New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-06-08


g What can you mean by this wild talk, my
friend - ! replied, in as unconcerned and quiet
tone as could Immediately assume. !" Come,
| sit down; was asking the meaning Of your
strange words below, just now
6. The meaning Of my words You know as
well as do. Look therew
eat the painting Welli''
g You have seen the original" he went on,
with the same excited tone and gestures. eft
| crossed me like fash of lightning Still, it is
| strange she does not know me. It is sure she
does not But am changed, no doubt-sadly
changed - he added, dejectedly, as he looked
in mirror.
"Can you mean that have seen Laura Har-
grcaVes here ?' ] stammeTed, thoroughly hewil-
dered--'' she who was drowned ten CT elevon
! years ago." "
g To be sure-to be sure! 1t was so believed,
| admit, by every ybody-by myself, and the be-
| lief drove me mad And yet, / now remember
when at times was calm-when the pale face,
blind staring eyes, and dripping hair, ceased for
a while to pursue and haunt me, the low, sweet
voice and gentle face came back, and knew
she lived, though all denied it. But look it is
her very image!" he added fercely, his glaring
eyes flashing from the portrait to my face alter
nately. ~
Whose images"
"Whose image' Why, Mrs. Irwin's, to be
sure. You yourself admitted it just now
| Twas so coDfounded that for several minutes
remained stupidity and silently staring at the
man. At length said: ssWell, there IS like
ness, though not so great as imagined-''
tsIt is false!'' he broke in furiously. 6 1t ia
her very self''
Well talk of that to- morrow. You are i'll,
over excited, and must go to bed hear Dr.
Garland's voice below: he shall come to YOU
"No-no-no!' - he almost screamed &C Send
me no doctors-I hate doctors! But Pll 20 to
| bal q, D. -
not for the world!'' As he spoke he shrank
coweringly backwards out of the room, his wa
vering, unquiet eyes fixed upon mine as long as
we remained within view of each other. A mo-
ment afterwards heard him dart into his cham
ber, and bolt and double-lock the door
1T was plain that lunaey, but partially sub
dued, had resumed its fermer mastery over the
unfortunate gentleman. But what an extraor-
dinary delusion! took candle, and examined
the picture with renewed curiosity. 1t certain
ly bore strong resemblance to Mrs. Irwin the
brown curling hair, the pensive eyes, the pale
fairness of complexion, were the same; but it
was scarcely more girlish, more youthful, than
the young matron was now, and the original,
had she lived, would have been by this time ap-
| preaching to thirty years of age! went softly
down stairs, and found. as | feared, that Geo.
Irwin was gone. My wife came weeping out Of
the death chamber, accompanied by DR.. Gar
1 land, to whom | forthwith related what had
just taken place He listened with attention
and interest; and after some sage observations
upon the strange fancies which now and then
take possession of the minds Of monomaniacs
agreed to see Mr.. Renshawe at ten the next
morning | was not required upon duty till
eleven; and if it were in the physicians opinion
desirable, was to write at once to the patients
uncle, Mr.. Oxley.
Mr.. Renshawe was, / heard, stirring before
seven o'clock, and the charwoman informed me
that he had taken his breakfast, as usual, and
appeared to be in cheerful, almost high, spirits
The physician was punctual. tapped at the
sitting room door, and was desired to come in.
Mr.. Renshawe was seated at a table with some
papers before him, evidently determined to feel
cool and Indifferent. He could not, however
repress start of surprise, almost of terror, nj
the sight of the physician, and paleness, fol
lowed by a hectic flush, passed quickly over his
countenance. i observed, too, that the portrai
was turned with its face towards the wall.
) By strong effort Mr.. Renshawe regained hi
. simulated eomposure, and in reply to Dr. Gar
lands professional inquiry as to the state Of hi
J, health, said, with a forced laugh, 's My frien
y Waters has, suppose, been amusing you wit
: the absurd story that made him stare so las
night. 1t is exceedingly droll, / must say, al
: though many persons, otherwise acute enough
can not, except upon reflection, comprehend
. jest. There was John Kemble, the tragedian
lol ilnttiASe, NuO-
''Never mind John Kemble, my dear sir,
interrupted DR.. Garland. edo, pray, tell u
the story over again. love an amusing Jest
) Mr.. Renshawe hesitated for an instant, an,
then said, with reserve, almost dignity of man
ner, t'I do not know, sir his face, by tn
. way, was determinedly ayerted from the cool
searching gaze of the physician-'sI do no
! know, sir, that l am obliged to find you il
amusement; and as your presence here was no
invited, shall be obliged by your leaving tn
t room as quickly as maybe
'Certainly, certainly. sir. Tam exceedingl,
sorry to have intruded; but am sure you vii
$ permit me to have u peep at this wonderful por
! trait"
> Renshawe sprang impulsively forward, to pre-
| vent the doctor reaching it. He was too late
and DIR. Garland, turning sharply round witt
/; the painting in his hand, literally transfxe
him in attitude of surprise and consterna
ton. Like the Ancient Mariner, he held hin
by his gittering eye, but the spell was not al
I. enduring one '' Truly" remarked DR. Gar
land, as he found the kind of mesmeric intuenc
he had exerted beginning to fail, "not so DER
f bad chance resemblance, especially about tn
i, eyes and mouth
;, "Ihis is very extraordinary conduct" brok
y in Mr.. Renshawe, IS and must again reuues
!, that you will both leave the room''
r 1t was useless to persist, and we almost imme
: diately went away. s' Your impression, MI
g Waters" said the physician, as he was leavin
r the house. sis, l dare say, the true one but
' is on his guard now, and it will be prudent t
: wait for fresh outbreak before acting decisive
: ignore especially as the hallucination appear
: to be quite d harmless one
t This was not, thought, quite SO sure, but
: course acquiesced, as in duty bound and ma
!, ters went on pretty much as usual for seven
e eight weeks, except that Mr. Renshawe man
: tested much aversion towards myself PERSONAL,
n and at last served me with a written notice
n quit at the end of the term previously stipult
n ted for. There was still some time to that al
n in the meanwhile, caused strict watch to |
e set, as far as was practicable, without excitir
: observation, upon our landlords words an
s acts.
r Ellen Irwin's first tumult of grief subsidet
d the next and pressing question related to he
n own and infant sons subsistence An elderl
G man, Of the name of Tomlins, was engaged a
9 foreman; and it was hoped the business migh
|, still be carried on with sufficient profit. Nj
e Renshawe's manner, though at times indicatiy
% of considerable nervous irritability, was kin
n and respectful to the young widow and bega
+ to hope that the delusion he had for awhile la
/ bored under had finally passed away
e The hope was fallacous one. We were sit
= ting at tea on Sunday evening, when Mrs. Ii
win, pale and trembling with fright and nervon
y agitation, came hastily in with her little boy il
|. her hand I correctly OWNED what had oc