Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1890-01-22
A CHINA SERVICE.

1t was a gala day in New Orleans; flags
and bunting streamed gayly in the breeze,
the martial notes of music filed the air, and
the proud, steady tread of many feet in har-
mony suggested thoughts at once patriotic
and soul stirring. The streets, crossings
every available inch of space along the line
of march was thronged with an expectant,
sympathetic mass, whose CHEEKY smile broke
into a prolonged "Hurrahl" as the brilliant
line of soldery came in view.
What sight it was! That eager, enthusi-
astic body Of men, clad in their fresh gray
uniforms and nodding plunes, their muskets
cleaning like solid mass of silvery light,
their swords rejecting every CLINT of sunlight
like kaleidoscope's changeful rays There
was no American or French quarter in New
Orleans that day, for national honor and
pride were at stake and native creole and
grated civilian laid aside race prejudices
and with hearts throbbing in unison gathered
beneath the stars and bars at the southern
bugle's CALL
Down in the rue Rampant, in a mansion
that stands out upon the street, with its mas
sive 'front.' white futed columns and wide
spreading galleries, making it even today a
conspicuous landmark of pride in the vieuX
caTTe, there was gathered bright and merry
group of creole maidens and matrons who
futtered gayly about amid the streaming
banners and evergreens, chattering like so
many busy magpies, or peerfng anxiously
down the street as each breath of wind waited
the distant strains of music, or some mis-
chievous lad perched in the trees around gave
the false alarm, LES soldatsl les soidats! lis
viennent, lis viennenti"
But presently the unmistakable rush of the
crowd announced the moment of suspense
was over; far down the street could be seen
the glittering line, far above the din of the
music could be heard the deafeuing cheers,
and from pavement to balcony the air was
white with the hutter of handkerchiefs and
fragrant with the scent of roses as dainty
maidens flung bouquets or pelted with show
ers of snowy petals the soldier lads of their
choice; and many were the silent prayers as
a regiment well known in Louisiana annals
drew up IN line before the old creole mansion
and dotted their caps, while mademoiselle,
fair and blushing stepped from amidst her
bevy of girl friends and in the names of the
ladies of the faubourg presented them the
battle flag which was soon to be dyed in the
blood Of its brave defenders
But little rocked they that fair spring
morning of the sorrows or horrors of war; to
them it seemed mere child's play; few
strokes of their swords, a few shots and it
would all be over, and they would return
covered with glory. They placed their hands
above their hearts, did those honest soldier
boys; they waved their helmets above their
heads, and with all the chiyalry of the
knights of the romantic ages they drew
cross upon their swords and vowed to con-
quer or die for their lady loves and native
land.
Oil the silyery ripples of laughter and ap-
plause that burst from the rose petaled lips
of that garden of girls; the low whispered
nothings that fell upon the ear as In response
to monsieur and madames gracious invita-
ton the company entered and broke into de-
hghtful tete-a-teteS about the spacious par
lors; the soft, tender echoes of recorded
VOW, the gentle smothered undertone of a
half repressed Sob when lol the great din
ing hall was thrown open and madame, gra-
cious and smiling, babe all enter and partake
of the last breakfast of state at which many
of them were ever to assist.
Madame surpassed herself that morning in
her art of entertaining; that old dining hall
had never before worn that same aspect, and
even those accustomed to frequenting the
house habitually uttered an exclamation of
wonder and admiration as they looked upon
the elegantly arranged table and rare and
beautiful service which adorned it.
Such cups, such plates, such exquisitely
wrought dishes of the finest royal Dresden,
each piece perfect study in itself, represent
ing different design uniquely and chastely
finished. An idea of the number of pieces
that made up the whole may be imagined
when il is mentioned that of the corbeilles for
flowers alone there were sixteen, and upon
them as well as upon the entire set the finest
ART Of the decorator had been expended in
designing trailing flowers and vines, beauti-
full views of mountains, lakes and wales,
quaint scenes from Switzerland, Moorish
castles in Spain, the Rhine by moonlight and
representations of the contemporaneous his
tory of its period.
ALL CONNIE est beaul magnifique! belle,
admirableF' and all the prolific and express
sive adjectives of the Latin tongues were
called into requisition the guests forget
full of propriety or politeness in SO doing,
looked at, but scarcely dared to touch the
delicate china, so exquisite, so fragile, with
its Towering leaves and petals, that it seemed
designed only for a fairy feast and to be
touched by fairy fingers.
There is quite history attached to this
service" said madame, in her ripping, must
cal French, as she graciously assigned the
guests TO their respective seats, and motioned
the well trained domesrics to perform their
duties; quite history" she repeated, with
pardonable pride, "a souvenir which my
family preserves with pleasure. Perhaps it
Is out of place TO recall it here, but since you
have all seemed so interested,-I will relate