The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-22

of that night became hopelessly insane.
Now, each year it is said on the night
of the Comus ball, that old white rose
bush bursts into bloom; but bears only
two roses. one white and the other deep
crimson. This is only one of the many,
many legends connected with the old
mansions of New Orleans In religion the
Creoles are always Catholic, loyal to
their faith in the last degree. The most
notable event In the life of a Creole girl
is her first communion Her mother, and
the good sisters of the celebrated "Sacre
occur" have spent so many weary hours
guiding and fitting her for that glorious
event What a sight to the visitor is
"All Saints day" in this French city. 1t
is respected and celebrated here by all
classes, more than in almost any other
city in America.
Thoroughly Cosmopolitan.
The American side of New Orleans is
thoroughly cosmopolitan. with it's mag
nificent homes, beautiful parks and
statues and splendid hotels and club
buildings. One will never forget a ride
up Saint Charles avenue in the spring
time. Two lines of electric cars, dashing
past each other on a wide carpet of green
grass, under three rows of old oak trees
just budding and bursting into verdant
beauty-many ladened with purple wis
terra falling In graceful festoons and
clusters of loneliness and fragrance. Car
riages rolling along the smooth asphalt,
with their burdens of handsomely dress
ed women, and on either side the well
kept lawns, bordered with roses of ev-
cry hue and stately palms waving around
the homes of the American aristocracy of
New Orleans.
The most romantic spot perhaps, con-
nected with the city, Is the old city park
on the French SIDE noted for its monster
90 4,1x
written. This was the famous old duel
ing ground, where the blood of many a
gallant young Frenchman flowed after his
''affair-de-coeur'' when with clashing
steel he sought redress. Or perhaps now
and then, some weary soul hunted and
tired of life sought this spot to look for
the last time upon the beauties OF earth.
All, the thrilling scenes those giant oaks
have Witnessed Spreading their long
arms from which the grey moss waves
| over the scene of romantic, heartburn
| ings, jealousy an tragedy. Far out in
the third district is situated the. chapel of
| st. Roche. This Uncovered structure is
| seated back in an old Catholic cemetery,
and is so picturesque and quaint that Ii
is sketched by almost every artist who
visits New Orleans. 1t was named in
honor of ST. Roche, pious man who gave
his life to the sick and suffering, and
who lies In his last sleep beneath the
altar floor. He was friend to all young
lovers, and tits said If men or maidens
pray in the st. Roche chapel for COM
fort or aid in their love affairs, their
prayers will truly be answered There
fore in the cool of the summer after
noon Just al the evening hour the young
Creole girls In their soft white dresses.
are futtering into the chapel. This has
given st. Roche the name of the wish
ing shrine" At the gate a young priest
sells tiny st. Josephs of lead and silver.
These bring good luck to sweethearts es-
pecially. Consequently almost every
Louisiana girl and many other southern
girls wear or carry them in their card
cases or purses.
The Mansoleums.
The cemeteries of New Orleans are
veritable cities of the dead inasmuch as
they are laid off in streets and avenues,
named and well kept The dead are buried
almost exclusively in mausoleums, some
of them handsome in the extreme. In the
old cemeteries upon these mausoleums
one may read the names of marquis.
baron and chevalier.
The grandest event during the yearsto
the visitor and to the inhabitants, is the
great carnival or Mardi Gras celebration,
which brings so many visitors from all
parts of America. This celebration Is an
old Catholic custom, of Latin origin. One
/ can hardly state just when the festivities
begin in New Orleans. Mardi Gras proper
is really the grand climax of the winter
gayeties From the swell ball given in
| December by the 'Twelfth-night-Re