Year: 1878

Andrew Jackson rs a Dancer and Prae.


tfcal Joi<er-A story from Tennessee


Philadelphia Press.I


Col. John B. Brownlow. in a friendly let
ter to the editor of the Press contributes the
following rather apocryphal Renaissance of
Andrew Jackson. We may remark, for in
stance, that 'Old Hickory was hardly the
man to quote Latin phrase in a backwoods
cabin. The contribution is interesting, how
ever, as showing the class of legends which is
current at this day III Tennessee, and which
keeps there the memory of the old hero
fresh


In the days OF our fathers there lived in
Virginia an old planter, Major Hanley, who
was an oddity in his way. Some said he was
crazy, while others declared that only an in
ordinate love of fun gave rise to his quaint
doings He might be called a practical
Joker, and it was said be never allowed
stranger to come and go without playing
upon him one or more of his ridiculous
tricks.


One chilly, drizzling autumnal evening a
horsefhan pulled up at the majors door and
requested hospitality for the night. He bad
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 cOmpe-
tent servant, and his saddle bags removed,
he was ushered into the great LIVING room.
where cheerful fire blszed in the enormous
fire place, and where candles were lighted.


The major was large, strongly built man,
of middle age, bald headed rather red in the
face, and with an eye deep-set and twink
ling.


1ne guest was also of middle age, tall and
spare, but compact and muscular, with fea-
lures of a decided leonine cast, strongly
marked, heavy brows. and shock of thick,
crisp bsir, that stood up on his large head
like the name OF a lion.


Supper was announced, and after that the
evening pas ed on pleasantly. As the clock
struck nine the host arose and excused him
self for a few minutes. When he returned
he was accompanied by negro, who carried
q fiddle and bow, and the major himself had
q large horse pistol in his hand.


my dear friend, y" said the host with a
bow and a smile, "we must not let the even
ing pass without little amusement. From
your looks 1 know you can dance. | have
one of the best fiddlers in the world; he
learned to play in New Orleans, where music
and dancing are cultivated. So, sir, you
will take your place upon the floor and
dance us a reel Let it be Scotch reel-yOu
look like Scotchman. Come, make no de-
lay Strike up. Pomp."


The guest protested that he could not
dance. He had not done such thing since
his Loyhood. But Msjor Hanley would not
take no for an answer. He did not make
many words He cooked the pistol and
swOIe that he would shoot the guest if he
did not dance. The negro had begun TO
tremble-and once or twice he seemed upon
the point of crying out, but fear of his mas
ter 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
lie was there was much method in it. How
ever, be was there alone-none to behold
his discomfiture-and mayhap, he thought,
the tables might yet be turned.


Come comel Dance, or 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 can
not say, but he left it on the table when he
went out. AS soon as the door was closed
the guest went to the table and took the
pi stol in his hand. As he bad half suspect
ed, il was not loaded; 1t was as innocent as
horse shoe. But the traveller had his pistol
anlmuHition in his pocket, and he quickly
loaded the pistol with powder and ball, call
ing upon toe darkey 70 witness.


Shortly the major returned, and his first
movement was to look for the pistol, which
he found missing.


sMy dear sir" said the guest with low
bow and one of the biandsst of smiles-a
smile, however, quickly followed by look
that might have made hero quail, IL found
your pistol sadly deficient; but have recti-
field all that. You see / have my powder
flask and ball pouch. The pistol is loaded,
sir, secundum artem. We will continue the
amusement by dance executed by the mas
ter of the house; and let me assure you that
l can use a pistol much better that can
dance a reel Dance. sir, or by the eternal,
I'll put bullet through your leg, If not
through your head!'


The major was startled There was some
thing in the mans words that always lifted
him from his feet and took away his breath,
and il the look was command he could no
more have disobeyed than he could have
hushed the throbbing of his own heart.
He danced. The negro played now with
unction-played in manner 10 reflect credit
upon his New Orleans teaching. More than
once the dancer begged TO be allowed to
stop, but that pistol, held by an iron hand,
kept him moving. Had the weapon been
aimed at his head or heart, he might have
run risk Of the mans firing. but he really
believed the irate traveller would as lief break
| his legs as not


The major was suffered to sit down. As old
| Pompsy passed him he stopped and bent
over and whispered into his masters ear
"For the Lor q massy's sake, mas'r, don't