The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1880-11-27
Vivian's Vagaries.
A Baton Rouge Miss gives her Impressiona
of the Press Convention and Some OF
its Shining Lights-At the Ball.
BATON ROUGE. Oct. 30. 1880.

BATON ROUGE, Oct 80, 1880.
DEAR HoPE:
We had such a lovely time ot the Press
Convention ball. Why didn't you come
up to Baton Rouge for it, The entire
community was agitated and excited
over the arrival of the members of the
press, our Louisiana editors. l have al
ways had the greatest desire to see, meet
and look at tile wise men of the State,
but, Hope-would you believe iti-they
looked like ordinary mortals in shining
new store clothes and big blue badges.
Their appearance in general betokened
prosperity and flourishing prospects, in
spite of their cry of poverty. fConfiden-
tally, msy, be they had just been ont
collecting FOR Fall advertisements. ] Our
quiet, sober-minded citizens were thrown
quite in the shade, though they donned
their Sunday clothes in honor of the oc-
casion. "'1
But must tell you of the ball. OF
course all the fair sex of Baton Rouge
were there--they never miss any thing
of that sort-and all our highland gen.
tlemc,1 who could or would get ticket !;
and tho editors-well, some were present,
and the girls were wild to discover those
who were handsome, fascinating and
fancy Free" If one lookad sad and ill
at ease, as if any place under the sun or
moon except a ball room would suit him,
he was set down as married. If one
leaned against the wall, looking at the
chandeliers as much as the dancers, he
was married. But if lie carelessly twir]ed
his moustache and viewed the prettiest
girl i'll the room with Indifference, and
after many soft glances cast in his direc-
tion, condescendingly receives ah intro-
duction, he was not married.
Eight Of us girls had one escort and he
did not seem at all afraid when We. were
arranged in marching order. think he
should be held up as an example to Ba-
ton Rouge boys, but you know them;
they did not seem to mind it at all, and
actually smiled at us, or our escort, l
don't know which, was too indignant
at their presumption. As soon as we
reached the hall, some one whispered,
" Catherine Cole is here" / uttered all
exclamation of delight, for have wished
so often to meet her whose nom de plume
has almost become a household word in
ON State. My attention was next drawn
towards a handsome, dignified gentle
man at the further end of the hall lie
was, III fact, Ole of the attractions of the
evening. Guess who it was. But You
would mover guess, so I'll tell you: +. A.
Burke, State Treasurer and editor of the
New Orleans Democrat. Unconscious]y
Solid for Burke, ," which was
echoed by every one Of .onr party, while
l whispered to susceptible little blonde,
" He is married, and waltzed off, leaving
ller 10 reject upon the transltOry char
acter of human hopes.
Every thing has now snbsided, and
Baton Rouge has arrived at her usual
stage of dulness. On Third street YOU
may see few detected looking individ-
uals, dilapidated vehicles, sewing ma
chine agent and schoolchildren very
to be sure. >
Oh, ] forgot to tell you the girls
thought your handsome editor, the Sec
retary Of tile convention, was in state
of single blessedness, and was wicked
enough not to correct this mistaken idea.
The designs upon his heart, affection and
were numerous and manifold,
though at a distance. More anon.
Yours, rctlectively, VIVIAN.