Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1886-07-15
JOHNS ADVENTURE.

"Well, would you like to hear my ad-
venture in New Orleans!" John Bright
leaned his elbow on the arm of the red plush
chair in which he sat. with a thoughtful
10 k in his dark-blue eyes
why, yes, of course"
1By all means"
Eugene Carthon and his sister looked
eagerly at the handsome blonde in front of
them
II was walking down Canal street one
afternoon" John began, when it began to
rain, not violently, but enough to make a
man feel uncomfortable, and the feathers
on a woman's bonnet limp. Fortunately l
had an umbrella, which, of course, l i'm.
mediately raised Just as l did so, a young
lady came out of one of the large drygoods
stores behind me. She stood irresolute for
moment as though nonplussed by the rain,
yet an evident anxiety possessing her to
reach the car. 1t seemed like piece of i'm
pertinence yet on the impulse of the mo-
ment l mustered all my gallantry, and,
stepping forward, offered to escort her to
the car
ITO my surprise, and must say pleasure,
she accepted gratefully, and we walked to
the next corner to meet a car. noted then
the extreme loveliness Of her beauty, which
was of the pure creole type, and the marvel
GUS finish of her toilet which showed in its
richness of coloring the southern TASTE
could not censure her for her hesitation in
exposing herself to the disastrous effects of
the rain"
When we reached tho corner there was
no car" John continued being in 'Mardi-
gras' time, there was always more or less
delay. When the car did arrive, it was so
crowded there was pot a foothold. The
next and the next proved to be the same.
Unconsciously we walked ON, the young
lady by an almost imperceptible guidance
directing our footsteps. We walked along
the Rue Royal quite into the heart of the
old French town, the young lady scarcely
seeming aware of the fact that we had
traversed SO many blocks. 4 was too de-
lighted with her bright conversation and
naivette to wish to undeceive her, and so we
walked along until she stopped suddenly in
front of one of those goomy French houses,
SO dreary in exterior appearance, but often
beautiful and gay within. A high wall sur
rounded the dwelling, surmounted by nails
driven in SO that the points projected up
ward, a sure safeguard against marauders.
As usual, high balcony graced the front
of the house. From the gate-a massive
iron barred one-a stone pave led Up to the
old d-fashionei door.
II feel very grateful she said, lifting
her big eyes to mine with a shadow of
timidity in their depths which made them
all the lovelier; and,' she hesitated little,
4 know my father would wish to thank you
also, if-if-' ..
"'If you only knew whom to thank
added, with q conscious shame at my own
lack of courtesy Now, don't know what
deviltry prompted me to the action, but in-
stead of handing her my own card, l gave
her one OF Frank Smiths, a young fellow
rooming with me at the St Charles,
drummer for large hat firm in Detroit
His name graced the card in full, and also
'Tremoine & Leeman,' the name of the firm
he was connected with, 1t was a foolish
thing to do, yet never expected to see the
young lady again, and suppose it occurred
to me that it would be good joke on
Smith
"To my great astonishment she recognized
the firm name.
"'You must come in and see my father
she said. Mr.. Tremoine is an old friend of
ours. and he will be delighted to see you
Into what kind of a scrape had l gotten
myselfs l declined as cOurteously as posi-
BILE, trying to hasten away but just then an
old gentleman appeared at the door, in an
swer to our ring at the gate, for, as you re-
member, in New Orleans most of the bells
are on the front gate.
'In few words the young lady explained
the situation. With u true southern hos
pitality he invited me to enter, thanking
me in most voluble terms for my kindness
to his daughter. Seeing L would offend by
not accepting their invitation, l stepped in
with them. As usual in these French houses,
the hall led into little barren-looking
court From this, however, we entered into
an apartment elegantly furnished.
II confess L was little dazed by the sud-
den turn affairs had taken, and the tete-a-
tete with the old gentleman whose name I
ascertained to be De Chartre) was most en-
barrassing for he asked me score of ques-
tions about Detroit and the people there, all
of which l had to answer at random, or
from vague "reminiscences of what Smith had
told me casually.
II tried in vain to turn the subject, and
had almost given myself up to. a desperate
fbbing, when chanced to perceive that
piano was behind me. During a momentary
lull in lne conversation, in which De Chartre
was probably trying to reconcile my ram
bling information with his own knowledge
and conjectures l turned to the young lady,
requesting some music.
ITO my relief she consented Immediately,
thus saving her father from any further
surprises in the way of chaotic gessing on
my part. She sang and played quite pref
tily, and found myself even more prepos
sessed than l had been at first
after she had played several songs, rose
to 60, but as did so, dinner was announced,
and was urgently invited by them both to
remain. Again saw that to refuse would
be to offend, SO, in order to preserve Smiths
reputation from further damage. I &C
cepted, resolving that would exert my
talents to the utmost in being entertaining.
"The dinner was served in good STYLE and
quite enjoyed by Smith, who was sometimes
rather dilatory in responding to his name,
but who managed to keep the upper hand
in the conversation, not allowing the old
gentleman single gap in which to insert
his inquiries about Detroit and the Trem-
oines
"After dinner we adjourned to the par lor
that is, the young lady and myself-the
old gentleman going off for a smoke, in
which declined to join him
"The rain, which had been mild first
now turned into raging torrent. 1t beat
savagely against the windows, and the wind
swept mournfully through the court.
with such a charming hostess the mo-
ments sped swiftly. I became more and
more inthralled with her dark eyes and her
gracious manner, SO typical of the grace
which has made the Creole women cele-
brated. I don't know to what length
might have committed myself, had not the
door opened and Monsieur de Chartre once
more appeared upon the scene. As it was,
think he surprised me saying some fool
ishly tender things to his daughter.
II looked at my watch. A flush OF shame