Arkansas intelligencer., 1846-01-31
BY THE VERY YOUNG 'UN.
LowndcsJoro', Ala, Nor. 25h. lS4

LO1h0cSO0r0 ii0., NOR. -oH' 1919.
As the presidential contest of IA was drawing
to its close, and the "returns'' from respective
States began coming in. the excitement which had
been growing with the growtE Of the campaign,
and strengthening with its strength, could now no
longer be restrained but showed itself as well in
the eager countenances as in the bitter words and
has,y actions of men. Business in this part Of
the country was amos, entirely los. sight Of men
noted for their devotion to their pursuits and their
interests, might have been seen at any hour of
the day, idly oirerng about discussing the pro-
babe issue with as much vehcmence as though
their whole fortunes depended upon it. Thou
ga nds upon thousands of dollars were staked upon
the result; when it became known that the vote Of
New York 10 decide the conflict, the eyes
of the whole People were turned upon her with
feelings Of the DEEPEST soIicude.
On tho arrival Of the dlv upon which the
final news was to reach Montgomery, having
large amount of money bet upon the election. and
feeling very anxious in regard to it, determined
to send an express for the intelligence. Accord.
ingy, writing to a friend to send my messenger
back as soon as the mail arrived, which knew
would be abou, eleven O'Clock at night, started
"OM .4rmSiead"-a faithful old negro of mine
a grea. favorile in the village, a L" pisn Democrat
with particular and pressing instructions to keep
perfectly sober, start home as soon rs he got the
news, no. to rides. Traveller, hard and to be cer
tain and be back before day. lmme diately after
he left it became known in town tina. had sent
"OId Armstead" to Montgomery after the news,
and to give every one of all parties the benefit Of
the express, agreed, upon his arrival at home
iha, night, to fire one barrel of my gun in the
event that Mr.. CLAY was elected, and If Mr.. Polk
was The "chosen one," was 10 fire both.
At my usual time | went to bed-but not TO
sleep. The '.dread uncertainty" Of the inleili.
gence was so soon 10 receive, added to nervous
fear as 10 the safety Of my investments so lavishIy
made upon Mr.. Polk, banIshed rest from my pillow.
However, about three O'Clock in the morning had
fallen into an uneasy sIumber, and was dreaming
of counting money and seeing new clothes. when
| was suddenly aroused by the clatterIng OF a
horses hoofs against tho hard ground, at least
quarter Of a mile off. | raised up in the bed and
in moment recognized the strong, powerful ope
of my "TmvelIer." Springing 10 the floor, with
my feelings in tumut of anxiety, lit n candle
and Jumped to the door, when "Old Armstead'
seeing me, and having about "haf gallon on
his mind, shouted out, Master, Mr.. Polk, elected,
by-!" Not taking time to reprimand '.Old Arm
stead" for qualifying his news with so strong an
expression, sprang to my gun, which was set.
ting ready cooked for the occasion, let 90 one bar
rel and had my finger on the other trigger, when
the idea struck me to hold on minute and SEQ the
eflec, produced by the one barrel. Before the
reverberaton had died away, out jumped BILL
THOMPSON, the most vrulent, bitter wing in the
village from the door Of his house, regardless OF
the bitter cold night with nothing on but his shirt
tor he had lust arisen from the bed on the report
Of the gun,) as he hit the ground, he yelled rast-
er than halIoed, '.Hurrah for CLAY! am made
man, by! Hurrah for CIny!"
In q minute more :here came tearing up the
street to Thompson's house, ha!fa dozen hal naked
wings, yelling, like so many unclaimed dcvils
"lIurrah for Clay and Frelinghuysen!" ! could
stand it TO longer, and with feelings Of the mos
unalloyed rapture, pulled down the "hammer" OF
the second barrel. If a thunderboIt from HEAVIER
had falIon amongst them, it could not have pro
duced more CONSERVATION. Bill Thompson fel
fat on his face and gruaned, "l'm ruined by
Broke Smashed all to d."
By ,his time the street was filled bv the shout.
Of the triumphant Democrats and the curses of The
disappointed Wings. ran back to put on my
panta oons, aud on my return 10 the crowd fount
odd Armstead" on The ground with dozen mer
around him Iaughing on approaching the spot,
heard him yell out. Yah yah! yah! Bress God
dis night will be de deaf of me yel," and then h
would roll over in another parUxysm of Iuugh.e
and press his hands to his eide. "Yah yah
yah | hab seen heep Of tings in Old Virginy
but never seed nothing 10 beat dat!" On som
, one enquiring Of him what was the matter h