The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1870-06-04
Excursion Trip of Steamer Hampton.

mans bell denoting the carly hour OF
Eve in the morning had scarcely died
in the echoing distance on Monday
when the whistle of the Wade Hamp-
ton announced to our slumbertpg jp-
habitants her near approach to the
Monroe wharf. Many bright little
eyes, accustomed to a quiet morning
nap, opened wide tiereat to close %
more that day and many dream was
suddenly interrupted the thread of
which is gone for ever. The antici-
patton of a days pleasure ''banished
Sleep" and preparations at once began
for the promised excursion on theWade
Hampton. Mr.. Stokes. the mate, in a
couple of hours, discharged with his
cheerful crew the freight on board for
Monroe, aud thereupon the excursion
lists began to go on board. Our read
ers know what Monroe can do when a
boat is in the question. The throng
on Monday need not, therefore, be des-
cribed. Capt. Work, however, was
prepared for the pressure, and gave up
to his guests everything but the COM
nand of the boat, which they by no
means desired at such time as that.
The preliminaries to the excursion
consisted in several jerks Of the whistle
by Old Nick, number Of airs by the
Brass Band and the taking of a photo
graph of the boat by Mealy as she lay,
covered with people, broadside in the
river. Backing out then and graceful.
~ down the river past town, the splen
did craft with her precious freight Of
joyladen souls steamed up the river in
view of tbrong of spectators on the
bank whose waving handkerchiefs be-
spoke their kind adieus and were an
swered from the boat with similar
manifestations of cordial good feeling.
Reaching Trenton, the Hampton re-
ceived ian accessi on respectable. in
numbers and which we might rank IN
tho we'll understood parlance Of that
busy little mart as 'strict good mid
ding" aud then the bow Of the noble
steamer was headed for Ouachita City,
W 0llSS NlSAout tu0 AlSCIs
TIE run was made to that point in
good time, and without an incident
worthy of note. The ample cabins
we're filed with the notes of music,
followed in time by the gay tread of
dancers; opinions of the boat and of
the party were interchapged; the lum-
bering engines awakened the echoes of
the swamp with the noise of escaping
steam, and the officers like faithful SEN
tries went their accustomed rounds On
watch. Perchance, had we the gift OF
clairvoyance, we might have looked
into the future and seen momentous
events, to some longing hearts at least,
dating their birth from that days ex
cursion. But if aught was whispered
Of love, the tender confession fell not
upon our cars. If arght was spoken
IN anger, or reproof the utterance was
carried away on the breeze, as all had
met with the determination, rarely ever
baked, to be good humored and happy
for one brief day. I
The dinner spread gave evidence of
4 liberal host and watchful steward.
The bill of fare exceeded in delicacies
and the more substantial edibles, the
cravings of the keenest appetite, and it
was served with admirable promptness,
considering the unusual number of
guests to be served.
Of Ouachita City we saw but little.
In fact, it is no injustice to say, there
is not much of it, although city, to be
seen. 1t is, however admirably located
for a town, and may some day rcalizo
the dream of it's founder and become in
fact, as we'll as name, veritable city.
Morehouse Point and Hamilton are
two landings situated opposite, and do
q shipping and receiving business for
the Bartholomew and the Island.
Turning back late in the afternoon,