The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-12-13

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naming stock in trade of the unpro
nounceable lamp would pay. As tc
the poor ex-captain, he returned to hi:
family ruined man.
But strength is often found in the
depth of adversely, courage in despair
and both our hero and his wife set reso-
lutely to work to support themselves
and their children. Happily they owed
no debts. On selling out, Capt Dutton
had honorably paid every farthing he
owed in the world before entrusting the
| remainder of his capital to the unprin-
cipled Smith, and now this upright con-
| duct was its own reward.
He wrote beautiful hand, and while
seeking some permanent employment,
earned a tri1e by copying manuscripts
and iengrossing in an attorneys office.
His wife worked diligently with her
needle, but the care of a young family,
and the necessity of dispensing with
servant, hindered her from adding
much to their resources. Notwith-
standing their extreme poverty they
managed to preserve decent appear
ance, and prevented even their neigh
bors from knowing the straits to which
they were often reduced. Their little
cottage was always exquisitely neat
and clean, and the children, in spite of
their scanty clothing, and often insuffi-
cient food, looked as if they were the
sons and daughters of a gentleman.
Il was Mrs. Dutton's pride to preserve
the respectable appearance for her hus-
bands wardrobe, and often did she work
till midnight at turning his coat and
darning his linen, that he might appear
as usual among his equals. She often
urged him to visit his former acquaint-
ance, who had the power to befriend
him, and solicit their interest in obtain
ing some permanent employment; but
the soldier, who was as brave as a lion
when facing the enemy, shrank with
the timidity of a girl from exposing
himself to the humiliation of refusal, |
and could not bear to confess his urgent |
need. He had too much delicacy to |
press his claims-he was too proud to |
be importunate, and so others succeed |
ed where he failed.
1t so happened that the general under |
whom he had served. and who lost sight |
of him since his retirement from the
service, came to spend few months at
the watering place near which the
buttons resided, and hired for the sea-
son handsomely furnished house
one morning on the sands, in
a disconsolate mood. our hero saw with
surprise his former commander ap-
and with feeling of false
shame he tried to avoid a recognition.
But the quick eye of Gen. Vernon was
lot to be eluded, and intercepting him
with outstretched hand. he exclaimed |
What, Dutton, is that you? 1t
seems an age since we met. Living
n this neighborhnod, eh?"
"Yes, general; | have been living
lere since | retired from service"
And You sold out, think-to please
he mistress, suppose, Dutton All!
hese ladies have a great deal TO an
wer for Tell Mrs. Dutton shall call
N her some morning and read her a
ecture for taking you from u.s." L
Poor Dutton's look of confusion, as
le pictured the generals visit surpris-
nc his wife in the performance of her
nenial labors, rather surprised the old
eteran, but its true cause did not occur
0 him.
He had a great regard for Dutton.
onsidering him one of the best and
ravest officers under his command, |
nd was sincerely pleased at meeting
i'm again; so, after ten minutes col | 4
oquy, during the progress of which
he ex-soldier, like the war-horse who r
ricks up his ears at the sound of the
rnmpet, became gay and animated, as
Ia associations of the camp and field
anne back upon him, the general shook '
im heartily by the hand and said
you'll dine with me tomorrow,
)utton, and meet few of your old
,iends! Come, I'll take, no excuse;
ou must not turn hermit on our {
ands.n .zsz ..-.ssr
At first Dutton was going to refuse, t
ut on second thought accepted the in /
itation, not having, indeed, any good
sason to offer for declining it. Having
lken leave of the general, therefore,
9 proceeded home and announced the /
to his wife. She, poor thing,
took out his well-worn
lit, and occupied herself in repairing r
) best she might the cruel ravages of
me as we'll as in starching and IRON d
lg an already snowy shirt to the high a
1t degree of perfection. . ID
Next day in due time he arrived at t
en-. Vernon's handsome temporary
yelling, and received cordial vel y
,me. A dozen guests, civilians as we'll
J soldiers, sat down to splendid ban q
net. After dinner the conversation Ii
sppened to turn on the recent i'm
in arts and manufactures, v
nd comparisons were drawn between
e relative talent for invention dis Il
aged by artists of different countries. I;
'atchnaking happened to be men, p
oned as one of the arts which had G
late years wonderfully improved, d
g host desired his valet to fetch a je
ost beautiful little watch, perfect c
ef feuvre ofworkmanship, which he ii
ID lately purchased in Paris, and N
hieh was less valuable for its richly n
Welled case than for the exquisite per id