The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-07-06
AN INHERITANCE
tOriEinal.1

tOriEinal1
My boy, have sent for you to make
a very important announcement. Since
the Earl Of BallincOrne is dead, child
less, you are the rightful heir to that
No, don't smile incredulous-
~. thinking your old grandmother to
be wandering or in her second child
hood, but listen to what am about to
tell you.
wish could make you understand
the difference In this early part of the
nineteenth century, when Mr.. Stephen
son has succeeded in drawing coaches
by steam, and the middle Of the eight
eenth, when coaching was In Its prime
and we who rode had the excitement
OF an occasional robbery. The high
wayman was not the brute who now
murders first and robs afterward, but
was OTTER chivalrous, especially to W-o-
men. When was a girl OF twenty
Travelled from London to York with my
father, and on the road we met one of
those gentlemen. We were passing q
lonely part Of the road in the dusk Of
the evening when we heard an order
to the coachman to stop. A masked
man rode up to the coach window,
holding a pistol in our faces and de-
manding our valuables. His voice was
soft and musical. his hand was white
and shapely and noticed the lace that
fell over it was Of the finest texture.
My father had but little money with
him, but did have valuable snuffbox
that had been presented him by the
king himself. BE told the highway
man that II he would send It to our
house In York his messenger should re-
ceive Ave times It's value and no .Ques-
tons asked. The robber scarcely SEEM
ed to hear him. so intent was he upon
me, not the wrinkled old woman Of to-
day, but with as fair a skin, as blue
an eye, as golden head Of hair as
any girl in England.
Good SIR" said the robber, II would
not take your snuffbox but for the
opportunity 1t gives me to take 1t to
your house myself, and If l decline the
price you put upon it please set the
fact down to the influence Of the young
lady beside you, whose beauty and in
nocence prevent my retaining any ar
ticle of yours. I have the honor, sir, to
bid you very good evening"
Raising his hat with all the grace Of
courtier he turned away, directing
the coachman to drive on.
That winter was gay one In our Sc,
In town, and after attending numerous
entertainments at the homes Of oul
friends we concluded to return the
civilities by giving a masked ball. Oul
house was lighted with a thousand
candles. and the costumes OF the guests
were Of the richest and widest variety
One Of the gentlemen personated q
highwayman, wearing a brace of pis
tols in his belt, with an ugly looking
knife to match. He came up to m,
and asked me to dance. The momen
he spoke I recognized the man who ha<
robbed us on the road from London.
/ permitted him to lead me in th'
minuet He danced so gracefully, hi
figure was SO symmetrical, he was 81
courtly in his manner that every on,
| noticed him. When the dance wa
finished he led me away to a window
where we stood partly screened behint
the curtains. Then he handed me m,
fathers snnffbox.
"How did you dare come hereT
asked.
II would have dared anything to se
you again." he replied.
"Go at once" I said. you will b
caught. Every one has noticed you"
| II would willingly hang for the pleas
ure I have gained In one dance wit
you"
i Despite the danger he ran we talke
together 50 continuously that we b
gan to excite attention. A strange haI
piness thrilled me. This fascinatin
highwayman had caught the fancy Of
young girl naturally full Of romano,
and to know that he was risking hi
life to be with me was supremely d
ltghtful. feared for him, but coul
not bear to let him 60. Finally l sa'
my father coming toward us with flasl
ing eyes. I knew by the way he lool
ed at my companion that he had &
some clew to his identity. We vanisl
ed in the crowd, slipped through
door into the garden, and my highwa.
man passed off the place In safety.
Later, when my father found me,
gave him the snuffbox. he sent O,
to notify the police that the highwa,
man was in town, but he was nevt
caught.
One spring morning I was sitting /
the garden In the rear OF the houi
!: when above the wall l saw the hea
!; OF man. was about to scream whe
he spoke. recognized the voice (
my highwayman lover. He persuade
me to make an appointment with hil
/ in wood near the city, and there v
INST on several occasions. He comics
Cd that he was the second son Of q n
basman who had taken to the roe
from keen love Of adventure. q
finally persuaded me at one Of o,
meetings 70 go with him to a magi
!: trate and be married. I never returne
to my home, but sailed to France wit
your grandfather.
Don't start, don't bend your head I,
shame, at learning that you have
ecAnded FRONT will not aar n hio