hurt you." Thus ended the visit of the thieves; thus God preserved the property of those who put their trust in him. What had the child to tell when the family came home! How hearty was the thanksgiving that went up that evening from the family altar! What a crowd of thoughts do these incidents cause to rush upon the mind! How truly did Jesus Christ know what is in the heart of man. How true to the best feelings of human nature are even the outcasts of society. How much of virtue do we owe to our position among men. How inconsistent to christian love it is to put to death our bro ces and wrong structure of society. How unwearied should be our exertions to disseminate the truth, that the world may be reformed and the law of love be substituted for the law of death. The reader will not, however, need our help to make the right use of the guarding of the "silver tankard" by the kindness and innocence of a child. A year or two after this, poor Smith was arrested for the commission of some crimewas tried and condemned to be executed.ther, whose crimes arise mainly from the viDaniel Gordon heard of this, and that he was confined in jail in the seaport town to wait for the dreadful day when he was to be hung up like a dog between heaven and earth. Gordon could not keep away from him; he felt drawn toward the protector of his daughter, and went to see him. When he entered the dungeon, Smith was seated; his face pale, and his hair tangled together-for why should he care for his looks! There was no other expression in his countenance than that of irritation from being intruded upon, when he wanted to hear nothing and see nothing more of his brother man. He did not even look up, nor return the salutation of Gordon, who continued to stand before him. At last, as if wearied beyond endurance, he asked,— "What do you want of me? Can't you let me alone even here?" "I come," said Gordon, "to see you, because my daughter told me all you did for her when you 66 As if touched to the heart, Smith's whole appearance changed, an expression of deep interest came over his features, he was altogether another man. The sullen indifference passed away in an instant. Are you the father of that little girl? O, what a dear child she is! Is she well and happy? How I love to think of her! That's one pleasant thing to think of. For once I was treated like other men. Could I kiss her once, I think I should feel happier." In this hurried manner he poured forth an intensity of feeling supposed not to lie in the heart of a condemned felon. Gordon remained with Smith-whispered to him of peace beyond the grave for the penitent, smoothed in some degree his passage through the dark valley, and did not return to his family until christian love could do no more for an erring brother, on whom scarcely before had the eye of love rested, whose hand had been against all men because their hands had been against him. I have told the story more at length, and interwoven some unimportant circumstances, but it is before you substantially as it was related to me. The main incidents are true, though doubtless, as this story had been handed down from generation to generation, it has been colored by the imagination. The silver tankard as an heir loom has descended in the family-the property of the daughter named Mahitable, and is now in the possession of the lady of a clergyman in Massachusetts. Written for the Ladies' Garland. SONG IN SPRING. BY JAMES LUMBARD. Spring her robe of green is flinging Birds the sunny south are leaving For their own dear homes again, I am filled with grief and sadness- In remembered pleasant places Flow'rets meet the raptured view, With their bright and laughing faces Bathed in morning's pearly dew; But the flowers that beam so brightly With their varied hues and gay, Cannot make my heart beat lightlyOne I love is far away! Many dear, familiar voices, Which have cheered my spirit long, Tell me that each heart rejoices, Welcoming the Spring with song; With their magic spell and sway, From tried friends of honest hearts, But the balm which hope imparts? Cast aside thy garb of gloom, MY FIRST PARTY; OR THIRTY YEARS AGO. In taking a cursory glance of the past, we are oftentimes amused at the recollection of events which once possessed the power of causing us the most sensible chagrin. How often, when we are indulging in a laugh over their reminiscence, do we experience regret, that we suffered ourselves to be annoyed by such every day occurrences, and wonder we allowed our feelings to be affected by circumstances, in themselves so very trifling; and yet youth may not be said to be exempt from sorrow. The loss of a favorite bird, an unforseen disappointment, the unmerited rebuke, all, or any of these, will cause the unbidden tear to flow, and create as severe a pang as the real or fancied woes of more mature years. About thirty years ago, in a pleasant town not more than a hundred miles from the city of New York, there flourished a select boarding school for young ladies, of which I was a member. The principals, three sisters, were from the goodly State of Connecticut, the land of steady habits, and were deemed competent in all respects, to discharge the duties of their responsible situation. The rules of their seminary were very strict and scrupulously enforced. The boarders, however, thirty in number, were permitted to associate with the day scholars, and occasionally mingle with the other young ladies of the town, and not unfrequently, when particularly invited, to remain at their houses to tea. These civilities naturally engendered a desire in the boarders to reciprocate their favors, and numberless projects were devised for effecting our object. At length, after much discussion, it was agreed to ask the consent of the principals for giving a party. In order to form a correct estimate of the temerity of such a request, the reader must reflect, that this was an institution signalized for its austerity; that boarding schools of the present day, and those of thirty years ago, were of an entire different character. Then it was not deemed requisite to hold soirees and give