Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 6, Number 19, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 6 November 1875 — Page 6
6
-b, t. 1»B-
I A
1 tit.
A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.
ENCHANTMENT. BT CABIXJTTA
Tbe «alU weseeon theeeean Are wblteas wlitt* can b« Bnt never* one In Uicbirbor
AM whit#
a* the Milt *ta*a.
Torn to cold gray mint* ami vapors
O mountain cold and gray! Osall, in thy snowy wlifti*n««, Come not into port, I pray.
darts from the pUed up tallage of the
tbo raio, was In all the glory of its Strange atti action.
Kmathto
reached ibe upper
^sVuVT,r„hruci"?r,sr,"",°''!*,°* col if gray mUu anl vapors ^, a boat not far off. There none. The gum and laurel lined the whole margin in an unbroken mans, and before him stretchHi tho dark waters of the outlet to the lake, sullen, forbidding, unfathomable, yoti would have said, so black
tgr
Kre ever we reach tbe height.
The rooantainswur crown of glory ,J. Only when seen fmm aflir And tbe Kail* lone all thflr whiteness liwlde the harbor bar. Htatety and fair I* the v««c-l
That comes not near our bewh (Stalely and Brand the mountain ,"f Whose height we may never rrarli. O distance. thoo dear enchanter,
KU1I hold in thy magic vail The glory of far-off mountain*, The gleam of the far-off wall! Hide in thy robe of splendor,
JUSTIN HARLEY.
A ROMANCE OF OLD VIRGINIA
BT JOUX KHTKX COOKE,
Author of "Dr. Vai.-ivke,''"Hurry ..fEa«le' Neat," "Tho VI .. ula Cornedi n, Ac.
CHAPTER XXIV. IS THE SWAMP. ______ IIarley entered tho Blackwster Swamp ment
at —_ night of the deer hunt. He bad no difficulty in finding hi* way. Tho rain, which had rushed down with such impetuous violence, seemed to have exhausted itself, and the cloods slowly drifted away, permitting tbo moon to shino out at intervals thus llarley was able to advance upon bis way with something to guide him.
To penetrato a morass at night, with only too dim light of the moon, wading in and out amid ebon clouds, to guide you. is not an easy undertaking. If any doubts the statement, let him make the attempt. Every bush is an obstaclo every pool is a snare the firm grass that you put your feet upon without limitation is slime, and the pnddle you disregarded is a qtyigmlro up to your waist.
Harley was, however, an experienced huntsman—that is to say, he knew how to pick his way, and was not deceived by appearances. Ho went on with an assured step, and threaded the labrynth of this "Pontine marsh" with the skill of a man thoroughly experienced in woodcraft, and reached without difficulty the northern shores of the large body of water which had presented HO
Seer-hunt.
icturosquo a scone on the night of tho
At this moment, with tho moon .drifting through the black clouds, and shining in an out, the scene was wilder and more striking. There is something weird and sotnbro in thoso still mosses of water, unstirred by winds, in the centres of the great swamps of Virginia. You read of them in books, and can form no conception of them. The waters sleep, dark and still. Tho proud lilies wave on the surface, and huge festoons of vines droop above. On that surface, still and solemn, the chancegleam of sunlight or of moonlight shimmer*—a ghostly charm. Par off, you see tho fringe or green edging the water
WW M«V •••M0V v.
R»vv..
or tho marshy tracta overgrown with roods and aquatic plants. Tho day scarcely penetrates the jungle. Night and mystery seem to reign. llarley stepped and looked around him. lie 'was not thinking now of rlrtdnog*. The sombre and forbidding beantv of the scene onthrallod him. Tbo largo body of water—some hundredsof acres in size—slept in the moonlight, dl*appoar1ng and then reappearing in the clouds drifted and tho cyDnwiM assumed mystfrlons shapes— ihe laurel and juniper roao like Inanimate wardens of tho marsn and it* seCrots. The soeuo was wild and impressive, but not deficient in beauty, such as a painter would have n^joieed in. Against the moon, which now grew bio dy In huo as it descended toward {ho wont, tho traoory of the great cy
}to
res*
back a sheen as brilliant a* that Which
range attiaouon. threshold, erect, calm, holding in his Justin Harley had stopped, In spite of t,and a pistol, which he placed upon the tnT*«if—tftlrnn nrinoner bv the Weird
himself—taken prisoner by Influences of the scene. But ,hejhad
Elainlyat
onme with another Interest than look landseaps beauties o* intbilge In dreams. He wont on th a resolute atop, circling the lako on tho western awy, Bireimg v... »..v
Verv
aldi». Reaehing a point on the southern fw,t upon it. bank, l»e looked around Kim. 'ti.« man Hie large IxMly of water here hafl an outlet-that which Harley bud reAJrml to in speaking to Puccoon. The grolind, Indeed, followed the general Inclination of theattfrounding conntry, aud plaoe the lako had furrowed out
at this
a chan
to hta watst in we weaeoerona waurs, (,1s featum any emotion but surtnd only dragged himself ont &y main tlx sndden entrauos of llarley fbrce. then suddenly a broad and *p- ^ai«d to havo paralysed every othtr patently Impassable body ol water ^nUmenU £rwt«b«d In firooi of him. lie waseem- Harley pointed slowly to tbe tabic,
ited make a detour. Breaking looking at tbe man. deoa* jangle, be at last jfMtl melowels," be said.
