The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-08-25
Incidents of Travel---No. 8.

and with reluctant farewell yet lingering
behind, and Autumn unwilling TO intrudc
too precipitOnsly, that found us on the pro.
menade deck of the fine packet ship S.
about to leave the port of New York foI
Charleston. At that time, no steamvcssels
Acre running between the two ports, and the
melancholy reflections caused by the wreck
of the Pulaski and Home, by which awful
calamitics so many fond hearts in Carolina
| andGeorgia poured Out the gushings of WARM
| atfection-somc for fat RS, some for mo-
theirs, daughters, sons, sbands and wives,
did not lead one to the presumption that
those noble vessels, the Southcrner, Mariou
md Union would now be on the line. A
number of passengers had therefore engaged
their passage on the S., as she was known
to be one of the best, if not the tinestpackct
ship trading between New York and Char
lesion.
And there we stood with arms folded that
afternoon, ANXIOUS for the noble ship to leave
her moorings, yet interested with the scene.
There was the married sister of New York.
bidding goodbye to the single sister of
Charleston; the former with the warm tears
of affection streaming down her checks at
the thought of her sister leaving her, vet
how soon dispcllcd, when she departs 10
watch her infant boy, in whom is ccntercd
all her hopcS-thc latter, inconsolablc at the
idea of leaving her sister Mary, yet when left
alone, and the images of her father and
mother, her other brothers and sisters were
presented to her. and all the associations of
home and friends came rushing to her mind,
sister Mary was left TO pursue her vigils with
the little nephew.
See those two fricnds-both young men
OF high eNpectatons-thc one resident of
New York, in large importing house, the
other n native of New York, but on his way
to fill 4 similar situation in Charlcston.-
"Wcll, Charley, good-byc old fcllow-takc
care of yourself "Good-byc, Jim-lct's
hear what is going on sometimes, and let me
know if - ever enquiries after me-"
Jim leaves the ship, passes up Bualing slip.
and in Il few minutes forgcts he ever saw
Charley, Charley tries to make himself
comfortablc-p%ckS away his 'thngs'-of-
tcrs us scgar-proposcs Il game of V hist
when we start-Jim is not in his mind
These young men were boon companions
before.
Snch is the world, and every day serves
more conclusycly to show us the selfish de-
sire of men To promote their own comfort
regardless of their fellows In fact, in
observing this prcpondcrating desire of men
TO contribute to their own interest, seeming
ly regardless ofNll other considerations, fear
ing they may be cut of without their full
measure Of earthly pleasures, we are led in
voluntarily TO cXcla'm, in the language of
Goldsmith,
Man wants but little here below,
Nor wants that little long"
Finally "all aboard" was sung out and re-
vcrbcratcd through the ship, and our noble
vessel glidcd into the channel of the East
River.
We will never forget our first visit to New
York. Our pilot boarded us oil Sandy Hook,
about dark, and as it would be late before
we would cast anchor at the quarantine
ground,wc retired. What WAS our astonsh
mcnt the next morning, on coming on deck.
to find our ship completely surrounded by
green fields, and howcry beds? Really it
appeared like cnchantmcnt, after leaving the
tumultous ocean, to find ourself perfectly
still that calm morning, with the beautiful
prospect around us.
So did we enjoy this lovely scene rs we
calmly gidcd out of New York's unsurpassed
harbor. On, on We glded with II gentle
breeze, and soon, were fond friends, fine
promcnados, excellent Havanas, and cool
ing punches, left behind.
Our new friend Charley now brought out
his cards, and Mt whist we went, regardless
of the harsh looks of an old lady Of Charles
ton.
We finished our game, and afterwards en-
joyed good supper, when, in company with
the rest Of the passengers, retired to our
state room.
The weather had become hazy, and there
was slight sprinkling Of rain, and the shrill
whistle of the wind through the ropes, as
sured us that the scene had changed We
went to bed, however, and slept we don't
know how long, when we were precipitatcd
out Of bed, and unknown to us the pitcher
met with the same mishNp, for we found our
feet in wa,er, and succeeded in finding our
socks floating about which were too wet to
put on, but for greater security we deposited
in our pockets. We did not stay long in
that room, for bang bang, went the shin.
and certain, thought we,she " i'll 90 to pieces.
so let us out and see what is to be DONE
Out we went and there we witnessed the
manifested tenacity poor mortals have to
live. The wife in disabille clutchcd her
husbands arm. the mother grasped her child,
and then enquired where, oh where is your
NJ