Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-08-06
WILMINGTON. n. c.. FRIDAY. AUGUST g. IS47
THE BITERS BIT.

Some days ago story went the rounds
touching man, who, having presented him.
self in his shirt-sleeves at the American Mu-
scum, New York, received the loan Of coat
from Mr.. Barnum, and after viewing the Gu
rlosities, sloped with the garment, thus obtain
ing sight of the elephant and splendid
swallow tail for twenty-five cents This 1e-
minds US of an affair that occurred in 1870,
on board the old Columbus, when she Law at
Charleston Navy Yard One day, long,
green Vermonter struggled on board the fri
gate, and examined every thing on deck with
curious eyes. The officer OF the watch, from
the bearing and neatness of his uniform, at
tracted the Yankees notice.
Got pretty good place here-hey'' he
inquired
The officer assented.
"What wages do YOU get?
Gone hundred and twenty five dollars a
month, sir.'
''One hundred and twenty-five dollars -
All tew yourself. Shoh ~
exact, sir''
"Wall, wonder if Icouldnt get something
to do here myself"
."Oh! yes; you'd make pretty good mid
shipman."
"Well, what's midshipman's wages for a
green hand -
! "Forty dollars a monts, only
Only forty dollars! Jerusalem! why
was goin to hire out for ten. But where can
I be made midshipman on? Say quick
"Down below, sir, in the Storage As soon
as I'm relieved I'll see to it,
Down went the quizzer and the quizZcd-
4 bevy of young midshpmen rec uired no
prompting 10 perpetrate a piece of mischief.
A spur Gus warrant was soon made out, and
the green-horn equipped in SPLENDID uniform,
including an elegant chapeau and costly sword,
by joint contribution of the mess. Thus fur
nished, he was directed to present himself to
Commodore S. in this cabin and report
ready for duty. He was told that the
Commodore might be pretty gruff; it was a
way he had;" but not to mind it. The steer
age being full, the new midshipman was TO
demand quarters in the Commodore's cabin; in
fact, he was ordered to take possession of a
certain stateroom. The Commodore's black
looks and angry words were to be regarded as
nothing-he had no right to use either. Thus
"posted up" the victim presented himself to
the Commodore with -
cold boss, how are you %
$. stared. He had come across rora aus
"Iake seat, sir''
81 kin help myself, old Teller; ginerally
do;' was the reply of the Vermonter, rs he
flung himself into one seat and crossed his legs
upon another.
You are one of the new milshipmen,
suppose - remarked the Commodore, who,
from the first, suspected something,
/ amt nothin' else''
"Shall l trouble you for your warrant -
"Catch hold, old boy
i L. Il al i
then at the visitor.
"Who gave you this:''
"The fellurs down stairs; and I'm ready
for duty''
"That's enough. Now you can co.
"Not as Won knows on. Squire. The eel
lars chock full-and amt goin' out of this
ere in hurry-I tell YOUNG Oh! you needn't
rare up, old fellur | see what's the matter
you're a leetle cracked up here - and the bril-
liant youth touched his forehead with his fore
finger. 81 am going into this chamber to a
right good snooze-boots and all, by gravy y
AS he was proceeding to execute this
menace, the Commodore took him by the arm
and led him to the gangway. Pointing to the
sentinel, he remarked, mildly You see that
man with a musket-now if you don't clear
out directly, and leave the ship and yard, new
e: to show your face here again, I'll order him
TO shoot your
The Yankee broke-and in two seconds his
blue coat-taiI was seen floating in his rear, as
he dashed out of the yard with the speed of a
flying jackass.
In minute afterwards, half dozen terri
fled midshipmen rushed on deck, and asked
for liberty to go on shore.
Young gentlemen" said the Commodore
81 grant no liberty to-day
Six faces fell a /" feet and six young jo-
kers returned to their mess-room as melancholy
as mutes at an al1ermans funeral. They new
er saw or heard anything of the Yankee after
ward, nor the uniform either THE OLD 'UN
Boston Times