Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-06-06
BECOME, VIE RUM.
Am Begone, dull care
MISCELLANY.
THIRTEEN VOTES, OR THE WAGER.


THIRTEEN VOTES, OR THE WAGER
TRUE STORY.
In q town in the interior of the granite state not
many years since, gentleman OF soue properly,
and not Of liule political consideration, resided,
whose name we shalt call Martyr. He was
great sckler for federal principles, insomuch
that he sometimes, induced by party zeal, violated
his moral duties. On one occasion in particular,
when u very important election was taking place.
upon the result of which, perhaps The very exis-
teuce OF his party depended, he WINS sarried IL
way by hls party feelings, us to deposit thirteen
votes for one individual ut the same time in the
ballot box in defiance of the law which provides
TINT no man to which ever party he may belong,
or however worthy may be his favore candid
ates, shall deposte more than one ballot for any
one individual for one Office
Waite Martyr was unfortunately detected IN
this equivocal act--and although no legal act was
had in relation to the subject, yet there were those
in the town in which he resided, who were un.
willing to admit that excess of party zeal was
sufficient apology for his dereliction of moral duty
and the simple act OF depositing thirteen votes
for one Candidate at one time, in the ballot box,
although pahated aud excused 10y some Of his
warm political friends, severely censured by
others This ocrTrrance furnished a subject of
conversation among the worthy cltiZeus of the
town tor several weeks-a The end OF which time
it gradually aud partially died away. but was not
forgotten. Poor Martyr was doomed to hear the
words thirteen votes occasionally repeated by his
political foes in the most significant manner
evidently with The design uf disturbing the equa-
nimty Of his feelings, In this they succeeded
but too we'll hese words so harmless in them
selves or when applied to others, If addressed TO
Martyr or uttered in his hearing, seemed TO pos
sess the power OF magic cahaln, so wonderful
and so instantaneous was the effect which they
had upon the appearance aud conduct of that
'hp rI,Dh
his ear his features were clouded with frown of
indignaliOn-his eyes were lighted up with n most
unholy fre-his hands Involuntary grasped the
nearest weapon of defence within his reach, and
his yors, ~ ,ich was materially clear and soneyous
was changed into deep and unearthly mutterngs,
resembling the sound of distant thunder or the
runblngs of the pent up volcano. Indeed the
effect produced Sir Pircie Shnon, by the
sight OF the bodkin, related nj the Monastery of
Sir Waller Scott, was not more sudden and terri
BILE than the effect produced on Waite Marvin,
Ivy repeating the simple words "thireen votes"
His weakness on that point was prOverbaI, and a
wicked youth of the village, now Il very worthy
and respectable practitioner in the vicinity of
Boston, once made Martins infirmity The means
of play ing Off mischlevons aud cruel practical
Joke, to the great amusement OF the byslandcrs
Mr.. Smith, the gentleman TO whom we allude,
being one day at the village tavern entered int o
conversation with very genteel looking stranger,
while The landudy was preparing some refresh
mcuis with which to recruit the exhausted frame
aud spirits of her guest. The conversation turned
Oh the difficulty OF pronouncng some of the pa.
ces OF Indian origin which are so frequently met
with in the New England States. In The midst Of
the suoquy, Mr.. Smith saw his political oppo-
nent, Waite Martin, coming down the road. lie
WINS certain that Waite would pop INFO the lav-
ern, aud in The spur of the moment laid his plan
accordingly.
"WhaI you say, sir" snid Mr.. Smith, "rrspecl-
ing these Jaw breaking names is perfectly correct
lagree with you entirely, aud am much grali6ed 10
make the acquaintance of a gentleman of so much
taste. Bur, my dear, there are familiar English
words, and combinations OF words which although
they may not be difficult TO pronounce uIe ex-
ceedingly difficult TO repeat. For instance, il is
almost Impossible for any one not familier with
the practice, 10 pronounce the words IT. irleen
votes thirteen votes, thirteen votes, for any length
of tinla without making The most ludicrous mis-
takes.
Thirteen votes thirteen votes thirteen vo,es!'
repeated the stranger Il do moi see any difficulty
in that. could go on repeating The words thin
teen votes thirteen votes thirteen votes! until
Tomorrow morning
At is far more difficult, my dear sir, tllan you
imagine replied Smith IN his blaudcsl manner.
Il am not much in the habit OF betting but for The
curiosity OF the thing, am willing 10 bet you the
price OF dinner Tor you and your horse, thai
YOU cannot repeat in rapid succession the words
thirteen votes, thirteen VOTES, thirteen vutes, If
iet. minutes without making some most sgregl-
Gus blunders!
Done said The raveller-who reloiced nj The
idea of paying The landlords bill 50 easily 'und
will begin ut once So saying he took ont his
watch aud noted the tine, then planting himself
against the wall with his face to the door he
sumed a look OF great determination, az il he
had undertaken an unpleasant job, but was resoly-
cd 10 go through it N all hnzardS-and commence
ed pronouncing in loud voice, with duo empha-
sis and discretion, the cabaistc words thirteen
votes thirteen votes! thirteen votesp
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
threshhold Of the door, he heard the offensive
words thirteen votes thirteen voes thirteen
votes F! pronounced, and with frame trembling
with passion, and with fury strongly imprinted OH
his rubcond visage, he abruptly entered the bar
room to confront the man who dared thus TO tri-
flo with his feelings and attempt to overwhelm
him with insult. His eye, beamng with wrath,
fell upon the stranger, who regarded his wither-
ing glances with the most provoking Indifference
and who paused not moment in his recitation,
hut continued TO repeat the maddening words
thirteen votes, thirteen votes thirteen yoes.'
The indignant Martyr next caught sight of
Smllh's countenance, convulsed with aughter.-
What is the meaning of this, sir = said he in a
voice of thunder. But The only reply he received
was from the mouth of the stranger, who, with
the most irritating peraacily, continued 10 bawl,
even louder than ever, thirteen voies, thirteen
votes, thirteen votes
Martyr then advanced towards the stranger, his
frame absolutely quvering with rage, Who are