The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1917-06-07


ravines and the sides of cliffs, as if
thrown there by flood. Several wood
en- stores on the front street make a
respectable appearance and constitute
the only compact part of the village.
Here a quondam steamboat, converted
into a store, was the wharf, levee, pier
and landing place.
No Church in Sight
"The town, built thus irregularly
upon the unsightly face of the red,
earthly hills, wears an aspect of desc
lation. | passed it on the Sabbath, and,
as it was not church time, if church
time be much regarded there, the citi-
zens in their holiday suits thronged
on board to see the new steamer, and
the boys and negroes to buy oranges
and pineapples, which the barkeeper
and steward have bought in New
Orleans on their own private venture.
Several dashy young bucks, in gold
chains, ruffied shirts and breastpins,
their hats set knowingly on one side,
have just entered the gentlemen's cab
in, but, not satisfied with inspecting
this, one or two Of them must, for
sooth, very politely take a peep into
the ladies' cabin, where the sight Of
two or three young ladies has set one
or two of them violently to sneezing,
as am told Vermont boys are affect
ed when they happen to see a negro,
not being accustomed to them. They
then marched on to the after guard,
and, by their bold stare, winks, whis-
pering and remarks, fairly drove the
ladies into the cabin.
"The absence of churches, without
which, in New England, there can be
no village, is a striking deficiency in
the river towns. From Vicksburg to
this place / have seen nothing that
looks like a place Of worship. There
may be meetings held, indeed, in pri-
vate houses; but nowhere is the spire
visible, which indicates the village
church, not even at Vicksburg, one Of
the most important places on the riv-
er. There are not 10 church towers or
spires in the whole state of MISSISSIPPI
pi, and most of them in Louisiana rise
from cathedrals or converts. 1t is
said that the nucleus of New Eng
land village is blacksmith shop, a
church and a schoolhouse; in this re-
gion it is tavern, warehouse and a
grocery. There is a paper published
at Randolph. have not seen a num-
Der of it, but am informed that it is
well edited
No Further Interest
"The citizens have now gone ashore,
their mouths filled with praises of our
gorgeous suite Of cabins; the little
boys, loafers and negroes have de-
parted with their handkerchiefs flied
with oranges, the bell has tolled its
last stroke, the steam has ceased its
kissing and the wheels, moving back
ward and forward, preparatory to
starting, create no little commotion
in the water about US. The escape
pipe now begins to roar, the boat
trembles like an aspen, and we are
once more on our way.
eve are now above the cotton re-
gion, and the corn fields supply the
place of cotton. The shores are fiat
and wooded and without other variety
than woodward, clearing or a log
house. AS there is nothing without
to interest, therefore, until we arrive
at New Madrid, rs miles below the
mouth of the Ohio, must draw ma
terial from the steamer and its in
mates.
"The internal arrangement of a
Mississippi steamer is but little
known to those who have not trav-
eled in one. The Mississippi steamer
Is composed Of three great divisions,
the hold, the main deck and the upper