The Opelousas courier., 1893-10-21
The Story of Evangeline.
A STORY FOR CHILDREN.

Nearly all Louisiana children have
heard Of the beautiful Bayou Teche
which flows through the prcttiest p0r-
ton of our State-perhaps SOME or my
Young readers live ON its banks ana
play under the~great spreading OAKS
that keep the grass there so cool and
pleasant. I wish we could all get to-
gether under one of those shady trees
and could tell you the sweet story that
a famous poet, named Henry Long
fellow, has written, but as we live so
far apart | shall have to make my pen
speak for me and when you are older
you must read the poem you Will lke
it all the better because it tells so much
about our own Louisiana
A great many years ago, before the
American Colonies became independent
States, the little village of Grand-Pre
was settled in far off Novia Scotia by a
number of French people, called Aca-
dians. They were a quiet, industrious
set, paying little heed TO the wars which
were carried on between the French and
English, who quarreled constantly over
their American possessions. The Aca-
dian settlement was happy, peaceful !
spot, and fairest and sweetest OF Its
maidens was Evangeline, only child OF
rich farmer Benedict, the pride OF the
village, and as good as she was beautl-
full. Great was the rejoicings in Grand
Pre- when its simple Inhabitants learn
ed that handsome young Gabriel, the
popular son of the blacksmith, was soon
to marry dark-eyed Eyangeline. EV-
eryone prayed for blessings on the
! Young couple. But before the wedding
day arrived the English captured Grand
Pre- and carried many OF its inhabitants
to distant lands. Young Gabriel was
among the unfortunate number and
Eyangeline was left to mourn his loss
| Her fathers home was burned by the
soldiers and he soon died broken heart
ed so poor, lonely Eyangeline began Il
| tourney OF search for her lover. She
knew that some of the Aeadians had
been sent to Louisiana and hoped to
! find Gabriel there. Throug h lone
months she continued her search till sht
reached Louisiana and wandered aloIe
1.-THE BAYOU Teche to the town OF st. Mar
] tinsyille, where sue found her country.
! men; but Gabriel had gone to seek he
and though she followed, the years pass
! ed and still found them separated. A
last, when Evangeline's dark hair hat
grown gray and her smooth skin hat
/. become wrinkled, she became Slste
4 of Mercyin PeDnsyl vania; always work
/ ing among tue poor and SICK, oeioVe'
1 by all for her gentleness and patience
One quiet Sunday evening she was call
/ ed to the bedside of IA dying man. ID
was old and withered and bis life wa
| fast ebbing away, but Eyangeline rec
ognized him as the handsome Gabrle
Of long ago. So after many years Q
waiting and hoping, the faithful lover
! saw each other again fora few moment
on earth Gabriel passed away wit
; his weary head resting on Evangellne
true heart, her dear name on bis lip!
and before long she was sleeping by b.
! side in the quiet cemetery.
j A great city has grown up where ht
iabors of mercy were wrought and tt
graves of the lovers are unknown an
! 1 uucared for, but | never listen to tt
/ mnrmurs of the Tecbe waters, or he:
the breeze sigh through the oaks, that
: ! do not fancy it is ad-hearted Evang
! line, calling in vain for her beloved =
Q briel.-By Jennie G.. Rogers in the u
0 dies Companion.
AT a mass meeting held at Lal