The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1857-01-28

rested moment from her Journey, she heart
voice singing sad and touching air. Turn
ing towards the spot from whence the voice pro
ceeded, she perceived young man habted al
a hunter; in his hands he carried gun, and a
his side was suspended bundle covered will
goat-skin. Approaching the stranger, Ceestint
thus addressed him: -sF#.-
Il am alone and unprotected; have pity or
my unfortunate state, and direct me to village
or habitation where l can find repose and sus
tenance."
."Alas, Madam, I would gladly conduct yor
to the village of Gadara, situated behind these
rocks, but you will require it not when tel
you that my mistress resides there, and yester-
day espoused my rival. | quit these mountains
forever, carrying only with me my gun and a
shepherds suit, as a remembrance of happy
days, forevr passed and gone.'
These few words inspired Celestne with a
new idea. MY friend she said to the youth,
"you cannot travel without money. l have
many pieces of gold which will share with
you, if you will give me the garments which
you carry in the PACKAGE"
The young stranger accepted the offer. Gel
eslne gave him a dozen ducats, and after hay
ing enquired the road to Gadara, she bade adieu
to the hunter and entered grotto to attire her
self AS a shepherd. 5'1- H..
She soon appeared again. With jacket Of
chamois skin, slashed with celestial blue, hal
ornamentcd with ribbons, and was more beau
tiful in this disguise than when covered with Jew
els and decked for the balls of Granada. She
then took the road to the village, stopped in the
market place, and inquired if any one needed a
keeper on his farm All surrounded, and gaz-
ed upon her. ~
The young girls admired the beautiful gold
en- locks that hung upon her shoulders. He,
eyes SO soft and brilliant, her noble carriage and
graceful motions-all surprised and delighted
them. No one believed that it was other than
handsome young man. One thought it was a
great lord in disguise. Another said it was a
private prince in love with shepherdesses. And
declared that it was Apollo descended to the
earth again more charming than ever.
Celestine, who now assumed the name of
Marcelio, was not long in finding master. 1t
was the old alcade of the village, regarded as
the most honest man ofthe country. This good
aborer, for the alcades are not much more soon
felt the most tender friendship for Celestine.
Not more than a month passed, in her duty as
a shepherd, when she was employed to direct
the household affairs; and Marcelo performed
every duty with such sweetness and fidelity,
that master and servants were equally pleased.
Marcelio was the example and love of the vii
age. His sweetness, his graces and wisdom
won all hearts.
'See,' said the' mothers to their sons. ''see
this good Marcelio. He is always with his mas
ter; he is occupied ever in making others COM
Portable and happy, and he never quits his du-
ties like you TO run after shepherdesses'
Thus passed two years. sCelestiDe, thinking
always of Don Pedro, had secretly sent sheph-
erd, whom she could trust, to Granada, to OBJ
tain information of her lover, Alonzo, and Don
Henrique. The messenger, on his return, re-
ported that the old man Alonzo was dead--that
Henrique was married, and that Don Pedro,
for two years, had not been seen in the country.
Celestine gave up all hope of ever seeing him
prospect of passing her life in the village with
a heart dead to the sentiment of love, when the
old alcade her master, fell dangerously ILL
Narcotic watched over him with the greatest
care and tenderness, but notwithstanding this
he died in a few days, and left all his property
to her
All the village wept for the alcalIe, and after
the funeral assembled to choose his successor.
In Spain, certain villages have the right to name
their alcalde, who performs the duties of mag
istrate and Judge, pronouncing sentence upon,
OF restoring liberty to the few offenders, who
occasionally transgress the laws among these
simple rustlcs.
The villagers, on assembling to decide upon
their new ruler, declared unanimously that the
will of the old alcalde had pointed out his sue
cessor. The old men, followed by the youth
OF the place, then marched with much ceremo-
ny to the dwelling of Marcelio, carrying the
mark of dignity, an ivory baton. Celestne ac-
ceptcd it. and touched to tears by this proof Of
affection from these honest people, she resoIv
ed to consecrate to her duties life which could
never be blessed by affection
While the new aIcalde is thus occupied, we
will return to the unhappy Don Pedro, whom
we left galopng on the road to Portugal, seek
ing always for her whom he hoped to encoun-
ter At length he arrived at Lisbon, without
having heard any news of Celestine. He re
traced his steps, searching in vain on the bor
ders of the route, and returned discouraged and
hopeless. After having assured himself that
his dear Celestine had not returned to Grana
da, he imagined that she had, perhaps, gone to
Settle, where she had relatives. He hasten
ed to Seville; the relatives had lately left in
vessel for Mexico. Don Pedro doubted not
that his mistress had departed with them, and
took passage in the next vessel, arrived at Mex
leo, found the friends Of Cclestine, but they
could give him no information regarding her.
In<returning to Spain, the slip was wrecked
upon the coast. Don Pedro saved himself upon
tie fragments of the wreck, reached the shore,
and penetrated into the mountains to ask sue
cor; the chances of love conducted him to Ga
dara.
Having entered the first inn that they met
with, Don Pedro and his companions in mis-
fortune congratulated themselves on their es-
cape; and while talking over their dangers, one
of the passengers commenced quarreling with
sailor for the possession ol a casket, which the
passenger declared to be his property. Don
Pedro, who sought to appease the quarrel, re-
quested the claimant to describe the contents
of the casket, and opened it himself to ascer
tain the truth.
Imagine his asonshment at recognising the
jewels of Celesne and among them the emer-
aid that he had given her! Remaining for an
c+, |,