Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-05-02
Danger of Dark Skin at Charles
Ton.

ANECDoTE OF THE LATE CAPT. BURsLEY.
We heard, day or Two since, an anecdote
of the late Capt. Burselv-whose loss al sea,
we mentioned last week Illustrative of
the Jokes which ship masters occasionally
amuSe themselves with playing upon each
other. The lamented captain, at the time
alluded 10, was in command of the ship
Mount Vernon, and sailed from this port in
company with another ship, commanded by
an intimate friend, for Charleston, :. C.. 10
load cotton for Liverpool. As most OF our
readers are aware. all negro seamen found
IN American vessels. upon their arrival at
Charleston, are taken from the vessel. BY
municipal authorities and kept in contine-
ment until the ship is ready tor sea, when
they are placed on board provided The ship
pays the expenses incurred by their inprs-
oument.
1t so happened that Capt. Bursley's friend
hal two colored men among his crew. who,
upon their arrival were arrested and placed
in the lookup. Somewhat annoyed at this
reduction of his numbers on shiphoard, and,
moreover. not having forgotten Joke which
Capt. Bursley had played upon him previous
ly, the idea of retalIaling upon his friend
came into his mind. He thought that a "a
vorabe opportunity had arrived,and resolved
TO embrace it. Their Ships hay a; the same
wharf thereby enabling him the better TO
carry ont hs plans. Cspt. Bursley, who
was very dark compeNloned man, with
hair quite curly, was active aud industrious
in his habits. ard for exercise was accus-
toned TO rise at an early hour and 20 upon
the wharf in his shirt sleeves, and spllr some
ood for the doctors use during the day
Taking advantage Of this custom, his friend
,t ipL-.
On going through the streets of the city.
he came across the officer who had removed
his TWO men. and accosted him as follows ::
'Ha!oa, YOU sir, here are you The officer
who removed two men from my ship 2 CIV
ing her name
Yes sir. am said the officer.
We'll, why don't you serve all alike p
Why do You take one ships men aud Ies
another's go iiec?
The officer declared he had not knowingly
done so.
Have you taken the steward Of the Mount
Vernon !? enquired the captain.
No replied the officer,1 didn't know
that she had darkey steward but if such
is the fact I'll look after him
well, you go down upon the wharf to-
morrow morning, I'll 3 O'Clock, and see what
YOU will find-rhar's all have TO say aud
the captain passed along, muttering some
thing about TIRE ng all alike in a tone Just
loud enough 10 reach the officers ear.
The officer had got upon the track, and
The captain knew he would follow il up
The next morning, at the appointed hour, he
was on the wharf, according TO the captain
direction. and very soon Capt. Bun >ley ap-
peared, axe in hand, 10 take his accustomed
exercise. lie had just got fairly AT work,
when the officer started from his hiding place
and laid hands upon him. OF course, the
captain was taken all aback.' and protested
against such treatment, declaring that he
was the master oil the ship.
You can't come that nonsense said the
police man n pretty looking fellow you for
the master of such a slip. Come along with
me-a fine ship master, truly.
Again the captain protested end reiterated
his statement, but the policeman couldn't be
come over in that way and, taking his pris-
oner by the yes, co.lar-for lie was in his
slir sleeves as usual-proceeded TO hurry
him off 10 the lock>up. The captain, find
ing all his protcstations unavailing, marched,
along in no very pleasant humor, and passed
through several streets bare headed aud
coailess, when, fortunately, he came across
a friend, a native, who knew him.
slow now, caplain-what means this ?
exclaimed his friend, in surprise. What
scrape have you been getting into thus early
IN The morning"
'Scrape . thundered the captain, 'scrape,
no sorapcat all. stepped from the deck Of
my vessel 10 spliI stick or Two OF wood, and
this fellow pounceJ upon me for negro,
aud is Juggling me off 10 the lookup. Per
haps you can convince him who am J
The policeman, by this time, began 10 un-
derstand how matters stood, AM immediate
ly released his prisoner, with a most humble
apology. and an explanation of the causes
which led TO the arrest. Capt. Bursley ac-
kuowledged the joke, wended his way back
to the ship. aud ever after cried quits at jok-
ing with his friend, who now is resident of
this city.-Stotf's Mirror Of Fashion.