Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1854-05-18
The COurtShip and Rum Jus.

: Ihe substance, IN part, OF th
y true story, obtained from my We
erable friend, Mr.. John w. Dorsey ),
n Maryland, and the hero Of it wss
n lieutenant under the brave Cor nm,
e dore Truxton. 1t exemplifies tt
e influence Of the rum jug, in not ol
> ly blasting moral character, plunde
ing the purse, destroying health an
J happiness, and in the productio b
crime and wretchedness, but in dt
; barring men from accomplishing do
signs which might eyentuate in a
. increase of happiness and respecta
bility.
Lieutenant Gran vile belonged t
the squadron of Commodore Trux
ton, and braver man never awokI
the thunders of freedom onthe mighty
deep. Not only did he posse IS th,
animal quality of bravery, but be wa:
endowed with higher atttibut es o
the mind-he was graced with tai.
ents that would have shone brilliant
| ly in the halls Of legislation, or the
councils of his country. Elegantly
educated, and having what Horace
calls facoettes loquendi, or itch for
talking, he would have distinguish ed
himself in the forum, as well as in
the field; in the Senate as we'll as on
the sed.
But, alas! our hero contracted
a love for liquor at very early age.
We all remember the period when
the custom of sweetening the
morning dram was universal, and the
youngest member of the family was
entitled to its share. 1t was thus, i'll
childhood, that Granville contracted
the habit, which grew with his growth,
and strengthened with his strength.
His society was universally courted,
on account of his droli ways, and hu-
morous pranks, as well as his witty 4
sayings, by which he often set the ta-
bic in a roar.
The Lieutenant vas not wealthy, 4
lnd he often said that the easiest
way to acquire wealth was to bear
lown and board some rich craft; by /
which he meant to marry a rich Ia
ly. He had made several attempts
It courtship, but had failed on ac-
cunt of the unfortunate habit to
which he was addicted. i
1t was the delight of the officers
n board of the ship, when seated
yer a flowing can at the evening !!
our, to listen to the stories Of Lieu.
enant Granville's courtsbips, which J
ere related in so quizzical manner,
nd contained SO MANY ludicrous in
dents, that all hands we're thrown ]
ito convulsive fits Of laughter; for
e soon collected a crowd around ):
i'm. III
We'll. Granville, said the Sur j
con one evening, when a party of !
fficers were seated together on deck;
ou have never given US the history \
that courtship of yours. +
Sure enough, returned Granville, y
th quizzical leer of his eye, 'and 4
prettier or lore trim craft l never jl
n alongside Of in my life. Oh! but v
,u ought to have seen her rugged n
1t in her flying jib and spanker, n
til her streamers flying, and every V
ing in ship shape; and you'd have 81
nged to come to. and cast anchor |
ongside, as | dds ,
But go on with your story roared Al Al
g Surgeon. y y
We'll, you see, Iobtained from Il
e Secretary of the Navy, a fur sa s9
Ugh to go to the East Indies; and th 4
i when returned to Washington, u n
esolved to cruise about, in hopes ! " \
ght fall in with some trim built n linl'
1T, and take her as prize. Well, i'O
u see, | hadn't cruised long, before M ~
leard of rich young widow, who oq C
ed about eight miles from Wash loi
ton. Clear the deck for action, pp
is |, I'll board her at all hazards. ~
| hired horse, set sail, and how tp'
do you think got the first day?' 'P' \.
To the widows house, Of course, ~
;wered the Surgeon. ~
Devil bit of it. Three miles tln
ught me to the tavern stand OF 1s ~
n. Washington, where | hove to, sa'
pped anchcr, got drunk, and stald .p'
night. The next morning | got 'p'
and piped oil hands to splice the
in brace ahoy with a Ii tile OF the hei
,ton particular. Well, you see, he'
IN the landlord made bis appear stO