The weekly Louisianian., 1872-09-21
THE NEW ORLEANS WEEKLY LOUISIANlAN.

)UISIANIAN.
his subaltern. Tho Governor was not
satisfied. and pursued his inquiries
further.
Fortunately, whom should he meet
on Broadway but Senator Harr's' an
intimate and constant associate OF
Pinch. "Havo you see Pinch to
day." asked the Governor. mo,
haven't seen him since yesterday, at b
p. m., when he made an engagement
to meet me at 8 o'clock. And on going
to the committee room this morning ]
learned that he left yesterday for
Pittsburg."
Then it was all laid bare. She Gov
ernor saw in q fash what it all meant.
Pinch had tricked him and got the
start of at least twenty-fours hours.
He must catch and overhaul him, OF
the GRANTEES would be installed in
power in Louisiana. Proceeding to
the telegraph Office, the Governor
opened communication with his friends
all along the route and in this city.
His plans were all made for rapid
TRANSPORTATION, and Pinch was placed
under surveillance all along the route,
30 that he could come no unfair dodge
in the grand sweepstake.
That evening the Governor left in
the Pennsylvania Central lightning
train, and reached Pittsburg in time
to learn that Pinch was twelve hours
ahead of him. Next he heard of him
in Columbus, Ohio, and finally al
Louisville, Ky. From this city the
Governor telegraphed for a special
train to meet him at Humboldt. On
his arrival there he found the best To-
connective of the Mississippi Central
and q special a awaiting him. The
Governor called up the engineer and
asked him in what time he could put
him at Canton. The engineer could,
at push, make forty-ive miles an
hour.
"Then do it !" said the Governor.
II WILL" said the engines, ''but
you must sign this bond to stand all
the damages that may result from any
accident" The Governor and his
companion, MIR. bingham Lawrence,
promptly signed the bond, and pretty
quickly the locomotive and train were
put in motion. kilograms had been
sent ahead to clear the track. And
now commenced the fastest steam
speed ever made in the Southern coun-
try. Leaving Humboldt at 2 a. M,
Tuesday, the Governor reached this
city at 3:45 p. H., making the distance,
4443 miles, in thirteen hours!
On the approach to Canton, the
Governor telegraphed a gentle inquiry
for his friend Pinch. The reply was:
"He is here, awaiting the first train
for the city," whereupon the Governor
shouted loudly, 1--WE have got him."
und Colonel Lawrence telegraphed to
their anxious friends in the city that
they had bagged Pinch and would
bring him along.
But how was this-how came Pinch
to be in Canton, when his anxious
friends were awaiting him at Amite,
with certified copies Of the Registra-
ton and election bills, and several
proclamations and commissions to
he could afix the official s sigma
ture and seal of the Acting Governor
Of Louisiana? This unhappy mishap
occurred thus: Pinch had not dilly-
dalied-he had lost no time on his
Journey. H, had never left the cars
except to telegraph to the Customhouse
and his waiting friends at Amite that
he was coming, and the Governor wa
are of his baggage at the Fifth
Avenue Hotel.
In this state of unsuspecting conf
.ence and of sanguine assurance Of
bis successful execution Of the plot Of
tho Customhouse and the National
Committee, Pinchback reposed in hap
py security and INDUCED those pleas
ing reflections which are natural and
proper to oil achievers of great tri-
umphs in war, love or politics.
From this pleasing reverie and a
slumber, he was aroused by a
tap on the shoulder from the conduc-
tor, who informed him that the train
had reached Canton, and there was o
gentleman who had inquired very earn
estly for Gov. Pinchback, "Was he
that personage?"
II am that man." responded Pinch.
"Then I am directed to inform you
that there is a telegram awaiting you
in the telegraph Office, which the
operator is directed to deliver only to
you in person." .
Accordingly, Pinch hustled out Of
the car, proceeded to the telegraph
and inquired # there Was.a dis