Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-12-28

and sugar yield which the season
promised, and Of speculations and bar
gains In which less figures than n
hundred thousand dollars were never
named. The general tone, even in
business talk, seemed 10 be light, buoy
ant and confident. Life seemed to he
going on, like the boat that carried us,
Mt high pressure.
Until ten o'clock did occupy my
self In visiting every part OF the
steamer, and observing the passengers
and their different tastes and occupa.
lions. In one OF the large saloons
there was dancing and waltzing, TO
the music Of piano and violin. On the
after deck brass band was pouring
fourth stirring strains, and hundreds
of couples we're promenadinR. The
moon had by this time risen, and the
spectacle of her food of light on the
wide river was grand indeed. Rats
and fiAt-boats were passed, as well as
smaller freight.boats; and once the
steam-pipes of tho Queen screamed
shrill In answer to the salute of large
steamer going up.
That's the Prentiss, n man near me
said. "Some day they'll happen TO
come together, going the same way;
and then theren be the biggest race
this river ever saw. Both captains are
eager for II, and there'd be piles OF
money bet on 1t. I'd hope to be there
that day"
isn't II dangerousp" a man from
Boston inquired.
snanOarn,,ao WILL ,no,t.a
but we never think of that down here.
Steamboats, always have raced, and
] reckon they always will. feel my.
self Just this way about it-that II ]
owned one OF these boats, and she
couldn't carry steam enough TO beat
the other without bursting-why, ther
let her burst, and be id to her."
But the passengersP"
IT should say they'd better be a.
home, that trip" | went forward ant
found q large number greatly interested
In the performances of one of the negro
hands, who was dancing In grotesqu,
fashion to the drumming of banjo
Then l went below, past the gilde(
and mirrored mahogany bar-counters
when half-a-dozen men in their shirt
sleeves were mixing fancy drinks for
noisy and thirsty crowd. Around
table In an adjoining saloon so man,
were pressing that l could not SCI
what the attraction was, They stoo,
on tiptoe and tried TO peer over tn
shoulders of those in front OF them
A large chandelier lighted the room
but the point of interest was conceale,
by the throng.
The pressure soon became so gren
that was crowded up against tn,
wall. More TO save myself from suffc
cation than from curiosity, | reache
up TO the top of decreasing, put m
foot on the knob, and was at once abb
TO elevate myself over all heads, an
look directly down upon the table
The position was uncomfortable; but
was not compelled to keep It more tina
ten minutes.
Two men sat at the table playin
cards. The one facing me recognize
ht once as he who had been pointe
out TO mo by Mr.. Dorion as Conra
Bostock.
The crowd overtopped them, hun
over them, but they paid no attentio
TO anything but their game.
Piles OF gold and notes were upo
the table. | could not see what I'll
game was or how II was being playe,
but II was apparent that Bostock WI
largely the winner The pile OF none
in front Of him steadily increased, an
the light sound of cards striking III
fable was now and then punctuated b
Ronething like an oath from the 9th,
player.
Suddenly this man made a nois
that sounded like deep growl, an
drawing knife from his sleev
pinned to the table the card that h
opponent had Just played. And 8
dniritis than IN NhOse seemed ~ /