The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-03-24
BUCAGE PLACE.
A Plantation Honie.--SugHr--itS N"""''
Manufao IRE and All About ia--h'' v"
the Plantation.

lai lhlu AWAY MS 'h'N' '""'' 49,
to private life, and New Orleans wa I'S'
resuming the quiet tenor Of its ways, ai'er
n seoson of carnival, the like of which had
never been equaled in the Crescent 'i'S'
The delightful weather that favored the itS'
tiyiries still fingered, as il 10 smile sweet
farewell to the departing visitors, many oil
whom had come from the Glands OF snow
to this land Of sun " for the first time, and
were now returning more than pleased wllh
what they had seen and enjoyed during their
brief stay in the sunny land OF cong
among others our Doctor Weis, who hnd Civ
en- his patients rest and those who were ON
the ragged edge :" n chance TO "brace up,
while he himself enjoyed II holiday ami at
the same time took in the Carnival, where he
had a chance to study southern scenes and
southern life, aud returned to the Valley OF
the Illinois more than pleased with the
south, its people and their ways so much 80
that he thinks seriously of " throwing medl-
cine 10 the dogs its study to the d" deuce,
and returning south. purchasing plantation
and engaging in cultyaiing the sweetest
thing in liic-sugar. He took home with
him many sweet remclnbranccs OF plantation
life, few Of the products, which he may be
in luccd to loan to the next Art Exhibition
., "rare" specimens and souvenirs Of hap
py days. But must not 60 too deep into
details, or nj the next call The Doctor may give
me dose ,ha, may make me grow fat, or
some pills that may leave me but my boots
and my hat
1t was along towards the close Of the a.-
ternoon of February 10th that the Doctor
and myself Joined party of friends on
board the steamer Edlcard j. Gay, one Of the
floating palaces of the lower Mississippi,
bound for Bocage Place, n sugar plantation
located come scvcnty-hye miles up the Faith
er Of Waters, one of the most charming
spots in the entire sugar country Of Lou
isi.na. On board the GaY all was life and
animation, and rs the moment of departure
drew near the fond farcwclls, the sweet
good-hyes and n pleasant journey were
heard on all sides. The scene was one of
pleasure, JOY and sadness, for here were
friends "going for good time joyous
hearts returning to tho loved ones Mt home,
and dear ones parting to meet 40 more. As
the steamer swung out into the river the
picture on shore was a striking one. The
motley crowd upon the leycc mingling with
those who came " to gee the dear ones of,
and others out of idle curiosity, alike swung
their hats and waved their fond farewells to
friends and strangers. Soon the steamer
gets under way and we are stomming the
rushing torrent Of the mighty Mississippi
and Steamers with the French man.ofwar,
like n grim gatc-keopcr Of the City Of the
few minor details, compose the picture on
that side. To the right the scene is Que ka-
leidescopo Of ovcr-changing character. Ores.
ccnt-like the lcvee stretches both up and
down the river as far as the eye can pene
trate, the forest Of masts and steamers
emoke-s,ncks in the foreground, backed by
the lcvee with ts busy life and heaps of
freight Of all kinds. and. further on, the old
fashioned styles Of buildings, such az ancient
architects knew only in dreams, presents
picture the like Of which il 10 be seen no
where eisc on earth Presently the Cres-
cent City begins TO grow beautifully less
and diminishes like u dissolying view be- |
hind us. Gliding on We turn bend in the
river and our course il due west, where we
ore Just in time to see Old Sol 60 down like
q ball Of fire in the bosom Of tho turbid wa
tiers, afIording a view Of as glorious sunset
as ever illumined southern sky After the
sun had set, up rose n crescent moon, bright |
yet delicate, whose faint light cast
q ghost.ike splendor over all things earthly |
and caused the waters of the muddy Missis
sippi to sparkle like u golden sheen.
A journey on one Of those Mississippi |
steamers resembles nm ocean voyage in some
respects, for while on board one soon forge $
the rapid flight of hours, especially if with |
congcnial companions. The day has its
charms and attractions in observing the
scenery along the banks and the different |
phases of plantation life as viewed from the
steamer deck and when night comes the
blaze of the chandeliers casts y splendor |
upon the luxurianlly furnished cabin not
noticeable in the daylight. Then the various
amusemeats and the harmless fir,ations
about the moon-lit wilderness Of the decks
afford the very luxury Of travel, such as is
found nowhere else except, perhaps, on q
Sound or Hudson River steamer.
II was early dawn when the steamer made
The landing at
BOCAGE PLACE,
and although questionable the hour, the
entire family met US in true southern style
indeed, all nature seemed to smile u RICH,
royal welcome, and laugh as though waking