July 19, 1875

Alice Dunbar-Nelson (July 19, 1875) was a native of New Orleans, and for a while the wife of Paul Laurence Dunbar. She wrote memorable poetry and prose. We excerpt a few lines from her story:
                                               

                                                     "M'SIEU FORTIER'S VIOLIN"

...When Courcey and Martel entered the gate of the little house on Bayou Road the next day, there floated out to their ears a wordless song thrilling from the violin, a song that told more than speech or tears or gestures could have done of the utter sorrow and desolation of the little old man. They walked softly up the short red brick walk and tapped at the door. Within, M'sieu Fortier was caressing the violin, with silent tears streaming down his wrinkled gray face.

There was not much said on either side. Courcey came away with the instrument, leaving the money behind, while Martel grumbled at the essentially sordid, mercenary spirit of the world. M'sieu Fortier turned back into the room, after bowing his visitors out with old-time French courtliness, and turning to the sleepy white cat, said with a dry sob:

"Minesse, dere's only me an' you now."

The story ends though with the old man so distressed that he tries to get his violin returned.

"M'sieu Fortier," he said, bowing low, as he handed the case to the little man, "take your violin; it was a whim with me, a passion with you. And as for the money, why, keep that too; it was worth a hundred dollars to have possessed such an instrument even for six days."

Alice Dunbar-Nelson was an activist for civil rights and women's suffrage, as well as a poet, journalist, short-story writer, and playwright. An amazing artist about whom we will be writing more.