The Snyder signal. (Snyder, Tex.) 1887-????, 1913-01-10

lowing copious rains, had brought every prod
net OF the earth 10 its fullest perfection ana
beauty. the rich stores OF the vegetable worlu
We'd with the glores OF the animal kingdom: and
while trees and shrubs, and plants put forth
their greatest powers, insects innumerable, and
birds of ga4cst plumagc. hummed and sang their
richest notes in gentle harmony, through grove
and wood and mossy dcand this on New
Year eve.
an nature seemed at rest, as though the world
had willcd the year should die brilliantly AM
peacefully.
The sun was sinking FAST Transforming, as 1t
did So the azure oi the Sky to rich golden nue.,
tinted with soitcst bushes :. gentle breeze was
blowing and PLAYED. as though in very wanton-
ness among the broad leaves OF the ieathery To-
iiapc of the palms. and the thick groves OF orange
trees Many wide and cool vcranda IN New
orleans was filled with fair and youthful FORMS
listening to the idle gossip OF the day many
wealth, merchant leaned back on down ottoman,
cnioVinp his pipe and casting up the profits o
ihc wear: MANY sunburncd planter rcposcd on
matted couch listening to his ncghbors tales Oh
cotton bales. sugar canes and slaves
The incidents which are herein related hap
rcncd al an earlier period of southern prosperity,
before The Old South had been rayagod by war
Within few miles of New Orleans, on the
r0ad leading toward the river plantations stood,
and for augh ! know 20 the contrary, stands
I'D this moment, a most picturesque looking villa
delightfully."- placed among palms with perfect
paradise OF garden and lawn studded with the
richest ruitbcaring trees and Towering SHRUBS
rs is the case with all semi-tropical dwellings
an ample vcranda encrcled the house. and to
render the place still more ENJOYABLE. shady
avenue OF orange, lig and rose apple trees led
the way To- pretty bridge over which the pas
,cnccr found himself conducted 10 a miniature
island laid out like a garden, with lawn and
Towering plants. and round which ran percn-
,ts. 80 ttsashfug te banks
ln the vicinity OF this abode were clusters OF
neat thatched cottages each with is knot OF
palms and oranges and small patch OF garden
in the rear These were the dwellings of the
negro slaves who cultivated the many fields
oi cotton and sugar cane that stretched for milcs
along The river IN the rear of the ruad-thc prop
r,y of one of the wcathicst planters of the state
81 Duraui
This enchanting spot seen ON such lovely
c,cnug as have attempted Co describe, may
Ucii ha,e been deemed Che resting place of happy
mortal. 70 seemed the home of tranquil, happy
hearts. where nothing sorrowlul might inter
vcuc. where men might have been content to end
their DAYS. Net this was not So. The apple of
iir desert all beauty to the eye, was not more
bitter at thc core than this same planters home
stead Watching the parting sunlight luW the
front ,cranda. sat the young wife of the pl lcr
Reclining ou q couch ol ebony, garnishcd win
richest drapcry with the incense cot sweetest
llnWtlN ABOUT NtI, WIN Il NlNNh CIV 7ldN'o w
obey her every WISH with all that ply steal lie
could demand ths wife was unhappy
The one thing needed 90 make joyful home
was wanting domestic sympathy No man
could be- moro thoughtful of his wiie's comfort
nn One more liberal 100 his arrangements for hei
household bat Do, heart. though not against her
was NOT with her. Ambition was his bane rcck
lcs, speculation h, sole enjoyment For such he
seemed to live. and wondered why hls florence
dropped. and pinned. and wCpt while Inc was
wrapped boz giant schemes ui wealth Warm
hearted as q woman can truly be- lcarnug vain
lv for a return of thc love that dwell Ia her own
breast Florence Durant cared little for the south
crn splcndor that cncrrcd her In this little earth
ly paradise. while She saw her husband giving
up his whole heart aud soul to business. with but
seldom a word or look lor herself
The disappointed wife was poudcriug over az
th~ on the evening 200 question, casting her ewes
alternately from thc setting snu to the infant that
la, sleeping 40 her feet famed gently hy q slave
pirl The planter had been absent for many DAYS.
and al. vet had uoi seen thc little addition 90 his
family. hui Florence promised uo pleasure to her
self from their meeting. Size knew too we'll from
past experience t'Jt hc would look upon her
newborn infant a- hc would ou @ piece of iurni-
turc just added to their drawing ROOM Tie would
.i,,. mo- uukinduc~- Use no harsh words but
There would De- thai utter disregard that abStrac-
ton which sinks into The heart of a wife OF sen
sitivc mind almost "a, deeply as actual wrong
ID was Too vain thc slave girl ohsnied her pref
tcst love song as Naiuly dii thc little infant 10y
n- ,cr, mutcrCe. aud hcpcssncs> appear to
solicit sympathy and protection. Florence iclt
chat She would gladly have exchanged her wealth
and station ior thc humble lot of any poor negro
Slave iu their estate, to have enjoyed rcquitcd
I'VE
fhc sun bad sunk ull deep, ihc birds hal
ru thc.r icaiy homes the infant had been
rest the moon had lent ITS first soft
L. ------- LII --n- md IN Tho ma.inn