Daily Mississippi clarion and standard. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1866, 1866-06-10
written for the Clarion and Standard. ]
ABGE Ma PI 7 T;
UNKNOyV vOTION
BY MISS c. CoRINNE LESTER.
CHAPTER I.

of scenes long past, which may never
be enjoyed again Generally, this feel
ing, and memory, is brought about by
a corresponding scene, in which we
may be at the present time-then recol-
lection often makes us pensive and
thoughtful. Thus silently and sadly
unused Abgena Pitt.
The grand and lovely scenery, the
unbroken silence, the great Missls-
sippi river calmly flowing on towards
the Gulf, and twilight sadly creeping
on, cast soft, gray light on the water
Gena had wandered down to the riv-
er's bank, passing the old cabin homes
of her slaves, that were now desolate
and forsaken The old familiar sound
of the negroes revelry by night, was
hushed forever Grass had grown
about the doors-the merry faces were
missing-all, all gone. The hour was
strangely quiet, the cat-bird only
broke the spell by its occasional
quaint, screeching cry. Gena looked
more like a bright spirit than being
of earth, as she walked through the
magnolia 9rove-her light, airy robe
of gauze-like texture floating around
her graceful figure, adding greatly to
her beauty. But why is that noble
brow and sweet face so sad and sOr
rowful None knew, save Gena her
self, what weighed so heavily on her
heart. A poisonous, cankering woe
was literally eating away her existence
/ Have patience, dear reader, and well
learn the beauty's secret.
Perhaps some would say the cause
of Abgena's melancholy was loss of
property. True, the war had greatly
impoverished her, although she and all
her family were not natives of the
South, but had lived many years in the
land of fruit and flowers. Gena and
her only sister, Estelle, (the younger
by two years, were born in Italy, and
came to America during their infancy,
Their father, Louis Pitt, bought a
large plantation on the Mississippi
river, and there settled with his beau
tiful infant daughters.
a genial and sOciable man was Louis
Pitt, ever ready to entertain friends or
strangers. Every one connected with
his mansion, (called Bright Bower, J
were well cared for; labor was made
easy, and amusements encouraged.
For years perfect harmony dwelt in
the home of the Pitts; vet the two
sisters were very unlike, both in looks
and disposition. Gena, the dark hair
ed beauty, was tall, and queen-like in
her appearance-endowed by nature
with loving and confiding DISPOSE
tion-a great thinker, and, consequent
ly, something of a philosopher. In
clined to court solitude, not quick in
making attachments, her constant com
paniOns were Shakespeare, the Bible
Emmerson, and Pluto. An unknown
devotion seemed to exist for her IA
ther,-it amounted to idolatry But
few knew and rightly understood Alb
gena Pitt.
Estelle was very nearly blonde
short and thick set, yet very quick in
her movements-always busy; a mild
blue eve, yet full of fire and firmness
when its owner was disturbed; selfish
in the eXtreme-cOnsequently cold.
hearted. In fact, Estelle Pitt was an
artful, insidiOus woman. She careful
ly studied to please her father. She
would caress him when her purse was
empty, and then call him an old foo
behind his back for indulging her so
She possessed that grace and suavity
of manner which caused her to be af'
fable to all. This courteous behaviour
gained for Estelle many friends, but
no lasting ones. Just as soon as SHIT
was well understood, her friends van
ished. As she grew to womanhood
she grew more fond of admiration
The two sisters enjoyed but little o
each others society. Estelle's jealou:
disposition caused her to rejoice tina
Gena kept so aloof from society. Es
telle was the life and light Of Brigh
Bower. She ruled the whole house
hold. Her will and desires were para
mount to all else, and yet this was no
made apparent Her mode of life
and those whom she chose to keeI
|
Gena. In fact, Louis Pitt was mad,
to understand that his fair haired dar
ling would most ussuredly take care o
her beauX. Thus time, unnoticed
glided by, but planting the seeds 0
care and sorrow in the bosom of tn,
Pitt family. The little home circle wa
soon to be broken. Gena dreamed on
= seeking solitude, when not enjoying tn,
, society of her idolized father. Sh,
was all poetry, although not having
the talent to compose even couplet
but her soul breathed to her many
stanza, many a canto, composed o
f pure Saxon words, full of meaning
} every line giving a world of though
= which she was unable to find languag,
7 to express. Thus from childhood haC
, Gena meditated, not caring for tn,
= companionship of any one except he
father, who, it seemed to her, did full,
1 appreciate her, and sympathised will
= her desire to obtain fame. He wa
5 her soul of thought Gena, in he
: turn, would ease and soothe the rest
= less disposition of her beloved parent
who at times was sad and gloomy
These moods completely overpowereC
t his nervous system. At such times
1 Gena was ever ready to console him
= seeking to ease and quiet him. Sh
l would patiently hear him talk, and eu
lOgise on his great abilities; couple hi
name with fame and power; declar
5 circumstances forced him to bury with
:. in his own breast the knowledge whicl
might have astonished the learne,
, men of the present century, In fact
= Louis Pitt was finished egotist.
e Gena's keen insight into human ma
e ture, her quick intuitive powers ofdes
crying, and Analysing the mind an
! thoughts of another, were all lost il
| her deep love and devotion for her ia
5 Their. His happiness she felt para
/ mount to all else. She had so rea
l soned that all her feelings must be de
voted to the admiration of her onl
L parent. She was sure that Louis wa
r gifted beyond the great minds of a
e ages-that his very thoughts were pur
S and true-but the heaven of her exist
ence was her firm conviction that he
@ beloved father deUoutly acorshipped he
that all things and persons wer
secondary to her-she felt their soul
to be one. The pen fails to describ
t this unknown devotion, but time-tha
mighty ruler-taught the fond Gena
r sad but natural termination of 81
much earthly worship.
Estelle's persuasive, yet artless man
ner, had won the affections of Georg
; Martina youth raised on the adjoin
ing plantation. He was gifted by ma