The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1857-07-30
A SSstCh of MissiSsiiCDi Litsl
by PARKER II. FRENCH.


ming of the llih of March. at 10 o clock
A. N in company with number Of ole
CalifOrnians; but little too late for tn,
steamer. This was rather aggrayating
as it involved two weeks Of idIeness anC
expense. However, the Crescent City
presented lively appearance, as the
spring business had fairly opened, and tn,
city was thronged with strangers. The
amount of western produce exported thro
this city is truly amazing, and when We
consider the many avenues by which tie
products of the Valley of the Mississippi
find their way to market-the great mum.
ber Of steamers engaged in the carryiua
trade end the feet of sailing vessels tha
throng her wharves the mind may form
a meagre estimate of what is produced in
the empire of the west. The boundless
wealth and capabilities embraced between
the longitudinal chains of the Allegheny
and Rocky Mountains already surpas:
anything hitherto Witnessed by the world
but who can reckon on its future prosperi-
ty a century hence! Who can estimate
her amazing products and enormous com
meree, when population, time, and scien-
ces, shall have developed the full extent Of
her extraordinary resources. Teeming
with population, throbbing with intellect,
and possessing in an eminent degree, all
the elements of national greatteos-with
all the inventions that advancing time
may create-the imagination giows at the
picture a century may unfold.
But, to change the subject, allow me
to give you picture or two Of Mississip-
pi river life; for the boa!men of the wes-
tern waters are e class within themselves
On our trip down, our noble steamer
landed at the woodward of a well known
character called 'Toney,' who demanded
two dollars and a half per cord for his
wood. The Captain offered two dollars,
but Toney insisted on his price. After
some playful conversation ON the subject,
the Captain bantered Toney for foot.
race of fifty yards, whether he should pay
him two, or three dollars per cord. To-
ney, nothing 10th, accepted the challenge,
and the passengers invited on shore to
witness the race. Liquors for the crowd
were added as an addition to the wager.
Judges being appointed, they stripped for
the race-bats, coats, vests and boots
were thrown aside, while the ground was
being measured. The odds were in favor
of the Captain, as he had the reputation Of
being a fleet runner. AT the word they
started off in fine style, but the country
man was too much for his opponent; and
from the start bounded away like deer,
leading him home by over twenty yards,
amid uproarous shouts and laughter Of
the bysianders. The Captain acknowl
edged his defeat with good grace, by
paying the stipulated price for the wood,
and inviting all present to the bar. But
he got even on Toney, by telling the fol-
lowing anecdote to the crowd:
Some few months before, an old veteran
boatman, known as Capt Scott, stopped
at Toney's landing to wood, when dis
pute arose between the latter and the
clerk of the boat about its measurement
Toney was somewhat in liquor and claim
ed much more than the boat had actually
taken, refusing to receive any money at
all unless paid for all claimed. Captain
Scott offered him the money for what he
had got, but he tndignantly refused it and
the boat showed out. When few rods
from shore, Toney hailed Scott, and shout
ed:
.Damn you, just came on shore and
fght me one minute, and | will give you
the wood for nothing.
you will, will you?' shouted back Cap
tain Scott.
Yes, | will, if you are the man to try
said Toney,
We'll, says Capt. Scott, turning to the
pilot, 4 guess that's a fair offer, and as
cheap as we can buy wood anywhere; SO
Just let he swing in there, and let no man
follow me, while give Toney what he is
itching for
The Captain was soon on the bank, with
his coat off, and advancing to Toney,
said:
Are you ready? Be quick, for I am in
a hurry
pitch in said Toney; I only want TO
ioht such men as you one minute.
And at it they vent, in good earnest,
Scott knocking him down as fast as he
could get up, and otherwise furnishing
him severely. Toney, much bruised
cried:
'Nough: for God S sake, stop
'Oh' said Scott, 'are you satished?-ls
the minute up?
you know id well it is,' said Toi
ney; and am not going to fight all day;
! (t6o fight had occupied less than min
ute;) you can go sir; I'm paid for my
wood, and will remember you after this.
We'll, replied Scott, i Il make a bar
gain with you, III wood every trip Will
! you on the same terms
NO I'm id if you do, said To
ney, i'and would pay you back wha
1--we Just received if could
j NO! said Scott, and allow me TO say
good day, las he stepped on board.
The next trip, Scott stopped and wood
led with him again, repaying in money FOL
what he had paid in blows the trip before
kSsott and Toney are now great friends
o.. -~-,,q', Athem well acquain
ted. and layl Foundation of an en-
TheI ~ respondent Of the 81
Louis Demo AVs that Brown, of III