The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1876-07-27

| 8SuluSCoHS LOVeeX6CtefSs
George Washington Blackstock is 9
man about two-and-forty, a patriot
and worshiper of the man who be.
came the father of this part of the con.
tinent. He early became infused with
the Centennial spirit, and organized q
Centennial Club in his village.
| The other day a eek-looking man
stepped into Blackstock's store, and ask.
ed for the proprietor.
| 81 am he," said George Washington.
"The President of the Centennial
Clubp"
ss Yes, sir" fa
"Can speak to you privately?" :
Certainly, sir; this way to my desk. .
When the two had reached the desk
the man unlocked . small valise, and
drew forth a pack of dingy-looking
documents. IS
"Sir," said he, s'my name is Custis.
You know that Washington married in
to the Custis family. Well, before be
married Martha Custis he wrote her a
good many letters, which are here.n
| Blackstock opened his eyes and
started. H 1fs
"What, sirP''
"These are the identical letters.n
!" You don't mean to say that these
are George Washington's love-letters ?''
cried BlackstOck.
II don't mean to say any thing else, -
replied the man, bland1y. ssLook here, -
and he opened one of the letters. ssSee
the wellknown letters-the initials,
mean-of the immortal Washington.
Listen to this postscript: Dearest Mar
tina, when we are married you shall not
forget the brave Custis, whom you have
loved There, that is Washington's
soul speaking''
s'No butts, my dear Blackstock; the
sight of those old letters is enough to
make . patriot fill up, and / hate to
part with them.''
"Are they for salep" 75t.s fs
"Yes. I never expected to part with
them; but the fact is that am obliged
to. have clung to them through thick
and thin; but man must have money
when he has no friends, and circum-
stances force me to part with the let
ters have carried for twenty years."
t'What are they ?" asked Black
stock, eagerly. ss.a A a ;sFaa
"What are they WORTH" exclaimed
the man. s'Why, sir, the Centennial
Commissioners would give me $5O, 200
for them; they are worth their weight
in gold, but must sell them now. Give
me two hundred dollars, and take the
valuable relics" aifa'
Blackstock thought two hundred dol
lars for Washington's love-letters, in
these Centennial times, was not much,
and so he sought his safe and drew out
the amount.
"Good-bye, old letters" said the
man, mournfully. "May the world
never know that Jehosaphat Custis was
forced to do this deed. Blackstock,
never, never breathe aloud my base
ness" 8ss
Blackstock said g never" )" and went
home with the letters. He wanted to
show Mrs. B. the prizes, but she was
absent, therefore he tucked the letters
away in drawer. and returned to the
store.
By-and-by the hour of tea saw him
leave his desk and hurry down the
street.
Mrs. B. was still absent, and the
kitchen was cold. What could it all
mean? She had never failed before,
and he was resolving to look over the
new purchase until Mary return, when
his eye caught sight OF piece of paper
lying on the table. The next moment
he had read it, and his face was white
as ashes:
Blackstock:-My dream is broken. You
may go to the "dearest Martha'' Of those
letters in your bureau drawer, and I will
go-I don't know where. Q, pngrateful
man! have never shared your love; but
that mink whose name is Custis has won it.
60 to her, and be her dear sc. W." the
rest OF your deceiving life. Never cross my
path again, and let your ssdearest Martha''
keep her distance. @a @ M s'
YOUR UNLovED WIFE.
Thus read the terrible letter, and
Blackstock tainted. ..sszs Fe
When he came to read the letters, he
discovered that they were forgeries, not
worth cent, and then he said some
words that might be spelled with dashes.
The swindler was out of his reach,
and his wife has not returned. Black
stock has resigned the Presidency Of
the Centennial Club and is looking for
the scoundrel who peddles Washing
toms love-letters. ~
''wHo BREAKS PAYS"
@ 5(Afer 1esnyson.) ~s~ ss8s q
Break, break, break,
My china and glass. Oh she .Essst4
Wouldn't like to hear me utter
The thoughts that arise in me. 5st S