The Columbia spy. (Columbia, Pa.) 1849-1902, May 23, 1857, Image 1

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SAMUEL WRIGHT, Editor and Proprietor
VOLUME XXVII, NUMBER 46.1
PUBLISIIED EVERY SATURDAY MORNING.
Office in Northern Central Railroad Com
pany's Building, north-zoest corner Front and
Walnut streets.
Terms of Subscription
One Copy per annum, if paid in advance,
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if not paid within three
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lisher.
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er s risk.
Rates of Advertising.
square [6 lines] one week,
three weeks,
rr each subsequent insertion, In
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each subsequent insertion, :21
Larger advertisements in proportion.
A liberal discount wilt be mode to quarterly, hulf
yearly or yearly advertisers,who are strictly confined
to their business.
DR. S. ARMOR,
TTOREOPATIIIC PHYSICIAN. Office and
Residence in Locust street, opposite the Post
Office; OFFICE PRIVATE,
Colombo', April 25, 1e57-6m
Drs. John & Rohrer,
AVE associated in the Practice of Medi-
Hsint
Columbia, April Ist,
DR. G. W. MIFFLIN,
DENTIST, Locust street, near the Post Of-
See. Colombia, Pa.
Columbia. May 3, 1833.
H. M. NORTH,
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW.
Columbia, Pa.
Collections, promptly made, in Lancaster and York
Counties.
Columbia, May 4, 1950.
J. W. FISHER,
Attorney and Counsellor at Law,
C=Jc:pliaaa3.lc.lim, PL.
columbia, september
GEORGE J. SMITH,
WHOLESALE and Retail Bread and Cake
Baker.—Conatantly on hand a variety of Cakes.,
toonurnorous to mention; Crackers; Soda. NN me,
and Sugar Biscuit; Confeetlonery, ofevery tleseriptiolt,
&c., &c. LOCUST STRIZI , 7I',
Feb. 2,'50. Between the Bank and Franklin .1 i 1311 , C.
APPOLD & CO.,
GENERAL FORWARDING AND COMMIS
ifakfiaSlON MERCHANTS, *a
BF:MVP:RS OF
COAGANDPRODUCE,
And Derioerers on any point on the Columbia and
Philadelphia Railroad. to York and
Baltimore and to Pittsburg;
nEALMS IN COAL, FLOUR AND GRAIN,
Al 'MUSKY AND BACON, have Iti.t received a
large lot of Monongahela Rectified %Vlitskey, from
Pittsburg, of which they will keep a supply constantly
ou bond. at low prices, Noe. 1, 2 and 1.1 Cueal Basin.
Columt in, January 27,1234.
0 ATS FOR SALE
BY TILE BUSHEL, or in larger quantities,
at Nos. 1,2 & G Camal
r APPOLD & CO.
Columbia, January
Just Received,
50 1 3 1.11',11.9.P.U.N! It N
e U ta T il S oll t ett j o:ter F s !
establishment, Front street, two door: below Ore
Washington House, Columbia. [October •w, 1t4:56.
Just Received,
s sliouLuccs, Is Tac liAms.—
0 HpParsale. m
by 13. P. APPOLD & CO.
Nov. 1, 2 and 6, Canal 13usin.
Columbia, October 18,
Rapp's Gold Pens.
CONSTANTLY on I►and, an assortment of
these celebrated PENS. Person^ in want or e
good article are invited to cull and examine them.
Columbia, June 30, 1855. JOHN
Just Received,
rik-LARGE LOT of Children's Carriages,
Gigs, Rocking Horse., Wheelbarrows. Prepel
er..Nursery Swings, &e. G BORG 1.'...1. SNI rri I.
April 19, 1858. Locust street.
( IRINA and other Fancy Articles , too numerou. to
V mention, for gale by G. J. SMTII. Locum tweet,
between the Bank and Franklin Nonce.
Columbia, April 19, 1850.
ATILE undersigned have been appointed
agents for the sale of Cook & Co'. G UTTA l'ER
k PENS, warranted not to corrode; in e lablicity
they almost equal the quill.
SAYLOII. S.. Mc9ON&L.II.
Columbia an 17, 1857
Just Received,
A BEAUTIFUL lot of Lamp Shades, viz: Tie
wrine, Volcano, Drum. Baiter Ply, Red
and the new French Fruit Shade, which can be seen
in the window of the Golden Mortar Drug Store.
November 29, 1856.
