The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1874-03-11

in their manner toward strangers. and
ever willing and ready to give all de-
sired information with regard to the
nature and condition of the country.--
A.young gentleman, by name Mr.. Win.
tree, we found to be exceedingly affable
and pleasant In conversation. s.Younp
IOm,' as the town folks dubbed him
who gratified us all with his delicious
and soothing beverages, will be remem-
bered by any and all jolly sons of Bac-
chus, and as they pressthe ruby-tinted.
nectareous essence to their lips, or
chant and hum Old snatches of songs
over their jolly glasses, to his health
they will drink Il bumper. Mr.. j. w,
Moore, Deputy Sheriff; we found to be
agreeable, and at evening, when the
cares of his office were laid aside, we
were pleased with the manner in which
he began to worry the qHadrupeIly ex.
tended feline intestines with the caudal
appendages of the noble equine. The
residence of Judge Bray lies in the
northern portion of the place. Here
we were entertained Hospitality by the
Judge, who enlivened our stay at his
home during the evening that we spent
with him with his sketches of life in
Vernon Parish thirty years ago, when
all that is now teeming with life and
natural vigor and under the hand of
cultivation, then was bowling will
derness. He Informed us that where
his house now stands, thirty years ago
the sharp click of the Indian rifle was
heard, as he, with swift foot, pursued
the painting deer; that here then the
war-whoop of the young brave resound-
ed; here, too, blazed his council fire
and stood his wigwam. The Judge is
now in a queer old age, but still retains
in his disposition all the gayety and
bouyancy of youth, and his footstep is
as elastic as ever. Everything about
his home betokens the English gen.
tlcman.
vnRNoN ACADEMY.
During our short stay at LeesviTe we
paid visit to the Academy, which we
fonnd in a houlishing condition and
we'll attended. Its principal and teach
'er we found to be William j. e. Ryan,
graduate of a leading college in the
West. At the time of our visiting the
Academy it Glanced to be the hour of
recreation, and not . little amused were
We to see the students engaged in atk-
letic sports, in displaying evolutions
upon the gymnastic bar, and performs
ing saltatory feats and aerial motions
upon the ropes and rings. Among the
many faces we met at this place we re-
member distinctly that Of Mr.. James
Andrews, Young limb of the law
For his cordiality and attention to rs
we are mindful, and hope and trust
that his name may be ins, libel bright
upon the scroll of thos" who worship
at The shrine of the Jealous mistress"
of Justice.
AN INTERESTING DEBATE.
| On the eve Of our departure we were
fortunate enough to listen to a debate;
and much pleased we were to witness
the successful management Of the same.
| The question of the evening was: "Re-
! solved that Love Yields more power
over mankind than Eloquence." The
respective contestants were fully equip
ped and armed to the teeth with arg,l-
ments. Many a shaft of ridicule was
l.shOt from the bow of some nnfOr, ell
| archer, aud ranked no doubt in tie
bosom of the unhappy victim; others +
the comhatants. clad in the armOr of
unanswerable q arguments, with knit
brows and compressed lips detied the
onset of those OF the opposing party
As a whole the debate proved interest,"
ing. In the intellectual arena were six
doughty eombatants, and with knightly
courtesy they respectively upheld the
cause of Lore, shat angelic virtue, and
Eloquence, the 'Heaven-born gift.'-
In witnessing che powerful thlnsts and
darts made BY tisose Of the affirmative,
and the able and skilltul manner in
which they were met, parted and foil
ed, one would be reminded of a gladia-
toriul scene; his nfemoYy would revert
to the days. when the knights Of old
shivered the lance in the jousts and jilts
OF the tournament tor the sake of their
God, their lady and their country, and
would conclude that if not such, it was
an interesting intellectual combat.
| ON THE WAY TO THE SABINE.
The following morning. bidding fare
well to the good and kind people OF
Leesvillc, who had treated us SO well,
we continued our route to the Sabine.
On the way nothing tended to relieve
the eye of the dull and monotOnous
landscape save the tall pine trees, the
jumping Of some nimble squirrel from
bough to Dough, and the twittering OF
some warbler in the neighboring wood.
Having been delayed somewhat on our
route, Fastening on our way, we man
aged to reach the banks of the Sabine.
This same stream, dear Editor, as is IA
miliar to all of your readers, was once
the boundary between the United States
and the then Renublic ofIexaS. Cross