Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-03-21
SsIttt mistsIIanp.
tssom the Spirit Of the Times.
The Dutchman Who Had the Small.
pox

Ine UuLcnman w 10 ahu the shall
Pox. 's
The writer sat alonside Of the driver
one morning. just at the break Of day
as the stage drove out of Blackberry:
he was through passenger to Squash
Point. TWAS acold morning. In order
to break the ice for conversation. he
praised the fine points Of the off horse,
lhe driver thawed,
"Yaas, she's a goot horse, Jam ]
knows how TO trive him."
1t was evidently a case of mixed
breed.
"Where is Wood who used to drive
this stage?"
"He be's laid up nit ter rumatix,
sence yester week. an trivs fore
him."
went on reading newspaper. A
fellow passenger, on a back seat, not
having the fear Of murdered English
in his hands. cosxed the Dutch driver
into a long conversation, much to the
the delight of pretty Jersey-blue-
belle. who laughed so merrily that il
was contagious. and in few minutes,
from being like unto conventiclc. we
were as wide wake as one Of Chrys-
ty's audiences. By sunrise we were
in excellent spirits, up to all sorts OF
fun, and when. a little later, our stage
stopped at the first watering place,
the driver found himself in the center
Of group Of treaters to the distilled
juice Of apples.
"Here's a package TO leave ut Mrs.
Scudder's--the third house on the
left hand side after you get into Jeri-
icho. What do you charge?' asked
man who seemed to know the dri-
yer.
"Pout lefty" answered he. Re-
ceiying the silver. he gathered up
the reins. and put the square package
in the stage-box. Just as he started
the horses, he leanedhis head out ol
the stage. and looking back TO the
man who gavc him the bundle. shout
ed out the question. "Ter fird haus
on ter left had out Of Yeiico?"
The man didn't hear him, but the
driver was satisfied. On we went al
very good rate. considering how
heavy the roads were. Another tav-
ern. more watering. more apple jack
Another long stretch OF sand. and we
were nearing Jericho.
Amy porty know der Miss Scuttel
haus?" asked the driver. bracing his
feet on the mail bag. which lay in
front Of him, and screwing his head
around so as TO face in. There seem,
ed to be a consultation going on inside
the stage.
II don't know nobody o. that name
in Jerico. do you. Lishe?" asked a
weather-beaten looking man. who ev.
identity "went by water" Of anothel
one who apparently went the same
way.
"There was old Squire Cows da'.
ter. she married Scudder. and NOV.
ed up here some two years back
Come to think ont. guess she lives
higher Glasshouse. answered Lishe
The driver. finding he could get nc
light out Of the passengers. seeing q
tall, rawboned woman washing some
clothes in front of house. and who
flew ont Of sight as the stage flew in,
handed me the reins as he Jumped
from his seat, and chased the fugitive
halloing, "Pfe got der small pox, I'ft
got der" His voice was lost a.
he dashed into the open door of the
house. But in a moment he re-appear
ed. followed by a broom with an en-
ragged woman annexed. and loud
voice shouting out:
"You git out o. this! clear yoursel
quicker: l amt going to have you dis
easing honest folks il you have go
the smallpox"
II dells you Pfe got det smallpox
Ton't you verstchl der smallporl"-
This time he shouted it out in capita
letters.
"Clear outl III call the men folk
lifyou don't clear outl" and at ono,
she shouted. in tip top voice, like
you Ikel where air you?' Ike mad,
bis appearance on the full run.
"Wh-whal's the matter?"
81 dell YOU onest more, for der las
dime. Tfe got der smallpox. unit Mish
ter Ellis he gils me lefty to gif de
smallpox to Miss Scutter. ] promise,
to gif her ter smallpox"
1t was Miss Scudder, and explain
ed to her that il was a bor he had 70
her. The affair was soon settled. a
regarded delivery; but not as regarde'
the laughter and shouts of the oecu
pants Of the old stage coach, as W
rolled away from Jericho. The DIR
yer joined in. although he had n
earthly idea as to its cause, and add
ed not little to it by saying, in tri
umphant tone Of voice:
81 vos pount 10 gif ter old woman
ter small poxP'