The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1899-06-24

on entering for the first time town In
which everything suggests decay and
poverty and those made by entering one
where we find evidences of enterprise
and thrift can form no idea Of the de-
pressing effects of the former experience
and the cheerful nature Of the latter.
The sensations in those instances differ
as widely as do those produced by enter
ing house filled with sadness and want
and another overlooking with gaiety
and plenty. One of my children of ma
ture years tells me that some years ago
he left State dotted here and there
with little towns upon which the trow-
ell. the shovel and the paint-brush had
made impressions, and on leaving 1t and
entering another State where towns pre-
scented evidences of fastening decay.
feeling Of sadness came over him which
he could not shake off during the ba,
lance of the journey, and he still remem-
bers the depressing sensations OF that
experience. | doubt not that they are
common to all placed in similar situa-
lions. Towns which we're the trappings
Of old age attract as curiOsities, and peo-
pie like to visit them as diversion. but
few like to abide in them. They are
looked upon as old men and women are
looked upon, simply as memorials OF by
gone days. 1t is not uncommon to hear
complaints regarding the condition Of
my streets, that are ludicrous, and Of
escapes that are perilOus. One of my
children tells me that on one dark. blus-
tering rainy night when trudging to-
wards home and looking ahead in the
direction where lamp sometimes sheds
a welcome light at the dissection OF two
Streets flanked by deep bitches, and
where,a misstep would precipitate the
mortal body towards SheOl, he discove-
red that the town lamp lighter, like the
thOughtless Virgin mentioned in Sacred
history, had failed to replenish the
lamp. Amidst darkness and dread, he
drew upon his wits for scheme to over
come the difficulties which beset him,
and fortunately it occurred to him that
a lighted match or two would enable
him to snrmOnt the dangers facing him.
:, he then and there united two matches
and ignited them at the risk of con-
flagratiOn in the rear. made successful
passage over the yawning abyss. He
now suggests that all who are liable to
to meet such dangers and emergencies
carry with them box of watches.
L. wish to remind you aristocrats who live
4 on Main street and promenade on its
6rn and diversified sidewalks under the
dazzling rays Of gasoline lamps. have nc
conception of the trials and fears Of
, the plebeiens who reside on the unHgh.
ted back streets, who have to tramp ever
naked mother earth. at times we'll satu.
rated with Adams ale Streets upon
, which stand sometimes beheaded lamp
posts, mute Knockers of belated individu.
ais vending their way homeward during
dark rainy nights with no light to guide
their uncertain footsteps, leaving them
the choice of falling int deep bitches
, on one side. there to founder in mud and
; water or of elinging to fence on the
other side; this experience is sufficient
" thrilling for the most yenturesome Of
, my children, but even old men prefer
something more ecstatic than hugginR
. picket fences. Though surrounded by
these difficulties and perplexities, my
complaining children, do not forget t.
give thanks for the removal of the dan.
ger of straddling reclining horses. OIL
turning somersaults over slumbering
, cows during your Nocturnal strolls when
ION business or pleasure bent, for my
streets are no longer blOckaded at night
I by sleeping animals. OBSERVER