Knick-Knacks from an Editor's Table (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1853 Excerpt: ...and carries them back to a world that is past, and to scenes never to be renewed again.' We are obliged for the kind words of our 'Newburgh Friend and for this anecdote of an odd character in that meridian: 'Riding in a stage-coach a short time since, we happened to have among others for a fellow-passenger an ardent teetotaller, who was descanting eloquently upon the great value and many excellent qualities of water, and especially of its prime necessity as a beverage; declaring that nothing could be substituted in its place, etc.; when an old gentleman, who had been listening with evident impatience, remarked, with rather a contemptuous look: 'I hain't nothing to say ag'in water; I think it's very good in its place; but for a steady drink, give me rum ' I should just like you to have seen Teetotal's face when he heard this reply. All the passengers looked grave for a second or so, (for the assumption was altogether astounding, ) and then burst into a roar that made the stagecoach ring again.' 174 Tricks Upon Travellers. Some one mentioned to us the other day the circumstances of a fat querulous old fellow who was driven from a stage-coach by passengers whom he had annoyed with his growlings and complainings. A cigar was lighted, when at a preconcerted moment one of the passengers exclaimed, 'For God's sake, Sir, put out that fire I have four pounds of powder in my overcoat pocket ' 'Driver driver stop --stop --Stop ' exclaimed the victim of this 'gunpowder plot: ' 'Let me get out --let me get out There's a man here with powder in his pockets, and he '11 blow us all to the devil ' The complainant 'got out' accordingly, in no small hurry, and the passengers thenceforward pursued the even tenor of their way, undisturbed by his farther annoyance. This anecdo.