Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-01-04
Original gtorp.
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Written for the Spirit Of the Age.
ST. CLAIR:
A TALE OF LAND AND SEA.
[coPY-RIGHr sEcURED.l
BY WILL: WILLOWILL.
CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER l.
ld times IN R-r, an american tolrn
ArriUal Of a Stranger and Printer.
Many years ago, when the idea of rail
oads and steam travel had not entered the
linds of men, an old fashioned stage coach,
rawn by four sweating chargers, rolled up
) the Eagle Hotel, followed by cloud of
ust, from which the ladies of the city of
* turned their pretty faces, and
be gentlemen hurried throu gh, and the
oung fops held cambria handkerchiefs to
heir faces, cursing the dust, and the roll
cksome youths careless of their clothes,
ashed into the thickest of it shouting and
-elling, calling it the smoke of Bunker
Hill
Rx was not then what it is now,
populous city, it was not a village either,
We will call it respectable town, with
lozen stores, two printing offices, an Acad-
smy, shops, a grogseller, fish market and
/ good harbor, with an occasional arrival
IF light schooner and crazy fishing
smack.
Among the passengers in the stage, at
the arrival we have just spoken of, was
man of about three and thirty, bearing an
intelligent countenance, an easy manner,
o4oVfou -,e,l4, tl.Iu vi OI;lGn
somewhat worn, a white hat nearly new.
holding in one hand blue umbrella and
with the other hand leading little girl of
ten summers up the high steps Of the
Eagle.
Jacques St. Clair was Frenchman, re-
Gently from Europe, and he it was to whom
alluslon has been made. Early id life he
married an English lady who died soon af-
ter giving birth to the little girl, led by
the stranger up the steps of the Hotel
The little daughter was beautiful child
with rosy cheeks, blue eyes and soft, silky
curls falling around her neck, but we have
not reasons to speak definitely of little Mar
tina now, so named by her father in memo
ry of her departed mother.
Jacques bowed politely to the host of the
Eagle, and requested to be shown room,
which was promptly attended to; and his
baggage, consisting Of two large, cumbcr-
Gus trunks, was carried up. A waiter
brushed the dust from the strangers black
clothes and smoothea down the long nap of
F5 frFo5db1f5t d hfaFe ts gdsyss
took his leave, saying, that tea would be
ready at six precisely.
Jacques threw up the large window of
his room facing little garden, beautiful
with flowers Of thousand tints, and seat
ing himself in large arm chair, where the
refreshing breeze could fan him, he took
little Martha on his kee, laid back the rich
curls from her brow, imprinted father
kiss upon it, and told her that they were
now many thousand miles from the green
church yard where her mother was sleep
ing
O For days and weeks together Jacques
It and his child remained at the Eagle, appa-
G rently without design or purpose. Those
who formed his acquaintance found him In
d telligent, well read and possessed of {
: knowledge Of most countries, and of tho
e manners and customs of the inhabitants
' Take him all in all, he was an agreeable
companion. Two months had passed since
J his arrival in R-x, when he called up
If On the host one morning after breakfast
n paid his bill, ordered his trunks down, call
: ed carriage and, in company with hi
$ daughter, left the Eagle.
All was curiosity among the regula
of boarders at the Hotel, eager to know tn
destiny of Jacques and little Martha, til
: favorito of ALL An old bachelor, intent 0
in knowing every body's business, took hi
ty cane and followed after the carriage in
brisk walk until he saw little Martha 81
ID down at Prices Select School for youn
,ir girls, and Jacques himself stopped at Mr.
&C. Q.'s genteel private boarding house.
nj An hundred surmises was soon afoat
al the Eagle, respecting st. Clair, which wei
lot made the subject Of the freside and tea-t!
IN BILE talk Some gave it as their opinie
lie that he had left Europe for the purpose
re educating his daughter in America othe
that he was an eccentric character, full
he money and a shrewd speculator; othe
as, that he was an European nobleman trave
ak ing incog. collecting materials to write
ie- book upon American manners while OF
ne ers, vexed with the uncertainty connect
Ike with the stranger, gravely shook their hea
the and gave it as their opinion that st. Cls
ep- left Europe because he found it ineony
Of nient to remain there any longer Let
ur- not forget to mention while we are at ii
,est point, that several of the ladies boarding
)ne the Eagle, previously wondered, in the
and nocence Of their nature, if Jacques rea
was rich, and how his first wife, poor NJ:
pa tina, looked
nth At length the curiosity of those inter
his ted became gratifed by learning that j
be ques St. Clair was practical printer, a
ick- that he was engaged as foreman in the pr
or cipal Office in Rx. Here he cont
give ued to work for his employer, honestly
t at charging his duties and scrupulously ke
}. ing his expenses within his income.
made but little effort to become acquain
Inv with any of the citizens of R
"a other than those with whom he had b.
~ - ness. Seduously from day to day he mi
ioiS have been seen in the printing Office, att
year ding to the duties assigned him, and
'ther was pointed to by those who knew hin
nths ~, a paragon of industry and moral ex
"s onJ lence He was sober and commendabl,
r. his habits, and, if be had but few
oc- quaintances in R-x, the few he
were his devoted friends.