The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1865-12-13
Anccdotc of President johnson.
From Ilarpcr's Weekly.

Anccdotc Of President johnson.
From lIarpcr's Weekly.
al say, I say, General Jackson, for
fear you should think have some axe
to grind because | try SO hard to keep
you at my poor house all night, l will
agree to entertain you free Of expeuse.'
eIpostula.cd the landlord Of the only inn
in the village Of Jefferson, Ashe county,
North Carolina, to General Jackson,
late ono evening in the autumn OF IS,
as he entered his carriage to pursue his
Journey towards Tennessee. THE
Blue Ridge, sir, is infested with banditti,
and you will certainly be robbed, and
possibly murdered, before morning.. l
bc,eech you to stay"
"You arc very kind, sir, and I thank
you" replied the General, but | shall
proceed aud try and reach the Tennes.
sec line at all events. / have no fears
of being molcs.cl. Drive on Ned,
briskly. Adieu Gentlemen ALL and
the old hero drove of at q rapid pace.
"Hilloa there. younss,er" cried the
landlord to a slim, wiry, fa5cn. headed
stripping standing in the motley crowd
10 front Of the tavern, "lf you are going
to Tennessee, you had better juNp up
behind and so along with the General
it's as cheap riding as walking"
"Surc enough ); I reckon Id 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 noun
tain, when the General hearing slight
cough behind, called GU, s;craly.
WHO'S that?"
"It's NC, sir-Audrew johnson. |
am traveller on my way to Tenncs.
see, aud I thought nigh, get lift on
your carriage, sir. I beg your pardon,
sir"
"You arc quite welcome to my car
ri.se, sir. Come forward and take seat
with me-"
THANK you, sir, but as the mouutain
i, rather steep here, II! jump of and
walk up
He walked forward up the mountain
side in advance Of the carriage, but had
not gone far before he saw q man ahead
of him ascending the mountain. He
appeared to be intoxicated. He lurchcd
this way and the other way, staggering
backward and forward; now his knees
would double up, and he would miss Il
step, rs il the earth had suddenly van.
i,hcd before him; then he would cross
his legs. and lurch would send him
di,sonal!y across the road. lie stopped
and braced himself up SO as nearly to
fall backward. and driftcd kclplessly
along. presently he turned an angie in
the road and WAS ont OF sight.
That man is bcsS;ly drunk re-
marked the General.
Drunk not much sir" laughed
the young muu; "Ilc's no more drunk
than I am. He's playing postum and
means mischief. Look there, he's lying
in the road"
as they drove up he raised himself
luzily. and hailed them. ''llic. ali IL
say, gentlemen, can't You give man q
lift? I-l-hic cant Nulk In load
ed too heavily with ID mean whisky
Then stay where You are and sc,
rid Of it," replied the General s:craly.
"Thc devil" exclaimed the man.
springing to his feet with the agility OF
a cat. lie gave keen whistle aud
planted himself in front OF the coach
Three men sprang out from the bushes,
and made rush Tor the carriage.
Quick as thought the General sprung
upon one Of them, and they rolled over
in the road together. \ dull, crushing
sound was next heard over the conflict.
and second oncro!led over in the dust.
propelled By the loaded whip in the
powerful hands Of the driver. The
young man BY timely shot, tired aad
brought down the third, and then
sprau9 to the assistance Of the General,
who still Tough. manfuIly with his her.
culean antagonist, while the. driver en-.
gagged the remaining robbcr.
Island back I! stand back" cried the
General to the young man; VIC arc man
to man, III give the villain fair play.
By tho EternSl l have you now !" and
helthrsw. bis antagonist over, apparent
II lifele.s. ,-:...
StaAre, you hurt my boy asked the
General: s sand you too, Ned ? Who're
Nedt2 s.ct,..:.lI;;l;ss E'.. ,.,