The New Orleans crescent., 1868-05-03

On, on, they glide in silence. Not sound
is heard but the stroke of the galloping hoofs
But now the tall timber appears in view;
within its friendly shade hospitsble house
will afford both food and shelter. The blue,
thin, curling smoke is even now family trace
able, as it lszily rises and floats away. The
wide grain fields and sweet scented meadow
lands begin to rise on the view-yes, we are
here at last.
"Let us pull up here, Holden, and rest"
Over fifty miles now separated them from
the place they left in the morning It was
now near the hour of three in the afternoon.
They could rest here until the shadows of
evening began to fall.
The house at which they stopped was situa.
ted on the banks of the Usage, and was at
that time q rendezvous for all belated Confed-
crates. On her trip to the city, Bar
telle had accompanied Zera to this place, and
here he had parted from her to resume the
duties of his command. The people of the
house were. therefore, known to him, and as
she rode up to the gate, hale, handsome,
old gentleman met her with o cordial well
come.
"well, my lad, you are back againl I am
really glad to see you; but who have We
here?"
zone whose honesty will be responsible
for, sir" replied Zera, finging the bride of
her horse to bright mulatto boy, who stood
in waiting to receive it '.Holden," she con-
tinued, accompany the boy to the stable and
see the horses attended to-"
"You have ridden far" remarked her host
"Yes, sir, from Otterville since daylight,
and must, if possible, reach the camp before
the coming dawn and will have to rely on
your good offices to supply me with guide."
"That will do right willingly, my lad, but
you will have to be wary, for the country is
alive with the enemy"
"Haye you seen any of them to-day, sir?"
eyes, squadron of their cavalry passed
the point to-day going southwark, and scarcely
an hour since an orderly dashed by here on
his way up the river; but come in, come in,
you look tired and hungry"
81 am, indeed, sir; food nor rest have had
since last night, and my man has Jared no
better"
"Indeed, is that possible2 Here, wife, wifel"
he called, as he led the way into the broad
porch, "here is our little Frenchman returned,
tired and hungry; can't you get him and his
follower something quick?"
Eyes, indeed, replied fine, matronly lady
appearing at the door and shaking Zera by the
hand in the good old Southern fashion, "for
such guests as these my larder is always ready;
but poor boy, you do look nearly famished.
I dare say you have had nothing to eat the
whole day."
''No, madam, not crust since yesterday
evening; but put yourself to no trouble on
our account, we can wait until your usual sup
per time, and Zera, bowling politely, flashed
on the good lady one of those bewildering
smiles which never failed to enchant where
eer it fell.
"No, no, I will have You something to eat
in minute" and off the lady ran on hospit-
able thoughts intent.
"And now, my little man." suggested mine
host, ga glass of mint julep will be the very
thing for you after this hard ride"
"No, 1 thank you, sir" said Zera, "my
man will be obliged to you for so much kind
ness, but for myself, a glass of this cold spring
water is all that require"
Holden, entering at the moment. readily
joined the kind old gentleman in glass of
his fayorite beverage. Zera threw herself
along the rich, green sward, that clothed the
yard in sodded velvet, and in a moment was
sound asleep. Fast on her teeming visions
crowded the dream land fancies, and a
smile sweet as the blush of spring
roses nestled on her lips. Trouble
and anxiety were alike forgotten in that much
needed repose.
Again she wandered little girl, amid the
fragrant bowers and orange groves of far off
land, or strayed beside the fountain which
threw its glittering spray high and cool, while
her cheeks were famed by the scented gales
which swept across the plains of Araby the
blessed. Holden and Mr.. Payne (for such
was the gentleman's name) sat and watched
her slumber, conversing in low tones of the
war, and relating incidents that had come
under the observation of each, until the good
matron again appeared and announced that
their meal was ready.
Zera sprang up at the call and hastened to
bathe her face and hands in the clear cool
waters of the spring, which, gliding into a
rushing miniature torrent, leaped and sang
over its rocky bed as it whirled along to the
river.
In few moments they were all seated
around the generous board; and never did
hungry men sit down to more delicious re-
past Nice faky biscuits, ham and eggs-the
standard Western dish-and young prairie
chickens broiled to a turn, and warm, steam
ing hot coffee, and glorious pippin apples
and delicious peaches, and near these rose
the tall, white pitcher filed with rich new
milk-not the adulterated imitation of the
city, but pure and unmixed as when stripped
from the udders in the pasture-and fianked
by tower of golden-hued butter, and close
beside il rose thick LAYERS of fha delicata