Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-07-06
AN UNFORTUNATE PHRASE.
1t Meant Only One Thing ut the
Baratarfa Shrimperies.
From, the Nasx Orleans Times Democrat

From the New Orleans Times Democrat.
"a funny thing happened last time I was
down at the Barataria shrimperies." said
an old river man, chatting with some GRO
MES the other evening You know, those
shrimperies are queer places. Most OF the
folks that live there are Chinese, but there
is good sprinkling of Filipinos and Next
cans and Malays and Sandwich islanders
and the Lord knows what else-the worst
mixed up crowd you ever saw in your life!
OF course, in such a promiscuous outfit
there are sure to be some that came there
because 1t wasn't healthy for them to re-
side anywhere else-gentlemen who were
seeking quiet and secluson, SO to speak;
and it generally happens, by the way, that
they are the most agreeable and popular
chaps in the whole settlement. YOU mustn't
gather from this that the shrimperies are
hiding places for outlaws; all 1 mean Is
that they are nice, restfu spots for a fell
low who is hankering after temporary OBJ
iivion and folks who understand local ell
quette never ask any questions However,
to get to my story: About six months ago
Boston gentleman-call him Mr.. Brown
. engaged me to take him down to the fish
ing district in my little schooner. believe
he was collecting material for book, and
anyhow he had heard of the Chinese
shrmpers and was very curious to see
man, with long gray side whiskers, and
when he saw the first Of the camps he was
simply delighted. He said he had no idea
there was such picturesque spot in Amer
ashore to explore the settlement. There
were mostly Cinnamon at that camp, who
could speak very little English, but after
prowling around while he ran across an
intelligent halfbreed Mexican, named Jose,
who volunteered to act guide They
went off together, and a couple Of hours
later Brown came down to the schooner
and got copy of an illustrated weekly.
/ notice lose ia fond of pfctnreS' he
said, and l think I'll give him this Jour
nal
He hurried away again, and when sup
per time drew near without any signs of
him I thought I'd stroll out and look him
up. To my surprise nobody had seen him,
and, after hunting all over the main camp,
pointed out little hut at the extreme edge
of the settlement, and l walked over and
pushed open the door. Well, gentlemen,
you could have knocked me over with
feather Jose had vanished, but there In
one corner was poor Brown, gagged with
red bandanna handkerchief. and trussed up
like pig, so he couldn't move hand or
foot / thought it was robbery, Of course;
but when l got him loose and he was able
to talk he astonished me by declaring the
halfbreed hadn't taken a penny from him.
I can't understand it. he said feebly. I
was bringing him that illustrated weekly,
you remember, and had no sooner walked
in and greeted him than he sprang at me
like tiger and tied me up the way you
AouHo me. ne uidn utter single WORD,
and, after he threw me in the corner he
picked up bundle Of clothes and rushed
out That was certainly an extraordinary
story. and | confess 1 was completely be-
wtldered. You had no words at all?' in
qutred. None said he; the man never
spoke. DO you recollect exactly asked,
what you said to him when you opened
the door?' Yes replied Brown; I said:
Jose, have paper for you."' The
dickens you did! exclaimed. and then l
lay back and roared 1 couldn't help it,
The mystery was explained. Having a
paper for man means only one thing out
mere and that Is having warrant for
him. Jose was evidently on the lookout for
such information, and when he heard the
news he didn't walt for particulars
finally managed to explain the situation to
poor Brown, and, at his particular request
we started for town that night He said he
thong ut he had all the data he needed, but
this is one episode I feel pretty certain
Will not be found In his forthcoming book