The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-10-23

fair. The priest feared he had for
gotten his pledge Of support to Estelle
given at the house Of the ferryman at
Bayou du Lac on the night he SO mar
rowly escaped death. But he took
heart when at 1 o'clock he saw Val
sin ride in at the head Of seven neigh
bors from the Bordelon slough and
lead them to the poll for Estelle, and
ten more from Lac de Ia Pearle march
ed up in the same interest, and these
followed at short intervals by dozens
and twenties from Choupique, Cotton
port, Pointe Midi and company Of
non-Catholics from Evergreen and the
surrounding plantations, and learned
that every one Of these late comers de-
posted vote for the granddaughter
Of Latiolais.
The game at Dede's was running
high, and the strong drink had taken
possession Of the players, when at 6
o'clock a cheer from the schoolhouse
fell upon their ears. They knew the
priests had counted the vote and an
nounced the result, and the cheer was
for the victor. Qui1lebert doubted not
she was Laure, and, hastily gathering
IN the winnings, which, as usual, had
fallen his way, he proceeded with bis
companions to learn the exact figures.
His heavy eyes and purpling face took
on an expression Of cruel exultation.
Latiolais Jagged behind as if loath to
hear the decision. g
Seeing Father Grhe in the doorway
of, the schooihouse, Quillebert called:
"What's the majority, fatherg ~
Seventeen" the priest said.
'Is that all?' said Quillebert coarse
~. cat 1 o'clock she hadi2 % over Es-
telle .Latiolais.' -s5Ss:S 2is:.s
"Who hadw asked the priest
.Laure Luneau," shouted QuiIlebert.
s'But Estelle Latiolais has now II
votes over Laure Luneau, and the poll
is closed. Estelle Latiolais is elected
godmother Of the bell" said Father
Grhe. b. s.
Quillebert's features fairly quiEered
with rage, but his exclamation, no
doubt profane, was drowned by the re-
newed cheer from the crowd, while cid
Latiolais' white face was wet with
tears Of JOY, unexpected and unmerit.
ed.
The fast falling darkness speeded the
dispersion Of the assemblage and the
choosing Of the church bells sponsor
was scored event in the history Of the
parish. 5;.:s
The christening DAY Of the bell was
the most perfect Of that incomparably
lovely season, the Louisiana spring.
The pale blue sky had nota feck in it,
The bosom Of the little prairie was
spread with velyety green sprinkled
with buttercups and violets, and on the
edges of coulees bright willows rocked
in the gentle breeze. The lanes were
bordered by walls. Of dark cherokee
vines, against which white roses glis-f
tened in the sunlight. The cones dot
ting stretching branches Of pecans
were opening in light hued leaves,
while afar in sthe swamp above the
blush gray festoons Of Spanish moss
could be seen the feathery fringe which
later would be plumes in the crowns
Of royal expresses. The soft air was
scented with jasmine, china flower and
sweet gum and rang with the joyous
song Of the mocking bird.
The bell, secured upon the stoutest
Of plantation wagons, drawn by six
sleek mules, was arrayed in robe efs
white swiss, set off with bands Of blue
satin and punches of pink roses A
string Of red coral, the gift Of the god
mother, encircled its brow, above which
was a wreath Of white magnolia
blooms. The wagon was clothed In
white cotton cloth, the harness OF the
mules decked out with knots and bows
Of ribbon, and the herculean black who
drove them was attired IN his holiday
raiment, with a broad red sash across
his chest.
The cortege escorting the bell In its
progress Of six miles from the ware
house at Marksville to the church at
Mansura was composed of full 200 per-
sons on horses, in buggies and afoot.
It was headed by Eloi Durant, the an
cient volunteer sacristan, bearing aloft
a banner Of blue silk on which was en-
broidered in yellow the name OF the
sodality society. Following him rode
Homer Debellevue. holding tall, slen-
der wooden cross painted white an65
garlanded with flowers. 4 dozen youis
ger men with silk banners inscrlbe
with sacred legends formed q caVaa
cade preceding the carriage Of Father
Grhe, who in black robe and cap, white
surplice and gilded stole sat between
two acolytes gowned in red and white
and carrying censer burners On each
side Of the wagon six horsemen sash&a
with blue rode as guard of honor TO
the bell and then the fair sponsor IN
an open conveyance seated beside her
grandfather. She was attired in white,
a thin veil over her hair and shoulders,
and held a nosegay Of large white roses
in her lap. A sweet, childish face,
brown hair and hazel eyes distinguish
ed the victor of the contest, girl OF 10,
gentle, shrinking and blushing. On a
roam pony at the side Of the carriage q
young mulatto woman rode and screen
ed the face of her mistress with sun
shade. The cavalcade closed with We
hicles, in which were many women,
matrons and maidens, and long line
Of white youths and negroes marching
afoot came after.
AS the procession wound past the
Marksville church the bell in the tower
rung by Father Chaline himself, greet
ed its new sister with q merry peai'
while all the men uncovered lnelr
heads.
Arrived at 8Iansura, the bell was rev.
erently lifted and hung in the sheltered
Temporary scaffoldtng which had been
,,roy;6od for il at the church front, and