Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1851-08-21
The COrned Beef BOarders.
BY PAUL CREYToN.

A few years since, the capitol of one of the
New England States boasted of but one pub
lie house-which was very credible estab-
lishment, by the way-and at which, at the
present time, you can make sure of very
comfortable and satisfactory accommodations,
on reasonable terms. Then, as now, this
house was the temporary home of the Solons
and Lycurguses of the state when their legis-
lative duties drew them to the capitol.
Mr.. F., the proprietor of the house at
the time to which allude, found that he had
all sorts of men to deal with, the state rep
resenatiyes being composed of farmers, ship
builders, land spectators, lumber merchants,
&C., &c.
Of all men, however, the queerest custom
er was representative who had not certain
ly been chosen for any remarkable oratocial
talents, or for any extensive knowledge of
political economy. In fact, his notions of
private economy altogether predominated, as
the following anecdote will show;
With his constituents, Mr.. G-took up
his quarters at the public honse kept by Mr..
F.. He was delighted with the break
fast of venison steak, the dinners of turkies
and moose meat, and other corresponding ac-
commodations; but really the rate of board
was more than he felt able to pay. Accord
ingly, he applied to the landlord to know
if he could not board him for less than the
usual price,
81 should be very happy to accommodate
you." said Mr.. F., politely, shut should
lose by the operation. have the best of
everything on my table, and my expenses are
so large that could not live if were to re-
duce my prices"
"No way at all--in my case :" inquired
the representative, ruefully.
"No-I don't see how | can. l have to
pay uncommonly high, this season, for my
turkeys, veuison, eggs, &c.
Snow, see here,'' interrupted Mr.. C.,
81 suppose these ixin's are wo'th all you
charge for board. l wouldn't complain if
felt as though could afford to eat such din
ners. Now why not let them that want to
eat the turkeys, pay for 'em! For my part
I'd as lief eat corne'd beef every day as not.
won't eat your turkeys, and don't see why
l should pay for EN-"
"Very well," said the obliging landlord,
with an indulgent smile, " Ii you are willing
to confne yourself to corned beef as far as
meats are concerned, and to eat other things
accordingly, suppose l can make some de-
duction in your case.
The representative was highly gratiied.-
He promised to eat corned beef and to abb
stain from various costly dishes which were
named, upon which condition satisfactory
bargain was made.
Accordingly, every body who observed Mr..
G. at table, from that day, were very
much astonished at his singular choice of
food. OF course the bargain was secret
confined to the two parties by whom it was
made and the unconscious walters laid be-
fore the representative temptation, after
temptation, which he no doubt found hard to
resist.
"What shall help you to sirl' they would
ask him. turkey, chicken pie, venison
steak, roasted"
"Corne'd beef!' would be the self-denying
exclamation of the scrupulous boarder.
Day after day it was the same. Sometimes
the walters would through mistake, We may
suppose, place before him choice plate of
the forbidden luxuries, which it made his
heart ache to send away again, with his modest
call for corned beef"
At length the walters grew SO atupid--or