The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1882-05-12
THE ADVENTURES OF A POET

Narcissus Brown was most estima-
BILE young man of studious habits. His
father, tradesman, had taken pride in
giving him liberal education. At the
age of 10 years, therefore, Narcissus had
finished his education, and had become
philosopher.
But youth is tickle. An ardent imagi
ination and restless instincts worked
their way, and, at the age of 19 years
and 3 months, Narcissus became a
poet.
Father" said he, one day, " 1 feel
within me the poetic instinct. am q
poet |"
Every well, my son." said the pa
ternal Brown, "be q poet, if You will.
So much the better, too" he added,
withproud fondness, "becauseit will vex
Green, the grocer. His son is q writer,
but he only writes prose"
So Narcissus became n poet. Every
day he wandered off to the village near
his native city, and there communed
with nature. The dusty trees which
lined the roadside moved him to poetry,
and even the wind-mills stirred his
soul.
"Ah," he would sentimentally say,
chow romantic they look See the
white sails glinting like those of fair
galleon gliding over the waves to some
far-off shore.
The sea He had never thought of the
sea before. The idea suddenly flashed
across his brain.
bright, blue, boundless ocean That is
the place for a poet. What is there
poetic IN this hum-drum life ashore
On the ocean man struggles with nature;
he combats the elements; he defies the /
storm. shall go to sea-"
He returned to the paternal shns, and
declared his intention. But Us father
only yielded after much persuasion. Al
last he consented, and ystde up pack
age of fancy dry good which he thought |
would sell well in tie colonies. To this /
he added O purss, some tears and his |
blessing, and Narcissus started for the |
nearest seaport.
There be repaired to the house of
cousin. q resident of the place; he |
stated his intention, and asked for ad- |
vice. The cousin was well acquainted /
with the Captain of brig which was /
about to sail for Martinique, and secured |
him a passage aboard OF her.
Narcissus experienced a slight shock
when he heard the name of the vessel
eff it were only little more poeti-
cal he thought. "The Undine, or
the Mermaid, or something like that.
But the Sarah Ami" And he asked /
the Captains name. When told it was
Smith, he almost tainted. He was to
sail aboard the brig Sarah Ann-Smith,
Master. He would have willingly given |
a larger sum if the Captain had nauti-
cal name.
AAlr@ r<N,-
his passage-money was paid. So the
next day, accompanied by his cousin,
he took q boat and went on board the
Sarah Ann, to see what she looked like.
On the way out the water was very /
rough, the boat was small. and Narcis-
sus at once hoped and feared some ac-
cident-something romantic. But he I
only got sea-sick 4
When he reached the deck he cast an
eager glance around upon the hardy
sons of the sea. Most of them were
swabbing the deck after getting In car
go, and there were several engaged IN
washing and hanging out shirts upon |
the rigging to dry. With an exclama-
ton of disgust, Narcissus turned away. |
"They only need hat-irons to be |
washerwomen," said he.
However he descended TO the Captains
cabin. That individual was talking to
q stout. thick-set man, and signed to
Narcissus and his cousin to seat them
selves. They did SO, and Narcissus i'm
mediately began to inspect the cabin.
To his disgust he found it was prosaic
little room, with a carpet, chairs, table |
and pictures on the walls-exactly like |
room on shore. Narcissus sighed, end |
turned his eyes upon the Captain. His |
ideal of the man who was to brave the |
elements and command turbulent crew |
was as follows : A mariner of giant frame |
at least six feet q massive head, fierce |
eyes. q voice of awe-inspiring qualities. |
He looked ut Capt. Smith, and saw
he was a short, thin man, about forty |
years of age he was extremely polite |
in his manners he wore a wig and took |
snuff. It is impossible to describe the |
revulsion of feeling that swept over Mar
cissus when he beheld this insignificant |
parsonage.
The individual who was talking to the |
Captain was, as we have said, stoutly |
built; he was n jolly-looking fellow, and |
was deeply interested in trying to beat
down the rate of pas
"Come, now, Captain" said he. /
"can't you put it little lower ?'
have only one price," replied the
Captain.
Narcissus thought of the paternal
shop, and shuddered.
Well" !" said the stout man. after
much debate, what must be must be. |
One condition, however I; my boxes must |
have air. and dampness will. injure |
them. You know what they contain.
30 1 want you to promise me that they |
shall not be put in the hold"
All right, said the Captain; "they
shall be placed on the orlop deck"
And 1 can examine them whenever
I like ?"
Whenever you like"
Well, here's your money" said the