f it
jE 'E y'l
B. F. SCHWEIER,
THE CONSTITUTION THS CMOS ASD THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAVS.
Editor and Proprietor.
vol. xxvnr.
MIFFLINTOWN, JUNIATA COUNTY, PENNA., MAY 27, 1S74.
NO. 21.
Poetry,
THE 4VEKV.
S;ta the ihiux beside me duly.
Whether I be sad or gavly
Live my life "Attend," sue cries
Ioctkn me through with solemn eyes:
"Thou must answer, answer this:
What the sum of woe and bliss:
"What is life?
lu all gladness, through all pain.
W nether peace or passion reign.
Turn my thoughts to things of earth
Or to themes of heavenly birth.
Still I hear that undertone.
Like the ocean's distant moan,
"What is life ?
mce I thought that I might trance her
Into silence by aa answer;
Thought that I could find the reason.
1 eouid meatiure time and season,
I could sound the depths she stirred,
I could compass with a word
"What is life ?
Youthful, vain, and fond delusion !
Now I turn from light intrusion
On the secret that she keeps
Clee within her stony hps,
Which but open to their task.
"c'er to answer, only ask,
"Wbatislife?
Hark ! fhe whispers. "Thou tdialt die
If thou givest no reply,"
Ouoe with shuddering aud with pain
Flashed her words through every vein !
Now I wait the partin breath.
When shall answer friendly Death
"What is life '("
Eisseellniiy.
The of U'rd.
B id word are as iutliieutiiil as the
plague ami tin petilotiet. They have
wrought iu:reevil tlim bit tie, mil id it,
and Kiiddt'ii dt-atli. They creep through
the air into tin- heart, call upali its lad
jMssintis. aud tempt to break God's
oujmauiliuents. A few bad words got
into the car of the mother of man
kind, aud led her on to eat the forbid
den fruit, aud thus to bring death into
file world.
Von may tame the wild beasts; the
ennri.ijrrutiou of the American forest
w ill cease wheu all the timber and dry
uihmI is consumed; but you ranuot ar
rest the prorresH of that cruel word
ivhich you uttered carelessly yesterday
or tbisuioruing.
(iiMxl words do more than hard
M-e-hes, as the suubeaius without any
noise will make the travelercast off bis
cloak, which all the blustering winds
'ouid not do. but only make him bind
it closer to him.
If you do not wish a man to do a
tliiu& you had ltetter get him to talk
about it; for the more men talk, the
more likely they are to do nothing
else.
(I, how glorious to make everything
pleasant, to throw sunshine upon every
iotid, sweeten life by smiles and kind
words and to make joy to spring in
your path, and love to glow ou every
"face.
I hate anything that occupies more
space than it is worth. I hate to see a
load of hand-boxes go along t lie street,
aud 1 hate to see a parcel of big words
without anything in them.
Words are things, and a small drop of
ink falling like dew upon a thought,
produces that which makes thousands
perhaps millions think.
There are wonls which can separate
hearts quicker than sharp wonls; there
are words whose sting can remain in
the heart through Hfe.
I am not so lost in lexicography as to
forget that words are the daughters of
earth; and that things are the sons of
Heaven.
iiard words are like hailstones in
summer, beating down and destroying
what they would nourish were they
melted into drops.
We should Ik- as careful of our words
as of ouractions.aud as far from speak
ing ill as doing ill.
O, maoy a abaft, at rand wa aent.
Fled stark tn archer Utile meant;
Aad many a Word at random apokea.
Kay aautha, or wound a baxt that's broken.
Word are Ilk leavaa: aad when tbey moat aboaad,
Mae frail of Kua beseata la rare 17 foaad.
A Sew Centre ! Civilization.
An interesting epoch in the history
of Oceanica seems to have arrived. The
Fiji Islands are among the most salu
brious and fertile of those almost innu
merable sjtots that crop out of the bosom
of the Pacific Ocean. The two main
Islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu,
are described as incomparably produc
tive, yielding some of the most valua
ble staples of the world without culti
vationsuch as cotton, (ahich grows
wild and in great profusion) the tea
plaut of China, the cocoauut, caraway,
nutmeg, sugar cane, sarsaparilla and
the pineapple. It is not wonderful that
lands so blest should have attracted a
large immigration from Australia, New
Zealand, and the mother country. This
has been going on for years, till the
usual bickerings have ensued between
the savage and simple natives and the
new-comers the former having been
driven to the hills, which means "to
the wall," and King Cacoban confess
ing his utter inability to prevent or
comiose the disputes constantly arising
between the two races. Such a state
of things naturally offers to England
her favorite pretext for interference
her subjects must be protected and
that, according to her immemorial
habit, they will be, and the islands ac
quired besides. Thus we shall have
another centre whence civilization and
Christianity may radiate, and the utili
zation of the finest land in the world in
the world's behalf. With Great Britain
iu the Fijis, and our own flag floating
over the Sandwich group, the univer
sality of Christian thought and usages
over the vast expanse of the Pacific will
be assured.
A B-eladed Britisher.
'I mast tell yon," writes a New York
correspondent, "how an amiable lady
from the right little, tight little island'
was deceived by her trusted bat wicked
nephew, who had lived in this city Rome
time before his aunt came to pay him a
visit. She, the aunt, had heard much
of oar watermelons, and was anxious to
see and taste one ; so in the height of
the season off went the nephew to Wash
ington market, and there procured the
largest melon that ever grew. At din
ner, the whole affair having been pre
viously arranged, this huge specimen
was placed on the table, when all at
once another nephew exclaimed to the
host : 'Well, I should have thought
you would have got a good sired melon
to-day, when you knew auntie has never
seen one, and that is such a miserable
little thing?' Poor auntie looked at
the fruit with staring eyes, and it waa
afterwards found that she had written
in her note-book. 'Melons grow gigan
tic in America !"'
An ignorant old lady was asked by a
minister visiting her if she had religion.
She replied : "I have alight touches of
it occasionally.' '
TruaUUd from rut CartralmW. Fnea the Genua
ef X. Kidorf.
"ASD HE SO ALL RCLE OVER
THEE.
t Has. rucxix a. tolls: ix.
"Catharine, has my niece yet completed
ber toilette for the ball?" enquired the
wiaowea Madame von Herbeck of the maid
who was entering the room, carrying shawls,
hoods and other winter wrappings.
