Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-11-18

Politician "squnshed.' Etc.
For the PUBLIC LEDGER.
Twilight was fading across the river on
the evening Of the 5th Of December. A
few of the lamps were lighted on Main
street, and seemed to struggle with the
retreating daylight, each thereby injur-
ing materially the brilliancy of the other.
At this witching hour of eve | was
opening the west gate of that bJou of a
public park, Court Square, in order to
get to Second street. AS entered |
casually noticed that the Square was de-
serted, and, for future purposes, may
observe that my mind was, as usual, in
an easy, unconscious, thoughtless condi-
ton, happy state, FOR which, like other
great thinkers, / am distinguished. |
had proceeded to within few feet of
Jackson bust or statue, when a voice
in that direction called OUT
"Come here
No one else being around, assumed
that | was the party referred to, and at
once said: Are you addressing me?
"Yesl Step little nearer If you
please" was the reply.
But did no such foolish thing; for at
the first word of the invitation my eye
rested ON the usually set and placid fea-
lures of the ex-President, and conceive
INV astonishment and dread at beholding
Srotesaue smile and an unmistakable
twinkle of the eye appearing ON the
marble countenance while the head was
making series of friendly inclinations
toward me.
With the instincts of a general ] ar
ranged for speedy retreat which, with
sudden bound backward / commenced
in gallant style, when my trembling
limbs were arrested-much against my
will-by the same voice, that to my in
creased terror plainly saw proceeded
from the marble lips now flexible with
supernatural life.
hStay, sir! Surely you do not fear for
your personal safety. An instants re-
Election will show you that am not IN a
position to make any advances, ahem!
in my present position. Ny desire is to
|
when the first rays OF the moon strike
this bust of mine, ] must depart, 80,
tell me what was the meaning of the
public speaking here to-day, part OF
which dimly heard. Ihad just arrived,
but it takes so long to get this cold
marble into a pliable condition, that !
was unable to catch the drift of what was
said"
By this time | had somewhat recovered
my presence ofmind, and my curiosity be-
ing strongly excited, exclaimed, But
who are you2 and how in heaven s name
came you here in this strange cOndi-
tionT'
The wrinkles crossing the brow trans
ferred themselves suddenly in perpen-
dicular lines to each eyebrow, and with
an impatient frown, my strange friend
said
al wish for information, and | have no
time for gratifying your curiosity; still,
that Won NAV give ns q candid response,
| renlv that / was known on earth once
as President, or Andrew jackson; chat !
am here in obedience to a law obiiging
All shades to whose memory statues, etc,
are erected to animate them for some
hours osce every year"
@Dear mew exclaimed abruptly,
In that case, caa u, after all, be so
much of an honor to haEe Honnments
and statues TO ones memory
"Not by any means, replied nay
strange informant, dryly, bat il is all
inst and fair, for statues are seldom
awarded true merit or goodness, but are
the need awarded bloodshed, deceitful
dinlomacy or mock patriotism. Ask me
No more questions now, however, for
should snv other living soul come within
baar;ng nv iios arc sealed; / can only
sneak 10 one. and that at pertain hour.
Ipdaed tb;s ;s INV first importantly; so
NV r1S answer an - NV o1estion
M "Yas s;r - renlied. with great
.l..1nra o. ba;ng fartnnate enough to
,eas--e 'as ~ " Tbe snaaLing today was of
lSrSi toai ns,n.a I've rivsl candidates
= Po,,i'iS,a', :, ~, =, :, ,N. - Tanros.