True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-11-11
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STEUBENVILLE OHIO, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER H. 1851


ed by kind fate that he might be free in
hand, as well as heart, when the onlyi
woman to whose shrine he could bow
with perfect alteration, crossed his path
when, l say, the wretched hypocrite had
proce eded thus far, the thought of what
his wife-who if report speaks the truth,
makes her loving lord walk Spanish
when within hail of her voice would say,
could she behold him at that moment,
came upon us with such ludicrons vivid
ness, that it was with the greatest diff
Guilty we could restrain our mrth; indeed,
poor Tommy did not succeed in check.
ing his laughter, and before he could re-
move his head from the wrong side of the
partition, an ill-suppressed gggle, which
found vent, spite of himself, startled the
commodore, who looking upwards, at one
glance. took in our four unfortunate faces.
"The look with which he regarded
us was we'll calculated to inspire US with
the EXTREMIST reverse of pleasant sensa-
tons, and with the visions of all man
ner of courts martial fitting vaguely thro'
our heads, we sIank down into our
seats. 1t was no joke, assure, making
an enemy of the commodore, for he was
a terrible man, and by no means TO be
made light of when pacing the deck Of
his own flagship. So long as our fun
was undiscovered, we enjoyed the joke
immensely, but now we had been caught
in the very act of playing the eaves-drop.
per upon, and making game Of The COM
modore, it was decidedly serious affair,
10 be Gshonorably discharged from the
service, was the very least ! expected for
my share in the business. 1t was, there
fore, with extremely long, and sheepish
looking faces, we sneaked out of the the.
atre, down to the boat, and back on board
the ship, where snugly slowed in our
hammocks, we awaited in fear and trem.
bling, the return of the offended commo
dore. But although he come on board a
the accustomed hour, we heard nothing
from him that night; and the following
morning, Notwithstanding the certainty
we felt that something dreadful was about
10 occur, he went on shore as usual,
without speaking to us, or so far as we
knew, to any one concerning us, content
ing himself with bestowing a fearful
scowl upon us, as we stood by the gang
way, when he passed over to the boat.
"The sudden transition from fear anC
apprehension to a feeling of safety, pu
US in the highest possible spirits, and VT
laughed at ourselves and joked each othe'
hugely upon our late fears, wondering
how we could have been so stupid as no
to consider that the commodore could no
infIct any very serious punishment upor
us without exposing himself, which h
would be rather 10th to do. In view Q
this fact, we felt assured of safety so lon,
as we maintained wise silence touching
his filtration. Accordingly throwing dul
care to the winds, and donning our ne W
est and best uniforms, we proceeded t
request the officer of the deck for perms
sion to 60 ashore as usual. The first luI
who had the deck-regarded uswith
grim smile as we approached to max
known our wishes.
$3.50 you want to 60 on shore, do 20
young gentlemen he remarked with
malicious grin, as Tommy meekly pre-
Gerred his request for days liberty
Well, it gives me sincere pleasure,
inform you, that all four of you have pt
your feet for the last time on the soil
France, during this cruise at least
I" May I ask sir, of what we we hav
; been guilty, TO have our liberty stopped
persisted Tommy, respectfully touchiu
his hat, as the first turned 10 continue h
walk across the deck.
"'You are the best judges of that you
: selves, he returned with evident gratf
cation at our chop,fallen appearance. 8
only know that it is the old mans wis
that you remain on board while the shi
lays at Marseilles.'
" And how long is she to lay here
we inquired with no little interest,"
"Two months, perhaps three, poss
, bly, longer, for the commodore is in +
no hurry TO leave at present, believe
: and | tell you young gehtlemen, as
friend, you had bettN not get into Il
f old mans way at present, for assn
you, he could find it in his heart chez
, fully to string you all up TO the yard arm
and in my opinion he could render Il
3 country no greater service, not partic
9 larry for this last prank of yours, what
; yer it may be, but for your disgusting ar
!, vilainous behaviour generally, And
S think every one would justify him in i
: Aicting such apunishment For my ov
!. part, / think | never beheld four persol
in whose countehances crime and villar
i of the deepest dye, were more strong
o depicted, than in yours. That will d
v and now, young gentlemen, you c'
Il go to your duty
e $50 Saying, he continued his wal
If glancing at us, occasionally, over !
i shoulder, with look so full of gratii
IS malice, that ] could have decapitated hi
d cheerfully, had it been in my power to
y so. There was no. contradicling his |
l. marks concerning our personal appo'
g ance, even had the rules Of the service
!. lowed us to enIer into an argument wi