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B. F. SCHWE1ER, THE CONSTITUTION THB UNION AND THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAWS. Editor and Proprietor.
VOL. XXIX. MIFFLINTOWX, JUNIATA COUNTY, PENNA., MAY 5, 1875. NO. K
i
: H
roirar.
THE fOOTNTFPtt OF DEC AT
TUe following is a translation from an an
cient Spanish poem, which, hti the EdiDbarx
Krrirv, is urpaimd by nothing with which we
are acquainted in the Hpanish language, except
the "Ode of Lonis de Leon."
Oh, let the sool ita alombera break
Arouse ita senses, and awake
To see how soon
Life, in ita glories, glides away.
And the stern footMtepa of decay
Come stealing on.
And while we view the rolling tide,
Down which our flowing minatea glide
Away so fast.
Let na the present hour employ
And deem each fat are dream a joy
Already past.
Let no Tain hope deceive the mind,
K happier let na hope to find
To-morrow than to-day ;
Our golden dreams of yore were bright,
Like them the present shall delight
Like them decay.
Oar lives like lasting streams most be
That into the engulfing aea
Are doomed to fall
The sea of death, whose wares roll on.
O'er king and kingdom, crown and throne.
And swallow alL
Alike the river's lordly tide.
Alike the rivulet's humble glide
To that sad wave !
Death levels poverty and pride.
The rich and poor sleep aide by aide,
W ithin the grave.
Our birth is but a starting place ;
Life is bat the running of the race.
And death the goal ;
There all our glittering toys are bought.
The pith alone, of all unsought,
la found of all
See, then, how poor and little worth
Are all those glittering toys of earth.
That lure us here
Dreams of a sleep that death must break ;
Alas ! before it bids us awake.
We disappear.
Ing ere the damp earth can blight
The cheek's pure glow of red and white.
He wased away ;
Youth smiled, and all was heavenly fair
Age came and laid his finger there
And where are they ?
Where is the strength that spurned decay.
The steps that roved so light and gay,
The heart's blithe tone ?
The strength is gone, the step is slow.
And joy grows wearisome and woe.
When age comes on !
IMTLI.iVT.
The Power ef m Word.
Did yon ever tliink how much power
is vested in a word f It may have
caused but a little exertion on your
part to utter it. Only a single breath
may have been required to waft it from
voiir lim to the ears of your listener,
but hen once spoken, it was past re
call. Jt revealed the secret motives
and brought to light the hidden
thoughts of your heart. Ah! the word
may have leen athoiightlcssone HHken
in an unguarded moment; but it left
its impress, and may le rememliered
long after your voice is hushed, and
you are sleeping the sleep that knows
no waking.
l'erhaps the word w as ail unkind one,
harshly sMiken, and accompanied by a
cold, chilling look, which cast a gloomy
shadow o'er some loving, sensitive
heart, l'erhaps it was one of malice,
envy, or deceit, and enkindled a bitter
feeling of resentment which will live
on and on w hile memory lasts ; or it
may have lteen a cheerful, pleasant,
loving word, proceeding from a heart
brimful of the purest kindness, which
fell like sweetest music on the listening
ear, touching a hidden chord in the
soul, which will ever resjxmd in strains
of love and harmony. Perchance it
may have been a word of sympathy or
encouragement, spoken in teuderest
accents, so that very word may have
scattered the clouds, dispelled the
gloom, and diffused sunshiue iuto the
heart well nigh crushed beneath its
burden of woe.
Words may seem tmt little things to
ns, but they possess a power beyond
calculation. They swiftly ity from us
to others, aud though we scarcely give
them a passing thought, their spirit
lives. Though they are as fleeting as
the breath that bore them, their influ
ence is as enduring as the heart they
reach. Ah ! well may we guard our
lips, so that none grieve in silence over
words that we may have carelessly
drooped. Well may we strive to scat
ter loving, cheering, encouraging words
to soothe the weary, and awaken the
nobler, liner feelings of those with
whom we daily come in contact. Well
may we endeavor to use right words,
for they are indeed precious. How they
endcar'each to theother. Though they
cost the speaker nothing, they are more
valuable than diamonds, and shed a
brighter lustre on all around.
Beatutlfal Aaawer.
A pnpil of the Abbe Sioord gave the
following extraordinary answers :
"What is gratitude ?"
"Gratitude is the memory of the
heart."
"Wh?tishopeJ"
"Hope is the blossom of happiness.'
"What is the difference between hope
and desire I"
"Desire is a tree in leaf, hope is a
tree in flower, and enjoyment is a tree
in frnit."
"What is eternity?"
"A day without yesterday or to-morrow
; a line that has no end." -
'What is time?"
"A line that has two ends a path
which begins in the cradle and ends in
the tomb"
"What is God ?"
"The necessary being, the sum of
eternity, the merchant of nature, the
eye of justice, the watchmaker of the
universe, the eoul of the world."
Does God reason ?"
"Man reasons, because he doubts :
he doubts ; he deliberates ; he decides.
God is omniscient : He never doubts ;
JJe therefore newer reasons."
ST
Doa't bm I Critical.
Whatever yon do, never set np for a
critic We don't mean a newspaper
one, bnt in private life, in the domestic
circle, in society. It will not do any
one any good, and it will do yon harm
if yon mind being called disagreea
ble, if yon don't like any one's nose,
pr object to any one's c jiin, don't put
foot feelings into words. If any one's
manners don't please yon, remember
your own. People are not all made to
suit one taste, recollect that Take
tilings as yon find them, nnless yon ean
alter them. E.ven a dinner after it is
fallowed paniiot be made aay better.
Oontinual fault-finding, continual crit
icism of the conduct of this one and the
speech of that one, the dress of the
other and the opinions of t'other, will
make home the unhappiest place under
the sun.
Enjoyment stops where indolence begins.
THE SHOEMAKER'S BILL.
On the banks of the Rhine, where
pleasant mountains are reflected in its
waters, lies a small village on a consid
erable bight, over the high road.
Behind the village towers a barren
rock, from which look down the remains
of an ancient knightly castle. The
small village has no church, but only a
handsome school-bouse. In this there
lived, some years ago, a brave school
master named stop, I must not name
either the village or the man, because
perhaps he still lives there, and might
not like to be talked about, even by the
little people who may read this story.
