Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-04-14
MISC Il LII A N Y.
CURIOUS MODE OF GETTING A WIFE

One little act of po liteness will sometimes
pave the way TO fortune and preterment.-
The following sketch illustrates this fact {:
A sailor, roughly garbed, was sauntering
through the streets ofNew Orleans, then
in a rather damp condition, from recent
rain and the rise of the tide. Turning the
corner of much frequented and narrow al
lev, he observed a young lady standing IN
perplexity, apparently measuring the depth
of the muddy water between her and the
opposite sidewalk, with no very satisfied
countenanCe.
The sailor paused, for he was great ad-
mirer of beauty and certainly the fair face
that peeped out from under the little CHIP
hat, and the auburn curls hanging glossy
and unconfned over her muslin dress, might
tempt a curious or an admiring glance
Perplexed, the lady put forth one little foot,
when the gallant sailor, with characteristic
lmpulsiveness, exclaimed, "that pretty foot,
lady, should not be soiled with the filth OF
this lane; wait for moment only, and l
will make you path"
SO springing past her into carpenter $
shop opposite, he bargained for aplank
board that stood in the doorway and COM
inc back to the smiling girl, who was just
coquettish enough to accept the services of
the handsome young sailor, he bridged the
narrow black stream, and she tripped across
with merry 'thank you" and arogulsh
smile, making her eyes as dazzling as they
could be.
Alas our young sailor was perfectly
charmed. What else could make him catch
up and shoulder the plank, and follow the
little witch through the streets to her home,
she twice performing the ceremony OF
walking the plank, and each time thank
ing him with one of her eloquent smiles.-
Presently our hero saw the young lady trip
up the marble steps Of palace OF a house,
and disappear within its rosewood entrance;
for full minute he stood looking at the
door, and then with wonderfully blg sigh
turned away, disposed, of his drawbridge,
and wended his path back to his ship.
The next day he was astonished with an
order Cf promotion from the captain. Poor
Jack was speechless with am,zement; he
had not dreamed of being exalted to the
dignity of second mates office on board one
of the most splended ships that sailed out
of the port of New Orleans. He knew he
was competent, for instead of spending his
money for amusements, visiting theatres y
bowling alleys, Oh his return from sea, he
purchased books and had become quite a
student but he expected years to inter
vene before his ambitious hopes would be
realized. His superior officers seemed to
look upon him with considerable leniency,
and gave him many fair opportunity to
gather maritime knowledge; and in year,
the handsome, gentemanly, young mate
had acquired unusual favor in the eyes Of
the po.tly commander, Captain Hume, who
had first taken the smart lIttle-eyed fellow
with MS neat tarpaulin, and tidy bundie,as
his CABIN boy.
One night the young man with all the
other officers, was invited to an entertain
meat at the captains house. He went, &
TO his astonishment, mounted the ldentl-
cal steps that two years before, the bright
est vision he had ever seen, passed over;
q vision he had never forgotten. Ihump,
thump. went his brave heart, and as ne was
ushered INTO the great parlor; and like a
sledgc hammer it beat again, when Captain
Hume brought forward his blue-eyed daugh-
ter, and with pleasant smile, said, the
young lady once indebted to your polite
ness for safe and dry walk home" His
eyes were all blaze, and his brown cheeks
flushed hotty, as the noble captain saunt-
cred away, leaving fair Grace Hume at his
side. And in all that assembly was not so
handsome couple as the gallant sailor and
the pretty ladie."
1t was only year from thai time that
TIE second mate trod the quarter-deck, Sc
cond only in command, and part owner
with the captain, not only in his vessel, but
in the affections of the daughter, gentle