Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-07-30

t0l6-OI uuuAu8 ueE NJ MIL WuEWuAOu
Ellis to himself, ~ he threaded his way
through the press, mattering mallsons
against Congo Green.
At length he gained the iron gate to.
wards the north, and was in the act OF
going out, when . vision of dazzling
beauty arrested his attention, and
chained his feet to the sod. This was
y young girl. habited in white, with q
crimson zone around Eer bosom, Sc
cured by u massive clasp Of gold that
lay opposite her heart like star. Her
head WAS only covered with its own
veil of ringlels, softer than silk and
black as midnight. Her complexion
was dark, but it was tho beautiful
golden tut left there by the wind and
sunbeam-tnIs kissing her with fire,
and that cooling the fire-kisses with
signs.
Peter Ellis was so fascinated by the
sight that he did not at first notice her.
At last, however, be was forced to per-
celve that she had companion, and
such a companion as filed him-not
with jealUusy-but with fear!
Tbs was all old man, hideously
hunchbacked, with snow-white hair,
piercing gray eyes, and u dirty, shriv-
elled face that wore the double express
sion oil THEFT and murder. He WAS
muttering angry words In low voice,
while the girls dark eyes we're swim
ming III tears.
ga. spare me that shame" Ellis
heard her entreai; "for heavens sake
spare mel l cannot go there"
Do as bid you, replied the old
huncnback. Go, or tonight" the
sentence was completed by = gesture
that made the spectator SILVER.
IL VIII go" answered the girl, turn.
ing deaaly pale. She opened the gate,
aud hurried on towards the center Of
loving and eyeiug her at a distance
with n tieudlsh smile, while Peter Ellis,
i'll spite OF his pride, felt himself borne
by III irresistible impulse in the same
direction.
Presently the fascinated man heard,
above all the tempest OF tumuit, the
voice OF singer 1t was loud, sweet,
ringing, and wondrously varied.
The effect on the mad dancers was
like magic. Horn, drum, bugle, violin,
became silent. The vast thro0g swayed
to and iro, as q sea tossed by the storm,
and then gathered in q great circle,
shouting La Cantatrice! The singer!
The beautiful Cantatrice"
I" 1t seems she is we'll known among
the Africans Of New Orleans" thought
Peter Ellis, with q shudder; still lie
could not forbear pressing forward till
he gained point In the circle Of black
faces whence he could again see the
dazzling beauty.
She sang, with the accompaniment
of appropriate gestures, merry, bac-
chanAi song, and the listeners cheered
with shouts of laughter. At signal
from the old hunchback she took up a
martial strain and every bosem heaved
like volcano and every eye CLEANED
with the red light of battle. Then she
trilled mournful dirge-a vail OF love
and death; and thousand ebon cheeks
were wet with tears. She could not
have selected more impossible audi.
ence, for the southern negroes have an
Unsuitable passion for music.
At last she paused. and glanced be.
seechingly ut the old hunchbaok, who
frowned, aud waved fierce, imperious
gesture. She then drew from her
bosom q large open mouthed purse,
and passing around the dusky circle,
held it out for pennies, which were
showerei down with extreme liberality.
When she come to Ellis, she glanced
up in his face with her Wild black eyes,
wondering at the presence of one 30
elegantly attired in such company. She
started with surprise as he dropped a
piece in her palm; it was gold q eagle.
Monsieur has made mistake" she
said in her soft silvery tones, holding
up the gllttering coin.
:" No-keep it," he answered, and
she felt another drop in her open palm.
She blushed red as scarles-for the last
drop was hot tear.
The girl. returned to her station in
the human ring, and again Glanced an
imploring look at the old hunchback.
He scowled as before and waved anoth.
er angry gesture. She then took from
the folds of her dress two small gilt
castanets, poised them an instant above
her head, and, whirling them around
| SA"oSAoiiys coohuOu away al QauC6.
but at that moment dull, booming
noise was heard-the rush of torrent
of water; and screams of terror arose
"The crevasse! The crevasse! The
levee of the basin is broken! We shall
be drowned !" King Congo tore off
his crown, the king and subjects alike
attempted grand charge towards the
gates. The flood came roaring after
them, and in three or four minutes
overspread the green, but as yet to no
considerable depth.
There were only two persons in the
crowd who did not fy-Peter Ellis and
the poor singer. The former ap-
preached the girl with feeling OF
strange interest, took her hand, and led
her to the nearest gate.
! why do you not run, my pretty
one?' he asked. care you not afraid
you will be drowned ?"
"Oh, God, wish that 1 were!" she
rejoined, with look. of hopeless sor-
row.
Then You do not like your present
profession ?" Ellis inquired. "Why,
then, do you not leave it?"
Monsieur, I have no other" she
l