Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1853-04-23
For the Southern Standard.
A Protcan Character.

4 PTOtean Character.
Mr.. EDITOR Il thought to give you passage
or two more of history, in which, among other
things, the Rappings would have been little fur
ther discussed. But l will desist for the present
as 1.-THE ring upon this subject, does not lack for
representatives, and moreover some one has asked
for an exhibit of your own hand.
Leaving then, the discussion of the occult sci
ence to others, will briefly present for your con-
sderaton, very singular character, that enlisted
my attention not long since.
Proteus you may remember was marine deity
and possessed the faculty of assuming different
shapes. When consulted he was disposed to elude
the grasp, and disappear in the form of tiger,
lion, whirlwind or a rushing stream-so say
eth mythology. The character under consdera-
ton possesses the faculty of the ancient sea god
to a remarkable degree, but our Proteus will speak
for himself.
am nothing but name, yet if you will assist
me little in the mutat on', my transitions are
wonderful For every rev character you must
always begin with my most approved and com
mon name. Now if to this name, which is Tom,
you will add three simple letters, forthwith be-
come a small bird of the tribe, insects and
bugs are my living-my name is Zom-H! If
three other letters you will add, grim grimalkn
become, housing and purring, my ears are crop
ped, and l am curtailed as to my caudal extremi-
ty-a veritable Tom-cat. Now take three differ
ent letters if you please, and 10, the wondrous
change Though still of the animal kingdom,
am neither bird nor beast. Ten or twelve sum-
mers have seen, but my head acknowledges no
met control, my flaxen hair chafes at the horny
bondage of combs and loves the sport of the
winds. At the top of my neither dress one or two
hooks are missing-one shoe lost in the branch
Astride a stick, across the yard l ride, romping
Tom-boy Why such an application has been
made Of my common name, l am unable to say,
but no other is descriptive of the female boy,
try several, if you please-let's see; Jim boy :?
Ned-boy? Dick-boy Preposterous Nothing
will do but Tona-boy
Again: BY different afix of letters 1 am
made the scape goat epithet of sundry character
istcs of the progressive age in our travelled"
city Jugglery, Rappings, "Cat-gut science etc,
are all set down to my credit under the generic
name of Tom: foolery. Throughout the union l
am associated with Dick and Harry under the no.
torious firm of Tom, Dick and Harry-general
agents for the transaction of business and miscel
lany, wholesale and retail. Though my two part
ners are characters of celebrity, yet think they
would 90 by the board, if my name were taken
from the firm. But it was vile SANDER that asso-
ciated me with Jerry" under the firm of ''Tom
u Jerry" This firm set up in back rooms and
other dark places, some years ago. for the purpose
of vending vile compost of raw eggs, whiskey
and spice. twas much patronized by the b'hoys
when they were beating for recruits to go beyond
the Rio Grande. l suppose that my name was
added merely to give popularity to the firm; but
it was infamous SANDER, for never allow my name
to appear in any such connection.
In my latest and most renowned capacity, am
become possessor of name and local habita-
ton, though it be caJin-and hereby hangs a
tale am as dark as the sable curtains of night,
yet l am the lion and the toast of the magnates
Of Europe and the North. Although l carry up
on my brow the curse of Canaan. Mrs. Harriet
Beecher Stowe, is not ashamed to introduce me
throughout the literary world as her Uncle-Tom.
Such Protean notoriety is to me utterly incom-
prehensible; and can assure you that it was &C
quired by no effort of my own, for I consider ii
by no means enviable to be such public property
as football for the people, neither can mag
inc why some other name may not answer as well
for q Proteus. BY your leave Mr.. Editor, our
Proteus will retire. and now that he is gone let me
ask you if he is less wonderful than the ancient
sea god. NED NICE.