St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-07-05

A gentl6neSS uiVlue
-Steklo Truman In The Christian Vasitor.
In SOUTHERN WOODLANDS.
The bright, CHEEKY article in the Chris
tian Union, "Some Spring Openings" has
touched responsive chord, awakening in
us fragrant memories of forest ralnbles in
childhood. Step by step we follow the
writer, noting each floral treasure and
delicious bit Of woodland scenery ,aad then
turn to our own beautiful Southern woods,
through which we ramble daily.
April has come to US, but not with her
usual smiles and sunshine. The chilling
storms which have so rudely visited many
portions of our land, reached even this
sunny cline.
The unusual warmth of the winter
months, presaged the unprecedented cold
which followed, for Natures equilibrium
must not be disturbed; but though late
to awaken, the flowers have not forgotten
that we await their coming.
Peeripg up through the russell leaves,
the white waxen sanguinaria is first to
greet us, bringing with her sister flower,
more beautiful than herself. 1t is sur
prise, for until now we were not aware OF
the existence of rose-tinted variety, and
the rosy blush upon the delicate petals is
indescrlbable; the deeper tinted closed
buds are more beautiful, if possible, than
the open flowers. We find them in con-
siderable numbers, consequently it could
not be phenomenal bloom.
The pine forests and OAK openings are
now whitened with the blossoms of the
Cornus Florida, or Dogwood, as it is
usually called. Its pure white flowers sre
three or four inches in diameter, and light
the shady arches of the pine thickets with
their broad, white disks, giving us an
earnest Of the floral wealth in store for us
in their lavish bloom they seem q GLAD
tribute to Easter tide.
Botanists tell us it is not the CAROLS
which charms us with its spotless purity
but the involucre. and the crown OF deli
cate green in the center is the real flower
We cannot define the reasoN, but 1t is q
disappointment to know this, and brings
to mind the old, ease fostering words:
Where ignorance is bliss tits folly to be wise.
A little later IN April there is concerted
spontaneous movement among shrubs ano
trees, and as we look about us we fine
q realm of beauty, of which the jewellers
in the land of snow have no conception.
Our Towering shrubs are superb, mo-
alone for their bloom; the foliage of mos
of them is exceedingly rich in both form
and color; their dark, waxen green leaves
form fine background or setting for the
brilliant flowers.
The vines, which are the crownine
e %
doubly beautiful here, for the genera
atmosphere causes almost tropical luxu
rance. They Chamber over adjacen
shrubs. forming hooks and arches, which
we appropriate throughout the heat Of tn
day, leaving them at dewy nigbtfal1 t.
their rightful owners. the wood sprites
One with broad shining leaves has clam
bered TO the topmost branches OF beauti
full chestnut. its leaves form thick ma
against the gray bark of the tree, and
intervals clusters of dark, rich trumpet
shape flowers CLEAN from out the green
This is the bignonia. We pass beneath tn
spreading branches of the fine old oaks
down the rough. leaf-strewn slope, an
reach q well beaten path beside the creek
It is a swiftly running stream. ofte
INSTRUCTED by broken rocks over which
rushes the clear water shows each ston
and pebble in its depths, till it Is whirle'
into sheet of foam. as it leaps over som
rocky barrier. Again 1t moves placidly o
over level spot, murmuring 9 measure
chant, learned in the ages past. We sea
ourselves upon the bank and give up on
thoughts to revery. Our spirits ar
hushed into repose, and, forgetful of sell
we listen to the tireless music of tn
waters. Our heart is beating
unison with the rythmic pulsations Q
Nature, our senses quickened, our eye
unsealed; for brief period we under
stand, dimly perhaps, the meaning of til
words, 'tAnd saw o new heaven and
new earth" The glancing rays of the So
are resting upon shining cluster of gree
leaves dropping over the waters, quiverin
in the morning breeze, and words CO
never describe the halo which encircle
them. The mocking bird darting hithe
and thither sings with pathos, a bewild
ering harmony, to us before unknown, bu
the vision soon passes, though it leaves II
impress.
Our ramblings resumed, we reached th
rustic foot.bridge spanning the stream
A lofty tree has fallen and its topmo
branches rest upon the farther bank. Son
thoughtful hand has constructed 10
railing to guide the timid pedestrian
and fro In his rambles; this we cross, an
soon pause spell-bound with delight;
slender tree attracts our attention, it
unique In its flmy loneliness. Its pa
green leaves are of the most delicate sha.
and grow ON tufts upon the termin
branches, while just behind upon fra
stems of q still paler tint of green, har
feathery clusters of almost Transporter
white flowers. Innumerable scissors see
to have been at work upon the fragra
blossoms, shredding them into fringe
The sunlight seems scarcely to be obstruc
ed as it passes through the shadowy fo'
ers. Surely the water Nymphs new
found more dainty or ethereal flowers
fringes than these with which to de-
themselves. They are the blossoms of t
fringe tree, q name most appropriate.
Impelled by spirit OF discovery,
leave the stream and ascend the slope.
every side we see violets, some pale, son
of a darker hue, and many with their t,
uppermost petals marked almost as rich
as the pansies we cultivate; not @ dark
shade of violet, but . rich, crimson purp
We find some yellow ones, usually to
orite with us, but these are very unli
the fragrant delicately tinted ones we q
In the Canadian woods. But the DIV,
iris which grows in great numbers up
these slopes will form pleasing combir
tion with the violets, and here is clust
beautifully marked with band OF gold
this center of the petal; we find botani
mention this as rare variety.
The Laurel now claims our undivid
attention and other humber flowers .
forgotten. It is Just bursting into bloc
The shrub itself lis very fine, with lance
lste. Dolsshed leaves Of darkest green. q