A LARGE lot of Shaker Corn, from the
Shaker settlement in New Yolk, iu.t reerived,
at SON'S
Columbia, Dec. 20,1950
HAIR DYE'S. Jones' Batchelor's, Peter's and
Ecyptiao hair dyes, warranted to color the luur
any dewed shads, without injury to the skin. For sole
by R. WILLIAMS.
May 10, Front ct., Columbia, Pa.
FFearTOOZPSON'S jolly ceicbrated Com
mercial and other Gold Pen,---the heat in the
market—juat received. I'. SHREINER.
Columbia, April 29,1855.
p4lTit& FAMILY FLOUR, by the burnt, for
sale by B. F. APPOLD & CO,
Colambia,Junc 7. Nos. 1,2 and R Canal lla.in.
WHY should anyperson do without a Clock,
when they can be had for SI .50 and upward,
at 411REINER'S?
ArTil
tQAPONEFIER, or Concentrated Lye, for ma.
1J king Soap. I lb. is sufficient for one barrel of
Boit Soap, or Ilb.for 9 lbs. (lard Soap. Full direc
tions will be given at the Counter for making SO,
Bard and Fancy Soups. For sale try
It. WILLTANIS.
Columbia, March 31,1955.
ALARGE lot of Baskets, Brooms, Buckets
Brushes, &e., for sale by IL t51.11' &
WEIKEL'S Instantaneous Yeast or Baking
Powder, for sale by 11. SUYDAM & SUN.
n DOZEN BROOMS, 10 noxEs COITES'I , 7. For
ti sale cheap, by 11. F. APPOLD & CO.
Colunibka, October 25, ISM.
A SUPERIOR. articte or PAINT mt.. car solo by
Front Street, Columbia, Pa.
May 10, 1E56
TIMM RECEIVIID, a large arid well selected tioncly
ity of Brualte•, consiloota to port of Shoe. II sir, Cloth.
Crumb, Nail, Hat and l'eeth Bru.lteit, nod for cote by
H.
Front rtrect Colio L WILIAMS.
nlita, Pa.
Mardi 42,'36
ASUPERIOR article ofTONIC SPIGIi urrrints,
suitable for Hotel Keepers, for Pale by
R. NV11.1.1 Aal Si
From ttrect, Columbia.
Map 10,1850
MIAMI ETHEREAL OIL, tawny.. on hood, nod ro
*We by- R. WILLIAMS.
May 10,1836. Front Street. Columbia, tin.
TUS.T received, P•RESII CAMPH ENE. and for :ale
NJ by R. Wif,I.I.AMS.
May 15,15.54. nom Street, Columbia, Pa,
/ 000Ner City (lined Hama and Shoulders,
just received and for sale by
Feb. 32,1957. It. SUYDAM S SON.
I,4l:(rtrg.
Kisses.
Sitting to-night in my chamber,
A. bachelor frigid and lonely,
I hiss the end of my pipe-stem—
That, and that only.
$1 50
Reveries rise with the smoke-wreudis,
Memories tender surround me;
Girls that um married—or buried,
Gather around me.
School girls in pantelets romping;
Chris that have grown to be misses;
Girls that liked to be kissed, and
Liked to give kisses.
Mil
Kisses—well I remember them!
Those in the corner were fleetest;
Sweet were those "on the sly," in the
Dark were the sweetest.
Anna was tender and gentle;
To woo her was almost to win:ber;
ner lips were as good us ripe peaches
And milk for dinner.
Nell was a flirt and coquettish;
Twas—catch me and kiss if you can sir!
Could f catch both—ah! wasn't I
A Itappy:man sit?
Anna hag gone on a mission
Off to the South Sea sinners;
pelf is a widow, keeps boarders, and
Cooke her Cicil dinners.
Charlotte, and Susan, and Ilattite,
Harp-lane, Susan and Maggie;
Four are married and plump, two
Maiden and scraggy.
Cnrrie is dead! bloom sweetly,
Ye mignonettes, over her rest!
tier I loved dearly nntl trult
Last and the best.
Thus I sit smoking and thinking,
A bachelor frigid and lonely,
I kiss the end of my' pipe-stern—
That, and that only!
gthrtigito.
From "Porter's Sptrit of the Times."
A Texas Quarter Race.
UV LUKE LIGU'ENVOOD
"The impatient Tee', poilin in every ve/n,
And pawing, tugs his hit with frantic strain;
Stretch-tans unit out-come stein already crust,
And etc he starts n thousand steps are lost."
It's not material to the present issue when
I first made the acquaintance of Col. Pierch.
