Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-08-20
CURIOUS MODE oF GETrING A wIFE

But know little widow
Who could win and fool you all.
----s@s~----------
CURIOUS MODE OF GETTING A WIFE.
One little act Of polteness will sometimes
pave the way to fortune and preferment. The
following sketch illustrates this fact:
A sailor, ROUGHLY CARRIED, was saunteriug
through the streets of New Orleans, then in
rather damp condition from recent rains and
the rise of ths tide. Turning the corner of a
much irequented alley, he observed young
lady standing in porplexity, apparently meas
uring the depth of the muddy water between
her and the opposite sidewalk with no very
satisfied countenance. E
The sailor paused, for he was great ad-
mirer Of beauty and certainly the fair
face that peeped ont from under the little chip
hat, and auburn curls hanging glossy and un-
confined over her muslin dress, might
tempt curious or adniring glance. Perrlex.
ed, the lady put forth one little foot, when the
gallant sailor, with characteristic impulsye.
ness, exclaimed
''That pretty foot, lady, should not be soied
by the filth OF this lane wait for a moment
only, and will make You path"
Sc, springing past her into carpenters
shop opposite, he bargaiHed for plank board
that stood in the doorway, and coming back
10 the smiling girl, who was just coquettish
enough to accept the services of the hand
some young sailor, he bridged the narrow
black stream, and she tripped across with
merry " thank ycu,' and roguish smile, ma
king her eyes as dazzling as they could be.
Alas our young sailor was perfectly charm
ed. 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 Nv walking the
plank" and each time thanked him with one
OF her most eloquent smiles. Presently our
young hero saw her trip up the marble steps
of palace of looking house, and disappear
NtFkI 10, sAw 4 ~ r-N
ment he stood looking at the door, and then
with wonderful big sigh, turned away, dis
posed OF his draw-bridge, and returned to his
ship.
The next day lie was astonished with an or.
der OF promotion from the captain. Poor Jack
was speeches. with amazement He had moi
dreamed of being exalted to the dignity OF
second mates office en- board one of the most
splendid ships tnat ever sailed out of the por
Of New Orleans. He knew he was competent
for instead of spending his money for amuse
ments, visiting the theatre and bowling alleys
on his return from sea, he purchased book
and became quite student hut he expected
Years TO Interfere before his ambitious hone
would be realized.
HIS superior officers seemed to look upo
nm with considerable leniency, and gave hin
many tair opportunity Of gathering marin
knowledge, and in year the handsome gen
tlemanly young mate had acquired unusuf
iavor IN the eyes of the portly commander
Captain Hume; who had first taken the sma,
little black-eyed fellow as cabin boy.
Une night the young man, with all the on
GERS, was invited 10 an entertainment at I'll
captains house. He went, and to his aston
lshlnent, mounted the identical steps, up whiC
Two years before, had tripped the bright visit
he had forgotten. Thump went his brave hea
Us he was ushered into the great parlor; n
like sedgo hammer beat again when Ca,
hume introduced his blue-eyed daughter vi
pleasant smile, as g the young lady once
debted TO your politcness for safe and d
walk nome" His eyes were all a.bage, a
his brown cheek flushed hotly, as the mol
captain sauntered away, leaving fair Ora
Hume at bis side. And in all the assent
there was not so handsome couple as [
gallant sailor and tho "pretty lady,
IL was only yearfrom that time the seco
mate trod the quarterback, second only
command, and part owner with the capital
not only in his vessel, but in the aftectio
Of his daughter, gentle Grace Hume, who h,
always cherished respect, to say nothing
love, for the bright-eyed sailor.
His homely yet earnest act of politeness Il
wares MS child has pleased the Captain, an
though the youth knew it not, was the calls
ot his first promotion. So that now the oil
man had retired from business, Harry Wells
Captain Wells, and Grace Hume, according t
polite parance, is Mrs, Captain Wells. In fact
vnT honest sailor is one of the richest men il
HE Crescent City, and he owes, perhaps tn
greatest part Of his prosperity to his tact an
poiteness in crossing the street.
A LAWYER AFTER A CLIENT.
The truth OF the story we are about to te
Is vouched for. 1t Is decidedly a novelty
the way Of treating a matrimonial adycntnr,
and the issue Of the affair is not likely to L
repeated by any imitator OF the LAWYER who,
experiences are here recorded =.
"Not hundred miles from here, some 81
months ago, lived fair widow, possessed
tnose shlnlng Qualities that most dazzlc an
charm the bachelor. She was Young, hanc
some, and very wealthy. Mrs. Jackson too
an earnest tour last summer, and was beset il
many suitors-ardent and anXious lovers-
among whom tie most perseyering and dey,
'ed was Kentucky lawyer, quite promisr
'oung man put so enamored did lie becom
OF this fair widow that he left IL lucrative nra,
nee at home, and followed her though the q,
tire route of fashionable travel, He met h,
AZ b'ltlmore, Philadelphia and n ew York /
danced With her at Saratoga and Ngwport. an
wien inc season was drawing to close
happened to be with her at Niagara, and {
tne ONO river, and even ut St. Louis. wht
sue was almost home. lie was always n,eo,
log professional business as the rens,n tnr h
excursions here and there but he tnanap,
70 plead his own suit out of court when com
rug inc widow though he saw no evidence of
Netulet IN MS favor. At length Mrs. Jackst
l,OB IN {
np tue missouri to her own residence when
Nv surprise, INC lnoeIapgaue advocate t,r
Sl'ea himself as fresh as NAV tnorrinv M
widow exclaimed as she met lin, =
ny, Mr.. Johns, thought YOU were 9
ing to return 10 Louisville y :" "'i' 3
"'Mrs. jackson, my dear MADAM, /, n,,,,
tue lawyer, am ere to renew III, n. m
my hanu, and to beg your accprtancr
heaiiy' SIR, think have been sunicie
" eHPnclt, and that You have lad No ,.nct
ngement to pursue the matter, '' '''co'
"'bnt hoped madam, that my devotinn
perseverance wonld he finally rewarded y
10 you mean, them asked the widow
,uSnIlS soitehed, that You really had nd, al
business in going this Journey With ,on wi H., a,
prosecute this suit 2 '''"i
ming you.' '''i' q
linen you shall be rewarded, She rc,l
with merry twinkle, in her roguish haaIl,
eyes, which the lawyer misto6k for =, "s .,,t,,
passion " then, my dear sir. Won shsIi Nv
Wa'Ieu' Ieil me now, as Il gentlemen. /
much money have you spent on this tr,,m !
"Do you really wish to know ~
" Certainly do
Dir. Johns took out his notebook. a,d :.
reported that he had spent very ncnrt,
hundred dollars. E
I" Well" said the lovely widow, 9, do
wish any ono TO lose by me- exteudin"
purse to the lawyer.
Why, what do you mean, Mrs. Jackso
" mean what say take It and nav ',
self for your summers work on my aceo
and let us be quts.''
And he did take il and the widow had
borrow money to get homo. The widow
taken all aback by the lawyers cool accept
of the geld; but he consoled himself with
idea that IL she would not be his bride She
at least fair game.