The Lake Charles echo., 1883-10-06
NO 81
An Echo from Texas.
GALVESTON, Sept. 81, 1885,.

just three weeks ago now, on a
bright starry night, at the bewitching
hour of eleven, when the moon rays
bathed mother earth's green sward
with their silvery radiance, your i'm
portuning correspondence Calcasieu
girl, scarce in her "teens started on
a visit to this beautiful and delightful
Seaside City. Boarding the train of
the Louisiana Western railroad, at
Sulphur Mine Station, with the "din-
gle dangle "of the bell. and the coarse,
hoarse cough Of our iron horse, off we
whized, as though We were chasing
something-we were little off card
time, the conductor said.
Now, Mr.. Editor, a thoroughbred
Louisiana girls ideas of Texas aud
Texans are, or at least were with me,
what you would call green; and sup
pose Texans entertain similar ideas of
Lousianians. Excuse the weakness,
but must confess that, as we crossed
Sabine river the silent silver belt, lost
in the midst of dark swampy forest,
which keeps separate the two states, |
felt was crossing the Rubicon, which
divided me from my native heath, pro-
ducing queer, half lonely feeling. l
don't know how. can't express, or
describe it, but something seemed to
reproach me for leaving my dear, ma
tive heath, even for short stay. But
was in the great sister state of vast,
trackless prairies and reckless "cOw-
boys" and this feeling was dissipated,
when with wild shouts and yclls
party of them gave us passing salute
as our train, with lightning speed
rolled along by them. have nothing
to say about the little towns of Orange
and Beaumont, as we passed through
them at night, and it was dark. But
now, as We leave the latter place, the
first gray streaks of dawn steals over
the gloom, and the lights are put out
in the cars, | begin to be able to get a
daylight glance at my fellow passen-
gers, who, dusty and tired, are sleep
ing Tor rather trying toy, in all con
ceivable droIl attitudes, and obtain
diversion, by observing the landscape
as the train rolls across deep and
narrow stream, and gives forth start
ling, droll, reyerbcrating echoes. But
ON 80, towards, seemingly, the rosy
western sky; oIr noble iron steed
seeming to pranCG and CantCr with an
imatcd joy as he thundcrs into his
stable (depoO at Houston, the great
railroad city, centre of Texas. Here,
another diversion oycrtakcS me-for
have to "buss" it, through the city,
to the depot Of the Santa Fo railroad.
In passing | had no opportunity of
seeing much of this city, but was
only enabled to observe that there are
some very fine buildings, in fact such
as would grace the streets of any city.
Once at the depot, and after much
bustling and ado about my baggage,
am established in one of the palatial
excursion cars of the gem railroad of
the State of Texas-the Gulf, Colorado
and Santa Fe--bound for the Gulf
City. With a tap of the bell and cou-
pie of short sounds from the whistle,
again | am rolled across broad prai-
ries, dotted with small lHkelets,
with margins friugcd with, (what ap-
pearcd to me to beg purple clover
and oxeyG daisies, in which, stood,
knGe-deep, the mammoth Texas steer
which gazed at the train with pensiyo
eyes as it flashed by. But, before my
dull wits could take in all of the grand
scenery before me, was aroused from
my revery and admiration, by the
sting of keen salt breeze on my face,
which admonishcd me of the near APP
proach to the Gulf, and filling me with
a strange, exotic feeling, instead of
fear as | am carried over the long,
black bridge which spans the Calves
ton bay. This bridge is about two
miles long, and before completing the
traverse, l had time to reflect and gaze
at the blue, cool water in which por-
poises leaped and dove with apparent
gIee, and the recoil from my previous
thoughts caused me to consider what
my fate would be il the train should
jump the track and plunge me into the
fathoms of blue pellucid salt water,
which would close over me, and then
go on murmurrng a quiet reqnium
over my departed soul. But thanks to
Him to whom all thanks arc due, |
was safely carried over and landed in
the Island city. 1t was my first visit
to the city and found much to ad-
mire. Broad, clean streets, and tasty
buildings, Since the Pavilion was
burned, the Beach Hotel is the resort
for pleasure seekers. 1t is large, fine
and airy, and the music furnished the
guests is splendid indeed. The bath,
ing is superb, and the bright, blue
Gulf, with its whitecapped breakers,
all Illuminated by electric lights in
the Pagoda bathing houses, beggars
description, It's SO beautiful.
Ice and water Il mean drinking
water) owing to excessive heat and
dry weater, are giving out, and the
prophets say a storm is in store for the
near future.
Now, Mr.. Editor, how do you like
that9 Will it do for your little Cal
easieu girl And to print 10 your best
Of country papcrsl If SO, your little
girl will be proud, and try to do better
next time. An revoir Il. Elk
Baptiste Daniel, charged With the
killing of 0zeme Lopez, ia 81. Mar
tins parish, has been acquitted, So
great was the enthusiasm Of the ae-
cused and his friends that they seized