The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1909-08-19

the Memphis News-Scimitar. vas
sent TO the Courier by our friend I.
p Fortune, formerly Of this city and
nov one Of the leading druggists Of
Memphis. II is not only OF interest
from a local standpoint but is a
unique description Of river travel,
scenes and customs;
"Come on honey; Talk some to
mel Come a sewn or a LEVIN !"
Back on the lower deck the ne
groes we're shooting dice. On for
ward deck where the water parted
as the nose Of the steamer plowed
its way upstream other negroes were
gathered. singing plaintive, old
time songs. They, too. had been
10 the crap game further back and
there was touch OF fellowship that
mutual sorrow brings. Fifteen
minutes befo:e they had been glar-
ing at each other to enforce their
continual demands Of shake EN-.
! knows youse homes. but make EN-
rattle in yer nam"
This is a story Of a river ride. a
trip up the Mississippi from Mem
phis TO St. Louis. II you never we're
on three days's river ride you may
not understand why the story is be-
gun with a negro craps game. II
you have, you know that, soon after
you have been ABOARD you want to
inspect the boat. After awhile the
green trees along the banks on either
side will look about the same. The
breeze. cool and fine. will make you
want 10 stretch and before long you
will be party OF half dozen who
sill 20 "dovn below"
You vii have seen Landing" or
two and noticed with what ease the
deck hands picked up a barrel and
carried il up or down the gang
plank. You will notice the mate
giving sharp orders and you cannot
help but notice the recklessn.ss Of
the hands in clambering aboard,
sometimes making a jump for the
plank after il has begun to soar up
ward for the "get-way." All OF
this will whet your curiosity TO know
how much the negroes receive for
their work and what they do between
landings. Many of the blacks are
paid much more than 500 a month.
The mate will tell you in the same
breath that a negro will not "ship"
il he has SIS in his pocket II he
should have such bad luck as to have
that much with him and is on the
boat, he will either quickly control
all the finances OF the lower deck CT
he will be with the bunch up forward
singing the old-time melodies.
Another curious thing about the
negroes who receive big wages for
their work; They sleep on the coal,
on boards that are crossed and I'M
even, or on pile Of rope, box for
pillow. Why1 Because there is
no other place for them. Why1
Because il they should go TO sleep
on bunk the mate could never get
them awake, he says; There was
boat, once upon time, that had
hunks in the hold for the negroes,
but they never used them. A ne
gro will not sleep in the hold and
there are two good reasons for it.
They like the fresh breeze that can
be found on almost any part Of the
boat. outside of the hold. aud they
prefer to feel that il something
would happen they would be near
the water and could swim away.
You will soon get tired of the ne
groes. however, for at every land
ing there is a big crowd of them
II is good amusement, though, when
things get dull, to go forward and
throw nickels Gown TO the lower
deck and watch the hands scramble
for them. II the coins are distribut-
ed properly another craps game will
be in full swing in few minutes.
A "landing" is always of interest
maybe not at FIRST, but it will be
after you have been aboard a day
or two. You will not miss one.
You will even get up from a nap TO
see the fun. Sometimes it is excit-
ing, too.
II ie had 10 uat dailxt M mar IN