The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-02-18
Roraer,a Fall.
THE AtsHAPs or a CoLLlERVIiLE MAN ON HIS
WAY TO THE MEMPHIS MARDI-GRAs.

THE AtsHAPs or A CoLLiERvli.LE MAN ON HIS
WAY TO THE MEMPHIS MARDi.GRAs.
Danbufy and Detroit are not the only
cities where ludicrous events happen TO de-
mure and wcll.meanng mer. Colliervlhe
produces an item Of interest occasionally OF
the same kind so frequently related by
Mcssrs. Bailey, Max Adler, and others.
Some days ago Dir. Porter, who does bust
ness on the east side Of the public square,
but little more than stones throw from the
dero'. had occasion to visit Memphis, and
prepared himself for going upon the mail
train which passes there at quarter past
O'Clock each morning. Becoming deeply
engaged In discussion with some of
his friends as TO the propriety Of taking
ladies to the approaching Mardi-Gras.
he was startled by the shril whistle almost
at the der 81 and the train moving rapidly.
The little negro boy had only shined one OF
Mr.. Porter's boots, and taken the other OF
his foot for the same purpose. No time was
| TO be lost, however, as the train is allowed
but one minute at station, and Mr. Porter,
pulling on his boot, ran out hurriedly, and
made good tine toward the train. 1t was
one of those cold. windy days, about the first
| Of February, and, as il to aggravatc the un-
easy Mr. Porter, off went his hat, and ran
| like thing Of lie quite distance up the
street 10 an opposite direction from that us
owner would have desired. 1t would not 90
to 20 off with no hat, so Dir. Porter reSalned
the same with some delsy, and made faster
time trsinward than ever. Now, this last
speed made matters worse, Tor Mr..
Porter, stepping upon bIckoat,
which turned, fell full length upon the
ground. Just then countryman's morse,
which had broken from the rack upon the
approach Of the train, came running py'
which caused those who had not seen FOR
tet's fall to say, "Portcr's horse has thrown
him. Others cried out, "Catch fortels
horse" Mr.. Porter was oblivious ailthls,
and rising up made again for the train, when
by this time was steamiug loudly and begin.
ming to move. MIR. Porter thought be could
make it, but knew it would take good speed.
1.-The new platform at the deTot, over which
he must needs 60, unfortunately, is so flat that
after a rain nearly half OF it remains covered
with water about ope.fOurlh of an inch In
depth. On this occasion the keen winds had
frozen the standing water into sheet OF ice.
DIR. Porter would have gone around
this but for cotton.bales which had
been laid on the dry places. He
pressed intently forward, therefore, re-
'
until he bad nearly crossed over, when both
feet slipped from under him in the easiest
possible manner. He sat down as gracefully
as any one would have done under the cir.
cumstances, but the descent was so forclble
he broke through the ice-breaking space
about the size OF q wash-tub. Here be came
J in contact with the coolest water he had ever
! felt, Just underneath the ice, which caused
his uprising to be about as rapidas his down
sitting. After this he walked leisurely to
the train, presenting ludicrous appearance,
! with mud on his coat and pants at some
| points, and water on his pants at other parts.
! His remarks reminded his bearers of all hea-
! then deilieS, and also of the old gentleman
who tempted Eve, when be found the train
referred to was only gravel-train that had
! run i'll upon the side.track to await the ar.
rival of The mail-train.