Middletown transcript., 1869-07-10
Popular Gales.
JULIETTE DUPONCEAU.
A Tale of the Battle of New Orleans.
by BEN PERLEY POORE.


Christmas-Eve in the Crescent city
Joyously has the natal night of civilized
faith been celebrated in the metropolis Of
Louisiana since it received the name OF
the dissolute Regent of France from the
French pioneer settlers. Other races
have aided in populating the crescent
curve of the turbid " father of waters,'
and the hand of innovation has levelled
the old cathedral of St. Lewis, whose
time honored bells long rang forth the
merry Christmas chimes-yet the des-
cendants of Saxon and Celt, of Puritan
and Huguenot, cordially celebrate the ad-
vent of him who brought peace on
earth and good will to men,"
There was one Christmas eve however
that of 1S14-when war-clouds DIM
med the enjoyment of the New Orleans
holiday festivities. 1t had that day been
ascertaiued that large British force had
been landed not many miles distant, bent
on the conquest of the Crescent city.
This had been anticipated, and the whole
population flew to arms. The streets
were filled with the brave Kentucky sharp
shooters, dressed in semi-savage garb,
and carrying their heavy rifles, while oc-
casionally would pass body of regular
troops, or corps of volunteer French
residents, many of them old soldiers of
Napoleon's proud armies. Mounted vol
unteer adjutants galloped about with Or
ders, and the more timid sought consoa-
tion in the placards containing the proc
lamation of the indomitable commander
in-chief, which assured them " that the
British could never enter New Orleans as
Andrew jackson was in command of its
defenders"
AS the evening advanced, large house
in the first municipality was brilliantly
lighted up, and filled with gaily dressed
guests. 1t was the residence of one of
the old French inhabitants, Pierre Du-
ponceau, the owner of three valuable
plantations near the city, which in due
time would become the property of his
lovely daughter Juliette, the presiding
genius of his festivities. Her disposition
was extremely mirthful, but on that
Christmas night shade of melancholy
on her high brow gave Il saddened express
sion to her countenance.
The festival was in honor of her be-
trothment to man whom she detested
True, he was wealthy, we'll connected,
and ranked amongst the first citizens of
Louisiana, but Julictte knew also that he
was avaricious, ill-tempered and old
enough to be her father Born in Lon
don, he had come to New Orleans as a
cabin boy-now the name of John Teal
was good for half million of dollars and
Monsieur Duponceau had received him as
the suitor of his daughter.
One visitor alone had been welcomed
by the fair hostess with a sweet smile,
while rich current of her heart sent its
crimson tide across her countenance. -
Yet he, strange to say, offered no con-
gratulations, and looked grave as he ad-
dressed some commonplace remarks, al
though there was bright look of earnest
inquiry in his clear blue eyes. 1t was
Egbert Livingston, a gallant looking
young lieutenant in the United States Ar
tillery, who had been stationed at New
Orleans about year. Having been fire.
quently in company with Juliette Dupon-
ceau, he had made deep impression npon
her heart, and now-even upon the eve
of her betrothment-his coming made the
rose tints mantle her classical features,
and her heavy eye leshes quiver with
emotion, as if an electric current had pas
sed from Egbert's eyes to her own. AS
the young officer gazed on her charms,
hope and love struggled in his troubled
soul with doubt and fear, and he fancied
he was boarding his affection like miser,
secure from even the observation of others.
In this he was mistaken, for the wary
Teal watched with jealous eye, and soon
determined that she must be removed
from the society OF Lieutenant Livings-
ton. The other guests bent on their own
enjoyment, followed the solicitations of
the host. who was urgent in pressing his
good cheer upon their acceptance. The
guests were almost all of French descent
and easily forgot the threatened capture
of the city in their jovial merriment.
just before midnight, however, staff
officer entered, unannounced.
Welcome, my dear Livingston said
Monsieur Duponceau. I had given up
all hope of seeing you here tonight, for
l heard that you had been appointed an
aid to General jackson, and supposed,
in taking up Stuben's tactics in place of
the civil code, you would forget your old
friends