The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-02-16
Sketch Founded Upon Fact.
BY BEVERLEY.

press reports quarrel, murder, and
the course of the law, while proper
delicacy for the feelings of the families
bushes comment as to private circum-
stances. Thus it was as to an affair of
that kind, which took place, some years
since, not thousand miles from our
own goodly city. Ellen Tresdore was
lovely specimen of Southern girlhood.
All Thought her worthy of the happy
lot Dame Fortune cast her life in as
the only daughter of a wealthy South
ern merchant, and the pctted sister of
two most promising young men.
To say she was lovely comprises
vastly more than beauty of form and
face; for, to be flat, requires pure
attractive soul and quick, bright
mind radiating the beautifully turned
features and clear smooth complexion.
Yet Ellen Tresdon was supremacy
lovely. The home of the Tresdon's
was SO inviting, with its Turkish car
pets, luxurious seats, pictures, paint
lngs, statues, StatuetteS, and artistic
ornaments, presented to you so natu-
rally and easily by the graceful hospi
tality of its inmates, that few crossed
its threshold without seeking it again
and again.
Of this interesting family Ellen was
the pet and darling, while Charles was
the honor and pride-not that the
youngest failed to come in for fnlly his
share of love, but he was q mere boy,
while Charles was the first born, the
child of the bridal year, the link along
which father and mother loved to be
bore backward to the times when the
honeymoon was soft, tender, beauti-
full crescent arching their young lives
"a honeymoon which was taking all
the days of their limited lives to fill up.
they might, for he was all that ardent
love and youthful freshness might be-
supposed to endow an offspring with.
To Ellen he was an idol with whom,
until lately, none had contested for the
supremacy of her love. God has not
made women to live alone, or man Ell
ther, as to that; her being is incom-
plete, and needs to be merged into a
stronger, grander life, and marriage
alone produces, by the twain united, a
perfected humanity. Recently these
thoughts had been stealing through the
secret chamber of Ellen's soul, and with
them the manly form of Edwin Mott
entered within it's sacred arcana, and
the finest chords of her heart had vi
brated thrillingly to his touch.
The first draught of love is to wO-
mans soul a nectar of new life! An
elixir awakening every fibre of her be-
ing into exstacy. And as Ellen stood
before a full-length mirror, where she
had paused to glance over the COM
pleteness of her toilet, Charles raised
his eyes from his book and beholding
in the face Of his pet an exquisite
beauty, outrivaling even herself. he
cast the book away and stepped to her
side. AS Ellen's arm glided about his
waist the glowing color suddenly rece-
ded from her cheeks, the head started
from his shoulder and the beautiful eyes
took on tender look of reproof
sob! Charles, is it possible that you
my brother have for such deadly wea-
pons."
A slight flush came into the young
mans face before the first reprovina
look those gentle eyes ever gave him,
but he attempted to parry the direct
question by light speech aud laughing
rejoinder.
"Why, yet, You would not have me
less cautious for my very precious life
than other men. You must know that
I value it more highly if my sweet sis
does not"
With these light words Charles tried
to hush an answer with play full kisses,
but Ellen would not.
"Brother you must at least listen to
me. This thing is too important. may
lead to too serious results. Remember
when you had that dispute with David
Hodge you afterward said that it was
well you were not armed, for had you
have been you would have killed him
instead of soundly whipping him, as
you did. Oh! Charles how different
life would be to you now than it is,
even had you evaded the law, had that
rash deed been done. How different it
would he to us all what black pail
would rest upon the house that through
years has gladly resonnded to your
light, free step. Think what an inward
shudder would creep into my soul as
clasped the hand of blood. Oh, broth
er, put those weapons away, and leave
God to care for the life he has given
and even if it come to the worst. dear
as you are to me, would rather have
you take death than human life. True,
most persons would call this an ultra
view, but cannot forget the anathe-
mas of Jehovah against him who takes
human lite; and l would prefer you tC
enter the presence of God slain than
the slayer. Murder-what a black
gendish deed it is, yet the first mer
perpetrated it under PASSIONS madden
ing power. Oh! brother, put those
arms away. To me the carrying o.
them smacks rather of cowardice than
bravery. Granted, according to your
ideas, that there may arise occasions
when weapon is necessary to defend
ones life, yet surely the instances are
are in the life of q man who is just
honorable and courteous with his fell
low man, and ~ IL seems to me that true
bravery would prefer :" take SO Slight
a risk to thus branding itseit With sucl
evidences of fear"
| = Charles had never been dictated to
by his little pet, may scarcely advised
To her he had ever seemed too nearly
perfect to need it; and now, although
to appease her fears, he took the instru-
ment FROM his person and laid it aside
it was to be resumed in the quiet of his
room ere going upon the street.
Three evenings after this, that house