Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1874-05-02

up or they of coming down, we cannot
vouch for the correctness Of the asser-
ton.
OFT OF THE FRYING-PAN INTO THE FIRE.
A five minutes inspection of the
surroundings satisfied the few who had
arrived by the train, and a steamers
whistle OPPORTUNITY greeting the ear,
they rushed off in the direction of the
sound, intent on escape anyhow, any
where, so that they might be able to wan
dcra few yards without danger of bump
ing their heads against the bluffs OF
stumbling into the bliny deep. A little
tumblc-bug of steamer, named the
LiryIy, probably on account of its be-
ing about rs diminutive as flea, was
wheeling and blowing before us. But
we were not to be deferred. We were
desperate. We had passed through so
many dangers that we had caught the
spirit which animates veterans, and
carefully stepped aboard the tiny craft,
descended into a sardine-box, and
awaited the progress of events. What
TRANSFERRED we can scarcely tell, but the
egg-shell shook, pulled and wheezed
for ten or fifteen minutes, and finally
gave faint screech and we correctly
surmised that We had come out some
where. Our destination proved to be
LOWER TACOMA, OR THE OLD TOWN.
Ascending the slippery steps which
led to the wharf, we found the main
population of the town assembled to re-
ceive us. The Governor was spirited
off by his relatives, and we were cap
tured by several acquaintance from
Thurston and Lewis counties, and our
esteemed friends Prosch Of the Pocifc
Tib"ne. A few minutes served to edo"
the town. The mill, hotel, and three
or four neat dwellings, constitute about
everything that is of any value in the
shape of public improvements. Many
of the buildings are no larger than out
houses, and the steep grade makes them
look exceedingly droll, with one end
stuck in the ground and the other ele-
waited on stills. They form anything
but ornaments in the way of architectu-
raj adornment. Several of these shan
ties are furnished with full-s;zed doors
and windows. The appearance is about
like that of q four-year-old boy with a
stove-pipe hat. 1t is said that their
tenants are compelled to stick their feet
through the window when they straight
en- out in bed. Some of these buildings
are business houses and adorned with
canvas signs which fairly envelope them
"from cellar to garrett" Nearly all the
business appears to be done by the sa-
looms, and their keepers complain of
hard times and appear anxious to close
out and go away. 1t is village of Nj
cawbers, who fully illustrate the truth
of the adage, "Hope, long deferred,
maketh the heart sick"
sTEILACoOM.
Tuesday morning we returned by the
same conveyances to the Asylum, and
thence to Steilacoom, one of the pretti-
est towns and finest harbors on the
Sound. Here we met many acquain-
tances, and enjoyed several hours very
pleasantly in visiting the several objects
of interest in and about town. Our first
call was at the Express office. Friend
Dickens did the honors we'll. suspend
ing business and acting as guide during
our whole stay. Many beautiful dwell
ings have been erected since our last
visit, amongwhich is one just completed
by Mr.. Shaffer. The immense brewery,
owned by the same gentleman, is
prominent landmark of the town. It is
said to be the largest and most costly
brewery north of San Francisco, and it
is certainly very complete in all it's ap-
pointments.
THE TERRITORIAL CONvICTs.
At the County Jail we found Sheriff
Davisson and his deputies keeping care
full guard over score or more of as
hardened villains as are usually found
in such institutions. The clanking of
irons is constantly heard, as they pass
and fro in their irksome confinement.
The space in jail and yard is small, and
poorly adapted for keeping SO many
prisoners, but the officers are doing the
best they can and patiently awaiting an
order to transfer their charge to the
new Penitentiary building on McNeilPs
TS1an1