Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-03-31
Mist&ll
From the Knckerbocker Msgazine.l
A SCENE OF ARKANSAS LIFE.


In the early settlement of Arkansas, q ira
per, after riding some eight or ten miles
rthOut meeting human being, or seeing a
nnan habitation, came at length, by sud-
tn turn of the road, to miserable "Shanty,"
ie centre of small clearing, in what had
been Black jack thicket," whence the Only
sound that proceeds is the discOrdant music of
ibrOken-wind fiddle, from the troubled bowels
which the occupant is labOriously eXtorting
.he mOnOtonouS tame known as "The Arkan-
as. or Rackensack Traveller" Our traveller
ideS up to within few feet of the door, which
Ess once the bed-frame of cart-body, now CO.
yered with bear skins, and hung upon two big
wooden hinges. After much shouting, the in
nate appears, fiddle in hand, and evidently
"Erathy' at being interrupted in the exercises
Of bis art. The following coloquy ensues, the
ldefatigabe fiddler still playing the first
strain of " The Arkansas Traveller" which in
fact be continues, at sudden intervals, until
ie dialogue, as will be seen, is brought to an
Unexpected conclusion If this be not seek
log lodgings under difficulties" we should like
to know what might be be legitimately SO con-
ldered -
Trdullsr-Friend, can | obtain accommo-
dation for the night with you?
ArkauSaw-No, sir, mary accommodation.
Tarcllsr-My dear sir, | have already ira
relied thirty miles to-day, and neither myself
Nr my horse has had mouthful to eat iChy
amt you accommodate me for tonight?
Arkdnsaw-Just case it can't be did. We're
plum out of everything to eat in the house /:
Bills gone to mill with the last nubbn of corn
90 these premises, and it'll be nigh onto the
shank of tomorrow evenin' afore he Gums
lone, unless suthin uncommon happens.
Trarelicr-You surely have something that
can feed to my horse even q few potatoes
would be better than no food.
ArkanSaw--Stranger, our eatin'-rootS gin
out about week ago so your chance is slim
thar.
Trarellcr-But my friend, must remain
with you, any way. can't 60 any farther,
whether | obtain anything to eat or not. You
will certainly allow me the shelter of your
roof?
ArEansatr-It can't be did, old hoss. You
see we've got only one dried hide on the pre-
niseS, and me and the ole woman allus occu-
pies that so tchar's your chance p?
Trarollr-Allow me to hitch my horse to
that perSimmon tree, and with my saddle and
blanket III make bed in the fence corner.
Arkansa,1-Hi:ch your boss to that sim
mon tree ? in horn, !? Why, you must be
anatral fool, stranger | Don't you see that's
ne and the ole woman's only chance for sim
mon beer, in the fall of the year? If your
boss is so tarnal hungry as you say he is, he'd
gfdle it as high up as he could reach, afore
morning. Hitch your hoSs to that tree ?
sPect not ; no, no, stranger, you can't come
nary Sch dodge as that!
Our traveller, seeing that he had an origin
al 10 deal with, and being himself an amateur
performer upon the instrument to which the
settler was so ardently attached, thought he
WOULD change his tactics, and draw his deter
mined not-to-be host out little, before in
forming him Of the fact that he too could play
Ihe Arkansas Traveller" which once being
AuoWn' he rightly conjectured, would be pass
port to his better graces
!, lrarelIer-Well, friend, l can't stay, how
lar is 1t to the next house q?
!, ArakansaU-Ten miles and you'll think
tIey are mighty long ones, too, afore you get
tbo %aI l.; l came nigh onto forgettin to tell you,
lug bo ols creek is up; the bridge is carried off
La~o nary yearthly chance to ford it, yer'll
o nora u 20 aoout seven miles up stream, to ole
a'S tho Sy hoays puncheon bridge, through one of
ractaa -. uafndeSt nut oamboO-swamps ever you see !
Sor nOu 'ne bridge is standin' yet-'twas yester-
SIay mornin' though one end had Started
Ter. '0o' VI SUI d Ha1'
al 55r,csr.etler-Friend, "a you seem communicative
ru Tuu Il ltS no offence, I'd like to know what
you 90 for living here ?
We 4irSa4'a''-No irss offence on yearth, stranger
"eIust keep grocery.
n 1nareiIer-A ~ grocery Where in the name
Cous all that is mercantile do your customer.
iGule 5s4 rom your nearest neigh6or is ten mile