The schoolmaster and his wife had
eight children. That was a rich bless
ing from God. but with the narrow in
come which the place afforded it was
also no small charge. One hundred and
bfty thalers income for the whole year
is not much it comes to barely halt a
thaler per diem ; and if ten people, with
a healthy appetite, are daily fed and
clothed for that, even on the homeliest
German fare, it is easy to see that
Housekeeping will cost no little wont
or self denial.
In the uleasant sclioolhonse. there
fore, the daily fare was both scanty
and simple. Potatoes were the hrst
and last dish both at dinner and supper.
They had not even butter to eat with
thvir bread, but only salt, and in the
morning a dish of porridge or bread
aud milk, and on Sunday a cup of weak
conee. 1 liese were the greatest deli
cacies that ever came on to the school
master's table. However, both parents
ami children were active and healthy.
and the latter nourished like rosea.
With all their poverty they were a
very happy family, for the blessing of
God dwelt visibly in the house, and
love and peace reigned among parents
and children. The schoolmaster was
faithful and industrious in his work,
and his school did him great credit.
The school children were trained to
sing capitally, for he was himself well
grounded in music, and instructed them
in it. His domestic as well as hispublic
life was without a single blemish. For
this reason the parish made much of
him, and Ins superiors honored him for
his industry and fidelity.
Hut, as it often happens, the brave
schoolmaster remained in his ill-paid
post for twelve long years, only en
couraged by his faithful wife. From
day to day their need increased ; the
more the children giew, the more did
they require clothes and boots. The
cxiienscs of these made it more ditlicult
to procure suflicieiit food; added to
these was the anxiety as to how they
were to obtain the means to educate
the elder children, who were now well
grown. The schoolmaster was of a God
fearing and pious disposition. When
at any time his heart was full and
heavy, he retired iuto his chamber and
prayed to his Heavenly Father, and
was comforted; but he could not liear
to see tears in his wife's eyes. This
distressed him greatly, and the weight
of care lay all the heavier ou his heart.
The year 1st; came a severe and sad
winter for the poor. The harvest had
leen a liad one, and a terrible potato
disease followed. The price of provi
sions rose fast and threateningly. )ur
brave school in astsr had much to bear
that year for the sake of his family.
He had a bill at the shoemaker's for '
thalers, which had gradually accumu
lated, and the oor man did not know
when or how he should pay it. The
shoemaker would gladly have waited
sometime for the money; but iit his
house there were also jiovcrty and
want, so he asked the schoolmaster to
pay his debt as soon as possible. Care
ami anxiety came into the school. The
poor wife took great pains that her
sighs and complaints should not add to
her husband's trouble, and it was only
at night when he slept that she wept
silently. In the day time she smiled
cheerfully, even when her heart was
sad and heavy. There were times,
however, when she could not be silent
on the one absorbing subject ; then it
was that the pious man took his wife
by the hand, looked in her eyes and
aiiid, "'Take no thought for your life,
what ye shall eat, and what ye shall
drink; nor yet for your Imdy, what ye
shall pnt on. Is not the life more than
meat, and the body than raiment T
Behold the fowls of the air : they sow
not, neither do they reap nor gather
into barns: yet your heavenly Father
feedeth them. Are ye not much better
than they When the poor woman
was consoled, she smiled gently, tiiougti
sadlv. and said "Yes, dear husband,
Sod "loves us still; He will not leave
us or forsake us.' And the school
master seated himself at his poor piano
and they sang together their favorite
hvuin :
"Osr 0.4 still Uvea.
Mr eoal be mat cant down
Art tboa heavy ladea T
Ttaea lara thee to thy Qo4.
He la rich is a-ooanaea ;
He will raise lb feeble ;
His mercy doietb ever;
Hia tralb U taileib sever.
Remember, O auy aoal.
Oar Lord aod Cue) aUll lives !
With these words sorrow took flight :
comfort and peace, hoiie and confidence
came to console these mourning souls.
Autumn came; the leaves of the trees
were decking themselves in gold, the
leaves Itccame bare and even barer,
and the birds of passage left the coun--trj't
to winter in warmer lands. News
spread through the village that rejoiced
all hearts. The king was coming! So
it was rumored on all sides ; and the
good people who loved him consulted
and deliberated as to how they could
best prove their affection for the be
loved father of the country, and their
joy at visiting them,
Xot far from the village waa the
king's highway, near to where our
brave schoolmaster lived. He was glad
of this; for, although he had never seen
the king, he loved him dearly. So he
asked himself as to whether or not lie
could on his part prepare some little
demonstration of loyal feeling; and,
after thinking over it, he determined
what he should do. He would choose a
simple hymn, with words of hearty
welcome. For this he required a suit
abje tune, and to practice his school
children in both, l'hey should stand
under the nut tree on the high road,
when the king drove past, to sing the
hymn, and in that way to receive and
welcome him. The idea commended
itself to the schoolmaster the more he
thought of it- l'erhaps the hymn might
please his majesty, and. if nothing else,
it would surely awaken loyal feelings
iu the hearts of the school children.
On a beautiful day in October, when
the sun was still warm and shone ples.
antly, the schoolmaster ascended the
mountain at the back of the village,
and seated himself on a piece of rock,
from which he got a fine view of the
surrounding country. Here he com
posed a simple but nevertheless a
hearty and attractive hymn ; the tune
for it was soon found, and the children
were trained in it. In a few days they
were able to sing it capitally, and so
the plan was to lie carried out. The
peasantry wanted to be present in order
to hear their children sing, and to speed
the king on his journey with a loud
hurrah! Hut there was one care which,
with all this, oppressed the heart of the
schoolmaster "l wife-hi8 boots
were quite in pieces, and even in the
upper lather there were nnlucky holes.
It was not possible that he could appear
n than Wore the king, but the diffi
culty was to remedy the evil. His coat
and hat, too, were not in the best con
dition. These, however, the tidy hands
of hia wife could improve, he washed
- Zt, n anil
tue coiiar 01 ins cuu vm owni
blacked over all the bare place po his
hat with ink, thns concealing all glaring
defects ; but this was not possible with
the boots, and he wondered whether
the shoemaker wonld undertake to re
pair tnem, although he owed him five
and twenty thalers. He would at all
events make the attempt to inquire, in
spite of its being an unpleasant task.