of
water. Bnt a stream. If it emild be po
used as a means of passage—for tbe tQ
vUhw were pnllod down at the spot-h-Wtated tJefbre venturing the frail bridge was a cyprwe-trxink, der, tapering, aboosing straight serosa from one bank to the other, many feet above tbe lagoon beneath, without any aupport for the hands ofjijpei^JjJnat"
woond to and fro, avoiding e*ervwt»ere lite trsscbervos pools, sml ibllowing tbe firmer ground, rbe jungle opened, the (Inner, and llarley **w be
bave
desrribeU. ran Into It, and Hariey was to them. And now we have finishimpelled to ascend this stream In
JTJ
A I A S IS W S S IS S S S S S S S
(be swamp
rLi
OAA^TER XXV. |rf ITXDKB GROUND. #v'a
1
The difficult point to determine now ksr bow ho foiild rtifh the island. Harley lo&k*d tip and down to find somewhere in tke thick brushwood aklrtlng the bank* some indication of a
did the snrfaoa appear. Harlev h#^ltato! only for moment. It ik«ou I am to swim!" he muttered. WcU, so be it."
He buttoned his coat, already drenched bv the storrti, up to his chin, leaped from tbo bank into the water, and wading where he could, swimming where Ite was compelled to do so, reached tho island.
It was of small extent, and nearly overgrown with a denso mass of reeds and water-plants. To even gain a foothold upon it was a difficult matter but llarley managed to land, and taking advantage or a path apparently used by otters or mask rats, made bis way into the jungle.
Il was rather crawling than walking. The reeds leaned across the path, and shut out the struggling moonlight above. As he went on, he heard weird noises, and tho owls laughing in the depths of the swamp were replied to by the whippoorwills, uttering from moment to moment their melancholy cry. In spite o' himself, llarley was affected by his In idlngs. Ther Homothing wild, weird, depressing, in this mournfbl swamp, whore nothing was heard but these nocturnal cries and the cypresses, as tho moon flitted through the clouds, resembled goblins betiding abovo him, and nady to seize him by tbe hair and carry him off. He was naturally brave, but at the hiss ol a snake, npon which he trod, llarley shuddered.
the point selected by Puccoon on tho himself, Harley was affected by his lugubrious surroundings. Thero was
their melancholy cry. In spite of
Suddenly ho emerged upon an open space, and saw before liln, beneath these cypress troes, a grassy knoll. In tho side of this knoll a glimmer was aeon, llarley had said to Puccoon, "Under tho cypresses thero is a knoil oovered with sou. This sod is tho rool of a house. The houso is that of tho man of tho swamp."
The glimmering light in the side of the green mound dispelled all of Harley's doubts, if he still had any. lie had reached the end of his journey, and now advanced toward tho light with a firm step.
Kneeling OH OBO knee, he pat aside w)ino trailing vines,and glanced through the apertnre letting out the light. The interior which met bis glance was unique. It was a sort of den—you would havo said that of a wolf—scarcely eight feet in width and six feet in height. A rudo fireplace of stone was on one side, and there were some brands blazin in it they caused tbe light. On one side was a rudo bed, covered with a coarse blanket. In the middle was a table and chair a man was seated at the table, leaning his forehead on his hands. From the appearance of his shoulders, it was evident that ho was sinewy and powerful. Leaning against tho table was a carbine.
Justin Harley took in these details at a glance, and a strange expression came to his fttce—an expression of unmistakable joy. His eyes glowed his lips smiled he drew along breath, and rose to his feet again, looking around him for some opening by which he could make his way into this wild beast's den.
