The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1877-06-06
CECILE'S PEARLS.


1t was during the late rebellion. /
was an officer in the Federal service
and it Glanced, through the fortune Of
war, that my command was sent to
New Orleans on special duty.
This duty, to most of us, was not
very pleasant; and we were awaiting
eagerly our summons to another quar-
ter, when l met with rather roman
tic adventure.
Passing down secluded street, late
one evening, / was startled by a loud
shriek, evidently in a woman's voice,
followed by an appeal for help. Dart
ing Forward, / preceived in the dim,
gray shadows of twilight, which fell up
on all things, the slender figure Of a
woman, enveloped in a waterproof
cloak, struggling in the grasp of bur
ly rufian. 1t was but the work of
moment TO deal him a blow, which
laid him at my feet. lie arose, and
with muttered curses and threats of
future vengeance, to which |, at the
time, paid no heed, considering them
but the rawlings of an inebriate, stag
gered onward. All this time the wo-
man had stood trembling with terror,
leaning against an adjacent building.
"How can ] ever thank you, sir?"
1t was low, clear, sweet voice, the
unmistakable tones of refinement. ]
raised my hat. Ia .ee -es
"If you will allow me, MADAM" |
replied, II will escort you home. 1t is
not safe for ladies to be out alone, in
these troublous times"
~ know it," she responded, some
what haughtily. "But since your ar.
my has demoralized the city, and fore.
ed its citizens to an observance Of laws,
which are only the laws Of tyrants-
the power of the stronger over the
weaker-since New Orleans has be-
come what it now is, We are obliged to
submit to much and do many acts
which are repugnant to us ~
She turned away, with quick, i'm
perious gesture of disdain, and, ere l
could advance step, had vanished
down an adjoining street. stood, for
a moment, staring blankly in the di-
rection that she had taken, and, | rnust
confess it, thinking very much Of the
soft tones Of. her voice, and the BOWL.
dering dark eyes with which she had
glanced into my face, while she utter
ed her TRADE against the army, to
which l had the honor Of belonging.
"Whew The little REBEL" / ex-
claimed half aloud as turned to move
away. Just then, my eyes fell upon a
package lying upon the pavement, and
| raised it with start Of surprise. 1t
was evidently.a small box carefully
wrapped in tissue paper. Thrusting it
in my pocket | started in the direction
which she had taken with a faint hope
of overtaking her; but l had proceed,
ed but few rods, when l heard my
name called, and glancing around, be-
held the colonel Of my regiment.
"Major," said he, hurriedly, ere
port at once at headquarters. l have
received important news, and wish to
see you and some of the other officers
Immediately"
He passed rapidly onward before /
could answer with more than the GUS
tomary salute, and was lost to sight in
the distance. Sa
With a feeling of impatience which
could not restrain, obeyed my supe-
rior's commands, and hastened tohead-
quarters. Here | soon discovered that
we were to leave New Orleans at once
and proceed northward. Important
military movements rendered this
change imperative.
| sought my own quarters, AMI pro-
ceeded to examine the little package
Removing the numerous strings and
wrappings, a small box stood reveal
ed. With an odd sensation at my
heart / raised the lid. Within the in
closure, upon a bed of azure satin,
there rested magnificent set of pearls,
bearing the inscription, in old English
letters; "Cecile IFemaine, from her
Father"
My heart filled with pity for the
young girl whom | felt convinced was
Cecie Tremaine. Where was she go
ing alone so late, and with so costly
burden? Who could tell what story of
want, and woe, and despair it might
be in her po wer to relate ? My exper-
ience in the war.devastated South had
shown me clearly the suffering and
poverty, and desolation of many of the
first and best in the land, aud may not
her errand have been to convert the
Jewels into bread for some suffering
loved one? Hard old soldier though
| was, felt the tears start in my eyes.
And from that hour l determined TO
protect the jewels, and, sooner or lat
er, if it were in the power Of man to
| do so. / would return them salelY to