The sunny South. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1875-1907, August 24, 1878, Image 1

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BY GCILLAMO. I met her in the land of love and roses. But all unlike a rose was she.—As white, As delicate as the light cloud that reposes Or the blue sky, so was she to the sight. The lirst time that I saw her—here's her pic ture Drawn upon canvas—(deeper in my heart.) "Pis all I have of her—the sea's wild billows Laugh, as they mutter‘far are ye apart,’ But look at my love's picture—she is kneeling Where the last lingering beams of dying day Through storied pane, dim aisle, and fretted ceil ing Float in a golden glory : cold and gray Looms the dark shrine beneath, but clasped above, Meeting the mellowed sun-shower, praying hands And a wild wealtli of tresses; Death and Love, Brood o'er her—us yon shadows deck the light. And both aro mighty—but Griefs linger brands No lines that mar that sweet brow's earnest grace, Though pain burns there, and weakness wrestles might. On snowy neck bent upward to the skies, On parted lips the bright beams trembling flit, And o'er her sable vesture lustre stealetli Ligiit there; but oh, no light of earth e’er lit The azure glory of those upturned eyes. The spiritual splendours of that tender face, Pale as the dying Christ she kneels before. Bed Sunset on drooped brow and upstrained arm. Heaven's gold still tangled with bleak earth's alloy, Wild passion shadowed on ethereal calm, And sorrow trembling into speechless joy. * Freed From Her Bonds UNBOOKED Foil RELEASE. BY MAJOR A. F. GRANT. Elsie Fenner was ambitious but, as her ambi tion wes of the hereditary kind, I do not believe she was to blame. Her father's ambition was to scale walls called impregnable, at the head of a body of picked troops, and to receive promotion ■ '■ .. * u dess befoie his eyes, and when he returned from the war with Mexico, with an empty sleeve, many people said that the General’s ambition had been gratified. Unable to remain in nctive service, he erected a magnificent home on the bank of the Potomao, and beautified his estate nntil it seemed a garden of Paradise. There, when the dowers of Potomac Side were in bloom, Elsie, the girl with golden hair and deep blue eyes, was born. Her earliest years were spent with the nurse on the banks of the old river, and when she at last broke from the apron strings, it was for an expedition to the beds of wild flowers that stretched to the wa ter’s edge. Her childhood was lull of petty am bitions, gratified by indulgent parents, and as she approached womanhood, these ambitions, not lost in the past, magnified themselves into foibles, which threatened to mar the graces of womanly life. Elsie Fenner had many acquaintances, and her life at the Potomac Side was far from being inane. Her seminary life had lengthened her list of friends, many of whom visited her at home, the hospitalities of which they enjoyed until they pleased to depart. Their presence at the Poto mac Side was relished by the General, who de lighted in young company, especially in the oompany of these who would listen to his tales of martial life, in which the egotistical old vet eran figured the most conspicuous part. One summer day an old-fashioned carriage brought two-looked-for visitors to Eisie Fen ner’s home. They were two handsome women, one of whom was the general’s niece, and consequently our heroin e'a cousin. The other was her friend whom Elsie now met for the first time—Hermine Haroourt, of Baltimore. They came to Potomac Bide, on the urgent solicitation of the general, who wished to consult with his niece, a literary woman, on the publication of his memoirs. Elsie hailed her visitors with delight, and the trio were enjoying themselves, when there came a man to Potomac Side. His name was Ernest Blume, and it was un derstood that he was Hermine Harcourt’s ac cepted lover. The regal belle received him with much con sideration, and after his first day’s sojourn on the estate, the general declared that he would like to see Elsie become Mrs. Blume. But such an event was out of the qutstion, for all knew the young gentleman as Hermine’s lover, and be lieved that the nuptials would soon be an event in fashionable Baltimore life. Ernest Blume bore himself like one of nature’s noblemen. He was refined to a high degree, and held a prominent clerkship in the custom honse, from whioh he was enjoying a little rest. Elsie Fenner admired him from the hour of their acquaintance, and Hermine Harcourt saw with ill pleasure that he became mors and more devoted to the generals daughter, as the long summer days wore wearily on. One night two persons might have been seen walking in the beautiful garden that lay in the rear of the mansion. There was a full-orbed moon in the light blue sky, and a gentle breeze, fragrant with the odors of fuli-blown flowers, fanned the cheeks of the twain. •One would suppose that you were her lover.’ n The speaker was Hermine Harcourt, and her eyes flashed when with the last words cn her lips, she looked up into Ernest Blame’s face. Buoh a supposition is a tenant of your bos om, then?’ he replied, with a smile that made the hot blood rush to her tempks. ‘Since when have I been bound not to admire a beautiful woman ?’ Hermine Harcourt bit her lips, for, to her, his tone was taunting, and it hurled a lava current of jealousy through her heart. ‘You are pledged to me, Ernest Blume !’ she cried, with a triumphant flashing of her black Under your promise you dare not make to General Fenner's daughter, and I advise you to cease your notice able attentions to her.’ •And what if I should refuse to accept your ad vice?’ ‘I need not tell you what would follow your stubbornness,’ she an swered. ‘I have intima ted the nature of the pen alty already. ‘Sir, you must not forget that there 1 is a fraud in your depart ment of the custom house 1 Eanest Blume, you are in I my hands. I could send i you disgraced in the eyes of the world from the great house in which you occupy a desk, to the State prison. You know this, and knowing it, I command you to guard your footsteps.’ The smile that had lately made his face more hand some, gradually van ished, and when she had finished, a sorrowful and cold look had taken its place. ‘When are you going to return to the City ?’ Hermine asked, after a minute’s silence. ‘I do not know. I have a month’s vacation, and the general has invited me to spend the whole of it here. I am sure that I could find no more en gaging place than Poto mac Side.' She watched him, as if to see whether he was try ing to torture her with his words, slowly and deliberately spoken, but she could not decide. Elsie stood before him gazing vacantly at the ball. that he was a oriminal. ‘Have I not seen that she loves me?’ the clerk ‘I trust I shall not have to recur to this sub- | had said to himself. ‘Th si. is no woman on jest again during my sojourn here,’ she said. ! earth whom I would so;- ' *•,.,,[> mine .' But I •RJ is <V3v-' |.npleasant tq ..inj. Frnwr.t.dr ;fu : "tfin 'a-bicL ’.m-l v-'Lt-C s—'« r? jw ,iiat‘>t wrings the heart that beats for your ■ forged 1- by Hermine Ha u-V»r. I ht»'e not the ! Oh, Ernest Blume, mv whole life is bound to j strength to bid her do her worst. Oh, if I could 1 your existence, and I long for the hour when J return to the Government the sums I have lost we shall stand at the alta'r, and seal the promis- j iu wild speculation ! Oh, that I could defy to his p: 'I have belong to ■ but a ward,’ ‘for the sake of the love I bear you, forgive. I specula ted ! I plunged into a vortex from which I have torn myself with the de termination to be a man! From my salary I am paying back that which I have taken from the cof fers of the nation, and the time is not far dis tant when I will be frte from the debt I have brought on myself.’ ‘But Hermine Harcourt. You cannot restore all before the wedding day!' ‘I can ! I will!’ he cried ‘Say that you love me, will help me to keep in the path of true manhood and I will call this the brightest hour of my life.' He stood before her with outstretohed arms, ask ing for forgiveness and love. Though her face was bent toward the ground, she saw him through her long lashes, and her heart went out to him with all the love of her life. •i love you, Ernest!’ she said, in a tone that instantly drew him to ward her. ‘This day you shall go to Baltimore,’ she said, and before the night clos ed about the earth, Ern est Blume was in the city. The next morning he celled the inspector in sen ce and said: peculated with funds that did not . I could not resist the temptation; « i in mv man hood, and to-dav j.i, , ■ ‘ ■ x v# to ts that we have mutually made.’ Ernest Blume did not seem to hear her last i words, that fell full of passion, from her hot lips. A footstep had startled him, and he was gaz ing at Elsie Fenner, who stood in the shadow of a clump ol hollyhocks, undecided whether to fly or remain. It was evident that the general’s daughter had ccme unexpectedly upon the strangely mated pair, and the custom house clerk was amused at the statue of indecision into which she had suddenly grown. ‘Yes, yes, Hermine,’ he answered hurriedly ‘But let us return to the house, and vanquish the general in a game cf dominoes.’ He was smiling as he spoke, and pleased with what she would call a triumph, the belle per mitted him to lead her toward the mansion. It was a relief for Ernest Blume to turn his ! back upon Elsie Fenner. He wondered wheth- * er she had listened to the conversation, rather I loudly spoken in the garden, and shuddered when he thought that she might [iave heard. What would she say to him when next they met? What kind of a look would she give him, before he would place his troubled head on the pillow? Elsie Fenner hurried from the garden by a by-path, and sought her boudoir. ‘They are engaged, but he does not love her !’ she exclaimed. ‘She seems to hold his hand in thrall, and his very nature shrinks from her sight. Ernest Blume, I love you ! and I shall try to redeem you from that beauty’s thrall. My whole life is wrapped up in 5 ours, and I shall win you for myself—l will make you a free man, with my heart in your keeping.’ The general’s daughter had not intentionally played the eavesdropper in the garden. She had come suddenly and unexpectedly upon the couple and the last words of the haughty belle ' had reached her ears. The twain’s return to the ' house was a great relief, and with her heart still beating wildly, Else fled from the garden to her boudoir. When she joined them in the parlor, a game was in progress, and she became a watcher in stead of participant. At last the general's shout of victory announc ed the result of the well-contested match, aud it was decided that the dominoes should be put away for the night. Ernest Blume was anxious to know how much ' of the conversation in the garden had reached Elsie's ears; but he dared not question her, through fear of betraying himself. Still, be 1 watched her, and tried to satisfy his mind with the glances which ever and anon she gave him. But he could not analyze the depths of Elsie’s 1 expressive eyes, and at last gave up the hope less task with a sigh. ‘I will find out,’ he said, with determination, 1 and despite the warning look which Hermine Harcourt shot from her eyes, he crossed the room to Elsie, and invited her into the beauti ful night. They passed out upon the porch, and down into the garden. Then he questioned her, and learned what she had heard. A weight that almost crushed him to the earth, was lifted from his mind, and he laughed, : and even sang with the girl in the garden among the flowers. I They did not tarry long among the beauties of the miniature Eden, and when they returned to the house, they found that Hermine had retir ed, and the general was alone with his niece. Ernest Blume put a thankful head on the pil low that night. The greater part of his talk with Hermine Har- cenrt in the gardan, had not reached Elsie’s ears. The general’s daughter knew nothing about the custom house frauds, at which Her mine had more than hinted, and the young man was rejoiced to know that she did not dream that woman, and turn to Eisie Fenner a man re deemed from thraldom—an honest man !’ It was in the agon'y of his heart that Ernest Blume cried forth in the solitude of his room, and hours passed away before he found rest in the sleep he needed. Hermine Harcourt’s father was an inspector of accounts in the custom house, and it was du ring the discharge of his duty, that he discov ered the condition of Ernest Blume’s books. More than this—he discovered, too, that the young clerk had been led into speculation by men who held positions above him, but that he had ceased to obey their calls, and was try ing to replace the peculated sums irom the pro ceeds ot his labor for the Government. Y’es, Ernest Blume was trying to redeem himself, and the inspector saw that in time he would re place every unjustly used, and be a man again. He communicated his discovery to his wife, who in turn repeated it to her daughter Her mine, who was deeply infatuated with the hand some clerk. The events that followed were natural se quences of the telling of the secret. Hermine Harcourt soon horrified Ernest Blume with the tidings t i?.t’she knew of his peculations, and he found Limself in the belle’s power. Now Hermine could lock forward to the suc cess of her cherished plans, and, liarrassed by her love-making in the shadow of avenging law, he promised to lead her to the altar. Such was the situation in which Ernest Blume found himself, when he went to Potomac Side, to pass a few weeks from all the cares of duty, and the prison life of a great city. It being bis first visit to tne general’s house, he of course encourntered Elsie for the first time. Then it was that he found the woman whom he could love; but he cursed the bonds that held him the prisoner of another, and almost wished that a hand stronger than his would in tervene, and save him for his true ind new found affection. | A rich summer day was drawing to a close when Margary Boone, the general s niece, threw down the croquet mallet, &':d moved an adjourn ment to the house. But Ernest Blume, with smiles invited Elsie to a game, aad Hermine and the niece yielded them the lawn, and resolved to return to the mansion. The clerk was glad of it, and before the twain had ascended the steps that led up to the high er ground before tho bouse, he, with one foot resting on the wooden, sc-ffee, was talking con fidently to the general’s daughter, Elsie stood before him with eyes gazing va- oantly at the ball which she was striking light ly with the mallet; but her face told that she heard every word that fell from his lips. ‘Elsie Fenner,’he said. ‘I lore you! but did you know where I stand, you would not listen to a word I am saying. My heart went out to you when first we met, and my love has been growing more passionate wb.li the waning days. It has made a man of me; it has strengthened me until I am now strong enough to break the bends that bind me. 0, Elsie Fenner, will you let me love you until I come to you a free and honest man and ask for the hand whioh I will try to merit?’ For a long moment she did not answer him, and he was watohing her with painful interest, when she almost suddenly raised her eyes. ‘How much do you owe the Government?’ He started from her like a man suddenly con fronted by the ghost of a victim. What! Elsie Fenner in possession of the great secret of his life ? He oould not believe it, and yet she had just put to him that fearful question. * ‘Elsie! Elsie Fenner!’ he cried, starting for- iny accounts, and believe that I will be able point with pride at the result.’ Before he returned to Potomac side he saw his books examined, and counted into the hand of the treasurer, every dollar of the money that belonged to the Government. Then he went down again to the General's estate, armed with a piece of paper that was to him a two- edged sword. ‘I am free !’ he whispered to Elsie, whom he encountered on the porch, and passed out into the garden with Hermine Harcourt. It was night again, and the twain found them selves on the spot where an important conver sation had already occured. ‘Ernest Blume, will you force me to fling you on the altar of the law?’ she cried, turning sud denly upon him. His answer was a laugh that cut the jealous Hermine to the heart. T saw you making love to Elsie Fenner, before I left tho croquet lawn yesterday, she continued. ‘Ernest Blume, beware !’ Then he met her look calmly, and drew a white paper from his pocket. ‘Do your very worst,’ he cried in triumph. ‘I went to Baltimore yesterday. I saw your father, and, at my request, he examined my books. Can you read his chirography in the light of the moon ? ’ She did not reply, but he thrust the paper into her hands, and watched her while she read her father’s bold chirography. All at once she dashed the certificate of satis factory inspection to the ground and started back. .‘Why, yon owed the government six hundred dollars !’ she cried. ‘Where did you get all the money to replace it?' ‘From the hands of the noble woman whose love is so deep that she forgives my crime, and who will keep me held fast to tho manhood which I have snatched from the vortex of specu lation !’ ‘Elsie Fenner ?’ ‘Elsie Fenner!’ She gave him a look that, contrary to her wishes, was powerless to kill, and turniug quickly, she left him alone among the roses. The bonds were broken; Ernest Blume was free. The next day Hermine Harcourt returned to the city, discomfitted by Elsie's unexpected vic tory, and conscious that the prize had slipped through her fingers. Not long afterwards, the young clerk married the General’s daughter aud to-day he blesses the noble woman whoso love brightens the manhood that he snatched from the seas of ruin just in time. Hermine Harcourt is a favorite belle no lon ger. Her defeat drove much beauty from her fu.ee, and she passes Potomac Side sometimes on her way to the home of Southern relatives. Elsie confessed to her husband that she over heard him in his room when ho upbraided him self for his appropriation of the nation’s money —when he resolved to pay it back, and then came to her with an avowal of love. ghe pitied him, and from that night her love grew stronger, till it culminated in the greatest triumph of her eventful life. Bruce. Ilie Coloml ^(‘iistlur-llr I11- It'rnules for a Soul firm frilly— Success Crowns liis Kllorts. Under date of Washington, July oth, ‘Orra Langhorne,’ correspondent of the Springfield (Mass.) Republican, writes as follows; ‘The colored members of Congress did not impress one as particularly good specimens of their race except Bruce, the Senator from Mis sissippi, who is a very fine-looking mulatto, tail, stout and handsome. He is said to be a Vir ginian by birth, and was owned in early youth by the wealthy Bruce family of Halifax county. He seemed very popular with his colleagues, and was frequently seen on the avenue walking with the white brethren and evidently on pleas ant terms with them. From wnat I could hear of him he must be a man of uncommon intelli gence, who has studied diligently since the emancipation to improve himself and make up for his early disadvantages. Bruce’s speech in regard to the legislation, or rather the lack of it, necessary for the future well-being of the Afri cans in our country, was admirable in tone and expression, and presented a pleasing contrast to the remarks of Air. Conkllng and other gentle- meu who stiii labor under the tff'eet of the color prejudice. A young lady who holds a clerkship in one of the departments, told me an incident connected with Senator Bruce, which illustrates both the wonderful changes wrought by the whirligig of time and the amiability which is ever the char acteristic of the long-suffering African. While the abhorred earpet-Lag government existed in Mississippi, very heavy municipal taxes were levied in the towns, and some dispute arose be tween a gentleman, who had been one of the wealthy citizens ot Bruce's district,and the ‘Yan kee Mayor’ of the town in which he lived, in re- gerd to the collection thereof. The Mississip pi*!! refused to pay his quota, because the city had failed to make repairs necessary to the pre servation of the wall surrounding his grounds. The corr.rcversy continued for some time, until at last, iv the absence of the owner cf the prop- p* - *,, ■! 