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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