Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-03-11
Curious Mode Of getting a Wife.

One little act of politeness will sometimes
pave the way to fortune and preferment. The
following sketch illustrates this fact.
A sailor roughly garbeJ, was sauntering
through the streets of New Orleans, then in
rather damp condition. from recent rain and
the rise of the tide. Turning the corner of
much frequented and narrow alley, he observed
young lady standing in perplexity, apparent
ly measuring the depth of the muddy water be-
tween her and the opposite side walk with no
very satisfied countenanee. "Haa q. slaaI
The sailor paused, for he was great ad-
mirer of beauty; and certainly the fair face
that peeped out from under the chip hat, and
the auburn curls hanging glossy and uncon-
fined over her muslin dress, might tempt
curious or an admiring glance. Perplexed,
the lady put forth one little foot, when the gal
liant sailor, with characteristic mpulsveness,
exclaimed, that pretty foot. lady, should not
be soled with the filth of this lane wait for
one moment only, and will make you good
path. au -fa.teoE
So springing past her into carpenters
shop opposite he bargained for plank board
that stood within The doorway, and coming
back TO the smiling girl who was just coqnet-
tlsh enough To accept the service of the hand
some young sailor, he bridged The narrow
black stream, and she tripped across with a
merry thank you, and roguish smile max.
ing 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 walk
ing the plank and each time thanking him
with one of her eloquent smiles. Presently
our hero saw the lady trip up the marble steps
of palace of house. and disappear within its
rosewood entrance for full half minute he
stood looking at the door, and then with won
derfal big sigh, turned away, disposed of his
drawbridge, and wended his way towards his
ship. .H. .... .r-rl a...a ..u
The next day he was astonished with an or
der of promotion from the captain. Poor Jack
was speechess from amazement he had not
dreamed of being exalted to the dignity of
second mates office on board one of the most
splendid ships that sailed out of New Orleans.
He knew he was competent, tor instead of
speniing his money in amusements, visiting
theatres and bowling alleys, he purchased
books ard had become quite a student, but he
expected years TO intervene before he would
be able to realize his ambitious hopes.
His superior officers seemed to look upon
him with considerable leniency, and gave him
many an opportunity TO gather maritime
knowledge; and in year, the handsome, gen
tlemanly, young mate had acquired unusual
favor in the eyes of the porlly commander,
Capt. Hume, who had first taken the smart,
little black-eyed fellow with his neat tarpaulin,
and tidy bundle, as his cabin boy
One night the young man with all the other
officers, was invited to an entertainment at the
captains house. He went, and 10 his aston
ishment mounted the identical steps that two
years before, the brightest vision he had ever
seen, passed over-a vision he had never for
gotten. Thump, thump, went his brave heart,
as he was ushered into the great paror, and
like sledge hammer it beat again, when Cap
tain Hume brought forward his blue eyed
daughter, and with pleasant smile, said, the
Young lady once indebted to your polileness for
safe and dry walk home His eyes were all
a blaze, and his brown cheeks flushed hotly,
as the noble captain sauniered away, leaving
fair Grace Hume at his side And in all that
gay assembly, there was not so handsome
couple as the gallant sailor and the pretty la
dy.' .t .-...rm ........' r.,....
1t was only year from that time that the
second mate trod the. quarter deck, second
only III CothfiHtIiu, anu part owner VIII tDe
captain, moi only in his vessel. but in the af-
fecIions Of his daughter, gentle Grace Hume,
who had always cherished respect, TO say
nothing OF love for the bright eyed suior.
His homely, but earnest act of polireness
towards his daughter, had pleased the cap
tain. and though the youth knew it not, was
The cause of his FIRST promotion. So that
now the old man has retired from business
Henry Wells is Captain Wells, and Grace
Hume is according polire parlance, Mrs.
Captain Wells In fact. our honest sailor is
one of The richest men in the Crescent City,
and he owes perhaps the greatest part of his
prosperity 10 his tact and polileness in cross
ing The street. ''i