Vol. XXVIII.—No. 1. . . . JULY, 1868 Whole No. 163.

SCENES IN CANADA.

BY MBS. E. OAKES SMITH.

exultation as they leap the rocky Gulf of Niagara. Gathering up their white robes, they flow tranquilly through Lake Ontario, known to the Indian as Onontorio, which signifies handsome lake; thence issuing in state, they recommence their august march through the St. Lawrence to the ocean. The Grand River—La Grande Biviere—as the French delighted to call this wonderful river,

is one of the most interesting flooded high- ways in the world; whether wild and tumult- uous, a thousand Niagaras rushing headlong to the sea, or moving jubilant amid her thou- sand isles—now expanding into fair lakes and anon sweeping in regal The traveller, in descending the St. Law- pleasant bays, and cities, she is always rence, ought, if possible, to commence his pomp by battlemented journey at Niagara, where the bugle notes of grand or beautiful. comfortable and the rapids form a fitting prelude to the organ- Sacket's Harbor is also a of departure for this excit- peal of this avalanche of waters. The vast convenient point situated on the south shore inward lakes of the northwest, moving majes- ing voyage. It is Bay, about eight miles from tically oceanward, seem to lift up a cry of of Black River

i —

Down the. St. Lawrence.

Lake Ontario. The situation is very pictur- vary from an area containing many acres to esque, and the harbor, protected by a slip of that of a mere rock, with sufficient soil to land, which defends it from the sudden action embrace a single tree, or a green tuft of of violent winds, is at once safe and commo- clover, a handful of violets, or a few harebells, dious. The largest ships ride safely in this their silken filaments tossing in the breeze. beautiful bay, thus affording safe anchorage Always lonely, this northern archipelago seems for the naval force designed to protect our to offer a perpetual lure to the thoughtful

northern frontier. It is the site, not only of and sensitive to seek repose amid their a naval depot, but of a military station also, silence and solitude. Here amid the Thou- though now much fallen to neglect. It was sand Isles, before the traveller nears the founded about the beginning of the present rapids, there is an enchantment of verdure

century, but its growth has been by no means and repose.

rapid, numbering as it does little more than We now pass several places of little com- two thousand inhabitants. parative interest, their associations being Sacket's Harbor presents even more than quite modern, and enter upon the more ex- an ordinary variety of denizens, soldiers, citing portion of Down the St. Lawrence. sailors of every grade, hunters from the back- Already we begin to experience the sound woods, civil and military officials, and last not of many waters; there is a plunge—an inde- least, the sad children of the red men, who scribable roar. It reminds one of a gallant ship, wander listlessly through the thoroughfares " With the wind through spar and shroud, that cover their ancient hunting-grounds. That hears a sound like the forest voice Sacket's Harbor was the rendezvous of the When the wind is piping loud." lake fleet during the war of 1812, and from hence four thousand men marched forth to A sense of deep awe pervades every coun- participate in the battle of La Chine. Here tenance. The giddiest brain and foolishest was a hospital and a depot of military stores tongue are hushed to silence now, and every for the use of the northern army, and the eye is intent upon the " hell of waters." Deep, streets of Sacket's Harbor were filled with fathomless emotions throng upon the heart the sick and wounded, who suffered so much weird, unearthly, unlike those ever to be ex-

in that late and rigorous campaign. perienced again. Exultation there is, but it Crossing the St. Lawrence, and leaving is subordinate to an indescribable awe—not behind us Wolf Island, which is placed like a so much the sense of danger. I think the sentinel to guard the egress of Lake Ontario, selfism of personality is all at once crushed we come to the city of Kingston, one of the out of the beholder, and he becomes a part of first cities of Canada West, and next to Mon- the universe—he realizes the visions of his treal and Quebec the strongest fortified place dreams, the chaotic magnificence of pre- in British America. Here all is bustle and existent reminiscences, and he strives to re-

activity, and though, in a military point of member where he has seen it all before, view, of no more imminent value to England repeating inwardly, "Deep calleth unto deep, than Sacket's Harbor is to the United States, at the noise of thy waterspouts; all thy yet the policy of the two governments in the billows arc gone over me. I heard the voice protection of their frontiers is here most of many waters, and behold the Ancient of strikingly exhibited. On our own side all Days seated on a great white throne." things wear the aspect of decay and neglect, For protracted grandeur of emotion, there while on the British side, the alert sound of is nothing in all the experience of a traveller the bugle, the prestige of well-appointed commensurate with a descent down the long

troops, the stir of a busy population, and the rapids of the St. Lawrence. In all this peril- presence of a large naval and land force, ous descent, the passenger needs but to show at once that, if the sun never sets upon glance at our pilot to feel entirely assured. He the British rule, her forecast and vigilance is, indeed, no ordinary man. He is a half- are also sleepless and untiring. breed, and lives at St. Kegis. He has the eye Perhaps there is no finer view of the Thou- of an eagle, the composure of an autocrat, the sand Isles than that chosen by the artist of skill of a Frenchman, and the nerve of an our party. They seem here to sleep like Indian. We shall never look upon his like green emeralds, enchanted to be the home of again. He is said to be about sixty years of some species of sprites, whose home is mid- age, but is certainly gifted, as all great crea- way between land and water. These islands tions are, with perpetual youth, or, what is Down the St. Lawrence. better, fu.ll, but imdecaying manhood. His just above Montreal, introducing a vast quan- face and demeanor are a study for an artist. tity of water from a distance of seven hundred Such an air of authority, without the shadow miles, draining a vast northern valley of of pretence ! He magnifies his office by an eighty thousand square miles. Its entrance assured, solemn, heroic bearing, truly mag- into the St. Lawrence is grand and majestic, netic. He is the only man who has ever suggesting images of vastness and uncertainty piloted a steamer down the great La Chine bordering on the sublime. The high north- rapids, and truly it is a Napoleonic feat, ern latitude in which it rises renders it worthy to immortalize any man. No one affluent in snow and ice, which, upon the who has never made the passage can fully breaking up of winter, are poured irresistibly estimate the magnitude of the peril, and the along the St. Lawrence. These northern skill, judgment and nerve requisite to over- forests through which the Ottawa flows come it. afford inexhaustible supplies, while game of We took in our pilot at the Indian village the largest size roam their solitudes, and give of St. Regis. It was a day bright and clear, employment to a hardy race of lumbermen and the aspect of the place was not unpleas- and experienced hunters, Indian, French and ing. Children were at play in front of the English. The bark wigwams of the Indians

VIEW OF THOUSAND ISLANDS FROM ALEXANDRIA BAY. houses, boys fishing from the rocks, women are very picturesque, and, being closely-over- engaged in the ordinary avocations of the topped by large sheets of the fragrant hem- sex, and old men smoking in the sunshine. lock, are at once durable, warm and cleanly. St. Regis is about fourteen miles from Their appearance is very much that of a

Messena Springs, whose chalybeate virtues soldier's tent. The fire is made upon the are well attested. The Indians called the ground in the centre, the smoke escaping place Kan-a-swa-stak-eras, which, being in- through an aperture in the roof; the door terpreted, means, " a place where the earth consists of the skin of some wild animal. In

smells bad." So much for an Indian's appre- early life the young Indian wife exhibits both ciation of mineral springs. taste and skill in the arrangement- of her The Indians own a large tract of land here wigwam, ornamenting it with green boughs and several fine islands, which are perma- and wild-flowers; but, as the hardships of nently secured to them, and cannot be sold. her condition begin to press more upon her, The Indian name of St. Regis was Ak-wis- she loses the vivacity and taste which invari- sas-ne, or " where the partridge drums," inti- ably distinguish the young savage, and be- mating the abundance of game. The village comes the patient drudge of her lordly chief-

is slightly elevated, commanding a fine view bearing the burdens of the chase and daily life. of the St. Lawrence above and below. Three Rivers is the seat of a Roman Cath- The river Ottawa enters the St. Lawrence olic bishop, and contains a convent of Ursu- 8 Down the St. Lawrence. line nuns—indeed, the votaries of every faith It is estimated that the St. Lawrence, with may be said to be here represented; but, as its tributaries, drains an area of 335,515 the place owes its origin to those of the square miles; its width varies from less than Roman Catholic faith, the only antiquities a mile to three and four, and even a hundred belong to them. There is an earnestness, a miles in width. As its width increases, its stability and repose in those relics peculiarly aspect is less interesting to the lover of the engaging; however humble the place, or picturesque, although its commercial impor- meagre the appliances, an air of sanctity is tance is very much augmented. Up to Quebec sure to prevail—the symbol of the Cross, the the largest line of battle-ships may sail and purity of water, become mute emblems of all moor in safety ; but below this, it wears the that is holiest in the spirit of worship. There aspect of a vast inland sea, where floats the is nothing repulsive in the silent communion wealth of an empire; but the student and of the red-child of the forest, long since artist will find comparatively little to engage weaned from the cruelties of paganism to the his attention. meekness of Christianity, and the descendant The appearance of Quebec is very pictur- of France, who is to-day what the French esque. As the stranger comes down the were three hundred years ago—he still talks river, the first object that presents itself is

THOUSAND ISLANDS—MOONLIGHT AND FISHING.

of beautiful France, and the two races mingle the Citadel of Fort Diamond, built upon a their blood together, and their ashes return, peninsula, and rising 333 feet above the level dust to dust, in the same cemetery. of the river. The sight of this ridge project-

It is ninety miles from Montreal to Quebec, ing into the sea, and frowning with all the and connected therewith by means of tele- pomp and circumstance of war, is suggestive graph, which seems to be almost the only of historic events of great and melancholy thing in the region which wears the air of interest. The area of Fort Diamond covers newness. It would exceed our limits to about forty acres, every point of which is so

describe the many points of interest as we strongly fortified that it may be considered descend this majestic river, which, in its impregnable. Indeed, Quebec with its great stately march to the ocean, from its egress of natural advantages, superadded to those of

Lake Ontario, traverses a length of seven art, its walls, and citadel, and battle-ships, hundred and fifty miles, through scenery of riding in its commodious harbor, may well be wonderful richness and beauty; past cities designated as the Gibraltar of America. and villages teeming with population, and In 1535, when Cartier passed this place, he

through vast areas covered with primeval found a small number of Indian boats, and it

woods, where still roam the lordly moose, the was not till 1608 that the Count de Cham-

deer, bears, wolves and " small game." plain took formal possession of it, and laid the Down the St. Lawrence. foundation of what was to become the site of and terraces, the views of the lower town, the a great city. rivers, the island of Orleans, Point Levi, and The subsequent history of Quebec has the adjacent country are among the finest in justified the expectation. It remained a America. To the west of the walls, and ex- French possession till 1629, when it was taken tending along the heights, lie the populous by the English, who again restored it to faubourgs of St. Louis and St. John, reaching France by the treaty of 1632. It has increased far beyond the official limits of the city, in in population and influence in a varied degree lines of elegant country seats, surrounded by up to the present time. Nearly two-thirds of trees and gardens. At some distance from its inhabitants are of French extraction, and the barriers of these faubourgs, two commem- three-fourths are Roman Catholics. The orative columns rise on the celebrated plains French is the prevailing language here as in of Abraham ; one, of stone, surmounted by a Lower Canada generally. Quebec is built fasciculus of arms, is dedicated to the memory upon the slope of an elevated promontory or of General Wolfe, who fell at this point ; the table land, which forms the left bank of the other, of bronze, is consecrated to the memory St. Lawrence for about eight miles, and has of the soldiers who shed their blood in the

LAKE ST. FRANCIS. on that side an almost precipitous face, but second battle on the plains of Abraham. The declines more gradually to the St. Charles. citadel, which is built upon the culminating

This promontory is called Cape Diamond, point of the cape and commands the whole from the numerous quartz crystals found in city, is 345 feet above the level of the river. its rocks. The city is divided into the upper It covers about 40 acres, and is regarded as and lower towns. The upper town extends the Gibraltar of America. The approach along the table land already mentioned, and from the west, in the direction of the plains inclines towards the river St. Charles, in a of Abraham, is defended by four martello northwest direction. It is surrounded by a towers 500 or 600 rods apart, and placed about wall two and three quarter miles hi circuit, three-quarters of a mile from the walls of the mounted with cannon, and having five gates. city. The lower town lies at the foot of the Here are situated the great hotels, the finest cape, along the banks of the rivers, upon an stores, the theatre, the parliament house, the alluvial soil, and is bordered with wooden bureaux of the officers of state, the court- quays. This is the seat of the principal busi- house, the city hall, etc. It is the quarter of ness of the city, and here are to be found the fashion, and the residence of capitalists and great commercial houses, banks, insurance officers of government. From its ramparts offices, the exchange, the custom house, etc. 10 Down the St. Lawrence.

During the season of navigation, this quarter an iron fence. To the southeast is the parade of the city presents a scene of great activity. ground, a central point, adorned with a fine The docks for the river vessels, the breweries, fountain; and to the south of this is the distilleries, founderies, gas works, tanneries, Durham terrace, which travellers pronounce soap manufactories and ship yards are upon the finest point of view in the world. The the banks of the St. Charles, in the faubourg garden of the fortress, another fine prome- of St. Roch. This large quarter, though in- nade, has an obelisk erected in 1828 to the habited mainly by the working population, memory of the two heroes, Wolfe and Mont- has some fine streets and elegant stores. The calm. Montcalm's remains are buried in the ascent from the lower to the upper town is chapel of the convent of the Ursulines, but made by flights of steps, and by steep, wind- the body of Wolfe was conveyed to West- ing streets. Quebec has many fine buildings. minster Abbey. The Chalmers church, the The custom house, on the bank of the river, Wesleyan church (in the flamboyant style),

INDIAN VILLAGE NEAR THE OTTAWA RIVER.

is an imposing Doric edifice with a dome and and the chapel of the gray sisters, are good a facade of noble columns, approached by a specimens of Gothic church architecture. long flight of steps. Quebec is the seat of a The marine hospital, built after the model Roman Catholic archbishop and of an Angli- of the temple of the Muses on the banks of can bishop. The interior of the Catholic the Ilissus, the archbishop's palace, the uni- cathedral, the chancel of which is copied versity of Laval, the theatre and the city from the apsis of St. Peter's at Rome, is much hall are also worthy of notice. Quebec lias admired; the walls are adorned with paintv several scientific and literary societies and ings, one of which is a superb Vandyke. The institutions. The literary and historical so- chapel of the seminary, near the church, has ciety, founded in 1824, has a good library, and the best collection of religious paintings in a collection of records of the realm in eighty America. The Protestant cathedral, a plain or ninety folio volumes, with many historical

gray edifice surmounted by a tall spire, stands manuscripts ; but it suffered a severe loss in in the centre of a large square, enclosed with the burning of a part of its museum and Down the St. Lawrence. 11 library in the fire of February, 1854. There pally of ships, lumber and grain. The ships are besides this several institutes, reading built at Quebec are renowned for their rooms and library associations. The mer- beauty, solidity and sailing qualities. The chants' exchange has a large reading room, timber, deals and cabinet work are sent well supplied with newspapers and periodicals. mainly to Great Britain, and the bread-stuffs The legislative library has over 50,000 vol- to the English colonies of North America. umes, and a valuable collection of historical There are some manufactories of distilled manuscripts. The educational institutions and fermented liquors, leather, tobacco, soap, are fiumerous, and highly creditable to the etc. The municipal government of the city city. The university of Laval, opened in consists of a mayor and twenty-four counsel- 1854 in connection with the seminary of lors. It has one representative in the legisla- Quebec, an old theological institution found- tive council, and three deputies in the house ed in 1663 by the first Catholic bishop, Mgr. of assembly. The city is also the county seat Laval, has buildings valued at $400,000, a of the county of Quebec. Quebec was the library of 20,000 volumes, a cabinet of physical colony of a concessionary company, who did science, an anatomical museum, etc. The not fulfil their promises to the settlers, and St. Lawrenoe is about three-quarters of a hence its growth was slow. The magistrate, mile (1314 yards) wide opposite Cape Dia- named by the company, was called a syndic, mond, but the mouth of the St. Charles forms and had powers similar to those of a mayor. with it a basin nearly four miies long, and The king, dissatisfied with the management more than one and a half mile wide. The of the company, took the colony into his own depth of the water is about twenty-eight hands, and in 1663 appointed a governor, and fathoms. The ordinary tide is seventeen or created the sovereign council of Quebec, who eighteen feet at new and full moon; but the were charged with its government. During spring tides attain a height of twenty-three the war of the league of Augsburg, the neigh- or twenty-four feet. The harbor is safe and boring English colonies made an unsuccessful commodious, and the largest vessels can lie maritime expedition against it (1690). In at the wharves. The steamship Great East- 1711 the attempt was renewed, with no better ern during the summer of 18G1 visited Quebec, success. The first attempt at erecting stone and lay at anchor at the foot of the citadel. In fortifications was made after the first of these the latter part of December the river is closed attacks, the place having been previously by ice, and navigation ceases till the latter protected only by palisades. In 1759, during part of April, when the ice usua ly disappears the seven years' war, the English General very suddenly; steamers arrive from Montreal James Wolfe attacked the city and bombard- about April twenty-fifth, and sea-going vessels ed it. On September 13, 1759, took place the about a week later. There is a regular line first battle of the plains of Abraham, in of steamers plying between Quebec and which both the contending generals fell, and Gaspe and the provinces of the gulf, and two England gained at one blow an American lines of royal mail steamers between the city empire. On September 18, Quebec capitulated and British ports. There is also a steam ferry after a siege of sixty-nine days. The French connecting the city with the terminus of the attempted its recapture, and in the following railroad south to Point Levi and Richmond, spring the second battle of the plains of which is a branch of the Grand Trunk line. Abraham was fought, and victory sided with Telegraphic lines also connect it with the the French colonists; but at the treaty of principal cities of Canada, the gulf colonies peace in 1763 Louis XV. ceded the whole of and the United States. Quebec is the princi- New France to the English. Quebec rose pal centre of maritime commerce in British slowly from its ashes, though its commerce North America, and one of the largest timber increased. In 1776 a small American force and lumber ports on the American continent. under General Montgomery attempted its But while its exports are larger than those of capture, but failed, with the loss of about any other city in Canada, its imports are seven hundred men and their commander. below those of Montreal and Toronto. The In 1792, the year of the inauguration of the principal articles of importation are woollen, representative system in Canada, the first cotton and silk goods, iron, hardware, coal, Lower Canadian parliament was convoked at groceries and salt. More than two-thirds of Quebec, and the city remained the seat of the whole amount of imports come from government for the lower province till the Great Britain. The exports consist princi- union of the Canadas in 1840. During this 12 Down the St. Lawrence.

period its growth was steady and moderately the Canadian ladies lead back the imagina- rapid. It has been visited by some disastrous tion to the court of Versailles in the days of fires, which have taxed its pecuniary re- Marie Antoinette, or to the yet more gallant sources and energetic enterprise greatly ; but circles of preceding reigns. The English in it successfully has overcome these drawbacks, Quebec are a high-toned and substantial and is now undoubtedly prosperous in its people, and certainly nowhere in British condition. America is better society to be met with than With regard its to comfort as a place of resi- in this picturesque northern capital. The deuce, the climate is healthy, although the trade of the city is quite extensive, and it inhabitants are subject to vicissitudes of heat enjoys great business facilities. Vessels of and cold during the year, which requires care the largest tonnage can reach the quays. in the article of dress. They have, in fact, The harbor, which lies between the city and Italian summers and Russian winters. The the island of New Orleans, is very large and

25^ *sx>:a?s? jv.X CITADEL OF FOKT DIAMOND, QUEBEC.

St. Lawrence is early, in winter, closed by commodious. McCulloch says that Quebec ice; snow falls to a great depth, and the * engrosses almost the entire trade of the frost-spirit asserts its empire for many months. province with the mother country, the West During the summer, on the other hand, the Indies, etc., and is annually resorted to by heat is sometimes almost tropical. Gen- The vast numbers of emigrants who partly settle tlemen and ladies of French descent, whom in Canada, but mostly re-emigrate to the you meet in the higher circles of society, are United States. It has a regular intercourse, even more polished than the Parisians ot the by means of steamers, with Montreal, and present day. They have preserved the social other ports higher up the St. Lawrence, and traditions, the usages and manners of the old with Halifax and other ports on the Atlantic. regime, which the new school of the revolu- Still, however, it must not be forgotten tion and the empire extinguished and re- that, in so far as the United Kingdom is placed in France. The manners of some of concerned, the trade with Canada and Que- —

Down the St. Lawrence. 13

bee is wholly forced and factitious, and is not grammes to escape from the heat of the cities, a source of profit, but the reverse." and find health and coolness in travelling, or We have thus sketched some of the principal else comfortable quarters at the seaside or in features of this interesting city. It receives the country. Now those who make up their annually many visitors from the United mind that Canada possesses more attractions States, but not near so many as it would than any other place for a summer campaign, were its attractions known. No tourist to should recollect that greenbacks are not equal the north, with a little time at his disposal, to gold, and that all paper money belonging should fail to visit Quebec. Those who are to the United States is not snapped at eagerly projecting a foreign tour, and wish for a fore- as one would anticipate. Hotel-keepers are taste of foreign travel, cannot do better than extravagant in their demands, and think to cross the line, and climb the streets of the nothing of charging five dollars per day for great Canadian city. Within a comparatively each person who is honored by being enter- short distance of Boston and New York tained. This is first-class price, but do not close at hand if we reckon only time—they think for a moment that you are to receive may place themselves in a locality which will first-class fare for your greenbacks. If you

AN OLD BRIDGE NEAR THREE RIVERS.

will, we fear possess all the charms of novelty, and of a make up your mind that you would diametrical contrast to familiar scenes. The that your visit to Quebec and Montreal contemplated at the view of Cape Diamond from the St. Lawrence not be as entertaining as of your journey. The best is alone worth the trouble and expense of the commencement the best of all journey. The environs of Quebec, too, are way is to go it blind, and make you are on a quite inviting and picturesque. Here you see inconveniences, Think that your money like a villages almost wholly French, and buildings foreign tour, and pay out be. Kecol- which exactly resemble those in the rural hero or heroine, as the case may Quebec hotel-keepers districts of France; barns thatched with lect that Montreal and the summer, and straw; strange farming implements, and, count on Yankee custom in disappointed unless they above all, a people who do not speak English, would be awfully Canada would never but use a dialect of the musical language of received it. A native of for hotel life as la belle France. Quebec and its environs are think of paying such sums have got up a reputa- very gay in winter, but one must have a good Americans ; so, as we sustain it deal of nerve to encounter the climate. tion for extravagance, we must landlords come to But, at the present time, we have to deal until travel falls off and the watering- with summer, warm, genial summer, and their senses. This applies to well as Canada. pleasure-seekers are laying out their pro- places in the United States as 14 Down the St. Lawrence.

Montreal is the principal city and second of which are situated in the Place d'Armes. port in Canada, and is favorably situated for The harbor, which is formed towards the St. intercourse with New York and Boston, Lawrence, is secure, and the wharfs, m©re being at the head of the ordinary navigation than one mile in extent, are large, massive from the Atlantic, and at the foot of the grand structures of wood, exceedingly convenient chain of canals which connects the great for lading or unlading vessels; and, by the Lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron and Superior. employment of steam-tugs, the difficulties The city occupies a low tract of land, about presented in the navigation of the St. Law- two miles wide, between a considerable and rence by the rapids, are entirely overcome. very beautiful elevation, called Royal Mount, Being at the head of marine navigation and the river, and is divided into the upper proper, the city is the port for the great chain and lower town ; in the latter the streets are of river, lake and canal navigation which ex- narrow and ill-paved, and the houses, gener- tends westward to Fond du Lac and Chicago, ally in the French style, gloomy-looking, hav- a distance of about 1400 miles, embracing the ing dark iron shutters. The upper town is largest extent of inland water communication much more agreeable; here the streets are in the world. The Lachine canal, the first wide, and the houses well-built, large and in the link, extends from Montreal to Lachine, commodious; generally of a grayish lime- cuts across the southern point of the island, stone, and roofed with tin and sheet-iron, which, glit- tering in the sun, and com- bined with the effect of the lofty spires and towers of the town, gives to the latter a very imposing appearance when viewed from a dis- tance. The town is well supplied with water, and the streets are lighted with gas. The more remarkable public buildings, most of which are in the principal street Rue Notre Dame, are the town- hall, the seminary of St. Sul- pice, the Hotel Dieu, a large hospital for the reception of the sick poor; the convent of Notre Dame, designed for fe- VIEW IN THE CITY OF MONTREAL. male instruction ; the general hospital, two convents, English and Scotch and avoids the Lachine rapids. The Beau- churches, courthouse, new jail, Government harnois canal extends from the village of house, Nelson's monument, the Quebec bar- Beauharnois to Hungry Bay, and passes the racks, the new Roman Catholic cathedral, in rapids of the Cascades, Cedars and Coteau. the perpendicular style, and esteemed one of The Cornwall canal, commencing at Cornwall the finest buildings in North America, and and ending at Dickinson's Landing, passes the market-house, a magnificent pile, fronting the Long Sault rapid. Farrand's Point, the wharf. The educational means of the city Rapid Plat, Point Iroquis and Galops Rapid comprise a French college, a university, found- canals are short and detached. The Welland ed in 1821, with five professors, and open to connects Port Dalhousie on Lake Ontario persons of all religious denominations; a Ro- with Port Colborne on Lake Erie. The man Catholic theological school, and several grand trunk railway connects the city with classical and scientific academies. There are Portland, Maine, and all the principal places also a library and reading-room, a natural of Canada ; and the Montreal and Plattsburg, history society, a mechanics' institute, sav- extending to Lake Champlain, gives it com- ings'-bank, and other useful associations, and munication with New York. The popula- the largest banking houses in British North tion of the city, which in 1856 was 75,000, is America have their head offices here, several now estimated at about 90,000. Ballou's Monthly Magazine. 15

THE SACRIFICE.

BY B. P. SHILLABER.

There's sweet submission in the patient face, 'Tis hers to mourn her young hopes' early But not a ray of willing recognition; blight, Her heart partakes no measure in the grace And disappointment in her springtime hours, With which they'd 'whelm her sadness of With added darkness as the days take flight, condition. And not a ray to pierce the cloud that lowers.

She has no pleasure in the brilliant gauds A bride unwilling, with the heart ignored! That with a specious mockery surround her; Her thoughts away beyond the distant ocean, She heeds no word that her rare beauty lauds, While back for her as fond a thought is "While feeling, 'mid the flowers, the thorns poured, that wound her. Thrilling as tenderly with young devotion.

[plighted, The orient pearls that on her swan-like neck But all in vain ; the sacrifice awaits : Are paled by beauties all their own outvieing, Wealth ranks affection, and the troth is Glow like a beacon-light above a wreck, No breath of love the union compensates, In whose embrace a thousand hopes are lying. No thought beyond the pride at lands united. • hold, The circlet on her brow,—like her sad eyes, Ah, landless love has but a feeble Tearful and bright,—glows with unconscious And cannot cope with plethoric pretension, splendor, Which bases all its claims on glittering gold, the That gives the crowning charm to sacrifice, And makes affection scarcely worth And clothes the victim in alight more tender. mention.

alas, the sin! [tion. What is the pomp of state, the show of wealth, Alas, that it is so! law's infrac- Where the heart's interest in all is wanting? Earth groans at God's eternal 'Tis but the splendid effigy of health [ing. Where gilded pride and sordid fancy win, inaction. In courtly halls that gaunt disease is haunt- While love denied dies out from sheer 16 Bailouts Monthly Magazine.

VIEW ON THE BOSPHORUS.

The Bosphorus is a narrow strait which curved beams which rest upon the masonry. connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Mar- A low projecting roof, surmounted by a cupola mora. It was formerly so called, either be- which commands a view of the distant cause Io, after being metamorphosed into a country, covers the whole. The windows are cow by Jupiter, passed over it, or because it strictly closed with a lattice-work of cane, in is so very narrow that an ox could easily swim the centre of which the wife of the Turk, ex- it, it averaging from one-half a mile to two cluded from the public view, endeavors to see miles in width, and is but about seventeen what is passing on in the world without. miles long. The shores are elevated and very The city of our engraving presents a com- picturesque, on the Asiatic side the cities of bination of much beauty, viewed from the op- Constantinople and Scutari, with the castles posite side, which a nearer inspection might of Europe and Asia, on the other the towns impair. No place could be more finely situ- of Pera and Therapia. The view presented ated than the subject of our sketch. Com- in our engraving, on page 17, is from the manding a view of the " Golden Horn," Asiatic side of the Bosphorus. It gives, how- opposite, the harbor of Constantinople, filled ever, little more than the outline of the form with the commerce of nations, the great city, of the country, with a little picturesque town, with its brilliant mosques and oriental grace, nestling in among the thick foliage that crowns and a shore of cultivation and luxuriance as the bank. The background of hills, sweeping great as its own, it might well challenge the up from the Bosphorus, are luxuriant with world to show a more desirable location. The tropical growth, and the air, which cannot be Bosphorus, directly beneath the eyes of its depicted, is redolent with the odor of spices people, presents a display of activity that they and fragrant blossoms. Galata, Pera and admire without imitating; the Turk takes his Therapia are sightly objects to navigators of ease and smokes his pipe, content to be the Golden Horn, and numerous villas give second or further removed in the commercial the scene great picturesqueness. Turkish race. towns are beautiful at a distance, which lends The great seraglio is situated on the Bos- the enchantment. The houses are low and phorus, at Point Serai. This is the palace of generally ill-built, consisting of wood, earth, the Sultan, which has the Bosphorus in front and, in some cases, of rough, unhewn stone, and the Golden Horn on the left. The the latter forming the foundation and rising seraglio, with its gardens and groves, includes to the height of eight or ten feet, on which is a large square, and is washed by the sea for reared a superstructure of wood supported on two-thirds its extent.

A NEW ZEALANDER.

We present the picture of a chief of New but the present has been the native costume leopard Zealand, who in costume almost realizes that from the beginning, and the can of Nayti, namely, a cocked hat and a pair of change his spot ab*out as soon as he can as are natural, they spurs, but yet with native modesty he is change his. As far men to original customs, like the covered with tattoo. This is the fashion in are constant

; departure from New Zealand, and our friend in the picture grasses and flowers it is the taste, that sustains may be regarded as being in full costume, nature, as well as good whether for the boudoir or society. The capricious fashion. Zealand are supposed fashion is permanent and never can change, The natives of New furnish, or cannot conveniently unless the man be to belong to the Malay family, and of savage men. skinned, which would be a matter of some in- perhaps, the finest specimens individual de- convenience to him. The New Zealander We refer to the distinguished this. The men are tall, described by Macaulay, who is to sit on the picted in proof of arch of Westminster bridge and contemplate strong and active; the women often hand- the ruins of London, will probably be covered some, and both sexes are almost uniformly as are are up a little more on account of the weather, well-shaped. Such dresses worn View on the Bosphorus. 17 18 Communipaw, New Jersey.

same process, and a few years since a white man exhibited himself in Boston, who had been involuntarily through the operation, coming out with a very damaging effect upon his personal beauty, as we regard such things.

Since New Zealand became a British settle- ment, from 1833 to 1841, at which latter date the British became possessed of the two islands by purchase, great restriction has been placed upon the native tendency to cannibal- ism, though the taste still runs in that direc- tion, this and infanticide forming the principal drawbacks to civilization. We all remember the pious wish of Sydney Smith, when inform- ed by a brother clergyman that he was going to New Zealand as a missionary, " I hope you will agree with them!" The natives have few of the savage vices that belong to wild tribes of men, and are remarkably susceptible to religious impressions. Their intellectual and moral status is fully equal to their physi- cal, and barring the wish to eat their friends —a species of interest that is not compatible with the prejudices of the other party—they are a very well-meaning and harmless race. Our picture, of course, represents the native

in his normal condition, as he is seen by his clanspeople. The civilization of the towns may demand some respect to the principle of A TATTOOED CHIEF OF NEW ZEALAND. propriety, but on his native heather he ignores mats of various kinds, made of native flax and clothes. The people live in villages, or " paps," braided by hand. They practise tattooing, situated frequently on an eminence, and gen- and form designs of remarkable elegance over erally surrounded by a palisade, but in respect their bodies. They insist at times that those to dwellings they are far behind other Pacific remaining with them shall go through the islanders.

COMMUNIPAW, NEW JERSEY.

This little quiet town in New Jersey, of gazing in stupid admiration at the Goede which we give a view on page 20, has the dis- Vrouw. A boat was immediately despatched tinguished honor of being the egg from which to enter into a treaty with them, and ap- the 6ig city of New York was hatched. Ac- proaching the shore, hailed them through a cording to the veritable history of Diedrich trumpet, in the most friendly terms ; but so Knickerbocker, on the arrival of the Goede horribly confounded were these poor savages Vrouwsat the mouth of the Hudson, the In- at the tremendous and uncouth sound of the dian village of Communipaw on the Jersey Low Dutch language, that they one and all shore was the first that attracted their took to their heels, and scampered over the stop until they attention. Bergen hills ; nor did they had " Here lifting up their eyes," he says, " they buried themselves, head and ears, in the side, beheld., on what is at present called the marshes on the other where they all Jersey shore, a small Indian village, pleasant- miserably perished to a man. * * ly embowered in a grove of spreading elms, "Animated by this unlooked-for victory, ashore and the natives all collected on the beach, our valiant heroes sprang in triumph, —

Communipaw, New Jersey. 19

took possession of the soil as conquerors, in weight, for let them place a bundlo

States General ; and marching fearlessly for- put his hand or foot in the other, the bundle ward, carried the village of Communipaw by was sure to kick the beam—never was a storm, notwithstanding it was vigorously de- package of furs known to weigh more than fended by some half a score of old squaws and two pounds in the market of Communipaw !" pappooses. On looking about them they were This quiet was soon interrupted by the ap- so transported with the excellencies of the pearance of a British armed vessel, commis- place, that they had very little doubt the sioned by Virginia, to demand the submission blessed St. Nicholas had guided them thither, of the settlement to the English crown and as the very spot whereon to settle their colony. Virginian dominion. It is said " that when The softness of the soil was wonderfully his vessel first hove in sight, the worthy adapted to the driving of piles ; the swamps burghers were seiz-d with a panic, that they and marshes around them afforded ample op- fell to smoking their pipes with astonishing portunities for the constructing of dykes and vehemence; insomuch that they quickly dams ; the shallowness of the shore was pecu- raised a cloud, which, combining with the liarly favorable to the building of docks—in a surrounding woods and marshes, completely word, this spot abounded with all the requi- enveloped and concealed their beloved village, sites for the foundation of a great Dutch city. and overhung the fair regions of Pavonia On making a faithful report, therefore, to the so that the terrible Captain Argal passed on, crew of the Goede Vrouw, they one and all totally unsuspicious that a sturdy little Dutch determined that this was the destined end of settlement lay snugly couched in the mud, the voyage. Accordingly they descended under cover of all this pestilent vapor. In from the Goede Vrouw, men, women and commemoration of this fortunate escape, the children, in goodly groups, as did the animals worthy inhabitants have continued to smoke, of yore from the ark, and formed themselves almost without intermission, unto this very into a thriving settlement, which they called day; which is said to be the cause of the re- by the Indian name Communipaw. markable fog which often hangs over Com- " The crew of the Geode Vrouw being soon munipaw of a clear afternoon." reinforced by fresh importatons from Holland, The place is much visited by New Yorkers the settlement went jollily on, increasing in during the warm weather. The early Dutch magnitude and prosperity. The neighboring simplicity still prevails to a great extent in Indians in a short time became accustomed the town, and some of the structures are of to the uncouth sound of the Dutch language, a very remote build. It commands a grand and an intercourse gradually took place be- prospect of the bay, and is truly a very pretty tween them and the new-comers. The Indians little place, much resorted to by excursionists were much given to long talks, and the Dutch in pursuit of pleasure. to long silence—in this particular, therefore, they accommodated each other completely. DOGGEREL FROM THE BEACH. The chiefs would make long speeches about We took our little dog to the sea-side, and the big bull, the Wabash, and the Great when she came home, she still sighed for the Spirit, to which the others would listen very sea, although when there, she could see that attentively, smoke their pipes, and grunt yah, she was but a cypher besides the breakers, myn-her—whereat the poor savages were and it was found difficult to break her of her wondrously delighted. They instructed the habit of rolling, evidently learnt from the new settlers in the best art of curing and rollers. She looked upon the barks sailing smoking tobacco, while the latter, in return, upon the stormy deep, and her bark was deep made them drunk with true Hollands—an4 and joyous. She would pause upon the sands then taught them the art of making bargains. until the white water nearly touched her "A brisk trade for furs was soon opened; paws, and then it was touching to see her flee the Dutch traders were scrupulously honest from the advancing wave before it reached back thought in their dealings, and purchased by weight, her feet ; and every flea upon her

establishing it as an invariable table of avoir- how fleeting its life would be, if she could dupois, that the hand of a Dutchman weighed not get back to the land before the wave one pound, and his foot two pounds. It is reached her, and the wave of her tail should true, the simple Indians were often puzzled be seen no more, and our tale should be by the great disproportion between bulk and ended. 20 CommunipaWf New Jersey.

•*?

£ i. . I

H as « H

— P a a o Bailouts Monthly Magazine. 21

A WOMAN'S ERROR.

BY MRS. K. B. EDSON.

