The daily gazette., 1878-02-21
Eafbreed Dancins.
RExrrIsoENoE OF OLD H,oKo,

In Virginia an old planter, Major Ham
Icy, who was an oddty in his way. Some 4
said he was crazy while others declar-
| ed that an inordinate love Of fun gavo I
rise TO his quaint doings. He might be
called practical joker, and 1t was said |
| that he never allowed stranger to come /
and go without playing upon him one or |
more Of his ridiculous tricks. l.
One chill, drizz1y autumnal evening
q horseman pulled up at the Majory
door and requested Hospitality for the
night. He had wandered from his way
and u was now too late to rectify his
mistake. gn.D
He was warmly welcomed, and when
his horse had been taken in charge by
competent servant, and his saddlebags
removed, he was ushered into the great
llving-room. where q cheerful fire blazed
in the enormous fireplace and where
candles were lighted. flaoss aa,.y1l
The Major was q large, strongly built
man, of middle-age, bald-headed, rather
red IN the face, with an eye deep-set and
twinkling.
The guest was also of middle-age, tall
and spare, but compact and muscular.
with features of decided leonine cast,
strongly marked, heavy brows, and
shock of thick, crisp hair, that stood up
on his large head like the name Of q
lion. lr s ...rsl,-n.t ~.
Il Supper was announced, and after that
the evening passed on pleasantly. As
the clock struck nine the host arose and
excused himself for a few minutes
When he again returned he was accom-
panied by a negro who carried a fiddle
and bow, and the Major himself had a
large horse pistol in his hand. ..a7
my dear friend" said the host, with
: bow and a smile, eve must not let the
, evening pass without a little amusement.
From your looks L know you can dance.
, have one of the best fiddlers in the
world he learned to play in New Or
, leans, where music and dancing are cul-
tivated. So, sir, you will take your place
, upon the floor, and dance us a reel. Let
1t be a Scotch reel-you look like a
Scotchman. Come, make no delay.
: Strike up, Pomp." rl.
ol The guest protested that he could not
, dance. He had not done such q thing
since his boyhood. But Major Hanley
|, would not take no for an answer. He
: did not make many words. He cooked
d the guest if he did not dance. The negro
= had begun to tremble, and once or twice
4 he seemed upon the point of crying out
q but fear of his master withheld him.
a The guest seemed to consider the mat
4 ter. He looked at the major and at the
!, pistol. The man might really be insane
y though If he was there was much method
: lin it. However he was there alone
= none to behold his discomfiture-and
: mayhap, he thought, the tables might YET
: be turned. GFl r 81.
"Come-comel Dance, or 1 fire." d.
al The guest arose and stood in the middle
: of the room, and there began to dance to
the negro's music but the music wa
|, wretched-so wretched that the majol
d more than once threatened to shoot tn,
s negro ii he did not play better.
+ The poor wayfarer danced until he wa.
d fairly tired and then stopped. The hos
a was upon the point of urging him on
when a horses tramp was heard at thu
landing, and presently servant put hi
: head into the room and called the maste
0 out. Whether he forgot what he wa
o doing. or whether he cared not to be seei
n outside with the pistol we cannot say
L but he left it on the table when he wen
4 out. As soon as the door was closed til,
guest went to the table, and took tn
!. pistol in his hand. AS he had half sus
pected, it was not loaded it was as limo
cent as horseshoe. But the traveller haa
d his pistol ammunition in his pocket am
he quickly loaded the weapon with pow
n der and ball, calling upon the darkey b
Il witness
h Shortly the major returned, and hi
- first movement was to look for his pistol
y which he found missing
. "My dear SIR" said the guest, wit
q
d smiles--a smile, however, quickly TO
d lowed by a look that might have mad
d hero quail--'I found your pistol sadl
r deficient but have rectified all thai
You see L have my powder-fask an,
ball-punch. The pistol is loaded, sir
secundum drten. We will continue tn
le amusement by dance executed by tn
10 master of the house and let me assur
you that / can use pistol much bette
J. than can dance reel Dance, sir, o
"a by the enternal, I'll put a bullet threugf
- your legs, if not through your headp'
" The major was startled. There wa
something in the mans words that al
most lifted him from his feet, and too
away his breath; and in the look was
command he could no more have dis
u obeyed than he could have hushed tn
~ throbbing of his own heart.
IL He danced. The negro played noN
" with unction-played in manner to re
~ feet credit upon his New Orleans teacf
~ ing. More than once the dancer begge
at held by an iron hand, kept him moving
j. Had the weapon been aimed at his hea
N or heart, he might have run the risk c
the mans firing, but he really believe
at the lrate traveller would as lief break hi
ds leg as not.
At length the visitor went to the fire
n, place and discharged the pistol up tn
SniiuhCy, anu thC ihhJoh "t.o
sit down. As old Pompey passed hiI
y, he stopped, and ben over, and whispere
.h into his masters ear:
IN "For the Lor' massy's sake, mars
us don't ye go for to cut up any more. !.
az tell ye L knows de man! Whougf
10 who'd ebber forges i'm He's Gen'r
Jackson-der role Ole Hickory, an L
w mistake |"
he Major Hanley opened his eyes wild
of There is no knowing what he might hay
i" done, but as he was starting up, pale an
to affrighted, his visitor, who had hear
Pompey's revelation, put out his han'
and said with a smile:
Hold on, major. Not n word.
you can be satisfied, can. Let us hav
as bit of repose, and bit of punch wit
VA it,"
no The punch was brought, and as soc
re as the host could regain his spirits jolh1
ig- ruled the hour.
er- OF course the major had to tell Il
lg- story of the coming OF his illustrious Wis
tor, and through the weakness of his o
nd Pompey the rest of the scene leaked OF