The Princeton union., 1901-10-31

1901.
short time at my Office in Marksville,
concluded to drive to my plantation this
evening. The big black which was re-
Gently sent me from Cincinnati had
been stabbed in town since I left for
Baton Rouge in the early part Of the
session. I had him put to the buggy to-
day. Just as was getting out Of the
gully beyond Valsin's field the horse
took fright at the upright shafts of an
OK cart tilted on end in front of old
Grineau's house, which l in the dark
did not see. Before was aware be
bounded to the left, leaped up the bank
and started on dead run into the Mag.
nolia hills. l braced myself to hold
him in, but he was beyond control. and,
positively, 1 expected to be killed. Had
he got as far as the woods he surely
would have dashed my brains out
against tree; but, fortunately, at the
edge Of the field the left wheel of the
buggy struck a thorn stump, and every
thing went to pieces. The buggy,
suppose, has been broken into a thou
and fragments. was thrown violent
~ to the ground, the reins left my
grasp, and the horse has gone dashing
through the hills like some mad crea-
ture. So here l am, all that is left of
the cortege that started out so bravely
from Marksville, and l may thank my
stars that there is this much left sound
and unbroken."
"The kind God be thanked, it is the
best part which has been saved" said
the priest fervently.
Eyes, yes" Valsin added, 1--WE could
not afford to lose such a one as Mr..
Horace, and we must take the best of
care Of what God has been good enough
to preserve to u.s.
He hurried Oakfell into another room,
calling to his aid the old negro Alonzo,
and the two. after delving into various
cypress chests and armoirs and bus
tling about like busy housewives, short
~ returned him to the fireside dry and
comfortably clad in a suit of Valsin's
homemade and clean Attakapas cotton
ade, his feet incased in a pair of soft
mOccaS1nS Of deerSk1n. The garments
were indeed a scanty fit, but they be-
slowed the desired comfort, and, no
women being present, slight impor.
tance was attached to mere appear
ance.
Valsfn urged his guests to the meal
that was awaiting them, and after
grace by the priest the three played at
knife and fork in the manner of men
blessed with good health and quiet con-
sciences.
"Who else Of Avoyelles came on the
boat, Mr. Horace?" inquired Valsin.
"Dr. De Roux, Constant Quillcbert
and Leonidas Latiolais.'
constant, l hear, has carried to the
supreme court that unhappy lawsuit
between himself and Latiolais," said
Father Grhe. 1T is a great pity that
such disputes should arise between
neighbors and greater pity that they
should be prolonged'
1T is deplorable," said Oakfell, "that
in Christian country the very posi-
bility of such dispute as that should
exist. but there is no longer any law
suit between those two neighbors. 1t
was settled last night in manner both
unique and impressive" He described
how the price of human life had been
liquidated by the hazard Of cards I'M
der the inspiration of whisky.
"Most lamentably un-Christian," said
Father Grhe. Il am especially sorry
that Leonidas Latiolais was party to
such an act. He is a good man at
heart. His intentions are right. but he
is in some things weak, very weak.
At times l am grievously distressed by
apprehensions Of misfortune to his
granddaughter. Estelle. AS her guard
ian he controls her Inheritance. and
while l know his love for her is little
less than worship, yet his yielding
nature lis continuing menace to her
interests"
"Your fears are in all probability cor
rect" Oakfell observed. 'Latiolais' i'm
providence may be hurtful to his grand
child in the dissipation Of the estate
which she should inherit from him, but
he could not without gross dishonesty
imperil that which she derives from
her mother. and I.atiolais, am sure, is
honest
"Certainly he means to be-" said
Father Grhe. II trust my fears will
never be justified by the event But,
speaking Of Estelle, my son, l must
give you bit Of news which probably
has not reached you since you have
been at the capital. The new bell pre-
sented to the church by our good
friends at Bordeaux arrived from
France last week and will be christen-
ed the first Saturday after Easter. On
the Thursday before a fair is to be held
at the Mansura schoolhouse to raise
money to pay the expenses Of bringing
the bell from New Orleans and TO
build and paint a new belfry. At the
fair the godmother of the bell will be
elected. and quite a spirited contest is
being waged by a number Of our girls
who are ambitious Of that honor. Es-
telle has been persuaded to enter the