So he went to the man himself, and
with explanations and entreaties tried
to move hia heart.
The shoemaker was not a bard man ;
he knew well what it was to wish to
pay a debt and not to be able to do so.
even with the best intentions, and he
bad often asked for payment, as he
wanted tne money himself.
When the schoolmaster showed him
his boots, he bent his gray head
thoughtfully and pitifully; at last be
spoke: "I see that in this case yon
must be helped, but when am I to re
ceive my money T
"Help me but this once, dear master,"
said the teacher; "you know that the
king is coming, and I want the little
ones to siug before him. In these bouts
I neither dare nor can appear,therefore
help me in my need! I promise you
that you shall be paid. If God does
not help me in any other way, 1 will
sell my cow and renav vou : vou know
that I keep my word and lay promises
iaiiuiuiiy."
When he had said this the school
master felt a heavy burden on his
heart. "Sell the cow!1 Nothing bat
the direst need could have wrung that
promise from him. Sell the cow ! and
then what would become of him and
his children t But he had said the
word, and given the promise, and he
was bound as a man of honor to fulfill
them.
"Well." said the shoemaker. "I will
take you at your word, and mend the
boots."
"He so good as to do so, and send me
a bill with them, that I may know the
extent of my debt to you."
"It shall be done," said the shoe
maker, and seated himself agaiu at his
worn.
But the poor schoolmaster, though
relieved of that care, went away with a
heavy heart. The tears came into his
eyes when he thought of the immediate
future, and wondered what would be'
come of them. He did not wish to go
home with a troubled and careworn
face, to cause fresh sorrow to his wite.
He went first into the open fields, ami
on to his favorite place on the moun
tain. There he wept with his whole
heart, and the streaming tears relieved
him. There he sat still and alone,
watching the heavens prayerfully, and
consoled himself with the verse
" Sonl , remember oar Lord still lives."
He then washed his face in the running
brook, wiK-d away all traces of tears,
and went home cheerfully. Fortunately
his wife did not ask what the shoe
maker hail said. She knew well what
they owed him, and he had evidently
kept the boots ; so it was clear he had
undertaken to repair them and for the
rest, God would care ! And, as she did
not ask, her husband did not tell her of
the promise he had made to the shoe
maker. On Sunday morning, when the school
master had already dressed for going
to church, the boots arrived, to his and
his wife's great joy. The bill was sent
with them. It was made out in rather
a crabbed and curious manner, and read
thus:
Ileras pair f soota. repair sad aoled the
taut, if tbia bill la not paid, naviBff elves bl. word
to aell tbe cow, aaakea............l4 ailber groscbea.
Tbe old debt thalers.
tbalere. 14 ailber a roacbea.
Tbere la, however, as ead to oae'a psiieae sad to
tbe ffiviag or credit : for I wast my moaey myaeir
very raucb. Tbere It ramalaa. aad after tbia cota-
plaiat will ba asade.
tobias WEaaaa, noouaakar.
As his wife waa still out in the kitchen
the schoolmaster put the bill, which he
had read sighing, into the breast pocket
of his Sunday coat, so as to conceal it
from her, nnless she asked for it. She
did uot ask, and there the mutter rested.
On the day before which the king's
arrival wasexpccted.the schoolmistress
asked her husband, "Dear Fritz, have
you made a fair copy of the hymn aud
its tune T It is possible that the king
would like to have one, in order that he
might afterward read it to himself."
"Vou are right, dear Mary," said the
schoolmaster ; and he added, "you
women always think a good bit further
ahead than we men."
Then he went to his cupltoard and
took out some of his best paper. First
lie copied the tune in notation, aud
wrote the first verse underneath. Then
followed the other verse, neatly writ
ten, till the hymn was completed. He
put the copy into his cnplioard for the
present time, and said to his wife,
''Help me in the morning to remember
to put it in my pocket and take it with
me."
The morning of the longed-for day
arrived, and the small village was
already in a lively and cheerful stir;
tor the children, who couiu nor wan inr
the time, had been walking about, fully
dressed, since seven o'clock. The king
was expected at ten o'clock, but the
little people were out of bed at five, and
since then had given their mothers no
peace. Even the schoolmaster was
ready at last. His wife beheld him
with loving pride and satisfaction ; for
to-day he looked so well, dressed in his
very best. His coat, which had served
him for many years, looked quite clean
and decent, though it was darned aud
blacked over. Even the hat was now
tit to be seen. So all was arranged to
their satisfaction, and the schoolmaster
was about to collect the trotip of rest
less children. Just at the right moment
his wife reminded him. "Dear Fritz, do
not forget the copy of the hymn j" so
he took the Dauer nnickly out of tbe
cupltoard and put it into his breast coat
pocket. Then he went from the school
house to the children, who were stand
ing already in rank and file, and greeted
him with "Good morning, master," in
loud and cheerful voices. He arranged
the little multitude, and led them
slowlv out of the village to the road
over which the king would drive.
His wife was soon there with the
women ; the men and notable of the
(dace having gone before them. Not
ong after the whole village stood wait
ing and expecting. The schoolmaster
arranged the children as they were to
stand when they sang. Behind the
girls came the women aud maidens of
the village, and the men and youths
were placed on each side, lie tore them
all stood the schoolmaster, with the
chiefs of the community, all dressed in
their Sunday and festival garo : and the
whole effect was bright aud pretty
enough. . . .
Hour arter hour passed slowly, and
the king had not arrived. Soon, how
ever, some one heard a salute fired
from the parsonage, which was not tar
off. "He comes ! he comes !" all cried
with joyful voice. The children trem
bled with expectation and curiosity;
the schoolmaster had trouble enough to
keen them aniet and in order. At last
came the master of the poathorsca trom
the neigh (Hiring town, with elaokened
bridle and foaming horses. In the first
carriage behind him sat the king, Fred
erick William IV. The hats flew from
offthe heads as the carriage approached.
The king saw that here was a demon
stration uf welcome such a he loved,
so be ordered the carriage to stop. The
schoolmaster gave the signal and the
hymn began. The children sang the
simple but beautiful and popular
melody, with its hearty words, admira
bly. Frederick William, who liked the
hymn, listened with great attention,
for the words pleased him. Scarcely
was it ended, and the three cheers
given by the peasantry, than the king
signed to the schoolmaster, who ap
proached the carriage with diflidence,
and yet with dignity. The king said.
