VOLUME 3.
Behind the Scenes.
'•Four o'clock, and no Ellen yet! What
can detain her go—she that is usually
more punctual than the clock itself?"
It was scarcely a room in which Laura
Avery was sitting—rather a magnificent
bay window with draperies of embroidered
lice.
"Poor Kllcn, she murmered, how
different our lots have been ordered in
this world—her parents dead, and their
wialih irretrievably lost and she too
p oid to accent a cent that she has
not laboriously earned. Oh, dear !" and
Laura sighed again just as the clock's
lifjuid voice chimed the half hour.
"She don't come, soliloquized the per
plcxed little damsel, there's something
the matter! Perhaps she's sick—oh yes,
.she must be sick. I'll send James to
enquire—no, I'll go myself."
K"forc the sentence was out of her lips
hlie v'&s up in her own room adjusting a
soft gray Shawl over her black silk dress,
ami tying the strings of a quite little
brown velvet bonnet, whose one crimson
••ose among its trimmings of emerald moss
was not unlike the bloom of her own
cheek.
"I don't think it's going to snow, she
pondered, looking ont at the gray threat
• nlng sky, hs she drew on her perfectly
filling gjpves. At any v;rte I shall walk
very fast."
i\i f4x' came tlutngh the softly esr
jictgff'YeMiliulc a ser' ant approached her.
note, Miss Laura. It came fi*'
minutes ago."
--Ah! the rose was several the
back ground now., as Laura Avery broke
cipau tUe untried seal, and glmccd over
tS« delicate, cream-coiled sheet, wi thl
'bright, half suppressed Miiiln dimpling
the corners ol her mouth. Yet the noto
Yfij a very simple one, after all.
' Mv dear Miss Avery:—May I prom
ise in} self I lie pleasure of accompanying
yon to hc'ir the new opera to nigh;? [jn
IRSS I receive a message to forbid mo, I
will c.ill for you at half-past s ven.
Yuur most devoted slave it subject.
'II.uRIAN liICHLKY."
Laura instai.t.y slipped the note into
her boson, as if fearful lest ths yciy pic
tures on the wall should catch a sight of
the cleg:.nt chirograph}', and pursued her
y down the gloomy street, with eyes
that saw lb" murky atmosphere through
a radiunt glow of ru/cnr ile ruse.
Meantime the gray October twilight
was fading away from a dreary room on
the third story of a h mso situa el on one
of those side streets where decent respect
ability strides, hand to hand, with the
griui "assailant, want.
Strangely out ;.l keeping with a shabby
and poverty stiiken aspect of the apart
ment was a newly finished dress of lus
trous purple silk, bright as the dyes of
Tyre, that lay 10l le ! on the table beside
<hc window in such a manner j-hat you
could see the costly trimming—a wide
"border of purple velvet, edged on cithc
Vde with a fluting of white point lacc.—
For poor Ellcu Waynall was nothing
more important than a hard working and
poorly paid dress maker.
She lay on the little white bed in the
corner, with her flushed cheek pressed
against the pillow, nod her slender fiirure
partially concealed by a. eoa.se plaidod
Jscarlet shawl, while the occasional invol
untary contraction of her forehead bore 1
to the pain she was meekly suffering.
As one or two quiet tears escaped from
tier closed oyejids and crept softly down
her cheek, a light step sounded on the
Wil ling outside, and a knock came gently
to the pannels of the door. >
" Jotne in," sa d Ellen, hurriedly dash
ins; away the tears. "Laura, is it possi
ble that this is you, dear?"
„ "Yes. it iB myself, ami none other, Nell
I could not imagine why you did not
, eouie and fit that dress, as you had ap
the reason qow.—
Nelly, you artf sick. Why did ydu not
sand for me?'
Nelly tried to smile faintly.
''l'm not very sick, "Laura; at leist 1
have not Buffered much pain until to
night, anil thu doctor says if I only 1»a,3
a little wine—'no, Laura, do not draw
»your purse, she adds, with a slightly
jjoijceptible sparkle in her eyes, and a
; proud quiver on her lips. I*m not quite'
ao low as to aeeopt charity. .Don't look
jno hurt and grieved, dearest. You know
Jiow sensitive I cannot help being on
■some points. It is only for a little while.
-When I am well enough to take that
dress honie r aud receive the moacj for it,
I shall be euabled to purchase whatever
4 may require."
