True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-08-22
z. Raglan, Editor and Proprietor.

bankS-attordlng tne view vi the rich
sugar and cotton plantations, that stretch
ed far back to the swamps, whose cypress
trees, draperied with funereal moss, offer
ed strong contrast to the gay Aower-gar-
dens, beautiful shrubbery and the ever
green trees which surround the planters
mansion. These are spacious square build
ings with rectangular roofs and a veranda
partly enclosed with lattice-work, over
which climbing plants cluster, to the ex-
clusion of the sun. Hedges of rose and
hawthorn, with groves of orange and lem
on trees, spread on every side, extending
almost to the levee's edge; while noble
live-oaks with myrtle and China trees hide,
with their thick foliage, the walks and ar
bors that environ these quiet abodes. 1t
is pretty, out monOtonous. Higher up
lever signs of cultivation appear, and af
ter passing Bayou Sara, long intervals
elapse before there are any signs of cul-
ture or settlement. The second day offer.
ed SO little of interest, that it afforded
sufficient time for my womanly curiosity
to exercise itself in conjecturing the Sc
cret | was to learn.
That it was to be wedding, I felt al
most certain but whose could it be? My
friend was a widow-a widow for the sec
Ond time, and of two years standing
but no ! it could not be her wedding.
Widows do sometimes marry the third, Or
even the fourth time, but not she it void
have been almost sacrilege to doubt hel
constancy. There was daughter, and d
lovely girl she was; it must be she. Tc
be sure, she had just left school, but what
Of that I? it was not uncommon for schoO
girls to marry, or for girls to marry and q
to school afterward. When l had got
thus far, l ran over in my mind all the cl
igible matches my fancy could suggest, but
not being able to settle it to my satisfac
tion, gave it up. Two days and nigh
brought us to the mouth of Lake St. Pier
IA, where l was landed aud placed in tht
carriage by our ever courteous captain, at
ter seeing my trunk well secured behind
and the troublesome bandbox on the va
cant seat in front.
We rolled along the banks of the beau
tiful silver lake, just as the declining sui
was sinking behind the thick hammock
of live oak on the opposite shore, wher'
reposed large aocks of sheep, protected an(
kept together by a shepherd dog. The al
was redolent with fragrance from the fresl
opening blossoms Of spring. a gentl
breeze raised light curling ripples on tn
face of the stream, that sparkled and glow
ed with the rays of the setting sun. i
its bosom vast shoals of nullet, with in
Vulnerable other fishes, rejoiced In thei
81 rng-day life, secure from hook or net
thirty years ago this was the favoritc hunt
, ing ground Of the Choctaw, and where
, he now +? West Of the great Father c
Waters he may find forests as deep, wit
} lakes as clear; rs warm u sun, as bright
sky; bur will he ever again find u turf $
green, or spot 50 dear, as this on whic
t his infant feet first trod !? But we hav
no time to bestow on the red man or h
0 wrongs, for an hours drive through thi
beautiful region brings us to China Grov'
e the residence of my friends 1t had b,
/ come quite dark, but friendly voices gree
ed me ON the portico, and loving hano
i drew me to the back dining-room, whel
> the tea-table was spread, over whicl
!, bright lights CLEANED, and where, cOnspl'
uous above all, stood huge dish of stray
berries, the first of the season.
t And now, dear reader, to the inmates
for it is too dark and shady outside to a
t temp, any description either Of the hou'
J. itself, or its surroundings. And first, !
G me introduce you to the mother q IL
y family, and the mistress of this large pla
If tation. Mrs. Morris is lady Of abo
y folty-six years Of age. She. is tall al
e we'll made, Of full proportions, with rath'
), q dignihed air, at the same time both grac
i, full and gracious. Her complexion is ros
1t her eyes are dark, her hair is nearly blac
is and SO inclined to curl, it is with dithcul
le she. can, keep it smooth, parted over raj
is erloWhrow, She has a charming expr'
Il sion ;aher face beams with beneyolen
:, and affection, smiling on all around, al
ii seeming asif it were her sole desire
ut make every ono as good and happy as b