Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-06-10
From the New York Dutchman.
Selling Ship Owner;
THE SHiP THAT HAD WHOLE STOVE IN HER.
BY MIRE.

-
BY MIKE.
"Are YOU the owner of the fine vessel lying at the
foot of Walnut street enquired inveterate joker
of one of our wealthiest ship owners, few days
since
II believe am, sir" tepled The merchant, com
paceny looking uvEr his spectacles at the enquirer
1" but why that question !'
sB Because, in passing her few moments ago, OBJ
served that she had whole stove in her., responded
the ttdg.
"A hole stove in her ," exclaimed the merchant,
hurriedy starting from his desk; how in the world
could that have happened'' -
81 can't say, sir"
ais it very large and rs she in sinking condi-
tion? ?'' eagerly asked the owner, as he put on his
hat and oVercoat
"We sir, think you might put that in it, point
ing TO scuttle of coal ''Whether that would be
likely 10 sink her or not, cannot say"
"Confusion ~ grasped the MERCHANT; "some care
lessness of the Stevedores again. Only day or two
SINCE fine vessel was sunk by their negligence, in
letting block of marble fall her deck, and now
one of mine is to share the same fate''
Without stopping 10 thank our joking friend for
his unwecome intelligence. the shipper started for
Walnut street wharf, at for him, very unusual pace
"She hasn't sunk yet, at all events" exclaimed he,
as he approached the vessel which lay quite uncon-
scious of the accident reported 10 have happened her
{" And there the men at work loading her with
castings. Surely that fellow must have mistaken the
vessel The merchant did not, however, relax his
speed but walking hurriedy up TO the captain, who
was quietly overseeing the workmen, exclaimed:
"Huw's this Captain c.: gentleman has
just informed me that the Adela has hole stove in
her.
GA hold stove in herr Where! It's the first
tidings have had of it, cried the captain, looking
rather increduousy at his employer. (" You must
have been misinformed, sir for am morally certain
that nothing of the kind could have possibly happen
ed But your own eyes will satisfy you that your in
formation is Incorrect
81 am very glad to hear it," dryly replied the own
er; "yet it appears very strange that this man
should have made gross bunder. Has such an
accident happened 10 any other vessel along the
wharf 2"
''Not that have heard.'' said the captain, " and
am very sure that if anything of the kind had oc-
Cured we should have known it,
1t is very sngular-very. II Il were the first OF
April instead of the middle of February, | would
think the fellow designed making an April fool OF me.
He appeared so earnest that cannot but think he re-
ally believed that stch an accident had happened"
Saying this, the merchant turned his steps home
ward, when his eye fell upon S. who was too fond
of a joke not TO place himself where, at the proper
time he would be forthcoming. AS soon as the Old
shipper spied S. he beckoned TO him. With mis-
chevous eye, 8. approached the old man, whos look
ing sternly at him, endured,
Are you not the person who called at my count
iEg-house few minutes since, and told me that the
ship Adelia had hole stove in her bottom ?"
Il did not say in her bottom, siE,'' said s., demure
ly; merely stated that she had whole stove in
her.
"Well, sir, will you have the kindness to inform
me precisely in what part OF the vessel it is You
said, if recollect rightly: that scutle of coal might
be put in it."
81 did, sir, and am prepared to prove my asset
tion, said S. spritedly " but first, sir permit me to
ask you single question !"
Proceed, sir'
swell, then, what do YOU call that - said S.,
pointing to large stove which the hands were lower
ing into the hold of the vessel
That, sir" cried the merchant, looking sharply at
S, that, sir, is stove.'
GA complete stovei'
Eyes, sir, complete stove.'
"Do you think that stove would hold scuttle of
coal as large as that in your counting room p
81 should think it would, sr.'
is there not another of the same kind OH board
now!' asked S., enquiringly, of the captain.
"There is. Sir" replied that dgnitary.
"Well, tben," said S., looking very seriously at
the ship owner, L" if that's complete stoue it be
achole stoue and you will at once agree with me that
your vessel has whole store in her large enough 10
take in that scue of coal in your office. Good
now understood and relished the " SELL" the Joker
walked off.
"D-d impudent! I wish I knew his name and
yet pretty good joke Captain c.. you will OBJ
Ige me by saying nothing OF this" said The old gen.
tleman, as he started for his Office
Certainly not, sir,' replied the captain, turning
away 10 hide the laughter with which he was burst.
ing.
There hearty laugh at Jones' Exchange,
when s. related how he had sold old -, the
wealthy ship owner.