The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1862-01-18

beginning to end. Again he entered the
Indian tents and saw the painted warriors
with wild gestures and extravagant mo-
tions, preparing their war dances. Once
more he gravely smoked the pipe Of peace
with the grim chief Still he was pursu
ing his game with an the reckless enthu-
SiaSm Of hunter, or dropping silently
down some lonely river of moonlight
night
There had been "a wild charm about
those days, the memory Of which was not
yet qnitc lost through all the bitter years
that had interviewed. All his faireSt hopes
had turned to ashes since then all the
beauty and the vigor of his life had died
out, and he cherished in his heart now
only bitterness and hate-a most unchris-
tian hate-for all his fellow men.
A child's sweet voice startled him from
his dreams, a pair Of eyes that seemed
strangely familiar, peered into bis Gace eau
tjOnsly.
You don't look very wicked, was tine
innocent remark of the child but aunt
Priscilla is so afraid of you, aud she will
be angry with me for coming here
who are you ? he asked, keeping her
aloof, with strange presentiment Of the
answer.
Hope Landor.'
How old are?
Ten, sir
Mr.. WoOdside rang the bell, ordered the
domestic to request Miss Priscilla's imme
diate presence, and then sat down in stern
silence. Miss Priscilla entered with falt.
ering step, saw the child and sat down
tremblingly to await her brothers plea
sure.
How came this child here p was the
first question.
Priscilla explained.
DO you rccolect nv saying that she
should be sent directly to the aims house?
| will give orders to that effect; she must
go at once
You will not be so cruel. See she is
a beautiful child and loves me already
His only answer was to ring the bell a
second time. Again the servant opened
The door.
Put the horses into the carriage and
bring it round in half an hour
The domestic bowed and retreated.-
Miss Priscilla aroused herself She was n
meek woman, who had never in her life
dared to say her soul was her own. At
this moment she seemed endowed with n
strange courage.
John, the child shall never go there
If you turn her from the house, go too.
Whatever my fortune may be, she shall
share it, for will never desert her.
Not muscle OF his face moved; he list
ened to her in grim silence; when she had
finished, he spoke again.
Very well if you must 60 you must.
The carriage shall be OF dered to take you
wherever YOU please, and at any hour you
choose. Understand, however, that to-
morrow must not find you an inmate Of
this house
God forgive you for this wickedness,
said Miss Priscilla, drawing herself up and
casting upon her brother look which he
never forgot. Then she took the child by
the hand, went down the wide stairs, paus.
ed few moments to gather together a
small bundle of clothing, then went on her
waV, whittier, none but herself knew.
At first the master of the house, left
alone, took grim sOrsiof delight in his
freedom. There was no one now to mo-
lest or disturb him; he could manage his
own household, dine and sleep when he
pleased, and follow without fear Of inter.
ruption all his iavOrite pursuits.
But this could not last. His sisters
calm, meek face had been before him all
his lie. Somehow he missed it now
Strive as he might, he could never think
Of her but as dying Of starvation in some
remote place.
The child, too, haunted him like ghost
The days began to grow intolerably long
the nights were filled with agony; the
autumn winds shrieked and moaned about
the old house, until the solitary occupant
groaned in sympathy believing himself
one OF the lost spirits that haunted tht
place.
: At last no servant would stay in thC
house, the master Of which was haunted
by sAch fearful ghosts. Lett alone his ex
istencc became intolerable. None knew
for certainty, but his neighborS coult
surlnise the wretched life he led. A
length, one wild night, John WOOdsid,
was seen to emerge from the great lonely
house, walk down the neglected avenue
and then he disappeared to be seen ne
more. The slow years went on. Now
and then some one who had heard the StO
ry looked at the old mansion and shrugged
his shoulders significantly.
old WOodside must have died long agC
in some foreign land, doubtless. Well, HI
led worthless life; he is well out Of thu
world Wonder what will become of thu
! old houscY
Nine. then ten years passed, and ole
/: Woodsideo was nigh forgotten. Durin!
the Same year, upon winter night, gay
company had collected in the principa
theater Of brilliant French city. Th'
audience, impatient, eager, yet good-na
tured withal, were anXiously awaiting thu
appearance of the new prima donna an
nounced upon the bills. La belle Ameri
caine she was called; none knew her by
J any other name. Young, pretty and tai
ented, she had devoted herself to her pro
fession with uncommon earnestness, ant
, babe fair, so the papers said, to attain I
higher rank than any vocalist that had a
yet crossed the water.
But the present audience were anxious
to Judge for themselves, and so they look
ed impatiently for her appearance. Sh'
came at last, when expectation was at it
height, and amid breathless silence ad
vanced and began her task. The fgur'
before them, pretty and graceful as fawn
with her purely American face, fair anC
| delicate, attracted the adIRiration of all
her voice, when it once rose in song, ill
ing all space with inmitable sound, wild
bird like, breathing of the forests of he
far distant home, surprisingly rich, tina
completely carried away her audience
who, true to their French nature, was a
enthusiastic in their admiration as they
would have been in their condemnation
A storm Of applause shook tho house, :
wave after wave of praise rolled up at thu
feet of the triumphant songstress, who
bowling gracefully, awaited in calmncs'