"The young lady will be here immediately,
.Tiauame, sue answered.
"Then, at six o'clock brine in the tea
With the mercury at aero, a cup of warm
tea can do no harm before a drive."
Catharine left the room and Madame von
Herbeck rose from her seat and walked
few times np and down the large, beautiful
apartment.
The lady was about 6fly years of age, and
uer tacc inuicatea gentleness and kindness.
fcne wore a dress of heavy silk. A black
mantilla nunc; over the back of a chair.
lace handkerchief and gloves lay near, and a
head-dress trimmed with white ribbons was
visible in an open basket standing- br her.
Everything seemed to be in readiness for the
journey to the Sylvester ball, which was to
be held at B , the principal town of the
province, ana distant about a hair mile.
An expression of lively interest passed
over Madame von Herbeck's features as she
said, musingly, "If Emma would not trifle
with her happiness. She is not likely to
nnu anotner wooer like Lobau. But it is
useless to preach reason to a child of eighteen
almost spoiled by adulation. Emma is beau-
titul, more beautiful even than her mother,
my early lost sister Antoinette, yet in a few
years this mischievousness and petulance
wnica ner adorers now regard as so irresisti
ble, wilL through more serious thouebt.
perhaps through the knowledge of her past
foolishness have vanished. And, pvhaps if
1 were gone, this throng or admirers would
soon disappear.
Madame voa Herbeck had become, through
the death of her husband which occurred
three years previously, possessor by his will
of all his property and the estate of Birkea
walde. The marriage had been a childless
and not very contented one. Of hit posses
sions she had full control during her life,
but at her death it had to go to a cousin of
ner Husband.
Emma's father, Captain von Rohr, had
died during htr infancy, and her mother
followed in a few years. The young orphan
was taken charge of by her aunt, who be
stowed the most tender affection upon her.
She had been sent to the chief city of the
province, and her fine talen's there care
fully cultivated, so that in the future she
should be enabled to rely upon herself.
Since then, she had lived with her aunt, and
the greater the happiness derived by the
latter from the presence of the bright joyous
creature, the sadder the thought that Emma
who appeared created to diffuse plasure
and delight through a home circle, should
be forced to seek a place among strangers.
"Ever happy and gay,
Dancing life's hours away"
sang jubilant as a lark, a silver clear voice
in the corridor. The door opened and the
most charming creature imaginable, hastened
over the threshold, opened her arms, and
enfolded the form of Madame von Herbeck
ia them.
"Emma,- you will certainly crush your
white tarletan dress and your bows and rib
bons, with such a stormy embrace, said her
aunt, warningly.
Well, my darling aunt, if the dress and
the roses are to hinder me from giving yon
a hearty kiss, they may go. I must beg yon
10 excuse me for keeping yon waiting so
long. My crimps would not adjust them
selves as they ought, I bad to re-arrange
them till thev should lie properly so that I
might resemble 'The Churchgoer' in the
almanac. I intend to bear a very grave de
meanor at the ba'L, for we shall begin a new
year. Who knows what it may bring forth ?"
For a moment a dreamy expression passed
over the lovely face, which soon changed to
a joyfully, happy smile, as she exclaimed,
while raising her annt's hand to her lips,
"Whatever it may bring, I will bear it
bravely, if only the love of my good, true,
best of aunts remains." Madame von Herbeck
softly paUed the cheeks of the charming girl
and said, "Emma, yon love me so dearly and
yet will not do what I so earnestly desire !"
Emma glanced mischievously, lightly
blushing toward her aunt and said, enquir
ingly, "Liibau, is it not; have I guessed
right ?"
"Why are you so irritable, so nnamiable,
towards our neighbor ? Is he not a truly
honorable man?"
'Aunt! konorabU, that sounds so oH. so
formal," and Emma declaimed pathetically.
"And Brutus was an konorabU man!"
"Well, then let the term honorable go,
though the young man of twenty-eight is
really entitled to it. Is not Lobau a witty,
handsome, amiable man ?"
Yes, I willingly admit all that ; the thing
is he is too yielding, you see, aunt!''
Catharine just then brought in the tea,
and after carefully pouring out a cup for
her aunt, and drawing her chair nearer to
the table as the maid left the room, she con
tinued: "You see, dear aunt, I scarcely know how
to make it plain to you. It is only when a
man is something of a tyrant that he can
make the right impression upon me. If I
am to seek bis approval, I must have a little
anxiety about him. If I should marry, I
would not allow it to be said, 'That is the
husband of Madame von Lobau.' No, my
husband must know how to impress every
one, especially me. Liibau takes delight in
everything, I say he laughs at my silliness,
and even takes no notice of my impertinence.
That only provokes me to be still more dis
agreeable. Lately, at a small gathering at
Kestorf, I said to him, during the cotillion,
The heat is intolerable here, I wish some
one would bring me a glass of lemonade.' ''
'Miss Emma,' he answered, eagerly, a
glass of lemonade shall be at your service
immediately.
"He hurried away and returned with a
servant bringing a glass, aad taking it from
him handed it to me.
Oh,' I said, this ia not what I asked
for.'
" 'Did you request anything else ?"
I only drink raspberry lemonade, Herr
von Lobau.'
" 'I am sorry that yon did not at first ssy
so.'
" I did say raspberry lemonade, Herr von
Lobau.'
" As you assure me so positively that you
did, I could not have heard well, and will
get yon what you desired.'
"Now, aunt, is it not dreadful! Do you
know what I should have done in bis place ?"
Emma stepped back a few paces from the
table, knit her brows and said in the deepest
tones of which her voice was capable, "You
little piece of impertinence," I should have
said, "do you think I will submit so quietly
to your rudeness. It instead of thanking
me for the desired refreshment, you prefer
to deceive me, in the future you may select
some one else, I shall not submit to it."
With the last words her voice rose to its
highest pitch, and her aunt, in whose face
amusement and vexation contented, inter
rupted with:
"Enough of your nonsense, Emma, drink
your tea, it is time we were starting."
She then rang the bell and ordered the
carriage to be got ia readiness.
"Dear aunt," said Emma, as the servant
again withdrew, "let me finish what I wished
to say, I really do not regard it as so very
fooliih that in some savage tribes the wives
eo it is said love their husbands in pro
portion to the number of blows they receive
from them. Only a man with a spioe of
deviltry in him shall soma day be your son
ia law," here her voice changed to a tone of
genuine child-like love as sht continued.
