New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-26
NEW PUBLHCATyONs.

Some garrulOus Old DcVh-he'pVt mas S"V"OiNN
M a fund Of gOssipping "reminiscences in re-
gard to the commercial primes Of past gen. e
Grafton ia this city, aad st them forth with
due expansion and racy comment in the pres
ent entertaining volume. lie tells his story
with freshness and yivacity, makes no parade
of antQuatcd dust, and although bis statements
are left to their natural fate without any
vouchers for their accuracy, which would be
easier asked for than furnished, he has evil
denty been e siligent mover among the relics
of by-goro day, and has no common kaack
of presenting the "spols Of time" thus
brought to Light for the amusement OF his
readers.
Here is rather q tough story Of some ancient
vorthies, whose names arc not. yet quite
obsolete.
Thomas II. Smith built an enormous tea store in
South street up by Dover. 1t extended through 10
Water and wss a hundred feet WIDE. u was the
wonder OF the city when il was built. The docks
near it were named India wharf. Smith also bult
famous stores at Perth Amboy, and had b's tea ships
laud cargoes there. The travellers TO Philadelphia
by the oid reVte must often Lave wondered wh@1
those immense brick stores were doing IN such an
insignificant place SO Perth Amboy. Thomas II:
Smith besides being the greatest tea merchant or
his day. was also tie greatest SPTes"e OF us cay
He wac the President Of Club called Inc fre
Club" 1t held its NEE ings u Frank Square, on
the corner Of Dover street. Boys have mode oil
amusement called Follow your leader" luis was
sdopted by the Club OF which Smith was President
Many men who are now aged and respected men, OF
dead. belonged 10 the File Club" Joseph Foulke,
trader at Curacao, Dutch Island II tho W est ln-
dice, ard the Stacgs. There was old Peter Stagg,
Cashier Of tue Cily Bank, and John and BeDjsMIn
Stag. There was old Matthias Bruen and many
more whose names were on the Club list. They
gave grand surnsrs, and their entertainments were
very expensive. They would invite guest TO these
suppers explain the rules and If be refused to J0ln
or could not carry out the idea, the hne wac one
dozen of champagne These fines were occasioned
by refusal to 70 low the leader. On one occasion
sgrast cotton merchant from New-Orleans was a
guest. tie agreed 70 all the conditions. II was late
IL the evening" in the dead OF Winter. The ice IL
the East River WIS floating up and down With every
Rood or ebb Of the tide. "Eoow leader" shouted
Smith, and out Of the warm, luxurious clut-rooms
poured the members OF the Club. Out Of the Square
around the corner into Dover street. olow
leader" and on rushed Smith, the PRECEDENT Of the
Club, with thirty men behind him. down Dover, past
Water, past Front, into South and thence on TO the
pier. One OF Smiths ships lay ct the dock
iigb ter lay insiue Of he main wharf. The ice was
loose and dashed up around the vessels. Follow
leader" exclaimed Smith, as he plunged from the
dock into water. Some drew back, but others fol
lowed the leader, who succeeded in getting out OF
the ice water on 70 the lighter aud from thence tC
The dock: and shouting Follow leader, be leo
off with frozen Clothes up Dover, and into the room
OF the Club. Plunge, plunge, plunge, one. aitel
sno,her, and so on until all had successfully sceom
plished tue te<fibe and dangerous feat. The South
ern cottoDnerchant was last. Some OF the regular
III Club members remained until they saw him reach
ihe dock again safely, and there they left bin shiv
ering He did not remain long. AS he walked up
from the dock, he noticed large store open IN
South street. He entered. it was wholesale
and retail sbip-stores. 81 have met with &C.
cident-9ive mo q glass Of cognac, hot, with
sugar and water" II was done, and he drank
1t. "Do you keep gunpowder," be Asked
Receiving an affirmative reply, he bought ana pad
for half keg, ana then took dis way 20 the club
room. At the door were standing Ar. Lowe and
Mr.. Town, two members of the Club. TIE latter
exclaimed, Brave Southern stra1eer-you have
a.ssed the ordeal s3fely. You aro now leader, and
we are deputed to place the Club under your com
mand ii you choose 10 exert your sacred privilege"
"1hanks, my friends, shall do 20, but will not
AJAX you TO 60 out OF the room this cold night. Let
us drink y and as he entered the room be sought
side closet where hung his cloak. There be placed
toe kog, aud then returned and took seat at the
hong solid mahogany table. President Smith called
The Club TO order. The stewards for the night
opened dozen Of champagne amid shouts, calls,
and eongs of the most stirring character. "Order,
come to order p exclaimed President Smith, When
order was partially restored, he said: Members Of
the Club guest has passed the icy ordeal. He has
now tie night Of becoming leader for the balance Of
ale night, until failure in sacred ritee.
What says hel"
The cotton merchant took from bis bosom bun-
de of tow and laid it on the table. All eyes were
fixed upon him. I" accept tie command. viii
head now. Wait until give the word, and then do
~ yen see me o. BY this time he had spun the
tow into string that would reach from the table to
fbe CRATE. He placed tumbler on one end Of the
Cow, 20 hold IL on the table and then pasted the
other 70 the pan under the CRATE and made that fast
with piece OF coal from the ooaiscutie. Not q
word was spoke. AL fell: that something unusual
was 10 occur. Cotton merchant now deliberately
went the closet and returning with the keg took
q lis ssst. Then hs went 10 work and removed the
hoops until he could take out the head OF the lite
keg. Not coal moved. Then be took very litls
OF what appeared 10 be black sand in his hand
walked to tho fire, aud flung it in. The consider
ate explosion that followed startled all. "Pow-
der by JUPITER" exclaimed Smith. Cotton mer-
eLsI; took the end Of the tow line from the glass,
and pushed it down deep into the powder in the
keg, aud there rese8ted himself. "Now, Mr. Presi-
what have 10 say"
"You have tried my pluck, j come from hot
cliuate, and you have made me 20 through an icy
crcsal II u NY time now, but | will not be 30
cruel. VIII give you fiery 0r3eal 70 20 through.
II yol stand il you viii never need more wine; aud
II yon do not, te fues will amoiJit TO u small for
tmis, nad yoa Will have wine enough to last your
kicked Of the coal lamp, and placed the other end
OF tie tow-hno III the Ted-hot Goals. Then he
walked back, end IS he brought bis fist down upon
The table said in tones Of thunder as lac sat down.
Keep your seats, and thus follow your leader
The lie eurled up in htfu sponts from the burning
tart baFat over the gratelan, ana began to crawl
along Tue carpet. 1t had ghteen feet 60. Sky
and odd single eySs watched the burning train. One
roe from ms seat, thea anOIher finally one ex-
claioSd, I'VE sbaU al be blown 10 old Nick, and
nace l2r tie door. The panic increased Down
stairs .le Club members plugged Ike flock Of