Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-02-07
A CHINA SERVICE.

It was a gala day in New Orleans; flags
and bunting streamed gayly in the breeze,
the martial notes of music filled the air, and
the proud, steady tread of many feet in har-
mony suggested thoughts at once patriotic
and soul stirring. The streetG, crossings,
every available inch of space along the line
of march was thronged with an expectant,
sympathetic mass whose CHEEKY smile broke
into prolonged tHurrah!" as the brilliant
line of soldiery came in view.
What sight it wasl That eager, enthusi-
astic body of men, clad in their fresh gray
uniforms and nodding plumes, their muskets
cleaning like solid mass of silvery light,
their swords rejecting every CLINT of sunlight
like kaleidoscope's 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 mansion
that stands out upon the street, with its mas
sive front, white futed columns and wide
spreading galleries. making it even today
conspicuous landmark of pride in the vleux
care, there was gathered bright and merry
group of creole maidens and matrons who
banners and evergreens, chattering like so
many busy magpies, or peering anxiously
down the streetas each breath of wind waited
the distant strains of music, or some mis-
chievous lad perched in the trees around gave
the false alarm, "Les soldats! les Soldats! lis
yiennent lis viennentl'
But presently the unmistakable 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 flutter 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
them it seemed a mere child's play; few
strokes of their swords, a few shots and it
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
heads, and with all the chivalry of the
knights of the romantic ages they drew a
cross upon their swords and vowed to con-
ouer or die for their lady loves and native
land
Obi the silvery ripples of laughter and ap-
nlause that burst from the rose petaled lips
ST fho low
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
| 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
l
each piece perfect study in itself, represent
ing different design uniquely and chastely
| finished. An idea of the number of pieces
that made up the whole may be imagined
| when it is mentioned that of the corbeilles for
| 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
| demonstrations of the contemporaneous his
tory of its period.
| "Ahl CONNIE est beaul magnlfique! belle!
adnairabe!" and all the prolific and express
sive adjectives of the Latin tongues were
called into reauisition as the guests, forget
| full of propriety or politeness in SO doing
| locked at. but scarcely dared to touch the
| dalicate china SO exquisite, so fragile, with
its Towering leaves and petals. that itseemed
| designed only for a fairy feast and to be
touched by fairy fingers.
ssThere is quite history attached to this
seryice,n said madame in her ripping, musi-
cal French, as she graciously assigned the
| guests to their respective seats, and motloned
the well trained domestics to perform then
duties; "auite history" she repeated, with
pardonable pride, "a souvenir which my
family preserves with plearure. Perhaps II
is out of place to recall it here, but since you
have all seemed so interested, l will relate
the story. My great grandmother was Ia
premiere dame de compagnie to the queen OF
Portugal She was great favorite and an
acknowledged belle at court.
Zone morning the king gave superb break
fast in her honor, and this service, used only
on the grandest occasions, was called into
I,oxy Q6n
here. so she was struck with its beauty then
and commented upon it 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, proue
Aid happy at the honor bestowed upon hel
that morning, sat in her boudoir receiving
) the CONGRATULATIONS of her friends, a mes
senger arrived from the king, bearing IN!
identical service used at the mornings feast
and begging that, as she had SO much al
mired it. She would, as a favor from thu
. king, accept it in memory Of that day."
.sAh! it is indeed something Of which to b.
proudp' remarked lady WHO sat near.
1--WE seldom use it," continued madame
swhen we do a servant is never allowed u
touch it, 1t has been the pride of the ladie
of my house that they alone have handled II
| and in this manner, Notwithstanding It's gIea
age. each piece mas peen pi esei Feu in''No'
= ssIt was used last on our wedding day.
said monsieur in deep voice, as he looked
! with pride upon his beautiful wife
ooh! yes" answered madame, blushing ant
laughing ssand it will be used again when oul
daughter here will choose as wise as ne
mother has done. Today" she said, while {
tear glistened in her eye, II have brought i
out because as II was given by royalty itself
50 those who act in royal manner should b
the ones to use it, Each southern soldier VIII
rises to defend his country is a king in his owl
right"
To this day she has never forgotten nov
that band of creole volunteers rose to thel
, feet and bowed as to queen; never forgot
ten how the blood rushed to their cheeks, nov
:, their hearts seemed to throb with emotion
5 and the gallant commander, speaking for all
touched his sword with his lips, and vowe