Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 14, Number 46, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 10 May 1884 — Page 6

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THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

THE OLD 00 TJNTR CIRCUS.

plow dear to my heart Is the show of my childhood, A The old country circus my Infancy knew! £ln these daysof three rings, on hippodromes,

msm* railroads, .4, How fond recollections presents tbee to view! ~A4lFor weeks, while the posters on fences and chnrch sheds

Portrayed to my young eyes the scenes that {.-^| should be, ~s '"V Wo soft thrill of love—no throb of ambition, iff Has since equalled the bliss I gained dreaming of thee. 4The old country ciicns, the shabby old circus, -i 'The wandering old circus my infancy knew.

How faithfnl I worked tn the ways that presented, A To gain the few pennies my ticket should buy?

Wo toil was so sweetened—no reward so stu.f pendous— Wo miser e'er cherished his hoard as did I. '3'How fair the son shone on the glad day appointed -i How rife with strange bustleitbesleepy old town!

And when o'er the hill came the rumble of wagons, ., The bound of my heart:said: "The circus has come 1" •The old, country circus, the faded old circus, .The one-horse old circus my infancy knew,

What pageant of now can that "grand entry" compass What wit of to-day like those jokes of the ring? And those divans of pine boards-such ease

Oriental.

Wo reserved cushioned chairs of the present can bring. 40ne elephant Only, satisfying, majestic,

Wot Jumbo, nor sacred. neither painted nor white— ..Take them all, and the whole glided fraudulent humbug

For a single return of that honest delight. .,The old country circus, the wandering old

circus,

The shabby old circus my infancy knew. 0

:LIZETTE.

worse tempted than you," did not

v: "1 am DO s-ahe answered sharply 'yet sbe torn her face to bim, but kept on looklog soberly Into tbe fire. "O yes, you are," be persisted then "he laughed.

He laugbed too often, sbe thought—• that easy, sluggish, irritating laugh. Whether she ware gay or gloomy, blltne~voiced or in pain, It mattered not, he .could laugb. Sbe looked oat from under sweeping lashes and jetty brows, and wondered that she could not hate him. She spoke again presently, with slow defiance: "I say that I am not." "Ha-ha!"

In the silence that followed a murderous impulse possessed her a voice aeemed whispering in her ears: "You could kill him he deserves it it would be right!"

But she shook off tbe suggestion ,/shook her head and let her long black hair fall loosely back upon her shoulders and tbe crimson cbair-back, as sbe turned and viewed her surroundings.

It was a comfortable upper room with curtained alcove—not elegantly or ea.•Ispecially artistic, but warm and home* like, though without tbe wind and snow beat the panes with wild reproach.

She tamed to tbe fire again, and spoke carelessly: "Do you know that to-morrow is my

V^blrthday

What are you going to give

^. me before you go for a present r' "Birthdays are a hnmbug. I don't believe in them. Heavens, don't you get enough from me, anyway?" "Perhaps I do," she answered, coolly enough. "It hadn't occurred to me. 'Perhaps I ought to give you a present." "I'd like to know what you'd give me."

He was lounging in the most comfortable chair, his feet perched upon the center table, and theluxurious pipe he held ,. accounted for tbe blue fragrance curling silently off to the room's corners.

They were not near each other, but could easily face about for conversation. Tbe house was quiet, reputable, of good standing nobody would have dreamed of questioning her right to bear his name, though he came and went at his pleasure, only demanding that be find her well-dressed, agreeable, goodhumored.

By-and-by she spoke again, very gently: "Suppose I should give you my—absence?"

He held the pipe at one side and half rose from the depths of the chair." Your absence?" "Yes my absence." "Do you mean you would leave me? Well, who is it now

She would not let him find it in his power to insult her, but went on soberly: "Other women work and earn livings. Why shouldn't I "You work?" His word" were as cutting as the short laugh that followed. "I should like to see yon work. What do you know of work There isn't a thing on earth you could do. Where would you go without references? Tbe first place you'd bring up would be in some 'refuge/ where they'd cram it down your throat how vile you were. Vile! Do you hear? You'd like that. No it youVe wise you'll not leave me, for you couldn't get along at all without my help."

