The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-06-02

getting forward with difficulty At length we
reached our port, and sprung wiki delight upon
the soil of Kentucky. Among the STEAMBOATS,
:ying along the shore, dismaned and laid up for
The season, was the vessel in which had en-
barked at New Orleans, feeble invalid, and "hIch
rad left almost corpse.
My baggage consisted olseveraI we'll filled trunks,
~, &c which, y cn.nrron hacE leather travelling
trunk had purchased at New Orleans, and pack
cd with articles Of fnery, for my intended BRIDE
On setting me ashore at the wood cutters the cap
tain Of the boat had been careful 10 land my sew
eral chattles, and now proceeded with them to
hotel in Louisville. My baggage was carried INTO
bar.room crowded with gentlemen, and / had
scarcely time to turn round, when a ank, agile
Frepchman, with tremendous whiskers, dartcd ior
ward, and, seIzing my black trunk, seemed to be
about to appropriate to his own use all nay nuPta
presents.
"That is my trunk, sir - said !.
"Ah sair you say dat your tronk Sair,
dat is not your tronk ''
Excuse me, sir, it is undoubtedly mine.''
.sAh ma fol shall not excuse you, sair -
Sair if you say dis is your tronk, you no gentI-
man"
As he said this he erked a key from his pock.
ct, thrust it into the lock, threw open the dspu-
ted drunk, and to my utter CONSERVATION, and the
of all present, displayed magazine
of slndrIes as undoubtedly French as his own ac-
cent
"Dare vat you say now, sair? he exclaimed,
as he threw out the contents, you
say dat your coat ?-dat your waiscoat ?-your
iddb.string ?-your musique note your every
.ing' Sair, you are no gentleman if you say dat
yourtronk.''
'' ask your PARDON" said |, - the trunk is not
mine; but there is strange mystery in this affair,
whicn cannot pretend to unravel."
"Ah, very much mystery, for some oder genti-
man ret my tronk, and make we wear my linen in
dis hot country for five or six week
I" The fault is not mire; ! purchased trunk
at New Orleans so nearI Y resembling that one,
that If | was not convinced by The contents,
would still think in mine. | am sorry TO have
been the innocent cause ofany Inconvenience to
you"
Very well buy my tronk at New Orleans
too-dat how da look So much alike very sorry,
sar, bu: cannot let you have my tronk indeed,
saIr.''
| stood mortified and conlounded cutting
very ii" "kward figure in the presence OF large
who Viewed this odd adventure with as
tonishment. | began almost TO doubt my own
identity, and to fancy myself transformed by magic
into somebody else. 1t seemed as if my i'll luck
was never to cease. dreaded least this incident
should prove prophetic, and as had seen my
trunk Of another gentleman, feared that | might
find my widow changed into another mans wife.
was somewhat relieved by the captain of the
steamboat, who had witnessed this scene, and who
now stepped forward, and informed me that my
trunk, which had been exchanged by mistake, was
on board his boat.
Feeling in no mood 10 visit anv of nv ac-
quainsance, directed my course to the counting
house OF a merchant, upon whom | held
draft. On handing it to his clerk, he returned it,
saying,
The drawee ofthis bill is dead, and we have
Instructions not TO pay it,"
s. am the drawee,'' returned l.
'There must be some mistake" replied the
clerk, very coIdIy Mr.. NJ. in whose favor it is
drawn, is certainly dead. We have it from his
heir"
" Heir don't you suppose, sir, that am the
best judge whether | am dead or alive ~
"Cant say, sr-sorry 10 dispute any gentle
mans word-but my ORDERS"
"Sr, you not only dispute my word, but you
1eny my exlstence-don't YOU see me, and hear
ne, and can't you feel me said |, aging my long
cold hand upon his soIt white palm.
" Very sorry" repeated the book-keeper,
his hand as if a viper had touched
t, " but my principal is ABSENT act under in
Mr.. Ms account is closed on our
books"
" / his is the strangest turn Of ALL said | to
myself, as stepped INTO the street. '' | dead
my heir has entered upon the estate-the
widow mourns over my grave Very pretty,
ruIy | shall next be told that this is not Ken
lucky, and that | am not, and never Ed
ward NJ
Angry and dispirited, turned into a public
eadlng room, and sought for file of the newsPa-
ger published in my own neighborhnod looked
or an Old date, and soon found-my- own obitua-
y and learned that in my untmcIy death So
'Iety had been deprived OF useful member; 10y
1lndrcd OF an affectionate relative and my ser
'ants of kind master Upon further research,
stumble upon notice from my administrator -
he next OF kln-inviting all my debtors to settle
heir accounts. | saw account Of the widows
ieath, determined to set out for home Instantly,
IS we'll 10 relieve The burthen of her sorrow, rs TO
eassume the privilege of coIIecng my own debts.
Alter tlresome journey. | arrived, on The night
't the third day, in my own neighborhood. Con-
'ealed by the darkness, | reached my own door
without being rrcognIzed. My servants fled vi lien
hey perceived me, screaming with surprise and
error. | followed them into tho house In the
lall stood a gentleman and lady, who had been
irawn 'hilher by the uproar. They were tie 'nex;
# kin " and-the widow Smith The former.
'eIng young man of spirit, stood his ground, but
he lady screamed and fed.
g " I'll you be good enough 10 tell me- sir" |
aid, $ whether am dead or alive ~
" We have mnurned your death" said ny nc.
,hew. with an embarrassed air, 8. but am happy
find that you are alive, an1 most since rely vel.
.one yon homo