Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-10-17
RUN A.

and save few clustering hamlets here and |
there, presenting little evidence of the pro
gresslve spirit which characterizes her today. |
Far aloft rose in majestic grandeur SEEM
ingly interminable forests of oaks and cy-
press, and beyond these lay inextricable |
Iungles and vast morasses where sported
strange animals and birds, whose fossilized
remains puzzle the intelligent investigation
OF the naturalists Of today. Dark, mys-
terious figures glided stealthily about, sibyl
looking women sang their dismal chants and
exercised their spirit of divination over
seething pot and caldron along the banks
Of the gloomy swamps and bayous, and the
bold adventurer in penetrating these fast
nesses might not unfrequently have witnessed
scenes as wild and weird as did Macbeth on
the Scottish heath.
Amid these picturesque surroundings re-
posed, like frail flower scarcely venturing
to resx its head, the little village of New
Orleans. A queer appearance it presented,
with a depth of only twelve squares, and
completely surrounded by a large ditch,
fenced in with sharp spikes wedged close to-
gether; the swampy soil was cut up into
numbers of small ravines, rendering CON
slant drainage a necessity. To effect this, a
trench ran around the four corners of every
square in the City, and each lot in the square
was surrounded bypalisades and also ditched
around, thus causing the city to present very
much the appearance of "a microscopic Carl
cature Of Venice These trenches, run over
as they almost continually were by tall reeds
and grasses, furnished cnngenial abode for
venomous reptiles and frogs whose croakiug
made the midnight hideous. A redoubt ex-
tended along Rampant street, and forts were
constructed at the different angles of the
town
There were but humble dwellings in New
orleans in those days; the aggregate popu-
iatlon was scarce 2000 the number of houses
less than 4lstH The greater number Of these
$50. 80" rthe third or fourth squares from the
river; they were simple, Imprinted struct-
ures, far more resembling the lowly cabins
of the peasant than the abode of the proud
spirited race they sheltered Yet the most
veracious French and Spanish historians Of
that pc iod alike testify to the polished arts
tocract Of the men and women, to customs
and manners which made this obscure settle
ment in TIE new world miniature reproduc-
ton OF the court Of Versailles The ladies
wore the costliesJ brocaded gowns, high
heeled shoes and powdered head gear; the
men, gold and silk lowered coats, silver
buckles and gilded sabers; and all this
while dwelling in hamlets, and in the
midst OF a poverty Of surroundings that
seemed incongruous in the extreme
for according to an inventory made of the
household furnishings of one of the leading
families, the lady's bedroom furniture, that
pride of every dame, consisted of a plain
cypress bedstead, with corn shuck mat
tress and one of feathers on top; six cypress
chairs with rush bottoms, and candles II anu
featured by servants, from the common
green wax Of the country Old archives
still e1tant, record many another such in
stance. How ardent must have been tbs
thirst for glory and conquest, which led the
march Of chivalry to these untried shores
here is material for poet and novelist; hert
imagination NAV revel and fancy lightly
weave. Assuredly night in New Orlean.
in the year 1857 is eminently suggestive.
The city presented something of martha
appearance: though now wrapped in slumbel
1t was evident that matters of a serious i'm
port were under consideration, and that pre-
paration had been made for an approaching
conflict. For since the cession OF the colony
TO Spain by France the indignant populact
questioned the power OF the latter country Il
make them Spanish citizens whether they
willed or no, and pending an embassy Il
Louis XIV 10 be again taken under his author
ity, had determined TO resort to arms rathel
than acknowledge Spanish supremacy. Dol
Antonio de Ulloa was a man of rare accom-
plishments, philosopher and scientist, VIII,
had explored the secrets of nature in Spain
Peru and other parts OF the earth. Accus
toned as he was to the consideration and ad
ulation Of the most powerful potentates G
his day, he grew indignant at the cool dis
respect with which his every command wa
treated and Withdrew from New Orlean.
taking his books and scientific instrument
with him. and shut himself up among tn
moaning winds and the desolation of th
Balize, But today news Of romantic maj
riage had reached the city. The desire I
burn the midnight oil was not the sole caus
Of the chiefs absence from the seat of GOV
eminent, Amid those reeds and shakin
piles he had awaited the coming of SPANS
frigate from Peru. bearing the beautiful an
accomplished marchioness of Ahrado an
three Peruvian maids as attendants, coul
chaplain, etc. Bravlng the winds and II
ocean, she had come from that distant DO
to this TO plight her troth forever Roman,
and love! they are not confined to time
place, to gildel palace or gemlike bowe
where the music Of the lutte gently lures al
soft eyes droop beneath the glance of ADM
ing affection That lonely pass on the NJ
sissippi tells tale that outrivals the most
tense creation Of fancy.
The harvest moon had risen in all its sple
dor, throwing lis shimmering beams acre
the Mississippi and hghing up the rude hal
tatlons that reposed at the base of its el
bankments. 4 French officer, lured by t
beauty Of the night, pronenaded along
leyee. He deserted an approaching vess
and anxious to discover its identity DR.,
nearer to the waters edge. He saw the n
fastening the l1pes to the moorings. The
was q flourish Of trunpets, and 10! the Spi
ish governor and his bride proceeded
shore. She wore rnantilla over her het
and bora herself with the dignity of the hi
bred dame, She was followed by two Ind
girls, gaudly dec&ed after the manner
their race; bat when these descended
plank walk there was still another, and W
her the eyes Of the young officer We're rive
in establishment. Tho moon had risen hi
the air vas soft and balmy, and Of a Gle
ness that rendered each feature Of the mat
distinctly visible. She was not very tall,
her aspect was commanding; her face '
marvelously beautiful and her eyes seen
to shine like stars on a cloudless sunni
night. She was attired not like her comp
ions, but in a robe of silvery white that G
tened like snow in the moonlight At
waist was a golden girdle and on her hos
an ornament richly chased in gold
hair, which was as dark as the raven, hi
loose and lopg about her shoulders. In
bright moonlight she seemed like the inc
nation Of an ethereal essence.
Her appearance excited the officers imi
nation; he bent forward, curious to obtai
nearer view; as he did so, he noticed that
maiden fingered in the rear of her party
seemed to be searching for something she
lost His native politeness prompted hin
make his presence known and assist be
her search. He stepped forward and
spur touched something metallic on
ground; SCORING be picked up the ornan
which she had dropped from her bosom,
respectfully handed it to her. She too
without looking at him and passed on;
be caught her arm, and, seeing her in C
pany Of the Spaniards, hazarded a ques
in that language. in Gods name, who
your And she answered, in pure, sily
tones, Il am Rlna, the Evening Start"
There was a proud defiance on her bro,
she made this answer; yet her eyes, deep
dark, fell s7eath the ardent gaze which
oincer bent upon her; she waved her b
maJestically, as though to dismiss
and fastening on joined her coInpani
The chevaliCr uroIorcad HE v-a1l, ,.nnds