The prairie news. [volume] (Okolona, Miss.) 1851-1875, 1858-06-24

ly, solemn steps, to the Office, and wrot'
bis own name on the book of arrivals
"Colonel John Moulton, Charleston, S
c." He afterwards went back to thu
saloon, and endeavored to busy himsel
in the colums of newspaper; but hi
glance continually strayedfromtlie street
to scrutinze the different persons thai
sauntered about the hall
Any well travelled observer who saw
Col. Moulion for the first time would have
recognised him as son of that Southern
chivalry---a class the most deeply defined
by specific characteristics which the world
has yet witnessed. He was large,
handsomely shaped man, some sixty
years of age, with proud but pleasing
visage, large brown eyes flashing the
bravest fires, and that indescribable air,
blending haughtiness with affability,
which betokens an individual accustomed
to command with dignity, and to seek
obedience more through the medium of
moral suasiOn than the manifestations of
blind physical force. He was dressed in
a costly suit of sable mourning. and the
new Grape on his fashionable hat, as well
as the traces of profound grief ON all his
features, showed that his bereavement
was of recent date.
Presently he bounded from his seat, at
the discovery of an old acquaintance, ex-
claiming, How are you, Judge Dick
sonl You are the very person that l
wished especially to see. ~
" ] rejoice myself, very much, to have
this unexpected pleasure" replied the
other, shaking the proffered hand with
attectionate warmth. "We have not
met since three winters ago, at Washing
ton."
"Great changes have happened to me
in that brief space" said the Carolinian
i'll hollow voice.
HAS anything gone wrong in your
family r. inquired the Judge, kindly.
81 have no family now!" answered
the Colonel, v9 i9 ifsffT 1pts Of unut,erable
sorrow. His iron lips trembled, and his
proud eyes could not restrain the invol-
untary rush of tears.
"What terrible misfortune cried his
friend, IN tones Of unaffected sympathy
/" Yes !" sobbed the solitary mournpr,
as if speaking to himself; they are all
gone First, my beloved lfe-partner,
the sweet sunlight Of my soul during
more than thirty summers; then my ed-
est boy, cut OIL in the brilliant bloom Of
his promise by the demon pestilence Of
yellow fever; and lastly, my beautiful
William, my bosoms idol, shot down on
the bloody field ot hOnor Like tree
blasted by the lightning, must now
stand alone in the wintry desert of my
joyless old age, without a drop of kindred
blood in the veins Of any human being
near me, without companion, and with
out even SO much as the possibility of
hope y
The former acquaintance did not at
tempt to solace the disconsolate husband
and father, for he knew well that every
word, implying only the supposition of
comfort or happiness, in such state of
feeling, be like the touch of rude
finger upon fresh woand-for the deep
est agony of woe spurns the very idea Of
peace or pleasure as an insult to the dear
ones dead, and loves only the blackest
folds of the mantle of thought, woven
by the imagination of measureless des-
pair
After some minutes the Colonel be-
came tranquil, and remarked, with look
tinged with blush of shame" Judge,
you remember my daughter, Maria r.
Certainly" returned his friend, with
a countenance expressing both pain and
and | also recollect that
you took solemn oath never to breathe
her name again, or even suffer it to be
mentioned in your presence!'
"Alas yes--wretch that | was and
am r exclaimed the Carolinian, quiver-
ing in every limb, as if under the infu-
ence of epilepsy. IL was wrong" he
continued, with terrible energy land
she was innocent of all offence, save the
act of choosing for her husband youth
without fame or fortune. | learned but
q few days ago, from the dying lips of
the minister who performed the secret
ceremony, that they had been welded a
year when l discovered the intimacy be-
tween her and young Simons, my over
seer. Oh! why did he not tell me soon
srl Yet my pride was then so stubborn
hat l could not have forgiven the degra-
lation of such a misalliance, even had l
known the truth"
" What a tale Of troubles! !" ejacula-
led the Judge, with an aspect Of sadness
and commisseration.
al have been informed that they re-
moved to New. Orleans, and your resi-
ience has been in the city ever since the
date of their disappearance. Have You
never seen them q gasped the Colonel.
al saw them both early in the winter
subsequent to their arrival" faltered the
,thav