Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-12-13
NLisfellnneons.
A Tall Singer, or the Power of Music.

We were seated in the cabin of a river
steamboat. There was large number of
passengers, who seemed desirous of beguiling
away the tedium of the trip by contributing
something to the general amusement
Among the passengers was one long, lank
specimen whom no one could fail to recog-
nize as Yankee. He SIT apart from the
rest, Notwithstanding, while the singularity
of his appearance did not fail to draw many
curious eyes towards him.
At length, when all the resources of the
company seemed exhausted. one of them
turned obviously to our Yankee, and politely
requested him to favor the company with a
song.
ga songw echoed he, looking up.
"Yes, sir, you sing, do you not"
"I did once" replied he and may
add, it saved my life"
"Saved your liieH
All were eager to hear how this could be-,
and after some little urging, the stranger
consented to crafty them.
"You must know" said he, that was
one Of the first to 60 to California when the
report first reached US at home Of its stores
of gold. 1t was nothing to what it is now
"a perfect waste in fact, with hardly mark
OF civilization, where now you can see flour
ishing towns numbering their thousands of
inhabitants.
"Beng fond of adventure, separated
from my company, and determined to find
my way to the diggipgs myself. One night
l found myself lying on the grass, with my
pack for my pillow, just on the edge of a
large forest. 1t did not enter my head 10 be
afraid until it became somewhat dark, and |
heard with fearful distinctness the cry of the
prairie wolf listened again, and was
alarmed to find the Cry coming nearer. Evl-
IDENTIFY they scented me-"
At length a whole pack of blood'thirsty
rascals came bounding on till they came
within hundred yards Of me, and then
stood stock still, and soon began to draw
nearer.
"My hair rose on end was terribly
alarmed; endeavored to think Of some pos
sible way of soaring them. Having heard
that they were terrified by fire, tlghted a
match. They drew off little, but immedi
ately retraced their steps. This movement
was repeated on both sides. found this
would never do; | must think of something
more decisive. But what!
81 recollected having in my youth attend.
ed singing schoo! for the space of two
evenings, during which received some in
distinct notions of the manner of singing
"Old Hundred" That recollection saved
me.
Without more ado, began, and did as
well as could By the time had got thro'
the first line, l observed tue wolves began to
look little wild en- uneasy, and-will you
believe it, gentlemen!" said the narrator
earnestly" before finished, every individu-
al wolf, putting his fore paws up TO his ears,
scampered away as if old Jac k was after
him z"
A shout of laughter both loud and long,
followed this narrative, at the end of which
the speaker, who had not stirred muscle,
gravely continued:
"You see, gentlemen, | have been frank
with you; did not wish to take advantage
of your very kind and complimentary invita-
ton without forewarning you of the conse.
quence. If, after what have told you, you
are still desirous of hearing me, will en-
deavor to give you Old Hundred" which
is the only song know, and to which, for
reasons. already given, l feel uncommonly
attached"
After that story, he was unanimously ex-
cused.
A MoTHER.-Who can look coldIy upon
a mothera Who, after the unspeakable ten
derness and care with which she has fostered
him through infancy, guided him through
childhood, and deliberated with him throug
the rerplexities of opening manhood, can
speak irreverently of mother! Her claims
to the affections of her offspring are founded
in nature, and cold must be the heart that
can deny them Over tho grave of friend,
of brother or a sister would plant the
primrose, for it is emblematical of youth, but
over that Of mother | would let the green
grass shoot up unmolested, for there is some
thing in the simple covering which nature
spreads upon the grave, that well-becomes
the abiding place of decaying age.
A LADY rose from obscurity to great wealth
by the successful speculations of her hus.
band, is reported to be in the habit of mis-.
applying words and quotations very strange
lv Her last motto is" When YOU are at