Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-07-30
ABOUT THOSE BOOTS.
Who dares those pair of boots displaoe
MII.t DL.x.a h

Who dares those pair of boots displaoe
Must meet Bombastus face to face
Recalling an old laugh the other day and try
ing to remember what caused it, We bethought
ourselves Of an adventure that poor b dead
now) was very fond of relating in years past.
1t occurred on board the ssLexingtons'' on one
of her up passages from New York to Provi-
dence. The hero was Vermont lad of twen-
ty-ffve, sharp enough in horse trade: but We
ry verdant in everything else, who had just
sold a string of nags in New York, and was
now working round home via Providence and
Boston. He ssturned in'' pretty early, and
''turned out'' again about sunrise the next
morning, with the idea of 'sgoing up stairs,''
as he called it. Soon after he had put on his
coat and hat, the passengers were astonished
by hedious outcry from ssVarmount.''
."What's the matter 7'' said quzzical look
ing gentleman in green glasses.
''Matter ?-rnatter enough, reckon - said
Yankee. ssHere's some onrighteous individ-
ual has gone and stole my bran new cowhide
butes; cost twenty-five York shillin's;
and LETT me these ere slippers, made out o.
yaller dog skin, not worth darn 20
'sHush 20 said the man with green glasses
'.don't speak so loud. It's common occur
rence-on board this boat. Some Of the mig
gers must have done it, Did you never notice
that all the steamboat niggers go well shod %
ssWall have, old hoss and that accounts
for it, hey? Speak speak out! 1t does ac-
count for it, hey ?''
'sHush Yes-it does.''
s'Wall, I'll holler scap'n,' and get the boat
stopped till find my butes-cost me twenty
two shillin'S, York; will, by gravy a''
'sNo, no don't make row. If you do, the
theft'll throw 'em overheard. No, no! You
watch the niggers, and when you find the de-
linquent, take him to the captains office and
make him settle.:'
ssI'll settle him, 1 ain't goin' to throw A.
way pair of twenty-five shillin' butes, no
how.''
1t affords much amusement to the man in
green glasses and his cronies to see the Yam
kee shuffling and scuffiing about the cabin in
yellow slippers, dogging every darkey and ex-
amining his feet. After weary search, he
came to his tormenter, and said:
ssI'm going up stairs to pirate around there,
and see if l can trail 'em.''
So up he went and the cabin passengers
could hear his heavy tread, and scuff of his
slippers all over the deck. By and by he came
down again, just as shiny African, with
pair of polished boots in his hand, went to-
wards %, the Yankees berth. Just as he was
drawing aside the curtain, to peep in ssVar-
mount,'' lit on him like fierce cat, seizinc
him by the scruf' of the neck, and yelling:
''Ive cotched you, you double distilled es-
sence of Day and Martin boiled down to the
spirits of darkness, and mixed up with the hy-
persnlphate of rascality! After my wallet,
was you? Come along with me -
s.Lem me go.'' said the indignant darkey
struggling to get free from the iron grasp of
his antagonist.
ssNot as you knows on, you rambunctious
old wool growerf f' saiG the indignant Yankee.
ssI've handled severer colts than you be.''-
And he dragged the terrified black up the cab
in stairs, followed at a safe distance by the gen.
tleman in green glasses and bis companions.
Bringing the culprit before the Captain, he
told his story, and agreed to abide by his de-
cision. OF course an explanation followed,
with verdict for the defendant, and the plain
tiff sentenced to pay nine-pence to the iDjur-
ed African.
s'Sold, by maple!" said sVarmount.'-
s'Here, niger, here's quarter, and give me
the butes but if 1 can kitch that chap in the
green goggles, pickle me if 1 don't heave
him into the Sound 70
1t is needless to say that while the boots
were only half on, the gentleman in green glas-
ses disappeared, and the first man to make
himself scarce when the boat touched the
wharf of Providence.