to .
hc Columbian,
AN INDEPENDENT JOURNAL,
n ruiiumui tfvrjtr satuiiiiat, in
IRloomalmrg, Coliiinhln Goiiiil)', l'n.
TKUMfl.
f1o Dollars n year, In ndvnnrc. If nut lnl
In
MvaUco. Two Dollars mid Flftv Oents.
ilJrtvm nit 1ttor in
anouon n. moohk.
llloonuburB. ColiimblivConnly. Vtx.
tye
, :'WSS TIIE OLD STORY.
jy.WASl wnnnii, mill I'd n licnrt,
- . '. And I ruved tif lovo iinil of cointiiney,
Anil lio ww tin! tears to my eyelids start,
. ' "Forlioww tho world to mo!
" . f 1
. 'Tie wldspcrcd low when tlm HprliiR-tlmo flow,
Of tlio tnnglcd m11m In which men stmy,
'And around mo nil his iirms lio throw,
, Ills o) ci wore on llro tlmt day.
Wo parted ! yes I hut I rhmt; to him,
(fApd I itit up my Dpi to bo klsicd nj.iln ;
JJut tho luuiflihiK cyei of (ho henv'u (truw dim,
' f 'fAlid vero swollen black with ruin.
'They catno lo mo when my lovo win Bono,
"'And Mild ho was poor and tolled for bread J
Tlicy talk'd of niln mid tears nlono,
' Aud my heart was UuV as load,
. '3.,
.AmUfeeli they laid tticlr bribe nt iny feet,
ATwas tlio wimo old talo that Is often lotd J
TUoy.playtd on Iho slrltus of my heart's conceit,
'fCAud'daizlod my oyes with yolil,
I od myself to n lovelois thins,
vAnd I walked to tho altar and thero I lied ;
Kor Iny heart was away hy tho lirlmtososmlng,
,1'tAnd I by iny husband's sldo.
jAndnowynn ask mo what of tho lip?
j. ' I'vo" paid full dear for my slrl Ish greed ;
Tworo bettor, I think, forawomuu toiMe,
Than tp llvo tho llfo I lead.
I nm alone, but still I can nine,
' And pray for tho ruin of Winter's rain,
for tho scent of tho pi linrose-crowu of Spring
(6 'Will return to mo again,
GRANDMOTHER'S STORY.
4'1" 11Y JULIA C10DDAIU).
.Granny, tlo you bclicvo in ghosts?"
J What has put that in your head,
chlkl?"
Because to-day is tho third of May,
nnd Esther Lovcll says she would not
forworlds go near the old Hall to-night,
fofatrango sights are to bo seen there
"nfternlght-fall.''
. f! Esther Lovoll's a goose," replied
'thoold woman, somewhat testily. " Tho
worst that could bo seen would bo a
Bwcot lady weeping and wringing her
hands i and what harm would that do
any one, I should liko to know?"
.i'.Thcn you do beliovo in ghosts?"
Bald tho child, timidly, drawing nearer
'to'her grandmother, and throwing her
nrni round her neck. "I ran to fast
b'jtho Hall, anil never onco looked
round; and I'm so glad I'm going to
sleep here, for I nover should have
dared to ;go homo, again, if it wcro
dusk."
J'jm'ro a silly child, Meg; it's only
wicked pcoplo that need ,fear gliosts, if
, .iherGaro such things. Mind you, I'll
Spwf Buy wltetlier thern nro or nnr. fii
riot"for such uu mo to Judge. Ono hears
,!Btrtu)go stories somotiines; but all
'ybuJvo got lo do, Meg, is to bo a good
'girlj hud thou you'll havo no causo to
,ear;. ghosts, or goblins, or anything
olso."
. ', But I'm not always good, granuy,"
returned Meg, despondingly, " and I've
been particularly naughty tho last day
or two; bo it's a comfort I'm going to
stay,,' here nil night, lint I did so hope,
granny, that you would not bellovo in
.glTosta."
frjfl'vc nover said I did, child, and 1'vo
..jiiover said I didn't; itsjustonoof those
(tliings that I've no belief about cither
.ono way or another; and I lake that to
foo tho best way of settling u doublful
point."
Meg looked as though bho did not
Jquliounderstand (10 fOTOJof hcrgrand
inothcr's logic, or at any rato as tliougli
iio'eonsolatiou wcro lo bo derived Ihoro
.iffpm; but tlio subject being too deep
forhcrchlldish meditations, her thoughts
.rcivcrled to wliat had been tho primary
'cause of her question.
"AVhy is .tlio third of May u worso
day for ghosts lhan any other day,
cranny?"
' C"It isn't, thai I know of," returned
tho old woman.
''Then why should Esther Lovcll bo
pioro afraid of passlngtho llall to-night
than' any other night In tho year?"