1 jf _»/ ppoi—ted b.v auu entered ' t.i2 £’-u-<£ isrj ■.iiht.t’t oer»/x*,ny piano and-other pieces of furniture, wLiol. were at once sold for taxes. The family had suffered many losses from the war,and this act, when re lated te him by his wife, so exasperated tho hot headed Southerner, that he went at once to the Mayor’s office and shot him dead. He was tried by the authorities and being released on bail, at once left the state by the advice of his bonds men. The family moved to Baltimore, where they lived lor awhile, and the unhappy Missis- sippian sunk under his many carts aud died. Ail this occurred some years ago, aud the wid- or had uudergone many trials aud privations, when she reached Washington some mouths since, with her two little children, and attempt ed to get au office under the Government. She took board at the house where my young friend was living, and after vainly appealing for aid to sundry Democratic friends iu high position, having nearly exhausted her slender means, was advised by my informant to ask the assistanoe of the negro senator from her own state. The high-born Southern lady, who is describ ed as very handsome and refined in bearing, at first shrank from the thought. But her board bill was nearly due, her p irse nearly empty,and deeming her cup of sorrow full to overflowing, she accepted the offer of her new friend to ac company her to the dreaded interview', and the two specimens of the old noblesse went to the door of the senate chamber and sent in a card to Air. Bruce. The negro senator appeared at once, and my informant assures me that the respect and courtesy of his manner could not have been surpassed. In response to the faltering request of the unhappy lady for aid for herself and her starving children, Bruce answered quickly in tonesofinuck feeling; ‘Certainly, madam, I will do all in my power to aid ybu. AYhen I was a slave working on my master's plantation, you were known as the richest and most elegant lady of the country, and now that times have so greatly changed for us both, I shall be glad of an oppor tunity to serve jou.’ The ex-slave went at once to the departments, and his tff'orts were so suc cessful ttiat a few bouts later the desolate wid ow was rejoicing in her appointment to a clerk ship. [The lady referred to is the widow of E. M. Yerger, a member of the celebrated Mississi^ni family of that name. During his residence in Jackson, Alississippi, he was known as ‘Prince Yerger. ’ He was one of the handsomest men in Mississippi. The Alayor referred to was not shot and killed iu his office, but was fatall ib- bed on the streets of Jackson, opposite tL ..ip- ital grounds. The ‘Yankee Mayor,’ so called, was not the Mayor, but was Provost Marshal, and ranked as Major. We think his family name was 1’aull Nor was Col. Yerger released on bail. He was tried by a jury of his peers and acquitted. His magnifioent form, leonine head, lustrous eyes, and luxuriant curly hair are all well re membered in Baltimore. He died here about two years since.—Eos. Baxtimorean. ] To live uprightly and purely in this age is n’o play. A young man who resolves to do it must put himself, as a fencsr does when about to be attacked, on his guard. A mild and dove-like disposition does not hold a man up to the line of duty at all times. There are the mild, and there are also the heroic virtues; and both find their proper moments of expression. There are times when a young man must say no, and a no that has no hint of a possible ‘yes’ in it. There are times, also, when he must say yes, and make it ring like the blast of a trumpet. Never did young men need this quality and temper more than they do tc-day; never were there more opportunities for their exercise. 1 There is a great deal of capillary attraction in love. Girls adore a handsome suit of glossy hair. It is lovely. And when a lover comes to woo her, with the top of his head shining like a greased pumpkin, he is at a disadvantage. Just as the words that glow and the thoughts that burn begin to awaken in her bossom a sympa thetic thrill, she may notice two or three flie3 promenading over his phrenological organs— and all is over. Girls are so frivolous, fjhe im mediately becomes more interested in those flies than in all his lovely language. While he is ponring out his love and passion she is wonder ing how the flies manago to hold on to such a slippery surface. A self-sufficient fop, at an evening party, after annoying the company for some time by his at tempted wit, seeing a lamp half filled, turned to a young lady, and said: ‘Can you tell me why that lamp is like me ?’ to which she instant-j ly replied: ‘Because it is half-fool (half fall.’)