The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1882-12-20
THE LEAF OF GERANIUM
Exchange.

Exchange.
1t is very strange, when we come to
think fit, on what small cogs and piyots
the wheels Of fate run, and what slight
jar will do toward changing the whole
machinery and set it to running in an
entirely different direction. 1t was a
Seranium leaf that altered the whole
course Of my life. But for the trivial leaf
picked by a young girl in thoughtless
mood l should not have been sitting
here to-day in this pleasant dining-room,
where the sun comes in through the
VlDe-wreathed windows and falls upon
the geranium pots inside; and this little
girl would not be upon my knee, nor
yonder red-cheeked maiden on the
yerandah with young Smithers; and
neither would that very handsome ma
tron who just passed into the parlor have
been in her present situation.
If you will listen an hour or SO, | will
tell you my story. 1t was Just twenty
years ago this summer that | married
Carrie Dean. She was twenty-one and !
was twenty-seyen--both old enough to
know what we meant and what we were
about-at least was, but Carrie was
such coquette that | used to think she
had no mind of her own.
Oh, but she was lovely All rose col
ored and white and brown tressed, and
pearly teeth, with the roundest, plumpest
hglre, and as graceful as fairy in every
movement, and with beautiful, shapely
hands that were constant delight to the
yes.
was juS heme from college and she
was on visit to my stepmother, her
aunt and my half sister Lila, and her
cousin.
had seen good many girls in my
seven years at college, and some of the
bellies of the land but had never yet
had my heart stirred by any woman's
eyes as Carrie Deans stirred it when my |
eyes met hers in greeting; and the touch
of her soft fingers completely set me afoat
on the sea of love.
was her slave from that hour-not
her slave either, but her passionate lover
and worshipper. And OF course she knew
1t, and ofcourse, being finished coquette
she queened t over me right royalty.
There was Fred Town, the country
and Tom Delano, the hand
some young farmer, both as badly off
as was; and pretty time we had of
it.
Fred and I-old chums in former days
were at swords points now, and hated
each other splendidly for few weeks.
ana Tom, held in the utmost contempt,
and rallied at them both whenever op-
pofIunity presented itself, or Carries t
euihcatlon, after the manner of men and
was repaid by seeing her bestow her !
sweetest smiles and glances upon them c
me next tine they met. S
FRED drove splendid span of BAYS,
q. apa Almost every day they dashed up
~, ,'e avenue, and dashed out again with v
-4iss earrie's added weight. And Tom b
Sas On hand nearly every evening, and =
9ue was Just as sweet to one as the other, +
aaa Just the same to me; and that was o
What maddened me. +
was not to be satisfied with "wid- II
Wv ; .nird' by any means, and told her
y =. at last, and asked her how the matter !,
was TO be settled. D
g.. ,oVe you better than those brainless n
4a e know how to love-" I said, holly; 81
ss now decide between u.s." P
WIKI bv !. nad listened to my love confession Il L
bnt s p'''snlus cheeks and downcast eyes,:
Chine, N'io 'u' 'ie'' ueilaiitiy