The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-06-02

bClbS oSN IL Dy ost1 II wa "aAt ~ w.
keg abide here while look for its pur-
chaser, will do you good turn some
time"
"You may put the barrel ON the floor.
and leave it there" said. "But mind,
if the exciseman should come and ask
about it, Pll not say that it is mine."
ut will have to take It's chance,
FRIEND" he replied, and went his way.
"Ahout three o'c'ook in the afternoon
he came buck. Rubbing his hands as he
Looked down upon the barrel, he ex-
claimed: Good! good! So the receiver
of the Queens revenue has not found
you out. So far so good. Then, looking
me in the face, he id: Tve had my
trouble for nothing; my customer has
not turned up. What to do with the kes
of brandy, | know not Then after
a pause, he asked will you buy it,
friendY 1t is a drop of as G. cd brandy
as ever went into anybody's mouth.
Come, you shall taste it. Just fetcs a
glass.
Having no objection to his offer, l
got glass. Taking small tap out of
his pocket, and driving it into the
taphole with piece of wood he saw near
him, he soon had drawn glass, which
he handed to me. 1t was really first-rate
brandy.
"Now," said the rascal Il can call him
by no better namel as you have done
me a good turn today, I'll put few
shillings into your pocket in the way of
trade. You shall have this two-gallon
keg of brandy for sovereign
"The brandy was dirt-cheap at that
price. knew where could sell it, if |
wished; so giving the fellow the money, l
took my purchase into the cellar. At
night, after | had shut up my shop, l be-
thought me of the brandy. Thinks l.;
Tll keep it for my own use and comfort;
and as it is not often we indulge, III
draw myself and wife glass; it will
make us good nightcap.' So getting a
couple of tumblers went down into the
cellar, and soon drew glass of brandy.
But when began to draw a second,
scarce drop could l get. 'How's this%
I exclaimed, and gave the barrel a shake.
1t sounded all right. But not another
drop would flow. There's something
wreng in the state of Denmark l ex-
claimed aloud, and waxed very wroth." i"
"That's just like you, Barker" said
my host, who seemed as if he had a
license to say to him what he liked.
"Like or not like" he replied, II was
resolved to bottom the mystery. So put
ting the barrel on one end, knocked off
a hoop and took out one of the staves of
the lid. | was almost petrified at what
saw. The barrel was nearly full of
Adams ale-clear water. Where in the
world did the brandy come from% l ex-
claimed. Pouring out the water not in
the best of temper, the mystery stood
explained before me. A tin tube had
been fixed, one end in the bunghole, the
other in the taphole; this had been filed
with good liquor-scarcely half a pint.
All the rest of the space contained
water"
There was such adroitness combined
with novelty i'll this trick, that both my
host and burst into loud laugh
Ere long our host said: "You are a
wiser if not happier man, friend Bar.
ker."
II have no doubt you are both saying
inwardly: The bitter was bit. and serves
him right;' but it has been a nettleisl
piece OF business to me, l assure you
However, it's among accomplished facts
now, and so let it rest there. But now
Pitchfor h, let's have your story. It's dry
work talking and smoking, | tind," con
cluded Barker, emptying and rehllins
his glass.
"My story" began Pitchforth, "is o
,, another order, though it relates to an I'M
, postor who would have come over me tt
,, !, the tune of twenty-five pounds if hat
!. not been too sharp for him. The fact
! are these: l had bred fine young horse
which | valued at twenty-five pounds
Having no use for him, and needing
little ready cash, l took him to Sheffield
fair to sell, when just as l wes about t
leave the fair fine, good-looking man il
: top-boots,and a velvet coat, ,witha riding
whip in his hand, stepped up and aske
a me the price of my horse. replied
Twenty-Five pounds I'll give give yo
}, twenty-three pounds he said. Tninkin
that could not do better, as the fai
u was near its close, closed in with h
u offer. He then took out his pocket-boo
} and presented me with an accommodate
P bill for twen ty-five pounds, and aske
! for the change.
, "'What is this, friendp I asked, lool
>. ing at the paper.
,r "It is a genuine bill of exchapg
\. which any bank will readily discount
/ was his reply.
,e "T don't know that l said, and a
,r ded: Besides, the banks are closed fl
sr the day, so can't test your paper. Blu
" l saba thought striking me-'if yc
l. will 90 with me to my house, where yc
,e can stay for the night, and my neighbo
" approve OF the bill, I'll ratify the ba
er gain To this proposal he readi
Or agreed; and mounting the horse / h;
Il, offered to sell him, 1 and my mare, v
id trotted off from Sheffield. We hi
is eighteen miles to travel; but as the eve
,d in was fine one and our horses We
D. good fettle. we did very we'll. On eros