New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-11-23
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In the war OF the Revolution, when General La
fayette commanded in the American army, part
Of the troops were encamped at a certain place
near the waters edge. One calm summers even
iu0 soldier who was fifer in one of the COM
panies, went into the water for the purpose of
bathing Being an excellent swimmer as well as
6fer he took his fife with him to the water, and en-
gagged in ffng and swimming at the same time.
The music reached the ear Of Lafayette. Early
next morning I'D sent an officer in pursuit of the
man Who had thus disobeyed the order Of the
camp.
The soldier Was native Of Connecticut, and
man Of truth When arrested by the officer, and
on the way 70 the Generals tent he thought within
himself that, perhaps, he might escape = severe
punishment BY denying the deed. On few mo-
inentsi rejection, however, he said to himself
have always spoken the truth cannot tell lie.
With this principle in his mind, he came into the
presence of the General, who asked him if he was
ia ia previous, u which he replied, II am.''
6 And do you know, y continued Lafayette, & of
any others in the army who can play the same
4 4 Two.o OF three, I don said the soldier.
& Tomorrow evening. then, (naming the hour) I
wish yon to repair to my tent with them"
They came 1t the appointed hour. The General
then Informed them that the tune which he had
heard the evening before affected him very much
That on former occasion it had been played at
the funeral Of dear friend Of his who died in his
native country, Since then, until now, he had
never met with the individual who could play it.
4 I. For the purpose Of indulging in the melancholy
pleasure Of hearing 1t once more, Ihaven said he,
sent for yol.
The General, after being agreeahly entertained
with the conversation and music Of his guests dis
missed them with his thanks and some guineas
from bis purse, as expression of his satisfaction
at their performance.
Once, when the United States soop-of-war Dol
phin was lying at Callao, the launch came along
side with d lpad OF wood, which the young MILDLY,
whose province it was to attend to these matters,
was at . loss in what part Of the vessel to stow.
In this dilemma he went below, and, stating the
difficulty to his superior officer, requested from him
orders on tbe subject. The latter, being engaged
in business of high moment, and having, perhaps,
come off rather late the night previous, told the
Mildly, in nh good humor, 4 to take the wood to
the devil, Of into the main cross-trees-he didn't
care which, Orr MILDLY, prefcrring the latter
course rather than to come in contact with the
gentleman VI the birthstone jacket, gave the WORD
to have whip rove, and forthwith set his men te
hosting the wood according to orders. Just al
the last load was ascending into the aerial wood
house ALREADY filled to electromagnetic office
came up Vie gangway, and, seeing the straug
operation aloft, demanded Of the MILDLY an OK
PLANTATION.
q Blood and thunder! what are you doing
said the officer. Obeying orders!f was tn
laconic,reply Of the MILDLY The officers eounte
nance changed IN 2 moment from anger to a smils
and giving new orders to lower the wood to I'll
deck, be LIFT the obedient Midshipman to manae
matters i'd his own way. The Midshipman who's
literal obedience to orders we have just chronicle
was not more precise IN action than certain wi
a ness whom we have heard was in words. An actit
lad beer brought against the propretors Of VIII
Ss 4 aided the Rockingham stage-coach. I
az tisnan was called to give his evidence. l
examination In chief being ended, he was subje
to GROSS 9xnmnation. The opposing counsel hi
ing held yp his finger at the witness, and warn
him to give eprecise answer to every questit
and not talk about what he might think the gu
ton meant, proceeded thus: !" No sir, do MOI
sWhy,. man, did you not tell the court SO this n
ment! H No, sir, / did not.n NOW, sir, put
to you once more, upon your oath, do you i
drive the Rockingham coach2n !" No, sir; 1 Oh.
9se horses /!
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