Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1858-05-15
From the Sunday Magnet.]
A FATAL MISTAKE.
BY CHARLES HOWARD.


down a narrow and but PARTIAL,
= lighted street in New Orleans. -
The watchfnl moon stroye in vai1
n to peer through the murky cloud
|; that hung suspended like cloaks O
~ imquity over the metropolis. Dark
Il ness and crine-black night ant
:. revenge; self-suggestive thoughts
e Those heavy-hanging clouds seen
n but the presiding spirits Of murder
= ers and thieves.
On the lower side of the street
! ! was an old two story brick house o1
E antique style and uninviting spect
Through The closed blinds on the
/ upper story, faint rays Of light
struggled to the open air, but ex,
eept this evidence to the contrary,
everything about the place gave the
appearance of entire desolation and
utter neglect. The front door was
nailed up, and BY ii 6 unsteady light
Iof a flckering street lamp oppo-
site, the blinds on the first story
windows were seen to be sadly in
want of repair and dusting; while
the gate which led into the rear
yard, slammed and swung about on
its one hinge in the wind, as if in.
aimless anger Of its own feeble
mess.
Little as there might seem to be
about this spot Of a nature to at
tract or to riyet attention, it was the
object Of close and rigid scrutiny to
a tai, slim built man, who had taken
his post a few yards off, and stood
as grimNnd silent as a marble col
nmn. The broad -hrinmed felt hat
that was drawn down partially over
his face, concealed all but the
mouth and chin, but there was that
there which showed natural stern
ness and determination, while the
tightly set teeth evinced purpose
in some desperate undertaking.
And we'll mayst thou bo resolute. |
Charles Dawson! Well may a
man, hitherto peaceful and happy I
as q cheerful and high-minded na-
ture is capable Of being, becomes
callous with high wrought revenge
upon a dastardiy villain who has
betrayed an idolized sister. Charles
Dawson was a South CaroIinian of
good birth and fine education. His
mother was q widow, and the son
had for several years supported her
and his sister from his earnings at
the case, for he was a conpositor
in one Of the Charleston Offices
Mrs. Dawson had paid a long visit
to some relations in New Orleans,
accompanied BY her daughter, and b
it was here that the innocent and
Supplemented Clara was poisoned
oy the moral adder-one Of those '
hat falsely constructed society /
clasps in her arms, when it turns t
md stings her bosom. +
One evening as Dawson was
merrily with his fellow K
printers at the cases, a letter was t
landed him from the office. g
Good news trom home, good news for me ~ G
lurmured he gaily, as he proceed i
q to break the seal, for he. recog- t
lied bis mothers handwriting. In 7
moment he fell back against the J
ase, his countenance white as d t
hroud, his lips quivering, his eyes \
,,laring half-wildly, while a pang !!
f the mostsintense heart-anguish I
marked its brand upon his fea- ?
1res. zssazS a ,-.-.. ..-... 81
"In Gods name, Charley, what's
le matter!" exclaimed fellow c.
rinter, running toward him. To-
Nothing at all, = coldly replied EEc;
lawson, the expression Of misery c;
{. bis eountenance vanishing, while b
is teeth closed, bis lips, instead Of lei
'1iVering, became closely COM c.
ressed, and though bis face was as Eir
ale as before, his voice was as f firm a,
J though his heart was calm. a "a!
'sDickson," said he to sssub," b
10 You wish my situation % tt
-sW hy, Charley, what do you |le
can? You are not going to leave, T
rely" al
"To-day-this moment. Take my ri
ace" S.5s@sSz7$s==S @#** = g: Ice
Tho compositors crowded round Fth
aWson, astounded at his determi- La