CHAPTER I. to send for the little girl whose heart he had Up and down the long line of rocky coast, brought with him across the sea; they re- the wind roared and shrieked, and the waves membered, too, the little cottage at the foot dashed fiercely over the low, sandy har and of the Bluff, which he had built with all a sunken rocks, scarce a league to the north- lover's fond anticipations; and alas! they ward of the little inlet that made, by an remembered the beautiful English burial abrupt curve some three or four miles inland, service that was read there one dark day, a small but very convenient harbor for fishing- and the fair face, with its golden curls falling vessels and light-draught coasters. Once in in a wet, tangled mass over the pulseless a while, driven by sudden storms, some larger bosom. They remembered, too, one night, craft sought the protection of the little har- when a lurid flame lit up the sky, and how bor; but not often, for the entrance was the sun rose over a' mass of cold gray ashes narrow and dangerous, and Morey, who kept where the pretty cottage had stood. People the lighthouse on Barry's Bluff, was as grim felt instinctively that it was his own hand and- abrupt as the little headland that that had destroyed it, and, with tender bristled its gray, jagged sides to the sea. though tfuln ess, offered no condolence. Once, more than twenty years ago, a ship Some five years afterward, his sister Mollie went to pieces on the harbor bar, in trying to Sterne, who had been married and widowed effect an entrance; and ever since, Hugh before she was twenty, came to America also, Morey, who had heretofore been a most ready and thenceforward the two lived quietly to- and efficient pilot, grew grim and repellant, gether beside the sea. Mollie, however, was exerting himself to the utmost to warn all very unlike her brother. He was dark, silent vessels off the coast who were, not perfectly and taciturn; she was bright, cheerful ami familiar with its soundings. happy. Her round, ruddy face radiated per- There was a little story, savoring something petual sunshine. No clouds were ever dark of romance, connected with that ship, which enough or heavy enough to obscure its was as familiar to every man, woman and brightness. a little disappointment which child in Brent as the alphabet ; although the There was younger people, looking at the weather-beaten met Mollie Stone upon her arrival, however, face and grizzly beard of Hugh Morey, grew which sent a little shadow across her heart, fallen sometimes skeptical as to its truth. To them, but like all the shadows which had love was a thing of youth, and beauty, and there, it only made it tenderer and sweeter. summer tempest, which gives such gentleness ; and they forgot that Hugh Morey Like the was not always old and grizzled, as well as an exquisite clearness and softness to the sky, new depth that other most potent fact—which perhaps so sorrow and disappointment gave of her life. they did* not know—that the snows of the and serenity to the atmosphere brought brow do not necessarily extinguish the fires In the ship which had Hugh also another of the heart. Morey's betrothed wife, was same town, Bath. And so it seemed to them rather a bit of young English girl from the her parents sad romance than a terrible reality—the story But Alicia Kent came not alone ; her. of the pretty English maiden who had left and two younger brothers accompanied up the parents and friends, and crossed the perilous But alas! they came not with her her ever- deep, only to be cast a bruised and mangled quiet streets of Brent, or sat with cruel corse at the very feet of her lover. But the more in the pleasant twilights. The surge older people remembered the five long years harbor bar rolled forever its solemn young of patient saving that had at last enabled him between them. But Alicia Kent was 2 " : —a

22 A Woman's Error.

inJBfciir, and, ere six months had elapsed, part of the characteristic bluster of the man, haaoecomelacPbe the worshipped wife of Walter especially as, during the latter portion of his Hargrave, the eldest son of old John Har- life, he had grown quite friendly with Walter, grave, one of the wealthiest men in the coming once or twice to dine with him. He count)'. He was terribly angry with Walter came one day in an unusually gracious mood. for marrying a penniless girl; for, though the He had a new plan, he said; and then he Kents had been in good circumstances at called little Lena to him, and asked her " how home, their whole fortune, which had been she would like to live in a big house, and have converted to gold, went down in the ill fated horses, and carriages, and servants ?" ship. There were hard words between them, The child opened her great brown eyes to and threats of disinheritance; but, despite their widest capacity, and said she " should them all, Walter married the woman of his like the horses and the big house." The choice, and was forbidden the house in old man laughed, kissed her bit of a rose- consequence. leaf face, and told her that " to-morrow he

John Hargrave was a blustering, self-willed would come over and tell her all about it." man, and of course said a good many hard Ah, these to-morrows that never come ! things, which were duly reported, and some- eternity is full of them. Before another times exaggerated, to Walter, thus fostering dawning, John Hargrave had done with all and increasing the hardness and coldness earthly hopes and plans. Dane came over to between them, until they became almost as tell Walter. He was so white and agitated, strangers. But Alicia Hargrave lived scarcely that he could not speak at first. four years from the time of her marriage, and "What is it?" Walter said,' in a voice of this was the disappointment that met Mollie apprehension. Sterne on the shores of the New World. " Father—is—is—dead !" he gasped, sinking Before her marriage Mollie had lived with into a chair. the Kents, and when Alicia heard of the "Where?—when? Dane, what is the death of Mollie's husband, an overwhelming meaning of this ? Why wasn't I called ?" he desire took possession of her to have her come asked, sternly. to her in her new home. As happy as she "There was no chance, Walter;— and, be- was in the love of her husband and child, she sides, I—I didn't know—as—as grew almost sick with longing, sometimes, for "As I would come when my father was the sight of a familiar face—a face that might dying ! Dane Hargrave, do you think I am a bring back, mayhap, something of the old brute?" time—a face that the suns and airs of dear "Don't be angry, Walter. It would have old England had kissed, and thus made sacred done no good if you had been there. He did to her. And so she had written to Mollie not speak or open his eyes after he was Sterne, telling her of her kind and noble hus- taken." band, and dwelling with all a mother's fond- " But I would like to have been there just ness on the loveliness and sweetness of her the same, Dane. He was my father just as little Lena, and beseeching her to come to much as yours, and, if there have been hard her, that her cup of happiness might be feelings in the past, it is no time to remember quite full. them now. Besides, he has seemed so differ- And so Mollie Sterne came to Brent, but ent lately. Only yesterday, he said too late to add to the happiness of Alicia " What ?" in a quick, startled voice. for, Hargrave, dearer than the face of a friend, " Some things it will be pleasant for me to were the dear ones that had dawned on her remember," he answered, evasively, putting in paradise. on his hat and coat. And, at that. moment, In the meantime, the man who had valued a haunting suspicion crept into his heart— money more than love, had gone where his suspicion that rankled there many a weary money could purchase him no immunities, or year. give him any claim to superiority. Gold and Great was the indignation in Brent when silver, bonds and mortgages were not current John Hargrave's will was* made public. Of there, and so John Hargrave died a poor man, all his vast property, only a paltry one hun- after all. dred dollars was given to Walter; the rest all Although the threat had been often made, went to Dane. It was not the loss of the no one ever believed that he would finally property that grieved Walter, but the proof disinherit his son. It was thought only a of his father's feeling toward him, earned as — ! —

A Woman's Error. 23

it was beyond his life-. If it had been two as to be willing to unveil them utterl«b the years before, lie would not have been so much eyes of those we love? We feel, imthw^cly, surprised; but lately a hope, not half-ac- that there is something there that might pain knowledged until he saw it destroyed, had them, and so, out of our love, we strive to sprung up in his heart that - they might hide all our little discrepancies from their eventually be reconciled, and he take his old eyes, lest it make them sorrowful. There is place iri his father's heart. He knew, and so only One—the Patient and All-Pitiful—whom did Dane—and for that matter all Brent we dare trust to look in the secret places of that he had been the favorite son before this our In arts and thoughts. We know how estrangement. Not that he would have taken tenderly he will judge us, and only unto him the advantage of it one penny's worth ; but do we dare come with unveiled hearts. he knew, and knew that his father knew, And so sixteen years had glided down the Dane's weak, vacillating nature, so easily con- shadowy shores of eternity, and now Dane trolled and so easily tempted. Hargrave stood upon its brink. He had been There were those who advised Walter to a rich man— a successful man, as men count contest the will, but he was too proud to do success; but, standing there on the verge of it; besides, he knew there was no flaw in the time, he saw, as in a mirror, all the barren- will. It had been drawn up three years ness and poverty of his life. He saw how before, when his father was in the zenith of success had been but another name for his anger at his marriage, and at a time when defeat—a defeat more sad and terrible than his active business operations proved the that where armies go down in battle, or for- strength of his mind, as well as his passions. tunes are was ed in a breath. These things The witnesses were men of integrity, and the concern the body; his concerned the soul. A ? attorney who drafted it beyond suspicion. crippled soul ! what fate can be more sad

Perhaps, at first, he had some thought that what defeat more dreadful? Dane might make some more righteous divi- The wind howled and shrieked through the sion of the property—he knew that he should, great chimneys, and the rain plashed drearily shutters, dripped dis- in an exchange of circumstances ; but when against the closed and he saw the cold, indifferent look on the face mally from the* eaves of the' old Hargrave of his brother's wife, and knew how strong mansion on the night which opens this her influence was over him, the hope, if it chapter. There was a strange hush about had amounted to as much, died out of his the house—a sort of awed silence, broken heart. For a while, the thought that she had only by the fitful strife of the elements. in the use and control of all the dainty linen Down in the kitchen the servants spoke shoulders and elegant silver that were, his mother's whispers, looking over their with vexed and annoyed him. But the loss of his furtive glances. Two men sat a little apart wife and the care of his child diverted his from the rest, conversing in low tones. One sun-burned, thoughts, and by degrees it dropped out of was a fresh, Saxon face, a little his thoughts, or only came at long intervals. except the broad, open forehead, which was of A coldness had grown up between Bane white and fair as a girl's. A profusion a pair of honest, and himself, until one would never have be- chestnut hair and beard, and matched them to a lieved them the children of one mother, who sunny- looking eyes, which well-knit frame, devel- had folded them both in one embrace, and charm, with a strong, His companion prayed that they might always be gentle, and oped and hardened by labor. but with a hint of tender, and true to each other. was a much smaller man, supple limbs, that was There are those who believe that those who strength in the lithe, had a dark, sallow have passed on know, and see, and sympa- not to be despised. He retreating forehead, and black, thize with all the joys and sorrows of those skin, a low, which a pair of they leave behind— that, more clearly than in beetling brows, from beneath and glowed in the the earth-life, they see and know all the hid- keen, restless eyes flashed sat like tiny globes den workings of the heart, before they are half-shadow in which they were both habited in wrought out in deeds. If this theory be true, of pale flame. They and were both well alas for the fabled happiness- of heaven plain working-clothes, forty, though the Saxon face looked There is too much of wrong, and sin, and toward youngest. pain, in all our lives, to have them laid quite much the the door and looked in. bare, even to our dearest friends. Who of us A woman opened " in a voice that sounded has thoughts so pure and hearts so stainless, Luke," she said, !

24 A Woman's Error.

StD and unnatural, " Mr. Hargrave wants Luke Varney. It was just what she expected, to> see you.y just what she had provided for. She knew, The man with the fair, face and chestnut too, what he wanted of him; he need not hair arose silently and followed her, hut not have sent her out of the room for that; but before a quick look of intelligence had passed if he .sJtould say anything else! Well, it would between his companion and the woman. be better for her to know that, too, she de- Through the long hall and up the thickly- cided, stopping with her ear to the door which padded stairs, that gave no echo to their foot- she did not shut very closely. steps, they went in swift silence, each one "Luke," said the dying man, "come here; busy with their thoughts. At the head of the come close, for there must nobody hear. I stairs, the man said: must see Walter before I die. I have some- "Is he worse, Mrs. Hargrave?" thing to confess to him—I dare not die until '• There is no change," she answered, in the I have—something that has been a millstone same unnatural voice. about my neck for seventeen years. I know But Luke Varney, who had not seen the that you are honest and true, and will not fail sick man for twenty-four hours, started back me in this terrible strait, and that is why I at sight of the change those few hours had have sent for you. I want you to go to him wrought. A young man arose from a seat at once—you may tell him what I have told near the bed and walked towards the window, you—and bring him here before midnight. lifting the heavy folds of purple damask, and What time is it now ?" letting them fall again with a little shudder "A little past eight, sir. I will go at once. as a fierce gust of wind and rain swept against Mr. Walter will come without any urging, the glass. The woman was looking at him never you fear. He has sent over every day keenly. to see how you were." " You are nervous, Leslie," she said, in a "He has? 1 didn't know it. O Luke, if low voice. " You had better go down stairs he shouldn't forgive me!" a while."' "Don't you worry about that, sir. Mr. A look of relief came into, his face. Walter isn't one to bear a grudge. Shall I " If you can spare me, Celia." say where I am going ?" he asked, stooping " Certainly. I am not afraid. Why should over the sick man. I be?" "No, O no!" he said, anxiously. " But you look strange, and your eyes have "All right !" he answered, briskly, buttoning an unnatural look in them. Hadn't I better his coat as he went towards the door. stay ?" Mrs. Hargrave was pacing up and down the " No, you had better go. Doctor Dinsmore long hall when he came out. will be here in half an hour, and I can speak " Tell Leslie I want him a moment," she to you if I need you." said, without turning her face. When Leslie Wolcott—Mrs. Hargrave's half- " Yes ma'am," he said, hurrying down the brother—went into the kitchen, he found it stairs that she might not have time to ask occupied only by the women servants. him where he was going. He need not have " Where is Gray ?" he asked, looking round. feared her asking—there was no need. She " He went out a minute ago," one of them waited in the hall till Leslie came up. answered. " Did you want anything?" "Please sit by Dane until 1 come back, " O no, nothing particular." And he sat Leslie," she said, meeting him at the top ot down before the fire with a little nervous the stairs, her face still in shadow. " shudder. It is a terrible night to be out. I "You are not ill, Celia?" he asked, anx- fear Doctor Dinsmore will be unable to get iously, laying his hand on her arm. She

here." threw it off with a little nervous laugh, that * There never was a storm yet that stopped sounded weird and uncanny in the unnatural " Mm? said one of the women ; but I don't stillness.

suppose he can do any good." " 111 ? no. Plow nervous you are to-night " No, I suppose not. But one feels better I am only going to speak to one of the to have a physician in the house, even if he servants." knows that he can do no good." Leslie stood looking after her as her dark Mrs. Hargrave was not surprised, after the robes swept against the banisters, and van- door had closed upon Leslie, to have her hus- ished through a side door that led by a dark band ask to be left alone a moment with passage to the library; then, with a little :

A Wo mmi's Error. 25

involuntary shiver, he went in to his brother- —walk until you an: absolutely tired, e'Wi if in-law. it is only up and down in the yard." Leslie Wolcott was one of those peculiar "I will try it, doctor," he said; "for I be- temperaments that are affected by atmos- lieve I am almost insane. My head feels as if pheric changes. He was a complete barom- ten thousand hurricanes were confined in it." eter. When it was calm and sunny, he was Pausing a moment in the lower hall to put full of easy, indolent grace, his face as bright, on his overcoat, he heard the door at the and bis spirits as light as the rarefied air be lower end of the passage leading to the library breathed. Dull, gray days clouded his spirits, open softly, and a voice—he was quite sure it and his changeful face reflected the intangible was Gray's—say " shadow ; but when the winds and storms It will be soon enough when he Comes were out, something of their wild spirit ran back." like an electric fire through every nerve and The answer came lower and more indis- artery of his being. He could not keep still, tinct, but he was sure it was a woman's voice. any more than the autumn leaves that soared Some of the servants, he thought; but, and sailed on the wings of the fitful wind. going into the kitchen, he found the three His pulse was at fever-heat, his eyes darkened women sitting as he had left them fifteen and flashed, and little flushes of heat and chill minutes ago. swept over him alternately. "Isn't Gray in yet?" he asked, glancing And to-night, with the shadowy footfall of around. Azrael echoing down the long corridors and " No, nor Luke. Do you know where Luke through the great, silent rooms, coming every went ?" one of them asked. moment nearer, nearer, till he could almost "Didn't he go after Dinsmore?" feel the chill of his intangible presence, O, "No, he went the other way. I looked out what a night it was to him ! Perhaps, I do to see. I hope you're not going out too, Mr. not know, it was some premonition of the Wolcott?" presence of fate that hovered about him that " O, I'm merely "going to take a medical night of all nights—the fate that brightened prescription," he laughed, winding a scarf and darkened, blessed and cursed all his round and round his neck. future life—that filled him, soul and body, The women looked at each other furtively. with a strange, subtle flood of electricity. A faint suspicion that he was crazy crept In absolute contrast was the man that into their minds, and they more than hdf opened the door, and came quietly and expected the fluttering ends of the scarf were gravely into the room. Every nerve and left purposely to tie about the limb of a tree; pulse was under the most perfect control. and when a little after Luke Varney came Like a well-trained horse, every muscle and in, flushed and panting from his battle with sinew was held in sharp abeyance. There the elements, they all asked, simultaneously: " ?" was no lack of fire and spirit under all this, Have you seen Mr. Wolcott, Luke " but the will was supreme. The first thing Seen him? I should think so." you saw in looking into Dr. Dinsmore's face "What is it, Luke?" they asked, breath- was its strength. One never thought of lessly. " He's beauty in connection with him—it seemed Why, he's on a wager, I reckon. something too effeminate. He laid his cool tearin' up and down the yard like mad!" " a moment on Leslie's pulse in O !" in a little disappointed chorus. They fingers * passing. were expecting a first-class tragedy, and felt "Go out and walk off that fever, young just a little aggrieved. man. Why, your blood is up to the boiling

1 point, ' he said, earnestly, looking at the CHAPTER II. flushing face and burning eyes uplifted to his. " know half a mile from the old Hargrave Out ! Good heavens, doctor, do you About Bluff, stood wdiat kind of a night it is?" mansion, going toward Barry's " Well, yes, I believe I do," a faint smile the little cottage of Walter Hargrave. It was great lighting his face. a small, unpretending place, beside the " To be-sure, when you have just come in." stone mansion, with its odd gables and por- "And you are just going out. Mind what ticos; but it was very pleasant, nevertheless, looking as . its low, broad windows towards "I tell you now. Put on as much clothing with thought it the you please, but go out into the air and walk the sea. Lena Hargrave just : "

26 A Woman''s Error.

" dearlfti'^F place in the world ; and because she She loved your mother, child," he said, a thought so, and because it was sanctified by little unsteadily. Then suddenly, as if the her presence, Walter Hargrave thought so subject was too painful, he askea, "Did you too. Since the death of her mother, Lena know that he is failing very rapidly ?" had been almost constantly with her father. "Uncle Dane?" There was an unusual attachment between " Yes. Doctor Dinsmore told me so to- the two, and Walter Hargrave, who was one night. He says he has gone down fast within of the most agreeable and intelligent of men, a week. It is quick consumption, the doctor never wearied of exerting himself to instruct says, hastened and aggravated by some men- and entertain his pretty daughter ; and she, tal trouble which he cannot get at. He asked in turn, studied all the little arts and graces me if I knew." with which most girls attract and enthrall "Do you, father?" their lovers, to fascinate and delight her " I don't know, child. I hope not," he said, father. She had been in company but very soberly, the old suspicion rising and walking little, although nearly nineteen years of age, like a troubled wraith up and down before and was very simple and unsophisticated in him. She sat a moment looking into the fire, the ways of the world, though she knew more then she said, quietly and gravely of book lore than all the girls in Brent put " Father, I think you had better go to him together. She sketched delightfully, too, and and see. If he should die wanting to see a little water-color of Barry's Bluff, that hung you—if he has anything to say to you— on the sitting-room wall, was so like the A sudden rap interrupted the conversation. original, that one would almost swear it was A vague presentiment of what was coming its reflection. She had a fresh, pure voice, came over them both. The roses faded sud- and, in the pleasant twilights, beguiled her denly out of Lena's cheeks, and her father's father With little ballads and sweet, solemn lips grew white and rigid. It was as if, for hymns, which she had caught somehow, for an instant, they were gifted with prescience, music had not been one of* her studies, only and the veil was suddenly lifted from before her recreation. their eyes.

.It was a pure, simple life they two lived " Come in, Luke," Mr. Hargrave said, with together, neither choosing to make many no surprise in his face at seeing him. It friends, their books, and pictures, and flowers, seemed as if he had been expecting him, and serving in their stead. Nine-tenths of the knew why he had come. There was no need people in the world live, and die, and never of kind-hearted Luke Yarney's attempt to know what pleasant, and healthful, and com- come to it carefully. " My brother has sent panionable friends they are. for me, Luke," he said, quietly. "There is a strong sea outside to-night, " Yes. How did you know ?" It was no Lena," Mr. Hargrave said, coming into the unusual thing for Luke to drop in at Mr. " bright, cheerful little room. I can hear it Walter's, as he had always called him since breaking and roaring over the bar; but, thank he was a young man at home, and he was God, the wind is blowing off shore, instead of chore-boy for the old squire. onto this cruel coast! I never hear that " I don't know, Luke, how I knew, but I peculiar roaring, surging sound of the waves, did. Is he much worse?" but it brings back your mother's face, just as " I don't think he will live till morning. He it first, I saw lying white and dripping in the said, ' bring him here before midnight.'" arms of Hugh Morey, with the long, heavy "Did she—Mrs. Hargrave know you braids of brown hair falling across his breast. came ?"

Poor Hugh! /ii.s. little girl never opened her "No; nobody knew a breath about it. He blue eyes again. She was a fair, gentle little didn't want they should. He sent for me, thing, your mother said. I think, sometimes, and said I must come after you at once. how different his life would have been, if hers Perhaps," he said, after a moment's hesi- had been blended with it, brightening and tation, " I had better tell you just what he softening it." did say."

"Hugh is always very gentle with me, " You say she did not know ?" father. I think his roughness is only an "No; he shut her out of the room. I armor, and that underneath his heart is true don't know why he should, though, because and tender. And Mollie ! why, an own she will know it of course when you come. mother could not be kinder and tenderer." If it hadn't been for her, he would have sent ! !

A Woman's Error. 27 for you a week ago. I beard her tell Gray so, "Kiss me, Pretty," he said, comingjfand though she didn't know I did." leaning over her with a lover's fondness. " I wouldn't say anything to a stranger, She put up her lips with a little laugh.

Luke, but you know the whole bitter story " You foolish papa !" she said; wondering all through, and I don't mind telling yon that I the time in her heart, if the world held think she and Gray— (he always hated me, another quite so good, and tender, and hand- because I detected him in a crime, though I some, as her father. have kept his miserable secret all these years) He held her in his arms a moment, then he —have kept Dane and myself estranged." put her away and walked slowly towards the " Well, perhaps that is what he has got to door, pausing once or twice and looking back. tell you. He said he had something to con- The wind seemed to gather strength and fess to you—that lie could not die until he fury with the lengthening hours, and the rain had seen you and asked your forgiveness. made little gullies across the sandy roads,

And then he said, ' O Luke, if he shouldn't and improvised lakes and rivers in the gar- !" forgive me, after all dens and down the paths. It came down " !" Poor boy ! poor Dane he said, softly. with a roar and plash on the jagged rocks, " Hurry back as quick as you can, and tell and washed the seaweed from their cold faces, him that I will be there immediately. Tell and fell with a steady drip, drip, into the him not to worry about anything that con- sea. cerns me, for he is already forgiven, whatever Hugh Morey brightened up his lamps, and it may be." came down into the little room where his "I will, sir, I will !" Luke exclaimed, rising sister sat sewing. He took two or three and drawing his coat-sleeve furtively across turns across the room and went and stood by his eyes. • the window, looking steadily out into the When he was gone, Walter Hargrave begun storm and darkness, and always out toward his preparations for obeying the summons. the harbor bar—always, always He took the light and went into his bedroom, Mollie cast little furtive glances toward him and, through the half-open door, Lena saw * as she stitched, looking as troubled as it was him take her mother's picture out of a drawer possible for her bright face to look. The and put it in his bosom. Then he took out wind blowing off shore and the tide coming his pocket-book and counted its contents in had churned the sea into a mass of gray- deliberately. white foam, that roared and dashed against " Father, why do you do that ?" Lena said, the jagged edges of the Bluff with impotent coming and standing in the door. fury. Suddenly Hugh leaned forward a little. "I wanted to be sure how much I left you, " Mollie, come here!" he said, sharply. She dear." came and stood beside him. " Look out there "Aren't you going to take it ?" —there by the bar—and tell me what you " child you will need it most." see!" he said, in a hoarse whisper, his breath No, ; " I ? Why, how strange you talk, father coming and going in short gasps. One would think you were going on a long Mollie gave him a quick, frightened look; voyage," she said, with a little laugh. she thought his mind, which had brooded so He put the purse in the drawer, put on his long over his trouble, had given way at last. coat, and stood leaning against the mantel, " Poor Hugh !" she said, soothingly, laying drawing on his overshoes. her hand on his arm. How many times she thought of it after- " Look !" he said, almost fiercely, grasping ward, remembering every little gesture and her shoulder and pointing steadily towards expression of his face as he talked with her; the bar. remembering even the long thread of crimson Mollie turned and looked. The light from silk that he had caught up with his sleeve the lighthouse fell with a red, sullen glare from her little work-basket, and tne corner of across the seething waters, and the black, his wristband that was frayed a little. She writhing rocks, and the vague outline of the remembered how noble and handsome he half-submerged bar. looked, with a little flush of excitement " What do you see ?" hoarsely. staining the pale olive of his cheek, and his " I see a boat. O God, Hugh, it is drifting mouth tremulous with emotion. He went as straight onto the breakers !" the bright color far as the door, and then turned and came dying out of her face. !" back. " What else do you see ? Quick " —

28 A Woman's Error.

"A man—a man lying on the bottom of black. She watched her husband's face con- the * at." tinually, and once or twice stooped and ?" "And what else his voice dying away to whispered in his ear, which seemed rather to an intense whisper. increase than allay his restless nervousness. " I should think—yes, it is a woman ! I see "What time is it?" he asked, suddenly. her plainer now. A woman with long, heavy " Twenty minutes past nine," Doctor Dins- braids of brown hair falling over her white more replied. robe, which trails over the side of the boat. " It is over an hour. Why don't—" And I can see her hand on the rudder, but her he broke off abruptly and started half up in face is turned away. There, they are over bed, as a limb of the huge elm that stood in the bar ! How the mist blows in from the the yard snapped and crashed against the sea ! Her face is this way now—if it would side of the house, falling to the ground with !" only lift a little a dull, crackling sound, twisted off by the There was an instant of awed silence, both force of the wind. bending their faces harder against the pane, He laid back faint and exhausted, but with and looking with a strange, strained gaze out his eyes still turned towards the door with a into the wild, weird night. Presently Mollie painful look of expectancy in them. " Luke," gave a quick, stifled gasp. he whispered, faintly; "bring Luke here. "My God! it is Alicia Kent!" and fell in a He must be back before this." dead swoon upon the floor. The little clock " Luke was in the kitchen when I came up, on the mantel struck nine. half an hour ago," Leslie said, coming out of Hugh chafed her hands, and put water on the shadow of the curtains. "He came in her temples, and opened the door for the wind while I was out walking" glancing queerly at to blow in her face. She opened her eyes with the doctor. a little shudder after a moment. " Where has Luke been ?" Mrs. Hargrave

"You saw it, Hugh?" she said, in a faint said, addressing Leslie, but looking covertly whisper. at her husband. " Yes, Mollie, I saw it," he answered, sol- "Celia," Dane Hargrave said, lifting his emnly. And they said no more about it, but wild, burning eyes to her face, " he went over afterward they remembered it with a little to tell Walter. I cannot, O Celia.! I cannot thrill of superstitious terror. die without— She bent suddenly over him, laying her face

In the sick chamber all remained unchanged against his lips. outwardly. Doctor Dinsmore, calm and grave, "Don't excite yourself, dear," she said, sat in a low easy-chair by the bedside of his sweetly. " Of course Walter will come now, patient, touching his wrist now and then, although he has shown neither feeling nor noting silently the fainter beating of the interest enough to come without summons. pulse. As it grew later, the sick man grew Shall I speak to Luke?" nervous, starting at every creaking of the " Yes, speak to him at once," Doctor Dins- blinds, or sudden beating of rain against the more said, authoritatively, a sudden light windows. The doctor's face was just the breaking in on his perplexity. least bit in the world perplexed, especially as She went out quietly, but glanced back at the nervousness increased as the moments him as she closed the door. It was only a wore away. swift, instantaneous glance, but he never for-

Mrs. Hargrave was outwardly calm. She got it. It haunted him for days and weeks, a arranged her husband's pillows, gave him his strange, unfathomable something, that defied medicine, and performed all the little neces- and mocked him with its intangible horror. sary attentions which he needed, with an air Luke Yarney was walking up and down of grave calmness that would have deceived the long kitchen, his ruddy face a little paler most persons; but Doctor Dinsmore's keen and sterner«than usual, with a look of anxiety eyes saw the suppressed excitement burning in it altogether foreign to its accustomed under the quiet exterior. She kept it well placidity. under control though; but sometimes it "Luke!" He turned with a little start, leaped to her eye, but never stained her and flushed slightly before the dusky eyes cheek, which was almost ghostly in its white- with pale, iridescent gleams in them—that ness, and made more so by the strong contrast were lifted searchingly to his face. "You of her eyes and hair, which were of a dusky have been after Walter Hargrave, Luke. — " " "

A Woman s Error. 29

Why did lie not come? He is a tender Luke rose slowly from his knees, but the

I' brother— chill hand, as if imbued with sudden strength, "Stop, Mrs. Hargrave!" Luke interposed, clung to his with eager desperation. hastily. " Mr. Walter was very much affected " Said what, Luke ?—what did he say ?" his

7 ' to hear that his hrother was—was so ill. voice breaking into a shrill cry. And Luke "Dying, Luke. You need not hesitate answered, feeling, although he did not see, about speaking it, since we all know it. But that her eyes were still upon him. why didn't he come'?" the opal gleams in the " That he would be here immediately—that dusky eyes burning redder and redder. everything between you was all right," he " That is what puzzles me. He said he stammered. would be here in a few minutes—indeed, he "Did you tell him what I told you?" he had started to get ready when I came away. persisted. I looked round once or twice, expecting to " Yes sir." hear him coming on behind me, but the "All all, Luke? Are you jpre you told storm made such a noise, and it was so him all? Look at me, Luk^^md tell me dark—" truly. You wouldn't deceive me, Luke—you "Did you meet any one?— that is, were never did, and now when I am dying— : there many out to-night in the storm? I " I will tell you, Dane—Mr. Hargrave— should hope not," with a little shiver. "Dane, yes, Dane; call me that, Luke.

"jSTo, it's not a very pleasant night to be You used to, you remember, in the old days, out, I must say. There is a terrible sea out- before he went away—the old happy days, side, you may depend. I didn't see but one Luke, before—" He paused with a little man out to-night." shudder.

" Who was it ?" she asked, sharply. " Yes, Dane, I remember," his voice soften- "Leslie Wolcott," he said, looking half- ing, " and so does he. He said, when I had, amused as he remembered the fright of the told him all, just what you told me, word for

women servants. Something came across word, ' Poor Dane ! poor boy ! Tell him not her face ; it was not a smile, but it lighted it M to worry about anything that concerns me; like one. that everything is already forgiven, whatever " Mr. Hargrave wants to see you. He m it may be.' troubled that Walter does not come, I think. The clasp on his hand tightened. You will be careful not to say anything to " You are not telling me this to comfort excite him?" she said, pausing and looking me, Luke?" he asked, eagerly, and glancing back, before she opened the chamber door. toward the door wistfully. " I will be careful," he replied. And they "No; I have only told you what he said, went in. nothing more." Dane Hargrave reached out his hand with "Dear Walter!" And the chili hand re- an eager, uncertain motion. Luke Yarney laxed its clasp, and fell limp and nerveless lay came and took it between his broad, strong across the counterpane, and he back with closed eyes, a smile hovering about the wan palms. How cold it was ! But he did not let little from his it go, but knelt by the bedside, holding it in lips, and lifting the shadow a both of his. face. to Luke "Walter?" came in a faint, questioning Doctor Dinsmore silently motioned whisper. to withdraw, while he quietly proceeded to the " He said that he would come right away. administer a cordial, to hold, if possible, till he came. I cannot think what keeps him. He was fluttering breath a little longer, away. Out in feeling very badly, sir." Slowly the moments wore with a painfully- Mrs. Hargrave gave Luke a little warning the hall the clock ticked branches of look, and he added: distinct regularity, and the lithe fingers against " He'll be here right away, I'm sure. He the elm tapped with muffled dull roar of the surf said you weren't to worry anything about the closed shutters, the rain had nearly him, that—" And Luke paused suddenly, falling into the pauses. The wind was still disconcerted by the menacing look in Mrs. ceased falling, but a heavy in the kitchen the maid- Hargrave's face. blowing. Down T fitfully in their chairs, "W hat did you promise me?" she said, servants slumbered paced restlessly *back and under her breath, leaning across the bed to and Luke Varney the windows. On a wooden smooth out the blankets. forth before : — !

30 Love's Anticipations.

settee, with one arm thrown over his head and calm, holding her husband's hand —he

and his face in shadow, Barry Gray lay asleep remembered how cold it was, and that it —at least he breathed heavily, and did not never, never would grow warm again—and answer when Luke spoke to him twice. brushing the fair hair back from his temples, Duke went to the foot of the stairs and and, mayhap, stooping to kiss the weak irres- listened. Only the sound of the clock, and olute mouth, that wore, and always would

the faint fall of. Leslie Wolcott's slippers, as to his memory, the faint smile, restful and he walked up and clown the hall, came to his tender, that he saw settle upon it when he ears. He saw, although he did not put his had given him his brother's message. And foot on the stairs, the doctor, with his grave, so, with the sound of the clock in his ears, inexplicable face, sitting in the velvet easy- and the faint stir of Leslie Wolcott's slippers chair, watching and counting the moments, on the carpet, he stole softly away, leaving with that unerring instinct which physicians them waiting, waiting have of deaftk He saw Mrs. Hargrave, pale

• LOVE'S ANTICIPATIONS.

BY GEORGE E. PLACE.

Pillow thy head, my darling, on my breast, Of love, and thus the spirit loves to brood Against my happy heart; one white arm O'er all the joys that fancying mood inspires. thrown And will the future ratify the light Over my neck, the other hand pressed That fancy thus diffuses o'er our way? "With a delicious clasp within my own. Shall constant sunshine make our pathway Look upward with thy dark eyes; let their bright, light, Nor cloud nor shadow mar the perfect day?

Trembling with lustre like some star of nigh.it, No, no ! our reason cannot fail to teach Gleam on my own, that I within their cells Our sanguine hearts that constant happiness, May sweetly read the answering love tliat A.mong things earthly, is beyond the reach dwells Of weak and erring mortals to possess. Within thy heart for me. O speaking ejesi No heart, however virtuous, and no meed How eloquently well our own can trace, Of fortune, all exemption can procure Subtly and clear as in a mirror's face, From sorrow every heart must sometimes

The answering love that there deep-spring- bleed ^ ing lies. All must affliction more or less endure. Thus glowing with the love and tenderness O, let us shun that common, fond deceit Evolved from such sweet posture, let our Of youth, who deem the future ratified hearts, And sealed to constant bliss; then, when the Muteial, unclose and mutually confess tide The hopes the future glowingly imparts. Of ills sets in and overwhelms their fate, sustain O rosy-colored future ! O, the light The dreaming heart, untutored to Suffused o'er all the anticipated years: The adverse fate, more keenly feels the pain. No clouds, no sorrow, no intrusive blight, O, in the pleasing prospects that we build To mar our joys or chill our hopes to fears; On the indulgent future, let us tbrow How brightly to the painting thought appears A fair and proper margin to be filled Each fond enjoyment of the coming years. With adverse circumstance, and care, and woe, Such is the tenor of the thoughts, the mood, So shall our hearts ensure a deeper power Of all young hearts impregnate with the fires To bear the ills of life, th' inevitable dower. ;

Bailouts Monthly Magazine. 31

MY FIRST AND LAST DESERTION.

BY W. II. MACY.

" Why do seamen run from ships, on long ing about there for years by the cruise, never voyages ?" is often gravely and very innocent- staying long in one ship. After running down ly asked. As well ask, why do we see men of to the westward among " the groups," we set every other calling in life throw up good sit- boat's crew watches—which was done by uations every day in the week to go further dividing the crew into three watches, a boat- and fare worse. I remember reading some steerer being in charge of each. By this ar- years ago, in a publication devoted to the in- rangement, two-thirds of the crew are on terests of seamen, a series of elaborate papers duty in the daytime, and the mates are also on the " Wants of Seamen," by a well-known all on deck, they standing no night-watch. It clergyman of high standing, in which the fell to my lot to be in Hall's watch ; and, as writer undertook to show us the various he was an inveterate yarner, I gt>t the full " causes of desertion." The usual catalogue benefit of his experience, which, instead of of grievances was run through and checked proving a warning to me, had just the con- off methodically ; bad treatment by officers, trary effect,* inflaming my love of adventure bad food, bad lodgings and so on : but after and excitement, until I fully believed myself arriving at nineteenthly, it was evident the a most ill-used and persecuted individual, and worthy divine had only skimmed the surface was ready to welcome freedom at any cost of of the matter. The difficulty of assigning any danger or difficulty. sufficient apparent motive, in a larg} per- We concerted various plans for desertion,

centage' of cases, was well set forth by an old . three others of our shipmates being enlisted

New London captain in conversation with a with us in the mad scheme ; and it was finally chaplain stationed at a port in the Pacific agreed that, as there was little prospect of the and this, not in any spirit of irreverence, but anchor finding the bottom for some months merely as a most forcible illustration of his to come, we should make the most of the first meaning. The chaplain argued that if men good opportunity to desert at sea. were well treated and fed, there would be no We had discussed the matter night after such thing as desertion. " Do you think so ?" night in our watches till it had become a " settled thing, and had agreed over and over said old Captain M . Well, I think that if I had a full ship and was bound direct to again to stand by each other through all perils or difficulties that might attend this heaven, touching at , on the passage, I should lose some of my crew." But perhaps foolhardy enterprise. We were all in one the episode in my own life which I am about watch, and comprised the whole of it with to relate will more fully illustrate my mean- the exception of a young fellow named Brad- ing, than any amount of moralizing on the shaw, to whom we had never entrusted our subject. secret; but we could easily manage him. the I was but eighteen years of age at the time One calm but dark night when we had the of which I write, and had served about as morning watch it was decided to make many months as a green hand, in the good attempt. We held our final council in the ship Aspasia of Nantucket, Captain Ray. In evening under the lee of the tryworks, and sustain each other this ship I was well treated, and the captain again plighted our vows to had even taken a personal interest in my to the death if necessary. We were called at to rouse all welfare and advancement. We had been two A. M., it being our duty so as to lucky, too; and our prospects were fair for hands at about half past five, man decks, which was making a short and successful voyage. But I the mastheads and wash off Bradshaw was a had listened to the seductive yarns of others always an all hands job. As always stood several older in recklessness and sin, till I imagined very hard sleeper, and thing for the lar- that I had grounds of serious dissatisfaction calls, it was no uncommon leaving him still with my position on board. board boat's crew to turn in, by his watch- We had shipped as a boat-steerer, at the in his bunk, to be roused again our purpose in Marquesas Islands, an Englishman named mates. As it did not serve extra call, he Hall, or as he called himself, " 'Any 'All," an this instance to give him his

quietly on ; and, as soon old stager in the Pacific, who had been knock- was allowed to snore 32 My first and last Desertion.

as sufficient time had elapsed for the other nac, on a scrap of paper, and armed with this watch to be fast locked in sleep, we made all and his old " yoke," Nix was confident of his haste with our final preparations. ability- to make Ocean Island, or even to cir- The Aspasia, like many other three-boat cumnavigate the globe, if he had time and ships, carried the fourth on the cranes, rigged, provisions enough. Now that we were fairly witlrall the fixtures and craft, ready for ac- under way, I began in some degree to realize tive service. This " bow-boat" was to be used the peril of which, to tell the truth, I had for our rash voyage, as being so far forward thought very little before starting.

we should be less liable to awaken any one As soon as we had forged enough to lee-

in the cabin ; and we did not so much fear ward to be out of hearing from the ship, we interference from any of the foremast hands. sat down to our oars and pulled with a will. We had two good-sized tarpaulin bags pre- Not a word was spoken for an hour or more, pared, which we now filled with hard tack, each man being intent upon his work. We for the bread cask always stood open between did not venture to strike a light, but steered decks, accessible to all. There was also some by the stars only. We then somewhat re- bread in the " lantern keg," which is a part of laxed our efforts, pulling more moderately. the outfit of every whale-boat, and which, as The dim outline of the ship's sails had long its name implies, also contains lantern, since faded into the surrounding darkness, candles, tinder, etc. There was a keg in the and we had as yet heard nothing of any alarm boat containing about five gallons of water, to on board. which we added two more taken from the " Well, I guess we are far enough now to

other boats. Not wishing to be lumbered ease up and rest a little," said the young fel-

with the heavy tub of whale line, we cut off low who pulled the tub oar ; who, from the thirty or forty fathoms, which we coiled down fact of his having been an attache of a travel- in the boat. A few jackets and spare articles ling show before he came to sea, was called " " of clothing were thrown in ; though not much Barnum from the outset, and was known was required in that climate. to his shipmates only by that name. Now came the delicate operation of " low- " No, no," said Hall. " We must keep on " ering away without noise ; but we had been pulling so as to be out of sight before the careful to grease the falls and sheaves well mastheads are manned. If they should see beforehand, and, to delay pursuit in case our us and have a breeze, they could hover'aul us departure should be discovered before we had with the ship, and we are pulling one 'and gained sufficient offing, we had cut the davit- short, you know." falls of all the other boats, and tossed the "I wonder if little Bradshaw has woke up rowlocks overboard, so that considerable time yet ?" said Squier, a fat Connecticut youth, would be lost, before they could give chase. who was puffing and blowing furiously from " With our hearts in our throats" we lowered the effects of his exertions at the heavy mid- away little by little, tending the falls carefully, ship oar. " Wont he catch it when the mate and, as she touched the water, we dropped turns out, eh ?" lightly into her, unhooked, and shoved clear "Ay, ay," said old Tom Nix. " There'll be of the ship's side. We stepped the mast and the deuce to pay, and no pitch hot, when they set the sail to catch the light air that was find we are gone. But let them laugh that stirring, but did not venture yet to handle the win. We must keep her jogging another hour oars. Now, for the first time, a feeling of re- yet, and then we shall be safe enough." gret and apprehension crossed my mind as I We continued pulling, though not so hard thought of what we had undertaken. Our as during the first hour, and also kept the intention was to steer for Ocean High Island, sail set, which aided us a little. As day began which is quite detached from the rest of the to break, all eyes were intently fixed astern to group, and is much higher than the generality get the first sight of the old ship. of them, being visible perhaps twenty miles " Here she is !" cried Barnum, " away off distant, from a boat. We had two boat com- the quarter." passes with us, also an old battered quadrant And sure enough there she was, hull down belonging to one of our party named Tom in the horizon, but the sun struggling up in Nix, an old salt who knew just enough of the the background soon showed she was steering use of it to imagine himself a first class navi- off the wind with everything set, but on a gator. He had managed privately to copy a course that would carry her many miles to page of declinations from the Nautical Alma- the northward of us. It was evident that our ;

My first and last Desertion. 33

absence was discovered and that they had " Where did you learn navigation, Tom ?" made sail and run to leeward as the most I asked.

that could be done under the circumstances " Where did I learn it, boy?" returned the but we were too far off to be seen even from veteran, turning upon me with a stare of con- the masthead, and all danger from pursuit tempt. " Well, I learned it from a man that

was over. We could now breathe freely as knew every wrinkle in it. Old Captain Barnes regarded any chance of trouble from that used to say he could stand on one foot on the quarter, and again my thoughts reverted to p'iut of a belaying-pin, shoot a lunar through the other perils which lay in our future. the strap of the jewel block, and hit a buoy " Well, Tom Nix," said I, " you think it moored in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. will take us about four days to go to Ocean And 'twas said of him, though he didn't say

Island, eh?" it himself, that if he couldn't see the sun, " Yes," said Tom. " We ought to make it he'd spit a pond of tobacco-juice at the break in four days, anyhow. If we have a good of the quarter-deck, and run by that and his stiff breeze we'll be there in three days. I dead reckoning anywhere. Now, mind, I think we shall get more wind before noon." don't say I can do as much; but what little I

"And are you sure you can find it, Tom ?" do know, I learned from him."

