Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-10-16
House ApDOinteeS.

House AppOintees.
The ecton fool. James Polk to tho much
sought after position OF Doorkeeper of theHouse
cf Representatives, must be gratifying to bis
numerous friends 10 every section OF our ccun'
try. He is the immediate descendant OF the
Polk, of Mecklenburg county, North Carolina,
whose patriotic daring first set the ball OF indie
pendence in motion 10 1918. Ills grandfather,
Charles, who was the brother OF Ezekiel, who
was the grandfather of James X. Polk was as
distinguished for his military services as he was
for bis freaks IF froo and fuo. l have copy
of his muster roll f company 10 l775 that
marched to South Carolina to subdue the Tories.
Buths humour was as marked as his valour,
and won for him the sobrquet Of "Devil Char
ley.E3 and richly did he deserve it.
On one occasion bis father had sold some
property and was returning home at night with
the gold, when Charley waylald him on the
road, and pointing at his breast what the old
man imagined was horseman's pistol, de-
maoded "bis life or his money" The old man
delivered up the money and moved 10 double
quick time 10 his home. The next morn
Jog at breakfast, in no very amlabe hu.
mour, while be was relating to his fam.
lily his misfortune. the jeopardy of his life,
besot by several robbers with pistols. and the
loss of the money, Charley produced the gold,
excIaiming, IL thought daddy you knew IN 9th.
cr5 old brass candlcstick too we'll to take it for
pistol, and me too We'll to take me for 4 rob
b.r. The old mlu went for him" and
CHARLEY re,rratrd, and was among the missing
fur slvtral lsya, uoiI his fathers wrath was
over.
But Devil Charley's" freaks did not always
end 10 his favor Ga one OCCASION, returning
from shooting match, of which he WIS very
foud, with some boon companions, gentleman
was sen riding 10 what was then called q gig
vehicle resembling modern sulky, but more
roomy and more c|nmsey. As he approached
Charley said to his companions. 81 am going
to make that fellow get out and dance. ''Do
YOU knog him." Inquired his friends. mo,
Tut am goiog to mako him dane, any how"
10 vain his fiiends besought him to deslst and
let the man 90, but DO, said Charley, IL said
II make him dance, and you will see | will do
it," by this time the traveller lad arrived
within the distance when meeting travellers sa-
lutte each other. The gentleman spoke very
politely. and so did Charley and his friends.
STOP" said Charley, II said that would
make you get out and dance, and now | am 90.
Jog to do it," The gentleman in pleasing and
courteous manner begged that ho might be
permitted to continue his journey. mo" said
Charley, you shall dance, and The sooner you
got out aud do it the better for you"
SWELL" said the traveller, 81 am in hurry;
| am but poor dancer, but if you will permit
me to take off my heavy shoes and put on
pair of slippers have in the seat Of my gig, J.
will try TO crafty you"
Unthoughtfully Charley agreed, and believed
that he vas going to have good laugh at the
iudlcrous sight 10 prospect, man with light
pair Of slippers dancing with all his might,
without music, 10 the dusty highway.
The gentleman got out Of his gig, and very
quietly raised the seat Of bis vehicle; but, 10.
stead Of taking out pair Of light slippers, be
took out pair of heavy loaded pistols.
The eye of the mi Id voiced stranger now
flashed with anger and vengeance. Charley
was unarmed, and he began TO be uneasy. lie
saw. at glance, that he had committed grave
mistake.
Nov, SIR said the stranger, you dance,
or will blow your brains out."
Charley saw by the fire Of tho stranger eye
and his determined tone of voice that there was
no fun or fooling now, and he did not stop 10
party or to make any apology or excuse; and 10
prevent the stranger from putting biz threats
into execution, he went through all the
double shuttles and pigeon wing movements as
it he had been at corn shocking or 4 Christ
mas frOc.
No one lsughed--Do one smiled. The brow
of the stranger was knit with Indignation. with
two cooked pistols lcvelcd within a yard of
Charley head. Charley sWcatcl and danced
until bis suspenders broke, and, with his indis-
pensibles, he fell down exhausted and out OF
breath.
This accomplished, tho gentleman mounted
his gig and rode off,
Devil Charley" was glad thai ho escaped
with his life, and begged his companions never
to mention it. Old lawson Wilson, who was
q near relative of Charley, and who lived pear
Beottiesford, told me that he was with Charley
Polk on this OCCASION, and that Charley begged
and he promised never to tell about IT, but
that it was too good 10 keep and that the worst
ho ever got was from Charley for
telling it.
10 this day the tradition exists 10 that section
OF North Carolioa, and, uDquestionably, be-
Iieved.
From this stock, full oi fun and of stern in.
teerity, did Col. FOLK spring. i
. lie may moi consider himself, as his instrious
Predecessor did, "a greater man than old
clohi, Uilt Hc u SGhtutG lilc opinion LAaG De.
fore This Congress adiouras there will not be a
mere acceptable and faithful officer to the mem
bers, the country and every ono else than Col.
Polk, of Mecklenburg.
Col. Polk has appointed Mr.. Seaton Gales
superintendent of the folding room 10 place of
a. W. Fletcher, Of Philadelphia. Mir. Gales
is The son Of the late Mr. Gales, OF .he old Ma
tious intcliigencer. lt is said that Mr.. Fletcher
is to receive another appointment
Major s. K. Donovan has bccu appointed
Deputy Doorkccper CT The House. lie was a
Deputy Sergeant. Arms during the last scs-
sion. '.....
Colonel Thompson, serseant.at-A Arms Of the
House, says be does not intend to make any
changrg ia his subordinates
a5> How IT IS DoNE.-The first object in
IFS with the American poople is to get rich -
the second, how 10 regain good health. Tho
first can be- obtained by energy, honesty and