Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1879-04-09


2 the water. The whites suspecte,
some mystery. They broke tn
e shells against the rocks. Furiou
at finding nothing but the whit
l CLEAN of the shells, they pursued
us-we rowed in vain. They sho
, all except me, who saved myself b!
swimming under the water. l wa
alone the sea did not require my
bones. l have caught since ther
far more than they snapped up, the
hloodsuckers. The rock only, be-
sides Sassagari, knows the nest
where they slumber. But keep
the shell of yesterday, little whites
when it speaks, Sassagari will re-
ply. He who sings in the shells
the plants of the sea, and who
paints the sunrise on their faces
will make the stars of heaven sink
into their hearts"
So the Carib spoke. He was
motionless, his glance sweeping
afar to the verge of the horizon.
We silently left him, and gained
our cool hall before the burning
noon made it intolerable without.
Bot these early happy days were
coming to an end. We were about
TO quit this pleasant paradise for
new scenes.
We grew up. Our parents spoke
of sending Francis and me to
France. When Julie heard of this
she sighed-was agitated.
One evening my father came
home from the town, and said that
passage had been taken for US on
board a vessel which would sail in
two weeks.
My poor sister, the news was
terrible 10 her. 1 think l see her
now during those days. She would
sit for hours under a great palm
tree, looking at the deep blue sea.
Once, when Francis stole up to
her, taking her hand, he said in
the tenderest tones:
"My lilly, what is it you see
there at the bottom of the sea 7"
81 see," she replied "the white
sail of ship which bears you far
away-awaY."
The count consoled them both,
and, passing his hand over the
boy, said:
"You love Julie very much,
then ?"
ayes, papa; and if l were never
to see her again would drown
myself"
The day of departure came. We
babe adieu. Julie, pale as sheet,
came to US with her shells.
She gave the finest to Francis, |
and taking me by the hand, said:
"Jules, I give you this horrible
old she'll don't forget that l found |
it that evening when Francis saved
my life. Keep it in memory of
your sister and of her love for
Francis"
Six years later, during the win
ter of l747-S, young man COM
pleted highly successful course of
studies at the University of Paris,
and entered aristocratic life. 1t
was the Vicompte de st. Croix.
We made our preparations to re-
turn to Martinique. Between our
departure and the wedding there
'ame an obstacle. This obstacle
vas a revolution.
The freedom of the blacks was
The Count de st.
'roix was ruined. He hoped to
ave his crop by borrowing. The ,
money was obtained and wasted in
ain efforts.
Francis rose in dignity and cner-
y during this trial. 81 will over
ONE this disaster" he said. 81
'ill go to America; a few years
# labor, and we shall be reunited,
nd Julie shall be mine"
He soon left for Havre and New |
york. Not long after his depar-
nre, his father, the old Count, ar |
ived in Paris. He hoped to OBJ
hin from government some in /
emnity for his lost estates. Every
Hort was in vain. One morning b
he poor old COUNT tottered into L
~ room, and, casting himself on
ne sofa, exclaimed: v
GAIL is lost !" v
In sudden alarm 7 started mn 70 -