Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-07-27

Ahout ~ CLOCK, we drew near the Greal
Eastern. In the distance her vast hulk loom
ed up like a huge black wal. Sundry small.
er steamers were taken for her, and one old
lady told ElizuT Jane, as we passed the shiI
Sandusky, to "Look at the pesky critter
quick, and then vowed she thought it was nj
''much after ALL When We drew up close
to the steamer, the rural mind became con
fused, the eyes expanded, and for while tbs
tongue eleaved to the roof OF the mouth
"Bill Wilson, just look at that aUpon my
word, (impressiveiy) Gust mind its big
ness, "'Tain't iron, know" "Now, moth
er who's right {? isn't that as long as our
barns high ?" "Well, Of all the big things
ever saw, that's the biggest" and so on Ga
byiRitlnl. With the crowd we pushed toward
the entrance, with ticket in hand, surround
ed by wondering, talking, curious, pushing,
registering thousands, amongst whom our
little band made but small, though virtuous
leaven. In we went and at the very first
glance detected in the UistG group Of dancers,
who, to the Whistled air of 'Pop Goes the
Weazel," are enjoying themselves hugely
Aswe ascended to the deck amost remarkable
scene presented itself to our unaccustomed
eyes Walking up and down the spacious
area were men, women, and children, of all
shapes, sizes and colors Arm in arm two
lovers gazed at each other rather than at the
ship; seated on a bench, German matron
dispensed with liberal hand to her swarthy
husband and their TeutOnic brood huge
Jumps of bread and slices of Deutsche
SchDeizer-kase up and down and all around
looking in at doors, peeking in at windows,
peering down through gratings, and peeping
into holes generally, went the hot, tired and
curious crowd, wandering not unlike that
venerable "Goosey- -Gander," ofwkom Mother
Goose makes such honorable mention in her
book Of poetry. Stumbling upon a man who
sold Us one Of Fontain's capital 'Guide
Books we managed to make an intelligent
tour of the ship. During said tour we met
with queer people, heard strange sayings and
saw uncanny sights. In an unguarded mo-
ment we loaned our Guide to a stranger who
has not yet returned it. Down a narrow
stairway, we attempted to go. Up that mar
row stairway others tried to come. Con-
sequently there was tussle, a squeezing, 8
ramming and a jamming, and re
gret to say it, on the part of not a few, there
was also damning. "Don't come VI" yell.
ed the down goers "there are only few
more ofus and then you can come up" ''Oh
get out," said an up-comer, "there amt nOn'
of US at all. "Mary Jane, hold down you
dress" said an anxious mamma nTommy
be careful of your clothes; take your handl
off from them oily bannisters" cried watch
| full papa. "Derned eff I'd a come eff I'd {
known 'twould ha' been so hot, said lusty
Iol,,1 I'D - %
tentive friend from the Jerseys. 'iWell, now
amt that yere bully?" said little ten yeai
old to his sister as together they looked a
the immense piston-rod. "Yes, Charley,
! she replied "but how can we ever get NJ
stairs ?" And sure enough, such a getting
| up stairs was never before seen or imagined
We turned from these people and went dOwr
another pair of stairs, then down another
and then down another. Here there was
wicker door, on which was printed, "NO ad
mittance." We went in, and the door shu
with slam, There was no handle on tht
inside, and we could by no means open it. SC
we moved on. The low ceiling compelled III
to bend our head; we went on and on, turn,
cd to the right into narrow passage, vrlial
was quite dark, Kept on, brought up standing
/ and could go no further. The air was CLOSE
and smelt skunky, the walls seemed damI
| and chilly; how to get out I didn't know
attempted to retrace my steps, but soon be.
came involved in labyrinth of passagewayl
and byWays What shall be done? CAL I
No one could hear. Wait for some one to come
Probably no one would appear for a week
Welsid our head against what appeared to be Q
door, and felt like initiating Jacob, and lifting
our voice to weep. Suddenly the apparent wall
moved, and with sudden lunge we found
ourselves on the iron deck, and then knew
that we had been leaning against the door
through which we had surreptitiuously passed
We will not in our thankfulness, allude to
the pulling of our hair, or the somewhat
rough handling we received on suspicion OF
being thievishly inclined but will add a
NORA at the summing up Of the day S adven-
lures.
We went into the grand saloon, heard a re-
markably slim and egotistical band play the
"Great Eastern Polka" and then endeaEor to
sell the same to the young ladies who how
cred near, then followed the crowd to the
steering apparatus, where, in company with
Hmany others" we tarred our hands, oiled
our garments and satisfied our curiosity. Sub
sequently we ascended the paddle-bcxes, lost
our new felt hat and enjoyed the view. Fin
ally, having seen it all, we Joined our up
river friends, and en- Hdsss gave three rous-
ing cheers and a "tigah," partly for the
Great Eastern and partly for the fun of the
thing.
In grand procession we marched to the
Thomas NOVEL;, satisfied that the Great East
ern is a great wonder, that she is great ship
and that she is q great failure. At 81 o'clock
Of delight the excursionists took their de-
parture, having, as they said, enjoyed them
selves hugely, having entirely replenished
the treasury of the Poughkeepsie Young
Mems Christian Association, and having ex-
perienced from early morn to dewy eve, right
royal and entirely tip-tOp time.