Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-05-07
'Af(ist&llar&ons.
WREATHs FROM A SMOKER.
DICK NAsH's COURTsHIP.

WREATHs FROM A SMOKER.
DICK NAsH's coURTsHIP.
Generally, Richard Nash, Esq, inclined
to the jocular when relating his adventures.
One evening, during our trip from Natchez,
to New Orleans, on the steamer Magnolia,
"whereof Leathers was master, and Dick
was barkeeper," he seemed pensive. His
songs were sad, and the ever faithful banjo
twanged in the most distressed manner, as
the performer struck the minor chords.
81 never was in love but once, gentlemen"
said Dick, and seeing general smile greet
the assertion, be repeated, that he had nev-
er been in love but once.
His first love was the daughter of veal
thy old planter, whom we will call Major
Beal, to- avoid personalities, and for the same
reason locate the Major near Huntsville,
Alabama.
I had been in the village some time, and
became very well acquainted with Miss Lu-
cy, who was really a fine girl. Iplayed the
banjo for her, and sung some Of my best
songs, and wore my best clothes all the time.
I was mighty good looking in those days,
gentlemen, and more girls than Miss Lucy
fancied me. I at last made my declaration
of love, and was accepted. "Now, Dick,"'
said I to myself, "be prudent, and you are
made man." Lucy was everything could
desire. We met frequently, and continu-
ed to be attentive, played the banjo and
sung for her until her little head was full Of
nothing else but Dick Nash and getting mar
ried
ri asked her if I could visit her at home ?
She consented, and promised to use her in
fucnce, of course, and, being an only child;
you may be sure it amounted to something.
I recollect the day perfectly well, that I rode
out to her fathers place. Every body knew
the Majors plantation, and tell you my
heart beat high as I rode for nearly mile
between two high fences with cotton fields,
on both sides, and over fifty hands at work.
Lucy was in the front porch waiting for me.
The moment she saw ME, she called her faith
er, who came down to the front gate to meet
me. He gave me a cordial welcome, and
telling negro man, named uncle Ben, to
take charge of my horse, walked me off by
the arm to the house. Lucy was all smiles.
The old lady, after surveying me with her
gray eyes, thro' pair of magnifying specta-
cles, seemed to make up her mind I would
do.
will not tire you with minute descrip-
ton of all that happened, the Major showed
me over the place and counted his darkies;
the old lady made me look at her chickens
and cows. I was the accepted lover of an
only child, and the match approved by the
parents. The Major was worth about eighty
thousand dollars This last remark was ad-
dressed to an inquisitive Yankee, who SEEM
ed to be satisfied with the explanation I
kept going and coming, and staying and
courting for some time. One day Lucy as
ked me to bring out my banjo and play for
the old folks. I had presentiment that l
had better not, and hesitated. But Lucy
had set her heart on it, and 1 could not re.
fuse So the next time went out, I took
my banjo with me, and after supper in the
evening I tuned her up. The sound soon
brought half of the plantation round the
house. noticed the old lady looked lit
tie shy, but the niggers, and the Major, and
Lucy were on my side, and I pitched into
the banjo, and l tell you what, I made mu-
sic. The Major could hardly keep in his
boots; Lucy fairly cried with gratifed pride,
and the niggers, unable to contain them
selves, paired off in the yard and had reg
ular Congo reel.
"The old lady sat speechless with astonish-
ment, her mouth and eyes open, and her
arms hanging down by her side. The next
morning I left very early, having some i'm
portant business in town. The Major saw
me to the gate and made ME promise to
come back soon and spend week. So af-
ter getting through my business in town, 1
WeuI OuI w Ine PiuSo PiePoiSo W AsNo'A "
week, and determined to have every thing
fixed before I left. When I got to the gate,
uncle Ben did not come as usual to take my
horse, so led him to the stable myself. 1
went up the house, and I saw at glance
that there was something wrong. The Ma
jor was cold and stiff, while the old lady was
actually insulting in her insinuations. Lucy
was sent out of the way to a neighbors. l
did not stay long you may depend. Putting
on all my dignity, wished them good day,
and went to the stable for my horse. There
I found uncle Ben almost in tears. Dwell,
uncle Ben, what's the matter here p I asked.
"N1ass Nash, dare is war in the plantation,
bout you-," "What about me?"
"Old Missus say you plays dat banjo too
good for her use. She say you'se some
Snowman dropped down in this part of the
country, shore. Massa tuck your side, but
old Missus carried de day. Massa's been
rarin and tarin round de place whippin de
niggers for muffin, he's so mad Miss Lucy