Years have past since that time. Yet I
think I see hint now. Perfect in his unities
of outfit, he arises before my memory; his
erect form, meagre in its outline, but full of
rugged strength, is clad in a high-collared,
short-waisted, brass-mounted garb of bat
tered blue; his lower limbs protected by a
pair of pants of home manufacture, and of
that color known to western housewives as
the copperas dye, fitting with the exacti
tude of an adhesive plaster. Leaving the
imagination of the reader to fill out the de
ficiencies of the man, as far as clothes be
concerned, we will pass on to remark, that
the contour of the Colonel's visage was Ro
man in its outline, the physique entirely de
void of adipose matter, its cutaneous out
posts having retired upon the bones of the
face, but making there a fiery stand against
the sun and elements. The Colonel's eye
was of a whitish gray, set obliquely, with
the outer corners elevated from a straight
line across his face. Whitt though the storms
of snore than half a century had spent their
force upon him; what though he had been
the bully of several counties in which he
had lived, and had maintained his laurels
by the sacrifice of divers finger-joints, and
such other favorite points of vulnerability,
with his antagonists; not to mention frac
tured ribs, gouged eyes, &c.? IVhat though
he had stood by Jackson in his Indian wars,
and in his grand triumph at New Orleans;
had passed through the Texan struggle for
independence, had scouted upon the fron
tier against the Comanches, yet, when I
first saw him, his foot-step had the lightness
of twenty-five, and although so nearly ap
proaching the close of his mortal career, a
more decided worldlian in heart I never
met.
The following letter, received from the
Colonel at a period when the writer was
practising law at the town of Crockett, will
open our story of the quarter race. We
propose placing the communication verba
tim before the reader:
ilueicsxoar ox THE BRASH, Oct. 16th, lE4—.
DEAR SQUIRE:—After due compliments or
sich friendship as has ever been between us,
I rite more particularly to inform you that
I much wish that you will come out here
next sataday •seek, to act fur me in the bu
siness we was speaking or; and further
more, to be at a full deck race. I've got on
my boss Itolett agin' a mar 'Docked by a fel
ler name Cook, gincrally noon as Keene
Cook—having interjuce that game in these
parts. The mar is called Slidiu' Jenny.—
I'm to put up a thousand dollars wuth of
land switifickets agin hoss property volleyed
at cash price.
for further particelers wait ontwell I see
you, which I'm in hopes you'll not disap
pint me in not coming.
Yours, &c., B. D. K. PIERCR.
The morning set for the race found us
within the town of Bucicsnort, a little village
eonsisting of one grocery and some out-build
ings. The contest which was to come of
had attracted a crowd of some two hundred
persons, the mass of - whom, upon our entry,
were gathered about the grocery, from
whence, proceeded the sounds of music and
dancing, accompanied by a variety of fancy
noises, in the way of imitation of Indian
yells and the various cries of wild beasts
peculiar to the region of country in which
the village had been located.
In mingling with the crowd, many of
whom were old acquaintances, we found
the race the ruling topic of discussion, with
occasional diversions upon the subject of In
dian depredations, regulating cattle-thieves,
inquiries after stray ponies, &c. Itoletto
seemed the favorite, and odds were freely
given against the mare, Sliding Jennie.
"If I weren't afeerd," said Billy Speck, a
withered, shrunken old fellow of advanced
age, with one eye clad entout in buckskin, a
handkerchief bound his unkempt locks of
iron gray hair, a bristly beard, and chew
ing a huge quid of tobacco, forcing the am
ber in two tiny streams from either corner
of his mouth, like juice from a cider-press
—"if I weren't afeerd it was a 'thew off," I
ain't shore but what I mout bet a little sum
thin' myself. But," continued Uncle Billy,
"you see I've knowed old Baron de Kalb
Pierch a long time; he's a good naybor, but
powerful onsartin in sportin' matters. I
wunce lost a yoke of steers and three yeer
lins on a hoss of his, named Flitter Foot,
that didn't suit me no way you could fix it.
I told Pierch, in mighty plain talk, what I
thought; but you know he's run for the
Legislature, and spoke about so much a
stumpia' uv it, that he kin make things look
all right if you'll oney listen to it.
"Ef we put up we'r struck, boys," con
eluded Uncle Billy; "less be shore we'r
gwine in on the winnin hoes."
In the course of the morning I made the
acquaintance of Mr. Keene Cook, and re
ceived and accepted an invitation to take a
drink with that individual. Mr. Cook was
a large, raw-boned man, with nothing of
note in his appearance, except a grave re
straint of manner, rather at variance with
the boisterous deportment of the mass of
the assemblage. The contour of his face
reminded me somewhat of the head of a buf
falo fish, and his dim blue eyes were in
good keeping with the resemblance. Ile
was a man of few words, and evidently felt
himself capable of keeping his own counsel.
