The Rodney telegraph. (Rodney, Miss.) 1838-1840, 1839-05-04
THE THIRTEEN VOTES, OR THE
WAGER.

THE THIRTEEN VOTES, OR THE
A TRUE STORY.
10 town in the interior of the aGranite
State" not many years since, gentleman
OF some popularity, and not little political
consideration, resided, whose name we shall!
call Martin. He was great stickIer for
party principles, insomuch that he was some
times induced by party zeal to violate lis
moral duties. On one occasion IN particu-
lar, whena very important election was ta-
KING place, upon the result of which, per-
haPs, the very existence of his party depen-
ded, ne was SO carried away by bis party
feelings as to deposit thirteen votes for one
individual at the same time in the ballot box
IN defiance OF the law, which provides that
no man shall der osite more than one ballot
tor any one individual, for one office.
Waite Martin was unfortunately detected
IN this equivocal act-and althoug h no legal
acton was had in relation to the subject. vet
there were those in the town in which no
resided, who were unwilling to admit that
excess OF party zeal was sufficient anoloav
Tor MS derillction of moral duty-and the
simple act of depositing thirteen votes for
one candidate, at one time in the ballot box
although palliated and excused bv Some ~
his friends, was severely censured hv az
ers. ms occurrence furnished subject
OF conversation among the citizens of the
town tor several weeks-at the end of which
time 1t gradually and partially died away
but was not forgotten. Poor Mr.. Martin
was doomed to hear the words thirteen rotes
occasionally repeated by his political foes in
the most significant manner-evidentIv with
the design OF disturbing the equinimity Of his
ieennes; In this they succeeded but too
well. These words, so harmless in Thorn.
selves, 1t addressed to Mr.. Martin. or ever
uttered In his presence, seemed 70 nossess
the power OF magic cabala, SO wonderful.
anu 80 instantaneous was the effect which
they produced on the appearance and con-
duct OF that gentleman. The moment thir-
'een votes reached his car, his features were
ciouded with frown of indignation-his
eyes were lighted up with most unbolv
hre-his hands involuntarily grasped the
nearest weapon of offence within his reach
and his voice was changed into an unearth.
~ mutterlngs, resembling the sound of dis
tant thunder, or the fumblings of the mont
up volcano. Indeed, the effect prodnced on
Sir Percie Shafinn hu 49,
nroyerbial, and wicked youth Of the village
now q worthy and respectable legal practl-
toner in Boston, once made Martyrs innr-
nifty the means of playing off m'sch'evous
and cruel practical joke, the great amuse-
ment Of the bysianders.
MIR. Smith, the young gentleman TO wnom
we allude, being one day at the village taV-
ern. entered into conversation with gen.
l,eel looking stranger, while the iandlaoy
was preparing some refreshment LOT me- n.n
guest. The conversation turned on the OH
Guilty Of pronouncing some OF the names
nlaces Of Indian origin, which are so ire
, nuently met with in New England. In IN
midst Of the colIoquy, Mr.. Smith saw his Pt
4 litical opponent, Waite Martyr, comm
. down the street. He was certain that wa
O lite would pop into the tavern, and 80 Ia
d his plan accordingly.
vi what you say, sir said Mr.. Smith, re
[e pecting those -jawbreaking names' IS pc
Mt fectly correct-I agree with you entire
a and am much gratlfed to make the acqua
is lance of gentleman of SO much taste
nd Rnt. NV dear sir, there are familiar Ensi
to words and combination Of words, which,
Il though they may not be very difficult 70
W; nonnce. are extremely difficult to repeat
has For instance, it is almost impossible tor
on one not familiar with the practice, to
no,nce the words thirteen votes, tor
lanoth of time, without making the most
sw- dicrous mistake.
any Thirteen votes, thirteen votes repe'
- the stranger-sI do not see any difhcui'
use that-I could go on repeating the words
rea- teen votes, until Tomorrow morning:
u lis far more difficult, my dear sir,
lou vou imagine, replied Mr. Smith in his 81
anu eet manner. 81 am not much IN the
O.. IF betting, but for the curiosity of the !
l'ns am willing to bet you the price OF d
We for yourself and horse, that you came
ue - neal in rapid succession, the words, 'th'
anu ro,es. thirteen votes,' fifteen minutes,
: = out making some gorgeous biunders .
.Done.' said the traveller-who re-
II the idea Of paying the landlords On
sun 80 eas;lv-sand i will begin at once.
/. ssv;no. he took out his watch and not
to run ,;,ne8then planting himself firmly 4
10 dart The wall. with his face toward the az
..sumed. a look Of great determlnatio
mount he had undertaken an unpleasant j
werner was resolved to go through win i a.
o con- ards-and commenced pronounc.ng
Bruins loud. clear voice, with due empha
tate Of cabalastic words, s'thirteen votes,
owen votes"
sat the !. Tho maan time, Martyrs, not DR.