The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-07-03
A Little too PunctuaI.

4 r.
lparture of the New Haven steamboat from
her berth at New York, and the usual
lcrowd of passengers, newsboys, fruit ven
lders, CABIN en- and dock loafers, were as
Isembled on and about the boat. We were
lgazing at the motley group from the foot
Iof the promenade deck stairs, when our
attention was attracted by the singular ac-
ton Of a tall, brown Yankee, in an i'm
mense wool hat, chocolate eolored coat
and pautaloons, and fancy vest. He
lstood near the starboard paddle box, and
lscrutinized sharply every female that came
on board. every now and then consulting
an enormous silver bull'seye watch which
he raised from the depths of a capacious
fob by means of a powerful steel chain
After mounting guard in this manner, he
dashed furiously down the gang plank
and up to the wharf, reappearing on board
almost instantaneously, with a flushed
face, expressing the most intense anxiety
This series of operations he performed
several times, after which he rushed about
1.-THE boat wildly, and hopelessly ejacula-
ted:
"What's the time Of day? Wonder il
ilmy repeater's fast? Whar's the cap'n?-
tWhar's the steward? Whar's the mattel
| Whar's the boss that owns the ship?"
i "What's the matter, sir?" we ventured
| to ask him, when he stood for a moment.
| "Hain't seen nothin' of a gal in blue
sun bonnet, with Canton Grape shawl,
/ (cost fifteen dollars,) pink gown, and
brown boots, hey? come ON board while
was lookin' for the cap'n at the hind end
of the ship-have ye, hey2"
"Ko such person has come on board
"Tormented lightnin'l She's my wife, "
he screamed; married her yesterday
All her trunks and mine aboard under the
pile of baggage as tall as Connecticut
steeplo The darn black nigger says he
cant hand it out, and went leave my
baggage, any way. My wife-only to
think of twas to have come aboard at
half past four, and here it's most Ave-
What's become of her? She can't have
eloped. We hain't been married long
enough for that. You don't think she's
been abducted, do ye, mister? Speak
-answer-won' ye? Oh. I'm ravin' dis
tractedl What are they ringing that bell
for? Is the ship a6re2"
"It sthe signalfo departure the first
bell. The second will ring in four mia
utesn
"Thuuderl you don't say SO? Whar's
the cap'n?"
"That gentleman in the blue coat"
The Yankee darted to the Captain
lside. 81
rCap'n stop the ship for ten minutes,
won't your"
"Can't do it, sir.''
aCap'n, I'll give you two dollars,
gasped the Yankee. 81.
The captain shook his head.
ell give you FIVE dollars and a half
and half-aEd half!' he kept repeat
ling, dancing about in his agony, like a
mad jackass on a hot iron platter.
s.The boat starts at five precisely, said
the captain, shortly, turning away.
32"Oh,. you stunny hearted heathinP'
murmured the Yankee, almost bursting
into tears. "Partin man and wife e,and We
lust one day married. 81
| Atthis moment the huge paddle wheels
began to paw the water, and the walking
beam descended heavily, shaking the huge
fabric to the center. All who were moi
going to New Haven went ashore. The
hands began to haul in the ang-plank
| the fasts are already cast loose.
i aLeggo that plankp' roared the Yam
/ kee. collaring one of the hands. "Dror
lit. like hot potato, or / il heave you into
the dock. ''s.7
/ "Yo-ho!' shouted the men in cho
rus, as they heaved on the gangway.
"Shut up, you braying donkeys!p yellet
| the maddened Yankee, aor there'll be al
ugly sort of work.
/ But the plank was got aboard, and tn,
boat splashed past the pier. In an instan
the Yankee pulled off his coat, flung hi
hat beside it on the deck, and rushee
wildly to the guard
: care you drunk or crazy?" cried pas
senger, seizing him.
4 "I'm goin' to fling myself in the docl
and swim ashore!' cried the Yankee. &C
mustn't leave Sairy Ann alone in Ne,
York city. You may divide my baggag
amoug ye-let me go--I can swim.
Il He struggled SO furiously that the con
sequence of his rashness might have beel
fatal had not sudden apparition change
: his purpose. A pretty young woman, i
! blue bonnet, white Canton Grape shaw
9 pink dress, and brown boots came towar
him. The big brown Yankee uttered on
lstentorian shout of s'Sairy Ann, claspin
: lher in his arms in spite of her struggling
n and kissed her heartily, right before a
: the passengers.
: rWbar did you come from?' he inquire,
/ From the ladies cabin, answered th
9 bride. aYou told me half past four, br
! I thought I'd make sure, and come
b four"
ell ga little too punctual!' said the Yal
e lkee; abut it's all right now. Halo, cap
J. you can 60 ahead now, / don't care abo,
i stopping. Came nigh losing the passae
money and the baggage come nigh ge
is ting drowned, Sairy, all on account
you-but it's all right now. Go ahea
a steamboat. Rosin. up, there, freme
Darn the expenses"
'n When the sun set, the loving coup
we're seen seated upon the upper deck, Il
k big brown Yankees arm encireling Il
ID slender waist of the young woman in Il
n blue bonnet and pink dress. We belize
le they reached their destination safe an