Swrins of gulvcvitoiiuj. One Square, ono or three Insertions $ o 1'jieh Mibsiiltciit lnsiltloti lis tlmti Ihlilun. M OnoHnniireotic ninntli 2 ) Two " " n 10 Three " " ft ri Knur " " II l Ilnlf minimi " loin (IIIC Collllllll " 11 Ol llxeclttor's ii l ul Atliiillilitrnlnr'H Not let k .1 (') Auditor's Notices 2 W IVIllorlnl Notice twenty cents icr line Oilier ndvertlsenicnt" Insetted according to "I'D- rini contract. AN INDEPENDENT JOURNAL, s rem.tstua) KVEiir hatoiuuVi ift JIlooittibHrfr, Columbia County, PiW nmia, Two Dollars ft ycnr, In advance. If not jnl J In advance, Two Dollar ntnl Fifty tVuli, Address nil letters to dEonai: h. mooiu:. Kdltor Of tllO Col.t'.MIIIAtf, niootmburg, Columbia County, Va, ..to VOL. I.-NO. BLOOMSBUEG, SATURDAY, JUNE JO, 1800. JtICE FIVE CENTS. hc (Jolumbinn, lie TITE OLD VAGnANT. WfiAliY nml nlil, hero lit nu die Here, In tilts Ultrh I rum lint how. "" llc'n itrtltiltt'1 tlio pining crowd mny cry; t do not Mnnt ttictr jilly now! ''Th mi, snvo when, with shudd'i ln bIiuico And senrcon iwiuse, their sons are thrown. Why stop to loir tho ilny, tho diinccl Iass out for I can die alone. "Vcs, hern to Time I ylehl nt lnit, Blnco hunger enn no lonjjer kill. 1 oncetlld hope, when youth was pint, My riRO come sheltcr'd noolt tillclit fill ; Jlui In no Itcfiisc was there room, tunny wretches houseless ronmt The streets through llfo lmve been my doom; Ho, nfler nil, I dlo tit home. When young, to those who earned llielr bread "Tench me your tmde," I used to sny. " Wo scarce find work ourselves," they snld ; " Oo 1cr, my Ind" mid turned nwny. Ye rich, who undo me work, nor saw How hard t strove, ye gave, 'tis true, My crust of brend, my couch of Mmw: 1 dare not lny my curse on you. I might have robbed I begged Instead: The greatest tlreft I can recall Was hut an apple o'er my head Thnt overhung some garden w all. Yet want has such nn evil look That Into Jail I oft w;as thrown; Tho only wealth 1 had they took : At least the sunshine was my own. If we, Indeed, mere vermin are, Twerp wise to crush us ere wc sting; If men, oh! teach us wiser far How from our lives some good may spring. Worm that I nni, had human aid Or guidance reached me, even I Might here havo labored, loved, and prayed, Where now I leave my curse, nnd die. THE FRIENDS. Forget thee! In the banquet halls, Oo nsk my fellow-nicii ; Or nsk the tear that secret falls, If I forget thee then. At a lively pleasnnt party, toward the close of tho Fall of 18 , I was introduc ed to Charles IS . It was at tlio house of nn intimate friend of mine, some lit . tie distance out of town. Wo had a ball in the evening, nnd I recollect were un commonly gay. I never was. in better spirits than in moving through acotilion with tho nrnttv Miss T : wo both 1- trayed our ignorance of one part of tho figure. There is something very agree able, at times, in these mutual mistakes. When wc had sat down after the ilrst cotillon, my wandering attention was arrested by a young gentleman whose entrance I had not observed. He was apparently about twenty-seven years of age; his flguro was thin, but fine; his features were regular; his eye dark and expressive; and but for tlio gloom that rested on his pale countenace when I first beheld him, I should havo called ,'iim eminently handsome. Hut in thnt doom there was so much of mental suf fering, and so much of absolute wretch talness such an absence of nil hope, and j itch a shade of settled despair thnt you iccame uneasy while you contemplated t, nnd turned away as from an inspircr iif painful thoughts. I felt tho niclan flioly to bo contagious, and began to 'hat and laugh with a group near me to draw off my attention from that gloomy Hrownnd compressed and sunken Hp; but in vain. My eye involuntary re turned, as under the inllttence of fasci nation ; and even whale I talked with lomo appearance of earnestness to the lady who sat next to me, I could not avoid giving a stealthy glance at the young stranger. There ho sat as I first remarked him near a window, anil somewhat retired from the rest of the company ; his head resting on his hand, which he now and then passed through his rich, dark hair from habit, as it were, for lie was evidently in a revery, far from the prcsonteenennd its hilari ty. Tlio briglit iCj'fs of beautiful wo men, sparkling with animation nnd joyous statement, attracted him not. Tho soft, "half wanton whisper, and the lotufler ttiueioTt'.stal mirth, were equally tunhecded. A lady was called upon to entertain Hks company with music. I iwnsideJigMed to see her sit down to the '.harp tho loveliest of instruments it shows off a lino voico and a lino arm so well. She commenced a sweet and .plaintive air. It was an old-fashioned strain that I was fond