Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-06-24
HIS Fair MAIDEN.

Pietro, those happy days you and you
master spent down in the pine woods
and swamps of louisiana? Have yot
forgotten the little one room cabin al
most in the very heart of Tickfav
swamp, where we dwelt all alone so lon.
Just you and L?
One morning in early spring / tool
down my gun and commenced to clear
it. Pietro lay in the corner watching
me- He knew as well as | what my
every movement meant.
1t was a glorious morning. The all
was filled with the perfume of yellow
jasmine, waited down from the tops OF
the tall trees. No matter in what direc
ton / looked wild flowers met my eye.
1t was indeed an earthly paradise, thai
quiet little nook in the swamp. Not 6
sound disturbed the stiffness of the scene
save now and then the splash of some
fish or animal in the dark water ovel
there.
Sitting down on the upturned root OF
an ancient cypress tree, ] prepared tc
rest awhile and enjoy the scene to my
hearts content-to live in paradise jus,
for once.
/ don't know how long / had been sit.
ting there when. hearing a rustling in
the tangled vines behind me, | turned
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 in
describable beauty. | turned them away
as ! would from the sun, then looked
again.
''Thou seemest surprised, young stran-
ger. Verify do bethink me thou takest
me for a spirit. Thou art tall and strong,
young man. Surely bit of girl has
not frightened thee out of thy wits"
"No. fair creature" | replied, 81 am
not overcome from fright SO much as by
surprise"
"Look thee, stranger, is not this truly
a LOVELY kingdom, and as such should ii
not have a ruler? That being true, why
should not | be its queen? My home is
just two miles away through the swamp,
and we call it Jasmine Bower. Often
times when time hangs heavily turn my
footsteps to this spot. An hour spent
here among these flowers drives away all
care and puts me in a good humor with
the world-my little world. What brings
thee into my kingdom? Speaki'
~ am but wandering hunter, fair la
dy. ! and my dumb friend here" patting
Pietro on the head, ''live back there
across the bayou all alone. We started
out this morning for a hunt. Sitting
down on that upturned root, / gave my
self up to thought, while Pietro seized
the opportunity TO take a nap. Hearing
a rustifng in the vines behind me, turn
ed my head, and beheld the most beau
full creature that ere met the gaze of
man, and
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 beauty
Pardon my hasty words, Miss
'Call me Laurine."
81 did not intend to offend Forgive
me, l crave"
''Thou art forgiven" she smiIingly re.
piled, again showing her perfect teeth.
"But thou art my prisoner. ] claim thee
because thou hast entered my kingdom
without royal permit. At home l have
two brothers, who. too, are mighty hunt
ers. There is not a deer, bear or turkey
in all of Tickfaw swamp the haunt of
WHICH lney 10 not KNOW. Inc rarest nsn-
ing places they can md on the darkest
nights. Come with me, my stranger pris-
oner, and my giant brothers shall give
thee lesson in woodcraft. Come, and
grant thee 1 will prove a most merciful
queen. Follow me!'
She started off along path that led to
the right, Pietro and closely following
Entering high arched gateway, we
passed on through a wilderness OF How
ers' from tine modest blossoms OF the
WOOD to the rarest specimens OF the
world. could see at glance why the
place was called Jasmine Bower, for in
every direction that fragrant flower coufd
De seen.
Laurine ushered NE into a beautiful
room. Here ana there soft seated settees
were temptingly arranged; and vases filled
with flowers stood on a table near a win
dow. everything about the room, from
the paintings on the wall to the well I'LL
ed bookcase, betokened refinement and
taste.
Presently she returned and placed be-
fore me cake and wine and bade me par
take.
Just at this juncture ] heard heavy
steps in an adjoining room. In moment
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 as strong as an OK.
"These are my brothers." said Laurine.
introducing US. Il told this gentleman,
whom | met in the swamp. that you
were mighty hunters and would show
him where to hunt and fish,"
Many were the hunts we had together
in the depths of the dark, wild swamp,
and many were the quiet smokes we en-
joyed at night in my little cabin.
Scarcely a day passed that did not 90
to the Bower, and on each succeeding