The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-10-11

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TILED plain and vine-clad steep,
Esrth's richest spoil was offered to thy hands.
Yet thou, when land and sea
Sent thee their tribute with each rolling wave,
And kingdoms crouched to thee,
Vert false to Liberty, aall
And therefore art thou now shackled slave.
Wilt thou not, yet again,
Put forth the sleeping strength that in thee lies,
And snap the shameful chain,
And force that tyrant train
To fee before the anger in thine eyes
Then shall the barnessed years
Sweep onward with thee to that glorious height
81 Which even now appears Is7l
Bright through the mist of tears, -
The dwelling-place of Liberty and Light.
From the Land We Love-
HELEN ASHLEY; OF. THE BEFU GE "a
..s..l.r tnsrall- AT HOME. r1di r.fa e.,
,s.o y-.rlal 80 49, s,a5 .-.aa
- awhile the perfumed light
Stole thro' the mist of alabaster lamps,
And every air was heavy with the sigh
OF orange groves, and music from sweet lutes,
And muImars Of low fountains that gush forth
sv---- 30 s7 [Bulwer's " Lady of Lyons y
II is night. The moon is shedding her soft rad
ance over one of the many fair and luxurious homes
to be found on the sea coast of South Carolina.
Though as late In the season as October, the even.
mer fingered on as though 10th to leave such fair
scenes to the cold domain of winter. As yet the
ice king had sent no herald of his approach, and
the noble mansion, the majestic oaks, the smooth
smiled calmly in the clear moonlight.
Mrs. Ashley, the mistress of this peaceful home,
had been left widow ct the early age Of
twenty-one. At her husbands death tue care Of
lo~~ o.nIt to ali -
upon Der. With all her sweet and gentle man.
ners, Mrs. Ashley possessed much strong, good
sense, which she now showed In the management
of her property and children. The eldest, our
sweet Helen, proved an easy charge; and even
Charlie, wild and headstrong as he was, Mrs. Ash
ley feared little, for, surely, with 90 warm and
generous heart, he could not go far astray.
Very fair and bright was Ashley Hall on that
soft October night The stately mansion was
brilliantly lighted, and the many forms All ttjne
iqXpgsXH * ns as..s, spesk It gass night aud
well It may be, for on that day sweet Helen Ash
ley has completed her seventeenth year, and the
proud and happy mother has invited her friends
for many miles around 70 celebrate the com-
mencement of her only daughters young lady
hood. i s.f .r.' IL r,17cs. 49,
In the luxurious drawing the center of a
group Of matrons, sits Miss Ashley. Reclining 10
large arm chair, the crimson back Of which sets
off her stately form to the greatest advantage she
does the honors of her elegant home with the easy
gracefulness OF the high born Southern lady. Her
face is still Beautiful for she has seen scarce thir
ty.fve summers, but her rich dark hair is almost
hidden by the widows cap, put on for her young
husband fourteen years before, and worn ever
SINCE She still wears her weeds, too, and would
be greatly hurt were any one to hint at her making
change. At the moment we see her, she Is
speaking to tall boy of fifteen, whom she calls
"my son." That IL Charlie, with his large bright
blue eyes and glossy curling hair; 30 like the
handsome young father be cannot even remem.
family burial place. by the river. The boys cheek
ia flushed with dancing, for although so young,
his early wit, saucy gaiety and beautiful dancing
make him the chosen partner Of many fair belle
But where IL Helen, the gentle queen of these
gay reyels? Not In the dancing room, not In the
parlor, not even on the lawn. She has not been
seen for the last half hour, and more than one
comment has been made on her absence. But
Charlie says, in reply to his partner, pretty Minnie
Claire's exclamation of " where can Helen be-"
I" Oh, suppose she IL somewhere with Allan st.
John. see he has disappeared, too.n r 7'f il.s71
I" Now Charlie, do you know that he is match
/ cannot understand? / wonder Helen fancies
him, he seems 80 cold and proud, while she ID 90
merry and warm'hearted.n
ly; "snd as for being proud. why like that. Has
not Southern gentleman right to be proud,
tell you what, Miss Minnie for one, am as proud
"Oh, Charlie. laughs Minnie. !" did not think
you would allow such thing You men are get.
ting go bold in your wickedness. don't know
where II win stop ls,a4 e11a l-f ts
20 Charlie colors high ct her laughing words, but
know I'm not man Jet, Miss Minnie, and
that's well for you. II you 6nd me so Irresistible
at fifteen, what would be the state Of your heart
E ,sn ssnsy But tA. is charming waits
"Wen, as you just said, I found you irresistible,
/ suppose l must ~ and turning from the cool
piazza they again sought the dancing room.
While we leave them TO enjoy the waltz, let rs
ascertain GhsEhs Il 6A r hah S g that
On one side OF the lawn, sloping DO xn to the
a thick grove Of orange trees, planted in regular
rows, three abreast, with gravel walks between.
They were magnificent sight, particularly ct
the moonlight among the rich, dark leaves.
There indeed We find Helen, and with her
81. John. They are standing still, and By the
; light of the friendly moon, We can see them
snowy dress, with necklace and bracelets Of pearl.
Her rich brown hair is drawn simply back from
her temples, and fastened behind 10 q large knot,
very low on her neck, its only ornament white
brown eyes are yelled by their long flashes, Is
though afraid TO meet her companions earnest
gaze. ss1-n' ESQ
And most worthy was St. John to be the lover
of that gentle girl. Tall and strikngly handsome,
with grave earnest face, now lit up with passion.
ate love. be stands beside her. One arm 10
around her waist, her hand is clasped In his and
as We draw near, hs low musical voice Il whis-
pering, - ns As..s 's Il s.7-r- y Is
I'm two years. my darling. your mother says
you shAll he mine. 1t seems q long time to wait
but | fear not, for know and feel that your love
will never change"
And her sweet voice answered: ----
"chsngei Oh, Allan, could not live without
your love ~ y. -.
And here let us leave them. happy In their love
and trust. Leave them In their bright sunny
home, their young hearts filed with hope ana 40.
parenty no cloud In their fair sky. No cloud,
did say! Alas. the little cloud, no larger than
mans hand" b risiee, and soon, soon will it
burst over that devoted land. !, p - ~
Il was early IN October OF 1860 To Southern