Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-07-06
TRAP 10 CATCH A HUSBAND.
An Incident of Our Civil Wharf.-The
Confession and o Kiss.


Sunset in the tropics. Sunset on the out
skirts Of Louisiana forest.-stately, solemn.
What chaos of noala color, WhaI an Eden
Oh blossom and Of odor, what royal prodi-
gality of un;rammeled life. The spot where
a party of tourists had encamped them
selves for the night was at the height of
some 500 or 400 feet above the level Of the
sea and glowing sweep of low land coun-
try-yelloW maize fields, orchard villages,
and gardens-stretch away league beyond
league before them.
The party which made up this encampment
consisted Of four observation-disclosures on
tour of pleasure and observation. Three
were gentlemen of wealth; but the fourth
-Jerrold Gray-was dependent nephew
of one of the rich trio. His uncle had
edrcated him, and now, at the end OF his
collegiate course, had taken him on this tour.
At its conclusion Jerrold was to choose
profession, and commence single-handed
the battle of life. His uncle had number
of children, so tina. Jerrold could not reason
ably expect TO inherit anything, and his
independence prompted him to decline fur
Their pecuniary aid.
Leaving bis companions cooking the sup.
per, in true camp fashion, Jerrold strolled
off to view the pan2orma that was stretched
beneath the surrounding bill. As he stood
listlessly leaning against tree be woke the
echoes of 8 chance song. He was really q
fne singer, possessed of highly-cultvated
voice, and sang with all the abandon ofpre-
sumed solitude. He did not see the bright,
black eyes that were watching him, nor the
dainty ears that were li-tening, both OF
which belonged to one of the wealthiest and
prettiest heiresses in Louisiana. She sat
on a splendid horse, and made picture
that, had Jerrold seen it, would have eclips-
ed the opposite landscape upon which he
was gazing. She waited there, fascinated,
and trusting to the shelter Of the trees until
he turned and retraced his steps. But sud
denly, in the very height of his song, bis
glance fell on her, leaning gracefully forward
upon the saddle, and regarding him u ith a
face ofmingied wonder and admiration that
was so Intense ss to De comical, the tall
bushes and branches half vailing her. New
er could he forget the picture. His voice
abruptly ceased; and the next instant he
burst into ringing laugh that was 80 joy
Gus, hearty, and irrepressible that it proved
infectious, and catching by instinct the
humor Of The moment, she laughed very
heartily. Then, as if rishtened by such
familiarity with a stranger, she sobered
suddenly.
81 beg your pardon, sir, for listening"
she said, "but it is so seldom we meet
human being up here in the hills that you
tempted meto lsten."
Never had Jerrold looked upon face that
so fascinated him. The girls dark hair, and
a face On which there always lived a boom,
but to which there never mounted decld-
ed color, appeared the very embodiment OF
health and vitality. But it was the Won
derful mobility of the features that consti-
tlted their greatest charm; their expressions
we're as shifting aud various as the stmos-
phere upon an April morning. Every mood
and passion thsy reflected changed them
into another face; now they were those OF
q laughing Hebe, now those OF simple
child: she was woman for whom men
would cast aside every tie Of heaven and
earth, and for whose love Ierdl.lon would
not appear to them too high price pay.
Before Jerrold coull reply 10 the girl,
gentleman on horse sck rcGe up
$50. Berta," he said 10 her, ''you ran
avay from me-" And then, seeing The
stranger, be bowed politely, and added,
at isn't often these slid hills are visited py
strangers"
brief conversation ensued, ending in
visit to The temporary camp. The gentle
man introduced himself as Blsnton Fen
shaw, 2 planter Of The neighhorhood, ana
the Gill as Berta Fe DshaW, his niece.
ADO Won iuterd remain here to-night3'
he asked as he prepared to 60.
aYes.n was the reply; "we are very la
xiv seeking pleasure, and camp wherever
fancy dictates"
aThen shall ineist upon seeing you st
nv bouse. You see it yonder," he said,
pointinc TO a plantation residence clmly
vjsihIe in the distant plain, ''aud until then
good day."
Berta add ed her invitation, and uncle and
niece were sooD riding out OF sight.
Knowing by experience the hospitality Oh
Louisiana planters Of the higher class, and
certain that the invitation was lntendeu ioE
actual acceptance, the tourists declueu on
the morrow.
ON that same morrow, toward afternoon,
Berta Fenshaw sat III her room thinking o.
Jerrold Gray. She had dreamed OF nlIn
during the night, and she was wondering
why. 1t was not because OF a cearth Oh
Young men among the circle OF her ac-
0uaintances. And all the region knew Ihe
pretty heiress. She knew all the oId IneH
aud women in the country, and their num-
erous complaints. She was godmother 10
half the babies. The young planters OF all
thu adjoining Junlies were IN love wiz ner
and proposed to her at regular Intervals
But Berta was romantic. She was very
happy as she was, and if she did marry, ut
mnst be more OF a hero to " III her IMAM sn'
had seen.
Had Jerrold Gray seen the pretty heiress
and known that he was the suoJe"t Oh hel
thoughts, he might have been more natVer
ed, but scarcely more in love Win her thai
he really was. Her room was airanget
with all the simple taste of well-Drea glrI
Her hanging book shelves were well-niieC
with their row # poets, their row OF useiu
works. TIE neat little writing-ta0le, VIII
its eilt inkstand and its pretty, costly NICK
nacks. stood in the window; and above !
! hung the cage OF her pet canary. Iher'
was a pisno, too, and well-hlled musl
stand. Upon all the room was the impress
aud evidence of womanly taste and neat
mss: nothing was prim, but everything wa
nrooarlv arranged. Above all, neither il
| hooks. pictures, music, nor dressing.taole il
! the adjoining room, was there the sInalles
! sion of fastness, that almost omDlpoten
drawback 10 the charms of the young ladie
of the pres ent day. But none OF Ines
thir.gs interested the young lady Just 10"
and in the middle Of her reyerle she nesI
tie arrival of the tourists and the voice o
her uncle welcoming them. Hastily nlllSu
ing her toilet, she went down to the sitting
room, where she found the gentlemen u
compensation. Perhaps it was naturs
that the two Young members OF the qulnIe
prayitated toward each other and were 500
in an easy converse. Later, BertS show
bin the gardens, etc. The call proved s.
pleasant, and all were so pleased with tn
congeuial intercourse, that the tourists CON
Piled with tie planters urgent invitation |
spend a week al his house.
The week was spent agreeably to all
was a week of elysum to Jerrold and Bert;
sJerrold," said George BertOn, one 9th
} party, "you are getting desperately in loN
| with this Southern beauty"
eyes" was the frank reply, love her
/ l had never dreamed l could love W
, man."
"Ard does she return your sudden pa
sion?"
, eyes, I am certain of that"
"Then you have spoken to her abo
, it?"
3 oNo, and shall not DO 80. She is rich -
- avn moor. | will never marry under SUI