Arkansas intelligencer., 1849-10-06
From Noah'S Sunday Times.
ROMANTIC STORY OF THE SINGING GIRL OF NEW
QDICiNS
ORLEANS,

1t was Sunday not many years ago. when n
stranger, whom we shall call Ellis wandered forth
from ST. Charles to witness with his own eyes the
approaches Of that inundation, which then form
ed the staple discussion among oil classes. He
had another object in strolling from his hotel at
the early hour of eight in the morning, as @ili
very soon appear. Peter Ellis about forty
years of age, of a noble figure, but proud gloomy
face, and with forehead scanned by mary and
deep wrinkles as If fate had some time dealt him
sharp blows, the wounds of which had healed
over. leaving, however, on his visngo those en-
during scars. His dress was rich after tho fash
ion of the southern aristocracy, but worn negll-
gently, and somewhat solled with the stains OF
recent travel, for he had in truth arrived only The
previous evening.
The stranger passed groups of people gathered
on every corner, all engaged in earnest converse
tion and still here in the Streets rs back yonder
at the tavern, the crerGSSe-she crerasSe, spoken
in English, French, Spanish, Italian, and patots-
was the topic which seemed to monopollze every
thought He had almost reached the old Basin,
where the water was said to be rising with fearful
ra2idity, when his ears were assailed by an in
describable noise which issued from point few
squares TO the left
..What Internal din is that Is pandemonium
let loose ~ asked Peter Ellis nterrogating little
Prenchrnan who chanced to be gliding by with a
delicious smirk at his holiday finery.
"Monsieur is stranger in the city z" said the
Frenchman, bowling to the very knees:
! eyes"
"Has heard Of the Sunday dance on Congo
Green b.
| "Yes."
"Never had the pleasure Of seeing it a'' --
| "No." -.
"Then Monsieur will be delighted. charmed, en-
chanted with the spectacle exclaimed the volatile
son of Paris enthusiastically; adding with another
deep bow, ''but beg Mohseur's pardon for the
rernarks-he will be careful to respect tho Affl-
cans. The Green belongs to them, is their thea.
tire. | might say-and the amusement is under
the strict Surveillance of the police
| "Oh yes; every body attends some fine or
other, and the ladies who have had the serious
misfortune to lose their character go always"
| 'Does any body ees go there besides negroes!
inquired Ellis abstractedy.
| The wrinkles on the brow Of Peter Ellis grew
black, as If darkened by the gloom Of thunder
cloud The last answer of the Frenchman aP-
peared TO call up the ghost OF some horrd mem-
| ory that had power to shake every muscle OF his
frame, and, with scowl at his astonished inter-
| locutor. he hurried onward and entered the pre-
cincts of Congo Green. This is q large level
square, including more than dozen acres, situated
not far from the Basin and set apart by an ordI-
nance of the city for the Sunday amusement of
the African exclusively. 1t is enclosed in strong
| iron ratings, has gate of the same metal on
! each of the four Sides and is adorned with many
beautiful trees scattered here and there at irregu-
lar Intervals, which give it the appearance of a
forest rather than park.
| Although it was scarcely nine in the forenoon
| when Peter Ellis reached the Green, il was al
| ready quite well supplied with dancers, and the
sport progressed with infinite spirit. The scene