Lauri Avery knelt down at hsr frieud'a
with Soft, pleading eyes. i
< *'«'oear Ellen, you surely will not refuse
• to accept a temporary loan from me.
I Elleu shook her head with a grave
BUlitc.
' "I caj) wait, Laura."
Laura looked from the dress to Ellen
with a face of pained perplexity. Sud
denly-a bright inspiration seemed to strike
her.
"Let me take the dress home, Ellen !"
she exclaimed, "The walk will bo just
what I need, and I can stop at Dubour's
on my way back and order the wine for
you. You will never be strong unless
you closet yourself up a little. You will
let me, Nell ?"
Ellen hesitated a i^ou-.ent.
"Hut. Laura "
"No buts in the matter, if you plcaso,
Nell, laughed Laura,gleefully beginning
to fold the rich dress into the little basket
that stood upon the table beside it. Where
is it togo?"
"To Mrs. Rich leys, in River street.—
Why, Laura, what is the matter?"
"Nothing, only I am folding this
wrong," returned Laura, in a low voice.
It wa3 well that Ellen did not see the
scarlet flush that rose to her friend's love
lv cheek, as she stood with her back to
the bed. smoothing the lustrous breadths
of pure silk. Mrs. Richley's ! Laura
was almost sorry that she had volunteered
togo, but it was too late to retract ho,
offer mw.
"What a selfiih little creature I am,
she mused.
"Poor Nolly needs the money so much
and cannot go for it -herself, and it isn't
at all likely that I shall see Florian. 1
y,i[l go—there is an end of it."
'•Thank you, dear Laura; it is so kind
of you, said Ellen, fervently, as Mfes Ay
cry came to the bedside with the basket
on her arm, and a blue veil drawn closely
ovor £Tie lirdVfri relVet bonnet. "She
owes me three dollars fi>r this dress and
there art* seven dollats on the account
which she has never yet paid me."
"Ten dollars! I'll collect it, never fear,"
said Laura, gaily, as she disappeared,
while to Ellen, it siemcd as if the sun
shine had all died out with the bright
presence her beautiful friend. It was
nearly dusk, when Miss Avery, summon
ing up all her resolution, ascended the
brown stone steps of the Rich ley mansion
and rang the bell.
"Is Mrs. Itichlev at home?"
"What's yout business with' Mrs. Rich
ley?" asked the servant, fsuspieiously
scrutinizing the little basket that she
carried. Laura bit her lips. This man
ner from servants was entirely a new ex
-perieoce to her, ybt how often must El
len have endured it.
"1 have corns to bring homo a dress
that was finished for her," sho said in a
tone of quiet dignity.
'■Oh—ah—yes, well, I suppose you
h d best walk in."
The servant conducted hor up slairs to
a sort of sitting room or boudoir, where
Mrs. llichley, a poitly dame of about fifty,
gorgeously dressed in a crimson silk, was
sitting in hor easy chair in front of a
glowing coal fire. Laura was inwardly
grateful that the gas had not boon lighted,
particularly wlieu sho observed that Mr.
Florian llichley was lounging on a velvet
sofa in one of the window rccessc. Mrs
Richtcy looked up as the servant ushcied
in the nevj' comer.
"Well, young woman, whit do you
want?' 1
Laura's chocks tinged at the tone of
c larse insolence in which she was ad
dressed, but she commanded herself to
reply meekly:
f'J have brought homo your dress, Mrs.
llichley"
"Whore is Miss \\ aynatl?"
"She is ill."
"Very well, lay down the dress, it is '
all right."
But J.aura stood her ground valiantly.
"Miss Waynnll would like the money
to-nigh't. Madame —seven dollars on the
old account, and three for this dress."
' It is not convenient to night."
"But, Mrs. Bichley, Miss Waynall is,
ill and needs the money," persisted Laura.
"There, Florian, said Mrs. Bichley,
petulantly, addressing the young man in
the Turkish dressing gjwu and the elab
orately arraogwl hair, I told you just how
it would be."
deuce is the matter now V
snappishly aiked Florkn, <br the first
time condescending to evince any inter
est in what was going on.
" Why, these impertinent dress mak
ing people are always clamoring for won
ey, just when you have drained me of my
last cent.
