Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-07-30
ABouT THOSE BOOTS.
who dares those pair of boots displace
Must meet Bomhastus face to face

who dares those pair of boots displaee
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-
y-fve, sharp enough in horse trade: but We
ry verdant in everything else, who had just
sold string of nags in New York, and was
now working round home via Providence and
Boston. He ssturned in'' pretty early, and
ssturned out'' again about sunrise the next
morning, with the idea of ssgoing 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.''
sWhat's the matter 2" said quizzical look
| ing gentleman in green glasses.
ssMatter matter enough, L reckon - said
Yankee. ssHere's some onrighteous individ-
ual has gone and stole my bran new cowhide
butes; cost me twenty York shillin's;
and left me these ere slippers, made out O.
| yaler dog skin, not worth a darn ?''
ssHush! =" said the man with green glasses
s.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 outi It does
| count for it, hey ?''
eHush Yes-it does.''
sWall, I'll holler scap'n,' and get the boat
| T e..l
two shillin's, York; will, by gravy ?''
ssNo, no don't make row. If you do, the
theft'H 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'n settle him I amt 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:
s'I'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 a shiny African, with a
pair of polished boots in his hand, went to-
wards 80, the Yankees berth. Just as he was
drawing aside the curtain, to peep in ssVar-
mount,' lit on him like fierce cat, seizing
= him by the scruff of the neck, and yelling
, ssI've cotched you, you double distilled es.
sence of Day and Martin boiled down to the
spirits of darkness, and mixed up with the by.
persulphate of rascality. After my wallet
was your Come along with me ~
ssLem me go,'' said the indignant darkey
struggling to get free from the iron grasp O
his antagonist.
ssNot as you knows on, you rambunctious
old wool grower!" 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 n safe distance by the gen
tleman in green glasses and bis companions.
Bringing the culprit before the Captain, h,
told his story, and agreed to abide by his de
cison. OF course an explanation followed
!, with a verdict for the defendant, and the plain
!, tiff sentenced to pay nine-p pence to the injur
!, ed African.
s'Sold, by maple!'' said sVarmount.'-
, s.Here, niger, here's quarter, and give m
;. the butes; but if can kitch that chap in tn
green goggles, pickle me if don't heay
him into the Sound 20
1t is needless to say that while the boot
were only half on, the gentleman in green glas
ses disappeared, and was the first man to max
himself scarce when the boat touched tn
wharf of Provide nee.