The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1879-11-26
ALEXANDRIA, La, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER &c, 1879.
THE HANDKERCnIEF AND FAN.
A FABLE.

A dainty handkerchief and jap
anese fan, the handkerchief careless
~ thrust through the fans sticks,
were lying on chair.
SWELL" said the handkerchief
chow do you like this2 We have
had enough sea air at any rate, left
out all night on this damp piazza.
1t is outrageous. I look like an old
rag"
ut is careless of her," answered
the fan. Il feel very rheumatic,
and I am quite sure my sticks are
spoiled"
Spoiled! l should think sor'--
snapped the handkerchief; "all the
yarnish Is coming of on me. I shall
never be fit to be seen again, and ]
hate rag-bags."
at is better than ash. heaps" said
the fan drearily; "that lie where I'll
be thrown at last. It's awful. Such
dirty people pick one up generally
"Well, it is nicer to be picked up
by a pleasant person" said the hand
kerchief. "That Mr.. Cartrlght now.
He always picks me up so carefully
when our lady let's me fall. I like
him."
eyes, I know" said the fan; "but
why does she let US fall so often2
wonder if ladies always jump up
without looking what they have3 It
seems so. Up they get, down roll
dozens of things, and of go the gen
tlemen TO pick them up. So swear
over it, too, sometimes, when they
roll far. So ball of worsted told
me-"
ooh! ladies never think; it isn't
expected!' said the handkerchief,
shortly. "They are supposed to look
pretty, that's all! Our lady was
very careful about her toilettes for
coming here. She has handker.
chiefs to match every dress. She
came to get into society, you know"
ibid she?' said the fan. "What
does that mean?''
"WelI, really" answered the hand
ke,chief, contemptuously, 'you seem
to know very little of the world; but
] suppose quite simple. minded peo-
pie live in Japan
"Japan," laughed the fan; II nev.
er saw Japan. Most of US are made
in America, and perfumed. It does
Just as we'll. But, never mind that.
Tell me about society. What must
one do to get there? Is it a placer'
"a place." laughed the handker-
chief in her turn. II should think
not. Society is people. Not every.
body, but the people"
'What sort are they?" asked the
fan.-"handsome3"
"Well, not always;--someti .
"Cleverr'
"No, not always; = sometimes. /"
"Good people, perhaps2''
II am afraid not always"
"Rich2''
Every often, but not always; our
lady is rich enough, you know; bel
father made 1t in a glue factory
"What sort Of people is society.
thenf' said the fan.
ooh! people of family. The Wal
lingfords and the Shushans and the
Gottards in our town. They are so
ciety. Blood, you know.
II don't know anything of til,
kind" answered the fan, sturdily.--
II have heard that Mr.. Wallingford'.
grandfather kept grog-shop ane
that Mr.. Gottard's mother made
flowers for a living before she wal
married. Is that all society is2'
"You don't understand" said th,
handkerchief, grossly; "you are "a
ther stupid. You can tell societ,
people in minute; they have al
air. They come into room as i
they owned everything in it, and 81
they do. Plenty Of people BON dow
to them.'
"Ah! now you begin to talk" sail
the fan. Il am not SO stupid; 20,
did not tell me properly before.
see now, Isee now. It's push wlicl
makes society; smiling and bending
but pushing along all the same, new
er minding snubs and sliding int
place after all. I have seen peopl
get through crowds that way; it i
the same sort OF thing. A smil
and by.your leave here and CRU
push there and stiff sbep pardon