It was well he escaped a sight of her face as he concluded: it might have beea harm for both had ne seen the terrible look that came into her eyes. Poor, pretty gray eyes, past tears or shadows, or anything save sudden, momentary ./ Ure.

No, my dear/' be repeated, yawning slightly as he lowered his feet and stood erect. It wouldn't be a sensible moire on your part. What time is it You can see the clock, I've got to start soon —the train goes at 9." "It's after 8," sbe answered. "That settles it. Good-by, pipe. Is my suck all packed, Linde? Pity I couldn't have gone to morrow as well thess infernel employers Jerks a man about as if be were a machine of some kind, without any feeling at all. Well I believe that's ail, Lisette. Be a good

No, you

I'll bring you somewant something for tyou? He-re that's

•21 I've got. "Don't say I never gave you aytblng." He flung a gold piece on her lap, and

finished putting on his thia KSt Its a stormy "George I'd thought te have a

Mags, night, curntgi*

agreeable.*' ^"Yott ought to have before. It's too late now. to do anything I "I don't think' yon t» vrheo It doesn't suit me,"

Wish. Yon

ilj^ht Jhave gone to the depot with me." had not spoken once for ail his words nor had she touched the gold that lay shining In the folds of her

"l crimson drew. "Well,'* he cried, impatiently, "I'm '-sH 2^ ready. Alnt you coming to the door?

O, quit sulking haven't I aright to

1 \r

that

I've aright

have, my dear,

She rose and spoke unhesitatingly. "I say I have aright to do anything I please." "You'd better not say it again'" "I'll say it a thousand times."

He dropped his sack threatening whiteness came into his facgi then he laughed it off. "You little fool, what are yen ugly about? Because

I'm eff

for

your

day? Why, I'd stay if I

birth

could.

There

now, come and kiss me. Quick, I in a hcrry." "I'd see yeu tbe flame that had kindeled in her gray eyes was a revelation. He turned and went out, slamming the door.

Sbe waited awhile by the fire, leaning an

elbow

on tbe mantel. Presently she

went to the window and drew aside the curtain. It was a bitter, bitter night. How the wind raved and flung tbe snow sbout! Fancy one homeless, adrift, this awful night!

No there was no safe place, no heaven. There was nothing left but to live on here at his mercy.

Yonder on a dark spot of the carpet lay the gold that had slipped from her dressfolds to glisten in the firelight. She looked upon it scornfully.

There was a rustling sound in the hall by-and-by, tbe faint sweep of a woman's dress, and steps that hesitated.

After a bit there came alight knock and the door opened to the mistress of tbe house—a timid, low-voiced woman. "All alone, Mrs. Vernon "All alone," repeated Lizette. "A stormy nignt for Mr. Vernofi tb go away." "A terrible night," said Lizette. "But your fire looks cozy I thought you might bo lonesome, so Iran in for a moment. Am I intruding "O, no, no. Sit down. I am giaa you came in. I have been thinking of asking your advice. I was asked myself, but I haven't been able to decide. It's a woman who is in great trouble. She is not wholly bad sbe has been the victim of circumstance. I think I'll tell you the story. I have almost made up my mind wnat I shall say to her. She —she has never been married to her husband. Mind I calihim her husband for if ever a woman tried to be wife, she has tried. She used to think he loved her—they all think that—but she is getting over thinking se. It—it seems as if he despised her now." She paused a moment and smoothed ber crimson dress-folds, and looked steadily into tbe fire. "Of course she was poor, poor and bumble, or be never would have ruled her so. And she was young, very young and ignorant. Now she sees and understands it all—understands sneers, and coldness, and neglect. Sbe —she thinks she can't standT it much longer she wants to—leave him—and try to earn an honest living. Mark, an honest living, although she has never been dishonest except to herself or cheated or harmed any one. But that's tbe world's way. She knows it will be an awful struggle she is so ignorant: she doesn't know how to do much of anything. She—loves him yet in spite of all. I hardly know how she will give him up, with the thought of the horrible loneliness that must come afterwards. The loneliness at dead of night when she must reach out for, him and find him gone!"

