The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1881-06-11
Viyian's Vagarics.

Delightful Weather-NIite Meetings-A
Flourishing Observation-Disclosures Ru-
mors Of War--A Backwoods Hero-Dec-
Grafton Day-That Luminary, Etc.
BATON ROUGE, La, June l, 1881.
DEAR HorE:
We arc having most delightful
shower this evening, SO refreshing after
being nearly choked by the dust for a
week. All nature seems happier for it,
aud as watch the flowers lifting their
dropping petals to drink in the glisten
ing drops, feel as if should like to be
out in it also ; but no, on second consid-
GRAFTON will not, for since there is no
mite meeting tonight, I must finish this
letter, which has been some time delayed
on account of those inevitable "mite
meetings" We all seem to have a
mania for them, and they are really
pleasant, especially the one at Mr..
Mems, where dancing was allowed.
Every gentleman was obliged to donate
five cents for each dance in which he
was participant, and twas only mean
man, of small mind, who, after waltz
ing with the girl lie loved best, would
try to sneak off on the gallery and ap-
pear to be absorbed in contemplating
the stars, while the collector, Cadet
Lieut.. b., passed around the basket.
Scarce one evaded him, however, for lie
was the most conscientious, persevering
collector l ever saw. He realized that
"business was business" and acted ac-
cordingly. But then he always enters
heart and soul into any undertaking he
starts at.
l am living witness Of it, and the
Grangcrs of this State, who feared that
the money expended on the Agricultural
Department of the University would
come to naught, may rest easy now,
though they may not have seen the above
Lieutenant and Sergeant c., with "sev-
eral heads Of lettuce and two lunches of
garlic" making their way up town, with
this offering for the -idrocate; still, they
did it. l wonder which one presented
the sarlic' Pm only telling you this t"
assure you that the Agricultural Depart
ment of the L. s. U. is complete success.
But, Hope, we were all worried, trou-
blcd and uneasy-just let me whisper it
to you, and don't say a word about it
unless you can relieve our anxiety.
What was the meaning of all those mill
tary orders in our papers Are we on
the eve Of Il war! l notice Genl., Col,
Lieut.. Col. received them, but looked
around for some sign Of military pro-
ceedings; but, as nothing was seen or
heard, | concluded that the State Militia
must be a secret, mystical order, with
only officers. can assure you, our
nervous fears were aroused at the long
list of general orders lately appearing i'll
the Capitolian-we thought of Nihilists
and Socialists, and trembled.
Did you ever attend a party in the
! back woods7 l had that pleasure a
few evenings ayo-it was glorious. One
Of the young gentlemen instantly wor
my admiration, first by his gorgeous red
necktie, and secondly, by cutting the
"piseon wing Can You do it, gazel
at him, each moment more and more
amazed at the number of steps, slide:
| kicks, etc, that one human being eoult
perform in the space of i minute. Il
was altogether a novelty and | wa:
j speechless with enjoyment-am almost
50 now, at the mere thought Of it, 50 hat
better direct my mind to something elst
! not so oycrpowcring.
/ Well, l believe everybody goes ri
| ding in the evening now, for th'
roads are in good condition, aud the ol'