St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1881-07-23
A Bit of ROmance!!!
IThibodauX Sentinel

In 1861, when peoples thoughts were
bent on war, Capt. Wick raised u COM
pany of volunteers, in this parish of
Lafourche for service in the Confeder-
ate States Army, known as the La
fourche Guards.
Among them was young man resld-
ing near Lafourche Crossing named
Hilda Bourgeois.
In the vicissitudes of the Rebellion
Bourgeois was made prisoner OF War
by the Federal Troops, at the bloody
battle fought at Franklin Tennessee.
He was taken to the Northern prls-
ons at in which many Confederate
soldier had passed long and lonesome
days Illuminating over the ups and
downs of soldiers life.
This restraint did not suit young
Bourgeois, and in order to issue beyond
the prison walls he agreed to take the
oath of allegiance, and join the Federal
Army, with the stipulation that he was
not to be sent against the COnfederates.
He was assigned to some company OF
the Federal Army that was on duty in
the Western plains or Rocky Mountains,
watching the movements OF Sitting Bull,
Captain Jack, or any other 10" that
might be prowliDg around infringing
on the forbidden grounds in search of
prairie dogs and human scalps.
News OF Bourgeois, after leaving his
prison, never reached his friends, who
had, given up all hopes of ever seeing
adjoining the trophies OF some Brave of
the "Lo" tribe in the far West.
Some months ago, to his own, and
every one elses surprise, his brother,
residing near Raceland received a letter
from him stating that he had a home in
California and was wealthy.
That he had ships upon the seas car
rying rich Argosies to different lands
that from the bowels of the Earth Gold
and Silver treasures were in his reach,
and that he was anxious to see and hear
OF the friends OF his youth, and the
relatives he left behind him in the cane
fields, and Orange groves OF Louisiana
He rendered a pressing invitation to
| his brothers to come to him in his
western home, where he would give
them employment to support themsel-
yes easily and comfortably. The con-
tents of this letter appeared more like a
vision than q reality to those to whom
it was written.
One of his brothers replied to him
that he was willing to go, that he was 9
widower and had children under his
charge, for whom he would have tt
provide homes before leaving Lafour,
che. Another warm invitation was
sent for him to come to his home will
his children to leave none behind, that
all would be provided for.
The brother wrote that he was anx
ious to go, and that he had a youn1
friend who was DESTROYS to accompany
him, but that neither had or could rails,
the money to make the trip.
This letter was answered by a checl
on the bank in California for sever
hundred dollars, with request to hasten
and bring his friend with him. TIL
check was presented to a bank in New
Orleans who telegraphed to the bank il
California upon which the check wa
drawn, inquiring if it was good. Th,
answer came back over the wire
Bourgeois's check is good pay it.
With this money the brother left fo
the California home, taking his fou
children with him.
Accompanying him was Felix LIE
Blanc, son of the late Etienne Leblanc,
very worthy young creole of Lafourche
They have been at their Western DIES
tination for month or more. Bour
geois received them in princely styl
and hospitality, and had positions fo
them at once, with good salaries at
tached.
| Thus runs the story of a Lafoureh
bow,