The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-10-17

| and feeling their way toward the city,
or trying to get possession OF Pont-
chartrain. As yet, nothing certain
could be known of their numbers or
equipments, saving that they ap-
peared to be strong, we'll supplied
and confident. There were great diff
ficulties in the way of watching their
movements, and 80 far it was doubt
full what were their real Intentions as
to the point of attack. ~ N.....
General Jackson received the young
lieutenant respectfully, even cordial
ly, and after a few VOL ds with him
aside, took his arm, and bowling to
Faval and Mr.. Vernon, walked away
with him towards headquarters.
Faval, in his creole volatility, could
restrain his indignation no longer.
He clenched his hands and swore;
but Mr.. Vernon was quite calm and
apparently not in the least in sym
pathy with his compan1on's bitter
criticism of the commanders personal
treatment of them.
On the evening of this same day,
Colonel Loring further distinguished
himself by appearing suddenly in the
de Sezannes box at the leading the
atre of the city and throttling Lieu
tenant Ballanche, who at the time was
engaged in conversation with
Mademoiselle de Sezannes and her
mother. The onslaught was 30 pre-
cipitate and so quickly done with that
the perpetrator was gone before any
general understanding of the startling
affair was had by the audience. Bal
lanche was seized by the throat; in q
grip of iron, lifted bodily and dashed
down stunned and almost lifeless at
the feet of Mademoiselled de Sezannea.
The play going forward on the
stage was not half 80 strikingly dra.
matic as this spectacular performance
in real life, and, although the people
of New Orleans we're, we'll used to
scenes of violence, those who wit
messed it were Mortified by the Pc
culiar atrocity it exhibited. Loring's
two muscular hands closed about the
young mans neck with frightful force,
and his cold, long, narrow eyes flick,
cred balefully under his straight,
dark brows.
Mademoiselle de Sezannes and her
mother screamed; the old.man's face
grew livid with fright as ghe flung up
his fat hands and sank back. helpless,
in his seat, ~
! At this distance it Is difficult to nm
derstand q state of society Like that in
New Orleans at the time Of which we
write; but the temper of the people
may be suggested by the fact that,
while the city lay apparently open to
an alien and presumably reckless
enemy whose feet and troops were
preparing for capture and booty, the
leaders of social life and the chief
military officers, Jackson excepted,
were at the theatre enjoying light
play. Moreover, the strange incident
Just recorded did not much incon-
venience either players or audience
after the first thrill of excitement
passed by. 1t was momentary won
der, nothing more. -
Mr.. Vernon and his wife and daugh-
ter were in box almost opposite the
one occupied by the de Sezannes, and
it ehanced that Fairfax was with them
at the moment when Loring appeared.
Pauline did not see the daring and
brutal act; but when she turned in
the direction indicated by her fathers
sudden, excited stare, Lofing was
standing there facing the stage. He
was erect and rigid with passion not
otherwise observable, while Ballanche
lay crumpled and still at Mademois-
ellie de Sezannes's feet. Something in
the mans calm, mysterious face sent
through her thrill of indescribable
sympathy. As he turned almost in
stantly to retreat from the auditorium,
his eyes met hers with quick move
ment of recognition, and he smiled
with peculiar, subdued CLEAN in his
dark face.
She clutched her mothers arms, and
her cheeks and lips turned pale as
death. She felt rather than saw the
fash of excitement which passed over
the faces of the audience all turned
upon the tall form now passing rapid
ly along the aisle that led to the main
entrance. .:.
Nobody attempted to stop Loring;
even the policemen at the door either
did not understand what had hap
pened or feared him; for they stood
aside when he approached and let him
pass untouched.
Mr.. Vernon sat motionless during
the scene.
"What is it? What has happened?"
demanded his wife, as soon asshe conld
command her voice. elias there been
q fghtp Is Lieutenant Ballanche
hurt2 Who did it? Was it Colonel
Loring?"
With the assistance of the excited
NJ. de Sezannes, Lieutenant Ballanche
was slowly rising. Evidently he was
confused and unable to realize what
had happened. Instinctively, how
ever, he righted his disturbed collar
and pulled himself together with a
show of dignity and GOODNESS which
won the admiration of the onlookers.
On this very evening a courier
brought the news to General Jackson
that the British forces were approach
ing the river from Lake Borgne by