Nattifal.
A Lesson in Itself Sublime.
A lesson in itself sublline,
A lemon worth enshrining,
Is this : "I take no heed of time,
Savo when tho sun Is shining."
These motto words a dial bore;
And wisdom never teacher
To human heart a better lore,
Than this short sentence preaches.
As life Is sometimes bright and fair,
And sometimes dark and lonely,
Let ue forget all pain and care.
And note its bright hours only
There is no grove on earth's broad chart
But has somelblnl to cheer it ;
'Bo hope singe on In every heart,
Although we may not hear lt,
-And If to-day the heavy wing
Of sorrow is oppressing,
Terchance to morrow's nun will bring
The weary hoar% a blessing.
For life Is sometimes bright and fair,
And sometimes dark and lonely
Then let's forget Its toil and care,
And note Its bright hours only.
We bid the joyous moments haste.
And then-forget their glitter--
We take the cup of life and taste
No portion but the hitter ;
But we should teach our hearts to deem
Its sweetest drops the strongest ;
i.e pleasant hours should ever seem
To linger round us longest. -
And life is sometimes bright and fair,
And sometimes dark and lonely, •
Let us forget its toll and care,
And note its bright hours only.
The darkest shadows of the night
Are just before thu mbrning ;
Then lot us wait the coming light,
All boding phanterni scorning ;
And while weer passing on the tido
Of Time's fast ebbing Hear,
Let's pluck the blossoms by),p,Alde.
And bless the Gracious (liver.
As life is sometimes bright and fair,
And sometimes dark and lonely,
We shalt forgot Its pain and cars,
And note irs bright hours only.
~~~x~~~~~klTS~,glz~.
WOOED AND MARRIED
A CHARMING f.ITTI.F. STORY
"31rs. Crofton ! Mrs. Crofton !" flow
odd it appears to me to be called Crofton,
and Mrs. too! I can hardly believe that
I ant married, although I am writing in
this splendid library, and toy husband
has just left his morning kiss on my lips.
It was really wonderful the way it' all
came about. It would certainly never
have happened but for my visit to Mrs.
Renton.
Last autumn 1 was invitod with my
parents and two sisters to spend a couple
weeks at Firgrove with the Rentons.
Mamma refused at first to let me go, be
cause she thought that four persons were
enough for one party, but Mrs. Renton
wouldn't listen to her. She said that,
apart-from the pleasure of seeing tne, she
found me invaluable when the house was
full; because I. did a thousand things fur
her convenience and the pleasure of her
guests, which a servant couldn't do and
which no other visitor would do ; and
that she should like to keep me not only
two weeks but two years.
My sisters had each a regular outfit for
the occasion, but mamma said that I need
ed nothing. I suppose she was right, for
I had a sprigged muslin for the warm
days, made out of a dress which Josephine
had worn the year before, and for cold
weather I had a gree' silk made of one of
Georgiana's„ They were pieced a trifle,
to be sure; for they had originally been
low in the waist, and I wore nothing
which didn't button to the throat; but I
had a good supply of crimped ruffles to
wear with them, and I thought then, and
think still, that they were very pretty.
Mrs. Renton appeared delighted to see
me, and although my sister smiled at my
credulity in thinking her sincere, my
heart went out to meet her. Perhaps she
didn't mean it at all but I imagined she
did, and that put me at ease at once. I
still believe I was right, for she gave me
a little room which had belonged to her
daughter Agnes, a lovely child, who died
when she was only ten years old. There
was her portrait exquisitly painted, and
with a heart full of love looking out from
the meek blue eyes and voicing itself in
the curves o. the delicately moulded lips
There, too, her bookcase—carved rose
wood with glass doors—some of the most
worn volumes in which were mature
enough fur girls of eighteen. There, also,
were her writing desk and her work bas
ket with the needle in an unfinished leaf,
just as she left it. The chambermaid
told me that I was the first person who
had occupied the chamber since Agnes
died, and although I was a little.- awed,
and perhaps a little frightened, when I
first went into it, I thilik its tranquil at
mosphere and the memories of generosity
and self-denial which thronged about the
beautiful picture helped me to bent
patiently the annoyances which I expe
rienced during my stay.
