The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-06-09
From the New York Spirit of the Times
THE STEAMBOAT CAPTAIN WHO WAS
AVERSE TO RACING
BY THE YOUNG 'UN.

BY THE YOUNG 'UH
Edr!y In the spring Of the present year, a mag.
nihcent new steamer was launched upon the Ohm
River, and shortly afterward made her appear
ahce al the Levee, opposite the Furnishing city If
-. Gilt edged covers, envelopinp the
captains respects" accompanied with invita-
lions to see her thorough" upon her frs, trip
down The River, were forwarded TO the Editorial
corps IN that vicinity: the chalked hats were
numerous on The occasion. Ii was a grand az
lair, this debut of floating palace, which has
since maintained her repute unlarnished, and the
crack boat, par excellence, upon tho Western
waters. Yuur hnmble servant was among Tho
invited guests and nice time We had of il!
| found myself on board this beautiful craft in
close communon'' with score of unouesiiona
| bile " beautes." The company proved 20 he
heterogeneous cong lone "a ion Of cha racter-made
up oil editors, lawyers auciiUneers indescribables
and " fances with sprinkng of none such's.
mere was stray parson, too, in the crow d-but
as his leisure lime hei~ cen meals" as spent
IN trading horses, we dispensed with his grace
befnre meals"
we left our mornings an hour before sunset.
| upon clear. cold afternoon. and passed RAPIDLY
down stream tor considerable distance, wIihout
experiencing any out of ihe-way occurrence
The " sons of temperance " and the rarsep afore
| said, amused themselves over smoking wbiskey
Ioddy-the 90 boys were relieving each other of
their supeIfiuous dimes and quarters, at euchre,
when tall gentleman, " no was some" (when
he was sober,) stepped suddenly into the cabin.
and Impaired the information that well known
fast boat had just hove in sight, at the mouth
OF the Kentucky River. The ards were dropt
insianer--lhe punches d;sapprsred-aud The
monrners were soon distributed in knots UP
the promenade deck, to watch the progress of
events.
Our bully boat sped away like bird. how.
ever, and the craft behind 20 nc AL,
that she should offer no cbilds play The fat
was IN the hre at once--a huge column of black
smoke curled up in the clear atmosphere-an ey-
ira turn or two was visible upon our ow n boat. and
away We went! A good deal Of excitement ex
is'ed among the patty, as the rival steamer was
clearly gaining updu-us A craft like ours, with
sucn company, and such captain, mustn't be
beaten.
AS the boat behind us fell in under our storm
and we could count her passengers sort of
impression came over Us, that, by some mistake
we had got upon The wrong boat! AT least. sucb
was The expressed opinion Of the parson, as he
threatened to go down stairs and take another
drink. Our Captain was noble fellow-he
paced the deck quietly; with constant eye 10
winoard; oui no said nothing. bevy of the
mourners stepped up to him, with
What speed, Cap'n2'
Fair, gentlemen /; | may say, very fair
Smart craft, that, behind, ventured one
Very responded the Captain calmly, as he
placed his hand upon small brass knob at the
back Of the pilot house. This movement was
responded TO by the faint jngling of bell below
followed Immediately by rush Of cinders from
the smoke pipes, and an improved action Of The
paddles.
Now We move again.
Some, was The response, and momentary
tTemor peryaded the boat as she slid along right
| smariy.
But the craft IN our rear moved like our shadow,
and as we shot down the river, il seemed as if we
had her Sc in tow" so calmly and uniformly did
she follow in our wake. The excitement Of the
congregation upon deck had by this time become
intense, and ii was pretty plain that the boals
must shortly part company, or split something y
| The rascal behind us took advantage Of turn in
the channel, and helm stsrboard! was clearly
heard from the look out of our rival, as she hove
off,, and suddenly fell alongside us! The parson
went below at once, TO put his threat into execu
ton, as we came up to the current again, neck
and neck; and when he returned we were run-
ming twenty fye-not lck--the steam smack on
to 49,
She's going goin'--go--" mutterod an
suctiopeer to himse u