The Cecil Whig., 1886-01-23
S'"a'ss 4" literature and Bios''pAp.
LOCAL CELEBRITIES.
BY A. {. SHIPPERS.
An Original WHIG Feature.

BY A. c. SIMPERS.
In a late issue of the OXFORD Press the
industrious "Straystraw" contributes an
interesting article on Captain krauss,'
late mine host of krauss' Tavern. at
Harrisville, Sixth district, Cecil county.
Contemporary with krauss, and living
near him, was DR.. Robert Allen, in his
day one of the most renowned celebrities
of upper Cecil. lie owned large tract
of poorly cultivated land, a pack of
hounds and numerous slaves. He was
a Presbyterian and a strict attendant of
Mr. Magraw's Church. The writer of
this article can vividly recall his TALL un-
gainly figure, clad in homely blue jeans
the lower part Of his very long legs
wrapped in green ''leggins; astride
tall, ganglng horse, equipped with
leather saddle (such as is now only seen
upon the Saddle horse of a road team)
across this hard, uncomfortable seat
were suspended the saddle bags, dang
ling on each side of the 'critttr' and
pouched out with drugs and medicines
enough to start an apothecary shop. This
was the figure he presented when max
ing his round of professional visits.
circuit of fifty Or sixty miles in day
was no unusual amount of riding for
him to do. The Doctor was not re-
nowned for overweening modesty. and if
he arrived at farm house especially
noted for good cheer, after the dinner
hour, he lost no time in stating that "he
had ridden far and was very hungry
He would then enumerate to his hostess
the viands which best pleased his palate
and suited his stomach, and they were
generally of the best that farmers
we'll stored larder contained. Like the
modern tramp, he had 'penchant' for
strange victuals, and the houses of his
patients where bountiful meals were
wont to be spread were all Spotted" Z"
After partaking of good dinner, smok-
ing his clay pipe and telling few anec-
dotes, of which he had an inexhaustible
supply, he would remount his raw boned
steed and start homeward, never failing
to stop on the way at the house of some
friend where he knew that smoking and
pa'atable suppers were apt to be served
at early candle light. But educated and
competent physicians Were not then To-
Gated at every country crossroads; the
"medicine man" was regarded by the
sim pe- minded rnSticS of that day with
awe and superstition. In the spring of
the year DR.. A was often seen minus
his saddle bags galloping over the fields
and woods and muddy roads in wake of
his yelping hounds fox limiting, of VIII; ch
he was passionately fond. Although uu-
gainly in person, rude and unccuth in
manner and speech, he had good edu-
skill and Judgment. His wife was re-
fined and educated gentlewoman of the
old school, whose fastidious tastes re-
volted at the sights and smells of the
kitchen, which she seldom visited: and
this department was entirely given up
to cole Suke," a negro slave, who was
born in the Allen family. She lived to
great age, and died few years ago on
the old Allen homestead. The sayings
and doings of Suke" were almost as re-
nowned in the neighborhood as those of
her master. 1t sometimes happened
through the interposition of Providence
or orderings of cruel fate that the
Doctor in his rounds missed his supper
and arrived unexpectedly at home for
that meal, giving his horse to the groom
he would stalk into the kitchen, where
his unexpected appearance never failed
to spread CONSERVATION among the
hounds and negroes gathered in pro-
miscuous group around the blazing
hearth. The Doctors favorite method
of procedure on such occasions was to
stick thumb in each of the eyes of the
trembling "Suke" and thus conduct her
across the kitchen until he brought her
head in contact with the wall and ad-
min stored sundry bumps, accompanied
with fierce demands as to why his sup
per was never ready when he came for
it, AS the Uranium of 'Suke" was gen
orally protected by heavey growth of
thick wool aud several folds OF gay and
dirty bandanna, the pain she suffered
from this apparer tly severe punishment
was not very great; moreover she genei
ally managed to wIiggle from the grasp
Of her master about the third bump and
fly to the room of her mistress for pro-
lection. A few gentle words from his
wife never failed to soothe the domestic
tyrant into comparatively reasonable
being, and restore peace for the time be-
ing. DR.. John Allen, the only son of
DR.. Robert, a young man of great prom
Use, who was killed in early manhood by
a fall from his horse, was fond of play
ing jokes upon his fathers negroes,
especially "Suke' One of the tasks as
signed to "Suke" was the manufacture
of soft soap from the wood ashes as tLey
accumulated and were removed from the
open fire places, with which the old man
sion abounded. Many years did the pa
tieLt Suke run off lye' and boil the
fat, etc, stirring the mess with stout
sassafras stick, but at last one season
she revolted: Somebody else might tIy
der han at de sop-making," she 'w urn't
'gwine to do it no no. Threats and
entreaties were alike in vain, the obdu
rate Suke remaining firm on the soap
question. One evening stout, middle
aged negro man entered the Kitchen and
announced himself, to its astonished in
mates, as Pompey Wire, from Hartford
county. He had heard, he said, of the
domestic virtues of mistress "Suke,"
of her skill in the manufacture
of soft soap. He desired to win just an
and amiable creature for
his wife, with the consent of her master |
and mistress" Tne tlattered and de-
lighted "Suke" set up nice tea in "a |
iiffy," aad the two retired to a warm cor
ner to eat and chat in the seclusion dear !
to the hearts of lovers. The next day |
H., ,rnea ba t;,noc ,pJ b, |