The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1922-09-22
CHAPTER ~

Next day the Leona reached New
Orleans. To Drace his first look into
the countenance Of the famous old city
was a disappointment; 1t had not the
quick throb; its pulse was slow and
rhythmic. The levee was too broad
and diffuse to appear active. The
buildings looked mean and low. Ro-
nance and history had painted for him
a picture too lively to color. But soon
the charm of this half-lazy delta life
began to reveal itself to him. The
town was ruled like true French city,
it sang. Paris minuetted in the terror
of the Revolution, and her youngest
daughter in America, singed with
powder, and with bloodstuins on her
dainty feet, danced to the music OF
her own improvised gayety. Drace saw
the carpetbag governor driving through
the street, surrounded by an escort OF
black and mulatto cavalry. From a
balcony came gunshot, and an enor-
nous negro in white gloves, sitting
beside his political master, tumbled
OuI lAc SIOuAu OuI IhS S0A 0AAN~SS
did not halt in its speed, and the hoofs
OF, the cavalry beat upon the murdered
wretch. In u doorway an old man sat
fiddling for his grandchildren to dance
on the tlagstones.
"Oh, you'll find drama enough here
that hasn't been rehearsed," said
Shottle as they turned toward the old
st. Charles.
""They appear to have set the stage
for US" Drace answered him, wonder.
ing If ever again he should find the
girl with the torch Of roses. ~.
In connecting rooms and amidst the
luxury Of old French furnishings they
were quartered. &$
Leaving Drace writing letter, Shot
tie went out, but he soon. returned with
more Of light than usually beamed
from the sad stretch Of his counte-
nance.
"Well, SIR" he cried with astonish-
ing enthusiasm, Il want to tell you
that life is not composed entirely Of
ingratitude. Last year when was
down here saw an old fellow about
to get into trouble with Mexican
roustabout on the levee. wasn't In
any particular hurry. so stopped,
took up "A piece Of scantling and
knocked the Mexican down. 1t was no
particular trouble on my part, but the
old man took 1t as favor and urged
me to eat dinner with him, which I
did, being broke at the time. Now
what does he do7 met him out there,
and he gives me two tickets for the
French ball at the st. Louis tonight
"All right; Wen take it in"
II should say we will Why, there's
likely to be half dozen duels ar
ranged for. We can see them burst
ing into bloom. But you'll have to
llven up, YOU know. You are just a
trile stern it strikes me. There is
too much of-of your mission showing
in your fAce. I don't know Of any
thing better calculated to correct it
than an hour at the roulette wheel.
Suppose we 60 over and give 1t a
whirl.'
Hope springs Internal In the human
breast" Draces paraplrnsedf the poet.
"Just ns welt curb yourself, old fell
low. I'm not going to feed your pas
sfon." 5Fi5.. Sss'S5;-s -: az:
A tap at the door and Colonel Josh
announced himself from the outside.
Invited to enter, he came in with II
sweeping bow, his beard and mustacfie
waxed, his hair darkened with dye.
giving to it tinge Of blue. He bore.
and with ceremonious hesitancy, an
invitation from Miss Lucy. She was
at the delightful old home Of rela.
tive where choice guests would as
semble that evening to hear Prof. l..
Bannock Pettigrew read a paper on
the origin and character OF the an
cient- Scythians.
Continued In Next Issue)