St. Landry democrat., 1886-10-23


Solomon says: ''Man hath sought out
many invent ons," but among all his
devices for personal locomotion he has
never hit on any thing to surpass-for
the man Of leisure-the Western steam
er, as it existed in the anti-railroad days,
thirty or forty years ago. The "toat-
ing palaces as some of the finer ones
were designated, were then the only
means Of travel on long journeys, and
there are numerous citizens of St. Louis
wkG can remember when our levee was
lined with them three or four abreast,
from one end to the other. The ocean
steamer is more commodious, stately
and grand; but for solid comfort the
more humble Western boat, discounted
it by very large odds. On such craft
one could be as much at home as in his
own house, and for sem-invalid or
one who from any cause was indolent
and wanted to kill time pleasantly,
there was no better euthanasia for old
chronos than trip on tirst-class
Western steamer. was suffering from
the restlessness incident to tedious
convalescence after long illness, and
uncertain where to seek relief, bethought
me Of long cherished desire to see
New Orleans and other Southern points,
and having concluded to make the trip,
considered myself lucky when | found
my old friend, Captain Dickinson, with
his small but elegantly-ftted steamer,
the Princeton, just ready to start out
The boat was built by Captain Dickin-
son. Darrah & Pomroy and the vener-
able CAPITA Clark, who was recently
harbor master at St. Louis, and was
especially designed for the navigation
of the Southern rivers. On this-her
first trip-there were just enough pas
sengers to fill her comfortably and one
could scarcely wish for pleasanter set
of people for fellow-passengers Many
of them were ladies, and among them
were several musicians, both vocal and
Instrumental There was a good piano
gentlemen had flutes, violins or guitars,
SO there was plenty Of good music to
cheer the passengers.
On the first night out the sky was
dark and lowering, with indications of
storm. Long before it was shutdown
it was SO dark in the cabin that the |
lamps had to be lighted. The passen-
gers huddled together, most of them
looking anxious, and some of them
frightened. Afioat in storm would |
have been new experience to nearly
all of them. just at this juncture a
startling effect was produced by num-
Der of hands fling in and proceeding to
remove the furniture, take down the
and put up side lights.
Every one thought it was preparation
for danger and for moment a panic
seemed imminent. 1t was soon learned,
however. that the captain was only
having the cabin cleared for dance.
A good string band had been provided
for the occasion and soon the pleasant
motion of the dance to the merry music
banished all thought of the threatened
storm, which, in fact, failed to material
ize. Among the gentlemen was one
who called himself Kelly. He was a
fine violinist, and as he was
handsome and of peculiarly agreeable
manners, he Immediately became a
general favorite. As the night grew on
and the dancing began to flag, Captain
D. came into the cabin, announced that
there was an old negro on board, who
was somewhat noted for his ability as a
vocalist and dancer, and that, although
he was little uncouth, he would prob +!
ably afford some amusement for the
company, and if they cared to hear him
lie would bring him in. The proposal
vas eagerly embraced, and the cap
ain introduced what appeared to be an 1
I'D and decrepit negro, bending under
he weight of sixty or seventy years. ,
The aneient-looking colored brother
proceeded to regale the passengers
With ..Old Black Joe" 1.-The Log Cabin ]
n the Lane my Old Kentucky !
Home. and several other negro melo- !
lies, with dancing interludes, fairly !
the company with the rare
excellence of his performances. no one {
Ioubting that he was whath purported
0 be. When he had concluded, it was ;
proposed to take up collection for
i'm, but he said: ''No. thankee gem I
aen and ladies. Dis old niger nehber i