The Republican journal., 1870-01-27
AN AMIJSING STORY

IIarper's Drawer tells the following anus
ing story of u scene on the Hartford, Provi-
dcnce and Fishkill railroad -
A we'll known citizen of Hartford, Ct. 4
few days ago had taken his seat in the after
noon train for Providence, when a small
weazed-face elderly man, having the appear
ance OF a well-todo farmer, came into the
car looking for 4 seat. The gentleman good
naturedly made room for him by his side, and
| the old man looked him over from head to
| foot.
Going to Providence ?N he said at length
''No. sir" the stranger answered, polite
ly; II stop at Andover."
Il want to know l belong out that way
myself Expect to stop long,"
"Only over night, SIR
A short pause.
''Did you cal'late to put up at the tavcrn?'
''No, sir; expect to stop with Mr. Skin
ner'
"What, Job Skinner? Deacon Job-lives
in a little brown house on the old pke9 Or
mebbe it's his brothers.? Was it Tim Skin
ner-Square Tim's-whcre you was goin P?
''1es," said the gentleman, smiling; sit
was Squire Tins"
Dew tell if you are gon' there to stop
over night! Any connection of hs'n ?"
''No sir"
'Well, now that's Gurus! The old man
amt got into any trouble nor nothin' has
he ?' lowering voice-'ain't goin' to serve
q writ on him, be you ?"
''Oh, no, nothing of the kind"
'Glad ont. No harm in askin' s'pose, -
| L reckon Miss SINNERS some connection OF
| yourn 81
! "No," said the gentleman Then seeing
the amused expression on the faces of two
or three acquaintances in the neehborine
seats, he added in confidential tone:-
II am going tc see Squire SINNERS daugh
ter"
"Law sakes!" said the old man, his face
quiverlng with curiosity. That's it, is it
want to know! Coin to see Mirandv Skin
ner, be ye? Well, Mirandy's nice gai-kinG
o hombly, and long favored, but smart to
work, they say, and guess you're about the
right age for her, too. Kep' company to
| gether long?"
81 never saw her in my life, sir'
Glow you talk! Somebody's gin her a re
commend, | s'pose, and you're goin clear ou
there to take squint at her! Wa'al, mus
say there's as likely gals in Andover as Mir
andy Skinner. pve got family of growc(
up darters myself. Never was married afore
was YEP Don't see no weed on YOUR hat"
81 have been married about fifteen years
slr. L have wife and five children" AnC
then, as the long restrained mirth of the lis
teners to his dialogue burst forth at the ole
mans open-mouthed astonishment, he has
tened to explain II am a doctor, nv goo(
friend, and Squire Skinner called at my Office
tnls morning to request my professional ser
vices for his sick daughter''
"Wa'al now' And the old bore waddle(
OFT into the next car.
Speaking of the loss of sch. Mary, of Booth
pay correspondent of the Lewiston Journa
tells OF the following instance of presence o
mnd :-'One of the men gave evidence of ,
presence OF mind rarely equalled in the fac,
OF almost inevitable death Having been al
excellent swimmer, it is supposed he swan
nearly one-half mile from his two comnan
ions, where his body was found. In one n
his pockets were found his watch and chain
kept in by the pocket having been stuffed full
of oakum above, while in the bottom of th,
other pocket, similarly filled, was discovered
half of a paper collar, on which was plainl,
pencilled Jeremiah Quimby, Boothbay,
This was rolled up in q covering of bircl
bark, which was securely tied with a piece O
twine: As was intended. this served to iden
tify his body, and through him the othe
two. Few men in like situation would be a.
thoughtful. The vessel was slightly injured
and had they remained by her she would hav,
preserved their lives, though she had dragge,
her anchors and was apparently about to b.
dashed to piecesn