" Find it ? yes, boy. Haven't I been there This, of course, settled the matter, and I before ?" had no further questions to ask. We had "Yes, I suppose you have," I answered. steered off a little, so as to diverge still more " But I don't see the good Of that, if there are from the course of the ship, and before it was no marks to go by." time to get our observations, her topgallant- " There's marks enough over your head," sails had sunk entirely below the horizon and said old Tom, " and I've got my old yoke here, we were alone on the expanse of ocean. I and the dockyments in my pocket. So now, had " shinned " up the boat's, mast to get a youngster, don't you trouble yourself with last look, but after straining my eyes in vain, things that you know nothing about. What I slid down again with a feeling of loneliness, do you know about navigation, anyhow?" but I cannot say of utter dependence upon Sure enough. What did I know? Nothing old Nix's pilotage, for I was beginning to about using a quadrant or other nautical in- think that, though he might have been struments, though perhaps more of the general taught the use of a quadrant, it was probable or geographical principles than anyone else in that he knew less of the general principles the boat. Had I known still more, 1 should have and facts of geography than myself, green realized how difficult, how almost desperate hand though I was. " sights " an undertaking it was, to find a comparatively Tom got his at noon, and, after " small island like that with our materials and filline the clumsv cleet " with clumsier resources. I should have known that we had figures, he declared our latitude to be two no way of getting our longitude but by esti- degrees and twenty miles south. I knew the mating the run of the boat, and this too, by latitude of the island to wdiich we were bound the uncertain means of a compass standing to be about fifty miles south, and its longitude at our feet in the stern sheets. I should have nearly 171 degrees east. So, by his calcula- known what a dubious course we could shape, tion it must be about ninety miles north of

; bothered more, and, if we had no means of knowing how much us but the westing me westing we had made from day to day. I to add to my anxiety, I began to see that old should have known that a single day's break Tom knew7 no more about it than I did, in our observations for latitude, if the sun though he displayed any amount of a certain should happen to be obscured at meridian, foolhardy confidence which often passes cur- would place us " where old Jack Kane slept, rent for knowledge. After consultation we 176 degrees east. nowhere:' And better than all, I should have judged we must be in about ships longitude of known enough to have stuck by the good ship This we deduced from the Aspasia, rather than trust myself blindly to the day before, as it had been surreptitiously the guidance of old Tom Nix and 'Arry 'AH, obtained from the mate's slate, and also from whose long experience had been simply a the known vicinity of Hope Island, which had repetition of errors. But as Tom had inti- been seen two days before, but which, being inaccessible mated I knew but little and considered him now to windward of us, was quite something of an oracle. But I ventured on against both wr ind and current. While mak- another question. ing our dinner, we discussed the matter of ; ;

34 My first and last Deseriion. navigation in full council, and made up our lukewarm liquid, and again and again laved minds to stand north till we got about the our burning brows and bodies to get but a latitude we wanted, and then make as near a moment of partial relief.. west course as possible. I argued till I con- With much anxiety I noted that old Tom vinced both Squier and Barnum as well as was more overcome by the heat than any Hall, who could hardly read and write, and other of our number. He seemed partially knew nothing about the "blarsted naviga- stupefied, and it required much effort to get tion," aud our united votes overruled old Tom, him out with his quadrant as it drew towards who was at first for trying to shape a direct high noon. It was highly important, nay, it course; but the more I thought, the morel was almost a matter of life and death with us, was convinced that my plan was the safest. that we should have a meridian observation, We hauled up north by compass,, which and he was the only one who professed to be brought the wind nearly abeam, and taking able to get it. To do this he would be obliged to our oars, pulled ahead moderately, at times to expose himself outside of the awning, for giving way hard for a half hour or so, and the sun's position at noon was almost exactly then peaking the oars to rest awhile for a vertical, it being then near the equinox. I fresh start. With the oars and sail, we esti- roused him from his stupor, and put the mated we must have made about thirty-five quadrant in his hand. He sat in the head of miles when we set the watch at dark. Each the boat, and took his position to observe the one took his turn to steer and look out while sun, but his mind seemed confused and wan- the others slept as best they could. I suggest- dering, and he made incoherent replies to ed that we should keep on pulling at night so what I said. He made several attempts to as to make up our latitude while we were bring the sun to the horizon, but his efforts fresh and strong ; but here I found myself in did not seem satisfactory to him. I had a minority, the others contending it was best pulled myself partially under the sail again, to use the breeze while we had it, and reserve but lay watching him narrowly and anxiously, our muscle for calm weather. We steered as when I observed a strange appearance in his nearly as we could on the same course all face, his eyes rolled, and his head seemed to night, but the wind fell away towards morn- rock to and fro on his neck, and before I could ing, and by sunrise it was a flat, glassy calm. jump to his assistance, his quadrant dropped The sail, being useless, we rolled it up, un- from his grasp to the bottom of the boat, and stepped the mast and took to our oars, still he fell heavily upon it. Hall and Barnum pulling north. The sun came up bright and sprung to my aid, and we dragged the old hot from his watery bed, giving promise of a man under the awning ; we bathed his head scorching day, and nothing indicated that we we threw open his shirt and dashed water should have any wind for many hours to upon him, not knowing what else to do for come. pulled lustily for We two or three him ; but all our efforts to restore him were hours, but as the day advanced, the fierce vain. It was soon evident to us all that Nix's heat of the sun's rays was too much for us to cruise was up, and that we had no longer endure, and we again ceased our exertions. even a pretended navigator among up. Tom The sail was unrolled now and stretched over was dying from coup de soleil! the boat as an awning, to screen us in some What little we could do for him in our situ- measure from the intense heat, which was ation was done, but his sufferings were short, unlike anything I have ever seen before or and as he drew his last sigh, we sat in silent since, even in tropical latitudes. Still more stupor round him, till roused again by our and more intense it became, as the great lu- own sufferings. Poor Squier, from his fleshy minary of day rose steadily towards the habit of body, suffered more than the others zenith, pouring down fierce and unrelenting, from the heat, and indeed seemed scarcely penetrating the slight protection of the sail, conscious of what had happened. Hall at and seeming to scorch the very marrow in length looked at me, and without a word our bones. Dreadful inroads were now made pointed over the side of the boat; we seemed upon the and, water in the kegs ; for we could not be to understand each other intuitively; restrained now by considerations of economy lifting the body of our comrade on the the desire for present relief from the heat and gunwale, composed its limbs as well as thirst that wr ere consuming us took the place possible, and dropped it gently to its final of a!! prudential calculations, and we resting-place in the ocean. We drew back swallowed huge draught? of the stale and under the awning with a feeling of relief; not My first and last Desertion. 35

a word broke the stillness; prayers indeed Blank despair was imprinted upon all our were said in the silence of our hearts, for this faces as we took in the terrible truth. But blow seemed to us like a visitation from high my courage soon rose again to the occasion,

Heaven ; but no tears could we shed for our and I was the first to speak, for I felt that I shipmate ; they seemed to be scorched up in must be th* leader now. their very fountains. " Well," said I, " instead of eight gallons of

But why dwell upon our suffering through water, we have only about three. It is of the long, dreamy hours of the afternoon ? The little consequence to us now how this water day wore away at last and with the declining became salt, but I think I know. It is one of sun came a little breeze. O, how grateful ! as the kegs the cooper made for oil, and was put it fanned our fevered brows and put new life in the steerage among other spare ones. The into us ! Squier revived gradually under its last time the larboard boat lowered for whales influence, to our great relief, as we had feared she lost her boat keg, and this one was taken he too would fall a yictim. Hall, who was by mistake, filled and put into that boat. You still the strongest, took the steering oar, while will see that the bottom head has been cut Barnum and I set the sail, drew aft the sheet, from the head of a beef barrel saturated with and we sped along once more on our norther- pickle. The water has never been tasted until ly course. Until now I had not thought of now. There is no help for it, our allowance the quadrant. I went forward and picked it must be a pint a day instead of a quart. If up from where it had fallen. It was but use- we are blessed with rain we are all right ; if less lumber, had we been the best navigators not, we have enough to last six days, and by in the world. Both index and horizon glasses that time, we must make the land or fall in were crushed, and their fragments strewed the with a passing ship." " " bottom of the boat ! I held it up silently to But," said Hall, 'ow are we to keep up the gaze of the others, pointed to the empty any strength on a pint of water a day? It's frames, and threw it from me. not 'arf enough in this climate." I sat down for a minute or two, and com- " I know it, but it will keep us alive, and muned with myself. 1 felt that we must not that is the best we can do. If we catch any give way to despair ; and now that I had no rain we will be able to increase the allowance. longer old Tom's knowledge to lean upon, I Soaking our clothes in sea water will help us

seemed to be endowed with new courage.- a little ; at least, I have heard say it will, and " Boys,*' said I, " I suppose we are all wish- we can try that, at any rate. So don't let us ing ourselves back on board the Aspasia, but despair yet. I think we shall get a rainy day

it is too late to think of that. By my calcu- to-morrow." lation we have still about fifteen miles to go I had no particular reason for thinking so, to the northward, and if this little breeze but I said it with a very confident air, and I holds, we shall be far enough by midnight to could perceive that it had some effect. ease off the sheet and run down our longitude. At midnight as near as we could judge, we We have bread enough to last us ten days swung her off with a flowing sheet, and lash- with proper care; but our greatest danger ed the jib tack out on the bow oar, so as to now will be scarcity of water. We had better make a sort of studding-sail of it and thus ran see now how much we have left, and how wing-and-wing, steering west by north, which,

long it can be made to last." It was found as I judged, would make a course west, there upon examination that, out of fifteen gallons being nearly one point variation in this part with which we started, we had about eight of the ocean. We held on this course for remaining. By allowancing ourselves to a three days and nights, making good way quart a day, this could be made to last eight through the water, sometimes assisting her

days, and this we all agreed to do. We had with the paddles for a short time ; but we in strength, and still one keg full, which had not been broach- were becoming enfeebled periods. ed, and I know not what impulse seized me could labor only for short We had only at that moment to taste from the full keg. I some squalls of rain, which were of a few the most of did so, however, and shall never forget the minutes' duration, but we made sinking at heart as I took a little in my mouth them, and this eked out our scanty supply of us keep up our vital and spat it out in disgust, or the looks of the water and helped to !" others as I handed the keg saying, " Taste powers. We had still enough bread for a All did so with the same result. We had jive week, but water was our greatest want. We gallons of salt water! relieved each other from time to time at the 16 My first and last Desertion.

steering oar, keeping her as straight as possi- " I hope not," said I, affecting to speak

ble on her course ; and on the third day I cheerfully. " This is a favorite cruising ground

had calculated that we ought certainly to see J or sperm whales, and we may be picked up

the land before noon. This breeze had by some ship to-morrow. It is not impossible, freshened since morning, and \fc were going perhaps, to make Pleasant Island." at least six miles an hour. The labor of I knew in my own mind that this was but steering had become quite severe to us in our a desperate chance.

weakened state ; but we took short spells, re- "How far off is that?" pursued Hall.

lieving each other about every half hour. I "As near as I can judge, it must be about had kept up the courage of .my companions two hundred miles," I replied, fori would not by telling them we should certainly see the lie to him, even under the circumstances. land this forenoon, and had demonstrated it "Darnation!" he muttered, his eyes rolling •as well as I could, by figures. Every eye was in frenzy, as he staggered forward to the bow now strained for. the first sight of the desired of the boat. I knew Mot what he might do land; which, though nothing but a den of in the state of mind he was in. It might oe savages, was now the El Dorado of our hopes. he was contemplating suicide; it might be Hour after hour went by, and the expression murder. I looked at my two young comrades. in our faces gradually changed from hope to The last change had been stealing over them, anxiety, from anxiety to apprehension. Noon the change from apprehension to stony de-

has come and passed—the sun wanes towards spair ; but now I could see by their glances in the west—no land in sight. Still another return, that they were alive to the situation. hour or two—I may have made a mistake in I observed Squier to draw instinctively nearer my reckoning—" Relieve the steering oar, and to the boat keg, which contained at this time keep her straight," and on we speed at the about one gallon of water—our last hold upon

same swift rate, with breeze and current in life. Barnum did not move; but his right our favor. hand was thrown, as if carelessly, upon the

The sun is only about an hour high, and handle of a paddle that lay near him. Hall the line of sea and sky along the western stood brooding in the head of the boat for a

horizon is as clear and sharply defined as ever. minute or two, then seizing the boat-knife Hall asks me with a look of desperation, from its sheath, he turned and confronted us. " Well, what are we to do next ?" for he had The madness of despair was upon him, and gradually come to yield himself to my guid- the expression of his face was perfectly ance and look to me for advice, not to say for diabolical. orders; although he had originally led me "Water! water!" he shouted, hoarsely. and the other two young men into this mad "Give me water! I will have it and drink adventure. my fill!"

" Stand on till sundown," said I, " and then " Hall !" said I, looking him as steadily as I heave to." could in the eye, " you can have your share I try to say it bravely, but there is a sink- of water with the rest of us. All our lives ing at my heart; for the truth is dawning are dependent upon the little in this keg, and

upon me ; I think I know the error I have we will share alike, and live or die together.

made ; and if it is as I surmise, I have lost Shall we not, boys?" almost my last hope of being saved. The " Yes, yes !" responded the other two. sun is dipping—still all is clear to leeward. "I tell you I will have the water!" roared !" "Take in the jib, Barnum"—" Squier, let Hall, leaping aft. " Give me the keg her round to, and we will roll up the sail." With one impulse, we rallied round the My orders are instinctively obeyed—and the precious liquid, to defend it with our lives. light boat soon lies tossing up and down on Hall's knife gleamed in the twilight and the sea. flashed within an inch of my throat, when " Where's the land?" said Hall, doggedly, the paddle met him full in the face, he was while there was a look in his eye which I did thrown from his balance, and with the lurch not like; for he was still, physically, the of the boat, fell over the gunwale into the strongest man of the four. sea. Horror-struck we all sprung to the side " I think," said I, " we must have passed it, of the boat but the waves had closed over and it is now to windward of us." him, and stunned by the blow, he rose no " Then we must all die of thirst and starva- more. tion." The paddle had dropped from Barnum's My first and last Desertion. 37 hand and he sat as if paralyzed. A convulsive night, but it would be nearly in the direction groan came up from his chest—and tears I wished to go. I was sustained by a presenti- started. ment that I should in some way be saved, for " !" Good God said he, in a voice choked I still clung to life and hope— I reviewed my " with agony, what have I done?" past life, cursed again and again my folly and " You have done right," cried Squier and I, wickedness in deserting from a good ship, both in the same breath. " I am indebted to stealing the boat and other property, and thus your timely movement for my life, Barnum," casting myself away; and, in sincere peni- " I continued, though perhaps that may not tence, prayed that I might not be permitted be worth much at the present time. But we to perish in any unknown and mysterious were all acting in self-defence against a mad- manner, as two of our number had already. I man, and it is well as it is. We three will thought of all the friends I had at home, for take our chances together, live or die. And I had friends, though I had no parents or now let us get supper," I continued, with an very near relations living, and had been attempt to smile. orphaned at a very early age; but I thought Said supper consisted of a bit of hard tack again what a good friend I had thrown away moistened with about a gill of stale water. when I left Captain Ray, and probably, by "We will lie here and drift all night, boys, my conduct, had embittered him forever and trust to Providence. In the morning we against me, even should my life be spared will consider what can be done next. Do you ever to see him again. I solemnly promised two sleep if you can, and I will keep the first to God and my conscience that, if I were watch." spared to reach land, this night should be the

I sat alone on the stern sheets, with my turning point in my life. back against the loggerhead, thinking, for at At this point, becoming excited in feeling, least three hours after my companions were I rose to my feet. Glancing to windward I quietly stretched out, perhaps sleeping, but perceived something like a flash of light off that I cannot say. I was now satisfied that I the quarter. For an instant only I saw it, had made a fatal mistake in my navigation then all was gloom again. I stood several which had brought us where we now were. minutes intently gazing, and was about giving I had used one point variation in shaping my it up as a mere freak of imagination, when course, but had applied it the wrong way! another flash, brighter than the first, illumin- The variation must have been easterly, and ed the sky, lasting longer than before, so long steering west-by-north we had made a west- that I felt sure I was not dreaming, but that northwest course, instead of west as I had in- I had seen a light! Even now, I would not tended. If so, wre must now be more than a call my shipmates, for fear of raising hopes hundred miles to the northward of Ocean that might by reaction dash their spirits still

High Island ; and had passed to leeward of it lower. Seizing the steering oar I gently laid this morning. The chances were very small the boat's head to windward, and let her fall of finding Pleasant Island, which was lower off on the southern tack, heading towards the than the other, and its position at that time, quarter where I had seen the light. I had as I had heard Captain Ray say, somewhat not done this without disturbing the feverish uncertain ; while my own position or where- rest of one of my companions, for as I pushed abouts was surely much more so. Still it the oar back into its becket, Barnum stood by would be as well to steer to the southwest my side. Just then the light appeared again, to-morrow, as there was a straw for a drowning strong and clear, and I could feel the trem- man, in the chance of being picked up by bling of my comrade as his hand clutched my some whaler cruising between the two shoulder, while his breathing would have been islands. audible at the bow of the boat. The night shut down dark and lowering, " What can it be, Barnum?" with heavy clouds, threatening rain on the " God be praised for his mercies !" replied morrow, which I should hail as a godsend, the young man. " It's more than we deserve! us! for it would furnish the one great means of A ship, boiling, and headed towards of prolonging life—water. There was, as yet, There ! see the light is cut by the lee clew Here, look up, man, no increase of wind ; the trades blew moder- his foresail! Squier! !" ately, and our light whale-boat tossed buoy- and be saved ! Here's help close at hand " antly about at the sport of wind and wave. " Yes," said I, she is not far off, and is Her drift would be considerable through the headed at us! He must have been just 38 My first and last Desertion.

starting his fires when I saw the first faint side here ! Look out for this warp here, one light. We can be alongside of him in half an of you !" he shouted, to his watch, who all hour. Step the mast and loose the sail! stood gaping in amazement. " Only three ?" Haul the sheet flat, Squier, and we can lay men in her ! Where's the rest of you right up for him! There s old Hallett!" I " It's a long story, sir," I answered. shouted, in my excitement, as a fresh scrap "All right ! we'll hear it by-and-by. Captain kindling up on the back arches, lighted up the Ray!" he yelled, at the companion way, whole waist of the ship, revealing the main- " here's our boat and men alongside !" but he mast with all its tracery and hamper, the might have saved his breath, for, by this time, mainsail snugly furled, while his cutting gear " the old man " was on deck. " with the falls rove aloft could be distinctly Thank God ! you are back again ! some of seen, for the light now burned steadily. you at any rate," cried the captain. " Help We were rapidly nearing the ship, so rapid- the poor boys up the side and get them com- ly indeed that we soon rolled up the- sail and fortable. Don't stop to ask them any ques- took it out of our way. Her fore-topsail was tions now ! we'll hear it all in good time." on the cap, and the head-yards thrown aback, No language can do justice to my feelings, showing that she had a whale alongside and as, with downcast head and tearful eyes, I was " lying by " one, while she boiled out staggered towards the scuttle butt, for I had another. been cramped up in the boat so long, to say

" Do you know what ship that is, Barn urn ?" nothing of my weakness, that I could scarcely asked Squier. keep my footing on the comparative terra " No!" said Barnum, " nor do I care. She firma of the ship's deck. lias Christian men on board, I suppose, who " Well, Dick !" said the old man. " Rather would not leave a fellow to starve to death in thirsty, eh ! I'll bet you are as glad to get an open boat." back to the old hooker as you were to get " That's the Aspasia," said Squier, quietly. away from her, eh ?" " How do you know ?" asked his com- I could make no reply, but overpowered by panion. his kindly greeting, I wilted down on the " Don't you see those stars on the head of booby hatch and sobbed aloud. the waist-boat? I painted them myself and "There! never mind, boys," said the old know just how they are arranged. Now the man. " Let the past be thrown overboard. I mainmast is lit up again ! look at that band think your crime has carried its own punish- where the mizzen-stay is hooked, I should met along with it." know that among a hundred." The next day, I sat by his side in the cabin,

It was even so ! our old ship again ; and we and told him the truth freely and without rejoicing at the opportunity to sneak ignomin- reservation. The kind old man was affected iously alongside of her once more. As we to tears by my account of the awful death of drew along under her lee, and the fat crispy old Nix, smitten by sunstroke ; and shuddered smell of the blubber came floating down to at the fate of the maniac, Hall, knocked over- us, Barnum, who had the strongest lungs, board in self-defence. He advised me to keep hailed her. my own counsel, and I endeavored to do so. "Aspasia, ahoy !" But as there were other depositories of the " Halloo !" came ringing back over the water secret, it all leaked out eventually; and at in the stentorian tones of Mr. Barnard our this distance of time, when the surviving mate, as he ran to the side, and jumped up parties are scattered far and wide, there is no into the lee quarter-boat. " What boat is good reason why I should not record, as a that?" warning to all young seamen, the true history " The Bow Boat, sir!" I answered. of my first and last attempt at desertion. "Why, that's Dick's voice! Come along — —

Bailouts Monthly Magazine. 39

TO KNOXVILLE.

BY EUGENE B. DYKE.

A shout, a spring, and we spur away, Eagles and bars of gold are bright, Over the brush, through the mists all gray; Songs rise gayly from many throats, Dewdrops trail from each moss hung limb, While the starry banner swells and floats. Gleaming like stars through the forests dim; But hush! away through the forest comes Waters plash 'neath our coursers' feet, The clatter of arms, the roll of drums; The deer speed out from their cool retreat, One minute a halt, then peals the shout, The birds dart off with a frightened cry, " Charge!" and the echo rings in and out. As we merry troopers pass them by. On we spur with a rush and a roar, * Halt!" and we stand Comrades go down, but the troop whirls o'er; At the quick command. While swords clank gayly to clanking swords, Rattle the scabbards a joyous tune, Drowning the dying soldier's words. Flutters in light each draggled plume; Soon we are past, and the skirmish is done, * The sun gleams up o'er the eastern hill, One sweeping glance for those who are gone,— And with dancing shimmer lights the rill; Many a saddle is empty, I know, Hard tack and bacon—a quick repast, And many a boy in blue is low; [streams, "Forward the squadron!" we're off at last. One sigh for our dead, and we dash through the Merrily, merrily speed we now, While the sun above at midday gleams, "Well guerillas may fear, I trow! Lighting the spires, the roof-tops brown, Sabres flash in the morning light, And welcome awaits us in Knoxville town.

DAVID MARLE'S STORY.

BY ESTHER SERLE KENNETH.

I never quarrelled with my brother John gered my life ; once I had been captured by until we came to settle up business in the hostile Indians, and escaped by strategy. I year of 1865. We had been partners ten was overtaken by a prairie fire and nearly years, ever since we had been West, indeed, burned to death, when taking up claims in but some changes made it at length advisable Nebraska; and my periods of weariness and that we should separate. He had made his discouragement were indescribable. I grew fortune, and wanted to return East. I, also, gaunt, and pale, and hard, making money, was able to live with less care, and so we while John waxed fat and merry. I had all sold every acre of our landed property, and the hardships, and I decided I ought to have were settling up the books when there arose more than half the profits, taking everything ; dissension. I was not willing to divide into consideration. John refused this; and profits equally. John was married and had it was true, as he said, that this had not been had a family to support, while I was unmar- the contract. " " ried. His expenses had been three times as John Marie," said I, look at the differ- much as mine. Moreover, I had taken the ence between us. All the trouble you have burden of the labor and responsibility—this had in getting this money is to take it from having been tacitly agreed upon, I being the my hand. You have never lost a night's youngest man. While he had lived comfort- sleep in getting it; you have had full sway ably with his wife and children among the in making these farms as profitable as you farms, with horses, men and money at his please, and when you have made a miscalcu- hand, and absolute control of the farming in- lation in a tenant or a crop, I have never terests, I had been beating about over the blamed you. You have had a comfortable country, from the Denver to the Florida roof over your head, while I have languished Glades, buying and selling land, timber and with yellow fever in the South, and sickened stock—living anyhow, and sacrificing all per- with ague from exposure to the West. Two- sonal comfort to our mutual advantage. It thirds of this money is justly mine. You righfc is rough travelling in the West. Twice I had have spent more than I, and you have a swum the Missouri when every stroke endan- only to one hundred thousand dollars." :

40 David Marie s Story.

" I will have one hundred and fifty," he story that these outlays were never made said, doggedly. with his money, or money on which he had a " You never shall !" I answered. claim. Nothing burns up confidence like the I had the books. They were in the office love of gold. John and I had never before of a life-insurance company, for whom I was had a word of difficulty or a hafd thought, agent. This business had been privately my and now here we were, ready to call each

own. I had worked it in with other pursuits, other thieves and liars.

and it paid me well. I had dealt in it only In the first place, I felt insulted by hi.s for the last year, but, during that time, I suspicion. I meant no injustice; I merely purchased for myself out of its profits a fine wanted what I considered my right—what I library, and had made several valuable pres- thought I had well earned. Then this move- ents to a favorite old maid sister, living in the ment of his, which had the look of outwitting East. These expenses were in the books of me, I mentally anathematized. It was a the firm—four hundred dollars for books, fifty mean, sly thing to do. for maps, seventy for a set of furs for Marga- Of course he would transfer the accounts ret, and forty for an easy-chair for her. I to his own possession, and return me the knew I must take these off the books before books. Tliere were five of them. If he had John saw them, or he would claim that they worked all the night before, he could not had been paid for out of the general fund. As have thoroughly examined more than one. I have said, they were in my private room of This private account of mine was entered on the insurance company's building, in St. the latest. So the thgught came to me, Joseph. When I left my brother's home in finally, to regain immediate possession of this Kansas, I started directly for this point; but one, at least. at Atchison a despatch met me, requiring me It was not the mere five hundred and odd

to wait there until I received further direc- dollars I cared for the loss of; it was the right tions from the directors of the Phoenix. I which this gave John to infer that I spent saw no actual danger in waiting, and so re- more than I acknowledged, and that my per- mained in the city nearly a week. I received sonal expenditures were not so inferior to his some policies then to be carried into the that I could claim more than half the con- country. As soon as they were delivered to tested profits; and more, it was the disagree- the specified parties, I returned to St. Joseph. able idea of being defeated.

I hurried to the office ; somehow, I felt as That very night I started for Marleville. I if something was wrong. As I unlocked the arrived the next day. I went straight to inner door, Major Hawley looked up from his John's house. He received me alone, his newspaper, and said face set in unusual lines, and his eye meeting "By the way, Marie, your brother came mine burningly. yesterday and got some books from your " John Marie," said I, " you have done a desk." mean thing. You have insulted me." " Some books !" I said. And I felt myself "You refer to my taking the books in growing pale. which our accounts have been kept?" he "Yes. Ledgers, you know. I knew he said, quietly. was your partner, and so I let him take them. "I do." Nothing wrong, is there, Marie ?" " I had a right to see them, if I wished," he " No," I said, and went into my office and said. shut the. door. My first movement was to " But you had no right to come, like a open my desk hurriedly. Yes, they were thief in the dark and take them, until I told gone. John had the books. I denounced you that they were prepared for you to him for a villain. examine." After awhile I grew cooler. I was very "What preparation did they need?" said much surprised at what he had done. It was he, with a sneer. not like him. It was plain that he thought I This was too much. Before I knew what meant to cheat him in some way. I was doing, I struck him. He was a large Nor was I inclined to trust him. I did not man, but he reeled and clutched at the piano believe that he would make charges against to save himself from falling. His aim missed, me on the books, but I knew he would and he grasped only the rich, crimson cloth,

reckon that five hundred and sixty against and dragged it with him as he dropped into a me on the general account, nor believe my seat. He was very pale. I was almost ready — ;

David Marie's Slori/. 41 to beg his forgiveness, when he looked at me home? What if that was the darling wife with such a gaze of hatred that I turned, I had longed for all these years, and that my instead, and walked out of the room, kicking child? What if I might move now, and she an embroidered stool out of my way as I would turn her head and listen for my step ?" went. The thought made me tremble. I retreated This interview had not been satisfactory, to the road, and walked back and forth there, and I was at a loss what to do next. An trying to think to some purpose. Of course I amicable settlement of the matter was now could not enter the house, though it would out of the question. probably not be difficult to do so. I might I was passing the house that evening, when get the books with little difficulty, for that I saw the family carriage, containing my young girl was probably all the person under brother, his wife and his four children, drive the roof; but somehow I did not want them away from the gate. I decided instantly that the current of my mind had changed. I they were going to evening meeting in the walked half a mile down the starlit road and town two miles distant. Then the house was came back. Once more I went to the left alone, comparatively—and the books window. were they there? Could I not enter, find The child was awake and crying. She -was them and take possession of them as uncere- walking the floor with it again. I forgot to moniously as John had done? be cautious, she was so unconscious, and

It was growing dark. There was no light quite leaned on the stone sill as I stood. •in the front of the house, but I saw one Turning, in her walk, she happened to glance gleaming from one of the lower ones at the towards the window, saw my face as the light back. It was the family sitting-room. I ap- fell upon it, and, uttering a scream of terror, proached it and looked in. fell to the floor.

It was a large, comfortable apartment, with I rushed to the door ; it gave way to my a fire upon the hearth ; and before the fire hand, and I went in and raised her. She sat a young lady, rocking an infant. was quite senseless, but she still clasped the

The child was probably the last-comer, the child, who screamed frightfully. I laid it in little nameless one I had not before seen, and its cradle, and tried to revive her. She which John wrote me a month before was to scarcely seemed to breathe before she broke be called David, if I approved. But who was into hysterical sobbing. its nurse?—this sweet-faced girl who handled " Don't cry, don't cry !" I said, awkwardly. it so dexterously, feeding it from a silver por- "I did not mean to frighten you. Lookup! ringer, and then laying it over her shoulder I am David Marie. You must have heard of and patting its back with her •pretty, ringed me. I meant no harm in the world. I was hand, to make it go to sleep, as she rocked only looking at you, because you looked so back and forth before the dancing blaze? I pretty." could see the gloss on her braided hair, and She did not seem to see the ludicrousness the glittering buckle upon her little slipper. of this explanation. She caught ber breatb, The child seemed uneasy. It wailed, and and looked at me with dilated eyes and the she rose and walked the floor with it, sooth- utmost anxiety, for some time. ing it in a low, cooing tone of endearment, "You are Uncle John's brother?" now and then singing a lullaby. At last it was " Yes." And then I knew who she was, asleep, with its bit of a face hidden in her Aurelia May, a favorite niece of my brother's neck, and she sat down again before the fire. wife, whom I had never seen. I stood and watched her; indeed, I had for- " I was very foolish to be so frightened," gotten all else. she said, at last; "but you looked like a

She had soft brown e}-es ; I don't know any ghost." other word to use; they were tender and " Shall you tell them ?" asked I. quiet. She looked quite happy in a silent "Uncle John and Aunt Susan? No; and way. As she swayed back and forth, the don't you," she said, with a blush. lamplight and then the firelight touched her She had taken the poor baby from the forehead, and cheek, and sweet mouth, and cradle, and, as it soon hushed its cries, we white neck, with their different tinting—the concluded that it was not hurt. Before the firelight making her rosy and radiant, the family returned, Aurelia had regained her lamplight showing the lovely face in a paler natural color and composure, and I had guise. I thought, "What if this were my reason to be thankful that it was so. 42 A Pair of Nobodies.

John started when he saw me, and looked "Aurelia?" repeated John. "Why, she bewildered when I arose and offered him my don't know that there has been a word of hand; but he took it, and bade me sit down trouble, and doesn t dream of such a thing. again, cordially. Perhaps some good word If you want her, go in and win ; the coast is !" which he had heard in the house of God had clear, and you have my God bless you softened him ; certainly the pure face of that I was not much used to women, but she girl had changed my heart. We sat together, liked me, and finally I got her. It frightens a pleasant family party, that evening, and the me to think how wretched I should have next day John and I entered into a calm been, if I hadn't. I have only to add that discussion of our business. He was finally she is just as good as I thought she was when willing and even anxious to give me two-* I first saw her through the window ; and, if thirds of the money, but I would not accept it. God prospers us, I may, before another year, "No, no, John," said I, "we will divide see her rocking a baby that is mine, the fire- evenly, and, if you want to do anything more light and the lamplight again on her sweet for me, just try to make Aurelia think that face. I'm not a monster."

=***=

A PAIR OF NOBODIES.

BY LOTTIE BROWN.

WAltfWKlGHT Hall and its surroundings, fore, when on their departure for Norton a when viewed in the dim twilight of a rainy dull drizzling rain set in, and continued dur- autumnal day, was by no means suggestive of ing the long day, it was no wonder that he social comfort, and one would hardly dream anxiously looked forward to their arrival as a of a union between them ; and Doctor Wain- termination of his sufferings, and an end to wright, standing at one of the long windows the gayety in which the whole party had of the library, gave a grunt of satisfaction as indulged during the long, comfortless he gazed out upon the west lawn, and in journey. among the trees from whose leaves the Standing out boldly against the dull sky, rain had been dropping steadily ever since the rain washing away every trace of beauty his arrival, and, judging from the appearance and bringing out into bold relief every harsh, of the dull-hued clouds that were slowly ugly feature, the old house looked more like settling down, was likely to do so for hours to some gloomy old castle than the hospitable come ; and tapping the glass whistled in a sort home of a quiet American gentleman; and of triumphal manner as if all this was work- the effect was by no means lessened by the ing something greatly to his advantage. tall, dark trees which surrounded it, amidst This handsome young doctor was by no whose branches the wind swept with a low, means of a misanthropical turn of mind, but mournful sound, driving the rain against the when he bought this old tumble-down man- windows in fitful gusts. sion it was with a sort of exultation in the Doctor Wainwright thrust his head out of thought that in so doing he had purchased the carriage window, as they drove up the the right to enjoy at certain periods his long, dark avenue, and, satisfied with the bachelorhood as he pleased. Even after a gloomy aspect, informed the company that score or more of masons, carpenters, etc., they were already within his ground, and had spent weeks in altering the house, and then anxiously awaited the effect. making it habitable, he had not the most in- "How grandly beautiful!" exclaimed Mrs. distinct idea that his privacy would ever be Dornton. intruded upon, and therefore when Mrs. "Perfect!" chimed Miss LeFarge, her Dornton, his young and fashionable sister, friend and companion. declared her intention of accompanying him Doctor Wainwright groaned. with a few of her dear friends, and opening "Pshaw!" screamed Miss Grey, "it's a !" his den, and trying to make it homelike for a perfect old barn few weeks, the reader may rest assured that "God bless you!" inwardly ejaculated the the door it was received with consternation ; and there- tormented ; and thus they reached —

A Pair of Kobodies. 43 of Wainwright Hall, and in the quiet of the heartless train; by women, whose ideas of library, under the influence of Miss Grey's ex- home and happiness were exactly opposite to clamation, and the gloomy appearance in his own; and he hoped that his house and general, the owner felt that his hour of surroundings had produced an effect upon triumph had indeed come, and that one week Mrs. Dornton that would prove lasting, and, clear his house, would and leave him' alone in in that way, keep this, his only place of rest liis glory; and not even the sudden opening and quiet, free from herself and followers. of the library door, letting a flood of warm "There! I like this;" said he to himself, light into the cold, dark room, and revealing as he sat by the window a day or two after table, a well-laden sparkling with silver and their departure. " There is a sort of freedom glass, for a moment convinced him to the here that I never before realized. Now, here contrary. I am, monarch of all I survey, and afraid of " You are not disposed to play the host to- nothing in the shape of an interruption. night, so I have taken the liberty, you see, of There are no inquisitive females bursting in providing your guests with necessary com- upon me, and prying into my affairs with a forts," said Mrs. Dornton, laughing as she curiosity that is unbearable. Here, at least, dragged him out into the warm sitting- I am free from that. After all, this is not such room. a gloomy old place as Mary thought it. Now " Ladies, I told you that here in his den, I consider myself happy for once in my life. you would see him in his natural state, a per- Ah! what is that?" And he stepped quietly fect bear. You perceive already he had into the shadow of the curtain. forgotten that we live." " No, my dear, there is not the slightest " Not so, ladies, upon my honor. I only re- danger of Doctor Wainwright ever troubling tired for the moment to allow you a few min- you; he has enough to do with his books, his ;" utes to yourselves, and, would you believe it, gun, his horses, and his own gloomy thoughts I was thinking of you the moment Mary said the voice of the housekeeper, as she entered. I was wondering what effect this ushered some person into the little room. gloomy old "house, and disagreeable sur- " I would not like to play the part of an roundings, would have upon your gay intruder here." spirits." "A remarkably sweet voice," said Doctor "Not a pleasant one, I frankly confess, Wainwright. Doctor Wainwright," said Miss Grey, " that " But I do not like the idea of giving up is, so far as I am concerned. I don't speak this fine piano—although I dare say he would for Mrs. Dornton or Miss LeFarge." think me taking a great liberty." " I'll speak for both ! I like it very well. It "Not at all! If I had thought so, I cer- is grand, picturesque ; but I promise you that tainly would never have invited you to come- in one week from to-day you shall be alone to here to play. But there! I must run, for your own gloomy thoughts, and your old there is a world of work to do since these house. It will never do to remain here longer city ladies turned the house completely up- at this season of the year;" and Mrs. Dornton side down. Enjoy yourself as long as you took her seat at the head of the table, with choose. I'll warrant you there is no danger the air of one that had relieved herself of a of being interrupted." great burden, and her brother, truly relieved With this the housekeeper left the room. of the same, handed the other ladies to their Doctor Wainwright peeped out. She was places, and then seated himself, in a happier at the piano, so he could not see her face state of mind than he had dared to dream of only a small, neat figure, and a mass of dark indulging on this particular evening. brown curls, and a pair of white, well-shaped And this was the way that Wainwright hands, flitting in and out, among the sheets Hall came to be the bachelor den of Doctor of music. Presently she pushed them all away Edward Wainwright, for, true to her word, and began to play. Mrs. Dornton took her departure at an early It was some grand old piece, and the white day, and left him alone as he desired. hands flew over the keys throwing out music He was by no means a woman hater, but that thrilled the ear of the listener, as he one of those unfortunate beings who loved leaned against the window, watching her peace and quiet, but whose path had unfor- with breathless interest. tunately been laid through that portion of the Then she sung, song after song, until, evi- world frequented only by fashion, and its dently weary of it, she turned half way around — :

44 A Pair of Nobodies.

on the stool and looked at some music that " O, she's nobody, sir."

lay 011 a stand near her. Then he saw her "Nonsense! That is just what she told face. It was just the face to belong to a form me herself. She must have a name and and hand like hers—a pretty one, with soft habitation." " brown eyes and womanly mouth. Her name, sir, is Amy Lindsay. She is Uad she been plain he would have kept the schoolteacher in the village, and an odd perfectly quiet, or at his first opportunity little body. No one knows where she came clipped out, and the matter would have ended from, or anything more about her, any more there; but as she happened to be nothing of than that she is a perfect lady, and so no one the sort, he stepped out from his place of troubles her with questions. I heard her concealment, and stood before her with a play at Mrs. Neal's, and thinking that you hasty would not object, I told her to come up to the " Do not be alarmed. I must beg pardon Hall and use the piano once in awhile, and for my abrupt entrance." she has done so every now and then when She dropped the music, and rising, said: you were away. She does not like strangers." "Ono! It is I who should beg your pardon "Humph! I thought so!" for thus intruding on your privacy." Thus the owner of Wainwright Hall found " Be seated, please, and do not speak of in- his privacy broken in upon, pleasantly to be trusion. May I ask whom I have the pleasure sure, still without a murmur. Often return- of addressing ?" ing from his lonely excursions, he heard her " I ? O, I am—I am—nobody at all, sir." voice ringing through the parlor, or found a "Nobody? That is strange. I did not neat little figure hidden away in the big arm- know that there existed another nobody in chair in the library, busily reading some work this world. I thought I alone had right to that seemed a treat to her, and often he drew that title." her into conversation, or read to her from " You are Doctor Wain wright ?" some of his favorites, keeping her there as " Yes, but nobody for all that." long as propriety would permit. Once he " Who says so ?" engaged her until dark, and tlien begged her " Everybody." company to tea, and afterwards saw her safely " Then it must be so." home to her boarding-place. j "Are you fond of music ?" In his walks, he ventured, one afternoon, " Very." to pass the schoolhouse as she came forth " Will you do me a favor?" with her troop of scholars, and he walked be- " Certainly." side her to her door, wishing at the same " Come here as often in the future as has time that he was a schoolboy, if for no other been your wont in the past, and use the piano, reason, than for the privilege of holding her and also the library, which is close at hand." hand as the bold urchin who walked with " O, thank you. You are very kind." them. " I will not interrupt you again." " Rather strange," he thought, as he walk- "You have not interrupted me, sir." ed towards home. " I used to have a strong " Yes I have. I know when I interrupt as aversion to schoolmarms. It is wonderful well as when I am interrupted." how time changes a person. Wonder what " You are very strange." Mary would say ?" " Nobodies always are." Wainwright Hall looked quite bright and " Then of course I am strange." cheerful in the radiance of the setting sun, "Well, rather!" even although the snow lay on every hand,

" It is late. I have duties to attend." and the trees, bereft of their green mantle,

" Late ? No, it is not nine yet." seemed rugged and old. As he walked up " My day's work begins at nine o'clock." the broad avenue, he thought " Shall I attend you ?" " Not a bad place this, to live a married " No ! Thank you." And the brown curls life in. I wonder if Amy would dislike it ? vanished through the open door. She might object to the master, if not to the

Doctor Wain wright laughed. house ! I've half a mind to ask her."

