Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1867-06-08
THE OWE OF MUSIC.

We were seated in the cabin of a rive
steamboat There was a large number
of passengers, who seemed DESTROYS o
beguiling away the .tedium of the trip b,
contributing something to the genera
amusement.
Among the passengers was one long
iank specimen whom no n could fai
tic recognise as a Hoosier. He sat apart
from the rest, Notwithstanding, while the
singularity of his appearance did not fail
to draw many curious eyes towards him
At length, when all the resources o.
the company seemed exhausted, one OF
them turned obviously to our Hoosier,
and politely requested him to favor the
company with a song.
A song p said he looking up.
ayes, sir !; you sing, do you not ~
" did once. and I may add, it saved
my life,' said be.
Saved your life p
All were eager to hear how this could
be, and after some little urging, the stran
ger consented to crafty them.
-"You must know" said he, "that |
was one of the first to 60 to California
when the report first reached us at home
Of its stores of gold. It was nothing
then to what 1t IS nov-a perfect waste
in fact, with hardly a mark of c~iviliza-
ton, where now you can see fourishing
towns numbering their thousands of In.
babitants.
Being fond of adventure, I separated
from the rest of my company, aud deter
mined to find the way to the diggings
myself. One night found myself lying
on the grass, with my pack for my pill,
just gu the edge of a forest. It
not enter my head to be afraid until
it became somewhat dark, aud | heard
with fearful distietness the cry of the
wolf. i listened again and was
alarmed to find the cry coming nearer.
Evidently they scented me
At length a whole pack of bIood.thirs-
ty rascals came bounding on till they
within a hundred yards of me, and
then stood stock still, and then began to
draw nearer.
My hair rose on end. | was terribly
alarmed | %endeavored to think of some
possible way Of soaring them. Having
that they were terrified by fire,
lighted a match. They drew off a lit.
lie, but Immediately retraced their steps.
This movement vas repeated on both
| found this would never do
must think Of something more decisive.
3ut what =
! reeollected in my youth having atten.
ed a singing school for the space of two
.venings, during which | received some
ndIstinet notion of the manner of sing
ng "Old Hundred That recollection
aved me.
Without more ado, / began, and did as
IS well az | could. By the time | got
trough the first line, | noticed the wolves
egan to look a little wild and uneasy.
nd-will you believe it, gentlemen ~
aid the narrator, earnestly. before /
every individual wolf, putting
is fore paws up to his ears, scampered
way as II old Jack was after him p
A shout Of laughter both loud and
ing, followed this narrative, at the end
I which, the speaker, who had not stir
a muscle, gravely continued : !;
You see, gentlemen, | have been frank :,
,ith you | did not wish to take advan- {
'ge of your very kind and compIinenta-
invitation without forewarning you /;
ihe consequence. If after what | have ]
I'D you, you are still DESTROYS of hearing
e, | will endeavor to give you "Old )
undred,' which is the only song know.
to which, for reasons already given.
feel uncommonly attached
After that story he was unanimously F
,cused. ==5s t
-->-- o