"The children have sang beautifully,
and I thank vou for the welcome, but
the hymn and melody are unknown to
me ; perhaps you have a copy at nanu i
The schoolmaster bowed, felt in his
breast pocket aud produced the copy
and gave it to the king. He opened
the paper, read it once carefully
through, and a scarcely perceptible but
not unremarked smile passed over bis
benevolent face, and he asked :
"Have you been here long V
"Nearly thirteen years, sir," was the
answer.
"Is the situation a good one V said
the king. The schoolmaster named his
whole income conscientiously. Then
said William "Is that all, and you man
age to live upon it 1"
"With my wife and eight children,"
was the answer, somewhat sadly made.
A shadow crossed the face of the
monarch. He extended his hand to the
schoolmaster, thanked him once more,
and the carriage flew ou to make up for
lost time.
Frederick William sank silently back
in the corner. He read the hymn once
more. It was a successful attempt, and
showed the talent of the composer.
But with it the king nnfolded another
paper it was the shoemaker's bill,
which had got accidentally slipped iuto
the copy of the hymn, and had thus got
into the king's hands without the
schoolmaster having the slightest sus
picion of it. The noble prince at once
guessed the connection, and resolved
what he should do. At the very next
station the adjutant on duty was or
dered to deliver over a sum, together
with the bill, to the burgomaster of the
town, with directions to pay the debt at
once, and forward the receipted bill to
the schoolmaster.
On the eveuing of the following day
onr friend sat with his wite alone in
their parlor. The children were all
gone to rest. The moon shone clear
and bright through the w indow, and
the careful wife, who was glad to save
canities and oil, was knitting by the
ciear rays of the friendly luminary.
The heart of her husband was depressed
after the excitement of the previous
day. He was considering now he
should tell his wife of his promise to
the shoemaker, and how he should pre-
5 are her for the selling of the cow.
'here was a knock at the door.
"Who can that be P said the woman.
"Xo neighlxir conies so late."
"It is I," answered the voice of the
deacon, who was iu the habit of deliv
ering otlieial paiMvrs when they were
addressed to memlM-rs of his congrega
tion. The schoolmaster oH-ncd the
door, and the deacon gave him a letter
with the words "From the burgomaster
of X ," and went away.
"A letter from the burgomaster!
What can he want with me T"' said the
schoolmaster as he stepped back into
the room. His wife went out. and
fetched a candle, lit it, and placed it on
the table while he broke the seal and
read the letter hastily.
"fan it lie iiossihle!" was his excla
mation as he liuished it,
His wife sprang in astonishment and
fear to his side. 1 heir eyes fell on the
shoemaker's bill, under which stood
these words: "I'aid, with thanks.
Tobias Wemer.
What could this meant She could
not comprehend the matter ; but her
husband clasped his hands, and looked,
prayerfully and deeply moved, toward
heaven, then lie related nit to his
faithful wife what had passed hetwecu
him and the shoemaker; then the prom
ise which he had given to sell the cow
in order to pay the bill. He told her
further how he had put the bill in his
pocket, and afterward placed the copy
of the hymn there also. The bill had
probably sliprcd into the strong, still'
paier, so he had given them together
to the king without knowing it. The
In-loved king had caused the bill to be
paid, and sent the receipt through the
burgomaster.
God s richest blessing on our noble
king!" cried the happy woman, joy
fully. Her iinsliaml could not so readily
ioin: for he asked, sorrowfully. "What
the kiug must have thought of him f
"Do not trouble yourself aUnit it,"
said his wife. "So great a man is far
cleverer than any of ns ; that I saw at
once, and comiosed myself. He has
guessed how the case lies that is why
lie paid the bill; and for that we must
heartily thank our God. Do not worry
yourself, but rejoice over the blessing
sent to us."
These words settled the matter and
filled her husband's heart with deep and
thankful joy. But something better
was yet to come. The noble king, who
so gladly heled and did good w hen he
could, made inquiries about the school
master, and had received the liest testi
mony alxmt his industry and fidelity.
The authorities also continued what he
had said altotit his income. In the same
year he received one of the liest ap
pointments in the district, which had
just lteen vacated, besides a further
grant from the queen ot titty thalers.
and this was to lie paid to him till his
youngest child should lie continued.
All this God s wisdom and will worked
out of the shoemaker's bill. Never had
more thankful hearts blessed the gen
erous king.nor faithful hearts liesouglit
the goodness of God to rest upon him.
Their trust in God was thereby enriched
and strengthened, and ever since, in
every alii ict ion, they cluug more firmly
to their favorite verse :
"fl d llvethever!
Wherefore, aoat deepalr thoa sever!
Oar God is food : la every pl.ee
Hia love is kaowa. Hi hlp ka foaad ;
Ilia raiKhly am and leader if race
Bring food from ilia that hover a raad.
Bnaronibe ('omuly, Xorth 1'nro
llna. Mr fisliintr consisted nrincinallv iu
sitting on a safe rock near the shore
reading some newspaper items about
the mountain country. (I always try
to read np while on the ground, having
discovered that a line on the sjiot is
worth two volumes away.) I learned,
in the first place, that Buncombe
County, where we then were, was
named from Colonel Buncombe, a gal
lant officer of the devolution ; over
the door of the family mansion ouce
stood this legend,
"To Buncombe Hall
Welcome alL"
It was a Congressional representative
of this mountain neighlxirhood who
made himself and his district immortal
by "only talking for Buncombe." Close
upon this information came the fact
that in 171 Buncombe took the first
premium for tobacco at the Virginia
State Fair, surpassing even the cele
brated yield ot the Danville region.
Buncombe apples were giants of their
kind, weighing from twenty-five to
thirty ounces, and measuring fourteen
and sixteen inches in circumference.
(1 was not surprised at this, having
seen the men who eat them.) The
f atawba grape originated in Buncomlie.
on fane Creek, a branch of the French
Broad. In the surrounding region
there were sixty mountain ieaks more
than six thousand feet high, and thirty
nine over five thousand feet.