The day was on the decline before many
vexing preliminaries, such as choosing judg
es for the start and out-come, valuing the
horses which were staked on the race, &c.,
were gotten through with. These business
matters were dispatched not without much
profanity and rough sarcasm upon the part
of Col. Pierch, directed toward Keene Cook,
who bore them with a tranquillity of man
ner in perfect keeping with my preconceived
opinion of the man.
On arriving at the paths, I found them
located upon the verge of a prairie that was
spread out to the east and north. The early
frost of autumn had tinged the grass slight
ly with a russet hue. The evening was
lovely in the extreme—a faint hum of insect
life pervaded the air, and thousands of gos
samer webs floated before the eye. The
distant low of cattle, and the musical chant
of the fowl, winging their way toward the
Mexican Gulf, fell with wild sweetness on
the ear.
(frarpers . freckly
One great point in a quarter race, is in
"getting the bulge," as it is termed; that is,
the foremost start when the word "got" is
given to begin the race. The rapidity with
which the race is run, and the advantages
to the horse gaining it, makes this a matter
of prime consideration. The fast starter is
a man of more importance, perhaps, than
either trainer or rider. On the occasion I
am relating, "Greek had met Greek" in the
persons of Col. Pierch and Keeno Cook,
who were considered by their respective
friends to be twenty feet faster than any
men known in Texas. Long after the Judges
at the start, to decide which (and by how
many feet) of the horses got the start, and
those of the out-come, were posted, were
these two worthies contending against each
other for the advantage in turning their mai
-1 mats loose.
At length, by a wild plunge, Rolette tore
loose from the grasp of his master, and set
off down his path. "Come back! No start!"
was loudly shouted by the Judges. The
rider of Beloit°, thus arrested, sought to re
strain the frantic animal he bestrode; in
doing which, a pair of keen spurs, where
with his heels were barbed, came in un
lucky contact with the horse's sides. The
consequence was, that by a desperate strug
gle, in which the girth bursted with a report
like the smack of a whip, that injured ani
mal sent his tormentor a heels-over-head
cruise among the wild geese passing by.
Now, Aignog," said Col. Piereli, address
ing the proprietor of the Bucksnort Saloon;
"Now, Aignrg, do you turn that boss; I'm
gwine to ride him myself." This remark
was made after Roletto had been caught
and returned to his owner.
'Tscas a beautiful sight to behold the Colo
nel divesting himself of the long-tailed blue,
binding his brow with a red cotton ban
danna, having first kicked off his low-quar
tered shoes, and thrust the extremeties of
his copperas dyes into his green hose, then
encircling his waist firmly with his suspen
ders. Before mounting, like a prudent jockey,
his critical eye and hand swept every fixture
about the horse; finding girths, buckles,
bits, and reins all correct, with a nimble
bounce he vaulted into the saddle, and gath
ered himself up for the struggle. The voice
and chirrups of his master seemed some
what to soothe the troubled temper of Ro
lette, and a prospect of a speedy turn-loose
animated the feelings of the by-standers.
At last, after several skilful and masterly
manoeuvres, like ships in action beating
to windward, Keeno and Aignog, almost
abreast, near the starting-poles. The eye
"NO ENTERTAINMENT IS SO CHEAP AS READING, NOR ANY PLEASURE SO LASTING."
COLUMBIA, PENNSYLVANIA, SATURDAY MORNING, MAY 2=3, 1857.
of Keeno has lost its leaden hue; his face
glows, for one instant, electric fire; his
glance is firmly riveted upon the face of the
Judge who gives the signal, and - as the
thought of utterance fills his mind, ]keno's
grasp falls from the mare's bridle, and like
a flash of light she hounds forth with the
word "go!" a length in advance of Rolette.
Ahl Aignog, was no match for Keeno.
"Hoorah! hoorah'. my roaring Piereh,"
shout the crowd at the starting -pole, "Hoor
ah! hoorah! clear the track, they are a-corn
ing—they're a-coming," is answered in
whoop and yell from the out-come. Now
the two horses, closely locked, sink into a
slight depression of the track, and now, with
fearful speed, they rise the elevation beyond.
Look at Pierch, standing high in his stir
rups, and thereby showing several inches of
clear daylight between him and the seat of
the saddle—his elbows flattened to his sides,
his knees firmly pressed against Rolette's
shoulders, he is lifting him at every bound.
