Southern reveille. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1851-185?, 1852-06-02
Eating a Dutchman.

the night, at tue clOse VI Vho hhO euAAlnSi
day. AT that time. the peculiar prejudices Of
the Dutch people Of that section, we're strong
ly shown in their jealousy Of the "tamt Yam
KEGS" Our landlord was one who seemed to
take particular delight in annoying any de-
cendant Of the pilgrims who CHANGED to fall in
bis way, and it may be supposed he did not
neglect any opportunity that presented during
the stay Of the Yankee pedlar to quiz him, or
to make him the butt Of sly jokes.
Our Yankee friend was not exactly green,
though he kept very quiet demeanOr until
the morning. by which time he had matured
a plan for giving the Dutchman an explana-
ton Of the old adage, What is sauce for the
goose, is sauce for the gander."
The morning sun had dispelled the mists
Of the night. Jonathan had hitched his horse
to his cart, and brought them up before the
door, ready for a start, after he should have
finished his breakfast The breakfast passed,
and Jonathan having settled his bill, felt him.
self at liberty to meet the Dutchman half way
in any shape he chose to approach, and as
signal for a more perfect understanding Of his
readiness, be let into him in this sort
"Now, old Sourkrout, before l 90, ] have
one thing the last Of a large assortment, that
/ want to sell to you. You know you are
very prudent, economical sort Of a man. and
ono would answer for your whole family, and
you could let your neighbors use it after you
had got done with il"
"What in dunder'is it ?" asks SourkrOut.
"Wall, you see, now" says Jonathan"
"whon l laid in my stock, bought prime lot
O. neasels, and I've sold 'em all eout except
one, and kinder thought, seein' how you
was a very sayin' sort Of a man, ! could let
you have that one measel, a-cause you could
make il 20 round"' and Jonathan had the
laugh all to himself
The Dutchman began to bluster as soon as
be got the idea " through his wool, " and
thinking he could do as he chose with the
apparently green Yankee, he commenced
bullying
"Look a-herc mister, none Of your tricks
upon travellers" says Jonathan; needn't
think you can scare Yankee, no how. Why
rot your old cabbage garden, I've known
Yankee Ia e1f such a Dutchman as YOU are
before breakfast y
"a Yankee eat a Dutchman. Tat's tamt
likely story. III pet you fife tOllar you can't
eat mel'
"I'll take that bet.' says the Yankee
"call in your neighbors to see fair play"
The neighbors were called in, and the pre-
liminaries arranged, in which il was agreed
that the Dutchman should take of his boots,
wash his feet, and lay down on the table,
whereupon the stakes were put up.
The Dutchman was laid out, 4" and Jona-
than proceeded very deliberately to unite his
neck-oloth, and unbutton his shirt collar pre-.
paratory to his cannibal feast
Approaching the table where lay the won
dering Dutchman. Jonathan took up one Of
his feet, and brought il to his mouth, and
made very significant impression with his
teeth on the Dutchman's big toe, which elici-
ted roar and a kick.
"Oh, mine Got, Shtop piting-dat
hurts"
Never mind; you dont't expect am 60
ing to suoallolo you" That wasn't the bet;
I bet that could eat you" and he made an
other bite.
Old Sourkrout soon perceived that the Yam
kee had tricked him, and that be must either
be eaten or lose his five dollars. lie chose
the latter alternative; the money was paid to
the Yankee, who left with high honors hav-
ing vindicatsd the fame Of Yankeedom, and
sustained its high reputation for the produc-
tion Of wooden nutmegs and Yankee Tricks.
The old Dutchman has learned to respect the
superior sagcity Of Yankee Pedlars, and
from that day, since, he has always treated
them with due Difference. and never fails 10
look remarkably silly, if any body says any
thing about eating nal0 Dutchmen' in his
presence.