Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-01-06
A CHINA SERVICE.

A CHINA SERVICE
Il vas gala day In New ORLEANS; nagp
md bunting sereamed Eayiy IN the breens.
he martial notl. Of music dlied the air, and
The proud, steady tread Of many feet IN bar
nony suggested thoughts 81 once patriotic
md soul stirring Tbs streets. crossings,
very availabIe inch Of space along the hns
II march vss throngsd with IN exp-ctank,
sympathetic mar, vhoss cherry smile broke
into Q prolonged '-Hurrahf' - the brilliant
itns Of soidisry came In view
What sisht IL vas. That eager, snthusi-
asfsc body Of men, clad in their fresh gray
uniforms and nodding piumes, their mu&kets
cleaning like soiid MAS OF silvery light,
ther swords rejecting every CLINT Of sunlight
Ike . kaIeido~cote's changeful revs. There
vas no American or Ffsnch quarter in New
Orleans that day, for national honor and
prtde we're At stake and native creole and
grated civilian laid aside race prejudlcss,
and with hearts throbbing in unison gathered
beneath the stars and bars at the southern
buxlex call
Down in the rue Rampant, In a mansion
that stands out upon the street, With its mas
ave front, white hutsd columns and wide
spreading galleries, MAKING it even today .
conspicuous landmark Of pride in the vieux
carre, there WAS gathered . bright and merry
group OF creole maidens and matrons who
Aut,sred gHyly about amid the streaming
banners and evergreens, chAttering like 50
many busy magpies, or peering Anxiously
down the street - each breath Of wind waited
The distant strains Of music, or some mis-
,hievous lad perched in the trees around gave
ths false alarm, LES soldAts! les soldats! lis
viennent, lis vieunent!"
But presently the unmistaksble rush Of the
crowd announced the moment Of suspense
vas 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 nutter Of handkerchefs and
fragrant with the scent Of roses as dainty
maidens hung bouquets or pelted with show
ers of snowy petals the sotlier lads Of their
choice and many were the silent prayers as
Q 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
t8Aieo VI huo iahppue fhN'DsA NhS'AA sAS
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 Il seemed a mere child's play; few
strokes of their swords. few shots and it
would all he 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 chivalry Of the
knights Of the romantic ages they drew a
cross upon their swords and vowed to con-
qusr or die for their lady loves and native
land.
Obi the slvery 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 madame's 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 represssd sob. when 10! 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 enter tanning, that old dining hal
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 booked 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 piece.
that made up the whole may be imagined
when it is mentioned that Of the corbeilles fol
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.
"Ahi CONNIE est beaul magnifquel belle
admirable and all the prolific aud expires
ave adjectives 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, 80 exquisite, so fragile, with
its towering leaves and petals that it seemed
designed only for q fairy feast and to be
touched by fairy fingers.
There is quite IA history attached to this
service" said madame, in her ripping, musi
cal French, as she graciously assigned the
guests To their respective seats, and motione'l
the we'll trained domestics to perform tieir
Irtia eha TOD al
pardonable pride. "a souvenir which my
family preserves with pleasure. PERHAPS il
is out Of place to recall it here. but since YOU
have all seemed so interested, will relate
the story Ny great grandmother was la
premiere dame de compagnie to the queen Of
Portugal She was q great favorite and an
acknowledged belle at court
Zone morning the king gave q superb break
fast in her honor. and this service, used only
on the grandest occasions, was called into
requisition. Just as you have admired il
here, so she was struck with its beauty then
and commented upon it to his majesty, at
whose right hand she sat He never did any
thing by halves. did that gracious old king
That very evening, while my ancestor, proud
and happy at the honor bestowed upon her
that morning. sat iu her boudor RECEIVING
the congratulations of her friends. a mes
senger arrived from the king. bearing the
Identical service used At the mornings feast
and begging that. a. she had so much id
mired it, she would, a. . favor from the
king, accept it in memory Of that dav.'
"Ahl it is indeed something Of which to b
proud I" remarked Indy Who sat near.
I'VE seldom use it, continued madame
when we do . servant ID never allowed tc
touch it. 1t has been the pride OF the ladies
Of my house that they alone have handled It.
and in this manner, not withstanding its grsai
age. each piece has been preserved intact"
ut was used last on our wedding day y
aid monsieur in deep veice, Is he looked
with pride upon his beautiful wife.
OH yes, answered madame, blushing and
laughing and it will be used again when our
daughter here will choose as wise a. her
mother has done Today" she said, while a
tear glistened in her eye, II have brought i,
out because as it was given by royalty itself,
20 those who act in q royal manner should b
the ones to use 1t. Each southern sok,ier who
rises to defend his country is king in his own
right"
To this day she has never forgotten how
that band of creole volunteers rose to their
feet and bowed as to . queen; never forgot
ten how the blood rushed to their cheeks, how
their hearts seemed to throb with emotion,
and the gallant commander, speaking for all,
touched his sword with his lips, and vowed
they would never betray the confidence
which woman Of the south. speaking for
Der sex. had that day reposed in them.
But all this was long ago; Of the war, its
sorrows and disasters, this sketch deals not
but Of that old home in the rue Rampant, Of
which madame's fair canchfer Ia morn III.