Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1857-10-15
Thomas Jefferson

While this distinguished statesman anC
patriot was Vice President of the United
States, it was customary for the individual
holding that high office to attend to bust
ness more in person than the refinement oi
modern times will allow. 1t happened Oh
one occasion that some important matter
required his attention in Philadelphia, and
some other places distant from the capitol.
In those days a journey was not to be per-
formed in Il few hours-it was two or three
days travel, not one of the most pleasant
sort either. On his return he stopped in
Baltimore. 1t WAS four or five in the af-
ternoon when the Vice President rode up,
suitless and unattended. to tine tavern. A
Scotchman by the name of Boyden kept the
hotel, of late so much improved and now
so handsomely sustained by our worthy
townsman Beitzboover.
The bucks of the town were assembled
In the hall smoking, strutting, cracking
jokes, and otherwise indulging in the ct
ceteras of the day. Boyden was at the
bar examining the books and doubtless
making calculations respecting his future
prospects. Jefferson having delivered his
horse into the hand of the hostler, walked
into the tavern to make arrangements in re-
gard to his fare. Some one touched Boy
den upon the elbow and directed his at
tention to the stranger, whip in hand strik-
ing occasionally upon his muddy leggings.
Boyden turned around and surveyed him
from head to foot, and concluding him to
be some old farmer whose company would
add no credit to bis house, he said abrubt-
ly: ave have no room for you, sir"
Jefferson did not hear the remark, and ask
ed if he could be accommodated with room.
His 7oice, which was commanding and at
tractive, oecasioned another survey of his
person, by the honest proprietor of the
house, whose only care was for his reputa-
ton. He could not find, however, in his
plain dress, pretty well covered with mud,
anything indicating either wealth or dis
tinction, and in his usual rough style said !;
"a room,"
Jefferson replied, ayes, sir, l should like
to have room to myself, if l can get it."
ga room all TO yourself. No, Move
have no room, there's not spare room in
the house-they are every one full-all oc-
cupied-can't accommodate you"
The Vice President turned upon his heels,
called for his horse, which was by this time
snug in the stable, mounted and rode off.
In a few minutes one of the most wealthy
and distinguished men in the town came in
and asked for gentleman who rode up to
the door few minutes before.
"Gentleman p said Boyden, there has
been no gentleman here on horseback this
afternoon, and no stranger al all, but one
common looking country fellow who came
in and asked if he could have a whole
room, but I put him out of that notion
mighty quick l tell you, l told him l had
no room for such chaps as him."
"No room for such chap as hims"
"No, by the pipers, no room for any body
that don't look respectable"
"Why' what are you talking about, man |?
He is the Vice President of the United
States" -lf
"Vice President of the United States ]"
exclaimed Boyden, almost breathless in as
tonishment.
"Why, yes sir. Thomas Jefferson, the
Vice President of the United States and
the greatest man alive"
"Murder, what have / done? Here, Tom,
jim, Jerry, Jake-where are you all2-
Here fly, you villains-fy and tell that
gentleman we've forty rooms at his service.
By George! Vice President, Thomas JEFF
ferson! Tell him to come back and he
shall have my wife's parlor-my own room
-Juberter! What have done! Here,
Harriet, Mary, julie, clear out of the fami-
ly! he shall have the best room, and all
the rooms if he wants them. OFF with
you huzzies. put clean sheets on the beds
Bill take up this mirror. George hurry up
with the boot jacks; by George, what a
mistake!"
For fifteen minutes Boyden raved like a
madman, and went fifty times to the door
to see ifhis wished-for guest was returning.
The Vice President rode up Market street,
where he was recognised by many of his
acquaintance, and by them directed to the
Globe tavarn, which stood somewhere
near the corner of Market and John streets.
Here Boyden's servants came up and told
him their master had provided rooms for
him. "a.
'.Tell him I have engaged rooms," repli-
ed Jefferson.
"Poor Boyden's modification can be bet
ter imagined than described. The chaps
who were lettering about the bar and the
large hall, and had laughed heartily at the
disappointment of the muddy farmer, had re-
covered from their astohishment, and were
preparing to laugh at their downcast land
lord.
After some time he prevailed on some
friend TO wait on Mr.. Jefferson with an
apology and request that he should return
and take lodging at his house, promising
the best room in his house, and all the at
tention that could be given him.
Mr.. Jefferson returned the following an
swer: E.
"Tell Mr.. Boyden," said he, 81 appreci-
ate his kind attention, but if he had no
room for the muddy farmer, he shall have
none for the Vice President"
WHEN WILL THE PRODUCE CoMF For
WARD ?-Thou1htful men arc askinc this