St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-02-22
THE GENESIS.

/ was at the postoffice. Just how cam
to be there ] do not know. But I wa
often doing things without reason, ant
do yet.
had always been alone in this world
except for the kindness of an old lady
who had found me some where at some
time and kept me from the poor house.
Our home was a ftckety pile of Ole
boards nailed together up against the
bluffs, with the timbered hill above and &
stretch of muddy river below.
Only now and then would ray CLEAN
boldly through our small vine clad door.
The smoke rom the putting engines be-
low served as curtain for our one narrow
window.
had always been watching for some
thing to happen, and perhaps that was
why stood expectingly Al the postofice.
AS I stood there watching the crowd
hurrying in and out, wondered where
they were all going, and if any of them
lived under the bluffs. The bluffs and
their Inhabitants were all the world I
knew.
There was a woman who lived with
Ceramic" sometimes whom | always
called Aunt Kate. She bought me book
once, and sometimes new dress would
come home in her basket.
She made her living sewing here and
there about the town. She was very kind
TO me, and when Grannie would scold,
would take me in her arms and tell me
wonderful stories about god father, who
would some day come and carry me to live
in wonderful place. where the floor had
carpets and bright lights hung from the
ceiling.
You remember was at the postofice.
As | walked along the car track to the
house, heard loud voices talking in hut
ON the hillside. l stopped to listen. l
heard my name. Eager to learr all I
could about my strange existence, I VEN
tured closer.
sits Monte King; the child's name is
Monte King" heard Mrs. Core say. 'tAn'
it's no more an right an she should know
it, an eff any one nd give me ten dollars
Id tell her the truth an send her away"
you'll tend to your business and look
sitter the affairs of your own house while
you're my wife, or you'll quit my protec-
tion,'' said the lord of the palace, as he
dropped into piece of chair in the corner
and began smoking his pipe of peace.
Mrs. Cores face flashed red in a mo-
ment, and with all forces she rushed to the
rescue of her mi 1red feelings.
THE idea Of man carr Z to say what
his wife shall do. Why, Il, hear you talk
any one would suppose me fool to be
cared fol by you. The child's name is
Monte King, and ! mean to tell it il |
like"
"You know well enough that our last
chance of fortune rests in that secret.
Now tell it if you dare"
His voice was filed with anger, and Mrs.
Gore WINGED little at it, bnt went away
muttering to herself something that I'M
derstood to mean she would do as she
pleased.
ran away up the railroad track. It was
not because tad never seen quarrel be-
fore Indeed saw them every day., but
had heard my last name and wished to
escape with it, for it seemed that | had
stolen it.
"Monte Kifg How strange ii seemed.
] said il over aIG over to myself as
stepped from rail TO rail along the track.
Then Thoughts If strange package
Aunt Kate Kept high up in the wall, and
| wondered what was in it.
reached the old shanty almost before
knew it.
Grannie was not there.
pushed aside the wild grape vine that |
served as door, and was alone in the |
single room that was all had ever known |
of home. Ready to seize on whatever |
might satisfy my wild desire to know more
of myself, took the blue box down from |
its place and emptied its contents into my
lap.
A faded photograph.
wondered If it was my fathers. There |
was large card also, with
w. s. KING,
INSURANCE AGENT,
1924 18th street,
NY.
There was more rolled up. in paper, /
but hearing Grannie cough outside,
slipped the card into my pocket and hast
lily replaced the box.
Grannie was In cross mood, and as |
stood thinking of all that might be, did
mot hear her speak until her cane had left
its impress upon my naturally spare
shoulders.
This was the first time In my life had
really felt my loneliness Iran away up
among the bluffs, and sat down to cry 1t
ont alone.
But something soothed my weary soul,
and fell into peaceful slumber and
dreamed of dolls and candies and real
father and mother.
When woke up again the leaves were
their last good night in the river
below, and the ont bound train sounded
dull and mad below me.
started to my feet and ran short
piece. had faint remembrance Of being
pursued.
After assuring myself that Twas alone
cautiously pulled the card out of my
pocket. For the first time in my life
wished myself boy. Then I could run
away TO New York and find the man whose
name was on my card.
Its hard lot TO be boy alone In this
world, but to be girl and feel that you
were intended for better share, is more
than my then unframed senses could
endure.
I put the precious card back into it's
place and turned to fetrace my steps
As ! went slowly down the steps felt
myself new being some new courage
seemed to possess nae. had almost de-
sided to tell Grannie my new discovery,
when met my only friend, Tillie Tull.
Title was big, kind hearted creature
With light hair. q fat face and blue eyes
She would sometimes come to see me
when Grsnnie was not too cross.
We used to take long trips into the
country to pick black berries for the
farmers. She was always my protector.
.TO-morrow we are to 90 to Farmer
Curry's to pick berries. she shouted as
The rushed up the hill to meet me. aWeIl
asve cake and berries, and plenty Of 1