" This is odd, and no mistake. I wonder There "was a little start at the idea of this, who she is?" for never before in his life had he harbored There was the housekeeper, and he sought such a thought, and its abruptness startled her and inquired. him. ! ;

A Pair of Nobodies. 45

That night, sitting in his library, he looked "No, I do not. Your woman's head has about him with a feeling of dissatisfaction. A discovered it ere this, if your heart has not." bright fire, a softly-carpeted floor, rows of Amy laughed. handsomely-bound books staring him in the " Will you wait for my answer?" face, a few choice pictures upon the walls, a "How long?" small table with a repast rich* and ample, and " Until we meet again." ?" his worthy self half-buried in the depths of "And that will be— his cushioned chair! Could one fancy that " Soon." this was not a most enviable position ? Surely "May I write?" there was no lack of wealth and ease, and what " No. I want a good opportunity to think. more can any one wish ? But good-by until we meet !" And Amy gave With half-closed eyes, Wainwright's fancy him her hand. fitted out the picture. " Good-by, child ! I believe that we shall A sweet-faced woman, with Amy Lindsay's meet soon. Amy, good-by." brown hair and eyes, sitting opposite him Had Mrs. Dornton been present, she would with her bright, happy face and ringing laugh, have had plenty of company in her growling her white hand flitting in and out among the complaints at the dullness of his house, for, cups, and ever and anon lifting her brown after the departure of Miss Lindsay, the sun- eyes to his, full of confidence and love shine seemed to have gone out completely. !" " Pshaw The winter had nearly passed, and everything, He gave a sort of impatient kick that made outside as well as in, wore a more sombre the dishes rattle. No wonder the world attire. The dull, gray sky, the frequent rains called him selfish, when he lived in this sort and winds, the gloomy appearance in general, of a way, year after year, in a world full of by no means lessened the gloom that seemed good women. to have settled upon him, and, for the first But as he could not be married just at that time during his residence at the Hall, he felt moment, he ate his supper, and then, taking the want of society, and began to devise means down a book, tried to become interested in its by which he might pass away the balance of contents. the dull winter. Perhaps in his manner he had unconsciously Suddenly there came a letter from Mrs. betrayed to her something that told her what Dornton, and he as suddenly was made aware was in his heart, for she, woman-like, had a of the fact that he had a sister in existence desire to tease him, or rather to appear in- and a few evenings later he found himself not different, for she did not show herself at the uncomfortably situated in her hospitable Hall for five long weeks; and perhaps it might home in the city. have been longer had not the impatient owner " I really believe, Edward, that you found gone out one Saturday afternoon, and, begging some attraction at Norton beside that old her company for a sleigh-ride, carried her haunted house of yours, or you never would around to his own door, inside of which Mrs. have remained there all this fall and winter.

Merton kept her captive all the long afternoon Say, is there not some fair rustic pining away and evening. on account of your absence ?" said Mrs. Dorn- " Doctor Wainwright, I am going away to- ton, as her husband and brother sat one morrow. So, I suppose, I must say good-by! evening over the chess-board. !" I do not like it. It is a sad word." " Stuff, Mary "Going away, Amy? Wainwright Hall " O, I believe it. Come, tell us about it ? will be dull indeed. I shall miss you very It will be the best joke of the season." much. It is dull at best, and without an oc- "I dare say! For that very reason I will casional visit from you it will be perfectly .un- not satisfy your curiosity." bearable. It has afforded me for the past few "Curiosity! I must positively beg your months the happiest hours I have known. I pardon, but I am not afflicted with that could live here all my life. Will you, Amy?" malady." Amy looked up quickly, her face crimsoning, " You will find out in time." and read in his eyes more than his words ex- Like the good-natured fellow he was, he pressed, and her own drooped beneath his became a martyr to the whims of his pretty searching gaze. sister, and for the next few weeks accompanied " I am waiting for my answer, Amy." her upon shopping expeditions, to the opera, " You surprise me." drove her about town, and in many other 46 Bailouts Monthly Magazine. ways wasted liis time, and so, as a matter of "Perfectly ridiculous!" course escorted her one evening to Mrs. Han- " Some strange freak of fortune has restored son's party, at the same time wishing himself them to their position, and now this ex- back to Wainwright Hall, rather than to be schoolmarm ventures to put on an appearance. subjected to three or four hours of such men- They are highly respected, I believe." tal torture as he felt it was to be his lot to Doctor Wainwright was on nettles for the undergo. But knowing his sister's disposition, next ten minutes, until he was relieved from he preferred even this to the storm which he the troublesome task of entertaining Miss would bring down upon himself by hesitating Grey, and then he made his way through the for a moment to comply with her wishes; and crowd in search of Amy. He, found her en- so he pocketed his dislike, and found himself gaged with a friend for the moment, and he in the brilliantly-lighted room at a seasonable quietly waited until he could approach and hour, doing, to the best of his ability, the speak to her alone. agreeable to several old maids and manceuver- In a few moments he saw an opportunity, ing mothers, or, now and then chatting with and stepping forward greeted her. some old friend, dragging himself through in " Doctor Wainwright !" the best possible manner. "Amy !" Late in the evening, standing beside Miss " I am surprised to meet you."

Grey, a light form in a cloud of snowy lace "And I much more so. How does this all floated past him, and, by a slight turn of the happen ?" head, the sweet face of Amy Lindsay flashed " It's a long story, and I'll tell you some upon his astonished sight. day." " Who was that, Miss Grey?" "When you are at the Hall?" " O ! Nobody at all." "Yes." " Indeed ! She has the air of a somebody." "Is that your answer?"

" Well, she is, I suppose. It is Miss Lindsay, " Yes." and that old gentleman is her father. A year "And you will return with me ?" or two ago he failed in business, and the " Yes." family was reduced to poverty. Instead of "I told you so!" triumphantly exclaimed holding up her head, as a sensible woman Mrs. Dornton, as her brother and his lovely would have done, this Amy conceived a ro- betrothed stood near her; " and it all came of mantic idea of keeping them with her own buying Wainwright Hall." hands, and—would you believe it? she actual- " Of course I had nothing to do with it." " ly retired from society, and went away to some No ! You're a nobody." country place as a schoolteacher—or some- " I told you so, Amy." thing of the kind. Wasn't it an absurd " So we are a pair of nobodies." idea?"

A DRUG IN THE MON(K)EY MARKET. AN OLD STORY IN A NEW DRESS.

BY W. H. M.

A merchant in the South American trade, By the same vessel on her homeward trip, Of standing high in business reputation, Thinking they might thrive better not to "When fitting out the good brig Ambuscade, sunder Had from his nearest friend an application The ties formed in the home of their nativity, For a live monkey, not in way of trade, But let them have companions in captivity. But merely for his children's recreation, (The monkey being, as well in form as fea- But loosely writing the conjunction or ture, (As 'twas a postscript hastily appended), A ludicrous and mirth-provoking creature.) The r was quite omitted, and the more As he was from a Spanish stock descended, In writing to his agent, mark the slip, And wrote much in that language years before. (For thereby hangs the story of the blunder,) (Th' omission was of course quite unintended.) He, as he thought, requested him to ship But in the Spanish or, as well we know, Two or three monkeys, as a foreign wonder, The r is dropped, the word being simply o. :

Nora's Tryst. 47

" 203 monkeys," then the order stood, And ship him off, to swell the merchant's And in due time it reached its destination; treasures, The agent, much astoniifhed, shouted "Good!" Cooped up on shipboard, each one tied securely, As soon as he could speak for cachinnation, And fed on prisoners' rations, fared but poorly. " Have apes become an article of food The agent wrote thus to his In Boston, or throughout the Yankee nation? Boston friend: "Enclosed you'll find account Dios me guarda! even so, sales of the lumber; Else why this great demand, I'd like to know? Part of the live stock ordered I can send, And by the next ship I'll complete the num- "Two hundred and three monkeys! let me see, ber. Why is he so precise about the tally? But to obtain them, I'm obliged to spend Is it an error? No, that cannot be, Much time and trouble. I am lost in wonder, He's always so exact; but can we rally But send you, as per invoice, eight- and-fifty; So many, each one from his native tree, They're all in good condition, stout and thrifty." And have them all this trip? we must not dally, In time the Ambuscade arrived all right,

But send out scouts at once. ' Dios me guarda!' The merchant jumped on board, received his

We'll do our best and try to fill the order." letter, Amazed, as well he might be, at the sight A numerous force of blacks were soon employed Of eight-and-fifty monkeys all in tether. Hunting for monkeys, and the various meas- Roaring with laughter, asked of Captain ures Wright, By which a luckless ape might be decoyed " What are these for? why, surely, you knew Were put in force, to tear him from his better." pleasures, " Better!" he cried, uncertain what it all meant, Which in his native forests he'd enjoyed, " Ihaint got all,but here's the first installment!**

=**

NORA'S TRYST.

BY MISS AMANDA M. HALE.

There are feelings hidden deep in all our suffer in poverty. And so, when Nora's hearts, unrecognized at most times by our parents were lost in one of those terrible own consciousness, covered by a world of steamship disasters from which no soul comes fresh thoughts, and hopes, and loves, that to tell the sad story, and my father followed have grown up as, in the lapse of summers his young wife in a rapid decline, we were and winters, the grass grows over graves, but both of us bidden to a home in the great, only waiting an opportune touch or season to roomy, odd old house where our Aunt glow again with their old, vigorous life, to Cranston lived. make themselves felt as real, living presences. My aunt was quaint and prim, delicate and When the spring days come, my old love high-bred in her notions, and scrupulously- for Nora awakens. The April winds whisper particular in every point of honor. It was to me of her; her radiant face smiles in the impossible not to respect, and almost equally odorous impossible to love her enthusiastically. For April sunshine ; the early violets are of her sweet presence; the hepaticas, blos- this reason Nora and I clung to each other. both about twenty, soming in the turfy bank along the old wall, One day when we were in my aunt came in to dinner with an impor- recall the heavenly blueness of her eyes ; the long spring twilights, the very air of the tant, preoccupied air, which we knew as well had something room palpitates with her breath. could be to mean that she on dessert came in she The relation' between us was peculiar. her mind. When the and, nodding at us Nora and I were cousins by marriage, though suddenly cleared her face, silver epergne, said, in no blood tie existed. In the same way we from behind the tall, both belonged to Aunt Cranston, who, though her brusk, curt tone " not specially gentle-hearted or philanthropic My nephew Jack Cranston is coming by nature, had far too keen a sense of her down to stay two months." own duty to leave any of her relations to There didn't anything apropos occur to " : !

48 Noras Tryst.

either of us to say, and so Nora and I only- know each other thoroughly. I've seen exchanged glances. enough of hasty marriages, and I think, " Now," continued my aunt, " I'm not such girls—*' added my aunt, softening a little—"I a fool as not to know what would be likely to think you owe me as much; a pledge that come of bringing a handsome fellow like Jack there shall be no underhand love-making, no into the society of two unsophisticated girls clandestine engagement."

like you—don't interrupt me ; I wasn't going Owe her as much as that! What did we to hint that you would fall in love with him, not owe her? How good she had been to us! Maud—" Soft, slow tears welled up to Nora's eyes as " Indeed, auntie, I have fallen in love with she gave the promise which had already run him fathoms deep already. You know you over my lips. have an old picture of him in his new uni- We were busy enough now, getting the form, and I worship it, particularly— his sweet place in order for our guests; for you must pretty, smooth chin, and know Jack Cranston was the heir, and my " Hold your tongue, child ! Jack is bearded aunt was naturally anxious that the house like a hussar now, and I warn you that he should look homelike and attractive. She knows enough to fool either of you to the top had another reason, too, in an eager wish of your bent." that Jack should make his home at Cranston. "But of course, auntie," said Nora, "he The young man inherited other property in a must, being your nephew, be an eminently gayer part of the country, and he had as yet proper and conscientious young man, who shown little inclination for stupid, prosy old would not, for the world, take advantage of Cranston. But my aunt's theory was that a our ignorant innocence to beguile us with gentleman should live at home on his own any false hopes." And Nora looked sweetly family acres, and that ever so fine a place innocent and demure. which you might buy with money, could never " Pshaw ! Jack is like other young men, I give you quite the same importance in your suppose. The best of them are not too good. own eyes, or other people's, as your hereditary Put your trust in your own discretion and possessions could do. I knew this thought delicacy. But what I was going to say when lay at the bottom of all my aunt's garnishing you so impertinently interrupted me was and freshening, and I found a pleasure in this: foreseeing certain inconveniences, I helping her. When all was done, and I fol- authorized Jack to invite the best young man lowed her out of the chamber which had he knew to bear him company, and his. choice been specially set apart for him, she said, has fallen on an old Oxford chum of his, just giving a long look up and down the dim hall, home from India, Colonel Stanisfield." adorned with portraits of deceased Cranstons "What! the brave Colonel Stanisfield—he running clear to the Conquest who got the Victoria cross for magnanimous " If I could see Jack settle down at" home conduct at Balaklava?" said Nora, her eyes with a worthy wife, I could die contented." kindling. Perhaps it was a fancy of mine that her " Yes, the same. Some people called him eyes fell upon me significantly. Any how, it a hero, but for me, I believe he did no more sent the color flaming to my cheeks, and than his duty," said my aunt, quietly. fixed it there so that Nora rallied me on my " Duty ? was it his duty to go back upon milkmaid's complexion, and volunteered to the bloody field three times to bear his apply a bath of cold cream and rose-water. wounded colonel to a place of safety, under a And so, amid much flutter of expectation terrible fire, and when, too, the boldest men and merry jests, we went up stairs to dress, in the regiment had refused to venture their and before we had half done prinking and lives in such a foolhardy attempt ? If it was, perking there was a crunching of gravel in I think most men are satisfied with less," the avenue, and then a full, hilarious voice in said Nora, impetuously. the hall, at sound of which we both looked at " Well, well, child, you have made a hero each other in consternation. It was so odd of him, I see. Now mind this; be as free Hitherto it had seemed as if it were alto- and sociable as you choose—Heaven forbid gether pleasant ; now we gave one lingering, that any girls of my bringing up should be longing look at our old sweet privacy and prudes—but if you have any fancies, remem- quiet, now so suddenly fled, and then went ber there is to be no engagement—no en- down stairs. gagement, till you've had time enough to Of course Jack was introduced, or rather —

Nora's Tryst. 49 we were really introduced to him, he being That was just it. But he was very charm- the rightful master at Cranston, and we ing, for all that. We were a happy quartet. found him outgrown the effeminacy of the The June days were a delight. We walked, boyish portrait, and, as my aunt had said, and rode, and boated. There was no pairing bearded like a hussar—a handsome, manly off, no foolish flirtation, but we just met. on fellow, whose spirit, and truth, and courage, common ground, and enjoyed a delightful, shone in his clear blue eyes, and in every unrestrained intercourse. inflection of his ringing, genial voice. Aunt Cranston smiled grimly when Jack "And I have you to thank, Aunt Adelaide, told her he meant to stay with us the rest of for such an acquisition to Cranston," he said, his life. laughing, after he had declared that, being " But my girls will get married, and then both of us his cousins in away, he had a right you'll be left desolate. You'll want a wife, to a kiss, which he took. " I've been thinking Jack," said the old lady. you were so horribly slow down here; but Jack looked reflective. you don't shake me off again in a hurry. " Strange that never occurred to me," he Fortunate that we didn't promise to go any- said, soberly. " There's sense though in where else, isn't it, Stanisfield?" what you say. Couldn't you suggest some- Colonel Stanisfield came forward from the body?" shadow of the bay-window at this, and I saw "Possibly; but match-making isn't my Nora's hero and mine. vocation," said my aunt, shortly. " The lad

. He had a pale, calm, thoughtful face, this that can't do his own wooing is no hero of man of battles, a blonde, abundant beard and mine." hair, and fine, clear brown eyes, as soft as a Jack clapped his hands and cried bravo. woman's when just now he smiled and shook " But, Aunt Adelaide, you don't appear to hands. There was nothing grand about him think ill of wedlock, and yet you set a bad —nothing tangible, I mean. He was not example to us younger folk." stalwart or bulky—no merely fine animalism Aunt Cranston grew pale, and Jack recoiled was here. The face he had was spiritual. in dismay, to see how closely his careless shaft

You guessed it by the proportions of the had gone home. Without saying a word she beautiful brow, by an indefinable expression left the room. In a minute Jack came over more than all by the magnetism of his per- to me, completely sobered. sonal presence, which drew you to him and " What an unlucky faux pas ! I'm the lifted you up into a rarer, purer atmosphere, most stupid of mortals. Strange I couldn't where life seemed more worthy, and heroic have remembered that old story," he said, deeds and thoughts only natural. The im- ruefully. pression he made on us then, held true "What old story?" I asked, in surprise. " through all our acquaintance. Jack Crans- What ! don't you know ? Did you never ton, who quickly made me his confidant, was hear that Aunt Adelaide had a brave lover enthusiastic about Stanisfield. once—as fine and gallant an officer as ever " If I have anything good in me, I owe it to served his country? Well, Captain Gillepsie Stanisfield," he said, one day. " He has stood had got a furlough and the day was appointed, between me and wrong more than once. He's but alas for poor Aunt Adelaide ! A sudden the finest fellow alive, Maud." engagement came on—it was in one of our ?" " Do you think he is quite a happy man French wars—and when the wedding day the noble captain was lying dead upon I said, doubtfully. came, " Yes and no. A good deal of real happi- 4he battle-field, and the happy girl put away finery and became the stiff, rigid, ness he must have, mustn't he—so noble as her bridal She was just he is? But sometimes, Maud," sinking his unlovable woman we know. voice, "I fancy thsre's something wrong your age, Maud." years since somewhere. You see I've known him off Ah me! and how many long think of Aunt Ade- and on for ten years, ever since I was a lad then ? It was hard to pale, sallow cheeks and the at Eton. He was gay enough then, but laide, with her as a girl of twenty, afterwards he went to India, and was gone six white lines in her hair, like my own. A feeling years. Since coming back, I've noticed that with fresh, glad hopes compassion and contrition came over me. he is sombre and moody at times. He is of so sorry, Jack!" I exclaimed. "I genial still, but somehow the old sunshine is "I'm of this. I haven't loved her half gone. He isn't light-hearted any longer." never knew : " " " "

50 Nora's Tryst.

enough. I wish I could do something for though she does not speak of him ; and some- her." times I have thought— To my surprise, Jack dropped upon the " Well ?" tabouret at my side, and there was some un- " Jack, is Colonel Stanisfield an honorable usual feeling speaking in his face, as he man ?" said: Jack's face whitened a little as he said: " " I think I know of something you can do." I believe him true to the core. If he is My heart beat a little quicker when I not, I'll never trust man again." asked " Because," I went on, " I have noticed lat-

"What is it, Jack?" terly that, after every mail day, he is more "You know, Maud, aunt is very fond of taciturn and gloomy than usual, and once or you. She would like that you should never twice I have happened to see one of his leave this house ; and I—O Maud, it would letters, and noticed that it was superscribed make me infinitely happy! Will you be my in a delicate, feminine hand." wife, and mistress of Cranston ?" Jack was watching me keenly, and when I "I? Jack, you cannot mean it! A poor paused an instant, only said: !" girl without wealth or friends "Goon! What then?" "'She is herself a dower,'" quoted Jack, " Yet I am sure—O, I wish I could be mis- smiling down upon me. " No lady in the land taken—but I am sure that he loves Nora. could suit me so well, for I could love none so Why, Jack, I've seen him sit down in a chair dearly. Maud, you wont say no ?" she had just left, lean over the flowers she " — I'm afraid I can't ; but, Jack had been tending, with such an air, as if he I was so sober that Jack's look of transport worshipped the very inanimate things that faded. had been about her, and then— " But me no buts, if you please, dear." " Hush !" said Jack, softly. " It isn't I, Jack. It's Aunt Adelaide. She Nora was coming towards us. We were made us promise there should be no secret sitting in the west veranda, and she came engagements— from the garden. Her white, transparent "Ah! she foresaw with her usual perspi- dress floated like a mist about her as she cacity what would come to pass. I'll answer walked ; the golden afternoon sunshine en- for her. She will be only too glad to see you veloped her like a glory. There was some- lady of Cranston," said Jack, joyfully. thing divinely wonderful in her beauty.

How strange and sweet it sounded ! I had She came and sat down by us. Five min- had, God knows how many, rueful thoughts utes had not passed when Colonel Stanisfield concerning my future. Friends I had none came down stairs and made a fourth in our besides Aunt Cranston this side the grave, party. He was so pale that Jack asked him and when death should take her, what would if he was ill, and he replied that he was not, become of me ? A young man's life is secure. in such a short, stern way that a constraint He knows that, with his own sound brain and fell upon us all. But by-and-by Jack began strong arm, he can make for himself a home to speak of the cricket-match which was to and a career; but a girl's future is all uncer- come off at Ellerslie the next week. tain. It does not rest with herself, and how "I shall not be there," said Colonel much this uncertainty darkens life none but Stanisfield. girls, especially poor girls, know. But now " Not be there ?" echoed Jack. my fears and doubts fled, and my thankfulness " No," said the other, in a husky tone. " I and joy found speech in happy tears. have just received letters which call me to "But how could you love me, instead of India. I shall go up to town to-morrow Nora?" I asked, presently, still full of wonder morning, hoping to catch the Victoria. I and incredulity. shall be happy to take charge of any commis- " How came you to love me, rather than sions you may have in London." ?" Stanisfield whispered Jack. A blank silence fell at the close of this "Colonel Stanisfield! O, I should never speech. is friendly have presumed ! and then he not so "But, Bernard, isn't this sudden?" stam- with me as with Nora." mered Jack, after awhile. " ?" Does Nora like him, do you think asked " I have known for some time that I might Jack, his countenance darkening a little. have to go," said Colonel Stanisfield. "O yes; I am sure she must like him, I glanced at Nora. Her face, which had —I;

Nora's Tryst. r 1

been white as any snow, flushed to crimson bility out of my own heart. God forgive my

as she met my eyes. I looked away hastily. mistake! If the foul tie that holds me is A little desultory conversation followed. ever broken, I will come to you, though my " How long do you mean to be gone this hair is white with age, and only the grave lies time ?" said Jack. at the end of the journey." " Five years at least," returned the colonel. Nora's face grew radiant. She rose, out- In a minute Nora got up. stretched her white hands. " I must go now," she said, with a strange, " I will wait for you, Bernard—I will wait " faint smile. I shall have a packet to send for you here, no matter how long it is," she by Colonel Stanisfield, and I must prepare it." said, in a voice of ineffable sweetness.

She went steadily down the hall, and O ! I Some inarticulate words broke from him, shall never forget the look in Colonel Stanis- and then he held her in his arms—the first, field's face as his eyes followed her beautiful last time. figure. But when she reached the foot of the I turned away, and Jack led me out of the stairs, we heard a faint cry and then a heavy room. In a minute or two Colonel Stanisfield fall. came into the hall. Colonel Stanisfield was the first to reach "Go to her!" was all he said; and went her, and when he lifted her in his arms, she out at the door. was as cold and rigid as one dead. I ran into the drawing-room where he had "O, Colonel Stanisfield, you have killed carried her. There she lay, in a dead swoon.

!"' her I cried, not knowing what I said ; but While we were chafing her hands, Aunt the next glance at his face, so full of a woe to Cranston came home from her drive, and, which my own grief seemed puerile, made me amazed and indignant, would hear the whole repent sorely having wounded him. " I did story. " " !" not mean that," I said ; but how can you Colonel Stanisfield is a villain was her leave her?" sharp comment. "What right had he to He paid no heed to my wild words, nor come here, bound as he says, and keep it a !" would he let us take from him the dear office secret? The man is a villain of restoring her, and when she opened her "Aunt!" eyes, and light and softness came back to It was Jack who spoke, with glittering eyes them, and color returned to the blanched and quickened breath.

cheeks, she found herself lying in his arms, " I can't bear that, Aunt Adelaide ! Villain

and his face bending over her, pale with anx- is not a word to go with the name of Bernard iety, and I know not what tender emotion. Stanisfield. Grievous wrong he may have " Did I faint? I have not been quite well," done, but it was with no deliberate intent.

she said, the hot blushes rushing over her He is the soul of honor." face as she remembered all. Aunt Cranston turned away rebuked, nor He put her gently down upon the sofa, and, did she ever again speak a harsh word of rising, stood looking at her with eyes that Colonel Stanisfield. were tender, yet how full of sorrow! Nora We saw him no more, any of us. That looked up wistfully. I think she knew that night a messenger came from the little inn at he loved her then, and the poor heart made a the village and took away his effects, and the feeble clutch at the happiness which seemed next day but one we saw his name among just now vanished. the passengers of the Victoria. That day's "Are you going ?" trembled from her lips. mail brought letters from him—one to Jack, ".God help me, I must!" he said, in a voice and one to Nora. I read them both. That of agony. " Don't turn away from me, Nora to Nora was deeply tender and remorseful. keep your tears—blessed tears to fall for me Writing to Jack, he gave more details, and a little longer, for I may never look into your implored from us all a kindly judgment. to India, face, you may never hear my voice again. It seemed that when he first went attracted by Don't go, Maud, Jack, you too must know the six years before, he had been of one of the truth. I should have told you when I came, and married the daughter wife. The that I was bound by a galling chain to that officers who had married a native the girl's which shut out from me all love, all hope, marriage had been precipitated by soon found and covered my name with dishonor. But I friends, and the young captain had all the did not dream you would love me, Nora— himself united to a woman who neither— thought my suffering had crushed all sensi- vices of both races, and the virtues of " : " ;

52 Noras Tryst. a creature without principle or delicacy, who " You look happy, Nora," I said, one day

11 presently made herself the by-word of the but it seems to be such a joy as belongs to regiment. A separation followed within a the angels." year, but the wretched wife continued to A strange, beautiful smile crossed her face. " haunt and disgrace her husband. Our laws I am happy, Maud ; for days and weeks I are strict respecting divorce, and I think, too, have felt as though Bernard were near me. I that Colonel Stanisfield, with his sensitive never felt the magnetism of his personal pres- pride, would not have known how to endure ence more powerfully than I do now, when a public trial. He came to England for a little we are thousands of miles apart. I am sure rest from the misery which attended him, and he is coming to me." to Cranston, without once dreaming of what "Nora, it will be over a grave," I said, might follow. But there is a destiny which sorrowfully. controls us. He had marred Nora's peace She looked at me a moment, the beautiful without making his own, he said, remorsefully. smile brightening. She looked over my shoulder, her cheek " Over my grave, dear. You will not think leaning upon mine as I read the letter. When it a blot upon fair Cranston ?" I came to that sentence, she said " O, what do you mean, Nora?" " But he does not know, you see. I would "I have premonitions— not have missed loving him—not even if I do " Idle fancies, darling," I interrupted. not see him again until we meet where there " No, no !" shaking her head. " They are will be no sin or shame in that love." true omens. But, Maud, you know I prom- " But, Nora," I said, trying to be wise, " you ised Bernard I would wait for him here. I see, when you loved him you did not know. mean to keep my tryst." Now you do know, and you must call your As the summer heats advanced, Nora love back, and keep it till some more wasted to a shadow. Jack had a great Lon- worthy— don physician down to see her, but he would She faced me then, her eyes aflame. not admit that there was positive danger. " More fortunate man, then, comes to claim Perhaps he feared to alarm us, and we were it," I said. too easily satisfied with what he said of debil- !" "As if I could, Maud, as if I could she ity, and the tonic effects of change of air ; but cried, passionately. we all went to Margate for a month, and, after

Alas! it was irrevocable. In some hearts that, travelled among the lakes. love is a flower bright, and beautiful, and full It was a lovely September night when we of sweetness, too, but growing upon the sur- came home. It was good to see home once face, and fading full soon in the frost of more, and we were all happy. Jack wai sorrow, or the drought of absence; but in hilarious. He rushed into the library, and others it is a stalwart tree, sending its roots came out with a handful of letters. far down, drawing sustenance from the whole "From India! Should have been here a being, and holding the promise of eternal week ago. Now, Nora, what will you give vigor and immortal life. This was Nora's. me for this ?" We soon saw, even Aunt Cranston, that to " Pray don't tease her, Jack dear," I sail, talk to her was of no use. You cannot reason seeing the color flickering in and out of her against a feeling. cheeks in a way that I did not like. " So our happy summer ended in blight and Well, then ; but you must pay me for it," darkness. The Nora who lived with us now bending to kiss her. was not the Nora of old times, not even at "Me also, Nora, or I shall be fearfully my wedding, when, for Jack's sake and mine, jealous." she made vain efforts to come out of the cloud She came to me, put her sweet lips to mine, which encompassed her. and then, holding her letter in her hand, went But when the next summer came, she towards the stairs. Once she looked back, bloomed out for a time with pure splendor. with such a happy face! Then she went Her beauty was refined and heightened. slowly up stairs—I sighed, seeing how slowly. There was an unworldliness in her counte- We were just home, you remember. Jack nance, a light as from Heaven in her eye. was ravenously hungry, and lunch was Old friends who had known her always ordered in. noticed the change, strangers were irresistibly " Nora is long over her letter," said Aunt attracted. Cranston. :

Nora's Tryst. 53

"Devouring it, word by word, for the doz- him. We could not bear that he should ewth time, I dare say," said Jack. " Maud, journey all the way up to Cranston unpre- hadn't you better send for her?'' pared. So, in all the dreariness of the dark I despatched a little maid with a playful, morning, he left us. We sat alone all day, threatening message. In half a minute the sad as sad could be. The night had shut in maid came running down again. when the train rushed into the station close " O sir—O Mrs. Cranston !" she shrieked, by, and it was quite dark when they came. turning upon us her awe-stricken face. I went slowly out to meet them, heard We all sprang from our chairs, but Jack Jack say, hurriedly, in my ear: was the first to reach the room. He stood "Poor fellow! he is quite broken down by beside her when I ran in breathless. it." And then I went forward to Colonel

O, there was no need for hurry ! Nothing Stanisfield. It was a minute or two before I could bring her back, nothing ever break the dared look in his face; then I knew that it holy calm in which she lay, no sound ever was not the little year which he had been scare away the sweet lips' tender smile. The away that had aged him so. letter lay on her bosom, her hands clasped " She loved you—she was true always !" I over it. Yery gently Jack turned back the faltered. !" leaf, and, through my sobs, I heard him read: " God bless her " ' I am coming to you, my darling, coming We sat around the fire that night. It was fast as. wind and tide can bear me. There is late, yet we could not separate. At intervals nothing between us now—please God nothing we talked, but only of her. At last, when the shall ever come between us! Sol am coming, hall clock struck twelve, Jack and I went impatiently, swiftly coming.'" away, leaving Colonel Stanisfield sitting O, and there was nothing now but this! where he had sat all the evening, his eyes Almost I thought God was cruel. But Jack only leaving the coals' to wander to a portrait said of Nora that hung opposite. " Look at her, Maud. Earthly love is very An hour passed, and Jack was dozing. sweet, but she has found something better. Suddenly I heard my name whispered. I Nothing but heaven's blessedness could wake rose softly, and ran down stairs. I had an a smile so beautiful as that." intuitive perception of what was coming.

Everybody said it was the fairest sight that The drawing-room door was ajar when I ever was seen. People came from miles stepped in. The fire was low, the waxlight around to look at her as she lay there so on the table burned faintly. Not from them stately and sweet. We would not let her came the soft, white light which filled the grave be a "blot upon fair Cranston," and room, which fell upon Bernard's face and love, adoring day and night we kept it strewn with flowers. transfigured it, if, indeed, and But autumn came on in haste. The No- wonder, and joy, had not already done so. vember rains fell; the November winds His hands were uplifted, his eyes luminous. mourned among the great trees around our " Do you see ? do you see ? She has kept house. her tryst !" he whispered. One wild day the Victoria was telegraphed And then slowly the lucent splendor faded Nora as just in. It had been arranged that Jack —the angel presence departed. But should go down to London, meet Colonel had been faithful to her tryst. Stanisfield, and break the terrible news to ; — —!!; —

54 Ballou's Monthly Magazine,

A SUMMER NIGHT.

BY MRS. ELLEN M. MITCHELL.

How soft the zephyrs tread; The spectre, grim, of Care What cool, delicious kisses they impress! No longer haunts our footsteps, hollow-eyed; The roses, blushing red, To-morrow we must bear "With fragrant sighs return their fond caress. The burdens that to-night are laid aside.

All day the sultry heat [glare But now the silvery chimes wrapped us round with dizzy, blinding Has Of memory ring with cadence clear and sweet, Was ever night so sweet Recalling vanished times; this brings us dewy breaths of air? As that Entranced, we listen to their rhythmic beat. Hush! hear the whispering leaves Then balmy zephyrs blow, Their secrets breathe to moonbeams cold and Rich laden by the roses with perfume, pale Whose cheeks they kissed aglow What dreams our fancy weaves! [trail O, shame, to dally so with dainty bloom! What misty shapes their garments round us

Our buried joys arise, Their breath floats softly by, A vague enchantment over life is cast They stir our languid pulses with delight; A glimpse of paradise O, is not heaven nigh Shuts out the present, and reveals the past. To earth upon this blessed summer night?

THE FRENCH BRODEUSE.

BY BARBARA BROOME.

Mrs. Clark, she called herself, but nobody You can imagine how sharp they must have was deceived by that. Nobody believed, from been, when I tell you she was a brodeuse, an the first, that that was her real name. It embroiderer on lace, and flannel, and silk. was in the gainbrel-roofed cottage on the The muslin dresses she wrought were perfect corner that she lived. It was all of sixty years miracles, and I never saw anything half so ex- ago. And after she died, Squire Waters, he quisite as the collars, and handkerchiefs, and owned it then, had hard work to get tenants infant's clothes that she made, all ornamented

for it. They said it was haunted. Nobody with wreaths, and sprays,' and bouquets of ever stayed there long, and so at last the flowers, as delicate as hoar-frost, and more house came to be permanently shut up, and natural than life. And all this was done with- year after year gathered mould and dust, and out the aid of eye-glasses or spectacles. grew into the shabbiness, and forlornness, and The rich folks round were too glad to keep shakiness you see upon it now. her in work, and paid her any price she had a

But then in Mrs. Clark's time it was as trim mind to ask. That she was a Frenchwoman and neat a little place as could be seen any- was apparent on the surface. She looked it where round, and the garden at the back and her speech betrayed her, for though she that choked-up wilderness of weeds spoke very good English, it was strongly ac- " blossomed like a rose." cented, and, as if unintentionally, she fre- Such curiosity as there was when she came quently dropped French words and phrases. Such surmisings, such conjectures, such She had a courtly way with her, too, that rumors! And with all the excitement and stamped her an aristocrat. Everybody agreed prying round, not a single thing could be that she could be no less than a countess, found out about her. There by the west win- some went as high even as duchess. There dow she generally sat, pale and erect as a were marks upon her face, and deep lines statue, with only her head bent down over about her mouth, that told of suffering bitter her work. Her hair was white as snow, but and recent. But whatever her past life had her eyes were black and piercingly bright. been, she kept her own counsel, and never The French Brodeuse. 55 unbent from her stately dignity out to one, and only flitted to and fro, like a ghost, from her companion in solitude and exile. the house to the store at rare intervals. We have said that rumor was rife with re- One night the neighbors were aroused by gard to Mrs. Clark, but her companion was a the most fearful screams Mehitable Akers who still greater mystery. While the former was lived opposite, saw the girl as plain as day,

compelled of necessity (they kept no servants, for it was bright moonlight, standing by an only a deaf and nearly dumb old man, who open window in the second story. The girl's went there daily to do chores,) to mingle golden hair was streaming behind her, and with the trades-people and to wait upon her her white garments, for she was in her night- patrons, the latter was kept entirely aloof dress, were fluttering in the wind. Before from any such contact. Sometimes she ap- Mehitable could draw a breath, the apparition peared at the window, and the soft smile, with another scream and a wild brandishing which would overspread Mrs. Clark's face, as of the arms, threw herself headlong from the she glanced up at her, showed the affection open window. she bore her. And indeed this girl, she was Just as she was, Mehitable rushed across hardly more than that, was fair and frail the street and found Mrs. Clark on her knees enough to challenge anybody's love. Very beside the crushed and apparently lifeless small, with a slender, willowy form, and a form. She had lifted the ghastly face from

complexion like a waxen lily, she seemed al- the wet grass and pillowed it on her bosom. most,too shadowy to be real flesh and blood. She pressed kiss after kiss on the cold lips, A profusion of the lightest-tinted hUir fell and with her eyes fastened in a sort of fasci- carelessly over her face, and her great beryl- nation upon the blood with which the poor colored eyes were at times serious and sad, creature's clothes were dabbled, she mur-

and again all aflame with a wild excitement. mured : She was never known to go out of the house " O Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu! My poor little

except into the garden back. There she one ! Why couldst thou not have been spared !" seemed to have free range. The high fence the bloody baptism screened her from sight, but her voice could Mehitable lifted up the little bare feet, and often be heard singing snatches of foreign the two carried the light form into the house songs, or laughing out blithely like a child. and laid it on the bed. Mrs. Clark placed her But she was not always so happy, for the hand tremblingly over the girl's heart. neighbors were sometimes startled by a suc- "It beats!" she exclaimed. "She is not cession of shrill screams echoing through the dead. But it is faint, very faint." gambrel-roofed cottage, and rising up higher She snatched a small silver crucifix from and higher, or dying away into long-drawn the table and held it up before the dying girl, sobs and moans. Who was she? What was chanting at the same time, in a low, solemn she to this strange, silent Mrs. Clark? No- voice, a pater-noster. body could answer, though everybody asked The girl's shut eyelids fluttered half way these questions. Some said she was her open, the rigid lips parted softly, and whisper- " !" daughter, others, who held to the theory of ed with a smile, Jesus And then with a the duchess, declared her a princess in low cry, Mrs. Clark withdrew her hand, for disguise. the tiny pulse of the heart underneath had So time wore on, and not a soul was any ceased its beat. glad wiser with regard to the tenants in the gam- For the first time, she seemed to be indeed brel-roofed cottage. But the girl was observed of the presence of a stranger, and of a gossip, was to grow paler, and frailer, and more shadowy. Mehitable, though somewhat have had with her She was heard less often' in the garden; she the best person she could marvelled silently at the appeared less seldom at the west window, and at such a time. She embroidered stiffly by-and-by a doctor, or so he was judged to be, costly dress, of white satin Clark brought to robe rode daily to the door, in a gig splashed with with silver, that Mrs. coronet with which the mud. His horse, too, was jaded and worn. her dead, and at the stamped, and at the These were taken as signs, that he came from linen underclothing was that were kept burning a distance. Finally he came twice a day, and tall waxen candles at the head and foot of the his horse was left champing at his bit, and night and day biting at the gate-post, to which he was tied, bed. tender and thoughtful to such for hours. But she was Mrs. Clark opened her heart to Mrs. Clark, too, deserted the west window a degree, that 56 The French Brodeuse.

her, and little by little, during the few days radiant with his glowing faith, was as if sur- that intervened before the burial, sketched rounded with a halo. for her the tragedy of her life. While his little band of listeners hung rapt Bournouville was her right name, and her upon his words, Louise especially felt herself family ranked among the French nobility; thrilled through and through with a sensation but of late years the fortunes of the branch to so exquisite, as to be almost painful. As which she belonged had so decayed that on Eugene, gathering enthusiasm with every new the deatli of her husband, who left her with word he uttered, swept on with resistless an only child, a son. Madame Bournouville eloquence, the girl's cheek flushed and paled accepted the position of duenna and compan- by turns, and her eyes—wonderful eyes, ion to Louise D'Herbois, a rich young heiress, holding in their opalline depths rare greenish and also a distant relative. tints—dilated into crystal stars. She felt her- Her son was sent to college to be educated self drawn up into a state of beatitude. for the priesthood, and madame entered upon Madame noticed her with pleasure. her duties. She soon grew to love her young " Eugene has great powers," said she. " Who charge, and as the years passed on, and the knows but some day he may be a cardinal. I mind of the beautiful Louise expanded under foresee that he will make many converts to her fostering care, while her personal graces the mother church. But you, my dear, you grew more and more dazzling, this love deep- must not let him sway you too much. It will ened into an affection and devotion as intense never do for you to be a nun." as that she felt for her only son. "But, madame," stammered Louise, blush- While Louise was still a child, she was be- ing, " I never thought of being a nun." trothed by her guardians, who stood to her "Ah, ah, petite," replied the older lady, in place of parents, to her cousin, Le Comte patting softly the crimson cheek. "I can Victor D'Herbois. This was taken as a mat- read hearts by faces, and I have watched you ter of course to all, even by Louise herself. in the chapel. I have seen tears stand in She understood that all French girls of her your eyes, and when you knelt on the cushion rank were married in this way, and even if it beside me I heard your soft, fluttering sighs. had not been so, she was too shy and gentle You put me in mind at such times of the to rebel. picture of Saint Cecilia, that hangs in the Besides, she liked her cousin, at least she west gallery. To see you take the veil would did not dislike him, and at the times she was be a great sight ; but no, no, I do not mean to permitted to see him (such meetings being urge you to it. You must be guarded against always under maclame's espionage), she was it. It is a glorious thing to be the bride of much pleased with the courtly condescension heaven, but such is not your destiny." and the stately admiration he showed towards Madame had sunk towards the last into a her. The count was twenty years her senior. half-soliloquy. Coming out of this, and look- In the college vacations Eugene Bournou- ing around for Louise, she found the bird had ville visited his mother. This young man can flown. be described in one word. He was saint-like. With her heart throbbing against her bodice He had consecrated himself to his divine pro- like a trip-hammer, Louise had escaped fession with the fervor of an apostle of old, through the long window that stood open and already the college professors had singled upon the balcony. And now she was pacing him out as especially fitted to do his Master's up and down the rose-walk in the garden, work. glad to be alone with her thoughts.

