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NEWS & PLANTERS’ GAZETTE.
B. G. COTTI, Editor.
No. 52.—NEW SERIES.]
News and Planters’’ Gazette.
teiims:
Published weekly at Two Dollars and Fifty
Cents per annum,il'paid at the time ol Subscri
bing; or Three Dollars if not paid till the expi
retion ol three months.
No paper to be discontinued,unless at the
option of the Bditor, without the settlemen of
all arrearages.
O* [jitters,on business, must be post paid, to
insure attention. .Vo communication shall be
published, unless wc are made acquainted ivilli
the name of the author.
TO ADVERTISERS.
Advertisements, not exceeding one square, first
insertion, Seventy-five Cents; and for each sub
sequent insertion, Fifty Cents. A reduction will
be made of twenty-five per cent, to those who
advertise by the year. Advertisements not
limited when handed in, will be inserted till for
bid, and charged accordingly.
Sales of Land and Negroes by Executors, Ad
ministrators and Guardians, are required by law,
to be advertised, in a public Gazette, sixty days
previous to the day of sale.
The sales of Personal Property must be adver
tised in like manner, forty days.
Notice to Debtors and Creditors of an Estate
must he published forty days.
Notice that application will be made to the
Court of Ordinary, for leave to sell Land or Ne
groes, must be published for four months—
notice that application will be made for Letters
of Administration, must be published thirty days;
and Letters of Dismission, shr months.
Mail Arrangements.
POST OFFICE, )
Washington, Ga., Sept. 1, 1843. $
EASTERN MAIL.
Bythis route, Mails are made up for Raytown,
Double-Wells, Crawfordville, Camack, Warren
ton, Thompson, Deariug, and Barzelia.
ARRIVES.
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, at 9, A. M.
CLOSES.
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, at Ij, P. M
WESTERN MAIL.
By this route, Mails are made up for all Offi
ces in South- Western Georgia, Alabama, Mis
sissippi, Louisiana, Florida, also Athens, Ga. and
the Nurth-Western part of the State.
arrives —Wednesday and Friday, by 6 A. M.
closes —Tuesday anil Thursday, at 12 M.
ABBEVILLE, S.C. MAIL.
By this route, Mails are made up for Danburg,
Pistol Creek, and Petersburg.
ARRIVES.
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, by 1 P. M.
CLOSES.
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, at 6 A. M.
LEXINGTON MAIL.
Bv this route, Mails are made up for Centre
ville". State Rights, Scull-shoals, and Salem.
arrives— Monday and Friday, at 9 A. M.
closes— Tuesday and Saturday, at 9 A. M.
APPLING MAIL.
By this route, Mails are made up for Wrights
boro’, White Oak, Waiter’s Quaker Springs.
arrives —Tuesday and Saturday, by 9 A. M.
closes —Monday and Friday, at 9 A. M.
ELBERTON MAIL.
By this route, Mails are made up for Malio
rysville, Goosepond, Whites, Mill-Stone, Harri-’
sonville, and Ruckersvilie.
Arrives Thursday 8 P. M., and Closes same time.
LINCOLNTON MAIL.
By this route, Mails are made up for Rehoboth,
Stoney Point, Goshen, Double Branches, and
Darby’s.
Arrives Friday, 12 M. | Closes same time.
O’ The Letter Box is the proper place to de
posite all matter designed to be transported by
Mail, and such as may he found there at the
times above speciiied, will he despa.died by first
post.
(JOTTING & BUTLER,
ATTOKNIES,
HAVE taken an OFFICE on the North
side of the Public Square, next door to
the Branch Bank of the State of Georgia.
October, 1843. 28
NELSON CARTER,
DEALER in
Choice Drugs and Medicines,
Chemicals, Patent Medicines,
Surgical and Dental Instruments,
Perfumery, Brushes,
Paints, Oils, Dye-Stuffs,
Window Glass, lj-c. Spc.
ReITMORTAR, i SUGVSTA, Ga.
October 12, 1843. ly 7
HAVILAND, RISLEY & Cos.
