brother to her." She paused for a moment. "I have always felt that I could meet death with composure; but I did not know," she said with a tremulous voice, her lips quivering; "I did not know how hard a thing it would be to leave my children, till now that the hour has come."

still as a deserted house. Presently he heard a slow cautious step, overhead. It was in his mother's chamber. His sister had seen him from the window. She hurried down and threw her arms about her brother's neck, without uttering a word. As soon as he could speak, he asked:-"Is she alive?"-he could not say, "my mother." "She is sleeping," an- After a little while, she spoke of his father, swered his sister, and must not know to-night and said, she had lived with the belief that that you are here; she is too weak to bear it he was mindful of her, and with the convicnow." "I will go and look at her, then, tion, which grew stronger as death apwhile she sleeps," said he, drawing his hand-proached, that she should meet him in anokerchief from his face. His sister's sympa-ther world. She said but little more, as she thy had made him shed the first tears which had fallen from him that day, and he was more composed.

He entered the chamber with a deep and still awe upon him; and as he drew near his mother's bedside, and looked on her pale, placid, and motionless face, he scarcely dared breathe, lest he should disturb the secret communion that the soul was holding with the world into which it was about to enter. The loss that he was about suffering, and his heavy grief, were all forgotten in the feeling of a holy inspiration, and he was, as it were, in the midst of invisible spirits, ascending and descending. His mother's lip moved slightly as she uttered an indistinct sound. He drew back, and his sister went near to her, and she spoke. It was the same gentle voice which he had known and felt from his childhood. The exaltation of his soul left him; he sank down, and his misery went over him like a flood.

The next day, as soon as his mother became composed enough to see him, Arthur went into her chamber. She stretched out her feeble hand, and turned towards him, with a look that blessed him. It was the short struggle of a meek spirit. She covered her eyes with her hand, and the tears trickled down between her pale thin fingers. As soon as she became tranquil, she spoke of the gratitude she felt at being spared to see him, before she died.

66

My dear mother," said Arthur-but he I could not go o on. His voice was choked, his eyes filled with tears, and the agony of his soul was visible in his face. "Do not be so afflicted, Arthur, at the loss of me. We are not to part forever. Remember, too, how comfortable and happy you have made my days. Heaven, I know, will bless so good a son as you have been to me. You will have that consolation, my son, which visits but a few; you will be able to look back upon your past conduct to me, not without pain only, but with a holy joy. And think hereafter of the peace of mind you now give me, now I am about to die, in the thought that I am leaving your sister to your love and care. So long as you live, she will find you a father and a

grew weaker and weaker every hour. Arthur sat by in silence, holding her hand. He saw that she was insensible; he was watching her countenance, for every now and then she opened her dull eye, and looked towards him, and endeavoured to smile.

The day wore slowly away. The sun went down, and the melancholy and still twilight came on. Nothing was heard but the ticking of the watch, telling him, with a resistless power, that the hour was drawing nigh. He gasped, as if under some invisible gigantic grasp, which it was not for human strength to struggle against.

It was now quite dark, and, by the pale light of the night-lamp in the chimney corner, the furniture in the room threw huge and uncouth figures over the walls. All was unsubstantial and visionary, and the shadowy ministers of death pointed them. Arthur shuddered for a moment with superstitious awe; but the solemn elevation which a good man feels at the sight of the dying, took pos session of him, and he became calm again.

The approach of death has so much which is exalting, that our grief is, for the time, forgotten. And could one, who had seen Arthur a few hours before, now have looked upon the grave and grand repose of his countenance, he would hardly have known him.

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The livid hue of death was fast spreading over his mother's face. He stooped forward to catch the sound of her breathing. It grew quick and faint. My mother!" she opened her eyes for the last time upon him; a faint flush passed over her cheek; there was the serenity of an angel in her look; her hand just pressed his. It was all over. His spirit had endured its utmost. It sank down from its unearthly height; and, with his face upon his mother's pillow, he wept like a child

CORSETS.

While thousands fall by clashing swords,
Ten thousands fall by corset boards,
Yet giddy female thoughtless train
For sake of fashion yield to pain,
And health and comfort sacrifice
To please a dandy coxcomb's eyes.

