The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-03-06
OVER THE DAM,
BY Mrs. NJ. e. Kendall.

by MIS-. AANhNA'
"Now, Leu, be good, and tell us
honestly how it came about that you,
once Louise Crofton, the belle OF Ivy
side. became Mrs. Darwin, instead oil
the wife Of the handsome. elegant, re-
fined Charles Mountain, the sem-nlll-
donafre, TO whom Madam Rumor and
all the rest of us had you more THAN |
nlneteenths engaged
That is the question that |, as speaker
pro tenn for party of petticoated pests,
put to Mrs. Louise Darwin, the petted
wife of an honest, upright, very plain,
not oyereducated, independent farmer,
TO whom she had been eighteen months
married, and whom she loved with her
whole heart; while Denton. Darwin
worshlped her as the deyout PERSIAN
does his sun-deity.
Don't you know, we went over the
dam together!' was the laconlc au-
swer received in behalf of myself and
iuauisitiye clients; which answer made
us only the more clamorous for details
and so we besieged the somewhat reti-
cent Louise EN- masse, threatening her
with suffocation by hugging-ali OF us
right around her neck, unless she
surrendered at discretion, and Afforded
US the information demanded.
40. YES: most of us remember your
going over the dam in company with
your husband that is now. But then
that was two and half years ago, and
we have never quite determined how
that simple circumstance could have so
entirely revolutioniZed Louise Croftons
matrimonial IDEAS"
AZ am well aware how widely you all
guessed of the truth in discussing the
incident and its results. But as | always
argued it was really the business OF no
one except myself and the man who Is
now my husband, know of no reason
why you should not be permitted to
press on to your hearts content, with
out my volunteering an explanation.
'.Now,' Lou, you're a tyrant, and o
barbarian, to snub us in this manner
We only wanted to-"
..Ah, yes, girls-I understand. Vow
only wanted TO add few more meslies
to your man-catching nets. Well, yot
shall be gratified; not that l approve Of
dimity man-traps; but that one or TIVE
of you are in need of an Illustrated ar
gument. and perhaps all OF you ma!
deem it advisable to go over the dan
some day before dropping your famii.
identity at the altar forever; and so
will tell you the story"
"Ah! there's darling. Now you az
really good, Lour' And we all got close
around Louise Darwin, fiinging oul
selves down on the velvet sward unde
The old elm out there on the lawn, in
listening attitude. Lou told us III
story very prettily and briefly. | WI
apdeayor to be as brief: though ca
not hone to be as entertaining with
non as Mrs. Darwin was in her rel
communication.
Several of you girls were eye WI
nesses of the incident; but as some
YOU were not, will relate the circa1
stances in brief, as they occurred.
IA party of some thirty person
unite one.half of whom were your
ladies' of about my own age, n;
crossed In boats the larger branch
the river TO a narrow, wooded isiai
about a mile above the Fairneid ga
for the purpose of fishing, wanderi
In the woods and social enjoyme
generally.
ssThree days previously Denton ID
win had solicited my hand In marria'
and | had rejected him-not rudely
heartlessly. for as a friend regard
him very highly; but as / neither ioV
him nor any man, had no idea OF g
inr.myself away until my heart hat
word to say in regard 10 the transf
This I frankly told Darwin, and thou
he regretted his failure, ne wes~in
wise offended, and II was agreed q
our relations of friendly inums
should continue uninterrupted
Charles Mountain was my escort
ON the occasion, and ayailing himsei'
al opportunity that occurred aurinl
ramble through the wood, he decia
his love for me IN manner somew
isnpetuous, and besought me TO acc
his heart, band and fortune.
sMr. Mountains attentions 10 my
Ind for several months been so part
lar that local gossip had declared an
gagenaent, which assertion never I
the mains to contradict Indeed,
rather proud OF such possibility;