For there were annoyances which I
could not avoid, and which were at times
hard to endure ; although I ought not to
complain, since they occurred in conse
quence of the favor in which I was held
by, those persons whom I admired and
bwed the most. The very first night
after my ; arrival at Firgrove Mrs. Renton
mime and sat down by my bed. For a
few minutes she was silent, and I knew
ky her looks that it made her sorrowful
,tbsoo me in Agnes' place. So I put my
,arms around her neck, and asked, her to
)et me be, as far as I. knew how, all that
Agnes would ao tf shin were ther - e initend
Of me. Mrs. Renton did not answer ina
'inediately,; she'wept silently, but I don't
f o laink there was any bitterness in her
tears. I3ye and bye she kissed we with
out. saying anything pf Agnes. Instead
of alluding to her, she told me that some
of her guests Were.selfish.and epeting,
and demanded more than their share of
attention ; that others were feeble, and
aelaim upon her, -- while she desired
to keep a little tine for Mr. Renton, and
to look a little after the twins, Maggie
and Annie. "One day," she continued
'"my dear, you will' know what' all these
lierple]tities mean " .
I laughed. and answered that I .should
ltiever•h#e a house of my own, for I was
:so small, and 'dark,' and awkward that
fiiamniii, despaired of seeing me: Married,
ma quite content to remain papa's ;
,darlinglor that was_ the title which • ho
tdaftiys gave MO;
Mrs. Renton replic4 pleasantly that she
VOL. 64.
A. K. RHEEM. Editor &Proprietor
knew very well from papa how necessary
I was to him, but that was just possible
that I might become as indispensable to
another as I was to him.
- _
After she left me I lay awake a long
time, wishing I could know the very
words papa used when he spoke of me to
her ; for, although I knew he loved me
very much, ho never told me so except
by the tones of his voice and the warm
glances of his eyes.
The principal topic of conversation
among a part of the guests at Firgrove
was the anticipated arrival of Mr. Gilbert
Crofton, a brother of our hostess. Miss
Amelia Monkton and her brother Conrad
declared him to be by fur the best match
in the country. They spoke of him as
remarkable handsome, of good Emily
traveled, accomplished and very wealthy.
He inherited Aspenholt, the old family
mansion, they said, with a magnificent
lawn and garden, a fine library, and end
less quantities of sliver and linen. I
heard his name so often that I grew curia
ous, and when a week prsed without
bringing him, I said that'.' I hoped we
should have a peep at him before we left.
I was sorry a minute after, for Josephine
laughed sneeringly and Georgiana replied
that perhaps I. expected to make a con
quest of him.
Ile did arrive the same evening, but
saw very little.of him, fur in the morning
there was never any room for me to drive
or a horse for me to ride, and if walking
was proposed the twins were sure to want
me to dregs their dolls or help on with a
game. Then, in the evening, I was al
ways needed to play the piano for the
dancers, or to make a fourth at whist, or
to be beaten at chess by old Mr. Blake
man, who was so pettish and quarrelsome
over the board that every one but me_de
clined his invitations.
When the fortnight was over my pa
rents and sisters returned home, but :Airs.
Renton wouldn't listen to their proposal
to take me with them. She said that she
had not been able to do anything for my
pleasure, and that I must remain until
there were fewer guests, so that I might
have my share of the festivities of the
house. After a deal of bilking, mamma
consented to leave me on condition that I
would spend three hours in the library
every day over my talian and ticrinan.
Mr. Crofton left the same morning
that my friends did, and f didn't expect
to see him again; nor did I feel any re
gret ; fur whenever he noticed we at all,
it was in such a teasing way that 1 had
hard work to appear indifferent. When
I was fresh and in good spirits I ached
to say something sharp and unulaidenly,
and when I was tired out the tears would
be scarcely be kept baek. 1. think I - re•
ally enjoyed his absence, when, beho,d,
late in the evening he reappeared accom
panied by a younger sister, whom he
called Angelica, and was both pretty and
good natured ; and bringing a man ser
vant, three saddle horses, and two dogs.
Oddly enough, everything was changed
for me from that moment. Angelica
(she insisted upon my calling her by her
first name) took turns with we playing
the piano, and while she was at the in
strument I danced with her brother. She
also occasionally took my scat at the whist
table, allowed herself to be beaten at chess
by Mr. Blakeman, and aided we in the
nursery games. One of the new saddle
horses was kept fur uly sole use, and the
two splendid dogs were never so happy
as when trotting by my side about the
grounds, or curled up at my feet , ,while I
studied my dictionaries and grammars.
Mr. Crofton was as teasing as ever when
there were listeners about, but he defend
ed we adroitly against Amelia Monktun
and the altars, wl o seemed to grudge
we even a look at his face, and seldom
fdiled to share the library with we for at
least a part of my three hours confine
ment.
Sometimes he read letters, but more
frequently ho read with we Italian and
Uerman poets, instructing lee respecting
the force and point of the diction, quo
ting kindred passages from other writers,
and explaining such imagery and allu
sions as I didn't fully understand. At
such moments there was in his wanner a
mingled deference and tenderness which
wholly won my confidence, and I some
times looked up 'suddenly from my book,
half doubting if he were indeed the same
person who shut so many sparkling ar
rows at me in the presence of the other
guests.
