The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1854-11-22

cured to her by her large fortune, and the res
pect her characterinspired, was much wounded
by the rudeness with which the stranger insis
: ted upon his claim, and Brigitta could not re-
fran from observing aloud, that a lady being in
question it was the duty of the polite man to
yield his rights, if he had any, to her mistress.
"At our age, replied the contradictory old
fellow, "there is no sex nor gallantry. Wea
two old people, that is all, we need the same
cares. A bad night would be equally disa-
greeable to me as madame. I have right to
the chamber and | shall keep it, So the two
! tired women were compelled at 8 o'clock in the
evening, to seek refuge in another hotel, where
they arrived shivering with cold, and in the
worst possible humor
ssWell, indeed!' exclaimed Brigitta, as she
} examined the mattresses the beds which were
hard and uncomfortable, sswhat brute that
man is ss
Il never beheld more ugly and disagreea-
gre countenance," said her mistress.
''Such singular appearance, with his tooth
less mouth, his bald pate, and his great gouty
feet" @
eve are two old people, : said he. Like his
. impudence! to compare woman Of fifty odd to
an old podadore Of eighty at the least.
ssYes, he is most disagreeabe. | am GER
tain he can never have been supportable, even
in his youth
:, ssFrom the moment entered the hotel he IN
spired me with instructive aversion
: The stranger on his part expressed himself
with no more moderation than the two females.
: "Upon my word" he said ''to be expected, for
!, the sake of fat old woman like that to put
myself out Of the way and expose myself to
; take cold. 1t would comport well with my age
and appearance to commit such foly?'
His valet-de- -chambre interrupted him in the
midst of these uncivil reflections. ssThe ladies
that have Just left,'' he said, ''have taken with
their own luggage one Of your cases BY mis-
! take, and | believe it is the one containing q
} picture"
7 "My picture!' cried the old man-"mv pic
| ture! probably my best! The only work Of my
: youth have preserved. Run, Pierre, run te
! to the neighboring hotel, where those two ole
b women are lodged. Stop, l will go myself
And with the vivacity of ayoung man, he tool
: his stick and went hastily to the two ladies
!, !, Entering without any announcement, he foun'
d them in tears. r e.., ~...r ...:
e Like worthy daughters, of Eve, they hae
d opened the case The picture therein contained
e represented the farewell that had taken place
i forty years previously between Gerard ant
S Marie Mile Schaurmans and her an cien
S lover regarded each other for a long time in 81
ence, without being able to discern in th
d withered visages of either any trace Of the tea
n lures SO loving preserved in their remem
brances, and still doubling whether they reall
: stood before each other. Then they approached
l. and Joined hands <tMarie!" exclaimed Ter
- berg, falling on his knees before her. ''can 20
d ever forgive me?" -s.
'Alas! what matter,' exclaimed she with
g calm Joy, "what matter at our age the past fo
~ lies and errors of youth find only frienc
ii a brother Thank God for it,
| GA husband, Marie! Why not'realize now
S, old as we are, the dreams of other times?''
ID "Oh no--no!'' murmured the comey old lad
slight flush suffusing her still smooth cheel
er "There is no marrying nor giving in marriag
os for us. The feeling of the past can never
as revived What have | or you to do with love?
o. The old painter would have sued, as ifhe ha
or still been the handsome youth of other days. bu
le Mademoiselle Schaurmans was firm Bright
~ supported her mistress in herresolutlon. Son
i: Terberg was fain to put up with friendship il
III stead of love. He followed bis ancient mis-
W tress to Swal and there took house in tn
n same street with hers. The friends saw eac
is other daily, enjoying the tranquil happines
a, suited to their age and increasing infrmitie
'e They died within year of one another, an
were buried side by side in the old churc
e, yard.
Brgitta, their heir, caused a magnifcer
e. monument to be erected to their memory an
shortly afterwards took her place at their fee
Y but not without making provision for the nj
merous pensioners of her beloved mistres
The poor and intirm Of the town Of Swal, ha
reason to bless the resght which continued
le solace their Affections for more than centur,
E. Power OF THE IMAe1NAT1oN.-Dr Noble
tie a very able and analytic lecture con the dynt
ia mic influences of ideas, = told a good anecdo1
er ton Of the power of imagination. DR.. Mob
L says, M. Boutibouse served in Napoleon's arm
IS and was present at many engagements durln
Mt the early part Of the last century. Atthe ba
S tie of Wagram, in 1909, he was engaged
4 the fray, the ranks around him had been terrbl
+ thinned BY the shot, and at sunset he was nearl
st isolated. While reloading his musket he ws
ID shot down by a cannon ball. His impresso
4. was, that the ball had passed through his leg
lee below his knees, separating them from II
a thighs, for he suddenly sank down, shortene
a as he believed, to the extent of about foot
q. measurement. The trunk of the body fell bacl
lie wards on the ground, and the senses We're con
"a pletely paralysed by the shock. Thus he Ia
r. motionless among the wounded and dead durr
NJ the rest of the night, not daring to move
D. muscle, lest the loss of blood should be fatal
increased. He felt no pain, but this he attrlbl
s ted to the stunning effect Of the shock to tt
es brain and nervous system. At early dawn
H. was aroused by one Of the medical staff, WI
e5 5 came round to help the wounded. whats tt
"a matter with you, my good felow?' said the su
e. geon tsAh! touch me tendery," replied 4
Or Boutibouse, Il beseech you, cannon ball hi
le ,e carried off my legs" The surgeon examine
III the limbs referred to, and then giving him
N N good shake, said, with a joyous laugh, '.get !
70 with you, you have nothing the matter WI
T. you" NJ. Boutibouse Immediately sprang !
IN in utter astonishment, and stood firmly on tt
r.