of when a boy. Tito deep swell of tho music, appeared to Jiavo a powerful effect upon tho young stranger. He started front Ills revery, roused himself, and seemed determined to make up for Ills former unsociability 1... cffl.tltifv In l.r. n.rwirw.ltto T iwii'.i, saw a more sudden change in an Indi--vidual. I would scarcely have recog nized him, so altered was Ids countcn nnco nnd manner. I lo began a guy con versation with n smiling, rosy-lipped little girl ho had not beforo condescend ed to notice; offered Iter his arm, and tthey Joined a group around tlio fair Siarper. I observed him. It appeared io mo that his gayety was unnatural, (unhealthy, forced. Jt was not tho free How of heartfelt Joy. Probably It ap peared tho inoro so to mo from contrast ing it with tho gloomy expression that first caught my notice. Ills deportment was now elegant and graceful ; nnd his attentions wero evidently by no means unacceptable to tho lovely creature who was hanging on ids arm, nor to those avIio Joined her for a sharo of tlio hand some young gentleman's conversation. TliU person had deeply Interested me, mid when tho music was over I desired my friend to introduce me. Ilo inline diutely complied ; and tho stranger was Introduced to mo as Charles X , nn English gentleman, who had Just nrriv ed from a tour through our country. ' Young men are soon acquainted, espe cially where there is a congeniality of hcntimcnt and feeling; and it was not Jong beforo wo wero engaged in nn in 'teresting conversation. His language iwns correct nnd polished, his address -easy and gentlemanly ; he had travelled over tho greater part of Kuropu, nnd his mind was well stored with Iiifunmtllun ; his observations displayed n knowledgo of tho world, and on literary subjects a rcflnotl elegance of taste. I was much Pinned, with him, for he was decidedly u superior mail. When ho grew ani mated on some subject that ptutlciilariy Interested him, ami his eyes kindled, and his countenance shone with a tran sient enthusiasm, I thought him olio of the most captivating beings I had ever beheld. Hut then there was that return of melancholy depression ; and when lie had been wrought up to nn excite ment on any favorlto effusion of poetry or romance, his countenanco would settle down into an expression of exhaustion areposeof gloom, which seemed natural to it, and the necessary reaction of an unu-ual excitement; then, by a painful effort, he would endeavor to keep up his sharo of the spirit of tho conversation, and beam fortlt with some brlllant stroke of wit or lively sarcasm, and lie mirth ful for a moment ; and I could perceive that lie possessed a keen sense of the ri diculous, and that at a time when his mind was freer and his heart calmer, he must have been u most entertaining companion. I was convinced that there was some hidden grief thnt lay like an Incubus on his soul, nnd Mint out all enjoyment. 1 felt a powerful sympathy for him ; a desire to alleviate his mel ancholy, not unmingled with a curiosity as to tho cause. I kept near him the re mainder of the evening; I exerted my self to appear cheerful ; I endeavored to lead hint into conversation on topics in which I thought he would feel an in terest, and to prevent the mind from re verting upon itself, and feeding on its own dark thoughts; I tried to draw him into the dance, but without effect. "I will enjoy it more by looking on," said he, with a faint smile; "I am afraid," added he, " my dancing days are over." Ilo sighed. I rallied him about such a bachelor declaration In a fine-looking young fellow to whom the girls were waiting to bo gracious; but 1 saw it gave pain, and ceased. Wo stole oil' before the company broke up, nnd as it was a beautiful moonlight night, with a fresh, bracing air, we agreed to walk home. He took my arm, and I accompanied him to his lodgings. Our conversation was on dif ferent topics; the persons we hud met ; the current news of the tiny ; anil there wero long pauses ; and each one npp'. ar ed to be absorbed in liisown meditations. Once wo engaged on the subject of youthful hopes and attachments; but us 1 perceived it occasioned some painful emotion on his part, I began to chat about the beauty of the evening, and tlio pretty lady who had listened to bis honeyed flatteries, nothing loth. An acquaintance was formed, and wo frequently met. Sometimes he was guv, and would give loose to his powers of wit and playful satire; sometimes lie was reserved, moody, sad. On all occa sions lie was unequal and restless and fitful in his mirth. His vivacity would bo crossed by that continually returning depth of gloom ; and his laugh would subside Into an indescribable expression of internal suffering. There was a sad ness that