The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1859-11-17
'1Ds D0y S0Oha
THURSDAY EVENING, NOV. II.
systematic Clerk.

BY one of the Western rivers flourish
ed, once, steamboat captain, who many
of our readers may have known under
the sobriquet of Captain Windy, as well
AS The Bell-ringer.' 1t is with the last
appellation | have to do, for thereby
hangs tale. 'Tis said-and It's very
likely, for the captain was very pom
pous. and much given to show his au-
ihority-that upon one occasion, having
engaged second clerk who was suppos-
ed to be rather unsophisticated. in rela-
ton to river matters, our windy friend
thought he had subject, and convened
congregation of the pilots, the clerks,
the mates, the bar-keepers, etc, in the
Social Hall, under the pretext of 'liquor-
ing all around While expectancy was
at its height, he rose in his majesty, and
addressed his new subordinate, in a top
lofty train, to the following effect:
my friend you have entered upon
the responsible Office of second clerk of
the steamer Gas Blower, and it is OF the
utmost importance that you should IN
derstand and attend to the bell signals
in vogue upon this institution | wish
you to give close attention to my words
while l explain them, so that you may
understand, and l may not be under the
necessity of explaining them again for
your benefit. Young man, do you hear?"
Eyes, Sir, meekly responded the VIC
tim of eloquence.
every we'll" resumed the orator.
One stroke means, Sound on the STAR
board; two means, sound on the larboard
with these you have nothing to do;
three strokes of the bell means, Come
aboard all, for the boat is about to start.
When yon are attending to anything
ashore you need not come aboard until
You hear the three strokes, then you must
hurry over the stages. Young man, do
you understand p 81 think | dc" was
lie response.
"Repeat the signals"
The clerk did as required; and the
Captain having achieved this oratorical
effort entirely to his satisfaction, ordered
40 the liquor.
Matters went on smooth enough for a
day or two, while the new clerk had
time to learn the ropes; but one fine
morning, as the steamer was lying at
-, and the young man was COM
toriably seated upon pile of lumber on
me levee, where he had been checking
freight, the Captain made ready to start,
and was about to order the stages to be
drawn in, when casting his eyes ashore,
he espied his clerk in the position de-
scribed. Come aboard" said he.
"Ring your bell, said the clerk, max
ing no movement to come aboard.
The Captain, provoked, seized the
bell-rope, and gave three furious pulls,
but no voice from the bell; and he pull
ed again, more furiously than before, but
10 no avail-the bell was mute. 'Come
aboardl' Numbered he to his clerk.
"Ring your bell"
The Captain again tried, but could not
win the slightest tinkle from the "bra-
zen throat of the bell"
Come aboard, or we will leave you p
cried the Captain, amidst renewed efforts
to ring the bell, and the whole boats
crew laughing at him. Again the Cap
tain tried, with curses loud and deep,but
tn no avail.
''Pilotl' yelled he, "shove off"
Ring your bell,' pealed in from the
shore before he could finish the order
The captain seized an axe, rushed to
the hurricane deck. and struck three
s,unding blows upon the obstinate bell.
The clerk then coolly picked himself
from the pile of boards and walked
aboard, while the wrathful commander
tore from the clapper quantity of car
peting, with which the bell had been
inufled. And since tn at day the Cap
lain of the Gas Blower has been known
AS cold Bell-ringer."