Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-08-03
From the ct. louis Reyeillc,

A friend OF ours relates number Of conf
cal adventures which he met with a few
months ago while engaged in taking the cen
sus. The following might serve as caution
to future census takers, among the down town
population. The scene was little one-story
brick building, consisting Of two rooms, one
of which was used as parlor, kitchen and
dining room, the other as work shop, dog
kennel, and hen-roost. Entering the first,
with hat in hand and his book under his arm,
ouI friend repeated the bow that he had made
TO a score of other families that morning, and
accompanying it with the usual exclamation
and inquiry. " Am taking the census; will
you be good enough to tell me the number Of
tenants there are in your house?" Nearly
the whole family were at the time in the room.
small, wrinkled up man, sat by the FIRE,
mendlng harness; large, ruddy-faced frau,
at a table, in the farther end Of the apartment,
was working dough, and used beer
bottle as roller, and five or six curly-headed
urchins, en- chemise, were running and tumb-
ling about the floor. At the appearance of a
stranger, there was general suspension Of
operations, and to this question the only re-
Spouse was long stare from every member
of the family.
will you, sir said the gentleman, after a
short silence, addressing himself particularly
to the man, who sat near the FIRE, will you
tell me the number who lodge in this house =
Ich kan MIGHT English sprechen,' the man
muttered, and then he commenced sewing on
his harness. just as if he had given the ques-
toner the ampest qualification.
Wont you, madam, be so kind as -
Nein, nein,' exclaimed the woman, inter-
rupting him, as she seized the bottle and COM
menced furious course Of rollings over the
dough, Ich can NIGHT English sprechen.'
In calm fit of desperation, our friend closed
the book, replaced it under his arm, and with
an internal vision of long and disagreeable
walk in search of an Interpreter, he proceeded
towards the door-when, as he laid his hand
upon the latch, one of the little brats pulled
him back by the coat-tail.
'John sprecht English said the urchin,
inspired no doubt by all the wisdom Of the
family; John sprecht English
Here was means Of overcoming the OBJ
stacle, and our friend turned back with hrigh.
tened hopes.
John speaks English-well, where is
John? Go and call him. What, can none
Of you understand eco and kit MOn.-
And by great many pantomimic gesticula-
tons, with rather lame dash on the German,
he managed to make himself understood. The
boy ran out bV the back door, and soon came
back, leading in stout, good natured looking
lad, of about fourteen, all smiles and dirt
The conversation was carried on, from this
time, in rather summary manner.
Can you speak English! asked the gen.
tleman.
Ya,' answered the boy.
ASK your father how many there are who
| live in this house
After translation of the question to the
harness-man, and after being instructed in is
answer, the boy resumed:
Mine :ader says. vot forv
Here the gentleman went on to give long
explanation of census-taking, its cause, its
object, and the probable benefits arising from
it, which started them off on long and very
animated discussion. At last the boy receiv
ed his orders and answered:
'Mine fader says lefe Use eight and und EN-
halben in ter vanity
'What the deuce do you mean by eight and
Elm hai6en?'
There was broad grin on the harness
mans conntenance. as he seized his awl anC
commenced operations on the harness with
redoubled energy. The stout lady seized he
bottle aud started fresh series of strong roll
lings, whilst the interpreter, with very
knowing smile, continued:
you see, EUR, tere ish six in ter vanity
now; in two or three weeks mine fader tlnk.
will be SeUemr
This acGs counting the chickens! With
silent apostrophe to the enlightenment Of thu
age, the gentleman opened his book ant
wrote:
Peter Brecknhouse. and Minnie, his wife
have screen children-three boys, three girls
and one doubtful p