The weekly echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1868-1876, 1876-03-23
THE FATAL FIRE-HUNT.

AOu HlVuAlSSN lAiCy yVu AlAV" yOu Nlu
You said, Jacques, the next time ] q
on fire-hunt, you shall go, too. Dom
you remember? And now you 60 to
night, and must go with you"
As Jacques Estrin said this to hii
father, he tossed his curly head defantly
Only eight years old was this ambitious
young hunter, but he rode as only creole
children can ride, and had even fired a
gun several times.
His father, Pierre Estrin, was the most
famous hunter of the Opelousas country,
where game is abundant and the marks
men the most skillful in Louisiana. He
was a dark, morOse kind of man, silent,
as are most men whose lives are spent in
somber forests and trackless prairies.
Bat his only son, Jacques, he loved with
a passionate intensity which softened the
mans rugged nature. Whatever Jacques
wanted, he was sure to have, whether it
was hurtful or not. A fine, bright boy
he was, too, with chestnut, curly hair and
black eyes, full of lite and spirit, and
kind-hearted and loving, in spite of inju-
diciOus indulgence.
Evidently, however, in spite of his
blind tondness for his son, Pierre Estrin
hesitated to fulfill his promise.
cit will be a foggy night, Jacques.
You viii get wet. Then what will man.
ma say?"
Mamma, who was busy at her loom in
the next room called out
al will say it is wrong. You must not
take the child out such a night. Don't
hug me so tight, Jacques" The boy had
flown into the room at the first sound of
her voice. Your kisses can't bride me
to say you ought to go. 1t will be a
black, starless night, and then such fog /
Don't think of going, my child. You
shall make "tac tao" (pOp cOrn) and
" pecan pralines."
catalogues was deaf to the temptation
Of I" tao tao" or anything but the hunt
he had promised himself. He cried and
'Obbed as if his heart was broken, and
lis father, who was never proof against
MS tears, however unreasonable they
might be, soon relented.
Better let him go, Monique," he said.
q You zee / promised him, and it will
never do for him to think could deceive.
Here, wipe your eyes, Jacques, and run
,ut on the prairie and catch your pony. |
You had better stop at the cabin and
take Edmond-(a little COlored boy !
help you catch him. He can ride behind |
yon to the hunt tonight. Then you |
won't be afraid If should leave you a |
few minutes In the woods"
Afraidg' and he tossed back his
cuFls with laugh. "Ah, you will see
what brave son you have"
The little fellow ran at full speed across
the prairie, singing a gay French carol
- NsA@ ENAF bWE Va MS htiAAti young voice !
Out IN the woods, where the little birds
sing,
So gay, so gay,
Tia, bal Mr.. Squirrel, see you spring,
SO gay 80 gay"
Monique Estrin had LETT her loom and
stood at the open door Watching the boy
rs he hurried away for the pony.
You should not take him, Pierre"
she said, gravely. He il too young TO
% on a tire-hunt, There are places in
he swamp where he cannot follow YOU,
nd You win be obliged to leave him
lone ii the forest. Did you not hear,
%, that q panther was seen near the live
aks, not ten miles from here" II
Pierre shrugged his shoulders as his
riic spoke. " It's something new for
.ou, Moniquc, to play the coward. As
b. the panther, never saw him. That