The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-04-26

"Yes-but oh, SO dangerous Give it up,
Zera, / entreat-"
"No-I will go on; but you viii come to
me by nine in the morning not disappoint
me"
81 will surely come"
EAU reYoirl" and the girls again separated
and mingled with the crowd.
But lust at this moment an event occurred
| which had controlling influence on the en-
| ioyment of the evening. Just in that instant
of general pleasure-when music with its
voluptuous swell" was filling the corridors and
halls with the melody of sweet sounds, and
"eyes were looking love to eyes which spake
sgain"-when love and pleasure went hand in
hand, and the " lamps shone over fair women
and brave men," an orderly, covered from
head to foot with dust, dashed up to the door
| of the mansion.
Flinging the reins of his horse to an atten-
dent in waiting, he demanded to speak with
the general at once. Being ushered into the
private room of the commander he was
speedily joined by that official himself.
"Well. sir, your business! demanded his
superior.
"These dispatches, general, have just been
received from the interior" and he laid huge
envelop, bearing the marks of an official tele-
gram, on the table.
Hastily tearing off the covering, the general
read the dispatches, while his cheek alternately
flushed and paled as he read.
Impossible, impossible" he muttered to
himself ga hundred men whip five hundred
This is infamous-this must not be made
known-it must be suppressed"
Too late, too late, the news has already
spread through the city-it is even now being
whispered from lip to lip among his own
guests. Returning to the parlorshe perceives
the evil is already done the best way to
remedy the misfortune is to frankly &C
knowledge the disaster.
'Is it true, general, what we have heard-is
it true ?" assailed him from every side.
Some were asking the question with white
faces and choking utterance; others, with
flashing eyes and proud smile that could
not be suppressed.
"My friends" announced the general to
the dense mass of eager faces that greeted
his appearance, it is true that our arms
have been worsted and our forces beaten in
two minor engagements. Our losses are re-
ported heavy, considering the numbers en-
gsged. They were cavalry fights, the rebels
being commanded by Captain Bartrelle. 1t is
said by the commanding officer in the field,
that this rebel demon met and absolutely
drove in ignominious rout, with a mere hand
ful-not over hundred men-of his rangers,
nearly five hundred Union cavalry, after one
Of the bloodiest engagements of the cam
paign."
Oh, how these words thrilled the hearts of
the Confederates in the room-how their eyes
flashed, their bosoms heaved and smiles
lightened, and burned and cleaned on their
faces. Standing in the listening throng,
Mildred Hayes found herself close beside the
young guardsman, whose contemptuous allu-
sions to Prices soldiery had made her so in
dignant in the earlier part of the evening.
"What do you think of this cdnaille now,
sir2 Would Gen. Price be justified in risk
ing them against your disciplined troops?"
and her beautiful lip curled in proud dis
dain.
1.-THE strangest thing ever heard of" was
the crestfallen reply.
"My impression is you will hear of more
surprising feats yet"
And now the guests began to take their de-
parture. There was no more enjoyment for
that evening. Dark and gloomy looks met
radiant chances on every side. The lowering
brows of the host and his loyal friends testi-
fed how deep and intense were their chagrin;
whilst the exultant feelings of the opposite
party could not be concealed. As the guests
reached the streets a confirmation of the
news met them from every one they saw.
Knots of citizens, groups of boys and men
were discussing it on the corners, in the sa-
looms, and as they hurried along to their
homes. The stern, dissatisfied look of the
loyalist was met by the shining teeth and
inexpressible swagger of his rebel acquaint-
ance. The news boys were shouting it, as
they offered their ertrds for sale, and one lit
tie fellow, unable to suppress the feelings
that were bursting in his bosom for utter
ance, pealed out his enthusiasm in a loud and
ringing cry of " Bully for Dick Bartelle and
the Rangers J"
The whole city, indeed, was ahame with
excitement
"Well, Laura" said Col. Taylor as their
carriage whirled from the door of the military
mansion, "this is splendid news from Dick
he certainly has achieved most wonderful
success"
at does not surprise me, father, knew
he would make his mark" was the proud
reply.
Eyes, but victory against such terrible
odds!"
There are few things Richard cannot &C
compish when he sets his mind to it; but,
father, l have something else to tell you; Zera
reached the city this afternoon, and was at
the party"
"How-what-are you sure?"
| ANas 1 sow and tnlkad Nth hnr L On,