New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-04-29
How Rip Arian Saved his Farm.

Hew Rip Arian Saved his FARM
We were most agreeably surprised Las
evening by another visit from our old ane
valued friend Rip Arisn.
Rip informed rs that it was not curioait,
alone that had this time drawn him from
the peaceful bosom of his family, nor ye
desire to take advantage of cheaper
cursion trip to put Mnself in trim for thu
rolling season. He had higher and noblel
object in view when he embarked on tht
Grand Republic, and bidding his wife and
children and faithful laborers fearful
adieu, started for the jetties.
He felt that the fate of the great Missis
sippi valley was bound up in speedy 60
luton of the question, Shall We have cheap
transportation to the sea, the great highway
of nations or shall We mott Said he: "After
my last visit to you, of which you gave
such fsttering notice, came to the
conclusion that the few shotguns my
self and neighbors are able to muster, even
on election day, would not be enough to
prevent the making Of . cutoff above us,
should tho United States order one made.
1 therefore thought it we'll to prepare for
selling my plantation and investing the
proceeds elsewhere. After reading the
New Orleans Times, I said to myself, what
is better than to stake your fortune where
you lay down one and pick up twQ9 So
went to the editor of the Catahouls Zruns-
pet and asked him how the jetties stood
now.
."Splendidly, gloriously," said he, "divi-
dends coming in fast"
There was something in his eye that
made me think had better 60 down and
see for myself. Ihave just returned. Mag
nifcent river, this Mississippi, ehi But
muddy7 Yes. Full of eccentricities, such
as counter currents, boils, eddies, etc.f Yes.
Splendid plantations ON the lower coast;
was particularly struck with several. Light
house at the head Of the passes good for the
eye of the weary, storm-tossed mariner.
Elegant boat. that Grand Republic, with
her hospitable captain, eagle-eyed pilots
and attentive clerks, excellent wines, good
table, cheerful party, music, dancing, and
the best barkeeper you ever saw.
. But what about the jetties, Rfp9 What
did you see, and how about the invest
ment!"
Rip had all along been in q thoughtful
mood, but at this question he bent slightly
more forward. Another wrinkle was added
to his broad high forehead, and his eyes
raised to meet oure, had Q far away look in
them as if there was something vague and
misty in the distance after which they were
straining. A long pause ensued, then Rip
in measured worde:
"Well, I saw q lighthouse light
house .some cottages and shanties, plenty
IF water and high grass about them. Then
here were two rows of piles with brush
floating against them"
IT tell you what, old fellow" continued
Rip, Frightening, lit was glorious sight;
but there is one thing that has bothered me
Ill the way back-what good has all this
piling and brush donel How deep is the
,hannel9 There were three parties sound.
ng to find out, and each got q different re-
'ult. The contractors party got sixteen
eet. Another party got thirteen feet, and
he other got nearly as low as ten feet.
believe that have just struck the reason.
You have been through hilly countries,
# course, where the railroads wind in
md out around the round tops and
trough the long little wales between.
Iow, you have also heard of the mud |
jumps at the mouth of the Mississippi,
which bulge up here and there dotting the |
urface Of the bars and leaving pockets of |
oft mud and eand between them. Now,
uppose that the jetties have invaded |
ONE Of these little pockets and cleaned
hem out, leaving the stiff old Jumps un-
ouched. Now, suppose again that the
lies of the jetties are properly
in white, and that careful
ally surveys locate these little pockets
,lative to their nearest numbered piles
70 you get my ideal These lubberly fellows
'ho could not get sixteen feet went boom
lg along without observing the pile marks
nd, Of course, every once in while whack
ent the sounding lead on top or on the
ope of hill"
Rip b. amed all over, slapped his hat on
le side of his head, and, as he bid US
pod by, said earnestly:
"Thank God, l have saved my planta-
onr,