How the wor is seemed wrung from ber lips—wrung and twisted into a bitter. superhuman cry.

The other, watching her with curious surprise, spoke then, with slow beseeching: "Why doesn't he marry her "He doesn't—love ber." Tbe girl's face turned from the fire as sbe answered, strangely rigid, thought her friendi "Ihen she should leave him," said the woman of the house, after a moment's reflection. "It will oome to that in the end every added day will only increase the pain." "You think she should go at once?" with a slow hopelessness. "Afconce, if ever."

Lizette dropped her face. "Yes," she ssid, you are right." At once, if ever. The end has come."

The woman who had watched her sprang up with a sbarp cry of com prehension. "You have told your own story!" "Yes," came the dull answer. "My own."

A sudden fear came from the other. She glanced nervously at the door and spoke in a whisper: "Don't let my husband know." "No but what matter? I am going away directly." "You needn't hurry if he doesn't know. O, Mrs. Vernon, it seems too awful!" "i suppose so. I've tried not to disgrace you. Give me an hour longer." "Never mind, never mind only don't let my husband know." "It's ceme at last," lizette said with a ghastly smile. "I knew it most come.

And as she says, at once, if ever. I knew it must come some day." All power seemed to have gone out of her body all power of thought or action. She had loved him she loved him yet, for all unkindnesses or wrongs.

How the wind raved this bitter night how warmly glowed the fire within She thought of many things old, faroff, guileless days. Old faces came up old voices whispered—voices silent sinoe years of her childhood.

Sbe roee and make an endless circuit

open—Martin Vernon had returned. "You kept me so long I missed the train," he cried. "I'll have a pretty row at the office to-morrow."

Lizette kept her face turned away. Why bad he come back She wondered why God had not kept him away— if God were good and knew her struggle. Why had It been made harder? Was it not hard enough "What's the matter now?" he demanded. "I didn't expect you back," she answered huskily. "O, you didnt! Did you expect any one use? Got anybody hid in tbe alcove, like the French novels? Look at tbe money on the floor. Hang it, why are you so careless? There's no sense in that?"

She turned.on him with a bunt of an guteh: "Let ate be, for the love of heaven! I have enough to bear."

He mfuie no answer, but stepped knockin* ai was the landlady

within the alcove to Some one came

to put away his things, knocking again It

——y. She called Uaette to

the door, and whispered loudly in her "I came to tell you that ycu seed not hurry, nor fear that I would breathe a word."

II u*

haveot any right to be dia-

'Thank you," said Llsetfe, without emotion. As the door doeed Vernon came from tiny |]on.

What does she mean?" he asked. "What have you been telling her?" She faced htm without a quiver **1 have been telling ber the truth." "What troth?"

Uzette went and got a shawl to wrap about ber before she answered, self she chilly:

"That I was not your wife." "You told her thatf" /l She could tell by the flicker of his eyes that an inner tempest was raging. "You told her that, cud you "Yes." She waited waited for Mm tocorse her. to strike her down, at his will. But he aid neither. Perhaps she wss too pitiful a sight there in all her forlornness. "You may stand the consequences, was all hs said. "I expect to. I will go to-night." "Go, then, and be "Silence!" She was meek no longer. She rose and defied him. "Yon snail not speak so the time has come—the end! You played upon my ignorance, my helplessness. You think I'm in your power, but I am not. I will go to prison before I will stay with you!"

She drew the shawl closer and moved a little. Perhaps he thought the movement Was toward the door, for he sprang forward and barred it. "You'll stay to-night, madam, at least. To-morrow is snotber matter."

Sbe rushed at him in powerless fury. "You sha'u't hinder me you want a to le

shall not have it." They struggled into the center of the room she reckless of noise or outcry, be constantly in fear of these, and so controlling bis anger else he might have struch ner, bis conscience none too tender.

