The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1859-01-12
R saltha sedgwick.

basely desert my only and cherished sister
thus sending her to premature grave, anC
casting a whitening reproach upon the hitherto
fair name Of our famiiy?"
But, daughter, remember the precept;
taught you when that dear sister was youl
companion that anger reseth in the bosom o.
fools!''
Il am not angry, mother. Anger is but a
momentary passion, which if not instantly satia-
ted passes away; but this is deep and abiding
hatred which nothing but the hearts blood oi
Alvin Dumont will wash out!'
But Rosaltha reflect that in this you de-
base yourself to the level occupied by him, and
become yourself murderess''
mo. mother, when God sent him into the
world, it was that he might be an ornament
and a blessing, at the same time making hin,
free moral agent; and if God now makes me
the instrument of ridding the world of him, l
am no murderess.''
"This is all very well in theory, but far diff
ferent in practice. But you will feel different
after this excitement has passed off,
Far from it, mother; | feel no different now
than have felt at all times since the day
Flavilla died. but to-day, for the first time.
have got trace of Dumont, and now repeat
my vow that if follow him to the ends of the
earth, will be revenged."
My dear child, do you think Flarila would
counsel such a course under any circumstances?
Would she not rather urge you to forgive an
enemy and endeavor to save them from the
future death, rather than to send them unpre-
pared into the presence of God.
1T may be SO, mother; but her quiet spirit
was as different from my impulsive nature as
light from darkness. And though with her
dying breath she forgave him and prayed me
to do SO, it is impossible. The very thought
crazes me. and nothing but action can retain
my reason"
The above conversation occurred between
Mrs. Sedgwick and her daughter, and the
reader has gathered enough to show the cause.
Egbert Sedgwick was left penniless orphan
at an early, age, but through integrity and
falthtulness. soon rose to enincnce and distinc-
tion. At the age of thirteen he entered the
store of Howard Lingley 8 Co., as errand boy
In this capacity he exerted his utmost powers
to please his employers, and was SO far sue
cesstul that he was soon advanced, and at the
age of nineteen was elevated to the post Of con-
fdential clerk
In two years more he was admitted as a
partner, and very soon married the orphan niece
of Mr.. Howard.
Success attended him. and at the age of
forty he was able to retire from business with
a competence sufficient to support him through
life and a goodly allowance for his children
And thus for several years he lived happily,
enjoying the society of his wife, ard caring for
the welfare of his daughters, Rosaltha and
Flavilla.
These girls, although twines, were far differ
ent in beauty, temper, and all those other
qualities which go to make up the loneliness of
womanhood Rosaltha was tall, with large,
sparkling black eyes, dark hair, and never
failed to strike the stranger with fascination
charmed bird. But the moment the spell was
broken she appeared in her true light stern and
unforgvlng when wrong had been committed
on a friend, bat generous to q fault when none
but herself was concerned. Flayilla, on the
contrary, was not possessed of those striking
qualities that charm the behoder, but her mild
blue eye, her evenness of temper, generous and
forgiEing nature, and above all, her kindness
to the suffering, made her the pet of every cir
Gle into which she was thrown.
A few years previous to the opening of our
story, Mr. Sedgwick and his family spent the
summer at Saratoga; and while there they be-
came acquainted with Alvin Dumont. young
gentleman of fortune from Tennessee; and ere
the season was over, it was apparent that he
had decided preference for the gentle Flavilla.
His attention became so marked as to create
quite sensation in the fashionable circles in
aJsfO
a prize BY the fortune hunters of the place; and
when the gentle and unassuming FlaviIa Sedg-
wick carried off the prize, it was a triumph,
although unintentional on her part.
To say that she loved Dumont would but
very family express the feelings she cherished
for him; although she was now eighteen, she
had never before met her beau ideal of man
hood and when she felt that her love was re-
turned, she gave herself up with perfect
abandon to this passion, and worsh;pped at the
shrine, as though her eternal reward depended
upon the devotion of her present love.
When the Sedgwick's left for home, Dumont
accompanied them, and for months took up his
abode in the city where they lived. Here, as
at Saratoga, his attention to Flavilla were I'M
ceasing: and whenever she appeared in public,
Dumont was her constant companion. Mr. and
Mrs Sedgwick observed this growing intimacy
with delight; for Dumont, being of good family,
and having conducted himself in an exemplary
manner since their acquaintance with him they
felt that the happiness of their daughter would
be in good keeping and therefore sought to
make him feel as much at home as though he
were member of the family.
After spending few monthsin this way, he
made formal offer of his hand which was
and the day for the wedding appoint
ed for the following May, upon FlavilIa 5 birth
day.
When the arrangements for the wedding
were completed, Dumont lefc for Tennessee, to
make his arrangement to be absent as it was
heir intention TO take a tour upon the conti-
nent previous to going south
Dumont had been gone but a few days when
Mr.. Sedgwick was thrown from carriage, in
which he was riding, and instantly killed. This
circumstance made postponement of the
wedding necessary.
Dumont was promptly informed of the un-
fortunate event, and for several weeks the cor
dependence between him and Flavilla was
'egular, but as the spring opened, Dumont was
surprised that he did not hear from the Sedg
yieks. Weeks, passed, and although he wrote
,egularlv, he received no answer. This silence