The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1854-11-24
THE POWER OF MUSIC.

We were seated in the cabin Of river
steamboat. There was large number
of passengers, who seemed desirous oI
beguiling the tedium Of the sripby con-
.ributing something to the general amuse'
ment.
Among The passengers was one long
lank specimen, whom no one could fail
to recognize as Yankee. He sal
somewha. apar, from the rest, notwith-
standing, while the singulurisy OF his ap.
pearance did not fail to draw many Gu
rious eyes toward him.
A, length, when all the resources oI
their company seemed exhausted, one
of them turned obviously to the Yankee,
and politely requested him to favor the
company with song.
"a song!" echoed he, looking up.
"Yes, Sir; you sing, do you not?"
81 did once" replied he; and may !
add, it saved my life."
"Saved your life2"
All were eager to hear how this could
be, and after some little urging, the
stranger consented TO crafty them.
"You mus. know" said he, "that I was
one ofthe first to go 10 California when
the report first reached US at hone of its
stories Of gold. L, was nothing to them
what it is now, perfect waste, in fact
with hardly mark civilization, where
you can see Hourishing towns, number
ing their thousands ofinhabitBnts.
"Being fond Of adventure, separated
from my company, and determined to
find the way to the diggins myself One
nigh, | found myself lying upon the
grass, with my pack for pillow, just on
the edge Of q large Forest II did not
enter into my head TO be afraid till it
became somewhat dark, and heard,
with fearful disiinctness. the cry of the
prairie wolf. ] listened again, and was
alarmed TO 6ud the cry coming nearer.
Evidently they scented me-
"At length whole pack Of the blood
thirsty tascals came bounding on, till
they canIe within hundred feet Of me,
and then they they stood stock still, and
then began TO draw nearer.
"M. hair rose on end, and I was terri
bly, alarmed. endeavored 10 think OF
some possible way Of soaring them,
Having heard that they were terrified at
the sight Of fire, lighted match
They drew off little, bu. Immediately
retraced their steps. This movement
was repeated on both sides, | found thil
would never do; must think of some
thing more decisive. But what?
IL reccollecied having in my you,l
attended a singing school for the space
of two evenings, during which | received
some indisiiEct notious Of the manner O
singing "Old Hundred" That recol-
lection saved me.
"Without more ado I began, and die
as we'll as could. By the time l hat
got through the FIRST line, | observed tha
the wolves began TO look little wild ant
uneasy, and-will you believe it, gen
. man" said the narrator, earnestly, "be
fore / finished, euery individual scoJ
putting his fore pa,cs up to to his ears
scampered avay, as if old Jack 1as Gf
ter him."
A shout of laughter, both loud ant
long, followed this narrative, at the ent
of which the speaker, who had not stir
red muscle, gravely continued:
"You bee, gentlemen, l have beer
frank with you. did not wish TO taxi
undue advantage ofyour kind and com
pl;men,ary invitation without forewar'
} ming you of the consequences. II, af.e
/ have told you, you are still desireus o
hearing more, / will endeavor TO Civ
you Old Hundred, which is the only SON.
| ever knew, and to which, for reason
already given, feel uncommonly at
,ached."
After this story, he was uranimousl.
) excused.
sevastopol is not taken. Tho lates
ndxicna shnM that twenty dava elanseI