Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1854-11-09
The fr5nch Eiddler'S bet.


distant correspondent. who calls himsel
"a. A. 3D." for very amusing unecdote
which we transfer to our columns, in con.
sideration of its intrinsic worth.
A little French fiddler and his wife.
who gained a livelihood by teaching the
art Of dancing. were on board sleame
on the Mississippi short time since. -
They had got short Of funds, and having
go. run out in the last place where they
had stopped were changing their spots
for more favorable opportunity to en-
gage in their profession of teaching. The
Frenchmaa was extravaganily fond OF
his wife. and. ssw.thal very chary Of her
often boas;ing that no man could be allow
ed by her TO take even the smlll libetie es
| with her charms which are usually wink
ed at by husbands. Blu, little aft .ir &C.
Cured which shook the poor mans belief
in this delusion.
Soon after The starting of the boa, he
wen; into the cabin. and was soon in con.
versation with the captain. Discovering
that the captain was bachelor, Frenchy
was prolific in sympathy, declaring that
he should die of grief il it were not for
the company and caresses of his wife.
'Oh, as for that" said the captain, ~
have the CO mpany Of ladies much of lh&
time, on board; and the best of it is, they
are all willing that should indulge in a
little kissing with them sometimes"
"You mean you kiss em alI?" snii our
hero. 81 be. you five dollars. you no kIss
my little woman"
iii is done" replied the captain.
The Frenchman took out his wallet:
but could not find The amount. IL find |
has no money, captain; but | bet dis fid-
die (holding up the instrument) no man
ever kiss my little woman"
"Well" said the captain, II be, my
ship and whole cargo against your fiddle.
that can kiss your wife in two hours
from now, if you will bring her into the
CABIN and then retire yourself"
IL goes it--you lose your ship and car
go, sar."
Accordingly. Frenchy brought down
his wife, telling her that the captain wish
ed TO see her, and adding
take care of Yourself. little woman;
don't know what kind of man this cap
tain is"
The Frenchman retired from the cabin;
but though he fel, quite sure tha, his wife
would repel Indignantly any attempts
which the captain might make TO gain his
bet. ye, he was lille fearful of what
might happen. He thought he might keep
his wife in mind OF him by playing and
singing little. So, going to respectful
distance from the cabin door. he COM
menced tossing. accompanying himself
with his favoriie instrument:
BE true nv love, be irus. my love,
Be true for couple OF hours;
Be true, my love, be true, my love.
And the ship and cargo'a ours
After he had finished, thu captain SAID
to the lady.
"Your husband seems extremely nnx-
ious about you'll suppose it would half
kill him 10 have another man kiss his wife
wouldn't il?'
Il don't know suppose you try it,"
The captain did try it. most assuredly,
and the "litue woman" returned il as
heartily! Then, turning her eyes 20 the
cabin door. she sung in sweet voice.
q reply to her waiting spouse:
You're late, my love, you're late my love
His arm is round my middle;
He kissed me once he kissed me again
My dear, you re lost your fiddle"
The little Frenchman burst open the
door, caught up his wife. and cnrTied her
off, swearing vengance on oil sea cap
tains generally, and the Yankees in par
ticular. Ii is no more than justice to the
captain to add. that he did not take the
fiddle. but wa, perfectly satisfied with the
other results of the bet.