The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1855-01-24
THE FRENCH F1DDLER's BET.

A little French fiddler and his wife.
who gained livelihood by teaching the
art of dancing, were on board steam
er on the Mississippi, a short time since.
They had got short of funds, and having
got run out in the last place, where they
had stopped, were " changing their
spots for a more favorable opportuni-
| ty to engage in their profession of teach
| ing. The Frenchman was extravagantly
fond of his wife, and, while, 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 usu.
ally winked at by husbands. But lit
tie affair occurred, which shook the
poor mans belief in this delusion.
Soon after teh starting of ithe boat he
went into the cabin, and was soon In
conversation with the captain. Discov-
ering that the captain was bachelor,
Frenchy was prolific in sympathy, d :
claring that he should die of grief if it
were not for the company and caresses
of his wife.
"Oh, as for that" said the captain,
az have the company of ladies much Of
the time, ON board and the best it is,
they are all willing that should indulge
in little kissing with them, some
times"
You mean you kiss 'em all ?'' said
our hero. & bet you FIVE dollars you
no kiss my little woman !n
It's done p' replied the captain.
The Frenchman took out his wallet
but could not find the amount. " Iifnd
I has no money, captain; but I bet dis
fiddle holding up the instrument J, no
man ever kiss my little woman la
Well, y replied the captain, "I bet
my ship and the 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 your
SELF"
AT goes it-you lose your ship and
cargo, sar."
Accordingly, Frenchy brought down
his wife, telling her that the captain
wished to see her, and adding
Take care of yourself, little woman !;
I don't know what kind of man this
captain ia.
The Frenchman retired from the cab
in; but though he left quite sure that
his wife would repel dignantly any at
tempts which the captain might make to
gain his bet, yet he was 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 q respectful distance from the cabin
door, he commenced to sing, accompany
ing himself with his favorite instrument
After he had finished, the captain
said to the lady
"Be true, my love. be true my love,
Be true for couple OF hours
Be true, my love, be true. my love,
And the ship and cargo's ours"
Your husband seems extremely anx-
ions about you-I suppose it would half
kill him to have another man kiss his
wife, wouldn't it?
l don't know-Sxpoose yom try 1t ~
The captain did try it, most assur-
edly, and the &c little woman +" returned
it as heartily? Then, turning her eyes
to the cabin door, she sung in sweet
voice, a 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 kisses me me q, again
The little Frenchman burst open the
door, caught up his wife, and carried
her of. swearing vengeance on all sea-
captains generally, and the Yankees in
particular. It's no more than justice
to the captain to add, that he did not
take the fiddle, but was perfectly salts.
fed with the other results of the bet.