As he roso from his knee, tho man, either weary of his portion, or hearing some noise, raised his head from his hands. This head was a singular ono. The hair was griralod, although the man did not appear to be more than forty, and the shaggy mass nearly covered his eves. The wee was more sfngtilar stillcunning, ferocious, the face of a wild beast, but an educated wild beast, for there was in it a debased and brutalised intelligence. Tho eyes glared, but it was the alaro of iutcllc
glare of intellect lowered to
th.« level of tho brute, Hn bruto instinct was there, too, wiih the brute look. Something seemed to tell this human wild beast that dartger
wu luls lluulltll wllu wmfc u„1Rt
so mm Its was defined with exquis was near. He rose, looked with a plow delicacy, and tho laurel leaves threw
K]ancetoward
iv?0 8t0ps
ljon
the window, and tjnok
toward the low door of cy-
pmm wood,
magnolia. Over All fell a dreamy.aud ^n{n -which now hung down beside It. dusky splendor. The swamp, Wnshci by
ordinarily secured by a
A™
Boforo bo could reach the door, It opened, and Harley appeared npon the
breast of the man. occupant of the den nnoonscions|y recoiled, men wj|l #o when a rtros'rtn IS directed *t tbetr hoSrts, and Hat lef took *H*ntig«Mfthis movement td kick down ths carbine, And plsM liii
KICK wwn
TJie'tn*" was disarmed and 9t tits merov. B« remained standing, looking
&
Hariey with sullen and ferocious ("VWl* ^Hsrley returned this glane* with one of calm and settled resolve. Placing
wI vhhu -r ""r
ptAOIT IMC? *m»u mi luwnt vw* »•»"-1 thffooclrwl pistol npon tho table, where nel through which its surplus waters he could grasp It wlthoat moving, ho were dbn-bairjed into tlw Blsekwater frrm his breast-pocket a amall river. Ilarlev stood still for sn Instant. looking alwnt him. A glance showed
loatbsr eass, opoued it. and took trow it first a magnificent diamond necklace,
Iir!Mi
Win that he had reached tho outlet. Dut |l0n of bracelets set with rubies In spi** of bto most osreftil examination
he oould p^rtwlvo nothing in the shape
of
value, and lastly, a breastpin of
laW
Of an "island." These jewels, which were evidently sf Thor® was nothing to be dons but to extraordinary value, he deposited upon ninnowt once
ge on. He remotmel more ihto the thick i~..„— Ira*, dit&cult befbre, became now altooiA an impow»bllity. Twtos he pank to hta watMt In the treacberooa waters,
thn
blaaing with precious stones.
bere they sparkled in the
Iv plnnsed laoie, woere »«!j »i" Jungle. Ills pro- |iKhtofthe pine-knot fire. The man bad looked at him whilst he tUO IIMU was opening the ease,without Indicating
CHAPTKR XXVI. A. c.
I
tktween foor and five o'clock In the m- ralntt, Ht. tsger, ha ha*I lain awake
1r
auppon loruH. .tnskes of a boras on tbe KJirturWn«as
a lone time roflh-tiijg. was arowsod the bard strokes of a boras on tbe
«ti a' wort^ten front of tb# boawe. and then a
nral bridge In enwed the portico, entered deapsrate nnderiaking bnt llarley nan V.lh-%d_$__L-e duturtnlnfrl to accomplish his object,
trunk. His woodcraft and skill asrvNl
i!-'
-nl'SLi n»m. lb. doorot
4
wbw«
bim well. FVk* by fbot he made bto war, rescbed tbe opp«lie laik, end, att* ndiim fblfowlug a nearly imperceptible f*lb,. ':t Sbt Ik? again entered toe jongla. 'Ibe itb roiiiini
5^hlmW)n^?itorontbe"|,^Tn mitlat1»t m^mTng, toditip
Harley bad evklnly returned, after a»t* ndlngtohls-bu^.^»«," whatever it
half an hoar l/
,IMTNI
My dcsrHfr. mrtey, wfTl'Ven be
not-Uiarrted f" Tbe question would ba unoemqspni oos, bntihen It^wotrtd be li^t, jOvlal, and. uttered1In a tone of unconcern, it might not offend- Hot St l/lger bad resolved to run tho risk of giving offenoe. IIo felt himself absolutely sailed opon, sfter his conversation with Evelyn to ssoertaiu |n some manner whether Harley bad or had not a wife living and he was Impelled to adopt bis resolution fkr more by bis deep and sincere interest In the welfkre of tbe woman be had loved than by mere curiosity. 8t. Leger was tn fket tbst rarest of human specimens—an onseltt»h person. He bad loved Evelyn ardently, and had not found in her Tejectlonofbis addresses any reason for 'lieconiing indifferent to ber. He bowed likes bravs young fellow to bis fate, accepted tho result, and said to himself, "I can at least be her friend, and watch over her as I would over my sister unless I do, soraetning tragic will result from all this." For Evelyn to place her affections upon Harley, recanting him as unmarried, and a possible suitor, whilst he was already married!—St. I^eger knit his brows at'the very thought and said to himsclftbat the occasion did not justify ceromony: bo would ask, or, if necessary, demand, tho truth from Harley's lips. lie eamo down ready fbr the encounter. In spite vf his firm resolution, and his conviction that bis duty as a gentleman required biui to drop all ceremony, it was not without somo repugnance and a slight tremor of tho nerves that he approached tho moniont. In fact the question was awkward—it was certainly intrusive. How would Hurley receive It? Nothing had been oasior than asking that jocose question—in bed, with no ono present! To face bis friend, and ask it was quite different. Ho could see, in imagination, the gravo countenance of Harley, tbe cold surprise of his expression, tbe possible hauteur of his lips, as be declined responding.
