Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-11-02
Dayy Crockett.

We do not recolect of having ever seen in
print the following characteristic anecdote Of
that renowned American backwoodsman''
las he is denominated in the New Cyclo.
pedia'') Davy Cruckett. 1t is literally true,
nevertheless The incident was witnessed by
the writer.
"Crockett was on an electioneering tour.
1t was about that time in the summer W hen
the farmers had 'laid by their crops. Due
notice had been given that Crockett was to
speak at Lawrenccburg, a small village ID
Lawrence County, Tennessee. At the time
appointed there was goodly number OF colil-
try people present. Our hero was on hand
early, and according to his custom, he, for an
hour or so before taking the stand, amused
the boys by telling yarns, etc. In the
crowd OF men who were thus enjoying Davy's
eccentricities there was goodnatured, though
rather verdant, country chap, about twenty.
one. He was clad in the plainest 'hCnespnn'
-cupperaS pants and coarse cotton shirt.
In striking contrast with this unpretending
costume he wore bran-new fur hut; and
the peculiar manner in which he bore himself
under this covering showed that he was not
only very proud oft, but that it was tie first
article Of the kind that he was ever master Of.
GCrockett, at the conclusion of q hearty
laugh over one of his stories, took occasion to
com plimcnt the new fur hat Of our friend
"And now, Jim," said Davy he had heard
the chap addressed by that familiar name,
I" what would you think if were TO say that
could take that hat, cut it into two pieces,
and then put it together so that it would be
as perfect as ever p
dOh you couldn't do any thing of the
kind" replied the countryman.
"I'll bet you quart Of whisky of it" says
Crockett.
"Done," says the proprietor of the fur hat.
"Hereupon Dayy took the hat, and with
his pocket.knife cut directly through the brim
and crown, dividing it in twain. Then taking
a half of the hat in each hand, he exposed
the divided chapeau to the spectators, in order
that there should be no mistake abont IT,
matter. "You see, gentlemen" said he,
that there is no cheating. You see that the
hat is cut clear open."
"Yes," they all responded.
"The crowd looked on with intense anxiety
to see how this thing was to end; most OF
them, however, knowing, from Crocketts
character, that he would come out victorious
and give them o good laugh. Our green
country friend, meanwhile, was already laugh
ing at the prospect of winning his wager.
aCrockett then commenced blowing his
breath upon those parts of the divided hat
which he proposed to reunite, and at the same
time uttering some mysterious words, and
attempting some peculiar nipulations, which,
he contended, were to accomplish the magical
work. All at once he ceased his efforts, and,
looking round upon the crowd, said, in very
serious tone, Gentlemen, upon my word l
have forgotten how. jim has won the whisky"
Every body instantly saw the point OF the
Joke, and the roar of laughter that followed
c. can be more easily imagined than described;
As for poor Jim, he stood perfectly amazed
at his own stupidity in not lorcseeing that a
quart of I" old rye" would be but poor com
pensalion for his new fur hat."--Harper's
Magazine.