Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-05-05
A MOVING INCIDENT.

Mr.. Editor--Your hack drivers story, in
the Model American Courier of March 18th,
reminds me Of an incident that actually took
place in our village not two months since.
One cold morning in last February, the
snow lying some ten inches deep on the
ground, a circle of half-frozen towns people
had girdled the fire in Mr. Ms bar ROOM
They had pat in requisition every chair and
every newspaper in the room, and as the
number was considerable, and each was anX-
| lous to get as near as possibleto the source OF
| comfort, the closely-wedged circle of chair
backs formed sort of Gordon San1tdire, since
without some one should move, all lngresS TO
the fire was cut off, as thouoh 1t were under
quarantine. And the semi-clrcu'ar row OF legs
and feet turning inWarls toward the hearth,
looked like the spokes of an enormous wagon
wheel. Even The landlord was excluded, and
with his hands in his brooches pockets, Mr..
X. was industriousIy promenading his bar
room, endeavoring to look as good natured
and as comfortable as circumstances would
permit
In this state of things, Dr. l., of our town,
entered, rubbing his hands and pronounclng
energetically several monosylabic words, in
connection with some quite original observa-
tions on the state of the weather. But in vain
DID he, with blue nose and beseechlhg look,
walk round the sem-circle of kind hearted
neighbors to get access 10 the fire not soul
moved.
BY the Laws, it's coldr al length eXcaim-
ed the Doctor, by way of drawing attention
to his forlorn condition.
| Hey cold, did YOU say" answered one
carelessIy yes, should think likely it is,
out in the street and he cooliy gave his
chair hitch, in the unsuccessful effort to get
it haif-inch nearer the fire.
| Now, Doctor T., though one of the best
hearted men in the world, is exceedingly irri-
table; and while as fond of a oke as Curran
was, is known as a perfect daredevil, capa-
bic of anything And, after moments wait
ing, he left the room, mutterlng something eX
pressive of his private opinion as TO the state
of civilization in that town. Crossing the
street to store, he put neatly up bundle
some four inches by two in size, in one cor
ner of which he put about a spoonful OF Du
points best
Re-entcring the har-room, he tipped TIT
landlord sly wink, and then, by persona
appeal, prevailed upon the most good-nauret
man of the group to move his chair momenta
rily, so rs TO admit L. within the circle; {
movement which the rest reproved instantly
by looking daggerS and icices at the good
natured man.
Doctor L., however, quietly turned his bach
to the fire, pulling his coat tails aside, Amer
can fashion, and very composedly VII sitting
Yankee Doodle.
At length some one CHANGED 10 remark
Must be good morning for rabbit hunting.
Yes said the Doctor, catching eagerly a
the very hint he had been waiting for; yes,
should think so. I'm going myself, directly
Just bought pound or two OF first rate pow
der over the way here. Finest article w
seen in town.
And coolly taking out the package, he tor
off a corner, as if al random, and pouring up
on his hand about spoonful OF the apparen
contents, threw it upon the fire.
The explosion elevated some half-a-doze
of the circle (who had not noticed what h
was doing,) two or three inches from thel
chairs, and loud remonstrances followed a
gainst the repetition of any chemical eHPerl
ments of that sort while The landlord, VII
had got his cue, remarked
BY George You'd better blow man
house up, hadn't you J?
If you say muck, [ WILL rejoined L., i
| great apparent heat I'd just as soon pltc
the whole two pounds into the fire as not
| I'D like to see you replied X, confidently
E DO you dare me to do it /" shouted I.
yes, do doggedy answered the LANDLORD
/ No sooner said than done. With mutte
ed remark about taking dare from an
man, z. dashed tn bundle among the bIazin
brands and sprang towards the door, followe
!, | by the landlord.
5 Heavens and earth, what scattering N
n one stopped TO shove back his chalr|eVett
thing turned acomplete somerset and ga'i