The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-12-04
Rosetta, the Wine Sellers Daughter,
OR
TIE NIGHT BEFORE THE BATTLE OF New ORLEANS
BY WILLIAM Il. PECK.
CONCLUSION.


of the captives after st. Johns preciptate flight
The halt-crazed wineseller bounded into the apart
ment with his lips thrilling with the name of Rosetta
and her glance met his.
my father! Dear father!p she cried, sprnging into
his arms "0h will you forgive me, father?n
''Not-until that scoundrel is dead at my feet" ex
claimed Paul. with bitter curse and flashing his fierce
eyes in search of st. John.
Seek him upon the roof-hase?" cried Clara; or he
will work our ruin yet"
AT the sound of her voice. Paul stared at her wildly
"a woman-dressed as man-in mynephew's gaTb
Who are you?"
pursue St. John! For your life slay him ere he can
give the signal cried Viola
''What sgnal?n demandedPau still staring at Clara
"The signal forhe firing Ghd sacking of New Orleans
"Ah!" roared the wineseller, turning to pursue the
conspator, and meeting Henry Allison as be rushed in
sabre in hand
Yiola you are unharned?" cried Henry as she sprang
forward to meet him.
"Unharmed and happy now, replied the noble girl
But follow Paul-pursue St. Johnn
Henry needed no second bidding, and sprang after
the wne-seer in hot haste, passing Col Hartley and
count Mario, as they rushed into the apartment.
"You are safe, ,tmy chld?" was the mutual exclama-
ton of both embraced Clara and the other vida
"Folow your friends7 exclaimed Viola and the faith
ers hasened fQm the room followed by several Of the
patrol who had accompanied them.
For the mercy -of-heavenl" groaned the strangng
Carlos, in Spanish he wrhed in the deathgrp ofthe
giantess. "HelPt Ah!-horrible.o
lie deserves the DEATH said Clara with deliberate
calmness while Viola and Rosetta hid their eyes from
the terrible scene 1--WE powcrleSs to rescue him
and 1t were otherwise would not stir finger to save
HIM But let US follow our fllends-we do not wish to
see him die"
/ Clara hurried away and the madens followed claspng
each others hands and not daring look back upon the
dreadful and appalling glare ofthe staring eyebals Of the
justly punished rufian
Mot IL,
held down by the weight of tile cannon which St. John
dragged upon at the very instant Paul and Henry
rived at tine foot Of the ladder leading the opening;
Tor several moments had passed before they could find
the way in the darkness. Nor did they, until Henry
stumbled oYera pile ofrubbish and falling against door,
found himself in closet where spirit lamp was burn
ing left there by Raymond orfrng the signal bun
die OF prepared torches lay near and the whole party
1 seized and ignitcd them.
The torches had been prepared for the firing ofhouses
they were used to reveal the fate Of the conspraor
Fnulng axes at hand Henry and Paul cut through the
tap-door and its hinges; that it fell inward leaving
the cannon resting upon the edges Of the opening.
Paul was first upon the PLATFORM and immediate
ly followed by all Viola and Rosetta who had no
desire to ascend when Paul cried out:
There he is The tiles are carrying hmsver the roof
lie is u dead man this mnutel How he sares!'
Rosetta cung to Viola with shudder. She had loved;
ah, how deroedly few hours before and though that
love had been violently changed desaation could
she so soon unconcernedy hear that he perishing
And was he her father.
She sobbed her anguish upon Yiola's pitying BOSOM
while those above her held their breath until the fierce
and defiant shout Of the consprato peaed upon the
and then fearful crash.
"All is over!" exclaimed Paul. 'HAnd now Rosetta
forgive you, he continued as he descened the ladder
Come let us look after those fighters in the room be
low Come, Rosetta.
The party we're soon in the late prison but Carlos was
with NC A.,
OF the corpse Of the gantess The hideous form OF Ray
mond lay cold and grim as he had fallen
We have no more business here remarked Col.
uartiy Nemust take our daughters home while meas
uFes are pushed to crush the accompces Of these mis-
cradle wretches'
Those accompfces will not act noT,n said Clara
They will await the signal which win never be given"
The conspiracy will die with It's leaders" remarked
captain Aliison "for broke into the house man
spRng from beneath the steps with the cry-al is up.
Jackson troops are upon u.s. and escaped in the dark
ness Doubtless the belief has spread and by this time
the conspraors hiding themselves with no thought
but OF safety"
Before part said count Mario, 'Ihave one ques-
ton TO ask OF Paul Amar And abure him by every
holy name to speak truly"
i will not lie, Bendito. replied the wine-seller
u am not Benditto. She vas Benditto, the fortune
teller" said Mario, as he laid his hand upon CIara's
shoulder by means of artfu DISCUSSES and great per-
sona resemblance, which increased by every means
in ourPower we two have for many years passed as
am Mario, count di AntelH of Florence. This is my
daughter lawful wife of him who was called Henri Lee
Grand in Florence and Victor st. John in America
Now answer me truly, Paul Amar-I5 this maiden, Ro-
setta, your daughter?
81 will not le-for her mother seems to have risen
from the grave to claim her Rosetta is not my child
though who Care say that have not loved her with
more than fathers love?" demanded Paul
'No one will deny it, my friend, continued Mario
And doubtless she has given you the love of an alec
tionate child
'No--le was too noble to be my father--yct loved
him--oVe him nOwwill always love him, sobbed Ro-
setta.
Ny sweet child said the wne-seer kissing her and
pressing her to bis bosom "0ur love makes US father
and child Do not ask me-" he continued to Mario in
Italian, who her father was-for it will will be barba
rous to mention his name in her presence She is your
grandcid, count Mario, and her motheris this lady,
He took a cloak from sofa near and threw it over
Caras shoulders, bis eye beamng with innate nobility
as he continued in Engsh our dress dstresses the
eye, my lady and with this cloak to hide it. and such
face above it, Rosetta will be proud to call ron mother
My mother? Is shemy Mother in truth?' exclaimed
the bewdered Rosetta
She is, my child and doubtless you will learn to love
her as you did my poor Rosetta and this lady will love
you as she whom you have always called your mother
ever loved you" said Paul. with fearful dignity.
Il will do, said Clara drawing Rosetta to her bo-
som, and passionatey embracing her. 'ha7e found you
at last, my long lost Clara?'
Let herbe called Rosetta exclaimed Paul. that she
may not forget who fulfilled mothers duty so no.
bly,"
''SIe shall" cried count Mario. "And now tell me
how she fell into your hands,
First tell me how you learned that my true name was
Francis George demanded Paul respectfully.
every simply said countMario, smiling, Il witness
ed your duel with the captain Of LauceFs was the sur
geon who accompanied him to the field Of combat-for
have assumed many DISCUSSES during my search for
Henri LeCrandn
But those phantoms-thato Of the cmperor-and the
luelng scene?" exclaimed Paul.
Gas fortune teller and wizard, replied count Mario
Il have numberless variety Of such things order to
every kind of enquiry from the superstiious and
every phantom of my creating is summoned by its pc
euliar and fixed signal-by glance gesture from me
to my concealed assistants. magic lantern can work
wonders at times"
i see said Paul shaking his head. "There are no
ghosts after ALL He then continued seriously, in Ita
an, that Rosetta might not understand:
"LeGrand poisoned his wife at time when YOU were
N Florence-or rather when you-whom have never
until this nightwere reported dead in Florence
/ among Others was called in to look upon the supposed
dead body-I shall forget the features Of the poi
oned lady, she lay upon the foor to all appearances
lead. Her child mere infant was smiInaand pratt
tho, IL, ~,