The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-01-07
" A Fire in the Rear"

There was fun as well as fighting down il
the neighborhood of the Rio Grande last sum
mer, and Yankee in that section, albeit 6
tolerably shrewd specimen of the genius, go
" fire in the rear" which raked down and de.
molished the best calculations ever made fol-
small fortune, and at the same time raised
a laugh which filled the adjoining chappar-
raj for many mile in every direction.
Water was scarce during the heat of sum-
mer at Brazos Island, and liquor not so plen-
tlful at times as the necessities of the soiourn-
ers required. 1t was at one of these thirsty
seasons that our Yankee, by some hook or
crook, got hold of barrel of tolerably fair
cider, and with this small stock in trade he
set up" business. To take and scrape to-
gether parcel of boards and odd bits of can
vass, enough to build small shanty, was the
work OF but a short hour; to set his barrel
upon coughs of skids in the back part of the
tent, to tap it, and to commence retailing the
cider at dime glass, occupied but short
time more.
Customers aocked in by dozens, the cider
went off at a rapid rate, and the Yankee was
making his " etarnal fortin" at stride that
would have elated John Jacob Aston, in his
early days. Some of his patrons complained
that dime glass for cider, which was not
worth more than two dollars barrel at the
outside, was an outrageous price but the
times were hard, the retailers conscience
easy-hc had all the cider in the market, and
could not afford to sell any cheaper
This state OF things went on for an entire
day, the Yankees quarters being beset by
throngs OF patrons. On the following morn
ing, and before the cider was yet half sold,
they began to thin off gradually, and by the
middle OF the afternoon it was onl y now and
then struggling stranger that visited the
shade and cider Of the retailer. What was
the matter? What had caused this sudden
falling off of custom? The reader will soon
see.
Toward night new face appeared in the
shanty and called for a glass of cider. 1t was
drawn, swallowed, and the customer took out
his purse and inquired the price.
Gone dime," said the Y ankce.
One aUhat?" retorted the customer
"One dime," coolly replied the Yankee.
"One dime," snarled the customer " why
| can get just as good cider round here at fire
cents glasa."
" No you CAN'T" drawled the Yankee
" There amt pint of cider 'cept what Eve
got in that are barril, this side of Orleans, I'm
darned if there is !"
II know BETTER" calculated the customer
tartly. 81 bought glass of cider, not two
hours ago. and only paid five cents for it."
I" I'd like to know where you effected that
small transaction" quericd the Yankee,
Right round here" was the answer
81 guess it was right round here. Right
round arhere, I'd like to know 2" continued the
cider vender.
"Why close by here, somewherc-just back
of your place" returned the customer.
"pll bet you tn drinks you didAt," spoke
up the Yankee, "and we'll go right round
and see
Ozone" said the customer, and off 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 Yankees shanty, had
tapped the other end of the atter's barrel o.
cider through board, was retailing it at five
cents glass, to perfect rush of customers
| ~ 0. Pic.