The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-03-17

and an enormous display of wristband They
all four hustled about, running over each
other in their eagerness to serve me, while
the host, rubbing hi. hands, and smiling
apologetically, remarked.
Sorry we have nothing better to give
to you, Sir ; but your comming so private
ly, last night, took us rather by surprise.
Hope you'll be able to make breakfast
| Sir
| ate breakfast in amaze, cogitating
whether these extraordinary attentions
| could be the result of the widespread
fame Of the house of Naryred and Compa-
ny, or whether had really achieved a
distinguished reputation without being
aware of it. At any rate, the breakfast
was substantial, and no illusion. | in.
wardly resolved I would always patronize
his tavern, whenever | came to Smith.
burgh.
Presently 1 observed indications that l
was not only an object of attention, but of
curiosity. Faces, as of persons standing
on chairs, appeared behind the three panes
OF glass over the door, staring intently at
every mouthful i took. When I looked
the faces suddenly ducked out of sight.
When looked away they reappeared, or
were succeeded by others, staring in turn.
The window opening on the street was
darkened all at once, and turning round to
see the reason I surprised a crowd of
urchans' piled in tiers, fattening their
noses against it with intense staring. all of
whom vanished as l looked around The
landlord, by incautiously opening the door
which led to the kitchen caused a sudden
rustling and scampering, and suppressed
scream, which led to the irresistible con-
clusion that bevy had been taking turns
staring through the key-hole.
Breakfast was hardly over, before there
came rap at the door, followed by the
announcement that some gentlemen were
waiting to pay their respects to me, By
this time l was past being astonished at
any thing, SO unhesitatingly desired them
to be shown in. The door was flung open
and in hustled pompous-looking elderly
man, in black broadcloth with huge gold
watch-seal dangling from his fob, gold.
headed cane in his hand and pair Of
gold spectacles astride his nose. His face
was very red, but q stern determination
was written on every feature of it. A
lank, solemn visaged individual, and an,
other, short, stout, and smiling followed.
Behind them came, should think, nearly
the entire population of the village, of all
ages, sorts and sizes, sqeezing in SO as to
completely fill the room, only leaving
respectful circle, about three feet in diam.
eter, in front of me ; and every one of
them staring at me ms hard as he knew how.
Advancing to the verge of this opening
the pompous man, with one arm extended
at right angles to his body, and the other
thrust beneath his coat.tails addressed me
after this fashion,
MIR. President and respected Sir: This
is proud day for Smithburgh Unex-
pscted as was your coming, it is welcome
welcome to our homes, our h'arths, and
our bosoms. Long have we watched your
gigantic career, whether shielding your
life blood in your country's cause upon the
fervid plains of Mexico, or in boldly gui-
ding the helm Of the Ship of State, amid
tempests that threatened momentarily to
wreck her on the shoals of the fathomless
abyss But We knew the eye Of the
American Eagle was fixed upon you and
the result would justify our predictions.
We knew that the-a-a-shafts of vile
calumny were aimed at your devoted head;
we knew also they ranked against an i'm
penetrable shield, which would quench
them forever into-to the ground. Sir,
you are welcome. In the name and on
the behalf Of my felow-citizens, tender
to you the hospitalities of Smithburgh,
and the freedom of the city, trusting, you
will excuse the box, with which, for lack
of timely warning, we are unprovidsd.'
I stammered out some bewildering &C.
knowledgements in reply to this harrangue
apparently to the disappointment of the
assemblage, who evidentally expected from
me speech, in similar style, in return.
But as their orator had remarked about
the box, for lack Of previous warning,
was unprovided with any speech to make
Recovering himself moment after, the
spokesman blandly introduced himself al
General Smith, and then proceeded to in
troduce his townsmen.
This, Sir, is Deacon Jones, one of oul
first men, and a fellow member Of the Com
,o;ttaa af Racantinn of which I hava IN,