Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-02-17
From the Richmond Enquirer.
AN ANECDOTE.

The energies fthe Northern character are
inexpressible-their ingenuity and tact, be-
You'd expression. l beg leave to state an
anecdote, by way Of illustra,ion-and to
catch portrait, as it fits before me.
was called down to see stranger this
morning-and he appeared before me as a
hale, smooth faced, ruddy complexioned
young gentleman, with sweet, soft voice
tall but slim, polite without affectation. He
had large portfolio under one arm, and
bundle Of books in the other. A neat cap
lay on the chair. saw at one glance that
he was an agent for some print or bookseller
and that he had world of notions, at his
disposal.
With a graceful but unstudied bow, he be-
gan his operations. "Cannot prevail up
on you, Sir, to subscribe to this beautiful COL
lection of sermonsl Ii is much celebrated,
though suppose you have heard of it be-
FORE" 1t was the "National Preacher"
coming out periodically in Nos. declined
his proposition. "Wel, Sir, perhaps you
would prefer another Christian work." nam
ing it, as he touched his portfolio. again
declined. pleading hard times as my reason.
"Well, Sir, here are large number of por-
traits of distinguished men-very cheap "-
My eye lit upon the half bust profiles of Ty-
Ter, Benton, &c. waved my hand by way
ofrefusal. "Perhaps, Sir, YOU would pre-
fer Mr.. Clay'sl ! smiled, and he went on
with his overtures. swell, Sir, here is
something in the children's way. Here are
cards of,he Alphabet, illustrated by the CO.'S
tunes of various countries" Andthey were
we'll colored, striking 10 the eye, and appar-
emily well calculated to attract the attention
Of the infantIne observer, " like cobwebs to
catch flies" remarked that my children
were too old to require such appliances
swell, perhaps, you may have some of the
second generation, that you would like to
oblge." "Thank you; they are sufficient
ly provided for" 8" But here is something
for the lady, in the culinary Department.
And then he put into my hands" The House.
wife," with receipts for making pies, &C.
"No, Sir; but if you could get my cook 10
read your Housewife, would present him
with copy. But the times are too hard for
me to throw away my money, or 10 deal in
any of your wares"
Having got through his little battery. he
paused from his abors, and took up his port
folio to take his leave. l then turned my ar
,iery of questions upon him: "You are an
Americana" 'Oh, yes! come from Hart
ford. Connecticut You are scarcely 10
yet" mol am not so DID, Indeed |!
You have been to Washington" yes, |
was there some two or three weeks |
hope you did well there Not very.
scarcely paid my expenses you have
been elsewherel' 'Yes; | left home about
l8 months since. Have been TO Mobile and
New Orleans Il am afraid you met with
less success there than you expected =! =
Not much Wherever go, hear of hard
times. The scarcity of money is an univer-
sal complaint. And in the Western States,
the currency is more distracted and vicious,
than it is with u.s. He said he had been a
student at Hdriford-and took this method,
cherries as j, was, of adding TO his little re-
sources. expressed my regret that could
not relieve him of any of his commodities, as
| wanted money myself more than any thing
but resolved in my heart, that ii line in
the newspapers could help on the young and
handsome stranger, he should have it fresh
from the mint. Should any OF my townsmen
or townsladies meet with him, hope they
will receive him kindly, and open their hands
and purses to him. He is blessed with
health, and spirits, and energies. And !
cannot dismiss this portrait of a stranger,
without passing tribute of admiration to the
industry and resources of the Northern char
acter. Il will not use the common soubr-
quet, lest might be suspected of intending
a contumely, which scorn 10 feel.
| A LooKER-ON IN VIENNA.