The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1904-02-10
CHAPTER XVIII.

about a week and meanwhile they
managed to combine recreation with
labor in nearly equal proportions. As
siduously they devoted themselves to
a round of drives and rambles through
pastures and woodland to Carrolton;
along the shell road to Lake Pontchar-
train; to Biloxi, the first settlement Of
the French. and TO the battle grounds
once known as the plains of Chal-
mette, where volunteer soldiers were
now encamped awaiting orders to go to
the front in the Mexican campaign.
For those who craved greater excite
ment the three race courses-the Lou
isiana, the Metairie and the Carrolton-
offered stimulating diversion.
Within sight of the Metairie were
the old dueling grounds under the
oaks, where. it is related, on one Sun
day In 1899 ten duels occurred; where
the contestants frequently fought on
horseback with sabers, and where the
cowherds. says a chronicler, became so
accustomed to seeing honor satisfied
in this manner that they paid little at
tention to these meetings, pursuing
their own humble duties Indifferent to
the follies of fashionable society. The
fencing schools flourished What men,
cries cluster around that odd, strange
master of the blade, Spedella, mel
ancholy enigma of a man, whose art
embodied much of the finest shading
and phrasng peculiar to himself, from
whom even many of Bonaparte's dis
carded veterans were not above &C
Quiring new technique and tempera-
ment!
Shortly after the players arrival be-
gan the celebrated Leduc matches, at
tracing noted men and women from
all over the south. The hotels were
crowded, the lodging houses filed,
while many of the large homes hOspi-
tably opened their doors to visiting
friends. The afternoons found the city
almost deserted. The bartenders dis
contentedly smoked in solitude, the le-
gion of walters in the hotels and re-
sorts became reduced to a thinly scat
tered array, while even the street vend-
ers had folded their tents" and silent
~ stolen to the races. On one such
memorable occasion most of the men,
bers Of the Barnes company repaired
TO the Metairie.
Below the grand stand, brilliant with
color, strutted the dandies attending
TO their bets; above. they played a win
ming or losing game with the fair sex.
Intrigue and lovemaking were the or
der Of the hour and these daughters
of the south beguiled time-and NOR
tals-in a heyday of pleasure. In that
mixed gathering burly cotton planters
from the country rubbed elbows with
aristocratic creOles, whose attire was
dstinguishable by enormous ruffles and
light boots of cloth The professional
follower Of these events, the impor-
tunate tout, also mingled with the
crowd. plainly in evidence by the pro-
nounced character of his dress, the
size Of his diamond studs or cravat
pin and the massive dimensions of his
finger rings. No paltry, scrubby track
cadger was this resplendent gentleman.
but a picturesque rogue, with impu-
dence as pronounced as his jewels.
Surrounded by bevy of admirers,
Susan, sprightly and sparkling, was an
example Of that "frippery one Of her
sex is made up with. a pasticcio of
gauzes, pins and ribbons that go TO
compound that multifariOus thing, a
well dressed woman" Ever ready with
a quick retort, she bestowed her IA
vors generously, to the evident discom-
future of a young officer in her retinue
whom she had met several days before
and who ever since had coveted full
harvest of smiles, liking not a little
the first sample he had gathered. How
ever, 1t was not Susan's way to in
trust herself fully to any one. 1t was
all very interesting to play one against
another, TO intercept angry CLEANS, to
hold i'm check clashing sutors-this was
exciting and diverting-but she eXer-
cised care not to transgress those
bounds where she ceased to be mistress
of the situation. Perhaps her limits
in coquetry were further set than most
women would have ventured to place
them, but without this temerity and
daring the pastime would have lost
its charm for her She might play with
edged tools, but she also knew how to
use them.
Near her was seated Kate, indolent
as of yore. now watching her sister
with an indulgent, enigmatlc express
sion, anon permitting a scornful glance
TO stray toward Adonis, who, for his
part, had eyes only for his companion,
a distinct change from country hoi-
dens, tavern demoiselles and dainty
wenches with their rough hands and
rosy cheeks. This lady's hands were
like milk. her cheeks ivory, and Adonis
in bestowing his attentions upon her
had a twofold purpose-to return tit
for tat for Hates Haunting ways and
TO crafty his own ever feeting fancy.
In a box. half the length Of the
grand stand removed, some distance
back and to the left of Susan's gay
party, Constance. Mrs. Adams and the
soldier were also observers Of this
scene Of animation.