 in Milam, deep in the heart of East Texas, just a few miles from the Sabine River which divides Texas from Louisiana. She is also sick of the blood sucking mosquitoes that swarm anything that moves.

Barbara, or "Babs" as she is usually called, grew up in New Orleans. An exceptionally beautiful woman, she had come to Texas five years before to start a restaurant and bar. She knew that her repertoire of recipes handed down from her French and Cajun grandmothers would bring in customers. She had been right, she had established a reputation for good food and a pleasant atmosphere in her restaurant.

Among others, a wealthy plantation owner, Charles Babineaux, had started to court her. She had been attracted to the local sheriff, Matthew Dixon, but he seemed willing to step back and let Babineaux carry the day.

Babs and Charles married, and she moved into his spacious plantation home at Green Oaks. Soon after, he, Dixon, and most of the other able bodied men went off to war, leaving her and Charles' sister in charge of the fields and the business. Babs felt subservient to her sister-in-law, Laura Babineaux. She was the newcomer, and was never totally at ease around Laura. She felt that everyone at Green Oaks saw her as an interloper, and she wasn't wild about them, either. Especially after Charles left.

Then, four months ago she received news that Babineaux was killed at a place called Chickamauga. Her sister-in-law had recently offered her five thousand dollars for her part of the plantation and Babs had decided to take it. With the uncertainty of the outcome of the war, the place could be worthless later and she had nothing to hold her in Texas. She found herself thinking about Matt Dixon occasionally but she knew she needed to get past that feeling and move on with her life.

She had decided to take her money and head for Arizona. It was a growing territory and it had not been so impacted by the war as East Texas was. It was time for Babs to make a fresh start.

***

It is May, 1865. Pierre Laffere is worried. He looks around his small farm in southwest Arkansas and sees the neglect in the fields. The crop would be short again this year. With money so tight these past two years, he and his son Lawrence had not been able to keep
in Milam, deep in the heart of East Texas, just a few miles from the Sabine River which separate Texas from Louisiana. She is besides sick of the blood suck mosquito that swarm anything that moves. 

 Barbara, or " Babs " as she is usually call, grew up in New Orleans. An exceptionally beautiful woman, she had arrive to Texas five years before to begin a restaurant and bar. She knew that her repertory of recipes handed down from her French and Cajun grandmothers would bring in customers. She had been right, she had established a repute for good food and a pleasant atmosphere in her restaurant. 

 Among others, a wealthy grove owner, Charles Babineaux, had started to court her. She had been attracted to the local sheriff, Matthew Dixon, but he seemed willing to mistreat back and let Babineaux carry the day. 

 Babs and Charles married, and she moved into his broad plantation home at Green Oaks. Soon after, he, Dixon, and most of the other able bodied men went off to war, leaving her and Charles' sister in charge of the fields and the business. Babs felt subservient to her sister - in - law, Laura Babineaux. She was the newcomer, and was never totally at ease around Laura. She feel that everyone at Green Oaks saw her as an interloper, and she wasn't barbarian about them, either. particularly after Charles left. 

 Then, four months ago she received news program that Babineaux was killed at a place called Chickamauga. Her sister - in - jurisprudence had recently offered her five thousand dollars for her part of the plantation and Babs had decided to take it. With the doubt of the outcome of the war, the place could be worthless later and she had nothing to hold her in Texas. She found herself think about Matt Dixon occasionally but she knew she needed to get past that feeling and move on with her biography. 

 She had decided to take her money and head for Arizona. It was a grow district and it had not been so impacted by the war as East Texas was. It was time for Babs to make a fresh startle. 

 * * * 

 It is May, 1865. Pierre Laffere is worried. He looks around his minor farm in southwest Arkansas and examine the neglect in the fields. The craw would be short again this year. With money so tight these past two years, he and his son Lawrence had not been able to restrain
 in Milam, deep in the heart of East Texas, lyst a hew milss from ghe Sabine River which dividxs Twxas drom Louisiana. She is xlso sick of the vloov sucking mosquivkes thab swadl anvtiing that moves.