It was his mother's will and pleasure, and And what were her thoughts ! A sad, sad the whole household's1 as well, that during his jumble, I fear, chasing each other about short visit at the D'Herbois chateau, he wildly. ?" " should hold daily religious • exercises in the "A nun she said to herself. No indeed, little chapel built *upon the estate. Here all I do not wish to be a nun. What do I want the servants, together with their girlish mis- to shut myself away for, out of this beautiful, tress and Madame Bournouville, were wont beautiful world ? Never has it seemed half to assemble, and as the young priest raised so bewitching as now. And madame thinks, his prayers in supplication to Heaven, carry- because I shed a few tears and sigh when I ing the souls of all his hearers up higher and am in the chapel, that I am thinking of being higher to his own ecstatic heights, he was like a nun. To be sure Monsieur Bournouville's one inspired, and his half-spiritual face, words do affect me at times strangely. And "

The French Brodeuse. 57 it is true tliat when I go to the cathedral, I Then came the winter in town, when the often yawn behind my fan, I find the services countess made her debut and was presented so irksome. But then— our bishop is old and at court. She was the sensation of the season. prosy, while— Eugene " she flushed again at Kings and princes unbent from their royal the name " is just the reverse. How grace- dignity to do her homage, and among the ful he is, what an elegant form he has, and highest nobility she was toasted as the queen his voice is like music. When I get married— of beauty. She was feverishly gay and for the first time she frowned, for the thorn brilliant. of a —rose she had picked had pierced her Her husband was proud of her. Was she hand " when I get married," she repeated, not a powerful appendage to his position and more slowly, feeling at the same time a little power? But, while he was as gallant as ever prick at the heart, like the prick of the thorn to his beautiful wife, he did not open to her in her finger, " I shall have him for my father his heart of hearts. He did not expect any confessor. He will then have a parish of his such absurdity on her part. She was welcome own, and I shall hear him preach every Sun- to her own thoughts and secrets. day. How happy madame, and I, and—and The countess did not have Eugene Bour- le comte will be." nouville for her father confessor, and only oc- Here she stopped short, for far adown the casionally on a Sunday did she go to hear him road she saw a horseman galloping towards preach. And then she sat like a statue. the chateau at full speed. It was her fiance, Madame's quick ear no longer caught her her lord to be. She turned and went slowly fluttering sighs. And the wondrous-tinted into the house. She had forgotten that this eyes were always hard and bright. was his regular visiting-day. Somehow things She startled madame one night as she stood did not look so bright as they had a minute before her dressing-table, in her sweeping before. And she shivered just the least bit, court robes, ready for the carriage, to convey as her cousin dashed clattering into the court- her to the palace. yard below, and bent to. his saddle-bow, as he " I am so tired," she said, wearily. " There caught sight of her on the balcony. Poor is no pleasure in all this excitement. It is child ! She was just sixteen. like feeding on dry husks. The world is so In a month more she was Madame le hollow. I should like to put it away from me Comtesse. Eugene Bournouville performed forever. I wish I could have been a nun." the marriage service. He did not notice that "Why, my dear Louise!" exclaimed her the bride's right hand, as lie laid it in the friend, in astonishment. " I thought you had bridegroom's clasp, was trembling and icy got all over that, long ago." cold. He did not know of the start she gave Just then the carriage was announced, when he pronounced her name, " Louise," in and the countess, gathering up her train, his liquid tones. I think he would have been passed out to her night's festivity. Madame struck dumb, had he known that the girl be- did not see the bitter smile that wreathed her fore him loved him, and now, even now, lips, as she murmured to herself, "Got all !" during the solemn vows which he was calling all over that upon Heaven to witness, wakening to the She did not guess at the hopeless love that fact. The young devotee had never given a Louise D'Herbois felt for her son. How she

thought to earthly love. Was he not wedded wrestled with it, and crushed it down only to to the church ? He was so purely spiritual have it tower up again like a giant and over- that this sufficed him. throw her. With the knowledge that she did The new countess would not part with her not love her husband, this other experience dear companion and friend, so Madame had come upon her. Bournouville remained with her. The winter And the priestly Eugene visited his mother they were to spend in Paris, the summer at more frequently than in his college days, and the chateau. passed in and out before the Countess D'Her- For the first few months, she often looked bois, always with the same serene, benign at her husband wistfully as though she had smile and mild apostolic air. The countess, something on her mind that she wanted to herself unseen, often watched him and won- tell him. But she was not courageous by dered at his grand calmness. nature, and the count, though universally " Does it never forsake him ?" cried she, in polite and kind, was not one to invite her solitude. " Has the Holy Spirit so descend- confidence. ed upon him, that he is not capable of feeling 5$ The French Bvodcuse. like other men ? He is gracious alike to me With many prayers and tears madame de- and the footman at the door. Ah, I would be termined to do as he advised her. It was content if he would but look into my face very hard to leave him behind in the lion's just once with love-lit eyes and call me jaws as it were. But her remaining would be " ' Louise/ of no benefit to him. It would be the con- And then, horror-struck, she would fall trary rather, since there was great risk in upon her knees and pray to have this unholy conveying messages backwards and forwards, love* purged from her. and leaving him with only his own safety to Threats and portentous whispers, like low- look after would be giving him so much the winged thunder-clouds, had long been the better chance. forerunners of the storm that now was ready " We will trust him to God, Louise," said to burst upon the country. And when it she. "Come, my child, time is precious." was too late, the haughty nobility found And she busied herself in rearranging her what it was to encroach upon the liberties ot companion's disguise. the people. A terrible vengeance was dealt As for Louise she said nothing. She was out to them. The streets were deluged with passive in madame's hands, and she followed their blood, and every tick of the clock was a silently to the door and passed out, still with- signal for some one's death-stroke. out a word. Madame watched her up the The Count Victor D'Herbois was one of street. At any other time, she would have the first victims guillotined in the public noticed that the timid nervousness she had square, and it was with great difficulty that displayed of late had fallen from her like a the countess and Madame Bournouville man- mantle; that some steady purpose was shin-

aged to escape to a place of concealment. ing boldly out of the half- veiled eye ; that her Against the clergy the blood-thirsty passions step was firm and swift. of the mob raged the hottest, and madame But madame had other things to think of, was kept in hourly torture, fearing for the and she shut the door and went to work fate of her son. He was too well-noted to be gathering up the few valuables she had left, passed by, but so far he had eluded his pur- with Eugene ever in her thoughts. Then suers. Occasionally, in some mysterious she donned her own disguise and followed in manner, his mother received proof of his the countess's footsteps. safety. Such news was like manna from Giving the signal, a boat with muffled oars heaven to the two fearing, trembling women. glided towards her slowly. What was her While Eugene lived, there was still something terror and surprise on seating herself in it, to to be tnankful for. find that Louise was not there. She had not At length, by slow degrees, and after many come, the men said, though they had watched unsuccessful attempts, a plan was matured, and waited, and would have heard her call if by which the three were to embark under it had been ever so faint a one. A sudden cover of the night, in a merchant ship, bound suspicion or rather conviction seized all at for America. As soon as they should arrive once upon Madame Bournouville. In an ex- on board, the ship was to weigh anchor and cited voice she insisted upon being again set sail immediately. on shore. Then, with a heart foreboding The day, so long and anxiously waited for, horror, she sped through the streets of the at last came. Everything was arranged. The city, to that quarter in which Eugene was three were to repair singly at stated times, to hid. the water's edge, where a boat would be in As she neared it, she heard shrieks, and readiness to take them. But at the last min- shouts, and maledictions rending the air.

ute, when Louise, who was to start first, With a silent supplication to Heaven she stood already cloaked and hooded, a sorawled pressed forward and came in sight of the line was handed them. It was from Eugene. mob. Not minding her own danger, frantic "There are spies watching around," he with fear, she forced her way through. wrote. " It will not be safe for me to venture Torches flaring made the place light as day. out, to-night. But do not let this deter you Their lurid glare fell upon hundreds of faces from sailing. The friends that have helped distorted by bestial passions into the likeness me before will help me again. Take my ©f so many demons. Their hoarse cries were blessing with you, and, God willing, I will like the growls of wild animals hungry for join you soon in that free country to which I prey. implore you to hasten." With their arms pinioned behind them in !

The French Brodeuse. 59

their flowing priestly robes, through, the is not likely she had planned what to do or ranks, which opened hooting and jeering to say in this interview. Blinded by her love, give them passage, came the victims, their half-unsettled already, by the events that had tottering footsteps goaded on by the sharp been transpiring around her, she had only felt knives of their butchers, until gory and gash- that she could not be separated from Eugene. ed, and streaming with blood, they dropped She was tracked by those whom he had him- dead, literally hacked to pieces. In this hor- self intimated as lying in wait for him. The rible way twenty priests were massacred. sequel has been related. She had begged Madame Bournouville stood and gazed; her desperately to suffer in his stead, but the only teeth chattered, her eyes nearly started from answer they vouchsafed to her heart-broken their sockets. pleadings, was to drag her forth, with fiendish Suddenly the orgy swelled higher, the yells malice, to witness the torture of him, whom of the infuriated mob rose louder, and all the she would have gladly died to save. mother was curdled in the breast of the aris- Scenes as shocking as this were of daily oc- tocratic looker-on, as her strained ear caught currence, and Madame Bournouville calmly the sound, through all the rushing roar about prepared herself for her fate. She confidently her, of a familiar voice chanting a De expected a speedy death-sentence, both for Profundus. herself and her companion. Others of less

The last of all, the twentieth victim, came note than they were slaughtered like sheep, Eugene Bournouville. For one second, into but the workings of an inscrutable Providence which was crowded the agony of a lifetime, spared them, as by a miracle. madame saw the exalted smile of the un- When the reign of terror was suddenly daunted martyr, saw his mutilated hands brought to a close, and her prison-doors were raised to heaven, and then with the strength opened, she walked out with hair as white as of a lioness she tore apart the living wall that snow, with the crazed countess, prattling gay- intervened and caught him as he fell. With ly as a schoolgirl by her side. At times like this a wilder shriek than even that of the wretched Louise D'Herbois was and again she , mother, a young girl wrested herself from the would be overwhelmed with convulsions of grasp of those who held her, and grovelled terror, and become fierce and unmanageable. like a mad creature upon the slippery stones, So bereft of all happiness, with every beside Eugene. cherished hope blasted, Madame Bournou- u l loved him," she screamed, her slight ville made her way finally across the waters form quivering with horror, " and I murdered to the quiet inland town where, until the him." death of Louise, she had remained an im- Madame knew no more. The lifeless form penetrable mystery. of her son slipped from her nerveless clasp The story which was then made public and she fainted away. through the medium of Mehitable Akers, was When she woke to consciousness she found almost too astounding for belief. It could herself in prison, and Louise, whose impru- hardly be realized by the* villagers, that such dence had destroyed her son, bore her com- tragic experiences, so utterly removed from pany. Had madame turned shudderingly the peaceful slow-jogging routine of their own their from her, it would have been only natural, lives, had been undergone by one in but instead, she shed over her tears of pity, very midst. to for the girl's mind was gone. In that fearful Mrs. Clark, as she still continued be moment when she declared herself the mur- called, was a greater wonder than ever, but derer of the dead man she had loved, her released as it were, from the need of all earth- reason had snapped like a brittle-stemmed ly exertion, she sunk gradually, and the grass the Countess flower. The real essence of her life had fled. had not sprouted upon Louise, grave, before she too was lain to Who knows but it had winged its flight in D'Herbois's company with the soul she had adored rest beside her. century ago, There remains but little more to be told. Something more than half a as the gambrel-roofed When the line from Eugene reached his that was ; but as long rotten mother on that fatal night, Louise had re- cottage stands, as long as one stick of history solved not to leave France without him. In timber rests upon another, the thrilling accordance with this determination, she had of its two aristocratic inmates will be re- let madame imagine her as gone to the shore, membered and repeated. when in reality she had hastened to him. It 60 Bailouts Monthly Magazine.

POESY. BY ISABELLA MILLER PIGOTT.

Whence came this dreamy, mystic spell, But then it sings me sweetest strains, This gloomy, joyful contradiction, And fills my heart with old-time yearnings. That tales of light and shade doth tell A frightened bird with plumage tossed, In sunny words, or darksome fiction? Its heart still filled with love's old treasures, "Whence came this power, this strange, wild It sings of long gone sweetness lost, dream, And opes heart-keys to sweet old measures. That round my heart is closely clinging,— Ah, then, its strains are sweeter far That makes laugh when I'd sober seem, me Than those iEolian winds are waking; And turns my weeping into singing? What matter if 'tis set, life's star, Or changeful 'gain, when I would smile, Must hearts their sweetness lose in breaking? It brings me but a gloomy vision, The fairest flowers must fade and die, And laughing gayly all the while, Life's sweetest chords are timed with sad- Mocks me in its mad derision. ness;

I'd snap its bars, and break its chains, Then rest with me, bright poesy, "When wearied with its wayward turnings, And sing thy songs of grief and gladness.

FROM DARKNESS INTO LIGHT.

BY MYBA C. GREENLEAF.

" O Father, don't send me away ! Don't everything that met my eye was perfectly send me to Aunt Burbank's! I never will neat, and there was that entire absence of all speak so to her again !" odor, which can only be obtained by free cir- " ' Her,' who ? Don't pretend to be so pen- culation of pure air. The suite consisted of itent, until you can call people by their right three rooms. A square room with two win- !" names dows in the swell front, looking south, should " To mother, I meant to say. There is no- be my living room. Here shall stand my body up there but just Aunt Burbank and piano, there my aquarium, there my flower- Jake. I can't go there, I know I shall die if stand, there my bookcase, here my own par- you send me." ticular chair, flanked on one side by my work- " No danger of your dying right away, not table, on the other by my writing-desk. An till you get rid of a little of that temper, I admirable light for that sunset view here, guess." where the last lingering ray will strike in a I had been in want of lodgings, and in an- winter's day; and the moonlight, and the swer to my advertisement, had received a gaslight from the street will fall upon that note tolerably written, offering an entire floor moonlit snow-scene with excellent effect, if I

up one flight, meals served in the rooms, the hung it here. privilege of guests at any time, and all at a Here I will work, here I will live. My dear very fair price. The street was in a pleasant friends shall sit at my table here. I will have quarter, and sufficiently near to my dearest a home again. The little room over the hall

friends. I called ; found that the house was shall have a whatnot, a table, and a few

new, had been built and was owned by its pres- chairs, for callers or for business ; while the ent occupant, whose income being insufficient room at the north side will do well enough to support the family, and complete the pay- for a sleeping-apartment for one who is no ments for the house, upon which there was a longer young, and who cannot find it in her heavy mortgage, the plan of letting one floor heart to mourn that she is already " looking to a lodger had been decided upon, as the one towards sunset." best fitted to accomplish the desired object. Mrs. Underhili herself had opened the door The approach to the house was pleasant; at my ring, and had accompanied me through :

From Darkness into Light. 61 the rooms. After a somewhat lengthy con- thought seldom of the children except for the ference as to table appointments and pro- moment when I happened to meet them. visions, a bargain was concluded, and in a Christmas time came, and I went to pass a week's time I was established in my new week at the house of a friend. Feeling slightly home. Everything passed pleasantly. All ill, and desiring the freedom and inde- engagements were strictly fulfilled. I began pendence one enjoys alone at home, I re- to feel that my comfort was of paramount im- turned unexpectedly, about ten o'clock in portance in the household. My friends ex- the forenoon, two days earlier than the time claimed, "admirable, fortunate mortal," as I had appointed. my ring was answered so instantaneously, With many excuses, and fears that I should and a neat daughter of Erin smilingly awaited not be comfortable, as there had been no heat my orders. in my room for so long, Mrs. Underbill ac- It was so delightfully quiet. No noise, or companied me up stairs, and without pausing smoke, or smells, arose from the kitchen, no passed up the next flight, saying: crying of children, although I know there " Now that I am up so high, I will go on were three in the house. I heard occasionally and attend to something which needs looking the patter of.their feet on the stairs as they at after above us." evening ascended to their beds, or descended I sat down, weary and suffering, waiting in the morning. A few times I had seen them for strength to lay aside my outer garments. I on the sidewalk as I passed out, or entered thought 1 heard a half-suppressed scream in the house. The two younger, a boy of eight the room above me, and a hasty trampling of and a girl of six or thereabouts, were awk- feet, then a door was violently closed. Startled ward, loutish children enough, who invariably I sat listening, and in a moment Mrs. Under- stuck their thumbs in their mouths when I bill presented herself in my room, to see if I spoke to them, and stared at me out of their wanted anything. glittering, beadlike black eyes. Her face was wreathed in smiles, but there The older girl was very different. The was a peculiar crimson line crossing the tem- large, clear, gray eyes beamed on me with a ple, which to my eye betokened late angry coolly light as steady as that of a planet ; the brown excitement. I told her rather that I hair, tinged here and there with what was could do for myself all that was necessary at light more than color, and if one must define present, and that if I needed further care I

its color, it would be impossible to say would ring for Nora. passed away. The season had whether it was a tinge of red or yellow ; the An hour delicately cut nose, and sweet, mobile lips; recalled scenes of past years. I had for- the tiny, elegant ear, together with a general gotten my present surroundings, when a grace and easy pose, told plainly enough a heavy fall upon the floor above startled me tale of different blood. and brought me back to the present moment. I noticed that she was much more poorly I determined to ascertain the cause of the clad than either of the other children, and noise, and for the first time ascended the debated with myself the meaning of what I stairs above my own apartment. saw. Mrs. Underbill had said plainly, during I turned the handle of the door; it was thus from pursuing my our first interview that they had three locked. Hindered rung children. Since my coming I had scarcely researches, I returned to my room and surprise Mrs. Un- seen her, which suited me exactly. All my the bell for Nora. To my told her wishes were made known through Nora, derbill answered my summons. I and through Nora came the replies. what I heard. She answered very readily " There was sometimes a wistful, longing I think it was only a basket on the shelf thought it stood insecurely look in the little Margie's eyes when I glanced in my closet. I minutes since." up unexpectedly at her, but it always van- when I was there a few considerable ished the moment she was conscious of my She left the room, and after that the basket had gaze. delay, returned to tell me I had fett a strange I found, as the weeks of my residence at fallen as she thought. was being com- No. 45 Kodman street grew to months, that suspicion that some wrong and upon so slight my mind was becoming too much occupied mitted, but so vague could not have explained with what I often found myself calling " this foundations, that I mystery," and which might be no mystery at it to any one. went on as usual. The next morning I all. I forcibly dismissed it therefore, and soon All ;;

62 From Darkness into Light

met my little trio of friends upon the side- man's dominion seems ever weaker, man's walk. Margie looked pale and exhausted, hold on nature ever more circumscribed; but she often had that look. away where the hills rise ever higher, where Six weeks had passed, when, having turned the valleys dip ever deeper, where the rivulets, back after walking a few rods—instead of ay, and rivers too, run and leap, dash and staying out two hours as was my custom—on foam; where the pastures look bare and

entering the house, piercing screams were rocky, where the fields are encumbered still succession the coming in quick from upper with stumps ; where the houses are small, and story. I rushed up to learn the cause, but as brown, and ugly, and the barns are big, and I gained the last landing, smiling Mrs. Un- brown, and ugly, I had been told of a nook derbill opened the door opposite me, locked where one might dwell alone with nature, it after she came out and putting the key in and where within walking distance—for I her pocket said: stand in mortal fear of those powerful but very "I hope you were not frightened, Miss uncertain beasts called horses—were to be "Vernon. I am sorry to say that Margie is found scenes of great extent and sublimity, as sometimes a very naughty girl, and that I am well as little choice bits of nature, which any obliged to shut her in her room. To-day she artist might rejoice to bring back to a city struggled and screamed, and in consequence home. I must keep her there longer than I at first No accident occurred. The long, long intended." summer day wore on, and as the last ray of Silenced, or rather speech being prevented, sunlight gilded the particularly ugly barn, I I retired to my own quarters, with a little loss was pulled and pushed out of the crevice on of dignity I thought. Again, after a few the back seat of a lumbering open vehicle weeks, a door opened above my rooms, and I called "the stage," which I had occupied heard the few words pass between Mrs. Un- flanked by a mountain of flesh on either side, derbill and Margie, recorded at the beginning for the last twenty miles, and found myself

of this little sketch. I saw Margie no more, standing upon the large, flat stone serving as and inquiring of Nora learned that she had doorstep to the house which was to shelter been sent into the country. Nora knew me at night, at least, for many months to nothing more; nothing of the direction, or come. Mrs. Farmer, clean, brown-eyed, and distance, or length of her stay. middle-aged, guiltless of crinoline or collar, A feeling of uneasiness took possession of came out with a mixture of hospitality and

me ; and my little hired home, in which I had shyness in her face and said: been so comfortable, where I had already " Come right in, Miss Vernon. You must

enjoyed so much, had lost something of its be tired e'en-a-most to death ! Sech a stage- charm. In vain I reasoned with myself. In load too, this hot day ! Well, you'll find your vain I said " probably Margie was a bad child room clean and cool, if it aint got nothing else it is not every touching face or sad pair of to recommend it." eyes that belong to a martyr." The pleading And clean and cool it was. The floor had face, the pensive eyes, the gentle mouth, never been painted, but for years had been would picture themselves to me again, giving scoured with soap and sand till it was almost the lie to all my accusations of the absent as white as snow. The furniture was all of little one. unpainted pine, the chairs being seated with I saw no more of any member of the family braided strips of basket stuff. I looked around than formerly. So the spring wore away, admiringly, all was so strange, so suitable. early summer came, and the time when I "Then you don't mind our style of w always go into the country. I kept my apart- furniture ? ments, telling Mrs. Underhill, that with the " O no, I like it very much." - fall of the leaf she might expect my return. " You see, Mr. Farmer is handy with his Away by steamboat, and railcar, and stage tools, and so winter evenings he just works a away from the deafening rattle and smother- bit, at one thing or another, and bein' mighty ing air of the city; away past the large towns poor when we got married, he begun to make and villages, past the smooth-turfed fields, things, and I liked 'em a deal better 'n them well-built houses and expensive farms, that painted things you git over to the corner. tell of a century's cultivation and habitation You can keep these clean, you know. Them, away from the heaving plains and gentle they may be dirty enough and you none the slopes of the sea-bordering lands ; away where wiser for 't ! Well, as I was sayin', I liked :

From Darkness into Light. 63 the things Mr. Farmer made, and so he kep' my eye had travelled around the room in on, and now the house is full enough." search of the pull, I remembered with a laugh I had seated myself meanwhile, in a deep, at my own stupidity, that there was no great broad rocker, and with a "yes," "hum," probability of there being a bell of any de- " really," here and there, the talk went glibly scription in the house. I listened. All was enough, and I cooled and rested myself. still. Probably Mrs. Farmer had retired. Handing me a huge fan of turkey's feathers, I thought I would try the feathers. I my hostess went on drew the little table to the side of the bed, " You do look tired enough, but I guess you placed a chair by the table, and climbed up. did not come for your health." That bed did look inviting, so in I jumped, " O, no indeed, I am very well." and down, down I sunk, and around and

" I thought so. To be sure you don't look over me the downy feather bed rose, till I brown like me, but then you're light, natu- was completely lost to the outer world, except rally and I'm out of a dark race ; but you've my two despairing hands and night-capped got a real strong look in your eye and hand. head. "Ah, what shall I do now?" I re- I allers look at the eye and hand, if I want to membered of some talk of rolling a feather find out what anybody's health is. Now that bed down in similar circumstances, and little— but bless me, you'll clean faint away, concluded to try the experiment. Very if I stand talking here, instead of gettin' your slowly and cautiously I turned towards the supper." And before I could answer, Mrs. front edge of the bed, thinking this an admi- Farmer was gone. rable way of putting one species of " move- My room took in the full width of the ment cure " into practice, when to my sur- house, and had windows opening to the east, prise I found that as fast as I rolled to one north and west. At the time of my arrival, a edge of the thing, the other rolled upon me. gentle, steady breeze came in from the open This roused me a little, and having under- western window, and wrapping me in its taken it, I was determined to roll that feather coolness, passed out, and kissing the lilac bush bed flat. I went with sudden force to the opposite my window, swept out down the back side of the bed, and the feather bed fol- slope. lowed me, curling up around and over me as Just as I was lapsing into that state which airily as the clouds of mingled smoke and is not sleep, but in which the senses are as steam from a locomotive ; but I was not to be unconscious of outward things as in sleep, my beaten. Forward and back I rolled, with in- hostess rapped at my door, announcing supper. creasing energy, and decreasing caution, and It was a supper fit for the—gods, I had the bed seemed to get all the more lightness nearly said, though very unpretentious. Such and buoyancy, when, after a little pause to butter, such biscuits, such cream and damson get breath, I made a most violent exertion, preserves. I ate as only a tired and hungry and landed on the fioor behind the bed, with woman can, while good Mrs. Farmer passed the feathers on top. in and out, attending to her evening house- For a moment I did not realize what had roused hold duties. It was now quite dark, and the happened to me, and in fact was by glimmer of a tallow candle but faintly illumin- Mrs. Farmer's voice exclaiming: " teu us, where is she gone? and ated the further parts of the room, but I saw Goodness feather bed into the bargain !" Upon a series of shelves, well-filled with books, my new any- which I laughed and she came to the rescue. nailed upon the opposite wall, forming The way in which that woman grappled thing but a contemptible library. on the that feather bed, and jammed it, and rolled it, I returned to my room, which was from the and beat it, until it was a very moderate same fioor and only separated When sized and entirely manageable ball was ex- dining-room by a little entry-way. pre- tremely consoling to me, as I sat fanning my ready to retire an unexpected difficulty in until fevered cheeks ; and the solid way which I not noticed the bed sented itself. had " The bed- she stowed it in a corner of the room, to stay the moment I wished to get into it. wanted on the of new till mornin', sence it want stead was high, a bedtick very full bed," set me reflecting how easy it is to do a least eighteen inches to it, straw added at how. feather- thins: when one knows and the whole was surmounted by a I awoke next morning with a feeling that a shape of a ball slightly flattened. bed, in the couch, turn- fresh-filled straw bed is the best possihle could not sleep on those feathers, and I in the corner, that the But before to find, as I looked ed instinctively to pull the bell. : "

64 From Darkness into Light,

feather bed was just as light, just as round, to the click of her swift knitting-needles, I and just as uneonquered as ever. So was not said I. I do not like to have my friends talk of " Who lives in that ugly, red house, I passed feather beds, for in some mysterious way they to-day ?" became acquainted with this episode, and "What, you haint been over be'end Sal whenever I avow my determination to ac- Burbank's, have ye? No wonder you was complish an object of great difficulty, I am out so late." " very apt to be met with, ahem, another At the name " Burbank " a new light fight with a feather bed," or some expression flashed through my mind. It was the same of that sort. voice uttering scream upon scream to-night I walked, I worked, I found the scenery all which I had heard on one or two occasions that I had expected. My portfolio was fast " at home." It must be that Margie was filling. Many a time as I sat at work, Mr. near me. But Mrs. Farmer went on, or and Mrs. Farmer stood by watching what to rather she had not ceased speaking nor I them was an entirely new and very bewitch- listening while pursuing my own thoughts. ing sort of work. I never tired of Mrs. Farm- " Yes, that is Sal Burbank's house. I s'pose

er's quaint loquacity, for she was possessed of I oughtent to call her ' Sal,' but I don't like real shrewdness and good sense, and never in- to show her any sort of respect. Girl and truded upon me. Mr. Farmer was a very woman I've known her goin' on forty yean, silent man, as is often the case when the wife and I'm yit to hear the fust thing you can talks so much ; but in this instance at least, praise about her. At school she used to set the silence was not induced by the loss of and knit every blessed minit, with her book mastership in his own house, for good Mrs. propped open before her, and then stumble

Farmer looked up to her silent spouse with a and blunder through all her lessons when it loving, wifely reverence that was beautiful to cum time to recite. Then she'd never bring ( see; so beautiful was the relation between her dinner, but go sneakin' round to this one this plain, rough-handed farmer and his mate, and that one, ' I forgot to put up any dinner that seeing it, I experienced a sharper pang to-day, and I'm real hungry,' or, ' I was in in my lifelong loneliness than I had ever felt sech a hurry I couldn't stop to git any dinner, before. Neither was it from want of informa- wont you give me a bit? you've got enough

;' tion ; for his well-selected books, mostly his- for three or four, I should think and all be- torical works, which his wife told me he had cause she was too mean to eat at her own read over and over, in fact was always read- expense. ing, forbade that supposition. A weekly " By'm-by, she and her cousin Jake got newspaper from the metropolis had given married—she was alius a Burbank—and him the means of selecting wisely, and books everybody wondered what sort of a life they'd were his extravagance. lead, for if one was tight t'other was One day I had taken a new direction, and tighter— found so wild and charming a bit of rock and "Do you mean—what do you mean by gnarled tree, softened by a rippling brook tight?" and nodding ferns, that I had quite forgotten " Why, mean, close." the lapse of time, till the light becoming in- " O yes, go on, if you please." sufficient for work, I it my found was caused " Well, as I was saying, if one was tight by the fall of night, rather than the coming t'other was tighter, and either of 'em was of clouds as I had at first up supposed. tighter than the bark to any tree you ever Gathering up my materials, I hastened see; and if one was cross t'other was crosser, homeward. As I approached the only dwell- and so you might go on to the- end of the ing I had passed on my way out, the screams chapter. of a child, of a girl, I was sure, fell upon my " But about a year after they got married, ear. I hastened on, but when opposite the she had a baby. I had been married longer'n house they had ceased, and so there was she, and I, well, I begun to be afraid James, nothing left for me but to go on, tortured by that's Mr. Farmer, 'd never have any use for the memory of sounds, evidently extorted by the nice boards, just enough, and just the sharp suffering. right size to make a cradle, that he had laid Arrived at home, and seated at my lonely up to get well-seasoned, without ever savin' a supper, while good Mrs. Farmer swung back- word to me. They laid there a good many ward and forward in her huge rocking-chair, years, then I missed them. I know, main : : "

From Darkness into Light. Go

well, that he never put 'em to no other use, "Why, she must have come in the stage, of and I have pretty much concluded that he course, and I am sure I should have seen her, buried them, tho' there never a word passed if she had gone by. I haint been away at between us about that. stage time for as much as two or three " Well, for a year or two I was unreconciled months."

enough. I had felt had enough that I could I passed a restless night, and woke little never have Mr. Farmer's baby in my arms, refreshed, at a later hour than usual. My

nor ever let him look on mine ; but to see eggs, milk, bread and butter were ready for such a woman as Sal Burbank with a great me, when I left my room, and more grateful strong, healthy boy in her arms, was almost than that, was the assurance that Mrs. Farm- more than I could bear. But after two or er was doing all she could to unravel my mys- three years I got over that. Such a screech- tery, for scarcely replying to my "good- ing, cruel boy, you never dreamed of; and as morning," she said — he grew up, it seemed as if he had all the " I spoke to the stage-driver this morn ugly qualities of both father and mother. " Why, I thought you told me he passed at " Old Jake died seven year ago. He and three o'clock?" Sal scolded each other pretty much all the " So he does, but I always get up at four in time they weren't joined against somebody the summer, and an hour earlier for once else. Sence his death, young Jake and his don't make much difference. I wanted to ask mother live in about the same way." him about Margret." I was getting a little impatient of all this, as " What did he say, dear Mrs. Farmer?"

it seemed to have little bearing upon my sus- "That a good many weeks ago, he don't picion, or rather conviction; so taking advan- well remember how many, he brought a pale-

' ' tage of the first pause in Mrs. Farmer's talk I looking little girl, would have been pretty/

asked he guessed, ' if she had been a little stouter, " Is there not a child, a girl, in the house ?" and if the red had been on her cheeks, instid " Not as I know of." of round her eyes.' He said she looked as if " But I heard the screams of a young girl, I she had been crying all day. But Jake met am sure, as I approached the house to-night. them, or they found him waiting with his old corner, six I heard them first when I reached the top of ox-cart and a grist down at the but the girl the hill beyond the house, then as I went miles below, and nothin' 'd do git out of the stage and ride home on down into the valley I lost the sound ; and must she might keep when I reached the top of the swell where the meal bags, tho' I told him as I'd no passengers but her, the house stands, all was still. But I know I on in the stage heard screams." I wouldn't charge him any more'n ef she got not let her go on.' "That beats everything I ever heard. out there. But he would James, James!" And in answer to her That is the driver's story." " Margaret being here before, earnest call Mr. Farmer entered from the You spoke of did you mean wood-shed, where he had been engaged in and of Lucretia's child. What repairing some farm tool that had been injured by that?" " sister, was just as during the day. Lucretia Burbank, Sal's pea is like another, only " Well, wife." much like her as one like to have anybody know " Have you heard if Sal Burbank has got Lucretia did not ways, while Sal didn't care if that little Margret of Lucretia's up here her mean, cruel agm O" the whole town knew everything she ever gained or saved money by it. " ISTo, I have not heard or seen anything of did, if she only looking than Sal, too. them for a good many weeks." Lucretia was better after several years " I'm sure Jake stole that lamb you missed, She went to the city, and Margaret belonged to her and he don't want to come here very soon got married. This she was his own child, again. If it keeps him off it is the best price husband, but whether of, nobody knows. you ever got for a lamb," said Mrs. Farmer. or only one he had the care summers ago, and a "But Miss Vernon says she heard a girl They all came up three Margaret led, among screaming when she cum by, to-night. It dog's life of it the little Jake was harder towards can't be, can it, that they've got that little them all, but young two haven't Margret up there again, without any of the her than the rest. I hope they to them- neighbors knowing anything about it?" got that little innocent there all " Perhaps so." selves." : " :

06 From Darkness into Light.

" If they have, they will not keep her much the sight which met her eye ; but, instead of longer, I fancy," said I, as I left the table. that, she raised her 'nose a degree higher " Why, what will you do ?" in the air, squared her gaunt shoulders by " Go and see Margaret, and, if she wishes, placing her dirty hands on her hips, without bring her back here with me this morning." even looking at the poor victim of her cruelty, And I hurried out of the room, giving no and bawled out to me further time for talk. "Who be you, comin' into other folks'

I was soon on my way, feeling that God houses and interferin' in things that's none o' ?" had here set me a work to do ; that I was to yer business open the prison doors and let the oppressed " My name— go free. Now and then, during my long, "I don't care what yer name is, so yer !" quiet, happy life, an almost fierce desire g'long about your own business would seize me to be a man, that I might " My business now is to take care of my strike strong blows for truth and right in one poor little Margie. Don't you see she has and another of the conflicts of our day and fainted?" " time. The war had come and gone, and the Fainted ! I'll bring her out of that quick work God had laid upon me in that hour of enough, I guess." And before I saw her in- darkness had reconciled me to my lot and tention, she had given her two tremendous place; it had tried my nerve, strung my slaps, leaving the mark of her foul fingers on sinews, showed me my weakness and my the delicate cheek and arm. The violence strength, and now I felt that wisdom would restored the child. She opened her eyes and be given me to free this " little one " who was made a movement as if to rise, but, finding it precious in his eyes, whose are all the worlds impossible, sank back upon the floor. Sai and all the people thereof. I toiled up the caught sight of the blood which, with return- long, ugly ascent, under a sun already fiercely ing consciousness flowed more freely, and hot, and stood panting on the dirty, half- looked a little startled. Taking advantage of rotten bit of plank that answered for a door- this, I said: step. Not a sound was to be heard from " Woman, lest you have the sin of murder within. The door stood open, and I entered. upon j'ou, help me carry this child to a bed, Passing through the room at the left of the and let me take care of her 1" entry, I reached the kitchen. Near a north Grumbling, she seized her, and, with little door stood an old-fashioned dasher-churn, help from me, laid her on a bed in the room I and beside it on the floor lay little Margie, as had passed through, and went out muttering, white and still as if she were dead. It was but so indistinctly that I could not gather a plain that she had fainted and fallen while word. at her heavy task. A pail of water, in which Left to myself, I stanched the bleeding of floated an old tin dipper, stood on a wooden the wound, and made the little sufferer as I box in one corner. ran to Margie and comfortable as possible; still, she was only began sprinkling some water in her face. She half-recovered. Examining more closely, I did not recover at once, and in changing her became convinced that the child was actually position to an easier one, I found that her starving, and would really die, if nourishment head had been wounded by the fall. I was were not given very soon. I called for some about to lift her and go in search of a bed, milk, and gave it, mixed with water, a few when a voice in hard, taunting tones called drops every few seconds, and before long had out, seemingly from some little distance the satisfaction of finding the pulse steadier "Better keep that churn agoing, if ye and the breathing' stronger, and that a little don't want another dose of what ye got last flush of color quivered over the lips and cheeks night, this very ininit." now and again. Sal Burbank meanwhile was I knelt again and applied water afresh to clattering back and forth in the kitchen, Margaret's temples, waiting for the appear- making as much noise as possible, and once ance of the speaker, whose progress was or twice pausing as she passed the door to marked by the crunching of chips as she look in. crossed the wood-yard." I called, gently, "Margie, dear Margie." "Aint got to work agin yit, have ye ?" sard And the white lids slowly raised themselves, the voice. And Sal Burbank stood in the and a look of joyful surprise settled in doorway. Margie's terrified eyes. I had thought she would be frightened at "I thought it was a dream, and was afraid :

