Volcano weekly ledger., 1855-11-24
A Little Too punctual Steamboat Sketch

The hour was approaching for the depar-
ture Of the New Haven steamboat from her
berth at New York, and the usual crowd of
passengers, and friends of passengers. news
boys, fruit venders, 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
attention was attracted by the singular action
of a tall brown Yankee, in an immense wool
hat, chocolate colorcd coat and pantaloons.
and fancy vest. He stood near the star
board paddle-box, and scrutnized sharply
every female who came on board. every now
and then consulting an enormous silver bulls
eye watch, which he raised from the depths
of capacious fob, by means Of powerful
steel chain. After mounting guard in this
manner he dashed furiousy down the gang
plank and up the wharf, re-appearing on
board almost nstantaneously with flushed
face, expressing the most intense anxiety
This series of operations he performed sew
eral times after which he rushed about the
boat wildly and hopelessly, calculating.
What's the time er day? Wonder if my
repeater's fast? Whar's the capn? whar's the
steward? whar's the mater whar's the boss
that owns this ship?D
whats the matter, sir?" we ventured
to ask him when he stopped still for mo-
ment
Hain't seen nothin Of gal in blue sun
bonnet with white Canton Grape shawl (cost
Sl5,) pink gown and brown boots eh? come
aboard while / was looking for the cap'n
at the pint end of the ship-have yeY hey?"
No such person has come aboard"
I.rrAef.tn1 li,rbf t..f l..
screamed; married yesterday. All her trunks
and mine are aboard, under pile Of baggage
as tall as a Connecticut steeple The darnd
black nigger says he can't hand it out, and
won't leave my baggage any how My wife,
only think ont, was to come aboard at half
past four, and here its most five. What's be-
come of her? She can't have eloped You
don't think she's been abducted. do yer mis-
teri Speak! answer won't We? OH I'M
rayin' distracted What are they ringing
that bell for2 Is the ship afre?"
1t is the signal for departure the first
bell The second will be rung in four min
utes"
Thunderl you don't say so? Whar's
the capn?"
The gentleman in the blue coat"
The Yankee darted to the captains side.
Cap'n, stop the ship for ten minutes
won't ye?"
:" / can't do it sir"
But ye must, | tell you I'll pay you
for it. How much will yc take?p
4" could not do it,
Cap'n I'll give ye tew dollars" gasped
the Yankee
( The Captain shook his head
I'll give You five dollars and half-and
a half and a half and half and
half he kept repeating, dancing about in
his agony, Ike a mad jackass ON a hot iron
plate.
1 The boat starts at five precisely" said
I the captain shortly, and turned away.
"Ol yOu sunny hearted heathinl7 murmur-
ed 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 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 pank-the fasts are already cast loose.
Leggo the plank" roared the Yankee,
collaring one Of the hands. "Drop it like
hot potatoc, or I'll heave ye into the
/ DOCK
" Yo, yo!" shouted the men in chorus, as
they heayed on the gangway.
" Shut up, you braying donkeys." yelled
the maddened Yankee, cor therel be an
ugly spot of work.
But the plank was got aboard and the boat
splashed past the pier
In an instant the Yankee pulled of his
coat-fiung his hat besides it on the deck,
and rushed wildly to the guard
" Are you drunk or crazy" cried passen-
ger, seizing him.
Pm going to ding myself into the dock
and swim ashore" cried the Yankee. al
mustn't leave Sally Ann alone in New York
city. You may divide the baggage among
you Let me go! can swim"
He struggled so furiousy that the conse-
quenceS of his rashness might have been fatal.
had not sudden appartion changed his pur-
pose "A very pretty young woman in a
blue bonnet, white Canton Grape shawl.
pink dress and drown boots, came towards
him.
The big brown Yankee uttered one stem
torian shout of Sairy Ami" clasped her in
his arms IN spite of her struggling and kissed
her heartily, right before all the passengers
WI here did you come FRONT" he inquired
trom the ladies' cabin" answered the
bride. You told me halfpast 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 | don't care about
stopping. Come nigh losing the passage
money and the baggage-but it's all right