The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1881-04-23

Notes from Myra's Portfolio.

Trip to the Lone Star State-A Few Pleas
ant Hours at Morgan City-"S Sea Sick
ness" on Rough Railroad-Arrival al
Houston, etc.
Houston, April, 1881.
DEAR AUNT CHAT:
You have been delighting us with
graphic descriptions of your travels
throughout the North, and charming
pen-pictures of the manifold and varied
beauties which characterize that section
of the country, until we are almost ready
to exclaim that nothing Southern could
be half as attractive. Loyal to the claims
and advantages of the Southland, how
ever, venture to say few words III be-
half of the place where 1 am now so
jonrning, and l am sure you will not
take it amiss. l can not realize that it
has been weeks since l left Edgewood,
so rapidly has the time flown, and so en-
joyable has my visit proved. Yet the
day of departure stands out in basso re-
iiero, and recall tho incidents of it, as
it it were yesterday. Instead of taking
the through train to Texas, preferred
to go as far as Morgan City on the daily
passenger cars, and have the pleasure of
Da,sy's company for at least the first few
hours of my journey. Arriving at Morgan
City at about noon, it was necessary to
remain there until S o'clock in the eve
ming, when the Texas train was due at
that point. OF course / was all the bet
ter pleased, as l was thus afforded an
opportunity of surveying the town and
noting the improvements that had been
made since my last visit. Indeed, it is
a most flourishing and live little city, as,
combining the facilities of railroad COM
munication and seaport shipping town,
it could not fail to be; and the activities
of the place, its busting aspect, and the
energies of the inhabitants, abundantly
testify that this is all age of progress,
and that Morgan City is moving OIL in
the van. The wharf is the finest / have
ever seen, and the immense shipping
from that port seems to evidence a dawn
ing prosperity again to the country at
large. am inclined to dispute the old
aphorism that declares a rose to "smell
as sweet by any other name." Whatever
may admit about roses, do not think
it is quite fair to carry the analogy every
where, for names do seem to exert an i'll
tlucnce upon us all, and Brashear had to
be re-christened Morgan City, in order
to reach its present state Of progressive
ness. l have enjoyed several pleasant
excursions to this little town, in COM
pany with friends of the Crescent City,
but none had been muck more delightful
than the hours / fingered there that
memorable 1st Of February. OF course
the waiting would have been dull
enough if had been alone, but through
the delicate attentions and unfailing
courtesy Of Mr.. Pandely, Mr.. Natly. and
one or two others, the hours sped away
all too swiftly, and 1 could only stiAe a
vain regret, when the shrill whistle of
the locomotive heralded the approach OF
the train that was to bear mo to Hous-
ton. l must not omit to mention the
snmptuons dining that day, on the
" Whitney" III company with my kind
friends, and the pleasant little sail after
wards on the bay. If You have my By
ronic affection for the water, you will
readily conceive of the enthusiasm with
which l accepted this invitation, and
how | almost yielded to the cntreaties OF
the genial old Captain of the Whitney,
to go on his ship as far as Galveston, in
stead of rail, to Texas But must no,
dwell too long upon these incidents b1
the way, lest yonr patience become ex
hansted.
was at last safely seated upon com
Portable cushioned seat in the Palac,
Pullman, enjoying a pleasant tetc-a-h ht
with Mr.. Pandely, who was gallan
enough to accompany me as far as Yer
miliouville, the extreme limit of til.
Morgan road. Now, Aunt Chat, can yo,
not give view to your fancy and imagin,
how delightfully."- entertained l was
For gallantry, attentive thonghtfulness
gentleness of manner and chivalrous de
pertinent, commend me to elderly wild
overs! They seem to have been al
reared in the cold school," and begi,
to understand the strong position of tn
lady (whom l met a short time since
who had made up her mind, when sl
was girl, that she wonld never MARI
any one but n wilower! Through man
years she coldly ignored tue would-b
claims of numberless suitors who aspire
to hold the Office Of husband, for the frs
time, never faltering in her resolution
"My DEAR" said she, "I couldn't thin
VI u tiusli'S d Hi"H thdt hdu never Dee
tried. If a man had proved good hus
band to one woman, was sure he woul
be so to me, and so / waited till / mt
Mr. W., three years ago" can hardl
question the sound philosophy of he
reasoning, and yet -!
After we passed Vernilionvlle, 1 b'
gan to regret that / had hot decided I
cross the gulf to Galveston, for the roa
was SO rough, it was almost eqnal to
, sea voyage, and l was deprived of IL
compensation which would have bee
afforded me by the vast expanse of waite
, bracing sea air, etc. A cowardIy fear
: aea sickness had lei,arrcd me from We