Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-05-31
A GENUINE YANKEE.

Some time since an acquaintance of ours set out
on horseback from the eastern part of Massachu-
sets for the Green Mountains of Vermont While
travelling through the town of New Salem his road
lead into piece Of woods some five miles in length
and long before he got out of which he began to
entertain doubts whether he should be blessed with
the sight of a human habitaton; but as all things
must nave an end at last the woods, and the
nut brown house of farmer greeted his VISION
Near the road was tall rawboned, oyergrown, Ian
tern-lawed boy, probably seventeen years of age,
digging potatoes. He was curious fipure to be-
hold. What was lacking in the length of his tow
breeches was amply made up for behind his sus-
penders appeared to be composed of birch bark,
grape vine and sheep kin; and 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 tempest
OF time had beaten the top IN, or the lads expand
ing genius had burst it out was difficult to tell: at
any rate, 1t was mssing--and through the aperture
red hairs stood six ways for Sunday. In short he
was one Of the toughest specimens of domestic
manufacture that ever mortal beheld. Our travel
ling friend feeling an itching to scrape acouaint-
ance with the crittcT drew up the rens ofhs horse
and began-
HALO my good friend can YOU inform me how
for 1t is to the next houseP
Jonathan started up-leaned on his hoe-handle
rested one foot on the gambre of his sinister leo,
and replied
Hulo yourself! how'd do? Well | cess I can.
faint near so fur as it used to be afore thew cut
the woods away-then twas generally reckoned
four miles, but now the sun slrvolsup the road so it
don't make more'n tew. The fust house YOU come
to though is barn, and the next is hay-stack but
old llosbin's house is on beyont. You'll be sure to
meet his gals long atore you get there tarnal ron.
pin critters, they plague our folks moren n little
His sheep get into our pasture every day and his
gals in our orchard. Dad sents the dog arter the
sheep and Inc arter the gals-and the way we make
the wool and the pettcoas fly, is sin TO snakes
q see you are inclined to be facetous younr
man-pray tell me how it happens that one Of your
legs is shorter than the other"
Il never lows any body to NEEDLE with nv Grass
tlnglers mister, but seein' it is you, I'll tell We.
was born so at my ticker request so that when |
hold plough, can go with one foot in the furrer,
and tother ON land, and not lop over; besides il is
very convenient when now round side hill
Very good, indeed-how do your potatoes come
on this year"
'They don't come at all digs 'em out; and
there's an cyerldstin' snarl of 'em in each hill.'
But they are small, perceive
Yes, know it-you see we planted some whop.
PIN bluenoses over IN that ERE patch there. and
they ilourlshed so that these ERE stopt CROWN lust
out of spite; cause they know'd they couldn't be-
gin to keep up
You seem to be pretty smart, and should think
you could afford better hat than the one you now
wear
'The looks amt nothn; its all in the behaviour
This ERE hat was my Sunday go meetin' hat rye
got better one at home, but don't dig taters in
it no how
You have been in these parts some time should
guess
Il guess so tew. ! was horned and got nv
brotin up in that ERE house; but my native place
is Pordunk.'
'Then you said that it is about three and half
miles to the next house "
yes sir; twas a spell ago, and l don't believe
it's crowd much shorter SINCE
Much obhged-good by
Good by to ye-that's slick horse o yourn'
NJ Y 1ercuru