Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1869-04-16
From q novel entitled, "Four Years in the
Rebel Capitol published in the Cosmopo-
lite.
THE sTEAMBOAF RACE.


a Thrilling Sketch.
Well. we are aboard theSouthern Re
public, the last bell has sounded, the
last belated trunk has been trundled
over the plank, and we are on, the call
one screaming Dixie like ten thousand
devils and the crowds on the bank
waving us bon Coydye
The main saloon Of the boat was
spacious apartment, hundred feet
long, by thirty in breadth, gorgeous
1v decorated with modern paint and
brilliantly lighted. The galleries lead
ing to the state-roOms, rising tier upon
tier. ran entirely around it, while above
them a slxy-light of tinted glass shed a
soft warm light. st
There are offices, card-rooms, bar
rooms. barber shops, and even faro
hanks on board all these boats and
as the down trip occupies from forty
eight to seventy hOurs-aecord1ng TO
/ the stage Of the river and the luck OF
running aground, a performance to be
l. IexDected at least once IN each Gr1p-We
| become quite a mutual amusement by
| the time it is over.
| Tbis trim the boat was very crowded
and at supper the effect of the line OF
! small tables, filled with officers in uni
form, ladies tastefully dressed, and
| sprinkling of home spun coats-alI re-
/ f1ected in the long mirrOr-WaS very
! GENERALLY a promenade on the upper
| decks-salls SOWcj-where people talk
smoke. inspect each other and hirt
They then adjourn to state-rOOm, sa
loon or card-room and lounge or reao
to kill time for the Alabama is any
thing but a picturesque stream, VIII
low. marshY banks, only varied by oc
casional ssslides'' and negro quarters
This night was splendidly clear, the
moon bright as day and styles ana
after seeing t'the Colonel well tucked
in. staid on deck to scrape acquain-
tance with the pilot, and the small
seedV Frenchman who Ofhclated at th'
caIIi0pe, He was original in his way
s'the Professor his head like
buIIet. garnished with hair of the mos
wirv blackness, cut as close as the scls
sors could hold it, looking liketh un
: compromising pOrcup1ne. Ot course
: he was political refugee.
tEDire Aire rationale pas 60i
chose % he exclaimed, seating himsel
; at his instrument and twisting a mug
mustache. g T-OiIGte MdrsetttetSe Ia
make national hymn for you - ana II
made the whistle roar and shrek IN
wav to have sent the red caps into tn
air hundred miles away. Grand
splendid - rOared Styles, above tn
: steam. tsWhy, Professor, you're q &c
: MUS. Come take some brandy"
The Professor banged down his IL
Z strument, led the way 1nstanter doW
i to our state-room, and, once there d1
: take something, and then somethln
$ else. and finally something more, IL
|; he cot verv thick -tongued and enthU
E sias ic.
e ssGrand aire of re Liberte ~ he erie
: at last, mounting again to his perch
+ the smOke-stack. 'SOng compose
nv me for one grand NAME Va
Dorm. make dis and dedicate to him
and he banged away at the keys till
tortured the steam into the "LtOeF
n CIstett0' from ''PlCg'it0Rt."
Chow you find zat, ell Eat max,
&c hyInn for re souse. Me, am repuI
e licaE VOLTA 4! l wear ze mustache
e re revOIutiOnists-my hairs are cut
IS laecOpteRt F! Were zere colere mo
9f rec. as red, / should be Zat' and Il
n Professor was so struck by the brl
lance of his idea, then he played Il
h air again and again, till 1t rang IKE
l. phantom chorus over the still plant
y lions. At last he was. overcome
3 emotion and brandy, slid from u
,e stool and sat at the foot the smok
n stack, muttering: "Zat IS hymn
hic-dedicate to re General and to re
~ y hic-country J" and then ne slept u
n sleep of the just conscience.
81 har's the Senator, and she's gal
in on We" said the pilot, as we walk
forward, pointing to thin column
smoke rising out of the trees ju
er abreast of us.
rd "How far astern ?''
Al "A matter of about two miles aroul
9d the point"
Of "Splendid night for a race" mute
ed Styles. f'Wil she overtake I
ne Captain?"
nne ne 'tWaIl, maibee p replied the old ri
er dog, while the most profession
grin shot over his hard, wooden fl
lures specially of L ease up this 'f
+. old gal.'
Il "Ho, Jones, now Wen have it. \
won't turn in now," chuckled Styl
banging me in the back. ~
Is Almost imperceptibly our spe
rly slackened, and the thin dark cOluI
crept nearer and nearer round the tire
}. on the point in our wake, till at /