I reiit on with the climate, and dis
covered that while in New England two
hundred and bfty out of every thousand
deaths are from consumption, in Min
nesota and California oue hundred aud
fifty, and in Florida fifty, here, even
with an almost total lack of luxuries,
the proportion was only thirty iu the
thousand. Harpers Maui:iie.
What piece of carpentry become a
gem aa soon as finished ? A-gate.
Love Lost.
"Onr souls met" in a buggy ride in
the country. He declared his love, and
his feelings (I am honest in confessing)
were reciprocated. 1 et lie never pro
posed a marriage. He had communi
cated the same thrilliug and interesting
secret to many a blooming girl before,
and doubtless committed it to many
others after our "love feast ' ended.
It took us girls months, nay, years to
understand him. There was such a
power of fascination, so much beauty.
such a seeming (tenth of caudor aud
sincerity in his manners, his bearing
aud his attentions that all were willing
to "hug a delusion," and compromise
with doubts and misgivings in Itelieviug
him a lover in earnest. Each young
lady was ready to contest that his
heart was in the right place and in her
keeping. Each oue believed most
assuredly that he was a devoted lover
of her ow n. Such is the credulity and
trustfulness of young hearts!
Nature hail blessed or cursed this
young man with a fine exterior. He
was tall iu stature aud of graceful pro
portions. There was a native ease and
elegance in his manners and movements
not of teu seen, and which defies descrip
tion. His handsome features seemed
cast iu a mould, blended with masculine
and feminine loveliness. The high
brow and lieautifully formed head
were adorned with a wealth of light
brown hair. His eyes were a peculiar
blue in color, bnt their chief attraction
and power existed in the expression.
The nose was Grecian ; and the teeth
were of good form, r.f chaste color and
regular out-liue. Dimples were in part
concealed by a straggling beard, which
was not allowed to attain its full growth
upou his handsome face. His mouth
was sweetly formed, and a smile irradi
ated every feature of his face.
There was none of the dandy or
coxcomb in his appearance or charac
ter; he was an agreeable man in every
sense of the term ; made his mark well
in society, ami loved the lieautiful most
ardently. Nature formed him to
In-witch, to enchain, and he accepted
the Ihhui and acted out his part to ht
fection. The conquest of hearts
seemed to be his destiny, and he wou
liecause it was his province to do so,
then toyed with the affections bestowed
upon him, without being conscious of
inflicting any pain ; nor did he deem it
wrong to trifle with all hearts icll
Irniind by his enchantment. He be
guiled with a smile, deceived with a
glanced, yet felt no compunction or
responsibility for a stillled sigh or
blighted hone of his disappointed vic
tim. He flattered and caressed and
conjured up the fabric of a vision and
left a wreck behind, with no predilec
tion whatever of unfair dealing to his
ideal for the moment or fearful results
to his own morai nature. He basked in
the rich treasures of love, but knew no
relcntiiigs at the shrine he worshiped.
His career seemed onward when I
married, took leave and lost sight of
him in the surging current of time and
events.
Years wane and summers vanished.
A gentle rap was heard and answered
at onr chamlM-r door. A tall, gaunt,
attenuated figure stood there, siiectre-
like. Was- it a dream a vision f No.
A tattered son of fortune stood upon
the threshold ami knocked for entrance.
There was some embarrassment and a
hidden disquiet about iiim for the
moment a faded smile brightened his
care-worn features, and the eyes lit up
once again with their wonted witchery
their magic was not lost. A wiine
tliing. ;' lie hi! iiiini, thrilled us with
emotions, and the old feelings came
back again. The recollections were
sail, but vivid ; we called to mind
the bright episodes of bis life, but now,
alas! the glory hail departed from him.
The fearful truth broke iimii us: he
had never mnmed, was a mere waif
iimii time, and struggling with life's
battles alone had no one to love : was
minus of friends, a bankrupt ami very
dissipated! Alas! " what shadows we
are and what shadows we pursue."
Bosk Hami-kkx.
tiremt Ketal rihe I niled SlafeN.
It is a curious fact, speaking of these
former days, that the sealof the I'uited
States was devised by an Englishman,
Sir John Prestwick. a baronet. At least,
this is declared to be so. As soon as
the Declaration of Independence was
adopted a new seal became necessary
for public papers. Some very odd de
vices were suggested. One w as Moses
with his rod dividing the Bed Sea,
while I'haroah iu his chariot was over
whelmed iu the water. On the other
side of the shield, containing in six
compartments the sviiiImiIs of the six
conntries from which the I'nited States
had !een mainly iieopled. Thus in one
division there was a rose for England;
in a second, a thistle for Scotland ; in a
third, a harp for Ireland ; then a golden
lily for France, a crowned lion for Hol
land, and a black eagle for Germany.
Another device was a representation of
the Children of Israel iu the Wilderness
led by a cloud. A third represented
Hercules resting on his club, while Vir
tue urged him up a rugged mountain
path, and Sloth iMiintcd to a flowery, I
suppose, down-hill road. This last tie
vice was not very complimentary to the
new nation, for it seemed to point at a
possible danger from laziness. All
these and a number of other sugges
tions diil not meet with general ap
proval. At hist, in 17m'J, after the mat
ter had lteen discussed for about six
years, John Adams, then in England,
sent over the design suggested by this
baronet, w ho, it apiiears, was an anti
quary. The main device was an eagle
with a shield on his breast bidding in
one talon an olive branch, ami in the
other a bundle of snows, and liearing
in his beak a scroll with the now fa
miliar motto, F. I'liiriliu I'nnm, one
out of many. Without further parley
this was adopted, and thus the seal of
the United States came from England.
The Story or Utile Jack Horner.
It turns out that there is a historical
meaning, mid one of some importance,
concealed in the nursery rhyme
" l.ittlf Jark H'VWf aat In a corner
ttuif a I'linotmae p;
lit put iu lit. thtiiiih at!'! jnilr'l nut a l'lnm.
