The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1851-01-20

qalred Dodge.
"a little over year now, since ber Cap
tain was placed under The sod.'
/ 'Ah then her husband was Captain
vas he ? says Dodge.
! Eyes he wa0 a Captain, but he got blowet
up poor fellow. This boating is
risky business for man that Cares anythint
about life sir risky business; but then i
you get the widow, and you can do it sir
like knife, If YOU only rotton strong enough
for she likes you already sir; saw it in he
Ieye--you can retire on some plantation anc
| spend therest Of your days in indescribablt
| and upbounded luxury
i We'll, Caplsin, hang me, if amt q
Il mind 10 spread myself Tor the young widow
land 10y my hand at courting for the frs
time in my life
'Goit my boy, I'll back you with nil my
influence if wasn't married man II
surely go in.for that charming woman; but
you'll win-young-good looking
Don't, don'tif you please, Captain 7 said
Dodge
Hang it, Dodge you mustn't be SO modest.
But, Captain, gas, soap putty-think oi
| my FEELINGS
Then you sing and play like book the
widow loves music, she loves music TO dis
traction; and now, my boy, strike while
the iron is hot! Why, sir, if | could sing
and lead the guitar equal to you
Hold on Captain, hold on; understand
all about that; but now tell me about the
young and beautiful widow; give me her
name, age, and residence
Her name,' replied the Captain, 'is ANA
rantha Bronson age about twenty-four {:
residence, New Orleans, and as we shall
probably be about ten days running down,
you'll have fine time to exert yourself; so
take my advice and make the best use of
your time
Il will says Dodge, and he didn't do
anything else for, always having an eye
open for 'fy-!ops,' and 'spring-gu his
suspicious were aroused by the captains at
tempt at flattery, and his see ming disinter-
ested endeavors to bring about hasty
avowal o. love for the young accomplished
and really beautiful lady.
So setting his wires to work, he. lost but
little time in discovering that the captain
had been under the delightful chains of Hy
men but about two weeks, and the pseudo
widow was no more nor less than the ident-
ical, charming and idolized wife of the Cap
tain.
Now, then,' says Dodge TO himself, as
the Captain has planned joke he sban't be
disappointed III only change or slightly
alter the plot, and if | don't in the end give
him regular 'eye-opener,' then he may
have the pleasure OF informing his friends
how he done the Yankee brown"
Dodge had, something like week previ
Gus, sent on his bills and advertiseme nts to
the editors at Natchez, stating that he would
be al that stirring little town during the
races, and would, at fifty cents ticket, treat
the inhabitants and visitors, with series of
mirhful, musical and socia. entertainments.
Not letting any person on board know
at what place he intended TO stop, telling
The Captain he would settle his fare, when
be left the boat, he improved every spare
moment with the widow over the music
port folios and piano, until the old steamer
came pulling alongside of the levee; at
Natchez
Ascertaining from the Captain that the
steamer would leave in about three quarters
ofaD hour, he gave his baggage in charge Of
u resident in town, who was just about leav-
Ing the boat. Then, watching the Captain
unli! he had entered the counting room of
one of The large stores under the hill for
which he occasionally brought goods from
New Orleans, the vocalist Immediately went
to the Captains wife, and very coolly id
formed her that through the mismanage-
ment OF one of the agents, the boat would
be oolised TO remain about twenty-four
hours at Natchez, and that her husband had
accordingly accepted an invitation OF some
friends 10 visit the race ground. and wished
the vocalist TO come up as soon as conven-
lent 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 start.
/ Stepping on shore, Dodge hailed colored
coach man, gave him shining doubloon, and
in smothered voice, ordered him to drive
ten miles in an easterly direction, and then,
without single question, turn around and
slowly return.
Leaving Dodge and his fair companion to
enjoy their pleasant drive, after tedious
confinement in noisy and Gathering steam
er, we will now return to the Captain, who
at the appointed time. gave the steamers
bell the accustomed number Of rings, hauled
in the plank, bid good day to his friends,
and showed out into the muddy river.
After seeing that tbe additional freight
was we'll balanced, ropes and chains properly
slowed away, and everything in sailors
phrase, all taut,' which occupied nearly an
hour, the Captain entered the ladies' saloon to
scrutinize bis new passengers, and pass an
agreeable half hour with his sweet and aflec-
tionate wife.
Not seeing his lady, he repaired to her
state room, where he found the usual variety
of out and inside dresses, night cap, slippers,
stockings, &c., but no wife; whereupon,
feeling a little uneasy, (the honey not
yet being passed,) general search was made
from stem to stern, but without the least sue
cess.
For a moment the Captain stood like
statute. A thought struck him! Where
was Dodge?
Some one remarked that he had not been
seen since the boat left Natchez.
With the speed of a madman, the Captain
rttchod n fba $40 - ron,,a Of fha Vaptoa Sinu-