We do not approve of "Fairs," as they are now gene-In the mound of the brave, which is raised by the fair. As we claim to be sisters, we claim too a share, rally conducted, and look upon them as a sort of im-O! may hearts as heroic the weak ever save, position; but the following "catalogue," is so hand. And fair ones as grateful embellish their grave! somely arranged that we have given it a place in the Yet judge not the heart by the trifle it sends, Garland. We much more admire the ingenuity and But take it just as it's intended: Could we send you a ready-built monument, friends, tact of the writer, than we do of the manner of disBelieve us, we'd cheerfully send it. posing of the articles enumerated, though the object in view may be a highly praiseworthy one. The story which follows the poetry is a capital exposition of the way in which these matters are done. It may be a little harsh, perhaps; but not more so than truth requires. The Author is a very pleasant writer, and our readers have frequently had the pleasure of perusing articles from his pen.

[From the U. S. Gazette.]

THE FAIR AT WYOMING. The gentlemen of the valley of Wyoming, having failed in their endeavours to procure the requisite means to finish the monument to the memory of those who were massacred on the memorable 3d of July, 1778, the ladies, some time since, took the task upon themselves, and after some months of energetic endeavour, displayed the fruits of their industry and skill at a grand fair, which they held, for three days, in the Court House, at Wilkesbarre, a few weeks ago, and from which they realized the handsome sum of $2600.

The display made was very rich and various.

The rooms were appropriately decorated, and amongst the rich and costly articles by which it was surrounded, stood a model of the neat and simple memorial they were striving to erect. Inscriptions were placed around the walls, and conspicuous among them, was the home-breathing sentiment "Our own green vale forever."

There's a Basket of Fruit, ripe, ruddy and fair,
Yet hardly as fair as the donor:
And a pair of cioth slippers for gentlemen's wear,
Which must be made up by the owner.

There are Cushions to set on your toilet so neat,
There's a Basket of Shells from the Ocean;
And two Boxes embroidered with roses so sweet,
Well fitted to hold any notion.

There are Lamp stands and Lamp lighter Boxes to boot,
And Bags fit for ladies to carry,

And ten "Hard times Pocket- Books," say, will they suit
The beaux who reside in Wilkesbarre ?

We send you a Lady, her name is Ruth Prim,
Let some bachelor take her, she'll be unto him
A pattern of neatness and beauty;

A model of silence and duty!

There's a Cart and a Wheelbarrow, both to assist

In raising your monument higher :

And two handsome Card Baskets, none can resist

Their neatness of grace to admire !

There's a Basket of Coral, a Harp, a Guitar,
There's an Apron of Silk for a lady to wear,
And if torn, there are Needles to mend it.
There's a Bag that was made by a neat little girl,
Her years, as you see, are not many;
Of crewel 'tis worked, of the colour called pearl,
And we call her our dear little Annie.

And Slippers, for fairies intended;

If aught is forgotten, pray pardon the Muse-
To err, like her sex, she's addicted;
Her mite to contribute, how could she refuse?
Though in time she was greatly restricted.
ON BEHALF OF the Ladies of Easton,

June 25th, 1841.

THE LADIES' FAIR.

BY T. S. ARTHUR, ESQ.

To add to the attractions of the Fair, a number of ladies from other cities contributed "Come, Edward, it will never do for you various articles, some of which came from to hold back now-the girls expect us both." Connecticut, others from New York, and, we "Well, I can't help it if they do," replied are glad to say, not a few from Philadelphia. Edward Morton, to his friend James Irvin. The town of Easton sent, with its contribu-"A burnt child dreads the fire." tion, the following neat poetic epistle, written by a lady of that place:

"But what will the girls think and say about you?"

"I am sure I don't know, James. But let

To the Ladies of "The Wyoming Monu- them say what they please, I prefer bearing

mental Association,"

The Ladies of Easton send greeting:

DEAR SISTERS:
We beg you accept of the gift we bestow,
For the object we greatly approve;
The names to exalt of the dead who lie low,
'Neath the soil of the valley you love.

A valley, baptised in the blood of the brave,
Meetest spot on the earth for a warrior's grave;
The hero who sleeps 'neath its blood-bedew'd sod,
Is the hero who fought for his hearth and his God.

Let the sons of those sires forget, if they may,
The men and the means that ennoble their clay;
Let the State that reaps laurels from fields of their fame,

Refuse e'en a wreath to encircle their name:
Yet arise, O! ye Gertrudes, and honour the spot,
Lest the days and the deeds of the dead be forgot.

it all to enduring what, were I to go, would be much worse-the consciousness of having done wrong.

"Yes, but you need'nt spend more than five dollars. That is as deep as I intend going."

"Double that sum won't pay the damage to your pocket, I know," Edward replied, smiling. "But even five dollars are more than I would be justified in throwing away. My salary is small, and my sister needs all that I can spare."

