Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-02-16

GseneraI-J travelling the Mystery
Couespondence Of the New York Sun.
AUGUSTA. Ga. Jan. l5.-0n the Goth
of December last the Potomac boat left
Washington for Quantieo early in the
morning. The air was cold. and the
passengers crowded about the stove in
the comfortable cabin of keystone. There
was a rush for chairs. A black negro
secured one. and took his seat in the
circle surrounding the fire. 1t was
practical assertion Of civil rights. He
was young African with fat pointed
nose. sharp, squinty eyes. thick lips. and
kinky hair One Of his cheeks was as
rough as nutmeg CRATER, but with this
exception his black skin was clear and
smooth. A sealskin cap covered his
head. and black overcoat was drawn
over his shoulders. His striped muslin
shirt was cut 50 low in the threat that
it exposed the collar Of his red flannel
undershirt- Three fancy gold studs
adorned his bosom. and a heavy gold
chain with blood-red seal swung from
his watch-poeket
DoFFING THE sEALsKIN CAP.
There were many colored passengers
on the boat. but the one with the seal
skin cap was the only one who ventured
in the cabin. perceived a very slight
trace Of the rowdy in his personal ap-
pearanee- His face indicated a knowl-
edge that he was as good as q white
man, and his actions seemed 10 say that
he was possibly trihe better. He at
: tracted considerable attention. I resolT-
ed TO watch him and see the effect Of his
assertion Of practical civil rights. He
was as cool as cucumber, and be thor
oughly understood the ways Of the world.
He walked about the deck with his
hands IN his breeehes pockets. and eleneh-
ed fragrant cigar between MS teeth af-
ter the manner of the late lamented
Harry Genet. The bell tolled as We
passed Mount Vernon. and the passen-
gers huddled to the side Of the steamer
TO look at Washington's tomb. The man
With the sealskin cap alone betrayed
neither interest Eor emotion | asked
some Of the hands who he was. None of
them knew him. Several white men
took him for one Of the keen negroes
who attend the doors Of gaming houses
and spot unwelcome visitors. None Of
the passengers objected to his presence.
aud all but one. Southern lady. ap-
Peared TO recognize his equality before
the law
When the breakfast bell rang the Ne
gro dofed his sealskin cap, and conf
IDENTIFY approached the table. There was
no objection. His claims were allowed.
He vas assigned a seat with white meu
and women. and be behaved Ike a gen
tleman- He did not seem TO be thank
ful for the privilege. He acted as tho
the whites ought to be proud Of his com.
pany. One Of the ladies passed him The
butter, and heard him quietly thanl
her. She was 2 Northern woman. and
fell under the displeasure Of her South
, ern sister. who had observed the trans
action The negro finished his break
fast without word. and went upon decI
to enjoy fresh cigar.
The sKALsKIS CAP II VIRGINIA.
The next time that | saw him was q
. Quantioo- He stood upon the deck sInok
ing q fresh cigar as the freight was be
: ing shifted from the boat 70 the ears. I
barrel Of oysters sat near him. Thre
! black and tao wEite men were helpin;
themselves TO the bivalVes. craekin,
r their shells together and forcing then
r open with pocket knives The Degr
: with the sealskin cap approached tn
: barrel and REGARDED the robbers wit
much interest He looked as though b
would ike 10 Try an oyster OF two hin
: self. l was told that he really did lev
n On couple while vas securing a SEA
in tie cars. presume be had a. MUG
right. under the Civil Rights bill. t
I. steal an oyster as any white man. Tina
! Is spruce looking niger in the SEA
skin cap. remarked Mr.. E G. Ball {
> Irvington, \. J.. a. the cars started
j heard other passengers expressing sim
lar opinions
After the cars crossed the Rappahar
4 mock L missed the negro with the sea
= skin cap. Ny interest in him vas
e great that / went through the train ]
search Of him. / found him IN the smol
! ing car Down South this car Is alwaJ
Q filed with oolored folks In some Of Il
d States they are allowed III no other cs
The best-dressed black nan in this sE8ol
ing car was the negro With the sealski
= cap HardEorking eolored men and =
= men sat On either side Of him, but
Be paid ID attention 70 them. He behay.
= like : black aristocrat He seemed
z have No sympathy With them He 4
not gpeak 70 them bat sucked his f
HaTaDas In silence, and turned up
nose At tie smoke curling from tie boE
Of their humble briarwood pipes
While re were rushing through u
ginia the seaIskin cap renamed IN I