From Darkness into Light. 67 to open my eyes, for fear it would go away," " Guess you mill take that child down to she said. Mister Farmer's ! Nobody that b'longs here " Take a nice drink now, and then go to will ever step foot in Jim Farmer's house sleep, darling. I will sit close beside you till agin ! And she b'longs here, 'n more'n that, you wake." she's goin' to stay here, 'n she's goin' to larn She obeyed, and, murmuring, " how good to work, too, 'n work without complainin'!" you are, Miss Vernon," closed her eyes and "Don't cry, Margie. Then you will not was soon asleep. oblige me by bringing Margie's clothes ?" I had then an opportunity to look about " Indeed and I will not !" with a distinct me. Everything was mean, shabby, dirty in pause after every word, and mimicking as far the extreme. The cover of the bed on which as possible my manner of speaking. Margie lay was an old, woollen, patchwork Mr. Farmer stood quietly watching us, as I

quilt, tattered, but never patched ; the mean even then thought with a slight relish of this pillow had no cover, while the sheet was ab- squabble between two of the weaker vessels. solutely foul. In one corner lay a jumble of At the close of the last speech he looked in- old, coarse boots and shoes, their size indi- quiringly at me, with a turn of his thumb cating that they belonged to a man, while towards Margie first and then the wagon, various garments depended from stray nails and, as my eyes said yes, he picked up the driven in the wall. There was neither cur- little one as if she had been an infant, strode tain nor blind to the window, and several bits to the door, aud I myself was but a step of board supplied the place of missing panes behind.

of glass. I must own that I expected to feel the I meditated upon the means of conveying vixen's hands upon me, but, to my surprise, my charge to my own nice lodging. Assured we reached the wagon unmolested. that good Mrs. Farmer would come herself or Mr. Farmer bundled us in with more speed send her husband for me, if I was absent long, than courtesy, I forgetting all the while my I waited patiently; nor were my hopes disap- dread of horseflesh, when, just as Mr. Farmer pointed. Before midday, Mr. Farmer drove placed his foot upon the thill, a tremendous up to the door in his nice old-fashioned blast from a tin dinner-horn (Sal had thought wagon, and, walking in without ceremony, to summon Jake to the scene of action) said his wife told him where I was, and startled our steed, and away he started

neither of them could be content till he had towards home. How he turned so short a started to see what had become of me. corner without upsetting the wagon, I cannot The sound of Mr. Farmer's voice brought to this day comprehend. Mr. Farmer lost his Sal to the room, flaming with anger that hold of the reins and fell backward. At the another person had come to " interfere with same moment Sal Burbank pounced upon her affairs." him. To his rescue I could not go, for I had " Now, Jim Farmer, you jest make tracks no reins wherewith to check our speed, which

out o' this 's fast 's you please, 'n you too, was, in all probability, a fortunate circum-

whoever you be ! The gal's well enough now, stance, as I knew nothing at all of the proper

'tany rate. I'll venter she'll be racin' off some- way of using them. I found, too, that Margie 'eres fore 'n hour's past." needed my attention, for she had gone off into

Margie, roused by Sal's loud, angry tones, another fainting fit. woke, and, clinging to my arm, watched the As we passed out of eyeshot of the house I hand whose violence she had too often felt, glanced over my shoulder, and was satisfied

as if she expected another blow. that Mr. Farmer was getting the best of it in At the first pause I said to Margie: this second combat; and, notwithstanding " Do you feel strong enough to ride down my concern for the apparently lifeless child to Mr. Farmer's, Margie? You can rest in my arms, and our real danger from the " better there than here." runaway horse, I thought, It is but ' tit for " O yes ! Do let us go this minute." tat.' You laughed in your sleeve a moment " Then, Mrs. Burbank, I will trouble you to ago, now I can take my turn." bring this child's clothing, and we will leave The furious pace at which we were going as soon as you please." down the long, rough hill, soon absorbed my Sal seemed for a moment stupefied by the thoughts entirely. A horse accustomed to coolness of my behaviour, but in a moment level roads and gentle slopes would not have

broke out again kept his feet a minute ; but this one had been : —:

68 From Darkness into Light. trained to trot, nay, almost run, down hill. further, but she remembered nothing more. Swaying from side to side, rattling and bump- The second morning after my raid upon ing, along the wagon flew, with its occupants the Burbank mansion, I rose in season to

in a helpless bundle on the floor. I think I take the stage when it passed, and returned lost consciousness for a moment, and was to the city. Going to the house of a friend, I roused by the cessation of our rapid motion. sent for Mr. Dayton the family lawyer. After Our steed had stopped, and we were safe. hearing a statement of the facts and my

I did not venture to stir, not understanding wishes, he advised that we wait till morning, the reason of this pause in our career, and find Mr. Underbill, have an interview with fearing that any motion or noise from me him, without the knowledge of his wife, and might set us off again. The horse began to possibly the affair could be amicably settled. crop the tufts of grass growing here and there Accordingly, about ten o'clock the nfcxt in the road. In response to my chafing of morning, Mr. Dayton and Mr. Underhill her hands, Margie opened her eyes, asking appeared. The latter gentleman seemed a where we were, and from behind came the little confused when he saw me, but I opened faint " thud, thud," of a runner's footsteps. the matter at once, by saying: In a moment more we were properly seated " I accidentally heard of your little Margaret in the wagon, Mr. Farmer took his place, and where I am boarding, and visited her. You Billy walked as demurely home as though a cannot be aware how unpleasantly she was

faster pace had been an impossibility. situated ; so unpleasantly, in fact, that I took Some hours afterwards Mr. Farmer explained her away on my own responsibility. From to me the reason that the horse stopped as he some things she said to me I know she is not did. He ran down the first descent, across a Mrs. Underbill's daughter, and I think she is little plain; but when he came to the first not yours. I wish you would be so good as resting-place on the opposite hill, stopped as to tell me the facts of her early history so far he had been taught; and I overheard Mr. as you know them."

Farmer telling his wife that if "when he Mr. Underbill's face had expressed many dropped the reins so unaccountably, they had and conflicting emotions during my speech not caught just as they did upon the thill and anger, shame, regret, and, last of all, tender- axletree, just so that they gave Billy good ness, so that I began to fear Margie was his headway and kept him straight in the road, child. I waited for his reply. After a mo- so that he thought he was being driven, we ment's silence, he said must have been killed." " Will you tell me, Miss Vernon, why you How Mrs. Farmer and I tended and petted wish to know about Margaret ?" our little waif, how we fed her a little at a "Not just at present," m obedience to a time and very often during the day, how she sign from Mr. Dayton, " though I will assure lay smiling and contented enjoying it all, I you, I mean no harm to you or her." will leave for each heart that has felt a After a long pause, during which he two or mother's love, or the yearning for it, to imag- three times opened his mouth as if he were ine and describe to those who have not, about to speak, but could not begin, he said simply adding, that, for the first time since " Once I did not think I should hesitate to my arrival in his house, Mr. Farmer made his tell anybody and everybody all I knew about appearance in the best bedroom. that child, and I will, cost me what it may. I The next day I questioned Margaret as to used to meet a sick man supported by a her early life, if she had always lived at Mr. woman, that anybody could see was his wife, Underbill's. I gathered from her replies that morning after morning for some months. she remembered distinctly her mamma; that After awhile I used to bow to them, and they Mr. Underbill used to come and see her often; seemed pleased. Then we exchanged good- that her mamma was sick and died. Then mornings, and I asked where they lived, and Mr. Underhill fetched her away, and she was invited to visit them. There I found a stayed with an old lady who was kind to her, little baby, Margie, they called her. Their and so was Mr. Underhill. after a while he name was Marvin. They were strangers here, used to tell her she should soon have a mother had come from Philadelphia, and so were again, who would love her and take care of glad of my acquaintance. I could see that her, and then she was carried to live with they were my superiors in everything but Mrs. Underhill. I did not believe she was money, but there I could lend them a helping Mr. Underbill's child. I questioned her still hand. I used to bring the sick man little From Darkness into Light. 69

things almost every day, that I was snre he fared ill at her hands, or got anything but wanted, but could not buy. He was past good from her, I can testify. I have known needing anything I could help liira to very her since she was so high," measuring the soon, bat his widow I thought needed me, height of a table. and I had promised Mr. Marvin, when alone Before the day closed Margie was my with him, that I would not let his wife want. legally-adopted daughter, bearing still her

She was very anxious to find work, as her own name ; for I believe it a wicked thing to money was almost gone, but I urged her to deprive an honorable man of the privilege of wait a little till she got rested, and so she having his name borne by his children. waited. As soon as I dared, I asked her to The next morning I sped back again to my be my wife. She told me her heart was with charge, feeling that now I had enough to live her husband, but if I wanted her by-and-by, for. Immediately after my arrival, Mr. Farmer very well, but not just then. took the papers which gave Margaret Marvin " I think she knew she should die soon, to "Elinor Yernon, spinster," and, accompa- and could not bear to make me suffer by re- nied by the only lawyer the town afforded, fusing me. Not many months passed after explained the circumstances of the case to this before I saw that she would never be Sal Burbank. Great was her wrath, and not mine. elegant the vocabulary she aired upon that " I will not trouble you any more with my occasion. feelings. She died, giving me her child, tell- Daily my Margie bloomed into beauty as ing me there was no relative on either side to her health improved; nor was this process

claim it. So, you see, Margie Marvin is mine. impeded by the suitable, pretty garments that " She was a very gentle, but lively thing. I I cut, but, must own, kind Mrs. Farmer sewed took her to my mother's house, and she for her. Margaret wanted to be only too in- always said she was a good child. But since dustrious, and I was forced to command her I married she seems to have changed. She is to sew only two hours a day. impertinent and bad-tempered, and nothing Three years have passed since the summer

is safe unless it is under lock and key. of which I write, nor can I call to mind one " My wife said her sister could manage her wrong thing my Margie has ever done. By for a while better than she could, so I sent degrees I drew from her the story of her her up there. If I thought anybody else sufferings from Mrs. Underbill's abuse. Again could do better by her than I can, I would and again she was beaten -for the merest still, give up my claim to her at any time ; but I trifles; the more common barbarity was must know that she is going to be better off, to starve her. My physician tells me that her before I lose my hold of her." liability to fainting turns was produced by I told him what I had heard and seen, and this, in connection with having her arms that I wanted the child for my own. drawn above her head and fastened so hour "Will you take her and do for her just as if after hour, by means of a cord tied around she was really your own child, Miss Vernon?" her thumbs and fastened to a hook in the " Yes, if I can have her now." dark closet, where she was put to undergo tortures. " But she is a bad child, and you wont want these combined I wished to know the trouble of training her." the worst, and compelled Margie to tell me. " I will take all the risk. I have no fears." She begged me not to force her to do so, but Mr. Underhill asked to be alone a little I insisted. We never returned to the subject while, and was shown into an inner parlor. again. *t Twenty minutes passed before he returned, When the avant couriers of winter had last leaves trees, and they and then it was with a sadly-troubled face, torn the from the " You may have her, Miss Yernon. I know had fallen helplessly to moulder back to earth life flowers she was a good child once, and it may be again, in so doing nursing to more because she has not been managed right that fair than they had ever been, Margie and I she has grown bad. I meant to do well for left good Mrs. Farmer and her quiet spouse. Laura's child, and I hope I am doing so Many a hearty hug and kiss did she bestow now." upon my little one, while a great regret was " Never fear that, Mr. Underhill," said Mr. expressed by Mr. Farmer, more by looks than Dayton. " I am glad to see you so reason- words or actions. " able. It speaks well for you. I will stand You'll come again next summer, sure, you ?" sponsor for Miss Yernon. Nothing ever and Margaret, wont you, Miss Yernon :

70 From Darkness into Light.

" I think we will come sometime, if we live. " I beg you to tell me V* u I cannot tell how soon." Indeed, her name is Margaret Marvin." "I don't know how I shall get along days, Then we told our respective tales, and, when Mr. Farmer is not here." with many smiles and a few tears, concluded And so we rattled away in Mr. Farmer's that the Laura Marvin who had none but an wagon to the railroad station, twenty miles awkward young carpenter to care for her last distant. I had already ordered my household hours, and in whose incompetent though goods to be removed from Mr. Underhill's. kindly-intentioned hands she had left her Feeling a strong desire to learn more of little Margaret, was the daughter of one of Margaret's parentage than I already knew, I the proudest, as well as richest, merchants of determined to pass the winter in Philadelphia. Philadelphia. A slight delicacy of health rendered such a Without doubt, she had married foolishly, course desirable for Margaret. but not unworthily; but she had been wick-

As soon as we were settled into our daily edly left to suffer when ill health prevented routine of study, work and amusement, I set her husband and herself from performing about the main object of my stay. A few their accustomed labor, and this when both promising trails I started, but sooner or later Laura and Edgar Marvin had humbled their they all failed. Spring came and passed, and prkle enough to beg for help. I must return to the North. I delayed my departure for a few days, in As I sat one afternoon thinking a little order that Mrs. DeForest might become ac- moodily of my unsuccessful quest, "Mrs. quainted with the daughter of her friend. DeForest " was announced. I rose to meet We passed the time almost entirely in her an entire stranger. beautiful home. " I beg pardon, Miss Vernon, for what must After many long consultations, we decided seem an unpardonable intrusion in a stranger. not to inform Mr. and Mrs. Grant that their Let me tell you my errand, and I trust you grand-daughter was living, especially as Mr. will, at least, pardon me," she said, in most DeForest declared it his belief that Mr. Grant sweet and courteous tones, and with a man- had made no will, and, in that case, Margaret ner at once so frank and gentle, that I was could hold her property, even if he should be completely won by it. She went on, " I live taken suddenly away. -just opposite. All winter I have watched Not many months after our return North, your daughter with the most lively interest, Mrs. DeForest wrote that the event we had from a resemblance, real or fancied, to a speculated upon had actually taken place. friend of years gone by. Yesterday, I over- Mr. Grant had died suddenly, and it was heard two of my servants speaking of the thought that Mrs. Grant could not long sur- lodger opposite as Miss Yernon. Tell me, if vive, and that, in her weakness and loneli- your daughter has friends in Philadelphia, ness, she talked of Laura continually, and in will you not ?" the fondest manner, bemoaning her hardness Surprised by Mrs. DeForest's manner, it to her, and wishing she could see her face had become so eager, I replied once more. " I came here last autumn, hoping to find Mrs. DeForest suggested that we return to some friend or acquaintance of her parents, Philadelphia and make Margaret known to but I have been sadly disappointed ; but why her grandmother. We hastened to comply do you ask the question ?" with her request, and three days after the " I had a dear, dear friend once ; but many receipt of Mrs. DeForest's letter, we were in years ago, during a long residence in England Mrs. Grant's drawing-room, awaiting the with my father, she married contrary to the summons to her presence. wishes of her parents and left the city, disin- Mrs. DeForest had mentioned me as a lady herited and almost without means. The who had some tidings of her daughter, Mrs. family have, or pretend to have, lost all trace Marvin. I took Margaret with me, closely- of her, and I never expect to hear of my veiled, and, when I had told her of Mrs. friend again; but your daughter is so like Marvin's death, and that I knew where the Laura Grant, and they told me she was called baby Margaret was, there was no mistaking Margaret, which is my own name. Is she the yearning mother-love in the tones in Margaret Marvin ?" which she said: " I was so startled with this new develop- O, bring her here ! I beg you, bring her ment, that I did not answer, but simply stared. here and let me kiss hor once before I die. I : ;

The Mesmerizer. 71 know I don't deserve to see her. I was so I never wish to do anything you think unwise hard to poor Laura, and I know I have no or wrong." right to her ; but I must see her before I die." The first outlay she proposed was to send When Margaret, at a sign from me, threw Mr. Underbill money enough to pay the back her veil and came forward near Mrs. mortgage on his house. "He was kind to into the full blaze of Grant, and light from my father and mother, and to me till his wife one unshaded window, Mrs. Grant cried out made him believe I was a bad child." "It is Laura's very self! Laura, Laura, The money was sent, and Margie received forgive me, and love me a little ! It wont be a most grateful and penitent letter from Mr. long I shall want it." Underhill, saying he had used it for the pur- Not many weeks passed before we closed pose indicated, but had not mentioned the the eyes of Margaret's last relative, and the subject to Mrs. Underhill. little one who had performed menial offices As adversity did not embitter or soil Mar- for Sal Burbank, who had done the same for garet's pure and gentle soul, neither does her meaner son Jake, who had been starved, prosperity make her proud nor selfish, nor turn beaten, tortured, by Lucretia Underbill, be- her from the simple course of life we had came sole heiress to one of the largest prop- marked out for ourselves together. erties in Philadelphia. When told the amount I foresee the coming time when I shall not of her property, she clapped her hands, hold the chief place in her affections, and I exclaiming: will own that I have had some battles with " I am so glad, so glad ! Now I can do so myself already, so unwilling do I find myself !" many things I have wanted to Then, after to abdicate my throne, even though it be to a slight pause, she added, in her own sweet, one who shall bring to her heart a heaven loving way, " that is, if you approve, mamma. below.

=£<= THE MESMERIZER.

BY WILLIAM WOODS.

It was a stormy afternoon in February. It of the ladies was not very young, although had rained for three days, almost without she tried to convince herself that she was. cessation, and now, on the night of the She could not have been far from forty, but fourth, there was not the slightest sign of she shook the two long ringlets which hung clear weather. Rain, rain, rain, till it seemed on either side of her thin face, put her head as if the heavens could hold no more water, on one side, smiled as sweetly, and looked up nor the sun refuse to show himself at last. into one's face as archly, as if she were in But the heavens could hold a great deal more reality a young maiden of sixteen, the only water, and the sun did absolutely refuse to age, if any, at which such airs could have send forth a single ray. become her. Her name was Tilden, and she The country looked dismal enough. No was travelling with her elder brother to sign of coming verdure was yet to be seen Lollard. upon the hillsides; not a single green leaf Opposite the would-be youthful maiden had appeared on any tree or shrub. The was the other lady of the party, Miss Morton. whole country wore a dead hue of brown, and Being the only two ladies in the stage, they the rivulets, which usually trickled through had soon formed an acquaintance, though the vales and fields, clear as crystal, were now perhaps Miss Morton would have been con- turbid and swollen into little rivers. In such tented with the company of her escorts, her weather men like to be at home, by blazing guardian and his nephew, Mr. Griswold and firesides, and know the storm only as they Harry Rogers. Miss Morton was very lovely see it from comfortable rooms ; but all men but, besides her beauty, there was that in her cannot stay at home, even if it be comfort- face which attracted, apart from her good able, and the stage-coach wThich runs between looks; something in the whole expression Manchester and Lollard, although not filled, which made every one like her the moment had a fair number of passengers. they saw her. Harry Rogers was no excep- There were two ladies and six men. Cue tion to the rule, nor was his Uncle Griswold. ; " " " "

72 The Mesmerizer.

There had been no love-making as yet be- you'll smother me. I can't breathe. Kate, tween the young people, because both knew you must get over that trick, for you might that it would displease Mr. Griswold to have seriously injure me sometime. Thank for- his nephew take advantage of the presence of tune, my teeth are sound, and I'm not Miss Morton in his house, to bind her by any troubled with asthma. I don't know exactly

engagement, before she had been introduced how it would injure me, but I dare say it into society and seen something of the world. might." " It was the dearest wish of his heart, how- Yes, Kate, you must be very careful ; for ever, that they should be engaged at some it would never do to murder uncle, before I future time; for, childless as he was, he had get this fifty pounds he means to give me." for years looked upon them as his children. " Mean to give you, humph !" JVIany a prank had they played upon him " I'll take it in small notes, uncle, if you when young, nor, as they grew older, had please." they ceased to annoy him. Harry was a " Yery likely, when— " student at Oxford, and, as he was always in When ? O, any time ; suit your own con-

want of money, and, as his uncle was not venience about the time. That is, any time

always ready to give it to him, he used to in the next twenty-four hours." secure the assistance of Kate Morton, and "No, you don't get a penny, man. You together they would tease the old gentleman, come far too often for money. You're a pair

until he, to stop their teasing, would do what- of robbers ; you wouldn't leave me a penny." ever was required of him. "Robbers! O Mr. Griswold, is there any The coach jogged along the road. They danger of robbers? On this lonely heath, Should have been at the Horse and Mare, the too, and we're going so slowly. O, O, what next "stopping-place, by this time; but the shall I do?" roads were so injured in places by the long Miss Tilden had caught the word robbers. rain, that the coach was nearly an hour It had been quite sufficient to rouse her from behind time. They were now driving across her light sleep. This woman's tongue had a flat country, where the wind and rain been the most disagreeable thing of the whole seemed to attack them on every side. Most journey to Mr. Griswold. If he hated any- of the passengers were asleep, or very quiet thing, it was a talkative woman, and he too tired with their disagreeable ride to feel almost groaned aloud to think that he should energetic enough to talk. Even Miss Tilden, have aroused her, just when she had com- who was usually loquacious enough, and had menced to be quiet. Harry Rogers, knowing kept up a ceaseless stream of talk for the last how his uncle felt towards Miss Tilden, two hours, seemed to resign herself at last to determined to bother him. So, before Mr. the depressing influence of the weather, and Griswold could explain his language, he was silent. Now that she was quiet, Harry spoke to the talkative lady. Rogers thought it was a good time to com- " My uncle, Miss Tilden, was only remark- mence operations against his uncle. He sat ing that he did not think there were any on the back seat, on one side of his uncle, highwaymen out so early in the evening. while Kate sat on the other side. He spoke They don't usually commence their depreda- in a low tone, so that only Kate and Mr. tions till later." Griswold could hear. "Harry, what are you talking about? I only — "Uncle, how about that money?" Harry was saying „ poked Miss Morton with his cane, to let her "Precisely, uncle. I was just about to add know that he was beginning the assault. that you said, that, as the night was so unu- "Money, what money?" said Mr. Griswold. sually dark, and the coach late, and there " That fifty pounds you're going to give me, were but few passengers, that probably they you know." would not mind the time at all." " "Nonsense!" O gracious ! I'm all of a flutter. Why, we " Uncle," said Kate, who always called Mr. may all be murdered. Dear Mr. Griswold, I G riswold uncle, " I'm afraid you're losing your shall throw myself on you, if we're—attacked." hearing. Harry is speaking about money. . "But, Miss Tilden, I assure you You're going to give him fifty pounds, you " Of course, Miss Tilden, uncle would look know." out for you the first one. I really don't think " Fifty pounds ? I'll see him—well, I wont you need have any fear; for, although this — swear, then ; only take your hand away, or road is just the place for them " " " ;

The Mesmerizer. 73

" But I thought there were not any such yes, I think you are tolerably generous. beings as highwaymen now-a-days." Sometimes I know you're rather slow in "Very true, madam," said Mr. Griswold. giving, but you've been so forward with your "I was telling you, when this impudent — offer of the fifty pounds, it doesn't become young man interrupted me me, at any rate, to say anything about the "O uncle, I'm sure you're too hard on slowness in the past." Harry. He didn't mean to be impudent, did "Fifty pounds!" said Miss Tilden, who was you, Harry ? No, uncle, you know he didn't. opposite, and who was never willing to allow Then tell him you're not angry with him. any conversation to go on without joining in Speak kindly to him, uncle. Now do, wont it, "fifty pounds, did you say? And were ?" you you going to give them to those naughty "What! you, too, at it? Why, you don't highwaymen, if they would let you keep your allow me to say one word. I—set out in the watch ?" beginning to tell Miss Tilden Miss Tilden smiled sweetly, and shook her "Uncle, you really must excuse me for in- two ringlets at Mr. Griswold, who muttered terrupting you, but you know that you and something which sounded to Kate very much Miss Tilden have done all the talking ever like " d that woman !" since we started, and I don't think you ought "Uncle," whispered Kate, "you mustn't to complain, if Harry and I should speak now swear." and then." " It's enough to make a saint swear. Here This was too much for Mr. Griswold. Miss is a nice dinner, and I'm hungry, and yet Tilden had been talking at him, but that ha can't put a morsel in my mouth, without see- should be blamed for it was more than he ing that woman opposite me shaking her could endure. He, therefore, kept an indig- head at me and grinning as if I were doing nant silence. something improper. I believe I eat like Miss Tilden had scarcely time to pretend other folks, don't I?" to recover from her feigned fright, before the " Yes, uncle, of course you do. You must coach reached the little village of Norwich, not mind her. She is only trying to make and drew un at the inn, Horse and Mare. herself agreeable to you, that's all." " Half an hour for supper," said the driver. "She doesn't succeed, at ail," said Mr. And the passengers gladly left the uncomfort- Griswold. able coach, and proceeded at once to regale Meantime, Harry had entertained Miss themselves upon the fare bountifully provided Tilden, and the dinner proceeded with more for them. comfort to Mr. Griswold, at any rate. "Kate," said Mr. Griswold, as he seated " Kate," said Harry, in French, " what can himself at the table, before a huge, juicy piece I do? That woman has made uncle cross, of roast beef, and saw on either side of him and I can't get a penny out of him now. hot, steaming dishes, that might have tempted What's more, I must have it befere to- an epicure, or on the side-table, puddings and morrow; for, you know, 1 leave you here, pies, " I think, on the whole, we'll stay here and, if he doesn't give me the money to-night, to-night. We have had enough of travelling I shan't get it at all." in this weather. I haven't enjoyed a meal " Perhaps I can get him to send it to you." since we started, and, as we have a nice din- "But it will be too late. I must pay some ner now, let us take time enough to enjoy it." of my small debts, and have a little pocket- " Very well, uncle. I'm only too well money. I haven't enough to pay my travel- pleased to do so. As for Harry— ling expenses now." " I shouldn't think of oppo-ing any plan for "What are you two talking about? If my uncle's comfort, especially when he has there is any language I detest, it is French. just promised me fifty pounds. I say, uncle, It is only fit for dancing-masters and let's drink a glass of this port to your milliners." generosity." " Kate was only saying how good you were." " "As for the glass of wine, I wont object, Yes, uncle ; and Harry said you were as !" especially as it is peculiarly good for a country handsome as you were good " village." O bosh ! I know better than that. You " You object to drinking to your generosity were probably plotting how you could get but, uncle, you need not be squeamish about money from me." !" that. You're very well, as the world goes; " O uncle, what an idea 74 The Mesmerizer.

u Very well, plot away ! only I'm afraid it was quite used to such tricks, and knowing want do much good. The young scapegrace that they were always harmless in their spends a good deal more money than you and nature, and done to please him as much as

I, and Kate together, and I must cure him of the perpetrator of them, he always took them his extravagance." in good humor as they were intended. Harry " Time's up, ladies and gentlemen. Please thought a long time what plan he might de- to take your places as quickly as possible," vise to obtain the desired sum, and, finally, the driver called out, in a loud voice. The was almost in despair because he was at his passengers hurried down the remainder of wit's end and could think of no means, their dinner, finished their foaming ale, and whatever. proceeded to bundle up for the stage. " What's the matter, man? Why don't you " This, Kate, is what I call comfort." eat your dinner ? Are you repenting of your Mr. Griswold looked at the fireplace at one sins, or do you see anything peculiar about end of the room, filled with blazing hickory- that side of the room? For the last ten min- logs which sent a bright, cheerful glow all utes, you've been looking at that wall, and over the room, at the viands before him not seen it either, I'll be bound. What is it, which he had not yet touched, and his half- Harry, a ghost or what?" said Mr. Griswold. emptied bottle of wine and his London stout. " Nothing, uncle, I forgot myself, that's all, The warmth of the room, the bright light, as great thinkers will do, now and then. I good dinner, the rich wine, had a delicious lost myself in my own thoughts." taste of comfort to him, which was tacitly in- "Leave your great thoughts and finish creased, when he saw his late fellow-pas- your dinner, while I see about rooms." So sengers hurrying out of the room, to continue saying, Mr. Griswold rose from the table to their disagreeable ride. make arrangements for the night. " Kate," said he, seeing that Miss Tilden " Kate," said Harry, " I've not thoroughly made no sign of going, " isn't that woman decided upon any plan by which I may get going to leave us ?" the fifty pounds, but if anything happens,

"I believe not, uncle. She says that it don't be surprised." would never do for her to be alone with so " Tres Men, I'll be prepared." many men, and so she'll stay with us." Mr. Griswold soon returned. He had not "O thunder. I'm almost inclined to go on been able to procure a private parlor as he again." had desired, but the landlord told him that " Too late now, uncle," said Kate; for just there was no one staying in the house besides at that moment she heard the driver crack their party and the Tildens, and, as the night his whip, and the coach go off. was stormy, there probably would be no one "I wish her brother would take care of in the common sitting-room of the tavern, her," said Mr. Griswold, looking at a stout and they might have that room entirely to gentleman who sat side of Miss Tilden, and themselves. This was very satisfactory to who seemed to be the very reverse of his them all, and they withdrew to their separate sister. Throughout most of the ride in the apartments, to make such changes in their stage-coach he had slept, and now he never dress as they saw fit. opened his mouth except to eat his dinner. Mr. Griswold was the first to descend to the Meantime Harry Rogers was thinking how sitting-room; he had donned his comfortable he could get fifty pounds from his uncle. He dressing-gown and put on a pair of slippers. knew that he could get it eventually, but he These articles of apparel he always took with wanted it that evening. His uncle was very him, whenever he went more than ten miles generous, and always gave him whatever from home. He drew the only easy-chair in money he asked for ; but he liked to be teased the room before the grate, and unfolding one for it, and to deliver lectures on economy, of the many newspapers he had brought with and the sin of extravagance. Harry was not, him, proceeded to make himself comfortable. in reality, an extravagant person; but a Presently Kate and Miss Tilden entered the young man at Oxford needs considerable room. Mr. Griswold was determined not to money, and Harry liked t© be as free with his have that woman, as he called her, talk at money as other students. How could he get him as she had done most of the journey, and fifty pounds from his uncle that night? He so pretended not to hear the many remarks must do it, somehow. Mr. Griswold would that lady made to attract his attention, but pardon any joke he might play on him, for he devoted himself, apparently, entirely to his —

The Mesmerizer. 75 newspaper. Kate, however, saw he could not stranger, for a stranger he certainly was, read a word. Miss Tilden kept up a flow of neither Harry, nor Mr. Tilden ; nor did Mr. talk, now and then saying something that Griswold recollect having seen him at the made Mr. Griswold almost feel compelled to dinner-table. speak. Many of the remarks were so provok- The man who had entered had a long, ing that he could scarcely keep quiet. He shaggy beard and whiskers. His hair fell in knew, however, that she was doing all she disorder over his forehead, and almost down could to make him speak, and that, if he once to his shoulders. He wore no linen that was began, he would be obliged to take some part visible. A long coat, which was neither over- in the conversation. His spectacles wanted coat nor dressing-gown, hung almost down to wiping. He could scarcely see the print be- his ankles, displaying a pair of boots but fore him; but knowing that Miss Tilden hiding whatever other nether garments be would not fail to seize such an opportunity to might have on. The man might have been a address him, he refrained, and continued peddler or a quack doctor. Whatever he was, looking fixedly at the paper before him, till his Mr. Griswold was provoked that he should eyes ached. Poor man, he would have been enter the room which the landlord had said so comfortable but for that woman's tongue. they should have to themselves. Kate thoroughly enjoyed the scene. She " Kate, where's Harry ?" said Mr. Griswold. didn't pity her uncle at all. " He went out with Mr. Tilden, I believe, " My dear Miss Morton, do I look pale? do uncle." you know I almost fainted when your naughty The stranger's actions were very peculiar. uncle so frightened us about the highway- He looked out of the window, then at the men ? Does he often frighten you by such fire, then he moved to the doorway, holding wicked tricks?" up his hands as if he felt something in the " Not very often, though I think Mr. Rogers air. Mr. Griswold watched him over his was the guilty one in this case, wasn't he ?" newspaper, as he went through these per- " Was he ? no, I think not. I guess one was formances and waited for him to sit down. as bad as the other. They are all alike, these But apparently the man had no such inten- men, you know ; they do so like to frighten tion. He walked round the room slowly, us poor women." sometimes smiling to himself, sometimes Mr. Griswold apparently did not hear any frowning. Finally, his eye rested on Kate, of this talk, but he had been tempted to break and he gazed long and earnestly at her. Nor out in an indignant denial of Miss Tilden's did he seem to notice at all the angry glance assertion. He conquered the temptation and that Mr. Griswold cast upon him, nor the continued his reading. embarrassment which Kate seemed to feel u What a very thorough reader your uncle from his fixed gaze. He again repeated his is," said Miss Tilden, to Kate, just loud enough hand performances, and when he had finished to reach Mr. Griswold's ear. " He's the most these, he resumed his stare at Kate. Mr. thorough reader I ever saw. Do you know Griswold was getting indignant. Even Miss that he has been reading that page of the Tilden was at a loss what to do, or how to paper ever since we came in?" behave.

This was very true, and Kate knew it. "Wonderful," muttered the stranger,

" Perhaps there is something very interest- "most wonderful. Nature is concordant ing on it." man probably discordant. So, so, so, so, thus " Why, there's nothing but advertisements. runs away the opportunity of entering upon Not a single thing else, I know." the dreamy realms of a celestial Utopia."

This was tantalizing, but Mr. Griswold still " Sir," said Mr. Griswold, determined to put kept his eyes fixed on the page before him, an end to such nonsense, " did you address which was, indeed, covered with advertise- me?" ments. Soon he heard a step along the "And of seizing from the other world what passage-way and some one entered the room. therein is." And he looked sadly at Kate and

It was not Harry's step, and he supposed it shook his head slowly. was Mr. Tilden. The ladies, however, did Mr. Griswold would put up with such not speak, but ceased from their conversation actions no longer. entirely. Who could have entered that would " Sir," said he, angrily, " do you not see that have such an effect upon them? Mr. Gris- your gaze is offensive to the young lady ? She wold put down his paper and looked at the is my ward, and I shall not suffer any man to " " ! "

The Mesmerizer. look at her as you are looking. I say, do you very uneasy under this earnest gaze, but tried hear?" to look unconcerned. "Tour ward?" says the stranger, by no " I don't know whether you are a good sub- means disconcerted by the angry tone in ject or not. Whether you and I are in " which Mr. Griswold addressed him ; your accordance. How did you feel when I looked " ward, sir?" he repeated, slowly ; she is more at you?" tflan that. She is a glorious medium between " Pretty much as I should feel when any this and another world. She may see things person was staring impudently at me." that to us do not exist. She, I say, is the " Did you feel a sort of thrill, a tingling all most peculiarly gifted person I have ever over you, an electric current going through seen. Only half a mortal, she hovers over the you?? confines of the material and immaterial. She " No, nothing of the sort." may fly into the realms of ideality, and bring "Let me try again, though first, let me to us poor creatures of clay the fruits plucked place you. Perhaps the air is adverse from the hereafter." here." " Sir, I don't understand at all. But, I re- He placed him before the fireplace. Mr. peat, I shall not allow— Griswold would have resisted, firmly con- " Sir, I am a mesmerizer. Nay, start not vinced that all mesmerism was nonsense, but I am not, as you see, like other men. I have he thought of his money, and how the mes- power in my fingers to seal the eyelids of men, merizer would attribute his unwillingness to to put them into a trance from which they fear, and submitted to the trial. The mes- never will waken till I by mystic passes re- merizer now took a candle from the table and awaken them." held it within two inches of Mr. Griswold's " Nonsense." right eye. " In this sleep, or trance, I can send the " Now look me in the eye," he said. mind to the uttermost parts of the earth, ay, Mr. Griswold felt his legs getting uncom- to the depths of the sea, and they will answer fortably warm, so warm that he thought his whatever questions I may put them relative clothes must be scorching. Then the light, to things in those localities." too, so near his eye, made them water pain- " How strange !" said Miss Tilden. fully. Meanwhile the mesmerizer was look- "All stuff and nonsense. I've heard of such ing fixedly at him, right in that poor right eye, humbugs before. I believe I have possession and at the same time was gesticulating with of this room for this evening— his right hand slowly. Mr. Griswold bore up "Humph!" interrupted the stranger. "I under his sufferings with the patience of a laugh your scoffs to scorn. They proceed from martyr. the ignorance of a bigoted brain. I dare you " Do you feel the sympathetic thrill ?" said to a trial. Let me try my power. If I Fail, I the mesmerizer. give you ten pounds." "I feel most uncomfortably warm," said "And if you succeed, I give you ten times Mr. Griswold. ten." " I thought so. It's coming. I see in your " 'Tis well. The pounds are mine. We'll right eye signs of its influence. You close the place them in this box. There are my ten lid frequently, and the sympathetic humor is pounds." evident." Mr. Griswold had no intention of making " My eye waters because the light is so near. any wager; but as he had spoken, he thought Whose wouldn't?" lie could not draw back, and placed ten ten- " Spirits sympathetic of the ideal world,* pound notes in the little box in which the began the mesmerizer. mesmerizer had deposited his money. What " I say, how long is this to last ? I feel as a plague this man was; he might frighten wide awake as ever." " Kate, and, at any rate, had spoiled the even- Don't be impatient ! All is going on right. ing for them. He regretted he had not turned You are a bad subject, and you wink so often him out of the room ' at first. Where was that you seriously impede the current. If Harry all this time, he wondered. That he you'll only look at me without winking,— I should be left alone with two women and a think by the end of a quarter of an hour mesmerizer, was too much. Meantime, the "Quarter of an hour? Zounds, man, I man was looking fixedly at him, as if he would should have no sight at all by that time, and read his very thoughts. Mr. Griswold felt I'm almost roasted already. I'll have no more " " " : !;

The Mesmerizer. of this nonsense. I've had too much of it " I'll give you five minutes then, and no already." more." " " Nonsense ! how dare you speak so of the 'Tis sufficient. Young lady, look at me. sublime gift ? It is as much beyond the com- Now keep silent." prehension of your thick skull as I am above Mr. Griswold took out his watch to count you. Because you've lost a hundred pounds— the minutes. The mesmerizer made a few "Lost a hundred pounds? You didn't passes in the air with his hands. They seemed mesmerize me." to have a wonderful effect on Kate. Her " That wasn't my fault. I would have done eyes closed, her head fell back. so had you given me time. You, yourself, ac- " Why, Kate, what are you about ?" said Mr. knowledge the premonitory symptoms of the Griswold. sympathetic thrill." " Hush, you must not speak. The current "Sympathetic nonsense! I acknowledged— is flowing smoothly and swiftly." being burned and almost blinded " What i3 the girl about ? A minute ago " Very well, sir, we'll try again." she was wide awake. Wake up, Kate." " No, you don't. I'm not going to sacrifice It was wonderful, certainly. Kate, in about my sight or life to such ridiculous foolery. sixty seconds, had fallen sound asleep.

