Now. Hiss! for the day I* paaaiug . Wtill* you lie dreaming on, The oU. era have buckled their armor And f *th to the are gone; A plaoe in the rank* await* yon. Each a tan ha* tome part to play; The past and tne fa tore are nothing In the face of the (tern today. Biee from yonr dream* of the future Of gaining nome hard-fought Held, Of atonning tomt airy fortresa Or bidding tome giant yield; Tow future baa deed* of glory, Of honor (Qod grant It may!) But jow arm will never be stronger Or the need *o great as to-day. Rise if the paet leiaina yon, Her enn*hioe and atorms forget ; No chains so unworthy to hold yon As those of a vain regret; Bad or bright, she is lifeless over, Cast her phantom arms away, Nor look hack ; strive to learn the lesson Of a nobler strife to-day. Rise! for the day is passing ! The low eonnd that yon aoaroely hear la the enemy marching to battle- - Arise! for the foe ia here. Stay not to ebarpen your weapona, Or the how will strike yon at last When from dreams Of a coming battle Ton may wake to And it past! AdeUti de Anne Praetor. Colonel Marshall's Wheatfield. Just one hundred years ago, on the afternoon of a beautiful summer day, there sat, in the vine-covered porch of a large mansion, on the bank of the Mo hawk, two young ladies. Both were beautiful. One was a dainty little lady with blue eyes, yellow hair, and a plump form neatly attired in a quilted petticoat of dark blue silk, over which was looped a robe of soft gray. A muslin kerchief of a spotless white folded about her neck, and a pair of high-heeled slippers completed her toilet. Her sister formed a striking contrast. A tall, slender girl, with dark eyes ami hair, and an olive complexion, brighten ed by the vivid carmine of lips and oheeks. She was also attired richly, wearing a robe of crimson silk over a quilted skirt of black. * These two young ladies were the daughters of Oolonel Marshall, a noble patriot of the revolution, whose age and infirmities alone prevented him from going forth to fight for a canae, which, bowevrr, he strove to snpport in every other way. His daughters shared his patriotic opinions. In all the wide land there were no women more strongly de voted to American liberty than Don and Diana Marshall. On the afternoon of which we speak they had come out upon the porch to enjoy the beautiful scenery and fresh, invigorating air. "How peaceful it all ia," Dora ob served, musingly, gazing upon the roll ing meadows and shining river. " Yes," said Diana, " I cannot realize that some day, perhaps not so far dis tant, all this peace and plenty may fall under the devastating hand of the eoemj. n " What I " Is there really a possibil ity of that, think you 7 " inquired Dora. " I fear there may bo. Only yester day black Pete told father that Silas Ambrose, the scout, who baa returned wounded, informed him that he firmly believed that it was the intention of the British to tend a party of Tories and Indiana to ravish our beautiful valley." "What did father my?" "Oh, he looked grave, and, I believe, Dora, that hia main design in riding down to the Ambroses' to-day, was to question Silas." "And isn't that father returning now?" hastily inquired Dora, turning her eyes down the road. " Ah, yea : but why docs he ride at such a terrible pace." "Oh, God I" cried Dora, excitedly. " See I he is pnrsned by Tories and In dians I And, oh, look I One is raising a musket to shoot 1 Merciful heaven, spare my father I" and Dora clasped her white hands imploringly. It was a moment of awfnl suspense. Dashing along the road, with hia noble head bare, his gray locks flying, was the old oolonel, and, close behind him in swift pursuit, likes pack of hell-bounds, were the savages, yelling with murder ous cries. Racer, the colonel's hone, dashed on sa if he knew it was a oaae of life or death, but, SIJM ! ha couldn't out strip the leaden messenger which now flew from the gun of one of the savages and buried itself io the brave heart of the old oolonel, who reeled and fell from hia horse just as be reached his gate. His noble horse stopped directly, and stood looking at his fallen master with an almost human expression of pity in Usenet eyes. The foremost of the enemy, a brawny savage, hideously painted, sprang from his saddle with the intention of aeslping UM lack I ess oolonel. Diana, suspecting hia design, rushed down the path, cry Uf : '• Btop, atop I" For a minute he was struck by her beauty and commanding