The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1881-05-07
Machine Orleans
Vivian's Vaga,.i.,s.


Sighted 3.uminaries-a Naelstrop. of So
cial Amusements-Picnic Under DIFF
fculties-Melnorial Day-Hymeneal.
BATON RouGE: Ia, April %, 1881.
DEAR llorE:
feel discouraged and am almost
tempted neScr to write again, for news
paper correspondence brings with it its
inseparable companions, enemies. Don't
think I've made any mortal foes, oh, no,
not exactly, but the wrath Of several of
our young gentlemen has fallen npol,
my defenseless head, all because l was
unfortunate enough during my visit to
New Orleans t. write for our Baton
Rouge papers, and failed to mention
their names or devote my letter exclu-
sively to them and their appearance at
RcN's ball. Why, l should have com
pared Rex to the tiniest asteroid, which
lalcl before our brilliant Baton Rouge
planets, but | never thought Of it. l
don't think they ought to feel sighted,
but feel as did when the local editor,
or some hume-correspondent of one of
our papers took especial pains to men
ton every single lady from Baton Rouge
that was present, excepting myself.
There was Il grand party last Friday
night, given by the "town boys" at
Pixies Hall. Truly, the old saying, "it
never rains but it pours," was verified
this week, as far as all kinds of gayety
is concerned. Really, we arc always at
extremes, either stagmating with dull
ness or :esplentlent with amusement.
But the party was delightful--"cll at
tended by the young gentlemen and la
dies of both East and West Baton Rouge
The beautiful blonde, Miss c. Hart from
New Orleans, was present, elegantly at
tired iii blue silk, with crimson roses in
her hair and at the throat also another
charming stranger, Miss Nettie Davis
from tho Crescent City, Il petite brunette,
who has become quite IL favurite during
her visit. She is Il guest. of Miss Annie
Fuqua, who was present and looked
lovely in tasty black dress, with black
lace over-drcss. lii fact all the girls
looked notably well and stylish. Two
of the most exquisite costumes were
worn by Misses Annie Beale and Matte
Burden, the former, light blue satin, and
the latter ecru silk. enjoyed it ever so
much, though my enjoyment was chilled
and felt completely subdued when Mr..
B. turned around, with world Of sar-
casm in his voice, and remarked "tllat it
was strange l could see Baton Rouge
boys noe, when could not i'll New Or
leans at Rex's ball" You know Mr. B.,
don't your Why, first he was u rising
young lawyer and orator, then an en-
bryo local editor, and now lie is-well, l
could not follow his career farther, it be-
comes tircsome. He made another re-
mark: eff you want any friends you
had better drop the V. from your name F."
"a gentle hint to cease "Viyian's let
ters," suppose. could not we'll grasp
his meaning. He is too deep; his words
are fathomless. Hope, you have never
tried to be i. local Elitor-ah, no, you
have not, Pn sure, and don't! The day
after the party we had IA picnic planned,
but "man proposes and God ,lisposcs,'
for the rain came dow, in torrents. Still,
we did not despair. At 10 o'clock there
was cessation in the rain, but of course
no one would think then Of going to the
woods to catch orr death colds The
girls arrived first (tlcy We're to meet,
despaircd Of the Cadets arrival (iL was
given exclusively for Cadets. One mai
den even quoted Tennyson, ''Hc cometh
not, she said, I'm a-wcary, I'm a-wcary,
| wonld that | were dead" BIT soon all
quotations were forgotten in the appear
;nce Of the long looked for and highly
appreciated grey uniforms-not many,
owing to the weather, still enough to be
agreeable. Among them was II young
gentlemen, Mr.. H., from Dol,al,lsonville :;
we knew he would not fail us, for Don
alds"nvlle boys nercr brcak engagements
Altogether, the day passed pleasantly
Though confined to the house, we sang,
danced and enjoyed ourselves to the
fullest extent.
Last Tuesday was Memorial Day; al
most everybody WAS at the Cemeteries,
What y beautiful act it is to set apart
one day in each year to commemorate
our dead heroes. Yes, we deck their
graves with flowers as IL tribute of love
which can never, never repay the love
they bore us. Since tho last Year several
veterans have sunk to rest; more graves
to strew with lilies and roses. Scarcely
two weeks ago Death carried one of the
srcy-Ilaircd, time-wOrn veterans from
our midst. Soon not one will be left
that bore arms for our dear Southland
but love, poetry and song will beuueath
the memory of their deeds to generation
after generation, forever. The address
was delivered ~ Col. Johnston OF the
Louisiana State University. 1t was very
appropriate, hut short, owing to indis-
position on the part of the speaker.
would have enjoyed and appreciated
The words Of 50 talented Il gentleman if
my mind had not been 50 much absorbed
III the fact that my ''love of Il bonnet"
bad tendency to rest on my neck in
stead of my head Any woman Will, !,
;. Sara Bernllar(ltv bonnet c,n u,n,n,