Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-02-22

stating that he Would be at that stirring little town
during the races and would at fifty cents ticket treat
the inhabitants and visitors with series OF mlrthlu
musical and social entertainments.
Not letting any person board know at what place
he intended TO stop, telling the captain he would set
tie his fare when he left the boat he improved every
spare moment with the widow over the music and P-
ano until the old steamer came pulling alongside OF
the levee at Natchez.
/ Ascertaning from the Captain that the steamer
would leave in about three quarters of an hour he
gave his baggage in charge of resident III town, VINO
was about leaving the boat. Then watching the Cap
tain until he had entered the counting room OF one OF
the LARGE stores under the HILL for which he OCCASION
ally brought goods from New Orleans, the vocalist I'M
medatev went to the Captains wife, and very coolly
informed her that, through mismanagement OF one
of the agents. the boat would be obliged to remain a
bout twenty -four hours at Natchez, and that her nus
band had accordingly accepted an INVITATION OF some
friends TO visit the ground and wished the vocal
list to come up as convenient, IN carriage,
with the Captains wife, Not dreaming OF anything
wrong the lady hastily threw on her shawl and bonnet
and declared herself ready for the start Stepping on
Shore Dodge hailed colored coachman, gave hm a
shining doubloon, and in smothered voice, ordered
him to drive miles in an eastern dlrectlon and
then without single question, turn round, and slowly
return.
Leaving Dodge and his fair companion to enjoy their
pleasant drive after tedious confinement IN noisy
and clatterng steamer, will now return to the Cap
tain who at the appointed time, gave the steamer
he'll the accustomed number of rings, hauled III the
plank bid cood-day his friends, and showed out into
h the muddy river NJ,
After seeing that the additional freight was well bal
anced ropes and chains properly slowed away and ev-
ery thing in sailors phrase, 'a taut which occupied
nearly an hour the Captain entered the ladies' saloon
to scrunize his passengers and pass an agreeable
. half hour with his sweet and affechonate wi1e.
~ Not seeing his lady, he repaired to her state-room
" where he found the usual variety of out and inside
dresses nght-cap slippers, stockings etc. but no wife;
! whereupon feeling little uneasy, (the honey moon
= not vet being passed general search was made from
stem to stern in the old steamboat but without the
: least success.
s. For moment, the Captain stood like statue. A
u thourht struck him. Where was Dodge
Some one remarked that he had not Deeh seen SINCE
: the boat left Natchez.
- With the speed of madman, the Captain rushed to
the sate-room of the Yankee singer when to his utter
~ astonishent he found that the baggage had all dlsap
" neared and on the bed lay letter, directed to captain
III - of the steamer b. S. The letter was quickly
torn open when to add still greater fury to his frenzy
" his eyes fell on the following =
10 DEAR SIR Thinking that you might possibly
~ have the pleasure of relating to your friends how yol
III u cauqh Dodge mapping by persuading him to make
" declaration of love your talented and truly accom-
plished lady, you tried your utmost both by msrepre
m sentation and personal influence to get me IN the mes
h0 hos of vour skully woven net; and thinking tina
when we are among the Romans are justified in do
ING as the Romans do, have by the same method ia
ken possession of your beautiful wife without her owl
a. or your consent.
u that none other better than Bostonan knows how
80 bestow and unless you conclude to bout ship, ac
knowledge the corn, and Immediately take possesslo
~ of the prize (Which between you and myself eonsld
u er the most manly and wisest eourse01 shah it
'' meets her approval take her under my charge IN tn
~ next steamer bound to the Crescent City.
Yours for fun, let it come at whose expence 1t ma
'us : 49, OssIANE. DODGE,
Boston Vocalist.
Of aP. s.-Enclosed you will find the of m
me fare and inasmuch have taken charge OF your ia
it is perfectly fair that you should take possession
far In voice of thunder the Captain gave orders f
tho the action of the engine to be Immediately reverse
and taking possession of the pllot-house himself,
the had for himself excellent opportunity oil cooli
mr. himself down into something like state OF retectlf
and reason.
BEING naturally of generous and lively turn
ts, mind he was soon obliged to acknowledge to himsf
ed that the internal Yankee had outWted him, and ait
SOD all if his wife had received that attention promised
tb the letter it would be better not to make fool
himself by a great splurge and show, but handsom
r Of acknowledge that he had been whipped at his o'
d came return the vocalist the amount OF his fare,
d then present him with free ticket tor the steamer
= +o s current at all seasons OF the year
About the time the captain was raging the wide
Dodre was explaining to his fair companion the mi
ner in which her lawful lord had compromised
she's honor and dignity by representing her as widow
@ c nroper person to receive the addresses the you
- men Little bv little the vocalist revealed the &C
+l,o X4yb
cinc plcated plot from beginning to end, uhth tne WI
was brought plainly to light.
The lady trembled, wept violently for few nome
and finally wound up with a merry laugh eNcla
ing = c,, ,,o,or+s1
hos noble soul, and WILL in hall an hour atterWa
odoe be willing and happy to forgive and forget; Du'
shan't forget as long have tongue TO hector
But Mr. Dodge, hadn't we better nave tne ofNeI
he!' ry for the Captain VIII return nnhea'o o o
ceipt of your note, know he will Tor on SIT we
moor very fond of each other-lndeed we are
1odoe ordered the driver to increase his speed,
o ;f he should discover steamer coming up the rive
+ sir Immediately inform them
~ for .Das one coming now, massa, immediately re-
/ can the driver.
! +ba ssyNhat's her name - inquired Dodge
81 reckon rnassa, she's from.de Mort! Don't
.d ;er can't read" reioined the laughing piece OF
court ness. ,., al, ,
Dodpe and his companion Immediately took
o. of the distant steamer from the window OF the
IN for and soon satisfied themselves beyond doubt ina
rood was none other than the identical b. ,.
tsWhar does massa want nigga drlVe 10 no"
ouired the wonder-stricken but respectful orlEer.
.,To Natchez under the h' replied Dodge,
feel govern Yourself according to the speed oil yonuer
er as we wish to board her..
widow "Yes, sah."
n ~ AS the bow-hne was thrown ashore, Mr Dodg
r if his pseudo widow aghted from the carriage and
IA ed slowly towards the boat The Captain oVel
ht5 ,;tb low spranp from the taffra and soon ha
boa,ti bride clasped in his After KISS ana
- ;, ,,ords in pryate he turned round to Dodge VINO
arantba sokng on like convinced he had no rght
ew Or the scene and exclaimed:
, rnn s.Nv dear fellow, this is happiness and no M
onrself. but I'll own up that I've been sold, compete
NrrnfHC Or