The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-11-15

looking at the flying feet of the dancers,
Parr was busy explaining the move
ments of an English country dance,
illustrating his description by leading
of with the Governors daughter, foot
ing il so neatly that Conway, with a
touch of envy, declared he must have
been dancing master. Good'looking
well-mannered, ready-witted, he danced
himself into everybody's good races
all doors were open to him, and merry
time he had of it.
Not content with obtaining partners
in the dance, Parr sought to secure
partner for life. lie fell desperately in
love with a beautiful girl named Olym-
pia Alvarez, and undaunted by the fact
that he could only offer her an empty
hand, while she was the only child OF
one of the richest merchants in San
Salvador, he lost no time in letting her
know the state Of his feelings. The
lady was not blind to the personal mer-
its Of the daring aspirant, but pride
stood in the way of her surrendering
without parley to an unknown for
eigner, who was living upon charity.
She protested to be astonished at his
audacity, although no doubt she liked
him the better for IL; but fate was in his
favor, and happy accident made him
master of the situation. One day
Alvarez, his daughter, and her by no
means hopeless lover took part in
water picnic; the boat, by some mis-
management, struck upon shelving
rock, and Olympia was thrown over
board. Parr was in the water in a mo-
ment, and the girls life saved, and,
with feminine logic, she persuaded her
self that her life belonged TO the man
who risked his own in her behalf, and
resolved to make him a tender Of it.
She accordingly dispatched her con-
fessor-a very Friar Lawrence-with
letter asking Parr TO meet her at church
upon a certain evening. The exultant
lover was punctual TO the appointment
his friend Browne was with MIN, and
there too was Olympia, cloaked and
yelled, with her convenient confessor at
her side. A few low words passed be-
tween the pair the priest unlocked
door, and all passed into a little chapel
lit by one small taper; and when
Browne departed for his lodgings, he
left his companion behind him, mar.
ried man.
The bold bridegroom passed his we'd
ding night beneath the roof of his un-
conscious fatherin.law, and the happy
couple contrived TO meet by stealth every
day. But the fear of detection became
too strong for the new made wifes
nerves, and one fine morning Alvarez
missed his daughter, and Brown missed
his friend. The news ran through the
town. The enraged father fastened to
the Governor, who dispatched thirty cav
airy soldiers armed with carbines and
sabers in pursuit ftbe fugitives, Browne
being permitted to accompany them.
They travelled for hours without striking
the trail, but just as the sun was setting,
voud shrek of distress startled their
ears. They fastened on. and soon found
the object OF their pursuit literally up a
tree, round the trunk of which a huge
snake was coiled on hostile thoughts
intent. How the lady managed TO at.
tain the elevated position she shared
with her husband is a mystery the mar
rator of the story forgot TO solve. The
soldiers would have charged the hungry
reptile, but their horses had ar opinion
of their own as TO the advisability Of the
proceeding, and refused to bulge an
inch. Jumping OFT his steed, Browne
advanced towards the tree with his car.
bine cooked as he raised his piece the
serpent gave a terrible hiss and Olympia,
slipping from her husbands protecting
arms, fell to the ground, and Parr leap
ed down after her. For a moment,
Browne was disconnected, but recover
ing himself, he fired. The ball entered
the serpent's neck and seeing him
thus disabled, the troopers, 1ismount-
ing, rushed in upon it, and dispatched
it with their sabers.
Not caring for a night journey through
the forests, the party camped out until
break of day. The Governor received
the prisoners very kindly and the old
merchant, like sensible man, seeing
what was done could not be undone,
made the best of the business, and car.
ried his daughter and sonin.law home
with him. Others were not so torgiving.
Certain disappointed individuals, enrag-
ed at the Englishman winning the prize
for which they had vainly contended,
hired some rutiians to waylay Parr and
his wife as they came out of the theater
one night. Browne, who was with them.
wrested a sword from one of the assail-
ants, and did good service, until he was
cut down. The screams of the lady
brought the soldiers out, and the young
couple escaped .unharmed. The affair
so alarmed Alvarez that he determined
to leave San Salvador, and accordingly
left by the first ship bound for Lisbon.
Conway was oae of the party, but they
were reluctantly compelled to leave
Browne behind, as he had not sufti.
GENTLY recovered from his wounds.
Unfortunately for himself, he was
strong enough 10 go about by the time
H. NJ. 5. Diomede put into San Saliva.
dor, and fell in the clutches of a press
gang on the lookout for any of their
countrymen who might serve their turn.
Browne had his choice either to remain
on that station or 60 TO the Cape of Good
Hope. He chose the latter alternative,
and in due time was entered as a seaman
on board ii. NJ. S. Leander. In 1901 he
was transferred TO the Duke of Clarence,