My wardrobe began to look scanty,
but, although Amelia Moukton and the
three Allans sneered at my one evening
dress, I should never have thought of
asking mamma for anything. Mrs. Ren
ton must.have hinted to her the proprie
ty offiending me some more garments,
l'or soon after she had added a postscript
to ono of my letters, I received a hand
some silk, cherry and black, beautifully
trimmed . with - lace; a maroon-colored
merino, with nice velvet ribbons, and a
stout walking dress, with extravagantly
heavy boots. Amelia and her compan
ious.sneered again at my preparation for
a winter campaign, but Mr. Crofton, who
dropped into Mrs. Rentou's private sit
ting, room, while she was looking at the
articles, elaitned, upon seeing the boots,
that they were just the things I neediAl
and that he would ask me to try them in
an excursion to the Crags, a high bluff
which commanded a lovely landscape.—
Accordingly, the next morning, he made
up a party for waking, but he led us—
purposely I have since ascertained—
through such . tiresome paths, and over
such wearisome hills, phut evprybody was
full of complaints except Angelica and I,
and after that, he politely' sot, the rest
aside. .1 enjoyed, these walks perfectly,
because Mr. Crofton was atomic so gentle
and so entertaining. \lt was delightful to
listen to fine poetry and spicy anecdotes
•
Vbv. (1111:4".s5,0t
amid the charming scenery through
which wo passed, although I could add
but little from my own stores of conver
sation, yet I am sure my face must have
expressed the pleasure which I received.
My sky was not always cloudless. The
idea that Mr. Crofton could regard me as
anything but a mere school girl had not
occurred to me. Mrs. Renton told me
and others that her brother was pleased
to find at the house a child intelligent
enough for a companion, yet too young
for flirtation and scandal, and that were
I older, he would not permit himself to
offer such marked attentions. Yet Miss
Monkton and her ser made me so uncom
fortable by a series or pretty annoyances
that I dreaded to enter the drawing,•rootn,
and once or twice l even dined in the
nursery with the twinB to escape their
little malice.
I could not accomplish this, do as I
would, I was sitting with Maggie one
twilight, holding her hand while she
went to sleep, when Amelia and Conrad
stopped to talk in the hall. The door
was partly open, but they did not per
ceive it, and as my name was almost the
first word spoken, I could not refrain from
quietly listening to what came next.
" How ridiculous' Gilbert Grofton's
manner is toward that absurd child;.':"
said Amelia.
"She isn't absurd, and lie isn't ridic•
ulous," replied Conrad "She is a bright
little thing, homely to be sure, but per
fectly unassuming, and good natured al
most to a fault ; and he, 1 imagine, is
glad to come across one of the sex who
doesn't flatter him, and who doesn't say
'yes' eternally to his remarks and propo
sitions, however, extravagant they may
be."
At any rate it
his
right for him to
be so exclusive in his attentions. By and
by she will think he wants to marry her "
't Perhaps he wilt want to marry her,
but I lose my guess if she isn't as Much
astonished as anybody when he tells her
so, if he ever does. One thing, however,
is certain, Amelia, you only lower your
self by joining those ill-bred Allans in
snubbing Miss Ilarion. 1. have seen
Crofton's face turn absolutely white with
rage when Clara Allen has stung her with
her mean, suspicious shafts.''
'l' he speakers passed on, leaving me
grieved and angry, find crushed beneath
a vague sense of injustice w tich 1 could
not entirely understand. I half resolved
nut to go down to dinner, and then I re•
membered that Angelica was gone, and
that no one would be willing to play for
the dancing, or to bear poor Mr. slake
wan's pettishness; so, instead of indulg
ing myself in•an unhappy evening alone,
I made my prettiest toilette, did my du
ty thoroughly and cheerl ully, and was
rewarded by a precious halt hour with
Mrs Renton in her room before retiring
to mine.
The Monktons and Allans departed,
and two other sets came and went, but
my hostess :still found some excellent
reason why I should remain, especially
after Angelica left. For two weeks we
had an old gentleman who wanted some
body to read to him every day, so I gave
him my three hours of translations, a
good exercise for me and pleasant for
him, since I always selected something
lively if not positively comic. Next an
aunt of Mrs. Renton arrived, who was
nearly blind. Usually, during her visits
Mrs. _Renton was her constant attendant.
