Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1855-01-04
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The Power Of Music.

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We were seated in the steamer
Ocean There was . large number
of passengers who seemed beguil-
ing the tedium Of the trip BY con-
lribnting somewhat to the general
amusement.
Among the passengers was one
long, lank specimen, whom no one
could fail to recognize as . Yankee.
He sat somewhat apart from the
rest notwithstanding, while the sim
gularily Of his appearance did not
fail TO draw many curious eyes. to-
wards him.
At length, when all the resources
Of their company seemed exhaust
ed, one Of them turned obviously
to our Yankee, anf politely invited
him to favor the company with a
song.
"a song!' echoed he, looking up.
ayes, sir; you sing, do you noi?''
81 did once" replied he, "and I
may add that It saved my life.''
"Sayed your liie"!
All were eager To hear how this
could be, and alter some little urg-
ing, the stranger consented to graf
ify them.
"You must know" said he, athat
! was one of the first TO 60 to Cal
ifornia when the report FIRST reach
ed US at home of its stores Of gold.
1t was nothing then to what it's now
"a perfect waste, in fact, with
hardly a mark Of civilization, where
you now can see furnishing towns
numbering their thousands Of inllab-
itants.
"Being fond OF adventure, sep
arated from my company, and de-
termined to find the diggins myself.
One night l found myself lying up
on the grass, with my pack for a
pillow, just on the edge Of large
forest. 1t did not euter my head
TO be afraid till il became somewhat
dark, and / heard with fearful dis
tinctness the prairie vol. listen
ed again, and was alarmed to hear
the cry coming nearer. Evidently
they scented me.
"At length whole pack Of the
thirsty rascals came bounding on till
they were within hundred feet Of
me, when they stood stock still, and
then began to draw nearer.
"My hair rose on end; ] v as ter
ribly alarmed. ] endeavored 10
think Of some possible way Of scar
ing them. Having heard that they
were 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, till ! found
il would never do. Unjust think Of
something more decisive; but what?
81 recollected having in my youth
attended singing school for the
space Of two evenings, where / re-
ceived some indistinct notions OF
old Hundred That recollection
saved me.
"Wilhont more ado l began, and
did as well as ] could. By the time
| had got through the first line l
observed that the wolves began to
look a little wild and uneasy, and,
wilIyou believe il, gentlemen" said
The narrator, earnestly, 'sbefore /
finished, every individual wolf. put
ling his fore>paws up to his ears,
'campered away as if the old Jack
was after hint"
A shout Of laughter, loud and
ong, followed this narrative, at the
md Of which The speaker, who had
rot stirred muscle, graveIy contin-
led: So
"You see, gentlemen, / have
,een frank with you. ! did not |
wish to take undue advantage of
our kind and complimentary invi-
alton without forewarning you Of
he consequences. II, after what /
ave told you, you are still DESTROYS
{ hearing me, / will endssvor to
i've you odd Hundred which is
he only song ! know, and to which,
or reasons already given, / feel un-
commonly attached
Il is needless to say that be was
unanimously excused.
m.~y SH,nv~ Tx