Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1849-12-14
MISCELLANY.
The Yankee and the Crabs.

MUS, carrying cheap hair trunk, made
his appearance on sloop which plies
between New York and portion of the
Connecticut coast, and enluired for the
"Capting." He hailed from Coos coun-
ty, New Hampshire, and presented in
his appearance perfect specimen of a
fresh caughl. Yankee.-He wore mixed
coat of home made fabric, with short,
square ts,such as are called ''bob-tail,' -
with lead buttons, and sleeves about six
inshes too short at the wrists. His pam
falcons were. striped, and his legs were
thrust long ways through them, leaving
the interval between his trousers and his
heavy lace boots, arrayed in pair oil
substantial pepper and salt yarn stock.
ings. Or head adorned with luyuri.
ant growth or coarse sandy hair, tallow-
ed to a nicely, was perched hat much
worn, but in an excellent state of pres.
ervation, with a narrow brim aud huge
bell crown, serving the purpose of trav-
cling valise, in addition to the other uses
of that article of wearing apparel. An
immense collar, rugged with starch and
erect to the ears, supported by a common
cravat of variegated yellow and black
completed the adornment of his outer
man. He seemed about twenty fl We
years Of age, was lean, cadaverous in
dividual; standing some feet when erect
but having stoop in the shoulders
which reduced him to about five feet nine
A small p;nched up mouth, peaked nose,
high cheek bones, prominent chin, and a
pair of bright ,winkling eyes, of an in.
descrlbable color, gave an air of ex.
treme cuteness to his physiognomy.
This was obviously his first visit to
salt water; but as he stood upon the
sloop's deck whistling ~ ankee Doodle -
his arms thrust into his pockets up to
his elbows; his eyes cast up scanning
the rigging with the air of connusseur
he. seemed as much at home as though he
was a yeritable "ocean child" In re-
ply to question as to his business, he
drawled out:
''Capting, what'll you charge to take
Teller from here to New York city!'
one dollar and half.
81 'spect you mean TO charge fellel
that when you find him ;what'll you take
one for and find himself!'' aE
The price of passage without boarc
he was informed was rs cents. a
"Then | shall have to foot il down t.
York. You see, Gaping, I'm scant on
for funds, aud must have little some
thin to feed ME arter git there; can
git along without victuals." a. d
"Can't help it," replied the Captain
''that's our lowest-we have but ont
price,
"Now, justtake a Teller for half dol
lar, Capting-come, now; if YOU dew, Ill
help you TO do up the chores while In
aboard?" 'o
"No, sir, | can't take you for ina
price; can't fall. -
The green horn squirted long stream
of tobacco juice upon the deck, resumed
his air of Yankee Doodle, shoulderet
his trunk and walked of. In about a,
hour he returned, and with broad griI
upon his countenance he addressed tn,
CAPTAIN:
Nov look o'-yere, Gaping, I'm il
distress; I'm positively amt got but tw,
dollars in the world; must get into New
York, or shall sla-l-rve Can't ge
nothin' do here-now, say the word
Gaping I've always harm tell that yor
| saiInrc uoro rono.or. oho,, >,
This appeal to the Captains PROBES
sional pride had its effect; and he agree,
to take the Yankee for the fifty cents
provided he supplied himself with pro
visions, and rendered such assistance a
ne could in managing the vessel.
The passage was unusually long
caused by contrary winds--nearly weel
beyond the ordinary time. On the sec
ond day the Yankee ran out of provi
sions. The captain as an act of chart
ty. furnished him from the vessels store
About ninety six hours before their arr
val, in the exuberance of his exultatiol
at having outwitted the Captain, he dis
closed to fellow passenger that he hat
lots of cash! and he made quite display
Of loose change.
This soon came to the ears of the cap
tam, who was SO indignant at the impo
sition which had been practiced upon him
that he was about to set the tricky custo
mer ashore: to "foot" it to New YorI
the best way he could; but on reheciin,
he concluded tina, il would be wors
punishment to keep him on board, stol
his rations and put him to hard work.
From this time until their arrival, tn
Yankees situation was not sinecure
Furnished with cloth and a basket O
sand he was set to securing the anchor
Being Injured to labor, that did not trou
bic him much; but to work on an emp
ty stomach for thirty-six hours, and en-
dure the curses of the angry captain, an,
all for the small sum of twenty five cents
he was paying rather dear for his wills
tle." a3a
| Great was his joy when they haule
into the slip at New York, and belor
the sloop's side had touched the dock
he jumped ashore. Leaving the It'll
hair trunk to be removed after he had sal
isfied his hunger, he fastened to the near
est place where food could be procured