The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-03-22

young men of this city regarding my friend
Skymme Mike; but up 10 this time, In one way
or another. my kind purpose has met with con-
slant Illustration.
This world OF ours, contend, is decent
enough sort Of world in its way-not very vio-
lently good. perhaps; but still the observant
mind can always find in it something of consola-
ton and comfort-snd such a something is
skymme Mike.
/ have referred to Mike on one or two pre-
vious occasions in q manner to let the reader IN
derstand that he is a most proper young man !;
but his character is one which deserves develop.
ing; and developed it shall be il the goddess who
presdes over proper young men will deign to
smile upon me.
have known Mike for several years. The way
i happened to form his acquaintance was after
this wise: was walking with Chiz on Britannia
street one afternoon IN June, and we had pro-
lopged our stroll rather beyond the usual limits.
The sidewalk for some squares had become
almost deserted, when, at a little distance, be-
held the subject OF this memoir approaching. As
! Afterwards learned, he had been indulging in
the ramble which it was his custom to take daily
among the grassy lots and pastoral scenes Of the
upper suburbs. When my eyes first rested on
HIM, his hat was held carefully in his left hand,
while with bis right he was delicately-what
shall term i'll wipng is too gross q participle.
For the lack of better l will say--caressng his
pale brow with a most exquisitely unrumpled
handkerchief, which he had half uDfOlded for the
purpose and which, after concluding the opera
ton. he folded again punctiliously and replaced
in his left breast pocket. As mutually drew
near. he resumed his hat, and enjoyed an excel.
lent opportunity Of observing him in detail.
BE was tall and slender, with, good deal of
what would have been the air young ladies call
dtsttn9ue in his appearance. except for an unfor-
tnnate angularily to the upper portion Of his
form, and general limberness of look about the
lower-his legs seeming { 10 use the words Of the
irreverent Chiz) las though. if he were taken up
aud popped, they would crack like whip lashes.h
His hat was felt of the shade known as mixed
monse," AID possessing that perfect fullness of
outline and that unruffied glossiness of surface
which become the hats and characters of proper
young men. His coat was of diffident snuff.
color. and duly buttoned without a wrinkle, save
ss saw when we separated, slight corrugaton
just above the hips behind. This arose, however,
from the inward curve of the spinal column, con.
sequent upon q dignifed department, and
only another argument in his favor. Dove tinted
trousers tortoise-shell eye-glass and heavy
walking boots completed bis correct costume.
As the ceremony of introduction was performed
be sttlened his back raised bis shoulders and ee-
waiting his hat half an inch, said measuredly, "
assure you, most happy, Mr.. Jocko.p After
decorous pause, ventured on the remark that II
was pleasant evening. Yee,Air Jock0, )" replied
he, and have been improving my opportunity.
II Is Ead," Mr.. Jocko, " continued Mr.. Mike
Ito observe how little regard is shown to oppor-
tunity by the young men of the day." | sssented
politely, and he went on. at has been
strongly said-ss we are speaking Of opportuni-
ties, am reminded of it-it has been said, Mr..
Jocko, that mans extremity is Gods opportu-
nifty; and | am compelled to acknowledge 10
myself-it pains me, Mr.. Jocko-" " Hold on,
Mr.. Mike y interrupted Chiz, whose attention
had been so absorbed watching two small pigs
execute ii Baccio in the gutter, with the asss-
lance Of the mutual snouts that he had lost the
thread Of the conversation, Hold on, I've got
the very thing tor il here-set yOu up iu three
shakes six drops well rubbed in and half tea.
spoon internay--acts like charm--wat mo-
menf. All here ii liking of Pain-capital
thiDg-tried IT often myself-where does it hurtr'
Mr.. Mike was much confused, and we separated
burriedly amid profuse apologies on the part of
Cbiz tor what he still calls his painful mistake.
Skymme Mike is OF opinion that little drops of
water, little grains Of sand 60 very far towards
ehecting the Atlantic Ocean and the continent OF
North America: from which be deduces the corol
larry that the efforts even of proper young men
are valuable, if exerted sensibly, in which deem
him entirely correct. Indeed, speaking in gene
raj terms, he is correct in all things, and the only
weak point in his character-if weakness it can
be called-is his fondness for soda-water and
spoDge-cake. He has such dislike, however.
for the noise and hustle of the public fountains
that be seldom over-induiges ia the former; bat
10 the latter, Ihave II on the authority of Miss
hokasyne Cenfipede, who considers 1t a beautiful
that be has been known to consume at one sit.
ting no less than seventeen slices of Boulanger's
best.
AID impression was made on Mr.. Mike in his
youth by the text which states that in that day
shall thy brothers. soul be demanded of thee. He
accordingly svals himself of every opportunity
10 prepare for that emergency by rectfying the
ardent spirits Of heyoung, and keeps his pockets
provided with tracts for the purpose. He has PEE
culiar penchdntfor beggars. BE never refuses aims
but always adds tract. These are principally
directed against the sins OF avarce and covetous-
ness, though for very young merdicsnts he gene
rally slips IN tive or three each Of g Bill Dodgers,
the Child Of Wrsth,n and "Eliphaet 0sgood, the
Boy Preacher" as he may have occasion to
threaten or allure. IL is edifying to see him be-
stow one of these with five cent note and a
mild look.
He is somewhat addicted to music and musical
instruments, preferring sacred compositions and
the ACCORDION.
The latest trouble Mr.. Mike has encountered is
SeIah. Not young lady of that name, for he is
answering in devotion 20 Miss Centipede. II is
Selah of the Psalms which disquiets Mr.. Mike
and curdles the sweet current of his life. he
csnnot find out what ii means. He reads the Com
mentsries sedulously but the commentators diff
fer. What the result will be of course cannot
say, but although hope for the best must con-
fess that consider Skymme Mike to be at pres
ent in most critical state. J0CKo.