The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1900-03-24

Then l read one of Dora's letters
which bore the mark of 1878. That
stately blonde across whose path was
flung the shadow of Spanish soldier. as
he waved a gay farewell, he took JOY
and hope with him. but Art remained
and untroubled by rivals blossomed out
in the perfection that could never have
been had husband and children shared
the empire of that faithful heart.
And Mary B. SO lately gone from
earth. her delicate chirography carries
me back to the spring mornings when
she, Lum and galloped along the lanes
hedged with Cherokee roses and through
emerald fields glistening with dew the
while we laughed and sung in sheer ex-
cess and enjoyment of youth, the horses
seeming to enjoy the fun as much as did
their riders. Again we are sitting on the
bayou bank. weaving moss wreaths be.
gemmcd with wild flowers and the SOL
der boys, who come from the near by
camp as often as duty will permit. crown
us, each one giving to the girl he does
NOT prefer seeking to screen himself be-
hind this thin veil! How silly this
or forty years. but then ii was delight
full and brimful Of importance. There
was letter to my father written in 1859
when l was just entering my teens. /
assured him Of my good intentions to
study hard during the session then only
begun, got off some tlowery stuff regard
ing the cold weather which would hold
until gentle May and showery April
shonid como to our relief. sent my love
to the family and kind messages to the
servants and closed thinking. doubtless,
that had sent a fine composition home!
The letter served its purpose, however,
for yesterday l was ONLY thirteen
A letter dated 1866 and coming from
your city was from Sister Alicia who had
been my beloved teacher about the time
wrote the May and April letter. From
the midst of her dozens and dozens OF
poor little orphans who called for much
attention, she found time to write me
loving words of congratulations and tell
me she knew / was going to mako "a
good little wife" In this letter she
spoke of you. dear. as "a dove of good
ness aud sweetness and surely she gave
you a title that you can well share with
her. letter from little cousin just
learning to write was running over with
affection and admiration. but the sim
certify of both have been tested by the
years that have brought no change. Did
you know Father Williams who became
bishopf Scarce week passed in my
school life that he did not call to see
his little circle" as he called us and |
often he was laden with apples. candies !
or cakes. all perfectly delicious to our |
school girl appetites and l fear. made |
the Fathers welcome all the warm er. !
Up to this time he writes to me and |
have letters from him bearing ancient
dates. wonder if Title. Emma or my
Of the others of the little circle" ever
wrote to dear Father William as l did,
Amongst these sweet old letters found
ono that was quite youngster rs II was
penncd only in 1885 and came from the
baud of that great and good woman who
went to her reward not Il year ago. Sis
Ter Margaret of the order of Sisters Ma
rionites of Holy Cross was in trou-
Die at the time and her comforting let
er was as balm-as oil upon the restless
waters. But to-day Theresa dear, l real.
ze how long, long ago were those let
CTS sent to me. l realize that thirteen
md sixteen and twenty have given place
o --- well. never mind. | will not
ay, u woman is never SO old that she
likes to tell her age. is she. And then 1 I
'annot bear to think of the wide gulf
hat separates me from the time of
hose old letters and to day-it is too sad {
Because all words tho cnlled 18th 4
choicest art,
Failing to give the bitter Of the sweet
Wither beneath the palate and the
heart.
Faints, fade d by its heat"
1t may be very noble my dear Theresa
o ''lct the dead past bury its dead and .
erhaps it should ne done, but the most
t us, like Artemesia refuse to sepulchre
ur past thereby warming with much
place and cherished comfort the bosoms
hat otherwise are cold and empty. But
row garr,llous as most old people do
nd while am sensible of the fact,
ill close lest forget and go on to Il
lOre tiresOme length.
With the old time affection
RACHEL ARDHS.