But it would have been
worth any statesman's money to have heard the profound discussions
that sometimes took place, when by chance an old newspaper fell into
their hands from some passing traveller. How solemnly they would
listen to the contents, as drawled out by Derrick Van Bummel, the
schoolmaster, a dapper learned little man, who was not to be daunted
by the most gigantic word in the dictionary; and how sagely they would
deliberate upon public events some months after they had taken place.
The opinions of this junto were completely controlled by Nicholas
Vedder, a patriarch of the village, and landlord of the inn, at the
door of which he took his seat from morning till night just moving
sufficiently to avoid the sun and keep in the shade of a large tree;
so that the neighbors could tell the hour by his movements as
accurately as by a sun-dial. It is true he was rarely heard to
speak, but smoked his pipe incessantly. His adherents, however (for
every great man has his adherents), perfectly understood him, and knew
how to gather his opinions. When any thing that was read or related
displeased him, he was observed to smoke his pipe vehemently, and to
send forth short, frequent and angry puffs; but when pleased, he would
inhale the smoke slowly and tranquilly, and emit it in light and
placid clouds; and sometimes, taking the pipe from his mouth, and
letting the fragrant vapor curl about his nose, would gravely nod
his head in token of perfect approbation.
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