Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-12-18
The Rising Of the River.

1t happened many years ago, when l
was young. Ny husband was msnu'
facturer in . pretty country village,
and we lived in little white house
close BY the mountain stream that sup
Piled the factory with water. 1t was q
lovely, romantic spot. The wooded
slopes of the mountains on one s'de
came to. the waters edge, while on the
other lay the green meadows, dotted
with the white houses and spires OF the
hamlet. Between us and the river
stretched the highway, following the
course of the stream for miles, while the
water foamcd and sparkled over the
brown rocks making music night and
day. There was as happy rs the day
was long. It was my pride to keep my
house AZ neat and bright as possibly, 80
that Tom might find rest and comfort
when he came home tired from his days
work. When every thingiwas in readi-
ness for him-the table spread, the fire
bright. and THE kettle singing on the
hob-I used often to lock my door, and,
going out, lose myself in the woods, and,
resting for time on the messy rocks,
dreamily watch the river, singing along
to itself in happy monotone. Some
times the school. children would come
trooping through the woods, filling the
air with the music Of their happy voices
little barefooted urchins, with tangled
locks and bright eyes, motely assem-
blage, with ragged clothes and brlm-
less hats and dirty faces, but a very JOY.
Gus one. How they used to stare when
they saw me, whispering to and nudg-
ing each other with wide-open eyes;
then, unresponsive to my friendly ad'
vance, darling Of in pursuits Of birds OF
squirrels, leaving my solitude as IN
broken as before. s1s ,s 5s st
But the long drives with Tom were
my chief delight. The brown horse
and open wagon we're brought to she
door almost every after afternoon, and
away we woald 90, frolickins like two
children, with Rover, the dog, follow
ing, and the horse shaking his wise old
head in solemn disappreval Of our pro-
,eeedings. First We would visit tue
farmhouse where Toms father and
mother lived; give and receive the news
of the day; then of sgain-over the
hills and through the woods. Memory
still brings back to me the odor OF the
pines, and again ! breathe the sweet
xnenntain.air. "a J.
Our neighborhood was a very socla
one, and Tom and ! were invited every
where. Picnies; huskings, tea-partief
followed each other in quick succession
and / came to know the pleasant eoun
try people we'll. Still, there were time'
when / grew very lonely, with Ton
away all day and no sound to be hear'
save the murmur Of the river and tn
singing of the birds. But after m!
baby came was never lonely again
What wonder he was to Inc at first
with his funny little ways!l was al
most afraid to touch him, for fear h
would drop to pieces in my arms. Blu
soon grew accustomed to him, ant
many frolic We had, while Tom sat by
laughing at us. "Really, Mollie," b
would say, II do not know which is tn
bigger baby of the two" But he wa
very proud Of US, for all his teasing.
year or two after baby's birth, my siste
Katie came to spend the winter wit
me- She was a handsome, high-spirite
city glrl, and soon all hearts yielded t
her power, and no company was cor
.sidered complete without the beautifr
Miss. Lacey. "Well, Katie" Tom use
to say, Il need not have bought an
wood this winter, for the whole house
hot with sign of despairing lovers Bu
SHE was hard hearted and would look q
none of them. Among her other az
mirers was Mr.. Pierce, Il young lawye
lately settled in the village and gref
favorite with Tom and me; but / thin
that Katie treated him rather wOrE
than she did any one else. l ofte
grew angry with the child: but no ang'
could long withstand the charm of hi
winning ways, and, although ! began /
scolding her, generally ended /
laughing at her. How lovely she use
to look, as she came dancing into Il
room, ready for some pleasure, with h
eyes shining like stars, her cheeks iii
roses, and her face beaming with hi
chief under her white hood. II came
saw! conquered was her motto, al
she fully carried it out. rememb