Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-07-15
THE CENsUs.TAKER.
eu..r Scene. end incidents.
THE INSTRUCTIONS

: guidance contain very entertaining WV
ing for persons not familiar with th
difficulties in obtaining correct returns B.
the aid of persons unsccustomed to col
-tlect statistics. Thus the enumerator
: are instructed as to the kind Of .blottinl
paper with which they must dry thei
D entries, and are informed that mistake
must be corrected "on the spot.
Houses only temporarily uninhabite'
are to be returned and numbered in or
der; and "idiocy" is to be determined
by the common consent of the neighbor
hood. Again, the inquiry as to occupa
tons need not be asked respecting in
fants;" and in the statistics Of live stock
sucking pigs" are to be omitted. There
is also special direction to report the
number of horse whims. :" The census
instructions will convey as much curious
and useful information as the tariff bill,
both of which teach that there are many
subjects totally unknown even to intel
ligent persons. We present the follow
ing
TRIALS OF coRKUP,
typo. as a specimen of the queer
scenes and incidents which occasionally
take place during census-taking.
While cooking a mackerel one morn
inc this week | heard Mrs. Corkup say:
"Sensesl Yes, sir, you couldn't have
taken many senses, or else the senses
YOU did take we're as weak as water, or
you'd never planked your big foot on
that white marble step, just the moment
I've got it wiped off, >
The man said something which l
couldn't understand, but l could hear
Mrs. Corkup, and from the tone OF her
voice | knew she was riled I'm well
acquainted with her.
dYou are going into the house, are
your"
The man said he was, and before l
could take my apron of he was In the
kitchen.
well, sir, said Mrs Corkup, "since
you're here, and want senses, spose you
proceed and get EN-. You needn't look
at him." she continued, " so go on with
your business and get out; and she
rested her broom on her arm and sat
down, looking the man in the face.
I'VE GET said the man, SO accus-
toned to going about among people,
that our conduct looks little impudent;
but, madam, / assure you that nothing OF
that kind is intended" And the man
got out little book and lead pencil.
Mrs. Corkup looked at me as much as
to say "Fll give him enough, ana then
he commenced asking questions.
Are you married. he asked.
Mrs. Corkup's eyes shot fire, and | ex-
pected a rumpus. She looked at me, and
says: Blusher, go up stairs and get
him our marriage certificate.
"0h, never mind that, said the man,
" just be kind enough to answer my
questions.
That's my husband said Mrs. Cork
up, nodding at me- had set down, and
the mackerel was getting cold.
How many children have you gotg'
Three" said Mrs. Corkup,
what are they?
Human beings" said Mrs. Corkup
sharply.
II mean. how many are males and
how many are femalesS said the man
Fery politely. 4
Three girls, all females, remarked
Mrs Corkup
Living2' said the man.
Dead said Mrs Corkup. = Been
lead these ten years"
why didn't you say SO at frsty said
he man little mad.
"Cause you didn't. ask, said Mrs.
Corkup, casting triumphant glance at
ne.
What is your business at present.
lsked the man, looking at me.
"Cookin'," snapped Mrs. Corkup, be-
fore could say word.
What is your trade, sirY said the
man pointing at me with his pencil.
I'm printer said /.
What is your incomeY
Don't have any" said Mrs. Corkup.
It's all gone before it comes in.
Your salary2"
you must be fool" said Mrs. Cork
up, jumping up; it's out Of season. "
Madam, you don't appear to under
stand me- What amount Of money do
you receive a week for your work."
/ told him, and he put it down.
Have you trade, madam he asked
Of Mrs Corkup.
" A dozen of en-
Dressmaker OF mantuamakerY
Yes" said Mrs. Corkup
Which," asked the man
Both, said Mrs. Corkup
Anything else2'
Yes"
"WhatY
"Slewerin', cookin', mendin', maxim,
'eadin' and washin'"
When she said the last she looked at
ne again. ] understood, and could take
ny oath TO the correctness Of the last
BUSINESS mentioned,
How many horses have your
One" said Mrs Corkup.
What's he WORTH"
He was worth about ten dollars, but
don't suppose he'd fetch more than a
lollar and half now"
What color is he
Red, white and blue.
Ridiculous" said the man, putting
he pencil behind his ear. Madam, he
ontinued, this won't do If you have
horse, what kind Of one is he?'
/ thought Mrs. Corkup would bust.
he was internal mad, for it looked as if
he man was doubling her word
A wooden rocking-horse,' she
houted.
The man rose up, and so did Mrs.
,orkup. | thought there would be a
ight before the thing ended; but the man
alked a while, and read paper about
and then went on.
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