The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1853-04-21
"Shouldn't wonder," mused the Yam

There were several packages OF
freight upon the wharf, and two shiver-
ing individuals watching them; the
boat was moored to the wharf, and the
freight transferred TO her, when, Just as
the last bale was being brought on
board, an exclamation from the fat pas
senger brought all the rest to the win
dow of the saloon.
Look" said he, "there's the man
spoke of, that stopped at the - Hotel"
The person alluded TO was walking
rapidly down the wharf. He was a tall
and rather spare figure, long face,
adorned by slight goatee, but with
eyes that glittered with restless fire.
aud showed that something more than
| usual was concealed under his serious
countenance. He was dressed in sort
of drab suit of a singular cut not Qua
kerish, but old, and wore a round, visor
less cap trimmed with fur. In his
hand he carried long green bag, con-
tanning something of about three feet
in length by one or one and half in
breadth.
That bag is just the size," suggested
one.
He looks like a DOCTOR" said an
other.
"Cussed body-snatcher," added the
tall man.
"Do you think he's g-g-go-got the
child in that b-b-b-b-a-a-g % asked a
sufferer who had not until now spoken.
This question caused a universal
shudder, especially among the ladies'
Several of the gentlemen were sud
denly seized with desire to go upon
deck and breathe the air, as the subject
of their conversation had now reached
the boat and cotne on board.
He had scarcely stepped on deck be-
fore he encountered some six or eight
pair Of eyes gazing intently at him
from as many corners ;sthis, however,
he did not seem TO mind much, but
Struggling his shoulders, he turned to
the stewafd, handed him the bag he
carried, and babe the sable fnnctionary
take the greatest care of it, keep il dry
and carefully disposed, adding that, as
remuneration for such care, half
dollar would, in all proba bility, be
placed at his disposal.
Seeing this care of the mysterious
bag. the passengers exchanged signi-
cant looks, while the subject of the re-
mark walked quietly into the saloon,
and, to their horror and amazement,
seated himself before the stove in their
very midst The circle was immedi-
ately widened as by common consent
Chances Of distrust were exchanged
between the passengers, while the in
diyidual in drab, casting an inquiring
look around, suggested that il was a
cold day.n
No one answered except ne sufferer
who, after desperate effort, replied
Yes" and then relapseds into silence,
frightened apparently, "e'en at the
sound himself had 1naden
.'You were at few nights since.
doctor, were you not 2" at length haz-
arded the fat passenger.
"Yes," replied the man in buff with
queer smile playing around his
mouth, "and.o added he with yawn,
II was obliged 10 be up rather late
too.n
A wink here passed between the fat
passenger and the Yankee, who was
standing by with eyes, mouth and ears
wide open
There are some things. sir, which
are outra ges, and which civilized men
viii not in this enlightened age tamely
suffer" pursued the fat individual,
growing warm and grandilloquent
.Sir, yon don't say so ?" was the res
ply of the stranger, with look of in
quiry.
ITO cut the matter short, sir, there
is, or rather was, beautiful childn-
"Y-y-yes, SIR" interrupted the slut
terer, who with the rest was gathering
around the stranger, there is BIB
be-beD
aBell for dinner, SIR" said the
stranger, as it sounded, and the voice
Of an Ethiopian saluted their ears
with &
"Genelum as wishes for dinner,
please walk down in de for'ard cab'n.n
As the stranger arose, there was an
other instructive drawing back from
him even the stout. six footer son of
Maine stood aloof. The stranger, how
ever, seemed to take note of il, but his
eye twinkled, and his brain was evi-
IDENTIFY working with some busy scheme.
At length, all were seated around the
dinner table. As we said before, the
number of passengers was small ;they
were not more than fifteen in number,
and, as they sat down to the Widespread
board, they seemed, in a measure, to
get over the frigidity which the arri-
val of the man in buff had caused.-
The fat passenger undertook to carve a
turkey, but, after an unsuccessful effort,
he resigned il to the stranger, who said
che would diSsect it.o
Here another significant wink passed
between the Yankee and the fat pas
sengeF. A
"Yon are quite professional in your
remarks. doctorD
'Sir ?" said the stranger, in tone of
astonishment; and then, as if suddenly
recollecting himself, and with that pc
caliar smile upon his lip, he remarked
-.H Voe yroc a1uavc fhnu0bf rrood a