New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-01-26

:
meanor but flushed cheeks and an anxious
heart observing each elassmate ss she &C
quilted herself with credit Nellie was Just
wondering which one was TalluIa as the
principal called for the valedictory and
the dark girl who had sat concealed from
more than half in the rOcm arose, and grace
fully bowing to the audience, with flushed
cheeks and beaming eyes. turned and seated
herself at the plane.
First came forth somewhat monotinous
but earnest notes, accompanying words
telling of the routine of school days every
werd was as distinctly heard as if it had
been read. As she spoke Of the girlish Joys
and honors OF school days the music be-
came warm, rich, and full; then as she
turned to the outer life for which they had
been fitting themselves the notes were glo-
rious yet mellow, with low refrain of sad
ness; and as the eyes tearfully rested upon
the loved companions of her school years
the notes took up tender sadRess which
glided over the soul with a soft, vooiup
gentleness, like the dying sound of lutte
on the breeze; and as her streaming eyes
cast fond look on the faithful teachers of
so many years her voice quivered ont in
| gushing EOtes of tenderness and love, until
throughout the room lew sobs broke in
upon the music. Then arose clear, glad,
and glorious, an anthem of praise to God
the great ruler of human lives, in which
she committed all 10 his unfailing care.
As she arose from the instrument Miss
Lyons advanced bathed in tears, wound an
arm around the weeping girl and bore her
to her seat, amid deeply drawn breaths and
low murmurs of applause from every part
OF the densely crowded room.
Harry Chamberlain had been at one time
spell bound and at another electrified as
he leaned far in the window receiving ey-
cry word and note, and longed to bound
forward and clasp ber to his heart but be
feared the effect upon her already excited
nerves, and forbore until he could reach
the parlor and send for Miss Lyons.
How are yeu, dear madam. l have
watched your exercises from a window to
avoid exciting TalIula before her duties
were oVeri and assure you they all do
you great honor. But you may well ina
gine l am anxious to meet my ward.
Please say to her that am here
Miss Lyons had almost to bear the trem-
bling girl 10 /; bat as she saw the loved
one before her whom FIVE weary years
had closed out from her eyes, a faint shrek
broke forth and she sprang forward and
fell upon his breast too weak 10 sustain her
own weight.
Harry placed her ON the sofa and sup.
ported her while Miss Lyons bathed her
face and chafed her hands. Life and Joy
soon came sparkling from her black eyes,
and save the quick beating of her glad
heart she was herself again.
Now, Tallula, will present you to my
cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Moreau, with whom
we travel this summer"
Nellie folded the child fondly to her
heart, and told her how proud she was Of
her cousins ward. Happy was the young
creature as she fitted on the wings of pleas
ure from spot to spot. But it was in theil
rides which presented to them nature in hel
various forms Of loveliness and magniii
cence that Talluia became wild with de-
light, or hushed with the awe of its grand
eur. She fingered around Niagara 1--WE
weeks She would drop Harry's arm
whisper "Plesse leave me alene here fol
time" and while Harry stood apar
watching her, she seemed lost in a silen
worship of the Great Spirit which she sait
came to her from its mighty heavings, roar
) ings, and lashings over the stupendoui
rocks, or smiled out from the delicate
ethereal beauty OF Its misty spray Or sht
would lean upon Harry's arm and breath,
forth in burning words of elOquence th'
exquisite beauty of her poetical soul
The cold frests Of autumn were sweeping
over the land, clothing the forest in robe
Outright red and golden yellow, ere Harr,
turned them hemeward. he wished d
| PAS39S eAS SUsSSpsAOAS cVNA Vi AoAluAo NAtl
the sudden transition to green woods ant
bright fOwe,s, which yet clothed the beau
teous form OF nature in the far-of South
Tallula was delighted with the transition
and as the soft, oalny breezes which some
times set in even in October famed he
brow, and the moeking-bir bright, va
! ried notes of clear rushing melo,1v wer
waited to her musical ear upon the per
fumed breath Of. flowers, she said it seenlel
like another world she had flown to. TIL
broad fields of heecy cotton, hanging like
mantle of loose snow suspended above th'
dark earth, with the cheerful darkies keep
ing time to their ready fingers in their pc
culiar notes Of melody delighted her.
lro BIZ ooNruUD,I
The Masonic BALL.--0ne-half the cit,
mAidens are in full tide Of preparation 70