Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-03-11
A VIRGINIA SKETCH.
BIT WILL wHIPPLE.


who, attracted by the repor, Of the high
price Of produce, had been up to the for
mer city, made their sales and were re-
turning home rejoicing.
No one of the company however, SEEM
ed better satisfied with himselfthan red
faced, raw looking countryman, in drab
felt hat and grey homespun. He had
made speculation-the first in his life
and il had turned out eminently sue
cessful. Now, every body knows how
happy a man feels who thinks that cir
cumstances have proved him to be sharp
err witted than his neighbors. This was
Mr. Jones's first essay, too, and he had
made lots of money, full hundred and
fifty dollars clear No wonder Mr.. Jones
was delighted nor is il any impeachment
of lis good manners TO say that he show
ed it, He laughed and he crowed-he
whooped and he yelled; and, telling his
good fortune over and over again, he kept
the car in a continual uproar. His laugh
was the most singular one we have ever
heard, and if we can describe if at all, il
is only by liking it to three short barks,
one long one, and a yelt-thus:
Ha hal ha !--Ha-a- alb !-Yeuwl
Now, it is sometimes unfortunately the
case, that, in the very midst of our glow
ing happiness, small cloud will sudden
~ rise, and growing by degrees bigger and
bigger, gradually overcast our joyous sky,
and darken the earth as with mourning
pail. So it happened in this instance
The bright heaven of Mr.. Jones's delight
began to darken, and the cloud that OBJ
scured it arose in the person of one who
had been an attentive listener, and whose
name we shall call Noakes.
Noakes had insduously approached bis
fellow passenger. and, after few preiim-
mary remarks, he completely won the
rustic's heart by asking him to fight his
battles over again.
So you made money on that thar speck-
lalion, Mr., Jones, eh ?
To be sure | did--hundred and fifty
clar Ketch me asleep will ye! Ha
ha ha!-Ha-a aw !-Yeuwi
Hundred and fifly' calculated Mr..
Jones; on one sale tool Well that was
great | tell ye.'
Was nj it, asked Jones perfectly de-
lighted. My fust Specialization, too
I've beat the folks down thar out and out
Ha! ha! Ha-a.aw i-Yeuw! I"
"Well think so" said Noakes-and
then, after a pause of apparently very
deep thought he looked very seriously al
Jones, and said, with slow emphasis:
you must be monsous cute, Mister ~
"Aint 7" said Jones, in exstacy.
"They can't learn you nothing down
to Richmond" continued Noakes, with a
grim smile.
II spect no,!' said Jones, looking very
wise and knowing.
"And yet Richmond people are nigh
ty cute, TOO, tell ye!" pursued Noakes,
in sort of half soliloquy.
ooh, know that! !" replied Jones, nod
ding his head with the air Of man who
was thinking to himself, ''but they are no
match for me-
The way they take in planters down
thar" confined Noakes, is wonderful T.
"Don't doubt it," SAID Jones. conf
dently-'somel !"
"Good many ~ said Noakes, Cooking
hard at specially Lousee (Loui-
say people"
MIR. Jones laughed his customary laugh,
but began to look little frightened.
"They seem to have an awful spite a.
gin them" said Noakes.
"Ahem ahem!" coughed Jones.
"But them" said Noakes. you're safe !!
You sold your produce p
Jones nodded.
"What was it--Tobacker Z"
"Nol--Flour--Hundred and fifty bar
rels." r
CASH"
"Why-a-yesp' stammered Jones,
turning first red and then pale, and evil
DENLY in great trepidation-"Why-a-
yes sort o'-check, at ten days"
"Ha !" exclaimed Noakes quickly =
"whose ?"
"Tempeton's, on Broad street, shockoe
Hill" .......
"And you took his check I" said
Noales rapidly, with his face visibly e.
longating.
"Look here say, Mister" began
Jones, trembling from head to foo. while
the Precipitation stood upon his face in
large drops-"Look here! Amt il good :"
"At ten days! Templeton's check at
ten days" and looking with the utmost
pity at Jones, Mr. Noakes, as if unable to
remain near him any longer, whistled a
shrill, continuous Phew and moved TO
another part of the car.
But he was not destined foreman long
unaccompanied. for presently Jones, with
his face as pale as sheet, staggered to-
wards him.
II say, Mister, it's nine hundred dol
lars, The check is. Do tell me II it's
good? Its only ten days u"
"Humphl what's the difference be-
tween ten days and ten years, if man
don't get his money p
WHAT shriekd Jones, faint iigood,
then :"
"My dear sir, said Noakes, with the
utmost solemniiy, ''pray sit down, and let
us talk this matter over. Why did you
no, inquire before you sold your -four: !"
So / did, and every body said ii was
all right"
Every body said sol Wen, they