American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-08-29
From the Memphis Enquirer.l
ODES Els H-Y Il n
BY sTRAGGLER

BY STRAGGLER'
In struggling from port to port, we naturally
eht on things wonderful and interesting; and
Ie thrown in the mixed web of society's stran-
1 est material Not the last place in the world
y heal and fun, is the 'biler deck of high
leisure when the thermometer is A sc in the
lade. We we've sailing on the Mississippi in
4 lne, on an up-river craft She was crowded
it'll passengers, above and below, and loaded
} the guards, and downward bound Although
fJunefullness' seemed scattered along the banks,
+ ne most appropriate experience TO those aboard
4 ne craft was hotfuness, and that to the highest
3Iotch. The passengers would shift from the
4 4rboard 10 the starboald side to keep in the
+ made, and throw open their collars to each
sattle mite Of breeze that accidentally f1oated
+Ap the river. The forenoon was passed as
5lgreeably as the comfort Of the craft would al
! bw, but the afternoon was likely to be hot
4 Ind dull drive. The lower deck was stIewed
NTH foreign emigrants en- route for the new
slepublic. For a while the cabin passengers
we're kept alive by the jabbers, dances, &c, but
! The voice of the Captain crying-'Back herr
accompanied with sudden jar, sprang every
nan to his feet.
Wrong shoote-stuck fast-wont get off till
/ rise-out Of the channel, muttered the Cap
| ain.
Stuck fast at the head of Island L. with
aothing to eat and the Mississippi for licller!-
thermometer fifty degrees above high water
mark, and nc way of getting to the shade
Presently fresh breeze struck up, a cloud
[loated over the sun, Just to save all the passen-
Irers nap.
All hands aft, ordered the Captain.
Now she goes, said the pilot as she swung
] 10 the right
'Divil bit she swings off till we get bottom
upwards droned fresh Patrick.
For three long hours did the passengers and
The crew do their prettiest to get her off: but
no avail. The captain swore, had freight roll
ed fore and aft;-still our gallant boat hung
fast This was the time for portrait painter
long signs, cross looks, and wry faces, ETC.
Strewn over the deck lay many weary soul
gaping like smothered chicken. The even
ing was wearing off slowly, and the prospect
| Of lying there until boat could be hailed,
blow out of the remaining sparks of life, until
some one threw out banter
Two to one on the chap that can give the
biggest fish story'
j takes that, replied the man with white
hat.
Fish stories one, two, three, and four, were
told with great eolat by their respective spn'
ners.
We'll, said Charley w dry looking little
fellow, with narrow brim hat, sharp toed boots,
sack coat and keen voice, ''well gintlemen, fish
stories are moTe'n plenty Just now, but none OF
ems tighten rod to spree was into myself
when was boy
Out with it-hoora Charley, joined all the
passengers.
Well, .ne old boss, that is dad used to have
Iola -, H. Ept t,,1 f,,,,n
he'd quarter US boys in the field to grub and hoe
and tend the scrap, and he'd slide out TO the
blue hole to fish. None of US knew where he
was gone TIL one day slipped off and f0lloIed
him. He went plum dash to the hole, and
there he'd set and ketch fish for hours and throw
rem back in the creek for amusement. So
gifts in with the old boss to let me 90 fishn'.
I digs the bait over night TO keep from both
era ton in the nornin', Bright and early
gathered my pole and made for dads blue hole.
We'll, VIXEN / gifts thar, ] found I'd forgot my
bait, and didn't know what to do next
felt for soft spots to see if could find anything
10 bait with, but drot me if there was crlck-
OF within hundred yards of the hole, II
wouldn't do to give it uptown on a Big rock
seats myself with my studyin' cap on my head
u oonsiderin' how I'd best gil the bait.
"After I'd thought over everything, felt OF
my heel. Good says |, NOW III have it, !
takes out my knife, cuts off piece O. my, heel
bats my hook, throws it out, and before 1t
touched The water, big Salmon jumped up
and caughtit lknow'd it 'ud keep me more'n
considerable busy to cut off one bait al a time
and cuts the Salmon up for bait; fixes my
line and place to sit, rolls up my sleeves and
then,if knows myself goes it. then drap-
ped in my hook, ca chug went the cork, and
out comes Simon six feet long. Don't Jump
so; it's fact. The things bit SO fast that TWEEN
ty men could't a kept count Of 'em. They
jist rolled ou.-my pole went up and down SO