The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-12-21
AN INDEPENDENT VOTER.

subterranean dens about election times, ant
disappear rs soon as il is over, as he reeled
up against lamp post on the corner Of State
and Pearl on the evening Of the sixth-"Tainl
no use o talkin'. Times amt rs they used
to be. A independent woter ain't the cheese
any longer. lie ain't n merchantable com.
modify. lie amt reported in the market
He's druv' away from Change. Banks don't
discount on him, and you can't put him up
the spout. lie amt good for new hats and
boots, and trowsers, and coats. lie ain't
made bank Of deposit for the sinners. He's
brought down to bad rum, and he amt safe
if he takes much o that The stars are out
in all kinds o. weather, and they shine on
feler when he's got half dozen glasses on
board, the Watchus', Squire Cole, and ten
days down the banks, is The word"
"Hallo" cried one of the right. police,
"What's out now! Who are you taking
to!"
SIN an independent voter, and I'm out"
replied the sceGy political rat. "l've been out
all day-rm out now Look there" said he,
rs he held up diapdatcd boot, "my toes is
out, my elbows is out, I'm out of change
now, am. Pm independent voter, too.-
Whom talkin' to? Pm holdn' conversa-
ton with gentleman who lives around the
corner. A independent voter he is, and
sensible man too. loves TO converse with
sensible people.
"But I'm ngin such times rs these. They
amt the 20 for independent voters, wot lives
round the corner. Folks as runs for Office
don't come down stumpy. Eggs is scarce
Good ticker is scarce. Seegars amt so plen.
ty as they might be. Boots is gone out O.
market, and hats amt nowhere. Threecent
drinks and penny seegars is all that's goin'.
When the Wigs and Dimmycrats went in,
times was jolly. Folks shaked hands with a
feller them days. They axed him to take
sum'mat warm: they come down with boots
and hats, and new trowsers and lots O. tin.-
Them was the times for independent voters;
they was scme pumpkins then, they was.--
allow dye do!" said the feller what run for
offs, show dye do? How's the wife and
babies?' "Comfortable," says I. allows
poIytics 2" SAYS he. "Dry," says |. 80 ho!'
says he, "et's take mmat to max 'em moist"
says he. am agreeable" says l. "Goin' for
saysI !, sour folks is mighty tight about the
pockets" 80 no." says he, "et's step round
tho corner-may be we shall see something"
"Wcrry WE'LL" says ]. "Look at this" says
he, as he holds up bank bill "'Taint couE.
terfen," saysI "Not a bit of it," says he
"All right" says ], "our folks is the cheese.
Hooraw for the Wigs" or the Dmmycrats,
according to circumstances and the size of
their pile. "But tain't so now. Independent
voters ain't the chalk--and the Natives done
it Take 'em up for interfeern' with other
peoples bsness Give 'em down tho banks;
send 'em up ninety days; give 'em hat;"-and
he struck straight out for an imaginary head,
with force that sent him with lurch across
the sidewalk, up against the side of the
building. "Werry good" said he, as he
up and opened his eyes with that
peculiarly wild stare which belongs to the
fifth or sixth glass of adultrrnted rum
"Werry good indeed faint no use in tryin
i on. You cant punch him in the head
Strike at him and yon skin yddt own knuckles.
Kick at him and you bark your own shins.-
He's all full o sharp pinis and peaked cor
,ers. They aint pleasant to run against
Better let him alone-he amt pleasant TO
landle. He's animal wots got very sharp
eeth, and he bites. His claws is long, and
hey scratches bad. But he's internal
camp, any way. IIe spilcs the wotin' trade,
md I'm ngn him"
"Comc," said Che "Star," ""hadn't you better
,e jogging" IL,
AVERY well, III be goin'. Good night!'
md he shock the poicemans hand with ex.
rene cordiality-"Good night! Folks is
he started of, making course
like Virginia fence, and disap-
feared around the corher, grumbIing: allow
Som! lie amt the cheese for Independent
4 o.. ... \
lown stumpy, He don't care -"
Here his voice suddenly ceased, with sort
If "chuck"-as If he had brought up against
hard. In n moment he was on his
way again; and the last that was heard of
lin as he dove into a dark alley, was, "bow
he Natives"