Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-07-06
TAKE NY HAT
The origin OF the Phrase.

Every one has heard this phrase,
but few know its origin. The fol-
lowing account of it is good enough
to be true:
Many years ago a fine looking old
gentleman from Western Virginia
entered a store in Nashville, Tenn.
Said store was owned by a bluff,
honest old trader, who knew more
about the equality of the counter
than he did about the fineness of the
fabrics on it-neyeFtheIess, between
the two extremities of that shelf
contriVing to make both ends meet
the necessity of the case. The Nir-
ginian cast his eyes around the
shelves and finally remarked:
"Well, neighbOr, l see you've got
hats.''
"a slight sprinkle" was the an
swer. Whar ye from:"
cold Virginia" was the response.
"Right smart old State" replied
the Tennesseean, "but getting rather
too old TO keep her har on"
what do you mean?' inquired
the Virginian.
''Well, Just what I say, uncle; she
can't keep her har on; for instance,
now, | should think you hev been q
right healthy child of the Old Do
minion, but she has she'd you at
last, and, ike Samson Of old, that's
the way sic is losing ali the best har
off her venerable head"
The old Virginian looked around
the store rather bothered with the
liberty this Tennesseean was taking
with his mother State, and finally
remarked;
81 came here to talk about hats,
stranger, and not har."
"Weu, well, uncle; don't get
wrathy, now. l was only ventur-
ing a political opinion about pOpu-
lation in general, and on that we
won't quarrel, but before we look
at the hats, as they are intimately
connected with heads spOse we
take a mite of bald face"
The proposition was a agreed to,
the liquor was imbibed, and next
followed the hats.
The merchant tossed down four
or five wool hats of various sizes,
and invited the old gentleman to Sc
lect one which would fit him. lie
said they would do, and requested
the store-keeper to hand him few
more.
''That is all the sizes Pve got"
said he; "but here's few more, if
you'd like them BETTER" and so say
ing he tossed down three more.
"Them are all right" said the old
Eirgilian, turning them around, and
the stout old store-keeper blowing
with exertion, descended from his
perch, where, he was straddling
from shelf to counter. AS soon as
he reached the floor, the old Virgin
ian remarked that he had not got
enough yet.
"Oh, YOU want 'em for your Mig
gers?" says the store-keeper. We'll,
why didn't you say so when / was
up?" and again proceeded to perch
himself up like mercantile Colos-
sus. When he had blowed himself
into his former position, the old
man quietly remarked:
"Why stranger, l want talking
about niggersm The fact
is, the old man was enjoying the eX-
ira trouble he had put the Tennes-
seean to.
"Well, what do you want with so
so many hats?"
81 want them for my sons" said
the old man.
The store-keeper began to count
them on the counter. Eight" said
he,t"a pretty big spread of boys al
ready, I'll swear, but here he goes;"
and added one, and then another,
ii ~ Oh of
fifth, and finally seeing the old man
he tossed down three
more, and was about to descend
when the old man told him
to hold on and throw down few
more.
ooh, come, UNCLE" said he, "you
are Joking" but to please him, he
threw down twenty.
"That's just one too many" said
the old man.
''What-you don't mean to say
that you have nineteen sons? Whar,
in the name of Tennessee, are they?'
"They are in Tennessee-right
here in the city-up at hotel, said
the man.
Stranger said the store-keeper,
'it you ken show me nineteen boys
of your raisin,' thar's the hats
Hold on, then,' said the old man,
and off he started. In about ten
down the street he came,
leading a line of nineteen boys, !
single file, each bearing
a good gun, and followed by their |
venerable mother. They entered
the merchants store, and ranked !
along the counter; the store-keeper
ran his eye along the line with as
And you say these boys are all |
yours? he inquired.
ASK their mother-she says they |
lre,' replied the old man.
DO you say so, MADAME he in
luired.
Yes, do, and l ought to know
was the reply.
We'll, you might, I'll swear said |
The store-keeper. odd FRIEND he |
4 amt got a word to say