Southern post. (Macon, Ga.) 1837-18??, February 10, 1838, Image 2

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mu cal the;# places is exceedingly line, tncre Lcii-.cr a get -t variety of winil insti ument.-,. V aicii p \ c peculiar-effect to the beautiful Span- L’i a>rs. Not only do the hig'iest and weal liiicst abandon their houses for the night, foi these purposes, bat the of the city and neighborhood, attend with their families, ane the proudest grandees might be seen mingling in good humor and affability with their trades people and others, few persons being refused admission who arc well dressed and of “ good behavior.” 1 had waltzed several times during the eve ning, not having found the slightest difficulty in procuring partners, the Spanish women be ing passionately fond of the waltz, although chary in getting up with a stranger —whom they are not assured is practical in it. The contra danza , however, 1 had as yet never at tempted—il not being so well known in Eng land twenty years ago as it has since become; and having expressed my desire to make a l>e ginlng to a “ charmingcreetzure ” with whom 1 had waltzed more than once, she good na turcdly offered me her hand, and in another moment I found myself much more au fait to it than l had imagined. It was the beauteous and accomplished Pepita de Perulto, or La Marquisita, as she was designated by her friends. Some time later in the evening I was sitting beside Pepita, her father being on the other side of her, and her mother, the marquesa, on my right, conversing with them about some relatives of theirs with whom it happened 1 was well acquainted, when suddenly all eyes became riveted to the grand entrance of the salon in which we were, within which stood a figure whose appearance was strangely at va riance with the surrounding scene. “El loco / cl loco ! —the lunatic ! the lunatic !” was whispered from one to another ; but while every one appeared supprised, no one seemed alarmed at the aparition. It was a young man about thirty.three or thirty-five years of age— of a tall, slender figure — straight us an Indi an—with long flaxen hair, curling clown each side of a pale, handsome face, which looked as if carved in marble. Mis eyes were exceed ingly large, and of a light blue color, uscually dimmed, I was informed, front want of “spec ulation,” but on this occasion lit up with pe culiar brilliancy, and in a fine ‘frenzy rolling.’ He was habited in a blue-checked shirt and trowsers, the latter unaccompanied by any fast ening except a pink-checked handkerchief round the waist. He was without coat, waist coat, cravat, stockings, or shoes. In his left hand was a broad-brimmed straw-hat. He had been a colonel in the Austrian ser vice—l was informed by Pepita and her pa rents—and had distinguished himself signally in various engagements. The tale of his sor rows >yas a melancholy one. Ile had hasten ed home after the abdication of Napoleon, and found his paternal mansion burnt to the ground, and his wife and children some time in their graves. He scarcely ever spoke after Col lecting together the small remnant of his sliat ered fortune, lie left his native country, and was on his way to one of the West India Isl ands, when the vessel in which he had embark ed was captured by pirates, and after being severely maltreated, and robbed of every thing lie possessed in the world, he was put on shore on the coast of Cuba, in a state of utter des titution. Finding his way to Matanzas, lie en gaged as a laborer in a tan-yard, the proprie tor of which had ever since treated him with the greatest kindness. A short time afterwards he exhibited signs of insanity, but being gen erally perfectly inoffensive, was allowed his liberty, except at the times when he became rather outrageous, when he was sent to the mad-house. When the paroxysms ceased, he was discharged, when lie would invariably re turn to the tan-yard, where he was chaiitably provided for. He might be often seen stalk ing about the streets and country, erect as an arrow, in foul weather and fair, but was never known to have committed the slightest injury or offence. He would walk into any house, and ask for food and drink, and stop any one in the streets or on the road, and ask for a se gar, or a light for one, but nothing could ever induce him to accept money, or indeed any thing beyond the supply of his immediate wants, ilis speech, too, was altogether con fined to such requests. From his well-known misfortunes, his gentleness and perfect inoffen siveness, the elegance of his manners, the beau ty of his features, and his independent spirit, he was a universal favorite. While these particulars were being hurried ly related to me, the