Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-12-16
A HRrd E0ke.

The Mobile advertiser Of tb. 18th, tells the
following good story of notorious prae-
teal joker in that city. yelept Straight back
D'ck.vs ri
Dick was at the wharf one day last week.
when one IF the up-river boats arrived.
looking, doubtless, for some unwtry indivi-
dial upon " hom to exercise his talent He
watched closely the conference of each
passenger as he stepped from the plank upon
the wharf. and at length listened his gaze
upon an individual who. from his appearance
and manners. was considerably nearer Mobile
than he had ever boen lief r. He YVES evil
dentlt i'll AT case and had probably heard
the reports which were rife IN the country,
T lafive to the hundreds who were diving in
Mobile every hour FRI m yellow fever. The
man started off toward Dauphia- street. ear
pet-sack in hand but bad not proc seded far
when a h, avy hand was laid upon his
shoulder, and he sudd,-nlv stopped. Cpon
turning round he met the cold. serious nm
tenance of Dick, and it seemed to send a
thrill of terrssr thou ghout his whole frame.
After looking at him STEADILY for about
minute, Dick slowly ciseulatsd:
Yes, you art the man. S and straighir'
With fear visible in his cOuntenance, the
poor fellow essayed to do as command d.
..Stra gbter VET s;l d Dick There that
will do.p and taking from his pocket a SIN u
tape measur.'. he stnrped down and measur d
him from the toe of bis boot to The crown OF
his hat. took "a pencil and car f,lly note the
height in his pscket-bo"k to the utter amaz
ment of the stranger: after which he mea> AR d
him across the shoulders and again noted the
Dimensions He then looked the stranger
firmly in the face ard said:
Sir. am very sorry that ii Is so. but |
really will rot he able to finish il for you
before morning.
Finish what?' asked the stranger, endea-
voring IN vain to apes + calm.
why. your coffia. TO be sure! You see.
am the city undertaken, and thu people ar
! dying here So fast that can hardly supply
| the demand for c"fius. You will have TO
waii until your tnrn comes. which will be to-
morrow morning-sav about 9 o'clock
"Bnt what the i do want with coffin!
L have no idea of dying
You havn't, eh? Sir. you win not live
Two hours d a half | see il IN your conn
| tenance Why, even now. Won have pain
"a slight pain-in your hack"
"Y-yrs, | believe l h-havr," replied the
trembling Hoo>ier.
'E tact.y," said Dick, ''and in your limbs
tool'
Yes stranger, Your. right: and begin
to feel it in the back of my neck and head.
"Of cour-e yon do. and unless you do some
hing for it yeu'll he dead in short inc.
assure you. Take my advice. nOw-go back
aoohlu h1 oodi, sNalloW uoWh Slll 81
! brandy, get into yonr statp-rnom and coy
up with hlankrts. Stay there till you per
spjre freely. then leave here ike liglltnine!"
HnOsirr hurried on 10 nd tn. boat, aud fol
lowed Dicks Instructions TO the tier. On
Monday he was met he gentleman at Git
ronellc, to whom he related his wond' rfnl ~
cape from death by yellow tev +, even after
preparations wee b ing mad: to prucIrt his
coffin He says he will never forget the
Kindness of the tlima in Mobile who gave
him such good advice.