could not bo removed : nnd there was clearly remorse in it. I could perceive this in his start ; his secret shudder, almost imperceptible in his troubled eye; and the slight perspira tion on his fine manly brow. The vul ture might bo seared away for a moment, but was sure to return with a keener glanco and a whetted beak. .Still he was anxious to amuse, and would open Ids portfolio of engravings, somo of which wero very beautifully executed. lie would describe such of the scenes us lie had himself visited, and would now and then forget his griefs over somo wild nnd beautiful landscape, of .Switzer land or Italy. Ilo possessed a talent for drawing, and showed nie a number of sketches ho had mnde of our own scen ery; two of which I recognized, ns thev were views of scenery in my native Rtnto with which I was familiar. One of them was a romantie view on tho Hudson near Catskill, tho mountains in tho distance; the other, a lovely, picturesque landscape near tho Mohawk, with an extensive prospect of tlio river gracefully meandering through a fertile and varied country, lie had a true feel ing for the beauties of nature, unilitwns delightful to listen to tho remarks that fell from him. One Winter evening, about a month after our acquaintance had commenced, wo wero sitting together in his room beforo a low fire. Candles had not yet been called; and wo sat for some tlmo in silence, gazing upon the fire, that would kindle up Into a bright ilame, and then subside, in playful wantonness, as it were. N was in one of his gloomiest reveries, nnd I did not feel inclined to disturb him. He turned ab ruptly; ".S ," said he, "havo you not observed n strange inconsistency of conduct about nieV" I knew not what to reply, and hesitated. "You must you must," udded he, in a mournful tone, "you must have remarked it; but you want to spare my feelings. Alas! it Is not worth while." He passed his hand over his brow. "Where is tho medicine can minister to n mind diseas ed ; pluck from tlio heart a rooted sor row'.'" His voico was tremulous, and his eye was filling. " S , you havo no doubt wondered ut the cuuso of my depression, Listen to me. It is this day n year and six months since Kdwurd O nnd myself crossed tho Atlantic together." Ho stopped a moment. " Wo wero school follows classmates companions In tho saiuo sports as fond ami as intimate as hoys irn be. Oh! those days of Jov and di-liltctt'-U'd kindnc ! Gone, gone, forever gone I Well, sir, I'd ward went Into mercantile life, and I to the studies of a profession. He was high- spirited nnd rather Irascible, but a gen erous, noble-hearted fellow. Our till'ee- lion was ardent, and I beliove natural." N paused, ami then went on. "He called on me one morning, and told me thnt ho hud nn excellent olfer to go to America as an agent for u very respect able house, nnd If I would nccompnny hlm.lia would nccept of it. I had fre quently expressed a desiro of visiting America, and wo both thought the op portunity n good one. Wo bade adieu to our relatives and friends, nnd set sail ; we shared the same bed; wo nursed each other; poor Ned was uncommonly sea-sick; we were as brothers." His voice trembled, and there was a convul sive motion of the Hp. "Hut I must get over tills." Hedrew his chair closer townrd the fire. "I will get on with my story with more firmness I am al most ashamed of myself, S . We ar rived safely in Baltimore, the place of our destination, nnd like most other young men in the heyday of life, min gled occasionally In scenes of dissipation. Kdward had often spokeiy)f his skill in a difficult and somewhut antiquated game of cards, and I thought with some thing of boasting and elation. I know nothing of tho game; but for the pur pose of tormenting hint a little for his vanity, and front a love of mischief, I resolved to apply myself secretly to it, and obtained a pretty good insight into the game without his knowing any thing of tlio matter. One evening we weresittlng together witii some acquain tances we had picked up, and to Kd ward 'a surprise, I defied him to ids fa vorite game at cards. " 'Kdward,' said I, 'you are always boasting of your skill. I know but lit tle about the game, yet I lay you a wager I'll beat you.' " Kdward smiled witii conscious supe riority nt my badinage, and produced the cards. We played Kdward was skilful. I exerted myself to the utmost, and succeeded. Kdward was surprised and chagrined. I did not bear my vic tory meekly ; on the contrary, I openly exulted, and gave free scope to my ban tering humor. Kdward demanded an other game he again lost. Ho became flushed, and drank several glasses of wine. He still persisted in the contest ; cursed his cards; and was still unsuc cessful, I was too deeply