What would bo tho result? Whatever it might be, ho would adhere to bis resolution ask, take the consoquences do bis duty—and St. Leger walked into tho breakfast-room. llarley was not tborc. An excellent breakfast smoked upon the table tbe urn sang by tho cheerful Aro and the gray-haired old African major-domo, with a silver waiter in his hand and a white napkin over his loft arm, respectfully waited, making him a cordial and deterential morning salute as he came in. "Where is Mr. llarley, Jaxnes?" he said.
Rodo out, sir," replied James, respectfully "loft a noto for you, sir." Tno old African then went to a sidetable, took a noto fVoin 51, deposited tho note upon bis waiter, and presented it to St. Ix?ger. Ho opened it and read "My Dear St. Leger—I am called away this morning upon business, and may possibly not return until to-mor-row or the next day. Try to amuse yourself. You must havo returned late last night. Were you at Blandficld These affairs are always renewed. Bon voyage, mon ami! I -'1
Your friend. I JUSTIN IIAHLEY."
St. Leger put the note in his pocket, and sat down to breakfast with a feeling of decided relief. Tho ordeal was deferred. After breakfast tbe young man wont out to walk in the grounds He went first to the spot where tho woman in black had stood looking up at the light in Harley's window. It was possible, he said to himself, that he might follow her by the print of her feet, and thus ascertain in what direction sho had disappeared. No traces were, however, visible. Tho storm had obiiteratfd everything, and there was not tho least inclication to guide him. IIo went -on, strolling idly along and musing.. A winding path lad through tho o4ks, whose enormous boughs bore and there were interlocked, and this path conducted him to a little doll, whoite a spring welled up.
Tho path led beyond the spring, running beneath a largo oak. There was a stile in tho tall fence, made of a lrtrge block. St. Leger was about to tbrn back, when something undor the bak attracted his attention. He went knd picked it up. It was a black veil, 'lie lookod at it, examined it for some mkrk bat could ftnfl none. As be gave up tho search, he chanced to raise his oyes and look at the oak. There, within a few feot of him,
carved
were thoso Initials:
N O I E
horse wiu» how Mady.
ft
ti^rn, althongh yon have no legal
with
aeamhof a eroa«ln«. of my lift", sir. for I ftnd that I did not Whan ha Ibund what soetned to ba
tlist. This Is U»o happiest day
yon
a
4
M\on
xe« that I afti wflttng that yo« sfewtf
i+i talk, sir l» may leal
better underatanaing between us."
(r
remained
.^*ke, pondering Us then sslrrp hs*l* »»r o- «i a rssoiatlon. bis rsaolntlon wm simple. He had d-i^rmimMl, wbet» tw down In Ibe
mttld*, a mnall tot- te -'mlj ^or-
giiSnnjTw«s
NY
**wlI say
in tho trunk,
••J. it IA. 0.'" )%.*
St. Leger saw that they had been carved there many years before, for tho bark was closing around, the letters, and slowly growing over them, ««3. TT.'m ha muttered, "that seems to stiftid for Jmtin Hnrlcai Uut 'A. U'^h«tdr#*,r% C/stand for?" 11# loftknd Mrtc timoat the litters, sad *h«*n, pnttW th* vrfl in bis pooket, went back, along the saflao path, to the
°AabonraflorWnHb,tad exhausted every means of pawing the time. will,tfko a he*atd.
1 1 1 8
ftI*cid«
for me,
chance!" he said, dropping the rein on bis horse's neck. a» ho rods through tbe great gate Into the highway.
The animal, thus left to bis own guidance, turned toward tbo left, Md went, at along swinging walk, In tbe direct Uon of the Black water.
