Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 September 1875 — Pretty Tough Plug. [ARTICLE]

Pretty Tough Plug.

One day last month, when trade was dull, n Vicksbtirg.grocery clerk procured, a piece of sole-leather from a shoemaker, painted it black and laid it aside for future use. Within a few days an old chap from back in the country came in and inquired for a plug of chewing tobacco. The piece of sole Leather was tied up, paid for, and ’flie purchaser started for home. At the end of the sixth day he returned, looking downcast and deiected, and, walking into thestore, he inquired of the clerk: “ ’Member that terbacker I got here the other day?” “ Yes.” “Well, was that a new brand - ?” “No—same old brand.” “ Regular plug terbacker, was it "Yes,” “Well, then, it’s me; it’s right here in my jaws,”-sadly replied the man. “ I knowed I whs gittin’ party old, but I wus alius handy on bitin’ plug. I never seed a plug afore this one that I couldn’t tear to pieces at one chaw. I sot my teeth on to this one, and bit and pulled and twisted, like a dog at a root, and I’ve kept biting and pulling for six davs, and thar she am now. the same as the clay you sold her to me!” “Seems to be good plug,” remarked the clerk, as he smelled ot the counterfeit. “ She’s all right; it’s me that's failing!” exclaimed the old man. “ Pass me out some fine-cut, and I’ll go home and deed the farm to the boys, and git ready for the grave!”— Vicksburg Herald.