" Let 'ein clamor, then, that's my ad.
vice," said Mr. Flonan, without taking,
the trouble to move his head.
" Just give me back that ten dollar
bill FloAan," urged his mother; " you
cannot want it to-night."
" But I do want it, it happens," said
Floriati, oooly.
" You are just going to fritter it away
in soi»o of tt<vc gambling places, or
"Let us have Faith that Right makes Might; and in that Faith let us, the end,dare to do our duty as we understand it"-«A- Limcdu*.
BUTLER, BUTLER COUNTY, PA., WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1860.
driuk yourself stupid again," frettfid Mrs.
Richley. " It's too bad, getting my
money away from inc to in.dulge in those
horrid habits! Why don't you eain
money for yourself!"
" Easy, mammt, easy," said the dutiful
son, lazily dragging himself to a sitting
posture. " Don't lose your temper, for it
isn't worth while. This ten dollar bill is
going to help make my fortune. It shall
take the lovely Laura to tha opera, to
night."
" Nonsense ; this fine scheme will flash
in the pan, just like all the re3t of your
castles in thd air. She won't ha*e you."
" Oh, yes, she will, my 'icrerf.duloys
mamma ; wait and see. I shall bring
her to the point pretty soon. Then, I'll
pay you back the money, with interest,
out of my lady's bag of shiners."
" And will you leave off your gambling
habits ? Oh. Pierian, they will be the
ruin of you yet."
" Perhaps, perhaps not." returned the
young man insolently. " That will be
very much as I please."
Botfl the mother and hopeful son had
apparently forgotten the presence of the
young girl, who was standing in the
jusj|y shadows near the door, until this
moment, ivhcn Mrs. "Richley. turning
sharply round, saw l.tr.
" What are you waiting for ?" she ask
ed, irritably. " I have already told you
that it was not convouient to pay you the
money to night. Why don't you goabout
your business?"
Her cheeks were flushed even beyond
their artificial bloom of rogue, and her
chill gray eyes sparkled with rising an
ger as Laura Avery eouipo»edly walked
forward.
Sho fook one of the wax tapers from
the china sTicll. and lighted the gas with
a steady hand. whose flash of rings
struck Mrs. Itichley with astonishment.
" I am sorry that you caniiot pay your
just debtf, Madame," said Laura, quietly
looking the arnnsed mother and son in
the face; "hut lam not sorry for any
occurrence that has had the effect of
opening my eyes to the true character of
Mr Florian llichley. I w'lTl take the ten
dollars, sir, to my sick friend, as you will
find it entirely unnecessary togo to the
expense of taking Miss Laura Avery to
the opera to night."
FJorian'a handsome cheek had grown
pale, his knees quivered beneath him as
he mechanically took the bill from the
pocket book and placed it in the hands of
the imperative beauty, while Mrs. Rich
ley sank baci aghast into the cushioncdi
easy chair.
Florian made one desperate attempt to
retrieve his lost fortune, even in the mo
uient of sore defpat and discomfiture.
" I am very sorry—awkward mistakes
—hope you will afford me an opportunity
for explanation." he stammered.
" J require no explanation, sir," was
Laura's cold reply, as she withdrew from
the apartment, haughty and unapproach
able as a statute of ice.
She hurriod homeward through the
twilight streets with a burning ehcek and
a burning heart, and it was nearly dark,
when once more sho entered Miss Way
nail's room, lighted only by the faint glow
of the low fire.
i; Rack so soon, Laura?" asked Ellen,
somewhat surprised.
" Here is the money, Nolly, and the
wine she said, thankful for the dim light
that could not betray her tell-tale features,
" And now you must get well as fast as
you can."
" Oh. Laura, I am so much obliged to
you," said Ellen earnestly.
Laura stooped to kiss her friend's pale
cheek, inwardly reflecting how much she
had to thank Men's indisposition.
But slic never told Ellen of the dis- i
cuvery she had unwittingly made, while
fulfilling the gentle mission of friendship, ,
aud no one ever knew the precise manner
In which the contemplated match between
Florian Bichley and Laura Avery wa p
broken off.
