Tri-weekly journal. (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1847-188?, 1847-06-15
THE JOURNAL.
THE NIMBLE SHILLING.
A SKETCH OF EARLY HISTORY.
BY SOLITAIRE.

tho DrOOTCSS Vi TOlluOtIOul III tDO w est ttlO
common use of alcoholic drinks as bevor-
age is fast getting out of fashion, and many
of our eldest and most respected citizens,
who in their primitive days, were engaged
in the traffic, have seen its evils, and set
thoir faces against it, We know that some
of the captious old topers, who still adhere
to the ardent, sneeringly say that their neigh
bors did no: quit until they had made their
fortunos-but what of that? 1t is evident
that they are sincere in their opposition to
spirituous liquors when thoy themselves
cease the use, as well as the sale of the ar
ticle. In gathering materials for the future
history of The West, we are often struck
with the fact of how steadily that evil agent,
whlskey, has advanced with civilization,
how many tragedies market its baneful
march, and how many numerous anecdotes
it has given birth 10. Our purpose at pre-
sent is to chronicle one of the latter; but as
the family of the old Illinois whskey deal
or have discarded tho article, and have, in
the course Of time and progress, risen to
wealth and dignity, we will of course omit
names.
During the last war, when the Rangers
were on duty through Western Illinois, whs-
key was deplorable scarce article, and the
money 10 purchase it, when found equally
hard TO obtain. Among the old Rangers
tho "cornjuce" was considered as necessary
to subsistence as "corn-dodgers;" but, hav-
ing received no pay for long period, their
small stock of funds had entirely run out
In tho meantimime an old dealer had sue
ceedod in raising two barrels Of the CON-
Portable liquid, and erected small shanty
near the camp, whore his shingle, in chalked
capitals, declared that ..-.-r.-
"Whiskey is Grrip at sir cents q Snc"
Major Murdock, one OF the old veterans,
had for two days, in woful parched state,
boon searching his '.kivcrin' for stray bit
that he know was somewhere about him,
but his efforts TO chase it up appeared una
vaillng-there wore so many patches on his
hunting shirt that it was impossible to find
the one ia which he had made pocket to
contain the precious coin, and at last he
had given it up. He tried to get trust for
two drinks until he could find it, but tho
owner of the shanty knew better than TO
trust any one of that crowd
"Try again, Major." sad dry crony, who
knew the circumstance; "try again; new err
give up in good cause-a shilin' in silver
now is wuth gold anuther time"
The Major did try again, and at last,
down in tho season ofthe tail, the Major dis
covered the little joker, and perhaps no hail
cd tho discovery with yell of satisfac-
ton.
''Now, Bill" says he 'wo'Il give that old
felor's barrel a rip for two inwigorators,
and 10 dispute"
They accordingly adjourned 10 the shan
ty, and called for the''mediclne." The ow-
ner looked at the Major doubtfuly, but
when he displayed the bit, hesitation van
ished--he instantly drew tho s'suclls,n hand
cd them over and took the change. The
first tasto frightened the Major keen as on
Indian. He observed while drinking that
the dealer placed the money on a little
shelf behind him and just above his heaC
it was within roeching distance, too, from
his stand beside the temporary counter
upon this discovery he at once acted.
swell geally," said he, "that stuff is suth
in like; thar's a body TO it that tickles F,
fcllcrs vitality at the extreme pint. "Bll,
added no, 81 could fight Ingins at half wa
gcs if they only feed me from such cows
milk as is in that barrel | do think wei
go another"
Bill signiied assent, but looked at tn
Major with some surprise and inquiry il
his countonance, as to whero no could an,
another bit; but the old ranger soon opened
his Dyes wider. Tho dealer had no soone
stopped to draw from tho barrel than III
Major picked the shilling oil the shelf an
paid it over again Tor the drinks.
81 know'd you had money, Major sal
the dealor, "ef you could consent 10 shell i
out; but you're getting consarned close fist
cd in your old days"
The Major laughed at the remarks us h
replied: "Well, you'roa cunnin' sarpin
10, and bound 10 make suthin' out of us fe
lers. declaress that ticker is so tremendu
that it's sot me cravin' in my innards!s
Don't give it up yit, Major" chime
in tho dealer; ''thar's moro whar that com
from, and jest of the same BROWN.
know you have boen sufferin' for these fe,
days past cause you didn't like to "open
and hated predigious bad to refuse you; BIT
whiskey costs powerful sight aforc il gil
hore.,'
swell, we will jest take another atom
drink and then lumber" says the willin
Ranger. The shilling was picked of ii
shelf, and went through the same proce
.ro.x NTH oo,,ol -.