Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-06-06
"A fish Story.

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I a fish Story.
I Showing how Circumstances alter Cases.
Many years ago, when Gov. Gore sat
lin the Executive chair of Massachusetts,
!. Mr.. b., substantial farmer in the good
old town of Dlacut, was chosen mem
Der of the council. While attendng.to
his duties in that capacity. he was fire..
Equently invited to dine with the Govern
] or, who always treated him. with much
hospitality and urbanfty. As some re-.
turn for the Governors poiteness, Mr..
B. had long meditated making him
present But what should it be?-Goy-
Eernors are not common men, and no
3 common present would answer Many
and long were the comfabs between Mi:
apd Mrs. B. on this important subject,
hpt n, salts factory result was arriv ed at
until one day, early in the spring, it was
announced in the village that fine salni-
on, the first of the season, had been
caught by the Dracut fishermen. Here
was God send for Mr.. B. Indeed! the
very thing to present to the Governor;
and he lost no time in securing it, never
needing the enormous price demanded
/ by the caotors. 1t was noble fish. a
full twenty pounder.' and in the Ian
guage of Mrs. B.. as she swathed it in
snow white linen, sit was the beautimest
tisl, you ever saw.
The salmon was carefully tied up in a
new bag, the horse was harnessed to the
wagon, and the worthy councilman and
his present trotted briskly down the
| Boston road. Now, in those days the
/ tee-total societies we're unknown, con-
se1uently AIR. B. was not tee totaller;
slif he had been, he never would have stop
ped three times between Dracut and
fewksbury, TO wood up Nor when
he arrived at Tewksbury, would he have
tarried at 'ANilder's TAVERN where. ac-
Ecortling to black sign with white let
tiers Entertainment for Man and
Beast was always ready. We will con-
slider it decided then, that he was not a
1 temperate man in the modern accepta-
i ton of the term, and follow him at once
to .Wilder's' under the influence of the
three cocktails already taken, he drove
! up to the door OF that ancient hostefrie,
with mighty clatter, and throwing the
reins to the hostler, requested him care
fully to guard the wagon. as there was a
! precious freight in the box. and then
! walking into the house in majestic
manner. as became member OF the
council, was soon deep in that now for
hidden luxury, flip. The landlord grin
i ned and hobbled hastily about, the hot
poker Kissed aud sputtered as it was
thrust into the sreaming mug and Squire
B., installed into the best room and the
best chair, qualified largely of the gener.
Gus beverage. and reflected upon the
pleasant reception he should meet at the
\ Governors.
But 'the best laid schemes of men and
mice aft gang astray.' While the worthy
adviser of His Excellency vas thus riot
ing in anticipations of the effect of his
present, some evil spirit flying over
TeWksbury at the time, seeking for a
chance to do mischief, castits eyes upon
1.-THE hostler and seeing at a glance that he
was proper instrument wherewith tc
work, entered into his heart and lnstiga-
tied him to dc that which was to make
4 those anticipations vain as an idle
dream. Prompted by curiosity to see
4 what the 'precious freight was. and in
4 flueuced by the spirit aforesaid, the host
T Ter united the bag and drew out the sea
lly occupant. Standing at the door. sent
there no doubt by some evil spirit, was a
I fish cart. from which he carefully tied
up in the bag, and hid the salmon in the
thaymow.
Having finished his Zip, MIR. B. called
for his horse. paid the reckoning, and
was soon once more en- route for B ston.
The gray mare felt her oats, the Squire
4 felt the flip, and right gayly they sped
along through the ancient towns OF wilt
lmngton, Woburn and Medford, and m
i due time the wagon ratified lnerrily over
iElthe pavements Of Boston.
Gov. Gore was sitting down to dinner,
4 when the door bell rang. and servant
announced Mr.. 3. Of I'racut, and the
Governor repaired % the parlor, found
4 that worthy citizen, dusty and flushed,
q his nose fairly shining with cxcitement
dq~,l ATS With q l.tv lin % hp Nh vsnratls