St. l/ogor did not seem to bo aware of tho road no was following. He had let bis chin fall npon Ids breast, and was
n1"*A?0.'!—who
is or was
4A.C.'f|b%
muU«rod., ., ?i« "SPi 'Vs ws»-
1
sf CHAPTER XXVri. rA3fi*T.
fvlmy.Uie daughter of Fuocoon tbe trapper—has tbe reader forgotten her? —was sitting In the door of the hot In the bollow, sewing. The garment she was ntendlng seemed to be a conglomeration efrairs-lt was sapped to be Puccot.n's Sunday cost, A large deerhound was watching tbe don't think tbe de*r honnd ployed In an altogether on philosophical manner, if tbe love of flowers bo pbilo
*°lfannv Puccoon was a veritable flow of the spring, blonmiog chill autumn sunshine. bo—whether she was or nc^sboutfocra I a a re ad a a« girlhood is in the b«d-t|»e flower that lo be jnit pRepa from lui U-ndw sheath. Fanny's «ye» qutsite blue, ber cboeks toncbed with a unt as delicate as tb »l on the leaf.of Uw tM-ttss, Mid tb® light hair, corlmi Sii^l^ait unt a uule candor and aw«4n«f, the shoulders of tbo girl bending ovor tbe tagged coat. Her own dii»aa waa not ranch betlw, but was ra^dj and It fltunl neatly to JJJ straight, delx-ntely slender, and foil ot
sewing bwl'j. *^nj*"
at one- man eame out of ibe binlws iHwr tin: hat, snd approached bar Twr de« ii(»ond was about to spring at him,
inny quickly rose, calling the dog
voice,
but Fanny h^a ^ung maTow^uplimi^.and fr^ bavllig b^,mixed up lately with held out hla band.
The girl gave her band cordially, and St. Leger took it In his own, looking, with nnbonoealed admiration, into the fresh young faoB.
Did 1 frighten you be said, smiling. "No, indeed, sir.
TViking her small nand in hi* own, he bent down, pressed bis lips to it, aud said, In a low voice: *w (Jod bless you, my child
Tho tone of'bla Tglco was so earnest that tbe girl's face flushed, and a tear was seen In her eye. St. Leper took his white teuidkercbief, Wiped away the tear, andwontdown the bill with a sadness for tvbich he could opt account.
Am I bawltchedf? bo murmured. He monilted his boifie. and said: I will koop this handkerchief.
When bo rear bod tbe high road he had dro looked bapk. Ifaany Iropped tbe
4
CilAPTTTR XXVIIIv
1
-i gfixrir n*HUT|f
She bad recognisel St. Leger. kad begun to feel solenin
How do you do, Pinny," he said. Well, my dear ... I see you did not expect mo. I am the prince in ihe fi»iry tale. I have risen ou5 of the ground."
I
waa not at all
BL l^egcr rwwrned slownr uOOyKMM Up tl»*Jtlill, tii-djQts the rack, sml had just entered the house oepti _bla baad down, bis eyes fixed upon Mlsa* Eveirn, tbe floor—when *_ gay a*l bobbing marked p|ea« •oV*^xeislai«l: i,i sang for bim. "How do you do, Mr. St. larger! I havo bean waiting for yon for more than an hour. I am very glad to see you F*
St. IjOgw raised hla bead quickly, and aaw standi tig before him a young fellow apparently nineteen or twenty year* of age, clad In tbe height of tbe nabion, and a model of youthful freahnosa and beauty. Tbe face was charming for its gayety and bloom. Tho eyes were fall of snnsblne. Tbe round contour of tbe cheeks, tho down—far too slight and delicate to lie regarded evei^ aa an Incipient beard—tbe light of youth and skm loy in tbe amile, were charming.
Why, »ainty!" exclaimed Ht. I*g»r,
The youth laugbcd*
Where Is he, Mr.». Legor? Nobody knowa*-?^ And I no better. lie lias ridden out somewhere."
Docs be treat you in .this unceremonious way?" Oh yea, I am entirely at home—I and Justin aro Damon ana Pythias, and
frightened." I Tied my horse at the foot of tbe p*™n i* naturally at bia easo in Pyt
horao broo8ht
aA"b"
"I amVerv glad to see yon again," else woutd have been shocking, Mr.Sk said Fanny cheerful I v. I^ecer. How natural the old place does And as st Leger had taken bis seat look! I love it better than every other on a "split-bottomed chair" beside her, place in the word put together. I am and was caressing the deer-bound, who g°'n5? to over it with brother did not seem sverse to Uie ceremony, Justin, and then g£ and see i—i. cnn-i.irr Kcoriro and uncu Fanny ivetit back to her sewiug, loo ing up from time to time, in a natural and cheerful manner, as her companion talked.
The young Bnglisbman was twentyfive vears of ago, at'.d in bis own opinion had seen an amount of "life'' in his time which had blunted his youthful romance, and made bim a philosopher. But tbe philosopher found himself looking at this mero child, in ber homespun dress at tbe door of a hut, with a singu larly youthful sensation
boyish* admiration. Fanny,*' he said
St. Leger listened to the low music of that nuvbodv had administered to Colothe cirl's
'facefand asked himself what was the up and down pump-handle shake of the matter with bim? His heart had filled band. It shook hnn up in the most with a sudden warmth. A moment surprising manner, and noarly took afterwards he began to laugh. away^bis breath.
