Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1857-11-27
LOSING A WIFE!

her berth at New York, and the usual
crowd of passengers, newsboys, fruit ven
ders, cabmen and dock lcafers was Assem-
bled on and about the boat. Gazing at
the motley group from the foot of prom
inent deck stairs, our attention was attrac-
ted by the singular action Of a tall, brown
Yankee, in an immense wool hat, choco-
late colored coat and pantalocns, and q
fancy vest. He stood near the starboard
paddle box, and scrutanized sharply every
female that came on board, every now and
then consulting an enormous silver bulls
eye watch, which be raised from the depth
of a capacious fob by means of powerful
steel chain. After mounting guard in
this manner, he rushed furiously down the
gang plank and up the wharf, re-appear-
ing on board almost instantaneously, with
a flushed face, expressing the utmost anxi-
ETY.. The series of operations he performed
several times, after which be rushed about
the boat, wildly and hopelessly ejacula-
ting:
What's time er day? Wonder if my
repeater's fast? Whar's the Cap'n-
whar's the boss that owns this ship2"
"What's the matter, sir ?" We vcntured
to ask him when be stopped.
"Han't seen nothing of gal in a blue
sun bonnet, with a white Canton Grape
shawl, (cost $50 pink gown and brown
boots, eh ?-came aboard while 1 was
looking for the Cap'n at the pint end of
the ship, hev ye!'
"No such person has come aboard,'
"Tormented Lightning, she's my wife !"
be screamed, 'married yesterday. All
her trunks and mine are aboard under
pile of baggage as tall as Connecticut
steeple. The darned black niger says
he can't hand it out, and won't leave
my baggage anyhow. My wife, only
think ont, was to come aboard at half
past four, and here it's most FIVE What
has become of her? She can't have elop.
ed. You don't think she's abducted, DO
yer, mister? Speak answer. won't ye
o I'm ravin distracted What are they
ringing that bell for? Is the ship a-6re?"
at is the signal for departure the
first bell. The second will be rung in
about four minutes"
"Gracious you don't say so? Whar's
the Cap'n? ?"
"The gentleman in the blue coat"
The Yankee then darted to the Cap.
tain's side.
"Cap'n stop the ship for ten minutes,
won't ye?"
"Can't do it, sir"
"But you must, tell you. I'll pay
you for it. How much will ye take?
81 could not do it."
"Cap'n,Fll give y tew dollars" gasped
the Yankee.
m'll give you FIVE dollars and half
and half" he kept repeating and dan
III
"The boat starts off at five precisely"
said the Captain, and turned away.
80, you stony hearted heathin" ~ mur-
INJURED the Yankee almost bursting into
tears, "partin' man and wife, just mar
ried"'
At this moment the huge paddle wheels
began to paw the water, and the walking
beam, descending heavily, shook the huge
fabric to her center. All who were not
going to New Haven, went ashores The
hands began to haul in the gang plank !;
the fasts were already east loose.
"Le'go that plank ~ reared the Yam
kee, collaring one of the hands. "Drop
it like hot potato, or I'll heave yc into
the dock p'
"Yo, you!" shouted the men in Choir
US, 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 got aboard, and the
boat splashed past the pier. In an in
slant, the Yankee pulled off his coat,
flung his hat beside it on the deck, and
rushed wildly to the guard.
"Are you drunk, or crazy ?" cried q
passenger, seizing him.
"I'm going to fling myself in the dock
and swim ashore" cried the Yankee. 81
must't leave Sally Ann alone in York ci-
ty. You may divide the baggage among
you. Le' me go; l can swim" ~
He struggled SO furiously that the con-
sequences of his rashness might have been
fatal, had not a sudden appari,ion changed
his purpose A very pretty young wo.
man, in blue bonnet, white Canton
Grape shawl, pink dress, and brown boots,
came towards him.
The big Yankee uttered one stentorian
shout of "Sally Ann ~ aud, clasping her
in his arms, in spite of her struggling,
kissed her heartily, before all the passen-
gers: "Where did you come from ?" he
innuire3