The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-12-25

brown horse, by eleven. to Mr.. Ms. where he
wa going. II e also called for his walking boots,
the same Juba had bewitched. and hastily pull
ing them on, started of. As he passed through
tue yard be net my mother she ssluted him.
In place of answering he struck viciousiy at her
with lis riding whip. Stepping aside and look
ing 6xedly after him. she slowly raised her two
hands TO heaven. The negroes seeing the GEES
ture. fed, terror stricken. John, needless OF
every thing strobe hastily forward, ssirous of
reaching shelter before the heat of the day, for
young as the morning was the heat was already
dreadful. The sun had risen In bood-red clouds,
Juba said "pOrtending woe,n but John thought
only promising one of those terrible lightnin Z
storms which sometimes sweep over the land
and lay ali level in their course.
John reached Pennies, little guessing bis dread
ful companions Juba and the mate of the rat
tesnske she had killed. and with whose blood
she hsd smeared his boots, followed him every
step OF the way. To Juba the monster was
harmless, she controlled its every movement
woe to those against whom she directed its
awakened fury. Entering Mr. MS hospifable
mansion, John sought Fannie. Jubs remained
hidden amid the trees surrounding the house.
She compelled the serpent TO crouch at her side,
awaiting her commands. Mohonless, she stood.
TO watch the approaching hurricane, and to
fJster its fury with dreadful ncsntations.
Within the house was peace; the two lovers
alone together, were for awhile forgetful OF all
else, till John remembered the evening journey be-
fore him and observed the lowering sky. He started
up, and whispered to Fannie, dearest, must
60 now, or else shall be too late for the boa"
kiss and passionate embrace, and he was gobe
His horse brought by his servant. was at the door
impauently champng it's biz he mounted and
rode of. Now was JUDAS opportunity, turning
to her servant the serpent, TO bid him give vent
his rage. she found that while her attention had
been withdrawn, the monster, dreadiDg the ap-
preaching storm, had escaped her TO seek shelter
from its fury. ADgered but not bsifisd, Juba
nAed her great eyes upon the heavens aud ex.
ertIDg all Der power, invoked the mighty god
dess to revenge the insults offered her high
Iriestess,
Euge, angry drops Of rain fell with sullen
plash upon the psrched earth the cattle AMI
slaves fed to shelter all nature shrunk terrified
Without q breath of air, the stately monarchs of
the land bowed their lofty tops far as the eye
could reach, John and his trembling steed were
the sole living things upon the plain. For an
instant be paused to wonder; then, impelled by
Voudou, spuIred on his horse to gain sheltering
c'ump of trees. "'Ts Voudou's work." shrieked
Juba, guessing his intentions. As he entered the
grove fierce stresks of lightning. Noudou's
rows, burst from the sky; they were launched
against the devoted spst. At the instant, above
the wild tumult of the elements, was heard
shrek of agony the animal which had uttered
it, mad with fear, rushed from the grove whose
shelter, but a few moments before, IL had SO gal
lantly sought. Already was the storm over its
WOIk was OOuc, the DIlk0I Dluo SKY was SMILING
above. With empty saddle, without guiding
hand, but with fierce snorts and cries a horse
secured over the fields. The grove, instant
before green and fresh, was now but blackened,
charred mass-rszed TO the ground, as mona
ment Of Voudous power.
The serpent, finding itself freed from JUDAS
control, had glided forward, led by its sense Of
smell, across the floor that John, with shoes
Amounted with the blood of its mate, had ira
vefsed-into the very room where the lovers had
hAav ehoNk o n..s.a 8
seeking warm, safe shelter from the storm, the
monster dragged its slow length along. and
mounting the sofa where the two had been seated,
hid itself under the soft cushions.
The poor horse led by instinct continued its
fight. till. covered with foam, two bloody streams
pouring from its eyes, it reached its stable aud
stood trembling at the door. The negroes hud.
ded together, terrified by the storm, crowded
round the animal. AS it turned its head help
less from side TO side, il revealed two deep cavern
Gus hollows. where eyes had once shown. "iTis
Jnba's work, whispered the shrinkiDgslaves. see
ing her az proach. At this moment Master Frank,
observing from his window the excitement, came
to a. k the cause. My mother met him aud WINS
pered-" Frank, my promise Is redeemed. Fannie
viii never more smile upon john" Passing her
be care mp to me, few hurried questions. and
Johns blind riderless horse made min fear some
dreadful catastrophe.
Calling for his horse, and bidding the stoutest
Of us TO follow, he started for Mr.. Ms. Arriving
were out excepting Miss Fannie, who was in the
study with John. Much relieved, Frank, waiting
till joined him, bade me wait his return. Why,
cannot say, but felt that some danger threat
ened him. and as he passed up the broad hall, /
followed. he entered the study. stood just out.
side the door. Advancing softly, | saw him lean
ever some one sleeping upon the sofa, turned 70
6 away, when the deep silence of the room was
DIoken by sharp rattle, never forgotten by those
Who have once heard it; hiss followed by
The cry of horror, reached me. sprang into
iOUm in time to see my dear young master snatch
q snake from its soft resting place on Miss
FsnBie's neck and attempt to crush it. The
enrsged monster writhed from his trembling grasp
and turning inflicted a wound on his hand. In the
next instant my foot was placed upon its head.
ID spite my weight it wound its tail around my leg
an squeezed til the power to move was almost
gene. Catching my darling young masters hand
aud snatching his handkerchief from his pocket
ted it tightly above the wound. By this time the
creature folds were loosened from around my
leg, and with desperate crush eXiinguished its
r.. CHANGING at Miss Fannie ] saw that her face
was sill smiling and child-like, though her throat
Nas swollen and black, and dark purple lines
were making their way upwards with fearful ra-
pldiiy. i turned to Frank; he stood gazing with
ttsiiDg eye at her he had loved so fondly, there
v as no meaning in his look, shouting for help. |
rails him in these strong arms and carried him
'rom the room. ] heard carriage wheels which
d me FanDie's parents were returning. Going
10 the psrlor laid my burden on the sofa. /
sc zed the wounded hand, and with all my strength
sucked the poison.
just then heard my old masters voice above
the shrleks CT agony coming from Miss Fanne's
study, calling for bis sons. Going to the door
beckoDed him to me. at the instant again
caught glimpse Of the poor girls face-twas no
longer recognizable but black and swollen, with
tongue and staring eye. / led my
master TO Franks couch but did not dare to tell
b m Of what feared was Johns fate. Juba was
seated beside her boy and had already dressed his
wound with powerful herbs. That night we car
ned him home.
Master Johns body was not found till the next
day, when 1t was taken, frightfully crushed aud
burned, from under the trees in the grove where
lie had sought shelter from the rain.
Miss Fsnne's maid Lula was the last person
who he'd seen the young girl alive. She told us
that, after her lover had left, Miss Fannie had
come TO her room for a book, and, taking it, had
returned TO the study and had thrown herself
upon the sofa TO read. She had doubtless fallen
asleep when the snake, attracted by the quiet and
warmth, came forth and chose his resting place.
Some movement Of the sleeper, or, perhaps,
Franks entrance, had angered him, and he stung
her to death. a-ri'--'s-----.s
Soon after these dreadful events my old master
died, and Master Frank inherited all his property.
Once his own master, he resolved to sell the
place snd go away forever. He could never bear
10 see any of the old faces, save mine, and care
fully avoided poor Juba, who was almost broken.
hearted. Sending for her one day, he told her
that she was free, and that she must choose a