Squatter sovereign. [volume] (Atchison, Kan. Terr.) 1855-1858, 1855-05-15
5fliseellalleolls.
The Power of Music.

The Power of Music.
We were seated in the cabin of the stea-
mer Ocean. There was large number
of passengers who seemed desirous of be-
guiling the tediun Of the trips by contribut-
ing something to the general amuse-
ment.
Among the passengers was one long,
lank specimen, whom no one could fail
to recognize as Yankee. He sat some
what apart from the rest, Notwithstanding,
while the singularity of his appearence did
not fail to draw many curious eyes towards
him.
At length, when all resources of the
company seemed exhausted, one of them
turned obviously to our Yankee, and po-
litely requested him to favor the company
with song.
ga song!'' echoed, he, looking up.
"Yes sir; you sing. do you nots"
81 did once" replied he, land i may
add it saved my life." ~
'.Saved your ife!'
All were eager to hear how this could
be, and after some little urging, the stran-
ger consented to crafty them.
"You must know said he, 'that I was
one of the first to go to California when
the report first reached us at home of its
stores of gold. 1t was nothing then to owhat
it is nova perfect waste In fact, with
hardly mark of civilization, where now
you can see fourishing towns, numbering
their thousands of inhabitants.
"Being fond of adventure, l separated
from my company, and determined to find
the way TO the diggings myself. One night
l found myself lying upon the grass, with
my pack for pillow, just on the edge of a
large forest. 1t did not enter into my head
to be afraid till it became somewhat dark,
and heard with fearful distinctness, the
cry of the prairie-wolf. l listened again,
and was alarmed to find the cry coming
nearer. Evidently they scented me.
SAT length whole pack of the blood
thirsty rascals came bounding on till they
came within a hundred feet of me, and
then they stood still, and then they began
to draw nearer.
"My hair rose on end was terribly
alarmed. / endeavored to think of some
possible way of soaring them. Having
heard that they We're terrified by the sight
of fire, l lighted match. They drew
off a little. but Immediately retraced their
steps. This movement was repeated on
both sides. / found this would never do; l
must think Of something more decisive
But what?
81 recollected having in my youth at
tended q singing school for the space of
two evenings, during which I received
some indistinct notions of the manner of
singing ..Old Hundred" That recollec-
tion saved me.
without more ado, began, and did as
well as could. BY the time had got
through the first line, observed that the
wolves began to look wild and uneasy. and
will you believe it, gentlemen?" said the
narrator earnestly, "before finished, eUery
indir,dual arolf, putting his pa,cs ap to
has ears, scampered array as q! old Jack
scas after him!"
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 undue ad-
vantage OF your very kind and compliment
tary invitation without forewarning you OF
the consequences. If, after what / have
told you, you are still desirous of hearing
me, will endeavor to give you s.Old Hun
dred,' which is the only song | know, and
to which, for reasons already given, feel
uncommonly attached
1t is needless to say that he was unani-
mously excused.
-<->s>s-
E Thomas Ford committed suieide In