Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-10-23
A Little too Punctual.

line hour was approaching for the departure of the
New. Haven steamboat from her berth at New York.
and the usual crowd of passengers newsboys fruit ven
ders cabmen and dock oafers, assembled on and
about the boat We were gazing at the motely group
from the foot of promenade deck stairs, when at
tentlon was attracted by the singular action of tall
brown ankee In immense wool hat chocolate c00red
coat and pantaloons and fancy vest He stood near
the starboard paddebox and scrutnzed sharply every
female that board every now and then consult
ing an enormous bulls eye watch which he raised from
the depths of capacious fob, by means of powerful
steel chain After mounting guard in this manner, he
rushed furiousy down the gang plank and up the wharf
reappearing board almost nStantaneously, with q
flushed face, expressing the most intense anxiety This
series of operations he performed several times after
which he rushed about the boat, wildly and hopelessy
calculating.
Whats the time er day? Wonder if my repeater's
fast Whar's the cap'n-whars the boss that owns
his ship?'
Whats the matter, sir ?' we ventured to ask when
he stopped.
Han't seen nothing of gal with blue sun-bonnet,
with white Canton Grape shawl (cost 81 pink gown
and brown boots, eh come aboard while was looking
for the capn at the pint end of the ship, have ye?"
" No such person has come aboard"
"Tormented lightning, she's my wife J" he screamed
married yesterday All her trunks and mine are aboard
under pile of baggage tall Connecticut steeple
The damd black nigger says he can't hand it out and
won't leave my baggage any how. My wife, only think
ont was to come aboard at halfpast four and here it's
most five. What is become of her? She can't have
eoped You don't think she's been abducted, do yer,
mister? Speak answer! won't yeI o! I'm ravin'
distracted! What they ringing that bell for Is
the ship afre ?"
at is the signal for departure, the first bell The
second will ring in about four minutes" ..
Gracious you don't say so! Whar's the cap'nH"
The gentleman in the blue coat"
The Yankee darted to the captains side.
Capn, stop the ship for ten minutes, won't ye p
Can't do it, sir !"
But you must, tell you. I'll pay you fo1 it. How
much will ye take ?"
Il could not do it?
Capn, I'll give ye tew dollars" gasped the Yankee.
The Captain shook his head
"Il give you five dollars and a-half-and a-half!-
ard and ahalf and ahaf p he kept repeating,
dancing about in his agony.
"Ihe boat starts at five precisely said the captain
shortly, and turned away
90! you stony hearted heahen !" murmured the Yam
kee, almost bursting into tears" Partn and wife,
and we just married.
At this moment the huge paddle wheels began to paw
the water and the waking beam descended heavily, sha
king the huge fabric to her centre. All who were not
going to New Haven went ashore. The hands began
to haul in the gang plank-the fasts already cast
loose.
Lego the plank roared the Yankee, colIarng one
of the hands. Drop it like hot potato, or III heave
you into. the dock"
"Yo, yo," shouted the men in chorus as they heaved
on the gangway
"Shet up, you braying donkeys!" yelled the madden
| eu anKee, :" or Inere Ii De an ugly spot OF WOrK
But the plank was got aboard and the boat plushed
past the pier
In an instant the Yankee pulled off his coat-hung
his hat beside it the deck and rushed wildly to the
guard.
"Are you drunk crazy?" cried passenger, seizng
him.
I'm going to fling myself into the dock and swim
ashore, cried the Yankee. mustn't leave Sally Ann
alone in New York city You may divide the baggage
among you Let me go! l can SWIM"
He struggled furousy that the consequences of his
rashness might have been fatal had not sudden appar
tion changed his purpose. very pretty young woman
in blue bonnet, white canton Grape shawl, pink dress
and brown boots, came towards him.
The big brown Yankee uttered stentorian shout
Of Sally Ami! clasped her in his in spite of her
struggling and kissed her heartily, right before all the
passengers.
" Where did you come from ?" he inquired.
From the ladies' cabin" answered the bride You
told me half past four but thought I'd make sure and
come at FOUR
g little too punctual," said the Yankee.
But it's all right now, don't about stopping.
Come nigh losing the passage money and baggage-but
it's all right now. Go ahead steamboat Rosin up
firemen. Darn the expensev'
When the sun set the loving couple seated
on the upper deck the big brown Yankees arm encr-
cling the slender waist Of the young in the blue
bonnet and pink dress.
We believe they reached their destination safe and