The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1855-08-04
Joe Lastat's D~sl.

When the old frigate Brandywine lay at
Gibraltar, the American Consul, Mr. Sprague,
came on board with man who wished to Join
the ship, and after some consultation, said man
was received by the captain as a sort Of fsteward,
he having agreed to work for his passage and
board, and some slight consideration besides.
His name was Joe Lattit, and be was regu-
lar specimen Of the strolling yankee but he
dressed well, and was remarkably good looking,
though there was in his face peculiar look,
which indicated that he preferred fun to sound
sense, allow, that the fun had some sense in ii.
The moment placed my eyes upon the man,
knew had seen him before, and when had an
opportunity to speak with him, I found that he
had been a performer of legerdemain and ven-
triloquism in the United States, and there l
had seen him. He had travelled through Eng
land, France, and part Of Spain, with his i'm
plements Of deception, and had just brought up
at Gibraltar when our ship came id. NE
brought his whole kit on board in large
chest, which he got permission to stow in the
bedroom, where it would be kept perfectly
dry. He had quite "pile " Of money, which
he placed in the purser's hands for safe keeping,
but he would tell none OF us how much. But
he was liberal and open-hearted, and it was not
long before the crew blessed the hour, that
brought him on board for he was the very soul
Of wit and humor. ir,Is,.. ~,
|. At length our ship went to Port MAhoa, and
here our Yankee tars were at home. .Une
pleasant morning party of us went to Port
Mahon, and Joe Lattit was among our num-
Der. Joe was dressed in perfect shore going
rig, and appeared a gentleman Of consequence
Near the middle Of the forenoon few Of nsell-
tered a cafe, and the only occupant, besides the
keeper, was q Spanish officer, evidently an in
fantry captain, from his dress. We called for
wine, and had it served upon table next to
the one at which the officer sat, Joe seating
himself SO that his back came against the back
Of the Spaniard; but be did not notice, when
he sat down, how close he would be.
Our laugh and jest ran high, and just as Joe
said something more than usually funny, he
threw himself back, and thereby hit the Span
lard with such force as to cause him spill q
glass Of wine upon his bosom. The fellow
leaped to his feet, but before Joe could beg par
don for the unintentional mishap, he COM
menced torrent Of oaths and invective partly
in Spanish and partly in broken English. His
language was so abusive that Joe's temper was
up in moment, and instead Of asking pardon,
as he had intended, he surveyed the raving man
from head to foot and then said:
go on, sir. Your language is beautiful
very beautiful for o gentleman"
"Ah you call me no gentleman, eh?" ut
tered the officer, in towering passion.
If were going to call you, should call
you jackassl" calmly and contemptuously
uttered Joe.
"Ah-a-ah half growled the Spaniard, roll
ing his black eyes wildly and furiously. "Now,
by Santa Marie, you shall answer for that. l
am gentleman! But you--you-one leetle
cursed puppy! Ah-a-a-ah Now you shall
fght!" r.,
Joe would have laughed the matter of, but
be found that the captain was determined to
fight, and at length he resolved to accommo-
one side and informed me that the officer was
Captain Antonio Bizar, one Of the most noto-
rious duelists in the place-that he was always
quarrelsome when under the influence Of liquor
and that his companions always left him alone
rather than have fuss with him.
Not five minutes before you came in" ad-
ded the keeper, four Of his fellow officers left
him because they saw he was ripe for fuss
So you had better get your friend away"
Ipulled Joe away, and told him all that had
just been told me, but he only smiled, and as
sured me that there was nothing to fear. Ifclt
sure at once, from his very manner, that he hot
some safe fun in his head, and let him go.
any name is Joseph LAttit, sir-a citizen o
the United States, and General Of the order o
Sublime Darkness" said Joe, pompoisly, turn
ing to the Spaniard. Your name, sirs"
"Antonio Bizar, Captain in her Most Cath
olic Majesty's seventh regiment Of infantry
But your Office; sir, don'tcomprehend."