The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-11-05

Curious Mode Of Gettinga a Wife.
One little act of polteness viii sometimes
pave the way to fortune and preferment.-
The following sketch illustrates the fact.
A sailor, roughly garbed, was sauntering
through the streets of New Orleans, in q
rather damp condition from the recent rain
and the rise of the tide. Turning the cor
ner of a much frequented alley he observed
young lady standing in perplexity, appar.
emily measureing the depth of muddy water
between her and the opposite sidewalk with
no very satisfied countenance.
The sailor paused, for he was a great ad.
mirer of beauty, and certainly tho fair face
that peep out from under the little chip hat
and auburn curls hanging glossy and uncon
fined over her muslin dress, might tempt a
curious or admiring glance.
Perplexed the lady put forth her foo
when the gallant sailor with characteristic
impulsiveness exclailn ed:
That pretty foot, lady should not be soiled
with the filth of this lane: wait for mo-
ment only, and will make you path.
So, springing past into carpenter shop
opposite, he bargained for plank tina,
stood in the door way, and coming back
to the smiling girl who was just coquettish
enough to accept the services of the han
some young sailor, he bridged the narrow
black stream, and she tripped across with {
| rogulsh "thank you," and a rogush smile
making her eyes as dazzling as they could
be.
Alas, our young sailor was perfectly
charmed. What else could make him catch
up and shoulder the plank, and follow tht
little witch through the streets to her home
she twice performed the ceremony of "walk.
ing the plank" and each time thanking him
with one Of her smiles. Presently ouI
young hero saw the lady trip up the marble
steps of palace Of a house, and disappear
within its rosewood entrance; for full
moment he stood looking at the door. and
then with a wonderful big sigh turned away
disposed of his draw-bridge, and returned
to his ship.
The next day he was astonished with ar
order Of promotion from the captain. Poo
Jack was speeches. from amazement; ht
had not dreamed Of being exalted to the dig.
nity of second mates Office on board of one
of the most splendid ships that sailed ou, Of
the port Of New Orleans. lie knew that h,
was competent for instead of spending his
money for amusenents, visiting theatres
and bowling alleys on his return from sea
he purchased books and became quite stu.
dent, but he expected years to intervene
before his ambitious hopes would be realized
His superior officers seemed to look upon
him with considerable leniency, and gave
him many fair opportunity of gathering
marine knowledge; and in a year the hand
some gentlenanly young mate had acquires
universal favor in the eyes of the porlly
commander, captain Hume, who had first
taken the smart little black-eyed fellow with
his neat tarpaulin and tidy bundle, as cabin
boy.
One night the young man, with all the
officers, was invited to an enter tainment al
the captains house. He went and to his
astonishment mounted the identical steps
up which two years before had tripped The
bright vision he had never forgotten.-
Thump went his heart, as he ushefed into
the great parlor. and like sledge hammer
it beat again when Capt. Hume introduced
his blue eyed daughter, with pleasant
smile, as, 1.-THE young lady once indebted to
your politeness for safe and dry walk
home" His eyes were all blaze, and his
brown cheek flushed hotly, as the noble cap
tain sauntered away, leaving fair Grace at
his side. And in all that assembly there
was not as handsome couple as the gallant
sailor and the "pretty ladie."
TWAS only year from that time the
second mate trod the quarterback, second
only in command, and part owner with the
captain, not only in his vessel, but in the
affections of his daughter, gentle Grace
Hume, who had always cherished respect,
to say nothing of love for the bright eyed
sailor.
His homely but earnest act Of politeness
towards his child, had pleased the captain,
though the youth knew 1t not, was the cause
Of his first promotion. So that now the old
man has retired from business, Harry Wells
is Captain Wells, and Grace Hume, accord
ing to polite parlance, Mrs. Captain Wells.
In fact, our honest sailor is one Of the rich
est men in the Creeent City aud he owes,
perhaps, the greatest part Of his prosperity
to his tact and pol;tcness in crossing tho
street