'''"That's because of tlio old story
should not mind telling itto you. Dear,
dear, what a many years it is since, and
, it seonisjust to have como to moas fresh
iisjjvhen it all happened. Sit down to
your tea, child, and after tea we'll settle
down cosily, and havo it all over. It'll
befliko calling up an old friend that's
been dead and buried many a long year,
to have a chat with one."
Meg did not by any means consider
this a " consummation devoutly to bo
wished;" tlio idea was nota pleasant one,
jufd'sho would rather her grandmother
hTdt'not.'.inentioncd it, for thero wore
. . ... a i mil. l.fi.,1
mreo cuairs in me neat juuu kuciii'ii,
nTidjwho know who or what tlio occu
jiiotof tho third might he. Meg gave
llttlb shudder,
r'You'ro not cold, child, surely V" said
Jier grandmother, pouring out another
xup of tea.
"No, granny," answered Meg, her
Jiaud trcmblingas sho stretched it out for
.jvjjtho cup.
lrvThon, you'ro friglitened ?" said tlio
old,-wonian, looking nt her. " I wish
,'iiEsthcr Ijovell and her nonsouso were
.fur away. I shan't bo ttblo to tell you
Lm story, child. Vt not well lo fill
i,young heads with fy;s."
l'"Nay, granuy, you wtwt tell it me,
' now. I shan't sleep if you don't; bo
nidus, I shall think ltmoio horrible than
. it really is, and I ahull go fancying all
Boris of things." ,
, , There's something in Hint," said tho
-..old woman, brightening up, for sho lyul
felt a little disappointed at tho thought
of' not being able to Indulge In old re-
jniuwceuces, " aim tnav wouiiiuoapny.
Uo, make haste and finish your tea, and
then we'll clear away tliotca-Uilngs and
hTivo a co-y evening together."
,'i'ho tea-things v.'oro cleared away
quickly enough, and Meg took u little
1
stool aud tat down clos e ly her grand-
VOL I.-NO. 31.
mother. Sho would not look at either
of the chairs, for sho could not dlvegt
lierself of a queer nervous feeling with
regard to them. So sho gazed into tho
lire that blazed brightly in the grate, for
it was a chill evening, though it was
May.
"1'vo noticed," began thoold woman,
" that thero'a never been a third of May
without somo part of tho day feeling
chill. However warm It may have
been beforehand, or may bo tho day
after, thoro's nover been a third of May
for Iho last sixty years that 1'vo not
been all tho bolter for a bit of ilro.
"It's tho anniversary of a day that
scuds a chill to all those who remember
it, or wcro In any way connected with It,
and it comes to mo among tho rest.
I suppose I'm getting to bo onp of the
last that it will como to, for I'm wearing
on toward eighty, Meg, and what I am
going to tell you happened when I was
a girl of sixteen or seventeen.
"Ono of tho earliest tilings I can
recollect is Iho old Hall being put into
completes repair; forsoventy or eighty
years ago it was miich in tho same con
dition that it Is now, and no ono would
take it, for there was an ill story hang
ing to it, and it was said that none who
held It in possession ever caniu to any
good.
" Well, as I said, it was put in repair.
There were carpenters and bricklayers
and masons at work, and in a short
time you would scarce have known tlio
house. The lino old gardens, too, with
their terrace-walks and stone stops, aud
fountains, were all set in order, aud a
grand place it looked altogether, though,
perhaps, there was still a gloomy air
about; but that only made it the grand
er. " Tho master of it was not Iho man to
be daunted by anything, and when ho
was told of the evil stories and tho
gliosts, as in duty bound, ho curled his
lip contemptuously, and mado some
mocking remark that no ono at tho time
cared to repeat.
"Ho wan a tall, dark man, nigh fifty,
I should say, with a bronzed complex
ion, and a proud, stcrii look on his face,
and his hair was as black as a raven.
Ito wore a pointed beard and a short
mustache, but tho rest of his l'aco was
closo shaven.
" He eanio from foreign parts, and ho
brought a mint of money with him ;
thero seemed lobo no end of it, Judidti"
""pany lie kept, and lholmr.
and the liou..u.., .j.mg belong
ing to him.
"My aunt was housekeeper at the
Hall, and now and then I used to go up
to see her; and sometimes, if it was
very early in tlio morning, sho would
let nie look through tho stately rooms,
when the housemaids were diluting and
sweeping thorn. Very splendid they
wcro, and at llrst I could sec nothing
distinctly; thero seemed to bo such a
confusion of silk and satin, and gilded
furniture and picture.!, and vases ami
statues, and mirrors, and llowers, and
tapestry, and I cannot tell you what ;
but, by degrees, I came to separate them,
and to know eacli room aud what it con
tained, for you see, Meg, it's as easy to
;et accustomed to line things when one
sees them constantly, as to poor ones,
and so it was with mo.
