Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-03-31


man are the best customers get but we 'spect
these diggins will improve, and in course, bus-
ness will improve too. Hows'ever, we do suthn
nOtO even. Me and the ole woman TUX the
cart t'Other day, and went to town we bort
bar'l of whiskey and after we come come
and gin to count the balance on hand, we
found that thar want but jst one solitary pic
ayune left, and as the ole woman alIus carries
the pus, in course she had it, Well we sot
the bar'l agin the side of the room, and short
ly arter, the ole woman seq "Supposn you
tap your end of the bar'l," and did and she
bot drink and paid me the picayune. Pretty
soon, began to get dry, and says | Ole
woman sposiR you tap yomr end of the bar'l ?"
and she did and then she sells me drink
and the way that picayune has travelled back
ards and forards over the bung of that barl
is caution to them as loves red eye" But
stranger, losses is apt to come with every bu-
Siness and me and the ole woman has lost
some in the grocery line and III tell how
twas That boy Bill, is our oldest son, he see
how the Ticker was goin, and he didn't have
nary red to jine in the retail bisiness so one
night he craws under the house. and taps the
bar'l atwixt the cracks in the puncheon floor
and | rally believe he got more than me or
the ole woman either the goodfor- nothing
vagabond, come to "graff over his material
born parents it's enuff to make man sour
agin all creation that boy'll be the ruin of us
yet. He takes to trickery jist as material as a
hungry 'possum takes to the hen-roost. Now
stranger, what on yearth am | to do He
beats me and the ole woman entirely.
Trarelcr-It would be difficult for me to
advise in regard to your son, as have no fam
lily of my own. You say it is ten miles to the
next house the big creek is up the bridge
is carried away; no possibility of fording it,
and seven miles through a swamp to the only
bridge in the vicinity This is rather gloo-
my prospect, particularly as the sun is just
about down still, my curiosity is excited, and
as you have been playing only one part of the
" Arkansas Traveller" ever since my arrival, |
would like to know before | leave, why you
don't play the tune through
ArkansaaO-For one of the best reasons on
yearth, old hoSs-I can't do it, | hant larnt
the turn of that tchuue, and drat me if l be-
leve ever shall.
TrareLler-Give me the instrument, and I'll
see if l can't play the turn for you.
ArkansatU-LoOk here, my friend, do you
play the turn of that tchune.
IrGretter-l believe can.
ArkansaU-Lite, lite, ole boss !-lccW find
place for you in the cabin. Ole woman ole
woman "a halo |" within the shanty was
the first indication the traveller had of any 9TH
er human being on the premises, the stranger
plays the turn of the "Rackensack Traveller"
My friend, hitch your hoss to the 'Simmon tree,
or any where else you please. Ole woman call
Sal and Nance up from the spring house, aud
cut off a good large piece of bar-Steak, to brile
for the strangers supper tell Sal to knock
over q chicken or two, and get out some flour,
and have some -four doin's and some chicken
fixin's for the stranger (Bill just heaves in
sight, twenty-four hours earlier than he was
expected half hour before.) Bill, o Bill,
there's stranger here and he plays the turn
of the Rackensack Traveller :" go to the
corn crib aud get big punkin, and bring it to
the house, so the stranger can have suthin to
sit on, and skin a 'tater long with me and the
ole woman, while the gals is gettin' supper
and Bill, take the hoss and give him plenty of
corn no nubbns, Bill then rub him down
we'll and then, when you come to the house,
bring up dried hide and bar-skin, for the
stranger to sleep on and then, L reckon he'll
play the turn of the Rackensack Traveller "
for us.
The "punkin was brought the "'taters"
were " skinned" and eaten the turn of the
" Rackeusack Traveller" was repeatedly play
ed, to abundant edifcation and the gals
finally announced that supper was ready !"
and although instead of "store tea" they only
had saxifax-tea-doin's," without milk, yet
the repast was one to be long and gratefully
remembered. The traveller remained all night.
and was safely piloted over the big creek"
early the next morning. Of truth, " music
has charms to sooth the savage breast"