The Von Toodleburgs | Page 7

humor. Then the
school-master, who was not to be behind any of them when there was
flip in the wind, looked in to pay his compliments to Hanz, for the
snow had closed up his little school-house for the day. But, in truth, the
pedagogue had a weakness he could not overcome, and when invited to
take flip tossed off so many mugs as completely to loose his wits,
though his tongue ran so nimbly that he was more than a match for the
Dominie, who declined discussing a question of religion with him, but
offered to tell a story for every song he would sing. Four mugs of flip
and two songs and the school-master went into a deep sleep in his chair,
where he remained for the rest of the day.

The question as to who should name the young gentleman at Hanz's
house was now discussed. The names of various great men were
suggested, such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Hanz
shook his head negatively at the mention of these. "It vas not goot to
give a poy too pig a name; t-makes um prout ven da grows up," he said.
It was finally agreed that the young gentleman should be called Titus
Bright, after the little ruddy-faced inn-keeper. And the little man was so
pleased with the idea of having his name engrafted on that of the
Toodleburg family, that he promised a fat turkey and the best pig of the
litter for the christening dinner. More flip was now drank, and the
merry party shook hands and parted in the best of temper.
Hanz felt that as Heaven had blessed him and Angeline with this fine
boy, and so increased their joys, he must do something generous for his
friends. So, on the morning following he sent the Dominie a pig and a
peck of fine flour, for which that quaint divine thanked him and prayed
Heaven that he might send more. He gave the school-master a big pipe
and tobacco enough to last him a month. He also ordered the tailor to
make the pedagogue a new suit of homespun, something the poor man
had not had for many a day. School-mastering was not a business men
got rich at in those days, and poor Wiggins, for such was his name, had
a hard time to keep the wolf from his door. Indeed, he thought himself
well paid with four dollars a week and his victuals, which he got
around among the parents of his scholars. His worldly goods consisted
of little else than his birch and pipe, and the shabby clothes on his back.
And as the length of his engagements depended on his good behavior,
which was none of the best, he was frequently seen tramping from
village to village in search of a job.
As for Doctor Critchel, Hanz felt that he owed him a debt of gratitude
he could never pay, even were he to give him the farm. It was no use
offering the doctor a new suit of clothes, as he was never known to
wear such things. As for snuff-boxes, he had at least a dozen. Hanz sent
him a goose to roast for his dinner, a fat sheep, and a bag of extra flour,
just from the mill.
I may have been too particular in describing how and when this young

gentleman came into the world, but my reason for it is that there may
be those among my readers who will recognize the great and very
distinguished family of Von Toodleburg, which not many years ago
amazed New York with its brilliancy, and be anxious to know some of
the ups and downs of its early history.
CHAPTER IV.
CHANGED PROSPECTS.
Twelve years have passed since that stormy night when Titus Bright
Toodleburg--for the young gentleman as I have said before, was named
after the inn-keeper, came into the world. Great changes have taken
place since then. Tite, as the neighbors all call him, is now a bright,
intelligent boy, and a great favorite in the village. Hanz and Angeline
are proud of him, and he promises to be the joy of their declining years.
Hanz had always held to the opinion that men with too much learning
were dangerous to the peace of a neighborhood, inasmuch as it caused
them to neglect their farms and take to pursuits in which the devil was
served and honest people made beggars. He had, however, sent Tite to
school, and now the young gentleman could read, write, and cypher;
and this, he declared, was learning enough to get a man safe through
the world if he but followed an honest occupation and saved his money.
In addition to so much learning, the young gentleman had early
discovered an