Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-09-08
ALIrTLE ToosPUNCTUaL-A STEAMBOAT
SKETCH,

LtIILE IOOEPUNCTUAJ-A STEAMBOAT
SKETCH.
The hour was approaching for the depar-
ture Of the New Haven steamboat from her
berth at New y York, and the usual crowd of
passengers, and friends of passengers, news
boys, lruit wonders, cabmen and dock loalors,
were assembled on and about the boat We
were gazing at the motley group, from the
loot OF the promenade deck stairs, when our
attention was attracted by the singular ac-
tion Of Il tall brown Yankee. in an immense
wool hat, chocolate colored coat and panta-
looms, and fancy vest. lie stood near the
stalboard paddle-boX and scrutinized sharp
~ 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 IL pow
erul steel chain. After mounting guard in
this manner, he dashed furiously down the
gang plank and up the wharf, rcappearinr on
board almost instantoneously. with flushed
lace expressing the most intense anxiety.
ms series O. operations hepertormcd several
times, after which he rushed about the boat
wildly and hopeleSSly, circulating
whats the time er day? Wonder if my
repeater's fast Nyhar's the capn? whar's
the steward whar's the mate whar's the
boss that owns this ship?'
whats the matter, sir ?' we vcnturcd to
ask him when he stood still for a moment.
"IIain't seen nothin' of a gal in a blue sun
bonnet, with a white Canton Grape shawl
(cost Sl5,) pink gown and brown boots, ell 3?
come on board while | wss looking for the
cap'n at the pint end Of the ship--haye yc :?
hey"
mo such person has come aboard"
"Tormented lightnin she's my wife T. he
screamed married yesterday All her
trunks and mine are aboard under a pile Of
baggage as tall as a Connecticut steeple
The darn'd black ngger says he cant 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 become Of her? Shecan't have
eloped. You don't think she's sbccnabductcd,
do ye mister? Speak answer won't yc :?
/ Oh ! I'm ravin' distracted What are they
ringing that bell for? Is the ship alirc ~
at is the signal for departure the first bell
The second will be rung in four minutes"
Thunder! You don't say so? Whars the
car'n:"
"That gentleman in the blue coat"
The Yankee darted to the captains side.
"Capn, stop the ship for ten minutes, won't
YEP
Il can't do it, sir"
but ye must l tell you. III pay you for
it. How much Will We taxi"
81 could not do it,"
"Cap'n, I'll give ye tew dollars" gasped
the Yankee.
The Captain shook his head
an give ye five dollars and halr-and a
half and half and half!' he kept
repeating, dancing about in his agony, like
mad iackaSs on a hot iron plate.
"'rhe boat starts at five precisely" said the
captain shortly, and turned away
80 you stunny-he0rted heathn :" mur-
INJURED the Yankee, almost bursting into
tears. "Partin' man and wife and We just
one day married"
At this moment the huge pajdlc-whoel5
began to paw the water, and the walking
beam descended heavily, shaking the huge
fabric to her centre. Al whowcrc not going
TO New Haven went ashore. The hands be-
gan to haul in the gang plank the fasts are
already cut loose.
"Ieggo the plank" roarcd the Yankee,
coilariug one of the hands. drop it like n
hot potato, or I'll heave ye into the dock
"Yo, yo! shouted the men in chorus, rs
they hoaved on the gaugway.
'Shut up, you braying donkeys ~ yelled
the maddened Yankee, "or there'll he 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, ilnng his hat beside it on the deck, and
rushed wildly to the guard.
Are you drunk or crazy?" cried a pas
sengcr, sei2ing him.
Pm goin' to fling myself into the dock,
aud swim ashore" cried the Yankee. IL
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 fnriOuSlV that tho cOrcc
Qucnces of his rushness might have been
fatal, had not a sudden apparition changed
his purpose. very pretty young woman in
a blue bonnet, white Canton Grape shawl,
pink dress and brown boots came towards
him.
The bIg brown Yankee uttered one stem
torian 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 p he inquired
From the ladies' cabin answered the
bride.-"Yo GU told me half past four. but l
tho't I'd make sure and come at four"
"A little too punctuai" said the Yankee.
But it's all right now. Halo, capn, you
can go ahead nOw ! don't care about stop
ping, Come nigh losing the passage money
and the baggage-come nigh gettin' drown
ed, Sairy all along Of you-but its all right
now. Go ahead steamboat l.osin up there,
fremen Darn the expense"
When the sun set the loving couple were
seen seated on the upper deck, the big brown
Yankees arm encirclng the slender waist Of
the young woman in the blue bonnet and pink
dress. We believed they reached their ees-
tination safe and sound.
r