Year: 1866

VENTURES IN NEW ORLEANS.


Reader, have you ever felt the thrill of horror
which attends the recollection of narrow escape
from death? Have you walked, unwittingly
walked, to the edge of some precipce, and, when
another step would have plunged you over its
fearful brink, discovered the danger just in time to
avoid it? Have you seen the gleam OF steel
pointed at your breast, or felt the muzze Of re
lentess frearm touch your forehead, and by some
miracle, escaped further acquaintance? II so,
you can sympath!ze with me in my narrative OF an
escape from fate as terrible as any of these
Even as write cold shudder seizes my frame.
and the little courage possess becomes paralyzed
by the recollection.
l have been endeayoriny to persuade myself for
some years past that was courageous but there
are 50 many idiosyncracies in my character, tha'
It'll difficult to define any trait distinctly. Some
times feel braye-for instance when am alone
in my snug chamber, reading Of some hero. Nay
| pace to and fro surveying my dogged attitudes
in the mirror and conVusively cIutchng the
empty pistol at my side. Imagination conjures up
scenes of combat in which l am hero For
hours delight in the sensations of self-appraise
ment. / hear the nppauding voice of men-feel
the warmth of victorious blood coursing through



breathing my name in musical tones of love and
admiration.


But don't fall asleep under the influence of
these feelings Oh moi When the time arrives
for putting out the lights confess l feel lonely
and helpless. Often I let the candle burn out;
always look under the bed; and then pray for
Sleep half smothered in the bed clothes.


wonder if am coward. A disturbance in
the street makes me trembe until my teeth chat
ter MShoud it be ight my first care is to secure
a position tree from danger. Despite all my as
sumption of Indifference when others are near,
feel palen and frightened. Some men don't fear
ENHANCEMENT in these fghts-they seem to enjoy
it; and if pugistic looking individual was tc
assure me that the moon made of cheese, a
such a moment I verify believe ] should noe
assent.


dislike crowds. If there is fire, my stand
point of observation is generally just far enougl
away to avoid the disturbances of the scene, an'
lust near enough to catch safe glimpse OF th
fire. Once was so intimidated; stood IN a dis
tant street, watching the topmost flames OF cor
ilagration afraid to venture nearer the shouts an
confusion of the mass. / confess all this, and ye
cannot think it cowardice. After all, these pre-
cautionary measures are only the result OF q natr
raj cautiousucss. No man should away; but
if danger really threatens, and he can avoid
without actually running away, is it not the SAT
polcy2 II he is shemmed in then death or victory
Providing was placed in this desperate posticl
believe | should prove fearful antagonist. 1t
an unpleasant thing to have to appear brave whe
you don't feel 80. You feel dry about the throa
expectorate when yon don't want to, and want
expectorate when you can't. Whenever OF
comes ingorously out Of d disturbance too, it
annoying to find how much has been omitted III +
taliatory speech, and how easily the victory mig
have been gained by the exercise of little mo
courage.
Not long ago was offered commercial posit
at New Orleans. III my Northern home OF pea
and comfort l had often heard of the raVag
which climatic diseases make there, and of t
proud, passionate temper of the people, RESULT
in encounters, in which the knife or irearm TOOK
conspicuous part. Death in any shape IS a tear
contemplation with me, but to die so far away 0
pestilential disease is horrible, and it is still n(
horrible to die by the knife Or bullet, the Vt
sight OF which produce in me feelings OF horror
However, my best alternative to CO. 8
thlther went. l found my business compani
apecullar race, mostly Southerners. There wa
righteousness about their features which did
ike. 1t was soon evident they had not recove
from the fierce hatred of the Nortbuep ,ybieb





late war had engendered, and thew did not striy
conceal it, Every imprecation against nv &C
trymen made me tremble, so that befora T
been there many days wished myself saf
home.


There was one gentleman, Mr.. Flick, somev
more genial than the rest, and with him de
mined to open acquaintance. After giving M
Introductory survey, which commenced with
hat and ended with my boots, land comprehen
believe, every article of my attire, espe cially
gold watch chain,) he consented to accom-
me in q search for apartments. During
peregrination I elected much information o
the city, its climate and people, Once resi-
fully yentured on politics, but a violent retort
he would smash" any "Yank" who trie
cram him, shut me up. should have felt l
pleased if he had not called so frequently at
to have left him to drink alone would, under
circumstances, have raised his ire. ! was CT
quently compelled to swallow more ale th
could conveniently carry. Mattering sonnet
about dust, he would disappear down
passage I running close at his heels, and air
feeling the qualms of sickness. Strange to
the quantity he stored away had no other {
upon him than to make him complain of the
aud wind. I began to dissrust him, and