The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1888-10-13

siat-ehS oile fuetiuipS ulldtf Its
weight of ripened grain, the other,
nodding in the breeze like myriads
Of twinkling white stars, set in
frmament Of green. The day is yet
perfect. The clear, blue sky of the
morning is changed, though not less
beautiful. ; A few cumulous clouds,
sailing majesticalIy up from the gulf,
their huge shadows stealing silently
across our path, and rejecting them
selves in the adjacent ponds, har-
'monize beautifully with the scene
below. On we go, now past farm
house, field and pond, across coulees
and over bridges, until about eleven
o'clock a. m., On mounting some
rising ground we descry in the dis
tance the handsome new residence
of Mr.. Frank Winston, toward which
we direct our course. In short
while we arrive at the gate, drive
in and up to the house, where we
are met at the door by its charming
and accomplished mistress, who
politely requests US to dismount and
come in. Securing our pony we
enter just in time to meet Mr.. Win
ston coming in from the rear, rifle in
hand-uot for the purpose Of repell
ing US. as SIr. Cable and men of his
stripe would have the public believe
but to extend to us genuine old
Southern welcome. We had been
seated On the porch bat short while
before coffee was announced. 1t
was served upon tray in three
little cups not much larger than egg
shells; but, though the quantity was
small, the quality was such as would
tempt the nalate of an cpicnre.
Having quahcd the delicious bey.
erage, and accepted his polite invita-
ton to dinner. we lighted our weeds
and passed the intermediate time
quite socially. .e ......
Need | say how Hospitality we
were entertained during our short
stay? Hardly. After Ginner twas
very pleasant to sit On the cool porch
aud listen to our hosts stirring tales
Of former hunts after snipe and
pheasant; but business is business:
so we reluetanly Informed him that
we must 20. But we are not to get
OF so easily; he generously insists
that we .mlst remain over night, and
as we are in the eighborllood of the
Cow Islands, We compromise by
leaving S. as q hostage with the
ladies, while ourShospitabIe host ac9
companies me the balance of the
afternoon. fF H 4
OF we go again, down the narrow
strip Of land that leads to the island.
Our object now is to get far enough
down, SO than when returning we
may visit every house, and still get
back before dark. But we are
doomed to disappointment. Our trip
is but half accomplished when we
are compelled to seek shelter from
al approaching shower. At last it
is over. The thunder is rumbling
over the distant marshes. The sun,
emerging from the furfowed edge OF.
the passing storm cloud, hangs low
and rcd On the western horizon. The
rapidly len;teuing shadows remind
Us Of the la'eness Of the hour. to say
nothing OF the quielening effect OF
a, host OF longslegged~ aud long-bilIed
mosquitoes. We are yet three miles
from the house, SO we scamper back,
not half satisfied with our evenings
work, but immensely pleased with
the. future prospect. Supper over
we again repair to the porch to en-
Joy the cool gulf breeze, and the
society Of our host, hostess and lady
friend. After perhaps aa hour OF
pleasant conv ersation the ladies bade
us good night, and retired. We
then, freed from all restraint, again
lighted a weed apiece and gave our
selves up to a, half hour of uninter-
rupted and silent enjoyment. Idly
blowing little clouds OF smoke to
the breeze and watching them dis,
appear in the moonlight, a feeling
of pensiyeuess took possession Of
me. Droamily blew the little pufs
of tobacco smoke, and as they van
ished to the nQrihward my thoughts
vert with them. In fancy | wan