Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-07-30
Nj | S G e. l. l. A N Y,
FRoM THE SPIRIT OF THE TINES.
MCALPIN'S TRIP TO CHARLESTON,
BY THE AUTHOR OF "coUsIN SALLY BILLIARD

In the county OF Robson, in the State of North
Carolina, there lived In times past man by the
name of Brooks, who kept a grocery for a number
OF years, and so had acquired most of the land a
round him. This was mostly pine barrens of small
value, but nevertheless Brooks was looked up to as
great land holder and big man in the neighborhood
There was tract, however, belonging to one Col
LAMAR, who lived in Charleston, that slammed
IN upon him strong" and being withal better in
quality than the average OF his own domain that
Brooks had long wished to add it to his other broad
acres. Accordingly he looked around him and en-
poyed as he expressed it, ''the smartcst man in
the neighborhood," to wit, one ANGUS McALpIN
to 90 to Charleston and to negotiate with Col La
mar for the purchase of this also. Being provided
pretty well with bread, meat and bottle of paIe-
face, which were slowed away in pair of leather
saddlebags, and, like all other great Plenipotentia-
ries, being provided with suitable Instructions, Mac
mounted plney- woods tacky (named Rosum) and
hied him off to Charleston. The road was rather
longer than Brooks had supposed, or his agent was
| less expeditions, or some bad luck had happened to
him, or something was the matter that Angus did
not get back until long after the day had TRANSFERRED
which was fixed on for his return Brooks in the
meantime had got himself into a very fury of i'm
patience. He kept his eyes fixed on the Charles
ton road-he was crusty toward his customers
harsh toward his wife and children and scarcely
eat or slept for several days and nights for he had
set his whole soul upon buying the Lamar land
One day, however, Angus deserted slowly and
sadly vending his way up the long stretch of sandy
road that made up to the grocery Brooks went out
| to meet him, and without farther ceremony he ac-
costed him.
''Well, Mac, have you got the land ?"
! The agent, in whose face any thing but sun
shine, replied somewhat gruffy that ''he might let
a body get down from his horse before he put at
him with questions Of business"
But Brooks was in fever of anxiety and repeat
ed the question
''Did you get %
"Shaw, now, Brooks, don't press upon body in
this uncivil way. tits long story and must have
| time"
Brooks still urged, and Mac still parted the ques-
ton till they got into the house.
CHOW, surely" thought Brooks, she will tell
me-" But Mac was not quite ready.
"Brooks," says he, shave you any thing to
! drink %
''To be sure have" said the other and nme-
dately had some of his best forth coming. Having
moisened his clay, Mac took a seat and MS en-
poyer another. Mac gave preliminary hem
He then turned suddenly around to Brooks, look
ed him straight in the eyes, and slapped him on the
thigh
Crooks" says he, "was you ever in Charles
~
''Why, you know never was" replied the O.
Their.
"Wcll, then, Brooks" says the agent. .ovor
ought TO 90 there. The greatest place upon the
face of the earth! They've got houses there OF
both sides of the road for five miles at stretch anc
d---n the horse track the whole way through
Brooks, ] think ! met five thousand people in ;
minute, and not a chap would look at me. The,
r have got houses there on wheels Brooks saw
one with six horses hitched to it, and bio drive
with long whip going it like whirl-wind. fol
lowed it down the road Cor a mile and half, ant
when it stopt looked, and what do you think Their
was nothing in ii but one little woman sitting u
in one corner. We'll, Brooks, turned back up tn
road, and as | was riding along sees fancy look
ing chap with long curly hair hanging down hi
back, and his boots as shiny as the face of an ur
country niger! called him into the middle
the road and asked him civil question-and
civil question, you know Brooks, calls for a civ
answer all over the world. says, says /. "Strar
f ger, can you tell me where Col. Lamar lives
and what do you think was the answer" Go
: HI, you .1ooi!r'
; "Well, Brooks, knocks along up and down an
about, until at last finds out where Col. Lam;
lived. gets down and bangs away at the doc
Presently the door was opened by as pretty, fin
: spoken, well dressed woman as ever you seed
your born days, Brooks. .Siibs Silks thar ever
day, Brooksl Says I, Mrs. Lamar, I presume