The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1890-11-19
WAITING.

In the summer of 1877 l visited a
schoolmate of mine whose husband had
lived some distance from. the home of
her girlhood in one of. the rich parishes
of Louisiana.
They lived out in the country, about
twelve miles from the Mississippi river,
and on. the border of the loveliest sheet
of water ever beheld. 1t was lake in
reality, but the native inhabitants call
edit a, river. They seemed to attach
very little Importance to the beauty of
its scenery; indeed, it was ignored, ex-
cept by strangers who visited the coun-
try. In the midst of this lake was an ISL
and, at times fairy like in the hazy at
mosphere From thearesidence of my
friend it Was my delight to contemplate
the shifting reflection of droH houses and
tall trees mirrored ON the waters CLASSY
surface. On fine evenings | sauntered
on the banks and watched these chang
ing aspects of sunset. Sometimes we
drove around the shore that we might
catch a glimpse of the orb extending it.
self into fiery column across the waves.
During several ofsthese rides my at
tention was attracted by dilapidased
dwelling which stood at some distance
from the road It was partly concealed
by dense shrubbery, resembling in foil
age the Cherokee rose.
Each time we passed the house Noticed
the figure Of woman sitting at the top
of the front steps, Her general appear
ance struck me as that of creature in
forlorn condition. She seemed emaciated
In form, was wretchedly clad, and wore
over her head something which seemed
to be a colored handkerchief. At first
my curiosity was not in the least excited,
for often on our excursions round the
lake | had met women in similar attire.
But when evening after evening we rode
by and saw the creature in The same
position, her elbow upon her knee and
her chin resting in the palm of her hand,
began to wonder whether she ever va
Gated her seat at the head of those stairs
The idea even occurred to me that she
might be some permanent object which
my vivid imagination had transformed
into an aged crone.
who is shep' | ventured to ask my
friend; "that ancient dame who has sta
toned herself over there?'
Ancient daniel" she exclaimed, why
she is only few years older than / am. !"
scrutinized the youthful figure and
well preserved features beside me.
"Impossiblel she seems old enough to
be your grandmother.
Indeed she is not. | remember the
time when we went to balls together.
She was then an acknowledged BELLE and
80 charming in. appearance that she ex-
cited the envy Of all the girls In the
country
"And. pray, what manner Of evil has
befallen the woman and reduced her to
this untimely state of decrepitude2'
Her history you may find sadly in
teresting. Shall / tell it to you now?'
"By all MEANS" replied, land mean
while | will watch the last rays of the
sun sporting among the peach orchards
and shanties on the island. The scenery
demands admiration"
"You would not believe" began Es-
telle, "that the crazy old house we have
Just passed was once the residence of
planter who lived in grand style &C
cording to the opinion Of his contempt
raries, in antebellum days. Its appear
ance would justify you in doubling my
statement, for there is no vestige left of
its departed glory. 1t was, nevertheless
once considered comfortable and at
tractive home, where the young people
of that period often met for social en-
joyments. perceive from your face that
1t is difficult for you to associate those
crumbling walls with home once COM
Portable and pleasant. But you must
bear In mind that this portion of the
parish was settled by class of people
very simple and primitive in their mode
of living.
They were under the impression that
they had been blessed with the good
things Of life, and they accepted their
lot with contentment Old Mr.. Jacob,
the owner of the place, was man of
that sort. Although upeducated and
somewhat uncouth in his manners, he
was kind hearted and sociable, and al
ways anxious to have his friends about
him. He took particular pride in flower
garden, where jasmines and olives en-
balmed the air, and where choice roses
and q variety of shrubbery fourished In
reckless profusionl You now find no
trace of this old fashioned garden; shrubs
and plants have all been swept from ex-
istence."
"AI but the Cherokee rose" teasing
ly suggested. "Was that classed among
the rare plantsf'
'"That thick growth which you have
taken for the Cherokee" continued
Estelle, sis species Of climbing rose,
much Like the cloth of gold. 1t once
trailed over summer house. and is,
perhaps, the emily relic left Of the pleas
ant past. 1t Is evident that the rose
has grown wild, for it, Is ,rioting over
the premises. Cecile, that ancient
dame of yours, was the youngest of Mr..
Jacobs family. just at the close Of the
war she was in the bloom of youth and
splendid type of Creole beauty-tall
and 1.-THE, and the grace Of every motion
gave one an underlined impression of the
indolsnce and voluptuousness Of her
nature. She was brunette with rich
color, and her dark eyes were as melting
as those of gazelle
sThe girl was not considered intelli-
gent, and her education had been sadly
neglected; but there was in her man
ners native refinement which gave her
entrance in the best society. I remem-
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