"for you are truly my second mother and
no mother could be kinder."
Her aunt kissed Emma tenderly upon her
loreneaa and said, "Uod grant that all may
yet turn out well, your future often causes
me much anxiety."
The carriage being announced, their trav
eling toilette began. Emma wrapped herself
in a short cloak trimmed with fur, putting
over her beautiful golden curls a hood of
delicate white wool.
"Your cloak is very loose, Emma," urged
her aunt, it lets the cold in on all sides.
"Well, then, I will take the scarlet shawl
and tie it around me, I shall look like a
Eussian in his Caftan.'
"And how shall you cover the little satin
slippers ?"
"Oh, I will put them into the nice boots
you knit for me on Christmas, dear aunt.
See how obedient I am, and try to do every,
thing you wish.
Heraunt shook her head, doubtingly.
The preparations for their drive were ah
completed. A servant attended them to the
carriage, and, after assisting them in, laid a
thick fur robe over their feet, then wished
them a pleasant journey, and they started
over the crackling, sparkling tnow.
In a short time they reached the boundary
of Birkenwalde, and the Manorhouse of
Charlotterhof, the residence of the Assessor
Lobau, appeared in sight a dark solid block
in the semi-darkness. Although Emma had
spoken in a tone of ridicule of Lobau, yet as
they passed his dwelliag, she leaned her
bead out of the window and glanced search-
ingly over the building, from which, from
the ground floor above, streamed a brig
ray of light.
"Lobau has already lift for the ball," she
murmured ; "for the lower rooms are occu
pied by the Inspector."
As her aunt, however, asked no questions
and kept her veil closely over her face, Emma
leaned her head back again among the
cushions, and dreamed of the pleasures with
out number the ball should this evening
bring to her.
Assessor Otto Von Lobau, who was loved
and reverenced bv all his friends, might
easily be regarded by those slightly ac
quainted with him, as a weak tractable man.
lie regarded things in a broad earnest way.
Nothing could induce him to disregard what
he considered an act of duty. To things
insignificant in themselves, he paid little
heed, and to the interests of his friends and
acquaintances, bis own were always sec
ondary. In the circles of home and society ,
there could be no kindlier, more amiable
man than Lobau, but woe to those who mis
interpreted the mildness and courtesy of his
bearing, and dared to offer him an indignity.
One of the chief bullies of the University,
known and feared as a noted fighter, yet
bore the deep marks of Lobau's powerful
blows ia a duel called forth by the barbarous
acts of the former.
Three years since,when Lobau was prepar
ing for his second legal examination, he un
expectedly came into possession of the beau
tiful property of Charlotterhof. Every one
now supposed that he would not trouble
himself further with study, but as a man
of established position would quietly settle
down in bis ancestral possessions. They
misjudged him.
The studies which Liibau began, he in
tended to finish with honor. At first, after
making his state examination, he desired a
furlough of a few months, in order to ascer
tain whether the life he should lead as a
landed proprietor would interfere with these
duties. He placed a competent agriculturist
chief superintendent at Charlotterhof,
with a handsome salary. His advantageous
arrangements for his tenantry were very
evident, yet did not embarrass his less fav
orably situated neighbors. After passing a
brilliant Assessor s examination, Lobau to
wards the end of summer came to Charlot
terhof to make a protracted stay.
At their first meeting, Emma had made a
deep impression upon him. Her beauty and
grace charmed him, and even the self-will
and little rudenesses, seemed to enhance her
attractiveness. Besides, when she spoke to
her aunt, such genuine feeling spoke in her
beautiful blue eyes, as to leave no doubt of
the real goodness of her heart. But as the
love he felt for her intensified, the more
deeply he was pained by the light mocking
tone with which she addressed him.
A few days before the termination of the
Sylvester ball, Lobau betermined to bring
his relations with Emma to an understanding.
He intended to speak with her fervently and
earnestly, if she proved to be favorably dis
posed towards him as he hoped he should
insist on an immediate decision. Moved in
his deepest soul and filled with disturbing
unrest, Lobau on the evening of the ball
started for D , an hour before it should
begin. For him this evening to speak with
lenity or indifference was impossible. His
first words should be addressed to Emma.
He stationed himself, therefore, at a win
dow in a restaurant opposite to the building
in which the ball was held, from which he
could see, while apparently absorbed in the
pages of a newspaper, each carriage as it
drove to the entrance.
At last the carriage of Madame von Her
beck drove up, easily recognized by the gray
horses and large lamps accompanying it.J
Like a sylph, tmma hastened up the steps.
Lobau at once left his place and entered the
ball room. Emma had scarcely laid off her
wrappings, when Madame von Kestorf and
her daughter Laura, a friend of Emma's,
entered the dressing-room. After an ex
change of friendly greetings, Laura whis
pered, while securing the wreath in Emma's
hair, "Do you know a certain somebody
came up the staircase just now with me."
"I do not know of whom you are talking.
answered Emma, whilst turning her head
away as if to facilitate Laura's intention.
"Little rogue, you know very well whom
I mean, you care more for Lobau than you
pretend."
I care for Lobau, answered tnmi. I
care for him about as much as I do for
"Lord Merino."
"Lord Merino," was the title given to
Isidor Erlanger, only son of the richest wool
dealer of the province. In the interests of
his business, Isidor had passed two years in
England, and after his return to his native
place, was not only enthusiastic over all he
had seen there, but affected the speech and
bearing of the English in an insipid manner.
The young girls of his acquaintance had
given him in consequence, the title of '-Lord
Merino."
Laura made no further remark to Emma's
observation, the two girls assisted each other
in arranging their toilettes, somewhat dis
ordered by their journey and then Laura
began again :
"Certainly your friend dances the first
Cotillion with yon, this evening."
"That is if I choose Laura, but I am tired
of this and I shall not dance at all with
him."
'If he should ask you,you must dance with
himEmms."
-Must," indeed, "am I a slave then."
"Must we girls always have to consider our
selves fortunate when one of these Lords of
Creation considers us worthy of a Polka or
Galop with him ? No, you shall see what I
will do."
