The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-13
EXIT PETER B.
Circumstances Attending His Distin-
guished Departure.
THE UNFORGOTTEN OYSTERS
Mr.. Sweeny Takes His "Brains"
H4. to Another Market. a8t

Peter b. Swceny bade adeu to the beloved shores Of
his native land yesterday. Tho HgRALD's exclusive
announcement Of his impending departure was some
hing OF sensation, ana ough the rcdoubable ex
heftain OF rammany had hrst intended to sail by the
steamer Illinois from Philadelphia the loving eyes Of
his friends and political comrades turned yet expect
unity toward the docks OF the two steamship lines In
this city whence despatched to Europe
yesterday. These two lines were the Cunard and the
French, and on both docks unusual excitement pre-
vailed. 1t had been whispered about among some OF
Mr. Swoeny's friends that he intended TO sail Wy the
-ihina, OF tho Cunard line, and that tho announce
mont Of his departure from Philadelphia was ouly a
scheme to throw the ropresen Of the press and
pubic generally off the track Hence there was consid
cradle stir Of curiosity board the good ship "China
before she started on her Transatlantic voyage.
'Where's Sweenya whores Sweenyf" you could
hear many Of the passengers and their friends ask.
81 tell you he's going to sail from Phadclphia,"
was reply. "Don't you know that he only went
the other day to Philadelphia mako tho prepars-
tions Tor his departure ?"
'.l' bet he's slowed away board this very ship
was another, and then there eager glancing
the passenger list OF the China and we're long
taces when the name OF Peter B. sweeny did not APP
pear there
4s AN INNOCENT REPORTER sGUyEpn
''There's Sweeny," said steward to an anxious
newspaper reporter pointing AZ short, stoutish
with dark beard, who, indeed, bore little
bance 20 the famous "brains" Of the King The re-.
porter, with sublime nonchaance, accosted the
stranger, saying, SHOW do you do Mr.. sweenys"
''How do you know am Mr.. Swesny," the gontle-
man replied rather quizzically.
.'Because have met you before, think" was tho
prompt reply. sHf8 tlMnt
IL think not,n returned the bogus Sweeny, In .
serious which seemed strOn m Indicate
that no was really the man, aud lett the scribe
the firm impression that he had tho exPark Com
missioner of on board the British steamer
4N WHY He SAILED BY THE FRANCE
What ignorance OF the true nwardness of Mr.. Swec-
ny's character this conclusion betrayed Who does
not know Mr. Sweeny's outspoken prediction for the
0ra'de nation? Has no not been accustomed Tor the
last TOUR or ave years to breakfast euts brouus
duS tr.6es scrambled eggs, with traflssl, which ut
the Gaze Anglais are served at the modest price OF
eighty cents per dishf Does no dovotedy cling to
his m0sagrdn. his 0avdroiss, his lemonade garanse-
according to the time OF dayf MIR. Sweeny's refined
palate revots At any but highest chef dasvres Of
the culinary art of La Belle Franc Besides there are
many other points OF sympathy between Mr.. Sweeny
and the French nation. MacMahon, the President of
the French Republic, by origin Irishman and 80
Is Sweeny. The French are proverpially polite peo
pie. and what New York city politician does not
know the lnnnte, subtle suavity OF his manners at
period when he lorded the political destnies Of tho
Empire Cltyf 1t is impossible say whether Mr.
Bweeny was attracted by the delicious tarts Of the
French steamers by their black coffee or by their
soes. Ia Cafe Richie delicate frogs legs
q Ia Odrbette Byebant or the promise OF choice and
delicate wines-enough that. having come back to
this country OF the French steamers, he yes.
teruay returned 70 his petit chez sol the Avenue
Bols de Boulogne by the France, Of the ships Of
inc french line, commanded Nv Captain Trudelle.
The France was advertised to sail at ten O'Clock.
