New Orleans Republican., 1873-08-31

that the stores on each side were open,
as 1t business were yet being casrled
on. Silks and satins, rich and rare cloths,
and costly merchandise of every descrip-
ton adorned the windows, into which no
eyes save mine were ever destined TO look
again. Tue latest fashions, the newest
style of hat or coat might still be seen in
conspicuous places, and laughed aloud to
think that such dainty garments would rot
and molder where they hung. Some had
been torn down; and the broken windows
testified that arms had been thrust in to
carry off the booty; but the plunderers. in
their hurry to escape, had relinauished the
prizes, leaving the streets carpeted with
silks, for the wind, in one OF its boIsterous
freaks, to whirl away. Peering out, be-
meath piles of dust, sometimes detected
costly Jewel, and l would instinctively
grasp it, as if its value was greater than the
rubbish among which it lay.
Itraveled on l found the doors of the
Metropolitan and St. Nicholas Hotels open,
and, before them, carriages laden with
trunks and packs 30, waiting. perchance,
for phantom passsGgers. The horses lay on
the pavement-iiarnessed and dead. 1n
every direction Omnibuses and coaches,
carts and cabs-sOme overturned, some up
right-were forsaken by their owners, and
Left to decay.
The doors of the theatre stood invitingy
way announced the revival of an ancient
comedy Ha ha ha. 1t was true, and
devils were to be the actors.
/ arrived at the park. The City Hall
doomed up dismally in the midst OF few
witherei trees The clock had stopped
and pointed to the hour Of twelve. The
great bell was mute, and the wind, as 1t
howled around the dome, essayed in vain to
move that iron tongue OF warning. It had
ceased to speak.
Ipassed the Ne,rs office ard saw extras
posted on it's bulletin, announcing:
A great aud alarming crlsls-seVenty-hv
banks broke IN simultaneously-the first
merchants in New York suspending pay
ment-desertion of the city, etc.
These papers We're dated Six weeks pre-
vious. How they gloated over the wreck
in huge capitals; and how they would have
gloated if they could have detailed 1.-THE
OF what have Witnessed!
| passed by churches, and their doors
were closed-tirmiy closed-as IL they had
been swung to with giants force. IL
stinctively looked up at Trinity's spire. l
fancied that it moved-that 1t shOok-tot-
tered-was about to fall and crush NE. 1t
was only fancy; yet hurried my pace. for
strange chill crept over me at the thought
of halting beneath its gloomy sha low The
wind kept me company all the while. and
swept up every street to greet me as went
along.
Al len 9Th l reached the battery, and there
it blew in ftful hurricanes. rushing out
madIy over the water. | could scarcely
hold nv footing; the rough waves rose
angrily to where | stood. Even to the dis
tant shores of Jersey and Staten Island
ships or rather hulks, covered the surface
of the sea and drifted hither and thither,
without helm or rigging. Not one was
moored-not living creature could be
seen upo,f their decks. They looked like
an army of battle horses let loose. They
charged-they recoi!ed-they rallied-they
hurled themselves furiOusly one against the
other; splinuers were flung high in the air
they Observation-Disclosures -crashed-sunk,
and rose again in fragments The unbri-
died storm, snorting in its pride and power,
careered madly round and round the bay,
directing its wrath now here, now there, so
that the ocean represented one gigantic
wreck.
Over this scene was spread yellow,
sickly, faded canOpy-the reflection OF
setting. dying sun; for, in truth, never
thought to look upon it's rise again In the
west heavy clouds lifted themselves up in
fantastic shapes. Anon they took the form
as | had often piled them up-magnitied
now into mouutains upon N ountains. They
shone like pale virgin gold.
The two scenes were alike-identical: ex-
cept that here a visible sea OF destruction
rolled and roared at my feer. A horrible
tear seized my SOUL gazed awe struck,
spellbound, contounded, and as / thus
gazed behold! the shadow OF maH stand
ing out in dark relief against the giitterinS
sky. 1t approached. My DESTROYER stood
before me. His likeness TO Bumpus was
more forcible than ever. It was Bumpus
transformed into devil.
His sardOnic smile was changed into
look OF tendIsh triumph. knew that /
was lost-unutterably lost.
There was a pause.
How like YOU nv power = he said at
length, svou have used it well-my demons
power OF gold"
Back, tiend! year tine has 10. come
yet"
sounded shrilly above the storm that en-
circ!ed US, and the noise Of the waves that
beat against the quay beneath our feet.
l turned to 90, but he caught me by the
wrist, saying:
Not so: you are mine now. What! you
don't like me nnmaskei ?" His form seemed
to dilate as be spoke.
made desperate EFFORT to free myself,
and succeeded in releasing my arm; but he
grasped me again and again. | struggled
with all the terrific energy of despair. With
our arms clasped round each others waists
we wrestled for victory. To me it was
strife for eternal life or death, and the
thought lent me superhuman strength. 1
telt his hot breath upon ruy face. and could
see his eyes, like burning Goals, flashing
with Internal malice. Neither spoke, and
for some moments neither gained any ad-
vantage. l soon discovered that surely
but safely he was dragging me toward the
edge of the Battery. Every second brought
us Observation-Disclosures. We were on the
brink now. The roaring OF the storm
sounded family in my ears. A moment
more-during which recollections of the
past came up with startling reality before
me-a moment more, and lost my balance.
Still holding on to my enemy with death
grip, / telt myself falling-falfng. down
down-down-ah it seemed to me unfath-
omable depths
did not die; did Dot even lose con-
sciousness. For a long, long time the water
rushed around my head and into my mouth,
ears and eyes, giving me agonizing sensa-
tions of pain. Anon the peculiar noise of
waves, bubbling and sp!ashing about,
changed to sounds of music. / knew then
was drowning, but, strange to say. with
that knowledge ali suffering passed away.
The passions OF my soul were lulled at
last. Borne along 10y the undArcurrent of
the ocean-lying on my back. with eyes
staring ixedly upward-I could see, the
golden light streaming down through the
water. interrupted now and then as | was
swept beneath some drifting wreck. Again
there was a change. The music ceased, and
in its stead | heard Gathering OF tongues
q very Babel-ali talking together confus-
edly. The first words | could distinguish
were spoken in a loud voice
its all over"
'.Thank God = calculated.
''You may consider your life saved was
the rejoinder.