She walked, and drove, and sat beside
her, describing everybody and every
thing about then), and furnishing her
with all those little hints and sugges
tions which in conversation are telegraph
ed by the eyes. But 1 took her place, a
great relief to h. r and no hardship' tome,
especially as Mr. Crofton sometimes as•
sisted me for an hour, thus giving the
tune to run about the garden and fulfil
my promise to mamma.
I had been at Firgrove three months
when papa wrote me that he could no
longer spare his darling. Mr. Crofton
brought the letter to me in the library,
and stood waiting for are to read it, after
which he wished me to join Mrs. Relit, n
and himself in a walk to the Crags.
" What does papa write ?" he asked,
as I began to refold the sheet.
" Ile writes that I must go home di
rectly, for he cannot spare his darling
any longer."
Then Mr. Crofton said gravely and
tenderly, " Neither can I spare my darl
ing."
Notwithstanding he was so serious, I
thought he was making a sport of me.—
My cheeks crimsoned and my eyes flushed
and I said, " When you have teased me
heretofore, Mr. Crofton, it has been on
indifferent subjects. To make sport of
me now amounts to an insult."
" I am not making sport of you, Ma
rion," be answered very gently. " I
have loved you, God alone knows how
much, ever since the first week dour ac
quaintance, when you moved so quietly
about sending peace and sunshine through
the discordant elements of my sister's
house. I ought to have spent this au
tumn at Aspeuholt, but I could not leave
you, I cannot part with you now, Ma
rion. Let mo try to mace you love me."
He took my hand as he spoke and
looked full into my eyes. I _think he
saw there an answering fervor, for at
that moment I became conscious of my
own affection for him—an affection which
had been strengthening hoar by hour fur
Litany days. He must have seen it, 'I
am sure, for he snatched, me up in his
arms, arid oarrying me straight to Mrs.
Renton's sitting room, he exclaimOd,
%' Mary, Lhave won her !' .
I expected that . Mrs.. - Renton Would be
overcome with -astonishment,- and- per
haps anger, but she embraced me quietly
and, warmly, ' and.- said, Three months
ago, dear Marion, I kriew that you would
CARLISLE, PA., FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1864.
one day be Gilbert's and mine."
Mrs. Renton accompanied Gilbert and
me to my home. Papa was silently hap
py to see me again, silently sad at the
thought that ho had ceased to be first in
my heart; but I. cannot describe the re
ception which mamma an4fthe girls gave
us. There was a refine deference in their
manner toward, my companion which I
had never seen them exhibit before, and
to me they were, for the first time, heart•
ily affectionate. The period of pretty
neglects and small snubbing was over;
so, also, was that, of dressea made of dis
carded garments. Scarcely, indeed, was
Mrs. Renton out of the house before mam
ma started for the city '.to commence
preparations for a splendid bridal outfit.
I can with difficulty persuade myself
that that was six months ago, or that
um really writing in this noble library,
with my hu,band's kiss upon my lips and
the servant's "Mrs. Crofton" echoing in
my ears.
WHY I HATE WOMEN
I ant a woman-hater. I have been one
ever since I—hut no 'maw what I did.
You shall know that presently. Just im
agine yourself an experienced man of the
world, aged twenty-one and a half years,
with plenty of money, and—well, I don't
think the ladies think - cite very bad look•
ing.
date my woman-hating proclivities
front the time Miss Emma Talbot was
placed under my care, during a trip down
the Hudson.
She had been staying with her aunt
at West Points for several months.
[ler brother, llarry, was in the Milli
tary Academy, and was one-of the gayest
and most roes less fellows in the place.—
It..was through him .tat became ac
quainted with his sister.
She was a lovely blom:e, and knew
how to show her beauty to tbo best ad- .
vantage.
Of course I fell in love v. 4.11 her direct
ly, and was led to believe that she did
not dislike we, until she tiild me of her
intention to return to N'ltc York, and
that her three cousins were chilling up to
take her back with them. '
I never saw three such mischief-lov
ing girls. The, youngest c-:.pecially dis
tinguished herself the day after her ar
rival, by getting her time-1 °nor( d aunt
on the-top of a rock, which could only be
reached by a bidder. While her aunt
was enjoying the view, Kitty accident
ally knocked the ladder down, and walked
off as unconcernedly as if the
twitter.
11 was not until an hour or tile) after,
while L was pouring a flood of eloquence
in her list cuing ear, that she started up,
interrupting one of my best metaphors,
and exclaimed:
1 wonder if Aunt Talbot has gone
home yet !"
And she started off on a run to release
the poor woman from her captivity.
I had determined to make a formal
declaration of love on the home trip—not
to the imp of mischief, Kitty, but to
Emma Talbot ; for, though I, Miss Emma
is so desperately in love with me that I
really must marry the poor thing or she
will go raving crazy. Such things have
happened.
