Eastern times., 1856-02-21
GBt storp Geltr.
A UEL BY PROXY.
BY HAwsER MARTlNGALE.

straightforward specimen of humanity, who
faithfully attended to his own business, with
out meddling with the affairs of others. His
exterior man was covered with rough she'll,
nevertheless his heart was in the right place,
and his disposition was sweetened by gener-
Gus slice of humor.
Captain Shelldrake was commander of the
brig Rhinoceros, a number of years ago, on a
voyage TO Havana. One evening he was walk
ing near the quay. or landing place, accom-
panied by good natured spaniel, pet of his,
to which he was greatly attached, when he
met an English gentleman, named Morton, su-
percargo of British ship. The dog, unfor-
tunatey, had strayed step from the side of
his master, and unsuspicious of ill-treatment
from any one wearing the appearance of gen.
teman, almost brushed his caudal appehdage,
known as tail, against the tender shns Of
this proud native of Albion. Such an ap-
proach TO familiarity, and such a violation of
the rules of good breeding on the part of a
brute, excited the ire of Morton who lifted his
foot and with sturdy kick against poor San
cho's ribs, sent him bowling and yelping ten
or fifteen feet beyond the platform.
Love me, love my dog, is an old and IA
vorite proverb which every man would do well
to remember, and it was particularly unfortu-
nate for the Englishman that he forgot it, or
contemptuously disregarded ii, on this partc-
ular occasion, for Sancho no sooner pro-
claimed, ia loud and piercing tones, the insult
and the injury he had received than Captain
Shelldrake, who saw the aggressive act, and
heard the remonst-ance of his dog against such
a wanton outrage, also raised his foot, and a
weighty one il was, and emulatiug The exam
pie of the Briton, tried the experiment of a
kick at him, with such hearty good will, that
it capsized him, il the twinkling of bob-otay,
and sent him sprawling, like a spread eagle,
after the spaniel.
The thing was sudden. 1t was an extern
poraneous kick, and was admirably executed
but more TO the astonishment of the English
man than 10 his satisfaction. Indeed, he as
little dreamed mo ment before, of receiving
such a humiliatng and painful salutation as
the unofiending Sancho himself, and seemed
as much disposed TO complain of the uncere-
monious usage. Nor did he confne his signs
of dissatisfaction in exclamaions Of astonish-
ment, or groans of pain he indulged in ex-
pressions of anger of a loud and bois,erous
character, inteilarded with expletives far more
remarkable for strength and ferocity, than for
their meekness or piety. And he terminated
his remonstrance by shaking his fist in the vi
ciniiy of Shelldrake S face, accompanied with
demand for instant satisfaction-the satisfac-
tion of gentleman
Captain Sheldrake stood his ground firm
Iy. lie eyed the EngIishman with look,
calm and philosophical, yet resoute and de-
termined.
I'll tell you what, my friend said he,
don't shake your fist at me; and clap a stop
per on those broadsides of abuse, or I'll turn
10 and drub you TO your hearts content. and
teach you lesson in good manners which you
Will lCu6liiDCI W tliG ldlGSl hd1 vi OOul litC
What does the fellow want!' continued the
Yankee captain, addressing the throng OF spec
tators which had gathered around He kicked
my dog without shadow of cause, and kick
ed him because he kicked my dog He knows
now the true value of a kick, and the sensation
it produces when well administered and I am
entitled 10 his thanks for giving hip an in
structve lesson. The man is fool to get an
cry, and cannot do better than to go on board
his ship, employ an embrocation to his bruis
es, and sleep off his Indignation. He will
feel better in the morning.
While the friends of the indignant Morton
sought to mitigate his wrath by suggesting
that there one way, and one only of set
Ting satisfactorily all affairs of this kind, Cap
tain Shelldrake entered his yawl, and in few
minutes was alongside the staunch brig Rhi-
noceros. He stepped lightly on board, took
a few turns on the quarter deck, exchanged
some pleasant conversation with his officers,
partook of hearty supper, smoked couple
of don Amigos cigars, and turned in, feel
ing conscious that he had acted well his part
for that day, at least, and without being Wis
tied by any twinges of guilty conscience, he
slept soundly through the night.
He had hardly finished his breakfast on the
following morning, when two strangers came
on board. They were grave and dignifed
looking gentlemen, and by their stiff manners
and brief replies to questions proposed by the
chief mate, had matter of serious import to
communicate The interview with Captain
Shelldrake was not of long duration and
when they left the brig they smiled grimly as
their eyes met. They had evidently accom-.
pished their mission in style satisfactory to
themselves, at least-they had been doing
what they considered good christian work
They had brought a peremptory challenge
from Morton, an actual injunction to Shell.
drake, on pain of losing all claim TO the char
acter of a gentleman, to meet the insulted and
infurfated Englishnan on the beach, back OF
Moro Castle, at o'clock that afternoon. and
there, in the presence of friends, on that lone
ly spot, where the surf breaks angrily again st
the rocks, with pistols, gunpowder and bull