" The room I liked best of all was my
lady's boudoir, as they called it. It was
at tho cud of ono of Iho corridors, and
had windows opening into a wide bal
cony, that was always tilled with the
choicest plants. Tho walls wcro hung
with blue silk, and tlio silken curtains
were bordered with goldfringe. It was
Just such a room as one might expect to
see in a fairy palace, and 1 was never
tlred'Of looking at the beautiful things
heaped together there.
" Ono day I had obtained permission
to go into tills room witli my lady's
maid, and was so much absorbed in
gazing at a picture that had Just been
hungup, that I did not perceive that sho
had gone away, imagining that I was
following her ; and so I was left alone.
" It was a picture of a child, a beau
tiful boy, with blue eyes, that had no
look of tlio proud, stern master of tho
house in them the Squire, as wo coun
try folk used to call him.
" I was still gazing at it, when I heard
a voice say
" ' "Who are you, my llttloglrl?'
" I had never heard such a voice be
fore; tho words wero not spoken as wo
English pcoplo would speak theni,,aud
tho tone was so sweet that I 'scarcely
thought a human being hud spoken to
me.
" I turned, aud thero stood a lady in
a iooso whlto dress, that seemed to iloat
round her. Sho was very paio aud
fragilo-looking, aud her hair was like
pale gold.
" I or a moment I thought sho might
bo an angel, and then it suddenly Unsh
ed upon mo that it must bo my lady
herself. So I dropped a low curtsoy,
aud said
"'I am Mrs. Bridget's niece, my
lady.'
"So you aro admiring my room
said my lady ; ' tell mo what in it pleas
es you best V'
"My eyes Involuntarily sought the
picture, and I pointed to it.
" X flush of pain passed over my
lady's countenance.
"'Yes,' sho said; 'you aro right,
llttloglrl thero is nothing to compare
with it. My child my sweet child !'
and sho put her hands over her eyes.
"At tho moment who should eoino
along tho corridor but tho Squire. My
lady seemed all trembling like, but she
could not grow any whiter than sho was.
Tho luyijieut If cau;;lit sight of the
BLOOMSBURG,"
picture ho went into a passion, and be
gan to swear at my lady.
'"How long has that been up hero'."
ho aiked.
"'Only sinco yesterday,' said my
lady; 'Clcronimo lias Just finished it
for mo.'
iU that moment a youth, who boro
a wonderful likeness to my lady, ad
vanced.
" ' Is this tho way you repay my
favors?' demanded tho Squire fiercely.
' I thought wo wero rid of that child
when wo laid him deep under tho sod
nt Padua, and now lie's risen again to
to do over beroro inc. As ifl could
help whether ho lived or died.'
" Tito youth looked in amazement at
the speaker, and then tomo new
thought seemed to strike him, for ho
started back as if ho had seen somo
dreadful sight, aud then he gazed stead
ily at the Squire. And tho Squire cased
at him In return, but I thought I saw
a slight quiver on his under lip.
" ' what do you mean?' said lie.
" Tho youth was hesitating whether
to reply, when iny lady, who had been
intently watching tho two, stepped for
ward and signed to the youth to go.
Then I, too, crept away aud went down
to Mrs. Bridget; Iliad been loo fright
ened to stir before.
"When I got back to Mrs. Bridget.
she first gavemoagood scolding forboing
tounu in my lady's boudoir, aud then
nindo mo give her an exact account of
what had taken place, , and then, my
lady's maid coming in, she laid to be
tohj, and tho two women put their heads
together, and I could seo they thought
deeper of it than I could understand;
for thero wcro beginning to bo strange
stories afloat respecting the Squire.
I must tell you that my lady was an
Italian, and Gcronimo, tlio youth I hud
scon, was her brother. Ho and mv
lady wero living together in Italy in
very slender circumstances, when the
Squlrowasstruckwlth her beauty iissho
sat playing with her child ; for the had
been married very young, and had been
left a widow with ono child, tho beauti
ful boy whoso likeness 'I laid been
looking at.
"The Squire fell in love with her at
once, and at lengtli sho consented to mar
ry him, on condition that O'eronimo
might not be parted from her until he
grow to man's estate, and could make
his way alone in tho world.
ihoy wv'ro'niarffcdi liud all went weji
for a time; but soon ho became Jealous
of IhoJovo of the mother fur iier child,
and could scarcely bear it in his sight.
You seo lie was' very fond of ins wife,
and wished to be first with her ; but he
was not.
"Well, after a while, tho boy sud
denly sickened ; lie lingered for many
weeks, aud then he died.
