The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1859-03-29
and if it's no offence, I'd like to know what
you do for living herei "A.

"Ark. Artist: No offense en- yearth,
stranger: we just keep grocery.
Traveller: "A grocery! Where in the
Of all that in mercantile do your customers
como from! Your nearest neighbor is ten
miles distant
"Ark. Artist The face is, me and tho
ole woman is the best customers get; but
we spoct these diggings will improve, and
in course business will too. Hows'ever, we
DO suthin nop even. Me aid the old wo.
man took the cart tother day, and went
TO town: We bort bar'l Of whiskey; aud
after we come home, aud gin 10 count the
balance on hand, We found thar want but
jist one solitary picayunc left and as she
allus carries the puS, in course she had it.
Well, cot tho bar'l agin ono side Of the
room, and shortly arter, the old woman
sez: Supposin' you tap your eend Of tho
bar'l, and | did; and she brought drink,
4, I'd paid mo the pickayune. Pretty soou,
n cgun to get dry, and says |: Ole wo-
man spozn' yon tap your ecnd of the
bar'l, and she did; and then she sells me
a drink. and tho way that pickayuno has
travelled backwards and for'ards ovcr the
bune of tha,t bari, is caution to them as
loves red-eye. But, Stranger, losses is apt
TO come with Very business and me and
the ole woman has lest some in the grocery
line: and I'll tell you how 1t was. That
boy Bill, he's our oldat son, nc see how
tho Ticker was goin', s,'t he dldn't have
nary red to jine The retail Suisness; so ono
night he crawls under The house, and taps
the barl atwixt the cracks in tho punchono-
floor; and rally believe he's got more
than me or tho ole woman ajther: The good
fol nothing vagabond, to come the giratt'
over his material born paret,ts it's cnutt to
make man sour agin all creation: that
boy'Il I've the ruination Of us yet Tctpkes
to trickery jist as material al n hungry pos
som takes 10 honroost. Now stranger,
what on yearh am to do! Ho beats luo
ard The old woman entnely.
"Trayeler: It would be difficult for me
to advise in regard 10 your son, rs have
no family of my own. You say it's ten
miles 10 the next house; 10 possibility OF
fording it, and seve,. miles through
swamp to the only bridge in the vicinity
This rather a gloomy aprospCct, psticutly
as sun is just down: still, my curiosity is
excited, and as you have been playing only
one part OF the Arkansas Traveller even
siucc my arrival, would like to know, be
fore leave, why You don't play the time
through.
ARK. Artist For one of the best rea
sons on yoarth. old hoss--I can't do it
| haint larnt the turn of that tchune, and
drat me if believe ever shall.
Traveller: 'Give me the instrument,
ana III see if | can't play tho tuns for
YOU
ARK. Give: o,hero my friend, 10 YOU
play the turn of that tchunoi
"Trayeler:'I believe | can.
ARK. Artist Lite, lite, old boss !. VcW
find place for YOU in tue cabin. Ole wo.
man! ole woman "a 'halo! within the
shanty was the indication tic traveller had
Of any other human being on the prem
misSeSO the stranger plays the turn Of the
Rackensack Traveller" Ny friend hitch
your hoss to the simmon tree, or any where
else you please. Bill II be here soon, and
hc'll take keer Of him Ole woman, YOU
call Sal and Nance up from The spring tell
Nance to 60 into tho spring house, and cut
off good large piece oy bar-steak, TO brlle
lor the strangers supper' Tell Sal to knock
over chicken or two, and get out some
flour, and have some flour doin's and chick.
en-. ixin's for the stranger. (BilI just hcaycs
in sight, twenty four belore.) Bill, o Bill!
there's stranger here, and he plays the
turn of the Rackensack Traveller go to
the cogp-erib and get big punkin, and
bring it TO tho house, so the stranger can
have suthin to sit on and skin atater long
with mo and the ole woman, Will the gals
is gitin' supper: and Bill, take tho hoSs,
and give him plenty Of corn: no nubbns,
Bill: then rub him down well: aud then.
when you como to the house, bring up
dried hide and a bar.skin, for the stranger
to sleep on: and then Bill lreckon hc'll
play the turn of the Rackensack Traveller
for us"
The 'punkin' was brought; tho" taters"
were "eaten; the 'the turn" Of ".rhc Rak.
ensack Traveller was repeatedly played,
to abundant edfication, and the "gals"
finally announced that 'supper was ready
and although instead of "store-tea," they
only had "saxifax tea boin's,' without milk
yet the repast was one to be long and
gratefully remembered. Thetraveller re-
inained all uight, and pilot,d safely over
the "big creek "early the next morning
OF a truth emusic has charms to soothe
the savage breast"