The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1861-03-21
The Rifers Bit.

Some time ago a story went the rounds
touching man who, having presented
himself in his shirt 81 eeyes at the Ameri
can Museum, New York, received the loan
of coat. and after viewing the curiosi,ies,
sloped with the garment. obtaining sight
Of The elephant and swallow tail for TWEEN
ryfve cents. this reminds US of an affair
that occurred in 1910, on board the Old
Columbus. when she lay at the Charleston
Navy yard One day a long green Yer
monter struggled on board the higate, and
examined everything on deck, with Curl
Gus ewes. The officer OF the watch from
his bearing and the neatness of his uni
form, attracted the Yankees notice.
Got pretty COOL place here, hey p
he inquired.
The officer assented.
"What wages do you get %
"One hundred and twenty-five dollars
month"
20 ne hundred aud twenty-five dollars!
A to yourself Shoh -
Face. SIR"
wal. wonder if couldn't get some
thinS TO do here. myself -
"Ob. yes, you'd make pretty good
milshipman.'
"Wal, what are midshipman's wages,
f5r 4 green hand 2"
Forty dollars a month, only"
Only forty dollars Jerusalem Why,
was told to ARE out for ten But where
can [ be made mldshipman on? Say
quick l''
Down below. sir, in the Storage. As
soon os I'm relieved I'll Sc to it.
Down went the quizzer and the qulzzed.
y bevy of young midshipman required
no prompting to perpetrate piece OF mis-
chief. a spurious warrant was soon made
our. and he greenhorn equipped In
splendid uniform, including an elegant
chapeau and costly sword, by joint con-
tribution of the mess Thus furnished, he
was directed to present himself TO Commo
doris s, He was told that the Commodore
might be pretty gruff--''it was away he
hel," but not to mind il. The Storage
belng full. tie new midshipmaf was to
demand quarters in the CommOdore's cab
in in fact. he was ordered 10 take posses
sion Of certain stare room The Com
MOTORS black looks and angry words were
to be regards ~ nothing -he had no right
to use either, Thus" posted up" the vic
tim presented himse to the Commodore
with "Old boss how are you 2,
S started he had come across rara-
avis, "Take seat SIR
l kin help myself. old fellow--l giner-
ally do" was the reply of the Vermonter,
as he flung himself into one seat and
crosSed his Iaos unon aDC ther
You are one of the new midshipmen,
l suppose ~ remarked the Commodore,
who from the first suspected something.
81 amt nothing else
''Shall trouble you for your warrant %
Catch hold, old boy,
The Commodore looked a; the dccu-
nent. and then at the visitor.
WHO gave you this %
The fellows down stairs--and I'm now
ready for duty"
That's enough Now you can Co.,
Not as you know on, squire. The
ceiler's chock fuli--ani | amt goin out
of this ere in hurry. | tell you. o. you
needn't rare up. old fellow. see what:
the matter--vou're a leete cracked ul
here 10 And the. brilliant youth touched
his forehead with his foreinger. II am
going into this ere chamber to take rgh
good snooz4-- boots and all, by gravy T.
As he was proceeding to execute hi,
menance. the Commodore took him by the
arm and led him 10 tie gangway. pom
ting to- the sentinel he remarked, mildly
"You see that man with musket: now
if you don't clear out directly, and leave
he sbip-yard and never show your face
again. I'll order him to shot YOU 70
The Yankee broke-and in two second;
his blue coat tail was seen floating in the
rear. as he dashed out Of the yard Will
the speed OF flying jackal.
In a minute afterwards, half dozer
terrified midshipmen rushed on deck an,
asked for liberty to go ashore.
"Yourg gentlemen. said the Commo
dore 81 grant no liberty to day
Six faces fell a :" feet and six young
)kers returned TO their mess-room Il
melancholy as mutes at an alderman
funeral They never heared any
thing f tie Yankee afierward--nor tn
unif I'm eiihar.- Cass County RepuJIican
~ T.,