The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-16

previously agreed upon. Just why this
was so would be hard to explain. The
route was not picturesque one, and the
old coach rolled and tumbled in manner
that fully convinced me that there were a
few rough pavements in that burg as well
as in Memphis. 1t was with the greatest
difficulty that / retained my seat, and
more than once found myself straighten-
ing out crushed sections of my substantial
derby hat. Through dingy side window
in the coach | could see that nearly all
the ground along the streets we traversed
was covered by business houses, and the
same gazes informed me that many OF
them were built after the primitive
American style OF architecture. They
ranged in hight from enc 10 five stories,
with nothing to particularly distinguish
them from buildings in other cities of far
less pretension. On many Of the streets,
narrow as they were, all kinds OF vehicles
were blocked-a fact that would cause our
own President, ID. p. lIadden, to have
the offenders contribute literally 10
the salary, printing and expense &C.
count OF the District. Our driver, u
stalwart young lrishman, seemed to
be thoroughly familiar with these obstruc-
tions and never once dislodged them by
conflict between wheels. Finally, after
a long drive, the stage coach hauled up
before the hotel we had designated, the
door was opened, and after labored eff
fort my companion and found ourselves
on the flagstone sidewalk. our gripsacks at
our feet, gazing up and down Broadway.
At that time was convinced OF but one
striking fact, viz New York is very
large city. Two causes contributed to this
conviction: First, il had taken us half
hour or more TO make the rapid drive;
and, second, could see, by the myriads
OF lights in all directions. that there was
great deal OF the city that we had not COW
cred.
A few days before leaving Memphis for
New York, a certain well-inlormed gentle
man who had been there himself remarked
TO me, in casual sort OF way, Every
dollar in this country is in tube, 50 TO
speak, and those tubes all center at New
York. You have seen those contrivances
IN street cars where passenger can, while
occupying his seat, drop q nickel in the
slot and 1t gracefully slides into the cash
box. That is just the way it is in this
country, and the cash box Is New York"
When / started IN that direction his re-
mark rose up like q phantom 10 confront
me. Ii was dispelled 10y the recollection
of the ''old mans" delightful reminder
that the business manager would foot the
bills, but was determined to see how it
worked in our case. Prior TO leaving the
train, | noticed the business manager
fumbling neryously in his several pockets,
and observed that the main object OF his
search was TO get ut the amount Of cash
on hand. ] also saw, TO my intense salts
faction, that he was plcnteously sup.
piled with the sinews OF war, and
II was well that this was so. The drain
began at once. "Cabby" wanted nice
fee and the parties who handled the
heavy baggage yearned foi another. The
hotel clerk, who assigned us 10 a room on
the fourth floor, announced rates that
meant business, with seventy-fye cents Tor
fires, and meals on the European plan
TO any amount the appetite would suggest.
To these were added almost innumerble
items OF expense, increased daily and
hourly during our stay, all of which my
companion squared without q murinur,
but ! could see, or thought / saw, from
the expression on his face, that he re-
grettod the absence OF thatvery seryiceable
string by which some OF IL might be drawn
back. Toward the end Of our
stay his wallet, the sides OF
which bulgcd out under pressure
Of crisp, large bills within, resembled the
cheeks OF one who had suffered long from
consumption or some other insidious dis.
ease and was rapidly nearing the end. To
my consoling remark that walking was
good, though that 1t might be a little
chilly, lac replied: Don't be alarmed;
we'll get back at the rate OF thirty miles an
hour or more, aud have something 10 eat
besides" And so We did. After remain
ing there for five days we started on the
return trip, made Il successfully aud COM
fortably. and am once more bending over
my desk.
No one could visit New York without
being very iayonbly impressed with a
number Of things there, out OF which grow
full stock Of reflections. | am no cxccp-
ton 10 the rule in this regard, and with
your permission | shall refer 10 them
rambingly in future issue Of your yalua-
bic paper. FLYcoP.