Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-05-24
ON H WAVE
The Bluff City Grays as Mariners.
Out for a Moonlight ExcurslOn.--The
Soldiers and Their Guests Have a
Joyous ime...lacidents Of
the Voyage, Etc.

James w. Gaf, of which the affabl,
Captain r, w. Wise is commander
carried the Bluff City Grays, theil
lady friends and guests on a moonlight
river excursion twenty miles up the
river last night. 1t was a free offering
on the part of the generous Wise.
whose liberality, enterprise and good
influence is understood among all
people who have, in years past, had
business or social intercourse with the
enterpriSing and industrious river cap
tain.
THE START.
The boat left the landing, foot
of Court street, shortly after 8
o'clock, with a splendid company
on board. Besides the Grays, in full
uniform, a large number of elegant
young ladies, and a sprinkling Of
elderly citizens with their wives, were
Of the excursionists. Among others
on board were several leading citizens
with their families, all elderly persons
serving as chaperones for youth and
beauty.
The boats spacious cabins were not
over crowded. There was enough to
fill them comfortably, with a band
of music on the forward deck and an
other in the cabin, both issuing de-
lightful strains. The vessel moved from
the landing up the river past Wolf
river and the coal feet on the right
and Mound City on. the left,
and on to near the foot of Island
No. 40, some twenty miles up the
river. 1t was not far from the hour
of midnight when this point was
reached. SO the boat then rounded
to and began the return voyage. The
steamer Belle Memphis, from st.
Louis for this port, was met just be-
fore the turn, and the Gaff made her
down river run in the wake of that
fine vessel, riding the waves she made
with an undulating motion hat caused
the company to feel their pleasurable
effects.
INCIDENTS OF PLEASURE.
During the trip a dozen handsome
bouquets and several clusters of arti-
ticlal flowers occupied a prominent
table in the cabin, evidences of the
remembrance and courtesy of various
lady friends to Captain Wise. A
handsome gold-lined silver set,
including silver pitcher, goblets
and bowl, also stood on the
table, a gift from some un-
known source. The only hint Capt.
Wise has of the donors is a card
on which is pictured a stork, and the
written words, Accept this as a token
of the esteem of three little friends.
That is all. Capt. Wise don't know
how to pick out his three generous
little friends among the legions he
counts his swn.
An incident Of the delightful voyage
was the presentation to Capt. Wise Of.
a silver tablet, as large as an ordinary
strawberry short-cake, engraved with
all of the names of the Bluff City
Grays. 1t is handsomely designed,
and Of exquisite workmanship.
Among the names upon the roster is
that of r. W. Wise, as one of the high
privates, he being an honorary
member of the company. The
presentation was made in the
before a large crowd
Of the excursionists, Captain Cameron
making the preliminary speech in his
usual felieitOus manner. The captain
is noted for his readiness and elo.
quence in this line, and that he ac-
quilted himself handsomely is only
saying what every one acquainted with
him knows full well. No part of his
remarks are remembered, but the un.
expected reply Of Captain Wise was
rather a surprise, as well, doubtless.
to the company as TO himself.
Ii has been generally understood
among his friends that Captain Wise
could not make a speech, but his
on this occasion wipes out
that impression. When called upon
in the future it is expected that he
will say something. AS reported by
a person Of short memory who over
heard his remarks, they we're as fol.
lows
SPEECH OF CAPTAIN WISE.
Captain Cameron and Comrades-A
little moonshine, q little music and d little
poetry pays | am not aYarloious, but |
like such Injuries. ! have always en-
deav0red 10 render the vessel / command
as enjoyable and hOme-like o. possible,
both to the traveller and the excursionist.
In this ! am moved not so much from a
desire 10 win praise or notoriety az from
the more unpOetic and worldly wish of
encouraging travel and increasing com
merciul traffic over the line Of steamboats,
Of which the james w. CAT is one.
There may be sordid OF Jealous people
who would term this a selfish moliYe, But
J don't think 20. The cQmWercial brQs-
perity Of your city and III trade with
Qthef BoiDls, especially that Of the Ohio
river valley, / have earnestly at heart Ut
all tines. II ellis my dreams hy night
and "a fl.urlta ~ 1aar Etgna 4 Hra4