"Children are you not ready, cannot yon
do your chattering in the ball room, the re
mainder of the evening," said Madame von
Restorf, aad they left the room.
The dressing room entered into a corridor
which led into a small ante-room. From
this a few steps at both ends led into the
ball room. This ante-room contained three
open window seats which, like the boxes in
a theatre, commanded the best view of the
ball room and offered a more agreeable tem
perature. Here Madame voa Herbeck took her place
upon a cushioned divan, giving Emma to the
care of Madams voa Kestorf, who accom
panied the two girl into the dancing room.
Emma felt irritable, a frame of mind alto
gether foreign to her ature. With whom
she was angry she scarcely knew. The ball
room was nearly full when they entered. In
the middle of the doorway stood the Masterof
Ceremonies, and a few other gentlemen,
among them Lobau.
As Emma came forward, he advanced to
wards her and said in a low earnest tone,
"Will you allow me to dance the first waltx
with you, Fraulein von Bohr?"
"Thank you, I am already engtged, Herr
von Lobau," tmnie replied, more coldly and
brusquely than she had ever before spoken
to the young man. Emma waa frightened
herself as the words escaped her. She ex
pected from Lobau an invitation to another
dance which she would have accepted. But
he only bowed silently and and went imme
diately to the upper end of the room.
Isidor Erlanger followed right after him,
also with a request for the first waits. To
be compelled to dance with "Lord Merino."
that was hard. Emma accepted promptly,
in order that this unfortunate waltx should
be disposed of and she not appear to have
spoken falsely to Lobau.
At that moment she turned her head to
wards her aunt, to give ber a friendly nod,
when her eyes met those of Lobau who, in
stead of ascending the steps, remained stand
ing near her. Emma trembled under his
glance. She had never before seen suck an
expression in the eyes of Lobau. What did
it portend I n ho could make it clear to her !
Should she venture another glance?
Like a terrified child which imagines it
has seen a ghost, aid collects all its courage
I for another look, so Emma again turned her
neaa to warns LiODau.
He was no longer there.
'With whom will he dance," thought
Emma.
Soon the introductory measure of the
waltx sounded, and Herr Isidor Erlanger led
away his partner. Emma was silent, and
"Lord Merino" bore the whole burden of the
conversation. He enlarged upon his sojourn
in England, mentioned that he had been
there on intimate terms with a family of
nigh standing, who on one occasion had even
entertained the Premier Disraeli and that
he also had very nearly met that distin
guished statesman. Then he inquired of
Lmma whether she had read "Coninesbr,
by Disraeli, and informed her that many of
the foremost men of the-day were of Jewish
descent.
At last the waltx came to an end. Liibau
had not danced at all. Emma requested her
partner to take her to her aunt. Perhaps she
had spoken to him, he might be there now.
Emma determined to be very friendly towards
him, and to give him an opportunity of
dancing the Catillion with her. Madame
von Herbeck had seen Emma dance, and she
must tell her to whom the remaining dances
were promised.
"Have you not seen Lobau," inquired her
aunt.
"He asked me to give him the first waits."
"Weil,
"And I told him that I was already en
gaged.
AO suspicion seemed to be aroused in
Madame von Herbeck's mind, and Emma
wee soon again among the circle of dancers.
Three other dances followed concluding
with the Cotillion.
Lobau had not danced, that was plain and
must have left the ball shortly before the
waltx began.
Emma sought to hide the restlessness and
anxiety which had taken possession of her,
under a seeming composure, but they only
increased and hi led ber heart with sadness.
Was this the ball from which she had anti
cipated so much joy ?
No other lady had received so many bou
quets. None been so often asked to dance.
Lmma had been favored with the best of
partners. Uer young friends congratulated
her warmly, her aunt smiled on her with
pleased affection but what had become of
Lobau?
At midnight, twelve heavy strokes re
sounded in the ball room, fallowed by a
flourish of trumpets and each hurried to
friends and acquaintances, to wish them a
happy New Year.
Like a Queen, Emma stood the centre of
an admiring throng of ladies and gentlemen,
with whom the serene and beautiful girl ex
changed good wishes. And yet she was so
far from happy.
Madame Ton Herbeck and a few families
on intimate footing, remained to supper. It
was two o'clock in the morning, when she
and her niece entered the carriage to return
home.
The full moon shone bril'iantly; countless
stars glittered in the dark blue heavens. A
delicate hoar frost had adorned the twigs
and branches of the trees with fairy-like
flowers and leaves which, in the moonlight
radiance, looked like a vision of enchant
ment. A deep peace reigned over the quiet
landscape, not a breath of wind stirred. No
sound could be heard but the rapidly rolling
wheels of the carriage.
Emma was tired so she told her aunt.
and both ladies leaned back in silence
against the soft cushions of the carriage.
Lmma again raised her head as they ap
proached Charlotterhof. The inmates of the
large mansion had apparently all retired.
Lobau s apartments alone, on the first floor
were lighted. Emma sighed deeply as they
drove by. They had passed the house but
a short distance, when suddenl a brilliant
glare of light shone through the window and
a scene of enchanting beauty burst upon
them. A most unlooked for surprise was
awaiting them.
In front of the large barn, pertaining to
the estate lay a small pond, on the borders
of which, three years before, Lobau had
planted ash trees. Among the crystallized
branches numerous richly decorated colored
lanterns were suspended, their varied glit
tering light mingled with that of the moon,
and illumined the mirror like surface of the
pond with magical beauty. As the carriage
came opposite to the pond, an energetic voice
called to the coachman to stop. The horses
stood still ; the carriage door opened and
Lobau stepped to the entrance.
'Dear Madame, he said, bowing re
spectfully to Madame von Herbeck. "May
I have the pleasure of wishing you a happy
New Year."
The astonished lady, suddenly aroused
from a half sleep, returned a few words of
thanks.
Then, at a signal from Lobau, the music
of a favorite waltx was heard issuing from
the barn in which a small band was sta
tioned. "Fraulein von Rohr," said Lobau, politely
bowing to Emma. "May I be permitted to
dance the first wshz with you ?"
"Herr von Lobau," interrupted Madame
von Herbeck, "what do these strange pre
parations mean."
"Dear Madame," he replied, "unfortu
nately for me Fraulein von Rohr could not
give me the first waltx last evening, as I
bad hoped. I trust now to make no useless
request."
