The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-09-07
Seltttf1 Galrg.
From the Star iSpiangied Banner.
THE RESCUE,
BY EUGENE ST. CLAIR.
Fire fire! the ships on fire ~

GOLDEN and soft cleaned the diving
sunlight across the waters of the great
Mississippi, bathing the noble stream in n
radiance almost celestial. High above
hung the azure vault Of heaven, like some
vast and delicatcly tinted sea shell, all un-
rolled, revealing the admirable blending
of It's rich and varied hues. The perlumed
winds that throughout the long day had
swept the rivers breast, hnd died away,
leaving it calm and placid, like mirror
of polished steel set in frame Of emerald.
On either hand, the shore, decked in its
tropical luxuriance of vegetation, lay soft
and bright, lending new beauty to the
scene.
A noble steamer was plowing its way
up stream, proudly clea,iug the still wa
ters with its sharp Prov, aud leaving tue
ripples dancing and flashing in its wake
Ike host of glittering gems. With ma
jcslie motion the stately craft swept proud
ly on through all this fair scenery Of earth
and sky, while ever and anon the stiffness
o. the hour was broken by the thunder OF
her e,capc-pipe, echoing clear and piercing
like the cry OF tho lone eagle from his lofty
home among the clouds.
She was thronged with groups Of gay
passengers, enjoying with peculiar zest the
soft and withing sunset hour.
Some were engaged in animated con.
venation, others silently promenading the
hurricane deck, while here and there might
bc seen lover Of the "weed" enjoying the
fragrance of pure Havana, and watching
in dreamy ease the blue and spiral wreaths
cf smoke rs they went floating upward,
assuming thousand fantastic shapes, un-
til they died away in gossamer Transparent
cy, and seemed to mngIc with the ambi-
ent air.
Seated at the stern Of the vessel, be-
meath an awning, and surrounded bv cir
Gle OF admiring listeners, was young girl
OF exquisite beauty, touching the strings
Of a rich guitar with inintable grace and
skill, while she accompanied the instru-
ment with her voice, which now, round,
r.ch and full as an organs note, would die
away in its trembling cadence, till il seem
ed soft as the soilest strain Of an Eolian
hap. ....
She WAS faultlessly beautiful. He
form was such rs must have haunted Ca
Dova's brightest dreams. She was unu-
sually fair for Southern cline, though n
fnint tinge of olive, mcllowcd by the sun 5
Of some sixteen summers, lay soft oa eth
er rounded cheek. Her hair. black us
night, was parted above brow Of alabas-
ter, and fell in ripping masses and tan
gled swell about her finely scuIptured neck
and shoulders.
But her chief beauty lay in the large,
dark eyes, which were shaded by long
lashes. even bIacker than her raven hair,
giving them, when in repose, that dreamy
look which the magic pencils of the old
Italian masters loved to dwell upon with
lingering touches.
Oh there VIZ, a wvFil. Of beauty
gushing fount of love and tenderness down
intile depths Of those betwitching orbs.--
Gaze but FOR moment into their liquid
glories, aud We were captive; rosy On
chantment was thrown around you. and
'twere vain to strive to break II, even had
you the desire. An air Of child-like frank
ness, mingled with fcrvid and impas.
stoned generosity, seemed - pervade her
wreathing the coral lips with smiles Of IN.
cffable sweetness.
She was plainly attircd in a robe oI
white, without ornaments, save n single
gem Of price that sparkled on one Of her
taper fingers. Standing near, and regard.
ing her with looks Of paternal fondnes.
and pride, was her father, noble looking
man OF some sixty years. He was Of dig.
nified aud aristocratic appearance, mild
and courteous In his manncra, and seemed
the type Of true Southern gentleman IN
every respect. A casual observer could
not have failed TO notice the striking 70
semblance between fathei and child, fo'
there was ,he sarne generous frankness--
the sane Grecian contour OF features IL
bin as in her. Indeed, they were splen
did looking pair--tha, old man with hi
eagle eye and regal port, and that peer
less girl, Just budding into the thousant
perfectiops Of glorious womanhood,