The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-12-08
MISCELLANEOUS.
Written for the Sunday Times.
THE BROTHER AND SISTER.

manly form and face had he,
The lofty look, which death de6es;
Yet not for her--she did not see
The grace that charm'd all other eyes.
Her voice had music's magic spell,
Like angels whispers on the ear;
But vain its silver accents FELL
- The liquid sounds he could not hear.
On the first day of June, 1899, I
embarked on the steamer 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 gentlemen, from which it is
My separated by folding doors, closed
at night, but open during the day. and
consequently 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 appearance,
a fairy, floating palace, and had already
acquired a high reputation both for
speed and comfort, all the state rooms
were filed with the wealth, fashion, and
loyeliness Of the land. do not, how
ever, mean to say that every person on
board answered to any one of the three
classes above mentioned because, in
all vessels of the previous description
carrying passengers on the Mississippi
or its principal tributes, there may al
ways be found free sprinkling of des-
peradoes and gamblers. It is true, the
latter characters do not, at first sight,
differ materially, either in their clothing
Tor general aspect, from the most genteel
and respectable individuals with whom
they are intermingled. 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 espe-
cially in the article of jewelry. Like
all other animals of prey, their keen
eyes look wild and restless, and wander
tcontinually, when not employed at the
gaming table. as if in search of some
thing lost. Extremely easy of access
themselves, they seize every occasion,
and even create opportunities, to open
an acquaintance with strangers.
AS matter of course, we were vel
supplied with these chevaliers of the
river during our voyage. The singular
magni6cence of the Belle Martin had
doubtless attracted them with the hopes
of reaping golden harvest. Among
them was one whose appearance at thu
first view excited my curiosity, as
never remembered to have seen before .
nobler human form. He was tall, ath
letic, and strait as an Indian, with long
masses of curling hair, dark as tht
ravens plume, falling around his shoul
ders; face swarthy. yet handsome il
its mere physical outlines, but wearing
a doubtful expression, midway between
a smile and sneer and eyes black Al
night. cold, and cleaning. He walket
the whole length of the cabin. back an,
forth, with unquiet steps. giving sid
glances of the sharpest scrunity, appar
emily at every thing and every perso1
on the boat. Upon inquiring of tn
captain. / learned that this man waa tn
famous, or rather notorious, Franl
Foeman, Of Arkansas, more celebrated
if possible. for his desperate duels thai
even for his success as gambler. Al
ter a while, as if satisfied with the re
suit of his survey within the hall. h
went out on the deck, lost sight Of hir
for time.
4 My attention then happened to b