The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-12-15
OTTUMWA, IOWA, THURSDAY DECEMBER l5 1859.

ing look; and then he examined his roost
and said something to the turkeys around
him which could not. understand; but they
all clucked and adjusted themselves, conclu
ding, I thought, with, "He's stranger ir
these parts, and don't much like his looks. >
And they would have liked him much less
had they known the state of my appetite.
While all this passing, an old lady came
to the door to see what was the cause of SC
much commotion, looked out for an instant
and then disappeared-next came flock
of children Of all sizes, barefooted, with short
cotton shirts, who scarcely saw me before
away they scampered, tumbling over each
other into one of the side doors; and, final.
ly, there came, with stately stride, the
landlord of the house, He was without a
coat, rough in appearance, large and portly
in his form, with good-humored, jolly.
looking face; and, while he approached, a
pair ofeyes might be seen peeping out at ev.
cry crevice of the house.
"Come, friend, won't you 'light9"
"Thank you, sir, wish to spend the
night with you"
"Git down-git down-I'll take your
horse, and fix you as snug as bear in hol-
low"
Having dismounted, he stripped my horse
and gave me saddlebags and saddle. "Now,
take 'em in and put 'em under the bed, and
make yourself at home. Children, clear the
way, and let this gentleman come"
did as was directed, but observed that
the gobler rose up and turned his head to-
wards the door entered, in order that he
might keep sharp look out. 1t was nobly
done; he seemed resolved never to turn his
back to an enemy.
Having examined the apartment, drew a
chair before Urge blazing fire, and content
ed with appearances, set silent spectator of
the group before me-the house contained
hut two rooms, and a garret, or loft, as it is
there called, running the whole extent of the
building. and yet / had seen children enough
about the establishment to have filed up at
least four good rooms, and still every mo-
ment saw a new face-there were many
girls among the group, all pretty, yet bare
footed; and when they would catch me
looking at their feet they would stoop so as
to make their dress entirely conceal them
modeSty must be innate, thought l.
The return of the landlord thinned the lit
tie group around me-he sent off all the
''small fry" into the next room, and drew
some whisky which he made me drink then
seating himself, began to inquire after his kin
in the old country, all of whom he fancied
must know, merely because came from the
same State; discussing this and sundry 9TH
topics, we whiled away some time leaned
from him that he. with his wife, had that
morning returned from visit to Alabama,
and that some of the neighbors would 'drap'
in presently to hear the news; | could hear
the crowd gathering in the adjoining room,
and was soon after called to supper
The supper, though plentiful and inviting,
had been prepared in the room where the
largest part of the company was assembled,
and there every face was joyous and happy,
save that of the good dame whose duty it
had been to prepare the evening meal; she
looked rather grabbed, and slung about the
pots and pans, seemingly entirely careless
for the shins of her neighhors. But she re-
ceived my thanks, for, among other things,
there was large quantity of sweet potatoes,
sliced and fried, which had ordered for my
own use. We crowded around the table,
cracked jokes, and began to eat. There was
stranger at my elbow, who dipped into my
sweet potatoes SO often that began to take
quite dislike to him; for it was dish of
which | was very fond, which had ordered
and consequently considered my own prop
erty. Besides this, was as keen set as a
hawk.
stranger" said I, "you are found of po-
tatoes''- y
''No, can't say as how am, but the
way that Aunt Pat there cooks 'em, is a eau
ton, an think these are quite sub7unk.-
Jist stick me up a few, will you ?"
"You mean to say they will soon be de-
funct, I supposeg"
mo, sir; su6lunk is the idea. Ifyou don't
know what sufflunk is, would advise you
to abschise, for it is impossible for you to
semprome here"
Having supped, we arose in order to make
room for another table, and adjourned to
the room which had been allotted to me !:
thither was followed by my potatoe oppo-
nent, who accosted me, "Come, stranger, you
mustn't mind what say; we are all free
and easy here; wouldn't hurt a hair of
your head to save my,lifa; the old man iist
cum home to-day, and we drapped in merely
to have little spree--come 'spose you jine
us?"
l thanked him, but was so fatigued from
my ride that wished to retire early.
Considering moment-'Did you notice
them galss'' said he.
"Yes."
swell, I've notion of Jenny; she's real
ticker. and when she dances she slings a
nasty foot, I tell you"