Near the Mansion House, Globe and United
States Hotels,
AUGUSTA, GA.,
DEALERS IN CHOICE
DRUGS AND MEDICINES,
Surgical and Dental Instruments,
Chemicals, Patent Medicines,
Perfumery, Brushes, Paints, Oils,
Window Glass, Dye Stuffs,
&c. &c.
ft Being connected with Haviland,
CHHBp Keese & Cos., New-York, and Hav
iland, llarral & Allen, Charles-
Bffi ton, they are constantly receiving
fresh supplies of every article in
jheir line, which they are enabled to sell at the
lowest market prices.
IT All goods sold by them, warranted to be of
th*j quality represented, or may be returned.
Augusta, August 1843. 51
JfHtorrlUmrMtft.
From Chambers’ Edinburg Journal.
THE WEDDING.
A BLACKWOOD SKETCH.
During a residence in America, no obser
ving person can fail to have remarked,
whether he travel iu Canada, the U. States
or Texas, the vast number of Irish families
every where to be met with. They bear
such distinctly marked peculiarities, that
no mistake can occur in attributing to them
their native soil. It has been my lotto vi
sit many of the settlements of these wander
ers from the green isle, but nowhere did I
meet any family which so singularly inter
ested me, ns one which a few months hack
was residing within the limits es Texas,
consisting of the father, mother, a son and
two daughters. Old Rock, or as lie is gen
erally called, Capt. Rock—a name doubt
less assumed—emigrated to America sev
enteen years ago: his family then consist
ing of two daughters ; for the son was horn
afterwards in the land of his adoption. For
seven years, the sturdy Irishman, (original
ly well informed and well educated, though
his early history was never known) conten
ded with (lie difficulties incident to new
seltlers, with various success in different
parts of the Union, when he was induced
to join the first band of adventurers who,
under General Austin, obtained leave front
the Mexican Government to locate them
selves in Texas. The family obtained a
grant of land as a matter of course, but old
Rock did not fancy settled agricultural
pursuits. To have round him a well stock
ed farm cleared and productive fields, and
herds of cattle, would have required a de
gree of perseverance and patient persona!
labor of which lie was incapable. He pre
ferred the life of a wandering squatter, up
on which he at once entered, and which he
has never since deserted. Building a boat,
old Rock embarked in it on one of the
Texian rivers, with his family, an old gun,
and a small stock of ammunition, and, fol
lowing the windings of the stream, did not
stop until he came to an abandoned log hut
or frame, house, where he thought he might
find temporary accommodation.
Os these deserted houses Texas has ma
ny, their abundance arising from various
causes—death from fever, the terrible civil
war, or oftener still, Lorn men having has
tily chosen locations and built thereon, be
fore it was found out that the spot was un
desirable and unproductive. Rock was
not nice ; if the neighborhood supplied game
he was satisfied. Sometimes an acre of
sweet potatoes, Indian corn and pumpkins,
might he put under cultivation, otherwise
the family lived entirely upon venison, wild
fowl, fish and oysters ; and it was whisper
ed, pork upon occasion. A reported fond
ness for this latter article was one of the
causes of old Rock’s migrations. No soon
er did lie pitch himself in any neighborhood
than it was said pork was at a premium.
Pigs certainly disappeared most mysteri
ously, though all threw the blame upon
Rock, lie ever averred the panthers, wolves
and stray hunters to have been the real cul
prits. However this might be, a Her some
months residence in any particular spot,
the family usually received a polite notice
to quit, and find another dwelling place.
Eighteen several times had the Hibernian
patriarch removed his tent at the bidding of
his fellows ; any neglect of such orders be
ing usually followed by the infliction of that
summary justice called Lynch Law.
When 1 became acquainted with the fam
ily, early in the autumn of 1842, they wi r.
residing on one of the tributaries which
pour into Galveston bay—known as Dick's
Creek. The son was sixteen, a small
made lad, who entirely supported the fami
!y by means of his gun, being one of the
most expert hunters l ever met with in the
backwoods. Every article not produced
by themselves—-their clothing being entire
ly of deerskin—was obtained by bartering
venison hams, which they always carefully
preserved for this purpose. Rock and his
wife were now old; the former, though
sturdy, moved about only in his boat, and
smoking by his fire, the latter doing all the
cooking. Miry and Betsy Rock, the daugh
ters, it would be vain to attempt faithfully
to delineate. Fat, brown and healthy,
dressed in petticoats and spencers of deer
skin, they were the most original pair it was
ever my lot to encounter. They could
neither read nor write, but could hunt and
fish most excellently well—and two adven
turous days they were that I spent in their
company. They had never seen an Eng
lishman before since they were grown up,
and my pictures of life at home enraptur
ed them. With the younger daughter Ma
ry,—the other was engaged to be married
to a Yankee—l became a prodigious favor
ite, and many a hunt in canoe and in the
prairie had we together. But to my story.