Do 3'ou know what I thought just now, Fanny he said. \t": JNo, sir/'
I thought if Isaw vou often I should love you very much.*' Tbe speech was absurd, he said to himself—and why bo absurd? What bad aroused in him this odd feeling of romance Was it the autumn sunshine tangling itself in Fanuy's curls^—the bluo sky reflected in her eyes?
He had blundered, no doubt, in speaking thus to the girl. She would become confused and ill at ease. He lookod at her, but there was not a particle of any such confusion or awkwardness in ber expression.
I should like you to love mo, and rot forget mo," she said, simply. "I have often thought of you since you wore hurt that day, sir."
When I held your hands so tight!" said St. Iieger, laughing. Did you hold my hands?" Fanny said, smiling.
Yes, and you did better you bathed mv poor head. But tell mo about yourself. Do you like living in this lonely place Fanny?" "Oh, yes! sir. It is not l?hely, I have father nnd Otter."
Who is Otter?" But the owuer of that name spoko for himself. Ho rose up and put his paws around Fanny's neck, and Fanny did not repulse bim in tho least. Otter then proceeded to lean his tawnv muzzle upon tbe girl's neck,and exhibit indicatipns of perfect content.
St. Legor remembered that group for along time. If he had been a painter, ho said to himself, he would have made a picture of the girl and the dog. Fanny dispelled tbo picturesque in a mo-
ent-
... .,
That will do, Otter," she said. And Otter obediently resumed bis rccumbcnt position in the (sunshine.
St. looser remained for ttiOPG than an hour talking with Fanny, and made her tell him all her littlo story—how her mother had died bofero she remembered her how her father had sent her to an "old field-school" in tho hills, where sho learned to read and bow she never felt lonely when ho was hunting and trapping, as ho was doing at thai moment, but passed her timo very ha1 am tt* sewing or singing, or making willow baskets. St. Ixger listened to the sweet tones of the girl with quiet happiness. in to or go Huntsdon, England, Harley. Could be
Looking tsdon, Engl be falling in love? ho suddenly asked
He began to laugh, rose to his id.
himself. feet, and held out his han (Jood-bye, Fanny!"
0.
and see uncle
George and uncle Joshua at Oakbill, and Your uncle Goorge Is dead, Sainty."
Dead?" He died more than a month ago." The young man looked very much shocked aud grieved, and bis gay talk ceased.
On the next morning, Harley not having retunied, Sainty mounted bis horse "and rode to Oakhill. He found
nut» siiiEu- Colonel Hartright sitting stiffly in bis a ieeliug of great chair in tho library, the door of which he opened without "ceremony. A moment afterwards ho had grasped the
1!"
Sh^'ralsed her head, and the blue band or the old lord of tbe manor, and eves looked out from tbo curls into bis said in his fresh, vpung voice: own "Mow do you do, uncle? You are "lam eoing baek to mv home in Eng- the only uncle I have now. Poor uncle land very won, and lshall never see (ioorge! I am mighty glad to see you, von acain uncle Joshua!" "I am very sorrv sir
was
the first timo for many years
looked at the exquisite nel Joshua Hartright, of Oakhill, that
'&hy —bloss my soul!—ahem! Is that you, my dear St. George hardly know myself by that name, uncle. Everybody wills mo Sainty,"
Yes, yes—well", yos—Sainty. When did you return?" Yesterday, uncle, and I only beard of uncle George's death when I came. Poor uucle George 1 It made me cry."
Colonol Hartright looked at tho youth with an expressiou of kindness and softness that bo had not bestowed upon any other butnan being for along time.
I am glad to sec that you feel your uncle's death, Sainty." he said. "He loved you vory much."
But ho loved brother Justin more." Colonel Hartright mado no reply. He had evidently not forgiven tho elder brother- for Ills European wandering, and his supposed financial arrangomouts in connection with his "expectations."
I haye not seen your brother wry frequently of late," ho said. "He has, I believe, a gentle man from England with him."
Yes, uncle—Mr, St, Leger, the fiuest fellow vou ever saw And'Sainty llarley drew a glowing picture ofSt. Leger, after which he asked about everybody, declared that he would rather live in a cabin in Virginia than in any place anywhere else then ho got up, told Colonel Hartright that bo would come back very &oon, and, Inflicting a second pump-handle shake of the hand on that gentleman, accompanied by an affectionate smile, rode nway to Huntsdon.
Justin Harley had not oven 3'et returned. St. Leger declared his conviction that lio must oertainly bo "lost and in tho afternoon, finding tbo time hang upon his hands, proposed a visit to Blandfield. "Judge Bland lives there, don't bo, Mr. St. Legor?" said the youth.
Judge Bland ct alios, or rather alias," was St, Leger's reply. "Thero aro two charming young persons thero, Sainty— namely, Aliases Evelyn and Annie Bland, to say nothing of a somewhat more elderly lsdy who would bo too old for vou—Miss Clementina."
