The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-12-30
TEzE. gsgV.AEI
Y EN.T RILOQUIST

''Once upon a lime, as the ''story
tellcrs, have it. we were sailing dcwn
the great father of waters, the hiSsissp-
pi, i'll the beaut ful steamer "Iqddess of
Libatty," bound from St Louis TO New
Orleans. We had on bustrd the usual
variety Of lassenger> but from some
une1plainabie cause. an unusual degree
OF munot.ny prevailed. TIs tue, the
card players were at work with their ae-
oustomed ei.ergy, aud little groGi OF pas
sengers ere earnestly engage over the
Gu ct game OF checkers, or 'drdughts,
while one little circle only were absorbed
in that old, but nov popular game
chess a large number Of passen gers
we're sitting in the forward saloon, gaz-
ing listiessiy at each other, apparently
in state OF stupiiaction.
Being Of an active temperament. and
fond OF excitement, We could not suffer
eni vi upon such an occasion to get the
upper hand olu', SO, with view OF kick
ing up some kind OF a rumpus, for our
own sake and the relief Of the passengers
generally. We walked boldly into the cap
tain office, and laid the whole matter be-
fore the distinguished commander
I'VE have no music on board tho cap
, tain remarked, or We might wake the
passengers up with littc hop on the
| light fantastic &o
| Well, we replied, Cooking carelcssly
over the list on the passeA ser rcll,) We
1 must have some excitement, Tor the pas
sage is rea ly We rrisotae. h
Just at that moment, our eyes fell upon
name distin sui she'd in the annals OF di-
adlerit less pr. onage than the eel
ehrated Z ard and ventrloquist. Signol
/ Blitz Here was indeed reason for crying
| Eureka. and, forthwith we proceeded in
search OF the mysterious wizard la
few moments the Signor was found. qui-
city resting IN his State room, and th,
| whole difficulty (the occasion for elo
/ quence) eloqucntly aroused him. silt:
consented to create some 'harmicss fun,
as ho termed it; but it proved more tunn,
than harmless Rut without anticip.t NJ
the wizard entered the stewards apart
meut, and providing himself with IL few
huge slices OF bread, and obtaining som'
of his Little animate assistants, lie an
nounced himself prepared, out remarked
that we must select Il good subject, Tor OF
that selection depended the fun. w
entered the forward saloon noiselessiy
ann in arm, and advanced toward tin
,tqui.t, sleepy looking passengers, VIII
| Iwere collected together without aim o
object. While running our eyes rapid.
around the saloon in search of victim
our attention was attracted towards
| i n
black, who was attentiveIy reading. wv
/. 'nugged,' the Signor, pointing signifii
eantly at the young man, and received
from the former significant answer, b.
quiet movement of the hand. The Sig
! nor picked up stool, seated himself un
iceremonious y between the young strange
and the end Of the table near by. Thi
movement arrested the attention of tn
stranger, who looked up inquiringly.
You seem to be much interested /
in your book, sir, the Signor remarked
Yes, s;r, he replied, good book is
me preferable to to good dinner
Signor--that depends upon the lenet
OK time you have iasted. BY the way,
did not see you .at the dinner table?
Stranger-,No, sir, preferred m
/ book. @ iasgo 1g
It Signor-sOne dollar is too high for
It single meal; commend your economy.
Stranger Indignantly I'll can ei
when hungry. whatever the price! s.
Signor--I spoke of economy because
observed some provisions in your hat !
Stranger-Gn an offended tone)-'Pr'
visions, sir carry no provisions vi,