Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-09-24
THE. ENCHANTED HAT.

his puckets Jack was seaman every inch of
him, and became completely miserable, after a
three weeks absence from his beloved element
la vain had.hc entered Into all the dissipation
aud extravaganza of the metropolis, come-at-a6ie
by one OF his class. His cash appeared mex
nausti5ie. His old habits now returned upon
him with such force, that to sea lac must again.
Accordingly, he shipped board an elegant
brig bound to United States port "a general
peace having restored 10 him his freedom of
will and ordered by the master to Join her
at Grayesend on given day. Jack continued
ms best endeavors to render himself pennyless,
until that day was SO near at hand, that it
impossible for him to be Il nan of ms word with
out the aid of stage coach He however
prayed to Neptune for head wind, and took it
foot--cause why-hc preferred the PedeStfiat
to the cehicuiiar mode of travelling. He Jour
neyed along, solus cum sola, until tAe dinner
hour arrived, when his stomach gave him some
broad hiuts that it needed reinforcement Of
timber, he stopped at the first inn which pre-
sented itself, and called for the best dinner the
bill of fare afforded, pint of brandy, and bot
tie of port. Not that Jack liked wine, but he
had cumbersome balance in his pocket, which
impeded his walking. The walters stared at
him like stuck pigs, but stood as motonless as
though they had been petriied, until he GIN
gled his purse, which was still well stored with,
what an Engtishman delights to look upon-yel-
low boys. There is no letter of introduction,
Jack was speedily served-eat and drank to
his hearts content, and called for his bill. II
was brought, and pretty exorbitant one it was.
He was about to discharge it when a brilliant
thought struck him, and he requested TO see the
keeper of the inn.
BoniiaCe made his appearance, when Jack,
IN the finess of his wisdom told him that he
wished to pay him double. Do you see as how,
shipmate, this here is the thing am bound to
Gravesend, on cruise to America, but have
oVerstayed my time in Lunnun.-Now if SO BE
the ship has sailed, mout be put in hockletly
how to get back, and my lower works suffer for
want of provision. So l wants TO pay YOU
double, and means to pay every body double
as goes along, and then | hes shure not TO
starve as l goes this road again. But will
know you in case the ship has left you? enquir-
cd the landlord. Is that all quoth Jack Here
then is my hat-W hen calls Pll put it on my
left hand. and twirl it thus with my rieht-once
--twice-thrice-apd then You'll be shure TO
remember me. The necessary orders were
given to tire serrants-Jacll paid double and
continued to do SO: until he reached the place
of his destination, ana found the vessel gone
8 sure enough. He remained in GraveseDd till
his last penny was expended and then set out
for LuGnun TO seek for other employ. On
the road he overlook two simple pedIars, whose
exhausted packs required rep!enisbing, and who
were travelling the same way. They Joined
company IN the neighborhood Of turnpike
/ tonished TO find that Jack gave three twirls of
ois hat in lieu of money, for passing il. One
OF has INNS was hard by. EIe proposed TO
them 10 go in, and dine. But {. dey cant not
FeioIt dat-tiey hat sum goot pref and shoes in
dcir packs and YOU'D tine pun dat, and caui him
ven dey hat tun." Well-in goes Jack-dines
stump tuously--ciuckling all the while ut the
establishment which his fellow travellers had
exhibited at has novel mode of discharging his
tufuPlEe fare. Having despatched as much of
tIe good things OF this world as he could posi-
bly, stow away, he ordered them to be called.
They had never looked upon so superb din
ner before, and could scarcely credit their
seaccs when ne divided the better half of bot
tie of wine bctwiXt them and with as authorta-
tive voice as though he had been the prince
regent hinself-(I ask his royal highnesszs par
dou--lieport says he Is abore raying his tilLS.)
II was produced-he gravely twired his hat
three times What's to pay now you dog
Not penny your honour. Jack led the way to
the public road--the Jews following with uplf.
ted llands
They proceeded onward until they reached
another of Jacks hotels, when the severity of the
weather getting tue better of the Jews pars,rno.
ny, they accompanied him in, and engaged a
bed but wished no supper. (The pack was to
be resored to after they retired, jocular reader.
Meanwhile our seaman feasted-shown 10
the best unoCcupicd bed iii the
ed in the morning-and three twirls of his hat
paid the reckoning. They pursued their march
70 the great city, the enchanted hat rendering
purse unnecessary for Jack, until they reach
ed the last stare. The pedlars had held re-
peatel consultations by the way, and the result
was that jacks hat must be purchased cost
what IT would They had already felt his pulse
on the subject, but he was prepared for it, bvt
what had inCautiously escaped them at different
times. and too cunning bird to be Caught with
cnaif. Ills last inn was now entered, and the
same farce acted over again. The virtues of
Jacks beaver fby the by it was made of wool \
bad now ceased, and it would have been an ac.
communication to him. If otherwise situated. to
have parted with il for half a crown; but ne
well snew he could replensn his purse wit, il
al the expense of the creduous tsraelites. who
would have sworn upon the Old Testament I'M
I'll they were black in the face, that ii could Gu
able the holder to eat and drink, and lodge free
ad inhnitum. They were now within a mile of
London, and the hat unpurchased few
minutes more, and they might be forever separ-
ated from this eighth wonder of the world. --No
time was to be iost.--They resolved to strike a
bold stroke, and offered one hundred rnincas
for Jacks head piece. lie laughed tue offer 10
scorn. This made the lncklcss wights vet more
anxious, and after great deal OF btng a bar
gain was struck, whereby Jack got one hundred
and sixty gninoas, and the new hat of one of Inc
circumciscd, (tUr lac was too proud TO make his
appearance III town bareheaded.) for property
mi i'Hrnsjcdiiy iootM eighteen pence.
The money in his purse and the new beaver