Tbe struggle lasted but si moment then she broke from him and ran out and down the stairs. He heard the street door shut and knew she had left hOQ66i

He waited a little for her re-entrance be dared not follow, dreading a scene made public-to the house. He wondered if she had gone down into the snow of the street. Perhaps she had gone to some friend's house—he knew so little about her friends or scquaintanoes. Doubtless she was even now pouring complaints in the ears of some sympathetic meddler.

He grew moody by the fire? then he rose to get his pipe, and while in the act thought he might as well look out and see if it still snowed.

Shading the reflection from tbe pane he put his face close tbe snow bad ceased, but the wind was piling drifts at intervals. He went back to the fire and lit his pipe.

What a fool she was I This Lizette of his! What a hot-headed little fool! To go and expose their private affairs to the landlady!

Of course they'd have to move a pleasant prospect in such weather! lizette might manage it, since he was going away to-morrow.

For all her hot-headed ways she was rather clever at such things. Yes, she was clever for a girl scarcely turned twenty. If only she would not act so childish! What a simpleton to rush out in tbe wind and snow. With only that shawl over her wrapper, and —good heavens! He wondered if she wore shoes or slippers.

Speaking of shoefe, he must remember to have her sew on a button for him. "Liz—." He stopped he had forgotten she was not here. She was capital at keeping his things in order yes, she was good-hearted and clever. He remembered a thousand little things sbe bad done for his comfort.

Good heavens! she musn't talk of leaving him he really couldn't spare ber. He must make it up to-night or to-morrow if she returned. But he hoped she wouldn't expose herself. He didn't want to leave her sick when he went away.

Lizette was a pretty good gin af»r all, and he was sorry they had quarrelHe fell asleep in his chair—there, in the ruddy firelight, his pipe upon his knee, his hands clasped idly.

Morning came up, cold and quiet, windless yet intense. A sharp white sun scanned the town, nor warmed with sympathy into its many woes.

There were drifts of dozen snow along the avenues, piled high in unprotected places. The thousands of the city wakened by degrees and struggled forth into the bitter out-door temperature.

Cars and carriages began to fill the streets with grinding sound of frosty wbools*

Out towards the western limits of the town, where the ruthless wind had swept the prairie in the long, dark hours of night, there were deeper drifts than had been seen for years. And one was not all snow, since through it shone a glare of crimson like a pool of blood. Other eyes than tbe sun's fell upon this: a crowd was gathered there in awed silence and horrible fascination.

They put away the snow carefully by-and-bv, for they knew it was a woman's dress'that crimsoned the snow, her winding-sheet, and called to Heaven as her blood might have called for pity and forgiveness for the stark young form, tbe marble face, tbe helpless hands of her whom they lifted so pityingly— Lizette.

MOTHER'S DARLINQS. A little boy was sitting by the bed of his grandmother, who was very ill. "Ah my poor boy," she said, "I am very bad I am going to die." He looked very much mistified for a few minutes, and then suddenly exclaimed, "Why will you die? Does God want some old angel?"

rags and dirt or tne poor At night, when she came to say

dren.

her

evening-prayer,

she added to her

usual petition to these words: "And bless the poor ragged children give them kind fathers and mothers, and new clothes, and give them ail a bath!"

A schoolmaster, out of cariosity, put the question to the scholars, "Wnat is nothing A pause ensued until an urchin, whose proclivities for turning a penny were well known among the schoolfellows, replied, "It's when a man asks yeu to hold his horse and just says tbankye."

ODD HAPPENINGS.

Amaxiah Jordan, of Hartland, Ma, in a fit of insanity, cut off his toes one at a time.

Mrs. Nellie Keller, of Hyde Park, Vt., was severely burned on tbe face, hands, and arms by the explosion of a doughnut which sbe was frying. "Mrs. Lonsia H. Albert, of Cedar Bapids, has entered into partnership with ber husband in the practice of tbe law. Their sign reads: "Albert A Albert, Attorneys-at-Law."