So, alter innumerable boxes and trunks
were safely on board, my beloved Emma
promised to go on deck with me.
1 will here mention that Harry Talbot
(who was escorting three cousins) and my
peerless Emma were twins, and, as a nat
ural consequence, looked very much alike,
the more so as Einem wore her hair in
short curls, after the fashion of the pres
ent day.
Berme .owing on deck, she had some
alterations to make in her toilet, so I
went up to see if there was any place
where 1 could gain her promise to love
and obey tut', ,ke.
To my surprise the deck was clear ; so
I. went hack and tound her waiting for
uw : but I. was surprised to find her
wrapped up with a thick veil over her
Kitty was standing near her with such
a look of roguery in her eyes that I knew
there was mischief going on somewhere,
and I offered a mental prayer . for the un
happy victim of her practical jokes.
I requested Emma to take off that un
becoming veil, hut before she could an
swer, Kitty said she had a sudden attack
of neuralgia, and must keep it en for fear
of getting more cold. I made no more
ado, but took her to the deck. As we
passed through the saloon 1 imagined I
heard the soiled of smothered laughter
several times, but immediately thought
it must be the creaking of some of the
machinery of the steamer.
I led her to a seat, where wo had a
tine view 61' the scenery oti•both sides of
the river, and seated myself beside her
in my most graceful attitude. I had
practiced it-before starting-until "learned.
it perfectly.,
riShe seemed to know what was com
ing, for she was very quiet.
I bad heard a great deal about the dis
agreeable task of "popping the question,"
and, with my usual forethought, had pie
pared my speech beforehand.,
i'Now, thought I, "is the time." So
I commenced
f+Emtria, these waters remind me of life;-
sometimes lt,,glides smoothly, and some
times it is . disturbed by storms. Emma"
And here I ntopPed, having forgotten
the next clause. I felt in ,my breast
pocket for my speech. It wasn't there,
nor in any of my pookets.
, Now what was I to do. Suddenly I,
remembered having'read in some novel,
that 'deeds were better than words :.'so I
go .0 closer to, her, and put my arms
around het waist: She did. not .resist,
but was seized witk•uti,mgotktpillAble fit
• of coughing.
•
,qal3l.
TERMS:--$1,50 in Advance, or $2 within the year
It stopped presently; and taking her
neatly-gloved hand in mine, I commenced
at the next part of .my speech that I re
membered :
"Emma, don't you think a person is
happier married than single ? Suppose,
for instance, I wanted to get married ?"
Here she gave a deep seb.
"She thinks, poor child!" said Ito my.
self, "that I am going to marry some one
else."
_
However, I took it as a. good sign, and
drew nearer to her.
"Emma, dearest angel, you love me,
and I am happy."
Here she gave another sob.
"Loveliest of lovely women, you do
not deny it. I swear by the stars and
moon, and the sun that looks so lovingly
on us, that I love you, and you only.—
Will you be my mate ? For I am a
poor lost dove waiting for a kindred spirit
to ohm ish until death."
This is part of the speech which cane
into my mind just at the right moment.
At this interesting point she became
very much affected, for she put her hand•
kerchief unde her veil, and sobbed aloud.
When she stopped, I continued :
my own beautiful dove, will
you promise to love me always ?"
I heard a very faint "Yes" from un
der that odious veil, yet it was distinct en
ough for Ine to hear. I took her hand.
She did not resist.
"Hear, devoted one," said I, in an it
resistibly sweet voice, "will you not give
me one token of love? Will you not
grant me one kiss from those lips that via
with the cherry in sweetness and beau
ty ?"
•' Yes, love," was all I could hear ; but
that was enough.
I tore aside that hateful veil (she had
kept it _dawn...during _the whole affair),
and kissed—Harry Talbot ! There was'
no mistake—or rather, it was all a mis
take ; for there he sat, laughing as though
he would go into hysterics.
I rushed toward ,the door, and there I
met with such a reception as I never was
honored with before. The whole ship's
crew were there, who had been kept from
going outside while i was making that da
—no, I mean thatdeclaration of love to
a man.
L tried to run the blockade, but was
received with shouts of laughter from all
sides.
As soon as the turmoil ceased in some
degree, those little she-devils, Kitty and
Emma, came up and offered their con
gratulations : at which piece of silly non
sues° everybody comtu:s. , Dced laughing-a-
I a iiii
The doors and passage-ways wore
crowded with servants and waiters, who
seemed .to enjoy the miserable joke as
much as their betters.
