The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1892-09-24
The Story of Evangeline.

Nearly Ill LOUISVILLE cIlllufpn nave npaTu
Of Che beautiful bayou T Gle which flows
through the prettiest portion Of our
State-perhaps some Of my young read
ers live on Its banks and play under the
great spreading oaks that keep the grass
there so cool and pleasant, wish we
could all get together under one Of those
shady trees ard | coeld tell you the
SWEET story that famous poet. named
Henry LoagfellOw, has written, tut as
we live so far apart shall have to make
my pen speak for me aud when you are
older you must read the poem; you will
like 1t all the better because it tells SO
much about our own Louisiana
great manv years ago. before the
American Colonies became independent
States. the little village of Grand-Pre
was settled ia far-Off Nova Scotia by
number Of French people called Aca-
dians. There were a quiet, industrious
Set. paying little heed to the wars which
were carried on between the French and
English, who qnarreled constantly over
their America POSSESSIONS The Acadiaa
settlement was happy, peaceful spot,
and fairest and sweetest of its maideRs
was Evangeline, only child of rich far
mer Benedict, the pride Of the village
and az good as she was beautiful. Great
was the rejoicing in Grand-Pre when its
simple inhabitants learned that hand
some young Gabriel. the popular son Of
the blacksmith, was soon to marry dark.
eyed EvangeIine. Every one prayed for
blessings on the young couple. But be-
fore the wedding day arrived the Eng
fish captured Grand-Pre and carried
many Of its Inhabitants to distant lands.
Young Gabriel was among the unfortu-
nate number and Evangeline was left to
mourn his loss. Her fathers home was
burned by the soldiers and he soon died,
broken hearted; so poor lonely Evange-
line began a journey of search for her
lover. She knew that some Of the Aca.
dams has been sent to Louisiana and
hoped to find Gabriel there. Through
long months she continued her search
till she reached Louisiana and wandered
along the bayou Teche to the town of st.
Martinsville, where she found her cOun
tryIlen; but Gabriel had gone to seek
her and though she followed, the years
passed and still found them separated
At last, when Evangeline's dark hair
had grown gray and her smooth skin
had become wrinkled. she became Sis.
ter OF Mercy in Pennsylvania; always
working among the the poor and sick
beloved by all for her gentleness and
patience. One quiet Sunday evening
she was called to the bedside of a dying
man. He was old aud withered and his
life was fast ebbing away. but Evange-
line recognized him as the handsome
Gabriel Of long ago. So after many
wears Of waiting and hoping. the faith
full lovers saw each other again for q
few moments on earth. Gabriel passed
away with his weary head resting on
Evangelines true heart, her dear name
on his lips, and before long she wat
sleeping by his side in the quiet GENE
terry.
A great city has grown up where hel
labOrs Of mercy were brought and the
graves of the lovers are unknown and
uncared for; but l never listen to the
murmurs Of the Teche waters. or hear
the breeze sigh through the oaks, that
I do not fancy it is sad-hearted Evange-
line, calling in vain for her beloved Ga
briel.-By Jennie G. Rogers in The La
dies Companion.