Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-02-12

4 an aLrdlQ, salQ MI. Ot. George, " tnat
the bearer of unwelcome tidings makes himself
unwelcome by a sort Of identifies tion with
them; and If such be the case with ne, will
leave your house 80 soon as have ( Did you all
have to tell"
''Oh, no, no, no." said Mr. Ca :tley; eve
are not 90 unjust as that; but we inplore you
to tell us at once"
CT will. Edward Cattley was much beloved
in the island Of Bourbon, and received into the
best society in the place; but he had the mis-.
fortune to meet at ball, which was given by
a merchant named Antonius, Greek, with
man Of the name of Petrus, q creole. This man
was gambler, and he much pressed young
Cattley to call upon him the next day; and he
not knowing who and what Petrus was, did call
upon him, and was pressed to play, there being
several persons present. For long time Ed
and sat rather late, when cards and dice were
again introduced; and as Edward Cattley saw
that he gave great ofense by not playing, he
said, / will, for once, forego my resolution
not so play; but only for once!' "
"God bless him" moaned the father
Then" continued Mr.. st. George, "he
agreed that he would play for one hour, but
that at the end of that time, whether winner
or loser, he would leave the party. He played
for the hour, and was a considerable winner.
''Alas alas :" sighed Mr. Cattley.
considerable winner, he rose from the
table with his watch in his hand, saying, Il
will now, as said would, GO But Petrus
was chagrined at his losses, which, being an
adventurer, he could ill afford and he loudly
insisted that no man had right to leave off a
winner until his antagonist choose
But my son had made q declaration of the
time he meant to play, before either winning
or losing" said Mr.. Cattley.
"Just so. That was his agreement, and he
left the house, but he was followed by Petrus" !"
"Oh, Heaven. 20
"He was followed by Petrus. There was
lonely path by precipice, which Edward Gait
ley would have to take in order to reach his
own homo. The precipice sunk down to an
inland pool of salt water, which was unfatham-
able. 1t is supposed to have some communica-
ton with the sea, but it has never yet been
traced"
"My son. my son ~ screamed Mrs. Cattley.
" shall see that pool in my dreams"
"GO on, sir, ;" said the father.
"Petrus attacked young Mr.. Cattley at the
edge of the precfpice, and taking him at una
wares, he flung him over its brink, to rise ne
more"
The father and mother looked petrified at
this recital, and could not say word.
Mr.. st. George continued:
was so much attached to Edward Cattley.
and we were such good friends, that would
myself have arrested Petrus, but he fed, and
left the island SO soon az he had done the deed.
carefully examined the spot of the disaster.
and guessed what had happened. dived into
the pool twice to see if I could recover the
body of my friend, but all in vain. Were to
live, though, for a thousand years, should
never forget the hideous monsters of the sea
that 1nhabit that pool, and who with their
long horous arms stroye to grasp me as I sunk
into its depths"
The young stranger shudderea, as if in recol
lection OF the terrors he had braved in the hor-
rid pool.
Wonder, fear, grief, despair-all were de-
picted on the countenance Of the Cattleys; and
it was late in the night before they with heavy
hearts and with tears that seemed as if they
would know no cessation, sought peace.
The young stranger was accommodated with
thesoest room in the house; and soon beyond
the sobs that might have been heard from the
chambe in the occupation Of the Cattleys, all
was still at Mayfeld for that night.
The morning came, but it brought with its
returning light no diminution of the grief Of
the Cattleys. On the contrary, they seemed to
suffer more and more, until in the course of
about week their detection had reached
kind of climax, after which the healing effects
of time began to exercise an influence. A
month-two months-six months passed away,
and the Cattleys had somewhat recovered from
their grief.
To be sure that six months had aged them
done; and Mrs. Cattley was ever ready with
her tears whenevsy by any accident her son
was mentioned; but it was to be hoped that
further time would "heal the wound, although
1t could not obliterate the scar
And during all this time Mr.. St. George re-
mained the guest of the Cattleys.
They let him occupy>the room that had been
their sons; and as often as be offered to go,
they pressed him to remain.
He was kind and amiable in the extreme.
To the old gentleman he was like an attached
and most considerate son; and to Mrs Cattley
he was so gentle and affectionate that she felt
degree Of affection for him that gew stronger
day by day.
Atlength he announced that he " must 20. F."
You will understand, Mr.. CattIey,H he
said, "and you too, dear madam, that was in
a.situation at the Island Of Bourbon, which I
gave up to come to you with my sad informa-
tion. The money had I spent in coming
here, and it is now my duty to seek for some
employment"
Mr.: Cattley exchanged glances with his wife,
and she nodded to him. 1t was evident that
they had an understanding about something,
and what that was became evident in Mr. Cat
uey's next words.
TO BE Continued