Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1886-06-03
JOHNS STORY.
The Deceits and Horrors of a
Gambling Establishment.

"Well, would you like to hear my
adventure in New Orleansp" John
Bright leaned his elbow on the arm of
the red plush chair in which he sat,
with thoughtful look in his dark-blue
eyes.
"Why, yes, of course"
"By all means"
Eugene Carthon and his sister looked
eagerly at the handsome blonde in
front of them.
They had been talking about the
New Orleans Exposition which all had
visited the winter before, and naturally
their conversation had drifted into per-
sonal "reminiscences and criticisms on
the ways and manners of the people of
that beautiful Southern city.
did you really have an adventurep"
asked Nell, cycling him guestioningly
from under her long dark lashes. They
had intended to meet in the Crescent
City, but through some misunderstand-
ing the Carthon family had missed
him. Nell had always felt little ag-
grieved over this, just as if John had
really been to blame in the matter, and
an alluson to their sojourn in the
South brought back that vague feeling
of disappointment which had mingled
itself with all her enjoyments while
there.
Not tina: she cared any thing for
John Bright. Oh, no; not even to her.
self did she ever admit that But then
he was Eugene's most intimate friend,
and he was such bright, companion
able fellow, how could she help liking
him littlep-'just for Eugene's sake,
you know" She sincerely believed
that it was her love for her brother
that made her so solicitous always for
his friends comfort and so anxious to
make him always feel at home and
thoroughly welcome in her fathers
house.
And if women will deceive themselves
so ingeniously in these little matters no
one can blame them. The reality
seems all the prettier when they sur
prise themselves into the admission one
day that brotherly love is not such a
powerful motor after all.
"Well, go on with your story" said
Eugene, lighting cigarette, with his
sister permission, and putting away
expectantly. ''Ill be getting drowsy,
presently. if you don't wake me up
with your thrilling episode"
"Well"-John twirled his blonde
mustache rehectively, ignoring the
last remark-"I was walking down
Canal street one afternoon, when it
began to rain"
Remarkable! when it was in the
rainy season." interrupted Eugene,
who seemed determined not to be led
into thinking his friend had met with
any extraordinary adventure.
Eugene, do hushr' Nell said, i'm
ploringly; but John did not seem to
mind his friends quizzing in the least.
"As l said, was walking down
Canal street, when it began to rain,
not violently, but enough to. make a
man feel uncomfortable and the feath-
ers on woman's bonnet limp. Fort
unately | had anumbrella, which of
course Immediately raised. Just as ]
did so a young lady came out of one of
the large dry-goods stores behind me.
She stood irresolute for moment as
though nonplussed by the rain, yet an
evident anxiety possessing her to reach
the car.
INSTANTLY l found myself in a
strange dilemma. What should dol
There was young lady, delicate and
beautiful, richly attired in garments
which the rain would certainly dam.
age, without the slightest protection
from the elements; while l, not three
feet distant, was possessed of an UNI.
brella large enough to shelter two. |,
seemed like a piece of impertinence,
yet on the impulse of the moment
mustered all my gallantry, aud, step,
ping forward, offered to escort her to
the car.
"To my surprise, and L must say
pleasure, she accepted gratefully, and
We walked to the next corner to meet
the car. l noted then the extrem,
loneliness 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 hel
hesitation in exposing herself to tn,
disastrous effects of the rain"
At this juncture Nell, curled up OF
one end of the sofa with her Kensing
ton in her lap, looked very grave. Sh,
could not quite approve of handsom,
blonde strangers offering umbrellas t.
unknown ladies, 1t might have beer
the "extreme loveliness' of the creol,
belle which made the offense so heniou
in her eyes, but she would have beef
shocked had you suggested such
thing.
when we reached the corner Their,
was no car John continued. "Bein,
in .Mardigras' time, there was alway
more or less delay. When the car di,
arrive it was so crowded there was no
a foothold. The next and next prove,
to be the same. Unconsciously W
walked on, the young lady by almos
imperceptible guidance directing on
footsteps, We walked along the Ru
Royal, quite into the heart of the oil
French town, the young lady scarcel
seeming aware of the fact that we ha,
traversed so many blocks. was to
delighted with her bright conversation
and naivete to wish to undeceive her
and so we walked along until sh
stopped suddenly in front of one @
those gloomy French houses, so drear
in exterior appearance, but often beau
tiful and gay within. A high wall SUI
rounded the dwelling, Surmomted b
pals driven in SO that the points prc