MAJOR GASDEN'S STORY. 



No one told a story better than old Major (iasden — 

 in fact he could detail very commonplace incidents so 

 dramatically, that he would ^rive them a real interest. 

 He had met with a little incident on his first visit to 

 New Orleans, that was to him a source of either con- 

 stant humor or annoyance. Whichever view he took 

 of the adventure, gave character to his illustration of it. 

 The " major," on a certain occasion, formed one of 

 a happy party, and growing communicative under the in- 

 fluence of genial society and old port, was imprudent 

 enough to call on several persons near and around liim 

 for songs and sentiments — which calls being promptly 

 honored, — the ^fajor very unexpectedly found himself 

 under the immense obligation of doing something for his 

 friends himself; and as he could not sing, and hated salt 

 water, he compromised, by relating the following per- 

 sonal adventure. 



