Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-02-04
The " Gentle Sister,"

The election in Ohio proved so unex-
pectedly close, that considerable interest
has been manifested to see what the precise
result would be. We dropped into IA down
town grocery store, last evening, and the
subject of the Ohio election was being can
vassed gOod-naturedly by a knot of Demo-
Gratis aud Republicans, among whom was
Uncle Tom - p, a true-blue Democrat,
who had grown gray while fighting us a
private in the ranks of the grand old party.
Uncle Tom was at home in talking about
the Buckeye State. He then related an in
cident which occurred in this city, half a
century ago, more or less. At that time
the opponents of the Democracy were
known as Fedcralists, and a weekly paper
called the Mercury was Hartford organ
devoted to abusing Democrats and uphold
ING Federalism. This paper was publish
ed on the corner of Arch and Main streets,
the editorial room being located over a
grocery store, at that time kept by Mr..
Shepard.
AS long ago as that, in the absence of
railroads and telegraphs, election returns
from far away states were brought by
stage, and came dragging along fort
night after voting day. In the event of a
SiOoC NOillCol IL NC llldt lllt
excitement ran high, and that the stage
coaches We're objects of interest One ar
rival might show the Federalists ahead
and in the midst of their reioicings along
would come another stage bringing the
news that the Democrats were in the van.
And thus the tide of victory would alter
nate for several days. On one occasion,
at least, Ohio was in this fix Both par
tioc al g..
but finally the Federalists received assur-
the flags, and the Feds were wild with de-
light. The Mercury proprietors could
scarcely contain themselves. The paper
something stunning in the way of head
lines were Notwithstanding that
would elate their partisans, and carry con-
Sternation to the Democrats. A group OF
halfa dozen leading spirits had congre-
gated at the Mercury office, and the ques-
ton as to what would be the most start
ling and electrifying heading for the
cheering news, was talked up. One man
remarked that they wanted something in
spiring and forthwith they sent for a bot
unlock their reservoir of ideas, but moth
llS SttllstDit lONtb lOl III I-HOuSu III
quantity, but the quality was not up to the
required standard. Somebody said they
needed something more inspiring. and this
somebody took the bottle and went below
He was gone a long time, and his absence
excited no little uneasiness in the circle
waiting to be inspired. Just as they were
about to appoint committee to 90 and
fetch him, he came rushing in, eXclaiming
I've got it! I've GOT it."
What is it," queried a chorus of
voices. What have YOU got? "
The head line for Ohio Hurrah,"
Well, what is it? Spit it out! =
Striking an attitude at once poetical and
graceful-his left foot thrown well for
ward, his right arm stretched udward Al
an angle of forty-fve degrees. the HAND
clutchng the bottle vigorously by the neck
as if afraid the inspiring fluid would IS
cape his rubicund complexion and sub
dued expression of countenance, looking as
mellow as ripe pumpkin under the genia
rays of an October sun, with 4 voice of be
coming gravity he said:
Listen, here it is:
" Ohio, gentle Sister, 1cc greet thee
/ This was well received. and the bot.
! tie was emptied in honor of the brilliant
conception and the Mercury came out
with that electrifying and stunning head
ing. But the matter didn't end there
The following week the Mercury contain
ed. in an obscure corner, the modest
announcement that Ohio had been carried
by the LOcofocOs. OF course, the Demo.
Gratis We're iublant. and for a great while
thereafter the Feds didn't hear the las
about their gentle sister. '-HarttorC
Times.