New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-08-17

pelican is very plenty on the sea coast, like the
gull off our own shores, and may be seen at all
times sailing lazily over the sea, and occasion
ally dipping for fish. Here, as among other
tropical regions, and even in some southern
sections of this country, the lazy looking bald
headed vulture is protected by law, being sort
OF natural scavenger or remover Of carrion
Considerable space is devoted to the Adminis-
tration Of Taeon, In accomplishing his purposes.
life was counted of little value, and many Of the
first people were sacrificed to his unscrupulous
zeal. A story which was related to the author
in Havana illustrates his romantic love of JUS
tiee, and will bear repeating:
During the first year of Tacon's Governorship
there was young creole girl, named Miralda
Estalez, who kept little cigar store in the Calle
de Mercaderas, and whose shop was the resort
Of all the young men Of the town, who loved q
choicely made and superior cigar. Miralda was
only seventeen, without mother or father living
and earned an humble though sufficient support
by her industry in the mandatory we have
named, and by the sales Of her little store. She
was picture Of ripened' tropical beauty, with
hneiy rounded form, lovely face, of soft olive
tint, and teeth that a Tuscarora might envy
her At times, there was dash Of languor in
her dreamy eye that would have warmed an
anehorite; and then her cheerful jests were SO
NSAe"eS w A4oS1 sltdt ouS Q8u UuWllLlQQIY
turned the heads, not to say hearts, of half the
young merchants in the Gale de Mercadares,
But she dispensed her fayors without partially;
none of the rich and gay exquisites Of Havana
could say they had ever received any particular
acknowledgement from the fair young girl 70
their warm and constant attention. For this
one she had pleasant smile, for another few
words Of pleasing gossip, and for third
snatch of Spanish song; but to none did she give
her confidence, except to young Pedro Manta-
nez, a hne-looking boatman, who piled between
the Punta and Moro Castle, On the opposite side
of the harbor.
Pedro was manly and courageous young
fellow, rather above his class in intelligence,
appearance and associations, and pulled his oars
with strong arm and light heart, and loved
the beautiful Miralda with an ardor romantic
in its fidelity and truth He was q sort of lead
er among the boatmen in the harbor for reason
of his superior cultivation and intelligence, and
his quick-Hitted sagacity was often turned for
the benefit of his comrades Many were the
noble deeds he had dome in and about the har-
Dor since boy, for he had followed his calling
of waterman from boyhood, as his fathers had
done before him. Miralda in turn ardently
loved Pedro, and when he came at night and sat
in the back part Of her little shop, she had al
ways neat and fragrant cigar for his lips
Now and then, when she could steal away from
her shop on some holiday, Pedro would hoist
tiny sail in the prov of his boat, and securing
the little stern awning over Miralda's head,
would steer out into the Gulf and coast along
the romantic shore. f..
There was a famous roue, well known at this
time in Havana. named Count Almonte, who
had frequently visited Miralda's shop, and con-
ceived quite passion for the girl and, indeed
he had grown to be one of her most liberal cus-
toners. With cunning shrewdness and knowi-
edge of human nature, the Count besieged the
heart of his intended victim, without appearing
to do so, and carried on his plan of operations
for many weeks before the innocent girl even
suspected his possessing q partiahty for her,
until one day she was surprised by present
from him of so rare and costly a nature as to
lead her to suspect the donors intentions at
once, and to promptly decline the offered gift
Undismayed by this, still the Count continued
his profuse patronage in way to which Miralda
could find no plausible pretext of complaint
At last, seizing upon what he considered
favorable moment, Count Almonte declared his
passion to Miralda, besought her to come and
be the mistress of his broad and rich estates at
| cerito, near the city, and offered all the pro-
misses of wealth, favor and fortune; but in vain
The pure-minded girl seorned his offer, and
bade him never more to insult her by visiting
her shop. Abashed, but not confounded, the
! Count retired, but only to weave a new snare
whereby he could entangle her, for he was not
one to be so easily thwarted.
| One afternoon, not long after this, as the
twilight was settling over the town, a file of
soldiers halted just opposite the door of the
little cigar-shop, when young man, wearing
a lieutenant's insignia, entered and asked the
attendant if her name was Mira1da Estalez, to
which she timidly responded.
''Then you will please to come with me''
ssBy what authority 7" asked the trembling
girl"
e The order of the Governor General"
| 6 Then must obey you,o she answered, and
prepared to follow him at once.
Stepping to the door with her, the young
officer directed his men to march on, and get
ting into volante, told Miralda they would
drive to the guard house But, to the surprise
of the girl, she soon after discovered that they
were rapidly passing the city gates, and i'm
mediately after were dashing off on the road to
Cerito Then it was that she began to fear
some trick had been played upon her, and these
fears were soon confirmed by the volante turn
ing down the long alley of palms that led to the
estate of Count Almonte. 1t was in vain to ex-
postulate now she felt that she was in the
power of the reckless nebleman, and the pre-
tended officer and soldiers were his own people,
who had adopted the disguise of the Spanish
army uniform.
Count Almonte met her at the door, told her
to fear no violence, that her wishes should be
respected in all things, save her personal
liberty; that he trusted, IN time, to persuade
her to look more favorably upon him, and that
in all things he was her slave She replied
eontemptuously to his words, and charged him
with the cowardly trick by which he had gained
control Of her liberty. But she was left by
herself, though watched by his orders at al
! times to prevent her escape.
She knew very well that the power and viii
. of Count Almonte were too strong for any hum.
BILE friend OF hers to attempt to thwart; and
q yet she somehow felt conscious strength in
/; Pedro, and secretly cherished the idea that he
Q would discover her place of confinement, and
0 adopt some means to deliver her. The stilettc
i is the constant companion Of the lower classes
f and Miralda had been used to wear one even il
. her store against contingency; but she now
a regarded the tiny weapon with peculiar salts
r faction, and slept with it in her bosom.
Small was the clue by which Pedro Mantane,
Q discovered the trick Of Count Almonte FRS
: this was found out, then that circumstance
8 and these, being put together, they led I,
3 other results, until the indefatigable love
was fully satisfied that he had discovers
her place of confinement. Disguised as
friar of the order of San Felipe, he sough
e Count Almonte's gates at favorable moment
8 met Miralda, cheered her with fresh hopes. ant
t retired to arrange some certain plan for hel
s delivery. There was time to think now ; here
/, tofore he had not permitted himself even al
t hours sleep; but she was, that is, mot in imme
s date danger, and he could breathe more freely