The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-04-04
for the Sunday Crsscsnhl
GEORGE WARRINGTON SNIFF.

On the banks Of Q muddy stream somewhere
In Mississippi stood, in years gone BY, the house
in which our hero was born. Il was a dingy,
dirty, tumble down, rotten house, such IS are
frequently met with In o trip through the pine
woods OF the South. la5 asisa f,i.4
The night was dark and gloomy, the clouds we're
dark and heavy, the water of the river as black
as Erebus, loud peals OF thunder shook the earth,
rain soon began TO fall, and the winds began to
blow. Slowly the hours whied away, and In
due time midnight came, and brought with it an
infant, long prayed and wished for. to cheer the
lonely freside. Now the household was happy,
the father was In eostaoies, and the Joy the
mother felt was beyond expression.
= The recently made father sat on 9 rude bench
before huge fireplace, in which burned great
pine-kDot; his eyes were heavy. and were soon
closed In sleep. When young Mississippi first
opened his eyes in this world of sin and death he,
like all babies. commenced an opera which most
married people are more or less familiar with.
So pleased was the 4" little angel " with his first
attempt at vocal music be conceived the idea OF
trying how high he could 60 In the scale; he there.
upon broke out with a few strains, strangely re.
sembling the sounds which We sometimes hear at
dead Of night, supposed TO be produced by tom
cats. The sleeping parent. forgetting for the
time being that be was papa, cried out " scat,
scatl" But the mewiDg did not cease, but. in.
bat to DO effect. A faint voice from the bed said
"Snif it's the baby; can't you tell?"
Sniff could tell now, but did not trouble himself
to make further Investigations; on the contrary,
fell asleep again.
To follow his extraordinary child through the
years which intervene from the time OF his birth
TO the time we catch him just where we want
him, would be extremely irksome to both you and
me. To cay as little about him as possible is my
intention. II IL necessary for me 20 mention that
he vas baptized George Washington, aud his
fathers name being sniff, his was consequently
George Washington Sniff. he was admonshedb by
both parents not to be an idle vagabond, but to
follow in the footsteps of him whose name he
bore. This lofty ambition was inculcated In his
young mind before he could repeat the alphabet,
and TO the great satisfaction of his father and
mother, he was always talking of it.. Muscular
exercise was ample. With little slip on, his
legs, feet and head bare, he ran about the farm.
Stealing through the fence, he would play with
the little "rigsn which belonged TO the sur.
rounding planters; these were his only com.
papions, except the pigs and the chickens. He
had rsvenous appetite for books, and had soon
devoured everything in his reach. The village
school could impsrt no more knowledge, there
fore George'sp pa determined to remove to city,
where the benefits OF slfree education and intro
duction into the best society could be enjoyed.
Their backs were turned on the old homestead,
and they were en- route for town.
In due time the city was reached, things were
soon comfortably settled, and the objects for
which they came were one night carefully pom
dered upon and conclusions made. It must be
remembered that George had grown, and was now
eighteen years Of age, had discontinued the use of
sips, and instead of bare legs, feet and head, he
wore pants, shoes and hat. y1sf r '-' OF
Bis sunt's father-in law was to give party;
he was rich, and the cream Of society. Georges
heart beat with delight when he received theinsi.
taton. At last the night arrived. Long before
dark George was ready, and the toilet of his
parents was soon completed. The residence OF
L. IL
theirs. just as the clock struck eight they en-
tered the hall, which was ablsze with light. Po-
lite servants led the way to the ladies' dressing
room, where Mrs. Sniff resrranged her toilet. The
our hero entered the parlor with his broad
brimmed white hat In hand that their eyes opened
very vide, spproximating the size Of q tescup.
Amer entering the paror, he walked to the Gen.
ter OF the room, touched his forelock and bowed
gracefully not knowing what 20 do next. he stood
where he was and blushed TO the tips OF his ears
and maybe behind them. He had straight, nut
brown hair, combed like that Of Louis Napoleon,
at least IS pictures represent his to be worn upon
hisl p and chin there was dirty fringe, which was
stff as hogs brisiles bis coat short in the
sleeves, and bis pantaloons defective In the legs,
not quite hiding his soied wooden socks; around
hs neck he wore deshy red crsvat, which made
his face appear like beet his shoes were highly
polished, and could be used for a steamboat II
they contained any other propelling power than
his pipe stem legs taken as whole he, like the
" grand nephew of Mr.. Martin Chuzzlewit, seemed
to be born for no other particular purpose than
saving looking glasses the trouble of rejecting
his sketchy notion Of face" upon their polished
surface.
After some hesitation, and sufficient considera-
ton, he took q vacant chair; ii was beside Annie
Jane Stokes, who was the prettiest lady In the
room. He turned 10 speak to her. but received
such freezing look that all his courage oozed
out from under his finger nails; be managed, to
her discomfort, TO commence talking, and being
ignorant of the ways of society. could not take
hint now and then he would say something,
which his father would call witty. and look st
Annie Jane to see If abe was laughing. To her
great relief, supper was announced. but George
asked the pleasure, and no one else appearing, she
had to accept. Ample justice was done to the
supper and TO the annoyance of everybody and
disgust Of those nearest, he smscked his lips, put
his knife In his mouth and then stuck Ii 10 the
butter-dish; after the meal be sucked his teeth,
making such loud noise that every one IN the
room heard il. He yaltzed twice, to the smuse.
men Of those who saw it. In appesranceit Yves not
unlike kangaroo performance, which Is some
times seen in Q circus.
After supper George could hardly walk. so full
was he ; to his pleasure and the relief Of Annie
Jane, bis parent determined to depart. Accord
Dgiy 1t was done. and after long walk. which
settled their hopeful stomach they arrived home,
and prepared to 60 to bed.
Cor x.tr nlr,ou ~ Wrrr Dr~rr