The Forrest City times., 1892-05-27
OUR ST. LOUIS LETrRR.

The Floods-Ths Concord Is Comlng- Social Topics-vIsiting City OmefaIs from Boston to Denver-Chosaa synr phony Society. Etc.
 We have had here this week tive topics of general interest to talk about. one the freaks of the river, and the other the Concord. There wss . new side to each of these matters every day, so there has been no danger ok their becoming wearisome. Busineso
 men talked especially of the ri-er; society of the warship and the gallant
 officers whose coming would be sure to
 bring about a round of gayety such n the city has not seen since the social languor following Lent. Every body understood, of course, that the man-of-
 war could venture on the visit only fl the water remained high, and 1t was fast as we'll known that the rising river meant loss of money to many.
 The antagonistic connection between the two things was pretty we'll illus strated by conversation at an after
 noon tea in the fashionable West End
 The hostess was a young matron at
 whose receptions one is always sure to
 find the most distinguished social lions,
 whether sprung from the soil or visit
 ing the city from the East She had
 her most intimate friend to help her carry everything of well. Both ladies are the wives of wealthy men who have interests which are suffering through
 the turbulence of the river. When the
 talk and tea-drinking was at it's height
 the entertainer missed her ally. After while she found her, sitting by her self in little recess, and slipping heS tea thoughtfully.
 My dear, demonstrated the anxious hostess. Don't you think you are just little selfish; when there are so many people who want to hear you talk, too?'
 .I know" replied the other, "but ran away just minute to plan our campaign if the Concord comes."
 sop exclaimed the hostess, sympa- thetic at once, wont it be delight ful?"
 "Well, don't know" doubtfully. said the one in the corner. ''I was just wondering. Mir. Blark told mo this morning. as he read the paper at the
 breakfast table, that every inch the Mississippi rises costs him thousand dollars, and don't know whether ought to hope most for the river to Go down or the Concord to come up" 1t has got to be the correct thing for the aldermen of other big cities in tho country 10 come here for lessons in various matters appertaining to good municipal government. Last year Boo- ton, Chicago, Denver and New Orleans sent their officials to St. Louis to look at its streets, it's parks, it's water works and it's other features which place it at the head of western citieo, and this year Detroit has followed tho example. It's aldermen have just gono home, afterseveral days of sight-seeing that taught them something.
 The Boston aldermen were struck with the wide and beautifully paved streets of St. Louis. The New Orlsans councilmen and Mayor Shakespeare were impressed with the excellent sewerage and spent m afternoon driv- ing about the streets and inspecting the sprinlsling service. The Denver visitors were especially interested in the long lines of electric cars, and the Detroit men came to look at the St Louis plan of caring for the garbage. intending to initiate 1t
 Joseph Often, the director of tho Choral-Symphony society, is in fair way to secure an endowment for per manent orchestra here. If he succeede, the city need not depend on Nikisch, in Boston. or Thomas, in Chicago, for its good music hereafter St. Louis is doing more to encourage good music every year It Is now in the regular musical circuit, and every manager of company or virtuose will bring his ate traction here hereafter. The use of the Exposition building for these concerts makes it possible for them to mako money with very small admission fee.