New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-06-11
81 NEVER LIKED LEWIS,
A Remarkable Character sketch.

A Remarkable Character Sketch.
sa.4 , From London Society," r-F,
l never liked Lewis-never. We were
boys together. Our mothers were delighted
to see us playing marbles together; but ht
could always knuckle down better than
could. We played at turnpike gate with oul
hoops, and somehow he always trundled
his between the pebbles which constituted
to our young imaginations the pike, man
in apron, toll bar and all-while scattered
them and lost the game. When we first
came together, we were both schoolboys ON
the same form. His lessons were nv les
sons day after day; but then if there was
an advantage in progress, it was generally
on my side. Somehow he got all of the
credit. 4..7
Lewis was born under extraordinary cir
cumstances. His family were a wild, am
bilious, and have often heard nv mother
say, INSCRIPTIONS set. At the period of
his birth they were in the height of their
them in those days. They had the biggest
house in their neighborhood by far. Their
horses and stables were the envy of every
body. They gave parties and blocked UP
the place with the equipages of their guests.
The greatest people in the land went to see
them; and even people of distinction from
abroad, arriving in the country, would take
the earlist opportunity of paying their re-
spects to the Lewises. Mr.. Lewis himself
was gloomy, morose. unpopular man; but
his wife, when she was young. was one of
the loveliest women, as my father often de-
cared to my mOthei s notification upOn
whom the sun ever shone. 1t seems that
she was as brilliant in mind and as cour-
ageous in spirit as she was in person lovely.
Mr.. and Mrs. Lewis were called, among
the local tradesmen, the beauty and
hi lHn
gracious word or look, she was ALWAYS
wreathed in smiles. She had kind word
and ready hand tor the poor 1t she dis
liked her lord she loved her children. and
they were always with her in the carriage.
Two boys that were the envy of all other
boys who saw them; who wore the loyeliest
feathers IN their hats, trundled hoops with
padded sucks, played with marbles, every
one OF which was an agate, and spun tops
of stained wood with silken cords: were the
idols OF their beautiful parent, and were
very seldom permitted to range beyond her
sight. There was an uncle in the family
who had married, l believe, the mother of
Mrs. Lewis, after her fathers death. and
whom Mrs. Lewis loved as well as the most
devoted daughter can love the most in
dulgent OF parents. He was her mentor
her guide in all things. His word was her
law, and she was never tired of telling her
friends about his wisdom and the great
position he held in the world. Gossins said
that the only fact which made the married
life OF Mrs. Lewis bearable was that her
husband was related closely to her stem
father.
1t was very natural in Mrs. Lewis to make
much of her stepfather. He was the ner-
sonage to whom she looked for the advance
ment OF her darling boys in life. His in
Huence seemed to be boundless and he
knew it, as my mother, who often saw him
frowning out of his chariot window on his
way to see his beautiful stepdaughter.
would tell me in after years
The elder boy was sickly and was kept
at home, but the second was sent to school
and, as have said, it was at school where
FIRST met him.
The new boy made a sensation. 1t was
whispered along the forms that his name
was Lewis, and that he had come in ba-
rouche, with servant in livery to carry his |
books. We crowded around him in the |
play ground, and found that his pockets |
were full OF money; that he had a knife |
with one blade more than that of the cock |
of the school, and that a most IMPOSING |
coat OF arms was engraved on the heaviest |
silver spoons and forks, which were brought
for his use at table. The master fawned on
him. and gave him easy lessons. and mt
him at the desk nearest the stove. We hated |
him for this-boys are only little men.
Out OF school, must say, Lewis gave
himself no airs. His plentiful nneket
money was lavishly scattered when the
apple-woman came into the playground.
He would buy a shilling's worth Of Roma.
parties ribs, and give every boy in the school
one. He would propose a scramble Cor
apples, or quart of Spanish nuts. / have
known him to come with half dozen CO.
and give one each to the fellows
who had played at horses with him. PLAY
a hnrspe w az
be great favorite or be able to dispense
favors who wants to drive a team in the
Lewis was amiable enough
we thought then, and was ready to give
everything he had, provided we would be
his nags. We made HIM pay, and he drove
us He was ready fellow with his fists, l
admit. He would give, but he would have
and was often his off-sider, because made
my bargain openly, and he liked that. |
carried off heaps of things till nv mother
at home was quite alarmed "Where did
you get that splendid top, Bobp' said
mother. Lewis" was my answer. THAT
kite must have cost five shillings, Bob
Lewis" replied. Your fathers knife is
not worth that" nay maternal parent OBJ
served. Lewis" was my response; but |
never liked him.
We played truant together, and he got me
off the punishment, and the school cheered
him in the playground for it. thought
they. made much of it-but 1 must say
Lewis himself didn't; and he behaved well
n asking me home to his mothers great
house to dine and spend Saturday after
noon with him Mrs. Lewis stepfather
vas there, and everything gave way to him.
He pinched my ear playiully, and tipped
ne when / went off to school in the eve
ling-loaded with fruit and cakes for the
Boys of our form, which Mrs. Lewis packed
Up with her own white hands. while her
'tepfather stood by looking at her and iok-
ng very affably for so great man.
When the holidays came-being an or
1han, and my guardians being resident in
persuaded his mother to
invite me for a fortnight or so to their coun-
ry house. 1t was here i saw the Lewises
md their mighty friends in all their glory.
The house, or castle, was an ancient one. |
which her stepfather had given to Mrs.
lewis as marriage present, and which he ,
lelped her To heautify aunerintend;po +ba | .