appearance, and than, uttering an "Ugh 1* he ap proached bis pray; but lie a lioness Mending bar young, Diana guarded the body of her father. Dora, too, who had now rraehed the soene, with tears and pathetic gestures strove to ward away the savage. Just then the remainder of the party rode up—two British officers, one about forty, the other twenty-five or th'rty— twelve tones, and eighteen or twenty Indiana. Diana immediately addressed the elder of UM two officers. " Sir," she said, " our father is dead. fMay we beg the privilege of having Us remains unmolested ?" The offiesr bowed tow, and over his •Dane fees stale an expression of won der and admiration. "Lady," he said, "the prayera of MM beautiful ought always to be an swered; but you know the rales of savage warfare. An Indian always oon ridera himself entitled to the scalp of a fallen foe. Bat on one condition will I prevent his doing thus in this oaae." "What is the condition?" Diana asked, ooldly, for she had taken a sod den dislike to the man. " The oondition, lady, is that yon will give me one kiss from those red lips of nnrs. Jovel but they are the sweetest lave ever seen 1" Diana drew herself up proudly, "Sirl" she said, haughtily. "Ton are no gentleman 1" " Hey dev I Do you know that I am Major Oridley; of his majesty's army. Pray recollect the uniform I wear I" " I reapest that you are no gentle man. If you were, you wouldn't insult a girl when her only protector lies dead at her feet. Oh, shame 1" " Hold your tougue, yon saucy minx 1" cried the major, his face red with rage. "Here, Arrowhead," turning to the Indian who had shot the colonel, "finish your business." With a grim smile and a grunt of approval. Arrowhead stepped forward, and then Dora interposed. In piteous aooents, she addressed the younger of the two officers. "Ob, sir I I beg you, let our honored father's remains be undisturbed, and heaven will surely bless you ! Have pity I Oh, have pity I" The offioer, whose face was noble as well as handsome ( seemed moved by her appeal, and turning to Major Oridley, he said, in low tones: "My dear sir, had you not better order Arrowhead to de sist ? I fear General 0 will blame us if we allow this brutality. We must recollect that Oolonel Marshall was re spected even by his enemies." "Well, well, Harley, my boy, per haps you are right," motioning Arrow head to desist " Anyhow, that pretty, black-eyed girl looks as though shed munier us all. And we haven't time to waste over a scene. Our men want their dinner, and after that we must ride yonder wheatflcld of its loaded ears. Jove! what rejoicing there'll be when we carry alt that grain back to camp !" Major Oridley ordered the body of the oolonel to be carried up to the house, and Captain Harley and one of the tories volunteered to do this, and Dora assist ed them by supporting the head of her father, on whose gray hairs she dropped many a tear. Major Oridley alighted from his horse and persisted in walking beside Diana, who treated him with the utmost haughtiness. At last, stnng by her scorn, he said, angrily: " I'll break your high spirit, my young lady !" and upon reaching the house he locked her in one of the npper rooms, tell her that when she made up her mind to treat one of his majesty s officers with pre per respect he would let her out. Otherwise there was a prospect of her traveling to Canada as a prisoner. Soarcely had the key turned upon her before Diana's womanly wits were at work to find some way whereby she might thwart the pompous major. " I have it I" she presently exclaimed. " I heard him speak about the wheat field. If he,thinks the British are going to have the benefit of that he is mis taken. " Going to the window and looking out, she oon tinned: "I suppose he thought he bad me safe up here. Bah I I have climbed this cherry tree too often ! It reaches way up to the window. The major and his crew are all in the dining-room on the other side of the house, so they won't see me." With one little bound, Diana was out of the window and in the tree. Ho ram bling down among its branches, she soon reached the ground. Stealing cau tiously around the bouse, she peeped into the kitchen; no one was there ex cept old Mammy Lncreoe, whose face shone with perspiration as she bent over the fire at her cooking. " Mammy !" whispered Diana. " Brass us, chile! Is that you 7" " Tes, mammy. What are you doing ?" "Pryin* flapjacks—and, de Lord pre serve us I