Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-12-23
UNCLE NEEDS STORY.


We had been driving for some hours
along one of those beautiful valleys in
Virginis that sssm the foothills of tho
Blue Ridge, and came within sight Of
some Lombardy poplars of to the right
below which was adense growth Of ever
green's. fq8
"Dsr marsc; dat an de. place bout
which I tole ysu. Wait till VIC get round
do bend, and we'll rec the house," said
Uncle Ned, pointing his whip in tho d.
roetion indicated.
told him to drive up to the place,
which he did with great willingness,
though heard him sigh, and from the
expression Of his venerable face, I knew
there was something in tho reminiscent
ces and associations Of the place that
made him sad. a. WHj
We drove between two stone posts,
from one Of which great gate ut one
time swung, but only crumbing, rusty
hinges remained to toll tho purpose for
which they were used. UP weed COW
cred curving drive, and the old man
pulled in his horses before large house,
for the roof had fallen in, the windows
were sashlcss, and the Virginia creepers
trailing up the pillars, failed to hide the
rotten capitals and the red spaces, like
wounds, from which the plaster had
scaled off.
The doors were down, and through
the wide hall, before which we stood,
we could see the servants quarters bt-
yond, all more tumbled down and ruined
than the greater and stronger structure.
We hitched the horses and entered,
the old man removed his hat and spoke
in whispers, as ifin 4 church, with the
dead before him.
Cobwebs and bats hung from the cell
ings of the many stately rooms, where
once hospitality ruled with open palms
and old time festivities were held. The
chimneyshad fallen down on the hearths
and in the great pdnor we found the hair
of "a fox, the sunken floor covered with
the bone of his victims. sslsf ~
Our entrance started an owl, that aster
circling about in the room in blind
fright, struck by chance with the open
space occupied by a window aud flew
away.
''Ef yon don't mind, sab, III go ont
an STAN by the horses" said Uncle Ned,
~ was about to ascend the crumbling
stairs from which the banisters had rot
ted away.
! saw the old man was nervous, as
won't up alone, and in imagination tried
to picture the ruin what it was in the
good old days, but without success. 1t
retards to fancy the dead old paupcr a
happy, handsome youth. What he is,
not what he was, ills the mind. z
Icame down, and found Uncle Ned sit.
ting at the foot of one of the pillars, his
face buried in his hands. At my ap.
proaoh he looked up, and could see
there were tears in his eyes. F..
He had informed me that he oncelived
in this mansiOn-when Judge Lagrange
was it's head and his master.
Sitting down by the old man, drew
out his story; but shall not attempt to
use his language, while my OWNS who'll
ly inadequate to depict the old mans
simple pathos
Judge Lagrange, well known fifty
years before in Virginia for his wealth
hospitality and culture, built this man
sion, and there entertained right royalty
his friends, or those who were fortunate
enough to bear hin, letters Of intrOduc.
ton.
His wife was beautiful, accomplish
cd woman, and they seemed to have bu
ono object in life-the education Of thei
SONS, Arthur and George. The brother
were nearly of All age, and though edu
Gated BY the same tutor, and under tn
same watchful and refining home infu
ence, they developed into youths as op
posite i'll appearance and disposition a.
if they belonged to different race.
Arthur Lagrange, though strong ant
handsome physically, was gentle, refined
and intellectual. While good horse
man, and fond of the sports in which thu
! youth ofVirginia then-as now-delight
ed. he had no passion for them. He ha'
so far outstripped his older brother tina
he was sent to college two years before
! George was ready; and at college h
stood at the bead of all his classes, an
/ first in the affections of his classmates.
| George Lagrange, at the age of ls, wa
short, stout youth, with low brow,
heavy law and an uncouth manner. H