Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 November 1886 — Skipper Tom’s Snappers. [ARTICLE]

Skipper Tom’s Snappers.

Capt. Tom Kelly, now dead, was one of the pioneers in the Riqtrade and a man full of Irish wit, says the Baltimore Herald. The last boat he commanded was the brig Lapwing. The captains of other vessels used to call her Tom Kelley’s wooden shoe. Capt. Kelly got into a little difficulty with the custom-house officials in Rio at one time. He was hauled up for trial and accused as a Frenchman for violating the customs rules of Brazil. “A Frenchman, did ye soy?” said Capt. Kelley. “Be jabers, did ye iver see a Frenchman with as big a foot as that?” and he held up his big feet. The court of inquiry laughed and let Capt. Tom go. old pioneers were, by the Rio customhouse officers, wbo in the old daysr -persisted in even searching a man’s pocket when he landed there. While the Captain was loading in Baltimore for Rio one day a. colored man with tw o snapping turtles about a third grown boarded his brig and offered the turtles for sale. “Phat ye want for ’em!” asked the captain. “Quarter-dollar apiece.” “How long will they live?” “Live till dey die, boss, ’en sometimes longer. Doan want ter feed, ’em, nuther.” “I’ll take ’em,” says the captain. Hiuput the t snappers in a box and placed them in the cabin. He nursed them carefully and watched them closely until he got back to Rio. coat, although it was warm, and put a snapper in each pocket. He landed at the Palais steps and started up to the custom house. Ah officer got on each side of him, bowing and saying “Bono capitono, bono Americano,’’ and each one thrust a hand in Capt. Kelley’s overcoat pocket. The snappers grabbed a finger of each of the hands and tlie air was blue with Brazilian oaths, but the turtles wouldn’t let go. The officials begged the captain to stop and release them, but he pretended not to know what was the matter, and, telling them that he was in a hurry, dragged them along to the custom house. When he got there the men’s hands were taken from liis pockets with a snapper clinging to each, and the turtles’ heads had to be cut off before they would release their hold. The chief of the custom house was angry, and was about to reprimand Cajjt. Kelly when he told him that lie hail; brought the turtles as a present to him, j and lie had no idea that his subordinates would attempt td rob him on the way. Capt. Kelley’s * pockets were never searched after that.