The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1865-1866, 1866-04-13
The Nimble Shilling.

| ueplOTdUly sCdICo dIuCAo, ei1A Gno LIZ
ney to purchase it, when found, was
equally hard to obtain. Among the
old Rangers the "cornjuice" was con-
sidered as necessary to subsistence as
"corn-dodgers;" but having received
no pay for. a long period, the small stock
of funds had entirely run out. In the
meantime an old dealer had succeeded
in raising two barrels Of the comforta-
BILE liquid, and erected small shanty
near the camp, where his shingle, in
chalked capitals, declared that "Whis-
key is arriv at six sence suc."
Major Murdoch, one of tie old vet
erans, had for two days, IN q wofully
parched state, been searching his 'hy-
erin" for stray bit that he knew was
somewhere about him, but his efforts
to chase it up appeared unavailing-
there were so many patches on his
hunting shirt, that it was impossible to
find the one which he had made
pocket to contain the precious coin, and
and at last he had given it up. He
tried to get trust for two drinks until
he could find it, but the owner Of the
shanty knew better than to trust any
one of that crowd.
Try again, Major" said a dry GRO
ney, who knew the circumstance; ."try
again never give up in good cause
shillin' in silver now is worth gold
another time"
! The Major did try again, and at last
down in the seam Of the tail, the Major
discovered the little joker, and perhaps
he hailed the discovery with a yell Of
satisfaction.
"Now, Bill" said he, "we'n give that
old feller's barrel rip for two invigor-
ators, and no dispute"
They accordingly adjourned to the
shanty, and called for the medicine"
The owner looked at the Major doubt
fully, hut when he displayed the bit
hesitation vanished he instantly drew
the "sticks," handed them over, and
took the change. The first taste bright
ened the Major as keen as an Indian. He
observed while drinking that the deal
er placed the money on a little shelf
behind him, and just above his head;
it was within reaching distance, too,
from his stand beside the temporary
counter. Upon this discovery he at
once acted.
"Well, really" said he, 'That stuff
suthin' like; thar's body to it that
tickles feller's vitality at the extreme
pints. Bill" added he, II could fight
Inguns at half wages, eff they'd only
feed me from sech q cows milk as is in
that barrel. l do think we'll anoth-
er."
Bill signifed assent, but looked at
the Major with some surprise and in
quiry in his countenance, as to where
| he would find another bit; but the old
Ranger soon opened his eyes wider.
The dealer had no sooner stopped to
draw from the barrel, than the Major
picked the shilling off the shelf and
paid it over again for the drinks.
II knowed you had money, Major"
said the dealer, "ef you could only con-
sent to shell it out; but you're getting
consarned close-fsted in your old days.
The Major laughed at the remark,
as he replied, "Well, you're cunnin'
sarpent, 10, and bound to make suthin'
out of us feIers. T declare that ticker
is so tremendous that it sot me cravin
in my innards % :.
"Don't give it up yit Major" chimed
in the dealer, thar's more whar that
come from, and of the same browin.
I know you have been suferin fur
these few days past cause you didn't
like to open, and I hated precious bad
to refuse you; but whiskey costs pow
erful sight afore it gifts here"
"Wel we'll jest take another atom
of drink, and then lumber" says the
willing Ranger. The shilling was pick
ed off the shelf and went through the
same process again, with equal salts
faction. After swallowing another
round, the Ranger smacked his lips and
made move towards the door and
turned back again.
81 thought you'd think better of it
Major" said the dealer; seech stuff as
this don't stay long in these diggins.-
You'll go another | guess.
"Well, jest one more," says the Major,
'I declare think it war some seech lick.
er that tempted Adam, instead Of an ap-
pie, as the scriptur sez. 1t is all sufi-
ciently enticin' to tempt coon out Of a
holler log, If the dogs were arter him."
In reaching for the shilling this time
the Major WAS so eager, and little ex-
cited withal, that he dropped it down
right before the owner Of the stanty.
"Hello!" Bays he; that thar shelf must
he gettiu crowded when they are drop
pin otf-or is this yours, Major?"
cts yours now," ansIered the Ran.
ger, for these last drinks; and 10, yur is