The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1860-01-28
Select Gtorp.
From the New York Saturday Post.
THE MAN In THE BLUE SURTOUT.
By CHARLES D. GARDETTE.
L.

pressure, etc, packet Eureka was about
to start on her third trip Cup" (fortu-
nately trip-up IN two senses for mel
from New Orleans. Every berth, standee,
sofa, chair, and soft plank seemed enga-
gcd, when l was cxpectedly forced to
seek passage in her. A chance acquain-
lance, however, with the dashing s'clerk
of the boat, with whom had imbibed
"punch," and played game of billi-
ards at the St. Charles an evening or
two before-procured me share of his
own quarters and my valise and its owner
were duly aboard, when the "Calliope'
(:'to such base uses are we come at last"
. Muse y shricked a wild adieu, to the
tune go Susannahn'
was the cotton buyer for the house
of Middling, Fayre 4 Co., and had just
learned that a rival-a new man unknown
to the fratcrnity-was about to start, if
he had not already started, to forestall
me among the Red River planters, know
ing that the usual period of the annual
trip was still some three weeks distant.
AS the last cable was being leisurely
hauled in from the Levee by somnolent
negro, Bright, the sampler of our firm,
rushed on board, and drawing me aside,
whispered hurriedly:
"l've this momont heard that he is on
this very boat ~
"What's his name? How does he
look 2"
ssDon't know. Hadn't time to ask
stop. one thing | did hear, be wears
brigM-blue surtout I"
"All ashore!n' sung out some s'brief
authority"
"Good-bye! Look sharp for the blue
surtout,' said Bright, going off.
In another moment the packet swung
out into the river, and started painting up
stream.
"Blue surtout, ell 2" said 1 to myself,
walking with ''detcctive" eye along the
uppcr-dcck. Not here Down through
the saloon. Not there! So took
commanding position, and sat down to
watch for the enemy.
"Allright !" cried my friend, the DASH
ing clerk, coming mp with a stranger;
"Take somathing, Mr.. a?
"Fluke," prompted l, looking not at
him, but his companion. "Thank you
drop of P. b." still examining the
other.
"Nake you acquainted with my friend
Fluke, Mr.. -"
"Fibbins," said the stranger, offering
his hand. And we drank.
Fibbins ali! so your name is Fibbins,
thought [: and took another mental pho
tograph of Mr.. Fibbins, who was a short,
fat, sunburnt man, in bright-blue sur
tout. You're spotted, friend Fibbns
chucklcd | internally, and determining
to ''draw" him most eifectually, as per-
ceived he cvnccd no signs of recognition
OF my name or person.
"Nlust leave you, gentlemen," said the
clerk, presently; "Baton Rouge in sight"
Mr.. Fibbins and myself sat down, and
l straightway began working at his mem
tai pump handle, as follows:
olive in New Orleans, sir?" (Easy
lift of the handle.)
"Somc times"
"Going far up % clerk down.
81 reckon
'Are you native of -" Care
less pump, stopped by
'Mis'sippi, sir! VIII you liquor?'
'Rcally, Mr.. Fibbins, | rarely, if ever
1.-TWO brandy-and- waters, boy Here's
to you, captain.'
mississippi grows some fine cotton,
sir Cautious movement of the pump
knob.
sFinest in the world, SIR
'Except the Red River (Rapid evo-
luton of handle.)
very fine river, sir. I've been up and
down it more'n fifty times
Aha you dodge, friend Fibbins, but
you let the cat out. Then,
'Do you happen to know anything of
DR.. David's or Col. Struts plantations
on Red riverT asked l, furtiyely pump
ing still.
sPlayed brag with 'em both, sir; finest
gentlemen in the world. What'll YOU
take noW, sir?'
upon my word you must excuse me
l am not very-strong.'
Aii' = hcDi'o sense.
care you going up the Red p queried
l, with desperate swing Of tie slippery
handle.
q reckon; hillo there's the General
See you again, want to speak to the Gen
eral;' and my Jcsuitical rival hurried off
to catch tall, sallow man with fiery
nose, with whom he was presently cnga-
ged, 'bottle-peep,' in confab at the bar.
MY pumping so far, had been dry work,
IN spite OF the continuous swhetting' Fill.
bins gave the valves. Never mind I'll
try the clerk, thought I, and at all events
I'll keep sharp look out, as Bright
advised, on the Blue Surtout. But the
clerk knew no more of Fibbins than |,
he having been introduced to him by .the
General
'Who is the Generate
80! General Huff, of Natchi.oches.'
sPlanter?'
sNo, trader
SIN what 2
sNiggers.'
laugh! 1 shall not pump him, then =
muttered 1.
Meanwhile night overlook us. Sup
per was over. was sitting somewhat
lmoodlly in corner, when my foe in the
blue surtout approached, slightly BRAN