The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1857-05-07
Curious mode Of getting n wife

One little act Of polteness will some
times pave the way to fortune and pre-
ferment. The following sketch illus
trates this fact: -
A sailor, roughly garbed, was saunt-
ering through the streets of New Or
leans, then in rather damp condition
from recent rain and the rise of the tide
Turning the corner of much frequent
cd alley, be observcd young lady stand
ing in perplexity, apparently measuring
the depth ofthe muddy water between
her and the opposite sidewalk with no
very satisfied countenance.
The sailor paused, for he was great
admirer of beauty, and certainly the fair
face that peeped 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, Perplexed the lady put
forth one little foot, when the sailor with
characteristic impulsveness exclaimed :
That pretty foot, lady, should not be
soled with the filth of this lane wait
fora moment only, and l will make you
path.
So, springing past her into a carpen-
ter's shop opposite, he bargained for
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, he bridged the narrow black stream
and she trippled across with a merry
" thank you," and rogueish smile,
making her eyes as dazzling as they could
be.
Also, eur young sailor was perfectly
charmed. What else could make him
catch up and shoulder the plank and
follow the little witch through the streets
70 her home she twice performed the
ceremony of walking the plank" ant
each time thanking him with one of her
eloquent smiles Presently our younl
hero saw the young lady trip up tn
marble steps OF palace Of house, ant
disappear within its rosewood entrance
for full moment he stood looking a
the door, and then with a wonderful biz
sigh he turned away, disposed of hi
drawbridge and wendcd his path back t
his ship.
The next day he was astonishcd will
an order of promotion from the Captain
Poor Jack was speechless with amaze
ment: he had not dreamed of being cx
alted to the dignity of second mates of
flee on board one Of the most splendi
chips that sailed out of the port OF NeN
Orleans. He knew he was competen,
for instead of spending his money fo
amusements, visiting theatres and bowl
ing alleys on his return from sea, b.
purchased books and became quite stu
dent; but he expected years to inter
vene before his ambitious hopes would b.
realized.
His superior officers seemed to lool
upon him with considerable leniency
and gave him many fair opportunit
of gathering maritime knowledge; an
in year the handsome, gentlemanly
young mate had acquired unusual favo
in the eyes Of the portly commander
Captain Hume, VINO had first taken tn
little black eyed fellow, with his nea
tarpaulin and tidy bundle, as cabir
boy.
One night, the young man with al
the officers, was invited to an entertain
ment at the Captains house. lie wen
and to his astonshmcnt mounted tn
identical steps up which two years be
fore had tripped the bright vision h
lad never forgotten. Thump went b
brave heart as he was ushered into th
great parlor, and like a sledge hammc
it beat again, when Captain Hume i
troduced his blue-eyed daughter, with
pleasant smile as :" the young lady on'
indebted to your politeness for a ga
and dry walk home" His eyes we
all ablaze, and his brown cheeks flush,
hotly as the noble Captain sauntcr
away, leaving fair Grace Hume at
sido. And in all that assembly the
was not so handsome a couple as {
gallant sailor and the "pretsy lassic. "
IL was only year from that the sc
ond mate trod the quarter deck, seco
only in command, and part owner wi
the Captain, not only in his vessel, b
in the affections with his daughter, &C
tie Grace Hume, who had always che
ished respect, to say nothing Of love,
the brigbt-eyed sailor.