Smyrna times., 1865-11-15
MISCELLAN n ECU S.
From Harper's Wcekly.l
Anecdete of President Johnson.

II say, / say, General jackson, for fear you
should think have some axe to grind because
Isy SO hard to keep you at my poor house all
night, | will agree to entertain you free of ex-
pense!" expostulated the landlord of the only
inn in the village of Jefferson, Ashe County,
North Carolina, to General jackson, late one
evening in the autumn Of lS--, as he entered
his carriage to pursue his journey toward Ten
nessee. 'The Blue Ridge Sir, is infested with
banditti, and you will certainly be robbed, and
possibly murdered, before morning. | beSeech
you, stay ~
you are very kind, Sir, and I thank you, "
replied the General, ''but shall proceed, and
try and reach the Tennessee line at all events.
J. have no fears Of being molested. Drive on,
Ned, briSkly. Adieu, gentlemen all ~ and the
old hero drove off at a rapid pace
'Hilloa there, youngster!p cried the landlord
TO 4 slim, wiry, faxen-headed STRIPPING stand
ing in the motley crowd in front of the tavern,
tafyou are going TO- Tennessee, you had better
jump up behind and go along with the Gener-
nj it's as cheap riding as walking.
Sure enough; | reckon I'd better, and
thank you, replied the young man, jumping
up behind the coach as it drove off.
They rode on quietly for some hours until
they began to ascend the mountain, when the
General, hearing slight cough behind, called
out, sternly: - re... st...-7 r-ft
"Who' that?'' 's.2 2 - =
"It's me, Sir-Andrew johnson. am
traveller, on my way to Tennessee, and though
might get lift on your carriage, Sir. | bes
your pardon, Sir. -
Come forward and take seatiwith me. ~
THANK you, Sir; but as the mountain il
rather steep here, LII jump off and walk up.
!, He walked forward up the mountain side IL
advance of the carriage, but had not gone ia
before he saw man ahead of him ascending
the mountain. lie appeared TO be intoxicated
lie lurched this way and the other way, stag
gcring backward and forward; now his knee
would double up, and he would miss step, a
if the earth had suddenly vanished before him
then he would cross his legs, and lurch woul'
send him diagoaally across the road. FL
stopped and braced himself up SO as nearly Il
fall backward, and then drifted helplessly along
Presently he turned an angle in the road, an'
was cut of sight.
"That man is beastly drunkr' remarked
the General
Drunk NOT much, Sir" laughed th,
young man; she's no more drunk than am
Hes playing 'possum, and means mischief
Look there he's lying in the road.
AS they drove up he raised himself laziy an(
hailed them. Hicl all II say, gentlemen
walk; I'm loaded too heavily with dc
mean whisky"
hen stay where you are and getrid ofit!'
vephed the General, sternly.
The devil exclaimed the man, springine
TO, his feet with the agility of cat. He gave
. keen whistle and planted himself in front oi
the coach. Three men sprang out of the bush
es and made rush at the carriage.
Quick as thought the General spranp unor
one of them, and they rolled over in the road
together. A duh, crushing sound was mex,
heard over the conflict, and second one rolled
over in the dust, propelled by the loaded whir
in the powerful hands of the driver. Tn,
young man, by timely shot, fired and brough
down third, and then sprang to the assist
ance Of the General, who still fought manfull.
with bis Herculean antagonist, while the drive
engaged the remaining robbeL
STAND back stand backl'' cried the Gen
eral to the young man, = we are man TO man
w give the villain fair play. by the Eternal
have you now and he threw his antagonis
over, apparently lifsess
Are you hurt, my boy?'' asked the Gener
81. And you, too, Ned ?-where's Ned n
Here, msssa r replied the boy, putting ul
re soad- :. Ny rqbber couard-rhe run-he
nei ne 4 golly; save one, nassa save one
an ae young gentleman save one-heI be