Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-07-11
A FREE COUNTY,.
''Thy spirit, Independence, let me share"

| "Thy spirit, Independence, let me share"
An odd scene, or rather series of scenes
took place, not long since on board of Mis-
I.sissippi boat. A son of Erin, intoxicated by
! the draughts of freedom, or something more
exhllirating. was disturbing the lower deck by
the most outrageous cries and extravagancies-
in fact. the poor wretch was in the full deli
rum of mania pota, and his only, intense,
absorbing thought, was the phrenzied triumph
of being in free country.
"a free country! Pm in a free countryi'
and off he ran, forward, clearing the shaft at a
jump, upsetting an engineer, and nearly
knocking deck-hand overheard, until the
mate and a stick of wood brought him down,
Just forward of the boilers. Half dozen of
the hands Immediately pinned him where he
lay, from under the mass of whom he still
bawled out his satisfaction, at being in free
country.
Apparently pacifed, he was soon released.
when off he went. again along the other side
of the engine, and again clearing the shaft, he
sprang into one of the topmost chunks of the
deck passengers. at the stern. Here his &c
! stacies became, if possible, more violent than
ever.
O'Connell, ill be President vet. Hurrah!
whoop'
With this he began to discharge at the
heads of the crowd beneath him, sundry arti
cles of kitchen furniture, which some poor en-
igrant had slowed away in the spot now occu-
pied by the mailman.
bad scran t'ye'sl amt it free country
you're in! Whoopl Ounce, We divils!-Hur-
rah for ould Uncle SAM"
He was dslodged with much difficulty
when. again escaping, he made dive into one
end OF the case or pit in which the fly wheel
revolves. There was barely room for him to
get in; the wheel was whirling with the ra-
pidity Of lightning. and now general shudder
pervaded the crowd. 1t was evident, howev-
or. that the poor wretch had not injured him
self vitality. as he was rejoicing below In his
! freedom as loudly as ever. The engine was
, stopped, and after incredible exertions, the fell
low was dragged out. taken forward and tied
securely to the windlass--a most pitiable OBJ
iect, his cloths rent to tatters, and his skin be-
grimmed with mud and filth; still his exulta7
! ton continued, and. in spite of his wretched
state. it was impossible to restrain laugh.
''Isn't it free am. We bIackguards! Look
at me here. like bird in the trees! Hurrah
rah for the land of freedom! Whoop!'
! His explanations We're suddenly checked
bv successive buckets of water; but only for a
moment-all was in vain, his strength and his
lungs seemed to be inexhaustible The boat
was Just hauling into her port. and the poor
creature was absolutely, after being secured by
a rope. sonsed overheard. and drawn along by
the side of the vessel: but he swan like a fish
and sung out like river eod-nothing for a
moment dampng his satisfaction at the free
dom of his condition.
The last we saw of him was on our return
to the boat. after short run on shore; he was
going up the street in custody of two consta-
bles. as ardent in his enthusiasm as ever.
shouting ''Hurrah for the free conntry!"--St.
! Lou;s RereiDe.