Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-09-14

ted Dy the SYren, Iuey were hiole Iiiail Hldteheu
by a couple Of royal counsellors-Messrs. Hcmm-
stoff and Wicke-who had become close friends
in consequence of congeniality of sentiment in
matters relating to the fine arts and the drama
The latter, his eye fixed ON the fallen curtain,
broke out with an ejaculation =" Oh, friend g!
what is life without love? I now understand
the delicate lines of the poet.'
"True, very true p interposed Hemstoff, vain
y endeavoring to pass, in the true exquisite style,
his fingers through the remnant of hatluxurous
crop of hair which the scythe of Time had cut
down." very truly does the poet say-but
feel confoundedly hungry. Shall we sup at the
Restaurant, or where 2"
"Below, my dear fellow" rejoined Wicke in
melting tone, " for I understand there s a sup
ply of fresh oysters just arrivived. Alas! how
sweet thing is love-"
Thus sentimentalizing did he and his compa-
Mon descend into the supper-room, which was
unusually full-doubtless on account of the ne
cessity felt by so many young bucks Of recruiting
their shaken nerves and spirits by the help Of a
little eau-de-uis.
All the tables were soon entirely occupied
The discourse naturally turned on the opera, and
all coincided in voting Henriettas abilities to be
pre-emnent although each differed from the
other as to her chief qualifications. But, as the
uproar began almost to resemble that OF Babe
(tor the parties seemed to think that the strength
of the argument lay in vociferatiou) we turn
with pleasure to more agreeable and interes-
ting object-the songstress herself
To the young, pure and sensitive heart of Hen
rietta, the notice she attracted was anything but
concenal. She was conscious the publicity of
her situation could not fail to imply something
indicate to- true feminine feeling; but circum-
stances and custom together with a certain in
nocent belief that it could not be otherwise,) ten
ded greatly to overcome the sensation. Alto
gether however, her lot had more the appearance
than the reality of being enviable; and this
chiefly from two cooperating causes-namely,
the impertinent freedom of their critics, who,
(probably because they knew nothing of music,)
seemed to prefer descanting in no measured terms
upon her personal accomplishments, and the
countless tedious visits which were daily made
her. and which she, unfortunately, was obliged
10 receive. BY this latter annoyance, indeed all
those leisure hours were puroined which she had
formerly been habtuated to devote to the enjoy
ment of her own thoughts and the society Of
books, varied by agreeable household occupa-
tons.
Amongst her regular train, it will not be diff
cult to imagine that our friends the orators Of
the Restaurant were duly numbered, including
a going man (of whom the rest knew no more
than we did.) He spoke but little, although
sarcastic smile now and then curled his lip. BY
Henrietta he was uniformly we'll received-but
this courtesy was not extended to him by his fel
low admirers, who, indeed, appeared alone Withheld
by !ear INSPIRED by his evident decision Of cha
racter) from treating the stranger rudcly. Moth
ING further could be gathered respecting him
than that lie was young musician, by name
Werner: and he was Of superior presence, al
though his dress betrayed not the man Of opu.
ence
One morning the party assembled in Hennet-
tas saloon, were engaged in discourse respecting
the journals of the day, and the criticisms they
contained, when they were interrupted by the
stalking in of very ghasty apparation which
bore some resemblance to NJ. Bruckbancr, direc-
tor of the K Opera A universal exclama-
ton ensued upon bis entrance-thc more par
ticulary as his garments displayed some stains
of blood.
"Good Heavens p said Henrietta, what Is
the meaning of this ?"
Let me breathe; dearest lady," said Bruck-
baner, and you shall learn the cause. Never,
surely, was any director of theatre at once so
gratitied and terrified as l have been within the
last five minutes, had just called on the cashier
of the house to ascertain how it stood respecting
the tickets for to-morrow's opera, wherein you are
to appear as Anaanda, and learned that only one
was left. Two officers entered at the same mo-
ment-mutual frienls--each inquring, as if in
one breath, whether places were to be had. The
cashier exhibited the solitary ticket-Eke tigers,
both sprang at it; a dispute arose, we tried to
interfere but in vain Already swords were
drawn, and the steels clashed together; both
were practiced fighters, and their strokes fell
swift as lightning, and thickas hail-stones! Nor
had more than minute scarcely passed, before
one of the combatants lay bleeding on the earth,
whilst the other (who had not himself escaped
without receiving wounl) struck triumphantly
the point of the sword into the ticket, and re-
tired with his dearly bought prize"
"And the wounded officer p demanded Hen
rietta.
"They were taking him to his barrack," an
swered the director.
The beautiful songstress, who to conceal her
emotion at this serious accident, had turned to-
ward the window, sank fainting upon a chair.
All rushed to her assistance. Werner, how
ever, with Lousa's aid, conveyed the flintine Girl