"This can only be a jest," answered Ma
dame von Herbeck, "and I do njt consider
the time very Siting."
"But, dear Madame, I promised myself
that Fraulein voa Rohr should dance a waltx
with me beforAhe returned home. I have
everything in readiness for my undertaking.
Music and lights are prepared; the pond
supplies as beautiful a dancing floor as the
finest ball room. . The night is exceedingly
mild, and a carpet covers the short distance
between the carriage and the ice. Fraulein
von Rohr may I again request a waltx?"
'Dear aunt," said Emma, "I could not
forgive myself were I to detain you longer
in the night air by a refusal. Herr von
Lobau I comply with your request. "
Lobau helped the young lady with the ut
most politeness out of the carriage, closed
the door and escorted Emma over the car
peted ground to the improvised dancing
floor. She was dressed for her drive, aad
Lobau had on a small cloak and a hunt ng
cap. With a firm arm he supported the
young girl over the mirror-smooth surface
To the music of the Strauss waltx "Das Le
ben ein Tanx" and nnder the glorious light
of the starry heavens they danced twice
round the circle of the pond. As Emma
again stepped upon the carpet Lobau said
to her; "Whilst I return to Fraulein von
Rohr my best thanks I shall also do myself
the honor of bidding her farewell, early in
the morning I shall return to the Capitol."
"For a pleasure trip, Herr von Lobau ?"
"No, for the future I shall live in the
Capitol."
Oh!"
"What is the matter, Fraulein von
Rohr?"
"I am afraid I twisted my ankle."
''Support yeurself on my arm."
"Herr von Lobau I must atop one mo
ment, must speak to you before yon start on
your journey."
"That is impossible, the train starts at 7
o'clock, and I have much to attend to."
'I must not keep my aunt waiting longer,
but I beg to speak to you before you leave
Charlotterhof. Here lies my shawl." And
Emma unloosened the red shawl that en
veloped her and let it fall to the ground.
"Ride over on horseback and say to the
servant that you have found my shawl, and
wish to return it to me yourself."
"I will execute your command, Fraulein
von Rohr.''
in silence they returned to the carriage
tn which Lobau placed bis partner, then
bade good night to Madame von Herbeck as
though nothing unusual had taken place.
Emma's aunt was excited in the highest
degree, and as soon as the carnage doors
were closed asked if anything had occurred
to excuse this extraordinary behaviour of
Lobau's. Emma kissed her aunt's hand.
and begged that she might be allowed to be
silent for the present. In the morning she
would explain all that she knew about it
While thus speaking the hot tears fell upon
the hand she held in hen, aud her aunt re
mained silent notwithstanding her anxiety
to have the matter made clear to her.
The ladies had scarcely returned home
and laid aside their traveling wrappings.
when Catharine announced the arrival of
Herr von Lobau, who had found Miss Em
ma's shawl, and wished to return it himself
to her.
"Dear aunt, said Emma before the for
mer had time to reply, "allow me to receive
Herr von Lobau, I will come immediately
back.
"Invite Herr von Lobau into the balcony
room and tell him that my niece will be
there directly," said Madame von Herbeck
to the old servant; then turning to Emma,
added, "But this is aa unheard of pro
ceeding." "Dear aunt, just allow me to be gone a
tew minutes, said the young girl, "you
shall soon hear everything. And throwing
a mantilla over ber shoulders and a light
scarf over her head she entered the balcony-
room where Lobau awaited her.
Her lovely face now wore more of the
mocking expressions that usually lent it
such witching charms. Her blue eyes were
full of earnestness, and her sweet voice
trembled as she thus addressed the young
man :
"Herr von Lobau, I have wronged you,
and you have punished me in the way you
thought best. Our account might thus be
balanced, but I promised my dear mother
when a child that I would never go to rest,
after being rude, without asking pardon
and being at peace with every one, there
fore, before you leave let me say to you,tbat
immediately after you left the ball-room I
regretted my conduct towards you. You
will not continue to be angry with me?"
Lobau's breast was filled with contending
emotions. Should he take Emma's hand
and confess to her all that he felt and suf
fered ? No; the bitterness and anger which
contended in his soul conquered, and he
said politely : "I am obliged to you for
your kind words, Fraulein von Rohr, and I
shall ever remember them."
His eyes, however, did not succeed like
his words in concealing the real feeling of
his heart, and under their tender glance
Emma blusbingly turned her head away.
"Herr von Lobau," she said again, look
ing towards him, "will you answer me
openly aud truly one more question ?"
"1 promise to do so.
"Had you already decided to go to the
Capitol before you went to the ball last
evening?''
"Vtill you excuse my declining to answer
that question !"
"1 ou promised me to speak truly.
"nelL then, 1 had thought to remain
here always. I was a visionary fool. I
bad given my whole heart to a maiden with
whose beauty and charms no other could
compete. 1 felt that I was able to protect
and cherish her with the most devoted af
fection. No rude blast should ever reach
my tender flower. But to a man there is
yet one thing that is more to him than his
affection bis honor ! That must remain
unassailed. It will not endure the lightest
stain. A breath suffers to dim its purity.
To the woman who loves me my honor must
be thus sacredly held, not only on great
occasions, but in each moment, in every
utterance and expression. With deepest
sorrow I am compelled to acknowledge that
to one it was not only an easy matter to
offer me an unmerited insult but to aggra
vate it by giving the preference to an ac
knowledged Bimpleton."
"Herr von Lobau," replied Emma with a
low voice, whilst she suppressed with diffi
culty the emotions she felt, "you have not
dune right to condemn unheard this young
girl. You should remember that she is an
orphan who never received the tender.earn
est admonitions of a father; an orphan whose
character has been moulded by different and
opposing influences. Heaven gave her a
happy temperament, hence anxieties and
cares did not oppress her. Yet however
joyously she surveyed life.still there existed
within her heart the longing to be guided
tenderly through it by a strong hand. You
have said, Herr von Lobau, that to a man
there is but one thing higher than his love,
to a woman it is ever the highest. And
because it is so sacred it best be hidden in
her deepest souL Often a girl scarcely
knows of its existence, and the words alone
of the man she loves reveal it to her. An
gered by officious meddling she impetuously
bides what must remain concealed. And,
therefore, in order that strangers shall not
discover what must first be revealed to the
one loved, she is often cold and rude to him
who is most dear. You have suffered, Herr
von Lobau, the young girl suffers also. She
els Lmma stopped speaking.
