The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1855-03-31
Original Gkcttl).
H'r1ncn for The Cecil Thig.
THE INFATEhTlON OF MARTEL
BY W. p. EWING.

BY W. p. EWING.
During my residence III New Orleans
! Young man called one morning at the Office
of the Ladies Book" to procure a number
| of that work in which was an article ne
wished to read. As there was something
more than ordinarily prcposscssng about his
appearance, | entered into a conversation
with him, which became so interesting as to
continue over an hour and terminated by his
| leaving his card, and urging me to call on
| him at my earliest leisure. The very next
evening paid him visit, and found him
occupying one Of those pleasant little story
and-a-half cottages so common in Southern
cities. lie lived by himsclf-with the cX-
ception Of an old negro woman who acted i'll
the capacity of housckccper, maid-ofall-
work, etc, anu his residence was perfect
model of ncatncss. A variety Of the sweet
est flowers known 10 the South, doomed in
the yard; and vines Of almost every kind
clambcrtd over the porch and about the win
dows. His furniture was of the noatcst pat
cn-his books the very choicest; and every
thing about him gave indications Of his being
4 man Of intelligence, refinement ard taste
From his appearance | judged him to be
about % years Of age: yet he was polished in
! his manners, graceful in his movements and
fascinating III his conversation beyond any
one | had ever met. Our acquain ance rl,cn-
cd into IN intimate friendship: and after Tie
first week, seldom day passed without OH
spending some portion Of It, at least, in tie
society of each Other | soon found that al
| though he was q ripe scholar and a talented
Notwithstanding and agreeable at all
times, cool and collected under all circum-
stances. and expressly calculated by nature
to lend charm to the social circle, he never
went into society.
The singularty Of his habits in this re-
spcct attracted my attention and excite my
curiosity, and said to him one evening
"MARrEI.' such was his name MartG
why do you, who are so pre- eminently adapt
ed to shine, waste all your sweetness on the
desert airH Why don't you 60 into society?
And last of all-but not least, why don't you
get married +! Come with me this evening,
and let Inc introduce you to Miss RI. l
think she is the very girl for you; and |
should like much indeed to see you make her,
or some other young lady, as well as your
self, happy for the remainder Of your days.
81 thank you indeed" he replied in his
quiet way, for the fattcring opinion you
have hccn pleased to express in regard to my
self; but am afraid it is far too exalted. Ny
reasons for not going into society arc good
and sufficient ones. And as for making Miss
R, or any other lady, happy the remain
der Of my days,-all | can say Is that her
happiness would be Of but short duration"
looked him full in the face, with a stare
Of anaZcIEcnt.
"lou start ~ he continued laying down
the book he held in his hand. You don't UNI
dcrstani me. believe | never mentioned to
you that my earthly existence must terminate
before many ycars-pcrhaps, before many
months. Don't he frightened at what tell
you. ] have no idea of committing suicide,
or doing any other rash act; yet, nevertheless,
before many years, shall die. | have had
prcscntimcnt of the fact, and am just as
certain Of its fulfillmcnt as | am that now
see YOU, or sec these books on the table be-
fore me. The destiny that awaits me, how
ever, ] have no desire to avoid for feel that
nothing but Death can break the spell that
so mystcriously links me to one from whose
influence | would escape, but cannot. You
deem me deranged CRAZY: but l am not.
Some day you shall know all-not now"
had never heard him talk thus before,
and considering him a monomaniac on that
subject cndcavored to divert his attention
thcrcfrom, and succeeded in so doing.
In all our after conversations | avoided
every topic that had the least tendency TO
turn his thoughts in the direction they had
taken that evening, and as he never after
ward alluded to the subject, l concluded he
had entirely forgotten t.
Urgent business compelled me to leave the
Crescent City rather unexpectedly, so uncx-
pectcdly, in fact. that had not time to call
on Mnrtcl and bid him ''good bye" and tell
him at what points to write me. Several
times during the summer | commenced to
write to him, but for some. rcason?or other,
always left my letters lying unfinished. One
day, however, toward the latter part of Octo-
Der a large package came directed to me
through the post Office. The address was in
an unknown hand; but on removing the en-
vclope Immediately recognized the beautiful
chirography of my friend Martcl.
The following note, written by the Lawyer
who forwarded it, explained all.
"NEw ORLEANS. Oct. |, 1858.
Dear Sr:-The enclosed package from
your friend Mr. Martel, presume speaks for
itself. During his illness he handed it to me-
requesting me to forward shortly after his
funeral. l have complied with his request
as soon rs | discovered your whereabouts.
Mr.. Martel died OH the seventh of September,
of yellow fever. The greater part of his
property lie bequeathcd to lady-the bal
ance to charitable institutions"
The papers contained therein were letters