The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1850-02-14

tails of military duty. was permitted TO
enjoy at his leisure the society OF this
delightful family. And delightful they
truly were. The old man gradually
showed himselfm his genuine colors-
an ardent patriot, worthy of the once
honored name of Spaniard: the priest
either had, or professed TO have. about
him, none of the bigotry of his sect or
the stiffness of his order; and as to the
young ladies, they were all that the
most fastidious critic in female excel
lence could desire. Great pains, 1t
would appear, had been bestowed upon
their education for, contrary to tine
usual custom among their country wo-
men. they were not only mistresSes OF
many accomplishments, but possessed
of saronc sound sense and very consid-
erable information. In Theresa, in par
ticular, Norman found a pleasing CON-
panion, not only for his lighter moments,
but for moments when desire for more
serious and rational conversation came
upon him. She talked of the condition
Of her country with all the fire Of an
nthusiast-contrasted its present de-
graded state with its former glory till,
catching animation from the topic, her
bright ewes would fill with tears, and
her cheeks grow crimson with excited
feeling. Then, as if ashamed of her
violence, she would cast timid glance
towards Norman, and entreat him to
bear with the rudeness of a girl who
had seen so little of life. "You natives
of a northern climate" she would say,
are calm and temperate, they tell me
but in the veins of the NayaretteS toe
much of Gothic blood is flowing for any
child of that house 10 behold the dege.
neracy of Spain with Indifference. But
come, Norman; we will change the
subject. and You shall tell me of the
mo-...lains and lakes, and of the plaided
warriors and biue-eyed maidens of Scot
land.n And Norman was not back
ward in complying with her request
With all the nationality of a High
lander, he dwelt upon the deeds OF his
forefathers. till he, in his turn, caught
the enthusiasm with which his auditor
had been previously affected: nor, per
haps. were the young people drawn to
gether by any tie more powerful, thar
by admiration of each others patriotism
and equal devotion to military glory.
At length the springing herbs ant
shooting leaves, the opening flowers
and richer and more varied chorusse.
of singing birds, gave evidence tina
winter had passed away and summe
was approaching. There was time
and that time not very distant, whel
| M~sBtrfs wish' 'danynt, merely because
Il is tie season for hostile armies II
take the field. and fresh campaigns Il
be opened; but now he felt, and hi
knew not why, that his ideas on tina
head were changed. Not that his Low,
for the profession had in the slightess
decree abated-yery far from it; but h
had never passed the winter months $
agreeably, and, therefore. ne could nc
but regret that they were gone. Il
spite OF himself, he became pensive an
melancholy. Nor was he alone affect
ed by a palpable depression of spirit:
Every member of the family partooE
in a greater or less degree; Of a simlia
feeling: whilst Theresa's sorrow wa
ton acute for concealment. lnsensibly
as it would appear, Norman and sh
, devoted every day more and more
their time to each other. Instead
. inviting the rest to accompany them,
, it had been their custom, they woui
wander forth alone into the woods ant
, without making any regular appoln
! ments, they found themselves contln'
J ally meeting in the most sequestere
, spots. Yet no profession of love ha
/ passed either Of their lips. If the
4 conversation partook somewhat more
0 the tender than it had formerly done,
!. became so only when mention happent
!: to be make of Norman's approachln
+ departure, and even then no more W;
q expressed than sentiments OF the war;
!. est friendship, and deep regret that :
acquaintance so manifestly delight
}. to all parties must so soon be broken o
II Such was the state in which attal
s stood, when, one morning, an older
t dra COON was observed riding at bri
n trot down the avenue. Norman was
n that moment reclining upon windo
Q seat: Theresa sat beside him, with b
h guitar suspended from her neck, havi
\ INST concluded one of those exquisite
a plaintiye airs for which the Spani
Of music is remarkable; and her sist'
i were employed-one, in finishing.
ID miniature of the young soldier, viii
of she had taken; the other, in passl
il Judgment upon the performance. y
,e fernando and the priest had stroll
"a abroad, and the duenna had retired
Is enjoy her siesta. Theresa's keen G
n. first caught the form OF the trooper.
Of .Good Godw cried she, in alarm,
h: see. horsemanp
e. Norman sprang upon his feet a
ed looking out, Immediately guessed
rs nature of the business which broui
Of him. "Theresa,n y said he, mournfu
nd the time has come which we have
id long dreaded. That horseman brll
M an order for our separation"
ar Theresa replied not: her cheeks
81. came deadly pale, and had not Morn
ed caught her in his arms, she must n
de fallen from her seat.
TO .You are i'll, Theresa! dear Their