The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1866-06-20
ESTABLISHED A. D. 1882.
ADVENTURE ON THE MISSISSIPPI.

VhL Wv luL lUlOoiOOII u
Everybody, at least, everybody with q
memory twenty years old, has heard of Ban.
ward rreat picture of the Mississippi, but
a certain amusing adventure of his while
engaged in the preparation Of his work is
not so generally known, and unless it should
he so fortunate-like many another good
story-as to be marred in the telling, we
venture to predict in its favor the verdict il
deserves hearty laugh.
Among other plans 10 which the artist
resorted to raise money wherewith to prose
cute his design, was the fitting up of fiat
boat as museum of paintings, which he
ttoated from town to town, exhibiting his
collection as he went He stopped ''posi-
lively for one night only" at the town of
Commerce, Mississippi-the same, we be-
lieve, at which the Indiana missionary ex-
! patiated on the "Harp of a Thousand
Strings" from the head of cask of spirits
which he proceeded to retail to the audiance
at the close of the exercises, in quantities to
suit purchasers.
As the exhibition was about to begin, Mr..
Banvard was aecosted By consequential
looking individual, of that unmistakaby
Podsnappish type, whose word, within a
more or less limited circle passed for law,
and from whose decisions there is no appeal.
Stranger, have you license for this ere
show.
Mr. Banvard replied that the exhibition
was not within the limits of the town, and
| that he had license from the State author
tiles which, he presumed was entirely sufi-
cient
You re slightually mistaken thar, Mr..
Snowman persisted the other; "the fact
is, we calkilate on this ere bein considera
BILE of town one of these days, and seein
we're a little short in our treasury, and
seem You mus, be maxim a right smart
sprinkEn' off the place, it IS nuthin morc'n
ia r you should leave portion of it behind
you, SO jest fork over, Mister, if you please,
and save trouble" Adding that in the
absence Of the squire, who was away at a
shootingmatch, he felt called upon to see
that the municipal intere: is suffered no de-
triment.
Banvard saw he had an ugly customer to
deal with, and knew the character of the
population sufficiently well to be aware that
the easiest course was the best 1t was evil
dent that a word from this self-constituted
collector of the public dues would be enough
to raise the town, and what would be raised
next was scarcely matter of speculation
10 ''dornit" the boat and smash to "finders"
the ''7nenage1y. would have been among
the most conservative of the measures sug-
gested.
What is the cost of your license?' in
CURED the exhibitor
II don't know, adzactly, but it's some
whar in the neighborhood Of ten dollars. -
S'posiu we cal it ten?"
Ten dollars! my dear sir have not ta-
ken in over eight.
Cant help that. so dough over the ten
or III ont the possun, con,e-ot-Ns agin this
boat and distress the consarn accordin to
law"
But some other law adding citizen may
demand another ten dollars Oh a similar
plea"
IN take the responsibility on behalf Of
my fellow citizens, and as I'm about the on
ly responsible man in the place. among gen.
tlcmen my word ought to be sufficient
We'll, sir, since you resume the respon-
slbility, be good enough to sit down and look
at the paintings, and when the exhibition
IS over l will settle your claim, my business
calls me at present.
Mr.. Consequence yielded magistera!ly
gracious assent, apd walked with a stately
step into the rooms where the ''pieter show
was goining on. Mr. Banvard, in the mean
time. saw one of his hands, and gave orders
to let 60 all the lines on board except the
bow line, and have everything ready for
starting TIA moments warning.
: AS soon as the exhibition was over the
tor remained to demand his money.
step into the cabin with me, and you shall
have it,
And back they walked while one Of the
exhibition room. just as they reached the |
cabin, Mr.. Banvard, by accident of cousse,
extinguished the only remaining lamp, and |
both were in utter darkness. Meanwhile, |
all the spectators left the boat. and she |
swung round, held by the single line at thu
bow. while the current was rushing swiftly |
past. 1t was the intention of Banvard-
and to that end he had give instructions
that the line should be cast loose as soon as
the last spectator had reached the shore. -
But the last spectator saved this trouble; for |
seeing the situation Of the boat, and igno
rant that the Squiro's duputy was still on
board, he thought ii too good joke to be |
lost to cut the line and send the Snowman
adriit-a feat which he speedily and dex-
trously accomplished with his bowie knife,
and then ran off. The hands Immediately |
drew in what remained Of the rope and pol.
ed but noiselessly into the stream; and in |
less than minute the vessel, with all on
board, was borne away on the broad bosom
Of the Mississippi at tn. rate OF six miles all |
hour.
Come, make haste" 7" sid Consequence,
after Mr.. Q. had succeeded in striking |
light; '1'm in an ALFRED hurry
Certainly, sir, as soon as | find the key |
of my trunk. As have already told you,
my receipts tonight were only eight dollars,
and must get the balance from my trunk,
Can you change twenty dollar bill?"
"Well jist can. boss, I've got to 60 to
court tomorrow, and I've jest ten dollars in
my pocket to pay expenses; so fotch along
yor BILL"
Eyes, sir, as soon as I can find the key
of the trunk"
Hang it ALL" exclaimed Consequence.
who began to grow inpatient, if not suspe-
cious, at the delay; ''aie you going to keep
me here oil night? Didn't 1 tell you I was
in hurry"
"My dear tir, / am doing my utmost to
expedate your departure. Where can l
have put the key?'
''Blast the key! Give me the eight dol
lars and let the balance 60; we wont quar-
rel about trifes. Do you hesr?''
"Yes, / hear" said Banvard, reaching
over the head of his berth and taking down
a loaded revolver. .r.sn
At the sight of the pistol the fellow re-
treated to the door, shouting at the top Of
his voice:
Hello boysl come ahead! Come ahead,
say"
you'll have TO call little louder than
that to be heard in town, responded one of