Harry afterward told me that Kitty
had the next room to mine at the hotel ;
and as the partltions were thin, she heard
me telling my chum my love-secret, and
heard him advise me to write the "de
claration" out on paper in due form.—
She had managed to get it: but just be
fore the boat landed she, apologized for
taking it, and gave it hack to me, saying,
as she did so, that "she thought she had
better return it, as I might have occasion
to use it again."
Now, reader, do you blame.rne for hat
ing women ? Although I cannot help
it (and you see yourself that there ain't a
particle of conceit in my nature), if I say,
if they don't hate in return.
Woman's Temper
No trait of character is more valuable
in a female than thqs possession of a sweet
temper. Some can never be made happy
without it. It is like the flowers that
spring up in our pathway reviving and
cheering us. Let a man go home at night
wearied and worn by the toils of the day,
and how soothing is a word dictated by a
good disposition. It is sunshine falling
upon the heart. Ile is happy, and the
cares of life are forgotten. A sweet tem
per has a soothing influence over the
minds of a whole family. Where it is
found in the wife and mother, you ob
serve kindness and love ,predominating
over the natural feelings of the heart.—
Smiles, kind words, and looks character
ize the children, and peace and love have
their dwelling there.
LITTLE ACTS GkEAT.—Little acts are
the elements of true greatness. They
raise life's value like the little• figures
over the larger ones in arithmetic to its
highest power. They aro tests of char
acter and disinterestedness. They are
the straws upon life's deceitful current,
that show the current's way. The heart
comes all out in.them. They move en the
dial of character and responsibility signifi
cantly. They indicate the character and
destiny. They help to make theAminor
tat man. It matters not so much where
we are or what we are. It is, seldom that
acts.of uaoral heroism aro called for—
Rather the real heroism of lice is, to do
all itsiittle duties "promptly and faith
fully.
SUGAR CONSU moN.—The total
quantity of raw sugar, foreign and domes
tic, consumed in the United States during
1863, was 284,308 tons, against 432.411
tons in 1862—showing a decrease of 148,
103 tons. Cuba suppled the greatest
quantity of any other foreign country, the
amount being 137,232 tons, received at
,New York. The quantity of maple sugar
raised last year was about 25,0Q0 tuus.
Eir A. man's own conscience is . sole
tribunal, and he should ioare no more for
that phantom "opinion" than ho should
fear meting a ghost, if he crossed 'the
church-yard at dark. *
,),Voman* should givo'•a. kris 'as
huirunipgMrd runs hial;bill into a bailey
auokle--,deer but delicate.
Why He Didn't Propose
'Why did you never think of marriage?'
asked I of my friend Lyman Robbins,
who is sonie ten years older than myself
and a confirmed bachelor.
have thought of it,' said he•
'Well, why didn't you marry, then 7'
'I will tell you. You know Frank Pal
mer, don't you 7'
'Yes: ho failed last week to the tune of
twenty thousand dollars. But what has
that to do with your story ?
'Something, as you will see. I was
never seriously tempted to make a propo
sal but once, and that was to Frank's wife
—before she was married, do you under
stand me ?'
'Oh ! said I, growing interested. And
why didn't you ?'
'You shall know. I was young and ro
mantic at that time—she was beautiful
and accomplished. 'We were thrown to
gether in society and I was just at the age
to yield to her fascination. Though I
had never expressed my love in words,
I suppose my looks betrayed me, and I
was quite sure that she was aware of my
feelings toward her. Our families being
somewhat intimate, we were on the same
footing, and she treated me in very much
the same confidential manner as she
would a favorite cousin.'
'Do you think,' I inquired, 'that she
was in love with you 1"
'No, never thought. I presume,
however, she would have liked to have
lured me on to a declaration, and then she
would have acted 11:3 fancy dictated. One
day, when I made a morning call and was
retiring, she told me she was going out
shopping, and laughingly proposed to me
to go with her and carry the bundles.—
Having nothing of importance to take up
my time, and not being averse to the pro
posal, partly on account of
.its novelty arid
considerably, I rather suspect, on ac
count of the agreeable character of the
company I should have, 1 consented in
the same spirit, and in a few minutes
we were fairly on our way.'
'I have but little to buy,' said my com
panion. 'You may congratulate yourself
upon that as you will have the less to
carry.'
We made our first visit to a dry goods
establishment.
'Have you any lace collars ?' inquired
Caroline. A largo quantity were dis
playt d but they were only five dollars a
piceb, and they were too cheap. At length
one was found at seven dollars, with
which wy companion at length professed
herself satisfied, and decided to take it.—
'1 suppose,' said she, on going out
'that I don't really need it, but it, was so
beautiful 1 could not resist the temptation.