occupied in the game to observe his countenance; and in my merriment nt nn uncommon turn of good luck, I let out nn unfortu nate witticism it was the drop in tlio full cup. Kdward rose in a passion, dashed the cards from him, struck his clenched hand upon the table, and with eyes flashing fire, accused me of dealing unfairly. I was astonished, nnd replied in wiiat I thought n conciliating tone. Hut it was only adding fuel to the flame. He repeated Ids charges with vehement rapidity, and my temper began to rise. I told him he behaved likea child; that ho was hunted with wine; and that Ju tho morning, when lie had slept off the effects of it, he would lie ashamed of Ids present conduct. He rushed across the table, almost overturning It, and alined a blow at my face. 1 received it on my arm. Tho gentlemen present rose, and insisted on his leaving tho room. Ho did so, breathing threats ami vengeance against me. As I expected, a challenge was handed me that night; and I must confess that, feeling Indignant at his be havior, I received It without reluctance. I arranged my papers, disposed of the little property I had, and wrote a letter to my parents. If the duel took place I considered that the chances wero against me ; and I endeavored to prepare my mind for a fatal result. I had no experience with tlio pistol, having only fired a few times in my life, nt a mnrk, in sport. I requested a friend to act as my second, and appeared on tho ground a little before the appointed time. Kd ward was not yet there. Ho shortly ar rived, accompanied by a second. When I beheld my old school-fellow the friend of my youth and considered tho purpose of our meeting, I felt a pang at my heart ; and 1 believe the tears wero in my eyes when I went up to him. "'Kdward,' said I, 'has It come to this; must we light, we, who have known each other so long, loved each other so dearly; and for such a cause? Is there no way of settling this unhappy difference '." " Kdward's coiintenaco was fixed and unrelenting. " ' Sir,' said he, coldly, ' if you choose to apologize for your uuhaiidsomo con duct last evening, I may receive your apology, and let the business go no far ther.' " I felt provoked, but kept down the angry reply that rose to my Hps. " ' Kdward,' said I, ' you havo grossly insulted me, struck me ; if you will ask pardon for thnt outrage I will willingly apologize for any provocation I may havo given you. " Ho Interrupted mc " ' The blow was deserved, Mr, deserv ed by your insolent sneering and mean conduct. I will not apologize for that.' " ' Kdward,' Mild I, 'you wrong me. You encroach too fur by Heaven ! too far tho crushed worm will turn. And yet I cannot I cannot mako up my mind to tire ut my old companion,' " ' Damn it,' wild Kdward, with n sneer, turning to Ids second, 1 bcllovo tho man's afraid.' " Tills was onoiigh, " ' Tako your stand,' said I sternly, 'nnd you shall see.' " Tlio ground was measured ; we took our places, back to back ; the word was Jivcii 'When and llu!' 1 uUyed mechanically, raised my pistol I am euro I took no aim but my Jiaud was firm ; I fired, and the next moment be held Edward uprlng from the ground, quiver, and full. Thu bull had entered his side. I went up to him. He had Just tlmo to falter out. " 'I am dying; I havo brought this on myself. Charles my dear Charles mnke your escape.' " He gasped, and died. I stood over him till I was urged off. I saw his body conveyed to tho next inn, when tho seconds thought mo riding off with speed. I secreted myself to give ono last look at the remains of my friend. Hut self-preservation impelled me, and I went away. I travelled through tho country; I visited every place of note; I have been In every metropolis in tho United States ; I havo been In the best nnd gayest society ; I havo entered into scenes of high dissipation; I haveinado one of every festive celebration of any importance; but I never can forget my friend's last look; the impression will never wear ofT; In the festal hour, tho figure of Kdward Q bleeding, witii Ids countenance of agony, will rise be foro me. T hear his last words ; I behold him stiffening in death. He is with mo when alone; he is with me in my dreams ; I fly to company and amuse ment, but he is with mo there; he fol lows me with equal stop ; I cannot fly from myself, and his image is a part of my being no no no I never shall forget him." He stopped and leaned his head on the table. " Now," said he, " now can you won der at my deportment'.'" I was too much affected to reply. He continued : " I lead a wretched, wandering, un settled life. I have no spirits to enjoy anything. I feel an unwillingness to engage in any active employment; and I tako morbid sutisfnetion in resigning myself with perfect inertness to tho va garies of my own gloomy fancy. My mind cannot exert Itself, even upon those subjects of which it was most fond, and with which it has been most famil iar. I am in a mental lethargy. My mind lias lot its grasp. I read without pleasure, I think without improvement. My nerves are unstrung, and I some times think my memory fails on all subjects but one one, stamped witii in delible, with burning characters on my heart and liralii. 