The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1858-11-04

One little act of politeness will sometimes pave
the way to fortune and preferment. The follow
ing sketch illustrates this fact:
A sailor, roughly CARRIED, was sauntering
through the streets of New Orleans, then in q
rather damp condition from recent rain and the
rise of the tide. Turning the corner of q much
frequented alley, he observed a young lady stand
ing in perplexity, apparently measuring the
depth of the muddy water between her and the
opposite sidewalk, with no very satisfied counte-
nance.
The sailor paused, for he was a great admirer
of beauty, and certainly the fair face that peeped
out from under the little chip hat, and the au-
burn curls hanging glossy and unconfned over
her muslin dress. might tempt q curious or
admiring glance. Perplexed, the lady put forth
one little foot, when the gallant sailor with
characteristic impulsiveness exclaimed.
THAT pretty foot, lady, should not be soiled
with the filth Of this lane; wait for q moment
only, and will make you a path"
So springing past her into q carpenters shop
opposite, 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 handsome young sailor,
he bridged the narrow black stream, and she
tripped across with a merry thank yOu," and
a roguish smile, making her eyes as dazzling as
they could be.
Alas, our young sailor was perfectly charmed.
What else would make him catch up and shoulder
the plank, and follow the little witch through
the streets to her home, she twice performed the
ceremony of walking the plank" and each
time thanking him with one of her eloquent
smiles. Presently our young hero saw theyoung
lady trip up the marble steps of a palace of a
house, and disappear within its rosewood en-
trance; for a full moment he stood looking at the
door, and then with q wonderful big sigh turned
away, disposed of his draw bridge, and wendell
his path back to his ship.
The next day he was astonished with an order
Of promotion from the captain. Poor Jack was
SPECIFICS with amazement; he had not dreamed
of being exalted to the dignity of a second mates
Office on board one of the most splendid ships
that sailed out of the port of New Orleans. He
knew he was competent, for instead of spending
his money for amusements, visiting theatres and
bowling-alleys on his return from sea. he pur-
chased books and become quite a 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, and gave him many
a fair opportunity to gather maritime knowledge;
and in a year the handsome, gentlemanly young
mate had acquired unusual favor in the eyes of
the portly commander, Capt. 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 officers,
was invited to an entertainment at the Captains
house. Hewent, and to his establishment mount
ed the identical steps that had two years before
ilC OAikhkNct ficiOh hC ihta C'NA sc a 'iSiOh tS
had never forgotten. Thump, thump, went his
brave heart, as he was ushered into the great
parlor, and like a sledge hammer it beat again,
when Capt. Hume introduced his blue-eyed
daughter, with a pleasant smile, as the young
lady once indebted to your politeness for a safe
and dry walk home" His eyes were all a blaze,
and his brown cheeks flushed hotly, as the noble
Captain sauntered away, leaving fair Grace
Hume at his side. And in all that assembly was
not so handsome a couple as the gallant sailor
and the Z. pretty ladie."
1t was only a year from that time that the sec
ond mate trod the quarterback, second only in
command. and part owner with the Captain, not
only in his vessel, but in the affections of his
daughter, gentle Grace Hume, who had always
cherished respect. to say nothing of love, for the
bright-eyed sailor.
His homely but earnest act of politeness to-
ward his child had pleased the Captain, and,
though the youth knew it not, was the cause of
his first promotion So that now the old man
has retired from business, Harry Wells is Capt.
Wells, and Grace Hume is, according to polite
parianee. Mrs Capt. Wells. In fact our honest
sailor is one of the richest men in the Crescent
City, and he owes, perhaps, the greater part of
his prosperity to his tact and politeness in cross
ing the street.