St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1892-11-19
AN EYE WITNESS,

In spite OF the fact that added year
are serlc1M Inconvenience to people who
like myself, have passed beyond tn
boundary, Of middle age, can still la,
claim tosa fair portion of my former &C
tivity and vigor.
My home is naturally with my onl,
daughter, whose interests and affections
are centred in her husband and littl,
children, and who never cares to le-ve thu
country, where she has lived since he
marriage. AS for me, if my joints are
tribe sitter than Of yore, my spirits have
not yet lost their elasticity, and | cannot
bear the monotony of quiet life beref
| of outside diversions.
| 70 me the country is charming From
| the time OF natures awakening till tho
reapcrs have gathered the harvest, each
flower, each twig, each tender grass
shoot speaks its own silent, beautiful
language. The chipping of the birds,
the droning of the bees, the various
sounds that issue from the poultry yard
and stables, the baying of the hounds,
and, above all, the prattle of innocent
children, appeal to me strongly, and at
such times l am all that could be ex-
pected Of model grandmother. have
my easy chair, which my good son-in-
law rolls into pleasant corner. | have
my spcctac:es, Ely knitting and my rc!ni-
nlsccnccs ali ready to make use OF at the
first opportunity, and my dear Nellie re-
Jolces at seeing me so contcntcl. Poor,
dcludcd child With the last autumn
leaves and the fret moaning of the winds
through the bare tree tops make ready
for flight, and Nellie reluctantly does my
packing, shaking her head the while
over my folly.
But it is not foolish, this desire for
human intercourse, for while nature
sleeps crave my kind. l delight to
mlngio with them in the busy city and
study them in my own peculiar way
Nellie cannot understand this, her home
duties absorb her and narrow her views
Practically my life is OH the wanc.
have loved, l have welded and been
widowed. | have reared my child and
have lived to see her a happy wife and
mother, and now that my work is fin
lshcd-now that am no longer needed
i must have vent for my surplus
energy: | cannot end my days in the
proverbial chimney nook, whittier all old
women who have served their time are
rclcgatcd, no, not while I have feet to
carry me whercsoevcr will.
1t was through such forcible arguments
that generally overrulcd Nelie's obiec-
tons, and so it happened, at the partic-
ular season of which write, found my
SET most charmingly situated in one Of
the choice localities of the city, with
friends who, for the sake of past associa-
lions, were willing to accommodate me.
My rooms were delightful, but my
circle OF acquaintance was SO large, my
invitations and engagements so numerous
that l spent little time in my coy quar-
tiers until brought to sudden halt in my
gayetIes by twinge Of lumbago, with
Which Providence saw fit to alflict me
for my unsecmly frivolity. l still wrote
cheerful letters to Nellie, however, never
mentioning my complaint, standing,
truth to tell rather in awe of her inevi-
table II told you so p
During my close confinement 1 viewed
life from my front windows, and dis
covered that even with such limited
range of observation might find some
thing to amuse and interest.
At first | only noticed casually the hct-
erogeneous procession that passedup and |
down the street, but after a while I |
commenced to single out individuals who
attracted my attention by reason of some
Distinguishing characteristic, and finally
| became SO absorbed in my contempla-
ton of two striking figures that Iallowed |
the other to go by unhecded. Now |
blame myself for this, as it cost me much |
trouble and annoyance and taught me a
lesson shall not quickly forget.
The more prominent of these two was
q young man whose age could not have
been over 25. His face was so boyish
that | thought he could scarcely claim so
many years, but on account of his splen-
lid figure and dignifed bearing I gave
aim the benefit of the doubt What first
lrcw me towards him was his walk. 1t
vas the most even ever saw. His steps
we're firm and resounding, nor neither
hurried nor tagging. There is much in
walk, and am sure there was a great
!eal in that young mans.
have always openly admitted my
ondness for the other sex. as. indeed.
very woman should if she is not hypo-
rite, but | am generally inclinel so
avorably towards them that am apt to
RI sometimes on the side of lenience. I
eem to lind more excuses for their faults
nd follies, more sympathy with their
In short, like them, old
$ am, and the many good men whose
ives have passed directly under my scru-
my, inspire me with degree of tender
ess that l have never yet felt for the
'est of women.
There was something clerical in the
ress and bearing of this particular young
1an, and I decided without hesitation
hat he was either student of divinity
+ perhaps full-fedged minister, and
his added to the respect that his appear
nee commanded.