The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1882-03-25
lona[osonbillc Chief.
THE CRESCENT CITY.
Two Dollars a Yea,

NEW ORLEANS. March ID, 1882.
ED1Ton CHIEF,
Prompted more by curiosity than
aught else, strollel into part Of town
very seldom visited by the uptown
resident, but when once entered, to the
student Of human nature many attractive
points are found. speak Of the lower
or French portion of the city.
Passing down Rampant street about 5
in the afternoon, the sun just beginning
to sink into the horizon, quito pretty
picture met my eye. The houses arc
liuddled close together, as though striv-
ing to keep each other company, while
from almost every window pceped out
the head and shoulders Of some pretty
little French girl-they are noted for
their beauty and polisll-bedecked in
her evening tinery. The setting sun
casts faint lines of gold and crimson
upon the foliage of the trees that adorn
the centre of the street, and the gentle
breeze rocked them to and fro, like
children too light-hearted to keep still.
III passing down I could but notice a
building which rears its dark and gloomy
walls heavenward and seems to cast a
feeling of awe about it. It is the Parish
Prison. I sat down in the square which
faces the old structure and silently gazed
at the place. What story Of crime,
suffering and atonement passed through
my mind. How many unfortunates,
men, women and children, have there
made reparation and satisfied the majesty
Of the law for some offense committed.
Some who have passed within it's walls
have heen hardened with sin, while
others, but just entering life's prime,
have passed under its arch just tainted
with the breath Of crime. Could the old
prison walls but speak, how many sad
.ales would they tell of suffering by
those who knew, net what crime was,
but paid a penalty for something Of
which they were innocent. The dying
day shed u glory about the place, but
the sinking sun seemed unwilling to
touch the weird looking building, and
cast its last rays beyond, as though to
deprive the inmates of the sweet conso-
1ation which those faint lines of silver
and gold would bring them. -,
Passing on SOON reached Esplana;le
street, where stands the Ursuliue Con-
vent. What a great contrast to the
scene but just left! The white walls
gave back old Sol's" soft rays, which
seemed to kiss their white face as though
unwilling to appropriate tho beauties of
Gods handiwork, but DESTROYS rather of
casting them upon the world to sing IL
sweet song of his goodness and grace.
Under the shallow Of the tall Convent
wall sat all old man over whose head
many summers had passed, and whose
white hair and .wrink!ed face told only
too plainly that ho but waited the
summons to leave this world for another
and brighter. lie was cobbler and
was bnsily engaged in his vocation. l
paused for a moment to watch him at
his work, and asI did so, the great bell
in the tower struck tho hour Of six.
This is an EoUr of prayer with all
Catholics,and lbs the first str oke sounded
upon the evening air, the old man ceased
his labors, removed his hat, placed his
hands together and with face turned
!heavenward, his lips moved i'll prayer.
How beautiful was that picture! 1t was
grandly impressive in its lovely simpli-
city. Could the Father fail to heed the
prayer of that aged enc, who, upon the
very verge of eternity, thus offered to
his God his all, the devotion of an honest
heart Aud as he still prayed the sun
light stopped but al instant to kiss the
white locks and then sank behind the
Convent us though afraid it would
disturb him. The great bell ceased it's
tolling and its iron tongue waited the
coming Of another hour. The old man,
with look Of happy contentinent,
replaced his hat, resumed his task, and
passed silently on.
The Academy, Grand Opera House and
St. Charles Theatre have looked like
themselves this week, being well filled
each evening and Overlooking at the
matinee's. At the first named place the
Tourists" held forth in the excellent
piece, Fun in u Palace Car" The
company is :. good one aud the play is
:brim full Of funny dialogue aud laugh
able situations, While the singing is
splendid. Unlike most companies that
have appeared hero this season, the
Tourists is composed Of pretty ladies
and handsome gentlemen, each Il superior
artist. At the Grand we have John
Mccullough. You all know what he is,
and therefore there is no use in my
saying any thing about him. lIumpty
DHmp:y, with Geo. II. Adams as clown,
has attracted large audiences at the ST.
Charles. There's no use talking, Geo.
Adams is the only clown since poor Fox's
death, NJ. Tony Denier notwithstanding
90 the contrary Tho scenic effects,
properties antl mechanism of the piece
are all new and vastly different from any
/ have ever seen. Adams is backed by
Adam Forepangh, and no expens. has
been spared in making the n,pany and
entertainment Thorough III every par
ticular.
Look here, friend CtuEF, will YOU
kindly tell me why it is that Alien 81
sli,ln't come down Oh th, 4th with the
band : | intended to ask the question