die is de aebenth plate of dem I'se made I And de meat and bread and wcgetahle* and cider dem pesky Brit ishers has done made away wia would make yer brack eyes stare ! Ise had to do all de cook in 1 myself, for Lisy sod Bue and Wcnns hurried off when dey see red coats romin'. I didn't go, fur I was determined to stand by you gals. Dat pesky Major Griddle does swear so I De oder offioer am a gen'leman, and he am helping yer pore sister watch wid de dead oolonel. Oh, deary me, that 1 should live to see my old maasa murder ed I But what can I do for ye. Miss DiT" "Nothing, mammy, only give me some lighted brands from your fire. I'll put tbem in this pan. May If "Hsrtin. But what be yer goin' ter do, chile? Notbin' rash," I hope?"— anxiously. "Don't worry, mairmy; 111 do no thing that my poor father would disap prove;" sod. taking the pen and glow ing ooals, Diana harried away, bent on carrying out her purpose. " She's mad, she is," quoth Mammy Lncreoe, as with a dexterous twist she turned another flapjack. "Par high spirit she is de colonel's own darter. Hark I Dere'a dat Major Oriddle hoi lerin' for mora flapjacks. Gracious | I wish he'd done choke hisaelf wid one I" Meanwhile, with swift steps Diana was speeding along. She reached the barn, and paused there long enough to gather an armful of dried bay. Bearing it in her arms, she continued on her any to the wheatfleld. A pleasing sight o4 plenty was this army of golden grain. " What a pity to deetroy it |" thought Diana. "Yet better than have the British enjoy it" She earafully arranged the dried hay in little heaps here and there, and ap plied the red ooals to them. There bad been no rain for several days, and it was not long before the whole wheatfleld was in a blase. Seeing that her task was completed, Diana hastened back to the house and entered her chamber by the way she bad left it Major Oridley and bis men had beat so busy gormandising that It was some time before they knew of the Are. AU rushed out to check the flames, but in vain; the destroying clement had already passed over the wheatfleld, leaving only a few black, smoldering remains, "Who did this ?" angrily demanded the major, stalking about in an tnfuriatod manner. "Home of the servants, probably," suggested one of the soldiers. "Where are Colonel Marshall's ser vants?" addressing Mammy Lncrece, who, with terrified eyes, olasped hands, snd turban all awry, was standing in the kitchen doorway. "Oh, dey all run when dey seed yon comin'l" she stam mered in reply. " Then yon must have aet tbe wheat afire, yon vixen I" " Oh, Lord bleaa ye, I didn't I How conld I, when I was frying flapjacks all de while ?" " Jove, that's so I Bnt did yon see any one set fire to it?" " No, nah I" " Do you knsw who did it?" This was a poser. Mammy Lncrece was very religions, and not to save her skin would she tell a lie. Hhe did know who was the incendiary—at least she felt certain that it was Diana. Bnt betray ber yonng mistress I Never I And so she stood silent. " Why don't you answer?" roared the major. "I can't answer, please, sah." " If yon don't answer in five minutes 111 have my Indians tie yon to a tree and give yon a good beatiDg I" said the major, brutally. Yet not even this threat made poor mammy speak. Hhe folded her arms firmly across her breast, and stood in respectful silence. Time passed on. At last Msjor Grid ley said, shortly: " Time's np. Maybe, wench, yon don't think I mean what I say! and with an o*ih he ordered two savagea to bind Mammy Lncrece to the cherry tree. They had taken but one step to ward her when there was a slight noise overhead as of a window-shutter thrown open, snd a clear voice called out : " Major Gridley 1" All glanced np, and there, at the second-story window, was the face of Diana. With flashing black eyes she oontinned : " Major GriJley, yon will let that old woman free. Hhe did not barn ihe wheat field I did that myaelf, sir," with ! a saucy, defiant bow that set all her j jetty curls a-flutter. " Yon 1" exclaimed tbe major, in as tonishment. "How oonid yon get out ! of your room ?" " Ob, we American girla can climb," Diana replied nonchalantly. " Curse you I I wonder if you can walk as well," sputtered the msjor. " I I will give yon the privilege of trying, for ' this very afternoon yon will start with na, as our prisoner, for Canada !" •' Scarcely I" said Diana, with a gay laugh. " I don't believe vou will start for Canada to-day, my dear