Litchfield enquirer., 1839-08-29
From Druas'' 7als. v q. o.ssn City.

eA'@tVuS anu YCSutt@s l"%C ~ sssON-
ern gentlemen may be found in the valley
Of the Mississippi A naturalist would
probably describe them as 4 genus OF BIZ
peds, gregarious, amphibious and nigratO-
~. They seldom travel solitary and
alone : are equally at home on land or wa
ter; and like certain vnltures, spend most Of
their winters in Miss. and Lsbuisiana; their
summers in the higher attitudes Of Kentucky
and Ohio. They dress with taste and ele-
ganee; carry gold chronometers in their
pockets, and swear with the most genteel
precision. They are supposed to entertain
an especial abhorrence Of the prevailing
temperance fana,icisin and Us a matter Of
conscience, enter a daily protest against II,
BY slipping min. juleps' before breakfast,
hail7sierms' a, dinner, aud old Monon-
gaiIela' At night. These gentlefleA, moro
over, are strong advocates OF the race
patf and the eock-pits aad. with q benev-
oIeRee, which they held iraiy commeRda-
bic, 'paironse modest nIefir, BY playing
ckaperon TO those wealthy young men, who
set. Out Oh the pilgrimage OF life. before
| they have been fully initiated into its plea.
| xnses. Every where ,Isroughontr the val
ley, these misletoe gentry are called by the
| original, if not altogether classic, coguo-
men If Black legs The history of,his
eupl'onious epithet, or the reason Of its
application to so distinguished variety of
humanity, is unknown. Tie subject is
one of considerable interest, and worthy
the early attention o: the Historical Soci-
ETY., to which it is respectfully commend
| ed.
il was the fortune Of the steamboat Sea
Serpent Of Cincinnati. commanded by
Capt. Snake, on her return from New Or
leans in the Spring Of 1887. to number
aiming her passengers, several highly re-
spectacle Black legs. One Of them Maj.
Marshal Montgomery, a native of the Old
Dominion belonged to the Paul Clifford
school; aud indeed, had for some years
past borne testimony to the me tit Of Mr..
Bulwer's romances, by making the hero Of
one1of them his great prototype. In stat
ure, the Major was over six feet, niuseu-
lar and finely propor,ioned. Ills. taste in
dress was only surpassed by the cour.liness
Of his manners, and the ready A0w of his
conversation. In what campaign he had
won the laurels that gave him his military
little is unknown. 1t has been eonjectured
that the warlike prefix TO his name, may
have resulted from the luxuriant brace Of
black whiskers, which garnishedthe cheeks.
On a certain day after dinner, the ladies
having retired 10 their cabin for siestG,
the gentlemen as usual. sal. down 10 cards,
chcss aud backgammon. The boat had
i lust wooded and was molly bfsasiing the
carrent Of the river at the rate Of eight
knots an hour. Capt. Snake having noil,-
ing else to do, was tain 30 join 10 u rubber
Of whist; and il SO happened that he aud
the Major were seated at the same table.
This game, at the suggestionI Of Major
Montgomery, was soon changed TO loo :
aud played with varying success, until at
length a pool Of considerable magnitude
had accumulated. AS the contest for lie
increasing stake advanced, much interest
was excited among the by-staaders and
still more in the players, with the excep-
ton Of the Major, whose staid expression
4 Of countenance was general len,aik. He
seemed careless about the run Of cards,
and throw them, as ii quite regardless Of
the tempting spoil that lay before him. Al
length The game was terminated. The
ickle goddess disclosed her preference for
the Major, by permitting him 10 win the
pool amounting 10 near three hundred
dollars, His success produced no sutward
signs Of joy he seemed. iadeed, almost
sorry 10 be compelled TO take the money
Of his friends aud with much composnre
Of manner, proposed to continue the play
making, a. The same time very polite ten.
der Of his purse, 10 any gentleman ut the
table, who might need temporary loan.
In the group Of spectators there was q
tall spindle. legged young fellow, from the
Western Reserve, in Ohio, who had been
10 the South with a lot of cheese, for the
manufacture Of which that thriving New
England colony is becoming quite famous.
This cheese n,oDger had been watching the
game from the beginning. and III last fixing
his eyes upon the winning major, said, 10 !
low tome Of voice, suited 10 more l0gu-
brious subject.
well, now, that's right down slick, any
how
The Major, looking up. found tire gsse
| Of the company Turned upon him. Knit
ting his brows he said sssrnly, in reply.
| LET'S have no more Ut your Yankes
impertinence.'
Nov, mister continued jonathan, in
his prawling tone. and with provoking cool
meas Of manner 'you hadn't oDghf to lei
them lhsre little speckled paste boards play
hide and go seek in your coat Sleeve"
This remark accompanied with a kaow.
ing wink Of the speakers eye, insiamily
transformed ihe Major in'o Q ysSng earth.
quake. Spsinging upon lis feet. as il bent
ON blood and carnage, he bawlsd out Ut the
top VI his voice,
DO you mean to insinus,e. yeu Yun.
kee pedlsr.-you Internal woodeu nutmeg,
that have eheaisdf
The young cheese merchant. Isissrsly