New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-03-12
rom Charleston before the club was

broken up
II hear that Colonel Washington is {
fine swordsman," said Miss Elliot, '.ant
that his troop are all bold riders. They
have fought Tarleton's legion once O
twice in skirmishes, and they say the ret
coats are rather shy of them"
just at this point the conversation wa
interrupted by the entrance Of Billy
bearing a peace Offering in the shape o.
huge waiter of luncheon. Billy was
butler and major domo in the establish
ment, and the young ladies could no,
restrain their mirth at the profusion and
variety with which the faithful fellow was
evidently trying to make amends for the
disappointment which his high sense o.
duty had compelled him to infict upon
them. Had there been a dozen instead
Of two, there would have been ample
provision for their wants upon the broad
silver salver. Cakes and jellies, pre-
serves and sandwiches, tarts and rudy
apples, decanter Of sherry and stand
Of liquors, left barely room enough for
the dainty little plates and glasses, while
Billy's special apology appeared in the
form of two steaming little tumblers Of
rum punch, the characteristic beverage Of
the day. All severity of tone and manner
had disappeared, and there was something
almost chivalric in the deferential smile
and rude grace with which the old fel
low handed his waiter to the ladies and
assured them of the harmless mildness o,
the punch. Depositing his burden upor
stand within easy reach of the sofa,
Billy turned to leave, but paused as his
eye wandered down the opening vista Of
the avenue, and after gazing for moment
in silence, he suddenly exclaimed, "Dere's
two sojer gemplenans comm trough the
big gate"
In an instant both the young ladies
were on their feet and at the window, fol
| sHch an announcement was cause enough
| for excitement in that time Of wal, when
the ''sojer gemplemans" might prove to
| be either friends or foes. Charleston had
| already narrowly escapted capture during
the previous summer by General Provost,
who, although compelled to retire on
Savannah, had worsted Lincoln's militia
army, destroying about one-fourth Of the
little force. In October had occurred the
disastrous attack upon Savannah, in
which the gallant Pulaski lost his life,
and Jasper, the hero of Fort Sullivan, re-
ceived his death wound. Sumter, the
''Game Cock" of Carolina, had retired
from the State with his handful of follow.
ers badly demoralized; Marion, the
Swamp Fox" was concealed with his lit
tie band among the cypress bays and
canebrakes Of the Pedee; and tone Of
gloom and dependency prevailed among
the people. In the neighborhovd Of
Charleston all was uncertainty. The
plantation residences were occupied
chiefly by ladies, the gentlemen being
generally with the army. Tarleton's Lee
gion had become widely known and
feared on account of the dashing forays
which that famous command was con-
stantly making under the lead of its
brave and impetuous chief. No wonder,
then, that the hearts of the two young
ladies at Oaklands beat quick with anxiety
as they strained their gaze down the ave-
nue., uncertain whether they should see
the hated scarlet uniforms Of the British
troopers or the welcome blue Of the Con-
tinental cavalry.
But the ''big gate'' to which Billy had
alluded was full quarter of mile dis
tant, and although the first glance salts
fed the excited watchers that their visitors
were friends, little more could be certain
until they should approach more nearly.
Patience, however, was hardly to be e1-
pected under the circumstances, and its
place was efectually supplied by little
red morocco-covered spyglass which Miss
Elliott took from the table. Scarcely was
it brought to bear upon the approaching
horsemen when she laid it down as sud-
denly as she had seized it, the rich color
mantling to her forehead.
"Why, Jane" said her friend. ssam l
not to look at the strangers? Oh, de-
clare-yes, I do believe know that horse.
It must be-
'It is Colonel Washington and some
other officer whom I do not know, +" said
Miss Elliott, who had regained her self
possession completely. You have your
wish, Rebecca.'
The two visitors cantered rapidly up the
broad avenue, and found Billy waiting to
receive them. One was tall, sold;ery-
looking man Of about twenty-eight, his
fine face bronzed by exposure, and his
easy seat in the saddle betokening one
who had been horseman from his youth.
He wore the blue coat with yellow facings
and the buckskin breaches of the Cont
mental cavalry, his red sash bound over
broad sword-belt which supported strong
sabre. while the handsome and well
muscled bay mare which he rode carried |
. leather portemanteau in addition to |
the heavy bearskin holster. His large
cavalry boots were well despatched, and |
his whole bearing was that of an officer on
duty, rather than of gallant bent on
visiting lady fair.
M vY-oc q
ngly not over seventeen, well mounted |
llso, and dressed in the simple uniform |
II an orderly, but evidently the friend
md social equal Of his superior officer.
The young man sat his horse with the |
ase and grace of one born to the saddle,
nd his fiery chestnut seemed to know
nd understand his rider thoroughly.
like the other, he was provided with
holsters and portmanteau, heavy blue
avalfy cloak being strapped over the I'm.
tuffed saddle tree. Entering the draw
ng room, Colonel Washington presented
is companion to Miss Elliott as s.1Ir.
'eyton, Of Virginia, and both gentlemen
'ere in turn presented to Miss Stead, who
eceived their courtly bows with one of
nose graceful, sweeping courtesies which
lay be ranked among the lost arts of a |
asst generation. Billy had followed the
uests to the parlor door, where be stood
) if waiting orders.
'You seem to have ridden far" said the
'ir hostess when the ordinary salutations
ad passed. '.Let me order your horses
the stable to be fed
u thank you very kindly, Miss, but
mere will be scarcely time, for we are
n y marching orders, and must be in
harieston before sunset" replied the
oionei with bow; and there was some.
1lng IN his tone which faintlu s,1nnastod |