Litchfield enquirer., 1842-07-07
TIN CAPTAINS FLIGHT.
n LIEUT.. PRINTZHOFF.

my regimen, the stage COaCn DTORe uOWu ii
MOUNTAINOUS district, and the passenger:
were forced to content themselves with the
accommodations Of an old rickety inn, while
the vehicle vas being repaired. The nigh
was stormy and the rain could be heard
! pouring in torrents on the unceIied root over
head. There was but one empty bed in the
house, so we unanimously resolved to draw
together around the fire and make night
of it. And merry time we had. A loIliet
set of fellows never drew cork or cmptied
decantcr-heaven be merciful to us for our
sins! We tossed off our bumpers hour in
would have drank their tea-keeping up all
the time a running fire of jests, songs and
comic stories that would have made her.
NIT laugh in the jaws of death.
There was one in the company, short Sc
date looking man, whom noticed for his I'M
usual taciturnity, and the devotion he paid to
the punch. He was always ready, however,
to laugh at other peoples jokes,and foremost
in pushing the bottle. began 10 think he
was but little better than nincumpoop, un-
til at length, when some unusually excellent
Jest had made US laugh until our sides ached
again, he held up his G lass before him, and
winking at ii, said
THAT reminds me of a story, which, if this
good company is willing, will narrate.'
Every one expressed his readiness to listen,
although caught several yawning in antlcl-
patton of some prosy affair.
Il will first clear the cObwebs from my
throat said he tossing off the tumbler OF
punch. and then looking leisurely around the
company to see that every one was listening,
he leaned with his elbows on the table and
began.
when was student, just aftor the close
of the late war; l used to pay occasional WIS.,
its to Mount Holly, which was even then
passable country town, and remarkable for
its pretty girls, its gay winters, and the guam
tity of wine drank by its bar. There wasn't
a lawyer in the place who couldn't carry his
two bottles, and as for wit these barristers
were famed for it from Cape May to Hack
ensack. But it is not so much with the
Mount Holly bar as with Captain Slashbey,
one of the clients of the wittiest member
there, that my story has to do.
first met the gallant captain on hunt
ing excursion in the pines. He was port
ly little gentleman with a rubicund face, a
constant flow of humor, and an opinion of his
own good looks rather singular, must say,
at forty-fve. He had very short legs and a
very round person, and altogether reminded
you of fat pigeon walking upright. he
had been in service during the war, and at
the reduction of the army, finding himself
pretty we'll in debt, and without sous in his
pockets, had settled at Squankunl, place
in the very heart of cedar swamps. And
very convenient it was fT Slashbey, for, a
sheriff's writ hadn't been sent there since the
memory of man. 1t was once attempted to
execute capias in this heavenly retreat for
rogues, but the foremen and squatters rose
in mass, and though the light horse were
ordered out, the arrest had 10 be given up
Now the Captain was very popular man
in Souankum, and therefore was rs safe as
in a sanctuary. He thirsted now and then
it is true, for the good things OF civilized life
afnr off, and would often make dash into
Mount Holly, like a guerilla, taking care
however to retreat before his creditors had
wind of his approach. But at length he
grew tired of this life, and determined to eX-
tricate himself from it by marrying an heir
css for the captain was gallant man, you
must know and like Will Honeycomb, had
high notion of his own powers.
There was merry little vixen at the coun-
try town-a gay witty black-eyed rouge us
ever lived-who was, in tho captains opin'
ion, the very pattern for wife. She had
mouth that would tempt an anchorte-and
a waist, cgad that made man think of the
houris of Mahomet. And then-bettcr than
all-she was an heiress 10 very pretty for
tune, a thing which youngsters may think
unnecessary for the welded life, but which
sensible men-let me tell you-know to be
the first requisite for wife. Undaunted by
the crowd of suitors for her hand, Slashbey
determined to enter the lists, not doubling,
on the faith of certain smiles with which she
always welcomed him, that he could carry
off the prize. He began his preparation like
a Napoleon. He bought new pair Of buff
cassimeres, cndued shining blue coat with
metal buttons. and ordered wig from the
most fashionable perTuquier in Philadelphia
for unluckily the captain was as bald as {
cannon ball. Thus accoutred, he laid regu
| lar sege TO his charmer, dancing her, anc
sleighing her whenever he could venture on
of his cedar swamps without being chased
| by a bailiff The heiress smiled on the
captain, her suitors cursed the lucky rival
and Slashbey spent his time betwiXt study
ing his glass and Singing none but tho
brave deserve the fair
1t was Just when he thought he was on the
point of success that grand ball was giver
| ut Mount Holly and the captain determined
10 carry his charmer by assault, forgot hi.
usual prudence and escorted his heircss ir
his gig. Never did the little fellow look sc
gallant. Twas at the ball, and egad couIc
Scarcely keep my eyes off him. His wig
was curled irresistably, his new coat shone
with resplendent lustre, his cassimeres fl
| him as mould does bullet, and he sportec
his new bluff gloves with more vanity than
| a rider does his colorS at race. But, alas
his glory was destined soon to wane. One
of the rivals, whose nose the captain haC
vigorously pulled, determining on revenge
had informed the Sheriff Of Slashbey'
whereabouts, and just as he was leading hi
! charmer triumphantlY TO the dance. tht