The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1853-05-26
TAKE OFF THE HATCH.
A Sailors Yarn.

ISu ullSS pSiOTe we SIUpp6u.
At last we dropped anchor in front OF
the dwelling of Scotch lady, well known
to all of US for keeping good things. We
gave our horses to the ostler, and entered
the house where wo were received like
nabobs.
We had first rate dinner, smoked our
Havannas, destroyed some of the old la
dy's oranges fresh from the trees, rolled
ten pins; and become SO amused with each
other, that we needed not the hour, when
Bob put his head out of the alley, and
bawled back to.
"Look here, shipmates, what row is
kicking up overland"
| We all ran out to look at the sight,
when we beheld the heavens black as ink
and tremendous squall coming up, which
threatened hard night in those diggins.
"What do you think of that boys!"
said Bob. " Here's a pretty go-here
we are, ten miles out of our latitude, and
storm gathering. 1t begins to rain now.
Put up your helm boys, and let her slide
for the house"
So we made sail under Bob's command,
direct to the old lady's snug harbor
Wet to the skin, we began to lay plans
for the night, when our hostess entered
the room.
Bob commenced addressing her on the
possibility of her accommodating US for
tie stormy night.
"Weel, weel, 1 dinna ken," and away
she hustled out of the room,
She came back with the grateful news
that she could provide for US all; SO we
settled down to our happiness again.
We amused ourselves in various ways
during the evening, when it was proposed
to turn in, as We must be up early in the
morning, to get back into the city in any
season. So We made move at once;
and were shown to our beds for the night,
all but Bob he wanted to, finish his cigar
first, and said he would soon follow in
our wake.
1t might have been half an hour after
we had left Bob below, smoking and chat
ting with the old lady, telling her he had
not been able to leave his ship all night be-
fore, since she arrivedinport;for whileloa
ing her he had been on duty all day, and
it came night he was tired enough to turn
right in. say Bob was enlightening the
old lady in this strain, when we called to
him to come up to bed.
"Aye, aye" said Bob, am coming.
Well old lady, pleasant dreams to ye.-
I'll turn in now, and We heard Bob start
for the stairs.
The house was an old fashioned one,
with very narrow stairway and consid-
cradle entry at the foot of them; which o.
pened directly into the sitting-room below
where we left Bob.
"Never mind the light, old lady, [ can
navigate up stairs" We heard Bob say a
door shut, and all was still as death.
{
"Where's Bob!" said one of our party.
" He's coming; [ heard him bid the old
lady good night"
f." Well, why don't he come up then ?
/ Didn't you sing out for him to come up"
Yes, and all of ten minutes ago
Pass the word there, fellers, for Bob"
"Bob Bob Bob ! Bob Bob" was
shouted from each one of US; when we
heard him answer very mildly.
" HulIo."
Amt you coming up!"
Yes I'm a coming"
Here was pause for minute, when
no Bob appearing, We began again
"Bob I"
"Hullo I"
"Coming up"
"Rot your pictures: am up as far as
can go! you're nice set of boys, you
are! Take off the hatch, will you! How
in creation am | to get up if you don't
take the hatch of-sayY
"Bob's drunk, fellers," was whispered
among us.
"Where could he get his rum ?" The
old lady don't have any.
Wei, he's drunk or, crazy-talking
about the hatch bein on. Tom, old fell
ler, you take light and see where Bob
is
Tom turned out, took the light to the
head of the stairs, so that everything was
illuminated the bottom, when he scream
ed out
& EelIers felIers come here and look