The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-12-19
AnecdOte OfPresident Johnson

Dispensashun.
~~-S
AnecdOte OfPresident Johnson.
NJ E. D., writing from Jonesboro, Tenn,
to Rarpers Weekly, relates the following
incident of Andrew johnson, which we
doubt not will prove of interest to our
readers:
"T say, now, 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, | will agree to en-
tertain you free of expense !" expostulated
the landlord of the only inn in the village
of j Jefferson, Ashe County, North Carolina,
to Gen. Jackson, late one evening in the
autumn of IS, as he entered his car
riage to pursue his journey towards Tenn
essee. "The Blue Ridge, Sir, is infested
with banditti, and you will certainly be
robbed, and murdered, before morning.
[ beseech you, stay
"You are very kind, Sir, and I thank
you," replied the General, "but l shall
proceed, and try and reach the Tennessee
line at all events. l have no fears of being
molested. Drive on, Ned, briskly. Adieu
gentlemen all?" and the old hero drove
off at rapid pace.
"Hilloa there youngster !" cried the
landlord to slim, wiry, faxen headed
STRIPPING standing in the motely crowd in
front of the tavern, "if you are going to
Tennessee, you had better jump up behind
and 60 along With the General its as
cheap riding as walking"
"Sure enough | reckon I'd better, and
thank you" replied the young man, jump
ing 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:
"Whos that?"
"It's me, Sir-Andrew johnson. l
am traveller, on my way to Tennessee,
and | thought | might get lift on your
carriage, Sir. [ beg you pardon, Sir"
"You are quite welcome, Sir, to my
carriage. Come forward and take a seat
with me.
"Thank you, Sir: but as the mountain
is rather steep here, /, jump off and walk
up"
He walked forward up the mountainside
in advance of the carriage, but had not
gone far before he saw a man ahead of
him ascending the mountain. He ap-
peared to be intoxicated. He lurched
this way and the other way, staggering
backward and forward now his knees
would double up, and he would miss
stap,as if the earth had suddenly vanished
before him; then he would cross his legs
and lurch would send him dagonally
across the road. He stopped and braced
himself up so as nearly to fall backward,
and then drifting helplessly along. Pres
emily he turned an angle in the road and
was out of sight.
That man is beastly drunk p remarked
the General.
"Drunk not much, sir" laughed the
young man; "he's no more drunk than |
am. He's playing 'possum, and means
mischief. Look there he's lying iu the
road"
As they drove up he raised himself la
zily aud hailed them. Hic ah IL
say, gentlemen, can't you give man a
lift I-I-hie can't walk I'm load
ed toe heavily with ID mean whisky"
"Then stay where you are and get rid
of it J" replied the General sternly.
"The devilw exclaimed the man spring
ing to his feet with the agility of cat.
He gave keen whistle and planted him
self in front of the coach. Three men
sprang out from the bushes and made
rush at the carriage,
Quick as thought the General sprang
upon one of them, and they rolled over
in the road together. A dull, crushing
sound was next heard over the conflict,
and second one rolled over in the dust
propelled by the loaded whip in the pow
erful hand of the driver. The young man
BY timely shot, fired and brought down
a third and then sprang to the assistance of
the General, who still fought manfully
with his heaculean antagonist, while the
driver engaged the remaining robber.