New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1853-08-10
Lake Erie and Niagara.



New YORK, July 81, 1858.
resume the description of our trip at To
ledo, where we took the Empire State for Buff
falo. Crossing Lake Erie was, as far as the
mere "physicalities were concerned, the plea
santest part of the trip The weather was de-
lightful, neither too warm nor too cool; the
boat is commodious and beautiful, and cut
through the clear green waters at the rate Of
seventeen miles an hour, and without the jar
ring motion which is usual on our Western
boats
Just previous TO starting we were gladdened
by the sight of our rivals from the Gossamer,
who had got off the sand bar early the next
morning and followed fast on our wake. The
recital Of the various adventures we had met
with since parting, contributed to the morning
entertainment Among those of the g Gossa-
mer's' was one worth relating.
Shortly before they left st. Louis, two couple
came on board and took passage for Peru, pass
ing themselves off as brothers and sisters. The
girls were about fourteen and sixteen years OF
age, and the youths eighteen and nineteen.
The girls occupied a state room together in the
ladies' cabin. They were observed to spend a
great deal of time out on the guards IN COM
pany with their male escorts, who frequently
gave them money This excited the suspicious
Of certain argus-eyed feminlnes, who watched
the young couples closely, and noticed caresses
exchanged which appeared unusually affection
ate, and much more frequent than is customary
between brothers and sisters.
When the boat reached Peru two police Off
GERS came on board and instantly singing out
the delinquents, asked their names False
ones were given but with no effect, for they
were all arrested, the father of the young ladies'
having been too smart for them. Ii appears
that the girls, who were very DESTROYS to visit
the Worlds Fair, had persuaded the young men,
who were going to Newlork, to take them.
The idea that matrimony was necessary pre-
liminary to travelling at the gentlemen 5 expense
had never occurred to their unsophlsucated
minds; and when it was mentioned, seemed as
repugnant to them as to their companions, who,
Adam like, threw all the blame of their own
shoulders.
When the Gossamer left Peru the unsuccess-
full runaways were still in custody awaiting the
arrival of the father, who was momentarlly ex-
pected.
During the afternoon we were thrown tenn
porarily into a state Of great excitement by
melancholy occurrence. One of the Storage
passengers fell overheard and was drowned.
Some said he jumped over under the influence
Of a fit Of deitrium tremeaS. The boat was
backed short distance, but no small boat sent
out, and no effort made to save the unfortunate
creature Those who saw him say that his
struggles were agonizing to behold.
We arrived in Buffalo during the night, and
took the cars early the next morning for Mag
ara. Here we were accOsted as soon as the cars
stopped by smart looking youth about sixteen
or SO, but small for his age, who offered to drive
us to whatever hotel We might choose for moth
i1g-an offer too tempting to be refused. When
thpr n nnt
terms, he informed us that if we wished
to drive over the bridge and round the Falls,
he would like US to engage his services. We
did so, and found him perfect jewel In addi-
ton to his duties as driver, he performed those
of guide much better than the professional
guides hired by other members Of our party
There was not a spot worth visiting that he did
not take us to not an island but he could give
its name and dimensions, not question asked
but he could answer intelligently. His patriot
ism, which was ardent, was very amusingly
displayed at one of the toll-gates A facetious
gentleman observed to the toll gatherer that he
did not see the American flag, and asked if it
had got wet. The man answered GRUMPY that
he didn't know; whereupon our driver re-
marked with sly grin, " 1t is not here yet,
but ii tciH be soon"
We saw the Falls and rapids from every point
Of view; and with difficulty tore ourselves from
the scene How any one could attempt by
means of pencil or poetry to picture Niagara, is
to me mystery. No description, no painting
that | have ever seen, gives any thing like an
adequate idea Of its grandeur or beauty 1t
ILLS the eye. To my fancy, however, the
numerous buildings, " the crowd, the hum, the
shock Of men," surrounding it, mar the sub
Unity Of the scene. should like to see it as it
burst upon the enraptured eye of the first white
discoverer, before the enoroachments of human
enterprise had profaned it.
Being anxious to reach our destination we
shortened our visit, but not without resolving
to renew it as soon as possible
The remainder our journey, which was by
railroad, was fatiguing in the extreme, and
unrelieyed by any interesting event.
LAURA LEA