The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1857-04-22
MA, WEDNESDAY,, APRIL 22, 1867


full five miles, F.. --s1.'A
'Is itpossible?" said |, determined to pro.
long the interview; Il am a soourner at Mr.
Woodward's.':' ...g........ ..-.l-... .,-....
"Mr. Jackson?" interrupted she, with an in
terrogative bow. ..
= Ifairly started. She knew my name. Who
could she be9 s- <r4) r. c,sa- -s-re,.2rE
Pardon me, you are right, but you have
SO much the advantage of me-" 4s.-.-
"Oh, am a frequent visitor at Mr. Wood
wards. I like them so much. But you have
lost your way, [ think, and am riding very
near to Mr.. Woodward's.g Won't you rest in
the cottage until they send a carriage for you?''
pardon me Miss paused with the hope
she would fiji up the blank, but she took nc
notice Of my attempt to draw out her name,
and | was compelled, awkwardly enough, to
resume Il will not trouble you SO much, said
|, II am not fatigued, and once upon the pro-
per road, | shall reach my destination easily
enough 's 7'7'525' @""
"Oh, sir then follow the road to the rig ght
1t will lead you directly to Mr.. .Woodwards IS
house. y and touching her horse slightly with
the reins, ga]loped off, leaving me uncovered
and staring after her.
Here was adventure! Something delight
full and romantic. Who could she be? Ad-
dressing me as Mr.. Jackson, too. There was
one comfort--I was quite certain Of meeting
her again very soon. This fact hugged to
my heart. And was there ever anybody SO
beautiful, with such eyes, such lips, such roses,
and such figure! My heart was fairly cleft
in twain / could do nothing but recall her
words. walked on air. ! was to grow more
and more in love, and inspire her with the
flame; my visit would be prolonged, and every
hour waste be epassed in her glorious presence.
My rapture would be beyond belief. Then l
would propose, and receive that trembling,
yes then would taste the pure unspeakable
sweetness Of her lips then our fine moonlight
walks, our sails upon the lakes, our forest
rambes; then-then I tripped over vine, and
pitched spraw1ing into the dust!
"Confound it, said |, scrambling to my
feet and llmping away, Just my luck |
brushed the dust from my clothes with the air
Of an injured man, and resumed my journey,
planting each step firmly upon the ground, and
with an unaccountable suddenness, feeling a
disgust for damp moonlight walks, and such
romantic fol de rol.
By the time reached my friends my spirits
were up again, however, and at tea gave
them all glowing account of my adventure.
at must have been Alice Clare said Mary
Woodward. I was delighted. Alice Glare
sounded delicously. [ had vaguely apprc-
hended that it mil ght be Brown-Alice Clare
was certainly pretty name, l kept repeat
ing Alice Clare to myself continually. Later
in the evening, when we were on the piazza, |
got a little drowsy, dreaming of Alice Glare
all the wbile) and somebody whispered sud
den word in my ear. I sprang to my feet,
shouting out her name at the top of my voice,
to the astonishment of every body. In an in
slant l became aware of what I had done, and
sat down hastily, feeling, and no doubt looking
excessively foolish. .} g.,
you mustn't fall in love with Alice Glare, y
said Mr.. Woodward, good humoredly. ''She
''Oh, papa broke in Mary, laughing and
running up to Mr.. Woodward, 'don't say any
thing, please DON'T" 0--
And then beckoning to her sister, off she
scampered, laughing gleefully all the while, !
felt uncomfortably certain that all their laugh
ter was at me, but as they returned presently,
looking very demure, I soon forgot all aboutit
The next day. Alice Glare came galloping up
to the house-upon this occasion her fine form
superbly set off in a riding habit, and her thick
curls gatheredup under dashing, jaunt]y dis
posed riding hat. When she entered the house
and Mary was about presenting me to her, l
distinctly saw an exchange of signals between
them. / wondered what it meant, and wisely
recolecting how proverbially young girls are
full of secrets that are no secrets, magnani-
mously overlooked it. = 'Is o." t
.'Alice, Mr.. Jackson" said Mary demurely.
Ibowed. / have avery perfect bow, L m sure.
Yet when lifted my head, the tittering which
both Miss Glare and Miss Woodward were en-
deavoring to suppress, surprised me. saw
no good cause forit. Es5s- ISL H. LE..~.s..-
The interview was quite lively and spirited
one, but it threatened to be fearfully short, un-
til my proposal to return with her, after mo-
ment's hesitation, was accepted. Mr.. Wood
ward ordered a horse saddlcd for me, and in
less than half an hour we rode away together.
1t was delightful, this riding through shady
lanes by the side of this exquisite creature
Ny heart beat; my blood tingled; my head
swan round.
I determined to make an impression. |
said great many very original and striking
things; remarked that Inever knew more
lovely evening; that I should think the sun to
be an hour high; that the lake was very pret-
ty lake; that scammer over the heath like the
one we were enjoying, was great treat to a
New Orleanian here my horse SHE'D, and Ilost
my stirrup;) that wondered she didn't come
to New Orleans, where her charms would be
apprecIated; did she like music? was she fond
OF poetry; did she prefer Byron OF Moore
wasn1 Tennyson .exqusite2-and SO on fora
mortal hour. She said many things in reply,
md bade me good evening swhen left, with
the most enhancing smile ever saw or smart
ed under @H' .-.9a1a r*@- g - f's .5sJ t.at
Tt is wonderful how an acquaintance ripens
in the country. What with rides, sails, pic
MICS, with the Woodwards, to one of the lake
islands, walks, &c. I knew Alice Glare as
we'll in three days as would have done in half
a year in town. Y Fl" &sr7la3* ssai FslF 7-
/ was most indefatigabe in my attempts to
please, gathered bouquets for her every morn
ing, and rode over to present them; Icomposed
a sonnet to her beauty; | whispered in her ear
the finest compliments | could frame; evin-
ced in every possible way my admiration Of her
person and her qualifications. 1 did not quite
like the feu de joie of glances that was CONT
nually let off both by her and her friend Miss