New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-04-30
Nen ORLEANS DaiIp Grssesut
THE Lawyers OLD DESK.
BY HAIRY KYLE DALLAS.


THE LAwYERss OLD DESK.
BY HAIRY KYLE DALLAS.
From The Kew YORK sunday TIMES
Several years ago # was my fate to. reside for a
few months during the spring and summer, in the
never shall forget the sleepy quiet Of the spot, nor
the stupid solemnty OF its inhabitants The houses
all alike, and unshaded by tree or shrub, stood in
formal rows, like line OF dominoes after recent
" finished game. The sun beat down upon them
all day long, and seemed to have peeled the skin
off the staring red roofs, so raw and glowing did
they appear. In every garden lines OF wet linen
were perpetually hanging out to dry, and every
parlor window was perpetually closed. Walking
through the streets, morning or afternoon, stran-
gers general impression would have been that
that every housekeeper in the place had just finish
ed her washing and was laying down to take nap.
The only buildings Of Importance in the place were
the schooi-house and the meeting house, and the
only amuseTnents not considered sinful were scam
dal and donation parties and sewing societies.
The house we inhabited was large and old
fashioned. Its last tenant had been, It was said 4
lawyer; grave-stone in the churchyard near by
bore his name, and up in an unused room on the
upper floor stood an old desk, which was said to
have been his property. One day, when the town
seemed sleeper than usual, and was doomed to
several hours ofloneliness ascended to the apart
ment where this ancient article of furniture was
placed and began listiessiy to gaze from the win
dow which overlooked the whole place, and even
distant farmhouse or rwo There being no seati ia
the room, perched myself upon the desk which !
have mentioned, and, to prevent myself from slip
ping off, rested my hand upon a little moulding
which ornamented the back. had not remained
in this position many moments, when sharp pain
caused me to start suddenly, and, looking down 10
examine the cause, observed little spring. half
hidden by the carving which surrounded it. I had
seen spring like this before, and, knowing what
it purported, eagerly pressed it with my finger,
and opened by its aid little secret drawer, oftiie
IS. al VrI 1.~Tl~
slightest suspicion. In this drawer were several
papers and small kid bag. The latter I opened
Immediately and found it contained the miniature
of female and a lock of curly hair. E
With my curiosity aroused, seized my treasure,
and, running down to my own little room, closed
the door, and seating myself in my little rocking
chair, began to examine 1t at my leisure. The,
portrait was that Of very young and lovely girl,
which lay beside it. The papers were four in MIMI.
Der: two were little notes of invitation, written in
lively familiar manner, beginning, Dear Mark
and ending, 'sYour cousin Stella ~ the third was
scrap of poetry in the same hand, and the fourth
was manuscript in large, business-like charac-
tiers, but evidently not . legal or business dozen
ment. Manuscript-at least, any except my own
always fascinates me, and composed myself for
| the perusal of this wais of my own finding. The
paper was old and yellow, the characters faded by
time, but, by dnt Of perseverance, ut length de.
| ciphered it. II was as follows:
STELLA. ~ 5sa$s
I u,
pestuous, stormy feeling which GONE believe 1t to
be. & Love which really merits the name flows on
noiselessly and softly not the loud and glitterng
ripple and wavelet on the shore Of life, but rather
i the resstless undercurrent more like quiet I'M
1 demonstrative giant than noisy passionate, hot
Drained little dwarf. Love will sacrifice itself for
/ the happiRes of the beloved object-sepa
nay, even DEATH cannot end its life. An ever
burning lamp in the unseen innerm0st of the heart
| its very existence is often unknown save to the
yestal soul which trims and watches it.
Stella Stella! loved of my youth and age lost
for ever here, but garnered up for me among the
gems Of heaven, dost thou know now in that bright
sphere to which the angels bore thee long ago, how
| well loved thee?
pause and start! The moon, falling through
my study window, lights up the mirror upon the
wall, and reveals to me my own reflection. see
an old man, grey haired and careworn; not feeble
decrepit yet, but past the blessed age of senti
ment and romance-the spring and summer time,
which Byron calls " the passionate part of life.''
fitting person, truly, to write and speak of love,
7" a proper hero for love tale.'' Yeti, Mark Ash
ford, sitting here in my lonely study, with law
books piled about me, with nothing near me which
does not speak of dry business and money trans.
actions, could write love tale from the memories
Of my old heart which might put to shame the
records in the lives of younger men on whom the
|, whole world looks as heroes. Come old goose
quill, there are no briefs deeds upon the desk
there ia no case for you to draw up to-night--Do
u.s. Roe can lay over until to morrow-let me u.s.
you for myself for once; open for me the close,
and actions which time has hurried there. Stella
n bright star of my boyhood! how sweetly your pic
ture seems to smile upon me. You look now a
you did upon that autumn day when ] first me
you, and when you gave me your soft hand q
frankly, and called me Cousin Mark for the frs
time.
She was very beautiful, not only to my own eyes
but to those of every one who gaZed upon her bn
did not love her for her beauty only, it was he
| heart and soul which won me. Heaven knows tina
! if every charm had vanished from her face AM
FORM she would still have been as precious to me
: Before she came to dwell among us had know
that she was betrothed to another and she was to,
pure and frank to make secret of the fact Sh,
!, spoke of Edward Waring Gan officer in the navy
and who was at that time absent on a three years
cruise) with the simple confidence of O child, an
would run joyousy to tell us of the receipt of
letter from her absent lovers and yet, despite thi
E knowledge, despite the fact that she regarded m
: against my will, to be the master passion of m
soul never breathed one word of its intensity /
living mortal; and she little knew, as she leant
sisterly confidence upon my arm, that was pray
ing all the while for strength to hide my love froI
: her sweet truthful eyes.
! Time passed on, and the hour of Edward W.
: rings return drew nigh. l heard from my siste
g that the day for the wedding was already IKE
= upon Soon visions of white satin and orang
flowers were often revealed to me through an acci
dentally opened window, and knew that beneat
busy fingers and flying needles Stela's brida
dress was growing 10 perfection. let now, TO
|
sad and distracted. For hours she would 81
! alone watching the sky, or looking into the far d
r lance with something like fear upon her face
= None seemed to see the alteration save myself
! ! but lovers eyes are farseeng and had watche
her face SO long and SO fondly. Going to her on
day. as she fingered upon the piazza. I spoke
this sadness, and asked her, az brother might,
r cause.
I mark, you will laugh at me if tell you, 81
!. replied. g 1t is very foolish, and am ashamed
Is speak of it. II have had terrible drear
5, cousin, and cannot shake off its influence"
"a dream! Tell it to me, Stella, that may il
sr terpret it, said, langhngly. Dreams alWa,
go by eontrares, you know terrible dream vi
certainly bring the best Of good fortune to I'll
dreamer.n
.. Stella shook her head. ~ wish that I cou
1e think so y she said. II know that am very ehil
: ish, but suce that dream my presentments of es
II have been almost more than can bear. fear
n oh /! fear, Mark, that | shall never see EdWal
n again. She buried her face in her hands for OF
IS moment, and then raised it again. covered wit
tears. ~ dreamt that we were walking togeth,
in a WOOD she said, speaking in a low, tremulol
: tone-"you and your sister, and Edward and L
and that at a turning in the path we came sudden
to the bank of n river; willow tree bent over IL
| :. IsNaI l. 4.