The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1833-05-25

On board the steamboat Cygnet, near the
city of Alexandria, down little ways
below Washington, May the 9th, 1888.
To the Editor Of the Portland Courier in
the Mariners Church Building, Cd sto-
ry, Eastern end, Fore street, away
down East, in the State Of Maine,
My dear old Friend: We've had a kind
Of hurIy burly time here to-day. 4
didn't know but we should burst the biler
one spell; and some Of US, as 1t was, got
scalding hot. You see, and the Presi-
dent and a few more gentlemen got into
the steamboat this morning to 60 round to
old Virginny to help lay the foundation ol
monument, so they shouldn't forget who
Washington's mother was.
When we got down along to Alexan-
dria the boat hauled up to the side of the
wharf awhile TO let some more folks get
in, and while she lay there, l and the
President and few more Of 'em sot in
the cabin reading and chatting with one
another. The President had Just got
through reading letter from uncle Josh
ua Downing, urging him very strongly to
come up as far as Dowingville whe1- he
comes on that way. And says he, MAJOR
Downing, this uncle Joshua OF yours Is a
real true blue republican. as know ofany
where. ! wouldn't miss seeing him when
l 60 down east for whole years salary.
Says l, your honor, Downingvile is the
most thorough going republican town
there is any where in the eastern country;
and you ought not to come back till you
have visited it. Jest as said that there
was stranger came into the cabin and
slept along up to the President, and be-
gan to pull off his glove. Thought there
was some mischief bruing, for his lips
were kind Of quivery, and didn't like
the looks ofhis eyes bit. But the Presi-
dent thought he was trying to get his
gloves of 10 shake hands with him, and
the good old man is always ready to shake
hands with friend; so he reached out
his hand to him and smiled, and told him
never.to stand for the gloves, and the
words want hardly out Of his mouth when
dab went one OF the fellows hands slap
into the Presidents face.
In moment evelled my umbrella
at the villains head, and came pesky
near fetching him to the floor. Two
more gentlemen then clenched him by
the collar and had him down as quick al
ever you see beef OK knocked down
with an axe. In a minute there was {
crowd round him as thick as q swarm o
bees.
But, my stars, wish you could have
seen the President jest at that minute
If you ever see lion lying down asleep
and man come along with great club
and hit him pot with all his might, and
then see that lion spring on his feet, and
see the fire flash in his eyes, and hear
him roar and gnash his teeth, you might
give some sort of u guess what KIND OF a
hurrycane we had Of it.
The old General no sooner felt the fel-
lows paw in his face than he sprung IKE
a steelIrap, and cntched his cane and
went at him. But there was such crowd
of men there iii ain instant, that it was al
much impossible to get through 'em as It
was for the British to get through his pile
of cotton wool bags at New Orleans. II
it hadn't been for that, don't think but
that he would have kicked the fellow
through the side of the steamboat In two
minutes.
However, somehow or other the rascal
got hustled out of the boat on to the
wharf, and fed like dog that had been
stealing sheep. They have sent some Of
ficers after him; but where they will over
take him nobody knows.
The President has got cieverly cooled
down again, and we are going on to lay
the foundation Of the monument.
My love to all the good folks up III
Dowhingville: 49,
MAJOR JACK DowYiNG.