The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-11-18

bottom, like lump of lead, and | was lelt
on the surface swimming for my life! |
saw the Jolly Lamphghter' within an oars
length of me: l struck out like dolphin,
and in a brace of shakes was safe aboard
her. Ii was blowing pretty fresh at the
time; but | weathered out that gale, as | had
done many a one before it, and now here |
am, ready to laugh in Master Davy's face,
and be his pilot the next time he comes into
these parts"
Such was Jack Thompson's history of
his adventure; which soon, by the indus
try of the gossips and wonder-hunters OF
the village, became the conversation of the
country for miles round. Every one re-
tailed it with such alterations, notifications,
and exaggerations as suited his taste, until
it grew too horribly marvellous for human
ears.
In few months after his exploit, Jack
gave up the "Jolly Lamplighter'' to his
mate, Hans Gutterblutt; purchased a large
smack--seldom went to sea--sported gold
watch of alarming dimensions, with a steel
chain and fifteen seals; and in short, be-
came man of note in the village, second
in importance only to old Fritz Letterbox-
en-, the postmaster. The worthy house
holders of Eisenberg marvellcd at his sud-
den elevation; but they did not grow whit
the wiser, for Jack left them to wonder on,
until they had fairly tired their imagina-
tions.
l ought, perhaps, to conclude here; but,
in justice to my readers, must add, that
many years afterwards it was whispered
that Jack, one night in mellow mood,
had limited that the unearthIy barque was,
in fact, rich Dutch smuggler, that had got
amongst the rocks in the fog; and that, for
his service in plotting her out, he had re-
ceived bag Of ducats, which he scrupled
less to accept than the purse of diabolical
gold.
However that may be, it is certain that
Jack cannot, TO this day, relate without a
roguish leer of the eye, and significant
hitch of the trousers, the story of his adj
venture with the "Fying Dutchman."
| EE@zl1a.s.saa
CURRkN.-When a boy, was one NOR
ming playing at marbles in the village ball
alley, with alight heart and lighter pocket
The gibe and the jest went gaily round
when suddenly amongst us appeared a
stranger, of very remarkable and very
cheerful aspect. His intrusion was not the
least restraint upon our merry little assem-
blage. He was a benevolent creature, anC
the days of infancy (after all, the happies
we shall ever see) perhaps rose upon hi
memory. God bless him! / see his flint
form, at the distance Of half century, ius
as he stood before me in the little ball-alley
in the days of my childhood. His name
was Boyse: he was the rector of New Mar
ket. To me he took a particular fanc y
| was winning and full of waggery; think
ing every thing that was eccentric, and b,
no means miser of my eccentricties; ev
cry one was welcome to share of them, ant
| had plenty to spare after having fIeighte,
the company with them. Some sweet
meats easily bribed me home with him
| learned from poor Boyse my alphabe
and my grammar, and the rudiments of tn
classics.
, He taught me all he could, and then ser
me to school az Middleton. In short, h
made man ofme. Irecollect it was abor
five and thirty years afterwards, when
had risen to some eminence at the bar, an
when had a seat in Parliament, on my n
turn one day from court, found an old gel
tleman seated alone in my drawing-roon
his feet familiarly placed on each side of Il
. Italian marble chimney-piece, and h
= whole air bespeaking the consciousness
one quite at home. He turned round
=, was my friend of the ball-alley. / rushe
instinctively into his arms, and burst int
- taore Word, IL