In Beech Grove, Ky.t live William 3. Hardin, the father of twenty-one children, William Millar, the father of twenty-six children, and Cameron Story, who has twenty-rwo children.

the Diamond Dyes more color

ing is given than in any known Dyes, and they give faster and name brilliant colors. I$e. at all druggists. Weils,

Ckx, Burlington, Vt. and book for di-

Richardson A Sample Oard, 82 colors, recttoas for Sc.

TERKE HAUTE SATURDAY EVMWG MAIL

Hunting Antiques.

M. E. Wlnslow in "Home Science." Something new! Impossible! Too good to be true! Surpassing all belief! Such were some of the exclamations which rang from the piazza of the Pequotic House that hot August morning. "Something old. I should say," drawled Clarenc^ "Pshaw it's too hot to stir. Celia, there basnt energy to brush that audacious fly off her pug—I beg pardon, charming, nez retrousse—and Alice is yawning as though it were midnight. I believe, though we have all forgotten what midnight is like in this confoundedly slow place. We're all turning into chickens, only we don't crow in the morning." "We'll crow our incredulity when you're forced to acknowledge that anti-quity-hunting, besides being absolutely 'something new,' is the most enjoyable excursion we have had this

Summer and

the well be magnanimous ei»ough to let you share in our findings, ana—settle the bills. Begin to earn your reward now, like a dear fellow, by ordering the herses and the big platform wagon for three o'clock."

Tbe young man made a grimace, but, nevertheless, went obediently to the stables to give the required order and, returning threw himself into the hammock, with the remark, "Poor old refuge for laziness! What a shame to waste all your sweetness on the desert air—that is, the children and nurses— this long, sultry summer afternoon! That's what corrf%s of emulating the Mormons, and being the one man in a family of fifteen women."

Nevertheless this victim to feminine society seemed to bear his martyrdom pretty well, as he lay, lazily turning over the leaves of the Ckntury,and occasionally favored the girls with brief extracts from its contributors, and long comments from Clarence Cole. Tbe fabrication of light shawls meanwhile progressed rapidly, and South Kensington daisies and sunflowers grew, budded and blossomed with astonishing rapidity considering that the cool veranda was entirely sheltered ffom the August sun.

The early dinner was over the platform wagon, with its comfortable feather-backed seats, had stood long before the mountain-block, and the horses had impotentiy expressed to tbe flies their impatience at waiting many times before the light summer costumes began to appear on the piazza. But they did appear at last and after a period, which afforded opportunity for careful investigation of every puff and ruffle, ribbon and lace, six happy girls, chaperoned by Madame Dupont, and escorted by Clar ence Cole, were finally packed in their places, and set out on their novel quest. Clarence gallantly resigned his masculine seat of honor by the driver in favor of lively Maggie Peyton, who, having come from South Carolina lowlands, naturally desired to see all of the wonderful New England scenery she could. He seemed to find compensation for his self-denial in being sandwiched between his sister Celia and fair-haired Alice Thorne, whose sweet society might have atoned to any man for much greater deprivations. Oelia had little attention to devote to her brother, being, apparently, wholly absorbed in attentions to Mrs. Dupont, to whom she was continually pointing out objects of interest." "Where be ye goin'?" said Dionysius Short, setting his whip in its socket, and turning round. "Cause here's the fork, an' ef you're goin' up the mounting we turn to the right." "Where do the most people live?" said Celia, promptly. "Not on the mountain, I suppose?" "Ha, no J" said Mr. Short. Yankees ain't such fools. The bottom-lands is all by the river. The mounting's only fit for lumberin', an' tbe lumbermen mostly camp out." "Then," said Celia, "drive down by the*river-bank. We shan't find antiquities in the woods or in the camp of lumbermen." "No," said the driver, shortly "them sort of animals isn't common here though, mebbe, you'd find em down to Beaver Crick—there's most every kind ofgsme there."

