Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1871-08-31
a Native Genius.

One of the acqaintances of a New York
editor, while travelling in the "far West"
was at a loss what course to steer, and
was rejoiced when a farm house pre-
sented itself before him. Near the road
was a tall, raw-bOned, OVergrOWn, Ian
tern.jawed boy, probably seventeen years
of age, digging potatoes. He was a Curl
Gus figure to behold. What was lacking
in the length of his tow breeches was
amply made up for in width; his sus-
penders appeared to be composed of birch
bark, grapvine and sheepskin; and as for
his hat (Which was of a dingy white felt)
poor thing, it had evidently seen better
days-but now, alas! it was only the
shadow of its glory. Whether the tenn
pest of time had beaten the top in, or the
lads expanding genius had burst it out,
it was difficult to tell; at any rate it was
missing, and through the aperature red
hairs in abundance stood looking six
ways for Sunday. In short, he was one
of the toughest specimens of domestic
manufacture that mortal ever beheld.
Our travelling friend 1--WE quote the New
Yorker), feeling an itching to scrape an
acquaintance with the critter, drew up
the reins of his horse, and began:
"Halloo, my good friend, can you in
form me how far it is to the next house ?"
Jonathan started up. leaned on his hoe
handle, rested one foot ON the gambril of
stHalloo yourselfi how'd We do? wall,
I guess can. 'Taint near as far as afore
they cut the woods away. Then it was
generally reckoned four mile; but now
the sun shrivels up the road, and don't
make more'n two. The fust house you
come to though is barn, and the next
is hay stack; but old Hoskins' house
is on beyant. You'll be sure to meet his
gals long afore you get there-tarnal
romping critters; they plague our folks
more'n a little. His sheep gets into our
paster every day, and his gals into our
orchard. Dad sets the dog arter the sheep,
and me arter the gals, and the way he
makes the wool, and the petticoats fly,
is a sin to snakes-''
young man. Pray tell me how it hap
pens that one of your legs is shorter than
the other ?''
81 never lows anybody to meddle with
my grass tanglers, mistur; but seein' it's
you, I'll tell you. L was born so at my
tickular request, so that when 1 hold
plow l can go with one in the furrow and
t'other on land, and not lop over; sides
it is convenient when / NOW round
side hill 90
every good, indeed. How do your po-
tatoes come on this year ?''
''They don't come on. L digs 'em out,
and there's an everlastin' snarl of 'em in
each hill.'
''But they are small, perceive"
eyes, L knows that. You see we
planted some whoppin' bluenoses over in
that 'ere patch there, and they fiourished
so allfiredly that this 'ere stopt growin',
jest out of spite, cause they knowed they
couldn't begin to keep up"
''You appear to be pretty smart, and L
should think you could afford a better
hat than the one you wear"
s'The looks amt nothin' it's all in be-
havior. This 'ere hat was my religious
Sunday ay-go-to-meetin hat, and it's chock
full of piety now. I've got better one
to hum! but don't dig 'taters in it, no
how.''
t.Then you say it's about three and a
half miles to the next house?''
eyes, sir, twas spell ago, and don't
believe it's growed much shorter since"
"Much obliged. Goodbye"
"Good-bye to ye. That's darn slick
mare to your'n.''
There, reader, is Jonathan of the first
water for you. You don't find his equal
everywhere.