After leaving them with a faithful promise
of paying another visit, I found myself six
weeks alter, again at the door of the once
elegant frame house, where I had left them.
To my surprise, it was half burnt and des
olate. This disappointed me much, for I
had brought up several appropriate pres
ents for both my young friends. Pursuing
my way, up the river, 1 halted at a farm
house, where I found several persons col
lected, who quickly informed me that the
family had been “ mobbed” off the creek,
with threats of being shot if they settled
within ten miles of the spot. Where they
had gone to, no one knew, nor seemed to
care—and these parties being the very ex
tempore administrators ot justice who had
warned them off, I soon departed, and gain-
PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY MORN WO.
WASHINGTON, (WILKES COI NTV, GA.*) AUGUST 22, IS 11.
ed the house of my friend Capt. Tod, where I
I purposed ruralizing during some weeks.
From Tod I learned that two fat pigs had
lately disappeared and suspicion most un
justly, as it afterwards turned out, having
fallen on the Rocks, the squatter and his
family had to seek anew resting place.—
On hearing ibis, I gave up all idea of ever
again seeing my fair friends.
Three days passed in the usual occupa
tions of a hunting party, when, on the af
ternoon of the fourth day, I was left alone
in the log hut but to amuse myself over
certain lately arrived English papers,
while my companions were searching the
country round for some cattle which my
friend the captain was desirous of selling.
About an hour before sunset footsteps
which I supposed to he those of one of the
returning party of cow hoys, were heard
behind the hut, then at its side, and in a
minute more the latch was raised, and in
walked—Tim Rock. The young hunter,
having satisfied himself that I was there,
advanced close to me, and answered my
greetings. My first enquiries were after
his sisters. “ Why,” said he, “ sister Bet
is to he married to-morrow, and sister Ma- j
rv has sent me to invite you to the wed
ding.” “How,” said I, in some surprise,
“did your sister know I was here?” Tim
laughed and replied that, when I stopped
with tny boat’s crew at the farm house, he
was on the opposite bank in the big timber
hunting, but dared not communicate with
me in consequence of what had occurred.
After a few words of explanation, I shoul
dered my gun, my packet of presents for
the young ladies, and leaving a line in pen
cil for my friends, followed Tim through
the forest until we reached the water’s edge,
where carefully concealed by overhang
ing trees and bushes 1 found a moderate
sized canoe. It was almost dark when I
stepped into the boat, hut still l saw that it
already contained a human being ; so my
hand mechanically sought the butt end of
my pistol. “You won’t shoot mp, sir,”
said the rich, full, merry voice of Mary
Rock to my infinite surprise. Tim laugh
ed heartily at nty mistaking her fir an In
dian, and then cautioning me to speak low,
until all the houses on the river were pass
ed, we placed ourselves in the craft and
commenced our voyage. I knowing the
bayou to a nicety, acted as steersman. —
Marv sat next with a paddle, and Tim at
the how with another. It seemed that, de
termined to have me at the wedding, the
brother and sister with the consent of their
friends, had started to fetch me ; feeling
certain that I would come, after the promi
ses I had made to that effect. It seemed
that they had judged rightly ; for here was
1, in company with two of the rudest set
tlers in the wilderness, embarked in a frail
canoe to go I knew not whither nor did 1
care much This roving spirit it was, in
deed which initiated me into many secrets
and mysteries of the woods and prairies
which escape the more sober and methodi
cal.
