Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-08-20

. PitCApAltIAAphs the gnu lduy 4DlQeu 4tr
arms and replied:
'Mr. Van Buren,, that's a state Sc
cret!'
The officer was discussing a broiled
steak when Shelton entered the bar
On the table lay an official note, the
contents Of which gave the major lit
\ tie surprise. 1t ran as follows:
! I'VE have acceded TO the terms Of q proposed
| exchange Of prisoners, Just at hand, and you
I win at once release from custody jeremiah
I Mariner CLINTON, commanding
Ere the captain quilted the precincts
I of Fla.bush he sontrived to deliver his
/ thanks 70 his fair messenger.
1T was a terrible ride she said,
"but had a companion coming back
/ And now tell me, captain, why you are
/ so anxious to leave u.s.
''Ah, madam" whispered the priva-
teer, your porter is excellent, but so
is my song of The Yankee Sword
and I've sworn to make the major sing
! it,
One dark night, short after the
events described, as the buxom land
lady Of the Cross Keys was Industrious
" biting the edge of a suspicious six
pence preparatory to placing it with the
rest Of her honest days ''takings," she
was startled by gentle rap at the
door.
"Who's there?" she asked.
"The thirsty crew of the pirate ship
Falcon, hailing from New Brunswick"
replied a cultural voice.
why, if it amt Capt. Martinez" ex-
claimed the hostess, finging open the
door.
"Hush, my lass" grunted the cap
tain. "0ld man in his bunk?"
YES"
.'Him, too?"
'.Y.s
''Chairs and tables under the trees?"
''Oh, yes"
"IIere, boys, each of you fill mug
and go out there to the table. No noise,
mind!
The men did as directed and Capt.
Mariner, after few whispered words
with Mrs. Van Buren, (which seemed to
afford the lady immense pleasure)
picked up lantern and went upstairs
When, after the lapse of few minutes,
he reappeared, he was accompanied by
tall gentleman, clad only in his night
robe, who carried boot in one hand
and wig in the other.
This way, major" said the captain,
pushing him out doors.
Mai. shelton on the table for
songl" came in unison from the trees,
which We're now Illuminated by the rays
of rising moon.
''Now, my dear captain-ha! hal hal
Good Very good" said the shivering
soldier "But l don't sing at all, you
know; really dontr'
I'm afraid, whispered the captain,
''these men are desperate dogs. so you'd
better mount the table without more
ado, and give them The Yankee
Sword .
Here the majors eyes fell on Mrs.
Van Buren,, who had all she could do to
control her risibilities.
mount the tabIe-liLe this. cannot
Il will not DO such a thingr'
Click, went the locks of dozen pis-
tolls. and dozen voices shouted, as be-
fore: Maj. shelton on the table for a
song."
splendid shots, those fellows, whis-
pered the captain.
'0h, this is dreadful. And such
barbarous high wind too, Supposing
run up stairs and get my small clothes, .
whined the victim. I'm afraid you
haven't forgiven me for
''Oh, they'll excuse your appearance;
up with you!' and up the major scram-
bled frightened ont Of his wits, al
most, amid the roars of the privateers-
men.
But don't know the song, he sniv-
elled
You shall sing it after me. line for
line, replied Mariner, and don't you
back water at the last line, which is
three cheers for General Washington, or
there'H be plenty Of crows in this neigh
borhood tomorrow
Quaking in every limb the major, his
knees bent and his fingers convulsively
clutching the hem of his scanty robe,
sang the six verses Of the song in the
manner directed, and he certainly gave
the three cheers with vim, whatever
may have been his thoughts,
And now. said the captain. when
the applause had ceased, "onc of Won
run upstairs and get his breeches and
the mate to this boot and Wen be off .
The poor major looked at his perse-
cutor in horror at this remark
You see" volunteered that worthy,
were afraid the boys would quiz YOU
too much if we left YOU here, So we're
just going to run you over TO New York
IA prisoner of war;
That was how Capt. Mariner repaid
a blow.-Thomas Frost, in ~ Y. Her
aid
Hard to swallow.
The familiar stories about swallow
ing silver dollars, sets of false teeth,