Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1858-06-02
Taking the Starch Out.

pier which ran out into the Hudson
River. in one Of the small towns near
Albany, n. y, a few days ago, amusing
themselves with throwing stones into
the broad stream, each vieing with the
other IN the el1deayor to pitch the mis-
slle at the farthest distance from the
shore, when a tall, rugged built Yer
monter, direct from the Green Hills
suddenly made his appearance in their
midst, and for while remained a quiet
observer OF their movements.
lie was brawny, good-looking Yam
kee, and was very decentlv clad. The
efforts of the little party had been ex-
Aabited over and over again, when the
stranger quietly picked up half a brick
which lay near him, and giving it a
jerk, it fell into the water a long way
beyond the line which had as vet been
reached by the foremost of the crowd.
At the conclusion OF this feat loud
bravo went up from half dozen voices
around him.
It was clear day in October, and
the men, determined not to be outdone,
renewed their attempts; but the Yer
monter, without saying syllable to any
one, continued to pitch the pebbles far
INTO the stream, which seemed to annoy
one OF them, in green jacket, the APP
parent leader of the gang, who declar-
ed he wouldn't be beaten by a ''feller
right straight out o the woods, no how
ana siding up to the stranger, he de-
termlned to make his acquaintance.
"Where do you come from, neigh
Aor::' inquired the other.
Me? Wal, | halls from Vermont.
Just now, friend y
You haven't been in these parts
long, | reckon ?"
oval, no. Not elzacl,ly yerc-but
MP and down, sorter."
''Yes-so I'spose."
"1aas," continued the green 'un.
carelcssly !; selling a big billet of wood,
he whirled it over his head, and land
cd it several rods from the shore into
the water.
y ou've a little strength in your arms,
neighbor ?"
'',Sonee ptmkins in them fibbers,
stranger. Up in aour town, more'n a
month ago, driv them are knuckles
rite strut thu a board, MORN ninsh
half thick -
''Itaw, haw" shouted his hearers.
the nesl1 IN the green Jacket laughing 9
the Ioudcst.
MAY be you don't b'lieye it,
Not much, answered the crowd
1--WE amt very green down here in
lork-we amt" said he in the green
jacket, ''you see.''
oval, jes you look we're, friend, "
continued the Vermonter in the most
plausible manner, sup in aour country
we've purity big river, considering.
lnyun River, it's called, and may be
you've heerd on it. Wal, l hove a
man clean across that river t'other dav,
and he cum down fair and square on
the other side"
ella, ha, hane yelled his auditors.
oval, naow, YOU may laf,, but can
do it agin."
"Do what" said the green jacket,
quietly.
Il can take and heave YOU across that
river yonder, just like the open and
shet."
''Bst YOU ten dollars of it."
'sDone," said the Yankee and draw
ing forth an \ (upon a broken Down
East bank), he covered the bragger's
shln-plaster
S'kin you swim, Teller ~
Like a duck" said green jacket
and without further parley the Yer
monter seized the knowing Yorker
stoutly by the nape of the neck and
the seat Of the pants, .ierked him from
his toothold, and with an almost super
human effort dashed the bully heels over
head from the dock, some ten wards
into the Hudson.
A terrible shout ran through the
crowd as he foundered into the water,
and amid the .ieers and screams of his
companions, the ducked bully put back
TO the shore and scrambling up the
bank, half frozen by this sudden and
Involuntary bath.
<'sif take that ten spot, if voupieasc."
said the shivering loafer, advancing
rapidly t. the shareholders. sSYou
took us for greenhorns, Ell? Wen
show YOU how to do things down here
In ! ork," and the fellow claimed the
twenty dollars
"Wa!, | reck'n veou wunt take no
ten spot .iis yit, ca p'n."
"Why? You've lost the bet"
Not edzactly. l didn't kalkilate on
aeuin 1t the first time, but | tell YOU
Kin deu it, and in spite of the loafer's
utmost efforts to escape him, he seized
him bv the scruif and the seat of his
oyeralls and pitched him three yards
farther into the river than upon the first
trial,
Again the bully returned, amid the
shouts of his mates, who enjoyed the
sport immensely.
Third time never fails" said the
Yankee. stripping off his coat, Il kin
due it, tell ye.'
"H'old on!' said she almost petrifed
victim.
and I will deu it, if l try till to
morrow mornin'.'
Il give it up!'' shouted the sufferer