Celia did not explain, and the party drove gaily on until, at a sudden turn in the road, close to the very foot of the mountain, a square white house was seen—its smooth door-yard, guiltless of a surrounding fenoe, looking like short pile green velvet. "Stop here," said Celia. And Clarence springing somewhat reluctantly from his seat, struck the green door with its bright brass knocker. "1 wish they'd sell us that Hon head," said one of the girls "but I suppose they won't."

No, they wouldn't nor were they inclined to denude themselves of any of their household deities. Indeed, the dignified, middle-aged woman who answered the knock seemed so surprised and offended at their demand for old furniture that Clarence, while looking at the brand-new monstrosities of ven

particularly desired carved cabinets, daw-footed tables and triangular chairs, while tall standard clocks would raise them to the seventh heaven, where time should be no longer. "What upon airtb ore you after?" said Dionysias, after receiving orders to drive on. "Ef you'd said, old rubbish, instoad of anti—antic—what was it, anyhow? I'd a took you right to the spot. There's more o' that truck in my grandther's garret than'd fill a haycart. Jes' you see."

So it came to pass that after a drive of a few miles farther through "tbe devil's throat," as the exquisitely romantic notch was called wherf the brawling lto

river-foam had cut its way between the gray granite precipices in ualfy opening valley emerald in its setting of encircling &1J the strong hones came to a stand oefore a long, low, unpainted house, from

thegrad

ipening valley which lay like an emerald in its setting of encircling hills,

whose most remote corner a faint spiral of smoke cnrled up into the still afternoon air. "The old lady's gettln' reedy for tea," ssid tbe driver, "an' I s'pose the old man's round somewhere. He has to do all tbe chores now't I drive down to tbe Pequotic:" with which introduction he opened the lower half of the door and admitted the whole party into a low room, whose high wainscot had been painted white, and wboee roof-beams, in the seme barbaric taste, were whitewashed. Tbe floor was covered with a hideous yellow and green ingrain csrpet on which stood six upholstered chairs, a shiny, varnished table, and a bright stove. A few plaster ornaments adorned tbe high mantle several cheep chromoe hung on tbe wall, and Dionysius Short looked round with a proud sense of proprietorship, ss who should say, "Bebold the glories of our 'best room' —all new I bought them myself."

The girls looked around In dismsy There were certainly no antiquities icture their host rebut at this jun appeared, followed by »n elderly worn an, who might well stand for tbe god dess of stillness, or the grmns loci of locality where no other Jmman habita

tion was in sight. The stillness of her immovable face was not even stirred by the sight of so many visitors, nor did she seem surprised when her grandson, with some difficulty, on account of her deafness, made her understand the desire of the yeung ladies to explore her garret. "Of course, if they want to go up in the garret they can, but. they'll muss ill their white clothes.* It's awful dusty, an' there ain't nothin' up there but old rubbish. I alnt been up for so long but they can go ef they've a mind to."

With which gracious permission the gayly-dressed girls began to climb tbe ladder-like stairway, and soon found themselves in abroad expanse, covered with a high-pitched roof, beneath whose eaves lay, stacked in promiscuous masses, what to an unenchanted eye. certainly merited the name of "rubbish." Chairs, denuded of one or more leg bedsteads with broken headboards odd teacups, with cracked saucers headless andirons, and rickety tables were mingled with boxes, trnnks, and piles of old papers and magazines.

