A FAVORITE STORY OF DICKENS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 32, 6 February 1878, Page 4

A FAVORITE STORY OF DICKENS.

The following etory may have gone the rounds of the newspapers, but it is good enough for relating'"" since Dickens said of it: '• You 'must "know that I have appropriated that : story] ' and acquired immense' reputation* by it 1" It occurs in a paper of reminiscences in, Scribner for October, eutitled, "A? Yankee Tar j»n'd his friends." On one of captain Morgan's voyages from America to England, he had under his care a very attractive young lady, who speedily distinguished himself by reducing- five of the young gentlemen to the verge of distraction. She was quite ready to marry one ; but what could she do with five ? In the embarrassment of her riches she sought the captain, who after a few minutes' thought said "It is a fine calm day ; suppose by accident, you should fall overboard ; IM have Vbo'at lowered : ready to pick you up, and you can take the man wbo loves you well enough : to jump after you." This novel proposition met the young lady's views, and the programme was accordingly carried out, with the exception that four of the young men took the plunge, and being picked up by the boat, presented themselves a a dripping quartet upon the ship's deck. The object of their undamped ardor, no less wet than themselves, fled to her state-room and sent for her adviser the captain. ".Now, captain," cried she in despair, " what am I going to do?" "Ah, my dear," replied the captain, "if you want a sensible husband, take the dry one" — which she did.