The record of that night’s journey would
in itself be a curious chapter in western
economy ; but more important matters for
bid. Suffice it to remark that aftersixteen
miles journey down a river by moonlight,
and as many more across the rough and
sea-like hay of Galveston, enlivened by
merrv jocund talk all the way, we arrived
about dawn at the settlement of the Rock
family. It was a large deserted barn or
warehouse near Clare Creek. The family
were already up and stirring, and engaged
in active preparation for the important cer
mony ; and to mv surprise the supply of
eatables ami drinkables was both varied
and great—all, however, being presents
from the bridegroom, one Luke, a wealthy
land owner of Texas, in possession of much
cleared ground, and many hundred head
of cattle. It may be matter of surprise
that a man well to do in the world should
have chosen a bride so every way rude
and uneducated ; but in Texas women are
scarce ; and the lover might have looked
far before he could have found a more
cheerful and good natured companion—
more willing to learn ; more likely to be
loving, faithful and true, than Betsey Rock.
The blushing bride received me in a cotton
gown, shoes and stockings, and other arti
cles of civilized clothing previously un
known to her, and in which she felt suffi
ciently awkward. But Luke had sent
them, and Betsy wished to appear like
somebody on her wedding day. My pres
ents were all therefore, except a bead neck
lace, employed in decorating Mary who,
secreting herself behind a screen with her
sister almost convulsed me with laughter
by appearing in a few minutes after in a
man’s red hunting shirt, a cotton petticoat,
white stockings and mocasins, the body of
a silk dress sent to her by a Galveston lady,
and a cap and bonnet. Never was London
or Parisian belle prouder than was this
little rosy cheeked, light hearted Texian
beauty.
About eight o’clock the visiters bpgan to
arrive. First came a boatful of men and
women from Galveston, bringing with them
a negro fiddler, without whom little could
have been done. Then came Dr. Worces
ter and his lady from St. Leon in a canoe,
after them Colonel Brown from Anahauc
in his dug-out ; and, about nine, the bride
groom and four male and an equal num
ber of female companions on horseback,
the ladies riding either before or behind the
gentlemen on pillions. Ere ten there were
thirty old persons assembled when a most
substantial breakfast was set down to chief
ly consisting of game, though pork, beef,
coffee and rarer still, bread, proved that
j Luke had had a hand in it. This meal
being over, the boat in which the party
from Galveston had come up, and which
Was an open craft for sailing or pulling,
was put in requisition to convey the bride
and bridegroom to the nearest magistrate,
there to plight their truth. The distance
to be run was six miles with a fair wind
going, but against us on our return. The
party consisted of Luke, who was a young
man of powerful frame, but rather unplea,
sant features; the bride and bride’s maid,
(Mary Rock officiating in this capacity,)
papa of course, myself as captain, and
eight men to pull us back. The breeze
was fresh, tliecraft a smart sailer, the can
vass was full, all therefore being in our fa
vor, we reached West Point, the residence
of Mr. Parr, the magistrate, in less than an
hour. We found our Texas Solon about
to start in chase of a herd of deer, just re
ported by his son as visible, and being
therefore in a hurry, the necessary formali
ties were gone through, the fee paid, and
the usual document in the possession of the
husband in ten minutes. The eye of the
old squatter was moistened as he gave his
child away; some natural tears she shed,
but dried them soon ; and presently every
body was as merry as ever.
No sooner were the formalities conclud
ed, titan we returned to the boat, and to our
great delight found that, close-haled, we
could almost make the desired spot. The i
wind had shifted a point, and ere ten min
utes, we were again clean full, the tide
with us. and the boat walking the wuters
at a noble rate. All looked upon this as a
good omen, and proportionally merrier;
none more so than my own particular friend
Mary, who, in her finery, was an object of
much good humored joking from the men
who surrounded her.—About one o’clock
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Luke were presented
by old Rock to the company at the barn ;
and, after an embrace from her mother, the
bride led the way, accompanied by her
lord and master to the dinner table. The
woods, prairies and waters, as well the
Galveston market, had all liberally contri
buted their share of provender. Wild
turkeys, ducks, geese, haunches of venison,
were displayed beside roast beef, pork, red
fish, Irish and sweet potatoes, pumpkin and
apple pie, and an abundant supply of whis
key, brandy and Hollands, without which
a fete in Texas is nothing thought of. An
hour was consumed in eating and drinking,
when Sambo was summoned to take his
share in the nay’s proceedings. Tables,
such as they were, were cleared away, the
floor swept, partners chosen, and despite
the remonstrance of one of the faculty
present, Dr. Worcester against dancing so
shortly after a heavy mea', all present, the
dissentient included, began to foot it nim
biy. Never was there seen such dancing
since the world began, neversuch laughing,
sucit screaming, such fiddling. Every one
took off shoes and stockings. I was com
pelled to do so, to save the toesof my espe
cial partner, Mary, and to the rapid music
of the old negro, reels and country dances
were rattled off at a most surprising rate.
