The Greenville times., 1905-04-15

The ladies were not kept back by the bad condi-
ton of the roads. Mrs Ockerson and the two Mrs.
Tay.or were of the party and enjoyed the ride inn
mensey. The day was perfect above foot, and as
the carriages went the top of the levee most
of the way not very much inconvenience was ex-
perienced from the mud
VIM Shackieford, assistant to Captain West.
went with the party and pointed out the places
of interest. On the way out Of the carriages
broke down, whereupon Captain Ladae took one
of the horses for the of the way. and managed
very we'll, as those in the carriages received more
contributions of mud from Mother Earth than he
did
Lake Charles Landing from which the expedi-
ton started IS few yards away from the old leyee
by which this section of the country was protected
for some time. Finally it became apparent tha
the levee was no longer protection against floods
the bank eating away rapidly, and th
chance of another high water meant chance O
disaster to the people in this section, who hav
much valuable land in cultivation
It was for the purpose of preventing such pos
sbility that the people have bestirred themselves
through their levee board, and erected a levee
in the of the old, eleven miles long, the dis
tance between the old and the new being very con
siderable at certain points. This levee has
average height of 20 feet, with slope of to 3 tc
the river, and on the other side of to the ban
quette then for 20 feet, and then I on s
This levee started only year ago, and is nov
completed, for the planting of Bermuda grass
AS the carriages rolled over the top of the le-
wee the view changed from time to time. Fol-
several minutes there would be nothing on eithe.
side except gum, cottonwood and cypress trees
then fields would appear in sight plantation homes
negro cottages with the papa and mama and pick
annnes taking their Sunday rest on the front
porch.
Even the mules were not working. They were
enjoying themselves. No one in the country eveI
thinks of cleaning mule, and if they did the mule
would get even on day like this. All we passed
were intently engaged in rolling in the mud The,
seemed to derive the greatest satisfaction from
this. When the carriages approached they woulo
rise up from their luxurious toilettes packed witt
| mud from head to foot, and look at toiling horse
pulling the carriages with the curiosity and langut
smile of mule. country mule is made to do $,
| much work on the week days that he enjoys look
ing at horse working on Sunday, especial1
when he is full of COOL soft mud.
We enough South to have green in tn
trees. Also some birds sang as we went throug
the fragrant stormcleaned atmosphere of the coun
| try. But this is matter for the poets
Smart little negro boys waited at the gates, ir
nocently ignorant of approaching carriages Whe
one came up they opened the gate with gre
show OF zeal, grnning and laughing when sma
coin was thrown to them They were careful ,hov
ever, to shut the gate before another carriage cou
Y come up.
Practically all the levee is now complet
n All that is needed is to plant it with Bermuda wh
prevents rain wash and, except in severe instance
), is an adequate protection against the wash of t
waves This grass will grow up by next fall,
n that the levee is likely to be safe as there
S no prospect this season of any very high waite
|, No one can ever say definitely what will happen
: the Mississippi, but it is not believed by old rive
d men, who have watched the rise and fall for ma
: years, that there will be anything like flood gau
: New Orleans Picayune.