Aiidaald. 'Wbat
ta (pMl la-y t am
For Jack Horner was a real person.
and his action thus recorded really
happened. There are several versions
of the story, tine version is that the
abbot of Glastonbury had offended
Henry VIII by building his kitchen so
substantially that the destioyers of the
monasteries were unable to throw it
tlown. In a rage tbe King sent for the
ablmt, who, hoping to apease the
monarch, sent to him his steward, John
Horner, with a wonderful pie, the
interior of which was composed of the
title deeds of twelve manors. Bnt, as
John Homer sat in the corner of the
wagon that carried him to the King,
he was induced by curiosity to lift up
the crust and abstract therefrom a title
tleed, which, ou his safe and successful
return home, he showed to the abbot,
and told him that the Kiug had given
him the deed for a reward. The tleed
was that of the manor of Wells. The
second version of the story changes the
scene to Wells and the steward to Col.
Horner, and makes the King hang the
abbot. The third version changes
Wells to Mdls, and the colonel to a
country lad. The recant owner of
Mells I'ark was Kev. John S. Horner,
rector of Mells ami preliendary of
Wells.
One of the saddest things about hu
man nature is, that a man may guide
other in the path of life without walk
ing in it himself that he may be a
pilot, and yet a castaway.
The Chanaeleon.
The chameleon is from ten to fifteen
inches in length, whereof one-half is
represented by the prehensile tail. The
body is roughly pyramidal in shape ;
the skin is covered with papillons ele
vations instead of scales, and these, in
soma of the species, assume the shape
oi spiny processes along the nJge of
th6 back and the median line of the
chest and belly. The toes, five in
number, are divided into two opposable
set of two and three, the toes of each
set being webbed down to the claws,
which are long and sharp. The head is
angular, rising into a pyramidal occiput.
The eyeball is very large, protruding,
with a single lid, which ha a minute
aperture in the centre for the very small
pupil. There is no external ear. The
tongue is extensible to the length of
half the length of the. animal, that is,
from five to seven inches. The lungs
are large, and connect with air-oulis
underlying the skin. The neck is so
short as to prevent the head from being
turned from side to side. Though the
chameleon is arboreal in its habits, it
is very slow in its movements. It is
unprovided with any weapons of de
fense against it enemies. The female
lays about thirty eggs, which are de
posited in a hollow in the ground, and
covered with loose earth.
The immobility of the chameleon dis
tinguishes it markedly from the rest of
the lizard tribe, which are generally
active and qnick in their movements.
Alfred Brehm, who received as a present
from the African explorer, Schwein
furth, a number of these animals, states
that tbe chameleon never moves at all
except from necessity ; it will remain in
one position on a branch or twig for
hours at a time, firmly grasping with
tail and paws the object on which it is
perched. The eyes, on the contrary,
are nearly always in motion. When
preying on winged insects, the chame
leon is seen occasionally to protrude
the knobbed end of his tongue, and in
an instant that member is shot forth
and again retracted, bearing the prey
into the captor's month. The extremity
of the tongue exudes a sticky substance
on which the prey is caught. v hen
flies and other winged insects are not
to be had, the chameleon's swivel eyes
scan the trunk of the tree, and the
branches above, below, and on all sides
around, to see if any creeping thing
may be cangbt. If any snch creature
is approaching the spot where the cham
leon is lying, he wait till it comes
within striking distance, and then "dis
charges" his tongue at it. But, if the
creature is travelling away from him,
he pursues, though with grave delibera
tion. The large, projecting eye-balls of the
chameleon are capable of a great variety
of movements ; and, what is very enn
ons, each of them may, and usually
does, act independently of the other.
This circumstance compensates for the
fixedness of tbe head, enabling the ani
mal to direct its glances on all sides.
without the necessity of calling into
play any muscle save those of the eye
ball. Still, when about to strike, the
chameleon brings both of its eyes to
bear upon tbe object. "Notwithstand
ing," says Weissenbanm, "the strictly
symmetrical construction of the chame
leon as to its two halves, the eyes move
independently of each other, and con
vey different impressions to the differ
ent centres of perception ; the conse
quence is that, when the animal is
agitated, its movements appear like
those of two anmals glued together.
Each half wishes to move its own way,
and there is no concert of action. The
chameleon, therefore, is not able to
swim like other animals; it is so
frightened when put into water that
the faculty of concentration is lost, and
it tumbles about as if in a state of in
toxication. Nay, more, the chameleon
may be asleep on one side and awake
on the other."
But the color-changes of the chame
leon form perhaps the most interesting
phenomenon connected with this ani
mal. These changes of color range
from whity-yellow, through yellow,
bright and dark green, to dull black ;
and these diversities of coloration may
affect the entire surface of the animal,
or one or other of its sides, or may ap
pear only in spot. M. Paul Bert, a
French noranf, has for some time been
engaged in Btudying the anatomy and
mechanism of these phenomena. In
the skin of the chameleon he finds a
close net-work of minute ducts, connect
ing with pigment-vesicles situated on
it nnder surface. When the coloring
liquid is all retained in these vesicles,
tbe animal's skin appears yellowish,
that being the color of the semi-transparent
epidermis. When the liqnid is
injected into the ducts, the color of the
animal changes, the tint depending on
the degree of tension in the ducts. If
a nerve be cut, the region of the chame
leon's body to which that nerve was
distributed becomes at onoe a deep
black, and no more color-changes occur
over that area. M. Bert is disposed to
believe that the chameleon possesses a
special set of "color-nerves" distinct
from tbe motor and sensory systems.and
that these nerves are nnder the control
of the will.
Fandered Puppies.
"In raris," "it is quite common to
see a mother dragging her almost infant
child by the hand, weary and fretful,
and carrying a dog in her arms, which
she will occasionally stop to kiss, or
dispose of so a to make it more com
fortable. This trait is peculiar to no
one class, bnt all seem to have a strong
affection for the dog. To see a lady at
her door or window without a lap-dog
is almost a novelty, whilst many of
them carry in their arms or lead them
by a ribbon in the street. The corners
are posted with handbill of hospitals
for dogs, where the best medical at
tendance can be had, and dog medicines
and dog soaps are placarded in all di
rections. On the boulevards, at night,
the dealers in dogs are constantly per
ambulating with two or three pups in
their arms, and ladies will stop and
bargain for them on the publio thor
oughfare. They teach them all manner
of tricks, and they are valued according
to the education they have received
and the intelligence they display.
