The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1874-07-09

figure would be the are-works. But We
are all doomed to disappointment at cor
periods in our lives, and the period Of
the most disappointment to ~ was the
time Of the fireworks II st. Louis-the
Fourth Of July, 1874. We had supposed
that to witness this ould be the crown.
ing pleasure of our life. We hattered
ourself with the idea that in future years
we could point back with pride to the
fact that VIC witnessed the &c, 900 fire.
works performance. But the tall of our
bright anticipations was terrible. We
looked upon only an ordinary perform.
ance-such one rs half Thousand cities
Of the world containing from ten to
twenty thousand Inhabitants witness
each year. The spectacle was very pref.
~ but was not worth any go, 900, nor
half of it. There were many Roman
candles, sky rockets, colored lights
which were very 6ne, but wc had seen
them before. There was o lite-sixed
statue of Capt Eais in fire. This We
learn from "the bills,". but we did not
soc it. There was tho new Merchants Ex-
change building portrayed in fire viii eh
wac very good /; also the fountain Of fire.
But these was no 'phanton train" which
was to have crossed and recrossed the
bridge. Thore were the busts of Grant,
Washington, Lincoln and some chap
who looked like Bender. There were
other pieces which were quito "clabor-
atc," but there was nothing presented
which indicated that go, 900 had bee n
expended in getting up all these works.
Hundreds of people called tho exhibi-
fraud, and thousands were sorely dis.
appointed. We do not think St. Louis
has gained many friends by this feeble
effort, and VIC are Of the opinion she will
be much damaged thereby. A Chicago
party, with whom Frank and ourself
associated for time, were seemingly
very much pleased at tho failure, and
counted Chicago several KIN OTIS ahead
on this account.
After the fireworks the Captain Of
the Republic informed his passengers
that as Fourth of July came only once q
year, he would treat those who desired
it to u trip to CaronLo.et town ten
miles south of the city. Those "who
desired it" wcro quito numerous and
the bow Of tho steamer was turned
southwark. By this time the atmos-
phere had become quito cool, and the
moving of tho steamer added more
GOODNESS to things. 1t was now beau
tiful moonlight and pleasant groups Of
ladies and gentlemen were gathered up
on deck to view the rcceding city, the
picturesque banks Of The Missouri side,
AMI the waters Of the river gllstenirg
and rip ping under the softest of lights.
II it was WEAKNESS before, it was laxu-
ry now-to sit and enjoy tho scenery,
TO hear the measured putfs of the steam,
the happy throngs singing and
chatting so merriIy and to hear our spIcn:;
did band fill the air with its delightful
music. Soon after starting, the cabin
floor was cleared and many gather cd
there for da icing purposes. We cared
not for that-outsids ATTRACTIONS were
greater. The trip was soon ended, the
return soon made, and the excursion had
concluded, which alone amply rewarded
US for our trip. 1t is not necessary for
US to refer to the battles we had during
the live-long night with the formidable
mosquitoes, nor to speak Ct how we had
vengeance therefor, by "getting away"
with freezer of sherbot beloag' NJ to
the "ship's crew." II We lost our 81 cep
We obtained some remuneration for our
sufferings.
The next day We spent in sweltcring
and travelling about tho city, "seeing
sights" We visited Lafayette Park, but
didn't see anything very elegant about
it. We visited another Sunday resort,
where Frank attempted to mako up his
lost sleep, "snoozing" upon bench un-
der the trcos. His pleasures in dream
land were of short duration, for along
came q policeman who threatened to "put
head on him" If he thus confined to
enjoy himself. That was too much for
us, and we Indignantly marched out of
tho yard into the blazing sun,a nd sailed
back toFourth street.-the base line Of our
operations. There it occurred to US that
VIC had not as yet been upon tho bridge,
and that it was our bounden duty to re-
pair their immodiately-if not to satisfy
our own curiosity, then for effect. And
there VIC went. We crossed over leisurely
and stationed ourselves on the Illinois
side tor the space Of about two hours,
watching the stream Of teams and peo-
nlc nosa,np hack and forth We struck