Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1891-10-16
TIE LOUISIANA CREOLE.
SOMETHING OF HIS HOME LIFE AND
CHARACTERISTICS.

- ~''iO w.
The Ancient Creole Averse to Change and
innovations-The Representative of an
Era That Is Rapidly Passing Away.
The Mother.
The ancient Creole abhors change and
looks with disfavor upon anything contrary
TO the usual Cow of events or customs for
elgn to those of his forefathers. Even in
architecture the spirit asserts itself. In the
American portion of New Orleans old land
marks have rapidly disappeared, and on their
sites new and elegant houses with every
modern appurtenance rear their stately
columns but down in the old French quarter
there IS a marked difference The whole
tauoourg, with few exceptions seems to have
reached the point where evolution has ceased.
Ihe houses are singularly curious and an
guar; the owners look with peculiar pride
upon these grim. solemn structures, and
cling atfectionately TO them because of old
associations and Influences, in their ewes con
slderatlons OF far greater importance than
the DEGREES OF modern fashion In house
decorations the distinction appears with
greater nicely Where reparation or renova-
ton becomes necessary, while scrupulously
particular as to the quality of materials
used IN embellishng, old tapestry is rehabil-
itated, so as TO correspond with the ancient
models, trescoings are renewed, with d view
OF preserving as far as possible the original
design
In consequence of the growing social rela-
tions between American and French New
Orleans, the young Creole, with enthusiastic
appreciation of the beautiful and novel, FIRE
queutly suggests to paterfamilias the pro
prlety of returnishing or reconstructing the
home in keeping with the aesthetic spirit Of
his more progressive neighbors. but all such
proposals are sienced by peremptory re
fusal to tear dowB those time honored
structures, or to allow those respected fur
nishings to fall under the auctioneers
hammer would be acts of dissertation upon
which the shades OF departed ancestors would
rise in judgment.
The Creole gentleman of the old regime is
representative Of an era that is rapidly
passing away day in which honor was held
a thing Sc dear, 50 sacred, that the least sars
castle jest was construed into an insulting
lmputatlon, for which an immediate apology
was demanded or a confutation at the swords
edge, day in which the most distinguished
courtesy and gallantry was accorded woman (;
when as an instance thereof, a gentleman
could not, without the greatest breach of
politeness, ask Of a lady permission to light a
cigar III her presence, much less raise his hat
to her upon casually meeting in the street.
without first throwing away the smoking
weed, even though it were a most expensive
and fragrant Havana to which match had
but moment before been applied He is a
true type Of the men of the old school, in
which "noblesse ObIge" was a gentleman's
creed
Monsieur has been an expert duelfst in his
day, and his "reminiscences of the Spanish
and Italian fencing schools are very enter
tanning He has also been patron Of the
rod and the gun, and knows every turn and
twist in the swamps and bayous around New
Orleans, has had an intimate acquaintance
with the celebrated chasseurs de Panceine
jours, and relates with jest his own expert
ence in search of becaSnes and canards; he
will impress upon you his unerring skill as
marksman by telling how on one occasion,
when several birds lowered in the air he
raised his gun and, bang ''he had seen but
three and five came down" Age has not
diminished his admiration for the fair sex;
he is as courtly gallant and ready to bestow
a stately compliment as in the brightest flush
of youthful gayety He is proud of his name,
of the positions of trust and honor he or
members of his family have held in the com
munity and his mission to foreign courts;
but far and above all this is he proud of his
French and Spanish origin, and holds as his
most precious possession a long, narrow box
which contains the decorations and incon-
testable proofs of his noble ancestry.
The Creole motherI No ordinary woman
is she, no vain seeker after fashionable no
toriety, no loud advocate of woman's sup
posed rights, no aggressive competitor in the
ranks and callings of men. She is the queen
of home, that is her supreme sphere, her ideal
realm, whore love is her throne and the at
tendant ministers purity and truth. In the
rearing If her daughters the beauty Of her
life most asserts itself. From the moment
that The duties of matronhood claim her at
tention she leaves the gay world, of which
she has been such brilliant ornament, and
in the quiet seclusion of her own home de-
votes herself unreservedly to the training
and education of her children, and when the
eldest daughter is of an age to enter society
for a second time the mother appears upon
the social stage. Time has but matured her
girlish charms into mellow glow of autumn,
and as the chaperon of her daughter, La
belle Creole, with her eyes of gypsy bright
ness, rich, clear complexion, and face spark
ling with intelligence and vivacity, not once
does madame deem it prudent to dispense
with her motherly supervision until her
carefully guarded jewel is given to anothers
keeping at the bridal altar Then the mother
retires to her own tireside, not again to figure
in the world until a similar occasion requires
it. Marie L. Points in New Orleans Plea
yune.