major. Allow me to ask yon to glance behind yon." Major Gridlry and his companions hastily glanced around them. They bad . been so absorbed in tbe scene before them tint they had not noticed a party | of American soldiers who had silently stolen ia the gate and surrounded them. Hilas Ambrose, who had known that Colonel Marshall was pursued on his homeward journey, bad sent to tbe j American camp for aid. A party had been immediatelv sent out to toe rescue. To say that Major Oridley was snr > prised would be to express oar meaning very tamely. Resistance was useless, as be snd his soldiers bail left their arms in the house. A surrender was tbe only alternative, and this the major accepted with many oaths. At the request of Dors and Diana, the yonng officer, Captain Harley, who had been so kind to them, was allowed to go tree. After the war was over, be re turned to America to woo and win the golden-haired Dora. Diana became tbe wife of a general in the American army, and with her wit and Ix-anty was one of the chief orna ments of the circle by which President and Lady Washington were surrounded. Cretrhety People America know* something of crotch ety people. It u a crotchety notion of our* when we made np that tea-party in Boaton. We are all the reanlt of rrotchoty notion*. There ia no walk in life in which we do on find crotchety people. Pint, there ia your growler, the man who i* never satisfied with any thing or anyboily. Hi* dinner ia done too mneh or it ia done too little. He ia miaerable himaelf and make* every one around him miserable. Another claan of growler* ia the crotchety young fel low who oomea borne to dinner and aaka hi* young wife, "How did you cook that, my dear T " She tell* him ahe did it *o and no. and he replica, " Ah, if you only knew how my dear mother nsed to doit," If yon build a hrmae and aall in a friend to look at it, ten to one be will tell von bow be oould have improv ed it, lie would put a door here and a cloeet there, etc. So it will be aeen that no two people arrive at 'the came eou nlnnion. Aa proof that the work a per son ia engaged in haa ita effect upon the mind, the pofessor referred to an actor and author of hia acquaintance who wrote a farce entitled "Hy pooh on driao," and through hia labor* npoo it came to be one himaelf, and afterward wrote the " Black Crook." Theo there ia the melancholy man, the man with a very long face, aa if he hadn't a friend in the world. Qive me the man who can laugh —that man who paaaea through the world like the aun'a rave. He didn't mean the man who chuck Ire, or he who utter* the horse laugh, but be of the joyoua, hearty laugh.— From Lmturf by Projt—or Evans in Vtioa. Bankrupt Laws. The national bankrupt law of the United State* haa of late give plaoe to the State luanlvent and assignment law* The States and Territories which have each law* embrace all the New England State*, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Caro lina, Wisconsin, Arkansas, California, Dakota, Florida, Oeorgia, Idaho, Indi ana, lowa, Kaneaa. Kentucky, Louisi ana, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Tan neeaee, Virginia and West Virginia. In Delaware an arrested debtor may pro cure a discharge by surrendering all hia property, under special regulation* In the following State* and Territories therein neither en insolvent nor assign ment law, namely ; Alabsm*. Colorado, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Meiioo, Oregon, Tnsse, I'tah, Wyoming and Washington.—-i View IVk V< rnui tile Jminwl. 4J. J ■ MIXTEEN YEAKM OP TRANCE*. Oi #f Ike Hast Hvaarkafcle ( area aa KaeavS-Mlas Jaaala Malik, ika Okla la. valid— Ualslaaa. KllaSaaaa, Mpaerkleaa liar MaCarlaas. Miae Jennie Hmith wee born in ('lark county Ohio, in 184*2, being one of a family of nine children. Her parents were in moderate cironmntanoee,entirely reputable in character, and attendants at an established church. From a ohild she was seriously inclined end disposed to meditate npon religious themes, which was caused, doubtless, by the number of alarming maladies to wbicb abe was subject. At the age of sixteen she had the typhoid fever, which set tled in her back and resulted in a spinal disease. From this time Miss Hmith was a confirmed invalid, poasibly in part by reason of a great variety oi domestic calamities, a broken marriage engage ment, the attempted snicide of ber fath er, the loss of property apd a number of deaths in rapid (accession