The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1873-03-01
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NAUTILUS Dub Opc1OuSdSs With It's NulSIElS
Of Pollyowogamus, with the splendid
~parapharneIia imported expressly for
their use from Paris, at a great expense,
bid fair on Mardi-Gras to eclipse any
thing before eve seen in this State.
The day dawned with clouds and every
Indication of rain; but who yer say a
rainy Mardi-Gras9 Expectation was on
tip-tOe, in our little town from early
morn until the hour which dame Rumor
had given out as that on which that Sc
cret band; which has gained, Il world
wide reputation, would make their entry
into town. 1t would be impossible for
us to go hack and trace this celebrated
band from its Infancy, or give a descrip-
ton Of the previous gorgeous displays,
which We alone have witnessed during
our long sOjGurn III this place. Longbe-
fore the hour had arrived our reporter
had secured an eligible place upon the
Court House steeple, that he might be
better able to give a true and graphic
account of tire proceedings. Bevies of
young ladies were grouped upon the diff
ferent galleries of the houses, little "nigs''
had obtained comfortable seats in the
tops Of the different trees, and mothers
had tuckedin bed their younger children
for fear of fits and spasms caused by q
sightof this mysterious band. Our Town
Constable had already detailed a large
force of extra policemen to keep the
streets clear, and prevent disturbance,
and naught could be seer at 12 o'clock
but anxious and expectant faces on every
side, and nothing heard but surmises as
to what shape, when, and in what nan
ner, they would make their appearances.
For the sake of our readers who are not
acquainted with thehabits of the POllyo-
wOgamuses, we would state that they
never appear in larger groups than three
or four, and often a solitary member may
be seen dash1ng drought the town. They
are given to the habits of mortals in
many respects, and resemble strongly
the legal fraternity in one, viz: A'fond-
ness for the Bar. It is said that they
have actually been seen smoking, and
| using tobacco in other FERNS; but we
can't state positively that they do. Their
habits are a mystery, and where they
come from, where they go to, and who
they belong to, are questions which we
have tried for many years to solve. AS
the clock struck one, u reporter heard
a voice from below shouting "here they
eome!" Looking in the direction in
which all eyes below him were turned,
he saw several objects moving upon the
outskirts of the. town.
The first which hove in view was a
solitary horseman, the 0Uant courier, We
suppose, Of the famed Krewe. He rode
a high spirited chestnut colt, whose gait
was a three legged pace; and not more
than fifteen summers had passed ovel
that colts head. His riders dress was &
spotted velvet. coat; and he represented
Coming ont of the Wilderness" we sup
pose. The next we knew, we felt the
scalp on our head to see thatit was safe
and then turned orr gaze inthe. direction
Of IN mearthly yell which we foun6
proceeded from a red man of the forest
whose war paint was terrible to behold
Others rode by in quick succession to-
quickly for rs to note particularly TIL
different characters which they repre
sented. We can only note those charao
tiers which struck our eyes most wildly
The ones which caused the mosth ilarit.
andfun, were three fl figures mounted upol
three Of the wild and Hntamed steeds o
our prairies, viz: three very diminutivI
jackasses.. They rode side by side, quit
gracefully. In the hands of newas he'll
q drum, which he ever and mon beat t.
keep'tune to the braying of the jackass
and the dolefu sounds which emanate'
from an old cracked brass horn blow
by II of his comrades. Each wore
. Greeley hat, and the color of their face
would have bid defiance to any piece o
charcoal omake any other mark on then
: than a white one. Upon their backsWer
hung plackards, on which were writtel
/ the following words:
-,..1
|, Lieut.. Gov. C~ornucopia Antonio,
:, De peoples Favorite.
/ q r -%F -%"
81. Hon. J. Henri Buurch,
De champion OBJ de peoples Rights.