The Evening critic., 1885-02-26
ApAY IN NEW ORLEANS.


the creoles would stone him." said Ger
man, by far tho most prominent in the
city, to me about three weeks since. They
fairly loathe him." bo continued, "and
cannot find language strong enough TO ex-
press their hatred toward him. Talk with
some of thom and you will see." Fortune
favored me. Taking n car Immediately af-
ter tho above conversation for the Exposi-
tion, CHANGED to meet lady had for
merly know n in the North, but now residing
in New Orleans. She was accompanied by
by Ia Mrs. M, the ackno wledged leader
Of creole society. After an exchange of
Courtoses, soon mentioned Mr.. Cables
name, saying l had recently met him in
the North and was quito curious TO know
If his representation Of creole life was cor
rect one.
Mrs. Ms eyes flashed In an instant.
Have you ever been in New Orleans
beforeW
1 replied in tho negative.
"Do you know anything yourself about
creole life2'
Nothing at ALL" answered.
"Then you know as much about real
creole life as George w. Cable. That man
knows nothing about II nothing at ALL"
why said she, most excitedly, ,lher eyes
| ablaZe with Indignation and her hands
| wildly gesturing, "that--what shall /
| call him, man THAT man / am sure was
never In creole parlor; know it. II he
was he grossly misrepresents us. All he
knows of creole life he picked up about the
streets here, and when he attempts to pass
that OFF at the North as picture of creoles
and their society he does us n fearful in
jury, one which we cannot forget.
"He will see Perhaps some day the man
| will como who will set us right before the
world" AS she talked the more excited
she became and tho moro charming was her
| rich dialect.
| 81 love the American people," she con-
tinued. "They are wonderful, wonderful,
wonderful but. this man Cabe Ugh y
and she shrugged her shoulders, rolled her
eyes in disgust, made deprecating gesture
with both hands and refused to talk further
upon the subject. l talked with many
Others, and they all tell the same story of
misrepresentati by Mr.. Cable.
On the other hand, Mr.. Cable insists 1t
is because he has told tho truth that they
are angry with him. Probably neither
side will yield. Any one who knows Mr..
Cable knows him to be man of the strict
est integrity and fair to the utmost to
every one, and yet the creoles are
to a man bitter toward him. A solu-
tion Of the trouble might possibly be found
in the suggestion that in order to maintain
true unity in his stories Mr.. Cable in-
corporated types Of creeles such as he had
actually seen, as lie claims, but such as for
evident reasons might be especially ro-
pugnant to the better element in creole life.
Twenty -four hours for stranger to do
New Orleans and the Exposition is surely
little enough time to see anything. Yet
that is all had, and am sure what 1 saw
well repaid me. 1t was Sunday morn when
arrived, and the rain, as usual, poured. In
fact it rained harder than usual, for 1t was
the clear.up shower of two-month's rain.
By o'clock 1 reached the Exposition,
and began q spirited walk through the
buildings. OF course, can give only gen.
eral impressions. The first thought is that
the Exposition has been generally under
rated by the press. l was prepared to find
everything in q slovenly condition, ex-
bibits boxed and confusion on all Sides
Compared with the Centennial, as fancy
it is mentally compared by most corre-
spondents, 1t is indeed. small affair but
taken on its merits, it is a wonderful ex-
bibitioD, and one worth travelling long
distance to see. A failure financially it
may be; artistically 1t is not.
The educational and women's depart.
ments are by far the most interesting and
complete. One gets magnificent idea OF
the possibilities Of his country by looking
at the exhibits from the Territories aud
Western States. Minerals and grains fairly
dazzle the eyes, and If the Dakota Nebraska
and Kansas exhibits could be bodily taken
up and set down in London or Paris the
people of the old country would obtain a
truer idea of America and its latent posi-.
bilities than they could acquire by years OF
reading. 1t makes one more of an Ameri-
can TO visit the Government building. la
the main building, whore the foreigners
and the business men of this country have
their exhibits, one might buoy himself for
days.
Mexico's exhibit is the largest in the
building. 1t is elegantly put up in mag
nificent cases, but yet the goods are very
commonplace. The finest part of Mexico's
exhibit Is her government band, now sta
toned at the Exposition in charge of theil
countrys goods. Inasmuch as the finances
are so depleted that the management can
not afford to pay for music this band ha:
volunteered to give concert every Sunday
afternoon.
The day l was there at least i've thou.
sand people were assembled to hear the
band. have heard all of the celebrated
bands of this country and some of Europe
but never did / hear such finish in any or
ganization. Their music is generally light
and chosen from standard operas, as we'll a.
from their own composers. The reed and
brass instruments are so happily balanced
as to blend beautifully, There is dast
and brilliance in their rendition of tn,
commonest music that at once lifts any
such piece high above the place generally
given. The shading is smooth, decisive
absolutely perfect, and the music they
play typical of Mexican character. Al
imaginative person can learn more of Mex
lean life in one hour by listening to tina
band than by spending days at their ex
hibit. New Orleans people appreciate them
too. Encores are rarely given, becaus
every piece played is worthy of one. Nov
; and then one is demanded, though, an,
some short ballad Is given.
~ wish they would play Way Dow
South in Dixie" said my friend "yo
, would see something then"
Sure enough it came. A medley from th
operas was so brilliantly rendered that a
encore was demanded. The selection wa
too long to be repeated, and to give it 4
part would have spoiled it. Immediatel
they struck up "Dixie," and thereupon
shout that could have been heard a mil
went up. Every one in that audience nc
, only applauded, waved his handkerchie
but also shouted at the top of his voice.
was like the roar of hurricane and fairl
stunned one unprepared for such demon
stration.
The grounds about the buildings wer
but partially in order, owing TO the unpre
cedented rainy season. Already the sprin
has begun and soon complaint from thi
quarter will be past. The Exposition is
noble effort, grand thing for the Soutl
which needs development In regard 10 til
true meaning of nationality IL it needs any
thing. Limited in means, ignorant becaua
0 Of poverty to large extent of the actuG