"But my lady was no nearer tho
Squire for all that. Indeed, a shadow
seemed to spring up out of tho child's
death ; and at last theSquIrc thought If
ho could get away from Italy aud como
back to England, and live a country
life, keeping open house, that tho gay
company would drive sad Ihoughlsfrom
my lady's heart. But ah! wliat com
Diin v ever did that, child? There she
was. dressed in her brocades that stood
of themselves, and her pearls, and her
diamonds, looking moro likeabeautiful
snirit than anything earthly. And tho
Squiro was proud enough of her, as well
ho might be, and yet he was stern and
harsh, and was half mad if she ever
spfike of her dead child.
" Aud so things went on until tho day
that I was in my lady's boudoir.
" After then iny lady began to droop
moro than over. Sho had not the heart
to don auy of her fine dresses or to ap
pear among tho guests. She seldom
left her own room, and sho clung more
closely to Geranium than sho laid ever
done before. ct, strange to say, she
was ever urging him to return lo Italy ;
for she said sho know that sho was dyi ng,
aud what would lie do in a strango land
without her? Uutho would not listen
" Ono day, it was early in May and
the weather iiad he-Mi unusually warm
flei'onimo went down to tho river to
bathe.
"Ho did not return; and somo ono
passing by, and seeing his clothes lying
on tho bank aim lilm nowhero about,
raised an alarm, and, after a long search
his body was found. When tho poor
corpso was broughtto tho Hall, my lady
who had been in a state of frantic grief,
camo to meet it.
' Every ono was surprised to seo how
calm she went all of a sudden. Sho
drew back tho sheet they had llung over
him, and kissed his cold Hps; then sho
bade them get ready tho stato-bed-
rooni, and there ho was laid out, and
my lady sat by the boilsldo and watched
until tho day of tho funeral, but she
never spoke.
"When the day camo slio took a last
look at lilm before tho collln-lld was
fastened down; then bho told her nial
sho was going to havo a long sleep, and
sho went to her own room, where she
took to her bed, and gradually faded
and faded.
"Tho days went by slowly enough
now, for it was very still and quit In
thoold Hnll. Tho Squiro sat moodily
in ihogrent dining-room, and n-arto a
soul dared to say anything to him. Now
and then ho went to look at. his wife
but alio never bo much as opened lie
eyes when no camo into the room
whether It was that she was too fargono
to speak, or whether from some other
cause, iioiio know. Bat she spoko
no one now, and the doctor said tho end
wn- nut far off
SATURDAY, DECEMBER , 1SG0.
" It wasjust ono o'clock on the morn
ing of the third of May it wanted a
few minutes to high water, and then tlio
tide would turn, and wo all know that
at llde-turuhig many a soul thai has
been waiting is called awny.
" Woll.aslsald, itwas Juatonco'olock,
and all the household wcreii-bod except
ing tho Squire, who was still silting
over his sack-possot, and tho old nurse
who watched at my lady's bcdsldo.
"Suddenly n low cry was heard, nnd
it pierced through the hoiiso and woke
many of thosleopors; but only one or
two had courage enough to rise ui and
seo what it was, and among these was
ly Aunt Bridget
" As sho opened tho door that led on
to tho grand gallery, sho saw iv white
figure gliding down tho great staircase,
with Its eyes staring in wild horror,
wringing its hands, and moaning
Ileously. If it had not boon that sho
was lying on her death-bed, my aunt
Would havo said that it was my lady
herself; but sho had heard of tho spirits
of denartiii!' iieoiilo visltiii"' IIiimi ihnv
desired to see at the last moment, and
so great was her fear nt the sight that
she fainted away, as did the maid who
uid accompanied her; but a little fool
page, who had moro courage and more
curiosity, followed tho figure, and saw
it enter tho dining-room. The Squire,
lie said, started up; and tho figure.
slowly raising its hand and pointing ono
linger at lilm, said, ' Murderer I' And
tho Squiro fell back in Ills chair, and
hid his face in ids hand. Tho little
foot-pago saw no more, for, overcome
with fright, ho lied to his room and
buried himself bouealh tho bedclothes.
"WJiou my aunt cutno to herself,
being a woman of somo nervo, desplto
the sudden terror that camo over her.
sho determined to go to my lady's room,
and there she found my lady, as sho ex
acted, stretched on the bed qulto dead.
Tlio nurse was asleop, so of courso did
not know how long she had been dead ;
but my aunt knew that sho must have
died just as tlio tide turned, aud that
would be Just at the time the whlto
jure glided down the staircase.
" Do you think it was my latly: ghost,
rauiiy?" said Meg.
"How should I know. I only tell
the talo as it was told to me, audit's not
for tho liko of me to stlllo about such
things. I don't either believe or dis
believe in ghoats, and thal'o llu b.t
nu'Hiopii never to.we one ; JiUl fitrrl" l'tt
not say but whal'oiuoi-j have."
"I'm sure I hopo 1 .-.'han't," said Meg;
'I should dio with fright."
'My aunt didn't," replied llio out
woman, "ami 1 see no causo mat you
should. Not that I think you'll ever
co one."
nd what becomo of tho Squire?"
asked Meg.
