Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1857-08-27
the BROTHER AND SISTER.


embarked on the steam Belle Martin
bound from the port Of New Orleans
] to st. Louis. AS all will remember
] who have travelled on the western
waters, the cabin devoted to the use
of the ladies is situated on the same
| floor, behind that Of the gentle men,
from which it is only separated by
folding doors, closed at night, but
open during the day, and consequent
by then revealing the entire length
of the hall as one immense apart
ment. In the present instance, as
the boat was new and snowy in ap-
pearance. fairy, floating palace, and
/ had already acquired high reputa-
| ton both for speed and comfort, ali
the state.rooms we're filled with the
wealth, fashion. and loveliness OF
the land, do not, however, mean
to say that everybody on board ans
wered to any one of the three classes
above mentioned; because in all YES
sells Of the previous description carry
ing passengers on the Mississippi or
it's principal tributaries, there always
may be found free sprinklihg OF
desperadoes and gamblers. |! is
truo tho lat.er characters do not at
first differ materially, either in their
clothing or general aspect, from the
the most genteel and respectable
individuals with whom they are inter-
mingled. But one that has been
long familiar with the species referred
to, seldom fails TO detect them by
certain inevitable tokens. They are
commonly overdressed, and more es.
peoially in the article Of jewelry.
Like all other animals Of prey, their
keen eyes look wild and restless, and
and wander continually, when not
employed at the gaming table, as in
search ofsomething lost. Extremely
easy of access themselves, they seize
every occasion, and even creates op-
portunities, to open an acquaintance
with strangers.
AS a matter Of course, We were
we'll supplied with these eheoatiers OF
the river during our voyage. The
singular magnifcence of the Belle
Martin had doubtless attracted them
With the hopes Of reaping a golden
harvest. Among them was one
whose appearance at the FIRST view
excited my curiosity. as | never re-
membered to have seen before
nobler human form. He was tall,
athletic, and straight as an Indian. with
long masses of curling hair, dark as
a ravens plume, falling around his
shoulders; face swarthy, yet hand
some 10 It's mere physical outlines
but wearing doubtful expression,
midway between a smile and a sneer;
and eyes black as night. cold, and
cleaning. He walked the whole
length Of the cabin, back and forth,
with unquiet steps, giving side CLAN
ces of the sharpest scrutiny, appar.
emily at everything and every person
on the boat. Upon inquiring of the
captain, ] learned that this man was
the famous, or rather the notorious.
Frank Foeman, of Arkansas, more
celebrated, if possible, for his desper-
ate duels than even for his success
as a gambler. After while, as II
satisfied with the result Of his survey
within the hall, he vent out on the
deck, and lost sight Of him for a
time.
My attention then happened to be
drawn towards two individuals. q
young gentleman and lady, whose
peculiar yet perfectly decorous con.
duct soon became the subject OF
| common observation. They strayed
here aud there, over all parts Of the
vessel. as If in a museum Of strange
specimens, examining everything by
turns with looks of beaming enthusl-
asnl. 1t might be readily inferred
that they had never beer on board a
steamer before--a least, such was the
general impression caused BY their
actions. But what was especially re-
markable, although enjoying the'I
inspection, as it seemed in the high.
est degree, they never addressed
each other even SO much as in .
whisper, and the female appeared t.
have an unsccountable passion iol
testing every object by feeling y
with her right hand, while her lei'
hand never lei go its hold on ths
Others arm, as if she were afraid 9
/ fhonnh non