But the seekers were delighted. They had evidently discovered a mine. ."Oh, what an exquisite cabinet!" Just see thst dear old Dureau "What loves of andirons!" "Kittie, just look at that delicious chair!" "Nellie, if here isn't —no, it can't be—a coffin." Such were some of the confused exclamations which greeted Clarence Cole as be stood in the dose "best room" and waited for bis summons to go up-stalrs. It came soon, and, springing up the step, he stooa among the girls, who were busily tugging at heavy things as they tried to bring to the light something ^irhicb certainly at first sight did looKlike a coffin. His strong young arms soon effected the necessary clearance, and they all stood for a moment speechlessly contemplating along dark object which, as it lay face downward on the floor, which was not at once seen to be what Celia after a a moment declared it. "A real old-fashioned corner kitchendock adding, as Clarence turned it over, "why, gftls, we're in luck it's a perfect beauty, with the zodiac and a lovely shepherd and shepherdess making love to each other on top. It'll be just elegant to stand in our hall at home. We'll be the envy of everybody on the Avenue." "I don't think it has any works," said Clarence, dubiously. "It's too light." "No matter, it's got a face. needn't tell time. Wev'e a dozen other clocks in the house, and every one of the family has a watch. It'll make a first-rate umbrella stand,' any way. Deddedly, I shall take the clock." "I shall take this delidous bureau, with its brass looks and handles," said Meta Dupont. "They won't be as black as this when I have bad it a little while though I believe in the virtues of rotten StOQO*'' "If no one else wants the andirons, I do," said Meta'B sister. "They're regular old 'flredogs' If any one knows what that means. I don't but I believe it's the right word. Celia, don't you want that screen? It would be the very thing for vour peacock feather embroidery."

And so the gay young voices chattered on, and tne delicate muslms and gauses became sadly begrimmedas their wearers reached into dark corners and unearthed the treasures of the past century, many of which had 'not seen light for more than fifty years.

By this time Dionysius had joined tbe party, and with his exertions, added to those of Clarence and tbe girls, the discovered treasures were safely carried down stairs and deposited outside the front door, where, could they have given vent to their sentiments, they would have probably expressed surplse at the almost forgotten warmth of sunshine and the faintly remembered sweetness of fresh air. Such sensations possibly may possess tbe Cappucins, when these grinning skeletons are first unearthed to make room in sacred ground for the last of the brotherhood who had died in the odor of sanctity.

There was a goodly array. Two cabinets. or bureaus, of old time: one with a sloping desk-like top both profusely ornamentea with ouriously shaped pieces of brass intended for key-holes and corners, besides tbe round knobs and snaky handles three pairs of andirons: two of brass, and one of ornamented iron, with shovels, tongs, and bellows to match, and a tea-table, with delicately-carved lion's claws grasping round balls for feet. Besides these there was the clock—standing erect now, and found to be defident only in

I_A. AU #AaVii An a/4 a wm .AVIQI MI

stand, and a pair of tall brass candlesticks. "Do you think you have money enough with you to pay for so many things, girls?" said Mrs. Dupont. "Bric-a-brac ef this kind is fearfully expensive.." "Ask the old lady how much she will take for these things," said Celia to tbe driver, after vainly attempting to make the deaf old lady understand ner question. "We don't keep a shop," said sbe, when at length made to understand. "The old things ain't nothing anyway. We were goin' to' make Kinalin' wood of 'em one time, hut they were my mother's, an' I kind of didn't like to."

Dionysius made a rapid calculation, and naming a ridiculously low price for each article, to which bis visitors gave an

eager

assent, he shouted the sum total

to his grandmother, who first looked Incredulous, and then said slowly, "Dew tell! Why, we could geta sofy with the money!" "Yes, indeed," said ber grandson, well knowing that "a sofy" had been the ungratined desire of the still old lady's long life. So the bargain was concluded—Dionysius having promised to oome over with a cart the next day and carry tbe treasures to tbe Pequotic, where the village carpenter could do the necessary deanlng and repairing. As tbe shadows were oeginning to gather, the successful antique hunters took their places in the wagop. "Where's Alice Thorne—where's AUce?" shouted one and another of tbe party. "Alice, hurry! we shall be awfully late!"

But no Alice was to be seed. Clarence had missed her by some subtle sence of incompleteness, but bad been too busy —firnt, with transportation of the antiques, and then with attempts to free his garments from their overlaying coat of dust, to absolutely notice that she was not with tbe other girls but he went back into the house now, dashed up the stairs, and was soon lost in the gloom of tbe garret, where by this time It was quite dark. A shimmer of white, bowever, guided him to tbe farthest corner and assisted instinct to discover the object of faU quest. art *.»w tbe kirtght-errant rescued the for-..an damsel not known but within minutes be appeared at the door wi 1 a .he young lady upon one arm, while the other embraced a curious combination of wooden wheel and spindle, known to our grandmothers as a spin-ning-wheel. This wss added to the other treasures—an extra half-doliax beins in 00111 pwmtlon and whw CIMX* ence snslstrd Alios to dlmb into the «eat, which had been laseiml for

the turants—Celia preferring to sit with Madame Dupont, whose son was expected up from the dty by the evening train.

