The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-06-26

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| opened the valise at one point
where there was a fine view Of a grand
mansion away back among noble trees,
and as I set my camera there came
from palace nearer the road a troup
of merry, well-dressed children who
raced down the lawn and cried:
please, mister, won't you photo
graph us?"
"Yes."
"Are you going to take Mr.. Blanks
house?"
yes"
"And may we stand here and be in
the picture?"
YES"
"Oh, thank you"
At this moment the voice of proprie-
ty and aristocracy came from out of
the vine-shaded veranda from some
unseen guardians, and in tone of re-
proach was uttered the one word
"CMldren."
The unfortunate little girls had for
gotten for the moment that they were
rich, and they had rashly taken up
with a wandering photographer. Here
was chance for great fun, but it was
denied them. They had to sacrifice
fun to the prophecies, and with long
ing, lingering and regretful glance at
the camera they slowly departed up
to the mansion, and from the shaded
porch took furtive glances at the for
hidden photographer.
| 1t is better to be born lucky than
rich, especially when a person is young
Now, the thing that got me into
trouble at Clifton was the distaste l
have for twice going over the same
road. l did not want to go back to
Cincinnati over the cable line that l
had come out on. l thought | would
walk through the place and that l
would come to some other line and go
in that way and thus see more of the
surrounding country.
The day became hotter and hotter.
The valise became heavier and heavier
l passed an academy. Public school
would be too plebeian name for an
institution that was to teach the chill
dren of such wealthy people as live in
Clifton, so they call the place an acad-
envy. Then there was an aristocratic
church. Finally l met some one and
said to him:
"How far is it to a street-car line?"
"Oh, you're going the wrong way.
The cable-cars are a few miles in the
other direction
Eyes, know. came that way and
l want to go back another"
That's your best way back to town.
l don't know how far it is to another
line this way. Five miles, / guess"
| thought l was good for five miles,
so tramped along. The next person
I accosted made it four miles and a
half, and the next four miles. was
polishing off the distance in good
shape and so was satisfied. Finally
Clifton avenue came to an abrupt
and untimely end, and the
street that branched off was
called Lafayette avenue, l think. 1t
went at right angles to Clifton and was
equally beautiful. After tiresome
trudge, | came to a gang of men fixing
the road. Among them was a civil
engineer taking a sight through his
telescope, which stood on the usual
tripod.
"How far is it to street car line?"
l asked.
THE nearest street car line is at
Cummingsville. You had better go
back and take the cable road"
Good heavens! Don't say that. 1t
must be twenty miles to the cable
road.
mot quite SO far. But it's five
miles and half to Cummingsville."
ooh see here" l said, you've got
to do better than that. A man miles
back told me it was only five miles
then and l have been offered Cum.
mingsville at four and half and four
miles since that time. Make it three
and a half, like good fellow
Cant do it, my boy. You see, I've
measured every inch of the way. They
couldn't deliver Cummingsville at that
rate. I'll tell you the very best can
do. | will take twenty rods from the
five and half. I'll let you have the
cable cars at five and quarter, and
not so much uphill work at that
II wouldn't have the cable cars at
any figure. It's Cummingsville or bust
with me-"
"You will find the Vile a long time
cumming" said the surveyor, and after
he said that left.
From that time forth the valise
weighed ton. But soon came on a
view that was worth all the toll There
was tremendous ravine and a small
lake at the bottom. On the other bank
was a private residence, that looked
like a castle on the Rhine. Further
on, the view became even more ex-
tended. The road was now at the
top Of steep hill. At the bottom
ran canal, and beyond that was
a town. Away in the blue distance
stretched long valley, and the out
look reminded me of some of the minor
ravines of Switzerland. Twas wishing
the town at my feet was Cummings.
vile, when / came on some more road