"Finish, I entreat you," exclaimed Lobau
selling her hands.
"she feels that she has found the one
whom she could love, and that she has lost
him!"
"No, Emma, by all that is true you have
not lost him. Who could resist such noble
hearted candor," he added, as with a feel
ing of deepest happiness he tenderly em
braced the trembling girl.
There was a knock at the doov.
It was the old servant, who said "Ma
dame von Herbeck wished to speak to her
niece.
"We are 'coming," rejoined Lobau, who
wished to inform every one of his great
happiness.
The astonished Madame von Herbeck
gave her desired consent to the warmly
urged entreaties for aa engagement But
added the warning, "I promise you plenty
of trouble with the little mischief, dear
Lobau."
"Do not be afraid, dear aunt," replied
Emma, and for the first time the charming
smile returned to her lovely face.
The understanding is that if again I do
what I should not, I shall be treated to an
other "waltx on the ice I"
Lake Titlearav.
This is the most singular and inter
esting lake in the world. Situated on
the crest of the Andes, it is the highest
large body of fresh water; and aa con
current traditions point to it as the
spot where Manco Capac.the first Inca,
appeared and woke the aboriginal tribes
from their long sleep of barbarism and
ignorance, it is the historic center of
South America. Humboldt called it
the theatre of the earliest American
civilization. On an island within it are
the imposing ruins of the Temple of
the Son, and all around it are monu
ments which attest the skill and mag
nificence of the Incas. There are also,
as at Tiahuanaco and Silustani, the re
mains of burial towers and palaces,
which antedate the crusades, and are
therefore pre-incariaL
Lake Titicaca is about the size of our
Ontario.shallow on the west and north,
deep towards the east and south. The
eastern or Bolivian shore, beiDg backed
by the lofty range ol aorata, is very
high and precipitous. The lake never
freezes over, although the temperature
of funo is often lo deg. at sunrise.
Two little steamers of 100 tons each do
a trifling business. Steam is generated
by llama dung, the only fuel of the
coantrv; for there are no trees within
150 miles. The steamers actually cost
their weight in silver; for their trans
portation (in pieces) from the coast cost
as much as the original price. A steam
boat company has just asked from Bo
livia tbe exclusive privilege of naviga
ting Titicaca and the Bio Desaguadero
to Lago Pampa, with a guaranty of six
per cent, cost on the capital and a share
in all new mines discovered.
Professor Orton, the latest traveler
in that region, calls attention to the
fact that Lake Titicaca is not so high
as usually given in geographical works
by about 300 feet, Its true attribute
ia 12,493 feet, and in the dry season it
is fonr feet less. This fact has been
revealed by the consecutive levelings
made in building the Arequipa railway
jast finished, which reaches from the
Pacific to Lake Titicaca. The road
rises from the sea to Arequipa, 7,550
feet; thence to the summit. 14,660 feet;
and then descends over 2,000 feet, to
Paoo on the west shore of the lake,
a distance by the track of 325 miles
from the ocean. Pentlandt'a estimates
of Sorata, lllimani, and other peaks of
the Andes, having started from the
Titicaca level as a base line, must come
down full 300 feet.
Elisabeth Barrett Browaing.
A dispassionate examination of the
poems of Elizabeth Barrett Browning
can, we maintain, only lead to this re
sult that she is the equal of any poet
of our time in genius. In particular
qualities she may appear inferior to
some who could be cited, and whose
names will irresistibly suggest them
selves ; bat in others she is as indubit
ably their superior ; and. until we can
decide who is greater, Byron or Words
worth, Shelley or Coleridge, Homer or
Shakspeare, we care not to assign her
precise position. One thing is certain.
however, ner immortality is assured
she stands already crowned. Aa long
as one human heart throbs for another
she will be held in high esteem. Her
poetry is that which refines, chastens,
and elevates. We could think that
with herself, as with one of her charac
ters, "some grand blind Love came
down, and groped her oat, and clasped
her with a kua ; she learned Uo4 that
way." And who were her teachers?
Can we ask that question of one who
said, "Earth's crammed with heaven,
and every common bush afire with God?"
The emerald beauty of a thousand val
leys, embroidered by the silver threads
of meandering rivers ; the grandeur of
the everlasting bills with their lofty and
majestic calm ; the terrible rolling of
the restless and unsatisfied sea ; the
stars that at midnight shine, looking
down upon us like the eyes of those we
love ; above all, the whisper of God as
it thrills through the human heart
these were her informers and teachers,
the sources of her eminent inspiration.
She sang of all these that men might
be nobler, freer, and purer. Her apo
theosis follows of divine right with that
of all the leadtrs of mankind: God en
dowed her, and we exalt her. Corntill
Magaztne.
Female Gormasdliers.
Insinuations with regard to the habits
of the "fashionable" women of America
have not been infrequent for some time
past. There were whispers of whisky
in connection with this subject, and
some went so far as to count in absinthe
among the cosmetics to be found on
the toilet table of affluent beauty.
These charges, however, were as thistle
down compared with that brought by
an observant European who passed
most of last winter in New York. His
opinion is that the besetting vice of
American girls is well, not to put too
fine a point upon it gluttony. They
reject, habitually, the normal three
square meals per day daring the ball
season, reserving their appetites for the
late suppers. An average dashing dock
of a New York belle, this person avers
(mind, we don't vouch for him), will
consume at supper a plate of stewed
oysters, a brick of lobster salad, a quart
or so of stewed terrapin, unknown quan
tities of jellies, ices, and other such
delicacies that are always in season.
This may account for the forty tons of
sardines which, we are told, formed a
part of the cargo of the lost steamship
Europe, and which oddly enough, were
on their way out here in company with
large consignments of silks. Let these
fair gormandizers beware.
Heavy suppers and good looks cannot
long go together ; and there can be so
doubt that roast beef, ale, and regular
habits have a good deal to do witn the
buxnm appearance of most English
matrons, even when past middle age.
Engliah paper.
Dyspcpala.