entertainments for the young with a view of a formation of their manners. Youth was held under strong subjection. Solomon's precepts were then more in vogue; the ferule and rod were not sparingly applied; children were decreed children, and instead of indulging in a sickly apprehension as to the part they were to perform in fife's drama, they were left more to follow nature's dictates arose with the dawn, occupied a stated number of hours in the pursuance of their studies; indulged in the recreations natural to their age, and when the day ended, retired to their pillows with hearts unsullied by a knowledge of the world's vices, and consciences void of offence. In those primitive times, parties among the young were of rare occurrence; one such as the school girl of modern times is in the weekly habit of attending would then have served for a life-time. But to return: A petition, signed by all the members, was dispatched to the principals, by a curly headed little messenger, signifying the general wish, while all sat nervously waiting a reply; and after the expiration of some fifteen minutes, answer was brought that the principals, deeming the request of too serious a nature to be complied with lightly, must take time for reflection. That it would be necessary to consult with the minister as to its propriety, and if after mature deliberation the request should be judged expedient, it would be time enough then to make known the principals' ultimate decision. There was assuredly very little encouragement to be adduced from all this; but as there was no positive denial couched beneath the words we had listened to with all the sanguineness of youth, we jumped to the conclusion at once, that the party would be given, and half wild with joy, began discussing who should be invited, how we would dress, in what manner the room should be arranged, the refreshments, &c. Like most children, we depended on the well known indulgence of our parents and guardians for defraying all expenses, so that to us there appeared no further obstacle to be surmounted than the gaining consent of the principals. Two weeks of interminable suspense wore away. Every thing had gone on with the same clock-like regularity as before, without a word being said in reference to the party; and, ready to despair, we were abandoning every hope of success, when, to our great relief, it was announced, that the Misses desirous of allowing the young ladies belonging to their institution, all reasonable indulgence, granted them permission for giving a party, inviting the young people of both sexes, respectably connected, provided their parents sanctioned the proceeding, and were agreed to their incurring the expense. An affair of this kind is never slow of being noised about. Report soon spread that the young ladies of the Misses -'s school were to give a party, greatly exceeding any thing of the kind ever known in that vicinity. before. And all the young people of the neighborhood were on the tip-toe of expectation to obtain an invitation to the expected fete. The exulting boarders became the lions of the place; when seen abroad, smiles of gratulation hailed them on every side, while the party became the all-absorbing topic of the day. For several minutes after the Principal's having disappeared, a perfect silence ensued; imperceptibly we had dropped into our seats again, and, to add to the humiliation of our feelings, a furtive glance at the opposite side of the room, where the boys sat, arranged in a row, told us they were ready to burst with merriment. A low tittering commenced, followed by a half suppressed sneeze, while the greater portion sat cramming their handkerchiefs into their mouths, to prevent laughing outright. The prospect of getting it up in a style which should meet the general expectation, answered our most sanguine anticipations.Our friends, as had been foreseen, had cheerfully engaged to provide the necessary supplies, and all that wealth was able to purchase, had been forwarded from the city for the occasion. The room, hung with evergreens and flowers, fancifully arranged, presented the most enlivening aspect. The invitations Looks were interchanged between the had included all the respectable portion of the boarders, indicative of regret of the party's inhabitants, so that no one was offended by ever having taken place, and more than an an omission, or neglect, and when the even-hour frittered away, before we could in any ing had actually arrived; when the delight-way recover from our terrible chagrin. ed girls, dressed in their finest array of silks and muslins, seated themselves in the brilliantly lighted parlor, there to await the coming of their guests, they certainly presented as happy a looking group as ever assembled together. By six, the company had collected. The room was duly admired, while, with sparkling eyes and gratified vanity, we stood listening to the encomiums it received; coquettishly admitting that it did look very well. Then came round the tea and coffee, all in appropriate style, and this concluded, what we considered the pleasure of the evening commenced. What shall we play? clamorously asked half a dozen voices at once-some proposed one thing, some another, until at length the question was decided in favor of "If I had as many wives, The coming round of the refreshments, afforded us sensible relief; on this point we believed it impossible to fail. And the praise they elicited, served to revive our drooping spirits, and to restore our good humor, and once more smiles became general. Numberless plays were now suggested, and refused as coming within the pale of the interdicted ones. We tried cross questions, and silly answers; then how do you like it? and what's my bright thought like? until all our wit became expended, and we began to fear we had no thoughts at all; then followed the criminal, until half the company grew so wearied, nearly all the junior portion of it were dropping asleep, and sad, and dispirited, we became rooted to our chairs again. Once more commenced that ominous silence so difficult to break-and again was renewed that low tittering