The Rodney telegraph. (Rodney, Miss.) 1838-1840, 1839-08-15
CRACKBACK THE COBBLER.


Of a Yankee elected Caliph in Bagdad.-
The way it was done, was on this wise:
Gone beautiful summer morning, Crack
back was as usual busily at work on his
DOdch by the little window which command
ed distant view of the Caliph's seraslio.
Fast flew the stitches, while the hammer
rose and fell with unwonted rapidly. Some
thing, it was evident, had occurred, which
did not happen every day. The cobbler
was in tribulation. The Stranger gold had
been spent to the last farthing; and worse
than all, with the departure of the last coin,
bis darling Zlla had relapsed into her old
days. That very morning, for the first time
in whole month, she had resumed the reins
of household government, and with whip in
nand, had again given her husband spice
of her administration, by breaking the broom
handle over his back The tears rolled
slowly down his cheeks; he sighed heavily,
and hung down his head. Suddenly, with a
manly effort, he checked his grief, and DASH
ing away the drops with the back of his
hand, set his teeth firmly together, and wish
ed once more, that he was Caliph. At that
moment. heavy gun, from the topmost tur-
ret of the seraglio, sent its echoes through
the streets and squares of Bagdad, shaking
the town to its centre with the shock
Crackback started to his feet at the instant
that vivid flash, followed by startling re-
port, issued from the gun, and Immediately
the ponderous bell OF the city gnardhonse,
which was seldom rung, save in case of
alarm, commenced slow and solemn toll,
and the crescent of the Prophet, which float
ed day and night from the highest pinnacle
of the seraglo, was lowered, and in its
place a'black flag fluttered, the plaything of
the winds.
Halo! Fila! Zilla! come here quick!
There's the deuce to pay at the seraglior
calculated Crackback; something or other
has happened; such a running about! Shoe
leather will soon wear out, that's one COM
fort. I'll 60 out and hire dozen Journey
men, right away, nown And he left the
house.
sAh! Crackback,' exclaimed neighbor,
fbad news! The good Caliph, Haroun the
Third, is no morel
mo! You don't say 50! Do tell!'
Yes, 1t is, alasl too true; and where
shall we find so good ruler?'
Crackback said no more. He returned
home, and Immediately set about increasing
his supply Of shoes. He Should SELL he
said, vast number, to be worn at the fu.
neral.'
The cobbler was industriously plying his
awl, when his attention was attracted by the
distant beating of drum; and in moment
after, the sound of full band of music, play
ing lively national air, was borne to his
ears. Hastily throwing down his work, he
put his head out Of the window, and saw at
the upper end Of the street long process
sion moving in the direction Of his dwelling.
Somewhat puzzled to make out its meaning,
Crackback pulled OFF his turban, that he
might saIue the Grand Vizier, whom he re-
cognlzed in the van. They advanced
slowly until they arrived in front of his door;
at that moment heavy discharge or artil-
lery was fired from the turret of the serag-
lilo, the brattling trpmpets sent forth son0-
rous flourish, and The whole body came to a
dead halt.
i see Il all, whispered the cobler to him
self; the Grand Vizier has stopped on his
way to the mosque 10 bespeak funeral shoes
for the royal household. WON'T Istrike Cor
high pricesi How are you, Grand vizier =
he added aloud, how do you dol Glad to
see you.'
Whit was his establishment when, instead
Of the expected patronixing nod, he saw the
Vizier respectfully approach, and - he
stepped forth to meet him, kneel and press
the edge Of his old leather apron to his lips !
Health and prosperity ever be your .os,'
exclaimed tho Vixier, rising; may yo1 i've
I 4 thousand vears Shouf sl0nu lifa e. Crnrk