New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-04-12

me Banker and the Duchess.
Msns5eHr Achille was the richest banker in Par
msss ard bred jew, he had, when very young, fror
mt5pss Of interest, conormed to the Christian faitl
~ Rne now about forty years Of age, but locke
nrH gears less short, stout, saliow, with the fes
esp peculiar to his tribe, black hair, bushy whil
N1nz. small piercing eyes, dressed in the extreme
Hkn, surrounded By every article OF taste and luz
Eys 10 oil extraneous circumstances, a gentlema
SzA VI esprit, but in mind and heart as in face an
Nr1un, pebeian.
One morning, at the early hour Of eleven, while
s~Asd u breakfast, he was startled by an announce
men< from bis valet that the Duchess de Montdort
rs waiting to see him in the grand saloon that shs
Ase come on foot and unattended, and had only al
hst given her name when she found il impossible K
sEesin admission without doing So
Messisur Achilles pale cheek flushed, then faded
2BA 3pnhle sallowness-then be smiled--then almost
aznhied. At last he desired bis valet to return te
~ dnehess and announce bis speedy arrival then
&sxing sarefuy revised his toilet. and fortified him
mH with glass from one Of the bottles the table
aekss BIN. he descended 70 the grand saloon.
3he duchess was standing with her back to him
nsmniaiDg picture Of exquisite beauty which hung
- <he opposite side OF the room. He bad time u
dass The door and advance half way up the apart
Nnnk before she became aware of his entrance on
nsonsd to greet him. When she did so, what a CON
&as1 did abe present to him. She, in her calm and
wsiiag beaufy--so cold and SO proud--so superbly
nsely He, with his coarse and ordinary features,
M nngaiDly figure, his embarrassed manner. The
irzAes was a beautiful womsn perhaps she had
BeFer hooked more beautiful than she did al that mo-
xkn tall form drawn to its full heght, her sim
m white robe and bonnet, her rich unadorned hair
hx pale lip trembling with smile, the ineffahle
slinsss of which thrilled 10 the heart OF the man
nzssss her, while be WINGED beneath its deep con-
Nw4k
Sss spoke first Monsieur AchilIe.r she said
- have come to beg favor OF you---bnt pray sit
Srwnv He obeyed her and they seated themselves
ssBssiie 10 each other. have come here to ask
ysm a1r money. We know how rich you are yon
nHnst know how affairs stand with Us our revenues
tass3y Support our rank; expensesare enormous.
1s ssie Of all my jewels will not raise sufficient 10
Wy ihis debt Of honor Of my husbands but it mast
- rsid. and paid tomorrow. You, who knew
szssytb'ng, must know All this and to you, as the
B7rzaa man IN Paris, come TO request the loan--I
msshs almost say the giftof thirty thousand louis
thirty thousand louis. madam You ask half
uzNs possess
kxkfSn viii restore it to You. You win scarcely miss
a. % me, il will be lie more than life-honor
Hsaa: with the sale Of my diamonds, will bring us
kerRsy through"
wSh bitter sneer, he said, g Try De yalens aud
BsnalaeuE /; will not these supply your
Won mock me ; you know they cannot. Oh
Nsakssur Achle, have mercy--have mercy ~ and
ne auehsss sinking on her knees, casped her hands
and bid them on his feet. 81.
1on have had little mercy, madam--you have
nn4 &ssle mercy y and then there was pause. At
Ans-- You love your husband madam ~
1Asier than my life,' was the reply.
1Aen rise, madam; seat YOURSELF and listen TO
7kat evening, about nine o'clock, Mons. AchiIle,
#usea with the utmost elegance, shrouded in large
skmk, under which he carried small but heavy
gn<&sl entered bis cabriolet and, desiring his col.
&nkia valet 70 attend him. drove in the direction OF
sc Hotel Montiiore. The drive was long one
AsA h., proceeding at lelsurely pace had time to
vraHs1 upon and ponder over the events of the day.
noe. whom he had so loyed-she, who had 80 spurIl.
