Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-06-04

est s0n, he see how the ticker was eoin'. and
he didn't have nary red to fine 10 the retail
business; 90 one night he crawl under the
house, and taps the baF'l atwixt the cracks In
the puDcheon.6oOr and r'elly believe he's
got more than me or the ole woman ithsr; the
good. for -nothin' vagabon, to come the 'gaiff
over his natural born parents; its enuf to
make man sour sgin ell creation-that boy'll
be the ruination OF us yet He takes to trick
cry jist IS material a. . hungry 'pOSsum takes
to hcn.rO0st. Now, stranger, what on yeaTth
en- to do9 He beats me and the ole woman
entirely"
Traveler-"I II would be difficult for me to
advise In regard to your con, as have no fam.
tly OF my own. You say it's ten miles to the
next house; the big creek is up; the bridge
carried away; no possibility Of fording Il, and
seven miles through . swamp to the only
bridge In the vicinity This Is rather gloomy
prospect particularly as the sun il just about
down still, my curiosity is excited, and a.
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 Pr" -
Ark. Artist" For one Of the best reasons
on yearth, old hoss-I cant do Il. haint'
larnt the tern Of that tchune, and drat me II |
believe ever shall.
Traveler--"Give me your instrument, and
I'll see IL ] cant play the turn for you"
Ark. Artist" Look o'bere, my friend, do
you play the turn of that tchunef"
Travclcr-"I believe can."
Ark. Artist" Lite, lite, old hoss !--1oG'tl
find place for you in the cabin, sure. Ole
womanl (a halo I within the shanty was the
first indication the traveller had Of any other
human being on the prtmises) the stranger
plays the turn Of the 'Rackensack Traveller.
Ny friend, hitch your hoss to the 'siwmOn
tree, or any where else you please. Bill 'be
here soon, and he'll take kesr Of him. Ole
woman, you call Sal and Nance up from the
spring; tell Nance to 90 into the spring g-house,
and cut off large piece Ov bear-steak, to brile
for the strangers supper; tell Sal to knock
over chicken or two, and get out some -four,
and have some -four doin's and chicken ilxin'a
for the stranger. (Bill just heaves in sight.
twenty -four hours earlier than he was expect
ed half.hour before.)
"Bill, 0, Bill there's stranger here, and
he plays the turn Of the RackenSack Travel.
ler;' 60 to the corn-crib and get a big punkin,
and bring It to the house, 50 the stranger can
have suthin to sit on and skin 'tater long
with me and the old woman, while the gals il
gettin, supper; and, Bill, take the boss and
give him plenty Of corn-no nubbins, Bill, -
then rub him down well; and then, when you
come to the house, bring up dried hide and
bar-skin, for the stranger to sleep on; and
tAsn, Bill, reckon he'll play the turn Of the
Rackensack Traveller, for u.s."
The punkin was brought the Eaters were
skinned and eaten; the turn of The Racken
sack Traveller was repeatedly played, to abun
dant edification; and the gals finally announ
ced that supper was ready and although in
stead Of 'stOFe-tea,' they only had saxifsx tea
dOin's without milk, yet the repast was on,
to be long and gratefully remembered. Th'
traveller remained ell night. and was pilOte(
safely over the big creek carly the mex
morning. OF truth Emusic has charms Il
sooth the savage breast "-KnicksrbOcke1
Magazine.