There are seuie tilings that bring therr-i
own reward in th're world, and the one
act of kindness has (aved Laura from
unconafciously taking the stop that Would
have precipitated her into a life-time of i
misery. 1
—For the current year, 18G5, the ag.
gregate gold and silver product of the
United States is estimated from $82,000,-
000. to $106,000,000. The details of u
the largest estimates are, that California 1
will produce $25,000,Q1j10, Montana $lB,-
000,000, Nevada $16,000,000, Oregon
$8,000,000, Idaho 17.000,000, Colorado'
$17,000,000, and various other sources
$5,000/'OO. Total $106,000,000.
—The tobacco crop in Kcutucky is*
better this seison was ever before
kno *
WIT AHD WIBDOM.
—"The Long Strike"—Twelve !
—Epitaph on a Printer—Dead matter.
—"Matchless Misery I"—Having a
cigar and nothing to light it with.
—Who was the first little boy mention
ed In the Bible? Chap I.
What is fashion ?—Dinner at mid
night, and a headache in the morning.
—Oaution to the Ladies.—A silk dress
should never be tat-in.
Wanted—Some milk lrom the
ocean's breast.
—When a wife hugs her husband it is
always because she wants to "got
him."
—Why should we never sleep in a
railway carriage ?—Because the tiain al
ways rups over sleepers.
Model wives formerly took "a stitch
in time," but now, with the aid of a sew
ing machine, they take one in no time.
—Avoid early rising. "The early bird
catches worms then they have to takS
vermifuge and all sorts of disagreeable
medicines !" ■
—A sentimental old bachelor says a
woman's heart is tho "iweetcst" thing in
the world ; in fact a perfect honey comb
full of sells, -fiwwarc.
—A Mystery cleared up.—No wonder
that ghosts enter, rooms {bough tbo doors
are locked. They are all provided with
skeleton keys.
—At a printers' festival lately UMS fol
lowing toast was offered: "Woman
second only to the press in the dissem
ination of tiewa."'
—A tailqr, having aet up hi* carrUge,
aslctiil, Foote for a motto. "There 1s one
from Hamlet," satd the wit, ''that will
match you to a button-holo : List, liat!
oh list!"
A lady, meetiog a girl who had late
ly left her service,'inquired, "Well, Ma
ry, where do you live now ?" "Please,
ma'am, I don't live any where now," re
plied the girl, "I'm married."
—When we picture the hundred or
more trunks that ladies travel with, we
can not help reflecting how happy is the
elephant, whose wife when on a journey
has only one trunk.
—To ascertain if your gun is loaded,
put your foot'on the hammer and blow
the muzzle, letting the hammer slip from
under the foot and descent with smart
force on the nipple. If the gun is load
ed you will be notified of tho fuct
—"Ma," said the pride of the 112 aniily
who had seen some seven sum ners, "do
you know why our tom-cat is like a poet?"
Ma didn't. "Why," exclaimed the pre
cious pet, "doesn't he go out moonlight
nights to invoke the mews?"
—" My son, hold' up your hand and
tell me who was the strongest man
" Jonah."
K Why so ?"
" 'Cause him the whale couldn't hold
after he got him down."
—Mr. White will you have the kind
ness to lend me ten dollars?.'
1 Certainly—upon one condition."
" Name it;"
" That you tell mo why your request is
like the back of my neck ?"
" I must give it up."
" Well, it is' baoaai-c I can't see itl"
—A whiskey drinking Irishman was
brought before a magistrate named Por
ter, ohatged with being drunk and dis
orderly. The magistrate committed the
delinquent to prison for a month, telling
him that would give him time enough to
curse whisky. "Yes, faith," was the
prisoner's reply, "and Porter too."
—Scene at the counting room of a
morning newspaper.-—Enter a man of'
Teutonic tendencies, consideiably the
worse for last night's spree.
Teuton (to the man at the desk). "If
you please, sir, I rants de pappf mit dia
■nwrotnga-(JAC .vol hash do names of the
beebles kills cholera all.de '
lib waifrinded a and after look
jng,ofer lCTri fl COHfnsed way, said t- J<i
" ViH J yon pe 5Q good aS to read d«
natuea *ot don't'.ba.TC tbo cholera any
raoro too soon just now, ami see it Carl,
Geinsenkoopenoffen hash got em ?"
The clerk very obligingly road the list,
the Teuton listening with trembling at
tention, wiping the perspiration from his
brow meanwhile in great excitement.—
WJion the list was completed the name of
Carl Geinsen—well, no matter about the
whole of it—wasn't there. . The Teutons
face brightened up, and ho exclaimed :
" You don'i find 'im 7"
Clerk—" No such name there, sir." .