All talked and joked, and laughed, such
couples as were tired retiring to seek re
freshments, but the dancing never ceasing,
except at rare intervals, when Sambo gave
in from sheer fatigue and thirst. Such
was the state of things until about nine
o’clock, when a sudden diminiution of
our number was noticed by all present. —
Mary had before let me into the secret;
and the bride and bridegroom were missed,
as well as the four couples who had accom
panied Luke. Rushing into the open air,
we descried the husband and wife on their
fine black horse, galloping beneath the pale
moon across the prairie, escorted by their
friends. A loud shout was given them,
and those who remained, return to the house i
to renew the dancing, which was kept up j
until a late hour. It was four days after ;
my departure ere I rejoined my compan- J
ions at Todville.
Such was the wedding of one of those j
hardy pioneers of civilization, whose de- j
scendants may yet be members of a great
and powerful nation. I saw Luke and his
wife, as well as Mary, on many subsequent
occasions; but I never learned that the
American backwoodsman repented his un
ion with the wild Irish Diana, who had
hunted deer on Murtany island with the
English stranger, could paddle a canoe
with more e than she could use a nee
dle, and shoot a duck with more facility
than write her name. Luke, however, is
teaching her more useful accomplishments:
and Betsy, ere her children —one of which
I have already seen—are of an age to re
quire instruction, will doubtless be able to
render it. I hope, however, my picture
will send over no one to wed Mary, for
though I have for the meantime returned to
civilization, I can not yet resign a certain
faint notion, that there might be worse
lives than that of a Texian settler with
such an associate.
A good book and a good woman are ex
cellent things to those who know how to
justly appreciate their value; but there are
many who judge both only by their cover
ing-
Let no man ever expect to prosper in
this life, or gain the respect and esteem ot
others, without an undeviating course of in
tegrity and virtue.
It is a mistake to suppose that big heads
always contain the most intelligence.—
Some of them are like large turnips, rather
corky.
Arrogance can neither supply the want
of talents, nor adorn them when possessed.
From the Hartford Columbian.
THE OLD BOY AND THE OLD GIRL.
A LEGEND OF NEW AMSTERDAM.
The time; was the year 1690 ; the
scene; the growing colony of New Am
sterdam; the place, a snug little Dutch
house; and the subject of the following
tale, David Staats, and his wife. And who j
was David Staats? He was a little short
built fellow, not very rich, and not very j
i .smart. In former days he had been very
comfortable; but owing to after circum
stances, all comforts had long departed.—*
He had accidentally become acquainted
with Miss Amelia Gull. She was nearly
six feet in height, with a face of brass and
a voice like the sound of a cracked coffee
pot. Nearly fifty years of age, yet in
spite of all her efforts, she had never suc
ceeded in becoming a belle ; she had never
even received an offer, and, as time wore
on, she began to be seriously alarmed lest
it should be her fate to live and die an old
maid. Therefore, as a last resource, she
set her cap for David Staats. Poor David
was an unsuspecting soul. The tender,
languishing smile of Amelia Gull deceived
him, and in an evil hour he made her Mrs.
Staats. But, although he had un-Gulled
her, she soon found that slm had gulled him.
The pleasant glances of his wife vanished,
and in their place came a look partaking
I strongly of the nature of vinegar. Every
one said he was a fool, and he began to be
lieve it. She ruled him with an iron hand.
