The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-10-09
Rosetta, the Wine Sellers Daughter,
TnE NIsnr BEEoRE THE BArrLn or NEw on1EASg.
By WILLIAM H. PECK.
CHAPTER I-B. q B.

! by Il halt-0pen door.
Paul Amar was trimming his lamps when this man
entered and, he noticed his presence the bluff and
rubicund ysage of the wineseller grew slightly pale
and he muttered under his heavy moustache
"Ah, it is Benditto What be waut?-this is the
tenth night of his watching for-whom? But it is none
of my business-n
The demands Of his numerous customers called his
attention elsewhere and after glancng uneasly at the
stranger, he hurried to his glasses and dccanters
Benditto drew his long, threadbare cloak over his
face, to bis keen, black, and deepset eyes pulled his
broad brmmed hat upon his brows and flashed pierre
ing glance over the rather tumultuous aseblage which
filled the saloon, letting his gaze pause for instant
every face.
Not yet" he murmured as he saw that the room
was occupied only by old and whte-haired men,
In the midst of the hubbub an old gentleman, with
long beard white as snow and clad in the uniform of
hussar, placed trumpet to his lips and gave a blast
that drowned every other noise instantly.
This sudden blast of the trumpet signal that the
trumpeter had fresh intelligence from Jaclson's army
then camped few miles below the city and awaiting
the advance OF the British commanded by Packenham.
Every eye and then turned towards the veteran
| trumpeter; who shouted
| "Gentlemen, ! haze certain news from the American
camp! Before daylight the British army will attack eur
friends below the city"
Sinee we cannotgh with our brave sons and grand
sons, said tall and stately veteran of Georgia who
had fought and conquered the English in many reyo-
lutonary battle 'et US pray for them to the God of
battles"
At this moment entered young man, apparently
little over thirty wears of age Of lofty port and power
tu frame, and clad in the undress uniform of Ameri
can cavalry captain.
"Ho! said the old trumpeter 1--WE have, it seems,
one young man left to keep the old men company"
The young man started quickly, and grew slightly
red; but after glance, which changed from anger to
scorn, as BE noted the white hair of the speaker he sat
down a small table called for brandy and at the
I need ilNR. oh IL
He mistakes" cried the trumpeter "the infant is
too Young for brandy Give him warm milk and loaf
sugar, Paul"
"You are an old fool, and may sneer your fill. am
on parole SAID the officer Here he seemed to scribbe
upon the table at random.
You are parole Pardon; did not know all that,
continued Vale But where did you give your parole
my friend?"
"Were you not so old, would consider your inqus-
iuyeness impcrtinence,' replied the officer: "but as
dotage has its privilege will answer was taken prs-
oner at Detroit, when Huh surrendered"
Having uttered these words, the officer drank his
brandy tossed piece of silver to Paul faced old Vale
with supreme contempt for him and his listening
friends, and then departed
A hiss Of contempt followed the officer from whom
the eyes OF Bcndto the in the cloak had not been
moved during the quarrel
The conduct OF Benditto after the entrance of the
officer would have attracted general notice had not
every mind been intent upon the words and actions of
the atter for no had Bendtto darted his keen
eyes upon the officers face than he drew a miniature
from the folds of his cloak and began to compare the
painted features with the naughty visage of the new
conner AS he gazed from one to the other his cloak
fell from his shoulders, and revealed slender form
much bowed by age infrmiy. The souch of his hat
hid the upper part of his countenance but the lower
was grizzly ybearded whered and wrinked while his
complexion Of corpselike whiteness spotted here
and there with purple scars No sooner had the officer
departed than Benditto resumed his cloak and with
mufed face, advanced to the counter saying to Paul
''Do you know that oflicer?n
The words were in Italian and almost whispered
'Ihat is as it may be, replied cautious Paul in the
same tongue and tone.
Bendito placed piece of gold upon the counter and
repeated the question
II know him." said Paul; 'hs name is Victor St.
John late cavalry captain in the army of the northwest
lie resides with his uncle, general Harper who is now
in the army below the city"
Thanks" muttered Beneditto, bowing and leaving
the saloon
81 shall chastisc that coxcomb," said Vale; though
he is the nephew of one of my friends But Paul who
is that gentleman that has just departed2 He seems
afraid OF showing his nose
~''That is Benditto said Paul
"And who is Benditto wise mani"
"Why, simply Benditto," replied Paul
That is the name of the Italian fortuueteler cried
a lively old man "Benditt,o they say, is sorcerer
a wizard, in fact a poisoner-But, ha! here comes
man who will fght-why is he here?n
This remark was elected by the appearance of pow
ertu built and gaudily dressed man Of middle age
whose heavy beard and mousache hid his face even to
the cheek bones He advanced to Pauland whispered
"The captain has been here?"
Captain St. Johnor captain st. Laftte?9 asked Paul
You know captain Laitte is with the army. | mean
captain st. john
He has Just left"
Where did he sit? at which tabe?" asked the other
"Ihere-whcre the chair is overturned said Paul
pointing to the spotatey tenanted by St John What
is it to YOU CarlOS2"
Much that is nothing to Paul Amar, replied Baros.
as he bent over the table and erased some mark with
apid stroke Of the hand. Good night master Paul.
Bad night to all such blackbrds growled the wine
seller as Carlos staggered from the saloon.
HE rubbed out something that St. John had marked
upon that table with chalk. l the captain scratch
upon the table-what was it? Let me see-perlIaus |
may get clue to this secret Perhaps there is some
ruth IN the rumor that there is plot fire the city
plot among slaves and traitors"
He examined the table with the keenest scrutiny and
although Carlos had removed every atom of chalk
Paus quick eye detected blur upon the polished sur
ace which seemed to form the inscription ''B. & p"
Il Is B. b. muttered Paul. but what does that mean?
Monsieur Falle do you know that fellow who has ust
yone?"
"A very ugly Spaniafd."
Ugly face, ugier heart continued Paul. He is the
worst man in all the gang Of Laftte, the pirate"
But Laftte is to fight for us-prates against the
]aHulJS OF the BRUSH. Ihlnk OF II, my rIend-theI
British have regiment of negroes in their army, and
by man whose battle motto is to be Booty
md Beauty!
"Ah! that is it!' exclaimed Paul, placing his finger
pon the letters mperfectly erased by Carlos b
3, means Booty and Beautyr IIa ! smell treason in
he air"
He MEANS" remarked the stately aged Georgian
Fhom We have mentioned above, and who had joined {
he party that he believes there is truth in the report
hat we have traitors in New Orleans"
Let me catch them-the rascalsl" cried the trumpt
r. TRAITORS, friend Harly?"
aye traitors who mean to sack the city while Pack 6
nham slaughters the Americans continued Hartly- 4
Black traitors led by white traitors
"Proorn exclaimed the matter-of-fact trumpetcr /
"Like Paul, there | scent fit in the air. replied
lartly In times Ike these such warning though
rifles light air confirmation strong as proofs of
oily writ Youha negroes, monsieur Vallc-watch
hem we'll"
"They will steal BY instinct" said the old trumpeter
/ watch them at all tines v
Stealing is a small crime my friend, when placed by
he side of murder and the deeds of reyoted slaves
emaked HartIy, with grave emphasis. The enemy in
ne field is less dangerous than the traitor Your camp
have felt this danger which Paul fears and love my
ife and daughter too well not to be on my guard"
But you have negroes also Col Hartly
EVERY man and bOv that can carry weapOD Is with i