The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1881-04-23

4
| From the So. Landry Democratl
There could not have been made to
order more beautiful morning than
Sunday, April 10, when we started
from Opelousas, on pleasure excur-
sion to Lake Charles, in Calcasieu
parish. It was one of those perfect
days when
''Heavcn tries the earth IL Il be in tune,
And over II softly her warm ear lays."
We were all in tip-top spirits, and
every little incident Of the journey
amused and interested us. The TWEEN
ty-two miles to Vermilionville we're
swiftly traversed--an open stretch
of prairie, with the exception of
about three miles through the Belle
vue woods. Passengers poured in
from New Iberia, ST. Martinsyille,
Break Bridge, Arnaudvillc, YER
milionvillc, Grand Coteau, Plaque
mine Brulee-Opelousas, too, was
well represented--and Coulee Croche.
In all there were nine hundred excur-
sionists. There were ten cars full,
and q great many were compelled to
stand up throughout the trip. From
Vermilionville to Lake Charles, a
distance of seventy-onc miles, tho
road leads through the sameFopen
prairie, with its rolling hillocks,
which look like the waves of green
sea, only broken by quarter of a
mile through the little oasis of Pine
Island. The roads were in fine con-
dition, but we noticed the late cold
spring had retarded vegetation. As
rule, in April the prairies are en-
amelled with beautiful wild flowers
of the tenderest, and most delicate
hues; but the only one we ever saw
ia any quantity was a species of
wild indigo withlong, heavy racemes
of straw colored blossoms. AS far
as scenery is concerned the Journey
is rather monotonous.
Those vast spaces of green, with
their apparently boundless horizon
have, however, charm Of their own,
and we never wearied of gazing at
them, and watching the shifting play
Of light and shadow over their undu-
lating surface. Lake Charles depot
was reached about 1905, and then
the excursionists drifted apart Many
OF them had friends and relatives in
town, and were welcomed by them;
some took dinner at the hotel, but
by far the greatest number, in family
groups, picnicked on the banks Of
the lake, under the shelter Of the
saw mills. Some sail boats were
brought into requisition, and a spe-
cial few of us enjoyed sail across
the beautiful lake. Il is lovely
body of water, and the fourishing
little town which is steadily improv-
ing, owes its attractiveness to the
lake on whose banks it is built.
Nothing occurred on the trip
worthy of record. People enjoyed
themselves quietly, and found the
cars pleasant, the conductor courte-
ous, and nothing occurred to mar
their satisfaction. Any one who
wished to make the different creole
types their study would have found
ample employment on the cars that
lay. Every variety of the French
speaking race were assembled there,
and as far as we could Judge enjoyed
themselves heartily in this novel
experience of riding in rail cars,
through country they had only
Iraversed before on horseback. Ii
facilities are allowed them,
our creole population will avail them
selves of it as this excursion has
proved. But in our behalf we must
30 allowed to say few words on
his subiect.s
To go to Vermlionville from here,
.wenty-two miles and retnn, was
- 20, five cents mile. On the
Texas line from Vermilionville to
Lake Charles, seventy-one miles, the
arc was 81 so, about one cent per
nile. Now the Texas line began
with narrow-mindcd policy and OK
'rbitant rates, whilst the Morgan
inc advocated more liberal policy.
From this it will be seen that the
fexas line is in advance Of the other,
md has boon clear-sighted enough
% recognize that it is promoting the
pest interests of the road to reduce
ho fare, particularly on special oc-
'asions. AS the season Of picnics is
1t hand, we suggest in Wow of max
ng it q profitable one, that the Nor
gan line will follow the example Of
he Texas, and put the rates of travel
xithin reach of even the poorest.
rho cash receipts Of the late excur-
lion was about $llo0, and the net
Profits of the company $500.
II is a pity that Sunday is the
,hosen day for these excursions, We
ire not putting forth any religious
n moral plea against it, but simply
IS business matter. Were it any
'ther day, excursionists who. will
,rowd in here, would purchase at our
torres and patronize other industries,
phe good effect of these excursions
;annot be overrated. Tho relations
'etween the southwestern parishes
Il Louisiana are strengthened by
hem, the unity Of interests is en-
social and business rela-
ions are extended, and altogether
he effects are beneficial. Rapides
will soon fall into line with us whom
he road reaches her, and that will