Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1851-09-11
MISCELLANY.
FF9m Die Pictorial Dr6rtng Room Cempdausn
CHARLOTTE:
THE TAMB0URINE PLAYER.
BY LrEUTESANT MuRRY.

Cafe des Etudidnts, in the Rue des Ecolss,
Paris, enc afterneoH, when their attention
was arrested BY the performances Of . couple
Of itinerant musicians in the! street They
were Italians, and apparently father and
daughter the former playing large and
finely tuned organ, the latter accompanying
him with surpassiBg dexteraty and harmony
upena tambeurine. The man was dressed
in the velyeteen pants and jacket, SO usual
anon his people and with jaunty cay Of
red velvet upon his head. The girl wore a
modest skirt, of blue fabric, and q laced
waist of red velvet ornamented with silver
buttens, and en- her head an open network
Gap, that served to cenfne, bat not to hide,
d rich abundance of black hair Her COM
plexipn was Of that rich olive hue, that memo
but italian skies impart, and her features
we're faultlessly beautiful.
Such were some Of tho peculiarities Of the
two musicians, that glance manifested TO
the beholder.
aBy this light, heU pretty sho is" ex-
"Pretty-by Jovo, she's beautiful re-
piled his companion.
"Such feet"
anu kuch inquire!
"Se graceful
"And such black eyes p
saiEgad, Celestine, must know that girl
better" continued the younger Of the tive
In love with her at FIRST sight, Antoine 2
Well. such fires quickly burn themselves out,
said his companion as he whom he had called
Antoine threw FIVE franc piece into the
girls tambourine, and raised his cap as her
eye met his in acknowledgement Of the gen
erous fee be had bestowed.
'Celestins p
We'll
Did you see these eyes
tOf course
Were they not levelyf 3,
We agreed to that before. But whore
are you going, Antoineq'
To follow her, replied bis companion
suiting the actisn to the werd
Antoine Louval was young student Of
the medical college, and the only sen Of a
Rich merchant in the city. He was but nine,
teen years Of age; but an aptness which ma
On to a remarkable proficiency, and he alrea-
dy ranked high amengh his elder companions,
for Intelligence and requirements. In his
disposition be was quick, but generous and
free4hearted, perhaps little inclined to the
designations of the day, but qpitc uncontam-
mated by any serious evil OF habit His
father took much pride in his advancement
supplied him literally with money, but at
the same time that he loved bis boy, be was
strict parent.
Our scene changes; six months have pass
ed since We introduced eur characters at the
Cafe des Etudiants
II is . pleasant evening, and the room
where We would take yeu is very pleasantly
lighted. The furniture Is exceedingly neat
and plain, but handsome and abundant A
lovely girl, with dark hair and eyes sits BY
table where burns al astral lamp, at work
upon SEINE rich pattern of lace, in the nest
elaborate and exquisite style Of figure OPP
pesite to her, and engaged with beck, sat
. ysung man, whom the reader weuld have
recognized as being Antoine Louval, and
she who sat SO Quietly there, and plying her
needle with such industry and lady-liks
mien, vas Charlotte, the tambourine girl
We viii net explain in detail the means by
which this change had been brought about
Antpine was handsome, eloquent, and in love
with her He caused her to be taught en-
broidery in its highest perfection Itamus-
ed her, and helped them to pay unitedly the
expense Of their little home, and outWardly
the I've were most happy.
But there was . eanker-werm gnawing at
the eung girls heart; Antoine was NOS her
husband. She had never importuned him
upon the subject, for he had always met her
request by answering that we're be to marry
her, his father, would disinherit him at snce
To her, who had given up everything, father,
friends and innocence, such IN object seemed
but trife, bat she said ne more upon the
theme, and months passed away. She lev
ing, kind, and true t. him, and be, too, loy-
ing her sincerely. Bus as they sat there
now, after few moments sileace, Charlotte
said
Antsine, I find that 4 can no longer Be
happy unless yeu prove ysur Iincsrity BY
marriage
Dear Charlotte, yeu knew that it 10 pain
full to me for you to refer to this matter, and
you know that my father -'
True, ysu have teld me Of that before,
but unless Jon new eoHceds no my wishes,
No must separate af snce'
Separate, Charlotte
Yes, Antoine Lam resolved
Then you de not leYs me- he answered
reproaohfully.
a Dc love you, Antsins, with al my
heart. said re beautiful girl, brushing tear
from her bright ere
The student leaned across the table, kissed
her far oheek; and bidding her good night
Are yeu eoine, Antsine u