Butte record., 1854-01-07
MELTING MOMENTS.


standing in The snow outside, putting NJ
his window shutters, he saw through the
glass loungin,, worthless fellow with
take pound of fresh butter from the
shelf, and hastily conceal it in his hat.
"Stay, Seth" said the storekeeper
coming in and closing the door after him
clapping his hands over his his shoulders
and stamping the snow of his shoes. Seth
had his hand upon the door, and his hat
upon his head, and the roll Of new butter
in his hat, anxious to make his exit as
so n as possible.
81 say, Seth, sit down I reckon now
on such night, little something warm
wouldn't hurt fellow. Come sit down"
Setl felt very uncertain he had the
butter, and was exceedingly anxious t.
be off, but the temptation of something
warm sadly interfered with his resolu-
ton TO 90. This resolution however was
soon settled by the rightful owner of the
butter taking Seth by the shoulders and
planting him upon seat close by the
stove, where he was so entirely cornered
in by barrels and boxes that, while the
country grocer sat bef"re him, there was
no possibility of his getting out and
right on this place sure enough the store
keeper sat down
''Seth, we'll have little warm Santa
Cruz" said the mountain grocer, as he
opened the stove door, and stuffed in as
many sticks as the space would admit :;
without it you would freeze going home
such night as this"
Seth alregdy felt the butter setting
down close to his hair, and jumped up de-
claring he must go.
"Not till you have had something
warm. Come, I've got story to tell
you; sit down now y and Seth was
again put into his seat by his cunning
tormentor.
"Oh, it's confounded hot here said
the thief, again attempting to rise.
"Sit down, don't be in such a plaeuy
hurry" reiorted the grocer pushing him
back in his chair.
"But | have got the COWS to fodder,
and some wood 10 split, and | must be
agoing," continued the prosecuted chap
''But you mustn't tear yourself away
in this manner Sit down; let the COWS
take care of themselves, and keep your
self cool you appear to be fdgetty,"
said the roguish grocer with wicked
lcer.
The neAt thing was the production of
two smoking glasses Of hot rum toddy.
the very sight of which in Seth's present
situation would have made tie bair
stand erect on his head, had it not been
well oiled and kept down by the butter
"Seth, III give you toast now and
you can butter it yourself, ;" said the GO
Ger, yet with such an ar Of consumate
simplicity that POOR Seth still bell we'd
himself unsuspected. Seth, here's
christmas goose, lit was about christmas
time here's a hris mas goose well
roasted and basted, eh : l tell you,
Seth, it's the greatest eating in creation
And don't yon never use common cook
ing butter to haste it with. Fresh pound
butter, just the same as you see on that
shelf yonder, is the only oper thing in
nature TO baste a goose with Come
take your butter | mean, Seth, take
your toddy.
Poor Seth now began to smoke as
well as to melt, and his mouth was as
he'metically sealed up as though he had
been born dumb. Streak af er streak Of
the butter came pouring from under his
hat, and his handkerchief was already
soaked with The overflow.
''Dreadful cold night this" said the
grocer, why Seth, you seem warm -
Why don't you take your hat off Here
let me put your hat away"
"No," exclaimed poor Seth at last
with spasmodic effort to get the tongue
loose, aud clapping both hands upon his
hat NO, must go, let me out, l ain;
well let me go"
A cataract was now pouring down the
fellows face, soaking his clothes. and
sliding down his body into his very boots,
so that he was literally in perfect bath
of oil
"Well, good night, Seth, if you will
CO." said the humorous Vermonter ad-
ding, as Seth got into the road. Neigh
Dor, l reckon the fun l have had out of
you is worth I'd, so l shant charge you
for that pound of butter
ALovE SCENE.