1 ought to return homo, to my parents, to my profession. Hut us yet 1 cannot." Ho ceased. I sat a few minutes ; I could not conceal my agitation. I was grieved to see him tints, but knew that the voico of consolation or any cold reasoning would only prove offensive to him in ids present stateof mind. I took out my watch ; It was near ten. I plead ed that I had some papers "to attend to before I went to bed, and rose to depart. He took my hand. " Karewell," said lie, " if I can, I will make up my mind to return home, in tlio next packet." I whispered something of tho sooth ing influence of time, and the solace of home, sweet home, and friends most dear to the wounded heart. He sighed, and wrung my hand. " Karewell," said lie, "come nnd see mo often. Do not wnit for the ceremo ny of a return of vNits. Hetween you and me that ceremony may now, 1 think, be well spared." 1 bade him good-night, and departed. I sawhim but twice afterward. He en gaged a passage to the East Indies, and from thence he was to return to ids na tive land. Hy this time 1 hope he is with his family, and huppler than he was when 1 took leave of him on board the Achilles, bound for Canton. A LEGEND OF PROVENCE. " I am yet a king!" exclaimed Fran cis the Kirst, vaulting into his saddle after tho disastrous battle of l'avia had consigned him to a year's captivity, whoso lust month hud more gall than honey, through his marriage with tho Dowager Queen of Portugal, sistor to ids imperial and imperious captor Charles tho Fifth. From the Iser to the Ithimo whispers had crept forth that ho returned to Franco a crest-fallen man, who, after dialling his proud spirit in bondage, had no means of breaking his chains, lint by accepting a bride for whom ho had small regard. However this may have been, he rode through I'rovence, whero his subjects received him with every demonstration of Joy, although, as he approached their gray old towns, ho thought their giant gates looked down upon him with deri sion. Ho was wont to rally, nnd set spurs to his steed, nnd leave his retinue far behind; but on ono occasion the townsmen, who had timely apprisal of his route, met him outside their walls, and lie could do no less than rein up, anil bow from ids stirrups, which he courteously did, to the tuluiralionofall who beheld him ; for lie who could wrestle with Henry tho Eighth, uud throw him in lusty falls, was no more deficient in grace than in strength. They besought hiui lo honor their tilt-yard with ids presence, where, in festivity of mimic fight, they might celebrate his enfranchisement from the prison in Madrid. " Hy our faith, good liegemen I" quoth his MnjoMy, " we have had such hard knocks on the battle-field that wo are none in love of tho shadows of tourney." And ho waved his hand byway of adieu, when Ills horse started at an old Castel bin whoso hair was silver white, and beside whom stood his daughter, Iiicom parobly fair Never had Francis seen beauty so rare, and so modest withal. She bore, a mnssy salver, on which lay a bunch of rusted keys, and with a downcast look slio said, " My Lord will please to ac cept the keys of this brave old town," and slio held them toward him with such gracefulness that in nmazo lie stooped from his saddle, stroked her dark tresses with Ids mailed hand, and inquired who she was. "My name, my hord, Is Ellen, nnd this Is my father, I'cter Ingleverre," snld she. " And yourvngc, aweet damsel?" ask ed he. "Sixteen last Candlemas," rejoined the little maid, who looked a perfect woman, so Innocent and yet so heroic, as she ventured to raise Iter head, thnt tho King forgot his disasters of war in sud denly Inspired love; nnd while he In dulged In u pleasure hecould ill conceal, between their bauds tlio keys fell to the ground. This gave him a pretext to alight; and surrendering the bridle to a courtier, lie graciously received her fath er, and between him and her wnlked Into town. Hy this tlmo tlio sun was on tite wane, and I'cter, who was governor, besought his Mnjesty to sojourn for the night, nnd he would soon havo fifty prime cooks to prepare a royal feast. To tills Francis, who nothing more desired than an invitation, consented ; nnd lie accompanied Ellen home to iter father's house, where some time after a band of trained vlolars