The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-05-30
TAKING THE CENSUS.

concerning the resources and industry OF
the country, by the assistant marshals
who were employed to take the last census,
was very difficult work. The popular
impression, that q tremendous tax would
soou follow the minute Investigation Of
the private affairs of the people, caused
the census"taker to be viewed in no bet.
ter light than that Of o tax. .gatherer; and
the consequence was, that the informa>
ton sought by him was either withheld
entirely, or given with great reluctance.
The returns, therefore, made by the mar.
shals, exhibit very imperfect view of the
wealth and industrial progress Of the
country. In some portions of the country
the excitement against the unfortunate ON.
cers-who were known as tho "chicken
mea"--maee it almost dangerous for them
to proceed with the business of taking the
census; and bitter were tho taunts, threats,
and abuse which they received on all
hands, but most particularly from the old
women Of tho country. Tho dear old
souls could not bear to be catechised
about the produce Of their looms, poultry
yards, uud dairies; ard when they did
"como down"upor the unfortunate inquis.
itor, it was with force and volatility
that were sure to leave an impression.
We speak from experience, and feelingly,
on this subject; for it so happened, that
the Marshal of the Southern District Of
Alabama, proposing especial confidence"
in our ability, invested us one day with
all the powers of assistant Marshal; and
, armipg us with the proper quantity Of
f blanks, sent us forth to count the noses Of
. oil the men, women, children. and chickens
a resident upon those nine hundred square
t miles of rough country which constitute
t tho county of Tallapoosa, lsila .ai
r Glorious sport thought We; but II
: didn't turn out so. True, VIC escaped
: without any drubbings, although we came
r unpleasantly near catching dozen, and
d only escaped by o very peculiar knack We
e have of "sliding OUT" but then We were
/. quizzed, laughed at, abused, and nearly
]. drowned.
i Children shouted "Yonder goes th,
chicken mani" Men said, ayes, d.
him, he'll be after the tares soon;n-ant
y the old women threatened, If he came t.
inquire about their chickens, "to set thu
y dogs on him." while the young womel
|, observed "they didn't know what q mai
:, wanted to be so pertic'lar about gals age
n for, without he was gxine a-courtin'.'
e We have some "reminiscences of our oficia
e peregrinations that will do to laugh a
8 now, although the occurrences with whicl
IS they are connected were, at the time, an,
le thing but mirth inspiring to us.
i We rode up one day to the residence Q
Is a widow rather past the prime of life
IS just that period at which nature supple
10 most abundantly the oil which lubricate
ID the hinges of the female tongue-an
hitching to the fence, walked into th
i house,
9. "Good morning, madam" said we, /
I'd our usual bland, and somewhat insinuatin
ey manner.
ofl "Mornin'," said the widow gruff1y.
IN Drawing our blanks from their cas-
n we proceeded-"I am the man, MADAM
I'D that takes the census, and"
u. "The mischief you arel" said the ol
re termagent. Eyes, I've hearn of yol
of Parson w. told me you vas coming, an
nd 1 told him jist what tell you, that if yc
in said ecloth," "soap," ar ''chickens."
or me, I'd set the dogs on ye. Here, Bul
IN. here, Pomp!" Two wolish ours RESPOND
ID, ed to the call for Bull and Pomp,
on coming to the door, smelling at our fe
y, with slight growl, aud then laid down {
or the steps. .'Now," continued the old 81
at savage, "them's the severest dogs in th
ng country. Last week Bill Stonecker's tv
/ year old steer jumped my yard fence, al
lis Bull and Pomp TUX him by the thros
IL and they killed him afore my boys cou
he break 'em loose, TO save the world"
in eyes, ma'am," said we, meekly; "Bl
es and Pomp seem to be very fine dogs"
of "You may well say that: what l te
IL, them to do they do-and if was 10 si
liz them on your old hoss yonder, they'd e
lie him up afore you could say Jack Robe
son. And its jist what I shall do, if y