The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1873-01-04

ington, for the benefit of the Episcopal
| Church of that place. We need not tell
our readers we went, and last, but not
least, we are not sorry we did go. Our
neighbors have always had the reputa-
ton of doing things up Gin STYLE" and
in this case their laurels were not tarn-
ishedby the nature Of the entertainment.
After a pleasant drive from this place
in company with our friend Mr.. B., be-
hind the justly celebrated trotting stall
lion Morgan, we found ourselves over
flowing with good spirits (notrye) at the
door of the Masonic Hall, which, from
the merry laughter, exquisite music,
and perfect jollity which reigned inside,
we felt like, and did "bid duh care de-
part" and entered the brilliantly lighted
Hall. 1t was like entering the portals of
Paradise from the Shades Of Hades. Tt
will be impossible with the short time
we have to devote to the description of
all that met our eyes, to dojustice to the
scene. The room was festoOned with
beautiful wreaths, each table decorated
with flowers, and ~grOaning beneath the
weight of the beautiful articles which
were scattered in prOfusiOn upon them.
Huge mountains of cake met our eyes at
every turn. A long table stretching al
most across the long room was devoted
to the sale of fancy articles of every
imaginable shape, shade, texture and
variety. It was presided over by Mrs.
H. and other ladies, whose politeness to
their customers, and fair dealing, won
for themselves golden opinions from all.
On the right we espied what seemed to
us a beautiful little bower, within which
lreigned as queen the charming Miss H.
-FOUR curiosity prompted us to see what
treasures were being bestowed upon her
customers by such fair hands, so elbow
ing our way throughthe crowd we found
ourselves face to face with the fair deal
er. Blnshinglyw we asked if we too might
not be numbered among the many who
were being honored by her polite atten-
ton, "With pleasure, Sir" The next
thing we knew we found ourselves with
q smile upon our lips, and a tear in our
eyes, looking at the bottom of an empty
goblet, and by the exquisite feeling Of
happiness which peryaded our whole
being, we felt certain that we had &C.
eomplished the labor of getting on the
outside of a glass of nectar, fit for the
Gods, commonly called egg-nogg. VIZ
felt too happy to stand still, so taking
the arm of our friend we wandered aim
+ lessly about the room. On ourleft we
Sspied 4 retreat similar to the one on ou1
; light. Perhapsit was the egg-nogg, but
certainly to our eyes the garlands Of
: evergreen which hung in graceful fes.
ICONS around the table looked greener
: the flowers which decorated each and
every available space looked brighter
: and last, but not least, the various color.
o ed cordials which, in beautifully shaped
bottles, were ranged in view, glittereC
/ and sparkled, reminding us wildly OF
some bright fairy scene, seen in oul
dreams, or implanted in our memory il
o boyhood, by ONE tale from the Arabian
| Nights. Wewere welcomed with asmilt
from the presiding Fairy, the charming
MissC., one fist. Landry's
tiers, and ere many seconds we were re
ceiving from her hands, with our mos
pelite bows, a tiny glass of delicious
: liquor accompanied by q monstrOus slic'
OF rich and delicious cake. We spen
tie rest of the evening IN walking from
table to. table and viewing the gorgeous
display which met our eyes atevery turn
: aadwhieh, as the eveningp passed on, werC
q transferred to the ownership of othe
! nrties. Perfect jollity and goodhumo
rigned supreme. Raf1es were going d
J q every side, and numerous groups
we're seated around the various littl,
rsund tables discussing the savory Wand
: Which were brought from a very mystic
3 1ous looking back room, which consisted
= Il u magnificent oyster gumbo, wood
= 0ck, turkeys, ducks, chickens, etc, etc,
: sad the best of all, it only costthe small
SIM Of one dollar.
As the distant ringing OF the bells an
% nIunced that the New Year had began
+ i'd reign, many a young gallant tuTnet
/. tahis partner and in earnest tones wishes
IS br g Happy, Happy New Year." The,
seemed to be in earnest, and we Woul'
! rbt be surprised TO learn ere long tina
g uany of the couples had determined
tlat ere 1878 has passed away, TO Jol
2 leart, hand and fortune and travel to
I either down life's hill. We looked a
!. he silVery hairs which are getting yer,
T numerous IN our head, thoughtof some
Q lody whom years ago we had sworn t
q Dve, honor and make obey and VIII
e vas, perhaps, at that very moment
: Fatehing for our returning footsteps
q 10 with a fervent wish that the openin4
q f the coming year winagain find us i
2 alch goodly company, we babe adieu t
Y he hospitable assembly, andin as grace
" Jul o manner as orr rheumatics wouI
permit us, We passed from the scene
lt long to remember the fairy-like form
2 which we last saw gliding through th
g nazes of the dance, and the courteous
. ness of n neighbors, the citizens Q
q Washington.
r TWELVE HoURs BEHIND TME.-On
d IF ON printers was out all night Me-
fears eve, and went to his room abou
I've O'Clock in the morning. He liphfA