The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1896-08-12
VAS IT CRIMINAL?
A. Imposition With a Tragic
Ending.
THE TWO ROBERTSON COUSINS.

>. Recalls the Touching Story of Enoch
Alden and Possesses the Merit of AbsO-
,,+a Truth-A Record of Love and It's
Fatal Consequences.
a The old residents along the rich and
baanriful Bayou Teche, in southern Loui-
siana delight to remind the stranger that
+bis is the new Acadia made immortal by
s 1oncfellow in his exquisite poem of
"Evaugeline. "
Longfellow claimed that his story was
founded in fact, and that every incident of
If from the cruel Punishment of the French
settlers in Nova Scotia by the English to
the meeting of the lovers Gabriel and
Fvangeline in the hospital near the old
Swedes' church in Philadelphia, is his
toric and we must believe him.
But more startling than the story of
Evangeline, and with the added advantage
If its absolute truthfulness, is that of the
Robertson cousins, zone born and both
raised" between New Siberia and Vermil-
ion. in the western Teche country
This story, in addition to reminding the
reader Of Evangeline will recall the touch
ing story of Enoch Arden The pity of it is
that it remains for an inferior pen to de-
scribe this strange record of love and i'm
position
Early in the century a handsome young
man came to the Teche country and estab-
lishod a school at New IBERIA He was ret
icent as to his past 1t was said that he
was an Englishman Of noble family, but
his diploma showed that he had taken de-
gree at Harvard.
Professor Robertson, as he was called
soon made friends, and being active and
handsome as we'll as cultured he soon be-
came a great favorite among the French
and English speaking people of that rich
and beautiful land.
After three years of successful teaching,
during which time he had read law and
was admitted TO the bar, Professor Robert
son, then 81 vars of age, was married to
Louise Sabal, the only daughter Of NJ Sa-
bal, widower, and one Of the richest sug-
ar planters and largest slave owners in
that part of the state.
NJ. Sabal was an invalid, but the cares
of the large estate that had broken him
down were assumed by his son-in-law, r
who worked with an energy and intelli-
gence that delighted the older man and
surprised all the neighbors, who in that
land of the lotus eaters delight in what
the Italians call dolce far niente, or the
joy of doing nothing.
Hermosilla, or 1.-THE beautiful place, "
was the Spanish name of NJ Sabal's es-
tate, and, no matter the original reason
for the naming, it soon deserved 1t under
bo oE
son.
NJ Sabal, while keeping the title to the
estate still in his own name, took his SON
in-law into partnership and from his earn
ings the latter secured an interest in the
great salt islands and at one time owned
much of the land purchased after the war
by the popular actor Joseph Jefferson as
a winter residence
NJ. Sabal, eased of all care, grew youn-
ger and stronger Professor Robertson had
not only taken his father law place as
a tireless executive, but he soon became an
invalid, as the senior had been, for he
lacked the experience to harmonic his eff
forts with the climatic oonditions-a mis-
take many northern men make in southern
ATTITUDES. When Professor Robertson died,
in 1847, he left son, George, an only
child, on whom NJ Sabal dotted. The boy
was born April IS, 1910, and the mother
and grandfather insisted that he should
take the fathers name, George.
But here comes in the complication.
Professor Robertson's only living relative
was twin brother, Henry, who had been
lecturer at Harvard Henry died in
1912 at Woburn near Boston. He was
widower, his wife having died in child
birth, and he named his only child George
after his brother
Before his marriage Henry Robertson
had visited his brother on the Teche; SO
when he died NJ. Sabal insisted that his
orphaned son should be brought down and
made one of the family.
There is enough for all, " explained the
old man II have but few relatives, and
1t viii be far better that our Georgia should
nave boy of his own kin for a compan-
ion.
This was agreed to. And the little boy,
George Robertson, was brought down from
,Moourn, Mass, to become the brother of
MS cousin near New Iberia.
The newcomer was a lovely child and
soon won his way into the hearts Of all
VINO met him. There was only four
months. difference in the ages of the cons
nus, ana they looked as much alike as did
onelr Iatners, Who as has been said, were
Twins In order that the children might
oe distinguished when talking of them, it
was agreed that the Louisiana cousin
should be called Georgy and the one from
Massachusetts George, an arrangement
that worked very well
Inc boys were taught by the bestpriyate
tutors till 1860, when together they were
sent sent TO the State Military school, of which
william Lacu:rseh Sherman afterward the
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