The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1857-07-08
Love in a Hogshead.

horses in the city drawing hogshead on wood
en- runners, in which We're seated gentlemen
and lady. They were a fine looking couple, |
and bore off the palm for the fast driving, as
well as the most ludicrous sleigh conveyance
Letter from Chicago. ..s."
All, readers! and thereby hangs tale.
1t was New Years day in that far famed
city of the west--even the New Years of '56. /
Since christmas, winter had set in good old
fashioned earnestness. Snow had fallen to the
depth of several inches, and being firm and
hard, made excellent sleighing-a rare thing
in the city. /
Indeed our winters seem sadly degenerated
of late, being much more mild and free from
snow than in the days of our fathers; perhaps
to accommodate them to our failing health and
strength for this latter fact is but too appar
ent. -.r....s5. ..g. EH.Esa. .*.. .M. =
Yet this New Years day seemed more a
type of the old time. Itwas cold, yet not too
cold, and the sleighing was excellent. Every
body that had a suitable conveyance, or could
get one, even at any price, was out enjoying
the sport; only the more Feealy to be enjoyed
for its rarity. 1t was indeed glad day; bright
and beautiful over head, brighter and more
beautiful still in the hearts beating so ioyfully
beneath! a
Ernest Hammond sat in his countingroom,
busily engaged in attending tothe reception of
large quantity of goods, just arrived. He
was young yet, but fast rising in wealth and
position. Born in the east, he had brought
with him all the habits of strict attention to
business which they generated. While there
was aught but that to claim his attention, pleas
ure must be waived Therefore when he did
GIVE himself up to its enjoyments it was with
double zeal. Naturally warm-h hearted and
impulsve, and social withal, as such persons
must be, he keenly enjoying society. And
when he entered it, he VAS ever a welcome
companion, both with his own and the oppo-
site sex. And now, closing his books with a
look of satisfaction and relief, he determined to
give himself up to the pleasures Of this annual
gala day.
While business was pending he had closed
his ears and eyes to all else: but now he could
not fail to hear the unusual stir in the streets, and
feel that while he had been engaged within
doors, all had been life and commotion with
out. When he came forth the streets present.
ed a most novel scene. A more motley in
congruous lot of vehicles it were not easy to
imagine. Such life and hlarity, are always
infections, and Ernest soon caught the spirit.
He, too, would join the sledgers but how?
He inquired at several stables for a sleigh.
Not one to be had Yet he was not easily
daunted, and moreover, had an unusual share
OF perseverance. He owned one of the finest
horses in the city; of that he was sure. He re-
membered, too, that in a remote part of the
stable, where he had usually kept him, he had
one day Noticed pair of wooden runners. He
would see if some new conveyance could not
be planned His yankee ingenuity must be
brought to service.
He soon reached the stable The runners
were found and in good order. But now fo1
the other part. A hogshead that had for some
reason or other been sawed apart and nicely
cleaned, stood before him. Instantly part Of
it was on the runners. In few minutes E
| comfortable seat was added, and he was ready
| for drive.
But now arose.another difficulty, unthough
of before. He must have compaStion--a la
dy of course; else half the enjoyment would be
| lost? Who would be seen, even with him, il
such a conveyance as that. Excuse his vani
| ty, reader mine He knew he was favorite
Indeed, he could not help knowing it. Blu
this was special occasion. "All the world
was out Who could he find brave enough te
dare it? He must see.
| There were two OF three young ladies who
had long claimed his special regard, and he
felt sure he was not entirely Indifferent to them
He had even been observing them of late, stri
wing to learn the true character of each Thi
he found, as gentleman and ladies usually NEE
in city life, a difficult matter How he yearn
ed to see through the false surroundings int
the true and inner life beneath! lie was rath
er old fashioned in his notions, it must be con
fessed: but be did care more for the real thai
the artifcial-more for the mind and heart thai
for the outer adornipg. But how would it end
Would he be wiser than his sex? It was in
deed difficult question: but he did not quit
dspar.
Ella Campbell had long been one of the frs
in his esteem. But recently he had through
her vain and superficial, caring more for tn
outer than the inner man, and had been eau
tious in his attentions to her. He would tes
her now.
Driving briskly to the door and Throwing
the reins over his horse, he quickly rang th
bell. A servant at once ushered him into th
parlor, where sat the lady of his thoughts -
one greeted MN warmly, put on nearing I'll
object of his visit and the unique conveyanc
he brought, she plead aprevious engagement
and at once excused herself.
Ernest Hammond was gifted with a goo
share of penetration; and when not prevousl.
blinded, read character well. Now, instinc
lively feeling how it was, he politely withdrew
And while he rode gaily away, Ella Campbell
sat pouting in her room, unthought of and I'm
cared for by the moving mass without.
Ernest's next visit was to the home of f'squir
Reed. Here he had long been frequent an'
welcome visitor, and was quite ''lke one of tn
family" as the squire often said, looking know
ingly, at his two girls, Charlotte and Bella.
Charlotte was the older and handsomer Q
the two; and beauty is always attractive, es
pecially with the men. She was the favorlte
too, in society But at times Ernest had turn
ed from her to the gentle Bella, with her pur
heart, and piquant, innocent ways, almost witt
feeling of love for the latter.
! Hers was indeed character to study
Timid and retiring when in the presence Q
strangers, she was yet singularly artless ant
eoniding to those she best knew.
There was dash ofindependence, of too, ane
a vein of romance in her heart, pleasant and re