The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-14
From the Life Of Barnum.
DanbuTy Halter in Search Of Russian
EuF.

w
III Fur.
k On one occasion halter named Walter
ibble, called to buy some furs from u.s.
certain reasons ] was anxious TO play u
ke upon him. ] sold him several kinds of
r, including "beavcr" and "coney." He
aDted some Russia" told him we had
Dne, but Mrs. Wheeler, where | boarded,
ad several hundsed pounds.
"What on earth is woman doing with
ussia p hc said.
Il ] could not answer but assured him that
here were 1870 pounds Of old Rushia and
450 pounds Of young Rushia in Mrs Wheel.
er's house, and under her charge, but
Whether il was for sale could not say.
on he started with a view to make the
purchase. lie knocked at the door. Mrs
wheeler, the elder, made her appearance.
II want to get your Russia, said the hat
Der.
Mrs. Wheeler asked him to walk in and
Fbc seated. She, of course, supposed that
he had come for her daughter "Rushia.'
"what do you want of Rushia ~ asked
the old lady.
"To make hats" was the reply.
"To trim hats. suppose you mcan," re.
.sponded Mrs. Wheeler.
"No, for the outside Of hats replied the
halter.
weil, don't know much about hats, "
said the old lady, "but will call my dauyh.
ter"
Passing IND another room where Rush.
ia" the youngt was at work, she informed
,1ses that a man wanted her TO make hats.
II h.., aln .
suppose lic wants some ladies' hats, replied
Rushia, as she passed into the parlor.
"Ihis is my daughter" said the old lady.
"l want to get your Russia" said he, ad.
dressing the young lady.
81 suppose you wish to see my sister Ma.
ry; she is our milliner," said the young
Rushia.
81 wish to see wi oevcr owns the proper.
ty," said the hattc-.
Sister Mary was sent for and soon made
her appearance As soon as she was intro
duced, the halter informed her that he
wished to buy her Russia"
"Buy Rushia!' exclaimed Mary, in sur
prise 81 don't understand you"
"Your name is Miss Wheeler, ! believe,
said the halter, who was annoyed by the
ulIiiCuity ucinct III oeihS uHueiStoou'
at is, SIR"
"Ah, very well. Is there old and young
Russia in the house,"
"a believe there is" said Mary, surprised
at the familiar manner in which he spoke OF
her mother and sister, both Of whom were
present.
"What is the price Of old Russia per
pound:" asked the halter.
81 believe, sir, that old Rusha is not foF
sale" replied Mary Indignantly
"Well, what do you ask for young Rus.
sia'" pursued the halter.
"Sir," said Miss Rushia the younger,
springing to her feet, "do you come here IL
insult dcfenceless fcmales' lfyou do, sir,
we will soon call our brother, who is in the
garden, and he will punish you As you dc.
serve"
"Ladies !" exclaimed the halter, in aston.
ishment, what on earth have done to Of
fend you? come here on business mat.
ter! want to buy some Russia. ] was
told you had old and young Russia in the
house. This young lady just stated such to
be the fact. but she says the old Rushia Is
not for sale. Now, il can buy the young
Russia want to do so-but il that can't be
done, please to say so, and l will trouble
you no farther"
'Mother, open the door, and let the gen.
tlernan pass out; he is undoubtedly crazy, "
said Miss Mary.
"By thunder! ! believe shall be III re-
main here long" exclaimed the halter, con.
sidcrably excited. ~ wonder If folks .,ever
do business in these parts that you think a
man 10 crazy fhc attempts such thing".
Business! poor man" said Mary, sooth.
ingly, approaching the door.
II am not poor man, Madam" replied
the halter. Ny name is Walter Dibblc;
carry on hating extensively in Danbury ;
I came to Grassy Plains to buy fur, and
have purchased some beaver and 'coney,
and now II seems am TO be called crazy and
a poor man because want to buya little
Russia to make up an assortment"
Tho ladies' began to open their eyes little.
They saw that Mr.. Dibblc was quite in earn
est, and his explanation threw considercra'
bic light on the subject.
"who sent you herc'' asked sister
Mary.
"Thc clerk at the store opposite" was the
reply.
llc IN WlCkcu young iShow ~. """,.e
all this trouble" said the old lady. "Ht
has been doing this for . joke she con
tinued.
"a ioke!" exclaimed Dibble, in surprise
"Have you not got any Russia, then ?" he
asked.
"My name is Jerusha and SO my daugh
ter's," said Mrs. Wheeler "and that, sup
pose, is what he meant by telling you abou
old and young Rushia.'
Mr.. Dibble bclted through the door with
out word of explanation, and made direct
ly for our store. "You young scamp!' sai'
he, as he entered "what did you mean BY
sending me over there to buy Russian"
~ did not send you to buy Rushis. .
suppose you were either bachelor or wild
over, and wanted to marry Rushia," re
piled, with serious countenance.
."You lie, you dog, and you know It." h
replied; "but never mind, III pay you o
for that some day." And taking his f'irs b
departed, with less ill.humor than woul
have been expected under tho circumstar