Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-04-15
1( istkll lanr
A D U Ell By PROXY
By HAwSER MARTINGALE.

captain Christopher ShetiUrake was 4 worthy
Yankee shipmaster, who possessed many char
acteristcs of the true sailor. He was strsight
forward specimen Of humanity, who faithfully
attended TO his own business, without meddling
with the affairs Of others. His exterior man
was covered with rough shell nevertheless
his heart was in the right place, and his dispo-
sition was sweetened by a generous slice of
hunor.
Captain Shelldrake was commander of the
brig Rhinoceros, number of years ago, on a
voyage TO Havana. One evening he was near
the quay, or landing place, accompanied by
good natured spaniel, pet of his, TO which lie
was greatly attached, when lie met an English
gentleman, named Morton, supercargo of a
British ship. The dog, unfortunately, had
strayed a step from the side of his master, and
unsuspicious Of i'll treatment from any one
wearing the appearance OF gentleman, almost
/ brushed his caudal appendage known as q tall
against the tender shins Of tLis proud native of
Albion. Such an approach 10 familiarity, and
such a violation of the rules of good breeding
on the part of n brute, excited the ire of Nor
ton, who lifted his foot, and with 4 sturdy kick
against poor Sancho's ribs, sent him yelping
llii7 ten OF IlitCtll IGGL ILt pIaI-
form.
Love me- love my dog" is an old and IA
miliar proverb, which every man would do well
to remember, and it was particularly unfortun-
ate for the Englishman that he forgot it, or con-
temptuously disregardcd it, on this particular
occasion, for Sancho no sooner proclaimed, IN
loud and piercing tones, the insult and the in
Jury which he had received, than Capt. She'll
drake, who saw the aggressive act, and heard
the remcastrances Of his dog against such
wanton outrage. also raised his foot, a weighty
one it was, and eHulating the example Of the
Brton, tried the experiment Of kick at him
with such hearty good viii that II capsized
him in the twinkling OF bobstay. and sent him
Sprawling, Ike spread eagle after the Captains
spaniel.
This thing was sudden. 1t was an extempo-
raneous kick, and was admirably executed, but
more TO the astonishment of the Euglshman
than to his satisfaction. Indeed, he as little
dreamed a moment before of receiving such a
humiliation and painful solution the unof-
Tending Sancho himself and seemed as much
disposed to complain of the unceremonious
usage. Nor did he confine his signs Of dissat-
isfaction to exclamatious of astOuislment or
groans Of pain. He INDUCED in expressions of
anger of loud and boisterous character, inter
larded with cxplefives far more remarkable for
their strength and ferocity, than for their meek
ness and piety. And he terminated his remon-
strances by shaking his fist in the vicinity of
Shelldrake's face. accompanied with demand
for instant saiisfaction-the satisfaction of a
gentleman
Captain Shelldrake stood his ground firm
". He eyed the EngIishman with q look
calm, philosophical, yet resolute and deter
mined
III tell yol what, my friend" said he, don't
shake yonr fist at me and clap stopper on
those broadsides of abuse, or III turn in and
drub you to your hearts content AID teach
YOU lesson in good manners which you viii
remember to the latest day of your life. What
does that fellow want ?" continued the Yankee
CAPTAIN, addressing the throng of spectators
which had gathered around. &" He kicked my
dog without a shadow of cause, and / kicked
him because he kicked my dog. He knows
now the true value of kick, and the sensation
it produces when well administered, and I am
entitled TO his thanks for giving such an in
structive lesson. The man is a fool to get
gry, and cannot do better than to go on board
his ship, apply an embrocation to his bruises,
and sleep of his indignation He viii feel bet
ter in the morning"
While the friends of the indignant Morton
sought to mitigate his wrath by suggesting that
there was one way, and one only, of settling
satisfactorily all affairs Of this kind, Captain
SheIdrake entered his yawl, and in few min
utes was alongside of the staunch brig Rhinoc-
F eros. He stepped lightly on deck, took few
turns the quarterback, exchanged some
Plasant conversation with his officers, partook
OF hearty supper, smoked couple of =" Don
Amlgos 3 cigars, and turned in, feeling con-
sclous that he had acted well his part, for that
day at least and without being visited by any
twinges OF guilty conscience, he slept soundly
through the night.
He had hardy finished his breakfast, on the
following morning, when two strangers came on
board. They were grave and dignihed looking