Wichita eagle., 1888-09-30
RUN

1t was evening in Louisiana, the land of
love and song, Of passionate skies and revel-
ing fancies. But it was primitive Louisiana,
and, save q few clustering haInlets here and
there, presenting little evidence of the pro-
gressive spirit which characterizes her today.
Far aloft rose in majestic grandeur SEEM
ingly interminable forests of oaks and cy-
press, and beyond these lay inextricable
jungles and vast morasses where sported
strange animals and birds, whose fossilized
remains puzzle the intelligent investigation
OF the naturalists Of today Dark, mys-
FERROUS figures glided stealthily about, sibyl
looking women sang their dismal chants and
exercised their spirit Of divination over
seething pot and caldron along the banks
of the gloomy swaInps and bayous, and the
bold adventurer in penetrating these fast
nesses might not unfrequently have witnessed
scenes as wild and weird as did Macbeth on
the Scottish heath.
Amid these picturesque surroundings re-
posed, like frail flower scarcely venturing
to rear its head, the little village of New
Orleans. A queer appearance it presented,
with a depth Of only twelve squares, and
completely surrounded by a large ditch,
fenced in with sharp spikes wedged close to-
gether; the swampy soil was cut up into
numbers Of small ravines, rendering con-
slant drainage necessity. To effect this, q
trench ran around the four corners Of every
square in the city, and each lot in the square
was surrounded by palisades and also ditched
around thus causing the city to present very
much the appearance Of "a microscopic carl
cature Of Venice" These trenches, run over
as they almost continually were by tall reeds
and grasses, furnished congenial abode for
venomous reptiles and frogs whose croaking
made the midnight hideous. A redoubt ex-
tended along Rampant street, and forts were
constructed at the different angles Of the
town.
There were but humble dwellings in New
Orleans in those days; the aggregate popu-
lation was scarce z, 200, tho number Of houses
less than 400. The greater number Of these
were in the third or fourth squares from the
river; they were simple, implanted struct-
ures, far more resembling the lowly cabins
of the peasant than the abode of the proud
spirited race they sheltered. Yet the most
veracious French and Spanish historians Of
that period alike testify to the polished aris-
tocracy Of the men and women, to customs
and manners which made this obscure settle
ment in the new world miniature reproduc-
ton Of the court of Versailles. The ladies
wore the costliest brocaded gowns, high
heeled shoes and powdered head gear; the
men, gold and silk Powered coats, silver
buckles and gilded sabers; and all this
while dwelling in hamlets, and In the
midst of a poverty of surroundings that
seemed incongruous in the extreme;
for according to an inventory made Of the
household furnishings Of one Of the leading
families, the lady's bedroom furniture, that
pride of every dame, consisted Of q plain
cypress bedstead, with a corn shuck mat
tress and one of feathers on top; six cypress
chairs with rush bottoms, and candles manu-
featured by servants, from the common
green wax Of the country. Cid archives,
still extant, record many another such in
stance How ardent must have been the
thirst for glory and conquest, which led the
march Of chivaIry to these untried shores;
here Is material for poet and novelist; here
imagination may rsvel and fancy lightly
weave Assuredly night in New Orleans
In the year 1857 is eninently suggestive.
The city presented something of a martial
appearance; though now wrapped in slumber
Il was evident that matters of O serious i'm
port were under consideration, and that pre-
paration had been made for an approaching
conflict. For since the cession Of the colony
to Spain by France the indignant populace
questioned the power Of the latter country to
make them Spanish citizens whether they
willed or no, and pending an embassy to
Louis XIV to be again taken under his author
ity, had determined to resort to arms rather
than acknowledge Spanish supremacy. Don
Antonio de Ulloa was man Of rare accom-
plishments, a philosopher and scientist, who
had explored the secrets of nature in Spain,
Feru and other parts of the earth. AccuS-
toned as he was to the consideration and adj
ulation OF the most powerful potentates OF
his day, he grew indignant at the cool dis
respect with which his every command was
treated and withdrew from New Orleans,
taking his books and scientific instruments
with him, and shut himself up among the
moaning winds and the desolation of the
Bali2e. But today news Of romantic mar
riage had reached the city. The desire to
burn the midnight oil was not the sole cause
of the chiefs absence from the seat of gov
eminent. Amid those reeds and shaking
piles be had awaited the coming of Spanish
frigate from Peru, bearing the beautiful and
accomplished marchionesS of Abrado and
three Peruvian maids as attendants, court
chaplain, etc. Drawing the winds and the
ocean, she had come from that distant port
10 this to plight her troth forever. Romance
and Lowell they are not confined to time or
place, to gilded palace or gemlike bower,
where the music Of the lute gently lures and
soft eyes droop beneath the glance Of admir-
ing affection That lonely pass on the Mis-
sissippi tells tale that ouuivals the most in
tense creation Of fancy.
The harvest moon had risen in ell its splen-
dor, throwing its shimmerirg beams ecross
the Mississippi and Hghicg up the rude habi-
teEors that reposed at the base OF its en-
b:nknents. A French officer, lured by tho
beauty Of the night, pron1enaded along the
1evee. He deserted an approaching vessel,
and anxious TO discover its identity drew
nearer to the waters edge. He saw the men
fastening the ropes TO the uoorinSs. There
was flourish Of trunpets, and 10! the Span
ish governor End his bride proceeded On
shore. Sho wore o nantilla over he- head,
and bore herself with the dignity of the high
bred dana She was followed by two Indian
girls, gau6ly decked after the manner Ct
their race; but when these descended the
plank walk there was still another. and upon
her the eyes OF the young officer were riveted
IN asDonishnent Tho moon had risen high,
the cir was soft and balny, and OF q clear
ness fhat rendered each feature Of the maiden
distinctly visible She was not very tall, yet
her aspect was commanding: her fac, was
marvelonsly beautiful and her eyes seemed
to shine Ike stars @ q cloudlesS summer
night She was astired not like her con,pal-
ions, but in robe of silvery white that elis-
tened like snow in the moonlight. At her
waist was golden girdls and on her bosom
an ornament richly chased in gold Her