Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-11-18
Middlp-MnIl.

There is large class Of persons in thi,
country called midde-men, who operate il
all communities, and who are Of no benefit
whatever. They are non-producers deriving
their sustenance from the labor Of others, like
parasitic plant. They buy from the produ.
Ger, and sell to the consumer thus directly
injuring both pariies-the one paying toe
high for his necessities, the other being oblig.
ed to sell his products under price. These
drones in the social hive are numerous, and
are particularly inimical to the farmers in.
terests. From various causes we are in a
condition to be more easily preyed upon by
these cormorants than any other profession
i the producers and consumers could be
brought more directly together, so as to save
the large profits Of the middlc-men, it would
be greatly for the interests of both, aud there
would be less reason for bewaiIing the small
profits Of the one, and the high prices Of
products by the other.
These middle-men comprise several minor
classes, some stationary and others tineraut
These latter are found perambulating the
producing regions wherever their keen visions
scent the possibility Of trade" One OF
these gentry, whose speciality is cattle buy
ing, called upon ne yesterday, while was
in the field, blowing
" Mornin'. Oaptin"
Good morning, sir"
" Herd ye had some cattle to sell"
" have yoke Of bceves. Are you buy
ing stock ?"
"Wall, lcotle; kinder off an on like.
Where's your oxen, Captn2'
f." Over yonder in the pasture You can
to down and look at them. am very busy
go-day. Drive on, John"
He goes off to the pasture, and returns in
about fifteen minutes | ask him
What do you think Of them2 fat amt
they ?"
Middln', Captin; only mddlin'."
How much do you make their girth ?"
Bout seven foot; rawny-boned, too"
why | make them girth seven feet two,
strong"
Kinder aabby; they'll dress away good
deal"
They'd ought. to be pretty solid | fed
them corn meal all last winter and this
spring
Whats your price, Captin p
1.-Two hundred dollars"
Can't 20 that, no how"
Very well. Start up the team, John"
Buyer looks rather disappointed, but fol-
lows me round till We reach the next head
land, when he breaks out
Say, Capiin, amt that rather steep &?
Beefs a-goin' down My brother come from
Brighton t'other day, and says you can't
hardly give it away there"
"When did he leave Brighton2'
One day last week"
Well, I've yesterdays cattle market re-
port, and beef is tending upward What
makes you so anxious to buy if it is falling 2"
Fact is, Captin, like the looks of them
oxen. I'll split the difference betwixt that
and hundred and seventy-fve7
My price is two hundred"
Let's go down and look at EN- agin"
Cant spend the time"
\ Teller couldn't make his salt to pay
two hundred for EN-"
You're not obliged to take them"
THAT off one amt in near so good order
as the nigh one. Think he is ?'
How did you know which was the off
one ?"
Say, I'll 20 a five better"
"You have heard my price"
We have reached the end of the bout
Buyer makes motion as if to leave. |
make no remark, but set the pillow in on the
next furrow, when he suddenly wheels with -
Here's your money. Dang it I'll take
the oxen.n
"All right. John drive them up into the
yard Let the team blow few minutes"
4" tIaint got an old yoke, or halter, or
somethin' that you'll throw in, to fasten EN-
with, have yen
"Give him halter, John"
GOOD day, Captin. Looks as if we
might have spell o weather soon"
As he goes down the road, ne meets Smith,
to whom he says, The Captin is a hard
cud to trade with couldn't beat him down
cent. Farm TAX.