The conversation on the homeward drive was general, and consistedSargely of mutual lgratulations on (ne suo^' cess of the afternoon's expedition but TV1' at length a duet was commenced on theback seat, under cover of the general fire of talk. "Did you see a ghost in your dark corner, Alice, that you are so silent ever since?'' ffe "Not a ghost exactly but somehow* wt that sprinning-wheel called ujfti viskty of fireside realty and domestic virture*:. It has a date branded on it that proved it to be one hundred and fifty years old,., and I know all its history. "Just one hundred and fifty*years.ago a fair young maiden left ber luxurious city-home in Boston to follow her pioneer husband to this wilderness. Her father gave her all her household! j* have been & plenishing, and he must prosperous man of good powuuu, ui should not have found that rich old furniture, and those brass-bound trunks* full of letters. But she had to liVe as ai settler's wife, and her little hands became brown and hard with exposure and!! daily toll.

During the long days, when her hus— band's axe rang through the forest, ancfr the longer nights, when he wss forced to» leave her ana the little ones alone whiles he went to the nearest settlements on»' business, she corded and spun the flax: and the wool with which the familar were dothed, and her spinning-wheel— one of her wedding-gifts—became herchosen friend and the recipient of alV her confidences. Many a time it witnessed her loneliuess, weariness and discouragement it heara home-sick sighsr and sometimes saw unchecked tears

but never did it hear one word that suggested regret at her choice or her lot ft*

articles of vertu {is spinning-wheel, with

a distaff, upon which a bunch of snowy flax is bound by abroad blue ribbon. Tbe village carpenter did his work wellr he carefully cleaned She solisd wood until! it became as white as a sanded floor, and ingeniously deepened tbe ornamental lines and rings formed by the ancient-branding-iron but he did not attemptto repair the treadles, worn thin by the-* tired feet now so quietly at rest.

"As the years passed slowly by, silver hairs crept into tbe maiden's bairs^ and her tall boys and girls, in their 'J mother-spun garments, went forth one- 'k by one to do th$ir share of fighting itk 5

the battle of.life' and, when ner tireck hands were folded beneath the coffin-lid^. a son's wife took tbe spindle, and the* family work went on. "Only one child came into the farmhouse then—the still old woman we* saw to-day. Her mother died before sbe was grown up, and her husband wa» as silent as herself. She used to spin .also, when she was young but before her boy—Doinysius's father—came home todie, the perfection of manufactures had) driven the old wheel into the darkest f. corner of the garret—not, however, before its heavy wooden treadles had been.

Pointing to these which seem to have* peculiarly captivated her fancy, theyoung Mrs. Cole exhibits her treasureto her many visitors, while to her most ,, confidential friends

her memorable expedition in search oi antiquities. "f

'v.'v

worn away, like sharp knife-blades, by the constant tread of busy housewifely feet. 1 saw that even in the garret ,,

§estlny

loom, and I felt as though a woman's* was weaving around me a weird 7 and awful spell." "Not weird and awful, darling, but housewifely, if you like. Alice, I don't ask you to follow Ccarence Cole into tbe wilderness, nor to roughen those little fingers by spinning tne wool for his fustian jackets, but 1 do hope that when that long-walted-for 'yes' is said no one wfll ever bear my household goddess regret her choice." s?* m'

The chief ornament of a pretty little vj dty parlor filled with high art triflee V:y,

Bbe

tells the story of

1 I

A Walking Skeleton.

Mr.

Springer, of Mechanicsburg^

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An old physician, retired from practice, having had placed in bis hands by an East India missionary the formula of a simple

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powew 1»

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