The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-10-18
HIS LITERARY FRIENDS.

Colonel John Bledsoe, a well-known planter of Arkansaw, and the author of the novel, Blue Dan of Black Bayou. or the Grow That Fiew Over the Swamp" went to Liverpool some time ago to attend a convention Of cotton men and. during his trip, went up to London where he met several men distinguished in the literature and journalism of to-day. The colonel is man of fine presence, with hesrty laugh, both of which he is rather proud The other night, while enjoying himself with a party of friends, some one asked him to give his London experience. As nearly as the writer can remember, this is what he said:
 l had a splendid time, never enjoyed myself better. had always thought ,ha, the great literary men and journalists of London were standing severely behind a social blockade, but found them to be quite approachable, ard don't think that ever spent an evening so delightful as an especial one with a lion of li,era- ture and several sea-lions of journalism
 One evening just after 1 had eaten dinner and taken a seat in the spacious rotunda Of the hotel-just as began to dcze under the influence of good beef and old claret, l saw through my half closed eyes tall young man standing near ne. He was busily writing in note book {; and, occasionally glaneing around, he would again devote himself to writing as though he were taking down his impres- sions of the scene. He interested me, and arossing myself, continued to watch him, when closing his book and approach ing me. he said, good humoredly
 Are you not an Amencan?'
 "Yes. sir"
 l" l thought so. We can generally rec ognize one of your countymen."
 By the manner of our dress ?''
 No, not as a rule, for nearly all Ameri- cans, so soon as they arrive in London, assume the London dress. An American has distinctive air, an air individual, for although the American air can at once be recognized, yet each American has an air peculiar unto himself lived in New York several months-went there to work on the HeyaiS, but the climate being rather severe, returned to London and resumed my position on the TfL.yyctk John Haphreys is my name."
 And John Bledsoe is my name," I fejoined, taking the hand which he ex- tended. "Sit down, Mir. Haphreys, am pleased to meet you"
 @Whas part of America are you from !' he asked when he had seated himself and relighted his cigar which had gone out during his dissertation on the individual air of the American.
 "Arkansav."
 "One of the great cotton s,ates.'
 "Yes. one of the best. My business in this country was to attend meeting of cotton men in Liverpool"
 "Ah, reported the meeting. Let's see, you made a speech on direct shipment from local points, did you not?"
 Yes, sir, I'm the man."
 "I thought l had seen you before. By the way, your remarks were very appro- priate. l agsee with you, believing that as nearly as possible, all cotton should be shipped direct to the spinners.'
 1 found my newly made acquaintance to be exceedingly interesting. 1 could re at at glance that he was a gentle man. Isold him of my literary aspir- ations, of the novel had written, and he was not only interested but made me promise to send him a copy. Once, while talking 70 freely, l thought that he night be what we term a sharper, but the next moment condemned myself for such an unjust suspicion, for had acted upon such prompting. the most plea sant evening Of my life would have Sor- ever remained unknovnto me. It is well enough for evey man to be on his guard h great city whse the working of un- pxiacipled wits insesad of the working of hoesst hands procure . living for 70 nany, but you meet many courteous sszaassEs vho have 70 dssisns upon yoar pszss.
 Whae - vess taIkiag on Itezay sub jecsA Mr. HaphrsyA ssddenly hroke oGr tAe thgsad ofdiscesEss and ssii !:
 sSss thae m lsani.g asainse the co1nnar
 sY0; wAe is hsr
 fnm B1nck, the novelisGs
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