unhappy object of them was leaning against the door-post, surveying all around with a degree of excitement that seemed on the eve of breaking out every in stant in some wild paroxysm: but to the as- .onishmeut of all, on the band striking up a favorite German waltz, the excited lunatic bopping his hat, and taking a rapid survey round the salon , stepped across to where we were sitting, and bowing gracefully to Pepita, offered her his hand! For a moment the startled maiden shrunk back in her seat; bm finding the poor fellow laboring under some ir resistible impulse, was really anxious to dance, pitying his misfortune, and regardless of nl consequences to herself, and without even con sulting her parents, she accepted his hand, soiled and unwashed as it was, and, rising from her scat, suffered him to lead her off at once round the circle ! The effect was elec tric ! All eyes were turned upon them, and those who had stood up for the waltz stept without or within the circle, and became spec tators, while the doors and windows were crowded with persons anxious to get a sight of a scene so extraordinary. The prelimina ry pas, before twirling, were executed with ease, grace, and precision by the excited mad man, and round and round they went, quick ening their steps with the music, until they seemed to fly around the room, when, in the midst of the extremest velocity, he stopped suddenly, but gracefully, opposite Pepita’s chair and twirling her round two or three times to lessen and break the speed, dropped her gent ly into her scat and bowing his head until his lips slightly touched the hand he still held, turn ed and darted out of the salon like lightning, amid the clapping and cheering of the wonder ing company—above which, however, I could distinctly hear the shreikings of the maniac as he fled wildly up the street ! Angelic Pepita! who but thyself, in such a dilemma, would have done as thou didst ? Did I not tell thee truly, that for thy kindness to the poor madman, some fairy would recom pense thee by a more costly dress, for the one so soiled ? And didst thou not archly bid me convey to the suspected fairy the acknowledge ments for certain Parisian finery and jewels sent to thee soon after, in some of which I have seen thee so becomingly decked in thine own gav halls? The identical gloves I halt robbed thee of, are now before me on the table, while I trace this little narrative of the wild and whimsical incident. N. Y. Sunday Morning News. Henry Smith, of Franklin Cos., Georgia. The history of the revolutionary war affords many interesting incidents, that are recorded of the intrepidity and valor of those, whose lot it was to bo actors in that scene; and there are many whose lofty bearing and patri otic devotion, remain untold in history’s page; but they are not less deserving the perusal of tiie present generation, though given as the narativc of those who live witness to their truth. Os such is the following interesting narrative of the chivalrous and energetic con duct, and patriotic zeal of Henry Smith. He I entered the service at about 15 years of age — was a member of an independent company of mounted volunteers, he was often in great per il, made many narrow escapes and bold ad ventures. lie joined Gen. Williamson’s brig ado, and served under bis command until he was attached to Muj. Ross’ battalion, while thus engaged in the service of the country, Mr. Smith and about thirty others, were sepa rated from the main army, at the mouth of Brier creek, and whilst they were out perform ing duty as a scouting party, the main army was attacked by the British and defeated, the whigs having retreated and left their ground to the enemy, tiie British occupied the same place, posted their guards at the same posts which were before held by the Americans. — Smith with his scouting party, returned in the night, were fired on by the sentinels, but not being apprised of the change, the scouting party supposed that the guns were discharged by their friends, as signals of joy at their return, and proceeded until they had gotten into the British lines ; now their cannon was let loose, and the red coats began to array themselves for battle. To their astonishment they found themselves surrounded by enemies, instead of receiving the welcome greetings of friends, & were necessarily compelled to release about twenty prisoners whom they had taken. The scout being all well mounted and though in great danger, with more presence of mind than is usually evinced on such precarious occasions, Smith and his company made their escape by the same direction in which they hud entered the enemy’s camp, without the loss of a man- The British artilerv being placed on a high