Now we know all about it. Dr. Wis
senich, of Regensburg, proposes to call
dyspepsia torulosis, yeast disease. He
claims that in a wide circle of eases he
has never found a dyspeptic patient the
origin of whose disease might not be
traced to the bread he ate. In a very
interesting monograph in Hallermunde's
Afedicinische Annalen he attempts to
show that the flesh-eating, milk-eating,
rice-eating, date-eating, and, in short,
all other peoples except the bread-eating
peoples, are comparatively exempt
from dyspepsia. He attributes the
disease to the imperfect destruction in
our ordinary baking processes of th
vitality of the yeast-germs in the bread,
and claims that they regain their ac
tivity in all weak stomachs, and increas
ing by germination, propagate regular
myceha among the other contents of
the digestive sac, thus causing the food
to be decomposed and made unnutri
tious or injurious before it can be di
gested. Custom may lead a man into errors,
but it justifies none.
Youth Column.
The Child aad the Gardeaer.
I planted one a little tree
Out in tb air and unatilne free :
I save u wmver erery dy ;
But atui iuid aud pined away.
Our gardener hid a wive old head ;
1 rsri led it to him, and uid.
"Take thin into tbe ffrrwubtOJW not.1
He pulled it I rum uus Dower-put.
And. rnninns. he?d It np to me :
"A precty gardener T"u would be
He amid. A plaut that ha no riut
Will die, ai.d bear no now ere or fruit. "
I (rang my bead, and blnahed for aname :
But, ehlla. amid be, "you're not to blame :
Full many an older bead I've en.
Aa auuple quiet aa yon have been.
You moat In future wiaer be.
And not plant Sower to make a tree ;
But cnotise tne root, and wait, my dear.
Until the little bud appear."
LrrrLK SrssHixa. Alice Havwood is
six years old. She came with the Jane
roses six years ago. She is a happy,
sweet little girl, and has always been
called "Lattle bansnine. Jrapa says
there are no dull days in his home, for
he has Sunshine all the year round.
But there were doll days in that home
once, when Little Sunshine was very,
very sick, and papa and mamma thought
she was going to die. Such a dear lit
tle girl she was then ! Just as patient
and good ! When the pain was so great
she could not help groaning, she shut
her lips tight, so the groan would come
"little, and not big to make mamma
cry." The sickness was short, and
happy days came again when Little
Sunshine was well enough to play and
help mamma.
One day, when mamma, had gone oat
for a few hours, some grown-up cousins
came from way off to visit her. Little
Sunshine invited them into the bouse,
and was very polite to them, taking
their hats and shawls, and entertaining
them the best she could with her big
dolly, tea-set and other nice things.
When she saw her mamma coming, she
ran to the door to tell her who was
there, and then said, "I don't think
they've been lonesome, mamma, for I've
done all I could to make them happy."
Wasn t she a darling to be so thought
ful and kind T She is always trying to
make people happy ; and when anybody
tries hard to do anything, she is sure to
succeed, you knot?. Do you try. too,
little ones ? I hope you do, and I know
that everybody loves you if you do, and
you are happy yourselves, like Little
Sunshine, who is curled up on the low
window-seat just now talking to her
kitty, telling it never to catch little
birdies, and when it catches mousies it
must be very careful not to hurt them.
Ihe Children' J four.
The Ebjiixb. Away up in northern
latitudes, where there is nearly always
snow and ice, and where the summers
are very short indeed, lives a little crea
ture which wears such a beautiful dress
that we are all envious and desire to
rob him of it. His dress is soft as velvet.
and creamy white, and so warm that it
is a protection against the coldest
weather. Ladies want it to border
their garments with, judges think that
it adds to their dignity to wear it, and
even kings and nobles desire it to help
make their crowns and coronets. So
this beautiful, shy little creature,
scarcely as large as a cat, is hunted by
the trapper, and when caught deprived
not only of its garment, but of life
itself, that lords and ladies, kings and
judges, may have their whims gratified
1 bis little animal is called an ermine.
Its food consists of rats, young rabbits,
birds, small animals of every descrip
tion, and birds eggs. It is long, slen
der and graceful in form, and can climb
trees as easily as a cat.
During the summer the ermine is
called a stoat, and then its back is of a
reddish brown, which fellows it to pass
along the ground among the fallen
leaves and rubbish without being per
ceived. But when the cold weather
comes, the fur gradually turns white,
all but the tip of its tail, which remains
black.
There are ermines or stoats found in
temperate latitudes ; but as they never
turn perfectly white in winter, the trap
pers do not care to catch them. They
are wild little creatures ; still, they may
be easily tamed, and are then as affec
tionate and playful as kittens.
That is a queer little creature that
you often find in your oysters at dinner
shaded from a delicate orange color
to a deep red. It is a second cousin to
that greenish, flat-footed, long-handed
craw-fish, that creeps along backward
through the mud in the ditches and
gutters. It has a still more curious
relative, called the hermit or soldier
crab, which, like itself, having no home
of its own, creeps into the first empty
shell it finds, and if it fits, walks off
with it on his back. He climbs trees,
too, to get the eggs of birds, which he
devours with great gusto. Another and
stronger crab, meeting him, frequently
drives him from his newly acquired
house, taking possession of it by main
force, and the poor hermit wanders off
seeking a new roof to shelter him. Still
another poor relation in the crab family
is a great thief. It walks into houses
o' nights, like many another of those
quiet people, tbe burglars, and carries
off neckties, collars, stockings, and any
other small articles of clothing left
about within its reach. It has this ad
vantage over burglars, however, that if
caught in the act, it does not have to
wait to turn around, but clatters off
backwards dragging its spoils to its
dark hole in the sand.
Sirrso and Dotxo. Two brothers
used to go to school together. One
evening they thought they should like
to have a holiday the next day ; so they
asked their father to give them one.
He said, "I cannot, because it will put
you back in your studies ; so mind you
go to school." One of the brothers
said, "Yes, I will ; but the other said
he would not, and hia father was very
angry with him.
The next day the one that had said
"Yes" played truant, but the one that
had refused went to school. Then the
father said to them in the evening,
"Both of you are in the wrong ; but
you that promised to go and broke your
promise are the worse of the two."
Our Father in heaven speaks to il
every day, and says, "Do My will ;"
and whenever we kneel down and say,
"Yes, I wilL" Now, if we say we will
do God's will, and yet do not try to do
it, are we not like the boy that first
made a promise and then broke it ?