A beautiful shawl at the door of a store
next caught Caroline's attention. '1
roust certainly go in and look at, their
shawls. 1 never saw any precisely like
them '
'New kind,' said she to the clerk.
'Yes; miss just, imported from France,
warranted to surpass in firmness of tex
ture and durability any DOW extant.—
Will you have ono ?'
'The price ?'
'Seventy-five dollars, miss; and cheap
at that.
'Caroline was startled at this announce
ment.'
'That is high,' said she.
'Not fur the quality. Just feel it—see
how soft it is, and you will not call it, ex
pensive '
'I did not, think of getting one to day,
however, I think 1 must. You may
charge it to my father.'
The shawl was folded, enveloped and
handed to me by the clerk.
'I suppose father will scold,' said Caro
line ; 'but it is such a beauty.'
We reached ere long another dry goods
store, the placard which, 'Selling off at
cost,' proved so seductive that we at once
stayed our steps and entered. Caroline
rushed to examine the ; the first
specimen offered, which, to my unprac
ticed eye, seemed of a superior qualtiy,
was cast contemptuously aside, and she
desired to see the very best they had in
store. Some were shown her at two dol
lars and a half a yard.
What with the shawl and silk, each of
which made a bundle of no inconsideta
ble size, I was pretty well weighed down
and began to be apprehensive of the con
sequence in case my companion should
make any more purchases. She, however,
relieved my anxiety by saying that she in
tended to purchase nothing more. She
was only going to step into a jeweller's
to have a locket repaired. Accordingly
we repaired to the store of a fashionable
jeweller. The locket was handed over
with the necessary directions.
But this was not all. A lady at the
counter was engaged in examining a very
costly pair of earrings which she was de
sirous of purchasing, but demurred,at the
price, at last she laid them down r.luct
antly, saying, 'they are beautitul, but I
- do not oaro lo go so high-aa-twenty-five
dollars,'
- -
'Lee ore see them, if you'please,' asked
Caroline. They were handed to her.—
She was charmed with them, chiefly, I
imagine,- on account of the price, for
they had little beyond' hat to recommend
them. 'Now I must absolutely go home,'
said she,' without purchasing any.mcre.
For once she kept her word, and Lwas
released my attendance , . But the thought
that she had expended one hundred -and
thirty five dollars in a single morning's
shopping, and on objects none of which,
,by her own cofession, Jihe,stood in need,
could not help tienring to me,nnd I de.
tided that until I could find soiie more
,rapid way of milting money, snett,a ,wifo
-*mid' bs altogether too expensive a lux,
it
ury, for .me to, indulge. HO far. lam
right you may judge by Fran ,Ptilmer's
failure. At all events that l is, horeaspn
why I didn't propose. ' ',. '
~,
Bathealisin - and Conservation1 1 7-,
figure and its Appliciatteni- •
No happier illustration of a great truth is
to be found in the whole range of literature,
than the following from the peii of the cele
brated Dr. Holmes of Boston. It is perfect
in its imagery, and has n, case exactly in
point to fit it, which wo shall proceed. to
point out:
" Did you never, in walking in the fields,
come across a large fiat stone, which- had
been, nobody knows how long, just where
you found it, with' tfiii grass' forming - 6 - little
hedge, as it were, all around it, close to its
edges? and have you not, in obedience to a
kind of feeling that told you it had been ly
ing there long enough, insinuated your stick
or your toot or your fingers under its edge,
and turned it over as a licuse-wife turns e,
cake, when she says to herself, " It's
,done
brown enough fur this time l" What an odd
revelation, and what an unforseen and un
pleasant surprise to a small community—
the very existence of which you hadnot ex.!
pected, until the sudden dismay and scatter . :
ing among its members, produced by your
turning the old stone over I Blades of grass
flattened down, colorless, matted together,
as if they had been bleached or ironed ; hid
eous crawling creatures, some of them cel
eopteruos or horney-shelled turtle bugs, one
wants to call them ; some of them softer,
but cunningly spread and compressed like
Lepine watches, black, glossy crickets, with
their long fitments, striking out like the
whips of four-horse stage coaches; mother.
less, slug-like creatures, young larva:, per
haps more horrible in their pulpy stillness
than oven in the infernal wriggle of mute.-
rity 1 But no sooner is the stone turned and
the wholesome light of day let upon this
cool pressed and blinded community of creep
ing things, than all of them which enjoy the
luxury of legs—and some of them have a
good many—rush round wildly, butting each
other and everything in their way, and end
in a general stampede for under-ground re
treats from a region poisoned by sunshine.
