The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1893-04-08
Aa Others See Won.

the following article which appeared
in the March issue OF '.Curreut Top
les" and we reproduce that all may
enjoy the good thingsit contains
"Filled was the air with a dreamy and
magical light; and the landscape
Law as If new created in all the freshness
of childhood.
Peace seemed to reign upon earth, all
sounds were in harmony blended;
And the great sun
Looked With eyes of low through the
golden yapOrs around him;
While arrayel in its robes of young green
and scarlet and yellow,
Bright with the sheen Of the dew. each
glittering tree of the forest
Flashed like the plane tree the Persians
adorned with mantles and Jewels"
One would say that Americas
great poet had visited Abbeville in
the spring when he wrote these lines
aboet the country in which Able
Vile rests like some fair queen a.
waitsng her diadem.
Vermilion parish has lain like
some rich but lonely meadow land
for years, putting forth efforts, that
have at last been crowned with sue
cess, to secure a railroad through
the town. The railroad has been
built, and now the world says that
Abbeville ia ION a BOOM" because
all its wealth of land, Of culturt, of
genius and Of energy are brought
within feeling distance by the steel
rails that from a swift link of con-
nection between it aud the outside
world. Situated on one of the most
beautiful streams of which Louisiana
can boast, and having water trans
p~ortation to the gulf and to the
Mississippi river, Abbeville has a
location that many towns might q
w and but few possess. Vermflon
Baron il a wider and clearer stream
than the Teche, and appears to be
deeper. 1t winds in and out be.
twee sloping banks covered with
tall trees and bright and sweet flow
ers.
1t is navigahle for owe seventy
mites all the year, and it would be
difficult to find a prettier sight than
that of a steam boat rounding a
bend in Vermilion Bayou. A hand.
some bridge spans the bayou at Alb
beviile, and the town stretches
friendly hands across the bright wa
tiers to greet the newer residences
that crown the hillsides on the other
side. One can scarcely call the
country billy. 1t is rolling rolling
on to progress and a foremost rank
in the State. So beautifully cnltiva
ted ia the land that You r on top
efa hill without seeing how you got
there, for there is no perceptible
rise aud fall In the roads, which are
the best that this writer ever seen
in Louisiana. The highways of the
paiish are as hard and firm and
smooth as asphalt. and the hoofs of
the horses ring On the level way as
they would on a we'll paved city
street. The people of abbeville feel
q Just pride in their roads.
To begin at the beginning, however
Mr.. A.. G. Pickett, who is a fore
most worker in the Abbeville rail-
road, and who feels a deep interest
in the beautiful country through
which his liue passes, handed out a
ticket to that town, and ! was soon
speeding away from New Iberia
over a magnificent farming country,
at last became outlined by
miles upon miles of Cherokee rose
hedges just bursting into blossom.
Branching ont flom this railroad Is
the "Salt Mine road" which runs to
the wonderful Louisiana salt mines
on Avery's Island. 1t is but a short
ride from either Abbeville or New
Iberia, lying midway between the
two. The coun, ry along here is
swept by sea breezes; the distance
from the gulf varying from nine to
thirty miles, being nearest TO the
gulf at J~eanerette. Avery's Weeks
and Jefferson's Islands are all con.
nected with the gulf by salt water.
On the way to Abbeville one gets a
glimpse Of the salt mine hills and OF
Joe Jefferson, the great ac'or, at
whose house on the island President
Cleveland stops when he wants
good hunting and pleasant compan.
ionship.