When they travel they take a nurse
with them to attend to the wants and
comfort of tbe dog, and these nnrses
can be seen in the public square airing
and exercising the dogs, and leading
them by ribbons. Some idea of the ex
tent of this dog mania may be judged
from the fact that the dog tax pa! into
the city treasury last year was 120,000
francs, or nearly 8100,000. The men,
also, have their dogs, bnt not to such a
great extent as female. They are
mostly beautiful little animals, as white
a snow, and are kept scrupulously
clean, more care being evidently be
stowed on them in this respect than
many of the children receive from their
mothers.
Half the ills we hoard within onr
hearts are ill's because we hoard them.
IOrTHS C0LO5.
Little Krsaa Acerta.
Little brown Acorn awnuff on a trv-p,
Whlh tbf k-avra tum-M yrllt.w an-l retl.
"Mauy a day 1 havr tn hfiv," uii b.
Au -. a I'm tinsl aa tj rrxi can bts
1 Uunk 1 will go to bed."
Littlr tmrwn Acorn hid nndrr a trav
Menard roe k oa tlM aldr tif ta kill,
I to-rrr hava brard rhat bf'a 'n away;
S buld yim lMk thrrv tbia v.ry da,
I'm aurv job wul luid aim atili.
Little brown At-orti nnder the mow,
Wb?n the inter dais arc coum.
While th wintl blow biiib and ttie winds blow low,
WbiMltie niominirs dawn and lu aiiusd ft",
btaya in but 'heu botue.
Litt'r brown Acorn naneht will befall
Till tbe atormv moutba are u'er;
But when In tbe oaka tbe robins shall call.
He will lift U bi bead so green and su tall.
Little brown Acurn no more.
Xork and Ears. It takes ns back to
old Virginia, ten, fifteen years ago,
when the writer boarded at a certain
kind lady's honse, who had an eye for
hnmor, and a ragged little hatchet-faced
girl wonld often come and beg for the
nose and ears of the meat to carry home
to her Door mother. She always eot it.
The writer can see her going down the
steps now, nursing a hog's head in her
arms. The kind lady moved to this
State. Some weeks since we visited
this lady at her home.
aaid she : ho do yon reckon has
been to see me, a fine lady-like woman,
and so handsomely dressed ?
e gave it np.
Why, nose and ears I
And then she told ns the ragged little
girl of fifteen years back, was to-day a
genteel, well-mannered, nicely dressed
young married woman, and as fate
wonld have it, had moved to the same
town, and her house one of the neatest
in the place, and her husband a sober
anil thriving and well-to-do young:
tradesman. She at first didnt know
her, and the young woman had to in
troduce herself. The young woman
did more. She didn't forget the rags
of her life, but .she pointed the lady
DacK to them and hoped she would
come to see her. And why could she
look the days of her beggary so square
in the face, and never with blush or
quiver ? The answer to tbia she gave
the lady : "For, said she, "you know
I always behaved myself, and went to
Sunday school every Sunday." Yes,
we remember some f hmtians gave her
a dress and shoes to go to Sunday school
in. The kind lady did go to see her,
and more than this, the kind lady will
never let drop one word about the nose
and ears, lest society might get ou a
high old snort, and call on the young
woman fcr proof that any of her ances
tors ever parted their hair in tbe middle.
However yon see what Sunday school
and good behavior did for a poor little
ragged beggar.
Mr. Croats' and tub Ambitious Bot.
A great many boys mistake their
calling, but all such are not fortunate
enough to hud it out in as good season
as this one did. It is said that Kufus
Choste, the great lawyer, was once in 1
ew Hampshire making a plea, when a
boy, the son of a farmer, resolved to '
U... l, I . IAI
.uv 1mp. swt WLViuo m ia J ' I
Uke Unfits Choate. He accordingly
went to Boston, called on Mr. Choste,
and said to him : "I heard yonr plea
np in onr town, and I have a desire to
become a lawyer like you. Will you
teach me how ?"
"As well as I can," said the great
lawyer. "Come in and sit down."
Taking down a copy of Blackstone,
he said : "Bead this nntil 1 come back
and I will see how yon get on."
The poor boy began. An hour passed.
His back ached, his head and legs ached.
He knew not how to stndy. Every
moment became a torture. He wanted
air. Another hour passed, and Mr.
Cboate came and asked : "How do
you get on ?"
Htet on ! Why, do yon have to read
snch stuff as this ?"
"Yes."
"How much of it ?"
"All there is on these shelves, and
more," looking about the great library.
"How long will it take ? '
"Well, it has taken mo more than
twenty-five years."
"How much do yon get ?"
"My board and clothes."
"Is that all ?"
"Well, that is about all I have gained
a yet."
"Then," said the boy. "I wiU go
back to ploughing. The work is not
near aa hard, and it pays better."
Ir von Plkask. Boys and girls, we
will print for yon the last words of the
Duke of Wellington, "if yon please."
When the Duke of Wellington was
sick, tbe last thing he took was a little
tea. On his servant handing it to him
in a saneer, asking if he would have it,
the Duke replied, "Yea, if you please."
These were his last words. How mnch
kindness and courtesy are expressed by
them 1 He who had commanded great
armies, and was long accustomed to the
tone of authority, did not overlook the
small courtesies of life. Ah, how many
boys flit .' What a rude tone of command
they often use to their little brothers and
Bisters, and sometimes to their mothers I
They order so. This is ill-bred, and
shows, to say the least, a want of
thought. In all your home talk, re
member "If you please." To all who
wait npon or serve you, believe that
"if you please" will make yon better
served than all the cross or ordering
words in the whole dictionary. 1 o not
forget three little words "If yon
please."
"Sicak (rently; it is better far
1m riue iy luVe thm fear."
A REsrefTFTL Boy. An old man en
tered a railroad car and was looking
around for a seat, when a boy ten or
twelve years of age rose np and said,
"Take my seat, sir."
The offer was accepted, and the infirm
old man sat down.
"Why did yon give me yonr seat ?"
he inquired of the boy.
"Because you are old, sir, and I am
a boy I" was the reply.
A hundred years ago there would
have been little need to record, as re
markable, a similar incident. Among
things that are good or hopeful in the
rising generation, there i one great
change for the worse manifest to every
body, a declining spirit of reverence
towards age and towards God. "Thou
shalt rise np before the hoary head,
and honor tbe face of tbe old man, and
fear thy God; I am the Lord."
