The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1886-05-28
AN AERIAL FLIGHT.
A Bank Robber Seemingly Lost in
the Clouds.

1t is pleasant of mornings, particu-
larry in the spring, to stroll down
there, and, forgetful of the clamor and
noise of the city proper, to loiter in
the shadow of the trees and listen to
the hum of commerce in the distance.
Probably there is no place where one
becomes more interpretive than
where he is surrounded by the stretch
Of field, the soft shadow of the trees,
or near the gurgle of rivulets, and at
the same time the ear can catch the
low murmur of a city's Pulsation. The
contrast between the immediate sur
roundings and the hurly-burly of the
crowd suggested by the distant sounds
of trade seldom fail to awaken reflec-
tions that are not exactly reassuring
70 ones self-pride. The size of ones
individuality decreases to microscopic
diminutiveness and selfhood seems lost
in the greatness of the thronged city.
The street had wandered away back
from where it started at the river. At
first its surface was paved with cobble-
stones, that invention made during
the French domination to increase d.
gcstion by the jolting it caused, and
also to nece sSitate a vehicles frequent
visit to the blacksmith's shap. But af-
ter this venerable thoroughfare leaves
the more thickly settled precincts and
its sidewalks are no more bOrdered
with houses huddled together, then it
puts on a somewhat more aristocratic
appearance and jasmines begin to
peer over the tops of fences and the
soft green of fig leaves gives a restful
look to little front yards. Here and
there a pomegranate blazes out in an
Orillamme of blossoms, and light
limbed altheas line garden walks.
Then the houses grow less frequent
and vacant lots more numerous, and
at last nearest the swamp the COM
mons open out, speckled with the lazy
herd of cows from some neighbOring
dairy. 1t is away out there almost be-
yond the sound of the city factories,
twelve O'Clock dinner whistles. that q
small grove OF liveoaks, inclosed in a
cypress picket fence, rises out of the
long level of budding grass and seems
TO invite the pedestrian to rest under
its cool shade. The streets are here
marked only by the ruts of milk and
vegetable wagons that pass that way to
market, and two shallow bitches take
the place of the paved cutters up at the
head. The tinkle of COW bells, the
hilarious growing of far off chanti-
cheers or the barking of some trusty
Watchdog are about the only sounds
that break the MONDAY quiet
When New Orleans was laid out this
was nothing but a swamp, filled with
masses Of palmetto and tangles of
vines; but when the metropolis began
10 spread, few of the more venture
some spectators bought the outlying
squares, and in 1850 here and there
little cottages began to go up. As
civilization began to advance the pal
lnettoes disappeared, leaving still stand
ing the small grove of live-oaks that
had so long shaded them. Then a house
was built in the midst of this cheniere
and Baptiste DurOy moved in. There
were no neighbOrs near, so his advent
in that section produced no particular
flutter in social circles Whereabouts.
Four large plantation carts had con-
veyed, one bright morning, all his
household effects thither, and through
out that day there was more animation
In the little grove than it ever knew
before.
The Duroy house was quite preten-
Ious for such an outlying portion OF
the city, and its broad galleries and
long-sloping roof gave evidence of q
strong taste for comfort, if not luxury,
Oh the part of its owner. It looked the
place for quietude and rest, and to one
seeking seclusion, it appeared perfect
Mecca
Every year brought more settlers on
the commons, and three or four dwell
ings went up a short distance from the
grove. Then a dairyman built large
stable on the next square, so that BY
1855 the locality was well inhabited,
and on all sides could be seen the care
fully kept beds Of the market gardeners.
tt was only then, after the new resi-
dents had had time to get well settled,
that they began to make inquiries about
the proprietor of the house in the grove.
No one seemed able to answer the ques-
ton as to who or what he was. AL
that was known of him was that he left
tho grove at half past eight
o'clock each morning and re-
turned punctuallv at four. after
which he never left his little domain.
An old negro woman took charge OF
the house, did the cooking and wash
ing, and seemed perfectly satisfied al
what she saw of the world during her
early visits to the distant French
Market. The master looked to be
thirty-fve. OF handsome face, tall
figure and athletic IN build. he was