Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-05-29

The Adage Illustrated by Two
Events, More or Less,
Apochryphal

Apoohryphal
1t is a curious fact that after
period Of time, it may be a couple or
more solar cycles, strikingly similar
events will occur. To illustrate.
Many years ago an upright Quaker
gentleman kept a general store in
the sedate town of Stroudsburg. It
was before the days of railroads, and
the goods were hauled from Phila-
delphia by wagons, trip occupying
several days. William was the gene
raj man Of all work for the merchant
and late one fall he was sent to the
city for a load of goods with an
injunction to make all haste possible
to return Days elapsed and when
the time for his appearance approach
ed the Quaker restlessly paced his
porch and eagerly scanned the road
for a sight of William. The molasses
was out and daily the back country
dutch were clamOring for that neces-
sary adjunct to their salt pork and
buckwheats. But William did not
appear and in the mean time a severe
snow storm came on, which naturally
would cause delay and make wagon
ing well nigh impossible. Finally,
after several days of anxiety and
worry, William and the-tea hove
in sight. His first greeting was an
impatient "William, where on earth
has thee be, n, where was thee when
the snow storm came on? William
named the town. "Why," exclaimed
the ireful Quaker, "that is my native
town, / was brought up there and
know many people, why did not thee
make thyself known and say for
whom thou were driving and borrow
pung or sleigh and hurry on with
the molasses." "Well," replied
William rather ruefully, al did men
tion it, but l found the more l said
about thee the less willing they were
to loan me anything and finally 1
found it best to leave as quick as I
could with the wagon"
Quite recently a party of distin-
guished gentlemen from New Jersey
who were over viewing the exhilarat
ing scenery fthis county had become
so entranced with its beauty as to
prolong their visit until the shades Of
evening gathered and darkness fell.
The way was uncertain, the roads
appeared to multiply and doubts
arose as to which one would lead to
their home, In this emergency one
Of them recalled that they were near
his native town and suggested that he
would borrow lantern. According
~ the vehicle halted in front of q
Jersey cottage and the owner was
awakened by loud hallos. He came
to the window and made inquiry.
Being informed of the situation and
the desire for more light on the
subject he was about to comply,
when, to clinch the matter and duly
impress him with the importance Of
the favor he was about to confer, the
gentleman who claimed nativity
named the party, emphasizing his
own name with the remark, you
know me, and stating that the place
was formerly his home. The lantern
loaner instantly changed tactics and
exclaimed "yes, dod gast you know
you. Betsy bring me my shot gun
and tell Sal to unchain the pup while
/ stay here by the winder and watch
this outfit. The outfit did not stay tc
be watched. Where they went No
one knows, but early next morning
they brought up at the Brick House
in Montague and laid their tired
heads on downy pillows for a few
wings Of sleep.
The Register may copy.