among the boys, more dreadful to our ears than the most discordant sounds, while one little fellow, the In this play a circle is formed, one standing wit of the company, very facetiously observin the midst, when they all go round repeat-ed, he believed Quaker meeting was in ing some lines, and this being concluded, the one in the centre, kneels at the feet of some one in the ring, gives him or her a kiss, and exchanges to his or her place, when they all go round as before. The circle was formed, smiling and joyous; we had performed the customary evolution around; the young gentleman in the middle was eagerly eyeing who among the bevy of beautiful girls he should select from the ring, for paying his devoirs to, while, half simpering, a dozen expectants turned aside their heads, to avoid betraying their consciousness; when the door creaking on its hinges opened, and one of the Principals appeared. "Young ladies," she said, with look demure, drawing herself up to her full height, "I wish it distinctly understood, that all plays having kissing in them, are prohibited here to-night. You can assuredly make a selection for your amusement, without introducing any thing so indecorous." vogue. To our inexpressible relief, at this critical juncture, the refreshments having again been passed round, one of the elder girls proposed playing "If I had as many wives," (the play causing all our discomfiture,) without the kiss the Principals deemed so objectionable, and this meeting with general accord, once more we brightened up, and began to look forward with hope to the evening passing off with all the eclat we had anticipated. Again we formed our ring, again performed the evolution round the room, while the little hero so sadly disappointed in his previous attempt, nothing daunted by defeat, had assumed the same position in the middle, from whence he was proceeding to drop once more upon bended knee, at the feet of his selected fair one, looking all he would have otherwise expressed, when a bell, startling all present with its astounding peal, usually summoning the boarders to evening prayers, was rung with a distinctness, not an individual present might mistake; and before we could recover from our evident surprise again the Principal had appeared. "I trust," she said, smiling complacently upon the company, "you have enjoyed yourselves this evening. It is now nine o'clock, and the rules of this establishment will not admit of our allowing the young ladies, intrusted to our charge, to sit up beyond that hour. You of course heard the bell, my dears, for family worship," she said, addressing the boarders; "you will accompany your guests to get their bonnets and shawls, while the young gentlemen will take their hats, proceed quietly to the street door, and there await until their young friends are in readiness to depart; when they will have the politeness to attend them home." With looks of dismay, the poor crest-fallen boarders awaited the termination of the Principal's harangue, feeling pretty much the same as the condemned criminal might be supposed to, upon viewing the axe suspended over his head previous to the final stroke of the executioner. In utter silence they led the way for their young companions to get their things, fearful lest an attempt to speak should lead to an exposure of their feelings, while the guests, half angry and half amused, hastily equipped themselves, and then coldly bidding the principal good night, with a solemnity more resembling a funeral than a fete, took leave, and the evening promising such unmingled enjoyment, from which had been anticipated such signal success, ended in our all going crying to bed. And well for us would it have been had our mortification terminated here; a night of unavailing regret was not the only expiation of our folly. ORIGINAL. THE POET'S DEBUT. A SKETCH. BY JAMES LUMBARD. "Full many a gem of purest ray serene, It is certainly a matter of but very little importance where the subject of the present sketch was born; who his progenitors were, is of still less; and how he was nurtured, educated, and fitted for the duties of active life, of none at all. Suffice it to say, that he was born in the limitless unknown of some where, as other people generally are, and, in all probability, on a certain day. But at what precise time he was ushered into this world of sin and disappointment, the author of this the light which he has been able to glean simple sketch does not pretend to know. All upon this subject, is, that Moses Musically once lived, and moved, and had his being, like and comprehensive facts, he infers, as any any ordinary person, and from these simple sensible person very naturally would, that there must have been a time when, and a place where, he was brought into existence. These little particulars, however, are subjects of minor importance, and have no essential connection with what is about to be related to of him. It is currently reported in the neighborbood where he once lived, and confidently believed by some persons, that, being the first pledge of the mutual love and affection of his fond and doating parents, he was viewed by them as being a child of extraordinary If perchance one of the luckless boarders abilities. It is said, too, that they often conwere seen for months after beyond the pre- gratulated each other on the striking pecucints of their home, they were certain to be liarities of his nature, and, as was very accosted by a knot of young urchins, with natural and becoming, pointed them out to "ain't you going to give another party?" and their sympathizing neighbors with a great while one was bawling out, "she can't sit up deal of self-satisfaction. They also, and as a later than nine you know," and another say-matter of course, considered him to be a ing "take your hats, young gentlemen," child of unexampled promise, and thought he the remainder kept snapping their fingers in was destined to make no inconsiderable deimitation of a bell, until, half dying with vex-gree of noise and sensation in the world; ation and chagrin, we hurried out of sight. and they were always extremely