You may take your money and I'll take mine, Her head reclined on the back of her chair. and then, if you'll honor us by your absence, Sbe attempted to rouse herself when her well forgive you all your humbug." uncle spoke, but sleep overpowered her. Hot " Sir, by insulting my science you insult me. eyes were closed, and she breathed regularly Nor shall I allow your fear of losing your but apparently with difficulty. Mr. Griswold money to keep me from my rights. I will was astounded. He did not know what to show you how great my power is. Either of make of it. Miss Tilden was equally amazed these ladies I will mesmerize in five minutes. so much so that she said nothing. Mr. Gris- If I do not succeed, I will return the money." wold believed there was deception somewhere " You may try as long as you please with —but where it was it puzzled him to telL that lady, if she's willing. As for the other, Kate to all appearance was sound asleep. I wont have her subjected to such nonsense." " Sir, I think we have proceeded far enough. " O, I should never survive any one looking I'm going to wake her. How you put her at me so. It's dreadful. It would kill me, I asleep I don't know, but I suppose you have know it would." used some preparation of chloroform. I shall

" Very well, I'll try it with this young lady wake her, at any rate. Kate, Kate, wake then." UP-" " " No, you don't, sir. I wont allow it" Sir, your voice cannot wake her. This is " I'm not afraid, uncle. Not a bit." not a common sleep. Though you shook her " I don't care. I wont have such a man ever so hard you would not rouse her. Hush fooling with you." she is ready to speak. Lady, where are you'?" " Sir, I forgive your ignorance and prejudice, As if impelled by the mesmerizer's will, she as it is perhaps not unnatural from one who, answered even against his will, has felt my power. " I am in a room, and, by the furniture, I

With a few passes you will see this young should know it was a man's room ; there are lady in a deep trance. She is an excellent crieket-bats, and fishing-rods, and a rifle, and subject, as I assured you. If I do not succeed, boxing-gloves. Yes, it must be Harry Rogers's I return the money." room, for his name is on the rifle. I can see

" Return it ? why you haven't got it yet." it plainly." " " No, but I regard it as virtually mine. As Zounds, girl, I don't understand this non- a man of honor, you couldn't refuse it. Young sense at all." " lady, if you will— There are several bills on the table, all " Kate, I am not going to have your sight unpaid. Some notes, too, asking Mr. Rogers injured at your age. My eyes ache now." to pay them at once, as there is danger of

" There is no need of the light in this starvation, or being turned out of house and case. She can keep her position, just where home if he does not. One is from his washer- she is." woman, and another from his shoemaker. On " Do, uncle, only for a few minutes. I'm the table lies an open note besides. It is in wide awake enough now, and I don't think it Harry's handwriting. I can read it. It is very probable I shall be asleep very soon." directed to hid creditors, and tells them not to "

78 Adeline's Engagement. despair. He is going to his uncle who is the me. The wig and whiskers were mine, soul of generosity. He will pay their bills, he however." will not have the heart to refuse. Meantime, " How strange !" said Miss Tilden. " Yo« he must go to the city to see his uncle and gentlemen act so queerly." get a dress for the masquerade party Sady u But, Harry, you must give me back my Batchelder intends to give. He has decided money, half, at any rate." to take the part of a mesmerizer— "To the victor belong the spoils, uncle. " O, you rascal, you have been playing me a You ought to have given me fifty, and the trick, have you ? Serving your uncle in this other fifty is no more than the sympathetic way, but it isn't too late, yet." Mr. Griswold thrill is worth." made a dive at the box containing the money, " Sympathetic nonsense. If ever you play but Harry was before him. They turned over any more such pranks I wont give you a the table in their haste, but Harry got posses- shilling." sion of the box. " O Mr. Griswold, that's too hard. I'm sure "All's fair in love and war, uncle, and this I've been vastly amused. Now you wont be was war." Harry had torn off his wig and so cruel, will you, for my sake, if not for his," false whiskers, and now stood laughing at his said Miss Tilden. uncle. " Humph !" said Mr. Griswold, " I think it " But, Harry, you didn't have that old coat time for us all to be in bed." And he depart- in your valise, did y«u ?" ed, not entirely displeased that he had been

" No, uncle, I got the landlord to lend it to tricked out of his money.

=4-

ADELINE'S ENGAGEMENT.

BY KATE PUTNAM.

Mrs. Wayne Williams had given one of " I have surely heard a report of something her highly successful parties, to which, ac- like an engagement or at least a liking be- cording to her usual custom, she had invited tween Miss lioscoe and Leigh Milburne." her dear five hundred friends, or as many of " Leigh Milburne !" repeated the first them, at least, as she could crowd into her speaker, scornfully. " Yes, I dare say he is rooms. Fashionable and brilliant, however, dangling about her, but he will have his labor as were all the members of this large company, for his pains. Do you imagine any one would we must pass over the majority for the few look twice at him when she might have John with whom we have to do. Hathaway ?" Half hidden in the voluminous drapery of " I shouldn't, I know," answered the other, " a heavy curtain, Leigh Milburne stood listen- with a laugh. He is particularly unpleasant ing to a conversation which was evidently in to me ; but ladies are mysterious. You never a high degree disagreeable to him. It was know what to expect of them." carried on by two persons who stood with " Nobody likes him," said the first, senten- their backs towards him, quite unaware of tiously. " He hasn't a shadow of a chance his vicinity. against Hathaway." " There'll be one of the engagements of the With that the speakers moved on and were season, I fancy," said one, looking at a slender, lost in the crowd. dark-haired girl in another part of the room, The subject of this rather unflattering dia- over whom a tall, fair young man was logue remained in his place of retirement, bending. looking out with a face whose habitual pallor " Hathaway and Miss Roscoe ?" queried the had yielded to no flush, only growing, if possi- other, following the glance of the first. " It ble, whiter yet. Anger, or indeed emotion of looks like it just now, certainly, but I never any kind, always had this effect on him, in- thought of it in that way before." tensifying his peculiarities. The colorless " You might as well begin now, then, for, cheek grew more ashen; the cold blue eye depend upon it, it will be a settled thing colder; the thin lip took a more rigid line, before long." and the usual repose of manner froze into an

"But," persisted the other, still doubtfully. unnatural quiet. So it was, that, for some :

Adeline's Engagement. 79 time, he stood still within the recess, watch- tain any idea of making a scene, but not the ing Miss Roscoe and her companion. One less did he find it rather hard to have his could judge nothing from the impassive face, pleasure and convenience set aside thus un- but in those few minutes he was weighing ceremoniously by Leigh Milburne. For, probabilities, and maturing a future course of however he might console himself with the action. This decided, he walked across the thought that he had only yielded for Addie's room and approached the subject of his sake, he knew very well that the occasion had thoughts. been a triumph for Milburn over one to whom It did not need a close observer to perceive he owed an ancient grudge. But this natu- how the color deepened in Adeline Roscoe's rally mortifying conclusion sensible John put cheek as this man advanced towards her. out of his mind, "for Addie's sake," only Leigh Milburne was a close observer, and we setting it down as one more proof of Leigh may be sure that those blue eyes saw the Milburne's general disagreeableness, and re- blood mount consciously, and interpreted with solving to speak to Addie before it was too unerring accuracy its minutest ebb and flow. late. But neither eyes, nor voice, nor manner be- When he claimed his partner for the next trayed such a knowledge, as he addressed her. dance, Leigh Milburne, as he resigned her, "Miss Roscoe, the next waltz is mine, I murmured in a tone intentionally audible to believe ?" John's ear She hesitated a moment, and John Hatha- "After this, you must not wr altz again to- way answered for her. night with any one but me. Will you give " I beg your pardon, Mr. Milburne, but I me your promise ?" think the next waltz is mine. Surely, Addie, And, with flushed cheek and drooping lids, you remember promising it to me ?" he added, she gave it. Then John took her away, turning to her. greatly fearing, as he felt the tremble of the Before she could reply, Leigh Milburne hand upon his arm, that his warning would spoke again. come too late. " If Miss Roscoe does remember, I think Full of his subject, he entered on it at the she will admit that I have a prior claim." very earliest opportunity. His voice had not risen above the custom- "Addie," he began, " we have known each ary society level, his manner was impassive other so long and well, that you seem almost as ever as he stood playing with her bouquet, like a sister whom I am bound to watch over which he had taken, his face bowed upon the and take care of. Will you think of that, and fragrant blossoms in apparently exclusive en- let me speak just as if I really stood in Walter's joyment of their sweetness, but above them, place?" two watchful blue eyes were fixed on her, " I am sure you have always been as kind whose covert scrutiny, felt rather than seen, as a brother to me, John," she answered, " fault confused while it swayed her. warmly, and—and you may find any — hesitation " I—I don't know—" she faltered, " I sup- you choose—with me " with a notice. pose it's of no consequence, John ? To avoid which did not escape his " find with any—difficulty—you wouldn't mind taking I have not the slightest fault to the next, instead of this one?" you, Addie—how could I ? but—" finding his one, " but—you know ' " Certainly not," answered John, moved by task decidedly a hard ?" forced her eager, appealing eyes. " I yield my right Mr. Milburne very well, don't you to your wish— to your wish, you understand, into abruptness at last. Addie," he repeated, emphatically, with a " Yes," she answered quickly, looking up at some unex- glance at Leigh Milburne, of which that gen- him with eyes deepening with tleman appeared sublimely unconscious, bat pressed emotion. Addie?" which he nevertheless triumphantly felt. "And—do you like him, " these questions ?" " Thank you so much, John," responded Why are you asking me then, without Miss Roscoe, looking up in his face with eyes she broke forth impetuously ; on: "You that said much more than her words. With waiting for an answer, she went I know; that she took the arm silently offered her, and are prejudiced against poor Leigh, moved away, leaving John Hathaway to re- everybody seems to be, but I do like him— hear a word flections that were not all pleasant. He had very much—and I will not been too good-natured to resist Adeline's im- against him from any one." ploring look, as he was too well-bred to enter- " You need not fear any from me, since it 80 Adelines Engagement.

is too late," replied John, quietly and gravely, the other, and in whose eyes the merest trifle as he witnessed the suppressed excitement rose to importance if it presented any oppor- betrayed by her hot cheek and heaving bosom. tunity of gaining an advantage over his There was a pause which weighed on both, enemy. On John's side there was no love before Adeline at length broke it by saying, lost. Besides that latent antipathy which hurriedly: dislike is almost sure to cause, his ideas and " I am glad you spoke as you did, John, be- principles were opposed to those of Milburne, cause I have been wanting to tell you that which, so far as he could judge, he sincerely Leigh and I are engaged." believed to be radically bad. But on John's She said this with a nervous quickness and open, kind and honest nature, the effect of without any pause, as if these were words such a belief was not to make him relish any whose utterance she had longed to get over triumph over the man whom he did not like, and done with. Again there was a silence, not simply to cause a wish to be out of his and again it was broken by her. uncongenial society. "Can't you congratulate me?" she asked, Altogether, John was heartily sorry for with a gayety that seemed hardly spontaneous. Addie, who was the sister of his most intimate

" I hope with all my heart that you may be friend, and whom he had known and loved all happy, Addie," John, so summoned, answered, his life. This contemplated marriage was a earnestly but evasively. She felt with added bitter fact for him to accept, particularly with keenness all that he did not say, and grew the added reflection with which he was con- disquieted beneath his kindly-meant reserve. tinually torturing himself, that, had he exer- " John, wont you tell me why you dislike cised more care over her welfare, he might

Leigh so much?" she pleaded, piteously, at have prevented it. That possibility had now length, as if forced to speak against her will. passed, and, as he himself had said, the only John Hathaway hesitated for a moment way was to make the best of the inevitable. before making his decision. But very strongly did he resolve to keep a ' Let us say no more about it, Addie," he constant watch on the future. To him alone replied, kindly. "It is unwise, I think, to had the secret of the engagement been at talk of what cannot possibly do any good. present confided, and he rejoiced that he at

The only way is to make the best of the least would be able to be her guardian, should inevitable." she ever require one. Had Hathaway repeated to himself the As the weeks passed on, Leigh Milburne question which Adeline had asked of him, he began to find even this unacknowledged bond would have found it somewhat difficult to re- wearisome to him. To a nature constituted turn a satisfactory answer. Why did he so like his, the mere fact that a promise rested dislike Leigh Milburne ? For reasons which on him was reason sufficient for breaking were scarcely admissible as such, so vague away from it into the untrammelled freedom, and indefinite were they. His habits were without law or limit, which suited him best. much on a par with those of most young men, He was impatient of the slightest control. but there was a certain lack of humanity in For Adeline Roscoe he really cared compara- him, which seemed to make the commonest tively little. It was simply that he liked her action exceptional and individual. There better than any other girl whom he had seen. was a deliberateness about his faults that had That which had magnified into importance the effect of taking them out of the usual this flirtation—for such indeed it had been on category of the failings of youth, and thrusting his side—was the fancy of John Hathaway's them forth as sins that had been planned and rivalry. From the moment when he discover- executed in cold blood. ed that John's intimacy was not that of love,

It is hardly to be expected that such a but of friendship of long standing, he began character should be a favorite, and indeed to feel his intended marriage an error, and to

Leigh Milburne was generally unpopular. wish to escape from it. And a strong wish But with John Hathaway there was a deeper generally finds its own accomplishment. feeling yet. From boyhood there had been One evening John Hathaway, who was al- an instinctive antagonism between the two. most like a son of the house in the Roscoe John's presence seemed to call out and in- mansion, in his search for his friend Walter, tensify the worst points in the nature of Leigh opened the door of the little parlor—half Milburne, who was ready to do or say any- boudoir half music-room—in which Adeline thing which he conceived to be repugnant to was often found with her piano and harp. " : :

Adeline's Engagement. 81

Tins time her back was towards him, and, in He, at least, has a brother's right to know." his haste, just perceiving her presence by the " No, no," cried Adeline, in excitement, as sweep of her robe on the carpet, he had ad- soon as she could speak. " Walter must never dressed her before he saw that her head was know—never! He would do something ter- bowed on her hands, and her whole frame rible—he is so rash—and it would kill me." shaking convulsively. " Tell me, then," persisted John, through all " Why, Addie, what is the matter? are you his trouble and perplexity seeing only one ill?" he cried, anxiously, advancing to her course clear before him, " and I give you my side. There was no answer, and he repeated word of honor that no other human being, not his inquiry. Then, as if with effort, she even Walter, shall ever hear it from me. Dear raised her face, and he saw that it was tear- Addie, I hate to vex you so, but you do not stained, and that her eyes were full of tears, realize how important it is that one of us "Addie, dear," he said, tenderly, kneeling by should know it." her so as to bring his face on a level with Adeline lifted her head again, and leaned it hers, " what is this? I must know." back wearily against her chair. " Don't ask me, John," she answered, draw- " There is not much to tell," she said, with ing her breath hard in the effort to speak a sort of bitter scorn of her own emotion steadily. " If you have any kindness for me, which told how deeply her heart must have ask me no questions." been wounded, " only that my engagement of !" He was silent for a moment, thinking. Then marriage is over forever he said, abruptly: " But Walter must learn that some time ?"

" Only one thing. Has it anything to do " Yes, but I shall only say that I broke it ?" with Leigh Milburne off—which is true enough, only—he—lie left; Her face crimsoned suddenly; she turned me no choice," she added, with a dumb sob her head aside, but did not speak. John drew under her breath which went to John's heart, up a chair, and, sitting close beside her, began for the moment taking from him the power to speak, tenderly, but very gravely of speech. " God knows I have feared something like It was she who broke the following silence. this for you, Addie ! So long as speaking was Rising from her chair and standing erect, her useless, I have kept silence, but it would be a eyes looking out with the feverish brilliancy sin to do so now. Addie, will you tell me of tears from the face that weeping had paled what he has done—or shall I go to him ?" not flushed, she spoke in steady, even tones, " Neither," she cried, quickly ; then, sore the latent pride underlying the girlish softness with her suffering, exclaimed, sharply, " why "of her nature, at last asserting itself in this will you not leave me alone ?" crisis " Because I know that no small thing could " I have told you what you wished to know, have moved you so—and because I know what John, and now I have a request to make of Leigh Milburne is," he added, between his set you; that this may never again be mentioned^ teeth. "Addie, if I seem to intrude rudely on between us. I do not wish to recall what has yon, it is only my anxiety for my dear little gone by forever ; I would forget that it ever sister— has been—forget his very name, if I could. " Forgive me," she said, softening instantly. By-and-by, when every one knows, I suppose "I did not know what I was saying, for the there will be enough to keep it in my mind suffering—O John, it is hard to bear!" with their wonderings and gossip; but the And again her face fell on her hands, while ones who leave me in peace, I shall think my the suppressed sobs wrenched her slender only true friends. I believe I should grow to throat with a terrible violence. As John hate a person who continually reminded me Hathaway sat there, powerless, and witnessed of this—and I don't want to hate you, dear, her pain, I think he could almost have seen good John!" Leigh Milburne put through any form of In spite of pride and resolution, her voice torture without one throb of relenting. trembled a little as she said this last, and she "Addie," he said, presently, with something left the room at once, as if not daring to trust like a quiver in his own voice, " it almost kills herself to speak another word. So unlike the me to see you suffer so and not be able to help sportive, half-childish girl whom he had you. Perhaps I could do something, if you known, was the dignity and lofty strength of would confide in me, but I will not urge you her suddenly-matured womanhood, that John any more if you will promise to tell Walter. had bowed his head before her in silence^ ":

82 Adeline's Engagement, without an attempt at remonstrance or gether, John broke a long silence by asking consolation. abruptly It was well that John had given his word "Addie, do you know that Leigh Milburne in no wise to betray the confidence which is coming back in a few weeks ?"

Adeline Roscoe had granted him ; for, when Her face flushed a little, but she answered, he next saw Leigh Milburne, the blood fairly- quietly, "Yes." boiled in his veins, and it needed all the John gave the reins an impatient shake, restraint of his honor to prevent some out- and again there was a silence. Presently he ward demonstration, of not too gentle a sort, asked, " Have you ever seen him since ?" of his feelings. As it was, he contented him- He did not say since when, nor did she self perforce, with a single mute look, straight ask. There was no need. That scene was into his eyes, of such unutterable contempt too clearly branded on the memory of each to as might be supposed capable of stinging into leave a shade of doubt. She only answered shame any nature not wholly lost to self- " No," in the same undemonstrative way. respect. Then, without a word of reply to Such a manner gave John no clue to her his salutation, he turned away. feelings, and forced him to persist, even at the As for Leigh Milburne himself, he was not risk of wounding her. particularly easy in mind. With all his dis- " But you will see him when he returns ?" regard of ordinary principle, he had a curious he said. " Here in New York you must meet, desire for the respect—or its semblance, at of course. Have you ever thought, Addie, of least—of those whose feelings he outraged. how you will meet?" That John Hathaway should openly manifest The chord was touched at length. She his scornful condemnation of Milburne's con- turned her head aside, but tears that would duct was something for which the latter was not be restrained trembled on her lashes, and quite unprepared. Strange as it may seem, fell slowly. John could remember the time that silent contempt he could have borne when every one of her tears seemed to burn better from one whom he liked, than from into his heart with a sensation almost of one whom he hated, and, while detesting physical agony; but now the sight did not John far more than when there was an ap- soften him. He spoke more harshly than he pearance of civility between them, he was had ever before spoken to her, or, indeed, to conscious, at the same time, of an added wish any woman. for his good opinion. On the whole, affairs "Addie," he said, " can you grieve still for had not turned out quite in accordance with such a— his expectations, and he concluded that it He checked himself, apparently just on the might conduce to his comfort to put distance verge of some outburst such as he rarely between himself and the other actors in the indulged in, and awaited her reply. She scene. So, bidding "his native land good- answered quite calmly, though the tears yet night," he joined himself to the company of stood in her eyes. the travel—bound on board one of the Euro- " Not for him, but for myself; for the love pean steamers. and trust I threw away, and the unquestion- The better part of a year had passed since ing happiness I never can have again. I that time, and all the while no allusion had made a great mistake, John, and 1 must been made between John Hathaway and suffer for it." Adeline Roscoe to the subject which she had With the last words, her voice trembled so once so strictly forbidden. It was not for as to be almost inaudible. Presently John lack of opportunity, however, for John was in said, but this time very softly: her company more than ever, always ready "I hope that the suffering, which came with some little scheme to interest or amuse through no fault of yours, is over for you her. Nor was it that the recollection had now. Why should not that first happiness ?" passed from the mind of either. Often and come back ? unless—you love him still often, had they spoken the thought that lay He loo"ked at her searchingly, but she said deepest of all, the words would have brought nothing. * back the pain and the sorrow of that vanished " What else could prevent?" he went on. day. But, if they did not forget, they seemed Still she did not speak nor look at him, but to do so; on that subject the lips of both beneath his gaze a deepening flush began to were closed. ' displace the paleness of her tears. For some But one day, as they were riding out to- moments he did not remove his eyes from her " —

Adeline's Engagement. S3 face, and when he turned away and spoke, it her name. As he watched her, the interest was in a voice not perfectly under his control. which, in the old time, had been wont to " "You told ine once, Addie," he said, never draw him to her side, revived, and he began allude to this subject, to or you might learn to wonder if he had not been too hasty in to hate me. All this time, until now, I have undoing the bond that held her to him then. scrupulously obeyed your wish; to-day, I Adeline Roscoe had always had a charm disregarded it, have because—because I for this man such as no other woman pos- think I could bear anything better than sessed ; as much as he could love any one, he indifference." had probably loved her. Looking at her now, She did not speak; indeed, she seemed the old feeling awoke, the old desire to fasci- hardly capable of speech in the increasing nate her into unconsciousness of anything agitation which showed itself in her quick save himself came back, and, under these and unequal breathing. influences, he did a thing which a bolder "There shall be no room for misunder- man even than he might, in his sane mind, standing," said John, after waiting in vain for hesitate to do ; he deliberately advanced and an answer. "I love you, Addie. Will you addressed her, offering his hand. come to me, and let me give you back the In spite of pride and self-command, a flood happiness that you think is lost forever? Tell of crimson rushed over Adeline's face at this !" me that you will come, Addie action, for which she was so totally unpre- She answered, at length, in a low voice, still pared. This blush strengthened Milburne's keeping her face averted. hopes ; he did not appear to notice that she " It is too unequal—I have no right to such had ignored his extended hand, but began to an advantage. Keep your heart, John, for talk with just the old tone and manner, trying some more fortunate woman, who can make to bring back the former terms of intimacy. you the return you deserve, instead of wasting For a moment Adeline hesitated, then, seem- it on such an one as I am—slighted and ing to come to some understanding — with her- forsaken self, she took her place in the conversation

"Addie, hush ! I will not hear such words, naturally and easily. There was no constraint ©ven from you," interrupted John, almost in her manner; she put no barrier of coldness angrily; adding, the next moment, tenderly, or reserve between them, and yet Leigh Mil- " Darling, what does it matter to any one, if "burne could not rid himself of an uneasy

I am satisfied ? Satisfied ! what a word for perception that a more insurmountable bar- such happiness as mine would be! I ask rier than either of these prevented his near only one question, Do you still regret that approach. He wished that she would not that man? do you care for him, Addie?" smile and speak so naturally; that her eye As he finished his anxious appeal, he looked would not meet his so frankly; that there imploringly towards her. She did not keep was more hesitation, more consciousness him long in suspense. Turning her face full about her. The iciest dignity, the bitterest upon him, a soft, glad smile in her eyes and anger, would have been far preferable to this about her lips, she said, simply: unaffected self-possession, which resisted, al- "I love only you, John. I think I have most as if ignorant of any attack, his most loved you ever since I can remember." subtle efforts to conquer it. Finally, desperate from repeated failure, he When Leigh Milburne returned to New determined on some direct allusion to their York, of necessity he encountered Adeline former relations. If he risked all and lost, he Roscoe, whose social circle was the same as could hardly be worse off, he thought, than his own. To this meeting he had frequently in this state of uncertainty, where success looked forward with more of curiosity, not to could be only negative. His power over her use a stronger word, than he would willingly might be dead, or it might be simply latent. have admitted, even to himself. How she If it could be revived, all would go well ; but would look, what she would say and do, were this could be done in no other way than by questions which he had put to himself twenty transporting her, as it were, back into the times, and answered in at least as many dif- old time, and surrounding her with the ferent ways. Now, looking at her after an warmth and tenderness of the old love, until absence of nearly a year, he beheld a woman she forgot that it had ever been taken away. more graceful, attractive and beautiful, by "Adeline," he said, lowering his voice, and, far, than the girl whom he remembered by for the lirot time, venturing to use that name, " " " — "

84 Adeline's Engagement.

" during my absence there was but one want grossment of her own thoughts. Was it really which I could not supply as readily there as I, or another?" here—nothing could give me back the old "Yes," he reiterated, jealous of her self- associations. Another country could satisfy absorption, " you loved me once, not so long my taste and my intellect, but not my heart. ago. Why not think of the change from that "Ah," he continued, as if thinking aloud, "I time to this as a dream, and let all be the can comprehend the sickness of despair with same as it was then ? I know my life has which a lost spirit might remember the held little that was real or pleasant since." !" heaven it had forfeited "No, Leigh," she replied, in spite of all that He sighed and raised his eyes to hers, but had gone, half-pitying him for the earnestness hers were cast down, and she did not speak. that had come too late for anything save Encouraged by this, his next words were disappointment, " all cannot be the same, more direct. because, even though nothing else may have "Adeline," he said, again, " I have heard it changed, I have changed. I look back on said that a madman's fury will turn especially myself of a year ago as on a different person, against the one whom he loves most. In just and I see what it was that she loved in you, such a fit of mental blindness, my insanity and I know that I could—never love it, even if threw away all that I hold dearest, my happi- I wished to. And now ness in this world and my hope in the next. "Now?" he repeated, as she hesitated. Do you understand me?" "Now I should never wish to, for my heart But she stood before him speechless, her and my wish go together," she said, in a low gaze still bent downward. voice, a soft color overspreading her cheek as " We were not always the strangers that we she met the eyes of John Hathaway, who had seem to-night," he said. " Once—once— just entered the room, and was advancing With that he would have taken her hand, towards her in happy unconsciousness of the but she drew it back, and, for the first time presence of Leigh Milburne. for some minutes, looked unwaveringly in Adeline Roscoe had sought no revenge and his face. desired none ; but had her glance, her tone " Mr. Milburne," she said, " you use a lan- and words, been premeditated to that end, guage which I cannot comprehend. I am no they could not have cut more deeply into the adept in this mysterious half-speech." soul of the man beside her. Defeated in "Since you allow me, then, I will speak everything, love, pride and revenge, with plainly— white cheek and lip, he shrank away from " Or—not at all," she interposed. " What the approach of the man, whom, out of all the if we change the subject altogether?" world, he had detested, and whom he now

" Not till I have spoken," he said, quickly, hated with a tenfold hatred for gaining all seeing in her avoidance of the question only that he himself had lost. a fear of the test to which she would be sub- His punishment was just, no doubt; he jected. "After that, do as you will with me deserved to suffer. But, granting so much, my fate will be settled. Adeline, have you was ever any misery lightened by a recogni- quite forgotten the old love, the promise that tion of its righteousness ? I think his bitterest you gave me once ?" enemy might have afforded to pity him that " I have forgotten neither my promise nor night my release from it," answered Adeline, stead- John Hathaway never knew the substance ily. Have you forgotten the last, Mr. Milburne, of that interview. Adeline loved Leigh Mil- that you are so ready to recall it?" burne no longer; as she had told him, her Still he misinterpreted her cold calmness heart was given to John, and given faithfully, as wounded pride, and was neither abashed without the shadow of reserve. But she had

nor discouraged. . loved this man once, and, in this memory, she " I cannot forget my own madness," he kept his secret; besides, it was not her way " said, despondently ; but, Adeline, can noth- to talk of such things. To her, that evening's ing make it possible for you to forgive ? Yoa scene had given neither triumph nor pleasure, loved me once— but a pitying sadness for the hopeless passion " Did I ever love you ?" repeated Adeline, that was real too late. So she kept his secret, almost unconscious of his presence in the en- and he passed out of her peaceful, happy life. :

BalloxCs Monthly Magazine. 85

OLD HUGH'S LOOK-OFF —OR,— MAURY STORE'S PRIDE. BY AMETHYST WAYNE.

CHAPTER XII. " I didn't know there was anything against We had a pretty scene of it presently. him. He was here with Dr. Polisher's Ambrose, the keeper of the houee, and Joe school," stammered the man. Stephens, both came hurrying up from the " I know, it is a shame and a disgrace in yacht, and the skipper of the Nautilus with Dr. Polisher to allow him with our children. half his crew, and they found me lying on my I, for one, will protest against it. He has back, with Mrs. Motley standing over me, and taken from a closet up stairs a box that be- Andrew searching my pockets. longed to me. And he shall give it up," said " !" What ! what cried Joe Stephens. Mrs. Motley. " There's no sign of any box, marm," said " How should a box of yours come in this

Andrew. house?" demanded I.

" But he had it, I saw him have it," repeated She gave me a withering glance. the lady, eyeing me with ireful glances. " I do not explain matters to vagabonds like " Joe, will you lend me a hand to get up ?" you. Are you sure that you searched every I said, pretty coolly. pocket, Andrew?" Joe whirled Andrew away, and I rose to " Yes'm," returned Andrew, meekly. my feet. By this time Joe Stephens had woke up. "You little villain! what have you done His swarthy face flushed, there was a sharp with my box ?" demanded Mrs. Motley. kindling in his eye which showed me that had " I haven't ever touched any box that be- it only been a man there would have been longed to you," returned I, stoutly. more summary proceedings. "What is the trouble, madam?" inquired "Look a here, marm," said he, planting Mr. Ambrose, as soon as astonishment would himself before her. "I reckon you've for- let him speak. gotten the time when this boy and I were "How dare you be so careless as to allow something a little better than vagabonds. I've such creatures as he in the house?" asked heard tell before now that to pull a man she, snappishly. out of the water was to make an enemy, but

[Entered according to Act of Congress, In the year 1867, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts.] $6 Old Hugh's Look-off.

I didn't suppose saving a woman's life made some ways, feeling with my feet for any hard sure of such insult as this." object. All in vain. While I was still search-

"Hush! hush!" whispered the skipper of ing, a light sail-boat shot out from a little " the Nautilus. Don't forget she's a lady ; it's natural cave. It had a single occupant, and Mrs. Motley, man." about all I could see of him was a pair of " Humph !" retorted the undaunted Joe, slender shoulders, and a glossy black beard " I don't usually have to be told to know a under a wide-brimmed Panama hat. lady. ' Handsome is that handsome does,' is "What are you hunting for?" asked he, my rule. Come, Maury, if you want to go to lifting the hat brim just enough to show me a the shore, come along." pair of brilliant black eyes. " Mrs. Motley had turned to the skipper of For a shell-box I threw over the cliff. O

the Nautilus, her face almost purple with sir, if you have only found it," answered I. rage. " How came you by it ? What business had " Will you stand there, Captain Hardy, and you with it ?" demanded he.

see me insulted ? I tell you that boy must " It belongs to my mother. Her name is on not go. He has stolen something of the the cover," answered I, promptly. utmost importance to me." He was silent for several minutes, and I I sidled a little closer to Joe. The stanch felt those magnetic eyes searching me over.

old sailor was worth a dozen of them, and " You wont find it. Some one picked it up.

they seemed aware of it. I was under the cliff, and saw it," said he, " I—really, madam, I don't know what you gravely. want," stammered the skipper. "O dear, O dear!" returned I, dismally; "A box, a shell-box," repeated she, eagerly. " that is almost as bad as if Mrs. Motley had

" He had it in his hand. I came down on got it." purpose for it. I have hunted for it ever so " Where is Mrs. Motley ?" questioned he. long, and I must have it." " Up there at the house. I threw the box

"A box with my mother's name on it, Joe," down because she was trying to get it from said I, indignantly. "I only wish I hadn't me. Could you tell me who picked it up, so thrown it away, when I was so hard pressed." I might get it again?" " Thrown it away !" ejaculated Mrs. Motley, " Perhaps I might, and then again I might looking all around with quick, eager glances. not be able. I must go now, but I'll see you

"Andrew, Dixon, all of you, go to looking for again. Where do you live, and what is your it, and bring it to me unopened." And she name ?" went hurriedly back, looking anxiously over I told him, and while I was speaking he the track I had come. took the oars and pulled into the cove again, I nudged Joe, and we walked off slowly. and disappeared as queerly as if the rock had " I want to get down on the beach below opened and swallowed him up, boat and all. the cliff; the water is shallow there, I think," I went slowly and disconsolately back to whispered I. the yacht, where my good friend was waiting. " Did you throw it there ?" asked he, in the Joe saw by my downcast look that I had same tone. not achieved my object, but did not make any I nodded ray reply. remarks until he had pushed off, and set the Joe whistled, and scratched his head. sail. When we were fairly on our way, mak- " It is my mother's, Joe. She was coming ing short tacks to get the wind, I made a down herself only for her sick headache. You clean breast of it and told him the whole know I'm honest, 1 hope!" I said, be- story. seechingly. I was pretty sure of Jbe's sympathy, for I " Of course I do. Only I'm thinking. Do knew his faith in dreams went far beyond you slip around there, and I'll get under this mine. And my expectations were not at rock and keep a talking as though you were fault. Out of his bewilderment there pres- here. Cut straight for the yacht as soon as ently came a clear, luminous smile, and the you've found it, and I'll be there in a jiffy. I old sailor reached over and took my hand and reckon they'd have hard work to catch your wrung it till I winced. " boat, if we put off." What a fool I've been, Maury ! It's all I went down cautiously, and explored the plain and clear to me now," exclaimed he. whole shore where it seemed possible the box "Clear as mud tome," returned I, dolefully. could have fallen, and waded into the water "Yes, it's all explained," muttered Joe, : —

Old Hugh's Look-off. 87 more to himself than to me; " To think I " The long paper with the red seal. In have been such a tar-blowed ninny as not to thinking about the box, I forgot it entirely. I see it before ! And all the time I've wondered put it in my pocket. That Andrew must

whatever it was that drew me so to you. have got it out. I hope no mischief will come

Your looks, too, the very same way of smiling. of it, for it said on the outside it was the last Well, well, now I see into Madam Motley's will and testament of Hugh Yelveton." flurry. There's been foul play somewhere, "Thunder! You don't mean you had that, and if that ere proud madam hasn't had her and they got it away from you ? O Maury, finger in the pie, then you may put me among Maury, that's the worst thing that has the marines." happened yet !" " Joe, what are you talking about ?" asked I. " I hope not, Joe. You see I don't think I "About this ere business of yours, Maury. had any right to bring that away, anyhow.

We must find that man again ; if you think he But wont you come in, Joe, and help me tell can put you on the track of the box, I'll run mother? I hope her headache has gone." up and down here every day for a month but " Yes, I suppose I'd better go. And look

I'll find him. Tell me over again how he here, lad, if I tip you the wink, you just slip looked." out a while. I may have a little to say tl^at I " Why, I told you I couldn' see anything couldn't talk so well with you there." for that broad-brimmed hat. But he had on So Joe went in with me. Mother was sit- a gray coat, and his whiskers were long and ting in her rocking-chair, for once without thick enough for a hermit, and his eyes were work, and turned around with a welcome black as jet. I wish you'd tell me what it is smile. " " you've discovered. Anything about me—or Here we are, mother," said I ; how is the or—" I could not keep my voice from falter- poor head? all right, I hope!" " ing, " or about my father, Joe ?" Very much improved. But I concluded Joe blew his nose, and hemmed and hawed to humor it to-night, and not sew. Ah, Mr. for a long time, and then he said Stephens, good-evening. You've been helping

" I'll tell you this much, Maury. I'm clear Maury enjoy his new prize, I suspect?" about who your father was, and a right hon- "Exactly, marm. I hope you are much orable, honest-hearted gentleman he was, or better. I was sorry to hear of your being I'm mightily mistaken. But now don't go sick," said Joe, and I thought he put on ten to pumping me with questions, because your times more obsequiousness than ever. But behaved, in mother's presence, mother is the best hand to keep such sort of then he always reckoning and map of the course, and I wont as if he was before Queen Victoria, which because he had so little go agin her will. But jest as soon as it's right, pleased me more reverence for a fine lady like Mrs. Motley. lad, I'll show you all I know. But this thing serious time, isn't going to drop. Keep your weather eye "We have had quite a marm, open, and the minute you see that man again, and Maury wanted me to come in and help tell about it," continued he, with pounce upon him. I'd go for following him him you half dozen bows interspersed between the up now, but I know there's a little inlet be- a "And I made so bold because I hind those rocks, and the Relief couldn't fol- words. doubt he's wanted you should know the good-will and ! low it up. And by this time no respect I have for you both, and to say that if on the other side. But we'll have him, we'll will honor a poor old sailor so much, I have him yet." you shall be glad to help you through this squall I never saw Joe so excited. He kept falling the best of my ability." into a brown study, ^nd then bursting forth to turned to me, looking perplexed with a sudden exclamation. But I got no My mother

alarmed ; and taking both her more out of him. I had enough indeed to and somewhat while Joe stood beyond looking keep my own mind busy. hands in mine the face, I told her the We were longer getting back, and it was us both square in quite dark when we landed. Joe helped me whole story. greatly agitated, turning very pale, to moor the Relief safely, and walked along She was crimson spots gathering with me towards my home. and then with two her cheek she started up, the tears rolling " O !" exclaimed I, suddenly, just as we were on her face. at the door, and began thrusting both hands down you could not find it ? O Maury, you into my pockets. "And that precious box ?" "What's the matter now?" asked Joe. have not lost : :

88 Old Hugh's Look-off.

" We will find it, marm," put in Joe, be- to Mr. Starkweather in. the morning, and she tween his set teeth. and he, and I, with my poor wits, will look " What was in it, mother ? was it so very after things. Shake off worrying, and be precious ?" asked I, mournfully. enough of a man not to be tormented with " My poor boy ! it held my good name, and curiosity. Good-night, lad." honor, and your rights. It held my marriage Joe couldn't have said anything better than certificate," answered she. that last, to keep me from asking questions. I Joe struck his great brawny fi>t against the said to myself that they shouldn't be bothered table all unconscious of the act, and exclaimed by my interference. I'd show them I knew hoarsely how to trust them. So I went back into the " By the Eternal, marm, we'll have it back. room, kissed mother, pretended not to see I wont see you wronged, nor his son that she was crying softly, and then went wronged !" about my tasks, getting the wood ready for My mother started, flushed again, and then morning, and a few other little jobs. I asked was paler than before. her if I shouldn't bathe her head, and she " You know ?" faltered she. signified her willingness. And then we said

MRS. MOTLEY TRYING TO INTIMIDATE MAURY.

Joe nodded, and gave me the signal, and I good-night, and went to our separate rooms. went out. In the morning, I tried to behave as if nothing had happened, and never alluded to anything exciting, for I saw how nervous she was. And CHAPTER XIII. I had my own trials to take up my thoughts, I was tired enough standing outside when I got to the academy. listening to their low murmuring tones, and The grand carriage of the Motleys was at drumming impatiently with my fingers against the door when I passed in, and just as I the outside door. But it was a good hour crossed the hall, Mrs. Motley, rustling in silk, before Joe came out. He laid his honest with a costly lace shawl over her shoulders, hand coaxingly on my shoulder swept out. " I wouldn't worry myself over it, Maury. A purple flush crept over her face as she There's them will work for you, and it's no saw and recognized me. She came up close good plaguing your young head with such to me aid hissed, rather than spoke. things. And don't talk to your mother to- " What did you do with that box? I shall night. She's pretty well used up witli what have you arrested, and taken to prison, if I has been said. Let her get quiet. She'll send do not find it. So you had better hunt it up, Old Hugh's Look-off. 89 and give it to*me without showing it to any " I will speak to my uncle to-night, and he one, I shall know, if it is opened." shall come and talk with Dr. Polisher. To " The box was not yours," answered I, as I tell you the truth, Maury, no one likes Mrs. tried to move past her. Motley, but they tolerate her haughty ways, She was so angry that she so far forgot her- because Mr. Motley is such a pleasant man. self as to strike me a smart blow on my cheek. I dare say, though, she is leader for many of "You will find out," said she. "Dr. the foolish would-be aristocrats, and Dr. Polisher is going to turn you away from the Polisher may not be so wrong about the in- academy." jury it would be to the academy. I know one

I did not wait to hear anything more, but thing, Maury, if you do leave I'll just fall in went on to the schoolroom. It was some with an old plan of uncle's. I'll have a tutor consolation to know she had not found the at home to get me ready for college, and you box. As for her threat of expulsion from the shall come and recite with me." academy, I hardly gave it credit. " O Frank, there was never anybody else so At recess Dr. Polisher called me to his good as you !" desk. It was evident he was seriously " How's that ! I'm afraid Amy would pout embarrassed. to hear you say it. She gave me all of a dozen " Maurice," said he, " what new trouble is questions to ask you. If you liked the Relief this ? Do you know you are a second time as well as ever, and if she didn't beat all the ?" accused of theft other boats, and if you would have her name " There is as much reason now as before," changed to anything else." answered I. " I couldn't like her any better than I do, " Let me hear your defence," said he. and I wouldn't have any other name unless it

I am afraid I made a bungling piece of was the 'Amy,' for all the world," answered I. work. I did not feel at liberty to tell Dr. "And when will you give us our sail ?" Polisher all the circumstances. I was con- " O Frank, you know I shall be only too scious that I gave a lame account. proud and happy just as soon as your uncle He frowned still more ominously. thinks I am fit to be trusted. Joe Stephens " I don't want to be hard with you, Maurice, has been with me showing me how to learn you are an exceedingly promising scholar; but the capabilities of the Relief. We went ever I have had a great deal of trouble, ever since so far down, to the Look-off, as I told you, and you have been a pupil here." Joe says I am fit to go anywhere with her."

