The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-12-13
A steamboat Captain taken at a Dis.
From the Pitts6uy0 Republic.

FROM the EtttS0UT0 Republic.
A well known steamboat Captain, at
present on board a boat that is lying at
this port, had a decidedly comical ad-
venture n few evenings since, Said
captain is by nature exceedingly bash
tul, but, by being among all sorts of
people, has, in great measure, over
come this falling. Circumstances will,
however, occasionally place him in a
position that revives his old timidity.
The following was one of those ''cir-
CumstanceS :"
The Captain, n few days ago, met a
young lady, whose family, Consisting
of several sisters, and the old folks, he
hao formerly been acquainted with in
southern city. AT her invitation, in
company with friend, he visited his
acquatntances Sunday evening. The
two were cordially received, and the
captain was perfectly at ease, succeed
Ing admirably in sustaining an agreea-
Ole conversation. Nothing unusual
occurred, until tea time when, as the
master of the house was absent, our
friend found himself placed at the head
OF the table, with good sized turkey
In front of him. He did not like to un-
dertake the job, but as his friend refus-
ed there was no one else to do it, and
he Was about to dispense with cere-
monies and commence the work
OF carving, when he was inter-
rupted by one of the young la
dies very seriously asking him to
expected, and the Captain, VINO is
more used to the language of steam
boat deck than a Sunday table, was
completely unnerved; his head swan,
all his old bashfulness returned, and
he stammered out, ''I guess we will
take IL ou-hand." Utterly blind to
everything before him, instead OF the
napkin, he spread his pOcket-handker-
chief in his lap, seized his own knife
and fork instead of the carving uten-
sils, and commenced cutting right and
left. In few moments the turkey
looked like frightened hedgehog. The
old lady looked on in Rmazement,
while the younger members of the fam
lIy made vain efforts to contain their
mirthfulness. He commenced dis
tributing the now queer looking fowl,
After the family had nearly all been
served, he was picking out "walker"
for one of the young ladies, and stuck
his fork into it SO far that he found it
almost impossible to get it loose. At
ter several vain efforts, he took his
knife and fork into his own hands verv
much as II Yankee does stick when
he whittles, and whipped the turkeys
leg oil into his lap. AS no one saw
him, he concluded to say nothing about
the matter, watch his opportunity and
SAAR A. SSASA OA " ble JAdtts ne last
person at the table was at length
served, and the uulucky Captain
thought his trials were over, but unfor-
tunately still greater troubles were in
store for him. The baked potatoes
were passed, lie knocked one of the
dish, and it dropped to the floor, but
was not noticed; he took another, then
reached down and put the one on the
floor in his coat pocket
BY this time he saw that the rest were
using their napkins, and took his hand
kerchief with the piece of turkey and
put it in the inside pocket of his coat.
BE then spread the napkin in his lap
and felt safe.
After several more slight troubles,
supper was finished, and the family,
with not very solemn countenances,
returned to the parlor. There is one
other member of the household that
has not been previously meuUioned-a
playful kitten. The Captain, to conceal
his chagrin, picked up the cat. Pussy
evidently Smelt not n mice, but turkey
and made desperate grab at the Cap
tain's coat pocket, bringing out hand
kerchief, turkey-leg and all. Our friend
in horror jumped to his feet, the potato
flew out and rolled across the room.
He did not stop to pick it up this time,
but went at once down stairs, two steps
at a time, followed by shouts of laugh
ter from all the members of the family.
His companion came after him with
out ceremony, and we venture to say
| that the two regard their Sunday night
adventure as anything but a success.