True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-08-22
gsyegt Iale,
From the PinnePr.j
FACTs....N0T FICTION.
A TALE OF THE SOUTH.W VEST
BY MRS. S. A. DowNER.

It was one Of the most oppressive morn
ings had ever experienced, with that pc.
culiar, muggy and unwhOlesome state Of
the atmosphere, that, had it been a few
months later in the season, would have
given rise to the expression, ''rcal yellow
fever weather" For couple of hours 1t
had rained, as it only can rain in New Or
leans, in perfect torrents, flooding the
streets, and rendering the crossings i'm
passable while it lasted, or sinking a few
inches, to be returned in vapor from the
reeking pavements, as the sultry rays OF
the sun again broke forth with redouhled
heat The very air, as it entered through
the glass doors, opening on the balcony,
seemed laden with yellow Jack" and
cholera. Lounging upon a sofa, too Ian
guild for any exertion-even to wave fan
required an effort-l began to count up
the many months that would elapse, ere
we could reasonably expect cool weather
This was early in April, and quite Shrank
from the long rageo of Summer, while the
bare thought of mosquitoes made me more
nervous. ran over in my mind the ad-
vantages and disadvantages of the various
watering places that open on the Gulf OF
Mexico, and finally concluded that home
was the best place after all lj-decldedly
the most comfortable place, if--one could
only obtain little fresh air. This was
not to be expected, and I soon fell into
reverie, the subject of which was cooling
streams, shaded by forest trees, and famed
by refreshing zephyrs; or, of deep cavern'
bv some lonely seaside, where shelter from
tropical sun might at least be obtained
l had reached this point, and was pro
foundly sighiug, 90 for one breath o
northern air p when young servant, whit
had been sent to the post-othce, returned
with letters, which he placed on the sofa
table beside me.
"a glass of water, SAM" and l took VI
the letters.
They were from beloved friends. Th
first was dated from Mississippi, and con
tanned cordial Invitation for he to spen'
the summer at the rural home OF the VIII
ter. 1t was filled with glowing account
of flowers then in bloom, Of fruit just II
pening,--to be followed by successive va
rieties,-and OF the whUle-suuI welcom
that awaited NE ii l would come. 1hi
was very gratifying. A sip OF iced-wat
er, and | opened another. The secon
was from Louisiana, on the opposite sid
of the river, and bore not ouly an invlt'
tion, but almost command, to pack up
aud make them viait. 1t said: "W
are all here at the upper plantation, Wher
we shall remain until May, when We leay
for the north. lu the meantime, do conl
up; everything is looking 50 green an
beautiful. The change will do you soo
aud / have great secret to inpart. [
course it Is quite useless to ask your goo
mari to accompany you, but know b
will not object to your coming witho'
him. shall therefore expect you on tt
next trip Of the Magnolia, and will sen
tho carriage 20 meet you at the landing
"The very thing" l exclaimed, san
it will be killing two birds with one stone!
Our mari did not object; Qa cOn'rd"
q superficial observer might have been le
to suppose, from the aiacrlty with whlt
any little deficiency pertaining to the toll
was obtained, and the soicitude exhibitC
in providing for all possible wants, that
was to be u mutual huliday--a trial OF ire
dom extremely gratifying to at least Of
of the parties, but when the Saturd
morning came, and | took possession
ny commodious state-room, one had on
to look in his honest face, as he placed i
under the care OF that prince of captaiI
the popular commander Of the he tMltagnoli
and read the expression Of deep love, tn
welled up from loyal heart, and Tiled
eyes to overdowiug, tdebe satisfied that !. t
advantage to be gained by another, v
the sole consideration. 4
/ had travelled SO often with Captain
aud on that very boat, that it was vi
quite home feeling, ] seated myself