The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1857-10-24
A Little too Punctual

The hour was approaching for the de-
parture of the New Haven steamboat from
her berth at New York, and the usual
crowd OF passengers, newsboys, fruit ven-
ders, cabmen and dock loalers, were as
sembled on and about the boat. We were
gazing at the motley group, from the foot
of promenade deck stairs, when our at
tention was attracted by the singular
action of a tall, brown Yankee, in an i'm
mense wool hat, chocolate colored coat
and pantaloons, and fancy vest. He
stood near the starboard padt3le-box, and
scrutinized sharply every female that
came on board, every now and then con-
sulting and enormous bulls eye watch,
which he raised from the depths of a ca
pacious fob, by means ola powerful steel
chain. After mounting guard in this
manner, he rushed furiously down the
gang plank and pt.e wharf, re-appta"-
ing on board almost instal. taneously, with
a flushed face, expressing the most in
tense axviety. This series of operations
he performed several times, after which he
rushed about the boat, wildly and hope
lessly circulating.
"What's the time er day? Wonder if
my repeater's fast? WARS the capn-
whar's the boss that owns this ship?"
"What's the matter, sir?" we ventured
toask when he stopped
"Hain' seen nothing of a gal with blue
sun-bonnet, with white Canton Grape
shawl, tcost $15) pink gown, and brown
boots, eh? come aboar while | was look
ing for the capn at the pint end of the
ship have YEP
"No such person has come aboard"
"Tormented lightning, she's my wifW
he screamed; married yesterday. All
her trunks and mine are aboard under
pile of baggage as tall as q Connecticut
stecple. The darn'd black niger says he
can't hand it out, and / won't leave my
baggage any how. My wife, only think
ont, was to come a! oard at half past four,
and here it's most five. What is become
of her? She can't have eloped. You
don't think she's been abducted, do yer.
mister? Speak! answer! won't we? O!
I'm ravin' distracted!-What are they
ringing that bell for? Is the ship afire ?"
1T is the signal departure, the first
bell. The second will ring in about four
minutes"
"Gracious! you don't say. Whar's the
capn?"
'The gentleman in the blue coat"
The Yankee darted to the captains
sled.
"Cap'n, stop the ship for ten minutes
won't YEP"
"Can't do it, sir!'
'Bnt you must, I tell you. I'll pay
you for it, How much will We take?"
81 could not do it?"
"Cap'n, I'll give we tew dollars" gasp
the Yankee.
The Captain shook his head.
I'll give you five dollars and a-half-
and a-half- and a-half-and a-halt-
and a-half.' he kept repeating, dancing
about in his agony.
''The boat starts at five precisely"
Said the captain shortly and turned away.
go! you stony hearted heathen!' muir
INJURED the Yankee, almost bursting into
.ears-"Partin' man and wife, and we just
married"
AT this moment the huge paddle wheels
tegan to paw the water, and the waking
beam descended heavily, shaking the
huge frabic to her centre. All who were
not goin to New Haven went ashore
The hands began to haul in the gang
plank-thke fast were already cast loose.
'Iegge the plank" roared the Yam
kee, eollaring one of the hands. Drop
it Ikea hot potato,or III heaye you into
the dock"
"Yo, yo," shouted the men in chorus,
as they heaved Oh the gangway.
"Shet up, you braying donkeys " yell
ed the maddened Yankee, "or therell be
an ugly spot of work.
But the plank was got abroad, and the
Ldat ..luSLnd nast tLn uair