The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-02-12
From the Semi-Weekly Eagle.
Unpublished Aneodote OF Gov.
Chittenden.

In the early settlement of Vermont, there
lived iD tie town of Chelsea 4 highly respcc.
table old farmer, who generally went by the
sobrlquet of"Uncle Mike" lie was noted
for the earnest and decided manner in which
he always expressed his opinions, and when
a little excited he was very apt to stammer
One day in the spring Of the year, while
the snow was very soft and slumpy, he START
Ell With his oxen and sled for his sugar lot, Il
short distance Fam his house; in addition io
the uniavorabie state o. :hH travelling Gener-
ally, this road in particular was mere cause
way, laid over a complete qungmire, barcij
wide enough for single team.
lie had just got fairly on his way, when
there drove up behind him IA genilmnn in II
handsome sleigh, drawn by span of noble
horses; Inc was evidently ignorant of the state
of the road, aud seeming anxious 10 drive
faster than the oXteam before him, began 10
rein out his horses on one side Of the road.--
Uncle Mike was well aware oi'the dangers of
the way, and accordingly hailed him with
"Friond! friend! you can't get by; hold OILS till
we get to them bars, and 1 will turn out."-
The gentleman, however, persisted in driving
out, and his horses Immediately sunk 10 their
girths IN the soft snow and mud, aud it was
with extreme difficulty thar he succeeded in
eXtricating them. They had not gone many
rods farther before the stranger impatient OF
Uncle Mikes slow progress, attempted to pass
him on the other side. Again the old man
Stranger! | tell We, you
c-cant git by. ii aint possible. Jist wait IL min
ute" But again Uncle Mikes injuuctions
were disregarded, and this time the stranger
was obliged to call on the old man for assist
ance TO get into the road Twice again did the
eager traveller endeavor 10 pass the old mans
team-twice again did Uncle Mike try to i'm
ity of the undertnking-and as often were his
predictions verified, aud the horses almost
buried in the mire.
AT length Uncle Mike reached the bars
where he was to turn off, but before he did,
stopped bis teams turning back inquired of
the traveller "whether he belonged in the
state?"
EYES," was ihe reply.
"What town do you live in?" said Uncle
Mike.
"ln Williston,'' answered the stranger.
"Well!" said the old man, and his long sup
pressed indignation began to vent itself, "the
selectmen of the town are TO blame for letting
you go away from home without somebody
to t-t-take care ofyou; you are II fool; you
d-d-don't know anything; d-d-didn't tell ye
you couldn't git by" and the outraged far
mer was apparently in the midst of his wrath
when the stranger good-humoredly asked
him if he knew whom he was talking To-
"Know?" numbered the old man, "no ]
d-don't knoiO, and doa't care; whoever you
be you ought tito have guardeen-'
"Why," said the traveller, "My name is
Thomas Chiteudon, and Pm the Governor
of the State"
gill declare" stammered the astonished
Uncle Mike, '"IfI had known wh-who you
was, shouldn't haye SIS said exactly what
did htlt ~ md tho old tbnnUbt n minnie
-"but-I can't in conscience take a ,cord back"
The old man turned out and Gov. Chitten-
den drove on; but the story was too good to
be kept Uncle Mikes opinions, and his
plan for "guardeenp furnished amusement 10
tho Governor and his friends fora long time;
and the old man took becoming pride in tell
ing his neighbors how he "tfeed his mind" 10
Il live Governor
A year or two since while the furnishing
millions of Ireland were crying for bread, II
lady, noted in The annals Of benevolence, de-
ternlined to leave her comfortable home in
New York, and learn for herselfthe truth and
extent of the distress, reports of WHICH had.
reached her. She visited ireland; she enter
ed the cabins of the poor; she partook OF their
humble fare, and mnistered TO their necessi-
ties. A few months ago she published an
account of her adventure, replete with inter
est. .ul. ....... .......
The accomplished and celebrated author
ess of "IRELAND's WELCOME TO THE STRAN-
GER" is the daughter of the supplemented
and conscientious "Uncle Nike
GRocER.-Well, Augustus, you have been
apprenticcd now three months, and have
seen the several departments of our trade
wish to give you choice ofoccupaton.
Apprentice.-Thanll'ee sir .
Grocer.-Well, now, what part ofthe bust.
ness do you like best?
Apprentice. a sharpness beyond
L.. ii