The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-08-23
A TIDAL WAVE.
Point Clear and Another Fellow Endan.
gcrcd by n Bankers Dive.

Point Clear and Another Fellow Endan-
gcrcd by u Bankers Dive.
We are gratified to be able to ailay tho anxiet,
aud alarm that have for some time cast gloom
over the usually v.vacious circles of Carondelet
street by the mysterious disappearance of a
notable banker aud broker, whose oapacious and
expansive form has for the last twenty years beer
regarded ~ inseparable from and indispensable
to the unity Of the view and identity of the char
scter and aspect of that great mart OF the money
changers and bond dealers. We have now au.
thentic and gratifying intelligence Of the where
abouts and whatabouts Of this conspicuous rep
resentative Of our HiAlto. Il comes TO us In no
questionable shape from that delightful retired
nook so much affected by gentlemen Of thought
ful and retiring habits aud Of strong tastes for
the voluptuous sea breeze and invgorating sea
bath. These are nowhere more enjoyable than
at Point Clear on Mobile Bay.
Thither modestly glided our capacious Banker,
with all the secrecy practicable TO so conspicuous
q specimen OF enlarged humanity. What better
place for the nominations OF one whose life for
the past twenty years was crowded with 30 many
/ stirring events, and where tho whole gulf was
80 open TO the embrace Of his capacious figure,
| and the braoing sea breeze brought such animat-
ing and cooling sensations to his expanded
brow, and 10 sportiv.ly toyed with bis hyacin.
THAN lock-.
The presence Of our banker ut Point Clear,
though modestly and even furtiveIy made, was
noe long unannounced. deed 1t was made far
more conspicuous than comported with the tastes
aud deeires OF our banker. And this by strange
incident. After securing his quarters and re.
freshng himself from the fatigues of his jour-
ney, our friend hastened TO the bathing grounds
with impatient appetite to enjoy the pleasure of
bressting the briny surf, for which he had so
long painted as the deer for the clear brooks. He
was accompanied by friend from the city, con-
nected with large wholesale dry goods store. 1t
Il no disparagemento OF our bankers companion to
say that he presented a very strong contrast in
figure, height, breadth and periphery with the
great banker. Whilst without exaggeration the
one may be styled huge and amplitudnous, it is
with historical fidelity we are compelled to
describe the other as stumpy, slight. not to say
diminuiive. The two proceeded hastily to the
surf. The great banker, in his impatience. could
hardly complete his bathing toilette, wherein he
was impeded by an apprehended brevity and
lightness OF the inadequate garments before he
rushed into the comparatively placid gulf with
gracefully rising surf He was followed by his
friend from the city as Iulus followed Eneas-
Non passibus equus.
With reckless and impetuous dash, our
banker, being an experienced swimmer, boldly
pushed forth for the deep water. where his whole
body could be embraced by the waves. In this |
he quickly succeeded, and now ensued an alarm !
ing phenomenon. The large displacement of the
waters of the Gulf by the immersion Of his yastl
form produced a sudden and violent agitation |
which set in motion the waves and caused them |
to rise to such height and to dash upon the |
shore with such violence as to create the great |
surprise and alarm of all the guests at the hotel |
and the dwellers by the bsyside. There was NO ,
wind, the ekv was calm and the bay in it's norm.l |
condition; that it should suddenly fly into snca
passion and rave and toss so unprovokedly, might
we'll create general surprise and alarm, and draw
crowd OF the curious to the beach to Investigate
the cause of this sudden freak of nature. Among
them, Of course, were q number of IadIes who
had been drawn to the scene by the suggestion
that large white whale had gos into the bay and
was disporting there for their amusement
All unconscious of the excit sment which he
had created on the shore, the great banker con-
tinued his gambols wi tbs high waves, and
rolled and plunged, Owed and turned somer-
ssults and cut all the capers 80 wildly recalled
OF his juvenile days. Suddenly it occurred to
him that be was all alcne. Where was his friend
who entered the water with him 2 He had for
gotten to inquire Whistler he could swim. II he
coma not, snd pert isted in following him, he
must have been Overwhelmed by the agitated
waves and drowned. This was an agonizing
thought, ana banibhed Immediately all tportive
incllnations, and necessitated an immediate re-
tracing Of has coarse to the shosl water OF the
beach, Not stge of his friend could be seen.
Carefully and fearfully cropping his way back,
treading water and fe ling in every direction for
his submerged friend. our banker slowly ap-
proached the shore in state of the deepest anxi-
sty and terror
Ny God the man must be drowned, and I
shall be charged with his murder. What pos
sessed him to tolIow me il he could not swim ?"
In the midst OF this awful terror. but ssi pursuing