Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1852-07-07
Omcer nTode on Getling a Wirc.

One little act of polieness will sometimes pave
the way to fortune and preferment The follow
ing sketch illustrates the fact =
A sailor roughly clad was sauntering through
the streets of New Orleans, then in rather damp
condition, from the recent rain and the rise of the
tide. Turning the corner of much freuuented
and narrow alley, he observed young lady STAN
ding in much perplexity, apparently measuring
the depth Of the muddy water between her and
the opposite sidewalk, with very satisfied coun-
tenance.
The sailor paused, for he was a great admirer
of beauty, and certainly the face that peeped out
from under the little chip hat, and the auburn
curls hanging, glossy and unconfned, over her
muslin dress, might tempt curious or an admir-
ing glance. Perplexcd, the lady put forth first
one little foot, and then the other when the gal
liant sailor, with characteristic impulsiveness, ex-
clamed That little foot, lady, should not be soil
ed with the filth of this lane. Wait for a moment
and will make you path
SO sprnging past her into n carpenters shop
opposite, he bargained for a plank which stood in
he doorway, and coming back to the smiling girl
who was Just coquettish enough to accept the SER
wees of the handsome sailor he bridged the mar
ROY stream, and she tripped across with a merry
thank yol,' and roguish 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 to her home,
she twice performing the ceremony of walking
the plank and each time thanking him with one
of her eloquent smiles Presently, our hero saw
the young lady trip up the marble steps Of a pal
ace of house, and disappear within its rosewood
entrance for full minute he stood looking at the
door, and then, with a wonderful big sigh, turned
away, disposed of his drawbridge, and wendell his
path back to the ship.
The next day he was astonished with an order
of promotion from the captain Poor Jack was
SPECIFICS with amazement. He had not dream
ed of being exalted to the dignity of second mates
that sailed out of the port of New Orleans. He
knew he was competent for instead of spending
his money in visiting theatres and bowling alleys,
he had purchased books and had become quite a
student; but he expected years to intervene before
his ambitious hopes could be realized.
His superior officers seemed to look upon him
with considerable lenency, and gave him many a
fair opportunity TO gather maritime knowledge
and in a year the handsome young mate acquired
unusual favor in the eyes of the portly command
er, Captain Hume, who had first taken the smart
little back-cycd fellow, with his arpauin and IT,
dy bundle as his cabn-boy.
One night the young man, with all the other
officers, were invited to an entertainment at the
captains house. He went, and to his astonsh-
ment he mounted the identical steps that two years
before, the brightest vision he had ever pass
ed over, a vision he had never forgotten. Thump
thump went his brave heart, as he was ushered
into the great parlor, and like sledge-hammer il
beat again, when Captain Hume brought forward
his blue-eyed daughter, and with pleasant smile
said -
The young lady once indebted to your polite
ness for a safe and dry walk home
1t was only year from that time that the Sec
ond mate trod the quarter deck, part owner with
the captain, not only of his vessel, but in the af-
fections Of his daughter, gentle Grace Hume, who
rhad cherished respect TO say nothing of love, fol-
the bright eyed sailor.
The old man has retired from business. Hen
ry Wells is now Captain Wells, and Grace Hume
is, according to polite parance, Mrs Captain w.
In fact our honest sailor, is one of the richest mer
in the Crescent City, and he owes perhaps thc
greatest part of his prosperity to his tact and pc
likeness at the street crossing.