Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-07-01
MISCELL A N Y d.
Curious Mode of Getting a Wife.

One little act of politeness will sometimes
pave the way to fortune and preferment. The
following sketch illustrates this fact:
A sailor, roughly garbed, was saunterlng
through the streets of New Orleans, then in a
rather damp condition from recent rain and the
rise of the tide. Turning the corner of much
frequented alley, he observed young lady stand
ing in perplexity, apparently measuring the
depth of the muddy water between her ard the
opposite sidewalk with no very satisfied coun-
tenance.
The sailor paused, for he was great admirer
of beauty and certainly the fair face that peeped
out from under the little chip hat, and auburn
curls hanging glossy and uncon6ned over her
muslin dress, might tempt curious or admlring
glance. Perpexed the lady put forth one little
foot, when the gallant sailor with characteristic
impulsiveness exclaimed:
That pretty foot, lady, should not be soed
with the filth of this lane; wait for moment
only, and will make you path
So, springing past her into carpenters shop
opposite, he bargained for a plank board that
stood in the doorway, and coming back to the
smiling girl who was just coquettish enough to
accept the services of the handsome young sail
or, be bridged the narrow black stream, and she
tripped across with merry thank you,' and
rogish 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 shout
der 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
g nd within itS rOSawOOl
entrance; for q 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 or
der of promotion from the captain. Poor Jack
was spaechless with amazement; he had not
dreamed of being exalted to the dignity of Sc
cond 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 in
stead OF spending his money for amusements
visiting theatres and bowling alleys on his re-
turn from sea, he purchased books and became
quite a student; but he expected years to inter.
vene before his ambitious hopes would be real
ized
! His superior officers seemed to look upon hin
with considerable leniency, and gave him many
fair opportunity of gathering marine knowl
edge and in year the handsome, gentlemanly
young mate had acquired unusual favor in the
eyes of the portly commander, captain Hume
who had first taken the smart little black-eyeC
fellow with his neat tarpaulin and tidy bundle
as cabin boy.
One night the young man, with all the officers
was invited to an entertainment at the captains
house. He went, and to his astonishmen
mounted the identical steps, up which two years
before had tripped the bright vision he had new
er forgotten. Thump went his brave heart, as
he was ushered into to the great parlor, anC
like Sedge hammer it beat again, when Cap
tain Hume introduced his blue eyed daughter
with pleasant smile, as the Young lady once
indebted to your politeness for safe and dry
walk home His eyes were all blaze, and his
brown cheek flushed hotly as the noble Cap
tain 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, second only in COM
mand, and part owner with the captain, not on
ly in his vessel but the affections of his daught
er, gentle Grace Hume, who had always cherish
ed respect, to say nothing of love for the bright
eyed sailor. His homely, but earnest act of po-
liteness towards his child, had pleased the cap.
tain, and though the youth knew it not, was
the cause of his first promotion. So that now
the old man has retired from business, Harry
Wells is Captain Wells, and Grace Hume, &C,
cording to polite pariance, 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 ofhis prosperity to his tact and
politeness in crossing the street.