The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-07-06
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ENTERING ON THE DUTIES OF MID
EHIPNAN. .

Some time ago a story went the rounds "
touching man who, having presented himself
in his shirt sleeves at the American Museum,
New York, received the loan of coat, and
after viewing the curiosities, sloped with the
garment, obtaining sight of the elephant and
a swallow tail for twenty-five cents. This re-
minds Us of an affair that occurred in 1S40s on
board of the old Columbus, when she lay at c
the Charleston Navy Yard. One day long,
green Vermonter struggled on board the frig-l
gate, and examined everything deck with {
| curious eyes The officer on watch, from his
bearing and the neatness of his uniform attract
| ed the Yankees notice. n
"Got pretty good place heyf' he inquired.
| The officer assented. fsz4 q
"What wages do you get"
"One hundred and twenty-five dollars n
month" - 'ts fF9
"one hundred and twenty-five dollaral All E
to yourselfl ShohP'
"Fact, sir"
"Wal, I wonder if couldn't get something
to do here myself2"
"oh, yes; you'd make pretty good mid
shipman."
awal, wha. are uidshipmans wages, for a q
green handp ~
"Forty dollars month only" +,.l
"Only forty dollars! Jerusaleml Why, I
was told to hire out for ten. But where can I
! "Down below sir, in the steerage;;" as soon
as I'm relieved I'll see to it."
Down went the quizzer and the quizzee.-
A bevy of young midshipmen needed no
prompting to perpetrate piece of mischief
A spurious warrant was soon made out and the
greenhorn equipped in splendid uniform in
| Guiding an elegant chappeau and costly sword,
by joint contribution of the mess. Thus
furnished, he was directed to present himself
To in he cahi W
for duty. He was told that the Commodore
might be pretty gruf-" it was way he had,
but not to mind it. The steerage being full,
the new midshipman was to demand quarters
in the Commodores cabin, IN fact, he was
ordered to take possession OF certain state
room. The Commodores black looks and
angry words were to be regarded as nothing
up" the victim presented himself to the Com
modore with
"Old hoss, how are you Z"
S. started; he had como across a rara avis.
"Take seat sir"
II kin help myself old fellow ginnerally
do," was the reply of the Vermonter, as he
flung himself into one seat and crossed his
legs upon another.
"You are one Of the new midshipmen I
supposed" remarked the Commodore, who,
from the first suspected something.
"I amt nothin' else"
HShall trouble you for your warrantW -
"Catch hold, old boy"
The Commodore looked at the document,
then at his visitor.
"Who gave you thisi"
"The fellers down stairs-and I'm now
ready for duty"
"Thats enough, now you can GO"
"Not as you know on squire. The cellars
chock full-and I amt agoin' out this ere il
hurry, tell you. o you needn't rare up
old fellow. see what's the matter-you're a
leetle cracked up herep' And the brilliant
youth touched his forehead with his foretnger.
'1m going into this ERE chamber to take
right good snooze-boots and all, by gravy"
AS he proceeded to execute this menace,
the Commodore took him by the and led
him to the gangway. Pointing to the sentinel,
he remarked, mildly: "You see that man
with musket, now if you don't clear out di-
rectly, and leave the ship and never to show
your face again, I'll order him to shoot you'll"
The Yankee broke-and in two seconds his
blue coat-tail was seen floating in the rear, as
he dashed out of the yard with the speed of 8
flying jackass
In minute afterwards, half dozen terri
fed midshipnen rushed on deck and asked for
liberty to go ashore.
"Young gentlemen" said the Commodore,
ri grant no liberty to-day"
Six faces fell ssfeet," and six young jokers
returned to their mess melancholy as n1utes
at an alderman's funeral. They never saw or
heard of the Yankee eftcrward-nor the uni
from either.