The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-12-30

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Icopyrisht. MT, by the \ Sfhor.l
CHAPTER L

tcopyrisht MI, by the Ayhor.l
r CHAPTER I
Broadway ON morning early in Feb
saary, 1850. Young Petsr Ricket, m
aotor In the theater ON Nasaau street.
where be nightly Appeared tn The
Besu In the Sudds," started ont for .
walk. Even among the brilliantly plum
eyed throng passing up and down be-
tore Trinity church on that crisp Feb
suary morning be was . conspicuous
figure, for Peter was fop, and a great
many people considered him fool be.
cause Of his fancy for gay clothes But
they were wrong. as you will see.
He wore O cinnamon colored cloth
coat quite to the knees, with moth eat
en- beaver four or five inches deep upon
1t, red breeches, dove colored hose, .
red satin waistcoat which had once
played a-conspiouous part In "The Re-
cruiting Officer" low buckled shoes,
hat Of brown felt trimmed with a sill
yer band, his periwig tied with a faded
yellow ribbon. He poised cane light
" in one hand; the other was thrust in
his breeches pocket, and DO had exactly
2s. Sd. in his purse.
Peter was Of romantic, volatile dis
position. He loved the mysterious, the
adventurous. In the quiet Of his little
room on Pearl street he had written a
dozen unpublished romances, most Of
them founded on Captain Kidd's ad-
ventures. and he scribbled sentimental
sonnets to a mistress who as yet was
purely ideal. Humming line from
"The Beggar's OPERA" he minced
along, twirling his cane after the man
ner Of the men about town and watch
ing the scene about him with a lively
interest.
The middle Of the street was covered
with hard, glittering snow, and Dutch
market women flew over 1t on skates,
baskets poised on their heads or strapped
to their backs. He onught glimpses Of
sedate, puokered and powdered beauties
in sedan chairs. Wealthy matrons
brushed by him in green and gold bro
cade, hoop petticoats, powdered hair
and cheeks touched with French red and
pearl powder. Negroes direct from
Abyssinia or Madc 'ascar, some with the
insignia branded pom cheeks and brows
which told they were princes in their
own land, followed these rustling DANES,
carrying their shawls and packages.
Besides these there was bewildering,
cosmopolitan mixture Of countrymen in
homespun-Indian servants, the prison.
ers of war; solid, soberly attired Dutch
"vrows;" soldiers, Huguenots, Jews,
each in characteristic costume.
As Peter passed the new cemetery
young man approached, dressed in 9
queer, scallop hat and long cloak folded
closely about linn and followed by q
tall Hindoo servant in native dress.
Peter stood still as his eyes fell upol
him. It was the stranger who had sc
fascinated him at the playhouse every
night for tho past fortnight. Who wal
he, this strangely attired, dark eyet
man, wearing no wig and with clos'
cut hair, white as the untroddon snow
OH the graves near by? He was undoubt
eddy young, despite his white hair ant
the unalterable sadness Of his gaze
which was nevertheless eager as b.
looked searchingly into the face o
every man who passed.
"Iwarrant me this man is of no com
mon stamp" unused Peter, his magma
ton aglow. "His garb is strange, ant
there seems to DO history in his face
would knew him. l could not sleel
last night for thinking Of him. 1t ma.
DO he is Jesuit in hiding" And b
turned upon his heel and followed til
pair, who by this time had passed him
As they nearcd John street there wa
sudden commotion among the crowd
Women shrieked, few tainted, and
rush was made for the houses. Not ia
ahead strange animal with foamin
jaws and glistening teeth could be see
and behind it shouting crowd. 1t wa
only wildcat chased by score of mel
and boys carrying spikes, muskets an
bricks. 1t was nothing strange in thos
| days for an occasional hungry bear Q
| wildcat to leave the forests on the W
per part of the island-that is, beyon
the gates at Warren street--and max
its appearance in the city, lean and ra,
enous for food.
In the excitement Peter lost sight {
the interesting stranger. He espied tn
Hindoo in the same plight, lookin
wildly about him and pushing his wa
among the excited people so violently
indeed, that he toppled headlong aaain'
an apoplectic English grandee, who, b.
fore stepping into his chariot, was tai
ing a pinch Of snuff to quiet his nerve
Without a seconds delay the grande
angrily turned and laid the Hindoo Q
his face Oh the pavement.
"Puh, poh! I'll teach you, you dol
to knock against a gentleman" /
shouted, Wits an oath.
Peter darted to the Hindoo's side .
tile chariot drove off and assisted hi
to rise
MAY, do not waste your curses 9
him." said Peter Indignantly as Il
wiped the snow from the Hindoo
shoulders and replaced his turban. IN
word, that man is beast. Pray, Il
me assist you to walk, and together "
will search for your master"
"You know him? You know my ma
ter?" he asked curiously in excellel
English.
"By sight only. All, yonder
standsl'' And Peter uncovered his hea'
not because it was at all necessary to
so, but because he could not help
when the strangers deep, kind ey
rested on him. Never had he seen
man who so fascinated him. What wi
his subtle charm? And his voice as ]
thanked him for assisting his servant
in what way was it SO different fro
any other voice he had ever heard?
stirred his heart He felt his chez