The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-05-13
LITERATURE.


appearance would seem to testify; but as we shall
have occasion in the course of narrative to fully
set forth who and what he was, we will leave him
for the present and turn to the approaching group
whom he seemed to be regarding with lively inte
rest.
OF this group, composed of middle aged man
and four females, with a black female servant fol
lowing some five or six PAGES in the rear there was
one whom the most casual eye would have singled out
and rested upon with pleasure, and Of that one only
We propose to give such description as will convey
in the fewest words general idea of her appear
ance, with slight mixing of her character.
The lady in question, then-for she evidently was
years Of age, Of slender and graceful figure, and Of
that peculiar cast Of feature which, besides being
beautiful in every neament rarely fails to AFFECT the
beholder with something like charm Her soft blue
eyes looked sweetly out from under long, dropping
lashes; kind of active, intelligent animation ap-
peared to beam from the whole countenance; and
when she spoke disclosing two rows OF peary teeth
q witching smile played around two as pretty lips as
were ever seen; and when she laughed, If we may
be permitted the poetic idea, the music thereof
seemed to come from the realm of sunlight, for her
soul in such moments ever seemed to light up her
fair face with an almost unnatural brl!lancy.
But though efeminate to q refined degree that
face was not wanting in character; and he could
have been no cOnnoisseur in human nature who
would have judged her solely from her placid or
joyous moods; for she was human, with passion,
will and pride; and there were times when those
soft eyes could flash, those laughing lips curl, and
those mellow tones become commanding and stern.
Though of light complexion and a naturally fair
skin, the present slightly brown hue of her features
would have indicated exposure to the open air,
such as might result from long journey, had not
her dress, Of finer materials and more fashionable
make than those around her, proclaimed her more
recently from the older settlements at the eastward
Her travelling costume-a fine brown habit, high in
the neck, buttOned closely over the bosom and
around the wrists, and coming down to her small,
pretty feet, without trailing on the ground-was
both neat and becoming; and with her riding cap
and its waving ostrich plume, set gaily above her
flowing curls, her tout ensemble contrasted foreiby
with the rough, unpublished appearance of those Of
her sex beside her, with their lnsey bed gowns
scarlet flannel petticoats and bleached linen caps
"Oh, Blanche" said one Of the more venerable of
her female companions, pursuing conversation
which had been maintained since quitting the open
fort behind them ~ cannot bear TO let you go, for
happen to you; and wnen feel that way something
generally does happen"
well, aunt" returned Blanche, with light
laugh, II do not doubt in the least that something
will happen-for expect one of these days to reach
my dear father and blessed mother, and give them
such an embrace az is due from dutful daughter
to her parents-and that will be something that has
not happened for two long years at least"
"Bdt don't mean that, Blanche, returned the
other, somewhat petulantly; land you just laugh
like gay and thoughtless girl, when you ought to
be serious. Because you have come safe thus far,
through a partially settled country, you think, i
in the more perilous wilderness-but warn you
that fearful journey Is before you Let me repeat,
dear Blanche what your uncle here has already told
you, that scarcely boat descends the Ohlo-as
calm and beautiful il looks to-day, under this
bright sunshine-that does not encounter more or
less peril from the savages that prow along either
shore; and some of them that go down freighted
with human life are heard of no more and none ever
return to tell the tae.''
"But why repeat this to me, dear aunt" returned
Blanche, with more serious air, when you know
il is my destiny, either good or bad TO attempt the
voyage? Ny parents have sent for me TO join them
in their new home. and it is my duty to go to them,
81 know it, dear GIRL" sighed the otherl "but
still feel very sad about this parting, and desire to
thoroughly warn you Of your danger, that you may
not be lulled into a fatal security"
"But am not the commander Of the boat" re-
turned Blanche, NOR even one who would make
very good defender of it; 20 pray, dear aunt, be-
stow your warnings upon those whose duty 1t is to
carry safely to its destination. For instance. now
there stands Eugene Fairfax, my fathers secretary
and my allotted guide and protectors, with rifle in
hand, and looking very warlike; my black Duke,
too Ia there, "a brave as lion when the danger Is
at safe distance; not TO mention the three hardy
boatmen beside them, who look If fighting Indians
might be a rather pleasant pastime than otherwise;
and 80 suppose you give them their proper charge,
dear aunt, and let me reap the benefit OF it, without
being obliged TO treasure up such doeful matters in
my poor, silly BRAIN and perforce become as lugu-
brious as the most sobsrminded Of my Huguenot an
cestors."
ooh Blanche, Blanche you are wild, giddy
girl yet, see !" returned the matron by her side,
tapping her cheek plsyfuy; "apd God forbid your
light, merry heart be ever saddened by crushing
"Amen' returned Blanche.
You never did know what il was TO fearm pur
sued the good woman, rather proudly. No" she
repeated turning to the others, Blanche Bertrand
never did know what it was TO fear, do believe!'
Just like her fatherw joined in the husband OF
-. 49,
of the station, and the mddleaged gen.
tleman mentioned as one of the party; a true
daughter Of a true soldier. Her father, Colonel
Philip Bertrand-God bless him for q true
foar- and Blanche Is just like him, she Is. Well do
remember" be went on, % when ne and some
hall a. dozen brother officer were s4rprt d aud pur
sued by that scoundaI lariet9n about TIE time
the vagabond was tryius 2 catch Ton Jefferson,
Lord CORVALLIS! Bless my soul what do you
think Philip wanted 70 make stand and fight
numbers 70 the lat gasp; and when
he heard that the internal wret hes had fired his
barn and storehouses, Il took more than one man
10 keep him from rushing back. single handed, TO
take vengeance upon the dastards."
Thank you, uncle, for recalling that troublous
time " said Blanche; for IL reminds me of passing
safely through one peril. and Is presage OF my
surviving another, even should aunt Mays forebo-
dngs have foundation in truth which trust they
have not All well do ! remember the time and
scene you speak Of, uncleW pursued the fair girl,
with heightened color and a flashing eye; "and had
then been man, or even youth In his teens. In
stead Of a weak, puuy girl Of eleven, my father
would at least have had one 70 join him in taking
vengeance upon the ruthless destroyers Of our beau
tful home "
"Ay. that he would! that be would" cried the
elated commander clapping his hands; " that he
would, / do believe Al, Blanche, my pretty he
rome you should have been born q man "
80 wish not al Of your sex y laughed Blanche.
uAnd eo would not / sav / thirty wears
younger single and none Of kin y was the gallant
and laughing rejolnder Of the uncle.
BY this time the parties had reached the boat; and
the young man already descrbed-and alluded TO by
Blanche Bertrand as Eugene Fairfax the secretary
OF her father-at once stepped forward, and, in
polite and dcferential manner, offered his baud 70
The different females, 70 assist them on board TIE
hand Of Blanche was the last 10 touch hs-and then
but slightly, ~ she sprung quickly and lightly 10
the deck-but close observer might have detected
the slight flush which mantled his noble expressive
features his eyes for single instant met hers.
She might herself have seen it-perhaps she did