New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-04-17

his father.
Without giving way to his passion, however,
the young man turned upon his heel, passed out
Of the door and ne5er STONED to speak to his
mother, m0Ha!Gat IS horse and rode
off to the hotel /
Mrs. II few to her hu.'efi. and ella ping
her hands in agony, prayed taat he would call {
the young man back, speak to ,ig, no longer in :
stern and chilling tone. brlt indy and faith
erly, and effect reconcilia..q0
Sc My God ~ murmured : Colonel passion
ately ss am I to be trampIcd N bv my own
son? ? Am to stoop and he ont .,gi Wien
he comes to ne with ain oi iudg. .endence
which is insupportable, aia 70 bend 20 him
and beg }" y
"No, no!' sobboi the wretched woman
not that But speak to him kindly Use per-
su!s.ion--gentleness-
With a son oni-persuasion! iou wrong my
patience exclaimed the Colonel. in husky
voice. g Leave me-
No more words passed between the parents of
the unhappy youth; but during the remainder
of the day, the mother WAS keenly distressed |
and the stern father i'll at ease.
The latter passed a sleepless night. He paced |
the floor until late with his brow contracted
| and his lips compressed then he retired, and
lay for TWO hours. rleditating some subject
which excited his brain. Mrs r., who was
| likewise awake, knew too we'll what the subject
| was. 4
|
| is any thing the matter?" asked his wife.
81 don't know, replied the Colonel. ''
thought heard q sound in the lower part Of
the house, in the direction of the study. 1t may
be only cat that Vas got in there but will
| go and see
81 heard something myself said Mrs H..
:: hut thought it was outside
The Colonel had heard more, understood
better than his wife. At all events he had no
suspicion Of cats--his alluson to them having
been merely to avoid alarming her, He remem
bered that there was sum of money in his desk,
and probably suspected robbery.
Going noiselcssly down stairs, and opening
the door of the study with steady hand, he
heard the same noise much louder than before
He stepped cautiously into the room. 1t was
starlight night, and turning his eyes to the
window from which the noise appeared to pro-
ceel, he discovered dim shadow moving in the
curtain.
At that moment the noise ceased. The Colonel
stood motonless in the corner of the room until
it recommended, when reaching heavy sword
which hung against the wall, he slowly drew it
from its scabbard.
The Colonel then stationed himself near the
window, but no sooner had lie done so. than the
: grating noise ceased again. After short silence
he heard another sound, like the breaking of
glass and Immediately after. the curtain was
| moved aside by an invisible hand.
The darkness, the lionel ness of the chamber
t and the mystery of the dim shadow on the cur
s tain, would have shaken the nerves of a man Of
c less coolness and courage than the Colonel. De
y termincd to take the robber, d ad or alive, he
6 calmly waited for him to enter the room. Bu
= nrasant1v ia his dism,y. he heard footsteps com
i ;ny down stairs Some domestic or out-doo,
: laborer, had evidently heard tic sounds, anc
was coming to learn their origin PerceivinG
e that this must frghten the robber, The Colone
was revolving n lis mind what he should do t,
u effect his object. when the hand that had passe,
tbo curtoin became visible IT, was propip!
:. alone the window lame for the spripg RAM,
j. ne tLe Eohtnno. vet uoiselessly and unseen I'll
ii nld hrooIsword siyc,,t over the Colouel's head
st and struck deem irio the wood work If the " in
H. dow. There was A stified cry-a heavy fall
is and the curtain FIJI back to it's place.
Rushing to tho window. the Colonel threw
at omen and looked out He could see nothint
en- however, owing 10 the darkness; and shuttin
as It again. he FASTENED 10 procure a light
,e As he burst into the hall, laborer by I.
it, name of Jones. who slept N the house, appear,
on at the foot of the >tai,s.
an .Good God gGlone. is that you ;" erie
Jones' who appeared agitated with terro
" .s What is the matter
nd g Give me light said Cy II.
Us He extended his hand. Is the light shor
an unon If. Jones. who must hare been frightene
i'm terribly. saw that it was covered with bloo
ed Starting back he dropped the lamp, which ws
OF broken to pieces on the floor
The Colonel cursed his weak nerves, and has
ed ened up stairs for the lamp in lis chambe
er Mrs. II. hearing the strange sounds. and alarn
lel bv the protracted absence OF lor husband, hi
OF already arisen and struck n light As the CO
H. onel took it from her hand she saw the bio
lg, upon his arm, and uttered cry of horror.
ce. :s 1t is nothing said the Colonel. &c A TO
to bcr was climbing in at the window, and | ha
er. scratched him.
is He entered the study, followed by Jones, W
"a shudlercd at the scene which met his ey'
.p- There was blood on the curtain and on the c,
his onel's chair, which stood near it, and on t
he wall. Across the desk where the Colonel h
81 placed it, lay the broadsword stained wi
blood.
&C Something on the carpet under the swindo
M attracted the eyes Of Jones. He stopped to pi
an it u,--he started back with suppressed CT
by 1t was a human hand
i'm The Colonel picked it up and held it by
as, lifeless fingers. 1t was still warm and dripp
ich blood. Ithad been cut off just at the wrist.
'ol- Suddenly the Colonel turned pale. Wra
ted ping the member in his handkerchief, lie sez
ter. the light, and rushed up stairs
ers For Heavens sake he cried with stran
to agitation, tell me if you know this! 1t is
hat time to stand upon ceremony. Look"
oc- And totally regardless OF the effect the horl