The Daily Nashville true Whig. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1851-1855, 1855-08-31
A little too Pupctual-A steamboat sketch.

little too Punctual-A Steamboat Sketch.
The hour was approaching for the departure of
the New Haven steamboat from her berth at New
York and the usual crowd Of passengers and friends
of passengers newsboys, fruit vendors, cabmen and
dock loafers were assembled on and about the boat
We were gazing at the motley group, from the
foot of the promenade deck stairs when our atten-
tion was attracted by the singular action of tall
brown Yankee, in an immense wool hat, chocolate
colored coat and pantaloons, and fancy vest. He
stood the starbosrd paddle-box and scrutinzed
sharply every female who came on board every
row and then consulting enormous silver bulls
eye watch, which he raised from the depths Of a
pacious fob, by means of powerful steel CHAIN
after mounting guard in this manner, he dashed fn
riously down the gang plank and up the warf, reap
pearing on board almost instaneousIy, with flushed
face, expressing the most intense anxiety. This
series Of operations he performed several times
after which he rushed about the boat wildly aud
hopeessly, calculating.
"What's the time er day? Wonder if my repea.
ters fast? Whar's the cap'n2 whar's the steward
whar's the mate whars the boss that owns this
ship ?"
'What's the matter sir ?" we ventured to ask
him when he stopped still for moment
''Hain't seen nothn' of gal in blue sun bon.
net with white Canton Grape shawl (cost Icy pink
gown and brown boots, eh? come aboard while I
was looking for the cap'n at the pint end of the
ship-have ye? hey?'
mo such person has come aboard"
''formented lighgnin' she's my wife I" he scream.
ed; ''married yesterday. All her trunks and mine
aboard, under pile of baggage as tall as aeon
necticut steeple. The darn'd black niger saws he
can't hand is out, and wont leave my baggage
any how. My wife, only think ont, was to come
aboard at halt past four, and here its most five
What's become of her She cant have clipped
You don't think ghe's been abducted, do We mis-
teri Speak answer won't We? Oh Pm ravin'
distracted What are they ringing that bell for9
Is the ship afre
The second will be rung in four minutes.
Thunder you don't say so? Whar's the
capn?"
THAT gentleman in the blue coat"
The Yankee darted to the captains side.
"Capn, stop the ship for ten minutes, won't We ?"
81 can't do it, sir,"
"But ye must, tell you. III pay you for it. How
much will ye take
~ could not do it."
"Cap'n, I'll give ye tew dollrra, gasped the Yam
kee.
The Captain shook bis head
''Ill give you five dollars and hslf-and half!
and a halfl-and a halfi-and a haif!l" he kept
repeating dancing about in his agony, ike mad
jseksss on bot iron plate
''The boat starts at five precisely" said the cap
tain shortly, and turned away.
20! you Sunny hearted heathin!" murmured the
Yankee, almost bursting into tears. 'Partin' man
and wife, and we just one day married"
At this moment the huge paddle-wheels began to
paw the water, and the walking beam descended
heavily shaking the huge fabric to her centre. All
who were not going to New Haven went ashore
The hands began to haul in the gang plank-the
fasts are already cast loose.
"Leggo the plank" roared the Yankee, colaring
one of the hands. drop it like a hot potato, or
I'll heave we into the dock"
"Yo vol" shouted the men in chorus, as they
heaved on the gangway.
"Shut up, you braying donkeys!" yelled the
maddened Yankee, ''or there'll be an ugly spot of
work"
But the plank was got aboard, and the boat
FLASHED past the pier.
in an instant the Yankee pulled off his coat
flung his hat beside it on the deck and rushed wild
~ to the guard.
care you drunk or crazy" cried passenger,
selling him.
Pm going to cling myself into the DOCK and
swim ashore" cried the Yankee 81 mustn't leave
Sally Ann alone in New York city. You may
divide the baggage among you. Let me gol l
can swim"
He struggled so furiously that the consequences
Of his rashness might have been fatal, had not a
sudden apparition changed his purpose A very
pretty young woman in blue bonnet white Canton
Grape shawl, pink dress and brown boots came to-
wards him.
The big brown Yankee uttered one stentorian
shout of ''Sairy Ann" clasped her in his arms in
spite of her struggling and kissed her heartily,
right before all the passengers.
"Where did you come from?n he inquired
'From the ladies' cabin" answered the bride
"You told me halfpas four, but tho't I'd make
sure and come at four"
"a little too punctual said the Yankee "But
it's all right now Halo, cap'n, you can go ahead
now. | don't care about stopping. Come nigh
losing the passage money and the baggage-cOme
nigh gettn' drowned, Sairy, all along Of you-but
its all right now Go ahead steamboat! Rosn up
there, fremen Darn the expense"
When the sun set the loving couple were
seated on the upper deck, the big brown Yankees
encircling the slender waist of the young wo-
man in the blue bonnet and pink dress
We believe they reached their destination safe
and sound.