The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1878-08-03
II PACIFIC
GOmmertialAOOert
J.. CGUS 8.
OLD
Andrew Jackson a a Dancer and Practical Joker
Il story frem tennessee.

Col. John B. Brownl0w, in 4 friendly letter {
the editor Of the Philadelphia Press, contribute
the following rather a~pocryphal Renaissance o
Andrew jackson. We NAV remark, for instance
that &" Old Hickory was hardly the man &
quote q Latin phrase in a backwoods cabin. Tbs
contribution is interesting, however, as showing
the class Of legends which is current at this day
in Tennessee, and which keeps there the memory
Of the old hero fresh
In the days of our fathers there lived in Viz
ginia an old planter-Major ~Hanley-who wa:
an oddly in his way. Some said he was crazy
while others declared that only an inordinate
love Of fun gave rise to bis quaint doings. lie
might be called q practical joker, and il was said
be never allowed a stranger to come and go with
out playing upon him one or more of his ridicu-
lous tricks.
One chilly, drizzly autumnal evening a horse
man pulled up at the Majors door, and requested
hospitality for the night. He had wandered
from his way, and it was now too late to rectify
his mistake.
He was warmly welcomed, and when his horse
had been taken In charge by a competent servant
and his saddle-bags removed, be was ushered
into the great living room, where a cheerful fire
blazed in the enormou fireplace, and where can
dies were lighted.
The Major was a large, strongly built man, of
middle age, bald-headed, rather red in the face
and with an eye deep set and twinkling.
The guest was also of middle age. tall and
spare, but compact and muscular, with features
OF a decided leonine east, strongly marked, heavy
brows, and a shock of thick, crisp hair, that stood
up on his large head like the name of a lion.
Supper was announced, and after that the
evening passed on pleasantly. AS the clock
struck 9 the host rose and excused himself for a
few minutes. When be returned he was accom-
panied by q negro, who carried a fiddle and bow,
and the Major himself had a large horse-pist0l in
his hand.
"My dear friend, - said the host, with a bow
and a smile, W. must not let the evening pass
without a little amusement. From your looks I
know you can dance. 1 have one of the best fd-
dlers in the world; he learned to play in New
Orleans, where music and dancing are cultivated.
So, sir, you will take your place on the floor, and
dance us a reel. Let it be a Scotch reel-you
look like a Scotchman. Come, make no delay.
Strike up, Pomp.'
The guest protested that he could not dance.
He had not done such a thing since his boyhood.
But Major Hanley would not take no for an
answer. He did not make many words. He
cooked the pistol and swore he would shoot the
guest if he did not dance. The negro had begun
to tremble, and once or twice he seemed on the
point of crying out, but the fear of his master
withheld him.
The guest seemed to consider the matter. He
looked at the Major and at the pistol. The man
might be really insane, though if he was, there
was much method in it. However, he was there
alone-none to behold his discomfture-and may
hap, he thought, the tables might yet be turned.
"Come, come Dance, or l fire."
The guest arose and stood in the middle of the
room, and there began to dance TO the negro's
music, but the music was wretched-so wretched
that the Major more than once threatened to shoot
the negro if he did not play better.
The poor wayfarer danced until he was fairly
tired, and then stopped. The host was upon the
point of urging him on, when a horses tramp
was heard at the landing, and presently a servant
put his head into the room and called the master
out. Whether he forgot what he was doing, or
he cared not to be seen outside with the pistol,
We cannot say, but he left it on the table when
he went ont. As soon as the door was closed the
guest went to the table, and took the pistol in his
hand. As he had half suspected, it was not
loaded; it was as innocent as a horseshoe. But
the traveller had his pistol ammunition III his
pocket, and he quickly loaded the weapon with
powder and ball, calling upon the darkey to wit
ness.
Shortly the Major returned, and his first move
nent was to look for his pistol, which he found
.'My dear SIR said the guest, with a low:bow,
Ind one of the blandest of smiles-a smile, how
,uer, quickly followed by a look that might have
made Il hero quail, Il found your pistol sadly
but | have rectifed all that. You! see /
nave my powder-fask and ball-pouch. The p;s-
Ol is loaded, sir, Secundu3n arten. We will
the amusement by a dance executed by
ue mdSIBT OF Ine UUuSe, anu let Inc assure you
hat l can use a pistol much better than : can
lance a reel. Dance, sir, or, by the eternal, I'll
nut a bullet through your legs, if not through
head"
The Major was startled. There was something
n the mans words that almost lifted him from
lis feet and took away his breath, and the look
vas a command he could no more have disobeyed
han he could have hushed the throbbIng of his
wn heart.
He danced. The negro played now with unc-
ion-played in a manner to reflect credit upon
is New Orleans teaching. More than once the
ANGER begged to be allowed to stop, but that pis-
81, held by an iron hand, kept him moving. Had
he weapon been aimed at his head or heart, he
hight have run the risk of the mans firing, but
e really believed the irate traveller would as lief
reak his legs as not.
AT length the visitor went to the fireplace and
ischarged the pistol up the chimney, and the
was suffered to sit down. As old Pompey
assed him he stopped, and bent over and whis-
cred into his masters ear:
d" For the Lor q massy's sake, mas'r, don't ye
} for to cut up no more. l tell ye knows de
an Wough ! who'd ebber forgot i'm He's
enr'l Jackson-der rale Old Hickory, an no
istake - ;
Major Hanley opened his eyes wide. There is :
knowing what he might have done. but, as he =
as starting up, pale and affrighied, his visitor, '
ho had heard Pompey's revelation, put out his :
nd and said, with a smile: :
'' Hold on, Major. Not q word. If you can
satisfied, 1 can. Let us have a bit of repose- 4
bit of punch with it." :,
The punch was brought, and as soon as the host =
uld regain his spirits, jollity ruled the hour. q
OF course the Major had to tell the story of the -
ming of the illustrious visitor, and through the 7
eakness of old Pompey the rest of the scene y
lked out. =
Communism r