was observed to be getting nervous, sud- | any living man. No one but a traitor and denly jumped up, and taking his place in a coward can talk in that way. Retract front of the fellow, and shaking his fists, it! retract it!"-and with this he comreplied: menced advancing upon the secessionist "Now, sir, I don't know you, and don't Hercules, who began weakening in the want to know you; but I suppose you knees, and finally wilted, while tarpaulin designate me as one of those nutmeg-sell- raked the traitor's fore and aft without Raking a Traitor. ing, mackerel-catching, cod-livered Yan- for it." The boaster, seeing the Captain's determined bearing, and finding that he was in downright earnest, replied by saying that his remarks were general in their nature, and not by any means intended to apply to any particular person. Nothing was further from his purpose than to insult any person present, and particularly a stranger. mercy. Not a Star Obscured. There were many touching illustrations evoked during the rebellion, of the love cherished by some for the power under which they had been nurtured from their very cradle, notwithstanding the contrary pressure of circumstances and surroundings. One of these illustrations took the following form: When Captain Armstrong was about to surrender the navy yard at Pensacola, his daughter, after vain endeavors to persuade him not so to act, demanded of him a dozen men, and she would protect the place until aid came; but no-he was untrue and disloyal, and determined to act as he had decided; the old flag was hauled down from where it had so long waved, and the renegade Renshaw run his sword through it, venting his spleen upon the flag by which he had so long lived in competence and luxury. Human nature could not stand it, and the brave, glorious-hearted woman, seizing the flag, took her scissors and cut from it the Union,' telling them that the time was not far distant when she would replace it unsullied; but for the stripes, she left them as their legacy, being their just deserts. Not a star on that flag would she allow to be obscured or destroyed by the hand of treason. Brave-hearted, noble woman! 6 Last Gun of the Cumberland. One of the greatest instances of patriotic devotion ever recorded in our own or any other nation's naval history, is that To this the irate captain retorted: "The of the last-broadside of the Cumberland, language, sir, is an insult to the American in her struggle with the Merrimac. Amid name, and I for one will not stand it from the dying thunders of those memorable the noble vessel sank with her devoted | down with the flag flying defiantly at the guns, crew, with the Stars and Stripes still gaff, and many a heroic patriot perished proudly waving above their heads. Neither the shots of the Congress, nor of the Cumberland, had any more effect upon the Merrimac than if they had been so many peas or peanuts. But if they could have kept the Merrimac off, she never could have sunk the Cumberland. Naval Peacemaker. They had then, nothing to do but stand and fight and die like men. Buchanan asked their commander, Lieutenant Morris, "Will you surrender the ship?" with her. Going to See the Rebel Ram. A captured Confederate vessel, iron clad, and of the style commonly denominated "a ram," lay for several weeks in the Delaware, off the Philadelphia navy yard. She was something of a curiosity, and was visited by many hundreds of citizens and strangers. Prompted by this feeling, the keeper of a restaurant proposed one day to follow the track of the multitude and treat his wife with a sight of the rebel "ram." She consented, and off they sailed. They duly reached the iron deck of the vessel, went into her iron hold, examined her armament, inspected the damages wrought upon her by the guns of Uncle Sam, gazed upon her iron nose, which was constructed to be thrust impertinently into the affairs of our aforesaid Uncle's webfooted property, and, in short, investigated her, inside and out. Having satisfied his curiosity, the husband proposed to return to shore, when the following conversation occurred: "Now, my dear, we have seen the vessel, let us go," said the husband. "Well, yes, but as we have taken the trouble to come so far, we might as well see what we came to look at," said the "Never," said Morris, "never will we wife. surrender the ship." Buchanan backed his infernal machine off again, and the Cumberland fired as rapidly as she could, but the Merrimac once more ran her steel prow in; and now it was that Buchanan asked Lieutenant Morris, calling him by name, "You have seen enough of it, I should think," said he. 66 Why, no! I have not seen it at all," she replied. "Seen what?" he at last inquired with surprise. "Why, the animal that we came to see "Mr. Morris, will you. surrender that the sheep, or ram, or what you call