" After my lady's death lie nover felt
eomfortab!" at tho Hall, so all the line
things wore sold, aud tho house was shut
up, anil no wentuLuoud, aim i neam no
wandered from place to place until ho
died. Itbceniedasif ito could liud no
rest."
" Do you think, granny," said Meg,
lowering her voice, " that lie had any
thing to do with Iho child's death or
with (jei'onimo'sV"
"Many thought so," returned tlio
old woman; "utill nothing could be
mado of it. But one thing has always
been clear to my mind: mylady thought
o, and that w as tho cause of thopilcous
iioaning of tho figure that my mint saw
rlido down theolilhlaircase."
.MRS. RLIFKLNS'S AEROLITE.
you want to go to bed, why don't
you go, anil not Keep uoiiienng me,"
said Mr. Bllfkins, as she looked over
tho top of her book at Iter husband.
" Well, 1 thought you might boready,"
replied Blifkins, in a scinl-apologetleal
tone. "You are generally the first to
propose lellring, but to-night 1 feci kind
of sleepy."
You always do when you (lino down
town," suggested Mrs. Is.
1 only had a frugal repast at the
Unpoandtiwullow," responded Ullf.
" Does Mr. Smith keep that place?"
asked Mrs. B.
"Not exactly," bald lllifkins, who rc
illed his last jolly good dinner at that
cstabiisiimcut.
""Well, well, don't talk ; I'vo just
reached a very intere t lug passage," said
Mrs. Bllfkins.
No, uo, 1 won't talk," replied Bllf
kins, "unless I talk in my sleep; so
good-night."
'Good-night; thero, go along you
wouldn't have kissed mo If you hadn't
been dining out," said tho worthy
spouse, who appeared to bo pleasantly
irritated.
Bllfkins, who was really worn out by
a hard day's work, began to ascend the
btairs, when Mrs. 5. suggested that ho
had omitted his ufuai practice or seeing
that the lower part of tho houso was se
curely locked up. As tho domestics had
not retired, lio contented himself by
urging upon them extra vigilance, and
tho clock struck nine as ho pulled the
drapery of his coucli (vulgarly known
as a mosquito netllng), about him and
tumbled into tho land of dre.uns. lit
slept ns aweetly as an infant, and would
havo continued to knock out tho slum
hers, uo doubt, till morning, had not a
scream from tho kitchen roused the
whulohotiioliold, thero being a simulta
neous jump on tho part of all tho occu
pants, and a yell from tho youngest in
tho crib, who sat up and called for its
mother. Benjamin, Mrs. B., Mary Juno
15., B. B.,. Jr., aud Matilda J5. ull ntrhed
Ito 'ko sic.us, uud in dilToreui Wucj
voice demanded thu eau?o of the alarm.
No response was given, for the kitchen
door was closed.
11 .ifi... .
vny (lou-t. you go down and seo
what's tho matter?" said Mix. B.
"Mary may bo killed! nhtmlcdonoof
tho children on tho second Iloor.
"Why don't you on down, pa?"
screeched tho Bllfkins heir, who occu
pied tlio front attic.
"Mary, .Tune, what's tho matter?"
shouted Bllfkins at tho (op of his lungs.
'Uierowius no reply. Neither Mary,
thu cook (who agreed to tako charge of
the lower part of the houso, but refused
to consider the furnace any part of her
work), or Jano(ongaged to do ccncral
housework, but rebellious at tlio idea of
sweopiug tho front steps), mado any
sign of life.
Both murdered, probably, and I
should bobeforoyou would comedown,"
said Mrs. B.
" Do you wish I should eoino down
just as r am?" asked Bllfkins.
Mrs. B. didn't havo tlino to reply, for
the children up stall's having very llatly
Intimated that tho father was afraid to
go down, resolved to do so themselves,
ami as tlicy Uidu'l wait for crinoline,
tJiii. started, accompanied by his nusse
vomitatus. The kitchen door was open
ed by Bllfkins with a Jerk, and thero
sat tho smiling cook and jubilant maid
In perfect repose.
"Who in the dcueo gavo that
yell?" asked Blif.
" Don't lie standing there," said Mrs.
Ulifkins, who saw there was no trouble :
"you'll all get your death o'cold on that
canvas carpet."
Instead of making any reply to tho
piery, the cook pulled her apron over
her face, and Jano wrapped iter head in
tlio roller, and both began to lauirli.
Blifkins saw the impropriety of ids po
sition and retraced his stops, followed
by tho children, suggesting to Mrs. B.
that sho had better go and find out what
tho matter was, adding that ho wouldn't
havo been disturbed in that way for all
the girls' necks were worth.
