Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-12-05
Miserllaneous. "a
A Jack-at-all- Trades.

"les, sir" remarked Smartington.
Il can tell mans occupation in five
minutes by talking with him-he's
sure 10 let it out in some way-can't
keep silent about business he's inter-
ested in"
Don't say so:" remarked his friend
Crank, as they both settled themselves
on the top of White Mountain stage
coach. "Well. now here's this new
conner. he in the straw hat and specta-
cles. that's going 10 ride beside us,
suppose you try him."
"All right, my boy. he's an easy
one" And so when the stranger had
settled himself in his seat, protlered 4
cigar to each Of the two, which was
accepted, and lighted his own, Smart
ington began:
Mighty fine cigar. sir, get 'em in
Boston,
Yes. some Judge Gay of the Su-
preme Court gave me just before l
started"
(Smart winking at his companion)
"lou gentlemen of the legal profession
always use very good article of this
kind"
.'The article is good one, but l am
not in the legal profession" remarked
he of the straw tile.
"Oh, beg pardon. Splendid morn
ing this for stage coach ride, isn't it =
"Yes, but much better one for a
long tramp through the country"
Then you like a good walk. ] sup
pose you are used to it-don't mind
fatigue, eh:"
"Oh no. said straw hat, "Tve
walked hundreds of niles rode. too,
horseback as well as muleback."
Where did you ever walk mest:'
down South during the war"
Indeed Did you see any Of the
Union generals!'
Certainly" said the stranger. smil.
ing, knew Burnside well, he's good
pedestrian himself-little Phil Sheri-
dan, too he looks better on horseback
than on foot saw him in that ride
Sheridan's Ride, you know; was al
| Winchester. Fighting Joe Hooker's
a splendid fellow; with him two cam.
paigns; rides well, talks we'll, walks
well"
"Ah, then you are soldier, l see, u
said Smart decidedly.
"Oh no, sir! wish / had been, but
never shouldered musket in my life. ,
Smart looked little disappointed as
his friend nudged him and gave sub
dued chuckle at his second failure, but
he returned to the charge again. 81
suppose business and amusements will
both be lively this fall"
''Yes. there's every promise Of hea.
Wy freights from West TO East this
fall / think Vanderbilt will try To
make some changes in his lines that
will require fresh combinations East.
| He is more reticent about his plans
than Tom Scott; I'd rather talk with
Scott ten minutes than Vanderbilt
half an hour, as far as information's
concerned"
well, which on the whole do you
ialiioau Iueu tuiuh tuc ooiSott cSoss
or Vanderbilt"
well, l knew the old Commodore
better than Scott, although the latter
| always found very sound and practi-
cable-but bless you, I'm not a rail-
road man." said the new conner,
laughing.
Indeed then l suppose you don't
object to the stage as a travelling con-
veyance."
mo, sir; not in this part of coun-
try-nor the dramatic stage as al
amusement at home"
'.Nor /, but l prefer good Shaks.
perean play to the variety show and
burlesques of the present day-don't
you"
"Generaily; though both may be
enjoyed," said the straw-hat wearer.
..But you certainly have seen Edwin
Booth, Barrett, and John Mccullough,
haven't you"
"Oh, yes, know 'em all we'll. and
Forrest and Booth, Charles Kean, el'
der vandenhof, Macready and others,
such as Gus Brooke - Gustavus
Vaughn Brooke, you know-and Jiu
Murdock, an excellent Hamlet, now
reader. Why, I've helped Brooke
dress and make up for his part in tht
Corsican Brothers-poor fellow lost d