Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-03-26

Says correspondent of tthe Boston Journal
Under some circumstances journeying on the Mssour;
River is the pleasantest of travelling under some If 10
the most unpleasant The latter is the case lust now
The Ryand is the second boat that has passed down
the river since the reopenng of navigation and conuo
quently she is crowded almost to sufocation Eyerv
stateroom occupied before she left Kansas and now
every superficial foot of her cabin floor is nightly covered
with sleeper packed like picked mackerel while scores
of men compelled, if they repose at ALL to perform
somewhat difficult feat, and sleep sitting standing
These unfortunates having other resource keep the
cabin so full of tobacco smoke that might cut with
knife And occasionally one of them, having INDUCED
too freely in certain stimulating bibuants at the bar
makes night hideous with his vocal gymnastics Last
night of these gentry or rather the srycknne wb
key within him, kept up such concert as mortal man
never heard before Regularly, at intervals of abou
half hour Just the floor passengers were becoming
unconscious ne would stare them all by believing forth
IN StentOrlan tones,
80 haze you the turtle dover"
ExposuatiOns in vain, and the sitters with that
ginthemanger spirit largely prevalent in poor hu
man nature, seemed to enjoy the fun immensely.
Stimulated by their laughter and by sundry fresh DO
tations, the young man soon grew more practical in
freaks He would annoy some of the seepers by STEM
ping upon, accidentally kicking them and when they
awoke in surprise and Indignation would bring ont an
other peal of laughter by asking with an air Of injured
innocence, " Cant you take joke ?" At Last he ON
preached quiet gentleman, who stretched unon his
back, sleeping soundy on of the tables Quietly
raising his head several inches he suddenly let it fall un
the table. 1t of awoke him. and as he looked
around to the of the unexpected collision the
young man asked, as usual
Can't you take joker?
20 yes was the reply Capital, wasn't it? Ha
ha "
And the gentleman slowly arose, descended from the
tabeand before the young comprehended his purpose
stepped eisurey up to him, and suddenly planted ire
mendous blow with the fist right between his eyes,
The astonshed practical joker fell like tenpn, seven
or eight feet from the table In minute or two he
picked himself up rubbed his eyes to collect his scatter
ed thoughts, and at last said, in sorry whine:
Stranger, didt mean any HARM
"Of course you didn't" replied the gentleman no
more did l. Why, man, can't you take joker"
The roar of laughter that followed subdued the young
man altogether. He has been very quiet since.
The Missouri is more muddy than ever. was amused
this morning at an Eastern man, when basin was
placed before him for his additions. When he saw its
brick color, he said Here porter bring me some
clean water-some one has washed in this"
Whenever he finds Missouri river water which is clean
he will be more fortunate than ever have been.
Many steamers from below already passing up the
river. The sand bars are black with wild ducks
say wd but they tame that they permit boats to
pass within few rods of them.