David never had much courage. He was
never able to face the wrath of a man, and
how then could he he expected to triumph
over the anger of a woman? Amelia’s
will was law. Whatever she commanded
was done, for he knew the penalty of diso- j
bedience Under his accumulating tor- !
tures, his flesh fell off; long drawn sighs!
frequently burst from his over charged j
heart, and it was very evident to all that
he was unhappy. Every body pitied him |
except his wife, and she extended her rule j
more and more every way.
It was exceedingly stormy night. The :
rain swept down in such to-rents that it
seemed as if another deluge was coming
to devastate the earth. The thunder burst
on high, as if the very heavens were split
ting, and many a fallen chimney gave evi
dence of the violence of the wind. David
Staats sat by his fire alone, musing on his
troubles. The storm without was unheed
ed ; there was a secret tempest agitating
his breast, which forbade him to think of j
any thing else. At las! he made up a
praiseworthy resolution. His thoughts be
came words, and he muttered something
like the following: “Thunder and light
ning, just as if I was going to mind her !
I’m her husband, and she’s my wife. Then
she ought to obey me. But instead of that,
she orders me round, just as if I was that
dog. Come here, Zeb—lie down ; you’re
my only friend,” he continued, as the in
telligent animal slowly raised himself, and
licked his master’s hand. “Now isn’t it
too bad that she should try for to make a
brute of me ? Well, we’ll see ; the next
time she says any thing to me, I’ll be darn
ed if ”
“ \ r ou will, will yon ?” he heard in an
angry tone, close to his ears. Gracious
heavens ! there she was, her eyes glowing
with anger, like two coals of fire. She
had entered the room unperceived by him,
and had heard the whole of his muttered
soliloquy. Take that for your pains!”
she said, and lie received a blow on one ear j
which nearly knocked him over; “and
that!” and he felt a similar application on
the other side of his head, which set him up
again. “ Now go and get some more wood ;
don’t you see it is almost burnt out,stupid ?”
“ But my dear, it rains !” said David, in
a supplicating tone, all his courage evapor
i aling out of the ends of his fingers.
“ And what of that ?” replied the gentle
: Amelia, “do you think lam to go? And
j how dare you bring that dog in this room,
with his muddy feet ? Come, off with
i you, both of you !” and giving poor Zeb a
! kick that sent him to the other end of the
room, ar,d raising the poker to pursue her
enquiries, the crest-fallen David and the
dog skulked out together, while the amia
ble wife, with a snigger, said, “ a pretty
fellow to talk of ruling me !—we’ll see, in
deed,” and went oft’ to bed.
David soon came in, dripping with rain, \
and with the wood in his arms; but al- j
though his wife was asleep he did not dare ;
to let in the dog, but, with a heavy heart, 1
left him out to howl in the storm. Sitting j
down to dry himself, he continued his
thoughts—this time, however, keeping them
to himself.
“Every one laughs at me, and they
think I’m a coward ; but I only wish they
would try it, that’s all. I wish I had never
married her ; or could get rid of her in
some way. I really believe I would give
my soul to the devil, if I could bring that
about.”
He accidentally looked round just then.
He started in affright, for sitting at his side
was a little man dressed in a full suit of
black. Could it be the devil himself ? He
glanced down at the intruder’s feet.
“So you are looking for them, are you ?”
said the stranger, lifting up his cloak and
presenting to view the prettiest pair of hoofs
that ever grew on man or beast. “Or if
you want any further evidence, look here !”
and unbuttoning his coat, he slowly un
bound from his body a long, black, beauti
ful, shiney tail, which he drew through his
fingers with all the ease and grace with
which an exquisite handles his silver-top
ped cane.
“ Now isn’t that a beauty ? I take par-;
51. J. KAPPEL, Printer.
tieular delight in it. Just see how soft and
silky it is,” continued iiis Satanic majesty,
handing the tail over to David, who recoil
ed in affright. “0! you are afraid of it;
are you ? Well ; some are, sometimes,”
he added, as he re-wound it round his body ;
buttoned his coat; and smiled compla
cently.
David said nothing, but he looked as it
he would gladly have been away.
“ It’s a stormy night,” said the devil,
starting anew theme.
“ Yes, s-s.sir,” gasped poor Staats :
“ How’s the crops ?”
“ Pretty well, thank you.”
“ Glad to hear it. Why, how cold it is
here. Why don’t you put on some more
wood ?”
