The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1894-04-07
THE CHARM OF MYSTERY.

Of gronp OF brothers and sisters
gathered around slowly dying fire
on some bleak winter evening. and
listening to an old negro crone tell
ghost stories in the twilight. while the
wind and the rain were making wild
merrinent with the bare trees and the
loosely hung window panes of the
dearly loved home.
In fancy. we still see Il ose innocent
faces with their soft tender curves
around brow and chin. aud with their
large. wide awake young eyes bright
ming in woulerment at the strange
ness of the narratives. The nurses firm
faith in the supernatural and that
innate dramatic talent of her race, en-
abled her to paint wildly those scenes
of weird events: the large luxriant
bayous. where. when the storms ragged
overhead and the great forest mon
archs sobbed and shrisked in anguish.
there ever fitted along them the tall.
vapor shrouded figure of woman,
that wandered quietly among the
stagnant waters and the tangled brush
wood. until, BY flash Of lightning
she happened to see lonely traveller.
trying to fluid the pathway toward
home. when. she would sing shrill
witch song which would force the be-
lated traveller to follow her. then she
would lead him far. far away from the
little narrow path. until they reached
II dark ravine. where black waters
, rumbled like the river of Death. and
here she would leave him. to perish all
alone i'm hunger and despair. And
after he was dead, his soul would stray
!. forever in the forest, but 1t woni look
only like a little flame Of fire burning
among the branches of The bruslwood.
However. no one dared TO try AND reach
/ it, for it always wandered through
the tangled vines until it reached the
fatal ravine.
Yes, even now, we recall the intense
interest with which we listened to the
description of the strange, white phan-
tom and the lonely traveller; aud,
we, also, rememb Der, how. afterwards.
at night, when the curtains wnuld
sway to and fro in the window, we
would wonder if. directly some great
hand would not pull them aside and
solemnly becken US to follow 1t out on
the dreaded bayou: and then. il per-
Ihaps. pale streak of moonlight would
fall across the floor, we would shud-
der ia cold terror. and would cover
our eyes with the pillow and would
try to think no longer of the soul
light. in the dark mournful forest.
| Certainly. we recall those evenings
with pleasure. and sometimes we still
feel that such tales possess subtle
wild facination for us; but then We
knew that life is too short Il. sentlmeli-
liaiize over anything that is past, SO
trying to crush completely our longing
for the impalpable aud mysterious,
we lose ali thought of the ghost stories
in the twilight and think only on the
l. l. all
The people that we know so we'll
forsooth
What people. nay. what person does
+ any of us really know.
We see our friends day after day
We watch their. modes of conduct. W.
+ diligently learn what books they read
what companionship they enjoy. wha'
sports they follow. But we do not
know them. We do not know theil
thoughts and deepest feelings. W.
know nothing of the great spiritua
dramas thai are continually being en-
: acted fur behind the curtains. and TIT
foutlights and the spectators OF thu
world.
We know not what silent loves. wha
burning ambitions. what bitter numil
iations pass like shadows over. thos'
sacred boards.
Once in a while. perhaps. we sus
pect from the appea rance OF the man
. that there have been terrible storms L
sweep over his soul. But We Eeve
guess the amount of veal or wo
which they have wrought. The sa'
, face tells only there has been a TRACE
+ DIV. 1t never reveals the plot.
(. And yet, we sigh for m, stery! w
are weary, oh. 50 weary-of the com
mon placeness Of life!
However to consider the subjec
|, more accurately. Every one realize
/, that the chief charm of character
! painting or a book. is this under
: Unable. mystic element, this indiYld
: uaiity.
!. In character. we call it magnetism
t in painting. suggestyeness; in litel
AZURE. idealIsm.