New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-02-15

| me0coQ mdhluS ROOU many ugly faces,
which he designed as expressive Of pain.
| whats the matter, Pierre" asked
Hartley.
"Oh, Massa Hartley" groaned he, Il is
in a siderable deal of pain in de region Of
| de abominable."
"In WHAT asked he, laughing in spite
of himself
I'm de abominable, sah," groaned
Pierre, pressing harder on the pit Of his
stomach. sob! alb ugh"
"Well, what must DO for you, Pierce
| asked Hartley. "What must give your
"Well, sab, l don't know. don't think
| dat nothin' never does me any good but
| little sperits. Oh! ugh! ab1'
Hartley saw through the ruse in a mo-
| ment.
s'Oh. see what is the matter with
you-a touch of cholera. Here, Pierre,
take dram"
Pierre seized the flask eagerly, put it to
his mouth and took long pull-then
| drawing a deep breath, returned it, say
ing: ''Ah! dat liquor has got a great
head, sure. 1 feel considerable better
now, sab"
Very well, Pierre, laughed Hartley,
''you are now to remember that you are
not to have a pain in your 'abominable'
again until this evening. Then you may
have it very slightly. Do you hear. sir p
''Yes, sab, )" grinned Pierre.
They had now reached the wider part
of the bayou, Immediately before its con-
nection with the lake; and singular sight
to the eyes of Northerner presented it.
self A sheet of water of some three miles
in extent, surrounded on three sides with
a virgin forest of tall cypress and gum,
was spread out before him. There were
several small islands in it. The whole
forest was clothed in a garb of melan-
choly grey moss, which hung from the
topmost boughs in heavy waving masses,
hoary and ancient, nearly to the water.
Every thing around seemed locked in
trance. Vast trees with no underground,
like pillars in some immense cathedral,
with this solemn drapery around them,
unbroken by any opening, bounded the
prospect. Far off stood hundreds of large
white cranes, motionless, and gazing
silently in the water-while the solitary
heron fished around the edge, ever and
anon uttering his peculiar and dismal cry.
Upon many logs which were floating in
the water, lay sleeping alligators, whom
the warmth of the day had awakened from
their torpor, to feel the warm sun; and
thousands of turtle of all sizes dotted
the other logs and islets; and often would
be seen the hounce of some fish as it tried
to escape the jaws Of the ravenous ALI
gator-gar. The southern side of the lake |
was shallow, and filed with brush, swamp
reeds, and decayed logs. Here the congo |
ard the venomous moccasin held domin- |
ion, and battened with the toad, and i'm |
mense water-spiders, in the mass of decay |
ing and offensive mud, and ooze and |
leaves and slime.
The opposite side Of the lake was
bluff bank. dry and pleasant; the water
deep, cool and clear, and grateful shade
was afforded. Here the boat was direct
ed, and they then proceeded to dispose of
the hamper of provisions which Colonel
was lugged out and placed at the root of
a noble blackberry tree.
When this was done, Pierre began his
for mornings sport. He
selected bait with a hand net, and I'M
,oiled his lines.
Nov, Massa Hartley, suppose you try
your hand at fish; here be de lines, and
'spect dat de fish bite mighty well dis
nornin'. Now, you Flor. you look alive
md scoop up some bait Florat. acting
,pon this hint, stepped out upon log,
md after scooping, as Pierre called it, re-
urned presently with handful of min.
lows. These were quickly impaled on
he hooks.
Nov, Massa Hartley does you take de
cad here, sab. You perceive dat hook
as got de insect on it-dat's mighty good
ait for a hungry trout. l drops him in
o, and gin him SWITCH and suiting
be action to the word, he drew his line
emily over the water, so as to disturb it
lightly. He then let the cork float out
lowly. The result was in moment be
ad large white trout hung; and after a !
linute's delay, he laid it gasping on the /
ank.
Hartley admired the dexterity of the old
sherman, who evidently enjoyed his tri- =
mph. Florat tried his luck. and with .
he like success. Hartley then seized the >
ole, which Pierre handed him. and COM a
Fenced. At first it appeared as if his t
ne was avoided-but at length he saw a 4
rye perch make dash-he met it, made s
sweep, and up came the fish.
Thus varied the sport; many trout and
srch were pulled up by each, until a y
,od lot lay on the bank, and they even =
gan to tire of the amusement. Hartley i
as entertained by the oddities of Pierre. u
I'd the remarks of Florat I
SO passed the morning; when Hartley il
ought it was nearly time for Colonel u
'mond to arrive. He therefore laid him. ;:
If down on the bank in the shade. i,
pierre" be exclaimed, II would like O.
hear good fish story" tt
Pierre remained siiHc:. moment: then, il
liking up, replied, 81 'spect it is almost Ii
ne to repeat dat drink, sab. You know
Bible Says you can't do good thing o. o.
, often" u
WELL" laughed he ''Pierre, will give II II
u drink, if you will tell me a good tc
Try about fishing" g
well, sab, OATS a bargain. ! knows e.
e OATS almost as good as poor old 81
nah and dat big whale e,
Hartley gave him the flask, and, after a O.,
lg draught and deep sigh, he began: 5,
You see, sab, dat dis massa amt de
It one l cher had. l 'longed to ole b
.ssa, dis ones father. Wall, he used to tt
We a heap OBJ company, and he thought "
mighty much OBJ me. One day, says he, -
erre, 60 down to de lake, and get big n,
SIS of fish. Some gentlemen is gwine b
dine wild me to-day l sets off. You W
/, dat bay tree dar, wild de branch broke fir
near de top? Well, come down, and m
cts right down dar, and goes to work. "
way pulled up de fish were consid- W
bile caution. got toleble tired arter Fl
lie, and so, to rejoice my innards, l er
* pull at little bottle carried long re
d me; and den sets to stringing my al
b. When l finish dat, puts EN- in de it,
ter to kinder freshen dem, and lights m
pipe to have smoke. l had not set II
r for more than five minutes, looking in %