St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-03-30

the river T; the press of engagements the
sweet spoony nothings; the lovers quar-
rels the money he had spent for ice cream,
and amusements, upon the beautiful girls
that are mothers now, and out of whose
remembrance his very shadow had van
ished.
Papa, 1 believe that you have gone to
sleep, wake up and come back to u.s.
ono, no, child, was only thinking of the
past, that returned to me like some fairy
land across the bridge of years"
SIT must have been a very happy one,
for your face was one continual SMILE
ono Beulah, | was only smiling at the
foolish dreams that please our early years,
how different life is, to what we hoped
for. when our hearts were young"
The following day was spent in calking
the boat, all hands and the mate were upon
deck, as they crowded around the captain
Of this jolly little crew ; then he mixed
some paints, to give the Beulah F. new
dress inside and out, his work was well
done, for she rode the tidal waves as dry as
powder horn.
Beulah, to please old Uncle Paul, ram
bled through the woods to gather the
/ feathery fern leaves, that thrived in some
moss grown hooks.
"Hush Beulah, listen, oh hear the
groans and prayers of the dying from a
hundred ships, Eeulah. do you think they
4 have come back to curse me before die. :"
'It is only the breeze that is signing
through the tall pines, you have heard it a
| thousand times"
| eyes, it is SO, if you say so child; but,
say, don't you hear Ned whistling on the
forcastle, there he sits on the head rail,
while the wind is blowing gale, and the
clouds as black as our flag. Beulah |
knocked him senseless with marlin spike,
and threw him into the ocean, he will new
er drown or take his white face from out
my heart, but there he sits staring at me
forever"
stHe can't hurt you, for I am with you,
Uncle Paul nothi- ; will harm you while
I can help it."
The bent figure crept closer to the girls
side, while he poured forth his imbecile
love with garrulous tongue. She never
tired of the same questions that came to
her day after day:
They wandered to the old mans cabin
that was almost hidden by the underbrush,
at the sight of the ruins cunning look
came into the sailors sunken eyes.
"You stay, you stay here, Beulah, don't
leave me for moment, for Ned is whist
| ling to the storm to drown me-"
sAll right will wait for you"
She began to tire, but the old man push
ed through the brush to stand by her side,
with ships cutlass in his hand.
"Uncle, Paul where in the name of
Heaven did you get that, the blade is as
bright as a new dollar, with the name
Moro stampe in the handler"
/ - &,
Strengthened his body till he lowered like
an aged oak, and with the fire of battle in
his eyes, he cut right and left at the imag-
mary foe.
"Stand between the main mast and the
they swarm over the gunwale."
The sailor sank exhausted, Beulah ran
for water, and soon the inbecile was on
moments he returned, to be led homeward
The little maid kept her counsel, she
was afraid to tell of the strange adventure
| because it would be her last walk with
Uncle Paul.
When they reached home the seaman
sank upon his bed to sleep the sleep of ex-
haustion, while Beulah assisted her moth
or in the wonderful lore of dress making
They were looking forward to the
arrival of the Copildikes with SO much
pleasure, the remembrance of their last
visit still fingered pleasantly, to picture
the future with anticipations that might
never be realized. Many little delicacies
reached the fishermans from the mansion.
The Copildike's mansion was two
story frame, with piazzas that extended
entirely around the lower floor, the con-
struction was all that could be desired, for
i it was built throughout Of the best sea-
soned cypress. and in most substantial
manner A tall cupoIa that extended
above the magnolias commanded fine
view of the Gulf. The house was situated
4 upon large island that stood some dis
lance from shore, upon which the orange
1 grove thrived and bore its golden wealth
Of fruit every year. Several families
lived at the rear Of the residence, and an
agent who gave his entire attention to the
management of the estate resided just
beyond. a commodious boat house at Q
projecting point sheltered the yachts and
boats. The interior of the mansion was
furnished in elaborate style, with every
modern convenience. just the place te
enjoy winter, where even killing frosts
were unknown.
a steamer bound for Mexico is coming
8 to an anchor, she has just cleared from
New Orleans, gaily painted yacht il
alongside, it would not take half glance
to tell that it was the Copildike's, for they
had weakness for destinations display
They could have arrived much more OK
E peditiously by taking the train on the South
ern Pacific railroad TO Lake Charles, bu
that would not be bringing an oceaI
steamer to, that they might display tn,
wealth and influence that money brings
The decks were crowded, glasses wer
focused upon the island that did lool
4 lovely from the steamer. The baggage i
II transferred, the little party are on boar
& the aIdledrift, and, with adieus, tn
vessels parted.
Madam Copildike's vanity was fattered
, she had done something clever in the wa,
she had advertised her wealth, q beaminl
smile Of contentment sat lightly upon ne
face, as she stood upon the deck of th
sIdledrift,D surrounded by eight persons
Eve ladies' and three gentlemen.
sRobert, take 3 turn around the island
the morning is fine, the salt laden breez
]; is invigorating, it will give us an appesit
Z for breakfast"
/ There was methodical madness i