The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-06-24

She must be devilish handsome, or he wouldn't
keep her so close.n
Alfred Noble had always felt an instructive
antipathy to this man, who was often letting
fall some remark that Jared harshly with his
romantic ideas of omen,-sotnethirg that
seemed to insult the memories Of a beloved
mother and sister gone TO the spirit-world -
But he hau never liked him less than at this
moment; for the sly wink Of his eye, and the
expressive leer that accompanied his coarse,
words, were very disagreeable things TO be
associated with that charming vision of the
circling doves and the inocent child.
II SCENE III. Ef 7t
4 Time passed away, and with it tho average
share of changing events. Alfred Noble be-
came JUNIOR partner in the countmg-house he
had entered as clerk, and not long afterwards
the elder partner died. Left thus to rely upon
his own energy and enterprise, the vonng man
gradually extended his business. and seemed
in far way to realize bis favorite dream of
making fortune and returning to the North
TO marry. The subject Of Slavery was then
seldom discussed. North and Souih seemed
to have entered into tacit agreement 70 ignore
the topic completely. Alfred's experience
was like that of most New Eaglanders in his
situation. He was at first annoyed and pain
ed by many Of the pecnliaritics Of Southern
society. and then became gradually accustom-
ed to them. But his naturnal sense of Justice
was very strong; and this, added to the inhu-
ence of early education, and strengthened by
scenes of petty dcspotism which he was fire.
quenilv compelled to witness, led him to re-
solved that he would never hold slave. The
colored people in his employ considered him
their friend, because he was always kind and
generous to them. He supposed that compris-
ed the whole of duty, and further than that he
never reelected upon the subject. sl
The pretty little picture at Pine Grove,
which had made so lively an impression on his
imagination, faded the more rapidly, because
unconnected with his affections. But sha-
dowy semhlahce of it always fitted through
his memory, whenever he saw beaotful child
or observed any unusual Combinations of trees
and vines.
Four wears after his interview with Mr.. Dun
can business called him TO the interior of the
State, and for the sake of healh hy exercise he
chose to make the jouney on horse back
His route lay mostly through a monotonous
region of sandy plain, covered with pines. here
and there varied by patches OF cleared land.
in which numerous dead trees were prostrate
or standing leannss, waiting their time to fall
Most of the dwellings were Lighthouses, hut
now and then The white villa OF some wealthy
planter might be seen cleaning through the
evergreen Sometimes The sandy soil was in
tersected by veins Of swamps, through which
muddy water oozed sluggishly, among bushes
and dead logs. Intheso damps places flourish
cd dark expresses and holly trees, draped with
gray Spanish moss, twisted around the boughs
and hanging from themIike gigantic cohwcbs
Now and then. the soinbre scene was lighted
up with hit of brilliant col,r. when scarlet
grosbeak fitted from hr nch TO branch. or a
red-headed woo'pecker hammered at the
trank of some oil tree, to find where the in
sects had intrenched themselves Butro.kiae
pleased the eye Of the traveller SO much as The
holly-trees, with their glossy evergreen foli-
age, red berries, aud tufts of verlalt lnistle-
tie. He had been riding all ay. when late
in the afternoon, an uncommoi,ly beautiful
holly appeared to terminate the road at the
bend where il stood. It's boughs were woven
in with cypress on the other side, by long
tangled fringes Of Spanish moss. The setting
sun shone brightly aslant the mingled foliage
and lighted up the berries, which glimmered
through the thin drapery of moss. like the
coral ornament of a handsome brunette seen
through her veilof embroidered lace. 1t was
unlike the woodland picture he had seen at
Pine Grove, but it recalled II to his memory
fresher than he had seen it for long time
He watched the peculiar effects OF snnl;ght,
changing as he approached the tree. and the
desire grew strong within him to have the fairy
like child and the frolicsome dog make their
appearance beneath that swinging canopy of
illuminated moss. IF his nerves had been IN
such state that forms of the mind could have
taken outward shape, he would have realized
the vision so distinctly painted on bis imagin-
alton. But he was well and strong; therefore
he saw nothing but a blue heron Gapping
away among the expresses, aud flock of tur-
key-buzzards soaring high above the trees,
with easy and graceful flight. His thoughts,
however, continued busy with the picture that
had been SO yividly recalled. He recollected
having heard, some time before, Of Mr.. Dnn-
cans death, and he queried within himself
what had become Of that beautiful child.
missing thus, he rode under the fantastic
festoons he had been admiring. and saw at his
right long gentle descent, where small
stream of water giided downward oyer messy
stones. Trees on either side interlaced their
boughs over it, and formed vista, cool, dalk !,
and solemn as the aisle Of some old Gothic
church. A figure moving upward, by the side
Of the little brook, attracted his attention,
and he checked his horse to inquire whether
the people at the next house would entertain a
stranger for the night. When the figure ap-
preached nearer, he saw that twas slender,
barefooted girl, carrying pail OF water. As
she emerged from the dim al le OF trees, a
CLEAN Of the setting sun shone across her face