The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-10-02
THE STEAMBOAT MYSTERY

Some months ago, affer business triE
to New Orleans, concluded 10 run up tc
Yieksburg before starting home. As all
my business transactions were completed
walked down to the levee, there to
await the departure Of the boat.
The river was lined With steamers
large and small, all freighting preparato-
~ for leaving that afternoon. Just as
was being most highly entertained by
watching a bale of cotton with negro
astride, clutching for life, fall into the
river, was startled by the rough voice
of Captain F., shouting
NO, no I'll be hanged if | take a
dead man aboard -
Looking towards the boat on which
was to take passage, noticed the Cap
tain standing on the gangway, striking
the plank forcibly with his stick Near
him stood an old. ragged Italian, whose
upraised hand seemed pleading for some
thing which the Captain denied him
The Captain made motion for the man
to leave, but he hssitated, whereupon the
Captain struck the old fellow rudely
across the back.
This 80 enrsged the little monkey
perched upon the old mans shoulder
that he darted at the Captain and gave
him as smart kick as his little legs per
mitted, and then, like feather, was in
his place again. The Italian came ashore
and, upon being questioned, said that he
wished to go toPort Hickey but being i'll,
the Captain seemed te think he'd die on
the boat
! pitied the man, but knew that moth
ing1 could say woaId ihfiuencethe Cap
tain sufficiently to allow him aboard.
Besides, he looked thin and weak, really
unfit for any voyage, no matter how short
the distance. he had no friends, no
money, and nowhere to stay-at least
this was his story to me. | offered TO
buy his monkey for my own pleasure,
and send him to place where he would
be well treated. He appeared unwilling
TO part With Yep at first, but finally
consented. / handed him bill, which
he eagerly received. then gave him a
note to man living near Keller's Mar
ket, requesting him to be kind to the old
fellow until he died, and l would re-
pay him. 1t then became a puzzling
question as to hos l would separate
Yep" from his master, and worse still,
how to get him aboard unseen by the
Captain.
After little thought opened the lar
gesr inside pocket OF my duster, dropped
into it half dozen nickels, and drew
the monkeys attention to their rattling.
The sound he knew well, and without
any trouble he jumped into my pocket
and began Immediately to place the mon-
ey in the pockets of his own little
jacket
The Italian, after asking where | lived
and few more questions about my home
thanked me profusely, and started to-
ward Keller's market
Seeing my way clear, l hurried up to
my room, without the Captain knowing
anything Of the transaction. After look
ing around a box was found, which
quickly made into a house for q Yep
Here he was put, together with his
nickels.
l glanced out Of my door just in time
10 see the bent form of the old Italian
turn the corner and disappear. knowing
he would spend one night in peace ere be
died, felt glad il had fallen to my lot to
render the kindness
Yep" toyea with his nickles almost
continually, onr stopping now and
then, when the Captains voiee was
heard.
A sound of whistles and bells, and the
putting Of steamers, plainly said, "Fiye
o'clock all aboard y
1t was lovely evening and all would
have been delightful had not the ill-hu-
mored Captain continually referred in
any butendearing terms to the old Ital-
ian and his "spiteful ape" Yep "
evinced his dislike for the Captain bv
assuming a pouty expression whenever
his gruf voice reached his ears. 1t was
plain to me that they were enemies, and
must, if possible. be kept apart. The
Captain remembered Yep's kick, and
be remembered the lick given his mas
ter, and this was an amply sufficient
cause for a duel between the two on
sight.
At $50 went up TO my room, closed
the door, and let Yep" out Of his box,
Immediately after which he began walk
ing up and down the room, looking for
his master. Not seeing him anywhere,
he crouched in corner and began mum
bling in his own language hisdispleasurs
at the situation in which he found him
self gave him carcsses and everything
calculated to please, but nothing altered
his surly countenance.
A little later retired and left him,
free to pout undisturbed rs long as he
wished.
About ten o'clock was awakened by
two sounds. The first was Yep trying
to get out Of my room and the other l
made out to be the snoring Of the Cap
tain. knowing he needed some fresh air,
opened the door and let him out He
walked slowly towards the bow until be
drew near the Captains door then he
paused ms If 10 listen, and then tried TO