The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1859-01-05
4 ssnr,l .EnRF.


The Mobile .Il0trtisey of the nintesnth uitj
tells the following good story ofa notorious praci
teal joker in that city, yclepcd Straight, Baek
Dichr'
Dich Was at the wharf one day last week.
when one Of the up-rivpr boats arrived, looking
doubtless, iOr some unwary individual upof
whom to exercise his talent. He watchedclose.
ly The countenance of each passenger as he stept
ped rom the plank upon the whanand ut length
fastened his gaze upon an individual who, iTotit
disappearance and tHahiiers, was considerably
nearer n obiie than he had ever been be fore. HIS
was evidently i'll at ease and had probably hearrs
the reports which were rife the c0i!ntry relftis
to the hundreds who were dying il Mobile ete-.
Iy hour from yellow fever. The man started ofr
towards DauFhin street. carpet. sack in hand;
but had not proceeded far when heavy hand
was laid upon his shoulder and he stideehly
stopped. Upon turning around, he i.iet the
cold, serious countenance of Dick and it Seems
ed to send a thrill Of terror through his whole
frame. After looking at him steadily for abeHs
a minute, Dick slowly eiaculated'
YES goa are the rssT Stand straight''
Wish fear visible in his countenadce, the peo+
ltlloS cssaycd 10 90 as commanded
I "5iraghter yet" sa Dick. ''rhcre thai
will do,' and taking from his pocket smal
tape measure, he stopped down and measured
him from the toe of his boot to theGro#il Of hils
hat, took PEI Gil and noted down the height i'll
his pocket book, to the utter amaZement of the
stranger, after which he measured him across
! the shoulders and again noted the dimensions.
lie then lsoked the stranger krnly in che face
and said:
'S3ir am very sorry that it $50, but real,
iy will not be able to finish it for you before
morning" a
Finish what asked the stranger, endeafor-
ing in VAN to appear calm.
"Why your coffin to be sure! You see / am
the city undertaken, and the people are dying
here so fast, that can hardly supply the de-
mand for coiiin5. You will have to wait till your
I turn comes, which will be tomorrow morning
Say about nine o'clock"
but what the d--l do want with coafn I
have no idea Ct dying"
"You hay'nt Ell? Sir you will not live two
hours and half | see it in your countenance,
Why, even now, you have pain--a slight pairs
ia your book"
"Y-yes, h-haye," replied the trembling loo.
sier,
"t,xactly." said nck, "aa4 in yo=s li-als
toon'
"Yes,' stranger, you're right and begin ts'
feel it in the back of my neck aud head"
"Of course You do, and unless you do some-
thing for 1t, yon'll he dead in a short time as
sure yojl. Take Iny advice, now, go back a.
board the boat swallow down gill Of brandy,
get into your state room and cover up witls
blankets. Stay there till you perspiss ftee1yi
then leave here like Hghtning.'
Hoosicr hurried on board that boat, and fof-
lowed Dicks instructions to the letter. On
Monday he was met by gentleman at Citro.
nelle, to WHOM: he related his wonderful escspe
Eon dea h by the yellow fever, evensa'ter prepe
a aions were being made to procure his coffin.
He say $ he will never forget the kindness OF
the tall man il Mobile who gave him such good
adylce.