Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-06-17

cruit the exhausted frame and spirits oil her
guest. The conversation turned on the diff
fculty of pronouncng some of the places of
Indian origin, which are so frequently met
with in the New England States. In the
midst of the soliloquy, Mr. Smith saw his po-
litical opponent, Waite Martyr, coming
down the road. He was certain that Waite
would pop into the tavern, and in the spur
of the moment laid his plan accordingly.
What you say, SIR said MIR Smith, re-
spectng these Jaw-breakng names is per-
fcctly correct. agree with you entirely,
and am much gratifed to make the acquain-
lance of a gentleman of so much taste. But,
my dear, there are familiar English words,
and combinations of words which although
they may not be difficult to pronounce, are
exceedingly difficult to repeat. For instance.
it is almost impossible for any one not IA
milar with the practice, to pronounce the
words thirteen votes, thirteen votes, for any
length of time, without making the NEST lu-
dicrous mistakes.
Thirteen votes thirteen votes thirteen
voles!' repeated the stranger. Il do not
see any difficulty in that. could go on re-
peatng the words thirteen votes thirteen
votes! thirteen votes! until o-morrow morn
ing
1T is far more dificult, my dear sir, than
you imagine replied Smith in his bandes
manner. Il am not much in the habit of
betting, but for the curiosity of the thing, |
am willing TO bet you the price OF dinner
for you and your horse, that you cannot re-
peat in rapid succession the words thirteen
votes, thirteen votes, thirteen votes, fifteen
minutes without making some most eyre
gious biunders.'
'Done,' said the travcler-w,lo rcjoiced
at the idea of paying the landlords bill so
easily 'and will tegin at once SO say
! Ing he took out his watch and noted the time,
then planting himself against the wall with
his face to the door, he assumed look of
great determination, as if he had undertaken
an unpleasant Job, but was resolved to go
through it at all hazards-and commenced
pronouncing in loud voice, with due en-
phasi, and discretion, the cabalstc words
thirteen votes thirteen votes thirteen
votesl
In the mean time, Martyr not dreaming
of the insult awaiting him, bent his steps as
was his wont, towards the tavern. As he
reached the thrcshhold of the door, he heard
! the offensive words thirteen votes thirteen
votes ! thirteen votes pronounced, and with
a frame trembling with passion, and with fi-
ry strongly imprinted on his rubcond vsagc,
he abruptly entered the bar room to confront
| the man who dared thus to trjile with his feel
lngs and attempt to overwhelm him with in
suit. His eye, bcamng with wrath, fell upon
the stranger, who regarded his whitening
elances with the most provoking Indifference
and who paused not a moment in his reci-
tation, but continued to repeat the madden
! ing words thirteen votes, thirteen votes,
! thirteen votes
The indignant Matyn next caught sight Of
! Smiths cOunIenancc, convulsed with laugh
tet.---
" hal IS Tie meaning oillIis, sir !'said he,
| in voice oithunder. But the only reply he
received was rom the mouth Of the stranger.
who. with the most irritating pertinaci'v,
continued TO bawI, even louder than ever,
thirteen votes, thirteen votes, thirteen votes.
Martyr then advanced towards the strau-
ger, his frame al solutcly quivcring with rage
Who are you, you scoundrcl 2 demanded
the man in the most imperious manner, 'and
how dare you insult me in this way 2
The stranger thought the rage Of Martyr
YVES counlerictcd, and ruse Of Smiths to
win the wager; and the answer to his ques-
| ton, shouted out in still louder voice than
before, WAS thirteen votes, thirteen votes,
thirteen votes
Il will not put mp withthis insult scream
ed Martyr, doubling his fist and putting him
self in attitude.
'Thirtecn votes, thirteen votes voc;ler-
ated the stranger.
IF you repeat those words again will
knock you kown, you rascal, said the iniu-
rated Martyr, with howl of desperation.
The stranger felt somewhat indignant at
being addressed ia this rude and unccreno-
nous manner, but was determined 20 yin the
wager, and raising his voice bawlcd with the
lungs Of a stcnlor, thirteen votes, thirteen
votes, thirteen votes
Take that then ioryour nsolcnce, Shrek
ed Martyr, suitng the action to the word,
and giving the luchlcSs stranger box on the
ear which laid him PROSTATE on the floor.
But as the stranger fell, his yell Of surprise,
anger and agony took the sound Of thirteen
votes, thirteen votes
Highly exaspera,cd at what he conceived
to be base and unfair conlrivance to cheat
him ont of his wager the stranger rose in a
great dudgcon, still cxclaiming in voice,
which boatswain in hurricane might envy
thirteen votes, thirteen votes thirteen votes,
and fell pell NELL upon poor Martyr, poun-
ding him without mercy and believing ont
between every blow, thirteen votes, thir-
teen votes, thirteen votes.
The traveller finally kicked Martyr aut of
the room, and as he cIosedlhc door upon the
un!ucky Illegal voter, he looked at his watch
saw that the fifteen minutes had alredy ex-
pired-gave a loud and exul,ing shout of
thirteen votes, THIRTEEN VOTES TIlIR-
TEEN VOTES y which made the welkin
ring again-sank exhausted in a chair and
claimed his wager.
PEABODY'S LEAP.