Let's go at once 1" Very well order tho horses." I They were soon on the way to Blandfield, and reached it as the sun was setting.
Aa they rodo up the avenue, a slight figure flitUd along the grassy bank of the small stream winding through the low-ground of the lawn, and disapneared behind a huge willow. Of this figure Mr. SU George Llarley alone caught a good glimpso, and ho laughed.
What is tho matter?" said St. Leger. Didn't you see?" said tho youth. "Hoe what?"
Tbe nymph—or Oread, or Dryad—as you choose." m/. 1 "Where?"
Down by tho run. Sho wore a pink dress, and«o shoos Or stockings! I know what sho was doing—she was wading In the branch I"
It was agreeable to hear the gay laughtar of the yonth, who ftdded, "And I toll VOU it was no common mllk-maid-nympb. It was Miss Evolyn Bland, or Miss Annie. Is that
ragged coat In her lap, and W» gating her name?" Shim. Tbe sunablSe lit up bar curls "Oh, Annie, by all means! said St. with a aort of tranquil splendor. She Leger, returning the laogb. Mis* alwava came back to nlm in memory as Evolvn is much too dignified to wade. «Well, wo'll soon see. Yonder she goas scudding up the bill I shoos aud stockings on
Son has vahlsbed!
Sba has her The fair vis-
They were soon at the door, and cv-
Hunla- ervbodv was In the parlor, including horse at Judge Bland. St. George H«rl*y reIon waa exceedingly cordial, and particularly, exhibited easur* In hi* aociaty. She looked at bim with the awMkwt smiles, and in balf-an-bour thev bad grown so Intimate that tbo fonth waa about to ask ber if she bad been down to tbe ran that evening, when tea waa announced and Miss An trie Bland, aged about sixteen—tbe real nympb—came In demurely, and mads
Mr. St. George llarley a negligent little curtsey, In response to his bow! When the friends took their leave, which they did not do until nearly ten a'elock, there waa a general Imprest on at Blandfield that something resembling the old mantie impression that "Sainty Harley" always left behind
sunshine bsd been filling t£a old Indeed, waa the imj
ine ba This,
bim. Is there a great undiscovered/or«
grasping his "band ""when did yoo^sr- -soma (malt animal-magnetic fluid S^ ^-hTt bright JOOT rorn untMion?" "X^V-EiifVbod,
lhte
Ho warn I to answer all yon qo«- wben to Ame. marol«^wM a ttonn at once! I might aak you^oordl^. H« broughtyo* to Hunt*lon, dear Mr. Ht.) Hrtenod wait Ho waa Leger, if that would not ntde, and not uncotwcious, and put everybody In mmm* a famt 1 reckon we are both snr- good humor. prtm4—l ioi plmsed, 1 tail you! Broth- As tb*y rode homeward, lie said: MJusUn wrote tm fmm Vienna tba* was coming to Virginia, and I might Blandfield tbta evening, Mr.f«.,'^|j eoma baX too. cmavWt \l I cboaej Did von ever MO nicer peonle? Heai during the autumn. I had plenty of old Virginia! Doea brother Justin toowy—including th#tip you gave me,tbere?' wban von osmeto Eon to saa ma and ery little. I Umk ablp, bad a npendid voyage, and! ^efl, he^« g«.4 h«-re t£day-to fl»d noi asf^aoul gat »s«to^nd t^U b^rj at Hnntadon bat Jamea and tbe rest of ty. Hbe would J«w*.do fera««eri Ana tne nervsnt^ who have made an ov^Jon if Ift ISfeV iMktWMT BMMT y. iS tS^'of tbe yonth waa dellgbt- l* »v iWW«d.]
and dullness
hsd U, Everybody
•u t-
SV
said.
"Well, my dear Sainty" he looking kindly at tbo youtb la hts jsnxnty ooll^ge-cap, and ami ling, -"nobody will bo happier to aee you than Justin-"
TBE TM frTUFVL PiioTi
H&kerio Unk«arti to 2Jat-
irrblKi flie VlckSbnrg Ilerulij^ The passenger, who was going dywn tbe big river for the first time iablsiifo, secured permission to climb op beside tbe pilot* a grim old gray back wvo never told a lleln bisUfe.
Many alligators in this river?" inquired toe stranger, after a look afoond. Not so many now, slncc they cot to shootln' 'em for their hides and tailor." was the reply.
Used to be lots, oh "I don't want to tell you about 'oni, stranger," replied the pilot, slching he a vi "Why?" "Causeyou'd think I was a-]yjn' to you, and teat's sumthin* I never do. I kin cheat at koerds, drink whisky or chaw poor terbacker, but I twn't Jio."
