The weekly Shasta courier., 1873-11-29
ANECDOTES.

A SEVERE SALUTE.-A most ridiculous
affair happened in the Rio harbor recent
ly. An ice ship from Boston entered
the bay, commanded by a Captain Green,
in the South American trade. Port
Santa Cruz, not recognizing his house
flag, ordered him to "heave to-" But
the worthy skipper didn't speak Portu-
guese, and the simple statement of the
name of his vessel, which he hurled at
the fort, was not at all satisfactory; so q
blank shot was fired as mild suggestion
for him to stop. But he called for his
revolver, and pointing it skyward, fired
six successive shots.
Then a solid shot from the fort skip
ped across his bow, and another, better
aimed, passed through his fore sail.
The fort and two shore batteries opened
fire upon him, and several of his light
spars were cut away. But he held on
his way rejoicing, loading and firing his
revolver. Finally he reached quaran-
tine, and came to anchor Just as his fly
ing jib-boom went by the board. He
was then so near the other shipping that
they dared fire on him no longer, and
the police boat, the Custom House boat
and tine health boat all boarded him to-
gether with the captain of theport, who,
with more vigor than politeness, wanted
to know "Why in - he didn't heave
tor ''Heave tor calculated the as
founded skipper, "Was that what you
wanted? Good Lord! thought you
was saluting the American fagp' "Di-
able!" shouted the officers in chorus,
and set the case down as additional evil
dence of the lunacy which they regarded
as necessary ingredient of the Ameri-
can character.-BrazI Correspondence
Of Springfield Union.
TIM RYAN's PAYMENT OF AN OLD DEBT.
The pony, Flanagan, and myself
were a good deal surprised to overtake
a traveller. Something about his attire,
and his cute expression, made me think
he was an Irishman who had returned
from America. And it proved was
right. My guide gave him good-day,
and made the usual personal inquiries.
81 have come from America, ma'am,
and am going to see my mother, who
lives up in the mountains, by Cashla
Bay back"
was warm in my praises of his duti-
full conduct.
With little laugh, he said: "I came
for that and one other thing"
'"To be married, perhaps?"
''No, your honor, ma'am, it was just
for bit of skull-cracking. Indeed,
ma'am, saving your presence, Ill tell
you all about it. About five years ago
went to Spiddle fair, being then in the
mind of going to America the month af-
ter. It's grand fair, with great many
pig -jobbers and cattle-dealers in it, and
they II drink poteen like water. I met
a boy there, one Magraw, who fourished
ahead of the whole fair. was not half
his size, because he swelled himself up
with his conceit, and kept mine to my
self; but I could not bear to see him
calling himself better boy than myself
So dared him out, and I got the great
est beating ever got in my life. In
deed, I did not think there was a sound
bone in my body. But promised to
pay him back with interest, even if I
was leaving for America, and have done
it. In five years I got good work in
America, good health, and money to the
fore; SO made up my mind to go to
Spiddle fair this year to pay Magraw his
interest, and then tramp up the hills to
the old cabin. It was the last day of
the fair when I arrived at Splddle, but
I had not been there an hour when
heard voice like Magraw's come from
the door of shebeen. AS soon as 1 ap-
preached, Magraw's head came out, and
I tapped it with my blackthorn stick,
and he dropped. cried out, That is
the principal, and if you will stand up
will give you the interest And then
half the fair gathered round and cried:
1T is Tim Ryan come from America to
beat Magrawp And they made ring
for us, and although 1 shouldn't say it
myself, ma am, they told me afterward
hat it was as pretty fight as they had
tver seen. The whole fair was talking
ebout it. Indeed, did give him prin-
aipal and interest, and he is now laid up
en- his cabin to count them. So now ]
am going to see my mother, and can
then return to America with nothing on
my mind. d."-Hnpers Magazine.
The PRIEST AND HIS DINNER.-An
Irish priest was standing at the corner
of square about the hour of dinner
when one of his countrymen, observing
the worthy father in perplexity, thus
addressed him:
go, Father OLeary, how is your riv-
erence?"
Nightly put out, Pat" was the re-
''Put outl Who'd put out your river
ence?'
"Ah, you don't understand, that
is just it. I am invited to dine at one Of
the houses in this square, and I have
forgotten the name, and never looked
at the number, and now it is nearly one
o'clock"
"Oh, is that all ?" was the reply
"Just now be aisy, your riverence; I'll
settle that for you"
So saying, away flew the good-natur.
ed Irishman around the square, glanc.
ing at the kitchens, and when he discov.
cred fire that denoted hospitality, he
thundered at the door and inquired:
"Is Father O'Leary here?"
As might be expected, again and again
he was repulsed. At length an angry
= footman exclaimed:
"No; bother on Father O'Leary, he is
not here, but he was to dine here to-day,
and the cook is in rage, and says the
dinner will be spoiled. All is waiting
for Father OLeary."
Paddy, leaping from the door as if the
steps were on fire, rushed up to the as
tonished priest, saying:
''All is right, your riverence; you
dine at forty-three, and mighty good