Huntsville gazette., 1886-06-19
THE WITHERED HAND.
> A Son Cursed for Striking a Dead
Father.

A stroll along the river front in the
upper portion of New Orleans calls ur
the many changes that have there been
wrought within the last thirty years.
Many old and well-known landmarks
have entirely disappeared, and in the
race of commerce new structures and
new disposition of old ones have been
made, so that he who would seek to re-
call past localities, for time is consid-
erably puzzled. There are perhaps
two or three remaining landmarks
that the old resident might recognize,
and one of these is grove of tall pecan
trees. 1t is true that is it trespassing
somewhat upon the rightful signifca-
ton of the word grove to use it as
descriptive of the few dilapidated trees
that yet remain. Yet they are veterans
and deserve to carry the name of their
whilom brigade; and though they do
not make grove now, they represent
what was one years ago.
Once a large and spacious planta-
ton residence stood in the midst of
this leafy cloud. When the sun was
low its rays were reflected from the
large front windows, so that from this
side of the river the building seemed
to be in flames, and as the light grew
redder and Hedder the likeness to a
confagration became more noticeable
The roof was hidden in the dense
masses Of foliage, but even from dis
tance the broad verandas and heavy
brick pillars could be distinguished
easily. 1t was the home of well-to-
do Creole gentleman. who had been
singularly fortunate both as planter
over the river and a business man in
the city. That no unpleasant family
memories may be awakened we will
call him Aristide Riviere.
Educated in France, he returned to
Louisiana in 1921, just as he completed
his majority. He was by nature well
fitted to bear the title won by his an
cestors. Dignifed in compartment,
frank and generous in his disposition,
ever ready to help the needy or redress
wrong, he was beloved by all who
knew him. 1t was said of him that in
face of danger he was undaunted, and
in scenes of distress as tender as a wo-
man. Marrying, when only twenty
three, one of the beauties Of the lower
coast, the union was blest with seven
children, of which four were bows.
Like their father, these young gentle
men were sent to France for education.
Probably there was no domestic circle
in Louisiana around which there was
clustered more happy associations.
His sons were as near to him as if they
were brothers, and such was the per-
feet community of feeling that even
the business of the day was freely dis
cussed at the dinner table.
One of the sons, urged by mother 8
pride, commenced the study of law in
New Orleans under well known law
yer. He made rapid progress, and his
prospects we're regarded as exceedingly
brilliant by his friends. He took apart
ments in the city ito be-" as he said,
"nearer the courts" The temptations
of city life soon began to lure him away
from his former modes of life. Con-
VITALITY and pleasure led him from that
Jealous mistress, the law, and it was
not long before his grief stricken par
ents were shocked to learn that he had
failed utterly in his examination for the
bar. By that easy inclined plane, lead
ing to depravity, he moved gradually
down. Drink and cards wrought their
work, and old Mons. Aristide Riviere
was. weekly called upon to settle the
extravagant bills of his profigate son.
The humiliation of the family was such
that none of them continued to visit the
city. In their retired home they suf-
fered in silence the deep chagrin
brought upon them by the once promis-
ing boy. At last such were the unprin-
cipled actions of this young man that
he was refused admittance to his
fathers house and his drafts we're no
longer honored. This produced no eff
feet. Night brawls and protracted pc
riods of intoxication succeeded one
another, until at the age of twenty
eight the law student was an old man.
Several times he endeavored to gain
his mothers presence, but the slaves of
the household had orders to prevent his
entry on the premises. For about two
years matters were unchanged, at least
in the conduct of Etienne Riviere, the
wayward son. On one, however, these
continued escapades wrought untold
agony. The proud and aristocratic
father began to fail. His wounded
amour propre brought on a spell of
severe illness. For days and nights his
anxious family watched at his bedside
expecting his death momentarily.
It was on an evening in MAY, and
the last light of day cast feeble shadows
in the sick room. Outside in the pecan
trees restless mocking birds were talk
ing to one another in trills and soft
minor notes. The swish of the leaves
against the roof sounded not unlike the
wash of waters on sandy shore.
Through the half-closed shutters the
fragrant west wind carried into the
silent apartment something of the
freshness of the budding spring. The
patient had not moved for some time.
Near the bed, tanning herself with
SnonoAnnnSYe ff,aovaYneHt Of thA hand