The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-07-23
lfor the Morning Star and Catholic Messenger
MARDI GRAS;
A Tale of Ante Bellum Times.
By TIM. LINKINwArER.
Continued
CHAPTER XXXI.

Mrs Cheerful was preparing to go out to
attend to come business. Her dress was of
black bombazine, plain aud neatly fitting,
made without trimming I'M or ornament, black
black bonnet, with long Grape veil thrown
back, falling gracefully down, brought strong
ly out the fairness of her complexion, and her
mild, sweet face, looked more beautiful under
the deep mourning. Presently, Nettie came in
to bring her ma pair of gloves, black silk
they were, the child too, was dressed in the
had settled on her fair young face. What does
it mean All poor thing, they mourn the loss
of q protector, and their kfndest friend-Mr.
Cheerful is dead. The tramp of the little feet,
work, each rosy mouth anxious to be kissed
first, will thrill his heart no more. He will
come no more with smiles and encouraging
words, kisses and earesses to cheer his wife in
her weary round of duties, which until now
she never felt to be trying and burdensome.
Tho light blue smoke that assembled from his
curling around his head, until the children in
glee declared that Papa's head was on fire. has
faded into the light air, and will come again
no more, as he will return to gladden. their
hearts, never, never, never!
'Well, what of that, we must all die" as
the amiable MIR. Alfred Plant would say.
ways SO kindly provided for, npon whom he
lavished SO much love, and six young children
what will become of thems
All! but that's none of our business, are
not responsible for other mems families" as
Mr.. Alfred Plant would reply, making good
the proposition with the solid logic of political
economy.
Mr. Cheerful's death was sudden and unex-
pected. Some boxes of machinery, for plan
ter an Red River, had been consigned to the
care of the firm, and as the water was low at
part of the store. When a rise came, the
planter was not ready for the machinery, and
1t was kept for several months, until his
buildings Were completed, when in accordance
Wit instructions ati
They were lowering the boxes, when Samson,
who did not notice the quick running of the
rope, stopped beneath the hatch-way to pick
up some trife that he saw there. They yelled
from above, and those on the lower floor shont-
ed to him to get out of the way, but he did
not hear them, and the immense box came
laundering down; just as it came within
reach, and in a moment more would have
crushed She poor negro beneath its ponderous
weight, Mr.. Cheerful sprang forward, and
hurting himself against the box with almost
super-human energy, succeeded in swinging
it far enough out to save Samson's life but at
the terrible sacrifice of his own. The great
effort he had made caused the rupture of n
vital blood vessel, hermorhage ensued, and al
though he was taken home, and q physician
called at once, the loss of blood was too rapid
in o few hours he died. Then came the fnner-
al. His friends aud those of Cane Plant
and Cotton are invited to attend without fur
Their notice."
Dick had been n great favoritc, his good
qualities were many and fresh in the memory
of the people, so that his friends would hay.
made large company, hut when were added
the friends of the great commercial house of
Cane, Plant and Cotton, there was an immense
crowd. The body was exposed in the parlor,
IN an elegant mahogany case, with silver
anountings, with beautiful floral offerings ar
ranged around and blessed candles in finely
worked silver caudle-sticks, were burning
around the coffin. AS the friends came. the
majority of them being like the deceased, of
the Catholic Faith, made the sign of the Cross
and knelt for @ moment in silent prayer, sup
niicating the Great Ruler, 20 have mercy ON
me soul that had 80 recently left it's earthly
tenement Their actions and words were us
varied as were their hooks and ages.
God rest his soul in peace,n said one lady
Hevoutly kneelinE.
ne was tho good, kind man entirely" said
a. Iaa woman, her tears rolling fast over her
S;a eIen and care-worn face, "sure it wac
aIniTS snat always wore the heart-warming
1Mo gentlemen come to the door and look
- Ln$$ly around to see who is there, they
MN SI Waik around the corpse.
A. LOOKS naturals life said one
very much so, never saw one more like
~, Lepheo his companion, and with a solemn
hoa OF recognition to those he knew, he walked
out with his friend.
1hey've arranged the coffin nicely.n said n
little lady in brown silk dress to her com
panlon, tall, spare figure, with spectaclea
"I 1t will do" replied her friend, "but they've
got his hair parted on the wrong side and I