hill, they made good their escape, by pursuing the valley to the Savannah river, here they crossed by swimming their horses ; but in this hazar dous undertaking Smith’s horse sunk and was drowned, Smith, however, with that nerve and . ui'eihought, suited to the occ;. :o£, sv.am j (shore, upon landing bis comrades enquired, ‘ well Smith you are without a horse, you have often said you would not walk,” “and so say l yet,” replied the undaunted Smith, “ let’s re am and I’ll yet have a horse.” '1 his request was seriously objected to, and every persua sion used by the men under his command, but to no avail.' One equally daring, proclaimed ais willingness to go; and they found a ca ioe and returned. hen they had arrived n about six hundred yards of the British line, they found a horse, saddle and bridle, which they took, recrossed the river and made their escape before day, and reached the head quar ters of Gen. Williamson. The Indians hav ing taken, plundered and burnt the fort in the neighborhood, Smith, under Maj. lloss, went in pursuit of them, a hard fought battle ensued, in which the Americans were successful, and sustained but little injury, other tlmn in the death of the commanding officer, the brave Major Ro.ss, who was wounded in the engage ment, and afterwards died of the wound ic ceivcd. Smith then returned home; but the ardor of his spirit and his patriotism, did not permit him to remain useless when his coun try demanded his services, he soon again en tered afresh in her cause, and under Col. Wat son, repaired to the battle at Stono ; this hard fought battle was over before our hero reached within the roar of cannon and the flash of musketry, in that engagement. A brother whose spirit glowed with equal love of coun try, was there so unfortunate as to be wound ed, and was sent to the hospitle at Charleston, S. C., where Smith accompanied him, and ad ministered a brother’s attention, until from thc wounds he had received, Smith witnessed the painful and melancholly spectacle of his broth ers death. Warmed with the feelings of the soldier, & inspired with fresh zeal inthecau.se, Smith immediately united himself to General Sumpter’s command, was at the taking of the fort on Conjroree. At Blackstock’s mills, he again encountered the Tories, where a severe ly contested battle was fought, and in which Gen. Sumpter was wounded, but not mortally. He then served under Morgan, and as a guide and spy, performed many acts of benificial service in tiie army, among which, was the pi loting of Col. Washington to the Tories com manded by Cunningham, where victory crown ed the arms of the Patriots, and defeat and slaughter was the fate of the vile Tories. In o the charge that was made on the Tories, a muscular, large ruffian, who had fattened on the spoils of his countrymen, and too lazy to make his way before the troops, endeavored to shelter his greasy skin and base heart, from the revenge of freemen, by hiding himself be hind a large tree, but finding himself discovered he cried and called for quarters —-just at this moment Smith dashed upon him with drawn sword, and exclaimed, “I’ll halve you now, A quarter you bye and bye,” and made good his word. From this time Smith was in many hazardous undertakings, and performed ser vice in different parts of the continental army until the close of the war. He was frequent ly solicited to accept offices, but lining more enlisted for his country, than actuated from selfish feelings, he remained a private. lie yet lives a private and is a respectable citizen of Georgia, in the county of Franklin, with whom the fire of freedom is not extinct, and the name of a Tory, excites the spark of in dignation. The tear of sympathy still lingers on his cheek, in recounting his suffering and privations in the war of the revolution ; but he j has the abiding consolation, that lie too, was instrumental in his country’s independence, and aided in the glorious struggle, which achiev ed a nation’s freedom. C. D. H. Federal Union. A CONCIENTIOUS YOUNG MAN. There is no moral object so beautiful to me as a concientious young man ! I watch him as Ido a star in the heavens: clouds may be before him, but we know that his light is be hind them, and will beam again : the blaze of others’ prosperity may outshine him, but wc know that, though unseen, he illumins his true sphere. He resists temptation, not without a struggle, for that is not virtue, but he does re sist and conquer; he hears the sarcasm of the profligate, and it stings him, for that is the tri al of virtue, but he heals the wound with his own pure touch; he heeds not the watch word of fashion if it leads to sin; the atheist who says, not only in his heart but with his