The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1873-03-01


but gradually inching away. But as
the old fellow would take step away,
Mr.. Roper would approach a step
nearer, talking rapidly all the while.
The old fellow would then turn in pro-
file, and then the young shark would
step around to his front. Thus the
battle ragged for some minutes, Texas
VS.. Texas, until finally the old fellow
gave one loud cough, bowed politely
to his young friend and went away,
promising to see him again. The roper,
not a particle disconnected, moved of
whistling lively air and twirling his
cane, his eyes wandering over the
street for another acquaintance. The
wrestling of that old fellow with the
self-complacent youth was as good
show, while it lasted, as Blue Beard.
Why does not New Orleans put stop
to these rascally doings? This question
we propounded to Mayor Witt. The
Mayor replied that he could do nothing
until he could change Recorders. Why
this is SO, we did not inquire but we
cannot believe that the cappers are any
more exempt from arrest and punish
ment than the vagrant, the suspicious
character, or the thief. All these
charges would lie against them.
Whatever may be the trouble, it is a
fact that these villains mako no pretense
Of concealment in plying their thieving
trade, and have sought to entrap even
members Of the city governments. The
citizens OF New Orleans ore themselves
daily approached, and hourly the cap
pers confront them on the sidewalk
with their sneaking, repellant aspects.
The policemen stand day by day and
hour by hour in arm's-1ength OF the
cappers and see them win and then be-
tray the confidence Of the unsuspecting,
without so much as a word Of warning.
In fact, the cappers and ropers-in
appear to enjoy an immunity perfect
in every way; so much so that both the
people and the press are continually
reminding visitors that they are at the
| mercy OF these Wretches, whom they
are likely to meet at any moment, and
! that If they have any valuables they
had better leave them at their rooms.
Thus, every stranger you meet be-
comes an imaginary roper-in, and you
, are continually avoiding this man and
that, in order not to be caught. Practi-
cally, the visitor to New Orleans, under
this state of facts, is u constant fugitive
from the ropers-in. He dares not look
inquiringly into any face, or to stop a
moment for reflection, unless the next
| man is block off, for fear the internal
ropers-in may assail him. Thus, he
grows into the habit of looking ,cild,
and OF mistrusting every one he docs
not know intimately.
| Not even in ones room is he free
from narrowing thoughts OF thieves,
for, in large black letters, all through
his hotel, he is cautioned to "Beware
OF Pick-pockets and Burglars J" Nice
welcome for man who has been "run
in" from the street by the cappcrs and
ropers-in!
Our advice to the people Of New
Orleans is to put down these rascals,
oAAS oAA\A feAA" - IhS AAASAo oAS
let the people emulate the example of
Vicksburg many years ago, and orna-
ment their lamp posts with the dead
bodies OF the wrong doors. The
| country people are shocked at what
| they see and hear in New Orleans. TO
them it looks like the Devil himself
dictated the manner Of living to the
people OF that city, and their Judgment
has the merit of being formed from a
moral standard. We speak plainly,
but as friend.
Gov. McEnery issued his proclama-
ton on Wednesday, ordering all per-
cons Tho %, nrlo,x,., ,:.l,,~