The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-01-12
From the Model American Courier.
From the Model American Courier
"Reminiscences Of q 4Pbggieian out Of 4PrRetiee.
BY PROFESSOR RUTER.
NO KILL. KEEPING UP A FAMILY NAME.
LEAF IV.-THE MASQUERADE.

l
ty miles distance from Y, the scene of the las
incidents, a two horse buggy might have been seer
driving slowly along the road, bearing trunks be
hind, and having the general dusty appearance
about the vehicle and that tired air about the horses
that betoken jcurneyers who have been long upo
the road.
The driver, the only occupant of the carriage
was rather young-looking man, about whose ap
pearance there was sort of ease and familiarit
with his position, as though he had been accus
toned all his life to travel in his own carriage, an
all novelty OF the thing were long since worn OIL
One would scarce have needed second glance Il
| decide that he was a man of the world, but for
rather unusual and very prepossessing air of frank
| ness and truth about his face and manner, which
| (sorry am | to say it, is generally attributable
| rather to an ignorance than to a knowledge of ou
| species.
The traveller seemed to think his days Journey
long enough for his horses, if not for HIMSELF and
| he had for the last half hour, been watching the
road in search of an inn. No such promised &C
| commodation appeared in sight, so hailing lad
| who, sitting listiessly at the roadside, seemed
resting himself, he inquired whether there were a
| public house near.
| Receiving no answer, he turned to look more
| nearly at the boy, as he drove toward him, and
| saw with astonishment that he was weeping vio-
| lenty He seemed a sendehy made youth OF
| thirteen fourteen, wel-dressed, though his
| clothes were road-soiled and dusty. His face was
shaded by his straw hat and covered by his hands.
The traveller had repeated his inquiry before
noticing these particulars, and touched instantly by
the appearance of suffering, he descended to offer
assistance As he approached, the youth started
to his feet-the action displaced his hat, and as it
fell off, rich mass of dark hair far too long for the
sex assumed, fell also and covered his shoulders
to the waist.
A deep blush burned on the features of the dis
covered girl for one moment, and then, clasping
her hands, she exclaimed earnestly
%, know 1t must seem strange that should
be at such place and in such ain such a dress J;
but indeed, sir, have done nothing wrong. You
look kind and honorable, and like genteman-I
am sure you won't injure me-only will you take
me to my aunt's house! 1t is only about two miles
from here. started to walk there, but l am not
used to walking far, and l perfectly
hausted. Don't refuse me, sir, she added, as the
traveller seemed to hesitate" don't refuse me
I've waited an hour here for some one to pass that
| would not be afraid of, and am sure may trust
you - and she looked up into his face with an
preston on hers that made his heart beat louder
and faster than it had for many day.
His apparent hesitation was indeed not from re-
luctance, but from the natural awkwardness of feel
ing to a bachelor in such circumstances.
MY poor child" said he, at length, with look
of pity the beautiful and pleading face turned up
toward his" I'm afraid you are doing wrong to
trust any body you don't know-but let me help
you into my buggy and We'll get to your aunt's as
quickly as possible. No one shall harm you while
| can prevent it."
go! thank you, thank you \" said she, eagerly
g knew might trust TO you. But you will have
to turn back pursued she, as they got into the
carriage together as far as the next road
nearly mile from here, and then Mrs Estill lives
about mile from this road.'
AS the buggy was turned and pursued the road
indicated by the fair stranger, an unaccountable
silence same over that man of the world, usually
so fluent and even brilliant in ladies' society.
Was he vexed at his journeys delay, or was he
imagining the possible cause for this singular mas
querade-or was he guarding himself, by silence
and reserve, against a new feeling that became
gradually stronger and stronger, spite of his efforts
to the contrary, whenever he thought of that sci-
mating face, with its rustful expression turned so
pleadingly toward him! He could control his
tongue, but he could not, for the life of him, pre-
vent his eyes from stealing glances, momentarily,
toward his companion.
After some five minutes of silence that was suffi-
GENTLY awkward to both, she said
Sc | ought to have answered your question before
now there is no public house within five or six
miles of here. My aunt will be happy to have you
stay at her house for the night, and '-she hesita
ted-"I myself desire you should, because feel it
due to myself that you should have explained to
you the Singular circumstances under which you
found me. don't feel able to do it now, nor do /
know in fact how much ought to tell but you
shall be satisfied, sir, that you have not been i'm
posed upon.'
Our traveller made some common-p place reply,
which he felt could have little or no meaning, for
he became sensible, about that time of two very
contradictory feelings-frst, perfect conviction
that he had not been imposed upon, and secondly,
a most earnest desire to have this proved to him.
Amid the silence that ensued, the remainder of
the distance was passed, and as they came in
sight of handsome mansion, whose paraphernalia |
ESQ to speak, of OuthOuses and cOnvenlences-
which there was just daylight enough left to see
bespoke at once the wealth and the taste of the |
owner, the fair masquer pointed it out to her CON-
panion as Mrs. Esti's residence, and requested |
him to stop there. |
As servants came out with lights, at the sound |
and stopping of the carriage wheels before the en-
trance, the traveller threw his coak-long enough |
still to her small figure-around the girl, TO |
conceal her masculine dress, and babe her, in |
low voice, tie handkerchief over her hat, to
give it, in some Sort the appearance of lady's !
riding-hat.
Thank you ~ said she, gratefully. and comply |
ing with his suggestion-.. how kind and consider |
ate you are!' Then, springing from the buggy, |
she ran up the steps and into the house with the |
at-home manner of one perfectly familiar with the
localities.
Three or four minutes passed. long
enough for the traveller to decide whether or no he
should follow the servants suggestion, that "Massa
mad better go up in de house-Missus would be
very glad to see him." when an elderly lady, of
lignfed and progressing person, appeared on the
teps, and with much ease apd sweetness OF man.
Ter, invited him into the house.
"This visit of my niece is very unexpected, but
lot the less pleasant; she has told me briefly her
Indebtedness to you, sir, and it is her wish, well
Is my own, that you give her an opportunity. by
sharing our hospitality, of explaining the rather
singular meeting you have had
In good sooth our traveller needed little urging |
His horses WEAKNESS, the hours lateness, the dis
ance to an inn, curiosity to hear the promised ex-
oianation, and more than all, or rather mingled
With all, most Ito him unaccounIable feeling OF
anfst oIv !
Ill these prompted him accept the hospitality so
politely offered. and he alghted at once and fol-
owed his hostess.
At supper, when the lady of the house presided,
lis late companion did not appear her aunt apollo
,ized that her niece had walked near twenty miles
hat day, for the first time in her life, was quite
worn ont, and had gone to bed, but would see and
hank her kind protector in the morning
During the meal, the gentleman was rather silent
md distracted, but managed to inform his hostess,
4 L.. -. - /