The weekly union record., 1865-02-18
u.-THE LEGEND.

Near the levee (quay) and not far from the
old French cathedral, in New Orleans, stands
tine date-palm, some thirty feet high, growing
out 10 the open air as sturdlly as if its roots
were sucking sap from their native earth. Sir
Charles Lyell, 10 his Second Visit to the
United States" mentions this exotic: The
tree is seventy or eighty years old for Pere.
Antoine, a Roman Catholic priest. who died
about twenty years ago, told Mr.. BriDgier that
he planted it himself when be was young. In
his will he provided that they who succeeded
to this lot of ground should forfeit it if they
cut down the palm
Wishing to learn something of Pere Antoine's
history, Sir Charles Lyell made inquiries among
the ancient creole Inhabitants of the fdubourg.
That the old priest in his last days became
very much emacated; that he walked about
the streets like mummy; that be gradually
dried up, ard finally blew away, was the
meager result of the tourists Investigations.
This is all that is generally known of Pere
Antoine. Miss Badean's story clothes these
bare facts.
When Pere Antoine was avery young man,
be had friend whom he loved as be loved
his eyes. Emile Jardin returned his passion,
aud the two, 90 account OF their friendship,
became the marvel of the city where they
dwet. One was never seen without the other;
for they studied, walked ate and slept together
Antoine and Emile were preparing to enter
the Church indeed, they had taken the pre-
liminary steps, when a circumstance occurred
which changed the color of their lives. A
foreign lady from some far-off island in the
Pacific, had a few months before moved into
their neighborhood The lady died suddenly,
leaving a girl of sixteen or seventeen entirely
friendIess and uuprovided for. The young men
had been kind to the woman during her Illness
and at her DEATH melting with pity at the for
lorn situation Of Anglice the daughter, swore
between themselves to love and watch over her
as if she were their sister.
Now Anglice had wild, strange beauty
that made other women seem tame beside her ;
and in the course of time the young men found
themselves regarding thei7 word 20; so much
like brothers as at first. They struggled with
their destiny manfully, for the holy orders
which they were about to assume precluded
the idea of love.
But every day taught them to be more fond
of her. So they drifted on. The weak like
to temporize.
/ One night Emile Jardin and Anglice were
not to be found. They had fown-but whittier
nobody knew, and nobody. save Antoine, cared.
/ 1t was a heavy blow to Antoine for be
had half made up bis mind to run away with
her himself.
A strip of paper slipped from volume ou
Antoine's desk, and futtered to his feet.
do not be angry" said the bit of paper,
plteously; forgive Us, for we love"
Three years went by. Antoine had entered
the Church, and was already looked upon as q
rising man. but bis face was pale and his
heart leaden, for there was no sweetness in life
for him.
Four years had elapsed, when letter, COW
cred with Outlandish stamps. was brought to
the young priest-a letter from Anglice. She
was dying would he forgive her? Emile, the
year previous, had fallen victim to the fever
that ragged on the island and their child, little
Angice, was likely to follow him. 10 pitiful
terms she begged Antoine to take charge Of
the child until she was old enough 10 enter a
convent. The epistle was finished by another
hand, informing Antoine of Madame Jsrdin'S
death it also told him that Auglice bad been
placed on a vessel shortly to leave the island
for some Western port
The letter IVES hardly read and wept over,
when little Anglice arrived. On beholding
her. Antoine uttered cry of joy and surprise
she was so ike the woman he had worshiped
man's tears are more pathetic than a
womaus, so is his love more inteDse-not more
enduring, or half so subtle, but intenser.
The passion that had been crowded down in
his heart broke out and lavished its richness
on this child, who was to him, not only the
Anglice Of years ago, but his friend Emile
Jardin also.
Apglice possessed the wild, strange beauty
of her mother-tbe bending, willowy form, the
rich tint of skin, the large tropical eyes, that
had almost made Anioine's sacred robes a
mockery to hin-
For month or two, Anglce was wildly
unhappy in her new home. She talked coDtin-
ually of the bright country where she was
born, the fruits and flowers and blue skies.
Antoine could not paclfy her. By aud By she
ceased to weep, and went about the cottage
with a dreary, disconsolate air that cut An
tome to the heart. Before the year ended, be
noticed that the ruddy tiDge had fed from her
cheek, that her eyes had grown languid, and
her slight figure more willowy than ever.
A physician was called. He could discover
nothing wrong with the child, except this