The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1877-04-21
NOT TO BE CAUGHT.

cooling wind played gently with the
short brown curls of the younger, while
his handsome eyes and face were lighted
by a bright, animated expression. II
can scarcely credit such good fortune.
Are you sure there is no mistaken" ne
said.
"PerfectIy; here are the documents
Prove your identity prove to our salts
faction that you are Ralph Hamilton, son
of John Paul Hamilton, and you are a
rich man. Cen you prove it?"
o"I can, Immediately. But this is in
deed a welcome change; to spring from
deep poverty to such wealth in a mo-
ment, by the death of an unknown re]a-
tive, seems almost incredible. | am
grateful to you, Metcalf, for your pains
in 80 seon seeking me; also tor your in
terest in my welfare. l have n favor
only to ask in addition; that you remain
silent about it. The fact OF my changed
circumstances need not be mace known
as yet. l shall not alter my style of
living for awhile, but shall fulfill an en-
gagement to become the private tutor of
two small logs residing, strange to relate,
in the same place where lies this new cs-
tate. In taking the property, you say
I am required to assume the name of its
former owner. This I will do, after a
few months spent in the neighborhoOd
as a poor teacher. I have met sad re-
bluffs during the days Of my poverty, and
l have no idea of being made a victim
of some fortune hunter, sc | will win
some good woman for loves sake, then
settle down and enjoy myself"
: \ = X X X
In a beautiful residence sat two ladies,
Mrs. Corsair and her daughter Zoe, while
a third, a niece of the elder lady, Blanche
Gilmore, stood with a light hat in Ter
hand, as though just returned from a
walk. They we're discussing the appear
ance of a new tutor who had undertaken
for a time, on trial, the education of the
two sons of the family. Charley, n of
these boys, had just appeared, and, look
ing from the window, whispered:
"Now, girls, there he comes. Tell
me if what | said was not true"
eyes, indeed!" exclaimed both young
-tsags, as they surveyed the iue figure
and handsome face APPROACHING; and
when the young man smiled pleasantly
upon Charley, Blanche thought she had
never seen SO handsome a man, while
Zoe whispered:
IF the young heir of the Belmont
property prove one-half as handsome /
will be content"
A splendid estate, with a residence of
almost royal magniicence, lay within
sight of their pretty home, and had just,
through the death of old Mr.. Belmont,
a childless widower, { passed into the
hands Of a young relative, expected soon
to visit the premises. Zoe Corsair and
her prudent mother had decided to ap-
propriate both owner and estate as soon
as possible after his arrival. The new
tutor, Mr.. Hamilton, soon became a great
favorite with his pupils. Living as he
did imthe family, he soon became well
acquainted with all, while he evidently
admired the beautiful Zoe, who treated
him with cool politeness. OF Blanche
he Jaw little. She was only the poor re-
~lation, depending upon her uncle for
support, therefore compelled to bear
every imposition and caprice her worldly,
selfish aunt and cousin saw fit to inaict.
Only little enjoyment was here: a soil
tary spot, a deep ravine wildly romantic
and secluded, not far from her uncle's
residence. Thither she went one beau
tiful afternoon, tripping along down the
small winding path that led to the
depths below. But suddenly she paused,
a groan and faint call for help arresting
her steps. Fastening to the spot where
judged the sufferer to be, she saw a
man lying at the foot of the ravine, mo.
and now quite still.
In a few moments she was beside him,
onlifting his head from the ground,
she found Mr.. Hamilton, the tutor, un-
Running to the stream of water, she
in her handkerchief, and bathed
his brow.
AT last he opened his eyes, and gazed
long and v~aeantly upon her.
All, yes, | remember, I did fall. III
leaned over to pluck \ flower, and lost
my balance. But / feel better again,
thanks TO yon for our care, aud / will
see if | cannot rise"
"Laan on me, Mr.. Hamilton, / think
| can get you mp the path, if it Is steep.
10 the road, and from thence, after
rest, home.'
Slowly, yet surely, leaning on the
young girl for that support he was 50
accustomed to give to Others, he crept
llong, often stopping to rest, until at
last the level road was gained, and from
there his own room, TO which a physician
vas soon summoned, and his limb set
md bruises attended to.
lying thus helpless upon his bed, the
loor parsly open, to allow a circulation
air, the young nan lay hall doing,
when biz accidentally heard the following