Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-05-04
CbOitG g1teratnrG
THE CYPRESS CROWN.
BY CAROLINE PoQUE.
(coNcLUDED.)


In the court all was now alive and busy.
The butchers men went gaily about whis-
ting aud singing, some Of them pious songs,
aud others, such as they had learned at
the alchousc. Wolfe stood at the window
and brushed the dust from his foraging
cap, now and then looking down at the
mock.fighting, wrestling, aud other practi- 7.
cal Jokes of these rude sturdy companions.
One Of them, who appeared somewhat OIL
der than the rest, and moreover wore
morosc and disconteuted aspect, drew from
the stable poor old withercd hack, buck
led on portmanteau, threw himself into
faded shabby great coat, and with large
whip IN hishand, twisted his fingers through
the mane and bride fixed one foot in the
stirrup, and cndcavored to bring UP the
other with violent swing. However, the
poor worn.out animal, who had not recov-
cred from the effects OF his last journey,
kicked and plunged to prevent himself
from being mounted while the awkward
horscmau, in a rage, checked and tore him
with the reins, kicked him with his feet in
his side, and with his clenchcd fist on the
head. "Iniamous scoundrel !" said Wolfe,
whose blood boiled with Indignation, off
the fellow can't ride, what business has he
to meddle with horses. 1t Is a miserable
thing to see fellow in this situation, who
has never been "A soldier !" At last, the
despicable rider got himself seated in the
saddle, drew "a white felt cap over his eyes,
and logged away, bending his body almost
double as he passed under the outward
gateway. Wolfe WAS glad when he was
thus fairly gone; vet his absence had not
continued long, when our hero again heard
tho long-legged old gray horse trampIing
over the stones. The rider had forgotten
something. He shouted, whisted and
cursed alternately; then rode up. with
much noise to an under window and de-
mauded, eli any one had seen Lynx ~
This honest creature now lay growing at
Wolfe's feet, and showed his teeth angrily,
every time the well known voice called
him from below. Wolfe was by no means
inclined, on account of his new friend, to
enter into any quarrcls; however, as he
stood at the window, aud patted Lynx on
che head, he took the trouble of calling
out All it is the great white dog you want,
here he lies in the room with me. | did
not bring him hther, and do not wish TO
keep him but he will not 90 away" The
baWlng fellow stared at him with his mouth
wide open; once more pulled down his
cap; and, without saying another word
rode away about his business $50 much
the better" thought Wolfe---stroking
smooth the brstly rough hair of Lynx.-
"S,ay thou here, my good old dog, anc
take care OF NY kuapsack while ! am ab
sent The dog looked at him as il he un
derstood every word-drcw his long leg,
under him, and with the torelegs stretche,
ont, lac laid himself across the threshold o
the door, wi h his head lifted up, and keep
iug watch attentivelv.
Wolfe then went about his professions
duties, cndcayoriug to forget the painfr
night that he had passed ; and assume
au appearance of merrimcnt, which he wa
IN reality tar from enjoying. In curryin
aud rubbing down his horse, however, h
sung one song after another, while his con
radcs who had gathered about him, bega
t1 complain OF their reception, and wis
for the return Of better days.
There he is in high spirits" said the
pointing to Wolfe, "But then" added the
"a bird that sings so early IN the mornin
the yulture will catch before night y
ut may be so !" said Wolfe, gravel,
tur from the first he bad expected nothii
good from his residence with the butche
aud 1t always seemed as If there was yet
come violent dispute and quarrel with
host.
well now" said another, "thou say
nothing all this while about thy quartz
aud how ,hou hast been entertained. NJ
is the time to speak out ~
"W What's the use of talkngl" answer
Wolfe, "that will not make ones yexatiC
whit less. knew very we'll before,
people here use such high sounding wor
aud try to appear so polite and importa
but unluckily most Of them lag DEVILS
behind inmakiug good all their professic
Soldiers bilctedr think they, that ai
us no trouble, we can entertain them
our own way--for no one knows or
quires anything about them--and as
what the poor hungry devils themsol
may say, no one will believe them.
such gentry, in their own opinion ther
never anything good enough y"
Very true" cried they all taught
There you hit the nail on the head.
it is, indie dm "But," continued
with the green trumpery, the leaves
flowers that they threw to meet us--tI
they were quite profuse and splendid.
not even a horse, much less man, &C
live on such proyeulcr-yct olc car