The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1899-08-09

q truer, better friend. Do you remem-
Der, Pietro, those happy days you and
your master spent in the pine woods OF
Louisiana? Have you forgotten the
little one-room cabin almost In the very
heart of Tickfaw swamp, where we
dwelt all alone so long-inst you and ?
One morning in early spring took
down nay gun and commenced to clean
it. Pietro lay in the corner watching
me. He knew as well as | what my
every movement meant
1t was glorious morning. The air
was filed with the perfume of yellow
jasmine, waited down from the tops of
the tall trees. No matter in what di-
rection looked, wild flowers met my
eye.
1t was indeed an earthly paradise,
that quiet little nook in the swamp.
Not sound disturbed the stiffness of
the scene save now and then thesplash
Of some fish or animal in the dark wa
ter over there.
Sitting down on the upturned root Of
an ancient cypress tree, prepared to
rest while, and enjoy the scene to my
hearts eontent-to live in paradise just
for once.
don't know how long l had been
sitting there when, hearing a rustling
in the tangled vines behind me, turn
ed my head. The picture that met my
gaze will remain engraved upon my
memory so long as life lasts
My eyes were dazzled by the girls
indeseribable beauty. l turned them
away as | would from the sun, then
looked again.
"Thou seemest surprised, young
stranger. Verify l do bethink me
thou takest me for spirit. Thou art
tall and strong, young man. Surely a
bit of a girl has not frightened thee out
of thy wits"
"No, fair creature l replied, "I am
not overcome from fright so much as
by surprise"
''Look thee, stranger, is not this truly
a lovely kingdom, and as such should
it not have ruler? That being true,
why should not l be its queen? My
home is just two miles away through
the swamp, and we call it Jasmine
Bower. 0ftentimes when time hangs
heavily turn my footsteps to this spot.
An hour spent here among these flow
ers drives away all care and puts me in
a good humor with the wOrld-my lit
tie world. What brings thee into my
kingdom? Speakp'
81 am but a wandering hunter, fair
lady. l and my dumb friend here, Z"
patting Pietro on the head, ''live hack
there across the bayou all alone. We
started out this morning for hunt
Sitting down on that upturned root,
gave myself up to thought, while Pie
tro seized the opportunity to take a
nap. Hearing rustling in the vines
behind me, 1 turned my head, and 1
beheld the most beautiful creature that
e'er met the gaze of man, and-n
"Nay, nay" the girl interrupted,
with a frown. 'say not those words, /
pray thee. If thou wouldst not anger
me, speak not again of my poor beau
ty"-
pardon my hasty words, Miss
"CalI me Laurine."
al did not intend 10 offend. Forgive
me, crave"
"Thou art forgiven" she smilingly
replied, again showing her perfect
teeth. "But thou art my prisoner 1
claim thee because thou hast entered
my kingdom without royal permit. At
home / have two brothers, who, too,
are mighty hunters. There is not a
deer, bear or turkey in all of Tickfaw
swamp, the haunt of which they do
not know. The rarest fishing places
they can find on the darkest nights.
Come with me, my stranger prisoner,
and my giant brothers shall give thee
lesson in woodcraft. Come, and l
grant thee will prove a most mereiful
queen. Follow me-"
She started off along path that led
to the right, Pietro and / closely fol-
lowing.
Entering high-arched gateway, we
passed on through wilderness of flow
ers, from the modest blossoms of the
wood 10 the rarest specimens of the
world. | could see at glance why the
place was called Jasmine Bower, for in
every direction that fragrant flower
could be seen.
Laurine ushered me into beautiful
room. Here and there soft-seated set
tees were tempiingly arranged, and
vases filled with flowers stood on Ia
BILE near window. Everything about
the room, from the paintings on the
wall to the well-filled bookcase, beto-
kened refinement and taste.
Presently she returned and placed
before me cake and wine and babe me
partake.
Just at this juncture / heard heavy
steps in an adjoining room. In mo-
ment the door opened and in stepped
two as fine specimens of manhood as
ever met my gaze. Each was more
than six feet tall, and strong as sn OK.
"These are my brothers," said Lau-
rine, introducing us. 81 told this gen.
tleman, whom l met In the swamp,
that you were mighty hunters, and
would show him where to hunt and
fish,
Many were the hunts we had togeth.
er in the depths of the dark, wild
swamp, and many were the quiet
smokes we enjoyed at night in my
little cabin.
Scarcely day passed that did not
go to the Bower, and on each succeed
ing visit my love for Laurine grew
stronger. / could think or dream OF
nothing else save the beautiful girl. Al
times / would catch myself talking Of
her. Pietro would glance up into my
face with look of wonder and injury
l believe in my very soul he knew
what my trouble was, and more, be
lieve ne was jealous.
One morning. had known the gir
three months-I took particular paini
| with my toilet, making myself as pre