Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-01-07
From the Saturday Evening Gnsotte.l
SEEING THE 'P0TAMUS.


used brevity of terms, if not Of narrative. lie
was renowned for paraphrase, and fond of re-
citing his own experiences You could talk OF
nothing that did not remind him of something,
and after he was reminded he invariably afforded
an hour of fun. There was no fun in his nature,
but in story telling he was inimtably funny,
from the fact that he invariably forgot his story
in the recital.
Ny New-Yorll class-mate, Tom Post, had
been "abroad" almost since our Commence
ment day" and had Just returned by the "Eu-
ropa." He called to see me, and of course had |
many sights to describe and adventures to re-
late.
In London he saw that great geological Won !
der,-the Hippopotamus, the vertable, lively |
"lubly 'polamus" of Mr.. Punch (see old files for |
sentiment and illustraton) Tom "dwelt" up |
on this wonder, and when innocently asked if
we had never harbored that interesting beast in /
America actually laughed at my untravelled |
simplicity, and said no. At this moment there |
was heavy knocking at the door, and respon-
sive to my unceremonious "come ill.," in came
Uncle Nat "The very man," | exclaimed,
"for referee" and Tom and by agreement at
once propounded this interrogatory: WAS there
ever a live IIippopotamus in the United States
of American"
"Of COURSE" promptly replied Uncle Nat,
.'ond him, aud Iii toll ynn about him -
Uncle Nat then repeated the usual social for
mua, "Thank you, don't care if / do," did it.
lighted a cigar, drew up two chairs, one for him
self, and another for his feet, pushed back his
coat-sleeves from his wrists, and his thick hair
from his forehead, and proceeded as follows -
"Lct me see. it must have been in 1927
might have been as late as Bono, it was be-
fore '21-where did keep at the tme?-waal,
say about '27.-I was doing little business in
the way of OIL and heard that my friend Mr..
Timber. down at Salem, had prime lot. | had
dealt with him before. He is dead and gone
now He was older than Ia most admirable,
prompt man of business very few like him
leit,-a gentleman Of the old school, with fine
manners as well as fine capacity, popular with
everybody. Let me see, | wonder if his widow
is living, and"
"Did YOU see the animal at Saam ?" mildly
inquired Tom, in the pause.
"Oh, yes, I'm coming to it, replied Uncle
Nat, and proceeded. Let me see yes. | heard
about Lmber's oil, and thought I'd 90 down and
look at it. You see, there wasn't much oil
brought into Salcm--it was never what we used
to call an oil market. 1t had the great trade of
the East Indies, and splendid trade it was:-
by the way, did you. either of you, ever visit
the East India Society's Museum at Salem P"
We both replied in the affirmative, and Tom
added, "Did YOU see the beast there? ?"
Oh, no, replied Uncle Nat "lm coming to
it, and proo"edeh 81 made up my mind to go
down to Salem at any rate, and look at Lmber's
oil-no harm done if didn't buy, and besides.
whatever oil came into Salem was held little
extra At that time there was no railroad and
| went home by stpge-that is, | think | went
by stage-let me see, might have driven down
my own horse. believe | had horse then,
but | am not sure-yes AMI had horse"
"Was it rirey-horse ?" asked Tom, with an
apology. Uncle Nat very properly continued
his story, without rebuking such freedom of
inquiry, and became absolutely serious.
"Waal, | went down to Salem and arrived
there about ten O'Clock in the forenoon, think
yes, il must have been about ten, because
started about eight, and the turnpike was in good
order, and an easy road. As soon as arrived
went directly down to Lmber's counting room,
but he was not there. There was clerk at the
desk, and asked him if they had oil for sale,
and he said they had, but it was stored in large
barn at the other side of the town. told him
might be looking at it, and when he apologized
for not going with me, rs he was alone in the
office, told him l could find the place. and he
handed me the KEY, at the same time requesting
me TO close the door after me Immediately after
entering, as well as when i left, of course.
took the key and 81 arted, and after considerable
inquiry | finally found the barn. 1t stood in
,liv middle gf a field IKE z rnn"'nn; and ! re-
but whether the vessels were ships or not,
don't remember. | think some of them were
shps-and there was the town of Beverly across
the water-a great fishing town, but not so great
as Marblehead. where every man and boy fshed
"What fine fellows these Marblehead men werel"
added Uncle Nat, with glow. "How they
served the batteries of old lronsides in the last
war. They were heroes"
$50 they were, sir said Tom, "but was the
the Hippopotamus in the barn?'
"Oh, yes" replied Uncle Nat, undisturbed
"I'm coming to it. Wa-al, went down to the
way, forgot to say that the clerk handed me
hung driver, but he did. You know what bung
driver is, of course"
We both nodded.
Every WELL the one had was about the same
thing you see now in the store-perhaps trife >
longer in the handle and heavier in the head
! The handle was very springy and very slim,
made of walnut, | believe. You could strike a
good blow with it anywhere, though the thing
was of course, meant for bungs. unlocked the
/, barn door, and went in. 1t was large barn,
and rather dark, except at the farther end. |
shut the door, and stood still moment.
thought heard little noise, as of some crea-
ture moving about, but supposed it was calf,
and went carefully along to the other end of the
barn, where | could see that the oil casks were
/, placed | began at the further end where it was
lightest, and worked back where it was darker.
| hammered away at every cask-because this
matter of examining nil Is precise business
until got to the last cask. 1t was rather dark,
!. but pounded away around the bung, as well
as | could. l had struck about three or four
times, when | felt something soft rubbing up
and down my pantaloons. OF course thought
, of the calf, and sung out go way" Then
pounded again on the cask. l hadn't struck
, more than one blow, before the rubbing COM
menced again on my pantaloons. | turned
round to give the beast kick, when / got a
/ half-dark glimpse of some creatures head, but
IL tcasnt O cdlfs head! That pas an apfuL
head! remember | said in a very loud voice,
/ What the devil, and then gave that head a
most tremendous blow with the bung driver, and
then dropped the bung driver and ran for the
door. got out, locked the door, and strange
t ly enough, went straight, believe, back to the
counting room. Timber was there. How are
you, Natp said he, shaking hands; seen the
, dip "Yes said |, scared, 'and the devil, too.
Timber roared with laughter. When he calmed