Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1868-08-15


! his unwillinguess vexed and annoyed me.
A renewal of my threats Of exposure
succeeded in removing all obstacles, and
we Immediately set about the adventure.
| Cautiously as thieves we crept through
the yard, and each took his station Rob.
ert at the door, aud | at the window near
est him.
The curtain was partly drawn aside, 80
that | could easily distinguish every OBJ
iect In the room. As | had anticipated,
she was alone. The domestics had rctjr-
ed, and [ knew her old father too wen to
believe that be was anywhere but in the
arms of Somnus for be was one Of those
sensible persons whose maxim is, " Early
to bed and early to rise"
Julia-and | never shall forget bow
lovely she was-sat beside a small table
in the center Of the room, apparently
deeply absorbed in a boob. Her fair hand
supported her head, and her hair fell
gracefully down her neck in beautiful nat
ural ringiets. She was a delicate wild
flower that had budded and blossomed
under the shelter Of a father roof and
the sunshine Of gladuess and the dew
Of affection had ever lighted and cheered
her way.
At length ! made the signal, and a
loud rap was given. She paused for a
moment, listened attentively, and then
laying down her book, arose and approa-
ched the door. As she opened it, the
mask stepped boldly in, according to my
directions. How shalt | describe the
scene that followed +! Even now | shud.
der TO think of it. Instantly all earthly
hue had vanished from her face, and with
a piercing shrek she staggered back a
few PAGES, and fell heavily to the floor
Quicker than lightning | spraUg through
the doorway and knelt at her side. /
grasped her waist-its pulsation had
ceased. | placed my hand upon her
heart-that was also still 2! She was dead !
] can recall little else hat took place
that night. The domestics who slept in
an adjoining room bad been awakened by
that terrible shrek, and came rushing in
to learn the cause Of the uproar. | could
not have spoken, even had explanation
been necessary. | was overwhelmed with
grief aud decentralization. / could only
point to the ~lifeless form Of poor Julia,
and at the mask which Robert had torn
from his face and dashed TO the floor. He
stood gazing at me with a coll, vacant
stare, that but too well understood
More | cannot remember.
Ten days passed, and | awoke from a
raving delirium. My first inquiry was
for Robert. They led him to my bedside +;
but oh 1! what a change ! stretched out
my clasped hands in an agony of grief
and remorse, to implore his forgiveness.
He neither moved nor spoke :; but that
same %unmeaning stare drove home to my
heart the fearful conviction. Alas | be
was a hopeless idiot (!
Fifteen years have elapsed since that
never-to- be-forgotten era of my life.
never have, l never can forgive myself
for having been the cause Of so much
tmisery, though have sought and hoped
Ifor forgiveness from on High. never
can look upon a mask without a shudder,
or hear its use denounced without aIlud
ing to my experience. And you, my
young friends, when you are tempted to
play tricks upon others, | an sure viii
stop to consider that what seems so In
nocent and harmless, may, perhaps, in
the end. prove "a fatal Joke"