Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-08-12
Taking the Starch cut Of 'em.
A COLD WATER SKETCH.

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in one of the small towns near Albany. one
cold day, amusing themselves with hurling
stones into the broad stream, each vieing
with his neighbor in the endeavor to pitch
the 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 q
while remained quiet observer of their
movements.
He was q brawny, strong looking Yan-
kee and was deeenlly clad. The efforts OF
the little party had been exhibited, over
and over again, when the stranger quietly
picked up half brick which lay near him,
and giving it a jerker, it fell into the water
a long way beyond the line, which had as
yet been reached by the foremost of the
crowd. ttbe conclusion of this feat, a
loud ''bravo," went up from half dozen
voices around him.
Itwas q cold, clear day in October, and
the men, determined not to oe out,done, re-
newed their attempts: bat the Vermonter,
without saying syllable to any one, con-
tinusd to pitch the pebbles far out into the
water, which seemed to annoy one of them
in green jacket, the apparent leader of
the gang; who declared he would not be
beaten by ''leller right straight out of the
woods, no how;' and siding up to the
stranger he determined 10 make his &C.
|quaintance.
'sWhere do you come from, ne1ghbor,"
he inquired.
"Me' Wall, halls from Yarmouth, jess
now, friend" .-...
"Hain't been in these parts long. reck.
on"
"Wal-no. Not edzactly yere--but up
and down, sorter."
"Yes-so 'sposed."
"Yaas," continued the green 'un, care
lessly, and seizlng billet of wood, he
twirled it over his head, and it landed sew
eral rods from the shore, in the water.
"You've little strength in your arms,
neighbor." ....
'sSome punkins, is them ere flippers,
strangers. Up in aour town, more'n q
month ago, driv them are knuckles rite
strut thru board moren ninch 'naff
thick"
sEaw, haw!' shouted his hearers, the
man in the green jacket laughing leudest.
'May be you don't b'lieve it,
Mot much answered the crowd.
we aint usry green down here in York:
zoe aint;' said the man in the green jacket;
we've been about, you see.'
sWal, jess you look yere, friend, con.
! tinued the Vermounter, in the most plausi.
BILE manner 'up in our country, we've a
purity Gag river. considering; lnyun River,
its called, and may be you've hearn on it,.
Wall, | hove q man clearn across that
river, tother day, and he came down fair
and square on tother side.'
'Ha, ha, HAP yelled his auditors.
wal, naow, you may lat1, but | ken dr
it ugin.'
"Do whatp said the green jacket quick
ly.
Il kin take and heave yeu across tha
river yonder, jest like open and sllet.'
sBet you ten dollars on it,
Done said the Yankee; and drawing
forth an X (upon broken down east bank
he covered the braggers shin. plaslers.
'Kin you swim, leller?'
Like duck said green jacket-ano
without further parley, the Vermonter
seized the knowing Yorker stoutly by the
KNAPP Of the neck and seat of the trowsers
ierked him from his foot hold, and W ith or
almost superhuman effort, dashed the bull
ly heels over head from the end of tht
dock, some ten yards into Hudson river.
y terrific shout RON through the crowd q
he houndered in the water, and amidst the
ieers and screams Of his companions, the
ducked bully put back to the shore, ant
scrambled up TO the bank, half frozen BY
this sudden and involuntary cold bath.
sI'll take that ten.spot, if you please,
said the shivering loafer. advancing rapid
ly towards stakeholder. Wen shov
you how avs do things down here in York
: and the fellow claimed the twenty dol
lars.
+. sWal, reck'n you wunt take no tie
spots jess yit, cap'n.'
), 'Why-you lost the bet-'
8 sNot ed dzac.ly. didn't calcilats o
u deuin it the fuss time-bul tell yeu ee
y du il'-and again, in spite of the loafel
utmost efforts to escape him, he seized hi
;. by his scruff and the seat of his over all
= Il and sent him three feet further into tn
:. :. riv or than upon the first trial.
II Again the bully returned, amid the shou
of his mates who enjoyed the sport in
. mensely.
" Third time never fails,' said the Yal
kee, stripping off his coat. ...,...
d Hold onp said the almost Petrifie
q victim
: 'AnG. aciH deu it, eli I try till to-mo
IS row morning.
n Il Civ it up!' shouted the sufferer, b
tween his teeth, which now chartered Ill
u mad badger-'take the money
h The Vermonter very cody pocketed Il
+ ten spots, and as he turned away, remar
10 ed:
% sWe aint much acquainted with "
smart folks deoun here in York, but v
sometimes take the starch aout OF 'em'
I'd our way-and p'raps yu wunt try it on
le stranger again. rsck'n yu wunt,'
p continued, and putting on broad grin
MS good humor he left the company to the
#, re1ections!- Flag of our Union.