The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1855-02-21
Caleb Coxconb

4 evening IN the society OF the falreSt and beS
of ladies, concluded to call on nv ancien
crony, and once upon a-tlme shpmate, captain
] Drew. / found the old son Of Neptune seated
In an arm chair, his feet, encased in soft slip
Ipers, were placed on the fender, cigar in biz
mouth, from which the blue yapour was grace
:, fully ascending in fantastic fesoons towards the
ceiling, whilst one of his elbows rested on
small table that was garnered with cake, frui
and sweetmeats.
s'You seem to be enjoying yourself finely
this raw night, I exclaimed, as the palms of oul
rough hands met in cordial embrace.
.'Yes, my better half has sailed on pleasure
:, cruise with some acquaintances You should
have seen them as they loomed out the door,
and squared away down the street, with gowns
as large as frigate's mainsail, cloaks like a
spanker and wells like the flying iip. I conclu-
ded to stay behind, and while they were Cos
slipping about get things shipshape and enjoy
myself as you and used to, when we danced
over the blue waves in the little Albatross.
Come partake of my cheer"
"Thank you, not any,
''Pooh! nonsense. Take some cake, then we
will join in new years pledge to the Joy and
happiness of the girl you love,-and It shall
|
hallowed as herself She's rare piece of ma
lures workmanship, then when her health is
drank let it be done in natures choicest ele-
ment-water! By it we are made christians at
the baptismal fount therefore our wishes for
another's happiness should be drank in no other
liquid. Besides it's low practice to drink a
lady's health in wine-it puts her name on a
level with grog shop pledges,-and you must
acknowledged It's a poor compliment to lady
to be placed IN conjunction with such compan-
ions God gave to the roses and violets tie
diamond-dew for their beverage-woman is
the flower Of animated nature, let her drink
be water"
| acquiesced with pleasure, then took seat
round the fire, and We both lit our cigars At
ter putting few moments, asked the captain
what man was that [ met on the steps?-he's IS
more than three sheets in the wind, and yeered
all round the compass. am afraid ere this he
has broughtup broadside on the banquette''
"Caleb Coxcomb! He was once an intimate
friend Of mine-that is, as the word friend
now goes-I don't mean to say, he would have
put himself to any Inconvenience on my ac-
count, for he is thoroughly selfish man, but he
seemed to enjoy my society, because silently
listened to his long yarns about his conquests
among the girls, and | cultivated his acquain-
vanity, and was fond of enjoying myself at the
follies of, what the ladies SO much esteem and
admire, "a nice young man, just out of milli-
ner's band boxn
"He is the son of planter who was once
rich, but by a series Of unfortunate specula-
tions was reduced to barely competency
though he was still supposed to be in affiuent
circumstances. 1t was the fixed determination
Of Caleb to retrieve his fallen fortunes by mat
rimony, and whenever he should be tired of a
life of single blessedness, Thought he, he had
only to notify some pretty heiress he would
condescend to marry her, not dreaming that
he might find it difficult to obtain the hand of
the lucky fair one he favored with his regard
In person Caleb was, in his own opinion, (as
with all fops, remarkably preposscssing, but
as am making out log, truth compe]s me to
say that it was never discovered by others
but then, it is an undiscerning world, we all
know.
At length our hero saw lady whom he
concluded was as worthy of being united to
him as any of the frai sex he had ever met
with. So after all the deliberation required
upon 50 important a subject, he concluded he
would offer to her the inconceiyable honor of
becoming Mrs. Co1comb, jr, esq. Fortune
favored him as to an opportunity, for when he
proposed walk one evening, she accepted it
with civilitv-Caleb said with eagerness. They
conversed on different topics until they reached
private place, when our young buck broached
the subject with a delicacy peculiar to himself.
t'Mss Emma," said he, Il have been led
to believe that you are deyilish fine girl"
"Real]y!" responded the fair girl with afec-
ted surprise.
eyes, and think will marry you, that is
if your father will pony up handsomely. You
Imagine, have no objection to become Mrs.
Coxcomb, jun'r?'
''Why indeed, Mr. Coxcomb," replied the
maiden, 'tyou take me very much by surprise,
and although confess feel greatly hattered
by your prediction, | ustrespectfully decline !
the honor you propose" /
'Ha! ha!'' laughed he, "come, that's good
.ha! ha! didn't think you were such joker
but now I'm in earnest, and want you to be 1
SO too-appoint the day now, but make it not
too soon, for promised to go to a party next
week. and don't want to break the party up.
Yes! you may tell your father that III marry
Jou lilly ditSl uC Will ooooiS @ piSee1
round sum on u.s.
"Let me assure you, sir, answered Miss
Emma, as she drew herself up disdainfully,
ssthat was never more serious in my life, and
that I've not the slightest idea of either break
ing up your party, or any other engagement
you may make during the next century,
mpossible-what-no not-marry me?-the
finest man in town-surely you can't be in
earnest? Well find you have not got the
taste I gave you credit for. Good evening
Miss
Good evening, sir
Our hero was thunderstruck and hischeeks,
which before were red from the effects of dissi-
patton, assumed a claret hue; but be soon made
he same obging offer to another fortune, and
net with the same success. He was amazed to
ind two females with SO little sense, yet moth
ng daunted, he rugged himselfup in new suit
If clothes, and started on fresh cruise, and in
,redible to relate, was discarded by dozen
actresses within the month. His opinion of the
'ex underwenta material change, and he began
a think yarv Iittln of the taste Of ladies' in CEN