in thg do | mcatic circle. Hhe was nnder the treat- I ment of several pnysiciana, but grew ' rapidly worse, and at last became per- { fectly helpless. Lying upon her back in bed, occasionally she had what she I calls "sinking spells," in which she was seemingly lifeless, bat was filled with remarkable visions of heaven, "seeing tbe green pastures and being led by the still waters." In February, 1862, ber physician told her that she oonid not live another day, at whiob she re- I joioed, as her sufferings had been so great. The prolongation of her life was considered a miracle, as she bad lost her speech, and oonid only move her hands. lAs her mother—to whose care and sup port she scc-ms to have been left at this pern si of life— was in very gnat pover ty, all the invalid's strength was em ployed in making fancy work, which was purchased by her friends,and afterward, when sho recovered her speech, she had some pupils whom she taught from ber sick bed. The excitement of teaching made her mncb worse, and in 1866 she was carried to Vrbana, 0., to be placet] under tbe treatment of Dr. Newton, who bad some theories in regard to medical practice at that time which were | quite novel, especially in the treatment of patienta by electricity. No good re sults, however, were produced in Mias Hmith'a case, as her back was so para lyzed that after naing tbe battery for three or four hours she was insensible .to its effects. From this time Mias -Smith kept a journal of her peculiar : ailments. The following year ber physical con dition seemed to change. Her back and limba liecsme so sensitive that it was almost impossible to move ber, and eye sight failed; but, as she says, "her ; spiritual sight brightened " a* she be came physically bltn.l. Tins blindness came and went,apparently, as sometimes she could see as others see. and again she oonid not,save in some supernatural way. Electricity was resorted to a see : ond time, and with some success, but she wss afflicted with many diseases be side* that of her spine, which made her the wonder of the whole neighborhood, I it being regydfd aa ao strange that a : mortal could be so afflicted and survive. Miss Hmith drew the plan of a cot, which a Mr. Blackburn improved upon and afterward patented as an invalid | chair. From this time the poor invalid | lived it) her chair or cot on wheels, go ing by ear or steamer, when sufficiently j convalescent, to various parts of the country near her; always having visions and developing the sfdritnal part of her tieing, while tbe material or physical seemed slowly dying. Hhe attended camp meetings, at which people gath ered about ber to bear her talk and pray, and to learn that she ass fasting as a means of grace. In 1870 her paroxysms increased, so that at times her body was bent nearly double; it often required six persons to keep ber in ber chair; she stiffened also from tetanus; and the more sM re hrr illness, the more re markably ber mind seemed to be affect ed, an i ber visions were brighter and more wonderful. The intervals between her paroxysms were occupied in some literary work which bad ready sale. In 1873 her brain became incapacitated for mental labor, and again for days and weeks abe was entirely helpless, blind and speechless. From this condition she again rallied. In 1876 she under went s new kind of medical treatment. Her whole physical condition aoetned now to change, and she had new and alarming symptoms. One day while her friends were gathered around her trying to alleviate ber pain, tbe terrible twitching of hew muscles ceased, ber system relaxed, and she breathed easily. Hhe attributed this result to tbe prayers which were offered for her at the time. From that boar she gradually recov ered, and is now residing in this city in good health. Miss Hmith has written a little volume, which ehe cells " Valley of Bern; a Record of Buffering and Triumph." There ie a picture of ber in this book, ee she appeared when ehe lay in her in valid chair. Tbe introduction was writ ten by her former pastor, Thomas H. Paame, of Dayton, Ohio.