A small streamer of the bounce bandanna
is fluttering like a fiery meteor through the
troubled atmosphere. The struggle has been
fearful, but it is past; they are rapidly near
hag the out-come. Col. Pierch, some lengths
in advance, is animating his flying steed
with shrill exulting cries, although his eye
has never wandered from between Ids horse's
ears. His practised ear has caught the
thunder of his rival's tread in his rear, and
before him reeling, shouting in a madden
ing frenzy of joy, are his friends and back
ers already hailing him victor of the con
test. But all! like all of life's uncertain
ways are the issues of races. Well said the
wise man, "the race is not always to the
swift;" for lo! at that very moment an He
!
brew huckster, who, during the day had been
seeking to vend a limited assortment of
wares to the assembled multitude, with an
eye for interest never sleeping, beheld a de
linquent customer upon the opposite side of
the tracks from where he stood. This per
son the Israelite had been seeking through
out the day, with a fixed purpose of bring
ing him to an adjustment of accounts.
It formed no part of Israel's most extreme
hope of finishing the business then and there,
but he wished to keep neat his debtor, to
seize the first golden opportunity to consum
mate the business affair, and for that desira
ble end, he determined to cross the tracks at
all hazards, and keep in the wake of his
man. A moment he gaied adown the tracks
at the approaching horses—
.`lk moment listened to the cry
That thickened ei the race grew bigh
and then, with one brave bound, he crossed
the path nearest him; for one instant bewil
dered, he crouches like a hare in the little
space of grass that divides the two paths
amidst cries of "lay down," "go on," from
the many-headed; he plunges into Rokite's
path, and receives from the knees of that
animal, in a rising bound, a glancing blow
upon the pack strapped upon his back, and
amid a loud crash of smashed glass and
bones, he is spun in a variety of somersets
high in the air, and breaks the force of his
fall by carrying an old man and boy, mount
ed double, to the earth front their mule. The
accident was fatal to Col. Pierch's interest.
Rolette floundered and fell, and me his rider,
with frightful oath and imprecation, could
rouse him front the earth, Sliding Jennie
had swept by like a storm, and rassed
through the poles a winner amid the shouts
and yells of the crowd. The scene that en-
sued I will not attempt to describe. After
a partial lull had taken place, I beheld Col.
I Pierch elbowing his way through the crowd,
and glaring about him with an eye that ab
solutely flashed with rage. It was plain to
see, as Uncle Billy Spark remarked, that
the devil was in him. "I want to speak
with that peddler a minit," the Colonel
ejaculated through his bloodless lips—"only
a mink." "Now," said Col. Pierch, con
fronting the peddler, who had escaped mi
raculously front his adventure with but
trifling injuries, and had been endeavoring
I vainly to make his egress from the crowd,
which hemmed him in on all sides as by a
living wall, "now, what did you git in my
boss's path fur? Don't tell me about not
meaning anything,: you was hired to do it—
hired! You'd risk anything fur money!
You needn't to look around, fur I'm gwine
to have a settlement in full, ole feller, before
you leave this ground. I jest wonder what's
keeping me from chawin' you up rite now,
instead or givin' you any chance to say a
word fur yourself. You don't remember or
cheatin' my ole woman in a passel ov rotten
cap-truck last week? Oh, no, or course not:
you are awful—frightful. Gentlemen," said
the Colonel. suddenly elevating his voice to
a shriek—addressing the crowd that was
thickening fast around them—"you wouldn't
believe that that outlandish, nig-sucking,
cent-shavin', black-beard furrincr, which
they're all gwine about eatin' out the intruls
of the country, cheated a poor grass widder,
'Betsey Stillwater,' as lives on the crick be
low me, an's got a whole houseful of yearlin'
children to support, often a dollar an' a
half, in changin' money fur some of his cus
sed stole goods." The reminiscence was too
much for the pure-minded Pierch; he forth
with attacked the peddler tooth and nail,
being stimulated thereto and encouraged
therein by the shouts of the bystanders, who
made the welkin ring with cries of "give it
to him, Pierch," "under-handed licks,"
"follow him up," &c. The gallant Colonel,
haring, at length, by a. well-directed blow,
felled his antagonist to the earth, mad pres
ently getting astride of his body, proceeded
to carry him through a process of gouging
and punching that reminded me greatly of
an excited female domestic kneading dough.
The appalling yells of the miserable peddler
at length excited commiseration in the breast
of some of the bystanders, who, by an exer
tion of main strength, rent the Colonel from
his victim.
