The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-03-21
From the Crescent City.

NEW ORLEANS, March 6, 1SS5.-A fey
days ago, while the ground was still COY
cred with that abundant supply OF 18th
beautiful" with which Dame Nature ha
so plentifully blessed us this winter, tn
writer started from Ottawa for the "Sunn,
South"
He expected to find land where ulster
are unknown and winter as we know 1t,
fable. With this idea in his mind III
watched the landscape anxiously wheneve
it was visible for some sign of a diminu
ton of the rigors of winter.
After twelve hours journey the heavy
snow had diminished 10 light coating
which remained in patches until Kentucky
was reached. Here light fall of snow
occurred, quickly changing to rain which
soon destroyed all traces of winter except
such as were afforded by barren land
scape and leafless trees.
For native of LaSalle county, with it
fertile and thickly settled fields, the greater
part of the region traversed in the journey
10 the South seems strangely desolate and
forbidding. Hundreds of miles of rocky
and barren hillside, unbroken forest, and
tangled swamp, pass before the wearied
eye of the observer before there is any va
riety of plant or foliage to attract the eye
The first plant besides pines and cedars
that retained its covering of green was seen
in the swamps about two hundred miles
south of st. Louis, but after this vegetation
was very slow in making its appearance.
Darkness prevented sightseeing during
what promised to be the most interesting
part of the route, and it was not until on
awakening few miles north of Mobile
that the first unmistakable indication of
the ioosened bonds of winter was met in
the shape of the melo1ious croaking Of
frogs. Not long after this, at an enforced
stoppage OF the train, we had the pleasure
of gathering the first wild flowers seen, over
which humming bird lowered as we APP
preached. Still it was not summer by any
means, for an overcoat was a very desirable
article until the day after our arrival when
the weather changed to the great JOY of
the whole city, tourists especially and has
been like an Illinois May ever since.
Now, that we have reached New Or
leans, one of the Oldest cities in America,
covering more ground than any other city
in the world, and teaming with objects of
interest, aside from the great exposition, at
present the Mecca of the American tourist,
the question arises what to write first and
what will be of most interest to the readers
of the the FREE TRADER. As Gov. Fur
mas said yesterday to the delegation of In
dians from Nebraska, NEARLY all the
world is here" and any subject does not
mean that 1t is of more importance than
others.
To begin with, few general words in
regard to the trip as whole and of life in
New Orleans may be IN order,
Many persons in the North seem to
think that the people of New Orleans have
combined to fleece the unfortunate stranger
who may fall into their hands and extort
exorbitant prices on every hand. This is
far from being the case New Orleans,
ordinarily, is not prepared to accommodate
as large gathering as the exposition has
brought here, SO that the cost Of lodging
averages a little higher than the same &C.
commodations can be obtained for in most
cities of the North. There are humorous
places, though, where excellent lodgings
may be had at very reasonable rates The
numerous restaurants of tAe city afford ap-
portunity Of living very cheaply if person
is so inclined. Style costs money in New
Orleans, as it does everywhere else, but
we are acquainted with a number of per-
sons who are getting excellent board and
lodging for from 81 to $40 per weeks Add
to this the price of fares and admissions
with what you expect to spend for souven.
irs, and you have the cost of trip to New
Orleans.
iue ~ steui VI pai SaihihS - III iuIi NoSue
here and dealers often ask several times
as much as they eXpectto get for an article
The exposition is now nearly at lis height,
although Improvements and additions are
constantly being made; and now that the
congressional appropriation has been re.
ceived, these may be expected to continue
and the few defects and deficiencies which
some of the earlier visitors noticed will be
remedied. There can he no better time TO
visit the exposition or see the contrasting
beauty of the South than during the com
ing month. Nature is just putting on re-
newed freshness In the shape of green
prass. fresh foliage and opening flowers, !