Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-04-19
NO. SO.
9uetru.
from the Operator J
TRUTHFUL DAVE.


David Sloan is a live Yankee, who for many q
year has spliced the wires of the Western Union
Company. and is well known among the fraternity
in Maine as jolly repairer and tough yarn spin
ner7 Strangers who meet him ON the train or see
country taverns, unfolding his maryeious tsleS to
whether he is Roaring Ralph ssacEpois. Tom Col.
Inns or Sinbad the Sailor, as he seems to be . sin.
guar combination of ali three, and like Gratiano,
Speaks an infinite deal of nothing, more than
But it is easy matter to caricature Truthful
Dave, SO we will let him tell his own story in his
own peculiar style.
No, Stranger, Pm neither Jones nor Brown,
II its all the same to you;
I'm generally known as David Sloan,
Llneman for the w. U.
"Green hand ?" Why. bless your darling old skin,
I've been fourteen years on the line,
As Pm Truthful Dave-but yenr pardon crave,
That point is a weakness OF mine.
Most of the time Pve been here in Maine.
And hard, rough life pve led;
know every foot OF the Companys route,
From Portland to "Old Moosehead."
I've worked through the Winters icy storms,
When my hands froze onto the wire;
And I've been on the spot with the wire red hot
In the sun-or am liar.
Yes I often sleep in the open air,
When the weather is not very bad
And I've mended the line when these teeth ofmine
Were the only pliers had.
A reparer's life is hard at the best,
And a hazardous one as well;
How near l came TO the martyrs fame
Is what am going to tell.
1t was somewhere about i've years ago:
was down to q husking bee
At place called Winn-I had slathers Of tin,
And was in for high old spree.
Twas regular free and easy time
And waded in my heft;
There was plenty ofcheer and the gals drank beer
It'll there wasn't mugful left.
Bye and bye there came line from Bliss,
Which took me down peg;
The wire was down, just east of town
Then known as MattawamkeaS.
gathered my kit, took whole mince pie
A gilt from one of the lassies-
And a bottle halfiu (for Pd taken pul)
OF Old Tom Gin and measses.
Then walked five miles to Mattawamkeag,
Where got out side of that pie;
Then spoke to the Boss, and he says, "Old Hoss
60 forward and mind your eye."
SO forward went for to find that break,
And walked three hours or MORE
Till play ed out Pard for the road was hard,
And my bunions were growing sore.
At last spied the trouble ahead,
Twas a ground and the line was foul;
I'd got out my wise for to make . splice,
When heard most horrible growl.
l gave one look at the thicket behind,
And, Stranger the sight see
Fairly riz my hair; twas big black bear,
And the crittur was coming for me.
dropped my kit buckled on my spurs,
And dug for the nearest pole
Twas a narrow squeak, but got to the peak
As Bruin came round for his toll
He didn't stop there, but followed me up:
Thought it was good bye. then;
But rammed my boot in the crittur's sno0t,
And he went to the ground again.
thought perhaps he'd vamoose-but no,
He squat there garing at me
Like a horrible GhOul, but l took 1t COOL
And lighted my old T. d.
blew n cloud, then went for that bottle
Oftod. for you see my copper
Was a growing hot but the darned thing shot
And LETT me only the stopper.
Now who would think that was o streak OF luck?
When let that liquor fall
1t dropped right square in the mouth Of the bear,
And he swallowed it, bottle and all
And livelier bear you never did see;
He was drunk as New York swell
(Patrolling Broadway on a New Years Day.
And contaminated around pelmeli.
Bye and bye he got kind of quiet like.
And waddled of for his nest;
He fell in lump At the loot of q stump,
And snored like all possessed.
Igave one squint up the road to see
Ii any more varmints were round;
But I'd nothing to fear, for the coast was clear,
SO l made my way to the ground.
"Run?" Now your talking United staiesi
shot like a streak o. light;
Twas seventeen mile to the nearest tile,
But slept at Danlorth that night.
"Drink?" Yes.-I don't mind seeing its you
little hot water and gin,
just to warm up my smellers; WE'LL good night
fellers
ireckon I'd better turn in.