The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-06-07

some shopping TO do, and some affairs to
arrange at home" e srash
| Certainly. 1 will call the carriage y
rising to ring for servant.
"You need not it has not yet been put
away. 1 told the coachman to remain at the
gate until returned"
| 81 viii change my dress, then, and be with
you in an instant" and Zera went singing
from the room the joyous refrain rising
and swelling along the stately corridors and
halls of the old mansion, as if some impri-
soned melody had been turned loose to thrill
the air with its music. All signs of the
recent emotion had passed away, and Laura
smiled as she thought of the free young heart
| whose griefs were so transitory and evanes-
cent. But there were depths of passion, of
stern, determined will, in that girlish nature
that Laura never dreamed Of 1t only lacked
the occasion to ell it out When once it
became aroused, like the impetuous violence
of swollen stream, obstacles might lash it
into foam, but could not intercept its way
on, like the torrent, she would hold her
resistless course, ruthlessly sweeping from
her path the unfortunate agents that might
seek to intercept or restrain her. But neither
Laura, nor Zera herself, knew of these ele-
ments in her character. They might never
be called into action-they might lie dormant
through her life, and, at any moment, they
might receive that impetous which would
cause them to burst the bounds of restraint.
But we will not detain the reader with these
speculations. Character in itself is the creature
of circumstances, and events might mould
the most timid disposition into tyrant who
would ruthlessly trample on the rights of
others. Our lives are thrust out upon the
world, like plank upon the sea. Without
rudder the winds and waves are liable to wash
it into any port-a haven of rest, or one of
warfare. Nor can our own unassisted guild
ance always direct our own destinies in the
paths of virtue and peace. The shoals and
pillows of life's great sea are around us, and
without a moments warning we may be
dashed upon the breakers, while our less un-
fortunate neighbols float off into calm, even
current, and thus ride into happy haven.
AT last Zera made her appearance, dressed
and equipped for the ride.
CHOW let us be of, my dear; and if you
have no objection we will take the house of
a poor woman in our route, whom am anx-
ious to see. She is all but destitute her
husband, we hear, was killed at Wilson's
Greek, said Laura to her companion, as they
seated themselves in the carriage.
"What is her name ?" inquired Zera, ear
nestly.
"Ma1tinl but what is the matter?" for at
the sound of the name Zera had started vio-
lently.
Laura, am so glad we are going there.
I saw the poor man when he was dying, and
promised him to see that his family suffered
no want but / cannot tell her this-do YOU
tell her for me-" and Zera went ON and re-
peated the conversation with the dying SOL
der, and concluded her recital by saying
"The man thought was your brother, and
we could not explain to this poor woman how
/, young lady, should be ON the battlefield,
and receive the last farewell of her husband.
You can repeat the information to her as hay-
ing come to your knowledge by the report of
an eye witness" a"A
s. Yes, it will be better to do So" rF
The carriage drove on and in few mo-
ments drew up before low, dilapidated
building on Tenth street The house was in
a wretched state of dilapidation 1t had
stood for perhaps quarter of century, and
in its day may have been a neat frame edifce;
but wind and weather had torn many rent
through it, and it stood now the sad relic of a
by-gone age
Some two or three children were playing in
the little space in front of the house, but they
stopped their infantile amusements to gaze
upon the fine ladies and the splendid vehicle.
But when they recognized in one of their
visitors Miss Taylor they rushed forward in
eager glee and welcomed her cordially.
Laura stopped and caressed each in its turn,
and then inquired of them for their mother.
''Shes in the house, Miss Taylor" said the
eldest, and with much more politeness than
one would have looked for in such surround
ings, she piloted them over the threshold and
into the best room the poor house afforded.
Here they were met by the mother, who,
though poorly clad, and in coarse garments,
was scrupulously clean, and welcomed her WIS.,
itors with grave courtesy. The woman had
evidently high sense of what was proper
and due to Miss Taylor, to whom she con-
fessed herself under many obligations.
"Mrs. Martin, learning to-day from a
friend of mine all about your husbands
death, have come to tell you.
The poor woman's eyes filed with tears,
and the paleness of death settled in her face.
Her voice trembled with deep emotion as she
reJoined-"He Is dead, then2 OIL Miss
Laura, we are very desolate but for my chill
dren, would gladly follow him but that
may not be-"
at is hard know, Mrs. Martin, but
thought you would like to receive the mes
sages he sent you and there is comfort in
knowing that he died like brave soldier in
the defense of his country. Your little chill
dren can look with pride upon their fathers
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