Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-09-17
THE EVENING STAR.
INCH BY INCH.


One fne morning in August arose AZ early
dawn, and had Just finished dressing myselL
when old black woman put ner head into
my room, exelaIming: ''Hy, is you dressed,
msstAi aho seeing that i was, she went on:
Il bring de eonee and cigars; how de dis maan-
ings NASSAU
Come in, Judy" nswered; "I'm all right.
But what Is the matterl You DON'T look we'll
81 Is RAIDER poorly, tank Godr' she replied
JUDY did not leave the room, as usual when
had taken my coffee; so, knowing that she
had got something on her mind, of which
she wished TO disourden herself, 1 said: "Weil,
Judy, what is it,
"Will massa look At de 'rometer bum-byr'
Look at the barometerl What for, Judyl'
al tink we Is goin' TO hab hurricane"
"A hurricane. Why, there was never q
finer morning came ont Of the heavens"
'.Dat TOR true, mass; bat we 10 goin' to bab
hurricane for all dat. Massa NO 60 70 Paradise
dish day"
"Not 90 to paradisel Why not Judvlp
paradise nice place in fine wedder; but him
too much near de mountains for safe in nurrI-
cane"
"well. I'll look as the glass as soon as have
finished my coffee; but as to not going to Para
disc, that's out Of the question"
The old woman left me; and, finishing my
coffee, stepped out to examine the barometer
IL stood at 900, and, as have said, the morn.
ing was splendid one; so, knowing that there
was young lady at Paradise who was ex-
pec,ing me, laughed at old Judy's fears, and
At this moment my friend came busting out
of his room. allows the glass, Tom! judy
says we are selng TO have storm, and she's
"Nonsensep' replied. "The glass is a. firm
asa rock; and as to Judy's feelings, that's all
nonsense"
"Ah! but tell you it is no such thing. I've
been il four hurricanes, and Judy has foretold
every one of them. We may not get it to-day:
but shes better than any weather glass; so III
You lake my advice, You will defer your trip
TO the Gordone"
.Stuf,' replied 81 gave my word, and 90
i shall! 1 don't want to drag you ont, if you're
afraid, but you must not think to frighten
me-"
.Ah. my dear boyr' answered my friend.
"when You have one taste Of West India
hurricane you will not want second; besides,
mere Is not worse place In the island than
that same Paradise Of Gordon's. The wind
gets between those two mountains, and RACES
up the valley like mad"
al was duly impressed with my friends ad-
vice, and 10th 10 leave him, for / perceived
mere was certain Mary Gordon At Paradise
tine name, by-the-by, Of her fathers plan.
tation,) for whom, as sailors say. had a
sneaking kindness, and nothing short Of the
absolute presence of tornado would
have stopped me. Besides, was in
full health and spirits; and it was not
in an parts Of the world, could sympathize
with the feelings Of ancient black woman, or
with those Of the climate-worn and sensitive
Old plan ter with whom was staying Mount.
guide, started on my journey.
rode on q brisk pace, for there is something
IN the early breeze Of tropical morning
which 10 peculiarly refreshing. and oiffuses q
.buoyant elasticity into your frame. which "a
only TO be restrained by active exercise In
addition to this. the scenery through which 4
was travelling was of the most enchanting de-
scripuon; while /, with light heart, was
spec ding on 70 seek a creole houri in a tropbi-
cal "Paradise." i had forgotten NV pnide
and had ridden 50 far that felt certain / had
l0<r fo bal
one to the LEFT, when q voice behind me er.
claimed: 'Him do wrung way, massa; de lef ia
DE right way" i turned round in SURPRISE
and there found my little black guide Cling,
being used to this sort Of thing, took no notice
o. OF II, though the young rascal had in bis hand
appointed stick. with which at times he accei.
Grated the animals movements.
The road, thoue il proved q very bad one
was wild and picturesque in the extreme IL
followed the course of a deep gully, whose
advanced, but were covered with a green and
iuxuraant vegetation, consisting OF bushes and
creepers, the blossoms on which were marvel.
ously beautiful.
AFTER wending for some distan ce throp oh thu
bottom of this ravine, 1 at last emerged into she
open country, at a spot OF peculiar beauty
On my right and left rose high mountains
whose peaks, now and then visible through
the clouds, seemed to reach the heavens. The
whole Of these mountains were clothed with a
perpetualverdure, while before me was a val
ley spreading out in grassy slopes to the edge
i had never seen anything so truly grand
was fascinated; for In no part OF the world is
the IMAGINATION SO powerfully affected by
scenic effect as In the tropics. The majestic
grandeur of the mountains, the min gled beautv
and variety OF the vegetation, and the dee1
and sombre forests, were all new to me- Then
the strange convolutions Of the clouds. which,
pressed by the wind against the opposite side
OF the sierra.came rolling and tumbiing over
the mountains, now coneealing and now dis
ture, exciting in me such lively and rapturous
interest as could not be easily forgotten.
..Massa no get 70 Paradise dis day il him
Top LOOKING at De mountains all de manning"
AdmonIshed by this / again started 7 had
not proceeded much further when percei wed
that old Judys prognoeucs Were not without
their significance, for q brilliant though o,ni
nous scene presented itself TO NV view A tre
mendous bank Of black clouds had risen mn. as
IL were. out OF the bottom OF the ocean, and
hung almost stationary on the distant horizon.
i was looking at this when all at once it seemed
moved a. by mighty wind mass after mass
Of murky vapor rolled up, and spread them.
selves athwart the heavens.
.'Hurricane do come, massa, now for true,,,
cried my little Cupid. sOle JUDY aIwavs
night and massa no make haste de rain catch
did not heed what the bow said. far IL vas
=. q strange and magnificent sight upon which 7
was gazing One half Of the heavens was hiack
as night, and the other bright and radiant the
SKY WituOut a ciouo. never, perhape- did
the eye OF man rest upon a greater Contrast
never was scene OF greater loneliness min
CLEO with one OF more appalling magnifceuce
The contrast reached its climax when and.
denly from ont the dark pail fash after ffash
of lightning descended into the sea and thu
thunder, after growing hoarsely, in the dis.
lance, was echoed back by the mountains. re-.
yeroeraung from cliff to Cliff and from rock
10 rock- IL was Peace and War personified.
but alas the blue sky, the emblem of peace'
was being fast swallowed up by the roIIin9
cloud, which, in the majesty Of angry natnre
was Fastening TO blot out ali that Renamed Of
tranquility and beauty.
Al last turned 70 60. Both nv horse and
my guide seemed impressed with the neeess,tv
OF exeruon, and i found myself as il yyere
racing with the storm; but before could reach
my friends plan tation the clouds were fivinc
over my head. and the wind was bowIinS
aloft as though a gale was blowing: thougb
below, there was not q breath of air, not a leaf
surTed, and not ripple ruffied the placid sea
PARADISE now appeared in view: and il well
deserved Its name, for q more beautifully sitn
atfd place i had never seen. By the time 7
reached the house ii began to rain and. lean.
ing from my horse, dashed up the steps into
the hall; was warmly greeted by Mr.. Cor.
Dan and mis- two daughters; for though Mary
was not quite 60 demonstrative as Grace the
glance OF her eye and the rose upon her chesk
1910 me mat was not unwelcome
very glad you are come" said Mr. Gordon.