AT hali-past eight O'Clock in the morning q large,
blun-iooking gentleman appeared at the Office OF
French steamship Company on broadway. At this
unreasonable nour the night clerk uad just left and,
as late luck would have it, Mr. Louis dc Beban the
agent OF the ne, whom the visitor desired 10 see per-
sonaly, had just arrived. 4&
Beoan," the VISITOR said, whose description closely
TALES with lnat Of ex senator Bradley, Mr. sweeny's
"Al right, ST." Mr.. do Bebian courteously re-
sponded. ''whal priced ticket DO you wish, sirs"
.Oh. give ne the best you have" the gentleman
sa,d, WIN that delightfully."- easy air when indicates
that "money Is no OBJECT" IL suppose II isn't 100
lale yet 10 secure good roomW
'sIt's TOO late TO mend,' sententiously re-
sponded Mr. LOUIS de Bebian, with knowledge OF
EngIsn literature surprising IN . French scholar.
at sn't tor myself, but Tor Mr. Sweeny,h the sup.
posed DroIher-in-aw stated with slight hesitation.
cnaDge came over the VISION Of Mr.. de Bebians
dream. he faltered u moment and Inen queried aii-
hdently :-"Petcr b. Do you mean Mr.. Peter 8.
Swecny, VINO has already once bean our passenger w
'Yes, sir" the applicant responded with an awkward
smile.
The transaction completed.
"Mr. Sweeny Is going straigut on to Paris, and SO
the bluff gentleman SAID, and he handed cheek tor
$780, wnicn was signed John J. Bradley, 70 Mr.. dc
beban, who accepted II with as gracious smile as
though ~ were package vi brand greenbacks
the Same amount
II have gwen Mr. sweeny Nos. IL and 49, right noar
the dining room and IN tue middle oil the ship, where
the motion IL very sight He can't nave anything
bctter,n Mr.. de Beoan announced, politely hand
ing the ticket, had promptly hed up
by uiligent clerk.
the gentleman gave a Characteristic quick stroke
Of HE rugged light mustache, and with blunt "Good
morning" ne evaporated.
PETER MS ARRIVAL AT THE STEAMER.
Meanwhile the scene at pier No AZ North River
was about 10 take out some thirty hrst aud second
class and seven 1--we third class passengers ana
great trends and relatives rsed over the
dock anu the ship. Every agog about
sweepy. Would he be passenger on board the
FranceY IL was too deghtiul thought to all me
gossips to actually make the passage with the great
co-Drains OF Inc Rug. At niue O'Clock the crowd
began 10 wager small pets as 10 whether Mr.. Swceny
would be passenger on the steamer Az last, when
nearly every one had gwen him up anu When II only
lacked about fifteen minutes 20 the hour appointed
for the SAILING, a carriage arrived laden with Mr.
Swecny, Mr.. Bradley, third unknown, Several
trunks and " Small barrel Of oysters Yes, a small
barrel OF oysters WHAT true American raised on East
Rivers and Blue Points will not appreciate Mr..
sweenys loyal devotion to these magnificent products
vi his native lgndf
ingy sad TO Que Of the employees who rolled the
oyster barrel up 10 the occk.
~ guess ne - going u present oil these oys-
ters 70 Marshal hacM non," wit among The passen-
gers iacesIousy remarked They n show him what
American oys tcrs are i.ke anyhow"
now THE voyA6ER LOOKED.
Peter b. hustled ABOUT quite actively 10 see one OF
bis trunks put into ms stateroom and the other
slowed away. But ms iondest giancos fingered over
this DEAR priceless oyster barrel One could tell from
his look, from the tenderness with winch watched
u, that he belonged 10 that heroic almost
extinct now, VINO by way oil AN appetiser tor the'r
dispose oil threo dozen saddle Rocks with
out once taking breath. Dir. swceny, when That
precious oyster keg was at last put away into the
safest nook oil his spacious looked relieved
The only cloud upon his expansive brow hau now
disappeared and he appeared the old, good humored,
ensy going Peter b. nc WIS dressed new, glossy
black broadcloth, oil evidently foreign cut. aud
displayed that vide, immaculate SHIRT front Tor which
no always SO famous III bis paimIest days WIN
the modes,y OF tho statesman he dsdaIncd
ing splendid diamonds aud ms breast did not
play tue RIBBON the Legion oil Honor, with which
President MacMahon - SAID 10 have decorated the
famed Nov Yorker IN return for his teaching nlm how
manage electIons That superb black mustache, as
expressive It's way we're Carkers teeth TO the eye
Of Dickens no longer shone Win It's former Drilancy,
however. IL was tnged with gray. OherwYe Dir.