Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1872-07-13
I" TAKE MI HAT"
The Origin of the Phrascl I

i Every one has heard this phrase
but few Know its origin. The follow.
ing account of it is good enough TO be
true:
Many years ago a fine looking old
gentleman from Western Virginia en-
tered store in Nashville, Tenn. Said
store was owned by bluff, honest old
trader, who knew more about the
equality of the counter than he did
about the fineness of the fabrics on
Iit-nevertheless, between the two ex
tremities of that shelf contriving to
make both ends meet the necessity OF
the case. The Virginian cast his eyes
around the shelves and finally remark
ed:
well, neighbor, l see you've got
that's"
"A slight sprinkle" was the an
swer. Whar We from?"
"Old 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.
swell, just what l say, uncle; she
can't keep her har on; for instance.
now, | should think you bev been a
right healthy child of the Old Domin-
ion, but she has shed you at last, and,
like Sampson Of old, that's the way
she is losing all the best har off her
venerable head"
The old VirgiaiaH looked around
the store rather bothered with the lib
erty this Tennesseean was taking with
his mother State, and finally remark
ed.
II came here to talk about hats,
stranger, and not har."
well, well, uncle; don't get wrathy,
now. l was only venturing political
opinion about population in general,
and on that we won't quarrel, but be
fore we look at the hats, as they are
intimately connected with heads, 3 pose
we take a mite of bald face"
i The proposition was agreed to, the
liquor was imbibed, and next followed
the hats.
4 The merchant tossed down four or
4 FIVE wool hats of various sizes. and in
vited the old gentleman to select one
which would fit him. He looked at
them, examined the sizes, said they
would do, and requested the store.
keeper to hand him few more.
THAT is all the sizes I've got, said
he; "but here's few more, if you q
like them better, and saying he tossed
down three more.
Them are all right" said the old
Virginian, turning them around
and the stout old storekeeper blowing
with exertion, descended from his
perch, where, he was straddling from
shelf to counter. As soon as he reach,
ed the floor, the old Virginian remark
cd that he had not got enough yet
"Oh, you want 'em for your mig.
gers?" says the re-keeper. Well
Fl why didn't you say so when was up p
, and again proceeded to perch himsel
! up like a mercantile Colossus. Whci
, he had blowed himself into his forme,
. position, the old man quietly remark
: cd:
"Why stranger, l want talking any
; thing about niggers" The fact is, tn,
, old man was enjoying the extra trouble
, he had put the Tennessecan to.
, well, what do you want with SO 81
, many hats?"
II want them for my sons" said tn,
f old man
The store-keeper began to coun
! them on the counter. Eight" sal,
| he, "a pretty big spread Of boys al
! ready. I'll swear, but here he goes; ;
| and added one, and then another, ant
, yet fourth, and picked off a fifth, ant
| finally seeing the old man immovable
D he tossed down three more, and wa
about to descend himself, when til
Q old man told him to hold ON and thro1
l down few more.
r "Oh, come, uncle" said he, "yot
{; are joking" but to please him. h
4 threw down twenty.
: That's just one too many" said tn
q old man.
: What-you don't mean to say tha
t you have nineteen sons? Whar, il
r the name Of Tennessee, are theyY
. They are in Tennessee-right her
f in the city-up at hotel, said tn
} man.
Stranger, said the store Keeper
3 if you ken show me nineteen boys o
e your raisin, thar's the hats
: Hold on, then, said the old man
@ and off he started. In about ten min
; utcs, down the street he came, lcadin
line of nineteen boys, marchin
z single file, each bearing a good gun
and and followed by their venerabl
} mother. They entered the merchant
= store, and ranked along the counter
) the store keeper ran his eye along tn
! line with astOnishmcnt.
4 And you say these boys are al
{ yoursY he inquired.
I Ask thar mother-she says the
: are replied the old man.
, Do yon say so, madam 2 he inquir
: ed.
Yes, | do, and | ought to know
: was the reply.
t We'll, you might, I'll swear. sal,
/, the store keeper. odd friend, he 'ad
2 ded, : ] ain't got a word to say-jcs
take them hats, and mine too