Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-06-11
ON THE GAFF.
A Happy Excursion Last Night on
that Beautiful Steamer.
Presentation Of CuIOrs to Captain Bob
Wise.

'aOoohtatioh " ooiuFo u Cdptdih put
Wise.
About three hundred and fifty per,
sons escaped from the heat of the city
last night and had q delightful excur.
sion on the steamer James w. Calf
There was a large proportion Of young
people, including many beautiful girls
and young ladies, if there is really any
such distinction, and a good sprinkhng
Of older persons and prominent citi-
zens. The affair was undertaken fol-
the benefit of the Helping Hand
society of the First Baptist church
and was in every sense a charming
success. Captain Bob Wise, with
characteristic liberality, rendered the
use of his boat free.
At 8 o'clock the gallant steamer
backed out from the wharf and started
up the river with as happy a crowd as
we have ever seen. All on board we're
in the highest spirits. The cool
breeze of the river seemed to have a
most exhil arating effect upon every
one, and for the time all care was ban
ished and pleasure beamed from every
face, young and old.
During the trip up the river the
excursionists assembled in the cabin
and, through Master Eddie Williams,
presented Captain Wise with two sets
of beautiful colors. One is nineteen
feet in length, and in the field appears
in large blue letters the words James
W. Calf" This one will be used
a%midships. The other is plain blue,
nine feet in length, and intended for
the jack-staff. Master Williams read
his address in a clear, well-modulated
voice as follows
ADDRESS OF MASTER EDDIE WILLIAMS.
Another year has passed us by
Heaven grant we may not see its like,
Till the sands of life are dry,
And Times last hour shall strike.
But, gloomy memories, be still
Your kindness, rather let me say,
COnviGces us where there's q will,
IhnWn a Il NFu 40 - "a rugnr
Again you've made us taste the cup
OF pleasure, and the resting CAT
Shall watch us moving up and up,
And seem to hear our laugh.
thank you for the Helping Hand,
Those workers ever doing good
They cannot speak-yOu understand,
I'm sure | wish they could
Add now it is my pleasant task
To offer to your gallant boat
These well-wrought tlags and humbly ask
That 'b0ve her they may float.
Give them a place beside the one
Ny young hoart ever leaps to see
Over the waters gently blown
In silent majesty.
Tho flag brave Lawrence wrapped around
His body as his dying lip
Made ocean echo with the sound,
Never give up the ship!'
Long wave the three above your keel
In leafy June and chill December,
And long shall we, while hearts can feel,
This happy night remember.
This was heartily applauded. Capt.
Wise made a speech in reply, much of
which our reporter was unable to
hear owing to the pressure of the
crowd. Judging from his gestures
and the sparkle of his eye and the
frequent applause of those who were
near enough to hear it. he made a
very happy little impromptu speech of
not more than five or six minutes in
length. He is one of the few
river and business men who can
make a speech, and seems to be
improving with age and practice.
Soon after this pleasing incident the
boat headed down stream, and at II
o'clock was in port in time for the
people to go home on the street cars.
Some of them went, but many Of the
younger people were not ready. They
remained until a late hour, and it is
said that when the dancing COM
menced they made up for lost time.
Altogether it was an agreeable affair,
and was in the interest Of a good
cause.