Teuton (seizing him w»rmly by the
hand). "This ish nice—thish ish gome
funs—that ish my names. I pin drunk
ash never vas, and I vas afraid I vas gone
ted mit cholera, and didn't knows it."
A LITTLE TOO PUNCTUAL.
The hour was approaching for the de
partuie of the New Haven steamboat
from her berth at New York, and the
usual crowd of passengers, newsboys,
fruit venders, cabmen and dock loafers,
were assembled on and about the boat.
We were gazing at the motley gronp
from the foot of the deck stairs, when
oui attention was attracted by the singu
lar action of a tall, brown Yankee, in an
immense wool hat, chocolate colored coat
and pantaloons and a fansy vest. lie
stood near the starboad paddlcbox, arid
scrutinized sharply every female who
came on board, evfry now and then con
sulting an enormous silver buli's-cyc
watch, which he raised from the depths
of a capacious fob by means of a pow
erful steel chain. After mounting guard
in this manner, he dashed furiously down
the gang plank and up ihe wharf, reap
pearing on board almost instantaneously
with a flushed face, expressing the most
intense anxiety. This series of opera
tions lit performed several times, alter
which he rushed abont the boat, wildly
and liopeles-iy ejaculating,—
"What's the time of day ? Wonder
if my lepeater's fast? Whar's the cap'n?
What's the steward? Whar's the mate?
Whar's the boss that owns the ship ?"
"What's the matter, sir ?" wo ventur
ed to ask him, when he stood for a mo
ment.
"ITain't seen nothing of a gal in a
blue sun-bonnet, with a Canton orape
shawl, (cost fifteen dollars,) pink gown,
and brown boots, hey? come aboard while
I was looking fo: the cap'n at the hind
end of the shiJ>— — have ye, hey 112"
'"'No SHch fter*«n h»B come on board."
"Toriuetitpd lightning! fihe'a my wi.e"
lic'screJwed; "married her yesterday.—
All her trunks and mine aboard under
the pile of baggage as tall as a Connecti
cut steeple. The darn black nigger says
he can't hand it out, and I won't leave
my baggage, any how. My wife, only
think of it, was to have enrne aboard at
half-past four, and here it is most five.
What's become of her? She caa'thave
eloped. We hain't been married long
enough for that. You don't think she's
been abducted, do ye, roister ? Speak—
auswer —won't ye ? 0'• I'm raving dis
tracted ! What arc they ringing that
bell for? Is the ship afire?'
"It is the signal for departure—the
first bell. The second bell will be rung
iu four minutes." 1
"Thunder ! you don't say so ! Whar's
the cap'n ?"
"That gcntlcmun in the lilue coat."
The Yankee darted for the captain's
side.
"Cap'n stop the ship foj ten minutes,
won't you ?"
"Can't do it, sir."
"Bat you I tell you. I'll pay
you fo-i it. Howjnueli will ye tax ?"
"I could not do itl"
"Cap'n, I'll give you tew dollars,"
gasped the Yankee.
The captain shook his head.
"I'll give you five dollars and a half—
and d half—and a half!" he kept repeat
ing, dancing about in his agony, like a
mad jackass on a hot iron platter.
"The boat staits at five precisely,"
sniJ the' enptuiu, shoitly, gnd turned
away. «
"O, you stunny-hearted heathin !"
murinuicd the Yankee, almost bursting
into tears. "Partin' man und wife, and
we just one day married !"
At this moment the huge paddle
whitis began to paw the water, and the
walking-beam desccudcd heavily, shak
ing the huge fabric to the center. All
who were not going to New Haven went
ashore. The hands began to haul in the.
gang planji; the fasts were already cut
loose.
"Leggo that plank !'! roared the Yan
keq, collaring one of the hands. "Drop
it like a Ijot potatoe, or I'll throw you in
to the dock '' " '
"Yo—yo!" Shouted the men raejiorifs.
as thej heaved oO tfce gangtfay.'
''Sbet up, y.ou braying donkeys," yell
ad the maddoped Yankee, "or there will,
be an ugly sort M work r
]}ut the jilapk was aboard, and the 1
boat splashed past the pier. In an in
stant (he Yankee pulled off his »oat. flung
his hat beside it on tlio apd rushed'
wildly to the guard. «
"Are you drunk or crazy ?" cried a
passenger, seizing him.'
