The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-11-23

seems 6nalls pace, across the Drluges,
forming grotesque figures where the
shadows on the water seem to com bine
with the moving objects. And now while
our senses are stepped in this Lethe of all
the hurry and worry Of the world, we are
told that this is the spot from which Black
Hawk used to watch the movements Of
Gen. Scott, when that redoubtable officer
was engaged in
ADMINISTERING SOOTHING SYRUP,
| in his unique way, to the Great Fathers s.
red children of his tribe.
We feel as if we would like to stay here
forever, i. e., if only the prairie winds
would not be quite SO cutting in their at
tentions during the cold weather. but a
glance at the sun tells us that, like poor
Joe, we must move on. Down the
bluff we 60 again, retrace part OF our
way, then up again for a long drive along
the brow of the hill, where some OF the
finest residences in the county are. We
admire them, and wish for ten thousand a
wear to enable us to go and do likewise !"
but further On a hamlet, inhabited by
workingmen shows us another phase of life
and by the time we reach Moline we are
contented as usual. We take a peep at
the banks, factories. &C., and then cross
the bridge, built by Uncle Sam, and are on
the island.
Here, during the war, was prisoners
camp, and about two thousand of the poor
fellows, whom the fortunes of war and the
boys in blue landed here, "sleep the sleep
that knows no waking with nothing. to
mark the spot, except four large Confeder-
ate guns, with muzzles in the ground, and
Rebel Cemetery" engraved on the top.
Some five hundred died Of smallpox,
good many oi scurvy and the others, with
a large percentage in favor of pneumonia,
of various diseases incident to life OF ex-
posure.
Formerly fence inclosed this spot, and
plain headboards told where this or that
poor johnny" had found resting place
but lately some gallant officer proved his
bravery by
CELEBRATING ALL THESE MARKS,
and having the ground plowed over, spar
ing nothing except four marble slabs which
loving friends had placed over the remains
of their dead They are only dead rebels,
it is true, yet our hearts throb with pity,
and the indignity offered their silent home
seems to us personal injury-the more
so as we remember that loved ones OF our
own are buried in the sunny south, where
blessings on them forever-klnd hearts
and willing hands planted flowers and ever
green over their still breasts,
But regrets are vain. and we pass on to |
where the new arsenal buildings grow into
shapes Of beauty. So far S4,299, 500 have
been appropriated for these works, and
several millions more will be required to
them but by the time they are
finished and the grounds put in coed or
der, the Rock Island Arsenal will be infer |
Tor, in both usefulness and beauty, to none |
in the world.
From the shops we pass on to the com
mandant's and officers quarters, and be-
gin to wish that we had been born officers
also; but little squirrel chatters at US.
shakes his bushy tail in a sort OF long-may
it-wave way, then whisks off to tell the
deer what queer lot he has just seen,
and leaves US only little less merry than
his own careless little self. Now we reach
the splendid new bridge spanning the Mis-
sissippi, and while We leisurely approach
the Iowa side, there is shrek and roar,
and long train thunders overhead, and
dissapears on the other side.
"HAMBURG BEEFsTEAKs AND THE LIKE
By this time we feel az aching void,
and the tempter, in shape of our friend,
holds out glorious promises Of Hamburg !
beefsteaks' to be had at "Mclchert's' in
Davenport. We stop there at LAST, are
taken into the parlor and at once fall in
love with an elderly lady with a grand free
lit up by soft, tender eyes, and an air of
enyelopiug her, which attracts
US irresistibly. 1t is Mrs Melchert, who
forthwith takes us under her wing, shows
US her flowers, and even permits a peep
into her kitchen, which proves to be an
deal Of cleanliness and stores of comfort.
Vell, we get our "I1amburgs, and lots of
,ood things beside we chat aud laugh,
md declare the champagne the best ever
sipped, and then we have barely time for
another turn on the island before the sun
disappears somewhere III Iowa, and we jog |
home, tired and happy.
A nd now, my dear STAR, having taken
'ou this long ride, Ill bow my-not fare
veil, but az reroir, and remain, your