Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1847-06-10
From the St. Louis Reveille.
BOB COLLINS VISIT TO ST. LOUIS.

l..
Bob Collins, tall, gawkey, raw honey
fellow, had passed nearly the whole of his
life in the Goose Creek settlement, near the
Gasconada river, in the interior of Missouri.
He was famous hunter, and could kill
buck further as nary man in the settlement
Bob took'it into his head that Dick Ellis
ton did not give him enough for his Skins
and said he believed that Dick, was rot
ted old cheat and that he meant to take his
skins to-Si. Louis nextfall. and sell them
himself; besides, he wanted 10 see what
'sorer fixer that Louis was.'
Accordingly, early IN December, Bob put
on his new deerskin hunting shirt, and a
pair of pants of the same material, and start
ed off for St. Louis with pack of SKINS
In due time, he arrived, and such a sight
as greeted the astonished eyes of Bob!
He could see nothing but houses, and
how to find his way to any particular place
was more than he could tell besides, the
whole city appeared to be in perfec, up
roar. The first man he met was little
Frenchman drivinga small cart load of wood
to the city.
'Hellow, s,ranger' shouted Bob, do you
want to trade for skins y
'Sacre dem your skin,' replied the little
Frenchman; you tink, by gar, trade my
skin for your ugly skin'
'Well,' said Bob, 'if this arn't the most
oncvIIized place ever seed. Can't ak IA
civil question without givin' offence-stop !!
old Sam Rogers, who used to trade in
skins in St. Louis, told me to hunt out a
man by the name of Smith, forget his
first name-what traded in SKINS
He me, coal wagon, on the top of which
sat dingy looking fellow, who passed for
a white man when his face was clean. Bob
accosted him:
Il say, stranger, does you know where a
man lives in this place by the name of
Smith p
i, expect grufiy answered the coal
driver.
We'll, yer ought to know said Bob 'for
yer looks as how yer lived there YOURSELF
Bob next met very benevolent looking
old gentleman, and thinking, from his ap-
pearance that more civil treatment might be
expected in this quarter, he very mildly
asked:
stranger, could You be good enuff to tell
me where one Mr.. Smith lives? =
The Stranger pointed to a large elegant
three story brick dwelling house, and OBJ
served 'thata Dir. Smith lived in that house.
Bob rode up to the pavement, dismount'
ed, and walking up flight Of elegant stone
steps, he gave the door several hard knocks
with the end Of hickory stick, which he
had brought all the way from Goose Creek.
In few moments the door was opened
By a well dressed man.
why didn't you ring the bell y asked the
man.
ring the bell y said Bob-'I hain't got
no bell to ring; besides there's nolhin, bu
bells rngin' in this place; so yer couldn't
tell one bell from another
well, we'll, what do you want? demand
ed the men.
q want to see Mr.. Smith, answered Bob
Mr. Smith is not at home. What do you
want of MIR. Smith ? asked the man.
sl've some particular business with him,
answered Bob, sbut if Miss Smith is to home
it will do jest as well,,'
You can't see Miss Smith, said the man,
she's in the parlor with company
Just at this moment the parlor door open
ed, and three elegantly dressed ladies walk
ed out, accompanied by another, on whose
face youth and benevolence were happily
blended.
Bob dotted his coon skin cap, and made
an awkward bow.