New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-12-25
A CHRISTMAS STORY.
BY VERNON MALONE.
Chapter L,

Chapter L.
The huge disc of the sun which lit up a
winter day of 49,, had sunk completely
from sight, bat the western horizon was H.
Illuminated to feryid splendor by the gold
and crimson banners which it Haunted wide,
as farewell signals to our half OF the world
The gracious warmth it ditfuses in our
bland cline still fingered in the atmo-
sphere and the soft, delicate haze of the H.
dian summer which abides with us until the
coming OF the new year, had mingled with
its purple langOur the reflected radiance
from above. The twilight, however, gath
ered-gathered softly, tenderly and slow, as
if 10th to wrap In obscurity the yerdure and
bloom with which nature loves to deck our
favored cline, and as the perfumes of fra
grant herb and Towering plant were exhaled
TO welcome her approach, it was difficult for
natives of more northern States to reconcile
these vernal airs, and this luxuriance of veg
citation. with a season which to them is in
separately associated with the earth's spot
less mantle of snow, its brilliant decora.
tons of ice, and keen blasts pouring down
from hypeTboiean regions, it was difficult
for them to realize that the season around
which the identifying tendrils of faith and
romance have twined for centuries, the
blessed, blessed Christmas time was indeed
at hand.
AS the twilight deepened there came slowly
walking up one Of the broad streets, which
cuts through the heart OF the iovellest Dor.
ton Of the Garden District of New Orleans,
two persons upon whom the peculiar tiles of
climate in hRlttropic land struck with all
the force of novelty. The subtle resemblance
of kindred did not permit their relationship
as brother and sister to be doubted and as
they saunter along the wide avenue, watch.
ing the lamplighter who preeedes them in
the fufllment OF his duty, looking down the
fair perspective of the lane like streets
which cross the grand thoroughfare at right
angles, noting the waxen foliage of orange
trees with their wealth of iruit lighting up
the "gloom of green,n admiring the great
leaves of the graceful banana tree, swaying
N the evening air like huge fans, and all the
while talking with the greatest animation,
let US take survey of their personal appear
ance, as did many a lingering glance from
passers-by whom they encountered.
The man was true type of his kind in
the Northland-t tall, erect, square-ahoul.
dered, with somewhat jaunty carriage; a
complexion wherein the red and white were
finely bent, kindly eyes of blue deepening
with metallic CLEANS, and soft locks Of that
tint when haxen deepens into chestnut
brown. 81
His companion was "saintly fair,n with
just that sea shell tinge of color in her deli.
Sateiy rounded cheeks which told of fresh
Young human life, and served as an Offset
~ thO AaAhOAo VI bututH udlI bIidb 11Y hDDut
her spiritual brow. Her walk, her gesture,
had an nndulating grace, and her voice tine
persuasive fullness aud impassiOned tremor
which thrills the heart in the wild doves
notes. "a ~. $50 -
These two, Douglas and Veronica yasson,
were the children OF wealthy merchant.
and Residents Of New York city, which they
also eiaimea as thelr place Of nativity, AID
sojOHrners in the Crescent City for q season
Of pleasure for both, and business for The
first mentioned, who represented his fathers
large commercial interests.
The Yassons male, had since several years
been acquaiuted in business way with the
three members of the furnishing New Or
leans frn OF sAshbridge q Sons = their mu-
tual interest having always beeH promoted
py the intercourse, and more recently upon
the occasion of the Ashbrldge Family making
asummer trip North, the acquaintance had
developed into a social stage, which was
conduetye of much pleasure 10 both parties.
Inc warm friendship thus eDgendered was
one consideration which finally induced the
elder Nassen to consent that the chief treau-
sure ~ ms home and heart, the fair Veroni-
CO, should aeeonpany her brother for visit
bridges had Their home.
Three months had passed away siuce
their arrival, and the words Of recall had
now been spoken BY tie lonely father. and
this last evening of their STAY the evening
oftheholys happy Christmas day, they wore
TO pass, according to engagement and incli-
nation, at the Ashbridge lsAhsion.
While the clear metallic vibrations Of the
bell sill linger on The air, and thew await
the opening Of the handsome gate, lei us ex-
anime as well as the deepening twilight will
permit, the premises before which shov
have paused. Afluence has Res III
mark upon every visible object, iroal