Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1846-08-12
From the Spirit of the Times.
McALPJNS TRIP TO CHARLESTON.

McALPlNS IKlf III OA>'
Br THE AUTHOR ''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 grocery for number OF years
and so had acquired most of the land around him.
This was mostly pine barrens of small vaLe; but new
ertheless Brooks was looked up to as great land
holder and big man in the neighborhood. There
was one tract however, belonging to one Col. La
mar, who lived in Charleston, that 'jamed in upon
him so strong" and being wthal better in quality
than the average of his domain that Brooks had long
wished to add it to his other broad acres Accord
ingly he looked around him and employed, as ne ex-
pressed it, "the smartest man in the ntlghborhood,
TO w.t. one Angus McAlpin, to 60 to Charleston and
negotiate with Col. Lamar for the purchase of this
also. Being provided pretty we'll with bread, meat
and a bottle of pae-face, which were slowed away
in pair of leather saddle bags and, like other great
Plenipotentiaries, being provided with suitable IN
structlons, Mac mounted pine woods tacky (namso
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 hap
pcned to him, or something was the matter, that An
gus did not get back until long after the day had
transpred which was fixed on for his return. Brooks
in the mean time had got himself into very fury OF
impatience. He kept his eyes fixed on the Charles
ton road he was very crusty towards his customers;
harsh towards 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 was 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 further ceremony, he accos-
ted him,
"WelI, Mac, have you got the landr
The agent, in whose face was any thing but sun
shine, replied somewhat grufly that che might let
BODY get down from his horse before he put at him
questions of business"
But Brooks was in fever OF anxiety and repeated
the question ca
sShaw, now, Brooks, don't press upon body in
} this unciv way 1t is long story and must have
time.
Brooks still urged, and Nc still parted the ques-
ton till they got into the house.
"Now, surely," thought Brooks, 'he will tell me-.
But Mac was not quite ready.
"Brooks,' says be, have you any thing to drink!
''To be sure have,r said the other, and immedi-
atey had some of the best forthcoming. Having
moistened his Clay, Mac took seat and his employ
er another. Mac gave preliminary hem! He then
turned suddenly around toBrooks, looked him straight
in the eyes, and slapped him on the thigh
"Brooks," says he, Swas you ever in Charles
tonr
"Why, you know never was" replied the other.
-."Well, then, Brooks" say the agent, you ought
to go there The greatest place upon the face of the
earth! They've got houses there on both sides of
the road for five miles at stretch, and d-n the
horse track all the way through! Brooks, l think l
met Eve thousand people in minute, and not chap
would look at me. They have got houses there
on wheels. Brooks, saw one with Six horses hitch
ed to it, and big driver with long whip going it
like whirl-wind. followed it down the road for a
mile and half, and when it stopped l looked and
what do you think there was! nothing in it but one
little woman setting up inonec orner. Well, Brooks
turned back up the road, and as was riding along
sees fancy looking chap with long curly hair hang