Some people never pray to God at all,
and never promise to do Hia wilL. Per
haps you are inclined to say, "They are
very bad people." Bat if you promise
and do not try to keep your promise,
are you not worse than they?
GeooraxhicaIi Exiax a. My 5, 8, 2,
3, 8, is a city in South America.
My 4, 6, 5, 8, 9, is a city in Africa.
My 1, 2, 6, 1, 6, is a bay on the wes
tern coast of South America.
My 5, 10, 7, 5, 8, ia a city in South
America.
My whole is a mountain in South
America.
Antxctr : Chimborazo.
'Vnrietiert.
How to make a slow horse fast Don't
feed him.
Romantic death A young lady
drowned in tears.
Large numbers of young trout, from
two to three inches in length, are dying
in Cayuga lake from some unexplained
cause.
A 15-year old lad of Medina, Orleans
county, weighs 172 pounds, stands 6
feet 2 inches in hia stockings, and ia
still growing.
Diogenes, being asked which beast's
bite was the most dangerous, replied :
il yon mean wild beasts, it s tbe slan
derer's ; if tame ones, the flatterer's."
The Walker prize of Boston Society
of Natural History was won by Alexan
der Agassiz. A deserved compliment
to the studious son of an honored father.
A new toy for bovs is a bear about
two feet high, which, upon being wound
np, growls and stands erect on his hind
legs in trne bear style. These toys are
made in Munich.
In wonder all philosophy betran. in
wonder it ends, and admiration tills up
the interspace. But the first wonder is
the offspring of ignorance the last is
the parent of adoration.
Postal cards are so extramelv popular
in this country that, althoneh it is not
long since they were introdftced, the
enormous number of one hundred mil
lions have been printed and issued.
In removing ink spots from delicate
colors, when oxalic acid or chloride of
lime cannot be used without injury to
the color, a concentrated solution of so
dium pyrophosphate is recommended.
There is nothing which contributes
more to tbe sweetness of life than friend
ship ; there is nothing which disturbs
onr repose more than friends, if we have
not the discernment to choose them well.
A lady called on witty friend, and
finding the piano dnstv. wrote upon it
"Slattern." The next day they met, and
the lady said, "I called on you yester
day." "Yes; I saw your card on the
piano."
An inquiring man thrust his finger
into i
norse s montn to see now many
teeth be had. Tbe horse closed his
month to see how many fingers the man
had. The curiosity of each was fully
satisfied.
All ways of earning his bread are alike
becoming to an honest man, whether it
be to split wood or sit at the helm of
state. It does not concern his con
science how useful he is, or how useful
he would be.
The ten year old daughter of a West
ern telegraph operator astonishes men
along the line when her father is absent
from home by telling them confidentially
the condition of the doll's dresses, who
got "licked" at school, and other choice
morsels of gossip.
A Nevada judge, after the jury had
been empaneled and counsel ready to
proceed, pulled out a revolver and judi
cially remarked, "If any man goes fro
licking around in this court-room dur
ing the trial of this case I shall inter
rupt him in his career." The strictest
decorum prevailed.
The head of Haydn is in possession
of Dr. llokitanski, of Vienna, and is
preserved under a glass cover. The
doctor tenderly points out to his visi
tors a slight deficiency in the bony sub
stance of the nasal organ, the seat of
disease which gave so much pain to the
great composer during the latter part of
his life.
Laughter is one of the gifts which
distinguish men from animal h. Mirth,
so far from being one of the lower at
tributes of human nature, is one of the
higher. It reigns in an innocent na
ture, and tends to perfect and brighten
the mind wherever allowed. It may be
said of this emotion as quaint Andrew
Fuller said of anger: "He would it hath
a maimed mind."
In holding of an argument, be neither
conceited nor choleric ; one distempers
your understanding, the other abuses
your judgment. Above all things, de
cline paradoxes and mysteries; you will
acquire no honor either in maintaining
a rank falsehood, or meddling with sa
cred truths ; as he that pleads against
the truth, makes wit the mother of his
error, so he that argues beyond war
rant, makes wisdom the mid-wife of his
folly.
Poisn C Ami. tha name) Of April
fool in France, is a corruption of the
word passion. Our Lord's Passion oc
curred about this time of the year, and
as he was sent from Annas to Caiphas,
and from Caiphas to Pilate, from Pilate
to Herod, and from Herod back to Pi
late, to mock and torment him, so arose
the custom of sending on fruitless er
rands those who were despised a cus
tom which gradually spread through all
classes.
A special commission of the Co-operative
Society of Knssian Manufacture
and Trade has reported in favor of the
construction of a railroad line between
Russia and China, throngh Siberia.
The road, with its connections, would
traverse for the most part a thickly
populated country, and open up im
mense cattle and wool growing districts
which are now isolated from the business
world. It would have to be built in
sections, commencing with a fortified
town in Western Itassia and ultimately
reaching Pekin.
Mr. Robert Buchanan, in a recent
essay, thus states what he deems the
true f auction of criticism : "Criticism
is not a science, because equally desti
tute of any absolute and universal ob
jective tests of the soundness of its
method, and any means of verifying its
results. It is, however, a very graceful
intellectnaexercise, capable of being
brought to great perfection and of giv
ing refined pleasnre,and indirectly some
information to the reader. Its end is
now seen to be, not truth, because in
criticism verifiable truth is unattain
able, but beauty. In surrendering its
fulse claim to be a science, it takes iu
true place as a fine art."
Signor Eugenio Morpurgo has lately
published at Venice a short monograph
utn paper-making, in which he fur
nishes some curious statistics relative
to this important industry. Zt appears
that the United States, with their enor
mous amount of periodicals and other
literary productions, consume more
paper than England and France united.
They have 3.000 machines, producing
annually 200,000 tons of paper, which
in a population of 28 millions averages
17 tt4- of oaoer a head, while a Russian
consume: only 1 lb.; a Spaniard, lj tt ;
an Austrian or Italian, d J ids.; arrencn
man. 7 lbs. : a German 8 lbs. ; and an
Englishman, 11) lbs. There are in the
world 3,960 paper manufactories, em
ploying 90,000 men and 180,000 women,
besides 100.000 occupied in the rag
trade. Of the 1,800 millions of lbs. of
paper produced, one-half is used in
printing, a sixth in writing, and the re
maining third in packing.
H
V.