Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1892-03-29
WAITING.

Of Louisiana.
They lived ont in the country. about
twelve miles from the Mississippi river,
and ON the border of the loveliest sheet
of water ever beheld. 1t was a 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 la the midst of this lake was an isl
and. at times fairy like in the hazy at
mosphere From the residence of my
friend it was my delight to contemplate
the shifting reflection of droll houses and
tall trees miirored on the waters CLASSY
surface. On fine evenings | 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 tiarg rei,t.nn across the waves
During several OF these rides my at
tention was attracted by dilapidated
dwelling which stood at some distance
from the road 1t was partly concealed
by dense shrubbery, resembling in foil
age the Cherokee rose.
Each time we passed the house noticed
the figure of 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 he 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 rrone.
Who is she?" ventured to ask my
friend. that ancient dame who has sta
toned herself over there?"
Ancient dainer' she exclaimed, why
she is only Il few years older than am -
scrutinized the youthful figure and
well preserved features beside me.
impossible! she seems old enough to
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
betallen 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
inst passed was once the residence of IA
planter who lived in grand style, ac-
cording to the opinion of his contempt
rar1es, in antebellum days Its appear
ance would justify you in doubling my
statement, for there is no vestige left of
Its departed glory. 1t was, nevertheless.
once considered comfortable and at.
tracuve home, where the young people
OF that period often met for social en-
loyments. | perceive from your face that
1t is difficult for you to associate those
crumbling walls with il 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 We're under the impression that
they had been blessed with the good
Things of life, and they accepted their
iot with contentment Old Mr.. Jacob,
the owner Of the place, was "a man OF
that sort, Although uneducated an |
somewhat uncouth in his mfnners he
was kind hearted and sociable, and al
ways anxious to have his friends about
nm He took particular pride in flow l
garden, where jaslnines and olives en-
plllned the air. and where choice roses
ana variety of shrubbery fourished in
Reckless profusionl You now find nc
trace OF this old fashioned garden; shrubs
and plants have all been swept from ex-
istence."
All but the Cherokee rose" teasing
~ suggested. WAS that elassed among
the rare plantsy"
That thick growth which You have
taken for the Cherokee continued
Estelle, lis species of climbing rose,
much like the cloth of gold 1t once
tralled over a summer house, and is.
perhaps, the only relic left of the pleas
ant past. It is evident that the rose
mas grown wild, for it is rioting ovel
the premises. Cecile, that ancient
dame of yours, was the youngest of MI
Jacobs family. just at the close OF the
war she was in the bloom of youth ant
asplendid type of Creole beauty-tai
and 1.-THE, and the grace of every motor
gave one an underlined impression OF th'
Incidence and voiuptuousness OF me-
nature. She was brunette with rici
color, and her dark eyes were as melting
Us those of gazelle.
The girl was not considered intelli
gent, and her education had been sadl.
neglected; but there was in her man