Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1908-01-18
4 Romance Of
the Crescent Civ
- - --~--- 100 ~~--------s~s-- $50
ev Carrie elizabeth Logan.

copyright, 1863 by w. Il. Hcarst.}
! Cjlc Jans.n d lid not join the fren-
zied women IN their denunciation OF
the union ucet approaching New Or
, leans she remained calmly and con
| 'cmptuously viewing the strange scene
! from the gallery of her fathers home.
| Viola Convers leaned forward, oxulting
! in the thick black smoke that an
! nounced tho burning OF cotton on the
Crescent levec.
"Cile, you arc an icicIe. Hear them
CRY Burn the town" They are will
/ ing 20 suffer the most frightful death
for the beloved cause"
Those who shout would be the first
| TO yell in terror al the flames said
Gle, quietly.
Lucille Jansen was a bankers beau
tiful daughter Her home was one of
the fine ST on Prytania street, an old
J mansion with q spacious garden, where
magnolia and flg trees blo0mcd. She
twas Intensely patriotic. hut undem-
onstratiVe. Her hair was a glossy black
| mass With blue high lights, while her
skin was Of ivory whiteness without
tolor. Black eyes and proudly cut fea-
,ures gave a regal severity to her per-
feet face.
Lieutenant Harmon Merriman, ac-
customed to the ccurtnE and petting
! Of northern bellies, was surprised at
rhe untlat;ering reception of union
officers by lovely southern girls. Actual
,insult stopped after General Butler is-
sued his famous woman order" but
,laGies continued 20 vacate "A street car
when union officer entered, or affect
ed nausea at the sight Of blue uni
form. IL was hard 90 have the pretty
faces turned steadily to the wall when
Harmon passed the galleries of their
homes, but II did not actually grieve
him until he caught "A glimpse OF Lu-
CHE Jansen reading by the fountain
in her old fashioned garden. The young
officer fell desperately Ia love.
\ block below the Jansen nome was
General Buffers headquarters. Mr..
Jansen had cruelty beaten young fe-
male slave named Lucy. He was
warned not to repeat the Offense. This
aroused the ire Of the old banker, and
again Lucy felt his heavy cane. Lieu
tenant Merrlman was sent to carry out
the generals orders 4 chair was placed
on the sidewalk n front OF the house.
There the banker was forced TO sit in
the sun all day.
Under such lniavorlblc auspices
Harmon Merriman met Gle Jansen.
When not Oh duty he found occasions
20 stroll up Pyrtania street, carrying
back pictures Of the girl, who never no
liced him by word or sign.
A fierce tropical rain descended upon
the city and the levee broke. Gle and
Viola were out shopping They could
not descend from the carriage, as the
water was a foot deep I'm the streets.
From headquarters the young Iieuten-
ant watched the carriage drive up and
stop. Miss Janseu's head appeared.
Then the carriage drove on Lieuten-
ant MerrimaH rushed down stairs to as
sist the maiden when the carriage re-
turned, that took Miss Convers home,
ana she waded to the stoop. che meant
TO be equally brave, but when her car
riage halted, there stood that detestable
Yankee officer, knee deep in water, cap
in hand, III The pouring rain. She hes
itated
Pray let me assist you, madam
said the lieutenant with grave respect
Pride in appearance prevailed, and she
mOtiCned him, imperiously to the car
riage door. He carried his lovely bur
den to the dry steps OF her house She
dismissed hirn with Il gracious, II thank
you"
Harmon VICE ordered tc search the
Jansen house for arms. Gle had
dressed for dinner in the long. flowing
white gowns she affected. A knot OF
ired ribbon in her black tresscs and at
her slender waist proclaimed her senti-
ments. She was sitting at the piano in
the daTkened parlor when the Goorbeu
rang. Looking up she saw Lieutenant
Merriman Was ii reflection from the
red ribbon or die Il marvellous color
creep into her soft cheeks? She did
not move. Lucy answered the bell.
Laws, Miss Gle. dis union man
wants to search the house.
Tell him to do it," She did not raise
her eyes 10 the man waiting eagerly ut
the parlor door
But" he commenced Gle rose
abruptly and disappeared In the dark
ness of the further room. lie searched
ana found nothing.
. People I'm New Orleans had plenty to
eat but those iu the country were
starving. Gle heard that her aunt was
suffering for the necessaries of life
Humbling her pride she went with
Viola To ask for 2 pass. Passes had
been so much abused that General But
leT gave Harmon Nerriman orders to
refuse all, and the luckless lieutenant
was powerless 10 grant the appeal OF
the beautiful girl he loved.
You will let ar old woman die of
starvaton?i What Is your price?"
: Harmon flushed. money cannot buy
my honor. Tell mo where your aunt is
'and | Will go 70 her succor."
There was such a result OF feeling in
Giles hitherto unconditional soul: de-
spair, ren,orse, gratitude. that the
quceniy beauty fen on her knees ana
=
Harmon was at the Episcopal church. !
opposite headquarters, when the service
vas stopped because the pastor omitted
the prayer for the president. Like other
officers he was In plain clothes. Gle (
recognized him and Kissed SPY" as
she rustled past him in silk dress
that had seen better days.
This was Giles lass insult. The bank |
er sickenci under MS misfortuncs and
lost his eyesight from The spread of
cataracts. One night tho Jansen home
took fire. Gle helped her father and
sent the frightened Lucy for belp. Lucy .
alarmed the federal headquarters, but
nothing could save the old home.
Morning found thc proud girl il Gem
crai Buffers parlor Lieutenant Merri-
m9n stood at the window.
I have wealthy uncle in Washing
ton VINO would care for my poor father,
If | could get through the lines"
THAT is impossible unless YOU go
as the wife of 9 union officer"
Never" said Gle. paling with an
Ger.
Harmon looked oat cf the window.
You might go as my wife. I am de-
tailed 10 Washington. / lov@ YOU"
Gle, who bad risen in anger. stood
irresolute as he turned. II win care
FOR you both he continued ardentIy.
and compel your love Dy my devo-
lion"
Gle knew she loved him. DON'T tell
father she whispered, as she ", lded
20 the pressure oi his arm. Let u
AXE him safely 90 WashiagtO-"
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The Making of a Journalist. !