Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1850-12-21
M isrellaneu MS.
From the Boston Museum
DODGE,S ELOPEMENT.
Or the Captain OutWitted.
BY NJ. G. LEWIS.


Dodge, the eccentric and uneaqualled de-
lineator or as the ladies call him the 'neonpar-
ably ugly man. appeared on change again
last week, and the next evening after his ap-
pearance, Milken's fashionable saloon-Dodge's
head quarters-was,at an early hour crowded
with the members of the order,' to listen to
the tickling accounts of the many incidents
ever TO be met with in the life of concert
singer. .-....-. ..
Many time and oft, have we shaken our
sides with uncomfortable laughter, as the tor
menting sentences of dry and spontaneous wit,
fell from the lips of the joker, as unconcern-
ed and careless as the drops of spray from
the overhanging cliffs at Niagara. I..
Few however, Of the many rich things re-
lated by him in our presence, have left the
laugh in US, like the following but In order
to be fully appreciated the reader should see
Dodge tell the story. a.. z.--..-.s.
The celebrated vocalist several years ago
about the time he quit the art of wax fruit
and flower making, and fortunately, took up
that of.concerting-at which he has accord
ing to repute, alnassed an independent fortune
made break across the mountains, and one
fine morning found himself in Cincinnati
There he took passage on the afterward un-
lucky steamer, the B. S., bound down
to Memphis, Vicksburgh Natchez. Baton
Rouge and New Orleans.
The boat was densely crowded, being stow
ed full on deck with agricultural implements,
horses, eordwood, Dutch emigrants, and other
hardware, while the cabin overhead, was fill
ed jam up with trunks, band boxes, carpet
bags, umbrellas, gals ond boys, men and wo-
men, and such like plunder --s
The boat showed of, fired her swivel, and
away she headed down stream, under full
head of steam, while her old pipes breathed
forth cook, cook. cook, which fairly caused
the surrounding hills to echo again.
After supper, Dodge having by a letter of
introduction, made the acquaintance of very
useful parsonage, the Captain of the boat,
they, armi in arm, took peep into the ladise
saloon; it was quite full, and one of the ladies
was playing the piano elegantly, while Others
having greater taste for vocal than instru-
mental music, were humming over few of
the late productions of Ralfe, Glover, Demps-
ter, and other eminent composers.
The Captain and Dodge stood for some
time in respectful silence, when the lady at
the piano, requested aid from some one, to as
sist her in that glorious, soul exhilirating old
duet the Canadian Boat Song. -rI
This was Dodge's cue; he very readily
stepped forward begged permission TO
lead off .
If you please said the lady, whose ange-
liferous voice, Dodge declares, nearly took
away his breath.
However, our hero pitched into tn Boat
man. like load of coal, and says that, united
with the angelic voices of the Mississippian
he fairly made Rome how'll
After the boatmen, came a few selections
from the operas lately published; and the
night being now far advanced, to wind up, |
Dodge was obliged to favor the ladies with
description of his trip to Niagara Falls Mann
'Egad, old fellow says the noble captain,
meeting Dodge in the social hall about mid
night; you got along swimingly among the
ades es!-why, you sing like Bird
'Oh, yes, sing little says Dodge.
And egad, you thumbed that lady's guitar
INTO fits"
'Well I rather guess did torture it sonae,'
-eplied Dodge, but tell me, captain, who the
leuce is that lady dressed in black. that sings
so like nightingale, and plays with the finish
and perfection of professor?'
The captain being a noted wag, and the
error of all jokers on the Mississippi river
here suddenly conceived the idea of selling
he Yankee with joke, which should count
higA' among the New EngIanders, in ages to
,ome as a model SELL That lady, my dear
ellow, is widow!'
You don't say SOP says Dodge,
yes, but do though, and more than that
he's rich! rich as mud worth seveEty-fve
thousand dollars; young and beautiful, into
he bargain Ia grand chance for Yankee
BOY, just commencing life like you, sir!'
She's certainly very beautiful says Dodge,
Beautiful as an angel!' replied the Cap
ain.
"A very fine musician, too.' says Dodge.
'Uneaqualed on the river rejoined the
captain; why, sir, she sings like seraphH
'How long has she been widow :? inquir
ID Dodge. -s ---
"A little over year now, since her Cap
ain was placed under the sod.'
.Ah! then her husband was Captain, was
ls2' Gays Dodge. .