The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1893-10-07
A HUMBLE GENTLEMAN.
He Was a Useful Member OF q
Proud Family.

carriage, entered fashionable city
Two aged sisters the !,
widows of John and James Manpant, .
sat upon the back seat. The front seat ,
was occupied by the driver, Thomas
Hanlon. a trusted and beloved attend /,
ant, whose services and society con- ,
tributcd more to the happiness OF the
old ladies than they realized
Happily the widows Maupant and
the INDECENT horse were in harmony as
to what should be his rate OF travelling
along the short, winding avenue OF the
Enclosure. That he should walk was
the desire of the three. The, widows
had come to observe the many tomb
stones and stately monuments; to re-
call memories of the dead; and they did
not wish to be hurried. Time was OF
no value to them, and they were lavish
in its use. They sought to proioug /
their stay. for to visit the cemetery was /
the chief pleasure of their now monot-
onous lives Every Sunday when the
weather was favorable they came IN
the covered carriage, the faithful Ham
lon driving and the slothful horse
walking with an air of contentment
and indifference During six days the
widows did little more than to exist,
and their eyes were dull and devoid OF
expression, they being like most very
old people who are not strongly inter
lectual. But on the seventh day.
when they visited the cemetery, they
bauished their customary apathy.
Their eyes were alert and sparkled;
their movements were quick as they
raised their hands to point out inter-
estinr objects: they indulged in much
animated conversation. ;,
All of their intimate friends had
passed away, and their remains Jay y.
the graves which the widows looked
upon so often The city OF the dead:
although silent. by the magic touch OF
it's memories could awaken an interest,"
in the minds of the old ladies winch
they never felt near by in the BUSTING
CITY of the living, where they passed
the greater part of their time. Inc
aged sisters already belonged 10 the
past, although their souls fingered III
their frail and shrunken bodies. NO.
paradoxical is it, then, to say tna'
there was the most of life for then
where there was the most OF DEATH
During the drive the widows Mau
pant were unusually talkative. Iner'
was scarcely a grave lot to which the.
did not make some reference as thc.
passed it. Not few OF the mohu
mcnts recalled interesting histories
families with whose members they ma
been we'll acquainted in their glrihoo
or in their middle life. The sister
were thorough aristocrats. They 100
m,cb prjde in the knowledge tbs
they belonged to one of the old and 81
lect families OF the city, and that the
had never been intimate with any e.
ccpt the leading people OF the piac
There were many Others to wnom tne
had spoken graciously whenever tne
had met them, but they had never
lowed themselves to be familiar WI
the multitude.
Their aristocratic feelings were co
ssantly betrayed in their conversau'
with each other and with Thomas II
Ion for he, being the kind and trust
servant upon whom they In the wea
ncss OF old age relied Tor care and
vice was the only humble person W
h.a over been their confidant To n
.hor unbosoned themselves freely, a
he was worthy of their trust lie
heen with them for about ten yea
aver since they had needed some one
whom to lean.
uanlon was one of those INTEREST,"
PERSONS. called common by the lne
terminating, who, on account OF tn
conscientious common sense, Rr
,,;ndness of heart, their readiness
~arler;nr aid to others at the most
,,ortuue times, and theirsunfaiiing g
aat,,rc attract MS as many people
o;oI,v and intellectually superior
them cannot. lie was uneducatcd
unrmbitious; and not being engros
WI IDEAS and great schemes haa
time and inclination to do much LOT
welfare of his friends He belonged
The very valuable and sensible
whose intellects are fortunately
rable of entertaining theories OF
lind. so that their lives may aoouh
..e,,d works resulting simply from
ection of sympathetic hearts ana
full hands. $50, the ,
..rr Hanlon acted the part OF a I
-. Gentleman to perfection lie
..n.d patiently to the garruious
&c ~ the old ladies, repetition
which he had heard hundred times
'. The right times made brief rem
md answered questions in just the
hs knew the sisters wished him 70.
understood how to please them
never failed to do II.
~ am afraid am talking 70 yo'
much said Martha, the older SIS.
she tapped him on the shoulder 10
.antb time within few minut
order to draw his attention 70 q
stone .-.d
r.turedly. Talk to me all you
70. like to hear you
II. was sincere He was not
because he was bent on giving pies
They arrived at the spot that
.st.d them the most II was whe
ssms,ns of the parents and husoa
the widows Maupant reposed' IN
pensive granite vault ou'is aga
knoll =.
Hanlon assisted the sisters 70
from the carriage. Together tn
~. walked to the tomb, They
eorober in their black dresses
their bonnets. dark except wne
r,,che encircled their foreneaos
= ~.<~xva