A Respectable Woman

Mrs. Baroda was a little provoked to learn that her husband expected his friend, Gouvernail, up to spend a week or two on the plantation. They had entertained a good deal during the winter; much of the time had also been passed in New Orleans...

A Matter of Prejudice

The Strange Result of Disturbing Madame Carambeau. Madame Carambeau wanted it strictly understood that she was not to be disturbed by Gustave’s birthday party. They carried her big rocking-chair from the back gallery, that looked out upon the garden where the children were going to...

Old Aunt Peggy

When the war was over, old Aunt Peggy went to Monsieur, and said:— “Massa; I ain’t never gwine to quit yer. I’m gittin’ ole an’ feeble, an’ my days is few in dis heah lan’ o’ sorrow an’ sin. All I axes is a li’le...

The Storm: A Sequel to “The ’Cadian Ball”

I The leaves were so still that even Bibi thought it was going to rain. Bobinôt, who was accustomed to converse on terms of perfect equality with his little son, called the child’s attention to certain sombre clouds that were rolling with sinister intention from...

An Egyptian Cigarette

My friend, the Architect, who is something of a traveler, was showing us various curios which he had gathered during a visit to the Orient. “Here is something for you,” he said, picking up a small box and turning it over in his hand. “You...

Lilacs

I Mme. Adrienne Farival never announced her coming; but the good nuns knew very well when to look for her. When the scent of the lilac blossoms began to permeate the air, Sister Agathe would turn many times during the day to the window; upon...

Tonie (At Chênière Caminada)

I There was no clumsier looking fellow in church that Sunday morning than Antoine Bocaze—the one they called Tonie. But Tonie did not really care if he were clumsy or not. He felt that he could speak intelligibly to no woman save his mother; but...

A Lady of Bayou St. John

The days and the nights were very lonely for Madame Delisle. Gustave, her husband, was away yonder in Virginia somewhere with Beauregard,* and she was here in the old house on Bayou St. John,* alone with her slaves. Madame was very beautiful. So...

Azélie

Azélie crossed the yard with slow, hesitating steps. She wore a pink sunbonnet and a faded calico* dress that had been made the summer before, and was now too small for her in every way. She carried a large tin pail on her...

The Father of Désirée’s Baby (Désirée’s Baby)

As the day was pleasant Madame Valmondé drove over to L’Abri* to see Désirée and the baby. It made her laugh to think of Désirée with a baby. Why, it seemed but yesterday that Désirée was little more than a baby herself; when Monsieur...