Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-05-15
STEAMER JAMEs LEE.
A Coast Correspondent Crowds
10 the Front.

An emotional correspondent writing
the LEDGER thus phrases his admira-
ton of this beautiful steamer, the
pride of the bends:
The subsistence of the water and
return to normal hydrostatic condi-
lions, seems to have been but a TEN
porary relief, for the rebound, begin
ming some days since from the upper
rivers, tive volume largely augmented
by unprecedented local rainfalls-
marking, as reported in your columns,
four inches in twenty four hours
causes serious apprehension among
the planters. and tbs with a feeling
akin to CONSERVATION that they watch
the great rehuent river, as it slowly
crawls towards the danger line. Ac-
company this repelling outlook is the
visitation Of the cut worm, sweeping
over, not by districts or sections,
quite the entire cotton belt, attributed
to heavy and continuous rains, and
weather exceptionally cold for the
season.
But with all this, honor is not lost;
we are not utterly disconsolate. We
get our mails, (what could or would we
do without the LEDGER) with unya-
rying regularly | had almost said
the certainty of fate. And the big
Jim Lee" carries them-for SO, the
model packet, of the coast trade is
afectionately and patrOnizingly
yclepted by our colOred constituents.
Her recent withdrawal for repairs
realized her commercial convenience,
not to say necessity, the feeling being
that the Lee could not be substituted.
In this interval the writer saw her
lying listlessly at your wharf, colors
fu-led, levers locked, pitman poised,
throttle down, the very ideal of power
in repose; the slumbering giant-the
drowsy and polished athlete.
Again we saw her closing down in
conflict with huge antagonist, the
pride of a rival line.
The scene was chauged-perfect the
Observation-Disclosures was action and
action energized into its highest form
of development-machinery groaning
like the mills of the gods, furnaces
glowing like the FORCES of the CyclOps
full blasted, wheels resounding the
roar of Niagara, and a hell of maddened
waters plunging from her bow. Though
neck and neck, not doubtful long was
the contest, somewhat prolonged by
the strategy Of the expert helsman Of
her rival by, in marine vernacular,
pulling down his boat on the lesser
courser to cover a pass; but the end
came, the pass was made, and the
Lee, gradually pulling away from her
rival, calamity entered your port with
token lashed to her flag staff
typical, that like the great Admiral
with a broom, had she swept the chan
mel.
How, then, looked Captain Stack
Lee, her generous commander? Did
his amiable modesty forsake him? Was
gone that characteristic meekness, SC
nigh akin to Christian humility? No
proud he was, and proud looked he
then. Though inclined to obesity and
in physique, not lining with the sol.
diers of Frederick the Great, yet on
this occasion grandy he grew, and
growing grandly, like a modernizet
Mars, he strobe the decks of bis vic.
tOrious vessel head and shoulder,
above them all.
In conclusion, then, pray we thai
long may live the beautiful steamer
the marvel Of the waters, the thin'
Of beauty and pride and power, vic
tory ever mantling the colors tina
Aoat from her flagstaff, aud abound
ing prosperity gladdening the water
that widen in her wake. There, now
if that is not strong enough SAY 3
.I III IL 4 -. %