The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-04-29
Bret Harte,s s.Lothaw.Y


Bret Harte's s.Lothaw.v
The current number of Euery Saturday con-
tains the first fruit of MIR. Bret Harte's contract
with j. r. OsgoOd Il Co. 1t is an addition to
his early and almost unknown collection OF
CONDENSED Novels, which with sundry new
chapters) will soon be republished by the Bos.
ton firm to whose care he has committed his
fortunes. The title is "Lothaw; or, the Ad-
ventures of a Young Gentleman in Search OF q
Religion. By Mr.. Benjamins." The first
chapter is an especially good travesty:
CHAPTER I.
Il remember him little boy" said the
Duchess. His mother was dear friend Of
maids" ea5. h
Aud you have never seen him since, man.
ma? asked the Oldest married daughter, who
did not look day older than her mother.
Never; he was an orphan shortly after. ]
have often reproached myself; but ii is SO diff
cult to see boys" $3.50
This simple yet first-class conversation exist
ed in the morDing-roOm of Plusham, where
the mistress kof the palatial mansion sat In
volVed in the sacred privacy of circle of her
married daughters One dexterously applied
golden knitting-needles to the fabrication of a
purse OF floss silk OF the rarest texture, which
none who knew the almost fabulous wealth of
n
hOlo in its slken meshes a less sum than el.-
0OO, 600; another adorned slipper exclusively
with seed pearls; a third embiazoned a page
with rare pigments and the finest quality of
gold Leaf. Beautiful forms leaned over frames
glowing with embroidery, and beautiful frames
leaned over forms inlaid with mother of pearl
Others, more remote, occasionally burst in to
melody as they tried the passage of new an d
exclusive air given to them in MS. by some til
tied and devoted friend, for the private use of
the QrsfOcracv aloua and oh Int
ed for publication.
The Duchess, herself the speculative of
beauty, wealth, and position, was married to
the highest noble in the Three Kingdoms
Tnose who talked about such matters said that
their progeny were exactly like their parents
popularity of the aristocratic and wealthy.
They all looked like brothers and sisters, ex-
cept their parents, who, such was their purity
OF blood, the perfection of their manners, and
the opuehce of their condition, might have
been taken tor their own children's elder son
and daughter. The daughters, with one ex-
ception, We're all married to the highest mobiles
in the land. That exception was the LADY
Coriander, who, there being no W cancy above
q marquis and rental of 81 900 900, waited.
Gathered around the refined and sacred circle
of their breakfast table, with their glittering
cOronets which, in ilial respect to their fathers
Tory instinct and their mothers Ritualistic
tastes, they always wore on their regal brows,
the effect was dazzling as it was refined. It
was this peculiarly and their strong family
resemblance which led their brother-in-law
the good -humored st. Addlegourd, to say that,
Pom my soul, you know, the whole precious
mob looked like CHASTITY pack of court cards,
you know" St. Addlegourd was radical.
Having rent-roll of G15 000, 900 and belonging
to one of the Oldest families in Britain he
could afford to be.
mamma, I've just dropped pearl" said
the Lady Coriander, bending over the Persian
hearthrug.
thaw, who came of age and entered the room
at the same moment. aE
mo, from my work. 1t was very valuable
pee pearl, mamma; papa gave Isaacs & Sons ESQ.,
'..Ah, indeed" said the Duchess, languidly
rising; "let me go to luncheon
"But, your Grace" interposed Lolhaw, who
was still quite young, and had dropped on all
tours on the carpet in search OF the missing
gem, consider the Value
Dear friend" interposed the Duchess, with
infinite tact, &c ntly lifting him by the tails of
his d.ess-coat' Il am waiting for your arm"
CHAPTER III.
Mr.. Putney Giles was Lothaw's first grand
dinner party. Yet, by carefully watching the
others he managed to acquit himself credita-
bly,, and avoid drinking out of the finger
bowl by first secretly testing its contents with
spoon. The conversation was peculiar and
siDgularly interesting. .
"Tnen you think that monOgamy is simply a
question OF the thermometer?" said Mrs. Pot
ney Giles to her companion.
:. certainly think that polygamy should be
limited by isothermal lines, replied Lotbaw.
Il should say it was matter of latitude"
observed loud, laxative man opposite. He
was an Oxford Professor with taste for satire.
and had made himself very obnoxious to the
company, during dinner, by speaking dispar-
agingly of former well known Chancellor of
the Exchequer-a great statesman, a brilliant
he feared and hated.
Suddenly there was a sensation in the room:
among the females it absolutely amounted to a
nervous thrill. His Eminence, the Cardinal
was announced. He entered with great suayity
OF manner, and, after shaking hands with ey-
erybody, asking after their relatives, chucking
the more delicate females under the chin with
high-bred grace peculiar to his profession, he
selves this evening, my dears?" in several diff.
ferent languages, which he spoke tluently.
:, Lothaw's heart was touched. His deeply re-
lglous CONVICTIONS were impressed. He in
stanty went up to this gifted being, confessed,
said to- himself, II will partake of the con- mum
ion, ana endow the Church with nv vast es-
tatss. For the present I'll let the improved
cottages CO."
CHAPTER ~.
As Lothaw turned to leave the Cardinal, he
was struck by beautiful face. 1t was that of
m@tIonJ oiiut uuJ Sudpciy rs an Ionic column,
Her lace was Grecian with COrinthian TEMPLES:
Hellenic eyes that looked from iutting eve.
)rOws Ike dormer-w windows in an Attic fore
read, completed her perfectly Athenian ont
inc. She wore a black frock coat tightly Init
oned over her boomer trousers, and stand. |
ne collar.
"Your Lordship is struck by that face" said |
social parasite. |
II am; who is she?" |
"Her name is Mary Ann. She is married to |
n American, and has lately invented new |
6ligion."
'Ah!" said Lothaw eagerly, with difficulty |
estraining himself from rushing toward her.
Yes; shall introduce you'll!
y, Lothaw thought OF Lady COrianders High |
onurch pTochvIties, of the Cardinal, and hest
"'ea; No. ! thank you, not now
CHAPTER VIII
as Lothaw left Mr. Ametbyst's. he ran
4 4 a.h ss yen. Camperdown GLOW ia Mary
IN nv ne asked hurriedly. ia
rna regret to state that she is dying" said the
Ienera', with grave voice, as he removaJ lie
Iothaw. 'eu HIS nat 10
"Dying!" said Lothaw, iucredn,or.,r
"Alas, TOO trne!" replied the General "rho
engagements OF long occurring season 20
osure in travelling by railway during The w;n-
or, and the imperfect Bourishmept affordaa
Y the refreshments along the road, have to- 4
D her delicate frame. But she twants to see
on before she dies. Here is the key to nv
,dging, will furnish my cigar ont here"
JothaW hardly recognized those wasted |