"I am going to iiing myself nto the
dock and swim ashore !" cried the an
kee rt l musn't leave Sairy Ann alone
in New York city, i'ou may divide my
baggage among ye—let me go—l can
swiui 1"
He struggled so furiously that the con
' sequence of his rashness might have been
fatal, had not a sudden apparation chang
ed his purpose. A very preity young
woman, in a blue bonnet, white Canton
crape shawl, pink dress and brown boots,
came toward him. The big, brown Yan.
kce uttered one stentorious shout of 'Sai»
ry Ann 1" clasping her in her arms in
spite of bar struggling, and kissed her
heartily, right before all the passengers.
"Where did you come trom J" he in
quired.
"From the ladies' cabin," aaswered
the bride. "You told me half past four,
but I thought I'd make sure, and come
it fjur." . .
"A little too punctual!"-said the Yan
kee. "But it's nil right now. (Jo ahead
?teamboat! Rosin up, thcr', firemen !
Darn the expenses !"
When the sun set; the loving couple
were seen seated on the upper deck, the
big, brown Yankee's arm encircling the
slender waist of the young woman in the
blue bonnet and pink dress. We believe
they reached their destination safe and
sound.
V ICISSITUD'ESITFTM i HI 0 N.
At the time of our story, thcro was an
auction store near the Boursa.
The Viscount Robert X.de P
was 25 years of age, bad an income of
25,000 livrcs, wit, good looks, an illus
trious name, an'd could have made a very
brilliant marriage. He ought to have
been the happiest man in the world. He
only hud one regret.
He had to do. He needed a
little bitter in his cup of sweets, but
Heaven refused to grant it to him. He
resolved to to other lands, the.re tn
soek the fatigues, the suffering*, and the
novelties he lacked.
So five year* ago, he entered by chance
•n auction room, just as they weraput- j
ting up a capital portable writing desk.
He was about to travel, and it was ju»t
what he i.ecded; go he bought it for
three hundred francs.
It probably cost more than ten times
that sum. Tn the interior there were
compartments for everything, and a plate
bore the name of Lord N one of
the richest peers of England.
He was enchanted with bis purchase,
and carried it home in triumph. Some
days after be set out for §jain. As bo
went from Madrid to Capiz ho was stop
ped by thieves who completely robbed
him. Tho only thing he missed was bis
desk. He prayed them to return it.
They refused; but their Chief, Don
.Tose Maria, promised to send it after him
to Cadiz, on receipt of a ransom.
Robert promised two hundred roals,
and gave the address of the hotel where
he meant to stop when at Cadiz. EJe
sent the money and got the desk.
In America, in tho wilds of Mexico,
his desk was carried off by Mexicans.
He thought it lrst. Four months af
terwards he found it in a sbdp in Vera
Cruz, and paid five hundred francs for it.
In 1852, having returned to France,
he thought of going to Baden. He
passed tho summer there, and went to
Paris, visiting Cologno and Aix la Cha
peile on the way.
Arrived at the frontier, which separates
France from Uelgium, ho fell into the
bands of the custom house officers -
Some day beforo some skillful fellow
had defrauded the customs to a consider
able amount; consequently the officers
wero on thoir guard.
Tho search was long, and the Viscount
became furious.
" What do you fear 1" He asked m
g"'y
" Oh, sir, objects of groat value can be
concealed in a small space."
" Have I tho air of a smuggler?' - he
asked.
No; but there arc embassadors who
smuggle without scruple."
The search •continued, and the V.s
count was Sstonished to see the officers
open drawers in his desk, of tho exist
ence of which ho was ignorant. At last,
lull of imjiaticnee, he wished to reclaim
it.
" Now that you have soon all,' said he,
'let us not prolong this unpleasant in
vestigation."
"'What do you say ?"
. " I say tliat you have seen all, and
know that I have nothing contraband."
" Your coolneu, sir, makes me pity'
you. Have yoij nothing to bring forth T
If you do 80, you will bo freed by paying
the dues; if not, and I find anything,
there will bo both a confiscation and a
fine.-*' ' '<•
" But you have seen all."
" What.da.FOU mean by perhaps?"
"It is well made. Any one but my
self might have been deceived."
