 'cm
in each HILL"
But they are small, / perceive
'Ycs, | knows it---you see we planted
some whoppen blue noses over in that
patch there, and they fourished so all
tiredly that these ere stopt growin' iist out
of spite; cause they know'd they could'r!
begin to keep up
! You appear to be pretty smart. and