The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-05-30

J /
POPLAR TALKS.
Yen will often hear Kansas
bound darby say: Gen. Grant has
ordered US 70 20 to Kansas, and he
wili take care of Us.
| listened to the conversation OF the
s.okers on the steamer Natchez Tor
half hour. "kansas" was the topic
A big negro, loading mp one Of the
furnaces with cotton wood, vas the
cold water tirover, ma not at all pop
uIar with his companion. Go to
Kansas, said The chap, 20 there ana
starye. It's fearful cold there; heaps
Of snow
y Young negro answered: Il knows
better. C4u't We stand De cold? Goliy,
it was cold huff in ole Virgiuny; can't
be any colder in Kansas, I reckon"
For stady Of one phase Of negro
character the roustabouts for short,
called "roosters Of Mississippi
river steamer will serve The rooster
is character. His recklessness,
general cu5sedness and curious ways
merit a Volume. You couldn't exhaust
rooster" life IN less bulk Of paper.
The 'roOste. ships for the round trip
at New Orleans. The contract obi
gates him TO be on board at the day
Of departure and 10 make the round
trip. a week if It IS Vicksburg steam
er. The beat owners agree to pay
the rooster" wages at the rate Of $40
per month and ra1ions He can not
write anfi therefore makes his mark or
the contract book. lie has his meals
served on the lower deck, aud eats out
Of tin dishes: aud drinks from = lin
dipper. Often he wears knife III his
belt. His costume is much worn
felt hat, a loose woelen shirt open at
the breast, . pair Of coarse trousers
and .uiggers goes Bat add TO this
costume, to make it trae to life, the
rooster gaudy banianua. worn around
his neck. He ruus up the gang plank
with peculiar motion Of his body, the
shoulders swaying from side to side,
and the arms appraised and swinging
The mate orders the ROSTERS about in a
terrible voice, aad backs his voice
With a stout cane.
Nan OF TIE WORLD
Fresh from New Orleans, the roos
ter pIumes himself with knowing the
world, aud FIRST with lie sable wcncnes
on the levees by means Of signals. Il
has game Of props or dice, which
few old boatmen pretend to understand
Often negro gamblers ship at New
Orleans. and work like Tutks" ia or
der to win the roosters' money at the
game If props The rooster is paid
If on the down trip when near New
Orleans. Ten TO one if the gambler in
rooster garb does not get every cent
of the money.
The rooster IS deceitful. and met
aphoricalIy speaking, cuttelh his
his neigh5or,s throat when he can
For example, when the long queue Of
roosters Is fling up TO The clerk win
dow to sign the contract book. a man
says to the clerk, Ny name is George
Jones" Behind him is some rooster
who catches the name. The barkeeper
/ sells the rooster a driak Of whisky.
ginger cakes aud tobacco on credit. and
9hen the men are paid Of, the account
total IS deducted from the wages due
Well the wicked rooster who has
caught the name Of "Georse jones. p
while behind George in the queue
uses Georges name as pass Of credit
vith the barkeeper. When George
Jones comes up TO be paid or he is
sstoundcJ at the amount Of rum,
giueer- cakes, and baeey charged to
him. II he eau not trace the man who
used his name, he loses a good share
of his money. Ye genuine rooster never
shippeth We second time under ye same
name 70 day he IS Ben Butler, next
trip Bin Jones, next trip George
Washington, Abe Lincoln or Dan
Webster.