, 1862-04-10

Whoever swallows this" said the Italian,
holding up the marked almond, "does himself
no harm but would not be he who shall eat
the other. Do not make mistake"
"Never fear, said Henry, as the chemist glued
the halves nicely together. But how long does
It take to effect its purposeP"
"Three hours and leaves no trace, my young
friend You ordered this to be made ready
three weeks ago; and as you have not called
for it, began to think your courage had failed"
he time had not arrived, said Henry, as
he placed the almond in his vest But tell me,
old man, have we not met before :"
"Wherel until three weeks since :"
"In Italy, where lived some FIVE years ago.
There is an air-a tone in your voice that re.
minds me Of some one once knew in Rom"
said Henry ST. N 4ur.
"Ahi had q relative there; perhaps you
knew her |" said Carlo, gazing sharply into his
face. She was very beautiful, all said and
her name was Blanca, the Flower Girl"
ST. Maur grew aShy pale; but in moment
he replied, :" have seen her. What has become
| of her 7"
"She is dead She gave her love to some
young Al d heartless villain. He deserted her |;
and she died some twelve months or so ago.
| The destroyer Of her young life was German
Count, have heard. He had left Rome three
or four years before Blanca Hied in my arms. ]
wish could find the scOundrel. So long as
Blanca lived, she blessed Tin but now that she
is n, more, think that would give all my gold
to take an Italians vengeance I"
"And justly, too" said Henry, "the repro
bate Well, good night"
GOOD night, my young friend Do not eat
the unmarked almond"
Mot |, indeed" laughed the heartless Henry,
as he turned and sped rapidly away.
When he again stood in his uncle's house, It
was thronged with guests, among whom he was
soon scattering jest and compliment.
"Ha" said his uncle, as he net him near the
centre Of the main parlor, "you are Q laggard
again. Absent frnm the field and tardy at the
weddingl William and Clara became man and
wife just five minutes since"
"I claim kiss from the BRIDE" said Henry,
as he saluted the new-made wife, and then
grasped the and Of the happy husband.
81 wish you hundred years Of mutual joy,
cousin Clara-and you, too, William" said he,
with smillig lips and devils heart; and all that
jubiant evening, who so gay as Henry St. Maur
At length the festive time came oni and spark
| ling wine and wit, over frosty cake and dainty
viSnds, ruled the hour. Then said Henry st.
Maur, as he filed plate with aImoRds:
"Come, cousin Will-sinee We are newly
made kiDsmen. eat philopena with me and
he who loses shall forfeit to the bride"
"Agreed," laughed the joyous bridegroom.
Seek double almond"
"Ahl am sure have one herr" said Henry,
crushing the almond for which he had paid in
gold. "This is yours now I've eat together
and forfeit singly."
All unsuspecting, the gallant young warrior,
nearer death than when British bullets had tanned
ais manly cheek that Burn, ate the unmarked
almond kernel, wnile St. Maur, half unconscious
Of the act, so fierce were the 'hrobbings Of his
heart, swallowed the other kernel.
Two hours AFTER, when Henry stood aloof
watching the bride and her spouse as they moved
in grace and joy in the lively dance, q servant
approached and told him some one wished to see
him at the street door Henry impatiently fol-
lowed the call, for he hoped to see that hand.
some face grow deadly pale, that manly form
relaxed in sudden death, and to hear the crash
Of his rivals "a |, at the very feet Of his bloom
ing blushing bride. He found Carlo Berbi At
| the door.
"You did not eat the unmarked kernel -
asked the old Italian, eagerly.
"No-I ate the one chipPed at the ends" re-
piled the traitor.
"It is well, said Carlo. "Now 60 rad this 1"
and az he spoke he placed billet in his hand,
aud hurried away. Gn
Carelessly, for his mind was upon the bride.
groom, Henry St Maur opened the note as he
entered the hall again, and read these words:
"With her last breath Blanca told me the
name Of her destroyer. She knew not what
she told, for delirium ruled her speech She
said the true name Of the pretended German
Count was Henry ST. Maur, Of New Orleans
sought that Villain found him in vou-youT
likeness, so long worn upon the bosom Of Bianca.
guided me il my searrh. Blanca Is avenged,
Tor Henry 81. Maur shall not live to STE to-
morrow's sun. He has swallowed the poisoned
almond
"BIAxcAs FATHER"
How pale, how CHASTITY looked Henry ST. Maur
| thenl What sight 70 pitiable as the traitor
strangled by his own tTeacheryl He said not 4
word. H. fed to the house Of the chemist; the
door was barred; he camored in vain. When
the next day came, the corpse Of Henry st
Maur lay cold and stark upon the ground, and
the letter which the icy hand grasPed revealed
the mystery. "a
Bian,a's father was never more seen in New
Orleans His task was done.
|
COnVersihg with an officer who had charge Of
the loraging expedition from 0tterville, No, iIe
inf rms US that II you meet negro and ask lin,
"whose ha. stacks are thOsei' he will reply,
"MaSsa's."
"wen, what is he, Union or SeceshG"
The reply invariably is, "MSssa, he's bofc,
he's boie."
An unfortunate fellow went to miser and
asked for garment saying that his object wss
to have something to remember him by. "My
friend" said the miseT, "as thy end Is to re-
mSmber me, shall give thee nothing; for an
sure thou wilt remember q refusal much longer
than giit."
A carpenter having met his employer in the
street. the latter reminded him Of the gratitude
due for his patronage "True," said the me.
chanic; "but Il you had not patronized me 80 far
been obliged to live outdoors"