The Portland daily press., 1865-03-18
Pha Ray to the next House.
BY DAVID BARKER

Some years since an acquaintance of ours
sat out on horseback from the eastern part OF
Massachusetts, for the Green Mountains in
Vermont. While travelling through the town
of New Salem, his road led into piece OF
woods, some few miles in length. and long be-
fore he got out OF this he began to entertain
doubts whether he should be blest with
the sight of a human hahitation; but as all
things have an end, SO at last the woods; the
neat brown house OF a farmer greeted his Wis
lon. Near the road was a tall, over-grown,
lantern-jawed boy, probably seventeen years
OF age, digging potatoes. He was curious
figure to behold. What was lacking in the
length Of his tow breeches was amply made
up Tor behind; his suspenders appeared to be
composed OF birch bark, grape vine and sheep
skin; and as for his hat, which was of dingy
felt--poor thing, it had once evidently seen
better days-but now, alas, it was the shadow
of its glory. Whether the tempest Of time
had beat the top in, or whether the lads ex-
banding genius had burst it out, it was mis-
sing, and through the aperture red hair In
RbundanceestOod six ways for Sunday In
short he was one of the toughest specimens
of domestic manufacture that ever mortal be-
held. Our travelling friend feeling an itching
to scrape acquaintance with the critter, drew
up the reins of his horse, and began
Halo, my friend, can you inform me no "
far it is to the next house?
Jonathan started up, leaned on his hoe han
die, rested the foot OF the gambrel on his sim
ister leg, and replied liignr ~
Halo yourselfl how'd dew? VAIL les
cam faint so fur as it used 10 be Store they
cut the woods away--then twas then gener-
ally reckoned four miles, but now the sun
shriVeis up the road, and don't make it NOR y
teW. The fust house you come tew though is
barn, and the next is a hay stack; but old
Hoskln's house is beyont. You'll be sure tew
meet his gals long afore you get there--tar-
nal rompino critters; they plague our folks
morn little. His sheep get into our pasture
every day, and his gals into our orchard
Dad sets his dog arter the sheep, and me ar
ter the gals, and the way we makes the wool
and petticoats fly is sin to snakes
9cIsee yo1 are inclined to be facetious, young
man, pray tell me how it happens that one o.
your legs is shorter than the other p =
! never lows anybody to NEEDLE with my
grass tanglers, mister, but seein' it's you, III
/. tell you. was born so by ticker request
SO that when held the plough, can 90 with
one fcot in the furrer and t'other on dry land
and not lop over; besides it's very convenient
when l NOW round side hill.'
Very good, indeed; how do your potatoes
come on this year?'
They don't come on at all; digs 'em OUT
But they. are small, Ipereeiye,'SSA 7-'
Yes. / know it-you see we planted some
Woppin' blue noses over on that ERE patch
there, and they fourished SO allfredly that
these ere stopped CROWN just out Of spite
cause they knowed they couldn't begin to
keep up .saH - nu4sAfdfh 81
sYou appear to be very smart, and I should
think you could afford a better hat than the
one you wear
The looks Amt nothin'; it's all in the BE-
havior. Pve got better one at home, but
don't dig taters in it no how.
you have been in these parts. some time.
should guess s1s43asns1 s. ..ssEs -0sa
=, i guess so tew. / was born and got my
brotin up in that ere house, but my native
place is Podunk.' 81
'The-you said It was about three and a hall
miles to the next house%
Yes sir, it was a spell ago; and don't be-
ieve it's grown much shorter since.'
Much obliged. Good bye.'
Good bye tew ye-that's darned slick
horse of your'n.'