The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-11-22
fFor the New Orleans Sunday Crescent
NH. PENNIFEATHER CHRONICLES
THE X. X. X.

Mr.. Chsirman-I mean Mr.. Secretary, or per.
haps Mr.. Presdent-that is, Mr.. Editor-I do not
rise to waste the night in words-or words to that
effect in fact I'm fustered. I've seen sights to
stir fever in a bloody age and make the infant
sDews strong to steal.
The Ku Klux were here last night, and this is
the Sd of November, otherwise known as the
first Tuesday in that monthly This, Mr.. Chair
mani should say, Mr.. Editor-is the day when
the intellectual and gifted Sambo descends from
his naughty pedestal OF fame and minges unas-
sumingly with his former owner, to cast his ballot
for liberty ard death. On this momentons occa-
sion the once pompous white man has the privi-
lege accorded by magnanimous and fraternal
foe of making believe TO decide upon his own des
tiny and that of those whom bsrbaric prejudice,
fostered under the blighting influence Of African
slavery has caused him to consider near and dear
to him-a prejudice, Mr.. Secretary-that is, Mr..
Editor-which is rapidly dispensing before the
cheering rays Of Anglo Saxon suhjugation. All
this is TO occur 10 day, and the X. X. X. occurred
last night: 60 what with contemplating the one
and copjugating the other-l'm fustered-awfully
fustered-Mr. Chairman.
was sitting peacefully with my friend Pill
kins-Peter Pilkins, you probably know him
why to be sure !; he in the city last winter, so
you must know him. Well, we were sitting in
Pilkns's Office about twelve o'clock enjoying our.
selves 1--WE had box of sardines and pound OF
candy and were discussing the interesting sub
Detic influences, spiritual sfinities, the variation
of the compass the obliquity Of the ecliptic, and
Planchette, when just as | was in the middle o
what fatter myself is rather an original theory
as to the willpower and the vital force, heard
sound as Of multtudnous cows crossing ricketY
plank bridge, and Pilkins leaped to his feet ex-
claiming in a (thl under tone, THAT'S THEM"
Immediately lesped TO my feet aud suggested in
an audible whisper. WHO'S which," when he
murmured responsibility, KU KLUx J" There
upon we rushed franticsIly forth and" Angelina,
his grace, the minister's, intended v'-what
VISION!
One hundred and thirty-seven Ku Kuxes-six
score and seventeen" portentous, grave, un-
buried seniors, revsiting the pale glimpses of the
mooD," who at the time mentioned was glimpsing
vigorously and shedding lsmbent food of light
over things in most lambentuous manner.
Their order Of march was two in the middle and
one on both sides at intervals and pr0miscuOusly.
Spargies, sabes silvered, conical (Mr. Printer
please don't make this con,icdD head gear, sweep
ing trains, horses caparsoned in long white
night gowns, masks: uDearthly, quzZical, hideous
strange, ghostly. grotesque, gigantic what we're
they-and oh, Mr.. Editor, what were they not !
They passed through our peace.wrapt and cotton
buying little metropolis In clanking, rafting,
Ku Kluxy, laundering way that walked the SUM
bers of the slumberous and excited the in
quistiveness Of the inquisitorious; and
when they crossed the viaduct. on Jefferson
street they left to guard their path
twin sentnels who cleaned through the moon
light like sombre recolections of antiquity tied up
in rag or double sheets on the mutual bean pole.
In PASSING they ieveIied their ixshooters at
the gentle spectators in style highly calculated
to check curiosity, at least 1t had that effect on
mine. retired step or two and leaned careless
ly on the other side of post. They were very
polite, though, and the assistant deputy sub
assistant aides to the grand cyclops, who were
riding on the outside of the column. and moving
unbrokenly along the sidewalk each as he came
by made PilkiDs and me one of the Politest Of
Bows. | was struck by this mark of appreciation
of modest merit, mime and Pilkins's) on the part
of the assistant deputy sub assistant aids 10 the
grand cyclops, ana Immediately accused Pilkins Of
knowing some of them. Pilkins didn't deny this
so positively as be might have done, and am han
persuaded he wants me to think he's K. K. HIM
SELF Bot / observed on closer inspection that
there was sign stretching across the sidewalk at
q convenient height. which would have just
knocked their hats of If they hadn't bowed, aud
that, you know, would have been unpleasant !;
hence they bowed. Discovery IS agreeable, and
the clearing up of mystery is pleasant. even if it
does destroy sweet illusions don't you say So,
Mr.. Editor. But always shall think less Of Pill
kins as perfectly strsight-out and uncompromis-
ing lover Of truth don't you think I'm right,
Remaining, am still as ever, Though that don't
say much for the stillness) and chemically, like
Froissart or Monstrelet,) yours,
PESRYN PENNFEATHER
JxSPr. 8. IL. '68.