Southern Argus., 1839-07-30

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nished his cheeks.
On certain day, after dinner, the ladie
having retired TO their cabin for Siesta
the gentleman as usual sat down TO cards
chess and backgammon. The boat haS
just "wooded," and was nobly breastins
the current of the river at the rate of eigh
knots an hour. Captain Snake, have no
thing else to do, was fain to join in a rub
her of whist and it so happened that he
and the Major were seated at the same Ia
bic. This game at The suggestion OF Ma,
lor Montgomery, was soon changed tc
'ioody;' and, playing with varying success
until at length, pool Of considerable mag
nitude had accumulated. At length the
game was terminated. The tickle goddess
disclosed her preference for the Major, by
permitting him TO win the pool amoun.
ting 10 near three hundred dollars. His
success produced no outward signs of ioy:
he seemed, indeed, almost sorry to be com.
Peled TO take the money of his friends
and with much composure Of manner, pro.
posed TO continue the play; making, al
the same time, very polite tender of his
purse. TO any gentleman at the table who
might need temporary loan.
10 the group of spectators, there was q
tall, spindle legged looking fellow, from the
Western Reserve in Ohio, who had been
10 the South with lot of cheese, for the
manufacture of which, that thriving New
England colony is becoming quite famous.
This cheese -monger had been watching
the game from the beginning, and at last
fixing his eyes upon the winning Major,
said in low tone Of voice, suited to a
more lugubrious subject
well, now, that's right down slick, any
how
The Major, looking up, found the gaze
of the company turned upon him. Knit
ling his brows, he said sternly, in reply,
Let's have no more of your Yankee
Now, Mister continued Jonathan, in
his drawing tone, and with provoking
Of manner, you hadn't ought to
!et them there little speckled paste boards
play hide and 90 seek in your coat sleeve.
This remark, accompanied with a know
ing wirk of the speakers eye, instantly
transformed the Major into a young earth
quake. Springing upon his feet, as if
bent on blood and carnage, he bawled out
at the top of his voice,
DO you mean to lnsnuate, you Yankee
pedlar; you Internal wooden nutmeg, that
| have cheatedl'
The young cheese merchant, leisurelv
rolling huge cud Of tobacco from one
cheek TO the other, and looking the Major
S;eadlasily in the eye, replied, with imper-
turaJic gravity,
why. your the beatomest shakes1 ever
seed-Who nsiniva'ed that ySu cheated +?
| didn't, no how; but i ;ou don't behave
a little gentceler, | conclude III tell as
how ! seed you slip a card under your
sleeve, when you won that everlasting q
pond Of money!
You are a lar thundered the Major,
in a perfect whirlwind, at the same time
to bring his bamboo in contact
with the shoulders of his antagonist; but
Jonathan caught the descending cane in
mis- left hand; and, in turn, planted his
dexter fist, with conside'a able impulse, on
the lower end of the Majors breast bone,
remarking,
4 say, Mister, make yourself skerse
there, or you'll run against the end Of my
arm.'
Unfortunately for the reputation of Ma
jor Montgomery, al this moment, a card
fell from his coat sleeve and, with it, fell
his courage, for he turned suddenly round
on the table 10 secure the spoiIs Of victory.
The Captain, however, had saved him the
trouble, having himself taken up the nnon-
ey for the purpose Of returning it to those
to whom It rightfully belonged. The Ma
ior finding that his winnings and his repu-
tation were both departing, became more
highly excited, and uttered direful ana
ihemas against those who might dare to
question his honor.
1t is, perhaps, generally known TO the
reader, that the captain of a steamboat on
the western waters, is of necessity almost
as despotic as the Grand Turk. The
safety of his boat, and the comfort of his
passengers, in performing a long and per-
ilous trip, require, indeed, that such should
be the case. Between port and port, he
i s sometimes called 70 act in the triple ca
pacity of legislator, Judge and executioner.
1t is rumored, perhaps, without any foun-
dation, that in cases Of great emergency,
more than one of these commanders, have
seriously threatened a resort TO the saIuta-
nv influence of the second section Be
this as it may, travellers on our western
boats will consult their comfort and safety,
by deporting themselves according to the
gentemanly principle. We throw oul
this hint for the public generally; and, in
the fullness of our benevolence, commend
it to the special notice of tourists from The
fast anchored Isle.'
Captain Snake made 20 reply to the
mprecations of the Major, having far toe
much IT spect for his official station, tc
permit himself to be drawn into a person.
al conflict with one of his passengers
Stepping to the cabin door, his clear shril
voice was heard above the din Of the Ma.
jor's volcanic burst of passion, and the
loud whiz of the Sea serpent. Instantly
the tinke Of the pilots bell responded tC
the order of his commander, and the bo
lay-to, near the lec-shore. Again the
captains voice was heard.
Jack man the yawl; Major Mont
gomery wishes to go on shore.
Aye aye, sir
T Major looked around in utter as
tonishment. The Captain again callet