The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1855-05-05

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iexion, o
.nd loud
to be hang
~ .--,.... ...- sother peoples
expense, and IN return ceiling Stories enacting
ludicrous patomimes, and entertaining circles
Of companions with such gossip and triaing as
seems appropriate to the places he frequents
He is always On amiable man, sometimes even
q loveable one in many respects; but his con-
vvial habits have long ago overcome his better
qualities, and he now devotes himself entirely
to their qualification. The Prince Of Good
Fellows should never be seen before twelve
o'clock in the day, as up to that time he is full
ofaches, sad, morose, and nervous talks vaguely
of illness and death; contemplates his finger
nails, sighs, rubs his eyes, and yawns, and gives
world to live in, which it undoubtedly is for him.
During this depression he resorts to alcoholic
stimulants to bring up bis nerves, and by dint Of
frequent repetitions Of the remedial agent and
. frugal repast, eating standing from the
counter Of some bar, be succeeds in restoring a
portion Of the lost nervous energy and begins
10 come but quite strong about the hour Of
meridian. At this time he presents the ap-
pearance of joyial, pleasant, happy man, and
80 the superficial portion Of his admirers deem
him some, indeed, going SO far as to envy him
bis lot and wish they were as contented as he.
At dinner the Prince Of Good Fellows is
looked upon as q most desirable companion.
He knows all the etiquette of the table, and
never commits any breach Of the unities of the
place. He dresses u salad with exquisite taste,
and cannot be deceived in wines. He tells you
the history of the olive-which he has acci-
dentally stumbled upon in Chamberss Miscel-
lany or the Household Words-aud has pleas
ant anecdote to fill the pauses of conversation
The ladies like him very much for he is respectful
comedies every thing to them, and defers to their
Judgment. He does not take much while they
are at the table, and opens the door for their
exit with infinite grace. Once they are gone,
he devotes himself to the decanters, and the
roars Of laughter that follow the ladies up stairs
are provoked by smart joke Of his that would
not bear repetition in the drawing-room. Still,
actually offends him !; for he has delicate sensi-
bilities, and his broad style of humor grows
out of the wine rather than naturally from his
taste. Later in the evening, when he joins the
ladies above stairs. he is attentive and marked
in his conduct towards them, turns their music,
adjusts the piano stool, and if he sees middle
aged spinster, plain or q slow one, neglect
ed and playing wall-Aower, he is peculiarly
attentive toward her, and bores himself per-
haps, in the effort to do her kindness.
Sometimes the Prince of Good Fellows is
bachelor, but oftener he is married man with
several children. His wife is rarely seen in
society, and her appearance is that Of one out Of
health, and much depressed in spirits. Her
dresses are usually of bygone style, although
neat, and give evidences Of a rigid economy
and many articles to make the two ends meet.
She takes the back streets and the less frequent
ed side Of the way when she walks abroad, and
takes special care to avoid passing public
places where she may meet the gaze of her hus-
bands friends She walks rapidly, with her
head down, and in the winter draws her scanty
shawl tight about her shoulders an ungloved
hand showing through the opening in front.
Occasionally she may be met coming form mar
ket with little basket meagerly stocked but
her husband seldom dimes at home, and she
economies in her table expenses, for he requires
clean linen and neat garments, and their purse
will not afford sumptuons living.
To see him in his prime and glory you must
meet the Prince of Good Fellows at an evening
party Of young men, when supper, and wine,
and loud talk, and merriment, are the elements
Of the entertainment. There he comes out
strongest; there his good fellowship is most
strongly developed there he is in element, and
to hear and see him, one would say he was the
happiest Of men. The jokes the repartees, the
mirth-moving variations, the wit and humor
which abound, aided by brilliant lights, spark
ling silver and glass, bright wines, cheerful
countenances, and all the accessories Of such a
time, give an air Of enjoyment and pleasure to
the scene which may well fascinate the inexpe-
rienced and pass with them as real. But il
they would know the solemn truth, if they would
know how false and futile is all the mockery Of
happiness, let them tarry till the evening is
spent, the lights out, the wine drank up, the
party dispersed. Let them follow the Prince Of
Good Fellows to his home. Let them listen to
his half drunken mutterings as he pursues biz
lonely way, his bitter reviling reproaches, and
vows Of reformation. Let them enter with him
the cherries house, wherea wife and little ones
are paying the penalty Of his sin. Let them
see the misery those sins entail; the bitter
pinching want that stares out from scanty beds
from empty cupboards, from worn out gar
ments from cherries CRATES, and wickless lamps
Let them watch the wan smile that plays abou
the face Of the poor, neglected, almost hear
broken wife as she kisses the lips that SO latel.
joined in the ribald laugh, the drunken chorus
Let them watch the detection that settles upol
the face of the Prince of Good Fellows as tn