Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-06-15
"TAKING THE STARCH OUT OF 'EM.

A lot of oilers stood upon the end of
pier which ran out into the Hudson river, in |
one OF the small towns near Albany,a few days
ago amusing themselves with hurting stones
into the broad stream, each vieing with the
other in the endeavor to pitch missile at the
iarthest distance from the shore, when tall,
rugged-buit Vermonter, direct from the Green
Hills, suddenly made his appearance in their
midst, and for while remained quiet obser-
yer of their movements.
He was brawny, strengthening Yankee,
and was very decenty 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 Civ
ing it jerk it fell into the water long way
beyond the line which had as yet been reach
ed by the foremost Of the crowd. At the
conclusion of this feat "a loud bravo went up
FROM half a dozen voices around him.
1t was Il clear day in October and the men
determined not to be outdone, renewed their
attempts but the Vermonter, without sa wing
a syllable to any one, continued to pitch the
pebbles far into the stream, which seemed to
annoy one of them, in green jacket, the APP
aren't leader OF the gang, who declared he
wouldn't be beaten by 'teler straight out O
the woods, no how and sliding up to the
stranger, he determined to uake his acquant-
ance.
Where do you come from, strangcrF in
quired the other.
Me! Wal, halls from Vermont, les
naow, friend'
'Ha'nt been in these parts long, reckon?'
'Wal-no. Not edzactly-yer.-but up
and down, sorter'
'Yes-so | sposed.'
'Yaas, continued the green un, carelessly,
and Selling big billet Of wood, he twirlod it
over his head, and landed several rods from
the shore, into the water.
You've little strength in your arms,
neighbor.'
Some pun'kins in them Aippers stranger.
Up in aour toawn. more'n month ago, |
driv them ar knuckles rite strut thru board
moren ninch 'naf thick p
Haw--haw!' shouted his hearers, the man
the green jacket laughing oudest
May be yeou don't b'iieve it.
Not much answered the crowd.
I'VE amt gerry green down here in York
N" amt said the fellow in the green jacket
we've been about, you see.'
wal, JUS you look ycre, friend, continued
the Vermonter, in the most plausible manner;
up in aour country, we've purity big river
considerin '-lnyun river, it's called land may
be you've heard ont. Wal, | hove man
clean across that river t'other day, and he
came down fair and square on t'other side
'Ha, ha, ha yelled his auditors.
Wal naow, yeou may laff, but can deu
it agin.'
DO whatF said green jacket, quickly.
Il can take and heave yeou across that
river yonder, just like open and shet.'
Bet you ten dollars of it,
Done said the Yankee and drawing
forth an X, upon broken down-east bank ]
he covered the braggers shinplaster.
Kin you swim, teler9'
Like a duck, said green jocket; anil with
out further parley the Vermonter seized the
knowing Yorker stoutly by the nape of the
neck and the seat of his pants, jerked him
from his foothold, and with an almost SUPER
human effors dashed the bully heels over head
from the dock, some ten yards into the Hud-
son river.
A terrific shout rang through the crowd, as
he foundered into the water, and amid the
jeers and screams of his companions, the duck.
cd bully put back to the shore and scrambled
up the bank, half frozen by this sudden and
t Involuntary cold bath.
III take that ten spot, if you please said
tne shlverlng loater, advancing RAPIDLY to the
. shareholders, You took us Tor green horns
t ems Wen show you how to do things down
D mere In York, and the fellow claimed tbe
/. twenty dollars. ''"''N'0 tue
e WAL reckon yeou wunt take no ten ,not,
)is yit cap'n.' 0 ~ Wi Spo''
), MMhy' You've lost the bet
d NOT edSaetly. l didn't kalkilate on DAM,
!. 'ne lust time--but tell yeou kin n' da,
~ and In spite of the loafer's utmost var
rs .,onS 10 escape from him, he seized him ~ u,
t.; the sourf and the seat of his pants and VI. y
" MIN three yards further into the r;no. p.t ~
D. upon the FIRST trial '''e 'i'0f 'ha'
', Again the bully returned, amid tbs .,on.
t. OF his mates who enjoyed the sport Immense uSe
y ly. f'' 'N'Ns''e