The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1921-09-01
THE CITY'S SOUL
By LYDIA LION ROBERTS.
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/ Zard. w nat IN IHe Noliu ID tho MAJ
ter with you latelyT
81 guess it's my SOUL" Lottie re-
piled ruefully. I've lost it some
where. Since nursing the family
through the grippe I've forgotten
ever had a soul. think it has
/ drowned In the dishpan."
Frank watched her as she nervous
/ Iy got the children ready for school,
a worried frown between her usually
merry brown eyes.
mo, | don't want any more break
fast" Lottie said, as he waited for
her to sit opposite him. Il don't feel
hungry lately just feel cross.
Listen, dear" said Frank briskly
as he got up to get his overcoat, I'm
going to give you So and l want you
to use it to find your soul. When
you've found 1t bring 1t home with
you and well try to make it so con-
tented it won't leave you again"
Il wouldn't blame the whole family
for leaving" smiled LOttie. I'm so
disagreeable it's wonder anyone can
live with me, let alone fine, hand
some husband like YOU" she roguish-
ly added.
well, / formed the pleasant habit
years ago and I'm getting so old l
hate to change my habits" declared
Frank oheerily as he hurried of to
work.
A few hours later Lottie stood gaz-
ing at the tempting window displays.
Il haven't had a thing new all win
ter" she told herself. Il think the
shock of seeing myself in a new waist
would make me better at once"
After her purchase she walked slow
ly along the crowded streets.
The Tapping and whirring of wings
attracted her attention and she
stopped to watch the pretty scene.
A boy with the look of strong, clean
youth, growing into manhood, was
standing in the middle of path. Al
opening of his hand, an absorbed
smile on his freckled face, he lured
the fat, placid pigeons close to him by
his offer of their favorite food. AS he
scattered the peas around him the
eager birds walked up his back, wad-
died around his neck, chung to his
arms and shoulders and rested on his
fingers.
"Oh, to be an artist" sighed Lottie
In appreciation Of the beauty of the
picture. "Tll carry that picture home
in my brain gallery to tell the chill
dren."
Almost before she realized II the
noon bells rang out.
81 have just time to step into the
cathedral for the noon service" she
planned. "Tve lived near the city all
my life and never been in before"
The brief sermon over, the singing
done, many people went out, but Lot
tie fingered with others. Presently
the grand tones Of the organ filed
the room, and clear and sweet rose
the haunting strains of violin.
"Any woman" said Lottie to her.
self, as she quietly wiped her eyes,
"who couldn't go back to work after
that, with her soul big and whole
and her heart full Of love to be poured
out on her family-well-this woman
had just better, or she's a Stacker In
the battle Of life.
"Now for e stroll down my favorite
famous street, and then back to the
train" she decided, as she left the
church.
"Of all adorable combinations Of
quaint knockers, lovely doorways, old
world windows, and the benediction
left by the spirits of the good and
great people who have lived here
Is 1t possible to get such an atmo-
sphere anywhere but in my own dear,
dirty, heart-warming ethyl" exclaimed
Lottie, as her walk led her finally to
the river sparkling merrily in the sun.
almost train time, but I've just a
few minutes to see this picture on ex-
hibition at one Of the big stores"
-Four hundred years ago this pic
ture was painted" she heard the lee
turer say, as she slipped into the hall
THAT was before this country was
settled" thought Lottie. Before the
inventions and modern marvels. Yet,
I today, just one tired little house.
wife, sit here and view the unfaded
richness, the glowing colors of that
picture. The artist is gone, but he
left bit Of his soul on canvas and
after 400 years it speaks to my
cramped, kltchen-bound one and bids
1t grow.
"Oh, bless anyone who gives any
thing to the world that makes us big
ger and better, so that we can hand
on the heritage of beauty to our chill
dren! I'm going home where be-
long, and carry on my share. I've
got the loveliest home and finest man,
and most remarkable children that
any woman needs to keep her soul
safe and strong.
Il guess my soul just had growing
pains-let's hope 1t has stretched a
little today" And with a whimsical
smile at herself, LOttie turned home
ward.
"Well?" inquired Frank, after he
had listened with a pleased smile to
her account Of the day. "how Is
your"