— lfew York Star. Hettlag tbe Fasbtea. "Whence come the fashions 7" is a question often asked. " Oanseur " telle in tbe Boston Tranerript where one fashion came from : Bevara] years ago a leading New York house imported, through e blander, a large amount of a certain vary ugly material which would not sell, and lay dead upon their bands. Homethiug bed to be done. The pro prietota of one or two fashion papers were interviewed. Tbe next week their columns told thousands of eager readers that there bad reeaetlv been shown a new and stylish fabric which promised to be very fashionable; and the statement was widely copied by tbe daily pesos. Retail dealers found their customers in quiring for it, and sought it of the job bets. The Jobbers in tarn sought it of tbe importers, who quickly unloaded their whole stock at a handsome profit Tbe goods were voted "beautiful and "stylish," and the fabric in question wan " the rage " for a Uma, Just how much the fashion papers were paid was never divulged. All of which shows bow one fashion was " set," and "what foots them mortals be." An Arkansas constable's pistol being stolen, he advertised that if tha M&&H wqold return it be would give him tbe tgidnkt **fd no questions site d, J '/Hfe The Idi; Hwsrd-Daare. While on i cruise unoog the iiludi of the Malay archipelago, onr ship put in at Batavia for a week's repairs. Batavia is the Dutch capital of Java, wholly UDder the oontrol of Holland ; and ita Dutch architecture, and Dutch manners of living, make one feel as if every house had been built in far away Amsterdam, then boxed up, people, furniture, and all, and sent by ship across the waters. Ho, to know anything of the natives to whom this great, beautiful island originally belonged, 0} their habits, dress and amusement*, one must visit the Malayau settlements of the interior ; and a little pafty of us de termined thus to spend the week of our ship's stay at Batavia. We had made the acquaintance of a petty chieftain, who had once been in the service of the rajah of Djokjskarta ; and for a small fee, Helim introduced our party to the court of his former master. Here, one day, we hsd an opportunity of witnessing the "sword-dsnce " of the Malays, the most noted of all their national dances. Ordinarily, it is per formed by some thirty or forty ten-year old lads, who are trained to their voca tion from a very early age ; but who practice it in public only for a year or ao, before they are aet aaide aa no longer sufficiently light and agile for this pe culiar danoe. The boys are rigged out in very fantastic costume, their hats es pecially, which are fancifully adorned with the plumage of many-colored birds, intermingled with brightly gloaming jewels. Tbe onlv weapons used are wooden swords ; bnt the youthful gym nasts seem thoroughly in earnest, and rush upon one another with all the fury of real combatants, their eyes gleaming fiercely, and their dark faces glowing with excitement. They all brandish their swords with great dexterity, deal" ing blows sulewiae, and even backward while they are in the very act of whiz zing and whirling round the room in a rapid gallopade. Their motions are not less graceful than enthusiastic; anil though tbe company is numerous, and the tarns and thrnsta are sadden, none •com taken'answares, nor ia there even the slightest apparent confusion. Home times single comlMits follow the general engagement, each (selecting his own op ponent ; but the ioys are ao well match ed in regard to size, and all are so per fectly trained, that really (here seems little advantage to be gained. The grand climax of tbe whole affair is to force two of their leaders into a corner, surround them with a circle of crosaed swords, and hold them priaonera until one or Uie other succeeds in gaining BMSeaaion of his opponent's weapon, ie victor then receives aa a prise a real sword, and ia thenceforth honorably J1 (charged from fnrtber trials of his skill ; while tbe unfortunate lad who permitted himself to be disarmed, has to go through an additional season of probation. Tbe ordinary drees of the lower class of Malays ia very simple; consisting for I the most part of a long, loose " sarong," l or petticoat, in place of trousers, and a tight fitting jacket of white or red eot < ton ; but the garb of the princess in very : gorgeou". The rajah* wore sarongs of i heavy silk, jaokHa of velvet richly em ! broidcred in gold and tiny aeed-pearla, and jeweled girdles that seemed all ablate with diamond*. Both turbans 1 and sandals were adorned in tbe same costly fashion ; and aa for the creeae or serpentine dagger, without which a Malay, whatever hut rank, neTer ap pears, tbowe of ths rajah's were marvels of costly workmanship. Tbe display of wealth in the palace* of those native chiefs was far beyond what wo expected : to find ; but we learned afterward that Malayan "saltans" are pirate chiefs as well; and thongh they don't in person ; rob or murder on tbe high aeaa, they derive enormous revenues from the piratical hordes that everywhere inlest j the Malay archipelago.