The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-08-13


that the mandamus should be refused.
BY THE COURT.
Curious Mode Of Getting a Wife,
One little act Of politeness will sometime.
pave the way to fortune and preferment. The
following sketch illustrates the fact:
A sailor, roughly garbed, was saupterine
through the streets of New Orleans, then in
rather damp condition from the recent rain
and the rise Of the tiie. Turning the corner
of much freqnented alley, he observed a
young lady standing in perplexity apparently
measuring the depth of mud iy water between
her and the opposite sidewalk with no very
satisfied counte1ance.
The sailor paused, for he was great admi-
rer of beauty, and certainly the fair face thai
peeped out from under the little chip hat, and
auburn curls hanging glossy and unconfined
over her muslin dress, might tempt curious
or adlniring glance.
Perplexed the lady put forth one little foot
when the gallant sailor with characteristic i'm.
pulsiveness exclaimed:
THAT pretty foot, lady, should not be sol lied
with the filth of this lane; wait for d monent
only, and wall make you path"
So, springing past into carpenters shop op-
posite, 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 Ia nasome young
sailor, he bridged the narrow black stream,
and she tripped across with a roguish :'thank
you," and Iogulsh smile, making her eyes
as dazzling as they could be.
Alas, our young sailor was perfectly charmed.
What else could make hlm catch up AMI shoul-
der the plank, and follow the little witch
through the streets to her home; she twice
performed the ceremony Of "walking the
plask," and each time thanking him with one
of her eloquent smiles. Presently oui young
hero saw the 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 wonder
full big sigh turned away. disposed of his draw
The next day he was astonished with an Or
der Of promotion from the captain. Poor
Jack was speechless from amazem-nt; he
had not dreamed of being exalted to the digni-
ty of second mates Office on board one of the
most s2lendid ships that sailed out Of the port
Of New Orleans. He knew that lie was COM
petent. for instead Of spending bis money for
amusements, visiting theatres and bowling al
leys on his return from sea, he purchased books
and became quite student; but he expected
years to intervene before his ambitious hopes
would be realized.
His superior officers seemed to look upon
him with considerable leniency, aud gave him
maLy fair opportunity Of gathering marine
knowledge; and in a year the handsome, gen.
tlemanly young mate had acquired universal
favcr In the eyes Of the porlly 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 Off
GERS, was invited to an entertainment at the
captains house. lie went, and to his aston
ishment mounted the identical steps, up which
two years before had tripped the bright vision
he had never forgotten. Thump went his
brave heart, as he was ushered into the great
parlor, and like sledge hammer 1t beat again
when Capt Hume introduced his blue eyed
daughter, with pleasant smile, as s'the young
lady once indebted to your politeness for safe
and dry walk home." His eyes were all q
blaze, ana his brown cheek flushed hotly, as
the noble captain sauntered away, leaving fai-
Grace Hume at his side. Aad in all that as
sembly there was not so handsome couple as
the gallant sailor aud tie s'pretty ladie."
1t was only year from that time the second
mate trod the quarterback, second only in
command, and part owner with the captain,
! ct only in his vessel, but in the affections Of
his daughter, gentle Grace Hume, who had al
ways cherished respect, to say nothing Of love,
for the bright eyed sailor.
His homely but earnest act of politeness to-
wards his child, had pleased the captain. and,
though the youth knew it not, was the cause
OF bis first promotion. So that now the old
man has retired from business, Harry Wells
is Captain Wells, and Grace Hume, according
to polite parlanee, Mrs. Captain Wells. In
fact, ou: honest sailor is one Of the richest
men in the Crescent City, and he owes, pei
hsps, the greatest part Of his prosperity to his
tact and politeness in crossing the street.