Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-12-14

Leaving here for the first time since the
commencement Of the war on the A. q
M. S. s. Co. s palatial steamer, the Mol
lie Able, with Capt Jack Carter in com
lnand, and Monroe Cunningham, clerk,
our trip to your city could not have been
otherwise than pleasant The pleasure
of again meeting You and your family
will always be bright spot in our lives.
Leaving your bustling city, as you re-
member, on that queen Of the waters, the
Belle Memphis, with Dan. Musselman
and Larry Entler, our trip was one Of
pleasure to St. Louis. From there to
New York, over the Great Broad
Gauge, Ohio and Mississippi, and ATTAIN
tic and Great Western railroads, the
pleasure and comforts seemed TO in
crease. Although my coat was gray
and my wife's bonnet not SO fashionable
as some, still ereceived from all, con-
slant, quiet and polite attention; and
even our old trunks were carefully han
died The splendid palace day cars, and
the wide, roomy, luminous, clean sleep.
ing cars, with the constant and careful
attention Of the person in charge, rem
dcred the long trip of 1900 miles equally
as pleasant as it had been on the steam
boats. VI
For our adventures in New York l will
reserve another letter, and continue
our experiences in railroad travel,
which, so far as pleasure was con-
cerned, here ended. By the lying
representations of railroad agent, and
inducements of short route, air line,
quick time, ETC., and naturally anxious
desire to reach home quick, we took
what they call the Pan Handle or pot
handle route. How long we have been
on it cannot now tell, all recollection
of time has been Jared and jolted out OF
me; my wifes raven hair has began to
turn gray. We have, however, been
longer on the trip coming than we were
going, and without any accommodations
or comforts, crowded into nasty, dirty,
little, narrow cars, sometimes going at
headlong speed, sometimes of the track,
never in any single instance making
connection, and compelled to lay over
and wait at great expense; our bag
gage smashed and damaged, and
when we ventured the slightest
remonstrance, was answered with
gross insult. With the exception Of the
Great Broad Gauge, / can see no i'm
in the railroad system of the
North during the time that we have been
cooped up here by the war. In fact, if
there is any difference think the sys-
tenn has deteriorated. Without single
exception / have not seen a ma rrow
gauge road in the North that can claim
precedence Of the N. y. ]. & G. N. r,
and think the managers of that road
deserve infinite credit for the excellent
condition of their road and the manner
in which it is conducted. oa
Thank God we are again back home
in this lordly old hotel--and while speak
ing of hotels, let me say to you that the
Of which we have heard
so often and SO much are more in the
name than in fact The great hotels Of
St. Louis and New York, it is true, are
but still there is something
lacking They are not gorgeous, but
great, guady, tinsel OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
of the careful, quiet, solid attentions of
The Gayoso of Memphis, or st. Charles
Of New Orleans. Dnring our absence,
we find that Mr.. Hall, with his
usual energy, liberality and desire
to keep up with the times, has entirely
reftted, repainted and newly furnished
the hotel, so that it now ranks high up |
above any and every hotel on this CONT
nent Oh, what if you were only here
With me this day, to dine with me. Just
.hink-gunbo soup, as it can only be
made in New Orleans, 'pompano," soft
she'll crabs-but will go no further, in
pity to your feelings.
/ remain, your old reconstructed