New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-03-11
THE POISONED ALMOND,


that met eye and ear Mt every turn betokened the
Eictor's triumph. The humble home of the artisan
and the proud mansion of the rich alike shone
with the light, and resounded with sounds Of Joy:
But no home was SO gay and Respondent as that
of the wealthy and hospitable General Dainemerti
whose twinborn sons had that day been foremost
in the battle, and who were now fresh from victory
to see their only sister welded to William Avern,a
young and distinguished captain OF the tennessee
rifles.
Long before Packenhau gave his soldiers the
bandit watchworl OFFS Booty and Beauty William
Ayern and Clara Dainemert had pledged their
vows and their loves having gained the willing
consent of the General, the day that should see
them united had been fixed upon, and that day was
the sth Of January though when the time was ap.
pointed, none dreamed that it was to be day of
battle. Honored and unscathed, the young Ten
nesseean had ridden from the field as the enemy
turned in defeat and dismay, and with old white
haired Dainemert and his warrior boys, had hasten:
ed to bear the happy news TO mother, SISTER ana
hetrothed.
.sShe shall be yours this night, my dear William
said the old General. as they drew rein before his
house. g What happier date for marriage ami
versary than that which shall be a matrons PRIDE
Ha the good news is before us, y he continued, as
his wife and daughter sprang from the house to
| greet him.
THANK heaven! Won have all returned safe in
4 life and limb was the exclamation OF the wife and
1 mother, as she embraced her husband and sons.
C Thank the God of battles that He has given our
country the victory was the response Of the stout
old patriot.
The lovers uttered not word, but the beaming
| of their eyes spoke volumes of mutual happiness.
But if the Joy of the lovers found no tongue the
| clamorous and hearty shouts of the ebon-visaged
servants, clustering around with eagar faces that
shone in the torchlight, made ample amends.
81 have q promise to fulfill" said the General,
and we must invite friends as fast as legs can
carry messages William is to wed Clara this
night. Come, wife, you are nimble with the pen;
write to those who stand upon etiquette, and
rs,F al insy taf tn
your bridesmaids. Clara; my sons shall be your
groomsmen, William. would that your father
were alive to see this happy day! You spring
from a race of soldiers, my dear boy, and this
campaign has proved yon worthy Of your descent.'
This was spoken as the General led the way into
bis parlor, and every word was heard by dark
faced and naughty young man. who rose from
sofa as they entered.
ttVYelI, nephew, we won the fight and Henry st.
Masr was not there said the General, with a
we're glance, as the Young man met his eye.
Henry St. Maur, when taken prisoner at De-
troit, replied his nephew, pledged his word not
to bear arms against England during this war. But
my heart was with you all, uncle.''
Elf had been at Detroit retorted the old pa
.triot, and if had been Henry st. Maur, I'd re-
manned captive rather than accept liberty with
my sword 10 limbo. But make ready, my boys,
for the wedding! Be merry and happy while you
can't
So saying, the noble old soldier FASTENED TO
change his dress; while his sons, with William
AYern, hurried to their apartments to exchange
their war-stained garb for garments BETTING the
occasion.
Henry St. Maur, q coward in heart and a villain
in mind, had long loved his cousin Clara, both for
the wealth that would be hers, and for her lovely
person. He was The son of the Generals youngest
sister, and his father had been French officer,
who had served under Lafayette. Both father
and mother sprung from brave and warlike line,
but the son had inherited none of their nobler
traits.
A shrewd schemer, cowardly plotter, and a
selfish, interruptions man. ST. Maur had lived thirty
years and not done one worthy deed. The name
and influence of his uncle had obtained for him
captains commission, but the tap of the drum and
the fume of gunEowder always drove his watery
blood from his cheeks. Glad to forsake the field
for the carpet, he had returned to his uncle's to
push his suit for the heart and hand of Clara DAME
inert. But he met blank repulse for both were
already pledged to the brave and handsome William
Ayern, young man of noble character and rising |
fame. Had he dared, st. Maur would have fought |
his rival for the prize but his soul instinct
lively shrank from combat with the young Ten |
nesseans st. Maur had already enough wealth to |
content any bat mercenary spirit but grasping
eagerly for more, and infatuated with the beauty
of his cousin he would have sold his salvation to
call her and her fortune his own.
When left by his uncle in the parlor as we relat-
ed he hurried from the house with throbbing heart
and burning brain. He had not dreamed that the
marriage was to be so sudden; and all that day he
had prayed to the evil spirits he worshpped to
guide lead or steel to the heart of his rival. Now
Ne saw nlm returned VICTOR ana @
bridegroom! He hastened to do what his wicked
mind had long been plotting. Ere many minutes
had passed he stood in the private office of an
apothecary and chemist lean and withered old
mlser, who looked upon all mankind as SO many |
yermin, deenling gold the only valuable thing on
earth, so said report, and St. Maur believed it. |
Who can explain the insanity of sucl avarice? for
Carlo Berb made no use of his wealth save to gloat
over it in grim solitude.
: I have come for the almond, : said Henry as the
chemist raised his small black eyes to his.
Have you brought the price, young man?
Henry threw purse upon the table, Carlo
counted ont the yellow coins, one by one, trying
he weight and ring of each, until he had numbered
! hundred.
Right, said he, as he swept them into his pouch,
ind slowed that into his bosom. i only wish
could sell sack of double almonds at that price.
Carlo Berbi then produced large almond, neat.
y halved, and containing twin kernels, one of
which was Clipped at each end.
Whoever swallows this,' said the Italian hold
ng up the marked almond, does himself no harm:
put would not be he who shall eat the other.
Do not make a mistake
& Never fear said Henry, as the chemist glued
he halves together But how long does it take
o effect its purposeT
Il Three hours and leaves no trace, my young
riend. You ordered this to be made ready three
weeks age and as You have not called for il, be-
saHe TO think that your courage had faed.N
q The time had not arrived, - said Henry as he |
,laced the almond in his vest. But, tell me, old
nan, have we not met before?n
IT" where, until three weeks since ?''
4 +" In TALLY, where lived some five years ago.
There is an ARA tone in your voice that reminds
ne of some one that once knew in Rome - said
Henry St. Manr.
An! had relative there perhaps you knew
ler.u said Carlo, gazing sharply into his face
She was very beautiful all said, and her name
vas Blanca, the Flower Girl"
st. Maur grew ashy pale, but in moment he re-
lied. g have seen her. What has become of
erf''
" She is dead She gave her love to some
Dung and heartless villain He deserted her and
he died some twelve months or so ago. The de-
troyef of her young life was a German Count /
ave heard. He had left Rome three or four years
etore Blanca died in my arms. 1.wish could find
be scoundrel. So long as Blanca lived she loved
i'm, bat now that she is no more, think that | |
fould give all my gold to have an Italians ven
eance
9 And justly, too, said Henry, " the reprobate!
Vell, good night
Unmarked almond"
4" Not I, indeed y laughed the heartess Henry as
9 turned and sped rapidly away.
When he again stood in his uncles house, it was
lroDged with guests, among whom he was soon
catering jest and compliment.
TIA! y said his old uncle, as he met him near
le center Of the main parlor, "you are laggard /,
gain. William and Clara became man and wife
lst five minutes since.o
~ claim kiss from the bride" said Henry, as
9 sgluted the new-made wife, and then grasped
70 hand Of the happy husband !
!" wish you a hundred years of mutual joy, q
onsin Clara you too, William, Y said he with :
milling lips and devils heart and all that jubilant
yening, W no so cav an Henry ST Maur2