The State guard. [volume] (Wetumpka, Ala.) 1847-18??, 1847-06-15
From the st. Louis REEVE lie.
The NiInbie Shilling.
BY SOLITAIRE.

mon use OF alchohollc drinks ms a bey,
erage is fast getting out OF fashion, and
many of our Oldest and most respected
citizens who, in the primitive days were
engaged IN the traffic, have seen its evils
and set their faces against 1t. We kno "
that some of the caplious old topers,
who still adhere TO The ardent sneering-
~ say their neishbors did not quit ill
they had made their fortunes-but whit
OF that2 il 10 evident that they are sin.
cere in their opposition to spirituous H..
qnors when they themselves omit the use,
as well as the sale. of the article. In
gathering material for future history of
the west, We are often struck with the
fact OF how steadily that evil agent, aohis
key has advanced with civilization how
many tragedies marked lis baneful
march, and how many humorous anec.
doIes II has given birth to. Our purpose
at present is to chronicle one of the lat.
ter !; but as the family of the old Illinois
whiskey dealer have discarded the art-
Gle, and have in the course of time and
progT ess, risen 10 wealth and dignity, we
will of course omit names.
During the last war, when the Ran
gers were on duty through western Iii
nois, whskey was deplorable scarce
article, and the money when found was
equally hard TO obtain. Among the old
Rangers the corn juice was considered
as necessary 10 subsistence as 'corn
dodgers; bni having received no pay for
a long period, their small stock OF funds
had nearly run out. In the mean time
an old dealer had succeeded in raising
two barrels of the comfortable liquid,
and erected small shanty near the
camp, where his single, 10 chalked caps
itals declared that
'wHIsKEY is ARIv AT SIX sENcE sue
Major Murdoch, one OF the old vete~
rams, had for two days, in wofully
parched state, been searching his XIV.
erin for a stray BIT that he knew was
somewhere about him, but all his efforts
TO chase il up appeared unavailing-
there were so many patches on his hunt.
ing shirt that II was impossible TO find
the one which he had made a pocket to
contain the precious ccin, and at last he
had given il IN. He tried to get trusted
for two drinks until he coulG find it, but
the owner oflbe shanty knew better than
to trust any OF that crowd
Try again. Mayor said dry crony.
who knew the circumstance, Try again 1;
never give up good cause--a shi!l1'
in silver now is with gold anuher time
The Major did try again, and at last
down in the seam OF the tail, the Major
discovered the little Joker, and perhaps
he hailed the discovery with yell OF
satisfaction.
i Now BiIl' says he, well give that
old feller's barre. rip forlwo nyigora-
tors, and no dispute
They accordingly adjourned to the
shanty and called for the 'medicine.'-
The owner looked at the Major doubt,
fully, but when he displayed the bit hes
iIation vanished-he instantly drew the
! sucks handed them over aud took the
cnange. The first taste frightened the
Major as keen as an Indian. He obs
served while drinking that the dealer
placed the money on little shelf behind
him and just above his head it was
within reaching distance, too, from his
stand beside the temporary counter;
upon this discovery he al once acted.
We'll, rally says he that stuff is
suthin' like! theirs body to il likles o
felIer's vitality at the extreme pints.'-
Bill he added, Il could fight injuhs at
half wages eff they only feed US on sech
cows milk as is in that barrel. do
think we'll go another.
Bill sgnfied assent, but looked at the
Major with some surprise ard inquiry
in his countenance, as 10 where he would
find another BIT, but the old soldier soon
opened bis eyes wider. The dealer had
no sooner stopped to draw from the bar
rel than the Major picked the shilling of
the shelf and paid it over again for the
drinks.
4 know'd you had money, Major
said the dealer, 'ef you'd only consent
to shellit out; but you're gettin' consarr-
ec close-fsted in your old days.
The Major laughed at the remark as
he replied
We'll, you're cunnin' sarpint 10, and
bound to make sumthin' out OF US fel /.
lars. declare that ticker is so ire.
mengus that It's sot me cravin' in my
innards!'
DONE give it up UT, Majov,' chimed
10 the dealer 'ihai's more wbar that
come from, and just Of the same brew
in. know you hev ben suffrin' fur a
taste these few days past cause you
dda't like 10 'open,' and hated pres
cious bad to refuse you but whiskey
costs a powerful sight aforeI II gifts here.'
well, We'll jest take another Atom Of
drink and then lumber says the wills
ling Ranger. The shilling was picked
off the shelf and went through the same
process ugain with equal satisfaction -
After swallowing another round the
Ranger smacked his lips, made move
towards the door and turned back again.
4 thought you'd think Of ii Major
said the dealer; 'sech stuff as tbis don't
stay long in these diggins. You'll go
another guess p
well, jes. one moie,' said the Major;
/ L declare think II war some sech IL
| <x,,,, sbos torntol A dan, ,wetid ~ an nj N !.