Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-01-07


at the visitor with their millions
l-white eyes, for spring had Just
ned them, and their buds. still
with the winters sleep, had
n short time open.
rested about the place such an
feet peace and restfulness, the
-S,..s,1with its broad galleries and great
steps in front leading down TO the grass
grown avenue might well have been
taken as the retreat of some world-tired
lperson who had come thither 10 live
alone with the trees and the birds. A
nearer approach. however, would dissi-
pate any such illusions. for invariably Of
mornings and afternoons promenading
IN the broad vcranda lady, dressed in
white, could be seen. In fact these two
Figures were as regular in their daily
lwalks up and down this gallery, as
were the birds in their daily concerts in
the trees just outside. Deadman's 5
Eddy, that could be seen from tho gall
lery through the opening in the leafy
avenue. certainly kept its funereal influ-
ehce within its circling limits, for no.
5here along the river was there n
happier household than that gathered
nightly beneath the great sloping roof
ofthe Cavellier plantation house. Even
the negroes, catching the infection
from their masters and mistresses,
\ were regarded all along the
coast as the jolliest, most con-
ptentod lot that ever handled
cane-knives or tended sugar kettles.
Travellers along the dusty road that ran
beside the river just inside the levee al
ways knew when they had arrived at
the Cavellier place by the snatches OF
old Creole melodies sung atield with
that sweet timbre OF voice, belonging
pacflliarly to the African and his de-
scendants in Louisiana. Although en-
tirely different, the view from the rear
gallery OF this old residence was hardly
less inviting than from the front.
Stretching away toward the cypres.
swaplps behind, the fields Of sugar cane
lay like squares Of emerald velvet. the
young stalks with their fresh green
leaves giving TO the level landscape a
softening effect that was most refresh.
ing 70 the sight The plantation roads
aud 'turn-rOws" divide the fields into
smaller sections, adding something like
patchwork design 10 the thousands OF
acres under cultivation. In the somber
gray OF the dropping Spanish moss the
distant Expresses gave but an irregu-
larly defined outline 10 the edges Of the
low marsh with It's canebrakes aud pal
metto ,ciumps Midway between the
swamp and the house stands the impos-
ingN sugar-house with majestic brick
chimneys and surrounding negro guar
ters. aar.a ~
II wac on this estate that the Cavel
lIfr famly for four generations had
lived happy though comparatively une-
,eniftl lives The planting season, the
'i'ngfor caring for the growing cane,
lying by," and then tha-brisk period
grinding, had followed one another
kghty years, with varying results as
SOS. but mono as 10 peaceful con-
mt of the occupants of the great
ue on house. A crevasse on some
ell. ing place, every few years.
,,orfak the mOnotony and some
damage the cane In the rear
patches; but beyond this the months
Slipped into years as noiselessly as the
orange buds developed into the luscious,
golden fruit
Neiihsf tho quiet charm Of the land
ncane. Inc delicious atmosphere of per-
mnlo nor tho rayishing pearl shower OF
bird notes produced ANYTHING ko the
cllocf on visitor 10 this place that the
,,,ecnlY boaniy OF Marguerite cnyelller
A brunette of twenty-five, her,
"a ~ ....... ....II. - I|I1aIuIUIIuu