Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1858-03-04

girl is pretty enough to bewitch anybody;
but I am astonished at Alice knowing, as
she does, how Edward regards those things
in woman, and also his absurd prejudice
against northerners- only great >fault
the boy has--he cannot like Yankee and
Jupiter hates them, suppose, because he
does.
+ Leaving the piazza, Mr.. Walton re-enter-
ed the hail. and soon found himself in the
dancing-room. The first object which
caught his eye, was Edward, seated in the
corner of a sofa, with his cheek resting on
his hand, while his eyes, almost glaring in
their intensity, followed every movement Of
the infatuated walters. He was pale as
marble, with the exception of one small
bright red spot which burned on either
cheek His sister sat beside him, the pic
ture Of uneasiness and sorrow. An air of
restraint had fallen, like an incubus, upon
the whole company; for it was social ga
thering of relatives and intimate friends and
neighbors, and they all knew and felt that
trouble would grow out of the scene which
was passing before them. -
just as Alice was staggering to seat al
most carried in the strangers arms, Edward
sprang to his feet. and hurried from the
room. He was Immediately followed by
his father. They proceeded together to the
piazza, and were soon followed thither by
Carrie.
The yard presented lively scene. In
addition to the two stands on which were
burning the regular evening lightwood fires,
smaller fires had been lighted in various di-
rections; and around each one a group of
negroes-the older ones sitting and the
younger ones holding dance on their own
account-might be seen in all sorts of pic
turesque and graceful attitudes. But all
this the sad trio from the drawing room
needed not. Intense feeling in one breast,
and sympathy and anxiety in the other two
besoms, absorbed all other faculties.
'ssJupiter" called out Edward Walton,
in tone which, by its concentrated agony,
startled both father and sister.
The boy sprang out from the group at
the window, and came to his master
Get my horse!!,'. said Edward in ths,
same Startllng tone. -.. Ea pNN4S
"Please, Mass Ned began the boy, stno
ride black Rom'lus home tonight"
'ssGet my horsep' exclaimed Edward. ).
Jupiter was going to continue his appeal,
but a glance at his young masters couhte-
nance checked the words ere they issued
from his lips. - .. - :.
Il 'fraid black Rom lus myself tonight" !"
he mutterel as he moved slowly off, .
'.Stop, boyp' said Edward who had over
heard him, 'Ill get the, horse myself"
And he strobe off before either his father or
sister had time to say word.
"What is the matter with Romulus to-
night, Jupiter?" inquired Mr.. Walton.
"Oh, massa," replied the boy. de heap
O lights, an de music, an de dancin,' an
de cold, an de fre-crackers,- an ebryting,
guine jis put de debbil in Rom lus, an he
bin debbil 'nuff befo' Please, massa. please
Miss Carrie, no let Mass Ned git on um.' -
Mr.. Walton stepped off the piazza, and
followed his son to the palings where the
horses Of the guests were hitched. Had
you not better leave your horse here till to-
morrow, Edward" said Mr.. Walton, land
ride home with us in the carriage 2"
''In the carriage, father?" exclaimed
Edward, between his closed teeth ''no,
no! Never fear for me, father: only wish
all others were as true to me as this good
horse. Never fear me, he continued, in a
softer tone. as the dancing lights showed
him the anxiety which was painted on his
fathers faco; s'never fear! Romulus and
[, at least understand each other" And
he wrung his fathers hand, and dashed off
through the woods.
Heaven preserve himp' was Mr. Wal
toms whispered prayer, as he ,retraced his
steps toward the house.
The ride home in the carriage was very
silent one. Alice ventured one or two in
sipid remarks about the evenings amuse-
ment, but her advances were not met and
she soon sank into silence An occasional
screech from an owl, as the carriage passed
under tree, the bark of distant dog, an
exclamation to the horses from the driver,
or a denunciatory epithet from behind, hurl-
ed at s'dat owdacious Yankee buckra p
were all the sounds heard for the last three
miles. ,w
As the carriage drove up to the door, to
the infinite relief Of Mr.. Walton and Carrie,
true to his Southern habits, was
seen descending the piazza to assist them
from the carriage. Alice was the last to get
out, and she rather shrank from the touch
Of Edwards hand. but finally yielded hers,
and Edward handed her up the piazza steps
with his accustomed grace and tenderness.
AS they reached the hall door, he gently
detained her and requested moments con-
versation.
Il am tired, Edward she replied, in a !
pettish tone; won't tomorrow do as well?''
''Now Or never. Alice!' said he
She drew herself up, and looked at him,
proudly.
"Well, then," she exclaimed. .'it shall
aot be now! Let me pass, sir!''