American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-04-17
From the Boston Transcript
THE TWO RIVAL COBBLERS;
OR, THE YANKEE SIGN BOARD.

OR, THE YANKEE SIGN BOARD.
Nicholas Pelt was a worthy pedagogue from
lhkee land, residing in Idleberg, who, whilst
taught "the young idea how to shoot" felt
own heart shooting for the love of Ellen
n Dyke, who says the chronicler, twas beau
III enough in all conscience" But Nicholas
a rival. Hans Kelser, young Dutchman,
Is the swain that the old eobbler, Ellen's ia
Br, would have chosen for his daughter
Ne youths parent, too, had the same mind,
4 Hans was persuaded by his paternal that
en- was in constant expectation of seeing
s at her feet. Stimulated by his fathers
|beals, and an extra tankard of beer, and ex-
Ting Ethat Jail preliminary arrangements
/ uld have been made by Caleb Van Dyke,
| e girls father,) Hans proceeded on his way
he cobbler's, thinking of stars and bubbles,
u full of lover-like hopes, believing that FL
| would fly to his arms in Joy, and that there
|uld be no delay about the wedding.
For the first time in his life, Hans was grow
4 sentimsntal-but, when he reached the
|pbler's, the first objects he saw there, were
L forms of Nicholas and Ellen, sitting close
kether, and whispering in great delight Hans
Embled and stammered; old Caleb told him
ct to be frightened, but to cut and come a.
Hn;' and Ellen tossed her curls, ard said pet
|hly that she thought MIR. Pelt ga very hand
(ne, clever young man, and not an object to
|ghten boobies!" Hans ire arose; he was mad
lh the girl, and the girls father, so he stood
the street door and exclaimed, 81 tell you
|hat, old fellow, you've got this child into a
nation scrape this time; but if ever you catch
h in these diggings again, I'll be darned!"
Heb Van Dyke called after him, that he was
\ fool, }" and then went to bed Illuminating on
,evere scoldlng to be administered to the re-
|sctory Ellen the next morning. Meantime,
|scholas Pelt, seeing which way the wind
|sw, had not been idle. The cobbler heard
(tp in his chamber, and Nicholas appeared
|,th great board on which were inscribed
ne quaint characters. Caleb began to sus-
Vet that Pelt liked his daughter, and he re-
Erded the board as ga Yankee notion"
|t'And what do you call that?" he asked
fluffy.
,"My dear SIR" said MIR. Pelt, "this is moth
NJ more than sign-board. 1t is something
INV in town, and think it will attract atten-
bn, and may do you some service" Then
Ingng the lamp to bear on the board, he dis
hyed to Caleb various devices, inscribed on
n surface, Of boots and shoes of all sizes and
(shions, the whole illustrated with the words:
CALEB VAN DYKE,
n MEMS CoEsCh RECTI.
"And what is it for?" asked Caleb, trying in
Rim to interpret the cabalistic words.
Nicholas explained to the cobbler that it was
blended to place ever the front door, to certi-
/ to the public that he was IA good cobbler
lid an honest man." But Caleb refused to
Ave it put up. He had got along fifty years,
b said, without any such bauble, and he
ould'nt have it thought that he was turning
sankee in his old age. Besides, the town
| ould burst its sides with laughter, and the
bys would throw brckbats at it. But, Nicho-
IS entreated, and after an animated discussion,
Ealeb consented that the board might be nail
b up that very night, that the town might be
trprised next morning with the suddenness OF
he appartion, as it would be the only sign
soard in the village.
The next morning, Caleb with unCombed
! cad looked from his window, and 10! all Idle
aerg was at his door. Men, women and chill
rem were there from all parts of the towns, Of
i'll trades and professions, and amongst them
ZONES Jones the rival cobbler, whose prosper.
Nv at the business had been so great that he
lad left the drudgery eff it to the Company
Ind by the aid of the tailor, had metamorphos
d himself into an exquisite. This individual
aranrued the crowd before Caleb's door, in
forming them that che was from Bostng, anc
Ihe people were set of demd fules to be max
hg such racket about cobbler's sign" A
his iuncture, Hans Keiser made his appear
nee, and dreadfully incensed with the Var