Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-09

lower deck contained the engine and boilers.
Abaft the boilers was a tier of hunks for
the deck passengers and negro slaves in
transit. These We're on the port side, which
was further ornamen;ed by a ruinous old
cook stove, upon which the unfortunate
passengers were wont TO fry their bacon
and bake the everlasting cornbread of the
south. Forward of the boilers was place
| devoted to the storage of wood; the balance
of the deck, together with the hold, was
| given over to freight. Above this of
i timber dirt and machinery Was reared the
saloon where dwell the cabin passengers
and the officers of the boat. Above this
| was the pilot house. the whole structure
| being at least thirty feet from the water.
| fifty feet. Here was also stationed the
| helmsman. constantly alert to watch the
/ shifting channels of the Mississippi.
| The reader will remember that these were
| the halcyon days of the southwest. The
! three great rivers, the Mississippi, Missouri
and Ohio. poured forth the products of i'm
| mense territory, while the Red river and
Arkansas and scores of lesser streams bore
ers laden with cotton sugar and other rich
products OF the lower Mississippi.
| Scores of unwieldy broad horns tied up
J a. the lcvees. and the Shrek of the steam
whistle and bowling music of the calliope
| resounded through the streets and along the
| river front of busy New Orleans. Slave prop
! erty was buoyant, and a 1OO-negro plant
| e- was an everyday occurrence. This was
way back In the SOS" We shall never see
| the like again. Many is the silent tear
SIZED by those who were there for 1.-The
| days before the war;
| In these days the earth has no resting
| place for the poker-playing gambler equal
| to a Mississippi steamer. On these boats
| he made his home, and the constant stream
| of travel furnished plenty of unsophisti-
| Gated victims, with more money than wit.
| from whom he could strip the cuticle, ;"
and 1t was usually thoroughly done. Upon
this trip the Aurora appeared to have out
done herself. Wesner sauntered about the
boat, and saw no man whose face he rec
ogniZed or whose acquaintance he could
claim. Among the deck passengers was a
gaunt-looking individual, who attracted
Wesners attention and excited his SYM
pathy. Fever and ague were written upon
every lineament of his sallow features and
shone in his hollow eyes. poor. ILL
dressed, haggard. Notwithstanding woman
accompanied him. Gathered about them
were their family, three big deerhounds.
Their household utensils and furniture
three deerskin-bottomed chairs, wash basin.
frying pan and kettle, were piled beside
them. A couple of gray blankets occupied
| one of the hunks and the mans rifle. pow
der and tobacco pouch lay on them. His
hunting knife was stuck in his belt: this he
wore. tin dipper and teapot completed
their outfit.
Wesner accosted them.
Yes, they were poor: had the shakes in
| Tennessee. went into Kentucky. couldn't
| get shut of them there. and were going
| back to Tennessee. Had buried their two
children in Kentuck and were plum dis
couraged-'Jes liefs die as not'-wished he
| was a Niger and belonged to some good
| man"
Wesners ready hand dove into his pocket
| and extended a $50 gold piece.
Here" said he. giving ii to the woman.
| keep this for time of need" and, giving
| the man 81 more told them to go on board
! the next wharfboat and get what eatabes
| they wanted. Neither of them spoke, but
h.,- 1pA Tod hair ora tI16a
The woman was mixing hoecake in the
washbasin. This culinary feat being accom-
| plished. she transferred it to the frying pan
| and baked 1t over the stove. This their
| supper. The remnants We're given to the
| hounds. who licked the pan clean. This
! cleared away the table: the work was done.
! Nothing could be more economical or con-
| venient and it required no very extensive
| knowledge of housekeeping.
| BY this time the lamps were lighted and
| the poker game was in full blast. Seated
around the table We're three men: one a big,
brawny chap, coarse, but shrewd looking,
| the other two Wesner had noticed quite
| particularly before. That they were gam
were doing little business in the color
| lire. These two Wesner saw at a glance
| were skinning the other chap, who about
every five minutes would repeat: Il am q
| f1atboat boy, and never played poker be-
| fore"
Wesner caught his eye. There was a
twinkle that caused him to watch the
game. 1t was Flatboat's deal He took
| the cards, laid them carefully on the table,
| whipped fifteen-inch bowie from his boot
leg and at one stroke cut the corner Of the