Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-06-15


THEaE seemed to be no end to the tricks that
used to be played upon the captains Of cur North
River steam boats, by Sinking, swinding per-
sons, who wished to get their voyaging for no
thing This was when the boats touched at most
Of he prominent towns on the river, to land such
Fasscngcrs as uaizht desire to disembark at way
stations" \ common swindle was to pretend
to be going to Albany, the end Of the route, with
out money, and to be SET on shore about midway,
with great indignation, by the captain but land
ing, in the Iaean while, at the very Place where
they wanted to 90 to!
We are reminded Of this state of things, in the
carly history Of stoam-naygation on the Hudson
River, by the following laughalle and weI-tcld
sketch Of similar scene on the Mississippi, some
months since:
"ts lhc feet steamer R was coming up
the rlyor not long ago, several way-passengcrs
come On board at NicksJUTg, and among
others a giant-looking, middle aged Kontuckian,
who soon became the subject Of curiosity, wonder
and general remark. AAcr travelling a short
distance, all the passengers, except the new one,
made their way to the captains Office, and paid
their fare to their several places of destination.
The next day the clerk made bold to call upon
tho delinquent passenger, who had taken no berth,
but PASSED the greater part ofhis time in sleeping
in his chair, and with his usual urbanity ofman-
ner asked the Kentuckian 70 give him his dcstin-
alton, as it would aid him in making up his
book : intending his question also gentle hint
to him to pay his fare.
The stout gentleman reused himself from his
lethargy, and replied:
II am going up the river piece; it's ali
right Mr.. Clerk
The clerk, not being much the wiser for this
answer, sgain politely asked the stranger:
.''At what point do you expect to land, Sir?'
g Don't land at no point, Mr.. Clerk: it's all
right, though.'
Here the clerk left him, and went to consult
the captain, who at once lost his wonted good
humor as the clerk related the result ofhis inter
view with his delinquent customer.
The captain proceeded forthwith to bring the
matter 10 a focus. Accos,ing the stranger, he
said:
g .Iiow far are you going with Us, my fricnd?"'
..sOh, I'm going up piece with You its all
right, captain
:. Bat, S.r,' said the captain, You have neither
paid your fare nor given The clc:ll your place Of
destination and You are old enough to know the
custom ofsicambcat-men, of that when a man re-
fuses to Tay his fare, OF TO give coed reason for
not paying, we put him ashore Immediately
WALL, captain, s'pose It's your custom:
but it's all right
.slfcrc the captains patience gave out. lie re-
solved to Jsug him ashore forthwith; and accord
ineiy he ordered The pilot 10 land, and the dclin-
qucnt to make ready 10 go ashore; 70 which the
latter replied:
:. It's all right, captain
The boat landed the plank was put out the
pas cngcr told 80 walk; to which, with pccu-
liar smile on his face he readily assented saying
as he stepped upon the plank:
cts all right, captain
..AGer getting on terra frma the captain gave
him short blessing for giving him the trouble
to land. and threatened him with 'top-dressing'
if he ever saw him again.
TO which The imperlurJaJle Old Jeremy Did
der responded again, with an indescribable air
Of triumph, pointing to a handsome cottage, just
above him, on the rivor-bank;
ssIt's all right, captain that's my house,
captain Its all right I"
There can be little doub. that this is the same
steamboat traveller, who was observed by the
captain Of a Mississippi steamer smoking a huge
cigar on the af,er-deck. with three others (.'nine
inches long and nine for cent? in his left hand.
Don't you see that notice - said the captain,
pointing to a tin qfiehe nailed up in sight-'.No
gentleman permitted to smoke the after
deck 60
ITS all right, captain, said he, putting into
his face full blast Of tobacco-smoke, '.its all
right. Bless your soul. Tan no GENTLEMAN, bet
the way like TO smoke is a caution -
The excuse seemed so valid, that the captain
with half-laugh, turned on his heel and left the
smoker .ealone in hls elorv."