South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1868-02-07
III L T IT HOT, S 4 VI

a correspondent, sends US the following
good story:
Colonel Mcfiatten came from Virginia
to. this State (Illinois) in early settlement
OF this country, when road side inns were
unknown, aud every dweiler in the wilder
ness kept a sort of travellers home.
The Colonel by lucky investment in
wild land, became in time rich man, but
he kept up his habits of hospitality and
II 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
accommodation for the night \ half
grown lad answered in the affirmative, aud
ushered him into the sitting room where
the great wood fire, Of itself, gave, him
cordial welcome. After supper the Colo
mel made his appearance for the first time.
lie was hearty aud hale aud rosy as any
boniface should be, but lac was bent aud
crippled in his gait. lie explained by say
ing that be had taken cold W hich settled
in his back.
Il don't mind the pain so much, he Goa
tlnucd, 'but it is SO inconvenicnt, | have
been recommended to try poor nuns
plaster, and if you will excuse me | will
have it put on. Sam Samuel Samuel
McHattan!
Here, father said the lad before men
toned, hastily swallowing, a huge piece of
mince pie which he had been quietly enjoy
ing.
Here, Sam, my boy, heat this plaster
for me and put it on my back Heat it
hot, Sam
Saying which he handed the plaster to
his sou, and seating himself astrde his
chair, with his back to the fire, threw hi-
suspcnders back and his shirt over Iii.
head Now, sam, said the Colonel, i:
the poor mans plaster is hot, you may put
afraid it Is not hot enough. Heat il hot,
Sam Can you tell he continued, turn
ing to the traveller, who was seated in the
corner, Can you tell Why this is called the
poor mans plaSter-sOmctimcs the poor
mans friend Ella give it up 2 laughing
to himself, because it s;icketh closer than
a brother eli Poor Sam who had been
watching his chance to speak without in
tcrrupting his fIther, now venturc4 to say
q guess it is hot enough now father
What do you know about it 2 said the
old man testify.
Il say heat it hot, Sam, beat it hot
Sam, whose face was Mt red heat, had
held the plaster 10 the fire untilit ran aud
dripped down on the hearth, and be made
no reply.
Well said the old man, looking around,
may be it will DO now, sam. Clap i. on
Sam, armed with the plaster, approach
ed him, aud if ny word can be taken, did
clap it on.
The Old man gave one yell! like a wild
Indian, and jumped clear over the back Of
his chair kicking his old fashioned breech-
es off his feet, dancing around with pain.
The traveller laughed until he cried, and
the more mine host reared, the more hc
laughed When the first agony was over,
the Colonel began to swear, and our traveller
thought it would be prudent for him to re-
tire, lest he should share wrath with Sam,
who he observed was making good his dis
lance.
The next morning when leaving, he
handed the Colonel five dollars, saying with
a twinkle Of his eye
Il don't want any change II is cheap
at that After he was seated upon his
horse, and out of range, he called
Heat it hot, Sam, heat it hot 1t stick
eth closer than brother, EN- 2