thankful That there are some yet extant, who were that their darling little cherub was so physilike myself participators in the distresses of cally peculiar-that there was not the least that eventful evening, I think is beyond a resemblance subsisting between his external doubt; if so, I am very certain they still pre-appearance, and that of the awkward and serve, among the reminiscences of their unseemly progeny of their neighbors. youth, a vivid recollection of the party given at the boarding school of -.U. S. Gaz. The first decided indication that his parents and friends received of his possessing supernatural powers of mind, was while he was A WIFE who loses her patience must not attending a country boarding school. This expect to keep her husband's heart. little incident is alluded to, because it strik ingly exhibits the rare precosity of his genius, and the bright promise it gave of future usefulness and success. At the annual exhibition of the school which he was attending, he came off second-best, and was awarded a prize for declaiming, inferior to only one of his aspiring class-mates. His class consisted of one other young gentleman besides himself! This was somewhat analogous to the case of the boy, who, after a good deal of mental labor and exertion, ultimately reached the head of his class; and who, when properly rewarded by his delighted mother for his diligence and unremitted application to study, and asked by her how many there were in his class, replied, "I, and another little gal!" It was certainly a most sublime triumph over every formidable and disheartening obstacle in the way to literary fame and distinction. And from this memorable period may be dated the commencement of the unparalleled success which characterized his every future effort to distinguish himself as one of the literati of his native village. Soon after the completion of his education, as it is termed, he commenced the study of medicine, resolving to devote all his time and energies to the healing of the infirmities and disorders of the afflicted and distressed. It was while he was intently poring over the mysteries of ancient lore, and diving deep into the mazy labyrinths of medical technicalities, that he first saw the fair being who proved to be the angel of all his glorious daydreams, and the sweet vision of all his midnight slumbers. The reality of his ideal creations came to him on professional business-came to have him officiate in the capacity of dentist! Oh, what an unromantic incident was this! How very unlike the meeting of all true lovers! Why could he not have met her in one of his evening walks, when the pale radiance of the moon would have revealed the tender beauty of her blushing countenance, and the light of the watching stars have added new lustre to her brilliant hazel eyes? Moses, poetically, "and I don't view it as any matter of surprise that she should captivate my affections by the irresistible influence of her charms. Oh! she is a very paragon of female loveliness and maidenly beauty! How often, when locked in the passionless embraces of tired nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep, has this angel of beauty appeared to me, and accompanied me in my sylvan rambles through the verdant vales, and over vine-clad hills, and along the flowerenameled banks of meandering rivulets, thrilling my heart to its inmost depths, with the words that fell in honeyed accents from her rosy lips! Oh, joy ineffable! Oh, bliss unsurpassed!" These, and a thousand other thoughts of a corresponding character, obtruded themselves upon, and were uppermost in his mind, and had their appropriate influence upon his highly susceptible heart. The feelings and sensations which he experienced at this time, we shall say nothing about-they "beggar description." They were not unlike those felt by thousands who have been placed in the same peculiarly critical and trying situation. A continuous strain of strange, but not altogether unaccountable emotions thrilled through his whole frame until it shook like a leaf shivering in the midnight breeze! After he had recovered, in some degree, from the inconceivably painful sensations occasioned by this unlooked for meeting with the idol of his heart, reflection again assumed her throne, and he resolved to address a note to the fair one, immediately, and ascertain whether she cherished feelings and thoughts corresponding with those which he so fondly entertained. So, he determined to devote the following night, when all nature would be hushed in unbroken repose, and nothing would disturb his meditations, to the composition of a poetical epistle, dedicated to her, and send a copy for publication in the " MUDVILLE WEEKLY GAZETTE, AND LITERARY REVIEW." Ebon night wrapped the slumbering earth in her sable pall, and deep and unbroken silence usurped the busy hum of animated existence. Moses retired to his chamber, but not to rest-that he had denied himself until he should have accomplished the task which he had previously marked out-to employ the lone hours of midnight in improvising rhymes. He seated himself by his But there are some things which will take place, though not in exact accordance with our fondest wishes and most ardently cherished hopes. Moses relieved his beautiful patient of the toothache, that most distressing of all pains which mortals are doomed to suffer, with as little delay as possible, consoling himself with the philosophical belief, that however unpropitious or romantic might||little three-legged, ricketty table, calmed his have been their first meeting, he would soon reap enjoyment enough to counterbalance all the unhappiness and humiliation it had occasioned him. "She is one of the most beautiful flowers that ever bloomed in the uncongenial clime of this cold and heartless world," soliloquized agitated mind, and began to work-for work it was to him. It was long after the old wooden clock, that stood in the corner, had told the solemn hour of midnight, before he had finished his task; and when he had completed it, his poor, fluttering heart dilated with a secret rapture which was worth more |