The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1873-08-07
ROUCE.ET-NOIR; OR A NAVAL OF.
FICER'S ADVENTURE IN LIMA.

ROUCE.EI-NolRi OR A NAVAL OF
FlCER'S ADVENTURE IN LIMA.
"What do you say, Dick, to a run
on the beach this afternoon and eve.
ming :? We are under sailing orders
you know, and our opportunities for
gazing upon the charms of the
bellies of Lima will be few, can tell
you. Come, don your best uniform
while interview our worthy captain
and obtain the desired permission. "
81 am agreed, Hal, and say, shall
l charge you with few extra gold
pieces on my books =? We shall both
want some spare cash, especially if
we take hand at monte"
eyes, Dick, draw out two hundred
dollars from your safe on my ac-
count, l may take a notion to buck
the tiger. Anything for a frolic, )"
and with reckless laugh the light
hearted first luff of well-known
steam sloop.ot-war bearing the Stars
and Stripes from her peak, hurried
aft to the captains cabin.
Richard Santelle, or Dick, as he
was familiarly called by his mess
mates, wore the stripes of paymas-
ter, and was the boon companion Of
Harry Greyson.
Attired in their best uniforms the
two young men touched their hats to
the officers of th~ deck, and passing
over the gangway were soon landed
on the sandy beach. Callao, where
the sloop-ofwar was at anchor, is
six miles distant from Lima, and
hailing a carriage they were soon en-
route for the beautiful but ancient
city.
Rsttling over the elegant stone
bridge that spans the river Rimac,
Hal directed the driver to draw up
in the grand square. The full rich
notes of military band came float,
ing to their earS as they stepped
from the carriage, and dismis sing
the driver, the two friends, arm iii
arm, joined the throng of promena-
ders who invariably congregate at
sunset on the noble Alameda to lis
ten to the evening concert of the
band or to indulge in the pleasures
of filtration which the fair ones of
that favored city sometimes carry to
excess.
Hal and Dick sauntered leisurely
along, their good looks and brass
buttons attracted many an admiring
glance from the dark-eyed donnas,
while from the other sex dark
scowl of hatred generally greeted
them.
"Ha Dick, did you see that sig
nal Those two ladies on our ex.
treme right, the one with a scarlet
sash. They are inclined to f1irt a lit
tie | fancy, and I'll humor their
whim."
"Be careful, Hal, or you will feel
the poking of Peruvian knife be-
tween youl ribs"
! "Pshaw /! Dick, keep your weath.
er eye open, and there is no danger.
You have your revolver with you of
of course ?"
eyes"
"Then in case we should come in
close quarters we could keep a score
of the eowardly dogs at bay. Now
let us quicken our pace, and over
take the ladies. See, they turn down
that quiet avenue, and flirt their fans
as challenge for us to follow. Here
is an opportunity for little love ad-
venture" .a
eyes, and possibly chance to
get our ribs tickled."
"Nonsense, Dick! What is the
matter with you this evening? You
need some excitement to cheer you
up"
The ladies were soon overtaken,
and responded to the polite salutation
of the officers. With an easy grace
they glided into conversation, and
the gentlemen offering their arms,
the quartette plunged sill deep r
into the obscure depths of the ave-
nue., the tall trees affording ample
security from the eyes of any one
CHANGING to pass by. The strains OF
the band could hardly be distinguish.
ed in the distance, and were un-
needed by the officers and their fair
companions. In that warm land OF
mirth and beauty the cold, rigid
forms of society are but little headed
Each one follows the bent of their
own inclinations, and interested par
ties seldom bother each other with
disagreeable questions.
When the officers left their fail
ones, it was with the understanding
that they were to meet at nine tina,
evening at Senior Nicastro's recep.
ton.
Nicastro's mansion was we'll
known as the resort of the fashion
able classes of both sexes, who filled
nightly the elegant rooms and in
dulged in their national vice-gam
bling.
Only persons of the highest stand
ing were admitted, and neither Dick
nor Hal apprehended the slightest
difficulty in gaining iIgress into the
magnificent halls. Their :uniform
would serve as passport, and over
come all difficulty. @4
The mansion was in blaze OF
light. The liveried servants were
hurrying to and fro, receiving the
numerous guests that thronged the
broad entrance leading to the house
and crowded the spacious stairway.
The watching major domo bowed
low as Dick and Hal passed on, and
Nicastro himself bade the officers
welcome to his den of gilded sin.
The noble staircase, the illumina.
ted corridor. the magnificent sa.
looms, were crowded with the rich,
the gay and the luxurious of Lima.
The crowd all tended one way, to-
ward the grand saloon, where the
chink Of gold and the sonorous, mo.
notonous tones of the bankers voice
could be heard above the dull hum
of conversation. 3's
The saloon, ornamented with stat.
utes and paintings, brilliant with the
glare OF numerous chandeliers, fash
ed back the hues of the precious
stones and the brighter glances of
magnificent eyes. y.
Tables for faro and rouge-etno
were already glittering with gold and
silver. Seats were eagerly seised,
and the fascinating games were in
full operation, Y.
Hars restless eye soon discovered
the dark, melting glsnces Of Donna
Maria, and as he hurried to her side,