Mrs. Blifkins, after quieting tho baby
and giving each of the children six nll-
lules of belladonna to keep them from
taking cold on account of their sudden
exit from their warm beds, proceeded
to the kitchen. Mary said it was Jane's
fault, and .Tane slid itwas Mary's fault.
Mary told Jane an awful story about
giiost i, and, jnt a i sho had reached a
wirrwvtfVaiiii 'ii tfieiu i.-aJii iifiutiixK
ing in, and Mary j olted. Mrs. B. read
them a lesjou. It is ttnfo 'tusuite that
Yerringtou was not present to take
notes of tho address then made. She
pictured tho sin of tho proceeding the
disease which might como to tho chil
dren from being turned out of bed the
possibility (hat such a yell uttered In a
quiet household might have turned her
hair white "and," said she In conclu
sion, "Mary, never do such a thing
again. What would havo been your
feelings if, in coming down stairs hasti
ly, Miss Mary Jane had fallen and re
mained n cripple for life?"
Mary laid lived in sixteen ditreicnt
families each year blnce her sojourn in
Bo3ton, and ten years having passed
since she stepped ashoro from tho ship,
her acquaintance with milkmen, grocer
boys, and city dirtmen was somowhat
extensive. Never before hud sho been
so upbraided font simple yell; though
she said nothing to Mrs. B. (aware, no
limbt, of tho folly of such a proceeding),
she at onco gavo Jano to understand
that the next day sho should givo Mrs.
B. " warning," for sho had nover lived
moro than a week with a nervous fami
ly, and never would.
At ten o'clock tho two girls ascended
to their room, leaving Mrs. U. still en
gaged in her book, and as the clock
struck eleven, that worthy woman rub
bed her eyes and started up, evidently
surprised that she was not In bed. Sho
approached tho window, and pulling
up tho curtain, gazed out. It was u
bright, clear, cold night, tho first of
those starry nights which wo havo in
Autumn, and which are peculiarly at
tractive if one is i-ocurcly hou-ed and
cm gaze at thoMudded firmament with
out feeling tho bite of tlio frosty atmos
phere. As Mr.-. B. was looking at tho
stars, sho gavo a sudden exclamation,
indicative of surprise and wonderment,
and immediately hastened to tho bed
sldo of Mr. B., who was sleeping
soundly.
"Benjamin, Benjamin," sho said,
gently touching his arm.
Benjamin sat upright in an instant
and exclaimed :
" I tell you I hold Iho right bower."
"Nobody said you didn't," replied
Mrs. B., " but wake up, and get out here
to (ho window aud look at this aero
lite."
Bllf. tumbled out and peered into tlio
vacant lot in the rear of his house.
"There, don't you seo it," said Mrs.
., pointing to a glistening spot. "1
saw thu star fall, and there It Is."
"Aro you sure you caw U fall," in
quired Bllf.
" I nm certain. Don't you supposo I
know."
"Sure you aren't deceived?"
" I know 1 saw It fall, aud there It is."
".Send .lane mil and pick it up. It
will lu.o IN brilliancy In a moment."
" lioth glila have been a-bed this hour
or more."
"Well, I'll go out Hid get il In Iho
illuming then."
" Why not go now, Benny dear?"
" Well, 1 will ; it's a great curiosity,
and i guess Havard College would be
glad to get It."
"Mr. B. didn't, wait to perfect ids
vf)'.oii.'t. II
:.:ilv ui-J iiudcrcivlh.'.),
PRION FIVE CUNTS.
pulled on an old pair of pants, sticking
the bottoms Into it pair of India rubber
uoois which ho leaped into, and cover
ing himself with an antique cloak a
family relic which camo down to him
from u former generation ho prepared
10 mtiKo ins exit. Mrs. B. had kept her
eyo on (ho aerolite.
"Does it still slilno?" asked Bllf., as
no jammed on a Kossuth hat.
" Not qulto so brightly, but I can see
n," reported Sirs. B.
" But tho thing will bo hot, won't it'."
queried Benjamin.
"Of courso It will," replied Mrs. B.;
" but hrjro, taku this dipper be careful,
don't spill tho milk, for it will do to cool
the aerolite."
She liniidod her husband a sliver dip
per which had, liko the cloak, Its con
nectiou with hcrnnccatry, uud wassuiv
posed to havo been made in Paris and
brought over to this country bv lienla.
mln Eranklin, after tho ludepeiidcuco
oi mis country had been acknowledged.
Sho kept it (o heat milk in over tho gas
stove, and though somewhat tarnished,
it was worth Just its weight in silver.
