Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Wayne County, Ind.) 1831-1837, 1836-07-09

each individual in a crowded street,
yet, when those who were nearest
nodded or spoke, as they civiliy
opened the way, they were surprised
to see the horseman's gaze fixed on
vacancy. and his body remaining as
erect as if tied to a stake.
That mans asleep said one.
Hes as blind as a bat,' said an
other.
Il reckon he's sort O. Dead ex-
claimed third.
He rides an elegant nag remarked
a fourth, and all were surprised that
a man, who was apparently SO good
a Judge of a horse, had not wit
enough to see where he was going,
or to know who were around him.
In tho meanwhile our traveller
moved proudly on, until he reached
the best inn; a fine brick building,
presenting every indication Of neat
ness, comfort, and even luxury. As
he rode up. two well fed athletic ne
groes, with visages like polished ebo-
nv, and teeth as white as snow,
rushed forth, and while one seized
his bride. the other held his stirrup
as he dismounted. Still the automa-
ton relaxed not u muscle; but draw
ing up his body, moved majestically
towards the house. At the door he
was met by the landlord, a portly,
well dressed man, with a fine open
countenance, who had been honored
by his fellow citizens with several
civil appointments, and had even
commanded some of them in the
field, in times of peril. He touched
his hat as he welcomed the stranger,
and invited him into his house with
an air of dignity and hospitality. A
servant took his surtout, and several
gentlemen who were seated round
the fire, pushed back their chars to
make way for the stranger. But all
these things moved not the automa-
ton; the GLAZED eye and compressed
lip were still fixed, and the chin re-
NAMED in the cushion of an immense
cravat. After a momentary pause.
the gentlemen in the room resumed
their conversation, the landlord APP
piled himself to the business of his
house, and the silent traveller was
consigned to the oblivion which he
seemed to covet; and excited no
more attention except from an honest
backwoodsman, who strolled in to
take a peep, and after gazing at him
for 4 quarter Of an hour. suddenly
clapped his hands, and exclaimed to
his companion, 1T moves, Bill! il it
ant alive, I'll agree to go a-foot as
long as | live
BY this time candles were lighted,
and the silent gentleman seemed to
grow weary OF silence. He now
rose and strutted across the apart
ment With a very important stride.
He was a young man OF about two
and twenty; of ordinary height, and
less than ordinary thickness. His
person seemed to he compressed
with corsets, and his head was sup
ported by the ears upon semicircIe
of stiffened linen, which occupied the
place of shirt collar; and all his ha-
biliments announced him to the eyes
of the curious, as a genuine speci-
men Of the singular genus, the dandy:
After taking several turns through
the apartment, he drew forth his gold
repeater, and opening his mouth for
the first time, exclaimed in pc
remptory tone, Landlord want sup
per! you shall have it, SIR said the
landlord with a bow, and winking at
the same time at the other guests, I'VE
had supped when you arrived, but
will not detain you many minutes
In a short time supper was an
nounced, and the stranger was shown
into a back room, handsomely fur
nished, where a neat elderly matron
presided at the head of table spread
with tea, coffee, bread. cakes, beet,
pork, bacon, venison, fowls, and all
that profusion of eatables with which
western ladies delight to entertain
their guests. Near her sat a young
lady, modestly attired, in the bloom
|of youth and beauty, whose easy
manners and engaging appearance,
might have warmed any heart not
callous to the charms Of native ele-
gance. Now. indeed, our dandy
opened both mouth and eyes to some
purpose. Scarcely deigning to re-
turn the salutation Of his hostess, he
commenced the work of havoc-fsh.