The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-01-14
A PESNSYLyAXIA AMAZON
The IdiOSvncrasies of Emma BrittOn,
Otherwise johnny"

MILTON, PA, Decemhpr 30.-Away 4
up here in this quiet region lives one of /
the most remarkable psychological crea- |
tinns of the nineteenth century. 1t Is
no less than woman who j. a woman |
only in sex, presenting p"culiariIes /
which wonld have entitled her to a high |
rank among the famous women of that
mythical age when Thalestris made love |
to Alexander, when Hippolyie fought
Hercules for the belt. and when PEN
thesilea lost her life in a duel with
Achilles. The person Of whom ! write
lives at Lewisburg, on the Snsquehanna.
Respectable, dressed in woman's garb,
yet as devoid of womanly qualities a.
an iceberg is Of heat; adoring her moth
er with childish devotion yet stunning
and avoiding all other women; gay live
ly, dashing, expert. tolerably well edu-
Gated; partaking of everything partaken
of by man in the shape of legitimate
sport, pastime, food and drink; such in
brief, is the weird, wild creature, Emma
Britton by name, but better known over
the whole country side as johnny"
She is above the medium height, is
feshy and we'll formed and weighs about
140 pounds. Her black hair hangs loose
about her shoulders and a seal cap hangs
jaunIily upon one side Of her head. Her
short coat has broad lappels and big but
tons, and her plain brown DIRE - d,-scends
modestly to a pair Of pretty shaped feet
in heavy morocco boots A white silk
handkerchief, heavy gold chain and
necklace are about her neck. Her hands
are ruddy AMI rough. and rarely encaS,.'l
in gloves. She is twenty years of age,
was born near Lewisbnrg, aud H. from
respectable family. Her father is dead
and her guardian has some funds be
longing to her which enable her To
travel from place tn place. vi-iting the
bnys." She can skate, drive, run. play
base ball, bet, talk slang. take a hand at
draw poker, or eribbage. smoke, dance.
drink beer, ride hOrseback. swim aud
dive with the best and the worst Of men.
yet there is no person in the village who
for moment thinks johnny" Britton
a very bad girl. ] was hooking at "A
photograph representing her dressed in
n base ball suit. There seemed To be
shadow of shame on her features. 81
tell you hated the idea Of being wound
up in those tags, and / shall never be
caught in them again." she said. 81 want
to keep in my own harness, although ]
hate those who wear IT," She has "A
broad forehead, clear blue eyes, prom
inent nose, finely curved lips, pretty
teeth, round dimpled chin, fair com
plexion, rosy cheeks and a very genial
and lively disposition She has taken
several prizes for fine skating, and can
outstrip the heetest young man in the
neigh hborhood. She seems TO be particu-
larly fond of ball-pIayinR; throws a
heavy base ball with great force, swift
ness and regularity and can catch swift
ly thrown balls with great ease and GER
tainty. On skates she can jump fifteen
feet and execute the most difficult figures.
AT fifty yards she can hit a man smack
in the face with ball nearly every time;
that is, if the ball is not stopped by the
catcher's hands. She has run 100 yards
in thirteen seconds, which is good time,
even for a man; and can saddle and brid
lie horse as well and as quickly as any
| jockey. She is an expert rider and driv-
er. brave-almost reckless, and no horse
can get too fast for her. At race or
match of any kind she'll join the sport
ing men, buy pools and wager her mon
ey with the rest of them. She will stand
at bar, call for drinks, swallow liquor,
pay for it, smoke and talk horse. She
detests chewing tabIcco, rarely indulges
in profane language, bnt never in vul-
garity. She abhors and looks with con.
tempt upon any person who dares To Use
indecent language in her presence
Hence, she is treated with great respect
by those who know her. She il never
seen intoxicated, and when at home is
rarely out of the house after sunset. Ir
ony athletic sports she generally lead
all her companions; and when any de.
vilfry is concocted that she thinks il moi
rascally or dishonorable. she il at al
times ready and willing to lend hand
She is an expert marksman with rife
and pistol. As an off hand shot her skill
is simply marvellous. At quoit-pitchinl
she shows to good advantage and she car
swim half-miIe very easily. She detest
show and display, and says that she f-e
quently regrets that she il the object o
so much idle curiosity wherever sh'
goes. ] asked her what induced her Il
become 80 unwomanly, and she replied
that she alwaps wanted to be with th'
boys. From her earli"st recollection
she has been extremely sorry that sh
was born girl. She remembers havinj
stoutly protested against wearing dresse
when quite young, and she vowed theI
that she would be a man in spite Of al
them. There is nothing foolish or frivol
Gus about her, but she appears to be
sensible, thoughtful woman, fully cogn
liant of what she is doing, and at al
times ready to defend her position b,
argument that has a sound ring. She
curious creature at best, and the NOR
she is known the more of puzzle sh
appears. She lately visited PHILADELPHIA
to attend the Moody and Sankey meet
ings, and since her return ] am told tina
she is turning over a new leaf. but tina
is not certain. She always said she woul'
never marry. She likes men AS cornpan
ions, hut she could not think of beinI
the wife of one.
CHEERFULNEss AT HoME.-Amonl
e parents, calmness, patience, cheerfn
! good nature, are of vital importance
y Many a child goes astray, not hecaus
u there is a want Of prayer or virtue a
n home, but simply because home lack
!. | st,psl,ina A child naaIa ami Iaa aa p,ocl