The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-05-17
Written for the Sunday Crescentl
IAN OER TRUE TALE"

ing become SOmeWnht uiSoaeloAOu WIN --J
landlord. decided to move, and had my first |
real experience in house.hunting. After ran
sackine the First and Fourth Districts, con- |
cluded to try the old Third, and see if would |
be more successful there. Calling on an old
friend living in the upper part of that district
told her my desire, described the house
wanted, and finally persuaded her to accom-
pany me.
Well, we went through the usual routine
house-hunters do, and found houses, but
some were too large, some too small, some
had no conveniences, and some no yards,
and, at last, she said to me:
"Come, / know of house that VIII ex-
actly answer you; but you will have to pur-
chase it: the owner won't rent it, and desires
TO part with it Just as it stands, completely
furnished throughout, and he offers 1t at SO
sinpularly low rate that wonder 1t has not
long since found purchaser. i
"Haye you ever been through 1t? ;"
"No; but know it from description to be
all you desire. 1t has, at least, the third OF
square of ground laid out in delightful gar
dens of vegetables, flowers and fruits. Why
don't Won purchase house at once, instead
co1s fod upon nnv house HE sS You lave
not long since bought and planned one to suit
yoursealihi tnere can be no harm in looking at
the place, 1 remarked.
By this time it was quite late in the even
ing and would have deferred making the
trip until morning, but prior engagements on
her part would have prevented her accompany
ing me, and we continued our walk to the
house.
II was q spacious cottage, standing in the
center of large, beautifully arranged grounds,
and the first thing that struck me was the sim
gular appearance of snowy white that per-
yaded everything; from the roof to the ground
il was a clear dazzling hue, while the garden
walks were of pure unblemished marble or
snowy shells, cleaning in the dusky twilight.
Ringing the bell an old negress, dwarfed,
| but erect and active in her movements,
opened the gate, and ushered us down the
broad flower lined walk, glowing on either side
with bright and fragrant tropical blossoms,
| into hall superhly decorated with stands,
urns, and statuary of Parian marble. The floor
was one of the most exquisite and intricate
| mosaics ever saw, in the center of which was
/ a sparkling fountain, cooling the air and
| tinkling like fairy bells in elf-land. Throw
| ing open the door upon the right, she mo-
| toned Us to enter and withdrew.
/ could scarcely do justice to the rooms
were to attempt description. Creamy col
ored marble mantle pieces, richly painted
1 Walls, ana IIeSCOeQ CEILINGS, iuo ChI pcto, sui
| as down to the feet, were not hideous bou-
quets of flowers in glaring colors, but car
pets and silken curtains were rich scarlet
end white, q mere vine and delicate spray of
leaf on the scarlet ground. The furniture
was entirely of ebony inlaid with ivory; the
cushions scarlet satin.
While 1 was viewing the magnificent tout
ensemble, my friend, crossing over to the
piano, opened il and touched the keys, caus-
ing a sweet, silvery sound to float through
the apartment, the perfumed air of which
was almost too oppressive. There were wax
lights family burning in the silver brackets,
near the piano, and my eyes fell upon full
length mirror Just opposite to me, where
distinctly saw reflected a figure that was
neither my friend nor myself Turning to
salute the lady, saw no one. Startled at
this, looked around, but there was no one
in the room excepting ourselves. At this mo-
n ent door we had not noticed, and leading
apparently to the rear of the dwelling, slowly
| opened, and tall, fair lady, real Saxon
blonde, entered. Gravely bowling, she
said
"You will please come this way moment,
before you can fully decide upon purchasing
the house"
Turning slowly, she led us into the room,
mp 10 crib-bed decorated with hangings oi
fine white linen and lace; turning the en-
|
l at first thought was q large wax doll, with
out arms; but it slowly opened its great
black eyes and moaned softly, and as slowly
let the lids droop again.
"Ohl is that child?" asked, bending
over the bed, noticing that it had no arms
and was q mere trunk without the limbs
the face was one of singular loneliness anC
fascination, and shrouded by long, dark hair
"Whose child is it, and are its parents
hving?" asked.
"That does not matter. To take this hous,
You must take these things-this child, my
self, the negress, and-well, no matter; thu
other you will soon see. You cannot hayt
the house unless you accept these conditions
We will not annoy you IN any way; and I'll
but giving up this room, and just fancyinI
there is no such room in the house; the doc
once closed after you take possession, and
twill be a sealed room to you"
"What mystery is there about thi
house? Tell me-" I said to her
room with you and the dwarf negress
and why cannot this house be sold withou
it?"
"That peace may come alike to the ivini
and the dead, this house must pass away from
the present owners, and this child, myself AM
the negress must remain in this room"
81 will think of it," was my reply, an,
turning TO my friend, said, "Come, let's g
over the house, and see if there is suficien
inducement to counterbalanceth the objection
to it."
"You had better defer your inspection IN
til morning." said the blonde lady, anxiously
1 thought, sit would be better to see it b
: daylight" But impelled by I knew no
what impulse, replied "Nol now, o
, | not at ALL" and turned to the hall. Yo
, will, perhaps, have cause to regret goin
through the house at this hour" sh
still urged, but the impulse was on me
and did not listen. 1 found the house tn
3 most completely desirable residence l ha
? ever imagined, even when building castles il
the air, while the furnishing was all that
luxurious and comfort-loving person coul
, conceive-butasw we passed from room to roor
. / felt an underlined presence near me, some
thing could not understand, and again an
again the long mirrors would reflect a fgur
that was neither my friend nor myself, but