“The w-w.wood’s w-wet David man
aged to get out.
“O! is that all ? I can easily fix that;
now see,” replied the devil. He put his
foot on the pile. There was a sudden his
sing; a thick steam arose; it filled the
room, so that no object was visible. When
it cleared away, the wood was dry. His
majesty piled it on the fire, until it was so
insufferably hot that David could hardly
breathe.
“ Ah, well now it begins to be a little
comfortable. I thought as it was raining I
would just step in and see you for a few
minutes. I was going for a small invoice
of souls, that are waiting for me at the
next town. Besides that, I intend to thrash
an artist, who painted me with a pair of
horns, which is an insult to my dignity that
1 cannot well pass over; for you must
know,” said the devil, “that 1 can whip
any person alive.”
Staats thought of his wife, and looked
I incredulous.
“You don’t believe me, I see; but I
| will make you a bet. I will free you from
! your wife and give you a bag full of gold,
if you find a person that will whip me.—
If you can’t find such a person, I can have
your soul. Do you agree ?”
A sudden thought struck the host.—
“Yes,” he cried, eagerly. The devil’s
eyes sparkled. He felt sure of winning.
They shook hands on it.
Suddenly David Staats threw the poker
over to the other side of the room. Next
the shovel went the same way. Finally,
he threw down with a great crash the
dresser, full of plates. This had the desir
ed effect. Mrs. Staats woke up.
“What’s that noise, David ?” she scream
| ed.
“You go to grass,” her husband answer
ed, as he imitated the loud bark of poor Zeb.
The lovely Amelia sprang up in a tor
rent of anger.
“ How dare you let that dog in again,”
shouted she, as she bounced into the room.
And, what are you doing here, you villain,”
as her eye fell upon the devil, who sat won
dering at the scene, and whom she mistook
for some company which her husband was
entertaining unbeknown to her. A smooth
ing iron was instantly raised ; his majesty
remembered his bet ; he trembled; he turn
ed to face the vixen ; the smoothing-iron
flew through the air, he dodged it; another
one was caught up ; the terrified guest
made a precipitate retreat; she followed ;
he gained the door ; she was close behind
him ; she caught hold of his coat tail ; he
stamped on the ground ; it opened ; down
he went with incredible swiftness, but she
still kept hold. The last that David Staats
j ever saw of his wife, she had hold of the
shrieking devil with her ieft hand, while
with her right she still pummelled him.
The eaitb closed up, and all was still.—
That night David lot his dog in, and to
gether they passed a more pleasant even
ing than they had spent for some years be
fore.
The next day he found at his bed-side a
large bag of gold with the follow-ing note :
“ Dear Sir : —1 acknowledge that I have
lost. You fairly took me in. If you had
told me that you intended to bring forward
your wife, I should certainly have backed
out. I send you the bag of gold with this
letter. As for your wife, I wouldi have had
hard work to carry her off according to the
agreement, if she had not come voluntarily.
But she prefers to remain in my dominions,
as the place agrees with her temper better
than any other.
Your faithful friend till death.
” BEELZEBUB.
“P. S.—Will you take back your wife
jif I give you another bag of gold ? She
| kicks up a terrible rumpus here. She has
; just chopped off three incites of my tail.”
But as David Staats never did take back
his wife, it ts needless to say that he was
ever after a happier man.
Shakspearcand Queen Elizabeth. —Queen
Elizabeth condescended sometimes to a lit
tle flirtation. Shakspeare was performing
the part of a king, Queen Elizabeth’s box
was contiguous to the stage ; she purpose
ly dropped her handkerchief upon the
boards, at the feet of Shakspeare, having a
mind to try whether her poet would stoop
from his assumed majesty. She was mis
taken—“ Take up our sister’s handker
chief,” was his prompt and dignified order
to one of the actors in his train.
We should like to know how any party
can hope to be successful which treats the
fairer part of creation with such marked
contumely as according to the Natchez
Courier, a speaker at a Locofoco meeting
in St. Louis did, by saying : “We (the Lo.
cos) do not ask, wish, or desire the appro
bation, waving of handkerchiefs, or smile3
of the ladies!’ .
[VOLUME XXIX.