White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1857-06-11
TAKING THE CENSUS m DUTCH.

the census. The following might serve
as q caution to future eensus-takers
among the downtown population. The
scene was in a little one story brick
building, consisting OF two rooms, one
Of which was used as the parlor, kitchen.
and dining room, the other as a work
shop, dog kennel and hen rooSt. Enter
ing the first, with his hat in hand and
book under his arm, our friend repeated
the box that lie had made to score Of
other families that morning. accompany
ing it with the usual explanation and
inquiry-''am taking the census. Will
you be good enough to tell me the num-
Der oftenants there are in your house %
Nearly the whole family were at that
time in the room. A bony, wrinkled
up man sat by the fire mending har-
ness a large rudy faced frau, at a
table, in the further end of the apart
ment, was working dough, and usei a
beer bottle as roller. and five or six
curly headed urchins, en- ehemiss. were
running and tumbling about the floor
At the appearance of stranger, there was
a general suspension of operations, and
to his question the only response was a
long stare from every member Of the
family.
"Will You, SIR" said the gentleman.
after short silence, addressing himself
particularly to the man who sat near the
fire, "will you tell me the number who
lodge in this house?"
''Ich kan nieht English sprechen, the
man muttered, and then he commenced
to sew on his harness. just as if he had
given the question the amplest satisfac-
ton.
Wont you, madam, beso kind as
"Nein. nein," exclaimed the woman.
interrupting him. as she seized her bottle
and commenced furious course of roll
ing over the dough. "Ich kan NIGHT
English sprechen"
In calm fit of desperation, our friend
closed the book, replaced-it under his
arm, and with In internal vision of a
long and disagreeable walk in search of
an interpreter, he proceeded towards the
door-when, az he laid his hand upon
the latch. one of the little brats pulled
\ him back by his coat tail.
"John sprecht English" said the
urchin. inspired no doubt by all the wis
dom of the family.
Here was the means Of overcoming the
obstacle, and our friend turned back with
frightened hopes.
John speaks English-well, where is
Jon? Go and call him. D-n.it, can
none of you understand me? Co and
kit ShOn :" and by great many pan
tomimic gesticulations, with a rather
lame dash at German, he managed to
make himself understood. The boy ran
out by the back door, and soon came
back, leading in stont, good natured
looking lad, of about fourteen, all smiles
and dirt. The conversation was carried
on, from this time, in a rather summary
manner.
Can You speak English ?" asked the
gentleman.
"Ya." answered the boy.
"Ask your father how many there are
who live in this house"
After translation Of the question to
the harness man, and after being instruct
ed in his answer, the boy resumed
"Mine fader says, vot for 90
Here the gentleman went on to give a
long explanation of census taking, its
causes, its object, and the probable bene-
fits arising from it, which being explain
ed in full to the couple, it started them
off on long and very animated discus
sion. At last, the boy received his
orders, and answered.
"Mine fader says tere ish eight und
Elm hdl6eR in ter vanity"
There was broad grin on the harness
mans countenanca, as he seized his awl
and commenced operations on the har-
ness with redoubled energy. The stout
lady seized her bottle and started fresh
series of strong rollings, whilst the in
terpreter, with very knowing smile, cor
| tinued-
lyon see. EUR, tere ISL six in ter YAM
| lily n0c--in two or tree weeks mine
fader drinks tere will be SeUen %
This scas counting the chickens -
With a silent apostrophe to the enlightel.
ment of the age, the gentleman opened
his hook and wrote:
"Peter Brockuhoss and Minnie, his
wife, have ssgen children-three boys,
three girls, and one doubffal."