110                      LIFE    OF   AAEON   BUEE.

that important post. He was now twenty-three years old, but
the youthfulness of his appearance still gave rise to ludicrous
incidents. One day, while he was at West Point, a farmer
came to the works, and asked to see Colonel Burr. An or¬
derly sergeant conducted him to the apartment where Colonel
Burr was,

" Sir," said the farmer, " I wish to see Colonel Burr, as I
have something to say, to him,"

" You may proceed," was the reply, " I aip Colonel Burr,"

The countryman looked incredulous, and said, " I suppose
you are Colonel Burr's'sow,"

The sentinel at the door overheard this colloquy, and Burr
thus acquired the nickname in the regiment of Colonel Purr''s
son.