The Placer herald., 1865-05-13
NUMBER 81.
Scenes on the Mississippi.

Scenes on the Mississippi
Fox = and the Bells. Fox F.,
known to everybody in this part of the
country, is no more-"atter liie's ftful fever,
he sleeps well. lie was the very soul Of
humor, and numerous are the funny stories
current, told either by him or of him. On
this occasion we will give one of the best OF
them. In his young days Fox was steam.
boat engineer, and at one time had the bead
berth on one of the fastests crack packets
that ever padded between the Crescent and
Mound Cities. The Captain of this boat
had an active mind, and was always studying
out bitches and dodges by which to save
money and keep up his reputation for quick
trips. An idea that he succeeded in hatch
ing out at one time, was an improved method
of communication between the pilot and the
engineer. The timehonored practice Of
having two bells to the engine, one for
stopping and starting, and the other for
backing, was entirely too slow for him, or
rather too incomplete. SO he had whole
lot of bells, of different tones, with pilot
house connections, hung up over the engine;
and he explained them at due length 20 Fox.
The bic bell was for starting and stops
ping: this bell was for crowding steam; that
for stacking steam; that other tor backing
slow; this one here for backing fast, ETC.
After much jangling of the bells and expa.
nation of this kind, the Captain left Fox
alone in his glory. Fox had received the
Instructions quietly and firmly, and If be-
had any dflidence as to his capability OF
following the bells correctly, he never be'
trayed it to any one.
The evening of departure soon came, and
steam was raised. Fox was at his post with
a very serious face; and the Captain was in
the pilot house, for the express purpose of
giving Fox bis first exercise with the bells.
The last plank was hauled in, and "ting.a.
ling, ling, ling.' went one of the back bells.
Fox sprang at the sound-the wheels gave
a big backward pull-the adjoining boats.
between which the departing one was tightly
jammed, cracked, groaned, and spanged,,
under the tremendous friction.
Ting a-lug, ling!' went another belI.-'
Fox quickly obeyed the order, but before
getting through, another bell rang. lie was.
now thoroughly engaged, grinding and un-'
grinding the crank and jerking and banging
the levers; and as he went ahead, the bells
of different sounds kept their jangling, in
the most terrible confusion.
to those on the outer part OF the boat
First she backed; then she ran forward bang
upon the levee; then backed and pitched
forward again, and bumped and twisted
about, altogether, in manner so eccentric.
that the Captain left the pilot house in a
rage and wen. tearing and swearing down
to the engine room.
Whal'n the d-n's the mattei!" he shout
ed as he found the perspiring Fox still screw
ing and jerking away at the engine-"what
the Ill does all this mean, Fox!"
"Go away, Captain, don't talk to me, y
said Fox, in tones of anguish, now jerking
frantically a. a lever, "so away, Captain
I'm eight or ten bells behind now, and If
YOU keep talking to me I'll never ketch up!'
The Captain concluded that his engineer
and the bells could not agree; and so, after
helping Fox out Of his dilemma, had all the
superfuous bells taken down.