The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-03-26
A SENTIMENTAL LETTER.
THE TORNADO AT BAY ST. LOFTS

THE TORNADO AT BAY ST. LOFTS.
Especial Correspondence Of then. O. Bulletin,
BAY ST.. Louis, March %, 1876.
Dear BuLetia-I had almost determined
never to write to you again. You have 8
saucy habit of heading my simple letters in
formidable type and have won for me several
knocking names, such as Statesman.
eAnte lAuntie)," Centennial" etc. never
theiess as it is your duty, as know it is you,
pleasure, to represent the South in her trues,
and fairest phases, have determined to I'M.
told the dag of truce in the form of this paid
paper and in accordance with Bly-side life,
70 drop you line. You may consider your
self fortunate if you escape sentimental
letter.
am sitting las write) under great mag
mona tree. | Can not estimate its age, but !
Know the slow growth Of it's kind, and it
Unjust have marked many years; from its
-xoots the ground slopes gently until the muir.
naring OF little stream, with its multitude
: Of .uhits vio!e:s, marks the roadside and the
advent of the .marsh-the marsh, with its
blueAlies ana broad green flags. Above me,
: among the glossy magnolia leaves, two mock.
ing biras'are telling the story Of creation in
the musical language Of their kind. I have
nved So song. so many years. in the center of
y great city, amidst its roar and tumult, that 1
did not know how sensitively could answer
Natures sppee,, spoken SO eloquently in
her varied languages"
felt quite wild when saw the white sand
ed hasch and the grand oaks clad in their
dsapery Of moss-sorrowing, perhaps, that
20 great an expanse of territory should lie
without the master-touch of CIVILIZATIONS
hand. If I write rather sentimental pre-
amble, am determined to write something
practical This is certainly a most beautiful
place, and can be conscientiously Endorsed as
. delightful summer resort. It can boast
picturesque and, I told, most excellent hotel,
with its pretty cottages for families-where
you can have all the pleasures and none of
1.-The pains Of housekeeping; and I can certify
that there is irst-class house prepared to
secure boardsrs, with every disposition to &C.
soommodste, and in most delightful location.
The late storm has much depre ssed those
who had tbs en- ertainment Of visitors in
view, but preparations are being rapidly
xlsde to repair its damages Perhaps it may
interest you 10 hear a few words directly con-
%soerning this tornado-for it was almost such.
The day before gay, little party set ont from
one Of the wharves to visit beautiful
garden and a. series Of orange groves
some eight miles distant I confess your cor
respondent took her seat in the lit "Nico-
damus" with ;imd heart, and q salute Of
laughter rewarded her clumsy entrance into
the boat Amid smiles and jokes, and calm.
We got over qniye an expanse Of water, and
Chen We performed that extraordinary feat
called Ntacking."
It consists in ssiling from certain point,
dor, say an hour, and then returning to exact
from the destined point. We began to grow
weary OF this and OF the everlasting =" heads
down" as the sail was shifted from side to
side. The wind rose about this time, and
the young (aud it now seems inexperienced)
Eaamen vino had US in charge assured us We
would "soon be over" He little dreamed
how near the truth he was. In the meantime !
Z sturdy, strong built schooner passed u.s. and
chose on board shouted something as they
passed. The wind still continued to rise,
end broad, blue streaks along the water told
of the coming wind, and our little boat rose
and fell with the rufn ID water, and dipped
from side to side to the very edge.
The schooner anchored, and all on board
seem to watch us. had just decided in my
mind that a few moments would close my
earthly career, when the gallant little schooner
tho ''Democrat," came swiftly towards us, and
tho captain asked that the ladies and children
chould be put aboard her and he would take
them back to the Bay. I shall never forget |
mis- rough appearance and gentle bearing,
end, indeed, that of all the men. A few mo.
ments afterwards we were comfortably estab- |
ished on her deck-our little boat in tow
and then the norther came in furious gusts. We
owed our lives to these men, who might so |
easily have passed us BY, but who generously |
and with that chvairv that belongs to brave |
natures, gave up their fishing excursion and |
bent all their energies upon our comfort and |
eur welfare. Tais was the herald Of the COM
ing storm.
Next morning the Bay wore its accustomed |
smiling face, far eff the woods lay in opaline |
mist, and earth blushed as she turned from |
chill darkness to NEE. the sun ardent caress.
Later in the day, the jealous winds arose and |
roughened the waters, until they rose and |
broke in foamicg anger on the beach As |
night-cAme on the wind grew more furious, |
the little boats along the beach tossed like |
feathers, and the darkness was intense. |
I0oro was no ram, Only Inc great roaring d
the wind, now growing in the distance as |
some wild destroying creature anticipating |
its prey, now rushing full upon us, bearing |
away bath houses, wharves and bridges, and |
and breaking every boat within its |
reach.
Toward 10 O'Clock, the roll Of thunder and |
the fash Of lightning added their quota to
this panorama Of gloom, and the rain fell in
torrents, beaten in every direction by the
wind. 1t was almost impossible to stand up
on the gallery, and the houses fairly trem-
bled. So the night passed away. The sullen
Eawn revealed wreck as far 40 the eye could