The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1868-03-05
WHOLE NO. 1895.
MeatIt Hot, Sam,


Colonel McHatten went form Vir-
ginia to Illinois in the early settlement
Of the country, when roadside inps
were unknown, and every dweller in
the wilderness kept sort of travellers
home. THE colonel, by lucky invest
ment in wild land, became in time q
rich man, but he kept up his habits of
hospitality; aud if the guest was we'll
to-dO in the world, did not object TO
turning an honest penny in that way.
One cold, clustering winter evening,
a horseman drew up to the house and
asked accommodations for the night.
A half-grown lad answered in the af-
tirmatlve, and ushered him into the
sitting room. After supper The land.
lord made his appearance for the first
time. He was hearty, hale and ROSY,
as any Boniface should be, but he was
bent and crippled in his gait. He ex-
planned by saying that he had taken a
cold which had settled in his back.
81 don't mind the pain so much" i" he
continued, "but it's so inconvenient
| have been recommended to try poor
mans plaster, and if you will excuse
me | will have it put on. Sam. Sam
uel. Samuel McHatten!"
"Here, father" said the lad before
mentioned, hastily swallowing huge
piece Of mince pie, which he had been
quietly enjoying.
"Here, Sam, my boy, heat this plas-
ter for me and put it on my back.
Heat it hot, Sam"
Saying which he handed the plaster
to his sou, and seating himself astride
his chair with his back to the fire, he
threw his suspenders back and his shirt
over his head "Now, Sam," said he,
''if the poor mans plaster is hot, you
may put it on; but you may wait a
little; I'm afraid it is not hot enough.
Heat it hot, Sam, heat it hot Can you
tell" he continued, turning to the trav-
eler, who was seated in the corner,
"can you tell why this is called the
poor mans piaster-sometimes the poor
mans tiaendi eh7 give it up? ?"-
laughing to himself-"because it stick
eth closer than brothert eh 2"
Poor Sam, who had been watching
his chance to speak without interrupt
ing his father, now ventured to say:
81 guess its hot enough now, father"
"What do you know about it," ask
ed the old man, testify; Il say, heat it
hot, Sam, heat it hot"
Sam, whose face was at a red heat,
had held the plaster to the fire until il
ran and dripped down on the hearth,
but made no reply.
"Well," said the old man, looking
around, "maybe it will do now, Sam.
Clap it on"
Sam, armed with the plaster ap-
preached him and my word for it, he
did clap it on. The old man gave a
yell like q wild Indian, and jumped
clear over the back of his chair, kick
ing his old-fashioned breeches off his
feet, and dancing around with pain.
The traveller laughed until he cried,
and the more mine host roared, the
more he laughed. When the first
agony was over, the colonel began to
swear, and the traveller thought it
would be prudent for him to retire,
lest he should share his wrath with Sam,
whom he observed making good his
distance.
The next morning, when leaving, he
handed the colonel FIVE dollars, saying,
with a twinkle in his eye, ~ don't
want any change. tits cheap at that"
When be was seated upon his horse and
out of range, he called, "Heat it hot,
Sam, heat it hot. 1t sticketb closer
than brother, eh?"