arrived to com memorate with songs the happy visit. Ellen entertained the King with nrt less talk so interspersed with sense that her conquest over her suitor became complete. And when placed by her sitle at dinner, lie forgot venison nnd pasty, nnd beakers of wine; for though so ninny other Indies shared the honor of his presence, to none were ids ntten tions so rellnedly pointed as to thu daughter of his venerable host. Per haps some ejk'ied licr the distinction, of WHICH sue uppearcu uncuiisciuus , mm some of the envyers were surprised to see her retire from the hall, observing, as she passed, that this was a feint to draw the King more deeply in hcrcolls, Ellen merely said she had arrange ments to make for tlio morrow. " And why not for to-night, cousin ?" asked the King, who, when the wine bowls had pas-ed more than once, had followed her from table, and discovered her reading in a little oratory alone. "And why not to-night, fair Ellen?" reiterated he, suasivcly withdrawing the book from her bund. She did not re- plv, while hu tossed over tho illuminated leaves, where pictured saints seemed to frown upon him chillingly. The silence evidently disconcerted him, but lie oviv ded his chagrii) in smiles. " We come, charming cousin, to breathe unalterable fidelity in thy ear," said he. " What's a charmed portal, my Lord ?" said she, interrupting him, and draw ing back. " Wo swear by thy mild blue eyes that none whom Francis ever loved shall be so beloved as Ellen," snid lie. " My Lord," said she, " I've heard of holy hooks bursting their clasps when perjured mouths come nigh. Ucwure of robbing my poor eyes of modesty, their only cla.spiiig-.-eul. Toward me, I warn you, practise neither falsehood nor Inconstancy. " Hy our knighthood, we shall be true to thee, girl, till our heart hath no throb for any living creature." " Will you love mo till my hair bo gray?" " Enchantress I we shall lovo thee wert thou a withered crone from which hideotisiiess itself might recoil," cried he so all'ectionately that she paused. "And for what am I so vastly Inesti mable?" said she hesitatingly, "it cannot bo my tresses a few clips ot the shears, nnd farewell my pride In ringlets to the winds. It mny not lie my brow, for euro shall soon furrow it and blanch my cheek, which now seems bloomingly. Care, too, shall more peak my chin, and charms, if I have any, be most perishable." "Lady, we love theo more for thy good sense than for thy beauty," said lie; and in stepping closer toward her his spur struck thu door, which closed with a spring. Ho rubbed his hands to gether, and expressed delight at an inci dent which created in her a considera ble trepidation, that soon subsided into a calm. " I was childish enough to bo alarm ed ; but I have nothing to fear from a true knight. His most Christian Maj esty would not oppress the meanest of his subjects, or betray confidence whero ho is an honored guest," observed she, drawing a chair before her, and leaning in an easy posture over its tnll curved back. "Not for a diadem would we harm thee, dearest," said he. " Yet by our sword wo would sooner forfeit every acre of old Navarre, and leave Italy the brightest jewel iu our rival's crown, than forego thy love. Thou must be ours;" and theonraptnrodnionarchdis. engaged her from the bulwark, and em braced herero she could extricate her self from Ids arms. " Hist ! heard you no nolso?" breath ed sho softly, and slio held her finger to ward tho door. Ho heard none, nor hail she; nnd she twined her sinnll lingers round Iter wrist. " In two hours hence it sliull bo midnight. Meet mo here when tho town clocks chime. Pray, my j.lege, till then retire," snld Mie, and she opened the duov. " Dust mock us, Ellen? Say wilt thou ' keep tbv piolidse "' " Assuredly my Lord does not doubt mo when I suy, jh-s? Yes, 1 shall meet your Majesty. See tho revellers from the hall seek you as one lost. .loin them, nnd remember the appointed hour." Irnncis retired nbashed, when with gcntlo force ho had been expelled from tho oratory; and Ellen quietly resumed her devotions for tho night. Tranquilly sho arose, nnd her manner betrayed neither excitement nor emo tion, though from repeated efforts she made to trim tite chamber lamp, nnd furtive glances slio cast often nt a mir ror, dull must one bo who could not (lis- tlngulsh that she was ill nt ease. Sho paced round the apartment, which was small and meanly furnished, its only ornament being n few pictures in em broidery on Scripture subjects. In one corner wero suspended loose sheets of vellum, parts of a missal for festival pur poses, nnd in another seemed n percli to have been erected, upon which perched a hawk, but so in the shade that it was dlfllcult to determine