The native American., 1839-06-22
From the Boston Mercantile JournaL]
THE THIRTEEN VOTES,
OR THE WAGER.
A TRUE STORY.

nery. and not little political consideration resi-
ged whose name we Shall call Martin lie was
a great sickler for party principles nsoihuch
that he was sometimes induced by party zeal 10
violate his moral duties On one OCCASION In
particular, when a very important ciecuon was
taking place, upon the result oil WHICH, perhaps
thc yerv existence of his party depended he was
so carried away by his party feelings as TO de-
nosite thirteen votes for one individual at the
same fine in the ballot-box, in defiance of the
Law. which provides that no man, 10 whichever
oarty he may happen to belong. or however
worthy may be his iavorte candidate, shall de-
pose more than one ballot for any one indivi-
dual for one office.
Waite Martin was unfortunately detected In
this equivocal act-and, although no legal action
was had in relation to the subject, yet there were
those in the town in which he resided who were
unwilling to admit that excess Of party zeal was
a sufficient apology for his derelchon of moral
duty--and the simple act of depositing thirteen
votes for one candidate, at time, in the bal
lot-box, although palliated and excused by some
Of his warm political friends, severely CEN
sured by others. This occurrence furnished q
subject of conversation among the worthy clt-
Zens of the town for several wecks-at the end
of which time il gradually and partially died away,
but not forgotten. Poor Mr.. Martin was
doomed TO hear the words 'thirteen roteS,' oc-
most significant manner-evdentiy with the de-
sign of disturbing the cquanimity Of his feelings
In this they succeeded but too we'll These
words, so harmless i'll themselves, or when APP
piled to others, If addressed 10 Mr.. Martin, or
ever uttered in his hearing, seemed to possess
the power OF magic cabala, so wonderful and so
instantaneous was the effect which they produced
ON the conduct and appearance of that gentle
man. The moment ''thirteen votes" reached his
IL IoI NJ
denation-his eyes were lit up with most I'M
holy fire-his hands involunarly grasped the
nearest weapon Of offence within his reach, and
his voice, naturally clear and sonorous,
changed into deep and unearthlv mutterings,
sembling the sound Of distant thunder, or the
rumblings Of the pent up volcano. Indeed, the
effect produced on sir Pierce Shaiton, by the
sight Of the bodkin, related in the Monastery
Of Sir Walter Scott, not more sudden and
terrible than the effect produced on Waite Mar
tin, by repeating the simple words, thirteen
votes" His weakness on this point was pro-
verbal, and wicked youth of the village, now
verv worthy and respectable legal practitioner
in the city of Boston, once made Martins infirmi-
ty the means of playing off mischievous and
cruel practical joke, 10 the great amusement Of
the by-standers.
Mr.. Smith, the young gentleman to whom VIC
allude, being enc day at the viage-,avern, enter
GER while the lsndlady was preparing some
treatment, with which to recruit the exhausted
frame and spirits Of her guest. The converse
ton turned on the difficulty OF pronouncing some
of the names of places Of Indian orr gin, which
are SO frequently met with i'll the New England
States. IN the midst Of the colloquy Mr. Smith
saw his political opponent, Waite Martin, COM
ing down the road. He certain that Waite
would pop into the tavern, and in the spur of the
moment, laid his plan accordingly.
"What you say, sir, said Mr.. Smith, ''about
those iawbreaking names, is perfectly correct:
agree with you entirely, and am very happy to
make the acquaintance Of gentleman of so much
taste. But, my dear sir, there are familiar Eng
lish words, and combinations of words which
although Ahcv may not be very difficult to pro-
nouncc, are exceedingly difficult to repeat. For
instance, it is almost impossible for any one, not
acquainted with the practice, to pronounce the
words, thirteen rotes! thirteen uotes! thirteen
votes! for any lengh of time, without making the
most ludicrous mistakes"
"Thrteen votes, thirteen votes! thirteen votes''
repeated the stranger, Il do not see any difficult
ty in that. | could &c repeating the words
thirteen votes! thirteen votes! thirteen votes until
tomorrow morning.
ut is far more difficult nv dear sir, than YOU
imagine replied Mr.. Smith, in his blandest
manner: 81 am not much i'll The habit of betting,
but Tor the curiosity OF the thing, l am willing to
bet You the price Of dinner for yourself and
horse, that you Cannot repeat in rapid success
sion, the words. thirteen votes, thirteen votes,
thirteen votes, fifteen minutes, without making
some egregious bluntcrs.''r
"Done said the traveller, WHO rejoiced at the
idea of paying tie landlords charges SO easily;
''and will begin al once
So saying, he took out his watch, and noted
the time--then planting himself firmly agains,
the wall, with his face toward the door, he as
sumcd look of great determination, ss if he had
undertaken al unpleasant job, but was resolved
10 go through with 1t at all hazards, and com
'nenced pronouncng III a loud, clear voice with
due emphasis and discretion, the cabalistc words.
thirteen votes, thirteen votes, thirteen votes,
In the meantime, MIR. Martin, not DREAMING ol
the Insult winch awaited him. bent his steps, as
was his wont, toward The tavern. As he reached
the threshold OF the door, he heard the offensive
words, ''thirecn votes, thirteen votes. thirteen
votes pronounced-and with frame trembling
with passion, and with fury strongly imprinted