Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-07-11
DODGE'S ELOPEMENT WITH
THE CAPTAINS WIFE.
By FALcoNBRIDGE.


'.incomparably ugly man." appeared 'on
change again last week, and the next
evening after his appearance, Milliken's
fashionable saloon, Dodge's head quar-
ters-was at an early hour densely
crowded with the SINE mbers Of the or.
der" 10 listen to the rib tickling accoun;
Of the many incidents ever to be met with
in the life of roncer. Singer.
Many time, and off, have we shaken
our sides with uncomfortable laughter
as the t0rmenting sentences of dry and
spontaneous wit, fell from the lips of the
joker. as unconcerned, and as careless as
drops OF spray from the overhangine
cliffs Of Niagara.
But few, however, Of the many ricl
things related by him, have left the laugh.
ter 10 us, like the following: but in order
to be fully appreciated, the reader should
see Dodge tell the story.
Dodge, some years ago--about the
time he quit teaching the art Of wax-frui
and flower making, and, fortunately
took up that Of concerting, at which pro
iession he has, according to repute. a
massed an independent fortune-make 4
break across the mountains, and one fine
morning found himself in the city of Gin
cinnati.
Here he took passage in the afierwart
unlucky steamer, the B-S-
bound down to Memphis, vicksburg
Naichez and New Orleans.
The boat was densely crowded, being
slowed full on deck with agriculture
and other hardware; while the cabir
overhead was filed up with trunks
hand-boxes, carpet bags, umbrellas, girl,
and boys, men and women, and sucl
like plumber.
The boat showed out, fired her swivel
and. away she headed down stream
while her old pipes breathed forth /;
cook, cook, cook. which fairly caused
the surrounding hills to echo again.
After supper, Dodge having, by lettel
OF introduction, made the acquaintance
ola very useful parsonage, the captai;
Of the boat, they arm in arm, took 9
peep at the ladies' saloon; il was quite
full. and one of the ladies' was playing
q piano elegantly, while some others
having greater taste for vocal than iustru
mental music, were humming over few
Of the great fashionable productions O
Balf, Glover. Oempster and other EN-
inent composers.
The Captain and Dodge remained fol
some time in respectful silence, wher
the lady at the piano very politely re.
quested aid in that glorious, soul.exhil
araiing. neyer-dying old duet, the "Ca
madam Boat Song"
This was Dodge's one: he very readi.
ly stepped forward, and begged permis.
sion 10 lead of.
III you please sir said the lady
whost angeliferous voice, Dodge vows
nearly took away his breath. Our hero
pitched into The .Boatman' like load ol
coal. and says that united with the an.
gelic voice Of the Mississippi nightingale,
he fairly made Rome howl
After the Boatman, came few selec.
tons from the Opera, lately published;
and the night being lar advanced. to wind
up Dougc was OOiiged 10 favor the ladies
with description Of his trip to Niagara
Falls.
'Old fellow says the Captain, meet
ing Dodge in the social hall about mid
night;-'you got along amazingly well
among the iadies--why. yeu sing like
a bird
oh yes. ! sing little said Dodge,
hastily.
And. egad, you shumped that lady's
guitar into its.'
We'll, ! Ira.ather guess did torture ii
some, rejoined Dodge, but tell me
Captain, who is .ha. lady dressed in
black. that sings like nightingale, and
plays with the finish and perfectpess OF
professor!'
, The Captain (bcing noted wag, and
the terror Of all jokers on the Mississip.
: P'') suddenly conceived the idea of SELL
ing the Yankee, with joke which