it." ship?" 66 Then there was an explosion. Never," said Morris; "sink her!" The story was too good to be kept. It The remaining act in this startling was told to a visitor who called in the drama is well known. The guns of the morning for one of the capital 'stews' got Cumberland were coolly manned, loaded up at the friendly establishment in quesand discharged, while the vessel was in a tion. The visitor enjoyed it very muchsinking condition, and the good ship went he did; and, after finishing his repast, directed the waiter to inquire of his mis- that flag." This answer was an extintress whether she had in her larder any guisher. nice chops cut from the rebel "ram." The Norfolk soon fell, and Farragut was simpleton actually delivered the message, warned that the South was no place for and the consequence was, that the last him. A few hours only were allowed seen of the impertinent inquirer was the him for escape with his family, leaving, as tail of his coat, as he was leaving the he was compelled to do, all his property premises precipitately, with sundry broom- behind, which was immediately absorbed sticks, boot-jacks, three-legged stools, by the relentless confiscation of the foe. long-handled sauce pans, and other missiles He reached the house of a friend, northflying after him. At last accounts he was ward of the Potomac, exclaiming, as he only too glad to be still running. did to him, Just previous to the fall of Norfolk, Va., Admiral Farragut, himself of Southern birth, as was also his true and noble wife, was invited by the emissaries of the insurgent chiefs to join his fortune to their cause. He promptly declined. The effort to change his purpose was repeated. He was urged by every consideration that it was supposed could influence his pride or ambition, by the ties of consanguinity and place of birth, to side with his native South; he still refused. Those chiefs well knew the man. They knew him better than his own government then did, and they knew the lion-like qualities that slumbered beneath his modest and habitually retiring demeanor, and the achievements of which he was capable when the latent powers of the man should be roused to active energy. As a last effort to win him over to their cause, they offered him any position which he should be pleased to name. Admiral Farragut is a man of sincere but unobtrusive piety, a piety as modest as his own habitual deportment; but this assault upon his loyal virtue was more than his nature could endure, and, with a sudden and sailor-like burst of indignation, he replied, as he pointed to the emblem of the republic, which floated near him,—— "Here I am, without a farthing, or a place where I can lay my head!" In this way came Farragut to the North -to the government to which he gave his allegiance to the flag he so nobly upheld in many a fierce conflict with armed trea son. Unknown Lady Visitor at the New Orleans Fleet. Just before the city of New Orleans had been definitely surrendered by the authorities, and while the national fleet was anchored off in sight, a small boat, pulled by one pair of oars, was observed leaving the levee. A closely veiled lady was noticed in the stern. When she reached one of the vessels, she drew back her veil and beckoned to the officer of the watch. The Captain, who had remarked that she was young and apparently very winsome, dreaded the influence of the fair syren upon his subordinate, as with a gesture he forbade his responding to the mute appeal, and repaired himself to the gangway. Probably he imagined that forty odd years were more secure than twenty from treasonable temptation. "Pray, Sir," she asked, in the most musical voice imaginable, "might I inquire if a person named McLellan is on board ?” At the same time she made him a brief but imperative sign, which he construed to signify that he was expected to reply in the affirmative. "Certainly there is, Madam!" (The white lie is accounted for by the brilliancy of the flashing eyes which par- correspondent was right; and the young tially bewildered the Captain.) subaltern, who was only able to catch an "Might I trouble you to give him this occasional glimpse of those magnetic eyes, letter?" as she was speaking to his commanding officer, said that, "Never before was the flashing glance of beauty one half so agreeable." There was more than one on board that craft that night, whose pair of eyes willingly forgot their accustomed slumber in As the Captain descended to take it from one of the smallest and most delicately gloved hands he had ever seen, he partially recovered that presence of mind which had not deserted him once during the fierce struggle of the preceding days, He was unwilling that the first pair of the deeper reverie caused by the charming bright eyes he had seen for weeks should lady visitor. vanish so quickly. Fluttered