Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-12-14
The Rising of the River.

lHe nlSlllY vi tHe niVeI'
Ii happened many years ago, when |
was young Ny husband was a manu-
faeturer in u pretty country village,
and We lived in a little white house
close by the mountain stream that sup
Piled the factory with water. 1t was a
lovely, romantic spot. The wooded
slopes OF the mountains on one side
came to the waters edge, while on the
other lay the green meadows, dotted
with the white houses and spires of the
hamlet. Between MS and the river
stretched the highway, following the
course Of the stream for miles, while the
water foamed and sparkled over the
brown rocks making music night and
day. There | was as happy as the day
was long. 1t was my pride to keep my
house as neat and bright az possibly, so
that Tom might find rest and comfort
when be 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 ont, lose myself in the woods, and,
testing for time on the messy rocks,
dreamily watch the river, singing along
to itself in q happy monotone, Some
times the school children would come
trooping through the woods, filing the
air with the music of their happy voices
little barefooted urchins, with tangled
locks and bright eyes, q motely assem-
blage, with ragged clothes and briIn-
less hats and dirty faces, but 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, nnrespoiisive to my friendly adj
vance, darting off in pursuits Of birds OF
squirrels, leaving my solitude as un-
broken as before.
But the long drives with Tom were
my chief delight. The brown horse
and open wagon were brought to the
door almost every after afternoon, and
away we would go, frolicking like two
children, with Rover, the dog, follow
ing, and the horse shaking his wise old
head in solemn disapproval of our pro-
ceedings. First we wonld visit the
farmhouse where TOMS father and
mother lived; give and receive the news
OF the day; then off again--over the
hills and through the woods. Memory
still brings back to me the odor of the
pines, aud again | breathe the sweet
mouRtain-air.
Our DeighboGhood was very social
one, ind Tom aud were invited every,
where. Picnics, huskings, tea-parties
followed each other in quick succession,
and came to know the pleasant coun,
try people well. Still, there were times
when grew very lonely, with Tom
away all day and no sound to be heard
save the murmur Of the river and the
singing Of the birds. But after nv
baby came ! was never lonely again.
What wonder he was to me at first,
With his funny little ways!I was al.
most afraid to touch him, for fear he
would drop to pieces in my arms. But
soon grew accustomed to him, and
many frolic We had, while Tom sat by,
laughing at us. Really, Mollie," he
would say, IL do not know which is the
| bigger baby Of the two" But he was
very proud of MS, for all his teasing. A
year or two after baby's birth, my sister
Katie came to spend the winter witt
me. She was handsome, high-spirited
city girl, and soon all hearts yielded t.
her power, and no company was con,
sidered complete without the beautiful
Miss. Lacey. We'll, Katie" Tom USED
to say, i need not have bought any
wood this winter, for the whole house i.
hot with sign of despairing lovers Blu
she vas hard hearted aud would look a
none Of them. Among her other ad
nirers was Mr.. Pierce, young lawyel