New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-05-28

| SbAo'o w Occuuo pUIoE anu DcCUor. On
was still in her teens and in the triune glor,
of youth, beauty and innocence she ap
peared at once the realization of human
and the anticipation Of divine perfection.
Thus matters continued till one COLDER
day in June, when some carpenters were
called in to make few alterations and re
pairs in the treasury room in which my
desk was eituated. Two days were re
quired for this work, and consequently
receiv ed, with other occupants of the room
leave of absence for forty-eight hours.
accepted the frrloueh with delight, and
at once promised myself the luxury of a
walk with my own darling Mollie. 1t
would be q surprise to her. but what Of
that! I thought it would be all the dearer
on that account.
I dressed myself with more care than
usual, and turning my steps in the direction
of Georgetown, where my charmer resided.
found in the brightness of the sky and the
beauty of nature such cheering omens a.
made my prophetic heart already palpitate
with gladness.
The house sought stood at short dis
tance from the street. and in the rear there
was garden, gay with bright blossoms and
creeping vines.
The door was open and I entered unan-
nounced, hoping to meet Miss Mollie in the
parlor.
She was not there, but her work was. A
beautiful bouquet, deity prepared, az l
knew, by her own cunning fingers, was ly-
ing on her table, and she had copied it in
water colors with such skill and fidelity
that knew not which to admire most, the
work of nature or the work Of art.
Then, on the piano found the piece of
music she had last played: Il Love But
Thee !"
With q self adulatiOn I am now sincerely
ashamed of, I congratulated myself on the
possession of a delicately responsive heart,
rendered fonder by absence-one whose
amusements we're all innocent and even
whose melodies were mine. In the fervor
OF devotion an unuttered prayer took form
in my heart of hearts: "God bless my dar-
ling Mollie!'
Feeling assured that she was in her ia
vorite arbor in the garden crept out, de-
termined to startle her by q sweet surprise.
The way was clear, and approached with
fond anticipation. Every step carried me
nearer and nearer to the dear one so
loved and whose love SO highly priced.
A sound fell on my ear. It was sibilant
as the Kissing of a serpent. What could it
BET Perhaps she had fallen asleep, and
while in the innocence of her angelic
dreams serpent had really entered the
arb0r, and the sound heard was but the
premonltory signal Of q serpent's sting
The thought filed me with alarm. I has
tened to the door of the arbor and there, |
horror of horrors! beheld the object of my
blind alteration seated on the knee OF q |
young merchant celebrated for his gal |
lantry.
One look was enough. The IDOL I had |
worshiped as saint was no longer mine.
The sibilant sound was explained. With .
hasty apology for my unwelcome intrusion
retired from the scene saddened and a
perhaps-a wiser man.
The coOing doves futtered their wings as
left. When entered the garden it was
when retired it was Sahara.
At first my anger made me brave, but
lfter l returned to my lodgings the cruel
had experienced, and the
'ruel revelation which had followed my
hopeful genesis, filled me with fearful emo
ion, and cried as strong men seldom CIV.
But the fountains Of feelings do not al
Ways flow. When the lachrymal glands
un dry the tears will stop. In this condi-
ion, concluded to revenge myself on the
ntire sex by refusing to be duped from
hat time firth and forever. Alas for the
anity of human conclusions. Man pro-
oses and God disposes.
Endeavoring to turn my thoughts in a |
ew direction, l spent my spare hours
away from the busy haunts of
len and women, determined to study
AZURE in her more innocent and less artful
'rms, and to profit by the lessons thus i'm
arted. In summer found occasional recre-
ton in pursuing Isaak Walton's gentle
TT, and in winter my gun and game bag
i'd me effective service. But, truth to say,
was rather q sentimental hunter than {
therwise. never killed entirely for sport.
ither real use or the interests Of science
ere always consulted in my quest for game. I
l found, however, that was rapidly be-
'ming hermit in my disposition, and Q ,
We for strong drink began again to assert I
self. The dat fask, familiarly known as 4
pocket pistol, was the companion looked 9
in my wanderings for comfort and in. t
'irstion; however unworthy it might be,
would never deceive me as the woman I q
I'd loved.
About eight months after the idol had r
orshiped fell from the radiant pedestal Q
ected for her in my holy of holies, '
shionable marriage occurred in George n
wn. Miss Mollie Ray was led to the altar
blushing bride, and tho merchant, whose b
llantry once considered little less than e.
iminal, 90 honored her with his love and il
nfidenoe as to make her bone of his bone a.
I'd flesh of his flesh. I
This fact gave new reading to the rid. d
of the arbor. Though 1 had never
ked the fair Mollie to become my wife, %
It considered our intimacy % equiva- t.
Mt to an engagement, and the afeotionA