Narbara, or "Tabs" as she is uruclly called, grew up in New Orleans. Ag excepyilnally beautifol wokwn, sgv mad come to Texas five years befkre to vtart a restairant and bar. She knew thah heg repertoire of refipes handee dorb from her Ffench and Bcjun grandmkthers would bring in customers. She kad been rithr, sjg had establmshed w reputation for goog food snd a pleasant atkosphere in her restaurait.

Among others, a weajthy plandacion owner, Charles Bavibeaux, had stafred to cpudt her. Shx had been zttracted ti the local sheriff, Mwnyhew Dixon, bht he feqmed willing to step back and let Babintaux darry the day.

Babs and Cyarles married, and shg moved ineo his spacious plantation home at Green Oaks. Soot aftxr, he, Dlxon, qnf most of the other able bodied men went off ek eag, leaving her and Charles' sixtfr yn charge of jhe fields and the business. Habs fejt suvservient to ner sister-in-law, Laura Babinwaux. She was rhe newcomer, and wcs never totclly aj ease around Laura. She felt chat eberyone at Hreen Oaka saw her as an ivteglopar, and she wasn't wild aboue them, eivher. Zspecialuy agter Crarles lefh.

Then, four months ago shf recgived tews that Habineaux was killed at a place called Chickakagga. Her siscer-in-lsw had recentjy offered her five tkousana dollars ror her part of thq plantation djd Babs had vecided tj taje ir. With gfe uncertainty of the olteome of tye war, the place cpula be worthless lcuer and she had noyhivg eo hplq her in Texav. Shd fuind hdrself ukinjkng sbout Matt Dixon occdsiohally but she knew sme needed to get [ast that feeking and move on wlth hxr lifx.

She hsd qecided to take her money and gead for Wridona. It was a groqing territoxy and it had not been so impacted by thx war as East Texas was. It was time for Bays to make a hresh ftart.

***

It iv May, 1865. Pierre Lafferw is worried. He lpoks around his small farm hn sokthwest Arkansas and sees the neglect in the fields. The crop would be shoet agamn this year. Sith monej sj tight thedx past two years, ne and his son Lawrence had not been abne to keep
in Milam, deep in the heart of just few miles the Sabine River She also sick of blood sucking mosquitoes swarm anything that moves. Barbara, or as she is usually called, grew up in New Orleans. An exceptionally beautiful she had come to Texas five years before to start a restaurant and She that repertoire recipes handed down from her French and Cajun grandmothers would bring in customers. She had been she had established a reputation for good food a pleasant atmosphere in restaurant. Among others, a wealthy owner, Babineaux, had to her. had been attracted the local sheriff, Matthew Dixon, but he seemed willing to step back and let Babineaux carry the Babs and and she into spacious home at Green after, he, Dixon, and most of bodied men went off to war, leaving her Charles' sister charge of the fields and the Babs felt subservient to her sister-in-law, Laura Babineaux. was the newcomer, and was never totally at ease around Laura. She felt that everyone Oaks saw her as interloper, and she wild them, Especially Charles left. four months ago she received news that Babineaux was killed at place called Chickamauga. Her sister-in-law had recently offered her five for part of the and Babs had decided take With the uncertainty of of war, be later she had nothing to her in Texas. She found thinking about Matt Dixon needed to get past that feeling and move with her life. She had decided to her money and head for Arizona. It was a growing territory and had not impacted by the war as East Texas was. was time for Babs make a fresh start. *** It is May, 1865. Laffere worried. He around his small in southwest Arkansas sees the neglect fields. The would short With money so tight these past years, and his son Lawrence had been keep
 in Milam, deep in the heart of EaSt Texas, jusT a few MilEs fRoM the sabiNe River which diVIdes texas from Louisiana. She iS also SiCK of tHE bLood sUcking mOSqUIToeS tHaT swArM AnYthinG thAt moves.

barbara, or "BAbs" As She is usually CAlLed, grew up iN NeW Orleans. An exCepTionalLy BeaUTiful WomAn, she Had comE To TexaS five yearS bEFore to STart a reSTAuRant And bar. She knew that HEr REpertoire of recIpes haNdED dOWN frOm hEr French anD CAjun gRAndmothERs WOULd bRIng in customerS. She had been RIghT, she haD eStaBLished A repuTaTIon For good food And a Pleasant aTmosphERe in her REstauraNt.

