Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-09-17

frame of a cart body, now covered with bear
skins and hung upon two wooden hinges. At
ter much shouting, the inmate appears, fiddle
in hand, and evidently "wrathy" at being in
terrupted in the exercise of his art. The fol.
lowing colloquy ensues, the indefatigable fd-
dler still playing the first strain of "The Ar
kansas Traveller" which in fact he continues,
at sudden intervals, until the dialogue, as will
be seen. is brought to an unexpected conclu.
sion. If this be not "seeking lodgings under
difficulties" we should like to know what
might be legitimately so considered:
Traveller Friend, can obtain accommo-
dations for the night with you?
Arkansas Artist-No, sir, nary 'commoda-
ton.
Traveler-My dear sir. I have already
travelled thirty miles to-day, and neither my
self nor my horse has had mcuthful to eat
suhy can't you accommodate me for tonight ?
Arkansas Artist-Just ease it can't be did.
We're plum out of everything to eat in the
house Bills gone to mill with the last nub-
bin of corn on these premises, and'll be nigh
onto the shank Of Tomorrow evenin' afore he
Gums home, unless something uncommon hap
pens.
Traveler-you surely have something that
can feed to my horse; even a few potatoes
would be better than no food.
Arkansas Artist Stranger, our eatin roots
gin out about week ago; so your chance is
slim thar.
Traveler-But my friend, must remain
with you, any way. can't 60 any further,
whether 1 obtain anything to eat or not. You
certainly will allow me the shelter Of your
roof
Arkansas Artist-It cant be did, old hoss.
You see we've got only one dried hide on the
premises, and me and the old woman allus
occupies that; so auhar's your chance?
Traveller ALLOW ME to hitch my horse to
that persimmon tree; and with my saddle and
blanket I'll make bed in the fence corner.
Arkansas Artist-Hitch your hoss to that
'simmon tree-in horn! Why, you must be
natiral fool, stranger. Don't you see that's
me and the old woman's only chance for
'simmon beer, in the fall of the year? If yer
hoss is so tarnal hungry as you say he is, he'd
girdle it as high up as he could reach, afore
mornin'. Hitch your hoss to that tree! l
'spect not; no, no, stranger, you can't come
nary sich dodge as that!
Our traveller seeing that he had an original
to deal with, and being himself an amateur
performer upon the instrument to which the
settler was so ardently attached, thought that
he would change his tactics, and draw his de-
termined not-to-be host out little, before in
forming him of the fact, that he, too, could
play the Arkansas Traveller" which once
being known, he rightly conjectured, would
be a passport to his better graces.
Traveler-You say it's ten miles to the next
house; the big creek is up the bridge car:
ried away, no possibility of fording it, and
seven miles through swamp to the only
bridge in the vicinity! This is rather a
gloomy prospect, particularly as the sun is
just about down; my curiosity is excited, and
as you have been playing only one part of the
"Arkansas Traveller" ever since my arrival, l
would like to know, before leave, why you
don't play the tune through?
Arkansas Artist-For one of the best reas-
ons on yearth, old hoss-I can't do it. l
hain't larnt the turn of that tchune, and drat
me if I believe ever shall.
Traveler-Give me your instrument, and
I'll see if can't play the turn for you.
Arkansas Artst-Look O. here, my friend,
do you play the turn of that tchune?
Traveler-I believe can.
Arkansas Artist-Lite, lite, old boss soe'H
find place for you in the cabin, sure. Ole
woman Ga "hallo!' within the shar ty was
the first indication the traveller had of any
human being on the premises) and the stran-
ger plays the turn Of the Rackensack Traveller.
My friend, hitch your hoss to the simmon
ali nj
woman, call call Sail and Nance up from the
springfield Nance to 60 into the spring house
and cut off good large piece of bear.
stake, to brile for that strangers supper-tell
Sal to knock over chicken or two, and get
out some four-doins and chicken fxens for
the stranger. (Bil just heaves in sight,
twenty-four hours earlier than he was expect
ed half hour before.) Bill, o Bill, there's
stranger here, as plays the turn of the Rack
ensack Traveller to the corn crib and
get a big punkin, and bring it to the house,
SO the stranger can have suthin to sit on and
skin 'tater long with me and the ole woman
while the gals is gettin' supper-and Bill,
take the hoss, and give him plenty of corn,
no nubbins, Bill, then rub him down we'll, and
then when you come to the house bring up
dried hide and bear-skin for the stranger to
sleep on, an then Bill, I reckon he'll play the
turn of the "Rackensack Traveller" for US.
The "punkin" was brought, the "taters"
were skinned" and eaten the "turn" of the
"Rackensack Traveller" was played repeat
edly, to their abundant edifcation; and the
gals" finally announced that supper was
"ready;" and although instead of "store tea"
they only had "sasifax tea doins" without
milk, yet the repast was one to be long and
gratefully remembered The traveller re-
mained all night, and was piloted safely over
the "big creek" early the next morning. OF
a truth, Emusic has charms to soothe the saw
age breast !"
COURTsHIp ANDMATRIMONYIN GERMANY
In default Of a public announcement of a
betrothal, people in the habit Of watching the
actors from evening to evening may tell by
one infallible sign when the happy climax is
reached. AS soon as the swain begins to pay
the young lady's reckoning in addition to his
own, depend on it, they are engaged.