A short time afterwards, on joining a
crowd which was rapidly gathering about a
common centre, I found Cul. Pierch had
mounted a stump, and was proceeding to
address the assemblage. The speaker was
I fond of the art, and never let any suitable
opportunity escape improvement. He be
gun: "Feller citizens, I have ariz before you
on this egsitin occashun, called forth, I
moot say, by circumstances which no man
could have calkelated on. We've bin (at
least those backin' llolette) powerfully ex
ercised in feelins by the conduct ova wuth
less critter as ought never been allowed on
the ground, which it'll lie a lesson, I hope,
to every man here, that whenever he see sich
varmints a-sneakin' about, to give 'em a
warping that'll put 'cm in notion of huntin'
some other market, and that pretty fast, too.
I've come to the conclusion, feller citizens,
ov no squabble about the matter, but
to give up the stakes. It weren't liceno's
fault, who's a good feller, and wouldn't fur
a cubit uphold the peddler in sich doin's as
has bin gwine through; but though he won
by accident, yet he won the race. Ef we
were in his place, I expect we would most
proberbly be for hoopla' the money too. The
fair, even thing, is the real clever thing. It's
the mottoes I've stood by all my life to have
a karecter. And I've often, when ridin'
home from a muster or horse race, or camp
meetin', said to myself, you may take my
puss—take my boss—take my licker, but
leave me my karecter, fur it's a stake as'll
do to lariat to the wust night that kin fall.
I've had some satisfaction, feller citizens, l '
continued the speaker; "I've had some sat
isfaction, for I've laroped that cussed ped
dler ontwill I don't think he's gwine to nit
iu a boss's way agin soon. Whinpin' the
cuss has put a bad taste in my mouth: less
all go back to the grocery and licker."
The Colonel descended from the stump
amid the loud applause of his audience, most
of whom were soon proceeding hack to the
town to avail themselves of his general invi
tation.
"Squire," said the Colonel in a low tone
to me, as we rode back together, "keep dark,
but I ain't as bad hurt as you moot suppose.
I compt'd with Keeno, and got back half my
stake. And mind, I don't say they're fraud
ulous to my certain knowledge, but I'm
mighty afeerd that Keeno, or whoever locates
will find diffikilty in gettin' patterns on them
surlifikits he's got left."
The Discovery
It is just after the Restoration. The
Stuarts are back upon the throne of England.
Cromwell is no more. The Roundheads are
disappearing, with their solemn suits and
stern visages. The whole country is awaken
ing from its long trance of puritanical as
ceticism. Mirth, pleasure, gaiety, have
burst the bonds under which bigotry and
intolerance had so long restrained them,
and are plunging into extravagance and
license. London is beside itself with its
new freedom. Like boys fresh from school
the people rushed into absurd demonstrations
of pleasure. Antic and buffoonery are the
fashion. Theatres spring up everywhere.—
Music and the dance arc in every house.—
Jest and song awake theechoes of the night.
Mad mirth is the rage. The whole nation
appears to have gone into motley, and
shakes its cap and bells with abandoned
glee.
Among many who came up to London
after the Restoration, was Sir Philip Ardent,
and his daughter Minnie.
It is not in my power to describe Minnie
Ardent. I can say that she had two eyes,
dark and flashing, that danced a perpetual
merry jig, and shot incessant glances of wit
and mirth; that brown masses of curls fell
down over her white shoulders, with every
curl a barbed arrow from Cupid's own bow;
that her cheeks were rosy, and upon those
lips there came and went smiles, radiant as
sunlight; that her form, tall and finely
moulded, was crowned by a delicate grace.
I can say that she was all this, and can
enumerate her charms in mathematical or
der, but still she will remain undescribed.
Can I paint the bloom upon the peach?—
Can pen or pencil portray the fragrance of
the rose?
I will call her beautiful; let that word
suffice for her charms: her buoyant spirits,
merry wit, and the sly mischief that lurked
in the corner of her glorious eyes, I have no
power to depict.
Understand me. Minnie was no sharp,
shrewd, or hoydenish maid. Her wit and
her mirth were delicate and sparkling, not
noisy and demonstrative, while veins of ten
derness and passion underlay the laughing
surface. A large soul was that of hers: with
wide sympathies, far reachings, and strange
depths.
Do not believe that your serious natures
have the richest soils and sunniest fruits.—
Wit is the sharp edge which intellect gives
to sentiment.
Did Dlinuie love? That is the touch which
gives the felines and last ripeness to the
charms of woman. Without love they are
fine porcelain—hollow, cold, pretty and su
perficial.
