New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-06-26
DAILY YCRESCENT
OFFICIAL JOURNAL
THE MERCHANTS DAUGHTER AND THE
JUDGE.
IF THE CONSOLIDATED CITY OF NEW oRLEAN

It was the land Of poetry and song-the land 6
,eopied with the memories Of the mighty past f
he land over which the shadows OF n long re- {
lown rested more glowingly than a present ,
glory. 1t was beautiful Italy; the air like /
sweet odor, was to the senses what soft thoughts
ire to the mind, or tender feelings to the heart,
breathing serenity and peace That sweet air i
swept balmly over the worn brow Of an invalid,
giving to the paid hue of his countenance the
first taint dawn of returning health.
The eye Of the invalid was fixed on the dark
characters Of book in cunbrous binding and
massive clasps, which would now be considered
an invaluable black-letter and SO soabsorbed was
he in its perusal, that he heard not the ap-
steps of visitors, until the sound OF
their greetings reused him from his meditations
ss1he saints have you in their keepibgl" said
his elder visitor, man whose brow bore traces
of age, though time had dealt leniently with
him.
ssThe dear Madonna bless you.' calculated
his other visitor, young girl, with the large
flashing eye, the pure oval face, and the classic
contour of Italy.
The invalid bowed his head to each of these
salutations.
the elder visitor, &C that your wounds are heal |
ing, and your strength returning, may we not
inquire of your kin and country"
A slight flush passed over the pale face OF the
sicl, man; he was silent for moment, as if COM
muning with himself, and then replied '' l am
of England, soldier, albeit, of the lowest rank.
''Of Engandn' hastily responded the ,ner-
chant. ''0f England of hereto England p
He crossed himself devoutly, and started back
as if afraid Of contamination.
'sI may not deny my home and country" re-
piled the soldier mildly, but with determination.
8: But shall incur the churchs censure for
harboring theer' exclaimed the merchant
ss thou knowest not what pains and penalties
may be mine for doing thee this servicee p
':Then let me forth replied the soldier;
&c you have been to me the good Samaritan, and
would not requite you evil; let me 60 on my
way, and may the blessing of Heaven be upon
you in the hour Of your own need
ssNay, nay, | said not so. Thou hast not yet
strength for the travel; and, besides, England
was once the brightest jewel in our holy fathers
crown, and she might reconcile herself again;
but fear me she will not, for your master,
Henry, is q violent, hot -blooded man, and he
hath torn away the kingdom from apostolic
care. Know you not that your land is under
interdict, and that |, as a true son Of the holy
mother church, ought not now to be changing
words with thee -
ssEven so, replied the soldier; 's but there
are many that think the kings grace hardly
dealt by
ssThe shepherd lnoweth best how to keep his
fold,'' replied the merchant hastily: sc but you
are the kings soldier; you take his pay and
eat his bread, and doubtless ought to hope the
best for him, and so do l. ! would that he
might repent and humble himself, and then our
holy father would again receive him into the
fold but now bethink me, thou vert reading
what were thy studies -
The brow of the soldier clouded he hesitated
moment; but then gathering up his resolu-
ton, replied, &c In the din Of the battle this
book was my breastplate, in the hour of sick
ness my best balm,'' and he laid the open vol
ume before the merchant.
, sHoly saint.'' exclaimed the merchant
crossing himself and drawing back, as he be
held The xolume which his church had closes
against the laymen. 90 Thou, then, art amon
the heretics who bring down curse upon tn,
land Nay, thy sojourn here may bring dow
? 2 maledictions upon me and mine-upon my hous
and home But thou shalt go forth l will no
harbor thee! / will deliver thee over to TIL
church, that she may chasten thee! Ava.
from him, my child away from him!"
The soldier sat sad and solitary, watching tn
dying light of the sun as he passed majesticall
d on to shine in other lands One ray rested o
= the thoughtful brow of the lonely man as he sn
: bracing up his courage to meet the perlous tu
Z ture As he thus unused a soft voice broke upo
s his reyerie.
e You are thinking of your own far off home,
said the Italian girl. elbow | wish that all
love had but one home; it is a grief to have
> many honest
q ssThere is such home, replied the soldie
~ replied Emilia, but they say thi
IT, heretics come not there! Promise me that yc
will not be a hereto any longer
The soldier smiled, and sighed
IT, "You guess why am here tonight resume
the Italian girl. &C. know it by that smile al
y sigh. You think that I am come to tell you
seek your own land and home, and therefore "
smile, and you Just breathe one little sigh
k cause you leave this bright sun-and me-"
Am l then to leave you, perhaps to be d
Is liyered over to the power of your implacat
church -
Emilia crossed herself; No, no-go to yo
~. own land and be happy Here is money; L
: father could not deny me when | begged it frt
r him with kisses and tears. Go and be hapl
he he and forget u.s.
for ssNever!' exclaimed the soldier earnestly
he ssnever And you, my kind and gentle nur
r,y my gsod angel-you who have brought hope
lily my pillow, and beguiled the sad hours of sic
IS: 80; ness in Il foreign land-words are but pc
things to thank thee with -
81 shall see you no nOre!" said the you
'Ss rGs Italian, and what shall make me happy VII
ere ere you are gomez Who will tell tales Of fie
on and feld' l have been happy while you W
,ed here, and yet We met very sadly. My he
stood still when | first saw you covered w
'. blood, on your way back to Milan, after
lle battle You had crept under hedge, as
+. thought, to die. But | took courage TO lay
Co. hand upon your heart, and it still heat so
n brought you home; and never has morn
~ passed but have gathered the sweetest fo'
2. to freshen your pillow; and while you were
aa ed sensible in that terrible fever, I used to ST
01I OK into your chamber and kneel at your bed-f
WV and pray for the Madonna's care. And W
~ you revived, you smiled at my flower, and W
AN you had voice to speak, you thanked me-"
we're Emilia's voice was lost in sobs and W
's s' Of wonder if one from mans sterner nature II
BUT gled with them'
We The morrow came The Italian girl gathe
mole q last flower, and gave it in fearful silence
tory, the soldier. He kissed the fragrant gift,
N. then, with momentary boldness, the fair h
-, ii. that gave it, and departed. The young
stock watched his footsteps till they were lost to 81
and ind listened to them till they We're lost to sol
d es- and then abandoned herself to weeping
r5L ooI 'sThou art sad. dear daughter said Il V
~. rable father to his child, as they traversed
- once countrifed expansc through the Gil
The London to Westminstcr-'' thou art sad,
: fRG; IN daughter
i the MAY, my father replied the maiden,
TO- 50 would not be so but it is hard always to '
ent. d cheerful countenance when
-. {: The heart is sad thou wouldst say
sHM 6" Nay, meant it not
I ,1n ,rrc