Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1869-01-30
"HBAT 1T HOr, SAM"

Col Mediation went iF0W shSiph"
Illinois in the early settlement oil tne
couptry, when roadside inns were 10
known. ane every dweller 10 the wider
ness kept a sort Of travellers hone. inc
Colonel, By q lucky investment IN WAC
lands. heca- ne in time o rich man, ont ne
kept up bis habits Of hospitality ) d II
the guest was well to do in the world, o!o
not object to turning an honest penny 10
that way.
One cold, clustering winter evening. 3
horseman drew up to the house aAa ask.
cd accommodation for the night. A nan
grown lad answered IN the affirmative,
and ushered hin into the sitting ROOM
After supper the landlord made his ap-
pearance for the first time. lie was
hearty, bale and rosy as any bonilace
should be, but he vas bent aud crippled
in his gait. He explained 1t by saying
that be had taken a cold which had set
tied in his back.
II don't mind the pain so much" he
continued, " bat it's so incouvenient. Il
have been recommended to try = poor
mans plaster, and If you will excuse me
| will have it put Oh. Sam ! Samuel
Samuel Mediation !"
Here, father p said the lad before
mentioned, hastily swallowing a huge
piece of mince pie, which be had been
quietly enjoying.
Here. Sam, my boy, heat this plaster
for me and put it on my back. Heat 1t
hot. SAINT
Saying which, he handed the plaster to
his son, and seating himself astride his
chair with bis back to the fire. threw bis
suspenders back and his shirt over his
head.
Now, Sam sasd he, "if the poor
mans plaster is hot you may put It on ;
but you may wait o little ; I'm afraid it
is not hot enough. Heat it hot, Sam
heat it hot. Can you tell" be continued.
turning to the travel, who Ia seated IN
the corner, "esn you tell nae why this Is
called the poor mans p1aster-sometimes
the poor mans friend. eh? Give it up ~
laughing to himself" because it stick
eth closer than a brother !-eh?
Poor Sam, who had been watching bis
chance to speak without i~nterruping bis
father, now ventured to say
81 guess it's hot enough now, father
what DO 20 you know about it ~
asked the old man testify ; " | say heat
it hot. Sam-heat it hotIr
Sam, whose face was at a red beat, 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 wilido now. SAM
Clap it on"
3. Sam armed with the plaster, approach
ed him (; and my word for it he did clap
it on. The old man gave a yell like a
wild Indian, and Jumped clear over the
back of the chair, kicking his old fashion
ed breeches off bis feet, and dancing
around with pain. The traveller laughed
until be cried, and the more mine host
roared, the more he laughed When the
first agony was over, the Coloxei began
to swear. and the traveller thought it
would be prudent for him to retire, lest
he should share bis wrath with Sam, whoa
he observed making good bis distance.
The next morning, when leaving, he
banded the Colonel ave dollars, saying,
with a twinkle in his eye : 81 don't want
any change. II is cheap at that When
he was seated on his horse and out Of
range, he called: Heat it bot, Sam
heat it hot. 1t sticketh closer than a
brother, eh 7"