But did Minnie lore? There was one
who asked that question daily—who dream-
$1,50 PEE YEAR. IN ADVANCE; $2,00 IF NOT IN ADVANCE
ed of it at night—who lay for hours devising
schemes which should bring answer to the
momentous question—who, hung upon Min
nie's lips daily with hungered hope for such
chance words of comfort as he could gather
up; vvho rallied her, beseeched her, plead
to her, quarrelled with her—did everything
that lovers do who pertinaciously torment
each other—and yet could not solve the
matter. ✓
Of remote kindred—Minnie's playmate in
their childhood, her companion in youth,
her lover now—Edward Willoughby was a
handsome, agreeable. sensible fellow, who
had wit for her wit, lianter for her banter—
! and love for her love, whenever she would
make the exchange.
But Edward could neither coax nor force
her into a confession. Forty times a day
would he declare that he loved her madly,
and forty times a day would she shoot a
mocking dart from her black eyes into bis
heart, and run away from him laughing—
!
but blushing.
A poet has said that a woman mdght do
a more foolish thing than to fall in love
with a man—and a wiser one than to tell
him of it. Minnie ardent very po , -silly
may hale felt some such principle, though
/ do protest that she could not have been in
debted to the aforesaid poet for the idea,
inasmuch as he flourished a hundred years
or so after my heroine.
Edward and Minnie rode out together;
walked together; read together: and if ever
under the inspiration of the love star, there
was a youth fascinated, enchanted, bewil
dered, intoxicated, enraptured—feeding on
roses in one breath, and upon thorns the
next—playing a perpetual see-saw of hopes
up and hopes down—soaring upon the wings
of eestacy only to he suddenly clipped and
hurled back to earth—such a man was Ed
ward Willoughby.
But Edward was shrewd enough not to
show all he felt. Ire could affect indiffer
ence, and turn the point of the keen taunt
with polished retort, and adroitly Vox Min
nie almost into a betrayal of her real feel
ings—but never quite. Lead and devise,
and play the actor, as at times he would,
Minnie was never enough off her guard to
betray the sect et of her heart—if any secret
she possessed.
They had adventures together, too—the
keenest pleasure that love can know. no
even saved her life once—plucked her from
the boiling eddies of a torrent—and dragged
her to the shore insensible, himself exhaus
ted and nigh fainting. There upon the
green bank, with her white, still face upon ,
his knee, and no eye upon them, he snatch
ea passionate kisses, until a glow began to!
tinge the pallor of her cheek. She awoke,
stared, staggered up, shot a quick, inquir
ing, penetrating glance at him—and burst
into laughter.
"You were nigh to death," exclaimed lie
angrily.
"Are you lie?" was the quick retort.
"Your danger was desperate, Minnie.—
You owe thanks"—
"To my valorous preserver. What thanks
shall I bestow? He is a brave knight and a
modest—He is the herald of his own
glory."
Edward fluAlied and bit his lip.
"You ist a e"—
"It was not Tau that Fayed me, then?—
You are here to claim somebody else's
honor?"
"It was no honor."
"Nu?"
"Duty, madam, only. I would have saved
a beggar"---
"A great deal quicker, I've no doubt."
"Yes, for a beggar would have thanked
Inc. ,,
"Aye, but with a beggar you would not
have taken a reward unbidden."
Edward flushed again.
"You were sensible then?"
"I knew nothing."
"Then"—
"Oh, ma'tcr Edward, I've a quick eye,
and can make conclusions."
"You arc offended?"
"At saving my life; possibly—that is, if
you think it an offence."
"No—at the stolen sweet•."
"Now you rave. Don't you see Dm wet
through—and shall die with a cold? Let us
hasten forward."
Edward tore off his cloak anti flung it
around her shoulders. Ho wound his arms
around her waist to hold it on, and so guided
her steps. She permitted it, and he was
happy.
lle detected, fancied it, something more
hopeful in her manner after this, and many
were the air castles that straitway he built.
But soon there appeared a rival—an own
cousin—a splendid town fellow, gay; flip
pant, of as many colors as the rainbow,
with ribbons enough to stock a mercer's:
finical, pretty, conceited, and a fool!
It was a biped of the sort that women
like. With his coining, Edward saw all
hope vanish. The fellow kept 31innie's ear
continually: appeared to fascinate her.— '
' Edward at first pouted, then raved, then
I scorned; and many a hot battle of words
' passed between hint and Minnie.
One day he walked up to her abruptly,
and said:
"Minnie, you must tell me—do you love
mc, or not? I want an answer—yes, or no?"
"Dear me, 'Edward, how determined you
look. Of course I love you—and all man
kind, I hope."
"There! there! you are playing with me
again."
[WHOLE NUMBER, 1,39.