" The Motleys are determined to crush me," " I'll tell Uncle Bart of that. I'll manage answered I, indignantly. " I mean Mrs Mot- to have him see that good-natured Joe, and ley and Reg. The father was gentlemanly set the old salt to talking about you, and and kind. I hope you will not consider that there's nothing he likes better. He's wonder- a fault of mine." fully fond of you, Maury."

He drew a long sigh, and looked exceedingly " He's a true friend of ours," said I, thought- annoyed. fully, recalling the last night's talk. " If I " She threatens to take Reginald out of the have to leave school, Joe will put me in the school if you remain. If he goes, a dozen of way of earning a good deal of money with the my best pupils will follow suit." Relief." " Then I suppose I must submit," said I, " But you shan't leave school. I say it sorrowfully, my heart swelling with my con- would be a shame and a disgrace for Dr. sciousness ot the injustice. He replied: Polisher to turn you away just to curry favor " I will take a little longer time to reflect." with the Motleys ! I'm going to state the case And I went out into the play-yard. Frank to my uncle, and I know he'll see to it." Joy soon discovered my grave face. " I'm afraid he'll think I make nothing but " Why, Maury, so soon tired of the Relief?" trouble for him," murmured I, rather sadly. said he, playfully. "Humph! that's a pretty speech, Maurice "No indeed," returned I, warmly. "I Stone. How Amy would scold if she heard fancy she will be a great comfort in this it ! By the way, she's working all the dimples trouble." out of those pretty fingers of hers. And what

"Trouble? is it anything I can help?" do you think she is doing? Why, knitting, or asked Frank. crocheting, or tatting, whichever you call it, I told him all Dr. Polisher had said, and he tidies for the chairs and the sofa of the Reliefs was indignant enough. cabin ! I thought Uncle Bart would explode, ;

90 Old Hugh's Look-off. when she got off one of her sober speeches the clearing of the ship, to know she'd got to about being in a hurry, for the Relief must meet a hurricane there, and a nor'easter here, have some tidies." And Frank laughed till and run on to a reef in one place, and lie be- the tears came into his eyes, and I couldn't calmed in another. The best way is to look help joining him, though all the time I was out that the ship is stanch, and the compass thinking what a dear, generous-hearted little true, and the charts correct, no rotten planks, creature she was, and picturing how sweetly no poor rigging, with a brave, true-hearted she must look, with her blue eyes bent on her skipper, and a good sailor at the helm, and

work, and her red lips puckered up in earnest leave all the rest to be taken care of as it application. Perhaps I sighed a little, too, comes. It's pretty easy to tell, my boy, if you wishing that I also could have had just such keep to your honest ways, you'll be a man we a dear little girl for a sister or cousin. shan't none of us be ashamed of, if so be we " Well, Maury, you must keep sailing her, so live to see it."

as to say you've had plenty of practice," said " Where shall we go, Joe ?" said I, after a Frank, as he took leave of me, " and cheer up little silence produced by his bit of a sermon, don't be down-hearted about the school." as I went over to the tiller. I went home gravely, and did not tell " I reckon you'd better run down around mother anything that Dr. Polisher had said. the point, and sight old Hugh's Look-off. It would be soon enough to trouble her about There's no harm in hunting the ground over." it when it was positive. And as soon as my " Figuratively speaking," returned I, laugh- work was done, I hurried down to the yacht. ing, my spirits rising as the Relief felt the

I cast off, and was proceeding to go alone breeze, and the mainsail bellied out, and the when Joe Stephens hailed me from the shore. foam began to fly from our wake. " Hunting " Halloo—ahoy—Maury, hold on. I'll go the ground over, in this case, means skimming with you." the water, don't it?" Now I was always glad of Joe's company, " Something of that sort. My book laming although to-day I had been inclined to go don't help me much in the way of talk, alone ; so I waited for him, as he came running Maury," replied Joe, good-naturedly. along the shore. He jumped on board, puffing " But you talk better than any of the other and wheezing. fishermen or sailors, Joe, I've often thought."

"I'm free to-day, and I'll try the Relief " Perhaps so. To tell the truth I had better again. It's rather squally-looking, and mebbe companions in my young days than common I can show you something worth your while sailors. There was one, especially, who taught to know. I saw there was a barometer there, me a good deal, a real gentleman, college edu- and I reckon it'll do you no hurt to start with cated, and gentleman bred. And I've made it a little of my experience. When I went with a point not to have my talk quite so tarry as the Fruiter, on that Mediterranean voyage, I most Jacks like to have their lingo. Once in a took a good deal of pains to watch that curious while, when I get excited, I forget and out little affair, and I was glad to see you had one comes the bad grammar, and the sailor slang." here. If ever a man did the handsome thing " Tell me some of your old stories, Joe," " by any one, this Mr. Barton Bell has done it coaxed I ; this is the sort of day for it, and it by you, Maury, and I hope you'll never give will take up my mind a little, which has some him reason to be sorry for it." jfe. things not over-pleasant to worry over." "I hope I never shall, Joe," returned I, " Well," said Joe, taking out his tobacco, for soberly. " I should like to know something he was sailor enough for the inevitable " quid," about that. O, what wouldn't I give, if I and giving another glance over the sky which could just look forward a dozen years and had patches of angry-looking clouds. " I guess know about it." I'll tell you about my getting drowned once." " "A dozen years ? whew ! why, Maury, that Why, Joe ! getting drowned ! You don't would make you a man." mean you are a veritable ghost, solacing your-

" I know it, and that's what I want to know, self with Cavendish." if I shall be the sort of man Mr. Bell will " None of your chaffing. I'd like to see the respect, and Amy and Frank approve." feller as has been nigher drowning than I was. Joe shook his head. You see this was how it was." And Joe put " I reckon that's a wise arrangement of a back his quid of tobacco, and settling himself good Providence, Maury, hiding what lies comfortably, looked off meditatively down in ahead. It would be discouraging enough, at the direction of the Look-off Balloiis Monthly Idagazine. 91

KITTY SUSAN

BY AUGUST BELL.

Deak kitty Susan ! poor kitty Susan ! She "I'll carry her off for you," replied his had always been petted and well-fed, and friend, at once, in an accommodating manner. " always had a reserved seat " by the fire on " I'll put her where she'll never trouble you a soft cushion. She was plump and white, again." without a single spot on her pretty fur dress, " But my wife must not know. She would and she had quite a good-natured, innocent not like it," said the sick man, hesitating. " expression in her face, which showed she had She'll never know," said the other. " I'll never been ill-treated. She had not yet tasted manage it without a word." So poor kitty the bitterness of life. City cats, who lead a Susan's fate was sealed. vagabond life on shed-roofs and in back- The next morning, almost before sunrise, alleys, get a knowing, wicked look in their as the conductor went whistling by on his eyes which is dreadful to see; but kitty way to the depot, he glanced towards the Susan, though she was quite grown up, still house, and there on the stone step, waiting kept her pretty kitten look and playful ways. for the door to open, sat little white kitty So her mistress loved her dearly, and used to Susan, with a bright blue ribbon tied around tie almost every day a fresh blue ribbon her neck. In through the gate stepped this around her favorite's white neck. Blue was heartless conductor, gave a quick glance very becoming. around to see that nobody was looking, and But the master of the liouse did not have then took kitty Susan up in his arms and such a feeling of attachment; though when hurried away just as fast as he could go. kitty Susan would jump up on his knee and Poor kitty Susan was a good deal bewildered, purr, he would then own, that, as cats go, she but she was so good-natured she never was quite a fine cat. So things went on com- thought of harm, and was actually beginning fortably for a long time, till, at last, the master to purr when they reached the cars.

of the house was taken sick ; not very sick, The baggage was all on the train, the pas- but so nervous and weak that kitty Susan's sengers were seated, and the bell was ringing*, soprano cry set all his brain in a quiver; and so the conductor sprang aboard, thrust poor when she jumped up on his bed and begun to little, pretty kitty Susan into the baggage-car

purr, it seemed to him as if her weight would on a heap of coarse bags, shut the door, and

take his very breath away ; so he would call then went off to his duties.

out, and some one would come and snatch Poor little kitty Susan ! she trembled with kitty Susan away. Susan"s mistress did the affright, and the terrible thundering sound best she could to keep her pet out of mischief; and the motion made her head swim. She but a dreadful plot was thickening hour by ran up and down over the piles of trunks and hour, and a dark, dark cloud was lowering boxes; but that made her more frightened over unsuspecting kitty Susan's little head. every moment, so at last she crept into the " I'm almost killed with that cat!" muttered corner on the bags again, and cowered there the master of the house one day to himself. with her little heart beating like a hammer. And he began to make plans in his head. Now and then the door would open, and That evening one of his friends called in to rough men would rush in and lift out great see how he was getting along. This friend trunks and carry them away. At these times

was a young man, a conductor on a train of the car stood still ; but kitty Susan was afraid

cars that went to Boston. He was in charge to move; she only drew herself up in a still ;

of the earliest train every morning. While smaller little white heap in the corner, and he sat by the bed talking, and the mistress stared out with eyes that shone like sparks was away off up-stairs, in ran pretty kitty of fire. Susan, with a cry and a purr all at once At last, after dreadful hours and hours, the leaping up on the bed. The sick man fret- whole train of cars ran into a great, long, dark fully pushed her away. building, and people were rushing about, and " I wish we could get rid of that cat," he shouting, and bustling. Kitty Susan felt very said. " I shall never get well as long as that faint, and closed her ej^es in despair. cat keeps up such a fuss !" But in a moment the conductor came hast- ! :

92 Kitty Susan.

ily up to her, and put her under his arm and among the crusts. But still no one saw her, walked away with her—away out of the long, for they were all busy looking in other ways, dark building, out into the open air, and and certainly had no reason to suppose that there on every side were strange, high brick a white cat was on the table eating up their

houses, and carts, and wagons, hurrying noisily bread I by. It was almost worse than to be in the But there she was, and when her hunger baggage-car, Susan thought, though here, to was satisfied she felt better in her mind, and be sure, there was more chance to run if one seeing a particularly hard crust, she pushed were chased by a dog. ^ it with her paw and knocked it about on the The conductor walked along for one or two table for a plaything. That made a rattling squares, looking out for a good place to drop noise, and everybody looked all at once, the little kitty Susan. At last he reached a man, the woman, and the two ragged boys. " !" corner where there was a street more quiet Scat ! scat cried the old woman, catch- than the rest, with only three 'carts in it and ing up an old shoe. four or five people walking along. Here he "Whoop! hooray!" shouted the biggest " !" set poor kitty Susan down on her paws, and boy ; let's catch her and stone her watehed her a moment as she stared trem- At these dreadful cries, kitty Susan gave a blingly around, and then started off along the horrified spring and darted out of the house. pavement up the street as fast as her four The boys chased her all through the dismal little feet could carry her. The conductor alley, and would have gone still further, if a watched her a moment, and then walked policeman had not stood at the corner. back to his train; but he was not quite at Poor kitty Susan, with a fluttering heart, ease, for, as he walked along, he thought to ran along the broad street she had come to, himself: looking on every side for a refuge. At last " Most too bad it was to set that tame little she was quite tired out, and, sitting down by creature adrift. That blue ribbon tied round an iron post, she began to cry, remembering her neck, too. I hope somebody'll take her her dear lost home, and kind mistress, and in and be good to her." soft cushion by the fire. Kitty Susan trotted along, growing bolder Just then a great, black, shaggy Newfound- at every step, and now she began to feel very land dog came strolling lazily by, with his hungry. She sniffed at the basement win- tongue hanging out of his mouth. Kitty dows from which a smell of things cooking Susan quivered all over when she saw him,

came out, and more than once thought she and she tried to climb up the post ; but it was would like to go in if there had only been a iron, and not like the old apple tree in her broken pane somewhere. By-and-by she ran mistress's garden at home, so her little sharp

up a little alley where there were broken claws could not pierce it, nor cling to it. panes in plenty; but here things did not Then she cowered timidly on the ground. smell so invitingly, and she hesitated. But But the great dog did not bark at her, nor

the alley was muddy, and her feet began to try to bite her ; he only stood still and looked feel damp; so, as there was an open door at her, and wagged his tail. Then he walked close by, down she ran right into a kitchen. all around her in a thoughtful manner, and At least, if it were not a kitchen, what then stood still, looking at her again, wagging .could it have been? There were crusts of his tail. ?" I bread on the table, and an iron kettle of "Are you our long lost Lily he asked. potatoes on the hearth, and some bones in a "No," said she, palpitating. "I'm kitty corner. There was a ragged old woman Susan." mending the fire, and a man whittling. Two "What makes you stay out here? Some boys were playing marbles on the dirty floor. mean-spirited terrier will be after you. Why And there stood pretty little white kitty don't you go home? You're too pretty to Susan, with the blue ribbon round her neck stay here alone." " !" But no one saw her, and, after a moment, she I'm lost ! I can't get home sighed kitty walked very softly over to the bones, and Susan, nervously. And then she told him all began to gnaw on one a little softer than the her plaintive story. rest, she was so hungry. That answered for The dog wagged his tail still harder, and at a little while, and then, growing more fear- last, said less, she jumped upon the table and ate all " Well, now, you come home with me. My the little bits of soft bread that lay there mistress is a very kind lady, and she had a : : :

Blue Violets. 93 white cat just like you, only she was named she saw kitty Susan, she caught her up in Lily and wore a pink ribbon, instead of a blue her arms with a cry of delight. The dog one. Lily was stolen, and ray mistress felt so barked joyously, and wagged his tail. " !" " bad she cried. 'Tisn't many ladies will do You good fellow said his mistress ; did that for a cat. Come, follow me, and she will you bring this pretty cat to me ? I will keep let you live with us, and give you warm milk her always, and name her Lily." and beefsteak." So now kitty Susan lives on warm milk So the dog trotted off, and tired little kitty and beefsteak, and has a soft bed. She wears Susan followed after him. Down two squares a pink ribbon now, and is called Lily. So her they went, and round a corner, and then up days of trouble are all over; but, in a far-off some broad, marble steps. The dog barked town, in a little cottage, her old mistress and pawed at the door, while kitty Susan sighs sometimes, and says stood modestly aside. It was the lady her- " I wish my little white kitty Susan would !" self who came to let her Jocko in, and, when come home

=>£=

BLUE VIOLETS.-A Eairy Tale.

BY MBS. L. S. GOODWIN.

" !" " A little girl sat alone in a garden, weep- O, not that said the child. Koses are ing. One of the crystal tear-drops chanced too handsome for me. I should blush so to to fall into the golden heart of a rose, when have people gazing at me. If I might as well,

out of the flower sprang a lovely fairy, who I would rather be a little blue violet ; and, as gently inquired: my name is Violet, that seems the proper " What is the matter, child ? why do you thing for me to be." cry?" The fairy uttered some words in her own " It is," sobbed the little girl, " because my language, waving at the same time a tiny

sister Villa is not kind to me. I love her, but silver wand over the child's head ; immediately I am almost sure she does not love me at all. the dimpled hands and pale golden hair disap- She gets provoked with me so easily, and peared, with everything belonging to little snaps and snarls at me, sometimes even Violet, except the blue dress she had on, and strikes me, and will not lend me any of her that was changed into the most beautiful bed of books or playthings, except she feels in the fragrant violets that ever was seen. Scattered humor. Just now I proposed that we should thickly over the flowers lay the tears which take a run in the meadow, where daisies the child had been shedding ; only they no twinkle in the breeze like stars in the sky of longer had the sad look of tears, but sparkled evening, and gold-belted bees are swinging on in the sunbeams with ever-changing hues, as dropped the great, sweet clover-heads, but my sister if some flecks of the rainbow had bird of paradise had refused, with a cross 'no, I shan't!' and from the sky, or a tiny wished me a thousand miles away." shed its plumage upon the violet's bed. another The fairy listened, and asked Slowly down the garden path came larger than the " What does your sister love ? Everybody child, somewhat older and Arvilla. carried a water- loves something." first. This was She refreshed the flowers " The only things I think of," the child ing-pot, whose contents was weeping at replied, " that Villa loves all times alike, are that bordered the path. She the watering-pot flowers." her work, and so sadly that but was kept "Very good!" said the fairy; "would you needed not to be replenished, tears which fell from like to become a flower ? Then your sister constantly full with the will love you, and I shall always be near you her eyes. bed, already sprinkled for company." Coming to the violet Arvilla " Indeed, yes," answered the child, hastily over with what she took fordewdrops, " suddenly and set down her watering- drying her eyelashes ; that would be most paused delight burst delightful!" pot, while an exclamation of " Choose, then, the flower you will be," said from her lips " darlings were scarcely the fairy. "A rose, perhaps ?" Why, I thought my : ! —

94 Blue Viofots. budded," she continued, "and here I find sister, who was so gentle and good?" said them in perfect bloom." Villa. " I grieve the more, when I remember Thereupon she knelt down and kissed the that I was not always gentle and kind to her. flowers, saying over and over how fond she O, I miss her sadly. I have no one to play was of them. Little Violet, hearing her with me now. I would give all the world to sister's words and feeling her tender, loving have Violet back again." touch, was more happy than words can ex- "Would you?" returned the fairy. "Think press. She longed to speak to her and beg again. Are you sure you would give me the her to take a few of the flowers and wear first thing I ask for, if I can persuade your them in her hair; but being unable, had to sister to return to you as she was ?" rest content with breathing out her most "Anything—anything," promised the child, delicate perfume for her sister to enjoy. with all her heart; and to prove her sincerity, Presently Villa raised her head, gazed fixed- she extended her hand with a pretty beaded, ly at the violets a moment, and began to weep silken purse, in which were a ten cent scrip afresh. and a couple of three cent silver coins. " Take " Their color is so like the dress dear little it, and welcome," said she. Violet wore when she went away," sobbed " Keep your property, dear," returned the Villa. fairy, smiling, "it will do good somewhere. Gently swayed the rose beside the child, We have no use for money. What I shall ask and the fairy appeared. for, is something you will be far better off "What is the matter, little one?" she without—you and all your friends. Give me inquired. your irritable temper, which leads you often " I am so lonely without my sister," an- to such unloving words and actions as often swered the grieving child. wound those who love you most dearly." " O indeed," said the fairy, and said no " Gladly would I be rid of it," said Villa, more ; but flitting back into the heart of tlae tearfully; "it never did me any good but rose, folded one by one the damask leaves mischief." over her head, for the sun was going down, "Very well," said the fairy. "Remember and the lengthened shadows fading and blend- your promise when you have little Violet ing along the garden walks. back, or the next time she will be changed to The following evening Arvilla came again an angel; and those who are changed to into the garden, and sat by the violet bed and angels, though you should weep rivers of tears, wept, when she heard the soft voice of the can never come back to the mortal land any fairy asking as before more." " What are you crying for, little girl ?" The fairy waved her wand over the violet

"For my dear little sister," Villa replied, bed, and lo ! there was no more a flower to be " between her sobs. She has gone away, and seen ; they had all gone to seed. But a dear we do not know what has become of her." little girl, in a blue dress, flung a pair of " O indeed," carelessly repeated the fairy, dimpled arms around her sister's waist, and and disappeared, leaving the child to grieve nestled her head, with its pale golden ringlets, on unpitied. upon her loving sister's shoulder. The third time Villa sat beside the violet Villa and Violet, restored to each other, bed weeping, and the fairy, standing up in wept for joy. After a long embrace, and many the heart of the rose, put to her the same kisses, they ran away towards the meadow, question. with its buttercups and lambkins, so happy " How can I help mourning for my lost O, so very happy Bailouts Monthly Magazine. 95

THE FLORIST.

The Tuberose.—A bulbous-rooted plant, a and numerous strong thorns, from which they native of the East Indies, remarkable for its derive their name of Buckthorn. The flowers highly odoriferous white flowers. The bulbs are generally small and not ornamental, but are imported from Italy, where they are grown the berries are very much so; and the ever- for exportation as hyacinths are in Holland. green kinds are very valuable in shrubberies, They require to be brought forward in a frame from their hardiness and free habit of growth. or pit; and when coming into flower, they should be removed to a cool, airy apartment, The Osage Orange.—Handsome, evergreen where they will diffuse a powerful fragrance, trees, with small, shining, yellowish green which to some is grateful and to others oppres- leaves, and many thorns. The flowers are sive. They should be potted in sandy loam; white and rather small, but the fruit, which is and if the bulbs are intended to flower the as large as an orange, and of a brilliant gold- second year, the plants should be replaced in yellow, is very ornamental. The male and heat close to the glass, and kept there till the female flowers are on different trees. It is leaves begin to decay; after which the bulbs supposed that the leaves of this plant will be may be treated like those of the hyacinth. It equally good as those of the white mulberry is rarely, however, that this can be done with for feeding silk-worms, as they abound in a success, and it is therefore better to throw the milky juice which is very tenacious. The plants away when they have done flowering, maclura succeeds better in rather a poor soil; and purchase fresh bulbs every year. In pleas- as where the soil is too rich, the plant makes ure-grounds of limited extent, a few plants of shoots more luxuriant than it can ripen; and tuberose in flower, distributed over them at the tops of the young wood are often killed by distances of fifty or one hundred yards plant frost. from plant, will diffuse a most delightful fra- grance in the summer and autumnal evenings; House Leek.— Succulent plants, the most a circumstance well understood in the public beautiful of which are natives of the Canary gardens in the vicinity of Paris. Islands, and require to be kept in the green- house. They should be grown in sandy loam, Solomon's Seal.—Hardy, perennial plants, mixed with lime rubbish, and the pots should which require no other care than planting in be well drained. They require very little any common garden soil. They will thrive water, except when about to flower; and they either in exposed situations, or under the are propagated by cuttings, which must be shade of trees; but the flowers are generally laid to dry for some days before they are largest when the plants are grown in the shade. planted. When potted, they should neither have any water, nor be covered with a glass; The May Apple, or Ducksfoot —An but they may be plunged into a bed of tan or American herbaceous marsh plant, which dead leaves. The hardy kinds are very suit- should be grown in a light, rich soil kept able for rockwork, and are increased by suck- moist, and which is increased by seeds, or ers from the roots. dividing its creeping roots. The flower is white, and the fruit, which is eatable, is green Sollya.—This beautiful little shrub, though and about the size of a plum. only introduced in 1830, is already as common as the fuchsia, and it is a favorite everywhere. bright blue Rose Acacia.—A very handsome shrub, The leaves are evergreen, and the are produced in with pinnate leaves, and long, drooping bell-shaped flowers, which the branches, are so racemes of rose-colored flowers. It will grow tufts near the ends of can see them without ad- in any soil, but it should be placed in a shel- elegant that no one nearly hardy, as it tered situation, on account of the brittleness of miring them. The plant is air, if trained against a its branches, and their liability to be broken off will stand in the open during winter. It by high winds. wall and slightly protected in pots, in which is, however, generally grown having The Buckthorn.—Handsome, deciduous the only objection to its culture is its covered with and evergreen 3hrubs; some of which almost the tips of its shoots frequently which is constant attain the size and appearance of small trees, aphides, the only cure for in peat and and others are procumbent shrubs only fitted syringing. It should be grown and it is propagated for rockwork. They are all, however, distin- loam, or in heath-mould, guished by a stiff, upright manner of growth, by seeds or cuttings. ; ;

96 Bailouts Monthly Magazine.

THE HOUSEKEEPER.

Everyday Pudding.—Put into a basin one rice to fill all interstices and to cover the top pound of flour, one of chopped suet, half a thick. Bake it for one-half or three-quarters pound of mixed fruit, a little spice, grated of an hour. lemon-peel, three ounces of sugar, two eggs, half a pint of milk, or enough to make it a Doughnuts.—Three pounds of sifted flour, a proper thickness; tie it in a cloth, boil four pound of powdered sugar, three-quarters of a hours, turn it out, and serve with melted butter pound of butter, four eggs, half a large tea- or sweet sauce; bread-crumbs instead of flour cupful of best brewer's yeast, a pint and a half is good, or half of each. of milk ; cut the butter in the flour, add the sugar; beat the eggs very light and pour them

Apple and Paste Pudding in Basin.— in ; add the yeast, and then stir in the milk by degrees, so as to make it a soft dough; cover Make one pound of paste, roll it a quarter of

and set to rise ; when light, cut it in diamonds, an inch thick, lay some in a bowl, fill it with in lard. apples cut in quarters, add two cloves, two and fry ounces of sugar, a little butter, put another a pint a half piece of paste on the top, and join the edge Cream Fritters.—Mix and of

flour with a pint of milk ; stir in six well-beat- nicely; tie it in a cloth and boil. It can be half a nutmeg; then two tea- served up either in the basin, or turned out en eggs; add

spoonfuls of salt, and a pint of cream ; stir the Do not open the top to put more sugar in, as it just enough to intermix the cream, then spoils the flavor and makes it heavy. All fruit whole addition of a few tender puddings may be done the same way. fry in small cakes; the apples chopped fine improves the fritters. Fritters.—Make any plain batter for pan- Pancakes. Mix a pint of cakes, by dropping a small quantity into the New England — of fine flour, seven yolks pan; put pared apples, sliced and cored, into milk, five spoonfuls four whites of eggs, and a very little salt; the batter, and fry some of it with each slice. and in fresh butter, and between Currants, or sliced lemon as thin as paper, fry them very thin cinnamon. Send up six make an agreeable change. Any sort of sweet- each strew sugar and once. meat, or ripe fruit, may be made into fritters. or eight at

Rusks.—Beat seven eggs well, and mix with Rich Buns.—Mix one pound and a half of half a pint of new milk, in which have been

dried flour with half a pound of sugar; melt a melted four ounces of butter ; add to it a quar- pound and two ounces of butter in a little ter of a pint of yeast, and three ounces of sugar,

warm water ; add six spoonfuls of rose-water, and put them, by degrees, into as much flour and knead the above into a light dough, with as will make a very light paste, rather like a half a pint of yeast. batter, and let it rise before the fire half an flour. hour ; then add some more Plain Mince Pie.—Neat's tongue and feet make the best mince pies. The shank is good. Cream Biscuits.—Break six eggs, separate Boil the meat till very tender, take it up, clean the yolks and whites, beat the former with six it from the bones and gristle, chop it fine, mix ounces of powder-sugar, and the same of flour; it with an equal weight of tart apples chopped whisk the whites, and then mix them together; fine. If the meat is lean, put in a little butter add to it whipped cream in proportion to the the whole with cider; new, carefully this or suet. Moisten sugar and flour, stir it ; pour into if you have good; sweeten it to the taste with moulds or paper cases, and bake. sugar and a little molasses—seasoning with salt, cinnamon, cloves and mace. Make the Brown Bread Pudding.—Half a pound of pies on flat plates, with holes in the upper stale brown bread grated, ditto of currants,

crust, and bake from thirty to forty-five ditto of shred suet, sugar and nutmeg ; mix with minutes. four eggs, and two spoonfuls of cream or milk boil in a cloth or basin, that exactly holds it,

Rice Chicken Pie.—Cover the bottom of a three or four hours ; sauce. pudding-dish with slices of broiled ham; cut 7> a half cups of up a broiled chicken and nearly fill the dish Plain Cup Cake.—Two and eggs, four cups of pour in gravy or melted butter to fill the dish; sugar, one cup of butter, four teaspoonful soda, add chopped onions, if you like, or a little flour, one of sweet milk, one curry-powder, which is better; then add boiled two cream of tartar. Bailouts Monthly Magazine. 97

CURIOUS MATTERS.

Voracity of Ants.—About ninety years The Alpine Horn.—The Alpine horn is an ago the island of Grenada, in the West Indies, instrument made of the bark of a cherry tree, was invaded by a prodigious number of a par- and, like a speaking trumpet, is used to convey ticular kind of ant, which makes its nest under sounds to a great distance. When the last rays the roots of plants, and the sugar-canes were of the sun gild the summit of the Alps, the so weakened and injured in consequence, that shepherd who inhabits the highest peak of the plantations became nearly unproductive. these mountains takes his horn and cries with An account says, " They descended from the a loud voice, " Praised be the Lord!" As soon hills like torrents, and the plantations, as well as the neighboring shepherds hear him, they as every path and road for miles, were filled leave their huts and repeat these words. The with them. Eats, mice and reptiles of every sounds are prolonged many minutes, while the kind became an easy prey to them; and even echoes of the rocks repeat the name of God. the birds, which they attacked when they Imagination cannot picture anything more lighted on the ground in search of food, were solemn or sublime than such a scene. During so harassed as to be at length unable to resist the silence that succeeds, the shepherds bend them. Streams of water opposed only a tem- their knees and pray in the open air, then

porary obstacle to their progress ; the foremost repair to their huts to rest. The sunlight gild- blindly rushing to certain death, and fresh ing the tops of these stupendous mountains armies instantly following, till a bank was upon which the vault of heaven seems to rest, formed of the carcasses of those which were the magnificent scenery around, and the voices drowned, sufficient to dam up the waters and of the shepherds sounding from rock to rock

allow the main body to pass over in safety the praise of the Almighty, fill the mind of below. Even fire was tried without effect. every traveller with enthusiasm and awe. When it was lighted to arrest their route, they into the blaze in such myriads as to rushed The Piranha.—This fish, which contends extinguish it." A reward of $20,000 was offered for the dominion of the Brazilian portion of for an effectual of destroying in vain means South America, is one of terrible voracity;

; in 1780 hurricane, tore them but a whjch up there is hardly any animal that ventures into their habitations the canes and exposed to a the water but that suffers from its attacks. rain, island this deluge of freed the from The victim of the piranha is generally surround- plague. ed by large shoals or swarms of them; they may be justly compared to a nest of water- hornets. Horses and cattle do not venture Weddings in Borneo.—On the wedding- to drink of the water below the surface, lest their day, the bride and the bridegroom are brought snout should be bitten off—an accident which, from opposite ends of the village to the spot however, sometimes befalls them. The cayman where the ceremony is to be performed. They himself is forced to fly before this terrible are made to sit on two bars of iron, that bless- enemy, and turns his unprotected belly to- ings as lasting and health as vigorous as the wards the top of the water; the otter alone, metal may attend the pair. A cigar and betel whose hairy skin deadens the force of the bite, leaf, prepared with the areca nut, are next put is proof against their attacks. into the hands of the bride and bridegroom. One of the priests then waves two fowls over the heads of the couple, and in a long address Yo-semite Palls in California.—In the to the Supreme Being, calls down blessings deep valley Yo-semite, are several falls far sur- upon the pair, and implores that peace and passing in height the Falls of Niagara. At the happiness may attend the union. After the lower end of the valley is the cascade called heads of the affianced have been knocked the Bridal Vail, the water pouring over the against each other three or four times, the rocky wall a distance of 900 feet. Two or three bridegroom puts the prepared siri leaf and the miles beyond are the Yo-semite, where the cigar into the mouth of the bride, when she water falls in three plunges, a distance of does the same to him, whom she thus acknow- 2800 feet, the first leap being nearly 1800 feet, ledges as her husband. The fowls are then the next 400, and the last 600 feet. In looking killed, and the blood caught in two cups, and from the bottom of the gorge at the immense from this color the priest foretells the future height from which the water descends, the happiness of the newly-married. The cere- stream, which is 87 feet in breadth at the mony is closed with a feast, with dancing and top, seems to be only a foot and a half noisy music. wide. — "

98 Bailouts Monthly Magazine.

FACTS AND FANCIES.

Setting Hens.—A correspondent wants to " Water-cresses for breakfast? I'm sure I know how to make a hen set who isn't inclined don't know," answered her kind patron; "but in that reposeful way. We know something of what does it signify?" the lay of a hen, and think it a good thing, "Excuse me; mum," interposed the appli- particularly when boiled for breakfast; but in cant, " I don't think I make myself understood. a case like this, where there is obstinacy and I mean cresses on their carriage, note-paper, perhaps perversity, we are not able to advise, liv'ry and cetererer." or scarcely suggest. A hen, we have some- " O, armorial bearings, you mean?" said the times thought, has a good deal of human lady. " I really cannot tell you." nature in common with mankind, and often "Because'm, I reely couldn't undertake a follows both the good and bad examples of the situation where there wasn't a cress kept.—You latter. She—the hen—is also very like the see, ev'ry genteel fam'ly 'as a cress; and tender sex of the human kind, and, of course, "And you positively make that a condition?" if she (the member of the tender sex, not the asked the lady, quietly. hen,) sets herself about not to do a thing, she " Sutt'nly, mum," says Mrs. Cook; "footman just wont do it, every time, with an emphasis. kep'; washing put out; beer, tea and fam'ly

"We take it, a hen that is not in a setting mood cress." will not be forced into any such attitude. She " Then I really think, Mrs. Cullender," said is very likely brooding over anything but such jhe lady, smiling, " that you had better look a set of arrangements as that. If we were our out for yourself. John, show this fine lady to correspondent, we should not expect a very the door." lively crop of spring chickens if the hens did not agree to the plan, and we should adopt no A spunky Wife.—A middle-aged farmer compulsory measures. If your hen, or hens, and his wife were enjoying a winter evening wont set, then let them stand, or walk, or lay cosily together, when the conversation turned an egg, not down—or do most anything else upon religious matters, as described in the they like, which they are likely to do any way. Bible, which the man had open before him. " Wife," said the farmer, "I've been thinking Getting Even.—A distinguished ex-gov- what happy society Solomon must have had in ernor of Ohio, famous for story-telling, relates his day, with so many wives, etc., as is here that on one occasion, while he was addressing represented." " a temperance meeting at Georgetown, District Indeed!" replied the wife, somewhat miffed, of Columbia, and depicting the miseries caused " you had better think of something else then. by too freely indulging in the flowing bowl, his A pretty Solomon you would make, truly; you attention was attracted by the sobs of a discon- can't take proper care of one wife. What a solate and seedy-looking individual seated in figure you would cut, then, with a dozen wives, and all of as I I" the rear part of the room. . On going to the them as spunky am person and interrogating him, the governor The farmer took his hat and went to the was told the usual tale of woe; among other stable to feed the cattle for the night. sad incidents, that during his career of vice he had buried three wives. The governor having Grant and his Hatchet.—When Ulysses buried a few wives of his own, sympathized S. Grant was a little boy, his father bought deeply with the inebriate, and consoled him as him a hatchet. Ulysses was so delighted that much as was in his power. Said he, " The Lord he went about hatcheting everything he could has, indeed, deeply afflicted you." The mourn- find. One fatal day, after things had been er, sobbing, replied, "Y-yes, he has ;" and, paus- going on thus and so for more than a week, ing a moment and wiping his nose, he contin- Ulysses cut down one of his father's favorite ued, "but I don't think the Lord got much pear trees. When the old gentleman saw the ahead of me, for as fast as he took one, I took ruin of his favorite pear tree, he went to U. S. another!" and said: "U. S., who cut down my favorite pear tree?" Keeping a Cress.—Not long ago a cook who " I cannot tell a lie, father, I cannot tell a was out of a situation, asked a lady to assist her lie," said Ulysses. " Ben Johnson cut it down in getting one. Before long a place was found, with his hatchet." and a consultation held on the subject. " My dear son," said the old gentleman, " Pray, mum," asked Mrs. Cook, " does the spanking him, " I would rather have you tell a !" family have cresses?" thousand lies than lose so fine a tree : : : I

Facts and Fancies. 99

Signs Visible of Military Rank.—The "I told you as we druv' along I had a coin work published at the South, entitled "The two hundred years old?" Land we Love," has this anecdote: "While " Yes." A. P. Hill's division was tearing up the Balti- "And you said to me as you had one two more and Ohio railroad in the fall of 1862, thousand years old?" Lane's brigade of that division was ordered " Yes, so I have." further north than the other brigades, where a "Now it's a lie!" live ' reb/ was a curiosity. At this time the " What do you mean by that?" quartermaster had not procured clothing " new What do I mean? Why, it's only 1867 now." to take the place of the worn, tattered and ragged relics of the campaign into ' My Mary- Matrimonial Market.—This market has land,' and we were rather ragamuffins, that's a been unusually dull of late. Advances have fact. Tearing is up railroads not a very pleas- not been made, consequently there has been no ant business, and we had enjoyed ourselves for declining. A few bachelors changed their about twenty-four hours, when Captain K lodgings, upon learning that a young and went to a house to get something cooked, and charming widow had taken up her abode next into quite interesting got an conversation with door, with the determination to take advan- the good lady of the — house tage of leap year privileges. A sentimental "Old Lady ' You is an officer, isn't you?' but nervous young man had two ladies taken " — Captain K ' Yes, madam, I am a captain before the squire for throwing kisses at him. in the Seventh North — Carolina infantry.' The squire ordered him to return them, and "Old Lady 'Thar, now. Betsy Ann, I told bound the young ladies over to keep the peace. you he was an officer. I kin tell an officer He must have forgotten that whenever I lays my two eyes on 'em. The This is leap year, and the girls officers, they have the seats of their breeches May set their caps and braid their curls, patched, and the common soldiers doesn't." To catch a beau; This is the custom of the age, Made up by some well-learned sage, An ugly Family.—Mr. Tubeville was re- Long time ago. lated to Sir Thomas Picton, but did not possess the talent or discretion of the gallant general. A good Reason.—A conductor on a road Upon one occasion, at a dinner at Dunraven running from Hartford, agreed in the kindness Castle, after the ladies had retired, Mr. Tube- of his heart to pass a poor, penniless fellow on ville observed to a gentleman present that the his train. An officer of the road, sitting in the woman who had sat at his right was the ugliest same car with the man, observed that the con- he had ever seen ; upon which the gentleman ductor took no fare of him, and called him to

said account for it. " I am sorry to hear that you think my wife "Why do you pass that man?" said Mr. so ill-looking." Treasurer. " O, no sir, I have made a mistake. I meant " O, he's a conductor on the railroad!" the lady who sat on my left." "He a conductor! Why, what makes him " Well, sir, she is my sister." dress so shabbily?" "It can't be helped, sir, then; for if what you "O, he's trying to live on his salary!" was have said is true, I must confess I never saw the quick reply. such an ugly family during the course of my Mr. Treasurer saw the point and dropped the life!" subject.

An indignant Coachman.—An English cor- No Novelty.—A youngster, who was taken

respondent writes : A friend of mine was riding into a toy bazaar the other day by his doting on the outside of a North Devon coach, from mamma, had a number of articles exhibited by Barnstaple to Ilfracombe, when the driver said the attentive clerk, in the hope of enlisting his to him attention and effecting a sale, but without " I've had a coin guv' me to-day two hundred effect. At last one of those papier-mache rep- years old. Did you ever see a coin two hun- resentations of a mouse was produced, and, dred years old?" after being wound up by a key, was set down " O yes ! I have one myself two thousand upon the floor, where it ran about in the most years old." mouse-like manner imaginable. The young-

"Ah," said the drive*, "have ye?" And ster's attention was enlisted at once ; but the spoke no more during the rest of the journey. result was not as his mother or the salesman When the coach arrived at its destination, expected; for he shouted out, "O mamma, I the driver came up to my friend with an in- don't want that! We've got lots of them at tensely self-satisfied air, and said: home, and don't have to wind 'em up, either." OUR STUD/10.

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