The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1893-05-27

receeding little and swelling little
back wards and orwards-until
owners of the back and bottom lands
had come TO the conclusion that there
would be no high water this spring
They had full confidence in the sta
bility of the levees in East Carroll,
both as TO heighth,,and strength, but the
Arkansas levees, in Chicot and Desha
counties they dreaded; and on the
theory of no high water this sea-
son, they proceeded to cultivate The
low-lying lands energetically, and
had promising young crops all along
the line, with bright prospects
of prolific yield from the fresh
productive soil; but alas! the much
dreaded Arkansas levees yielded 10
the pressure of the unexpected water,
and let down upon US four seperaie
and distinct streams of large volume,
SO that today all the crops we
refer to 10 the low-lying-lands are
under water, totally, completely and
hopelessly destroyed. This is what
we may safely term hard lines.
Several, indeed most of the small
planters in the interior are persons OF
limited means; many of them almost
entirely dependent upon supply mer-
chants for the ordinary means of sub
sistance, and from present indications,
there is but little hope of the water
going down in time for anything like
successful re-planting.
The hard lines we are writing about
are not confined entirely to the small
crops in the interior. We are much
panied to learn that several planta-
tons along the lake and elsewhere
will be encroached upon by the flood
waters that are still coming. When
we bear in mind the extremely short
crop OF last year, and the very. low
figures at which the bulk OF it was
sold, we cannot but be painfully i'm
pressed with the great distress that is
bound 10 ensue from the present dis
astrous condition of things in our
parish. Truly we may sadly repeat,
hard lines.
But in referring to the present
calamity aud its dismal surroundings
i, is not our purpose to "boo-hoo" or
magnify the misfortune that exists,
but rather, as best we may, put in a
few timely, cheering words of advice
that may be productive of some good.
The month of June comes in next
week there is no immediate prospect
of the water going off the overfiowed
lands where the crops were growing
there are hundreds of acres of land
not inundated that might be utilized
to some extent to keep body and soul
together as dernier resort; shalt a
loaf is better than no bread" We
mention this incidently, for we are
bound to suppose that all the sufferers
have been casting about for the best
means and methods to retrieve their
fallen fortunes as far as possible,
which we sincerely hope they may be
successful In doing TO a considerable
extent.
The pulpit rather than the paper is
the place for what is known as preach
ing. but sometimes in cases OF consid-
cradle calamity aud far-reaching dis
tress, the Newspaper has mission 10
perform, a sort Of outside persuasive
duty TO discharge, and this, IN our
opinion. is one of those sometimes.
Very few among the myriads of
humanity that do not sometime or
other meet up with misfortunes in
their pursuit of home comforts, COM
potency, and present and prospective
happiness. Some unfortunates meet
adversely at nearly every turn of the
road, living life of trials and tribula-
tions-having their every effort for ad-
varcement checkmated, yet still
striving on until the final struggle
come, that closes out all earthly ankle
ty and care.
There is no grander sight on earth
than 10 see truly brave man fearless
ly struggling with adversely and bat
Ting bravely to keep despair from his
door. This is really part and parcel
of the brief life we live, and this is
mainly done under dishcartening cir
cumstances in behoof Of those who
are helpless dependents upon the
loving care and big hearted devotion
of the strugglers.
The situation in East Carroll with
many today, much resembles what we
have dimly portrayed; let them take
courage and struggle on.
ssHave faith In the Master. The darket
day
Live till tomorrow, Will have passed
away"