Bllfkins, in order to reach tho open
space, was obliged lo go outof (he front
door, and passing down the street, enter
through a pussago-way. Mrs. B. watch
ed at the window till sho saw him on
tho ground, and then rushing to tho par
lor, pulled the curtain down, and put
ting tho gas out, stood In tlio entry wait
ing tho arrival of the treasure. Eive
minutes elapsed and (hero was no re
port. She looked out tho front door,
but nobody was in sitdit. and becoming
a little alarmed, she went up stairs aud
gazed forth, but much to her surprise it
was uaruness visible. Sho could not
seo oven tlio spot where tlio aerolite fell,
but sho heard voices, and recognized
licnjamin's tones, who appeared to bo
attempting to explain to some one that
his nanio was Bllfkins. Unmindful of
tho baby, she threw tho window onen
and shouted out tho namo of her dear
husband.
"There," said Benjamin, "if you
don't believe me now, Just como round
to tho front door."
" Well, I don't object to that," was
tho reply.
In u second of lime Mrs. I J. was at the
front step, and in two seconds moro
Blifkins came up accompanied by a po
liceman
"There,
I," said Blifkins, "aro you sat-
i.i- name, imc 'ull wouldn't
;f.r ir you
b lieve nu. Aro you satisfied now?"
" Well, Mr. Blifkins" Id the police
man, "if you'd had yourovoryday har
neso on 1 should havo recognized you,
but with tho.-o fancy trimmings ami
that silver skillet in your hand, you
woiildti'texpect your best friend to know
you. J hope you'll excuse me, but in
these times 1 havo to keep my eyes peel
ed. But 1' do wish you would tell me
what tho devil you wero doing in that
open lot at this time of night with that
silver dipper in your haiuU."
"Ho went to get tho aerolite," broke
in Mrs. B., who saw through thu trou
ble. Bllf. didn't say n word, but wish
ed from the bottom of his heart that his
wife's tongue had been tied.
' Wliat sort of an aninial is that?"
asked the policeman.
" It Is auuuinial," said Bllf., Jumping
at the door which opened to him " that
is born at cloven o'clock at night and
dies before midnight, during tho month
of November, and my friend, Professor
Agossiz, was very anxious to obtain a
specimen preserved in milk, and so 1
tried to get a big one which I saw from
my window.
"I never heard of the animal before,"
said tho policeman, who, after again
askfiig to be excu-cd, went on his beat
wondering what kind of an animal it
could be that lived only an hour
"You didn't find it, then," said
Mrs. B.
" Find it," reiterated Blifkins, " I saw
it distinctly, but just as I reached the
spot it suddenly bectuno dark, and
could'nt see anything. I picked up an
old piece of tin, however."
" Well, that is strange," said Mrs. B.
" I noticed tlmt it grew dark almost in-
nta.itaneotisly."
Bllf. said no more, but as tho clock
struck twels'o ho indulged in somo re
marks about tho quiet night he had pass
ed, and was just seeing things twist
round before his eyes, which always
preceded his sleep, when Mrs. Blifkins
nudged lilm.
" Well, what Is il now?" ho asked.
" 1'vo just thought, Benjamlu, why It
row so dark. It was because I put out
the gas In the parlor and pulled tlio cur
tain down."
"That's so, I giies," responded Bllf.,
after a moment's thought, "and being
so, I think that bit of tin is the aerolite
after all." JSoston Jiccning Guzette,
EIItST RIDE OXT A RAILROAD.
Aktouv Is told of an old lady who
lived near Rochester, who had never
seen or travel led on a railroad. Wanting
to goon a visit to a small town a short
distance from the city, she thought sho
would try one of tlio pesky things. So
she went to tho ticket otlice, currying
tier reticule on ono arm and an old
fashioned rocking-chair on the other.
Sho bought her ticket, walked out on
tho platform, put down her rocking
chair, sat down in it, took out her knit
ting and worn lo workdlilgeutly. Stead
ily she rocked and woikcd, initio min
ing in and leaving as the car u.hh came
around, Tlu old lady made iioattenipt
to uu tlu car, but pi hutting.
, Iho. tl.iy '.UviY to ativL, r.uJ nUht
cniiii of (lwrliiiinrj,
OnqBjimr(i, ono or throo IuwtUoim. .ei 60
liich subsomieiit Insertion Una Hunt Udrtcon, ft)
Ono Hnuaro ono month j no
Two " " .,. ...... 3 00
Throo " " s u)
I'niir " " o CO
Half column " ..Id 00
Ono column " n co
llxceittor's nnd Administrator's Notlei.....43 mi
'Auditor's fltoes........m.......M.H... 3 60
Mllorlal Notices twenty cents ior lino.
Other advertisements Inserted according to spa
rlulcontincj.
catno on. Tho last train was about
starting, when (ho depot master went
up and asked her " if she was going out."
"Yes, sir," replied thoold lady.
"Hadn't you bet(er get aboard aud se
cure a scat ?" said Hto depot master.
" Thank you, sir, I am very comforta
ble," replied tho elderly dame.
Tho train left. Tho master camo
round again" Madam, I shall havo to
disturb you : it is late, the trains havo
all left, and wo must closo the depot.