and perspir ing with excitement, he managed to say 66 Would you not wish to step on board, Madam, and speak with him?" A wicked smile flitted over the charming face before him, and but for his age, and the wife he had left in the North, he would infallibly have lost his heart. As it was, he felt it almost going, and laid his heavy hand upon it to check its disposition for levanting from its legitimate owner. "No; I thank you"; she said, "such an unexpected pleasure might prove somewhat embarrassing." Saying this, she again sat down, drew her veil over her face, and making a sign to the colored boatman, was pulled once more towards the levee. The Captain gazed after her, sighed, and then looked at the letter. "I suppose I must do duty for 'McLellan' on this occasion," he said; "But who the deuce can she be!" He then opened it. The letter contained a great deal of valuable information respecting the temper of the population of the city. It also one day on Seward. You know (quoth stated that Forts Pike and Livingston the Majer) what a solemn looking chap he had been evacuated, and their garrisons is naterally. Wal, since he has got to be dispatched to join Beauregard at Corinth, and distinctly affirmed that no Union sentiment could find expression in New Orleans until those who felt it could be guaranteed the protection of United States troops against the temper of the populace. kin, "the Giascutis is loose." Subsequent events proved that the fair that?" ses Seward. "Why," ses Linkin, Chief Clerk to the President, he seems to look solemer than ever. He cum into Linkin's room, and the Kernel ses, "Have you heard the news, Boss?" "No," ses Seward, "what is it?" Wal," ses Lin 66 "What's "ain't you never heard the story of the pantaloons just below the right knee, takGiascutis?" Seward sed he never had. ing the piece of cloth with it. The third "Wal," ses the Kernel, "I must tell you. shot struck the gallant fellow's sword just Several yeas ago a couple of Yankees as he raised it in the air, and was ordering were travelin out West, an' they got out his men to give a rousing cheer for of money. So they konkluded to raise "Yankee Doodle." The cheer was given the wind' as follers: They were to go into in the storm of shot. a village an' announce a show, pretendin "Charge! Chester, Charge!" that they had a remarkabal animil, which they had jest captured on the Rocky Captain Chester was a man of grit; Mountings. A bran new beast, such as without any of the oleaginious mixture. was never seen before. The name was He belonged to Pittsburg, and used to the Giascutis.' It was to be shown carry coal to Memphis. When the war in a room, and one of the fellers was to broke out, the Confederates seized his play Giascutis. He was put behind a steamboats and his coal-barges, and rescreen, an' had some chains to shake, an' fused to pay him for the coal they had alhe also contrived to growl or howl as no ready purchased. The act roused all his critter ever did before. Wal, the people ire. He was a tall, athletic man, and had of the village all cum to see the Giascutis, followed the river thirty years. Although an' after the room was filled, his compan- surrounded by enemies, he gave them plain ion began to explain to the audience what a terribal beast he had, how he killed ten men, two boys an' five hosses in ketchin him, an' now how he had got him, at 'enormous expense,' to show him. Jest as everybody was gapin an' starin, thar was, all at once, a most terrific growlin and howlin, an' rattlin of chains, an' in the excitement the showman almost breathless, yelled out at the top of his voice," the Giascutis is loose! Run! run! run !" An' away went the people down stairs, heels over head, losin all they had paid, an' seein nothin." "Now," ses Linkin, "the Merrymac is out, an' wen I read about the wessels, an' tug boats an' steam- words. ers all scamperin off as soon as she was seen, I thought she was the Giascutis sure, only I'm afraid she is real Giascutis an' no mistake." Since then, Linkin calls the Merrymac the Giascutis all the time. Yankee Doodle in the Storm of Shot. "Charge! Chester, Charge" "You are a set of thieves and rascals! You are cowards, every one of you!" he shouted. He took off his coat, rolled up his shirtsleeves, bared his great brawny arms, dashed his hat upon the ground. "Now come on! I'll fight every one of Master's Mate Arbane, of the Owasco, you, you infernal rascals. I'll whip you had a very narrow escape from death at all. I challenge you to fight me. You the battle of Galveston, three shot having call yourselves chivalrous people. You struck him in different places. One of say you believe in fair play. If I whip the bullets passed completely through the you shall give up my boats, but if I am crown of his cap, another penetrated his beaten, you are welcome to them." |