Ruby (Landry 1)

elaborate campaign in these court-yards."

I tried to take in everything: the restaurants, the

coffee stalls, the souvenir shops, and antique stores.

We walked until we reached Jackson Square and the

St. Louis Cathedral.

"This is where early New Orleans welcomed

heroes and had public meetings and celebrations," my

father said. We paused to look at the bronze statue of

Andrew Jackson on his horse before we entered the

cathedral. I lit a candle for Grandmere Catherine and

said a prayer. Then we left and strolled through the

square, around the perimeter where artists sold their

fresh works.

"Let's stop and have a cafe au lait and some

beignets," my father said. I loved beignets, a donutlike

pastry covered with powdered sugar.

While we ate and drank, we watched some of

the artists sketching portraits of tourists.

"Do you know an art gallery called

Dominique's?" I asked.

"Dominique's? Yes. It's not far from here, just a

block or two over to the right. Why do you ask?" "I have some of my paintings on display there,"

I said.

"What?" My father sat back, his mouth agape.

"Your paintings on display?"

"Yes. One was sold. That's how I got my

traveling money."

"I can't believe you," he said. "You're an artist

and you've said nothing?"

I told him about my paintings and how