—.Si. SicKolat. Short, bat Satisfactory. Writing from Greenfield, Conn., Rev. Dr. T. L. Cnvler relates tbe following marriage incident there in "ve olden I time: Rev. Steven Mix made a journey to Northampton, in 1696, in search of a wife. He arrived at Rev. Solomon Htoddard's, informed him of the object of his visit, and that the pressure of home duties required the utmost dis patch. Mr. Stoddard took him into the room where his daughter* were, and intro duced him to Mary, Esther, Christiana, Rebekali and Hannah, and then retired. Mr Mix. addressing Mary, the eldeat daughter, said he lately had been set tled in Wethersfield, and was desirous of obtaining a wife, snd concluded by offering her his heart and hand. She blnahingly replied that ao important a proposition required time for consider ation. He rejoined that be WM pleased that she asked for suitable time for reflec tion. snd in order to afford her the needed opportunity to think of his pro posal, be would step into an adjoining room snd smoke a pipe with her father, and she oonid report to him. Hsving smoked his ripe, and sent a message to Miss Mary that he was ready for her answer, ane came in and asked for far ther time far consideration. He replied that she could reflect still longer on the subject, and send ber an swer to Wethersfield. In e few weeks be received her reply, which ie probably the most laconio epistle of th* kind ever penned. Hero la the model letter, which wae soon followed ay a wedding : " NORTH AMP-TV*, 1686, " Rev. Stephen Jtfte.'—Yea. "MART STODDARD." The matrimonial Mix-tare took place on the first of December, 1686, and proved to be compounded of the moat congenial elements. The Death sf a Lake. John Mnir, in Rtrilmmr. thus describes the sudden death of a California moun tain lake: A few lakes unfortunately situated are extinguished suddenly by a single swoop of an avalanche, carrying down immense numbers at trees, to gether with the soil they were growing upon. Others are oblitaraV d by lan? slips, earthquake talusea, etc., hut these lake-deaths compered with thaae result ing from the deliberate sod incessant deposition of sediments, may ba termed accidental. Their fate islike that of tress atrook by lightning. * tWX£*E CHARM* ?1lu IlKOlrn sr DrirtH Away D. ■MM. It may be maid o( the Chinese that, from the cradle to the grave, from the highest to the lowest, the life of each is an endless chain of superstitions observ ances, of idol and myth worship, and of perpetual effort to ward off the malign influence or evil spirits. The following are a few samples of the charms need for this purpose: As a general rale, anything red is ser viceable in this way. To mark the "stops" in a book with red ink will keep away evil spirits from the reader; so, also, will pieces of red rags or strings. As those wicked spirits very often muti late little boys nnfessthey are duly arm ed against them, parents stitch a piece of red cloth in the pockets of the little fellows and braid the queue with a piece of red silk to prevent Bends from cutting ,it off. Yellow paper is also very effica cious. Hlips of this paper, six to twelve inches long, inscribed with red or black ink, are suspended on bed curtains, or it is burnt and the ashes mingled with tea or hot water and drank as a specific against evil influences. Ancient coins are very good also. They are tied to the | wrists of new-born bibes, and put under J the bed of the newly-married. The small point of sn old' iron plowshare will do if the coin is not convenient, for iron of any kind is potent against spirits. A knife that has been used in killing a person is very excellent. Iron nails j have been used in sealing a coffin are not amiss, if carried in the pocket or braided into the queue; or they may be beaten into a ring and woni in "that shape until a boy is sixteen years old. Yet, excellent ss are these remedies, they are need only on the defenaive; but, an the fiend may feel more or less eruboldened by mere defensive tactics alone, an aggressive polity is often j adopted, especially in the case of ft min : lying aick in lied. For this pnrpoae a hempen whip is made in the shape of a snake, with shich the