The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-11-26
TOO NEAR THE STOVE."
A Story Of Tom Placide. tho Actor.


A popular comedian, whom we shall
beg leave to introduce AZ Tom Pacide,
in the course of starring tour through
the States was descending the Mississippi,
in fine spirits, plenty of money. and
sporting coat. There were divers queer
characters On board the steamer with,
whom Tom who, dearly loved fun, even
while amusing himself with their various
s peculiarities, was, nevertheless a great
tavorite. None of them, however, wooed
his good opinion more sedulousy and
kindly than any elderly backwoodsman
from the innermost depths of Indiana
now bent upon a visit to New Orleans
for the first time in his iifc This russell
looking antique, whether it was from the
comedians sporting buttons, or the never
ending llghtness and gayety of. his talk,
had fully made up his mind that Tom
was gentleman sportsman, and when
ever he SAW a small game going on, he
was careful in noticing the skill and
quality OF the players, tho stake to be
lost or gained, &C., and bringing Tom
al the various particulars
The gentleman sportsman was very
much obliged, Of course, for all this un-
looked for information, though he didn't
exactly know at the time what the deuce
to make Of it; when, one day, the conf
dental backwoodsman took him aside
and told him there was 'sthundeling
smart chance tor a pile' on one Of the
tables and it he had no objections he
would Ego in with him snacks !" Tom,
though highly amused at the offer, I'm.
fortunately for his knowing friend, de-
tested gambling in every shape he, there
tore, at once told his proposing partner
y that he was mistaken, and, in short, that
his fancy coat covered not a sportsman,
but player. 80
''Good gracious!' exclaimed the aston
ashed backwoodsman, lone Of them fell
krs as tumbles! I've seen EN-, once,
moren half naked, cuttin' up down to
Madisonr'
Instead Of troubling himself much in
explaining to his new friend the differ
ence between theatrical show and cir
eus show, Tom, highly delighted. retail
ed the story of the cards to various of his
fellow-passengers in such ludicrous
manner as instantly to render the old fell
the card-playing was another object that
had completely aroused the backwoods-
mans curiosity; and this was very large
and singularly shaped pine box, which
lay in the Social Hall, or general saloon
Of the steamer containing nothingI more
nor less than a huge bass fiddle, the prop
crty OF very reserved and gloomy-look-
Ing German, on his way South; prefes-
slonly.
"Placy," whispered tho backwoodsman
to Tom, one day-for hi had got very
familiar after learning that he belonged
to show-''whar on earth hev they got
n that box, think ye9 It's the onhunlan
ist shape I ever seed in all creation" ~:n
''Hush!' replied Tom, mysteriously.
Don't you know2' ....- 1872.
"Not I. I'm mighty dead guessin'.'
"Then it's bodies - echoed the startled
woodsman. You don't mean raul hu.
man bodies?" - II : rlE**,E.
"Bodies!" still repeated Tom, at the
same time applying his handkerchief to
his nose. taking them down for dissec-
ton. Belong to doctor On board"
The woodsman turned immediately
away, his eyes wild with horror, holding
his nose. At length, to crafty his insat-
liable curiosity, he yentured to inquire if
they were "niggers." .--.--.--
"White woman and her two Babes"
WAS TOMS cool reply. "One on each
side of her-accounts for the shape Of
the box" -.~---.~-- - -.
At this moment the pale, moody, un-
shaven violinist approached them, anG
Toms thoroughly deceived victim made
way for HIM, as if he had been the chol-
era incarnate. mi .$1ft85=.j$ Z
'Goes about diggin' on 'em up, does
he? muttered the woodsmau between his
teeth. in suppressed voice. "Why, it'll
oreed pisen!" and up an deck he went,
to breathe tho fresh air. Tom speedily
disseminated the story, also, among his
fellow passengers, who were so highly
amused with the joke that they resolved
to carry it on. Whenever, therefore the
horror-stricken woodsman was present,
care was taken to make wide circuits
whenever they had to approach the box,
using their handkerchicfs, and express.
ing much Indignation at the captain 70,