Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1870-12-08
HEAT 1T HOT, SAM.

I Colonel McFIatten went from Virgini.
TO Illinois in the early settlement Of III.
country. wher roadside taverns we're un.
known. and every dweller in the wilder.
ness kept sort Of travellers home. The
Colonel, by lucky investment in wild
land. became in time rich man, but he
KEEP, up his habits Of hospitality and Il
the guest was well-to-do in the world. did
not object to turning honest penny in
that way. s,e
! One cold. clustering winter evening, q
hcrseman drew up 70 the house and asked
ACKNOWLEDGMENT the nietf. a half
grown lad answered. IN the affirmative, and
usliercd him into the1 sitting room. AZ
ter supper the landlord made his appear
ance for the first time He was hearty.
hale and rosy, as any Boniface should b.
but he was bent and crippled in his gait
He explained by saying that he had ia
ken cold which had settled in his back.
Il don't mind the pain SO much" he
continued, "but it's so inconvenient.
have been recommended to try a poor
mans plaster. and if you viii excuse me
/ viii have it put on. Sam. Samuel !,
Samuel McIiatten M
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 pla ster
for me and put it on my back. Heat it
hot, Sam"
Saying which, he handed the plaster to
his son, and seating himself astride his
chair, with his back to the fire, threw
his suspcnders 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 little; I'm afraid it is
not hot enough. Heat it hot, Sam. heat
it hot. Can you tell" (he continued,
turning to the traveller, who was seated
III the corner ''can you tell why this is
called the Poor Mans Plaster, and some
times the poor mans friieniP eh -! give it
up?' ?'-laughing to himself because i,
sticketh closer than brother. eh 2"
Poor sam, who had been watching his
chance to speak without interrup,ing his
father, now ycntured to say: Il guess
it's hot enough new, father"
What do you know about it ~ asked
the old man, testify; Il say, heat it hot,
Sam, heat it hot
Sam, whose face was at red heat. had
held the plaster to the fire until it ran and
dripped down on the hearth, bu, made no
reply.
Well said the old man, looking
around, maybe it viii do now, Sam
Clap it on
Sam, armed with the plaster, approach
cd his father, and my worl for it. he did
clap it on. The old man gave yell like
a wild Indian, and jumped clear over the
back Of his chair. Kicking his old-fashion
ed breechcs off his feet. and dancing
around with pain. The traveller lau.hel
until he cried, and the more mine host
roared. the more he laughed. When
the first agony was over. the Colo
mel 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 twinkle in his eve II don't want
any change. IL is cheap at that"
When he was seated upon his horse and
out of range, he called: Heat it hot,
Sam. heat it hot 1t s.icketh closer than
a brother, eh ~