Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1878-05-04
Red River Navigated from Cnarks-

SOANCA thai tie AdN1SdtlOu I'll hCu
river can be successfully achieved |
from GAINESVILLE to Port Royal that |
is, if such proposition needed de-
monstratiOn, the thing having been
habitually done some years before
the war. The stream is what it was |
then, except some natural obstacles
have been allowed to grow up,
mainly consisting of over-arching
trees, which, in the narrow shutes
alongside the islands, very conside-
rably abridge the available width
of the stream.
AT about A. NJ. the editors of the
Tobacco Leaf and CHRONICLE sat
down to a capital breakfast at the
hospitableresidenceo of Capt. Gracey,
on Franklin street, and half an hour
afterwards were rapidly transferred
in the Captains barouche to the
bridge over Red river on the Rus
sellviIle turnpike. Here arrived
the Matt. Gracey punctually ten
minutes after A. NJ. We have de-
scribed the voyage as far as Burnt
Island, or Small's Island, on
former trip, and will only say that
the character of our progress was
somewhat varied by the fact that
the water was six feet higher on
this occasion than before. We had
therefore to lower our smoke-stack
the whole way to prevent collision
with overhanging trees, and occa-
sionally were obliged to lake our
way" Jim, our stalwart cOlored
boatman, had to mount maple
soon after we stepped on board and
ply his axe vigorously. The maple
split prematurely and went to pieces,
and Jim saved himself by a wonder
full acrobatic feat from falling into
the water, and remained perched on
an infinitesimal fraction of stump
till plank could be run out towards
him, by which he cooned into the
boat again.
On arriving at Fairview, the resi-
dence of Mr.. Charles Warfeld, we
took on board that gentleman and
his brother, Mr.. @. H. Warfield,
both of whom are keenly interested
in the navigation of Red river and
have contributed towards its FEAST
bility by removing distractions at
several points.
Capt. Gracey is very hospitable
gentleman and had provided ample
means for entertaining his guests,
solid and fluid. The company were
shortly invited to partake of the
latter. Being ourselves President
of the Murphy organization, it was
understood that we were not in
Guided in this invitation. The Leaf
is also of the Murphy persuasion,
and began to look sick and despOnd-
ing at this point. He approached
us in our professional capacity and
complained of a general depression
of the vital functions; he requested
us to prescribe for his sinking spir-
its, thinking that they needed slim
ulatiOn. We assumed the profess
siOnal role with much sOlemnity,
felt his pulse, looked at his tongue,
punched him in the region of the
liver, and then gravely commenced
our diagnosis. "Riley, you are
seriously ill., He began to be en-
couraged. GA general depression
of the nervous energies" eyes,
Doctor, that's what l thought"
s'You need a brisk stimulus" His
face became radiant. 81 think l
will prescribe for you-half gallon
-" eyes, yes, Doctor, you under
stand my case" of Red river
water" Instantaneously the Leaf
wilted as with an early frost. He,
however, went astern and Joined
the Captain, and returned looking
better. "You have found the waters
of Red river decidedly stimulating"
we remarked. eyes, Doctor, / had
| forgotten that Red river flows from
Robertson county; it seems to de-
rive. some stimulating properties
from that locality" We thought so,
too. He become affectiOnate and
| oo-GIo.4;oI oOn61oI fO NC SOp1o
passages Of his first love affair, and
his countenance assumed an express
sion of elusive beatitude. Our pre-
scription had evidently hit the case.
He frequently went astern, and the
more Red river water he imbibed,
the more cheering and expansive
were his views of life and his praises
Of Red r-r-r-warrer. We found it
necessary to assume the most solemn
responsibilities of our profession.
"Riley," we sternly observed, "that
water is too stimulating for your
weak nerves we forbid any further
dose; not drop, sir, for your life."
He looked feebly sOrrowful and
shortly curled himself up on litter,
forgetting both his malady and its
remedy in a placid slumber, the
audible demonstrations of which
caused Capt. Gracey to hail Cawli
shaw, and requested him to stop
that whistle, as he did not wish to
disturb any Sunday-schOOls which
might be in action ashore.
Soon now the notice for dinner
was given and we adjourned to the
dining cabin by the same route
which the Leaf had taken to get his
supplies of Red river water. Here
on our right we passed twO-gallon
jug, with the stopper out, eXhaling
odors which ought not to have come
from Red river water even if it did
| flow from Robertson county. All
we have to say is that if our readers
see any ground for reasonable doubt,
we trust they will give Riley the
Z