"Well, I must go, anyhow," said Irwin gaily. "The girls have asked me outright,

and there is no getting off. I would spend brilliantly illuminated, in the most fashionathree months' salary, rather than seem to be ble street of Philadelphia, around which were afraid of my money.' arranged tables covered with every variety "We should be just before we are gene-of things to tempt the eye. Behind each rous, you know," said Morton. "You cannot table were from one to three young ladies, afford to go any better than I can, James. than whom no experienced shop keeper could Your bill for clothes will come in before long, have been more attentive, or more eager to and Mr. Buckram is, you know, rather tart dispose of their merchandize. For a moment when pay is not prompt." the gay scene, and the crowds of richly "His bill is forty dollars, and five is noth-dressed and beautiful women, confused the ing to that. I am resolved not to spend over that small sum."

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Your good resolutions are, you know, too easily broken. Ten or fifteen dollars will not pay the cost, I know, if you venture upon the enchanted ground of a ladies' fair."

"It is enchanted ground, Edward, as I know to my sorrow," Irvin responded, in a graver tone. "But there is no escape; the syrens have sung to me, and I cannot keep away." "I am sorry for your weakness, James, for I know you will have cause to regret it. Neither you nor I can afford to come into the atmosphere of a fair."

66

They are bad places for shallow pockets," Irvin remarked, in a tone that indicated a passing remembrance of former sufferings.

senses of Irvin; but he was soon called back
to consciousness by the exclamation of "how
beautiful!" breaking as it were, spontaneous-
ly, from the lips of the young lady on his
arm. He directed his attention to one of the
tables near which they were passing, behind
which stood the most lovely creature, it
seemed to him, that he had ever seen.
eyes, that looked right into his, were black,
and sparkled like a living diamond. Her
fair face was beautifully relieved by the rich
colour of her cheeks, and the luxuriant curls
that floated about her face and neck.

Her

"Yes, it is most beautiful," said this fairy, who instantly fancied the object that had attracted the attention of Irvin's companion. "It is most beautiful, indeed!" And she lifted a curiously shaped box, or something like it, from the table, the probable use of which never perhaps occurred to the maker, and reached it to the lady whose admiration had been so warmly expressed.

"Indeed they are," Edward replied. "I cannot myself see how the holding of them, particularly in the way they are now too commonly conducted, can be reconciled with correct religious principles. Those who at tend at the tables, seem to lose all thoughts "It's only five dollars," remarked the fairy, of feeling, propriety, good manners, and jus- with a smile and a manner that scattered like tice, in the one idea of coercing sales at enor- chaff before the wind all ideas of counting mous prices, of the useless articles they have cost from Irvin's mind. A moment or two exposed to view. I am fully resolved, as an sufficed to transfer a note of the amount inindividual, that I will not in any way encour-dicated from the pocket-book of the young age them. My opposition may be feeble, but still it shall go against them."

Well, well, Edward, don't moralize any longer about them, or I shall get the blues. Heigho! they are delightful places! Such beautiful girls! and all so full of life and good humour. It is good for the heart, if not for the pocket, to be in one of them."

Edward Morton was true to his firmness of character, and remained at home; and James Irwin was as true to his weakness of character, and went to the fair. He took from his trunk a five dollar note, resolving in his mind that he would take no more, and thus put it out of his power to throw over that sum away. But something whispered that, after this were gone, he might be placed in an unpleasant dilemma: and so, after a moment's hesitation, he increased the sum to twenty, which covered the whole amount of his available means; and his next quarter's salary would not become due for two months

to come.

Half an hour afterward he entered, with a gaily dressed young lady on his arm, a saloon

man to the fair hand of the tempter. Something very much like a feeling of regret floated through his mind, as his eye caught the last glimpse of the soiled representative of five silver dollars; but the next emotion was that of congratulation that he had not limited himself to that sum; for if he had done so, he readily perceived that, before the evening's sport was over, some very awkward scenes must have occurred.

"We don't let any one pass our table," said a lovely little creature, with blue eyes and light flowing hair, stepping right in front of our hero and his lady, pointing at the same time to a table, behind which stood, all expectant, two others, who, with the first, might not inaptly have been termed "The Graces."

The light hand on his arm, and the evident inclination of his companion to pause, could not be resisted. Irvin was compelled, by gentle restraint, to stand the attractions of another table at the fair, aided and abetted by the three lovely sisters, for so they appeared to be, and the too apparent desire of the gentle maiden at his side to possess something.

"It's all for charity, you know," remarked one of the sisters, looking the young man in the face with a winning smile.

