Plymouth weekly banner. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1856, 1856-06-12
A Hero for the Occasion.
OR, HOW JIM WILLIS RAISED PILE.

bef the acetious comedian. Jim Willis,
who PLAYED in ST. Louis some years ago.
He was a queer compound of human ns-
ture; a man who could with ease make
others laugh, but seldom laughed him.
self.
About The time the Texas excitement
ran so high in the United States. Jim
Willis was in Pittsburgh. in that situa-
tion so common 10 play actors, fiat broke,
standing on the wharf with his solemn
visage expanded, planning how he could
get down the river without money, when
he heard drum and fife. He saw half
uniform soldier. about embarking for New
Orleans. bearing a Texas banner. A
thought struck him. Mex: day he sent
his trunk on board the first boat to start.
and just as the captain tapped the bell
the last time, Willis stepped on board.
dragged his trunk into all unoccupied
stat room and took from his theatrical
wardrobe a soldiers coat, with buff
breast and three rows Of buttons, a cha.
peau with an immense plume. red ash
and pair of false whiskers. BY tie
time the boat got fairly under way, Jim
was fully equipped. with his stage sword
hanging gracefully by his side. Drawing
on his white gloves, he hesitated mo-
ment. but relying on his peculiar powers
he opened the door into the cabin, which
was filled with passengers. Ina moment
all eyes were turned towards him, but he
walked up to the bar and drank glass OF
brandy and water. In the meantime all
was hustle and confusion to find out who
the officer was. A general rush was
made for the register. but he had not yet
put down his name-the captain was
consulted. but he knew nothing. Al
length, however. feeling little curiosity
himself, he walked up to jim, bowed po
litely aud said: Sir
Sir to you said Jim, touching his
chapeau la militairc.
will you do me the favor to register
your name, SO that can provide state
room for your
oh. with pleasure said Jim, and
walking up to The register. he flourishet
in round text. C. r. Edwards, Major
Texas army The crowd pressed around
the tabls-they read the name--univer.
sal enthusiasm prevailed. the three tre
mendous cheers were given for Texas snt
Liberty! Jim took off his chapeau. &C
knowledged the compliment with crate
full bow, and few very political re
marks. 1t is almost needless to say tha
from that moment the sol distant Majo
was loin. Every one sought his &C
quaintance, the ladies opened the cabii
door TO get peep ot him. he was placed
at The head Of The la BILE. and at night mad,
drunk as Bacchus on champagne. Mex
day he was promenading the herrican,
deck, linked arm in arm with the Captain
and warm hearted Southerner, who re
sided in Vicksburg.
Major said the Southeraer. Il know
you have been on mission TO collec
arms. ammunition and recruits, but oil
this subject you must of course be mum
In consequence of the treaty betweeI
Mexico aud the United States. For M
part | could see all the copper coloret
rascals hung like dogs on the trees
what ever my business may hsv,
been, find / have exhausted my mea1
in the cause; in fact fear shall not b.
able to pay my passage until get I,
New Orleans
Don't mention it, said the Captain
i could not think for a moment of ia
king any thing from you
Il have it, exclaimed the Southerner
come with me.
The trio adjoinedto the clerks Office
where stirring appeal for aid to Texa
was written. The Southern gentleman
carried it among the passengers, and col
lected $3.50. which was handed over {,
Willis. At night grand supper wa
given. at which speeches were made
and toasts were drank. The cabin wa
decorated with the star spangled banner
entwined with the flag of the lone star
manufactured by the ladies out of thei
white and red. 'oh-no-we never mention
ems for the occasion. At IL o'clocl
the company commenced singing song
and at length the Major was called upor
to favor the company with one. HI
complied by singing his favorite song o
Billy Barlow. Brave! said one. 'Ex
cellent!' said another. Capital" saio
third.
Il could do it better said Jim, who
was fast verging into the fourth stage o.
lntoxication, If had my proper toga.
on After giving three faint huzzas fo'
Texas. the party broke up.
Next morning the clerk went into Mil
lis's state room to call him 10 breakfast
Imagine his surprise when he discovered
that the Major had turned in ell standing
with boots. chapeau and sword on, his
feel snugly laid on a pillow. He was q
Texas Major. and of course no fault was
found. Thus things went on, and Will.
lis reached New Orleans in triumph.
There he doffed his uniform and returned
TO vicksburg, where he got an engagement
in the theatre. He become q gseat fa-
vorite; and when he was at the zenith
of his glory. the old gentle man that he
met on the boat went to the theatre
Between the pieces Willis sung Billy
Barlow The old fellow was bewilder-
ed. The afterpiece came on, and Willis
appeared in the identical sui. in which