| | 1 | Author: | Ingraham
J. H.
(Joseph Holt)
1809-1860 | Add | | | Title: | The spectre steamer, and other tales  | | | | Published: | 1997 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | University of Virginia Library, Early American Fiction, 1789-1875 | UVA-LIB-EarlyAmFict1789-1875 | | | | Description: | It was in the spring of 1839, that I left
New Orleans, in the splendid steamer
Saint Louis, for Saint Louis. The morning
was clear and brilliant, and the atmosphere
of that agreeable elasticity which inspires
the dullest with good spirits. We backed
out slowly and majestically from our birth at
the pier, and, gaining the mid-river, began
to ascend the stream with rapid but stately
motion. I stood upon the `hurricane-deck,'
with fifty other passengers, admiring the
view of the city as we ran swifty past it.
Street after street terminating in a straight
line in the cypress swamp, appeared and disappeared,
and turret, spire, and terrace receded
rapidly in the distance. The half league
of shipping lying `three deep' against the
pier, and waiting for their freight of cotton,
presented a grand and imposing spectacle.
They were Americans and of all European
nations, principally English and French;
and as every ship wore her flag half-mast in
honor of a captain of one of them who had
died the day previous, their appearance was
at once solemn (from association) and brilliant.
Who that has ever visited New Or
leans in the winter season, can forget the
fine effect of this wide-stretching crescent of
shipping that enfolds the city at either extremity
like wings? `Sir,—Ten years ago you saved my life.
I am now in a situation to show you substantial
gratitude. I learn from your friend,
my host, that you are a seaman and are doing
well. Yet you may do better. I enclose
you five bank of England notes for five hundred
pounds each. Accept them as your
right. They are nothing in my estimation
put side by side with the life you saved. I
wish you and your noble mother all happiness
and health. Greeting: `I do believe I am innocent of this thing,
as I am an honorable gentleman. How it
came into my possession, I am as ignorant
as the child unborn. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
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