The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-12-06

ITimes- Democrat l

Hines De@ocfat
 aYe, have been to the Exposition AuildingS- I went up there last evening with my grandchildren It vas the third time in my life that 1 had visited the spot. It may interest you more, perhaps, if tell Yo1 of my krss two visits, than 1t ishoald speak of my impressions on sec ing the wonderful structures which have grown up Ike palaces of Aladdin, only Qrandex and more beautiful"
 The speaker was a venerable lady whose lovely face was framed by snowy, but stiH luxuriant curls. and lighted by black eyes whose brightness was scarcely dimmed by three score ye>rs and ten of a peaceful yet not uneventful life She was seated in one of those old Spanish easy chairs, leather-covered, with round headed brass talks closely set like lead ing around it, the dark mahogany grown almost black with age, not much carving on it, but some traces stlu remaining of the gliding with which it had once been orn&mented. One foot, in black velvet slipper, rested on a quaint looking loot stool, tasseled at each corner, and em- broidered in silk, with a,clnster of roses. Her black dress which fell in those grace ful folds % natural to the Creole lady of the old generation, was relieved by the antique lace at her throat, caught to- gether and held by an ivory miniature. painted hundred yeavs ago, when the original of the portrait, her mother, was presented at the court of France. Her left hand, holding her gold-rimmed glasses, hung over an arm of the chair, while in her right she held palm-leaf fan, bound with black ribbon, which she gently waved when silent, but used in graphic Festiculation as she spoke.
 Expectancy in our eyes, rather than any expressed wish to hear her reminis- -cences, induced her to go on, and this is what she told:
 "It was the year before my marriage, and the gay season had been unusually lively, and recommending alter Easter, had run into the summer. The round of balls and parties finally terminated late in June, by grand fete champetre at the Boucher plantation, which surpassed in brilliancy and was more largely attended than any ball or party that had been given during the winter. It was the sub feet of conversation for weeks before, so anxiously was it looked forward to and to heighten the interest it was decided that the guests from the city, instead of going in carriages, should go by the river on two steamboats, chartered for the purpose, leaving from the head of Es- planade street early in the evening so as to arrive at the plantation about sunset.
 Among these guests was a very charming young lady from Kentucky. who had been spending the winter in New Orleans with some relatives of mine who had mel her in Paris, where her father had held diplomatic position, and having acquired during her four years residence in that city perfect knowledge of the French language, which she spoke with great auency and purity, she was quite at home in our Creole society. We had been thrown together very much during the winter, and had become great friends. Indeed, she was one who was not only exceedingly attractive on hrst acquaintance, from her pleasing man. ners and many accomplishments, but whose sweet disposition won the love and friendship of every one whose priv ilege 1t was to know her intimately. A large party of friends, of whom she was one, having left our house together, we went up on the same boat. It was lovely evening, and remember how en- raptured my friend Mary w was with the scene as we approached our des- tination. The river was high, swollen by the June floods and the yellowish brown of its rushing water was deepened to duslry red Uy the sun, just sinking be- hind the willows in the bend above. AS we neared the levee its strip of pale green conuasted with the richer verdure of the swaTd on which VIC looked down from the deck of the boat, and with the son. bre green of the wondrous old live oaks, whose polished leaves were gleaming with the last rays of sunlight.
 When night had fallen the grounds were illuminated by pine wood fires which blazed from raised platforms, like Sacrihcial altars, sufficiently removed from the dancing floors and supper tables under the trees as not to make their heat unpleasant, the ruddy flames tinting the ladies' cheeks with color that DO lamp or candle-light could give
 The time seemed all too short when the warning bell of the steamboat an- nounced the hour of midnight. The boats had been engaged until Iz o'clock OaAy 0kAA lI0St Ok tA3C OkAsSA RSAS0uS WCAG anxious to leave at that time, but after much talking and persuasion it was finally settled that one of the boats should re- turn to the city with those who desired to go, and that the other should remain some hours longer. As my dear mother, our chaperone, was always willing to put herself to any inconvenience rather than Co curtail my pleasure, we were of the fortunate ones who danced until nearly morning and vent home on the last boat.
 @lAs we glided down the river our worn-out musicians dozed, but our youth ful and un~earied spirits broke ou, in song, and our voices rippled over the rver's nipples till the trees along the banks ceased their rustling to listen-and clear and sweet above all others sounded Mary's rich contralto.
 "We reached Esplanade street as the sun vas u&eDing over the trees doxn hv