The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1893-04-13

w nat no! what no! this fellOw IS dancing ma0l
He hath been bitten by the tarantula.
All in the Wrong.
Many years ago contracted an init
macy with Mr.. William Legrand. He
was of an ancient Huguenot family and
had once been wealthy. but series Of
misfortunes had reduced him to want.
To avoid the modification consequent
upon his disasters he left New Orleans,
the city of his forefathers, and took up
his residence at Sullivan's island, near
Charleston.
This island is a very singular one. It
consists of little else than the sea sand
and is about three miles long. It's
breadth at no point exceeds quarter Of
mile It is separated from the main
land by scarcely preceptihle creek,
oozing its way through wilderness of
reeds and slime, a favorite resort of the
marsh hen. The vegetation, as might be
supposed. is scant or at least dwarfsh.
No trees of any magnitude are to be
seen. Near the western extremity,
where Fort Moultrie stands, and where
are some miserable frame buildings,
tenanted during summer by the fugitives
from Charleston dust and fever, may be
found indeed the bristly palmetto. but
the whole island. with the exception of
this westerly point and line Of hard,
white beach on the seacoast, is covered
with dense underground of the sweet
myrtle so much priced by the horticul-
turists Of England. The shrub here often
attains the height of Is or 90 feet and
forms an almost impenetrable coppice
burdening the air with it's fragrance.
In the innermost recesses Of this cop
pice, not far from the eastern or more
remote end of the island, Legrand had
built himself small hut, which he oc-
cupied when l first by mere accident
made his acquaintance. This soon
ripened into friendship, for there was
much in the recluse to excite interest
and esteem. found him well educated,
with unusual powers of mind, but in
fected with misanthropy and subject to
perverse moods Of alternate enthusiasm
and melancholy. He had with him
many books. but rarely employed them.
His chief amusements were cunning
and fishing, or sauntering along the
beach and through the myrtles in quest
of shells or chronological specimens.
His collection of the latter might have
been envied by Swammerdamm.
In these excursions he was usually ac-
cempanied by an old negro called Jupi-
ter. who had been manumitted before
the reverses Of the family, but who could
be induced neither by threats nor by
promises to abandon what he considered
his right of attendance upon the foot
steps of his young ''Massa Will" It is
not improbable that the relatives of Le-
grand, conceiving him to be somewhat
unsettled in intellect. had contrived to
instill this obstinacy into Jupiter, with
view to the supervision and guardian
ship of the wanderer.
The winters in the latitude of Sulli-
vans island are seldom very severe, and
in the fall of the year it is rare event
indeed when q fire is considered neces-
sary. About the middle of October,
49,. there occurred, however, day of
remarkable chilliness. Just before sun
set scrambled my way through the
evergreens to the hut of my friend, whom
| had not visited for several weeks-my
residence being at the time in Charles
ton. distance of nine miles from the
island. while the facilities of passage
and repassage were very far behind those
Of the present day. Upon reaching the
hut ] raped. rs was my custom, ard
getting no reply sought for the key where
knew it was secreted. unlocked the door
and went in. A fine fire was blazing
upon the hearth. 1t was novelty and
by no means an ungrateful one. threw
off an overcoat. took an armchair by
the cracking logs and awaited patiently
the arrival of my hosts.
Soon after dark they arrived and gave
me Il most cordial welcome Jupiter,
grinning from ear to ear, hustled about
to prepare some marsh hens for supper
Legrand was in one of his fts-how else
shall term them?-of enthusiasm. He
had found an unknown bivalve, forming
new genus. and, more than this, he had
hunted down and secured with Jupiter's
assistance scarabaus which he believed
to be totally new, but in respect to
which he wished to have my opinion on
the morrow.
And why not tonight?' l asked, rub
bing my hands over the blaze and wish
ing the whole tribe of scarabei at the
devil.
"Ah. if had only known you were
here" said Legrand, ''but it's so long
since saw you, and how could foresee
that you would pay me a visit this very
night of all others? As / was coming
home met Lieutenant c., from the
fort, and, very foolishly, lent him the
bug, so it will be impossible for you to
see it until the morning. Stay here to.
night, and l will send Jup down for it at
sunrise. It is the loveliest thing in Gre.
ationr"
"What-sunrise"
Nonsense, no-the bugl It is Of q
brilliant gold color, about the size Of q
large hickory nut, with two jet black
spots near one extremity Of the back,
and another. somewhat longer, at the
other. The antenna are
"Dey amt no tin in him, Massa Will