The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1876-10-13
PETER BARTLETT.
The Great American Typographical
Tourist.
[From the sedalia MO- Democrat

pedestrian and typographical tourist,
arrived in this city at a. m. yesterday.
He is a philosopher who has devoted
his life to studying the changes of gov
eminent, and their effects upon the
people. In order 10 do this thoroughly
and efiectually, it keeps him constantly
travelling. His last "trip was over the
"hog- back" of Missouri, rs he scientific
cally describes the Ozark Hills He
states that the % years experience he
has had in going TO and fro upon the
earth leads him 10 conclude that the
world is growing worse. Take, "
says Peter, "the true standard of hui
man happiness and the basis of pros
perity-the price of whisky. In the
days of ante b liam it was three cents a
drink and trust; now il is fifteen cents
and mo trust staring you in the face
from the walls of every hostelrie."
"No,n said Z. Il. L., mournfully,
"times amt what they used 10 be"
and, dropping the sem space with
which he had been unconsciously toy
ing, he said: "Gimme four-bitsln
Peter Bartlett Lee has pass over
every railroad in the United States but
he says he can't utilize them, for " il
always makes his feet sore TO ride in the
cars" There is not railroad bridge
/ i'm the United States but bears the im-
press Of his fingers and toe nails, as he
cooned " across; nor is there the hum
of a telegraph wire in the United States
but what he recognizes.
His experience would fill volume of
strange adventure. Many an Indictment
night some simple farmer, living re-
mote from lines of trade and travel, has
/ heard knock at his door, and, upon
opening il, was greeted with the APP
/ partition of gaunt and seedy stranger,
/ balanced on each side with mutton
chop whisker, and whose body swayed
to one side rs a counterpoise to roll
OF newspaper exchanges, which he car
ried under the opposite arm.
This would be Peter Bartlett Lee, who
wanted a nights lodging.
Permission To enter being granted,
Peter would soon be comfortably seated
/ beside the blazing hearth, and his social
powers would soon disarm all suspicion.
The exchanges would be unf-lded, and
ere an hour the entire household would
be intently interested in the doings in
the great world around them, rs elo-
quently read by Peter Bartlett. The
delight which he at first inspired by his
pleasing powers of description ascend
ed into awe at the deep and profound
knowledge he displayed on subjects of
political economy, while from the rich
library of his memory he would unfold
volume after volume Of historical lore.
In two hours, Peter Bartlett would be
q general favorite and welcome MEM
Der Of a happy household; in two more,
he would be snugly asleep in the best
bed in the best room in the house. Two
or three DAYS will T. Is. thus rest and
recruit his tired body, when he will
again TO the road, taking the earnest
wishes OF that household, who watch
from the portal the retrcating figure of
this strange and mysterious visitor as he
fades into the dim shadows that form
the barriers between them and the great
world without. But though he may
never again appear to them, that family
will never forget the visit Of Peter Bart
lett Lee.
Equally at home is Peter Bartlett in
the large city, and his first visit Is gem
orally to that temple of information and
useful knowledge-the printing Office.
No matter what part of the Union II
may be in, the moment he arrives n
general yell Of recognition goes up a.
he enters the composing room, and a
volley of inquiries and EXPLANATIONS
: rattle around the alleys:
"Hello, Petel how's the walkingP''
+ "Pete, did you come in on Pull
man?n
, "Peter Bartlett, amt you so tired OF
sitting down, yer feet acnel"
: go. shoot the nose!n
"Hevings, what hiatt" ard > 'hou-
sand other expressions and irOnicaI
, suggestions greet him on all sides.
Peter Bartlett gravely bows until the
confusion subsidies, when he advances
, and receives "A hearty greeting from tine
, typo throng Thenext thing
| =. Il. does, however, is to proceed e
, business, and the whole Office is laid
under contribution, which is duly pre-
, scented 10 him as "a testimonial of re-
spect.n
I Peter Immediately disappears, and in
20 minutes has persuaded the nearest
? saloon-keeper that he is the new rail
: road superintendent just appointed.
r When this first installment of lucre il
gone, he tackles the editorial room, and
r rarely fails to make raise. And wher
this and all other sources of iinancia
: replenishment ara exhausted, Pete
Bartlett gets another bundle of ex
changes and again starts out on his end
: less journey-a Typographical Wander
ing jew!
.
There are worse men than he wh'
are wanderers. and when his last tram
= is ended az the edge of that 9 Darl