whether it was part of the ravelled tapestry or u real bird. At length she sat on a low stool nnd encompassed her knees between her hands, rocking to nnd fro ns If engaged In unravelling somo painful train of reflections. " If Inward beauty can be nowise retained except by outward In Jury, better thu body know scatii than .that the soul bo defiled," snid she, re viewing herself in the grotesque mirror with a pensive expression which soon cleared into cheerfulness. " Now, vani ty aside," continued she," Nell, did you ever think you were so pretty as to make conquest of a king? Never, Nell, never I Nell must be lovely to have ac complished that. La, what a toyshop of charms are temptingly piled in yonder glass;" and sho shook tho oil so that wavy light fell on the mirror. " Hlue eyes and black hair are peculiarities not often found together. Yet here I have them in Milesian perfection, albeit the average spirit of my eyes is half merri ment, half melancholy. And checks are here, though they may not shame the rose, they never knew tho blush of counterfeit. Teeth, likewise, which, though passing white, any elephant- hunter would nt one glance discover were no ivory ; and lips which a truer wooer than my Lord Francis told Ellen were gushing ripe, any wild bird would know nt first pecking were not wortli sweet .strawberries. Well, and as I was thinking, it's a pity all this toyshop should be in an hour or two as sad to look on as a sepulchre." Sho called her maid, nnd bade her bring n cliufing-dish, which done the maid retired, and Ellen sat once more nlone. Suspending the basin of a spirit lamp over tlio dish, she dropped in the sulphur, and us It fused into liquid, a yellow flume flickered up, nnd enst a dull halo around the chamber. She shook out her hair from the golden pins that bound it, and it fell luxuriantly to the floor, before she combed it with the greatest care, us if she intended to re- brush it again. Redressing, her tresses never had more; for with scissors she clipped round and round till her head was negress bare, but not half so pic turesque, for it hud no curls! Smearing her forehead and cheeks with oil, the sulphuric vapor arose iu poisonous influence, as she leaned over the fatal di.-h. Her eyelashes were the first sacrifices to the fume; and her pain ed eyeballs rolled In their sockets as If they wero driven inward by gusts of tire. The fairness of her forehead at first became a dark olive hue, and assuming a charred blackness, the skin burst over tho quivering veins. Her checks soon were bereaved of all blusli nnd beauty, and her lips, if they had any similitude of fruit, partook less of the rowan than the sloe. Sho endeavored to allay tlio pain by averting her head from tho va por ; but tho evasion only increased her agony, for her neck, upon which drops of the sulphur crystallized, became acutely sensitive to the weight of a string of pearls. One by onu sho remov ed them from tlio smarting flesh; hut the clasp behind had sunk so deep that its withdrawn! gave her torture Intense ly severe. AVith inconceivable effort she preserved herself from insensibility, and with co pious draughts of water allayed the burning fever in Iter throat. Her voice lost its sweetness, and sho expressed her grief iu such harshness and monotony that sho started from her seat as the clock struck twelve. As peal after peal swept dismally along she tottered to the door, which slio opened, and groping her way along tho walls, for her eyes wero dim, searched for hood and bells, which she shook. The perch in the comer rocked backward and forward,; as tho hawk on it (lapped its wings and screamed so loudly at tho sounds of its favorite emblems of chn-e that the chniuber rang. Tito King, who hud been walking in the corridor, approached, bearing In one bund u small chamber lump, and In the other a scabbardless sword. Ellen mustered sufficient strength to speak, for obscurely ho saw that something was amiss, and lie inquired tlio cause. " I will tell my Lord most willingly," snld she, and the screnmlng' hawk pounced at divers shadows as u they were its prey. Alas 1 there was now no occasion to cast down her eyes, for lit tle of their lustre remained. " My Lord, had I hearkened to your suit, my fathor's welcome had been paid with wrong, mid your Majesty's chiv alry been more eclipsed than my charms could hi ighten. Happily a brief pnln bus preserved your honor," "O infuluiit' d, yet noble-minded gil l, what hast thou done?" exclaimed lie, casting down tlio lamp nnd sword, nnd covering ids face with ills linnds. " Why didst thou not intimate thy heroic re solve, nnd tho possession of worlds would not have made us ruin that love liness which kingdoms cannot repair." " You would havo caljed it maid-sick martyrdom, or coquetry run mad, or epithets equally fantastical," said she, pressing her hand to Iter bosom. " Stay, thcro yet is hope. 