The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-09-05
From the Yankee Blade.

The Left-Handed Fidler: Or, The Discounted
Politician
Everybody out here in the West has either seen
or heard of Gov L.. 8. Black Bob, as he IS tamll-
arlv called by his constituents. lie Is the most
famous :" electioneerer in all Kentucky. Ills
popularityis unbounded, and believe he has never
sustained defeat before the people. lie Is noble,
generous fellow, possessing fine talents and an IN
exlaustable fund of humOr. 1t would do you
good . to hear one of his popular herangues The
blues ny before the light of his w.t. as the mist be-
fore the rays of the sun. His career has not, how
ever, been always without difficulty, and at times
he has been pushed as to save himself only by the
skin of his teeth
| sell remember the celebrated congressional
canvass between Gov l.. and Mr.. G. In this IN
stance the Governor had competitor worthy OF
his steel" Mr.. G. man Of talent and tact,
and it required all the ingenuity OF Governor l.. TO
manage him. 1t was evident from the commence
ment of the contest that the race would be an I'M
usually close one All depended upon the vote OF
one of the mountain counties of the district, whittier
both candidates directed their steps few days be-
fore the election They met at a great barbecue,
where nearly every citizen of the county had con-
gregated. | suppose, Mr.. Blade, you have never
been present at a Western barbecue. Well, shall
not now attempt to describe Suffice it TO say
that it is unlike any gathering you ever witnessed
in Yankee land Eating drinking, speechliyng,
| and dancing are the order of the day. The dance
is carried on out of DOORS under the shade OF the
f0lck-grOWlng lOf6Sl-ltll III htdSO, ClOSC AOOiS
but where the delightful breeZes of heaven fan the
brow and give elasticity and vigor to the limbs oil
the Young and gov as they trip it on the light fan
| tastic zoe Well as before stated, 1t was at one
of these free and easy gatherings that the two
| rivals met On the stump Mr. g. could mt " hold
candle . to Black Bob, He was literally mnola-
/ ted by the ready wit and brilliant reparee OF his
| sooty'' comEatitor. But he possessed an accom-
| plishment to which Gov. l.. was almost stranger.
| He was a fine musician and after the speaking
! was concluded, Mr., 6. took violin IN his hand,
and gently and sweetly drawing the bow across the
strings, in moment the woods We're vocal with the
| merry laugh and the ground trembling beneath the
dancing feet Of the gay and happy thrOng. 1t was
plainly to be SEEM before the first dance was over
that cat-gut was in the ascendency, and that the
/ friends of Gov. L. were rapidly deserving him.
Scarcely half an hour had elapsed, ere the hitherto
uncomfortable Black Bob stood alone, gazing In
| melancholy mood upon the triumph OF his antagO-
mist. The ladies' ewes sparhItd brightly as Mr.. G.
busiEy piled the bow while the v7en expressed their
admiration in loud and repeate, urras desper'
ate time this for old Bob but is fruitful genius
was not long in inventing plan by which to extrl'
! cate himself from this unpleasant dilemma. so
! calling Tom Buster-TOm was a leader III that re-
oi1n. and decidedly some was Tom Buster-he told
him that he had a confidential communication tC
make, but which he did not wish 10 be mentioned
to any one Ofcourse Tom promised to keep dark
and the Governor began Do you observe, salt
he - that G.. plays the fiddle with ms lett hdIlu
eyes, / do but then he is le1-handed."
g Not bit of it" replied the willy politician
''not bit of it. know him well, have heard hin
play thousand times and down in the valleys
among the rich aristocrats of the towns, he alWay
PLAYS with his right hand-and most splendid MUSIC
he makes, too but he thinks Jett-handed music
! good enough for you mountain boys. II You speal
to him about it, Of course he deny 1t, but tell yoI
tit is true.
q The infamous scamp we Il have no more o
his eft-banded music. He shall give us some o
his best cks, or I'll be id if he shall stay in thes
diggins, roared the Infatuated Tom.
And suitng the action to the word, he wakes
directly in front of Mr.. g., and seiZlng INN by tn
arm, told him. in loud and commanding tones, {
cease his left-handed work, and give them tOuc
of the right sort. In vain Mr. 6. declared that h
could mol play with the right hand-in vain he pro
tested and impored. The indignant crowd, sym
pathizing with Tom and wounded in their pride b
The trick of the arisocratic fiddler, gathered aroun
poor G. and cried aloud for right-handed music
The storm waxed louder the excitement was rIsln
higher when the jscomftted fiddler, concludIn
that prudence was the better part OF Valor, beat
hasty retreat, leaving old Black Bob sole possesso
4 of the field Thus was the battle fought and tn
T victory won. At the election, week later, nearl
/ every vote in that county was cast for Gov. L.
How uncertain are all human calculations! In
very plans that promise the brightest success Otter
as was the case with the left-handed' fiddler, b.
! como the Ynean ne 0f Our destruction.