St. Landry democrat., 1889-05-11
CHAPTER II.
MY BROTHERS HOME.

In this house, first of all, was order. Be
ing trained by rule from childhood, Sidney
Oakland knew no other law.
The force of circum- tances sometimes
altered the order of our house, but only
for time. As regular as the earth's revo-
buttons, and as punctual as the sun to rise,
our household moved to fixed laws.
NV brother was master of his own
house, for sweet, trusting Betty's wish
was ALWAYS a reflection of his desires |
never opposed my brothers decisions, for
lad long since yielded my individuality
to his better Judgment. | had yielded to
him as the weaker will always yield to
the stronger, under the powerful force OF
magnetism. really marvel sometimes to
think | ever had the courage to win my
bread as a district school teacher in
Western State But did, and grew world
weary and tired there, and longed for rest.
Sidney had prospered, and as the kind
letters from the east came asking me home
to his cheerful hearth, my weak, womanlsh
heart failed e, and | came back, leaving
the many wild dreams and hopes OF my
youth in the westr whittier they had lured
me in earlier years.
NV dear old brother | only wonder
when | think with what patience he en-
durei my reckless and unsuccessful flight
10 the west In the west | had lost The
rules and ways Of my Puritan training
Indeed, the order of my life seemed en-
tirely lost. Eastern life see med SLOW when
| returned. | was not at home. Bat L
came back, and the grove was easily
worn again. | soon fell into the well or
dered ways of my new sister, and yielded
all nv rights to the master Of the house
Since then have lived IN the quiet of one
whose every path is guarded by loving
ewes. Such a life is sweet to che who has
tried the sea.
For many years we lived in this quiet
contentment, all alone, for and with each
o.her.
1t was so till our girls grew up and out
into the world. Sidney was busy bust
ness man, and Betty accepted no invitations
except with him, Often he urged her to
go with me, but she always said she pre-
| ferred his company once. why not now I
She is what the world would call Il sub
mis- sive woman. But like all who have
the reason to make themselves submissive,
hers is the strongest of wills, and when
once determined no passing wind dlsturDs
her. | have almost knelt and plead for
| her company to some entertainment, but
never did | get it without Sidney, and no
other reason did she give than 81 preferred
him once, why not now?"
From where the world looks on, ours
was Puritan despotism with one absolute
| sovereign, Sidney Oakland. Not SO.
/ Though, as have said, he was master of
his own house, ours was free home, and
home full of love.
Had all homes been like ours, woman's
rights would be an unheard of subject
As Blanch and Rachel grew up, the
/ quiet of our former life vas to some ex-
| tent yielded.
Banch grew up to be a beautiful woman.
Her slight, graceful figure had an exqul-
| site carriage | have never met in any other
| form. Beautiful, deep, expressive eyes,
| and a soul full of girllsh animation that
caught shine from every cloud. In every
thing she was the same gentle creature
| that won her way to the heart of Sidney
| Oakland that still October night.
Rachel-pa1ient. unimportant. Rachel
was our pet, but Blanch was our pride.
The quiet eastern life of several genera
| tons Of mothers was all embodied in
Rachel. No intensity, no ruling passion,
ever swayed her even temper. The smll-
| ing baby that lay in the crib when came
| from the west had not lost its sweet sub,
! dued smile when it's face was that OF
woman.
This was our family circle. And these
were the stones upon which we built the
castle of our hope Half mile north OF
the town, in an antique Dutch mansion,
lived our most intimate friends, the Grays
When tired of the half stylish life Of
Williamsburg, this free mountain home
was an asylum of rest for our girls
The thick, dark trees, the gushing
streams, the free wind and free air, were
own brothers and sisters to Blanch. There
the customs of puritan life lost many O
| their blue coats.
L,fethere was nearer young girls ideal
than that of our orderly home.
But whatever else our house may o.
may not have had, unveiled virtue "a'
always there.