Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1882-04-01

human beauty sinking into your heart
deeper and deeper, with every moments
presenter
"Well-"
mo matter. Don't answer now.
must tell my story. In the morning,
and all day, we were still on the cars. l
did not intrude even by look. Two or
three times had an opportunity to give
them some slight attentions. l had the
latest New York papers, which loaned
them. brought glass of water, when
there were none in the cars. | was lucky
enough to have some nice oranges, and
the lady was thirsty. AS the day went
on the General grew neighbOrly. He
spoke very little English. His lovely
wife would talk nothing else. He chang
ed from Spanish to French but she re-
fused to speak more than word or two
of either, and kept him to his English,
which it was evident she was determined
he should learn.
"She was English by birth. knew it
from many indications. high-bred,
well-bred English lady. Of the most re-
fined and delicate type-more Celtic than
Saxon; and more American than English,
according to common notion, in her ap-
pearance.
"At SandOval, the junction of the st.
Louis road and the Illinois Central, they
left the train, Is l did, and we waited
together for the Chicago train for Cairo.
and no supper. L mana.ed to procure
some oysters and bottle of claret wine,
which begged my fellow-voyagers to
share.
I'm few hours, we were on magnifi-
cent New Orleans steamer How splen-
did and how comfortable she seemed to
us after our days and nights of the rough,
noisy railroad, | need not tell. The long,
bright saloon-the luxurious furniture
of the ladies' cabin-the home look of
the pianO-fOrte and center table, with
vases of flowers and pretty children-the
nice table set for parties of eight or ten,
with each passengers card on his plate,
and clean, active, cOlOred walters all
this comfort, going under full head of
steam down the mighty Mississippi
while the banks grew greener and the
air grew warmer, day by day, as we APP
preached the tropics, was something
very enjoyable after the frosts, and snow
and hard travelling OF the North.
"By some good fortune, as | then
thought it, found myself ticketed at
the side of La SignOria at table. By an
attraction did not attempt to resist, |
was near her very often. She sang as if
all the beauty of matchtess form had
found expression in music. She played,
not only with skill, but with sOul-with
passion; and that, take it, is what we
call genius. The General was polite, he
could not be cordial. was blind, or l
should have seen how he id0lized his
wife. When l was leaning over the
piano-forte, reveling in the luxury of
her music, he walked the cabin, reading,
or smoked his cigar on deck. We sang
together-we played chess. | did not
mean to be dishOnorable. but / behaved
badly. The General ate but little; he
and he smoked nearly all day.
81 do not think La SignOria was given
to Irritation. Nor do believe, with all
the vanity you give me credit for, that
she really loved me-. No; / was fascinat-
ed, charmed, and as young men are apt
to be, very thOughtless and selfish. She
was pleased with me. We had tastes in
common; and what woman ever failed to
be flattered with admiration?
$50 the the days passed. One day, as
walked along the guards, l overheard
them talking. 1t was in French now.
81 thought you did not like these
American gentlemen said he.
"'NO, not in general she replied, very
quietly; but he is an exception
"a few days later, l CHANGED to hear
an angry exclamation from the General.
/ knew l was the subject of it. She
made naughty reply. never had she
seemed so magnificent as on that even
ing. We sang; and when the little band
of negroe walters came into the cabin to
play, we danced. Never did | see so sad
face as his-when after long and ex
hilarating waltz, ia which / seemed to
swim in a sea of ecstacy. | led her ten
DERBY and CALAMITY to sofa. Such sad,
desparing look! 1t sank into my heart;
but was full of happiness and drove it
away. | had done nothing more than is
done every day in our society. 1t was a
mere Irritation. Iswear you, had not
the thought Of anything more. do not
know what might have thought. or
wished, or attempted, had there been
any encouragement; butlthere was none.
The more saw of La SignOra, the more
self-pOssessed she seemed to me to be in
her honor and purity. She yielded for
once, at least, to the customs of the So
ciety in which she had lived, and was
indulging in an innocent fiirtatiOn.'
LII was easy w InluSlHe IL HOIe. Liz
The General saw us often from a dis
lance, as he entered the cabin. My man
ner was free and imprisoned. She was
kind, and gracious, and innocently, but
most thOughtlessly happy, as she was
gifted and beautiful. She should have
Known should have known-that the
consciousness of his aye, might have
ranked in sensitive spirit.
"She loved and honOred him, and trust
ed him too much.
"'My good general she would say, he
| is q little cold and austere in society: but