The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-08-11
WHO KNOWS /?

wv IlV NNO wv -
The birds made such a racket in the
honeysuekle vine outside my window
that couldn't sleep. The moon was
] still In the sky, but yelled yet lumin-
Gus splendor in the east told that the
day was breaking-the day Of June that
began my twenty seventh year. When
say that was a woman. and add that
3 was unmarried, and, worst OF all, that
\ e had lost for good the requisite energy
that held forth any promise in that d.
faction, it will naturally be thought
that il shall make but sorry heroine
and tt Id just because Of these disoour-
aging facts that want to jot down this
little experience Of day, as a sort Of
consolation TO that suffering part Of my
aex who have latent hopes, long linger-
ing, unfulfilled, at times at the last
gasp, then Pickering up again with a
siekly tenacity most painful to contem-
plate. But who knows what a day may
bring forth Who knows?
i went about on tiptoe, not to awaken
mamma; and took it as piece of in
gratitude that when she came down to
breakfast, and began to enjoy the toast
& u had 80 nicely Drowned for her, and to
sniff the fragrance of bunch Of honey
sllekles that had scrambled for at the
risk of d sprained ankle and the cost of
d shower OF morning dew upon my
clean calicoI thought it mean of
mamma to begin about that church fes-
ttval before the day had fairly begun.
SO glad it's fine weather, Jane"
said mamma, with great urbanity Of
tone and manner, IT thought I'd get up
early, 80 that you could reach the
church in good season; and T wouldn't
waste any flowers in the house. dear
I'D keep them all for your table,
You know very we'll, mamma" I re-
piled, that I'm not going to have a
table. I've served my apprenticeship
at tables, Long ago, when was young
and fair, wore white, with my hair
curling about my shoulders, and had
the flower table and enjoyed it. Later
on put my hair up, and had @ fancy
table, end endured it with great resig-
nation. Last year / had recourse to q
switch to exc out my scanty looks, and
p0Etofffce. This year / shan't have
anything In fact, mamma, I'm not 60
Ing to the festival
Mamma put down her bit Of toast and
turned absolutely pale.
Not going to the Festival" she
echoed mournfully.
No, mamma" I said, beginning
already TO plead my case. "Can't L
have one birthday to myself? I'm
GWenty-seven years old to-day"
oh, hush, Jane," said my poor
mother. You scream SO, the Hunters
next door will hear you, and blurt it all
choose to give up all chance of--of So
oiety, and neglect your duties, and re-
fuse to help Che church along. why, Of
eourse, 4 have nothing to say, only I
must LII that case go myself"
sYoul' I cried. "You'll be sick for
o month afterward; you haven't been
able to do anything Of that kind for
years. Y
III know IL, Jane but II you refuse to
do these things, must. know shall
DO Frustrated with the heat, and my
nerves will be shattered, and you are
young and strong, and still attractive
saAQaSs W1UA huy YOuUR
lady IN the place, and might, verify
believe, IL you were not 50 obstinate
and headstrong, be surrounded and ad-
Enired as you used to be, and you might,
Sor my sake, Jane, at least attend those
little entertainments"
Mamma put her handkerchief to her
eyes, and I yielded; I groaned In flesh
and In spirit, but yielded. After had
sidied UP the work and settled mamma
"a the cool, shady sitting-room, upon
aaer faVorite lounge, with nice book ia
1er hand and palm leaf close by--for
the day was growing hot-T twisted up
Eny hair before the glass, with many a
sour hooking grimace at the dark, thin,
brown linen dress, caiabash Of q hat,
and went off TO the church,
NY mother looked after me with such
misery In her face that called back TO
aaer that would wear something nice in
the evening.
q Will YOU wear your rose-colored
Grape r. pleaded mamma.
WALL 4 wear spangles, and jump
through ahoop ?' Isaid. "No, mamma;
] II wear nay black Silk
And curl your hair ?" she coayed.
There's a whole switch already
ssslfled TOR me up in my bureau drawer"
TAxA&S1s@5 IL btJ5 bulS nut WShtuGE
20 have very little hair of ones owni"
Don't scream so!' said poor mother.
looking toward the Hunters side win.
iOWs.
lAs II the Hunters didn't know ali |
shout my failing charms, and no doubt |
GooIs an inventory OF them half yearly |
ho send abroad to the eldest SON, who |
had been away In China these five years |
md more. and would likely never come |
back again. At least he had written to |
gaae ID that effect when he went away. 4 l
aad the old letter ytJ in a secret recess /
sa that same old bureau where lay the
switch or hair.
Time was when needed no curls |
horn from nnaidens across the seas or /
manufactured from home material. + /
aad plenty vi my own. Jack Hunterl