The north Iowa times. [volume] (M'Gregor [i.e. McGregor], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-07-24
Curious Mode of Getting Wife


One little act of politeness will some.
times pave the way to fortune and pre-.
ferment. The following sketch illus
trates this fact:
A sailor, roughly garbed, was saun-
tering through the streets Of New Or
leans, then in rather damp condition
from recent rain and the rise Of the tide
Turning the corner of a much frequent
ed alley, he observed a young lady stand
ing in perplexlty, apparently measur-
ing the depth OF the muddy water be-
tween her and the opposite sidewalk with
no very satisfied countenance.
The sailor paused, for he was great
admiler of beauty and certainly the
fair face that peeped out from under the
little chip hat, and auburn curls hang
ing glossy and unconfned over her
muslin dress, might tempt curious or
admiring glance. Perplexed, the lady
put forth one little foot, when the gallant
sailor, with characteristic impulsivcness,
exclaimed
"That pretty foot, lady, should not be
soilcd with the filth Of this lane wait
for a moment only, and l will make YOU
path"
So, springing past her into a carpenters
shop opposite, he bargained for plank
board that st.od in the doorway, and
coming back to the smiling girl, who
was just coquettish enough to accept the
services of the handsome young sailor,
he bridged the narrow black stream, and
she tripped across with merry "thank
you" and roguish smile, making her
eyes as dazzling as they could be.
Alas our young sailor was perfectly
charmed. What else could make him
catch up and shoulder the plank, and
follow the little. witch through the streets
to her home. She twice performed the
ceremony Of walking the plank" and
each time thanking him with one of her
eloquent smiles. Presently our young
hero saw the young lady trip up the
marble steps of palace of house, and
disappear within its rosewood entrance.
For full moment he stood looking at
the door, and then, with wonderful
big sigh, turned away, disposed of
his draw-bridge, and returned to his
ship.
The next day he was astonished with
an order of promotion from the captain.
Poor Jack was speechless with amaze
ment. He had not dreamed of being
exalted to the dignity of second mates
Office on board one of the most splendid
ships that sailed out Of the port of New
Orleans. He knew he was competent,
for, instead of spending his money for
amusements, visiting theatres and bowl
ing alleys on his return from sea, he
purchased books and became quite
student; but he expected years to inter-
vene before his ambitious hopes would
be realized.
His superior officers seemed to look
upon him with considerable leniency,
and gave him many a fair opportunity of
gathing marine knowledge, and in
year the handsome, gentlemanly young
mate had acquired unusual favo- in the
eyes of the portly commander, Captain
Hume, who had first taken the smart
little black-eyed fellow, with his neat
tarpaulin and tidy bundle, as cabin
boy.
One night the young man, with all
the officers, was invited to an entertain
ment at the captains house. He went,
and, to his astonishment, mounted the
Identical steps, up which two years be-
fore had tripped the bright vision he had
never forgotten. Thumps went his
brave heart, as he was ushered into the
great parlor; and like sledge- hammer
it beat again, when Captain Hume intro
duccd his blue-eyed daughter, with
pleasant smile, as "the young lady once
indebted to your politeeess for a safe
and dry walk home" His eyes were
all a-blaze, and his brown check flushed
hotly, as the captain sauntered away,
leaving fair Grace Hume at his side
And in all that assembly there was not
so handsome couple as the gallant
sailor and the ''pretty ladie."
1t was only year from that time the
second mate trod the quarter deck, Sec
ond only in command, and part owner
with the captain, not only in his vessel,
but in the affections of his lighter,
gentle Grace Hume, who had always
cherished respect, to say nothing of love,
TO- the bright-eyed sailor.
His homely but earnest act of polite
ness towards his child lad pleased the
Captain, and, though the youth knew it
not, was the cause of his first promo
ton So that now the old man has re-
tired from business, Harry Wells is
Captain Wells, and Grace Hume, accord
ing to polite parlance, Mrs. Captain
Wells. In fact, our honest sailor is
one of the richest men in the Crescent
City, and he owes, perhaps, the greatest
part of his property to his tact and