'Die injury thou hast inflicted is not Irreparable," cried he, rushing to nrouso the house hold, when site beckoned him back. " I pray your Majesty bo calm," said she ; " tho worst Is past." " O heavens, how heartless I wc seem to be the cause of all this wreck. O, El len, canst thou forgivo thy destroyer?" "Indeed. 1 can; far better bo tints than bo n tarnished tiling cast nwny, for maids to loath nnd men to scorn mc. Now tlio worst they can say of me is, that I spoiled myself of n questlonublo good to escape nn evil." " And what will they say of me, El len?" "That the good King Francis onco upon a time, meeting a poor, plain girl in an obscure town, wns so blinded with strange lovo thnt she saw no way to restore him to sight than to lose her own." " Gracious and all mysterious God!" exclaimed lie, appalled, "thou dost not say thou art blind?" " In sooth, sucli is my fear. Give mo your hand, and I'll determine whether there is water in tiio well-spring of tho bruin," snld she, with touching tender ness ; nnd she shed a tear, which ho kissed away as she endeavored to exam ine ids palm. " Ellen, Ellen, sny thou canst see, nnd mnke mo happy !" exclaimed the ago nized monarch, falling on ids knees, nnd resting his head heavily ngalnst her breast. "All's dark, my Liege." "All, Ellen?" " Yes, my Liege." " (), say not so. Say there's yet a lit tle light." " And so there Is, Lord Francis; a lit tle light that misled mo into?" " Love, Ellen." " 'Tls so, Lord Francis." " For whom, Ellen? Thou tremblest. I know, all." "Then if you do, why do you ask? why do you ask, Lord Francis?" " Ellen, thou lovest him who would have been thy base undoer." " 'Tls so, my Lord." " O, torture worst of all ; and Ellen's blind !" and her tears fell plentously on his upturned face, wliile lie continued to ejaculate, " And she is blind I O, who will lovo her now, when she is blind?" " Won't you, my sweet Lord Fran cis, love me as though I were a dear Ms tor long since dead ?" " Dearest sister, I will," said lie, kiss ing Iter hands fervently. " Sister Ellen, I will ; and never till now knew Fran cis love so pure, so lasting." " Eh ! yon keen crucible hath burned away nil drossine.-s," said she, moving her hand over the chafing-dish. "'Tis with life ns with tills short episode of an hour. Nothing in tho way of vir tue was ever accomplished without pain. To horse, Lord Francis, and whenever you pray, remember Ellen Ingleverre." "And must we part thus, more dear ly loved and doubly fair ?" " Yes, and rejoice that nogullty blusli crimson my cheek, nor criminal throb upbraid my heart for beating," replied .-lie, as tlio hawk uttered such a pierc ing series of screams that first her at tendant, and then others, and finally re tainers and revellers, rushed Into or surrounded the room, where they dis covered the sovereign biirnamed " Tlio Restorer of Learning, nnd thu Great," deprived of forethought and firmness of mind. Tlio most skilful leeches tho town or court could all'ord were summoned; but their aid was only of partial avail. Fa cial beauty had forever bade farewell to her who.-e self-control was worthy tho best days of chivalry. Eycbrlghtness hud not, however, depnrted; nnd In tho gray mists of tite mom sho saw her roy al lover depart never more to return. In after life ho was wont to say that throughout his glorious career of war and peace lie had met only two human beings eminently great one tlio fa mous Hnynrd, tho poor captain of a few lances, the chevnller tuns reproach, from whoso sword lvlng Francis sought and received knighthood as (earth's greatest honor, and the other tho iiumblo nnd lovely Ellen, who hud taught him that lovo without purity is dishonor, mid harms without virtue Is shame. BOYS USING TOBACCO. A STiioMi and senslblo writer says n good shurp thing, and a true one too, for boys who Use tobacco. It has truly polled nnd utterly ruined thousands of boys ; it Induces a dangerous precocity ; it tends to a softening and weakening of tho bonus; and It greatly Injures tlio brain, the spinal marrow, ami thowholu nervous fluid. A boy who smokes early and frequently, or In any way uses largo quantities of tobacco, Is never known to make a iiiiin of much energy, nnd gen erally lacks muscular and physical us well ns mental power. Wo would par ticulurly warn boys who want to ho any thing Iu the world to shun tobacco as n most baleful poison. It Injures thu teeth. It produces an unhealthy stato of the throat and lung.-, hurts the stom ach, and hlut- tlu brain and li' i ve
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