"Herbert," said a perplexed mother, '
"why is it that yon 're not a better;
boy f" "Well," said the little fellow,
soberly, looking up into her face with ',
his honest blue eves, "1 suppose the !
real reason is that'l don't want to be I"
We think the child gave tbe real reason !
why all of ns, big as well aa little, are
not better than we are.
The rains of old friendship are a
more melancholy spectacle to me than
those of desolated palaces. They ex
hibit the heart that was once lighted np
with joy all damp and deserted, and
haunted by those bird of ill omen that i
only nestle in ruins. Campbell, I
T.i aim rs.
Singular. To see a garden walk !
Bounty, being free itself, thinks all
others so.
The thought of eternity consoles for
the shortness of life.
Cruelty is a draft npon humanity all
are too poor to pay.
The texts which dishonest people like
the mott are pretexts.
Some people's judgment is that of a
blind man at a window.
What a wedding when the Darien
Canal unites two oceans 1
A country friend calls fashionable
watering places match factories.
So long as yon are innoceut fear
nothing. No one can harm yon.
The last gentleman in a lady's
thought is generally the first aa welL
If it is important for yon to know
whether a man will cheat yon if he can
sound him as to his willinirncss to lielo
you cheat somebody else.
Languages are nteful ti men of all
conditions, and they eqially open them
the entrance e ther to the most pro
found, or the most easy and eutertain
ing, parts of learning.
A meteorological correspondent sng
gests that perhaps the orthographical
contests now in vogue all over the
country may account for the bad spells
of weather we've been having lately.
For the past few months the B iv of
Panama has been very phosphorescent.
In the dark every wave as it broke on
the reefs looked like a wreath of bluish
tire. Fish abound in the bay at such
times, and the water is cooler than
usual.
England and the United States ac
cording to the latest statistics, ere the
largest sugar-consuming countries ia
the world. In 171 Englmi.l consumed
830,000 tons, or alwut 57-2 lbs. per
head of population. The United
States in the same poriod nsed 777.INM)
tuna, or It lbs. per individual.
John Raskin goes cold, because ho
hates smoke ; lives out of town because
he hates noise ; shuts himself out of
society because he despises women ;
will not go aIoarJ steamers because
the noise of their whistling is abomina
ble ; reads only bis own works because
other people's ideas worry him ; and
now refuses to travel by rail because
he met with an accident some time ago.
Hi last trip by carriage cost him $'!.".
and he hates that mode of conveyance.
John, go West, sing your own praises
alone, and give up growling.
Mr. Disraeli seems to be more conrt
eons than the late Lord Derby. Every
one has beard the story of the wino
merchant, who, hearing that the late
Tory chief was suffering from gout,
sent him a wine which was deemed
suitable for persons so atllicted, where
upon the E:irl returned the wine with
a letter tatin that he preferred the
gont. Becently a geutleman iu Devon
shire, who is an enthusiastic bonne -pathic,
wrote to the premier and ad
vised him to try bryonia in small doses
alternated with rbus tox or arnica, and
apply wet bnudaes to the intl.imed
parts, Mr. Disraeli acknowledged the
lettercourteoiisly.
Some interesting fals were shown
by the lstest English censns : In Eng
land and Wales the females of the imp
utation outnumbered the males by up
ward of half a million ; but above the
sge of twenty-five the males exceeded
the females in number. While there
were 4iHl,lXH) widower, there were 87:!,
OIK) willows. Above the age of ninety
females numbered two to every male.
The number of centenarians had de
creased dnring the last forty years not
withstanding the increase in population
There were in the southeastern coun
ties, with two millions of population,
1.0SG nonagenarians, while in Lomlou,
with three and a qnarter millions there
were only KM, and iu Lmcashire and
Cheshire, with a similar aggregate pop
ulation, only ."Sa.
It is not yonr neat dress, yonr expen
sive shawls, or yonr ringed fingers that
attract the atteution of men of sense.
It is your character they study. If
yon are trilling and fast in yonr con
versation, no matter if yon are as beau
tiful as an angel, you have no attraction
for them. It is the true loveliness of
your nature that wins and continues to
retain the affections of the heart.
Young ladies sadly miss it who labor
to improve the outward looks while
they bestow not a thought on their
minds. Fools may be won by gewgaws
and the fashionable by showy dresses ;
but the wise and substantial are never
caught by snch traps. Let modesty
be your dress. I'so pleasant and
agreeable langnage, and thongh yon
may not be courted by the fop and the
fool, the good and truly great will love
to linger by yonr side.
A reckless Bavarian, who prided
himself npon his skill as a marksman,
recently bethought himself of a crown
ing proof of his nuerring aim. He
therenpon led his son, a lad of II year
to a certain spot and paced off seventy
yards. I'pon the boy's head thns
potted be placed an apple, and retiring
with his ride to the distance of 210
feet, he called npon his friends who
had assembled to witness the danger
ous and heartiest act to observe that
he should cut the apple in two without
harming his child. He deliberately
raised his weapon, fired and cut the
apple in the middle, leaving the child
neither scratched or frightened, so
confident was the latter in the father's
skill. The heartless man was then
about to repeat the experiment, when
the police, secretly informed, it was
said by the boy's mother, came npon
the ground and interfered to prevent
the continuance of such a dangerous
experiment, aud arrested the lather,
imprisoning him for a nnmlier of days
in punishment for his foolhardiness.
Some remarkable feats of skill were
recently performed at Bhopel in India,
by the Sikh Cavalry. A sheep was sus
pended on a sort of gibbet, aud the
men were to ride fast and cut at it.
Capt. Buller, the commandment of tbe
Central India Horse, divided the Bheep
in one single cut ; but although nearly
one hundred cuts were made at another
carcass by the men at various times,
not one succeeded in severing it. Capt
Buller was destined to perform the
coup tlr. yriH-e, wlii -ll be did in fine
style, and the lower end of the carcass
dropped in one single ent with his
peculiarly shaped S;kli scimitar. After
this another very dextorons feat,
which is common to the Sikhs, was
performed. This consists in throwing
circular-shaped steel quoits at any
thing. The old Sikhs throw these
qnoits with deadly aim, and have been
known to decapitate scores of their
enemies at night without making the
slightest noise. They generally throw
with their left band, and the qnoit
whirrs at an awful speed with aa
straight and precise a course as a
bullet.
'1