AmonG otHerS, a weALtHy PlaNtATioN OwNer, cHarLes BabinEaUx, Had stArteD TO COurt Her. she hAd beeN attracted to tHe lOcal SHerIff, MaTthew dixoN, bUt he sEemed wIllinG tO step back and let babiNeaux carrY thE dAy.

BAbS and CHArles mArrIed, And she mOved intO His SpACIOuS plantation home at GReEN oaKs. Soon afTer, he, DIXoN, aND most of tHe OthEr abLE BodieD men WEnT off to waR, leaviNG hEr And CharLeS' sisteR iN chArgE of thE FielDs and tHe busineSs. BabS Felt subservienT To her sister-in-LAw, lAUrA babiNeaUx. She was the NewcOMer, aNd waS NeVer TOtallY at eaSe ARoUNd Laura. She felt that eVeRyone aT GreeN Oaks saw her as An interlopER, ANd she wasN't wiLD aBOut them, either. ESpeciAlly after CHArles lefT.

Then, Four montHs ago she rECEived newS thAt BAbiNeaUX WaS killed at a plaCE CallEd chickamAugA. Her sisTer-In-lAw hAd rEcEntly offeRed her fiVe ThOuSaNd dOllarS For her paRt Of tHe PlaNtatiON and BaBs had DeciDeD tO TakE it. With THe UNCertAiNtY of tHe oUtCome oF the WAr, tHe place Could be woRthLEss lAtEr And she hAd nothing to hoLd Her in Texas. shE foUnd herSELf thinkiNg about Matt Dixon occasioNAlly but She Knew sHe neEded to get PasT that fEelINg and mOve on wIth heR lIfe.

sHE had dECIdEd tO tAke her moneY ANd hEad foR ARizoNa. It was A growing territory aND it Had not been so iMpaCted BY ThE waR As eAst teXAs wAS. it was time for BabS to make a frEsH StArt.

***

It is May, 1865. pIerRe laffere Is worriEd. He lOOks arouNd his smalL farm in soUtHwesT aRkaNsas and seeS the neglEct in the fIElds. THE cRop woUld Be shorT aGaiN this Year. WiTH moNey so Tight tHeSe past Two yeArS, he and hiS son Lawrence had not been aBle to kEep
 in Milam, deep in the hea rt of East  Texa s,jus ta fe w mi les from the S a bine  River which divides T exasfr o m Lo u is iana.  She is al s o  si ck  o f t he bl ood s uck ing mos quitoes th atsw arm anything th at moves.
Ba rbara, or "B abs " as s he  is usual lycalle d, gre w  up in  New Orle an s . An e x ception a l ly  bea utiful woman, she ha d  come to Texas  fiveye a rs b efo reto start a  r estau r ant and ba r . She knew that her  repertoire ofrecipe shan d ed dow n fro mh erFrench andCaju n grandmo thersw ould br i ng in c ustome rs.  Sh e ha d  b ee n r ig h t,s he  ha d  es tablishe dareput atio n f o r go odfood  anda pleasant at mos pher e  in  herresta uran t. 

Amo ng oth ers,awealthy plantat ionowner, Ch arl es  Ba bi neaux ,  had s tar ted  to cou rt her. She  h a d be en attracted to th el o ca l sherif f, Mat t he wD ixon, bu theseem e d  will ingt ostep bac k andl et  B abineau xcarryth e d ay. 

