The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-04-18
Old TIMES CONE IGIIN.
Extraordinary Scenes at the Departure Of the
Albany Stcambont-.

The competition between the Merchants
and tho old Peoples line of boats 10 Albany Is
fast becoming interesting. The steamboats, lay
at adjoining docks at the foot Of Canal street
The scenes before their departure at L. VI. re-
mind one OF the old times when passengers were
paid n quarter of n dollar to 20 to Al
hany by the rival lines. Lust evening over
500 people were assembled Mt the foot Of Canal
street. watching the antics of the runners.
Scouts were stationed at Watts and Brsbrosscs
strcota and there was sharp skrmishing ut Ca
nal and Greenwich streets. Eycry passenger
WIS wnylaid by rival runners. and overwhelmed
with advice until he made his choice and ran
down the gnng plank. EZ"kir Chamber
lain. usher to tho Union Square Theatre,
Is the king runner for the Peoples Inc. ana
nmmhcrs in his SOUND 1urli men - Mlch4ri
Glvnn. and John Davis. all prorss iorals oi
years standing. Their rivals 81 the Mrr, hanl7
line are Differed ly ia" wrll-knpwn John Ma
roncy. and include owen Cannon. John InIn-
rus. old Alderman a savan known MS frenrhy.
and similar veterans.
nenrrd about o'clock. "" rnnin sailing down
Canal street with .wc-illled porimanleau.
totally unconscious uf the prcnnrltions Tor his
reception. Chamberlain and Maroncy boarded
Tag the Walter Brett d" shouted tho latter.
sinking II hand bill in the old follows face.
"Oh he don't wan, to go to Albany on no old
rnft; [" screamcd Chamhcrlain. hanp1tnns poster
against the gentleman cur l1N WuutS ~
good nights rest on the Peoples line. Right
along this way, sir.
Don't insult the man," yelled Nnroncy.
SHAKING. his handful like the handkerrhici Of "a
mntador Come right around with me. sir.
They'll charge You two dollars on mat line.
You don't want ~ pnv two dollars to ride on an
Old dugout when You can 90 to Albany in a
Yes" interrupted Zckc, and get stale bread
nf The gcntlcman. lie knows what he wants.
Right along TINS way. sur ,,, lit.
Noah's ark" said Maroncy. Her. boilers arc
rotten. YOU can knock II hole in them with u
by this time the old fellow was dumhfoundca.
Trenchv was dancing around him Ike West
street wasp John Post cuprred ahead Of him.
filing the air with In" fumes Of rye whiskrv
and praises OF tho Peoples line; Owen Cannon
lowered above him like nosclrss h"anpol".
and Gillignn shook himself and his STOW" PHO
hat in his fnce. until til" man might have fan
cied he was looSing into Kaleidoscope All
talked AZ once. and mad. such u din that the
boiler Founders on West street stopped
was tho mntter. Tho traveller anchored and
began to chew his cravat in his confusion. H..
started for the Merchants pier. then changed
his mind. made ffty motions in u s"cond. and
finally disappeared under the arch ~ III" wharf
Of the Peoples line. amid the laughter OF the
Meanwhile O'Bricn Of the Peoples line WIS
Conveying an old gent rman and hie wife down
Waits street. Old Ark"rWHn got tine weather
gauge Of him and cut out tho ur'2". and there
WIS another roar of laughter. Gilligan ine-
craft on Hobolten street. and was swectly
honcyfugling him. when Lazarus began ~
tow him IN an opposite d,rrciIon Ihat dr ,
ministerial craft was thrown IN IN" eye ii TIE
wind and raked from stem to storm. II finally
flung out signals Of distress. and the pole q
were coming to It's rrllri when the runners
hnd. and 1t reached the Dean Richmond IN
safety.
And thus for mn hour WIS the upronr con
timed. When the rival bonis changed their
bells 1t was redouhled regiment OF lon
mouths and hands In their pockets
| leaning against the iron ratings oi
| the little park. and cnloved the scene. In SOM
cases the passengers listened patiently unit
| they comprrhrnd"d the situation. aud thet
| broke for the boats like hOb-tailed bulls II
| ily time. The polio" stood lay 10 arr's
any of the runners who laid han,
| upon the travellers. hut their tongue,
had free rein. and choice expressions ran iron
! them Ike water from spout. ono Of the line
| has already reduced Inc far" 10 Albany &
! twenty five ccni~ ana tho prospects are that !
! Will be lower before II is higher.