90. caespised him the woman he had once sued and
kaAyea 70 whose laugh Of derision had rung in his
azss 20 long she, SO wosshipped so respected whom
aaAszany had never reached who stood 10 the center
aa Foigate court purer than falling snow --she to
Dc his nj last-bought- with prce-she to
ulsm all the nohles Of the land had sighed ia vain
reserved at last for him ,s...47,5..s5s.s.5
A. ihe corner Of the street in which stood the
Nzssz Moptitore he stopped and gave the reins into
ae@ hands Of his valet. He told him he was going
90 fasaness TO the Duke de Montihore that il the
s@ssAsmau was from home, be should wait until he
1eRned that be expected his cabrioet to be at the
s.ns spot 10 two hours time and that if be was not
4xaS 70 meet it be wished his servant to take Il
ssae and he would return foot, and no account
y mcaton where he hadieft him. or to give any clue
- 1he proceedings and destination OF that evening"
zs's valet obeyed these orders to the letter. Mon
lgzI Achille reached the Hotel M0nti60re, and
fe1eang at small side entrance into the court gave
n BOG whistle. The door was Immediately opened by |
&szze % mnifled that II was impossible to distin-
Ea..h either sex or age. With silent movement II |
hsF.oned hm 70 follow they crossed the court and
nse.1ff . small and dark apartment T; they paused.
= have brought u all, most lovely duchess. And |
asu--- He took tenderly the extended hand OF |
~ ssnse the grasp that met bis was Of IRON
IAN gold be answered and this was the last
Wx1 he ever uttered
Manzienr Achle was missing for two DAYS. and
xsest excitement prevailed in consequence on the |
card day his body was found in the river, some
s1fsfs from the place where his valet stated he had
'ze1 him last. His pockets were rifed, Bis levels
3sns: a ghastlS wound in bis breast showed how he
Ms servsnts were all strictly examined. when the
v.ee4 nAue ms statementj IN consequence of which,
wnat Was instantly paid by the commissioners of |
Fsdlre to the Hotel Montihore the result Of which
N1 sas that the valet was arrested and tried for the
nnz1ef and robbery OF his master. Want Of evil
snse ieu 70 ms acqnlttal but while in confinement
1ezhlng could exceed the kindness OF the duchess
award him, or her iiberalty after his release. Size
- beautiful, 40 beloyea-she was still the same. A.
szan. ss cold rs ever Made to adorn the world "a
Dr. that world was nothing -over her it had no /
powell
Among her intimate friends. she was heard 10 Ia
Ment she death OF Monsieur Aohle, as the means Of
&cpsising her husband Of large loan which be was
% have received on the night Gu which the murder
sas committed, and of which II was supposed Mon.
seer Achille was robbed while In the act Of bringing
70 the Hotel Montfiore. She also regretted having
Seen obliged 70 part With some Of her splendid dia
zaonds 10 order 10 raise sufficient to pay her has.
hand's debts OF honor
An these debts mess paid and, after time those
sMznniess gems again bazed amid the paIe gold OF
81 5sch hair and SPAWNED the snowy circle of her
4a the tresses We're like sunlight, the arm like
kAx'an marble, the diamonds without price None
ssH Or drea'nt OF the hlood-the blood-that bound
MseM round that bright head chsped them on that |
Aszas chained them 10 each other
Monsienr Achille was soon forgostea. The Duke
p Duchess Dc Montidore lived long and happy |
egss 20 cloud ever seemed to shade his gay and /
sPrn brow. Or dina the luster Of her glorious beauty
zlss debts once paid no future endorsements dark
- ahslf prospects One bright path Of prosperity
@9ae remained for them they died as they lived |
ssnosea respected. admired and beqneaihed to
$3.50 around them the almost singular example of |
$sss rank nnhlemished descent, and unbonnaed
wrsasb united with all pereetons Of mind, character
EzxzsnAFH LIMB on THE MosrIs Avn f,u,o
H4nepAD. We are glad TO announce that the Dlrers.