" But I swear to you that you have
seen all." :
" Why deceive u« ? lam going to
prove the oonlr'ary." •
" If you find anything else, I'll swear
I know nothing of it."
NUMBER 48
" A poor expose. I warn you that I
uo cot believe you."
Let lis finish this bail joke as quick
as possible." (
'• We will, nnd so much (lie worsa for
you." , ' ,
And with the nail, the officer pressed
against what was apparently a little orna-,
meat, which flew back disclosing adrawer
in which wal a paper parcel.
The officer took it out, looked at it,
nnd put it bajV.
" That is not contraband," said he with
a bow, ' and with so much money I waa
worth to accuse you."
Hut the Viscount wa3 stupefied witlb
astonishment.
" Bank notes ! But I did not put them
there."
" iou are very fortunate, sir, if you
can forget a million so readily.".
Tn fact there was a million of pounds
sterling.
The \ iscounl took the notes, counted
them, replaced them, aqd determined.to
find the owner. Arjived *t London, ha
sought out Lord N , whoso name
was engraved inside. The Nobleman af
firmed that the money was not his. lie
had given this desk to a former valet,of
his, whose address he gave the Viscount.
This valet was now a weal thy shopkeeper
in Pull Mall lie told the Visoounf
that he knew nought of the money, but
while in Italy had sold the'dosk to Count
Luigi Scttiuianni, who was immensely
rich. and in whose service be then wa«.
The Viscount set out for Italy, and
went to Ravenna, where Count Settiman
ni lived. He r*cogniwd the d»»k but
avowed that he had nevar plaecd any
money iu it. He lent tie Viieoaai, ho^>
ever, to the SiguoTa Laura H —, a
former prima donna of the Saa Carlo, at
whose house, in hi* gay day*, ba had for*
gotten bis desk.
The Signoro Laura re«ognk«d the daak
and related that she had given it to tho
Russian I'rinft*, Alexia Bin ex
change toiva pearl collar- " v -
The Viscount sot out for St. Peters
burg. He was vcrry happy. He now
had something to do—to find the trup
owLcr of the hidden money; He placed
it at interest, in order that it might not
run the risk of b£ing lost.
Prince P knew tho desk, but
declared that ho bad never concealed 9
bank note in it.
lie told the Viscount that in leaving
Italy lie had gone to Paris, and bad /fir
en the desk to a danseuse of the opeft,
Louise P , who was not in the hab
it of concealing money.
Robert returned to Paris.
Therp he learned 4-hat. after a life of
gallantry and luxury, Louise P
had died in misery, and that her furni
ture was sold by creditors. It was at
that sale he had bought the desk.
What to' do ? lie could only think
that the maker of the desk had plactd
the money there, or that it WM there
deposited by the Spanish robber wko
stole it.
The maker at London wrote that bf
know nothing of it, and the ViacounJ
learned that the Spanish robbers who had
stole it had all been hung. ..
Ah ! perhaps it was deposited thereby
tho Mexicans. lis went to Mexico
from whence ho returned two months
a g°- ' 4
He there discovered that one of those
into whose hands it had fallep, was »
trapper, who carried on a considerable
trade in skins with the Americans. This
was sufficient. He must have been tho
man who had concealed the bank nobea.
The viscount continued his search, *nd
at last one day found at Vera Crul a
pretty young girl of seventeen, the daugh
ter of the Mexican by a Frenoh woman
who had come to Verm Oru* as a mijlf
ner. , 'ji.
In answer to this question, the told hinj
that ttb* new nothing of her father bat
that bo was killed by a Texan ranger.
She was excessively pretty,
sensible fellow, ho married her, and Wr
ing at last fomHhing to
France with, her to <yoj the fortune of
which a »ingl»r ohanc i had brought him
into possession. ,t
"SBE ALWAYS MAD* ILO»FN HAPFY.'»
—Such was the brief but iiopramioa•»«-
timent which • friend wished us to add
to an obituary notice of "one who had
gone before." What better
be offered to the memory of thir loved
and lost ? Eloquence, with hor loftiest
eulogy poetry, with her most thrilling
dirge, could afford nothing so swee', «
touching, so suggestive of thoir virtue#
of.the dead, as those simple words
"She always made mc happy." ** <
—lt is beauty's privilege to kill tfatfc
and tiuic kills beauty.