Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-03-25
WHOLE NUMBER 1863.


" that the musicians had ever heard Of
the existence of Perdida from any one in
our valley We had no near neighbors,
and associated very little, indeed, with
anybody.
The result of the affair was to fix me
more strongly than ever in my determi-
nation to Louisiana. /, therefore, COM
pleted my arrangements as speedily as
possible, and started for New Orleans
by sea.
After a passage of about the ordinary
length reached the Crescent City, and
the following day pushed on to Assump-
ton Parish, in which Lake Berret is si-
tuated. found the lake TO be con-
siderable body of water, about ten miles
in length, and Of varying width. Like
all that region, the country was low, and
sometimes sickly; but there were some
valuable plantations on the shores of the
lake, and some handsome re-embowered
in groves Of the orange and other semi
tropical trees and shrubs.
Finding that the lake was sometimes
frequented by anglers, l provided my
self with rod and line, and started to
make the circuit OF It's banks in that
character. On the second day of my
explorations, fell in with an architectu-
raj pile OF rather remarkable character.
1t was an irregular conglomeration of
buildings, forming in the aggregate quite
an imposing mansion. Ii was of very
antiquated style, and though low must
have contained great deal of room. Il
had, doubtless, been built by some one of
the early French proprietors.
The grounds about this old-fashioned
country-seat were very beautiful
Though apparently rather neglected at
present, they had evidently been once
very carefully attended to, and now pre-
sented a labyrinth of trees, shrubs and
flowers of surprising beauty, notwith-
standing their wild, untamed luxurianee.
While | sauntered along the lake
shore, gazing at all this wealth of YER
dure, heard step behind me, and,
turning, beheld tall and very handsome
man coming in the same direction. He
nodded, somewhat superciliously ]
thought, and then said:
You must be a stranger, think ?
Yes, sir
From New Orleans 2
Yes
Much sickness there 2
Not great deal; but very dull
Are you looking for work ?
Well, yes; would take a good job
if any such were to come in my way
What is your business?'
i am a carpenter
Then l can give you something to
do for a week or so. Is it bargain ?
Yes, if you give me fair wages
Though not a professed carpenter,
had a large bump Of constructiveness
and could do almost any sort of work
either in wood or iron. My intention
was to pass for a mechanic, but the idea
of undertaking any work had not before
occurred TO me. The thought suddenly
itself, however, that ! could make the
observations and inquiries had in view
more readily, and would be less likely
TO attract attention, if employed, than if
/ were to remain idle.
The gentleman assured me that there
' should be no difficulty about wages, pro-
yided should do the job to bis satisfac-
: ton. The arrangement was completed,
c and accompanied him to his residence,
which as anticipated, turned out to be
= the pile Of old buildings which ] had
S been examining.
As it was yet early in the day, was
' introduced to my work at once, after Sc
! leeting from a very well-furni5hed tool
/ house such implements as I needed.
a My task was TO make some alterations
d in one Of the upper rooms oftbe establish
/ ment, aud being shown TO the spot,
G went TO work immediately, making the
: necessary preparations, and fitting q
workbench in d small room adjoining
n that in which was to make the altera-
# lions.
/ was hard at work with my jack.
r plane, when my attention was suddenly
d arrested by the moving of curtain
n which hung over glass door, at one enc
!. Of the room. saw a little white bant
!, slowly drawing it aside, and then fact
> -Perdida's
!. saw il bat a single instant, but It wa
II hers, beyond all doubt heard voice
=, q slight scufiie, and then Il seemed as
?, she was pulled away by some one, AM
tka. s.ss.ts.,, f..W esx,e. fAe door aoasn