Next year you will see the grass growing
tall and green where the stone lay; the
ground-bird builds her nest where the beetle
had his hole; the dandelino and the butter
cup are growing there, and the broad fans of
insect-angels open and shut over their gel-.
den disks, as the rhythmed wave of bliesfut ,
consciousness pulsate through their glorified.
NO. 8.
icing.
There is meaning in each of those images
—the butterfly as well as the others. The
stone is ancient error. The grass is human
nature borne down and bleached of all its
color by it. Thu shapes which are found be-
heath, are the crafty beings that thrive is
darkness, and the weaker organisms keep
helpless by it. Ile who turns the stone over
is whosoever puts the staff of truth to thith
old lying incubus; no matter whether he
does it with a serious face or a laughing one.
The next year stands for the coming time.
Then shall the nature which had—lain
blanched and broken, rise in the full stature
and native hues in the sunshine. Then
shall UotTs minstrels build their nests in the
beads of a new-born humanity. Then shall
beauty—divinity taking new lines and col
ors—light upon the souls of men as the but
tvrtly, image, of the beautiful spirit, rising
from the dust, soars from the shell that held
a grub, which would never have found wings
had not the stone been lifted. You never
need think you turn over any old falsehood
with-qAt a ternh'e squirming and scattering
of the horrid little population that dwell un•
der it."
• .
The "large flat stone" in Missouri is sla-
very, that for lon , years has been lying prone
upon the state, shutting out the sunshine aid
crushing and stunting the developement of
her energies. Around the edges, over in Il
linois, in lowa and in Kansas, the fragrant
" hedge" that Dr. Holmes speaks of, has
grown up in the shape or luxuriant free in•
stitutions and flourishing industrial enter•
prises, leaving Missouri like a desert in their
midst. Nor is the other part of the picture,
the--"-hideous crawling- creatures,?'-produced .
and sl.eltcred in the darkness that finds a
place beneath the great " stone," wanting.—
The entire progeny of treason, the most
loathsome and venomous f f all the vermin
that afflict the earth, the multitudinous off
spring of ignorance, and all the creeping
forms which oppression brings to life, have
found a place and protection beneath the
shadow of slavery.
Happily for Missouri, a deliverer hie
conic to remove this incumbranee from her
bosom, and let the sunlight and the winds of
freedom perform their holy ollice in her be
half. Radicalism has taken hold upon the
"stone," raised it from its bed, and is about
rolling it away from the State forever,—
True, there is wild cohfusion as this process
goes on. The mire community of conser
vatism is in agony and trepidation. The
slimy and hideous creatures which so long
have dwelt undisturbed in their fastness,
deeming the State their own, array them
selves for battle, but their resistance will be
in vain. The stone will go over, and the
State will be free.—Missouri Democrat,
Jon. 15.
A Sc( TCII WIDOW.—The clerk of a
large parish not five miles from Bridge
north, Scotland, perceiving a female
crossing a churchyard in the widow's
garb, with a watering can and bundle,
had the curiosity to follow her, and he
discovered her to be Mrs. Smith ; whose
husband had not long been intered. The
following conversation took place.
Ah, Mrs. Smith, what are you doing
with your watering can r
Why,.Mr. Price, I have begged a few
hay seeds, which I have in a 'adle, and
am going to sow them upon my poor hus
band's grave, and have brought a little
water with me to make them spring.'
You have no occasion to do th at, as
t'e grass will soon grow upon it,' replied
the clerk.
All, Mr. Prince, that may •be—but
do you not know my husband, who•lies
here, made me promise him, on his death
bed; I would not marry again
grass had grown over his grave, add Wir
ing, a good offer made me, I diana,w . ish
to break my word, or be kept as I ate- . • •
ne...A Gentleman who bad mariiC4 ;ft
second time indulged in recurring' too Of
ten in conversation to the beauties `it'd
virtues of his first consort.: •'.llO had, Mit
ever, barely discernment-enough_tadia
cover that the subject was not an agree-
Able one to'his present lady. •
' " Excus6 me, madam,"said he, "-I
cannot help 'expressing my regrets for the
dear di3Parted. '
" Upon my honor," said the lady, it I
can most heartily affirm that I. emus sin
cere a mourner for her as you can
"GOING, going, just a going I". .oriad
out an auctioneer. .
"Where are you going.?" asked passer
by.
"WellP.rekilied the knight of theliatn.
leer, 'Al'm going to, the Zoollogimil Gar
dens',to tell the manager that 4tHo of
their baboone ie levee."' ,
Never send word to . the.Print`erto
stop your paper Until you are'surb you , do'
not owe for it. Pay up. Then yoU van
order your paper . atopped' with a good
grace.
9