Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-04-20
THE TIN PANS
Or Life in California

Or Life in California.
heard of good one that occurred few
days previous to my arrival here, which
shows that the Elephant can travel beyond
his customy limits when occasion requires.
ship-load of passengers had Just arrived
below, and number from the shore went off
TO meet their expected friends. One Of them
stepping up TO man who was about TO toss
an old tin pot over the side, exclaimed, with
much surprise, 'Why, my dear sir, what are
you about! Don't waste such valuable pro-
perty in that way. Here, taking some gold
from his pocket) I'll give you an once for itj
they're worth two ashore
The ruse succeeded our passenger, think
ing he could do the same, like true Yankee
refused him. The other had Get out leetle
too much, and lost the trade Down dove
the passenger into the seerage, to buy up all
the tin pots, pans, kettles, &c, that he could
MUSTER knowing his fortune would be made
in hurry; but his earnestness TO buy only
aroused the suspicious OF the Others and they
began 10 hold on 10 their valuable tin ware,
till finally one had the boldness to ask an
ounce for new pan, not dreaming be would
purchase, but he took him up and paid him
the money.-This was enough; he couldn't
buy any more at the price; but he had been
fortunate enough to obtain nearly hundred
at cost of tao hundred dollars, and, as he
strung them together, he would humble 10
| himself-"This one will bring me three
ounces-this one two-here's a coffee pot,
bran new, | won't sell under fve,' till he
had completed his bundle. On deck he
scrambled, and hailed the nearest boat for a
passage ashore
Got an ounce topay for it 2 said he; 'and'
(seeing his huge pile of Tin afoot) another
for your traps"
This was drain on his pocket he had not
calculated on; but he found it useless to ex-
postulate, so he reluctantly forked over the
amount, and they showed off. Abou, half
way TO the shore, they were boarded by an
officer of the Customs, who informed him
that he must return Immediately TO the ship,
until she had been speced.-Here was
another 'damper.
"Give him an ounce for security, and he'll
let you pass on whispered the boatman in
his ear, at the same moment loosing the sheet
and making preparations TO go about
He hesitated, felt his empty pocket, looking
at his certain fortune, and out with the dust,
gave his name with "a long curse after it, and
then left him. But he consoled himself with
the enormous profit TO be realized on his pre-
cious tins, till having reached the pier, he
sang out TO loafer on the dock 10 catch his
bundle.
'Do it for an ounce = was the only reply,
as he moved off.
Deuce take your ounces answered The ped
lar, lyon look as ifyou had taken one In drams
at the last rum hole
With the assistance of the buatman, he
managed get on 10 terra firma, and fastened
off. The first man he saw, attracted by his
glittering prize, he froze TO, but kept his ton
que tied, hoping 10 receive an offer, for he
now began TO imagine tina, he had set too
small a value on them but the man passed
on, merely saying that he would find richer
men than he was, farther up. This was
enough four ounces was now too small sum
for them, and away lie went gazing at the
thousand tents that covered the ground on
either side, and looking with air of pride at
every one he met Presently he saw some
thing in the road that looked very much like
tin ware, and taking it from the mud, 10 his
astOOis bp1ap,s fOunI that II in
pan, as good, with the exception of small
hole aud dent in the bottom, as any in his
bundle. This was poser; he began TO
smell rat, and going into the first tent
with many sad forebodingS, enquired the
state of the tin market.
Don't use 'em; nothing but the gill ones
suits me now, said the man.
Why, you must be joking! They told me
aboard they were worth two ounces ashore =
exclaimed the now crest-iallen pedlar.
mo use for 'em; they won't go in this
Market said the other, and at the same mo-
ment his clerk placed his digit just beneath
his right eye, and slightly drew it down.
"Dod, by Gemini ? said the pedar, walk
ihS oni anu hihsihS MS wares ih'o tle Hrst
vacant lot.
Ont Of that, that's my properyp cried a
savage looking fellow, drawing a revolver
and cooking it. of with your rubbish, OF
I'll blow you TO thunderp
Perhaps they did so of little the quickest
Our emigrant began TO open his eyes, but
he was lin for it, and determined to make
: money or die game. Feeling hungry he step.
ped into cotton tent, on which was PARTED