The Shasta courier., 1855-04-28
The French RiddIer,. Be..

| A little French fiddler and his wife, who gain
ed a livelihood by teaching the art of dancing,
were on board steamer on the Mississippi a
short time since. They had got short of funds,
and having got run ont in the last place, where
| they had stopped, were changing their spots'
for more favorable opportunity to engage in
their profession of teaching. The Frenchman
was extravagantly fond Of his wife, and, withal,
very chary OF her, often boasting that no man
could be allowed by her to take even the small
| liberties with her charms which are usually
winked at by husbands. But little affair oc-
| Cured which shook the poor mans belief in this
| delusion.
Soon after the starting of the boat he went
| into the cabin, and was soon in conversation
with the captain. Discovering that the captain
| was bachelor Frenchy was prolific in sympa-
| thy, declaring that he should die of grief if it
were not for the company and caresses of his
1 wife.
| "Oh as for that said the captain. have
the company of ladies' much of the time, on
board and the best of it is, they are all willing
that l should indulge in little kissing with
| them, sometimes"
You mean you kiss 'em all p said our hero
Il bet you five dollare you no kiss my leeile
voman!"
| 81 It's done - replied the captain.
| The Frenchman took out his wallet, but could
l not find the amount. Il find has no money,
captain; but bet dis fiddle, [holding up the in
strument, no man ever kiss my leetle voman'
| "Well !" replied the captain 81 bet my ship
and the whole cargo against yonr fiddle, that
] can kiss your wife ia two hours from now, if
you will bring her into the cabin and then re-
| tire yourself"
Il goes it-you lose your ship and cargo"
Accordingly, Frenchy brought down his wife.
! telling her that the captain wished to see her,
| and adding
Take care of yourself, leetle woman: don't
know vat kind OF man this captain is"
| The Frenchman retired from the cabin; but
though he felt quite sure that his wife would re-
pei Indignantly any attempts which the captain
| might make to gain his bet, yet he little
fearful OF what might happen. He thought he
| might keep his wife in mind Of him. by playing
| and singing little. So going to a respectable
distance from the cabin door, he commenced to
sing, accompanying himself with his iavorite in
strument:
Be true my love, be true my love,
Be true for "a couple of hours:
Be true my love. be true my love,
And the ship and cargo S ours.
After lie had finished, the captain said to the
lady
'Your husband seems extremely anxious
about you-I suppose it would half kill him to
have another kiss his wife. wouldn't it?"
- don't know-suppose you try -
The captain die try it most assuredly, and the
little woman returned it as heartily Then,
turning her eyes to the cabin door, she sung in
sweet voice. 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've lost your fddler'
The little Frenchman burst open the door.
caught up his wife, and carried her off, swearing
vengeance on all sea-captains generally, and the
Yankees in particular.