The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1872-01-31

NOTy Vi al l1kStdnO.
WITH THE INKSTAND LEFT OUT.
"Thatinkstand Yes. it has history. 1
may as well tell if to you now as any other
time. suppose. You ought to be called
the Great American History Extractor. or
Romance Extractor; for if there is parti-
Gle of romance in anything or anybody in n
place where you happen to be. you are sure
to scent it out"
"Of all days. this is the most glorious one
for a romance-the rain falling with tha:
steady, monotonous drip, drip, drip not a
soul in the house but ourselves, and we SO
snug in this splendid old library"
Mag Hastings was indeed an indefatiga-
BILE romance-hunter. She wal, s,always look
ing for situations where the romantic pre-
dominated. She would have succeeded as a
dramatist, without a doubt. She was ap-
parently as happy as mortal could be on
the morning in question. nestled in the
depths of my scarlet lounge. perfectly GER
tain that she looked picturesque in her dark
green street suit. relieved By the daintiest
linen.
Come here, pet!' said she; and bunch
of white wool, with blue ribbon tied at one
end Of it. marking spot where in dog q
neck would be trotted mysteriously toward
her. What propelling power there could be
in .he shaggy thing was a wonder never
could gel over, but somehow it managed to
spring into Mag's arms. and then the 81
lenoe assured me that my story was ex-
pected.
The surroundings were favorable for
story telling, it is true. The room heavily
vainscoted with dark wood; tho cases Of
books of all times and of ell varieties; the
long windows richly draped with scarlet
brccade, lined with exquisite lace the
thick soft carpet of mo:tled green the
| Turkish lounges, the quaint chairs, luxu-
riously upholstered the bronzes.sa the
that told oId stories q mythology shnpaE shsp 81
craving on the wall the little gems in oil
| selected for their wonderful coloring-an
| autumn scene. a burning ship, group Of
German peasants the glowing fire Of sea-
coal, and the polished hearth and fender
all appealed 10 the love of beautiful and the
| picturesque, while the cold, unceasing rain,
the bare, gaunt trees. fhe dripping shrub
bery, and the blanched grass drove the
thoughts within for solace and amusement
| The inkstaud that Mag Hastings referred
to was pretty affair in a Swiss carving
It repreAented two little peasant carrying
water, the buckets suspended from pole
| resting in a hand Of each. Of course the
water pals were the ink receptacles, and
the pole was tho pen-rack. 1t was poetic
and realistic at The same time, and rs pretty
a tride for library table as one would wist
to see,
.sThe story lis IA sad one, Mag said 1
! at. ,v;ll o;ve vou the blues for the rest O.
the day
$50. much the BETTER" she answered
| With true dramatic love Of the horrible
$50 much the better. I'd like to be stirred
up a little / fear I'm too comfortable.
little dash of imaginative sorrow is needed
to relieve this perfect enjoyment. A littl,
shade throws out the good points of any
thing, you know. Isn't it SO pet = and eh,
piuched the little appendage dignified b.
the name of tail. till & sharp yelp came ou
Of he soft white mass IN her arms. There
I told you 80, pet now you'll know wha
true repose is.' -.
Il should scold you Mag" said Lift
we're the least use in the world. But yot
are incorrieible; 50 will 60 on. Tim
viii give you shadow enough withou
doubt -
| NV men WAS IL VeuiCo- 0oinMouC y y
sin Venice =, exclaimed Mag, sitting Dol
upright, and giving the little dumpling Of
poodle push that brought out . most spite
| ful yelp.' when we're you everi in Vanicel
4 Why yos know. Mag, that | was abroa'
moro than two years. In fact, had just re
turned when you and became acquainted
i replied, wondering little at the unusus
interest she appeared to take in the com
mencement of my sorrow.
oh I knew that she replied' ..But
lnever heard you sAing abou
i .Yenice;' again reclining and ciosfneAA
eyes, as much ast say,.;lio on. % nm s.'
loss, to conceive what Ipde me SO Ioo,sp
th. ment;on Of a foreign and defunct city.
avian vhen was in Venice-I believe
a. the second month of my stay there
Charles came in one day (Charles is m
husband) ..from long tramp about tue ia
vhich / mean-the one built in the si1
t.enth century, in the oriental style, an
restored by Mile Taglionl' the celebrate
: dancer"
.Oh. yes," said Mug impa,iently. IL kno
all about it. Haven't been there WASH
II born there haven't l always lived there
didn't the 0oge OF scHico CAiotou NY
didn't draw my first breath on the BRIDE
of S:ghs and wasn't one Of Mile. Iagi
oni's pupils? Go ahead and tell me VIII
Cha les said when he came back from
tramp about the Ca d'Oro. Eut new
: mind the architecture I'm not building
present
had seen Margaret in many stfanl
r moods, but never felt her to be so utterly Il
corrigibls as upon this occasion. Howeve
resumed without appearing to remark
Q. .Cbarles came 10, and said, hastil
Nell tell Pedro to get up . nice lunch ju
"a quick q he can. have brought an II
valid home with me, and if 1 can shall Pc
suade him 70 remain while with us.
have taken strange fancy to the fciio'
l.nd should ike to have him where We cou
take an Interest in him. So Iharried aronn
and after little Pedro and L.