Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-11-10
TIr southern Novelist. George W. Ca
bile.


ny I.a4!e s.. converse, in New York Independent
II wa, at the end of one of those rare
February days, SO beautiful in New Or
leans, whpu the warmth of Spring tenn
pprs ihc nir and blue flashes of sky make
one forget the calender months, that |
sauutclcd slowly homcward from a long
days ranthl' amid the crumbling ruins
of the old Frcnch-Spanish city. In the
narrow, lll-paved streets, bearing on
their caruors the names Of "Roya!e," p"
Bourbon, 'Chartrcs," or ''Dauphine.
had stepped back into the seventeenth
century and lived and rcvcled all day,
iorgctiul OF the lapse Of years i'll this fa-
nous, heroic, beautiful city; this city of
IN oldcu time and another ideal this
city, from the first dcvout and proud and
strong, that, after two hundred years,
keeps perfect the image and memory Of
the fcudal past from which she sprung. ="
Endowed with medieval strangencss, it
stands forth i'll history in singular dis
tinction from its surroundings. the last
stronghold of past race, and III its I'M
press Of poetic pcnslvcncss and martial
ardor is full of a romantic splendor and
pathos Musmg on its history crowned
converts churches. and squares, | sud
denly found myself i'll the business-like
modern world Of to-day and heard, in
the rumble OF street-cars and steam-en-
gines, tine marching hosts of the invading
present. In fact. to apeak ijroSaicaiiy, i
had crossed the "Rubicon' OF Canal St.
and was fast making my way to upper
st. Charles, when, through the portal of
an old gay stone church, snatches of
such sweet melody iloated forth that, al.
most unconsciously, ] entered. / was
seated in pew whose only other occu-
pant proved to he relative and friend.
1t was the regular weekly meeting OF
the Presbyterian church. After n short
and Impressive prayer, Rev Mr.--
delivered an eXtemporaneous address up
on missions, charities in general, and
then special church alms-giving i'll par
tlcular. In mswerto response of the
pastor, gentleman arose, and in n mod
est manner ondeavorod to enlist the sym
patty Of the congregation in behalf of
some benevolent scheme. Very quiet at
first, he became more animated as he de-
yClOpcd his ideas Of the subject, and
gradually his enthusiasm became infecti-
ous, and his hearers shared his zeal tc
such an extent that very liberal cOntribu.
ton WAS taken up for the canse.
Slight in stature, delicate, though moi
sickly III appearance, with soft, dark eyes
and with pale, oval, thoughtful face
illumcd IL had almost said irradiated) by
the brilliancy Of the eyes. His sallow
hne-fcaturcd countynnlcc was shaded by
long, dark hair and bore the impress o.
genius, sclf-tutured and self-ripened.
At the close Of service, ms / waited al
the door, for the return Of my friend.
saw him approaching, conversing will
Mr.. Gable. He introduced him to mt
and ] soon felt as If convcrssng with ;
well-known friend. He said that, "hear
ing | was interested in antiquarian re
search III the old part OF the city, he in
tended to CALI but found himself t,
busily occupied to do So
He cordially invited me to his hous,
the next evening, where ] would NEE
several literary friends and also gentle
man distinguished for his successful anti
uuurian researches. He was very cor
dial and hospitable in his attentions an,
gladly avuiled myself OF his civilities
Accordingly, the next evening, following
the address on the card he gave me,
found myself in the upper part Of tn
new city, before pleasant, broad-yeran
daed, low-rOOfed house, with lonl
flight of steps leading to it. With tru
Southern courtesy, learning of my arriv
al, he came down the broad steps, AM
taking my hand, led Inc up to the cheer
ful, open -windowed parlor above,
As was quite early, there were as ye
assembled but one or two guests, and
had opportunity to admire the simpl
elegance of the house. Everything il
its quic! arrangement bespoke refinemen
and culture and bore the impress of Al
artistic mind. The delicately-tinte
walls were Ornamentcd, not couercd
with rare engravings and etchings
while here and there lovely %ater-colo
varied them. On table were choic
books and reviews, and under an opel
window near by another holding n larg
old china bowl, full of exquisite roses
More roses and verbenas adorned AM
gave color to the high, old-fashione
mantel-piece, and on an easel in the corn
er was an admirable drawing OF the oil
Cathedral of st. Louis.
During the evening Mr.. Cable brough
in large portfolio OF etchings and wa