Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-09-16
YANKEE COAL.

and 900 Is a big SUM u money FOR pi-
los 70 get for taxing a pair Of boats from
Pittsburg % New Orleans, but, don't
you see. there's a heap O risk 70 run. l
Amt afeerd o what the rivers can do,
for I've been down the Ohio and Mis-
sssip' times enough % make their ac-
quaintancs pretty wei. but feelin's are
hot among tie people along the banks o
tho lower waters. and twould 30 as
much as a mans neckd De worth 10 %
caught with a broadhOrn OF Yankee
coal anywheres betwixr Cairo and the
Old Bed Church Che place where
the coalboats used 70 tie up at New Or
leans.)
I'm well aware, Jack feathers, that
tho risk Is great, - replied squire Thomas,
the owner OF the coal. But We have
the boats al loaded and | want them
started. even though they don't get
farther than the mouth Of the Ohio. So
i promise you $500 il you go through
TO \ W Orleans all right. with 500 in
advance, which viii be yours II your
trip does not extend beyond Cairo
AS | said, returned Jack. who was
one OF tho oldest pilots ON the two rivers,
.it's main temptin offer. And if l
can pick up a crew Of square men here
IN Pittsburg III make a start OF il"
That's right, Leathers," answered
the skipper. Offer them $3.50 apiece,
one-third In advance"
very well. squire. and IL any Of the
boys are loafng around that's got the
bottom IN EN- 20 20 with me, I'll DO
ready to east or at daylight tomorrow
soorning."
Jack feathers did not meet with so
much difficulty in picking UP crew
"a be had anticipated, for. although the
war clouds OF civil strife had already
begun u lower over the country, the
ignorant boatman did not realize the
bitter feeling with which the people
OF the south were imbued. and conse-
quently had not the fears for their safe
~ which the pilot, more enlightened,
Possessed.
''It's no more than right for me TO tell
you, boys. that were startin on what
may Do the hottest trip that any of as
have ever taken down stream. SO If
there's one among you that feels scary.
he can Jest chuck his plumber on the
bank an go ashore right here, for after
we swing oct into the Ohio not q man
shall Leave the boats till We get 10 New
ORLEANS. unless he's taken by officers or
soldiers along the way. or we strike q
sna2 ard have 10 swim for IL"
Amt you going down, Jacky' asked
one OF she crew significantly.
81 should say was" was the grim
answer
Then / reckon we uns have gotas
much sand ~ you uns. so there amt any
need OF more talk about It."
Though thereby was given in a gruff.
almost surly tone. yet the plot was well
pleased ~ receive Il. "a he knew ths
nature u tho material no had to DEAL
with, and accepted the laconic retort of
the rough boatman for whatit was-viz.,
pledge Of fidelity.
"a the pair Of long, unwieldy coal
boats swung out into the stream and
felt the current Of the river. they were
heartily chsered by the crowd Of idle
spectators who we're gathered upon the
shore.
II wish we'd waited until night afore
maxim a start, grumbled The pilot %
his assistant. Billy Brown. 'Now tho
news that Jack feathers with a broad
horn II Pittsburg coal - headed down
river VIII travel good sight fastsr'n
We viii. and ve may look for trouble
even sfors we yit 10 Cairo"
"Weli my advice is. Jack. not 20 hing
that trouble before &c comes abroad re-
pli,d tbs youtbfal and light hearted
-'second' ~ hs gave vigorous sweep
with his long steering ear. As much O.
emphasize bis remark ~ 20 guide the
boat out into midstream.
II def't propose 70. But. don't you
So. whale we're mp here among the
Union folks IF any one stops and asks
rs what we've rrt we en- say we've gos
Yankee coal ani teu Che truth. But
when we ger down into the Mississip'
AMI the other cnaps BAIL "a we can't
say we're l0asied with a scccsh cargo.
'cause that'd De p Iie and Jack feathers
hasn't tcid a he since he was boy"
"We1. replied his companion, 'you
woulJns catch Bin Brown hcsitadnx
long between lie that would burn hs
tsieua tnf the aoose ~ r0pe. II I
was in charge 81 this broa3horn. ara
auv enc ar und here asked me what ia
gas. I ,hnuid sav snzee c0al Tf I was
down about Nicksturg way. ard the
ehaps shcni8 lsk ma Che Same question. i
wruif tell eui secfsh coal if they trek
ny wcr,l lr t ard let me PASS. Id sleep