Los Angeles herald., 1891-02-18
WAITING.

W AI11lNU.
In the summer of 1877 I 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
ed it 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 the residence of my
friend 1t was my delight to contemplate
the shifting reflection of droll houses and
tall trees mirrored on the waters CLASSY
surface. On fine evenings l sauntered
on the banks and watched these chang
ing aspects of sunset. Sometimes we
drove around the shore that we might
catch glimpse of the orb extending it.
self into a fiery column across the waves.
During several of these rides my at
tention was attracted by dilapidated
dwelling which stood at some distance
from the road. It was partly concealed
by dense shrubbery, resembling in foli-
age the Cherokee rose.
Each time we passed the house noticed
the figure Of a woman sitting at the top
of the front steps. Her general appear
ance struck me as that of a creature in a
forlorn condition. She seemed emaciated
in form, was wretchedly clad, and wore
over her head something which seemed
to be 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 she?' 1 ventured to ask my
friend; "that ancient dame who has sta
toned herself over there?"
ancient damev' she exclaimed, "why
she is only few years older than am"
Z l scrutinized the youthful figure and
well preserved features beside me.
g.Troov,nCci1N1at che old ,rrt, 10
be your grandmother.
Indeed she is not | remember the
time when we went to balls together.
She was then an acknowledged belle, and
so 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 decrepitude?"
"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 a
planter who lived in grand STYLE &C
cording to the opinion Of his contempo-
raries, in antebellum days. Its appear
ance would justify you in doubling my
statement, for there is no vestige left of
its departed glory. It was, nevertheless,
once considered comfortable and at
tractive home, where the young people
of that period often met for social en-
ioyments. perceive from your face that
it 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 uneducated and
somewhat uncouth in his manners, hi
was kind hearted and sociable, and al
ways anxious to have his friends abou
him. He took particular pride in fowe,
garden, where jasmines and olives EN-
balmed the air, and where choice rose
and variety of shrubbery hourished il
reckless profusion! You now find nj
trace of this old fashioned garden; shrub
and plants have all been swept from ex
istence."
"All but the Cherokee rose," teasing
" suggested. "Was that classed among
the rare plants?"
"That thick growth which you hav
taken for the Cherokee" continued
Estelle, sis a species of climbing rose
much like the cloth of gold. It ono
trailed over a summer house, and is
perhaps, the only relic left of the pleas
ant past. 1t is evident that the ros
has grown wild, for it is rioting owe
the premises. Cecile, that 'ancier
dame of yours, was the youngest of MI
Jacobs family. just at the close of th
war she was in the bloom of youth an
splendid type of Creole beauty ia
and 1.-the, and the grace Of every motto
gave one an underlined impression Of th
indolence and voluptuousness of he
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