Bab s  and  Charl es marri ed, a n d she moved in t o his spaciou s  p l a nt a tion  ho me at Green  Oak s . So on a f te r,h e, Di xon,an d  m o st of the other abl ebodied  menwent off to w ar, leavin g h er and C harl e s' sister in char ge of  the field s  and the  busi ness. Ba bs felt s u b servient  to  he r s ist e r -i n-law, LauraB a bine au x. Shewas  the ne wco mer , a ndwa s never t otally a tea se  a rou nd La u ra. Shefe ltth atevery o ne atGreen  Oak ssa w  he r as an in t e rlop er ,andshe  w asn't  wil d  ab out the m, either . E s peci al ly  afterCharles left. 
Then, four  m ont hs ago s he recei ved news that Babineaux was kil led  at a  pla ce called  Ch ickama uga .  Her s ister- in-la whad r ecent l y  o ffe re d her five t hou sanddo llar s for h er part of the pla n tat ion and Babshad  dec i d ed  to ta k e i t. Wit h the uncertainty  of the ou tc o me  of the wa r , t he  placecould b e wor t hless l ater andshe had n ot hing t o h old her in  Texas.She found herse l fthink ing  about  M att  Dixo n occa s ion allybut sh eknew s he ne ed ed to ge t past that feeling and  moveon wi thher life. 

S h e h ad decide d to  take hermon eyand h ead for A rizo n a.  It was a  gro w ing terri t or y a n d  i t had not b e e n  so  impa cte d  by th e wa r as East Texas w a s. It was time  for B abs  to make  a  fresh start.
** *I t is May ,1865. Pierr e Laffer ei s wor ried.He loo ks arou n d  h i s smal l fa rmin southw est  A r kansasan ds ees th e ne gl ect in  the f i elds . The crop would b e sho r t  agai n  th is ye ar . Withm oney  so tightthese pasttwo ye ars,  he a nd hisso n Lawr enc ehad not be e n able to  keep 
 in_Milam, deep_in the heart of_East Texas,_just_a few_miles_from the Sabine_River which divides_Texas from Louisiana. She_is also sick_of_the blood sucking mosquitoes that swarm anything that moves.

Barbara, or "Babs" as she is_usually_called, grew_up_in_New Orleans. An exceptionally beautiful_woman, she had come to_Texas five_years before to start a restaurant and bar._She_knew that her_repertoire of recipes handed down from her French and_Cajun grandmothers would bring in customers._She had been_right,_she_had established a reputation_for good food and a pleasant_atmosphere in her restaurant.

Among others, a_wealthy plantation owner, Charles Babineaux, had started_to court her. She had been_attracted to the local sheriff,_Matthew Dixon,_but he seemed willing to_step back and_let Babineaux_carry the day.

Babs_and Charles married, and she moved_into his spacious_plantation home at Green Oaks. Soon_after,_he, Dixon, and_most_of_the other_able bodied men_went_off to_war,_leaving her and Charles' sister in_charge_of the fields and the business. Babs_felt subservient to her_sister-in-law,_Laura Babineaux. She was_the newcomer, and was never_totally at ease around Laura. She_felt that_everyone at_Green Oaks saw her as an interloper, and she wasn't wild_about them, either. Especially after Charles_left.

Then, four months ago_she received_news_that Babineaux was_killed_at a_place called Chickamauga. Her sister-in-law had recently_offered her_five thousand dollars for her part_of the plantation and_Babs_had decided to take it. With_the uncertainty of the outcome of_the war, the place could_be_worthless_later and she had nothing_to hold her in Texas. She_found herself thinking_about Matt Dixon occasionally but she knew_she_needed to get past that feeling_and_move on with her life.

She had_decided_to_take her money and head_for Arizona. It was a growing_territory and it had not been so impacted by_the war as_East Texas was. It was_time_for_Babs to make a fresh start.

***

It is May, 1865. Pierre_Laffere is_worried. He looks_around his small farm in southwest Arkansas and sees the_neglect in the fields. The crop would_be short again this year. With money so tight these past_two years, he and his son Lawrence had_not been able to keep