The Minnesotian., 1851-12-20
An Incident in the West,

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An Incident in the West.
emusic hath charms 10 sooihe the savage
Split a rock. and melt a cabDage.''
About a year since, a temperance
man moved with his family from South
Carolina to the West. The sparseness
of the population and the continual
travel past his place, rendered it nee
essary act of humanity in him frequent
ly to entertain travellers who could get
no farther. Owing to the frequency Of
these calls, he resolved to enlarge his
house and put up the usual sign.
Soon after this, an election came on,
the triumphant party felt that 1t was
wonderful victory, and some " young
bloods'' of the majority determined in
honor Of it, to have a regular "blow
out" Accordingly, mounted on their
prairie horses, they started on long
ride. Every tavern was visited on the
route, and the variety thus drunk pro-
duced a mixture which added greatly
to the noise and boisterousness Of the
company. In this condition they came
about dozen in number, to our quiet
temperance tavern. The landlord and
lady were absent the eldest daughter,
fourteen years of age, and five younger
children were alone i'm the house.
These gentlemen for they considered
themselves as such) called for liquor.
"We keep none,'' was tue modest
roply Of the young girl.
"What do you keep tavern for them"
"For the accommodation Of travel
lers?'
"Well, then, accommodate us with
something to drink"
6. You will see sir, by the sign, that
we keep a temperance tavern"
3" "A temperance tavern.-(hcre the
children clustered around their sister. J
Give me an axe and I'll cut down the
sign"
you will find an axe at the wood
pile, sir"
Here the party, each one with an oath
made a rush at the wood-pile, exclaim-
ing, "Down with the sign, down with
the sign..'' but the leader in going out,
discovere1ina an adjoining room splen-
did piano and its accompaniments.
"Who makes that thing squeak?
said he.
"I play sometimes, said she, in a
quiet, modest manner.
"You do? Give us tune"
Certainly sir and taking stool,
while the children formed circle close
to her, she sung and played, The Arm
Chair" Some Of them had never
heard a piano before others had not
heard one for years. The tumult was
soon hushed /; the whip-and-spur gen.
tlemen were drawn back from the wood
pile, and formed a circle outside the
children. The leader again spoke :
" Will you be so kind as to favor us
with another song?" Another was
played, and the little ones becoming
treasured, some Of them joined their
sweet voices with their sisters. Song
after song was played. One would
touch the sympathies of the strangers,
another melt them in grief; one would
arouse their patriotism, another their
chivalry and benevolence; until at
length, ashamed to ask for more, they
each made a low bow, thanked her and
wished her good afternoon, and left as
quietly as il they had been to funeral.
Months after this occurrence, the fa-
ther, in travelling, stopped at village
where gentleman accosted him: Are
you Colonel P, Of S--?"
"Well, sir, am spokesman of the
party who so grossly insulted your in
nocent family, threatened to cut down
your sign, and spoke SO rudely to your
children. You have just cause to be
proud Of your daughter, sir her no.
BILE bearing and fearless courage were
remarkable in one so young and unpro-
tected. Can you pardon me, sir? I
feel that l can never forgive myself" :"
FThe worst case Of sea-sickness
OF which We have ever heard, was that
OF a young ''middy,'' whose stomach
was so awfully riled by old Neptune,
during hisGirst week upon the 'svasty
deep" that he threw up his commits
sion.
PoETIcAL CoMPARIsoN.-"There is
no truth in man," said lady in COM
pany: "they are like musical instru-
ments, which sound variety Of tones"
"In other words, madam said a wit
who chanced to be present, "you be-
ieve that all men are Tyres"