The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-06-25

|
clear and placid that the pebbly bottom conld
| often be seen. Rounding the point, the boat
shot up into Little Silver creek, small run
| several fine residences, groves of fruit trees,
| lands and lawns with large shade trees, and In
| the distance, fields of luxuriant grain.
| the main road, o broad, old, country road, MT,
MacVain walked on beyond the few houses on
the point and was once more getting into the
open country, when no observed the approach
of lady, and slackened his pace that he mignt
observe her rs she passed. She was young
near the age SO often Sung about "sweet SIX,
| queen-like, with such q walk and manner as
| might have graced the kingly courts OF the
days of "belted knights and fair ladies'. Inc
expression of her face was happy blending OF
| frmness and decisive character, with purity
| and chld-like innOcence; her mouth was
| small, with rosy lips firmly closed her eyes
ton or calm repose, look dreamy and melting,
yet when aroused to feeling and under excite
mcnt, sparkle with q brilliant and azzling
light. The bloom of her complexion would
rival the first blush of rosy morn, falling upon
the velvety softness of the mellow peach, and
around her presence there was an air OF re-
tinement, cultivation and worth, which capt.
waited the admiration and respect OF all behold
ers.
| As she passed he stood spell-bound as in
dream, while the bright vision of some youth,
| full fancy was realized in her. He waited
| while and then followed at such distance as
| not to attract her notice. At n distance, as ne
again approached the few dwellings on the
| point, he saw a gentleman coming towards
| him, and, rs he Joined the lady, MacValh
recognized his old friend, Mr.. Robert McDon-
aid, and quickening his steps, he soon came
up with them.
"Why, how are you, my dear Percy, am
glad to see your exclaimed Mr.. Mcdonald,
stopping in his walk.
"WelI, very we !, thank yon," answered Mr..
Macyain, casting and inquiring look on the
lady.
"My daughter, Mary" said Mr.. Mcdonald.
noticing his friends look. Mary, this Is my
friend, Mr. MacVain, of New Orleans"
liam proud to meet you, Miss Mcdonald.
said Percy, with a puzzled air, as it he did not
know what it meant.
GAS q friend of my fathers am pleased to
see you," Mary replied, with dignity and grace;
They con versed pleasantly until they reached
when MI. Mcdonald said: Here is where we
are staying. Mary and my wife preferred a
quiet country house to fashionable resort.
Come in and see my wife; she will be very
Mrs. MELON aid welcomed Mr.. MacVain in a
friendly manner, and some time was spent IN
conversation, after which they had dinner
and then, going to the parlor, Mary played ior
them some of the most popular mnsic OF the
day. varied, by request, with some OF the oid'
familiar melodies, the popularity OF Which
bids fair to last through all time.
An excursion was then proposed, and, pro-
curing a fine large boat, they took 3 sail down
the creek, around the bay and BACK 10 the
wharf again. arriving Just IN time 10 near the
rustic old bell clatter OUT the suthlnons W sup
per. ,,v; .1,it.
YOUR quiet retreat we'll that, it l Thought 1t
possible to get room, womb come over "iaA
"Thas's a capital idea.' replied Mr.. Melon
aid, much pleased. cold Mr.. Biuger can give
YOU room, am sure, and II you come over
we'll have jolly time"
Mr.. Binrer the landlord, was consulted and
a room was assigned to Mr.. MacVain. A car
| riage was then furnished in which he returned
|
count there he appeared, early next morning,
among his lends at Little Silvcs." :,
Come Percy, we ara going grabbing sa,d
| the house, a great straw hat on his head, and a
| long pole, with net at the end, over his
shoulder. The ladies' appeared in sea shore
hats and the company went down on tne
wharf The net was handed over to Mr.. Mac
Vain, with instructions that, when the crabs
caught the bait, he should slip the net under
and bring them up, which, Kept MN ousH, Vas as
were not slow at biting. At first he was a
little awkward. Once, while catching foi
Mary, he came near falling into the water anu
taking her in with him. He soon became, now
ever as expert at this and the other sports o.
the place as any of the VISITORS of whom there
were some forty or fifty at Mr.: Blnger,s. Days Day
where all followed the bent of their owl
inclinations. Now fishing, bathing or boating
on the creek or bay. at other times riding
through the country, the scenery of which wa
interesting and beautiful, aud at times thes'
rides would extend to Long Branch. Here Mr.
MacVain and the McDonalds met many
their friends from the South, to whom Mar.
} was always presented as the daughter of tn
latter, and many pleasant dinner parties ant
) excursions resulted from these visits. One o
, Mir. McDonald's favorite trips was to cross tn
creek in their boats, taking with them a goo
+ lunch and to ramble off into the pleasan
) woods until tired, when the servants woul
bring up the refreshments which they ,s woa
! the grand old trees, the party would spend al
two in pleasant M Iela MA,
G Vain had a happy and telling manner. Ii
= would often join Mary in singing some song o
d favoritc melody, making the forest ring W.T.
>. the music of their voices. In the evening the
i would take IL sail, stroll through the gn
e deitA, or, remaining IN the house, the tim
& would pass rapidly away while they amuee
s. themselves at whist or euchre, or joining wit
!. other parties in the house., dancing, music an
d conversation would soon fill up the hours
e In the pleasures of the present MI Macy al
a had buried the cares, anxiety and remorse
III tho past aud in the enjoy ment OF the socle'
s. of his friends for the time, at least, the oil