bed and bedstead ; are well whipped and the lurking spirits made to take a hasty exit. Evil spirits are much addicted to the malicious prac ' tine of injuring houses in course of eree | lion. To pnt a stop to their pranks, a piece of red or yellow paper, duly in scribed with the proper formula, is tied to the ridge-pole, or s small bag at red silk or cotton is used instead, contain ing five kinds of grain in honor of five sncorssive emperors, or five iron nails of I different lengths. Another very excel lent safeguard against evil spirits is a picture of a flying tiger, the spirits be ing much afraid of that ferocious Mine. A lion grasping a naked sword is good; but two lions coming down s hill, the sun and moon between them, are much Utter. A cat made of lime and burnt clay, and looking at something at a dis tance, is efficacious; or three paper ar ; rows, or a paper boy in tbe attitude of ' shooting an arrow, or an earthen lion, ! either of those are also good. The shell of s gourd ia suspended by , the bed of children who have not yet ! had tbe small pox. on tbe last night of | the year, because tbe god of messles will : empty tbe small pox into the shell if it !be placed convenient to his hand. But : the better plan is to cover tbe child's , face with an ugly mask, and then the | god measles, who ia mischievonsly ad j dieted to spoiling pretty fsoea, win not think it worth while to waste his small pox upon so ugly a child, and will psaa bun by. The fiend ia thus tricked out of hia victim. Tbe combined pictures i of a tiger, lixard. centipede, snake and ' an unknown animal with three feet, sue ! pended round the neck, keep off colic. 1 A mirror, suspended to a bed curtain, i face outward, will keepHatan away, be i cense, on approaching the room, he will : see himself reflector! ia the glass, and, i shocked with his own ugliness, will hide 1 himself in some deep cavern until bo j forgets tbe fright j Of the innumerable omens of good or j evil which tbe provident gods deign to | manifest, a few here are given: Tbe mag : pie is a bird of good omen; and hence if , a man ia projecting, say an investment | in stocks, and hears the voioe of this | bird, it is a sure sign that stocks will go I up and 'hat hia investment will be a success. A crow, on tbe other hand, ia ! a bird of evil omen. A strange dog j coming to take np hia quarters with a | family ia a sign of prosperity. The , coming of a cat is an evil omen, because I the feline instinct points out tbe where about* of rats and mice, and these crea ! turea have a preference for dilapidated bouse*. A crowing ben and a whistling woman are both bed omens—both being unnatural, and whatever is unnatural is also unlucky. A cock crowing before midnight ia another bad omeo, and will soon be killed or sold.— San /Voneiseo Chrrmicic, Wetting RM sf Rata. A correspondent of tbe ffngluih Me chanic nves one or two valuable hint* for ridding premises of rata. One very good plan, he saya, ia to nail a red her ring cm the wall of the warehouse or place infected, about eighteen inches from the floor; on thia, a little to one side, beneath the fish; place a brick or piece of wood near the wall. At an equal distance on tbe other side set aa ordinary steel snap-trap net baited. Hie rata, in jumping off from the brick to get at the herring, after a few attempts are sure to tall down ia the trap. This la a good permanent plan, M it is sonss what above their comprehension. If rata have undermined the foundation walls, which they do sometimes to such an ex teat as to endanger the building, it ia of no use to attempt to stop them oat by tamping their burrows with broken ghee bottles, for they work diligently to 1 make fresh ones, A better way fa to put a shovelful of dry saad over every hole. The rat* soon come up through this, but ia so doing let half the send Into the barrow, which, unlike earth, they cannot either force or carry np again, nod by repeating this at every fresh opened place their runs become quite filled up, and they make up your foundations again. By this mean* I have known a granary that was terribly infested with rata quite cleared of them. All their burrows being at last filled 1 with saad they were compelled to take 11) f■ ~1 wolves elsewhere. r ii i—i An idea of the importance of the po tato crop ia Maine may be obtained from the fact that the farm era is Ar oostook county realise bum 9100,000 to 1170,000 yearly bum that crop.