The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-01-09
"A Romance of
the Crescent City
BY Carrie Elizabeth Logan.
Copyright, 1904, by w. r. Hearst.

l leans. She remained calmly ana con-
temptuously viewing the strange scene
from the gallery OF her fathers home.
friola Convers leaned forward, exulting
I'm the thick black smoke that an
nounced the burning of cotton on the
crescent levee.
''Cile, you are an icicle. Hear them
cry Burn the town. They are will
ing to sun . the most frightful death
Tor the beloved cause
Those who shout would be h first
to yell in terror at the. flames" said
Gile, quietly.
Lucille Jansen was a bankers beau
tifll daughter. Her home was one OF
the finest on Prytania street. an old
ruansion with a spacious garden, where
magnolia and fig trees bloomed. She
Psas intensely patriotic, but undem-
onstrative. Her hair was a glossy black
mass with blue high lights, while her
skin was Of ivory Wilderness without
color. Black eyes n proudly cut Tea
lures gave a regal severity to her per-
feet face. 4
Lieutenant Harmon Merriman, ac-
customed to the counting n petttng
OF northern bellies, was surprised at
the unfiatteriug reception OF union
officers by lovely southern girls. Actual
insult stopped after General Butler is
sued his famous woman order" but
dadies continued to AGATE a street car
Il NHnGn n unlOH OluCCI GnlGEOut VI tLCOb
ed nausea at the sight of a blue uni
form. It was hard to have the pretty
faces turned steadily to the wall when
Harmon passed the galleries Of their
homes, but Il did not actually grieve
him until he caught a glimpse of Luz
ciie Jansen reading by the fountain
FIJI her old fashioned garden. The young
A block below the Jansen home was
General Buffers headquarters. MIR,
Jansen had cruelty beaten q young fes
male slave named Lucy. He was
warned not to repeat the offense. This
arousedSthe ire OF the old bayaSer, and
again Lucy felt his heavy cane. Lieu
tenant Merriman was sent to carry out
the generals orders. A chair was placed
on the sidewalk In front OF the house.
There the banker was forced to sit In
the sun all day.
Under such u~nfavorahle auspices
Harmon Merriman met Gle Jansen.
When not or duty he found occasions
10 stroll up Pyrtania street, carrying
back pictures OF the girl, who never no.
tlced him by word or sign.
A fierce tropical rain descended upon
the city and the leyee broke. Gle and
Viola were out shopping. They could
not descend from the carriage, as he
water was q foot deep in the streets.
From headquarters the young lieuten-
ant watched the carriage drive UP and
stop. Miss Jansen's head appeared.
Then the carriage drove on. Lieuten-
ant Merriman rushed down stairs to as
Eist the maiden when the carriage re-
turned, that took Miss Convers home,
and she waded to the stoop. Gle meant
to be equally brave, but when her car
rage halted, there stood that d~etestablo
Yankee officer, knee deep in water, cap
In hand, in the pouring rain. h hes
itated.
Pray let me assist you, madam"
said the lieutenant with grave respect.
Pride in appearance prevailed, and she
motioned him imperiously to the al
riage door. He carried his lovely bur-
den to the dry steps or her house. She
dismissed him with a gracious, II thank
you"
Harmon was ordered to search the
dressed for dinner in the long, flowing
white gowns she affected. A knot OF
red ribbon in her black tresses and at
her slender waist proclaimed her senti-
ments. She was sitting al the piano in
the darkened parlor when the doorbel1
rang. Looking up she saw Lieutenant
Merriman. Was it reflection from the
red ribbon or did a 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 TO h man waiting eagerly at
But" he commenced. Gle rose
abruptly and disappeared in the dark
ness OF the further room. He searched
and found nothing.
People I'm New Orleans had plenty to
eat, but those in 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 a pass. Passes had
been so much abused that General But
Ter gave Harmon Merriman orders TO
refuse all, and the luckIess lieutenant
was powerless to grant the appeal OF
the beautiful girl he loved.
You win let an old woman die OF
starvation! What Is your price?"s
Harmon flushed. Money cannot buy
my honor. Tell me where your aunt is
and / wifi go to her succor."
: There was such a result of feeling in
Giles hitherto Unconditional soul; de-
spair. remorse, gratitude, that the
queenly beauty fell on her knees and
kissed the H~eutenant's hand.
Harmon was at h Episcopal church.
! opposite headquarters, when the service
was stopped because the pastor omitted
the prayer for h president. Like other
recognized him and Kissed SPY" az
h rustled past him In a silk dress
that had seen better days.
This was Giles last insult. The bank
er. sickened under his misfortunes and
lost his eyesight from the spread OF
~cataracts. One night the Jansen home
took fire. Gle helped her father and
sent the frightened Lucy for help. Lucy
alarmed the federal headquarters, but
nothing could save the old home.
Morning found the proud girl in Gen.
eral Buffers parlor. Lieutenant Merri-
nan Stood at the window.
ST have a wealthy uncle in Washing
ton who would care for, my poor father,
IL / could get through the lines"
That Is impossible unless o go
as the wife of a union officer" n
"Neyer!" said Gle. paling with an
Ger.
Harmon looked out of the window.
"You might go as my wife. I am de-
tailed to Washington. I love you"
Gle, who bad risen In anger. stood
i~rresolute as he turned. IT VIII care
for you both," he continued ardentIy,
and compel your love by my devo-
ton" -. N'~"
-, -. - H~ q AWN