The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1886-02-05
A CITY ON The WATER.
Ft Dissolyes in Summer, But Is Built
Anew Every Winter.
A. J. boutwell,.


Anew Every Winter.
1t will perhaps be news to our readers to
learn that there is near by new city, one
which is migratory and comes and goes with
the swallows. This may seem strange and
striking, but it is nevertheless true. In all
this city there is only one trade-one pro-
fession, if it may be so called Strangest of
all to relate, this city forms no integral por-
tion of any domain, 1t is feeting but
permanent reality. At ever-recurring sea-
sons it dissolves Of. its own volition and
wanders in sections from state to state,
coming together again at stated periods and
resuming the functions of we'll governed
and civilized community, and, incredible as
it may seem, the marvellous city is within a
stones throw of New York 1t is bounded
by Brooklyn on the east, by Manhattan
Island on the west, and its foundations are
continuously washed by the waters Of the
East river. Indeed, it is upon the water,
and its precise location is in the Erie basin,
and its title is Canalboat City. Every
winter, when old King Boreas pays his
chilling visits to us, the novel city forms.
All the canalboats which ply upon the Hud-
sou and the intermediate waters during the
spring and summer lie up for the winter in
the Erie BASIN
Not less than / 200 canal boats compose
this community, and on these wooden hills
1900 people live throughout the season. All
the neeessaries of life they have among
themselves. The massive hulks are trans
formed into business marts. Grocers' ships
and liquor saloons, and even BARRIERS shops
rise up where coA and lumber find home
during the season Of transportation. The
people hive wholly among themselves. They
are transformed for the time being into a
business community. The cabin of one boat
is brought into use as billiard and pool
room, while in another tailor's shop pre-
walls Then in the hold Of another there is
a miniature coal and wood yard, while sew
eral of the boats bear signs that washing
and ironing are done. pretentious cigar
and tobacco shop is a feature of this city
also, and brings in handsome revenue to
its owner.
By the means enumerated, the inhabit-
ants of this community are enabled tn reap
considerable income Many of the able
bodied men work along the shore when the
weather permits. Not a single case of out
1awry, assault or larceny has ever occurred.
Whatever little disputes happen are settlel
among themselves. 1t might readily be
thought that drunkenness would prevail, but
this is not the case. The men, as class,
are sober and industrious Their wives and
families live with them through all seasons
of the year, and know naugat of the pleas
ures or wickedn ass of city life. In the spring,
summer and autumn III months tho men earn
comfortable living pursuing their occupa-.
tion as boatmen The busine IS is, all things
considered, lucrative. They have no rent
to pay. It costs little for clothing for them
selves and families, and they are accord
ingly enabled to save much money. Some
of the boatmen ply lucrative business by
letting out small boats during the winter
months to fishing parties-Nev York Mail
and Express
A Marked Expression of Gratitude.
While the Philadelphia cricket team
was in London, F. E. Brewster and ID. P.
Stoeger distinguished themselves by
courageously stopping runaway horse
on Regent street. The carriage, contain
ing two ladies' had been run into by
stupid hanson, the collision throwing
the coachman from his seat and starting
!, the horse along the crowed thoroughfare
at hot gallop Brewster was consider
ably mussed up by his heroic efforts, but,
lifting his hat to the fair occupants he
had rescued, he asked il they had been
injured, "Net at all, thank you," was
tie chirpy response. "Can we do any
thing further for you" inquired Stoeyer.
"Yes! Won't you please run back and get
the number of that hansom@ said the
prettier of the two young women. T'U
teach him how to drive horse, she con-
tiuued, shaking her hand in the direction
of their late perilous dash. The two
Americans hurriedly brushed their soiled
clothes and started toward their hotel,
deeply impressed with such a marked
expression of gratitude
Press.
What Philadelphia Electrician Claims
A prominent electrician of Philadelphia
has received letters patent for an invention
which he says win revolutionize the mail,
telegraphic and telephonic systems now in
use His plan IL termed an electro-pneu-
matte transit, and is designed to carry let
tiers and packages from city to city at
rate of nine miles minute Tie tube win
be of brass, incassd in iron, through which
a close-fitting metallic carriage containing
the articles win be projected by q volume of
compressed air. intermediate cities and
towns win have tubes connecting with the
main tube, and the destination of the car
riage will be under the control OF the oper-
ator at the main office, who viii manipulate
the switches by electricity, and thus be sr-
abled to send the carriage to any desired
point 1t is also intended TO introduce it for
local use, to take the place, in measure, of
the telephone New Orleans Times Demo
crat