Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-12-24
MEMPHIS TENN: TUESDAY EVENING. DECEMBER "a 1872

still nale< ana 1ull OF VlROr. NC nave
often heard Of men who knew not what
1t was to fear, but it has never
been our good fortune to look upon
those giant spirits. We have always
found that some lurking phantom
had power to fright them from things
which were best undone, and often
things which their conscience ordered
done. Colonel Martineau was as nearly
fearless as men are made. and yet he,
too, had his phantom which kept him
spirit-broken, and often in his lonely
hours unnamed him to the extent that
| cold drops of agony stood out upon his
face. 1t preyed upon him; and the lines
wrought by anxious wakefulness grew
deeper as he grew in age. They had ar
rived safely, and all were glad about him.
The sailors worked with will that was
new to them, and as the bum-boats came
about they cracked bad jokes in French
and laughed the more the worse their
wit. Marie, too was glad, and found
cause for laughter as easy as the great
rough men who had worked the harder
TO bring the bark to port because they
knew they had an angel in their charge.
! say, Colonel, said the third pas
senger, who now approached nearer,
"this is not exactly the place we ex-
pected to find it, ehl It's too hilly for
me, and / am sure you and Marie will be
wanting to go back again to France
almost before you've landed" The
speaker was an illfavored man, and
traces ofdeep and continued dissipation
were visible in his face. He spoke in a
tone too familiar for one of his appear
ance to use towards such gentleman as
Colonel Martineau. His eye had a
wicked look, and it was evident that he
knew what sensations he aroused.
Its not the place | expected to see,
sir; but as TO my returning to France
soon" replied the Colonel, that is a
matter which consider concerns only
myself and Marie, and we will go or stay
as our pleasure is
well, it was merely fancy of mine,
replied the other, that you might take
sudden resolve to return, for you
know Colonel, you are so impulsiye in
your movements, and you have made
these sudden starts before"
Philip" cried the Colonel, while his
face was suffused with anger and sup
pressed emotion. By heaven I'll
bear this insolence no longer Am /
to be thus taunted and forever pur-
sued? Marie, my child, go into the
cabin. Go at oncel" he exclaimed,
when he saw that she .hesitated for
moment
And then the two men, the one the
picture of nobleness of character, the
other of depraved tastes and low in
stincts, confronted one another. None
was near enough to hear them, though
their words were hot and rapid.
1t is not enough that | have to bear
the burden Of your presence day after
day, Philip Banton, that you should also
add the insolence of speech to mel Do
you net see, fool and knsve, that you are
slowly killing me with your conduct?
Can you not understand that when ] am
gone your life of Incidence and ease
goes with me2 / tell you, sir, the day
will come when you will push me all too
| far"
&, /" No, no, Colonel, returned the other
" Pm not so great fool as that; the
goose that lays the golden egg is not to
be done away with while it produces
oh, no, but then you know when you took
ship at Havre and didn't even send the
word to tell me that You we're going,
why, I thought it rather sudden, not to
say shabby; and if / hadn been expect
ing something of the kind couldn't
have been able to pack up and get ready
to accompany you" sa
The toue and the manner in which
this was said was very tantalizing, and
the victim of the persecution fairly
swelled with rage. You DEVIL" he ex-
claimed, will you never have done
Will you force me to do it again?"
As he said this he seized Delaying pin
which had rolled out upon the deck,
and with a quick movement aimed a
blow at the other. 1t was not unex
pected, and the arm was caught before
it had time to inAict injury. You old
foolT hissed Philip, who, though evil
IDENTIFY greatly angered at the attack, yet
caneealed II on his exterior" so your
appetite for murder is still unsatisfed,
is it? You want to hang for two instead
of one, do you2" ctf
The Delaying pin had dropped from
the haud Of the old man, and he was
completely overcome with the revulsion
Of feeling which had taken place. The
anger had died away, and in its place a
blank despair had settled. A few more
words, mpttered In low voice, passed
between them and they separated None
had seen their difficulty Yes, one had
seen it; Marie, with her frightened eyes
and face as pale as death, hau stood
while they confronted Tone another, and !
almost shrieked with fear that harm |
would touch her father He said no word |
TO her Of ihe affair, aud she questioned |
him not. Everything had been packed |
up, and shortly after they went down the |
companion.ladder, entered the White |
hall boat which was in waiting, and |
rowed to the wharf. Banton was with |
them. He was silent while they were in |
the boat, but when they stepped upon
the wharf he hade them good day, and |
said he would call when they got settled. |
When Marie asked heY father, as she
had done thousand .timss before, why !
he tolerated the presence of this man
who was so odioas to him, why he was
forever pursaed by him, the answer was
Just the samel Don't ask, my child.
Some day I'll tell you all. 7.
They drove to a quiet little house in a
quiet street, where friend of the Col
onel had recommended them. Every
thing was so cosy and clean, that Marie
was at home at once. She forgot that
wicked Philip, and was as happy as pos
sible. But Philip had not forgotten
them. One night he came, loud and
boisterous. He had been drinking
deeply, He wanted money. He said he
liked the country and the people, they
were SO jolly aud so fond Of spending
money. he himself had spent much
and wanted more. The Colonel replied