Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-05-12

D per cent on short loans, and In the discount
market bankers bills are done at per cent,
others according to quantity.
NEW YORK POLICE OFFICE.-March
1910.
AN IMPRovIsIToR.--Edw Merlin was
charged with bei1g drunk and noisy in house
in Cross-street; and it was also intimated by
the complainant that Ned was, in all probable
ity little cracked Mr.. Merlin was consider
ably out of the knees and elbows, and his shirt
seemeQ 4sif it might be the identical two nap
kins, sown together, which belonged to the
second most fortunate of Sir John Falstaf s
country troopers. In short, EdV ard Merlin
appeard to be a regular loafer, with this sole
exception that his tongue went like perpet-
ual motion, whereas it is one Of the pecullarl-
ties of the fraternity that they are too lazy to
talk. The most interesting feature, however
of MIR. Merlin's character is, that he's poet,
and that too, of so unauthorized complexion
that whatever he says runs into rhyme as nat
uraly as fit was bespoke and paid for at pen
ny line.
Mrs. Donovan, the complainant, is little
Irish woman, who keeps one ofthose ''hole-in-
the-wall' shanties, where they purport to sell
'the best of good liquors at three cents glass"
and it appeared in evidence that Mr.. Merlin
had done every justice to her "best of good
liquors." but had ventured 10 further in her
favor; for when she began to remind him OF
the "three cents glass part of the ceremony,
he went into blaze of Indignation, and let the
arrows of his wrath fly around him like fen
de 1oie of Congreve rockets.
"FaiX, your honor" continued Mrs. Dono-
van, at the conclusion ola long-drawn-o sto-
ry of her woes, che dhrank me brandy wild as
little conjunction as if it was nothin but ditch
wather, for the divil sup ov pint an halt
he lift behind him to sarye another custo-
mer.'
MagiStrate-Did he take it by force?
Mrs. Donouan-MuShG no, your honor, but
he went on like play acther until | thought
he was raisin the divil, and bad win to me, If
wasn't afeard to say a single word until the
sorra dhrop was left In the bottle. In throtE
your honor, if he's not witch or divil, Of
something In that line, / think he must be ou
of his seven senses.
M0giStrate--Merln, what have you to say
to this business
Merlin--l say, my lord, as quick as winking,
The liquor was not worth the drinking:
And charge the hog have my eyes on
For selling drugs that's worse than poison
Mrs. Donouan-That's the way be wint on
whin he was drinking up all my beautiful
brandy widout payin for it, your honor. jail
zez, you backyard, if you call me a hog again
I'll smash your ugly nuns into smither-
| eens.
Merlin
Beware, good woman, say not so,
And wen be friends before we go;
Tho much fear your liquor horrid
viii bore hole out though my forehead
Mrs. D,-The Devil mind you, or any body
that spaiks in such an outlandish language as
that. Your honor, dear, do you think he gifts
it all out of book, or is it crack'd with larnin
| he is
Mag.-He's either fool or rogue.-Mer.
lin, answer me plainly, what are you
Mer.-A man, my lord, from hat to shoe;
Flesh, blood, and bones the same as as you
Mag mean, what's your business?
| Mer.-
My business-bah Il scorn the name;
My business is to seek for fame
| The muses., sir, are my delight;
/ WOO them all from morn till night.
! Come, sweet Urania, heavenly maid,
Oh come to thine own Merlin's aid.
Mag.--No humbugging, sir, how do you ge
your DEeda
/ Mer.-
My bread, sr-oh my answers ripe
live on suction, like snipe;
mean a woodcock but, you know,
The rhyme says snipe, so let it go.
Might've over rhyming, sir, and tell mi
plainly where do you live?
Mer. When the sun is bright and hot,
All around seek my lot,
Lolling in sequestred nook,
Listening to the babblng brook;
Or, scoring blanket, sheet, or rug,
SnoozIng in the park SO snug;
But, in cold weather, its my plan
To live, my lord, where best can.
1 Mag-Hang you, you rascal, speak in prose
Mer.--
Twill. my lord. By all the gods.
meant no harm but where's the odds
o, blest Urania, come along,
And give my lord a soul for song.
Mrs. D.--The Lold help the poor craythu
L.. I'll,