Evening journal., 1890-01-30
A CHINA SERVICE.

II was gaia day in New Orleans; hags
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 prolonged "Hurrahr as the brilliant
line Of soldiery came in view.
What sight it wasi That eager, enthusi-
nstic body OF men, clad in their fresh gray
uniforms and nodding plumes, their musixets
cleaning like solid mass Of silvery light,
their swords rejecting every CLINT of sunlight
like kaleidoscopes 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 fluted columns and wide
spreading galleries, making it even today
conspicuous landmark Of pride in the vieux
group Of creole maidens and matrons who
huttered gaylY about amid the streaming
banners and evergreens, chattering like so
many busy magpies, or peering anxiously
down the street as each breath OF wind waited
the distant strains Of music, OF some mis-
chievous lad perched in the trees around gave
the false alarm, Lies soldatsl les soldatsl lis
viennent, lis viennenti"
But presently the unmistalsable 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 deafening 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
a =
/ strokes of their swords, few shots and il
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
1 heads and with all the chivalry OF the
| knights Of the romantic ages they drew a
cross upon their swords and vowed to con-
| quer or die for their lady loves and native
land
OIL the silvery ripples Of laughter and APP
| 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 madame's gracious invita-
ton the company entered and broke into de-
| lightful tete-a-tetes about the spacious par
lors; the soft, tender echoes Of a 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 a different design uniquely and chastey
finished. An idea Of the number Of piece.
that made up the whole may be imagined
when it is mentioned that Of the corbeilles for
bowers 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
"Ah CONNIE est beaul magnifquel belle
admirableln and all the prolific and expires
sive adiectives OF the Latin tongues were
called into requisition as the guests, forget
full Of propriety or pOliteness in so doing
looked at, but scarcely dared to touch the
delicate china 50 exquisite, 50 fragile, with
its Towering leaves and petals, that itseemed
designed only for a fairy feast and 70 bt
touched by fairy fingers.
'sThere Is quite history attached to thii
service said madame, in her ripping, musi
cal French, as she graeiously assigned tht
guests to their respective seats, and motioned
the well trained domestics to perform their
duties; quite history she repeated, with
pardonable pride, "a souvenir which my
family preserves with pleasure. Perhaps il
is out Of place 70 recall it here, but since yor
have all seemed so interested, win relate
the story. Ny great grandmother was Ii
premiere dame de compagnie to the queen Of
Portugal She was a great favorite and al
acknowledged belle at court
'One morning the king gave asuperb break
fast ia her honor, and this service, used only
on the grandest occasions, was called int
requisition. JUS as you have admired i
here, 50 she was struck with its beauty then
and commented upon il to his majesty, al
whose right hand she sat Henever did any
thing by halves, did that gracious old king
That very evening, while my ancestor, prouS
and happy at the honor bestowed upon he
that morning, sat In her boudoir receiving
the congratulations OF her friends, mos
senger arrived from the king, bearing thi
Identical service used at the mornings feast
and begging that. as she had 50 much ad
mired il, she would, as a favor from tn
king, accept il In memory Of that day.n
r "Ahl it is indeed something Of which 70 b
; proud" remarked a lady who sat near.
I'VE seldom use it, continued madame
! ''when We do servant Is never allowed t
-a1l. -. y H. l.s4l q. g-lce q The laeic
: u my house that they alone have banded Il