Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-05-05
AN EAST INDIA ANECDoTE.

1t may be necessary to inform the reade. that
the drink called iodiY, one of The strongest and
most intoxicating liquors in lndn, consists of the
sap of the cocoon tree, The process of obtaining
the liquor is simple. The toddy collector leaves
his dwelling after sunset and seeks the thickest
woods, climbs up aud GUS uoIches in the
bark of such trees rs seem likely TO Yield the most
Juice. Under each notch he aiixes u small jar TO
receive the liquid, which, if drank instantly, is
one of the mildest beverages possible, but if left
during few days to lerment in the sun, becomes
the most ardent spirit known
An incident connected win a person who fol-
lowed the profession OF ,oddy collector, happened
whilst was in The country, the details of which
is shortly as follows The individual in question
had left his cottage, which was situated in a Gina
anon grove in the island OF CeyIon, little more
than half an hour, when native pedIer called
there to exhibit his tempting wares, and 10 solicit
lodging for the night. The collectors wife,
whose whole soul was wrapped up IN The idea of
fnery was delighted To let him III Her bangles
aud Gliyes which had hitherto been tie pride of
her life, were now ecip,ed and she sighed with
envy she nli her former notions OF gran
deur fade before the contents OF the wanderers
pack. Nothing daring, however to purchase
without her husbands approval she was glad to
allow the peddlcr to rest himself on the bench be-
meath The door porch-Gn ornament common to
/ CeylUn cottages in tie hope OF her husbands
return by the morning.
After depostng his valuable knapsack beneath
/ his head, the pedler fell into sound sluuber,
| from which he was aroused 10y hearing a door
renk--h s sleep being, like most Of his tribe,
! light, ihut the slightest noise was calculated TO
disturb 1t. On opening his eyes, lie beheld his
hostess with her head prOtrudng through the cot
age door, uuentiyey watching her guest. On
seeing hi'n SIR, she made short'apolugy Tor thus
awakening him, and retired. The ltinerant ven
der took ii into his head, however, that all was
not right; So after short tue, he again affected
to sleep, indulging in one OF those dozes when
outward objects are visible, though indlstinclly
seen, 10y the weary watcl er. In about an hour
after by the strong shadow from an unclouded
moon, the poor man saw some object appronch-
ing cautiously from The opposite direction. He
supposed it TO he the collector returning to his
home ; but, looking up, 10 his dsmay he percelv-
ed the woman stealthIly drawing near with long
cocoa knife in her hand. IN an instant he was on
his legs TO confront her She appeared somewhat
startled, but declared that she had been in the
woods seeking her husband, aud that the knife
which she held was for the purpose OF cutting
down some jars left by him IN the vicinity. The
suspeciing peder much doubted her story but
affecting TO believe it, he saw her quietly enter the
cottage aud shut the door. No sooner was she
within however, than The traveller instantly climb
ed a small tree, and took up his abode amid the
branches. Here he had been seated for some
time, when he beheh the toddy collector calmly
returning home laden Wuh his utensils. W orn
out apparently with his eNertlons, and tempted by
the beauty OF the night, when he came 10 bis door
he paused a short lime and setting down or the
bench laicy occupied by The native merchant, he
seemed TO IA INTO a train of deep thought. Pres
emily, as if disncined to enter the house, te made
sort Of pillow of his well filled bag, and cover
ing his face as is usual throughout the Eusr, will
his cumerbund, he Tell fast asleep.
la less than another hour the door of the cot
age was noise essly opened, and the woman agar
appeared She approached her husband, listened
for few moments to ascertain that he slept ant
then sterpna back a pace, raised her arm, anC
with her whole force, at one blow, drove The knit,
right through her wrelched partners heart. Fo
an instant only she appeared 10 be shocked a
what she had done then recovering herself, she
attempted to Withdraw the knife which having
gone completely through her victim, had hurried
It's sharp and fine point in the beach. Alter So
we're eXerlon, she succeeded, but not without
breaking of the point OF the cocoa splitter,
which remained fixed IN the wood. Iae woman
Anxiety now to obtain the spoil tor which she had
thus pered son and body, appeared almost III,
fernal. She seemed to grin IN ecstacy al The deed
she had DONE aud pant Tor the III gotten gam she
had made her owh. EXulungly she dragged the
pack ofjewels from benea,h the head ct the corpse
when the movement drew from her victims face
the cloth that had covered IT, aud the savage muir
deress beheld the well known lineaments OF hei
avn husbands countenance. She gave a sudden
scream, and threw down the sack then, with
frantic cries rushed from the cottage, and sought
shelter in the nclghboring woods.
The horror-slrickeR witness feared to move. 1
he descended, he might meet the murderess VIII,
would doubtless revenge her dreadful mistake OF
| The unarmed man, or by possibility, he might be