Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-05-14
Wit & lHLwun0ro
1~~NNN~Ny~~N%~ %N~-~N
FROM THE RRyRILIE.
A REsIRREsTIONTsT AND HIS
FREIGHT.


BY EvERPoTET.
"Once upon q time"-~-not long time ago
popular comedian, or whom nothing fur
fber need be said than that he Is fast losing his
early pretensions 70 shape and beauty, and that
his name IS TIM Pldcide;--once upon time
and, If there be any curiosity as to season,
we mightas well say .sduring the falf'--thls
wag Of fellow was descending the Mississippi,
in fine spirits and sporting coat. Therewere
divers queer characters on board Of the steanl-
or, with whom Tom, while amusing himself
with their peculiarities. was withal great ia
vorite. but none Of them 'cottag'R' to him
more kindly than an elderly 'hoosier," from
the innermost depths Of Indiana, and who was
now visiting New Orleans for the first time
This russell looking antique, whether Il was
from the comedians sporting buttons, or his
habit Of concluding controversy with 'l'll bet
you,o &C., fully made up his mind that Tom
was "gentleHGa sportsman" and wherever
he saw 'ssmali game" goingon be was care
ful il noting the skill and quality Of the play
eTs,--ihe 'ssize of their pipe, &c, and BRING
ing Tom the items The gentleman sports
man. was very much obliged of course though
he didn't exactly know what to make Of it,,
when, one day. the confidential hoosier took
him aside, told him that there was a ''smaTt
chance Of pile" on one OF the tables, and that
if he liked, he (,he hoosier) would "go IL with
HMM cah0otl" Tom was very much anu
sed at this, but told his proposing partner that
he was mistaken-that the fancy coat covered
not sportsman" but plalIer
f'Swan 10 gracious" exclaimed the old con
niver,--"One of them feIlers that t,a,ablesi -
semen, once, more'n half naked, cuttin' up
down TO Madison"
sT., JsJr, ,,,,,rh s., eIyY,tait
ing the difference between theatrical S5olg
and acrcus sio,c, but told the story Of the cards.
&c, about the boat, rendering the old fellow
quite an object Of interest to the passengers
Next to the card playing, the object Of anxiety
10 the Hooser was very large and singuldrly
shaped pine box, which lay in the "Social
Hail." containing nothing more nor less than
a big fiddle, and which was owned by very
reserved and gloomy looking German, ON his
way south, professionally.
"Pias," said the Hoosier-he was thrice IA
miliar with Tom after learning that he belong
ed to shosc-'.what on airth hav they got in
that box its the onhumanist shape ever see
in all creation"
"Hush," said Tom, mysteriously; Don't
YOU know?"
"No Pm mighty dead guessn'"
Goodies !" whispered the comedian, with a
strong expression of loathing.
"Bodiesi" echoed the startled enquirer ''not
ra'al human bodies !"
"Bodiesl" repeated Tom, at the same time
applying his handkerchief tohis nose; "takng
them down for dissection belong 10 a doctor
on board" The iIoosier turned away, open
ing his eyes and shutting his nose. At length
he enquired if they Were ''.Aigge9?"
"White woman and too Children" was the
,lKf. 10 al Ia
the shape of the box" At this moment the
haggard, unshaven violinst approached, and
the thoroughly ''sawed" victim made way foi
him as if he had the cholera incarnate
''Goes about diggin' on 'em up, does he T.
said he, between his teeth, and in a suppressed
voice, "why it'll breed pison !" and out he
went on the guard TO take long breath.
Tom took this Joke, also, among the passen-
gers, who carried it on, highly amused; ma
king wide circuits whenever they had to ap.
proach the box, using their handkerchiefs, and
expressing much indignation at the captain tol
permitting that description of freight to be
brought under the noses Of his passengers
Some talked Of leaving the boat. and Others o
lynching the doctor, till at length We captain
who had also been putup to The ftdsarp
ed the crowd, then gathered at the bar.
''Phew!" SMILED the captain, '.lts very
warm In here, gentlemen pheW and M
pulled out his handkerchief. "Gentemen
isn't there something unpleasant about here ~
'Pretends not to know what it is !" mutter
ed the Hoosier, aside.
"Barkeeper," continued the captain, ''wha
the deuce is it--phew--so queer here's"
''Reckon you don't know!'' exclaimed the
Hoosier, stepping forward, and almost quiyer
ng'with Indignation.
''Know certainly not, said the captain.
''Wall, you've got the box TOO NEAR THE
STOVE, that's all"
A perfect scream Of laughter rather stumped
the old fellow; but removal Of 1.-THE lid Of
the coffin" was necessary before he could be
convinced that the body, indeed, was only that
of "Old Rosin the Bow" He paid 'Ghe
liquors" willingly ''cossi,t his old cai'' for not
remembering hat "Plas." was one Of the
'show folk varmints /"