Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1844-02-24
THE llrMnRlSf1.

THE IIUMORlST
j ATgxlAN HERo The Cincinnatti Mer
curry tells the following story of which
iaceilous comedian named Jim Wills
who played in the city some years ago
was the hero He was says the Mercury
Ia queer compound of human na;ure.--a
man who could with ease make others
laugh, but seldom ever laughed himself
"a melancholy man through life, caused
hun 10 "shaiils off this mortal coil, - ere
half his race was lun.
About the time the Texas excitement
ran SO high in ths United States, Jim
Willis was in Pitssburg, in that situation
so common to play actors viz: ''hat.
broke SIandtngono day on the wharf.
with his serious visage expanded, plan,
ming how he should get down the river
without money, when he heard a drum
aud file. On looking around he saw
company OF reckless looking, half Iuni
formed soldiers about emba king for New
Orleans, bearing Texan hauner. 4
thought struck him. Next day De sent
his trunks on board the first boat to
start, and Just as the Captain was tapping
the bell for the last rime, Wills stepped on
board, and dragged his trunk into an an
occupied state room, and took from his
theatrical wardrobe soldier coat, with
bull breast and three rows OF buttons,
chOpean with an immense plume, red
sash, pair Of military trawScrs, griz !
2ly black wig, and a pair OF false whis |
kers. By the time the boat had gotI
tairly under way, jim was fully eauinD- /
ed, with his stage sword gracefully ham, /
ing by his side. Drawing lis white I
gloves, he heSjlated moment, bat rely
ing on his peculiar powers, he opened the [
door, gave. the usual military stoon, anll
walked into the cabin, which was file II
with passengers. In a moment all eyes
were directed toward him, but he walked
up to the bar and drank a glass Of bran.
dy and water. In lho mean time all was
hustle and confusion 10 find out who the
officer was. A general rash was made
Tor the register, but he had not yet pa,I
down his nama--lhe Captain was con
suited, but he knew nothing. At length,
however, feeling little curiosity him
sell, he walked up to jim, aud bowmg
politely 10 him SAID, Sir"
"Slr TO YOU" and Wills, touching his
cheapeau Il la miiitaire,
"WlIl You do me the favor to register
your name 50 that can provide a state
room for your"
"oh, with pleasure" said Jim, and
walking up 10 the register he aourished
Ia round text.
~. 7. EDWARDS, Major, Texas Army "
Thecrowd pressed around the table
they read the name---univerSal enlhusi-
asm prevailed aud three tremendous
cheers were given for Texas and Liberty
Jim took off his chapau, acknowledged
the compliment with graceful bow, and
a few patriotic remarks,
1t is almost needless 10 say, that from
that moment the sol distant Maor was
lion, Every one sought to mako his ac-
ladies opened The cabin
door to get peep a. him-he was placed
at the head of the lable-anI alright he
was made as drunk as Blcchas on cham
paign.
Next day he was promenading the
hurricane deck linked arm in arm with
the Captain, and warm hearted south
erner, who resided in Vicksblrg.
"Major," said the southerner, 81 know
very well that You have been on mis-
sion TO collect arms, ammunition and re.
cruis--6ut on that subject you must of
course be mum, in consequence of the {
treaty batweeu Mexico and the United
States. For my part, could see every !
ID copper colored rascal hung, :
like dogs on trces!"
"Whalever my business may have
been, find that have exhausted all my
means in The cause: in fact | fear | shall
not be able to pay my passage until
get to New Orlerns"
''Don't mention it, said the Captain. (
Il could not think Of taking anything oil
you" Is
Il hayeii," said the southerner, "come
with me-
Thetrio adjourned to the clerks Office,
where stirring appeal Tor aid 10 Texas /
was written. The southern gentleman /
carried il among the passengers, and col
lected $50 dollars, which was handed O. c