Shall I send you to a hotel?"
" Well," exclaimed the old lady, drop
ping her knitting and holding up her
hands, "ain't tho thing going to move'.
Hero I brought my chair from home so
as to havo a seat on .whlcir- joiiio pesky
man couldn't squeeze himself. I'vo set
hero nil day waltiu' for tlio tiling to go,
and hero I've had all my trouble for
nothing. I thought It was a long time
moving. I declare that llicso hero rail
roads is tho biggest nulsanco and hum
bug as ever was!" and tho old lady,
with bus on one arm and rocking-chair
on the other, gavonto-s of her head and
marched olf In high indignation.
Sho mistook the depot for tho cars,
and expected to travel in it.
A HIVEIt TIIE EMBLEM OE HU
MAN LIFE.
Tin: river, small and clear in its ori
gin, gushes forth from rocks, falls from
deep glens, and wantons nnd incandcM
through n wild nnd picturesque country,
nourishing only tho uncultivated trco
or llower by its dew or spray. In this,
its state of Infancy and youth, it may
bo compared to tko human mind, lit
which fancy and strength of imagina
tion aro predominant ; it is more beau
tiful than useful. When the different
rills or torrents Join, and descend into
the plain, it becomes slow nnd stately
in its motions; il is applied to movo
machinery, to irrigate meadows, and to
lieurupon its bosom tho stalely borgo;
In this mature state it is deep, strong,
and useful. As it Hows on toward tho
sea it loses its foreo and its motion, aud
at last, as it were, becomes lost and min
gled with the mighty abyss of waters.
Pursuing the metaphor farther, wo may
say that in its origin, its thundering
and foam, when it carriesdown clay from
the bank and becomes impure, it re
sembles the youthful mind affected by
dangerous passions. And tho Influence
-r . i -1 l j ' .-, t
effect of reason in more maturo life,
when (ho calm, dcop, cool, uminpns-
.-.ioncd mind is freed from its fever, its
troubles, bubbles, noise, aud foam. And
abovoall, tho sources of a ris-er, which
may be considered as belonging lo Iho
tlmospherc, and its termination in tho
ocean may lie regarded as imaging uio
divine origin of tho human niiiid, and
its being ultimately returned to and
lost in the Infinite and Eternal lulelli-
enco from which it sprung.
ACCIDENTAL INSTJEANCE.
Birrwnr.-V ICeiuh and Milwaukee an
agent of tlio Travellers' Insurance Com
pany or Hartford entered the car, and
having issued tickets to several passen
gers, approached an elderly lady, who,
it afterward appeared, was deaf.
" Madam, would you liko to Insure
against accident?" inquired tho agent,
at tho samo tune exhiblliuy: Iih ticKcts.
" 1 got my ticket down to Kenosli."
"Not a railroad ticket, madam; 1
want to know if you would liko to iu-
siiro your life against itf'cidom."
" I'm going up loOhkosh to visit my
darter, who's married up there and lias
Just got a baby."
Tho agent raised his voice a little.
"Would you like, lo insure your lifo
against accident?"
" She's been married two years and a
half, and (his's tho first child. It's a
Sul."
Agent still louder
" 1 am an insurance agent, madam ;
don't yon waul to insure your life .tgalnst
accident?"
"She got along llrst rato, and is doing
as well as could bo expected."
Agent at tho top of his voice
"I'm an insurance agent, madam;
can't I insure your life against acci
dent?" "Oh, I didn't understand you," said
the old lady. " No, her name Is John
son ; my namo Is Evans, and I hvo llvo
miles from Keiioih."
AMir.r.T 1'iki:, who is now living at
Memphis, has fallen u victim to a confi
dence man, who called at his house alid
succeeded In stealing llvo hundred dol
lars In gold.
A sia.s' named Johnson , who had been
sentenced to death in North Carolina
for highway robbery, committed on a
railroad, has appealed to tho Nuprenio.
Court, contending thalaraltroadlanotu
highway. The niot eminent lawycrsot
the Slate will dirctes the matter.
An old gentleman, named Niklaus,
died very maidenly tit Madison, Indi
ana, on Wednesday. 1 lo hud gotio into
the cellar for wood, and btaying rather
luiif, some ono started to look ailer him,
when ho was discovered lying on his.
back in (he cellar, dead. His death was
supposed to Imo been caused by ox
trcme age, or heart dlsca?e.
Tn K New York OWnw says ; "Tho
Itev. Mr. (Irammer, uu Episcopal cler
gyman or Baltimore, i, reported to have
had u very narrow ecapo from au awful
death in .Switzerland, a few days ngo.
'i he mute on iilcii lio was riding went,
over iU'rightfiil precipice, and was dash
ed topieees. Mr. (iiuniiuercuught hold
of the liubj el a tree, ami was saved,
n