The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-01-12
Vol. 5.-No. 9.
A Fire I'm the Rear.
ONE OF THE LATEST JOKES.

ONE OF THE LATEST JOKES.
There was fun as well as fighting down
in the neighborhood of the Rio Grande
last summer, and a yankee in that section
albeit a tolerably shrewd specimen Of the
genus, got "a FIRE in the rear which "a
ked down and demolished the best cslcu-
latiOn ever made for a small fortune, and
at the same time raised a laugh which
filled the adjoining chapparal for a mile
In every direction.
Water was scarce during the heat Of
the summer at Brazos Island, and LIQUOR
not so plentiful at times as the necessities
of the ~sojourners required. Il twas in one
of these thirsty seasons that our Yankee.
by some hook or crook, got hold Of 4
barrel of tolerably fair cider. and with
this small stock in trade he at once 'set
up" business. To rake and scrape to-
gether a parcel of boards and odd bis Of
canvass, enough to build a small shanly,
was the work of but a short hour; to SET
his barrel upon a couple Of skids in the
back part of the tent. to tap il, and
commence retailing It at a dime a glass,
occupied but short time more.
Customers focked in by dozens, the
cider went of at rapid rate, and the YAM
kee was making his "~eternal fortin'' at a
stride hat would have elated John Jacob
Astor in his early DAYS. Some of his pat
rons complained that a dime a glass for
cider, which was not worth more than two
dollars a barrel at the outside, was an put
rageous price; but the times were hard,
the retailers conscience easy-he had
all the cider in the market, and could not
afford to sell any cheaper.
This state of things went on for an en-
tire day, the Yankees quarters being be-
set by throngs Of patrons. On the follow
ing morning. and before the cider was yet
half sold, they began TO thin of gradually,
and by the middle Of the afternoon it was
only now and then a struggling stranger
visited the shade and cider Of the retailer.
What was the matter! What had caused
this sudden falling off Of cusIoml The
reader will soon see.
Towards night a new face appeared in
the shanty and called for a glass Of cider.
II was drawn, swallowed, and the custo-
mel took out his purse and inquired the
price.
'One dime" said the Yandee.
"One Hhaf?' retorted the customer.
"One dime," coolly responded theYan-
kee.
lone thunder" snarled the customer;
"wky l can get just as good cider here at
fire CENTS"
"N-o-y-o-u-c-a-n-t," drawled the Yam
kee. There amt a pint of cider 'ceps
what I've got in that are barril, this side
Of Orleans, I'm darned if there IS"
II know better" calculated the custo-
mer, tartly. Il bought a glass of cider
not two hours ago, and only paid FIVE
cents for it."
I'D like TO know where you effected
that small transaction" queeried the Yam
kee.
fright round here's" was the answer.
Il guess it was right round kere.'-
Right round whsre, I'd like to known
continued the cider Vender.
"Why close by here, somewhere-just
back of your place." returned the custo-
mer.
IN bet you ,ew drinks you didn't
spoke up the Yankee, and we'll go right
round and see.'
Done said the customer and of they
started.
Sure enough, right round here they
found another cider establishment in full
blast. A second Yankee had rugged a
small shade in the rear Of the first YAM
KEGS shanty, and had tapped the other end
of the ~latter's barrel of cider through a
board, and was retailing it at FIVE ents a
glass to a perfect rush Of customers
PiesyuHe.