The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1886-05-15
A Red Mountain Romance.

One April morning, while the sun wa:
shihing down in Silver City, Seleni and
her lather came slowly into town. There
was snow still in the mountains-many
ieet OF snow-but it had melted in the
raiiey, and the wooden pavements of the
ilttle mining camp were as dry as though
IL were july Over in Hallelujah Gulch
a great strike had been made, and num-
pers OF prospectors thronged the streets,
and stood in groups at every corner. One
roug miner turned and looked after Sc
ienl and her father and the old hand
organ.
This 'ere's city now, boys!" he
cried. Look at the organ grinder come
to town"
Give us tune, old mani" called out
second miner.
Let him alone, boys" said third.
Don't you see he's blind?"
Selenl led her father down the narrow
street and piloted him safely through the
noisy crowd. As she turned corner she
sped an unpretending restaurant. 'Din-
ner nifty cents, the sign read, and she
paused before the open door,
Wen go in and git some dinner,
dad: I'm fearful hungry"
She led her father to one of the small
tables, and he slipped the organ from
hls back. Then she drew an old ban
dana handkerchief from her pocket and
united one corner. A few ten-cent
p eces and a little roll of nickels dropped
out on the table.
''Got enough, Seleni?n asked her
father, anxiously. His quick ear had
caught the click of the coins.
Lots" said Seleni, shortly.
She hastily tied up the money, and
go ng to the counter, ordered dinner for
her father, and for herself-a bowl of
mush and milk
Il was pretty near starved" said the
old organ grinder, as he ate his roast
beef with a relish. s'H'ain't the meat
good, Seleni2"
bet your life," answered Seleni.
calmly, taking a sip of milk.
And the tomats and the rice puddin'?"
'Yes, dad. Don't stop to talk"
Seleni soon finished her own simple
dinner, and leaned back in the stiff
wooden chair Two miners near looked
up admiringly. Selenis eyes were large
and black-as had been those of her
Italian mother-who had died when she
was born. Heavy braids of blue-black
hair were wound around her head, and
her cheeks and lips were crimson. Her
old straw hat was tied down with a
faded ribbon; her dark blue dress was
stained and shabby. She work blanket
CHI oxtrl h. Il
We've had splendid dinner, h'ain't
wer' said her father, rising and taking
the organ on his back.
Seleni paid the restaurant keeper and
tied up the few nickels that remained
Then she took her fathers arm and led
him to the corner of the street.
We'll stop and play here, dad"
Her father patiently began to turn the
crank of the old organ. Seleni stood be-
side him and eagerly sanned the faces of
the passers-by. So few seemed to think
the music worth paying for. A lady gave
Seleni ten-cent piece, and miner care
lessly tossed quarter toward them. But
their supper and nights lodging were
to be paid for, and so few nickels were
left in the bandana handkerchief.
1t grew late at last. The organ !
grinder had played through all his tunes.
you're tired, dad, " said Seleni, as her
father paused. "We'll go and find some
place to Sleep"
ave don't want no supper, do we,
Seleni? We had such hearty dinner"
Eyes, dad, !" said Seleni, family.
"And it was late, too," added the old
man. 'It must ha' been most o'clock"
"Be you hungry again, dad?" asked |
Seleni, looking anxiously into his face.
''Not a mite," answered her father,
,heerfully. "s'pose 1 play little longer.
Tain't dark yet, is it9 Let's walk along"
They turned corner and found them
selves on side street in quiet neigh |
There were lace curtains at |
he windows of some of the small cabins.
An open door gave a glimpse of a
bright Brussels carpet. Suddenly a |
Toung girl appeared at a window, and |
'aising the sash, carelessly tossed into the
treet half-withered bouquet of hot
louse flowers.
Seleni quickly glanced up at the lady,
who was young and had fair hair. This
much she remembered always.
The bouquet rolled to the young girls
eet, then stopped. She stopped and
picked up the flowers. They were only
! little faded; some of the roses were
luite fresh and fragrant. 1t must have
,een beautiful bouquet once. Why
lid the young lady throw it away SO
oon9 i
1t grew toward seven o'clock Seleni
nd her father had paused before large
lotel. The piazza in front was crowded
With men. Some of them. gazed at the
,irl who stood so patiently beside the old
rgan. Her hat slipped back and her
lack hair lay in rings on her smooth,
White forehead. Seleni did not know how
'retty she was and why the men stared
! her 50. She knew that she was tired