The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1892-12-17
BAYOU DES AMOUREUX.
A Romance.

on for miles in an Easterly direction,
and is finally lost in a wide beautiful
stream, (now known and called hayon
Des Amoureaux) whose clear waters
roll increasingly with an y G muir
muring sound. BUSHES grow along
the edges, tall trees, here and there,
lean oeer and lave their green-leaved
branches calessinglv i'll the .inspid
tide.
1t is the special haunt Of members
Of the tinny tribe. The bayou literally
teens with fish. Game is plentiful in
the surrounding praries. 4 veritabie
paradise for sportnen and knights OF
the fishing rod.
One evening near the close Of day,
when the sun was disappearing in
golden spleudor below the horizon,
Charlie l. an Intrepid young
hunter, alone in Il plrogue, was on his
way to Il rendezvous with Il friend.
Mr.. j who was experienced AID
well posted as to the best hunting and
fishing grounds of the country ; he
was also IN adept, in that he knew
the histories of the different localities,
and vas an uudisputed authority On
such matters. The place of meeting
already decided on, IA a gem of an
island, lying nea the center Of bayou
des Anloureaux, where Mr.. J.
had some time since established a
hunting camp, and where the neces-
sary things, suitable for their purpose,
had been conveyed.
When Charlie, hove to, the savory
smell OF fried fish, made known the
previous arrival of his friend.
Greetings, then sliarpened
appetites of two hungry men, soon
demolished the toothsome meal. That
important undertaking over, our
friends more than content, seated
themselves comfortably. with prime
cigars to keep them company.
After a few moments of til oughtful
silence, Charlie requested his
lon, to tell him why, the beautiful
waters, flowing SO nea them, should
have received such a romantic naIne
Mr.. = willingly complied with
the request by relating the following
story.
Years ago, he began, before this
part OF the country had been fully ex-
plored, there stood on the banks of
bayou Lafourche, a small settlement
wherein dwelt IA creole family consist
ing of Mr.. NJ and wife, with a
niece, a charming girl. endowed with
great beauty. She bore tile sweet
name name of Melanie.
Suitors sighed at her feet, but she
only favored Gustave, a fine specimen
of his sex. Tall, debonair, and with
al possessed of a determination of
character suspected BY few of his as
sociates.
With the lovers it was the COM
mon story OF obdurate parents, on
account OF old feuds in the families.
After much opposition and ever
cruelty towards the two young peo-
pie on the part OF the said llard-heart-
ed relatives, Gustaye became imbued
with a strong sense of injustice, and
as a last resort, made up his mind to
carry off his bride.
Though unwilling at first to take SO
decided IL step, Melanie was finally
induced to consent to it, through the
~unrelenting pleading of her handsome
young lover.
Therefore on a calm, still night,
before a late %moon-rise, the devoted
couple left their homes and embarked
in a small boat, On the waters of the
little bayon /; first mentioned) upper
ceived as they foDdly hoped.
Gnstave knew the bayou, would
convey them to the lakes that Law
beyond, which would in turn conduct
them to some settlement where a
marriage service could be performed.
Then, he was sure. his darling would
be irrevocably his own. He also
trusted. to elude pursuit, by taking
such an unusual route.
When the boat had been allowed to
glide down stream, some distance
from the start, the strong arms of
Gustave propelled it swiftly on its
way.
Hours passed, still onward pressed
the lovers, in silence. The tall grass
u stunted trees on the shore, pre-
sented strange shapes in the semi
darkness. The ouly SOUNDS heard.
We're the croakings Of innumerable
frogs, the roar of some wild animal.
or the cry of night birds.
Although possessed of great strength
and endurance, G~ustave felt that he
eonld not continue much longer at
such a rate.
The silvery light of the moon began
to preyade the scene.
Poigna, ian lsland) was now not far
off, where the lovers soon landed for IA
short rest, when they would push on
again. Gustave never lost vigilance,
not knowing whether Melanie and he
had been observed in their fight he
prepared for emergencies, by carefully
c%Oncealin0 his hoat amonr the raadS