The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-07-24
= [Correspopdencs Of the Eonpareil.1
LETTERS FROM RAvENDALE-NO NO. III.
RAyESDALr. july 23d, 1858.

been the burden OF our song out mere, Ior
week; and, between you and !, it'not only
dampens the grain and the hopes OF the far
mers, but, what is infinitely worse, it is
dampening the spirits Of our 'women-folks,'
and have serious apprehensions that it will
eventually sour their tempers. Now, to all
husbands and brothers, who have been duly
initiated into the mysteries Of hot water and
broomsticks, this would, of course, be a tri-
fling affair, hardly worth mentioning; but to
US citizens of Ravendale, who challenge the
world to produce any sunnier'faced, better
natured women than ours, itwould be a ter
rible calamity. We are not prepared for
such blow, and We are anxiously looking
for fair weather to avert an evil which all
the fancy shawls and gaiter-boots in >town
would fail to remedy. You city folks have
less to fear, for when the clouds begin to
lower, concert or ball dispels the gather
ing gloom, and the contracting brows of your
wives and daughters suddenly become smooth
again. In fair weather, we can easily get
up dance, but to do it now is out Of the
question. About three weeks ago We had a
regular ''break- down." at the chool-house,
and as soon as the roads get passable we
mean to have another. Then, Mr.. Editor,
if you, or any Of your dancing readers,
would like to
''Chase the glowing hours"
with our jolly boys and pretty girls,just come
out here and we will give you a country vel
come, and show you that swinging the era
die, milking the cows, and baking bread, do
not constitute the sum total of our accom-
plishments.
Invent to town, last Tuesday night, to hear
the bards, and was highly delighted. Of
course, rustic is not expected to know
much about music, but Twill run the risk of
ridicule, and venture to pronounce what |
heard that night "tip-top!" Isuppose that,
when the outraged citizens of Florence, get
hold of DuRASr again, they will put an end
to his jokes and his singing together, with
an outward application Of hemp, as it is said
BY those we'll versed in human nature, that
smoothing cuts like the truth" l thought
Mr.. B., of the Bluffs, was sold cheap enough,
but rs the terms of sale were not very def
mite, it is highly probable that the purchase
was rendered still cheaper by the subsequent
distribution of some of his personal effects,
in the shape of '.juleps," ''coblers" and
"smashes,' among the parties interested.
When the singing had ceased, and the
brave led out the fair to "Trip ton the
light fantastic toe" busy memory began to
call up similar scenes from the past, and
one, the most wildly exciting of them all,
followed by night of terror and day of
mourning, came back so fresh, that am
tempted to give you brief sketch of it.
On the 18th day of June, 1855, an Amer
lean packet ship, with a"spanking" breeze
and under cloud of canvas, was CALAMITY
sweeping past the "Grand bank" of New
foundland, bound to New York. Her 800
passengers were in high glee at the prospect
of so soon escaping the horrors of sea voy-
age, and again setting foot on terra frma.
As night approached, a fun-loving French
man proposed ball in the open air. A ball
a ball was echoed by hundred voices
and the blending of half dozen of the Ian
guages of Europe, reminded me of old Babel
and its associations, but, unlike the build
crs of that famous tower, they did not suf
fer the Earring discord to spoil their plans.
The captain liked the idea of ball, and the
boys were set to clear up the deck. In ten
minutes they had it nicely swept, the loose
rigging coiled away, the stra! rope-yarns
slowed in the "locker," and thewhole space
from the quarterback to the main hatch,
ready for the dance. And a magnificent
ballroom it was. The floor, solid and
smooth enough to have suited the voluptu-
GUS Margaret, of Burgundy; The walls, a
base Of stout plank, topped ont on every
side with "ilimitable expanse;' the drape-
~, vast sheets of flowing canvas aud the
ceiling, the broad blue arch of Heaven!
Partners were chosen-and the plethoric
German and graceful Mademoisele-the po-
lite Frenchman and dark-eyed maid of Italy
and the Yankee tar and coy brunette of
Portugal-whirled away in the gddy waltz,
to the music of the flute and violin, with a
deep rolling bass, by old ocean himself
and, although the "wide, wide sea- bound
ed our vision, and the starting of plank
might have sent US down to the caves of the
Mermaids, we were as merry band of re-
vellers as ever met in Concert Hall, or any
where else.
Time flew. The ten O'Clock bell rung the
hour for going to bed, and, with many
whispered goodnight "-maay warm
pressure of the hand-and many stolen
kiss-the happy party separated, and went
to their berths; and, save the signing of the
wind through the cordage-the rush of the
ships Prov as it broke the wave, into count
less diamonds-and the measured tread of
the "watch"-all was still.
An hour passed, and thick fog had shut
down, like funeral pail, around US. Two
Of our number were sent to hang out the
ships lantern, as beacon to warn approach
ing vessels of danger. The ropes on which
they stood, were wet and slippery, and, with
the characteristic recklessness of sailors,
they trusted more to their feet than to their
hands for safety. One of them slipped, and
the next moment the appalling cry of Man
orerboard' rang from stem to stern, clear,
and terrific.
'Hard down the helmr' shouted the mate,
in voice of thunder and 'now to the
boats, my lads, and save him if we can -
Nobly our good ship came up to the wind
tho heavy sails swayed back against the
masts, and like war-horse painting for the
battle, she stood prancing upon the pillows,
as if eager to bound away again upon her
course. We sprans to the best lfe-boat,
which was dashed, bottom up, on the round
II