Beadle's Dime Novels, No. 11 — page 19: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

PREPARATIONS FOR A PARTY. 17 ate, and extremely elegant personage, and possessing an im- mense fortune in sugar estates and slaves. The general, in his own right, was poor; but through the favors of a will in his possession, obtained money enough to gratify all his nefa- rious and extravagant tastes. An old housekeeper, with droop- ing eyebrows, served doggedly under Senora Mancha; a bright- eyed octoroon was the dressing-maid of Senora Minerva. Don Carlos had his valet, and four or five black attendants, and the old general was seldom without his full complement of servants. ‘The house was generally very gay, as the young senorita had not been long from one of the best American schools, and played and sang charmingly, besides possessing a variety of other accomplishments. Preparations were evidently going on for a great party at the general’s homestead. The servants were continually bear- ing hampers to and fro from the kitchen (which was a separate building) to the main residence. A happy set they seemed, showing huge ivories as they cracked their jokes, although they sweated under the apparent weight. The general's beau- tiful volante was oftener brought round than usual, sometimes occupied by the old gentleman himself, sometimes by the dashing Cuban, Don Carlos. Handsome as was this latter personage, an evil look permeated his countenance. His eyes, black and lustrous, pierced like stiletto’s, and had all their murderous keenness. <A thick, black mustache covered his lips, save one dark crimson line; his forehead was low but massively shaped, and in bright black clusters, the curls group- ed themselves about it. Every one has seen such men, men whose faces they at the same time admired and detested, and from whose attentions, if of pure mind and correct princi- ples, they instinctively shrank. Once, as Don Carlos drove out of the courtyard, he turned and lifted his hat, at the same time smiling and bending. The young senora sat in the window, from which she had -been throwing crumbs to a pair of Barbadian doves. She returned the bow, but at the same moment turned back with a pained look. Her maid, who was intelligent enough to make somewhat of a companion, noticed the motion. “T wonder what wedding Signor eevra is going to attend?” she said smilingly. cCommicloooks.aconn ,