Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-05-25
The Press AssOciatiop-One of IDS
Members i'm Search of Information
in New Orleans - He Gets More
than he Wanted.

than he Wanted.
We copy the following good joke on
one of the recent editorial excursion
party, from the New Orleans Picayune.
In the recent editorial excursion party
which visited our city was noted Radi-
cal journalist, whose inquiries concern
ing the political and mental status of the
darky evinced deep interest in that
much talked of element of the recon
structed South. That he might push his
inquiries more satisfactorily, he one day
separated himself from his friends, and
went out in pursuit of information alone.
By chance or design he found his way to
a noted coffee-house, where dusky inn
bibers most do congregate, known as the
Niger St. Charles" The appearance
of white face produced some little con-
sternation among the revelers, and when
they saw, his badge clinging to the lapel
of the coat they at once concluded he
was some sort of an officer in Disguise.
But as his manner was conciliating, and
his demeanor quiet and inoffensive, the
crowd treated him civilly, and whispered
around, as they gathered in groups, their
suspicious of the person and the object
of his visit. The editor perceiving this,
thought it proper to enlighten them as to
whom he was, and to this end announced
himself as one of the excursion party of
Illinois editors.
"What dem 2" asked huge African,
evidently of an inquring mind.
Why we are the persons who form
and mould public opinion ia the West,
and some of us are the sworn champions
of the down -trodden and oppressed. We
have stricken from your limbs the chains
of slavery and invested you with the robes
of freedom"
As the gentleman was proceeding with
this eminently satisfactory explanation,
the eyes of his auditors grew huge as
saucers, and, wonder-stricken, their
mouths opened as Ito take in his words.
"Iudeed, my friends" he continued,
~ might say we are political apostles" "
Catching the last word (the only one
she understood), an old negress in the
back part of the room concluded he was
a preacher, and set up a shout of Hal
lelujahl" and her companions, sympa-
thizing in her emotions, caught up the
refrain:
"Dare's good time comm,
Glory hallleujah !"
which, swollen into a chorus Of many
voices, drowned the Intellectual efforts of
the editor to explain that he wasn't
preacher. They crowded around him,
shaking his hands, hugging and squeez-
ing him, while the rest rolled on the floor
in the intensity of religious excitement.
The editor began to think he had got
into the wrong place, and tried to get
out, but by this time no avenue Of escape
was left open. The uproar grew furious,
and high above the editors shouts rose
the good old scsg:
eff you cit dar afore do.
Jis tell 'em I'm a comm"
Many of the darkies had been engaged
in cleaning the canals, and the odor of
the sewers, with the scent Of the darkies,
hung around the editor as the close room |
and heated atmosphere produced perspi- |
ration. Finally the noxious gases over
came him, and be fell fsinting TO the |
floor. This accident secured him his re-
lease, for the doors were Immediately |
thrown open and fresh air admitted. |
Under its influence the editor revived, /
and seeing the open door, waited not for +,
adieus, nor stood upon the order Of his |
going, but went at once, we'll satisfied /
with his experience, and no doubt yet |
retaining vivid sense Of bis interview /
with the nations wards ct the Niger
St. Charles"