"Why do you nibble, then at my hook?"
"Minnie, you are driving Me mad. You
are making me desperate. I shall leave
Englaml—flee to the wilds of America,
where, amid the terrible forests, the feroci
ous beasts, the cannibals"---
"Will they eat you?"
"That's right: mock me, Minnie! But
farewell—you shall never see me again!"
And off he rushed.
lie stayed away a whole day, and Minnie
became alarmed. She flew in a rage at her
eonsim Edward's rival, drove him away with
angry words,, and went to Led that night
positively' weeping.
The next morning at bre:A(4st there was
no Edward. Minnie was sari, and did not
eat. An hour later she went to his apart
ment. Its desolate look struck her to the,
heart. She began to weep again. her
merriment and her wit were all gone.
In au open drawer lay a miniature. It
was his own. Minnie seized it with acidity,
kissed it, cried over it, as what woman
would not, an ended 1,3- putting it in her
bosom. She felt more relieved after this,
and began to hope that he was not going to
America after
Still the hours pa - 9.,etl without his return,
and she grew Inure troubled. She even
thought of going to her father, and confess
ing all—and urge him to prevent Edward's
rash purpot4e.
Almost resoled to to her, desperate
step, she was entering the drawing-room. in
an abstracted manner, when suddenly she
became aware of Edward's presence. lie
was seated in cool, indifferent manner, toy
ing with his cap. Fur a moment Minnie
flushed, and an eselamation of pleasure al
most escaped her lips: butlin less than a
second's duration she has assumed her usual
MEM
"Dear me. you here? I thought we were
rid of you. I was contemplating the pleas
ant feast the cannibal.: had in store; and
congratulating the world that at last you
were likely to prove of seine use to man
kind."
"I have concluded that the best way I
can be of use to the world, is to stay and
torment you into a consumption."
"You do torment me into a good appe
tite."
"And mean yet to torment you into lore:"
"Into marriage, possibly, so that I can be
rid of you?"
"Do you know what brought Inc back!"
"No; and am quite indifferent."
"Because you sent away your cousin.—
Sir Charles."
"Then I'll hare him back in ten minutes."
"No you won't."
"Won't?"
"No, for in less than ten minutes I shall
have a confession from those hips."
"Are you mac]?"
'Madly in love, once; now nil with joy.
for I see a victory."
lie was reclining carelessly on a divan,
and Minnie was star ling near.
You are a fool Edward , What do you
mean' , "
'.Mean! That 3-ou lore me, and I know
'•Love you.' I love noh3dy. What's love
to me? I am happy as I am. I ask for noth-
Mg more."
"You refuse to confess?"
"Yes"
Eda-ar I seized her hand
"And do not love me?"
"When I've lost my wit, and am hope
lesor a fool, then think of it."
imt Win not marry?"
"Not the king himself, if he were marri
ageable, and at my feet."
"I believe you, for your choice would be
nearer home."
"I have no choice. Have done with this
absurd talk, Edward. I lore no one"—
"Then, what does this mean?"
He snatched the miniature from her bo
som, the cord of which he had detected al
most the moment she entered the room, and
held it up exultingly before her face.
Minnie was all confusion. fler usual
coolness and really wit forsook her. She
turned her head and tried to break from
him, while blush upon blush, in rosy waves,
rushed up over her cheek and brow.
"Look: look:" exclaimed the elated Ed
ward, leaping to his foot, and clasping her
waist. "Look: am I not victorious? You
love no one, eh? "Look: look:"
lie forced the miniature before her gaze;
then with a loud laugh, caught her, strug
gling in his arms, and snatched a kiss from
her blazing cheek.
Minnie was fairly conquered. She could
do nothing but yield. Edward did nut re
lease h'er, until she confessed her passion;
nor did they part before they solemnly
played thoir love, and were betrothed."
"It was thc,,e American cannibals that
did it," exclaimed Edward, when :Al was
settled.
"You never intended to go, you provo
king wretch," said Minnie.
"It was a plot, I confess," replied he.
"What, the miniature left exposed all?"
.41-eq."
"Oh. if I hail hut suFpected it! To think
I have been outwitted: I could hate you for
it, Edward."
"Not hating me—what then?"
"Why, the nest thing to marry
you for it! '
-It has been mentioned as a defect in
Shaksneare's play of "Romeo and Juliet."
that the heroine of the piece is rather too
cold, and meets her loser's warmth with too
much reserve and frigidity. We would of
fer as an offset, to this criticism, that in the
tomb scene she shows great regard for him
—does she not lay herself out to entertain
him?