lips, 4 There is no God,’ controuls him not, for lie sees the hand of a creating God and rever ences it; of a preserving God, and rejoices in it. Woman is sheltered by fond arms and guided by loving councel; old age is protect ed by its experience, and manhood by its strength ; but the young man stands amid the , temptations of the world fike a self balanced i tower. Happy he who seeks and gains the ! prop and shelter of Christianity. True greatness consists in that faculty which wc mav obtain by habit or practice, of mn, manding the passions. ° m * The man that can forbid the rebelious storm ;to arise within his bosom, and calmly, but firm. !v cast ficm him temptations, is the trulv [great man. And it is lie alone, that is entitled to that enviable name, greatness. To be great is to be good. \ irtue is a more essential re! quisite, than even wisdom itself. Indeed, wis! dorn is the mere superstructure of greatness and if not based upon that surest of all foun! •lations, virtue, it must come to the ground, and j will soon find its level with other ploding things of earth. Wisdom is the polish put upon I virtue. Its intrinsic w orth is of such a depth that it ever keeps bright. And the corroding touch of adversity looses here its usual effect and but adds a lustre to the burnished glow that glitters from its surface, and ieffects from its centre. Boldness is no property of rrreat ness. But firmness unquestionably is; mid jtn fact, is its Lest and most suic and certain test. But all these many requisites to form a great man, have their origin, and may be traced back to the one grand and essential requisite, a command of the passions. Decision and* firmness are the mere results which flow natu. raly from this prolific source, from whence ;alienate so many virtues. If you wish to sow the seeds of wisdom and greatness in your child, teach him while yet an infant, to command his passions, to restrain them until reason can come to his aid, and he will soon learn the value of such command or restraint, and exercise it accordingly. And remember that more is learned by example than pre cept. A CURIOSITY. We have on our table a curious specimen of the freaks which Old Neptune, in his coral caves, plays upon the treasures, which have from time to time, been snatched by him, with the aid ol yEolus, from the cluteb.es of man. We should be glad to form an alliance with the God of the sea, and divide with him the spoils which wrecks have emptied into his do main ; at any rate, to pay him a visit, “on the dolphin’s back ’ to those caves, wherein are hoarded those glittering treasures of the deep. But we fear that he is rot willing to trust a needy editor in his dominions—and that, un like the lover, he puts no faith in the lines of the poet, that “ The treasures of ;he deep ere not so precious As arc the concealed comforts of a man Lock’d up in woman’s love.” If he did, he would invite all bachelors to help themselves, and thus equip them with Diamonds bright, and pearls both rich and rare, A brighter jewel at his side to wear. But wc think we hear the reader ask—what’s the curiosity / ’Tis nothing, more nor less, gentle reader, than four silver dollars, so rare in these “suspension-specie times”—locked together in a close embrace, but as unnatural as tiie Siamese connection, and covered with little shells, and stones thrown upon them, we presume at the beck of Neptune, by the nymphs of the sea, in their fantastic gambols, when is. suing for a frolic, from their grottos. Some of these shells are beautiful, and must have been the result of those nymphs’ curious search es in “the deep bottom of the ocean” where they were buried . But to the narrative. A Spanish ship was lost on the Borlings, coast of Portugal, about 55 years ago; bound from a port in Peru, to a port in Spain.— When wrecked, she had 15 millions of spe eia (so says our informant) on board. Two English captains, Capt. 11. Abpinnette, and ! brotner, last year obtained permission from the owner in Lisbon, to fish for- the money, and i with india-rubber dresses dived into G fathom j water, and obtained some days £ 1500—$8, 000.000 had been previously fished up. Capt. of the to whom this curiosity was presented, while at St. Übes by these fishers of dollars, saw some doubloons which they succeeded in getting up a few days pre vious to his leaving that port, just as bright as when they come of the mint. These money fishers are the same who blew up the Royal William at Spithead. The cu riosity can be seen nt our reading room. Savannah Georgian- AWFUL. A young lady in the Wisconsin Territory was recently drummed out of town by a squad of young men, for expressing a determination to remain in a single state.