New-York tribune., 1890-08-31

Late on an August afternoon in Il sGj n man
plodded painfully along the bayou road IN the
direction Of Mgnonette plantation. lie wore
tattered rags, his feet bulgcd from out his broken
boots, and his hnt covered head about which was
wound much-solled muslin Dandase- ne lookeu m
neither to the right nor to the left. but kept his
heod bent, his eyes east on the ground as he
walked. Only once, when passing what had been
the d'Naudry plantation, hc LET bis eyes glance
at the blackened ruins Of the dwelling at the gar
dens and fields now an easy prey to the weeds. a
sob and 9roan escaped him, he struck his hand,
together twice or thrice and then made such feeble
haste on his way % his sorey tried feet would per-
NIT
The land was just recovering from flood caused
when the invaders cut the lcvees Here the rond
wns thick with untroddcn dust there anlslc-dccp
in mud and water. The swift-bowing breeze
scattered abroad masmatc vapors, and the
swampy woods were alive with the croaking Of
frogs. The Rot sun looked in the bayous, and
shed for naught.
The man had gone about half milo from the
gait to look About for the road he knew led To
MienoCctte For moment he thought he must
ave passed it, and then he understood. II had
changed. MS had all things else in TcrreDonne.
What had been q road was now tangled mass
Of underbrush, With much difficulty he made
MS way through the brush for the briers caught
at his rr<S as If they would letan him. treacher-
what had once been a garden, before a house
with gallery three o. lis sides.
A woman who had beer sitting on the gallery
when she perceived the man, and advanced %
meet him. boy OF some four years clingIns 10 the
skirts Of her washed-0ut calico gown. What il
il You want ~ she called and tried in the gather
ing darkness 10 make out who the man was
"Iou do not know me. Jeanne ," asked the
man, as he limpcd forward TO where she stood
Oh the gallery steps
She hcsItItcd a moment, then said quietly, cN-
tending her hand for him 10 take AlclGe ? Yes.
| know YOU now | was not expecting any one.
Armand, hc Is coming soon - she continued, her
voice wnycring.
Again Acidc made that motion Of beating to
gcthcr his hands BY a great effort lie controlled
himself and was about 20 speak when she inter
il hurts you-Armand is dead
He stared AZ her, hclplcsSly, and no word OF
comfort came 20 him tO say. Won't YOU come mp
on the gallery and rest yourself. Alcidr D" She
asked absenily. lie was about 10 ascend the
step, when suddenly. she threw up her hands
and cried, Armand Armand " ana fell 10 the
floor lie snatChed up gourd hali-fnll OF water
and layed her forehead and hands, and even III
his distress lac noted that his dust-staincd fingers
soiled her worn face. MI the while the boy
wcpt aud storncl at him for having Killed h,
mother For some moments le almost believe !
the boy - bc right, that Jeanne was dead: but
after little she opened her eyes and strove 10
rise. only 10 fall back on his supporting arm.
Jeanne lie said huslily. let ~ sec H. be-
tween W. You cannot get to your bed Then hc
raifd her IN his and staggered with his
burden into slceping-room opening onto ne
gallery, and laid her the bed. Tho child
clanrbercd up 10 her side she put her arms about
him aud let him weep against her neck. making no
effort 10 quiet him.
II was now dark, and Alcdc searched for
means 20 make light Finding nothing. j"
felt his way 10 the bedside. and asked Jeanne
where was the lamp or had She candles. Pardon
me for disturbing you. he said; am very
stupid. but ! can find nothing.
At The sound Of his voice the hoy hushcd h,
weeping, and Jeanne said There is no oil; |
have no candles There is no food, either and
you mu,t be hungry, she added.
Now. Jeanne. announced Alcidc. striving -
impart sprcIilinesS 10 the tone OF hlN I3lc'',
- inn. sn Inc l.
Yes" she answered. A stranger has it; !
have forgotten his name, l have no money
she FILTERED
Never mind: never mind. he said soothingly.
"You stay as you are until ! return, 49,,
More than two hours had elapsed before Alrldc
returned with q little stock OF provisions ana Inc
small nccrssaIies missing al Mruoncitc. Jeanne
had kndlcd ire IN thc disInaiit pai loi ihe
house had been damp ever since the overflow,
She cAplalncd-and the chld was asleep III, VI"
ad Joining bed room. She dill not appear 10 nave
noticed that be- had been gone long, that hc Ioo9'
weary, that he was lame. Nelihei did bht, 'p-
snrbcd I'm her grici. offer ~ help him when ne
srt 10 work 10 prepare 4 meal, bolllng water
for the coffee. broilIng a slice Of lam. y was
not till he pressed her 10 eat thai she again
showed CONSCIOUSNESS of his presence. llrh-
though she refused the food, She thanked hiin'
and reused the child :" bins him I'm to ,e '3o@ food
to-day" she sail. ImplsbiVcN.
Though she dwclt deep in his heart. thongh hG
longed 10 b. able 10 comfort hcr, lie tcNp'TH' i..
her grc: with great reverence ina "I'"u' ma.
20 sneak fer he felt that words would but torment
her. ,.;,,
After the 10y had eaten, She made a felnt
of clearing the table, bat gave II up,
and went TO chair the gallery, "nrle
she sat and let the child slumbcr III hrr ar'',s =,
After "a time Alcdc said III put th' o"S !"
bed : YOU must he tired holding him; A.
No" she answered simply he doeS al mos So,nn ua,
me he IS all have left Of Armand men sohc
tLing like a sol, chokcd her further uttcrancr.
1t was after this that sh" asked him hn1 toM t"IG
Armand had lost his life: ana when h' nay " u' "
hcr how br,yelv Armand had fought. and how q
sprnt ball had marked him for death, Sa}Hs
nothing If low he Acidc had offered his ne III
vain Ia sa.r her man for her, Jeanne tohSu"
loosrncd. ard she told him Of the death oi ms
mother. Of which bc had not heard. Iheh shc
vent on 70 say that few OF th" old ncghborS ~rIc
left that those who left were nearly ~ dcS'l
tute as herself They talked late into the nlght:
and when she left him Alcidc stretched hinsrlt
on a cushioned bench and, wcaried out, fell into a
dreamless sleep.
vi.