Minnies Sacrifice | Page 4

pursuits.
During the troubles in Hayti, his uncle and only daughter escaped from
the Island, leaving every thing behind except the clothing upon their
persons, and a few jewels they had hastily collected. Broken in spirits,
feeble in health, Louis Le Croix reached Louisiana, only to die in his
brother's arms and to leave his orphan daughter to his care. She was
about ten years old and Bernard was twelve, and in their childhood was
commenced a friendship which ripened into love and marriage.
Bernard's father and mother lived long enough to see their first and
only grandchild, and then died, leaving their son a large baronial estate,
500 slaves, and a vast amount of money.
Passionately fond of literature, aesthetic in his tastes, he devoted
himself to poetry and the ancient classics; filled his home with the
finest paintings and the most beautiful statuary, and had his gardens
laid out in the most exquisite manner. And into that beautiful home he
brought his young and lovely bride; but in that fair house where velvet
carpets hushed her tread, and magnificence surrounded her path, she
drooped and faded. Day by day her cheek grew paler, her footsteps
slower, until she passed away like a thing of love and light, and left her
heart-broken husband and a child of six summers to mourn her loss.
Bernard, ever shy and sensitive, grew more so after the death of his
wife. He sought no society; seemed to lose all interest in politics; and
secluded himself in his library till he had almost passed from the
recollection of his nearest neighbors. He superintended the education of
his daughter, because he could not bear the thought of being separated

from her. And she, seeing very little of society, and reading only from
the best authors, both ancient and modern, was growing up with very
little knowledge of the world, except what she learned from books.
Without any female relatives to guide her, she had no other associates
than the servants of her household, and the family of Mr. Le Grange.
Her mother's nurse and favorite servant had taken the charge of her
after her death, and Agnes had been her nurse and companion.
Camilla, although [adored?] and petted by every one, and knowing no
law but her own will, was still a very lovely child. Her father, wrapped
in his literary pursuits, had left the entire control of his plantation to
overseers, in whom he trusted almost implicitly. And many a tale of
wrong and sorrow came to the ear of Camilla; for these simple-minded
people had learned to love her, and to trust in her as an angel of mercy.
Often would she interfere in their behalf, and tell the story of their
wrongs to her father. And at her instance, more than one overseer had
been turned away; which, coming to the ears of others, made them
cautious how they offended the little lady, for young as she was they
soon learned that she had great influence with her ease-loving father,
who would comply with almost any fancy or request rather than see her
unhappy or fretting.
And Camilla, knowing her power, insisted that Agnes' child should be
raised as a white child, and the secret of his birth effectually concealed.
At first, Mr. Le Croix thought it was a passing whim that she would
soon forget; that the child would amuse and interest her for awhile; and
then she would tire of him as she had of other things; such as her birds,
her squirrel, and even her Shetland pony. But when he found that
instead of her intention being a passing whim it was a settled purpose,
he made up his mind to accede to her wishes.
His plan was to take the child North, to have him educated, and then
adopt him as his son. And in fact the plan rather suited him; for then he
could care for him as a son, without acknowledging the relationship.
And being a member of two nations having a Latin basis, he did not
feel the same pride of race and contempt and repulsion for weaker races
which characterizes the proud and imperious Anglo-Saxon.

The next Summer Mr. Le Croix took a journey to the North, taking
Louis and Camilla with him. He found a very pleasant family school in
New England; and having made suitable arrangements, he left Louis in
the care of the matron, whose kindness and attentions soon won the
child's heart; and before he left the North, Louis seemed perfectly
contented with his new home.
Camilla was delighted with her tour; the constant companion of her
father, she visited with him every place of amusement or interest they
could find. She was much pleased with the factories; and watched with
curious