Then there used to bo lota ol 'em ?'!. Inquired the passenger. "I'm most afraid to toll ye, Mister, but I've counted 'leven hundred allygntem to the mile from Vicksburg erar down to Orleans! That was years ago, afore a shot was over fired at !cm." "Well, I don't doubt it," replied the stranger. "And I'vo counted three thousand four hundred snd fifty-nine of 'em on ono sand bar!" continued tho pilot. "1! looks big to tell, but a government surveyor was aboard, and he checked 'em oft as I called out."
I havou't the least doubt of it," said the nassonger as ho heaved a Ugh. I'm glad o' that, stranger. Somo fellers would think I was a liar when I'm telling tho solemn troth. This used to bo a paradise for alligators, and they were so thick that tbe wheels of tbo boat killed an avcrago of forty-nino to tho inilo?" "Is that so?"
1
"Tiue as Gospel, mistor! I used to almost feol sorry for tho cussed brutes, 'cause they'd cry out e'en a most liko a human be in*. We killed lots of »etn, as I said, and ue hurt a pile more. I sailed with one captain who alius carried a thousand bottles of liniment to throw over to tho wouudod ones)'' "Ho did?" *3 X-tv "True as you live, bo did. I don't 'spect I'll ever seo another such a kind, Christian man. And tho alligators got to know the Nancy Jane, and to know
Tom, and thoy'd swiui out and rub their tails agin the boat an' purr
npt lb
like cats, and looli up and try to snnlo!" They would Solemn truth," stranger. "And ono© when we grounded on a bar, with an opposition boat right behind, tho alligators gathered around, got undor hor stern, and humped hor clean over tho bar by a grand push! It looks liko a big story, but I never told a lio yet, and I never shall. I wouldn't lio for nil the money you could put aboard this boat."
There was a painful pause, and after awhile tbe pilot continued: Our inlinos gin out once, and a crowd of alligators took a towlino and hauled us forty-five miles up stream to Vioksburg!" *~t}ws "They did?"
And when the news got along tho river that Uapt. Tom was (load, every alligator in tho rivor daubed bis left oar with mud as a badgo of niournin', and lots of 'cm pined away and died!"
The passenger loft tho pilot house with tbe remark that ho dld%t doubt tiio statement, and the old man gavo tho wheel a turn, and replied:
Thar's ono thing I won't do for lovo nor money, and that's mako a liar of myself. I was brung up bv a good mother, and I'm going to slick to tho truth If this boat doosn niuko a cont."
JIOW'10 BE WRETCIIKD. [King»ley.| If you wish to be miserable you must think about youiolf about what you want, what you like, what resect poople ought to pay you, what people think of you, and then to you nothing will bo pure. You will spoil everything you touch you will mako sin and misery for yourself out of everything God sends you: you can lo as wretched as you Cl'°0M :*•«.
"Uiorry
Lily of tho Field."
We are now gtvliiK to every IW.U0 yearly subscriber a choice Of the above Chromos. They are catalogued ami
MO1«1
In the are
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W W an
To Introduce The Saturday Kvenltig Mall printed at Terre Har.te, 1ml., every beuachold. Its low prlco («.00 a ynr) and the elegance of Its Pteaenlalion Chromos, "Cherry 11010" aud "Lily of the Klrld," makes It perfectly intestable! The commission given agents fs liberal, and offcrm Ineratlve and agreealile buslae* to those willing to give It proper atteution.
a
Itei/' i:
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To every now yearly suliscrlber te The Mall, nnd to each old milwerlbcr who renew*, is given a magnificent, chromo, usually sold at *4, fttxl the paper, costing 12, making worth In all, for only 12. Till your friends about let (let the best paper published to the State for one year, and an expensive picture-ail for tt. QlMv
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We will send a copy of either of our premium Chromos to every person sending us the name* of three new yearly subaeribers with tbe money, sU daltarm also giving the pictures to each of the three subserHwfrs. Almost any one can In this way aeewn? this beaotlful work of art without It citing them anything. ?.p.
^et Both Chromos.41
Any pemon wishing to secure at once both of our new premium Chremoa can do so by subscribing for The Mall two year# In advance, paying'» therefor, or we will eend tbe paper for one year and both tfhroiikm mounted the sum of 13, or we will tend The Mall one year and both pictures tiandmraeiy framed In walnut and gilt for $•*
I Trarflhig Menj^ lo any baslness can make their traveling expi-nxea, by putiin# 'n lonal won! for TMeHatarday
r" Mal,«
where they may «top- *'1™--'
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Out earn a few dollar*, and Inlrwlooe flm-cbMi fspcfi by coavaaaiug for tiw arilay Evening Mall. Liberal eoimnlwion given. The paper snd Chromo take on oiglsL Kend for circular of liwirucUon*.
