Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-08-20
CURIOUS MODE OF GEE
T'KN(s a WIFE

One act of pOliteness will some times
have the way to fortune and prcfcrmont.
The following sketch illustrates this
fact:
A sailor, roughly garbcd, was sauntor-
ing through the streets Of New Orleans.
then in rather bad condition from re-
cent rain and the rise Of the tide Turn
ing the corner ola much frcqucntcd al
ley, he observed young lady standing
i'll a perpleXity, apparently measuring
] the depth of the muddy water between
her and thesopposite sidewalk with no
very satisfied countcnancc.
The sailor paused, for he was a great
admircr of beauty, and certainly the fair
face that pccpcd out from under the lit
! tie chip hat, and auburn curls hanging
glossy and unconfned over her muslin
dress, might tempt curious or admir-
ing glance Pcrplexed; the lady put
forth one little foot, when the gallant
sailor, with charactcriztci i'm pulsiyencss,
exclaimed
':Fhai pretty foot, lady Should not be
soiIcd with the filth of the lane; wait for
moment only, and [ will make you
.riath.'
! So, springing past her into 4 carpcn-
tdT's shop, he bargained for a plank
board that stood in tho doorway, and
coming back 10 the smiling girl, who
was Just coquctish enough to accept the
services of the handsome young sailor,
he bridged the marrow black stream, and
she trippcd across with merry "thank
you" and a roguish smile, making her
eyes as dazzling as they could lie.
Alas ! our young sailor was perfectly
ch.rmcd. What else could make him
catch up and shoulder the plank, and
follow the little witch through the
streets to her home. She twice perform
ed 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 Il palace ola house,
and disappear within its rosewood en-
trance. For full moment he stood
looking 1t the door, and then, with
wonderful big sigh, turned away, dis
posed Of his draw5ridgc, and returned
to his ship.
The next day he was astonished with
an order Of promotion from the captain.
Poor Jack was sl,ccchlcSs with amaze
mcnt. 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
OrI cans lie knew he was competent,
for instead of spending his money for
amuscmcnts, visiting theatres and bow
ling alleys on his return from sea, he
purchased books and became quite 4
student; but hc expected years to inter
vcnc before his ambitious hope would be
realized.
His superior officers seemed TO look
upon him with considerable lcnicncy.
and gave him many Il fair opportunity
of gathering marine knowledge, and in
Il year the handsome, gcntlcmanly young |
mate had acquired unusual favor III the |
eyes of the portly commander, Captain
little black eyed follow, with his neat
tarpauIin and tidy bundle, as cabin
boy.
One night the young man, with all the
officers, was invited TO an entertainment
at the captain ; house. lie went, and to
his astonishmcnt, mounted the iolenti |
cal steps, upon which two years before
had tripped the bright vision he had
never forgotten. Thump went his brave |
heart as he was ushcrcd into the parlor; |
and like the slcdge hammer it beat again,
when Captain Hume introduced his
blue eyed dau2htcr, with Il pleasant
smile, as ':thc yong lady once indebted
to your politcness for 4 safe and dry
walk home" His eyes were all Il blaze, |
and his brown check flushed hotly, as
the noble captain sauntcrcd away, lcav
ing fair Grace Hume at his side. And
in all that assembly there was not so