The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1849-03-14
"TAKING STARCH OUT OF EN-"

CIl III tile ldNl iid5 vi 'lS Oi'oh'
A lot Of idIers stood upon the end of a
pier which ran out into the Hudson river, in
one of the small towns near Albany, few
DAYS ago, amusing themselves with hurting
stones into the broad stream, each vlelng
with the other in the endeavor to pitch
missile at the farthest distance from the
shore. when tall, rugged built Vermonter,
direct from the Green Hills, suddenly made
his appearance in their midst and for
while remained quiet observcrof the move
nents.
lie was brawny, strengthening Yam
kce; and was very decently clad. The ef-
forts of the little party had been exhibited
over and over again, when the stranger qul-
eIIy pIcKeu UP tIutf rIe+- -Arhich lar near
him, and, giving it a jerk, it fell into the
water q long way beyond the line which
had as yet been reached by the foremost of
crowd. At the conclusion Of this feat loud
sbravo!" went up from half u dozen voices
around him.
1t was cold clear day in October, and The
men determined not to be oudone, renewed
their attempts; but the Vermonter, without
saving syllable TO any one, continued to
pitch the pebbles far into the stream, which
seemed to annoy one Of them. in green
Jacket, the apparent lea ler of the gang, who
declared he wouldn't be beaten bv "feller
right strait o The woods, TO how" and sid
ling up to the stranger, he determined to
make his acquaintance.
Where do 20 come from neighbour in
qured the other.
Me? wal, halls from Yarmouth jcs'
naow, friend.'
'Ilaint bccn in these parts long, ] reck'n?
Wal, no. Not cdzackly yere-but up and
danw;:, sortcr.'
.Yis-so ! 'sposcd.'
'Yaas, continued the green 'un. careless
ly. and scizing big billet Of wood. he twirl-
ed it over his head, and it landed several rods
from the shore in the water.
You've a little strength in your arms,
neighbour
Some pumpkins is them nppers stranger.
Up in aour town, morc'n mDnth ago.
drv them arc knuckles rite strut thru board
more'n ninch 'naff' thick
IIaw-hawp shouted his hearers, the man
in the green jacket laughing Ioudesl.
May be you dont G'Iievc it,"
Not much answered the crowd.
We aiul very green, down here in York,
we amt said the fellow in the green Jacket;
we've been about, you scc.'
WAL Jest you look yerc, fricnd,' continued
the Vcrmontcr, in tho most plausible man.
ner: up in aour caounty, we've purity big
river, considcrin'--Inyun river. its called.
and NAV he you've hearn on it. Wal,
HI We a man clean across that river t'other
day, and he came daown fair and square on
l'olher side!
'Ha, ha, haF yelled his auditors.
'Wal, naow, you may laff, bul kin dcu it
agin.'
DO whatr said green jacket quickly.
i KIN take and hcavc " u across that riv-
er yender, jest like oien and shel!"
Bet you ten dollars Of it,"
'Done!" said the Yankee; and drawing
forth an X (upon broken down-east bank)
he covered The bragger's shinpiasler.
Kin ycu swim, teller!"
Like a duck" said green Iackct-and
without further parley, the Vermonter ssz-
ed the knowing Yorker stouty by tho napc
Of the neck, and the seat of his pants, jerkcd
him from his foolhold, and with an almost
superlluman effort, dashed the bully heels
over head lpm the dock, some ten yards out
in the Hudson river.
A terrific shout rang through the crowd,
as he floundered into the water and amidst
the icers and screams of his companions, the
ducked bully put back 10 tho shore and
scrambled up the bank, half (rozed by this
sudden and involuntary cold bath.
III take that lcn-spot. if you please said
the shivcrng loafer, advancing to the stake
holder. you took US for green horns,
eh? Well show you how we do things
down here in York'-and the fellow claim
ed the twenty dollars.
'WaI, rcck'n YOU wunt take no tcn-sPos
jcs' yit, cap'n.
WHY? You've lost the bet
Not cdzaclly. didn't ca!kilate on denim
it the fust timc-bui | tell yen. kin dcu il' |
and again, in spite of the loater's utmost ef. /
forts to escape him, lie seized him by the
scruff and the sea, of his overa!ls, and pitch
ed him three yards further into the river than
upon the first trial
Again the bully returned, amid the shouts
orhis mates, who enjoyed tho sport immense.
ly.
"Third time never fails" said the Yam
kec, stripping off his coat; Il kin DO it, ltclI
yc."
Hold onr' said the almost pctrified VIC
"And | will deu it--efI try till to-mo,Te''
nornin."
81 give it upr shouted the sufferer, be-
tween his teeth, which now challcrcd like
mad badgers Stake the money"
The Vcrmonler very coolIy pockcttc1
the ten-spo1, and as he turned away, remark
ed: