Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-06-17
BOB COLLINS VISIT TO ST. LOUIS.


in "Goose Creek Settlement near Goseon
ade river, in the interior Of Missouri He was
famous hunter, and could kill buck s'fur-
Their as nary man in TIE settlement"
Bob took il into his head that Dick Elston
did not give him enough for his skins" and
he said he believed that Dick was 'srotten
old cheat" and that he meant to take his skins
TO ST. Louis next fall, and sell them himself
besides, he wanted to see what ''sorter fixen
that St Louis was"
on his new deer skin hunting shirt, and pair
OF new pants OF the same material, and star
ted for st. Louis with pack of''skins'
In due time he arrived, and such 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 perfect uproar
The first man he met was little gumbe
Frenchman, driving small cart-oa OF wood
into the city.
"Hellow, stranger? 2" shouted Bob, lido YOU
want TO trade for skins %
''Sacre dem your skin" replied the little
Freedman "you tink. by gar, trade my
skin for you dem ugly skin %
"Well," said Bob, "if this arnt the most
oncivorlized place ever seed. Can't ak a
civil question without givln' offence-stop--
old Sam Rogers who used TO trade his skins
in ST. Louis, told me TO hunt out the man of
the name of Smith forgot his first name
what traded in skins"
He met coal wagon, on the top of which
sal dingy looking fellow who passed for a
white man when mis- face was clean. Bob &C
costed him!
Il say, stranger, does you know where a
man lives in this place, by the name of
Smith ~
''In -, expect" gruffly answered the
coal driver
''Well, yer ought 10 know" said Bob,
''ior yer looks as how yer lived there yerself"
Bob next me, very benevolent looking old
gentleman, and thinking from his appearance,
that more civil treatment might be expected in
this quarter, he very mildly asked
Stranger, could you be good enough to tell
where one Mr.. Smith lives %
The stranger pointed to large, elegant
three story brick dwelling, and observed that
"a MIR. Smith lived in that house."
Bob rode up 10 the pavement, dismounted,
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 Cheek"
In few moments the door was opened BY
a well dressed man.
"Why didn't you ring the bell 2" asked the
man.
Ring the bell ~ said Bob haint got no
bell to ring besides, there notin' but bells ring
IN in this place; so yer couldn't tell one bell
from another
"Well, well, what do you want 2" demand
ed the man.
81 want 10 see Mr.. Smith," answered Bob.
"Mr. Smith is not at home What 90 you
want with Mr.. Smith 2" asked the man.
"I've some particular business with him, :"
answered Bob ''but if Miss Smith is TO home
it'll do Jest as WELL"
"You can't see Miss Smith," said the man,
"she is in the parlor with company"
Just at this momen; the paror door opened
and three elegant dressed young ladies walked
out, accompanied by another on whose face
youth, beauty and benevoence were happily
blended
Bob dofled his coon skin cap, and made an
awkward bow
perhaps Pm mistaken; perhaps yer only
Miss Smiths darter. Is your mother to home2
Old Sam Rogers told me as how if Mr.. Smith
warn't TO home. to see Miss Smith and drive
trade with her for my skins"
The young lady told Bob that he was I'M
doubleday mistaken; that there were great
many Mr.. Smiths in ST. Louis, and that, by
further inquiries, he would probably find the
one he was in search Of
Bob made his best bow TO the Young lady
and started in search of the right Smith.
Ii would be impossible to describe his con-
sternatlon when he reached the door, and
found that the old "Swinged Cat'' was mis-
sing. Down the street he started in full run,
inqulring OF every one he met whether a horse,
with load of skins, had been seen at large
AT last ne saw crowd of people standing be.
fore shop door in Market street. Running
towards the crowd he saw a man holding
"Swinged Cat" by the bride, in the act of lea
ding him off.
Various were the curses and imprecations
bestowed upon "Swinged Cat'' by that crowd,
for n his course he had knocked down three old
apple women, upsetting their stands and des-
troying all their fruit besides he came near
killing a score of children.
Bob at once demanded possession of his
horse, but he was informed tina, the horse was
in custody Of the law
Just at this moment, when Bob had almost
gwen up in despair, he happened to see the
benevolent looking old gentleman who had
pointed out the house of Mr.. Smith. To him
Bob at once appealed for aid-all was arran
ged.
Bob now soon found out the Smith "what
bought SKINS" and disposed of his lot at very
good prices.
He had promised to buy "caliker coat" for
his wife; ten pounds Of coffee for old Miss
Simpson some ''agar draps," for Miss Hall
bride bit for Jack Stone, and two bundles Of
cotton yarn for the Squire's wife.
The first store that attracted the attention of
Bob was a jewellers shop on Marke, street
He walked in boldly, and inquired for "agar
draps"
The jeweller. who was bit of a wag. told
HIM he did no, keep that article Tor sale, but
directed Bob to brokers office nearly oppo-
site. The broker said he was just out Of the
article, but pointed out the "Reveille" office,
where, he observed, they manufactured the ar
tlcle in great abundance. Bob al once entered
the "Reveille" office, and inquired for the
medicine.
A very good natured looking man told Bob
that he had the right sort of medicine for that
complaint, and, stepping il the next room re-
turned with bundle OF papers, saying:
"Take these to your afflicted friend, and tell
her m rood t,uo If tho nanarS aach dav FIR n