66

Charity covers a multitude of sins," said the second.

"This beautiful annual," added the third, presenting one of the gift books of the season, "is one of the sweetest presents to a lady. It is only three dollars and a half. You will take it of course," she continued, handing it to his companion, who took it in the most natural" of course," way in the world. Another five dollar note came out from its hiding place, and changed owners.

"We never give change at our table," said one of the good-humoured damsels, just revealing a glimpse or two of her sparkling ivory, as her rosy lips gently parted in one of the quietest smiles imaginable. "Here is a beautiful pin-cushion, at just one dollar;" and the little velvet box, on which were some painted flowers, was handed over, and as quickly appropriated by Irvin's very particular friend.

With ornamental box, annual and pincushion, Irvin and Emma Grant-we might as well tell her name at once, for it's awkward telling about third persons unless names are included-took a diagonal sweep across the room. In this instance, justice compels me to say, the mind that directed the movement was Irvin's.

Why, that's nothing!" urged Miss Sarah. "Remember the cause. Every dollar spent here, you know, is laid up in the treasury of Heaven."

66

I'm not quite so sure of that," replied Irvin, laughing.

"O, you heathen you!" responded Miss Sarah. "If I was Emma, I'd be afraid to walk home with you."

O, Mr. Irvin, how do you do?" exclaimed suddenly a young lady attending at the next table, who just at the moment perceived him. "I've been trying to find a man gallant enough to buy me this beautiful pair of co||loured cologne bottles, and, as I live, I have been refused by no less than three! But I'm determined that I will not let you off; so you might just as well do the fair thing at once. Here they are now ain't they beauties?" and she lifted two really pretty cut glass bottles from Miss Sarah's table.

66

Well, what is the price of them?" asked Irvin, with forced composure.

66

Only two and a half," said Miss Sarah. The hand that drew out the pocket-book this time, did its office rather more deliberately than usual. Another note with a V on it was passed over.

"We don't give change here," said Miss Sarah.

"But that is hardly fair," Irvin found the resolution to say.

"It's the rule of the fair, and I dare not break it. Is it not, Nancy?" appealing to another young lady.

"O yes," said Nancy; "we all agreed to that before we opened." "Well, what else will you have?" Miss Sarah went on. "I've got some lovely things on my table. Ah, this is the very article

that you want, Emma."

But in a fair, it is useless to try to get out of the way of temptation. Some resolute ones do promenade backwards and forwards through the centre of the room, looking on, but still keeping at a respectful distance: but sooner or later, they feel the current that sets. irresistibly upon the breakers, and before conscious of danger, are among them. The thought of his vanished ten dollars, which had taken their departure, never to return, kept Irvin, spite of the many gentle side indications of Emma, resolutely equi-distant from the tables. But mortal man cannot long re- "That will just be the change," she said. sist temptation while lingering near it. Our" And now won't you have something else" hero was just bidding good-night to his eco- she continued, looking Irvin in the face, while nomical ideas, when Emma was suddenly Emma took possession of the card-case in the called by a lady attending on a table near most natural way imaginable. which they were passing.

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Why, how do you do, Emma? I've been looking about for you all the evening," she said, as they drew up. "And how are you to-night, Mr. Irvin ?" she continued with animation. "I'm glad to see you. You've been buying I see. Well, that's clever. But I am not going to let you away without helping me a little. I declare, I havn't sold any thing at all worth talking about!"

"I think I have done pretty well, Miss Sarah," Irvin ventured to say, glancing significantly at his purchases.

"You don't call that pretty well, I hope?

Miss Sarah here picked up a silver-mounted card case, beautifully enamelled, and handed it to Emma.

Nothing more to-night, I believe," replied Irvin, in a tone intended to be gay and unconcerned. But the thought of fifteen dollars absolutely thrown away, and the flitting memory of his unpaid tailor's bills, made the sound of his voice, spite of every effort to prevent it, anything but cheerful. He yet had a five dollar note left, and every fair saleswoman seemed to know it. Turn which way he would, with Emma on his arm, he was met with smiling invitations to buy, or jeered good-humouredly for not having liberal feelings. He were more than a weak, vain man, to stand all these, especially as his fair com

After Irvin had left Morton, in the early part of the evening, the latter went to his trunk, and taking from thence some money, put on his hat and walked out. The quick ness of his step indicated that he was not bent on a stroll, simply for relaxation after the business of the day. Twenty minutes' walk brought him to the door of a small house in the suburbs, which he entered without knock-no brother to care for me?" And the tears ing. came into the eyes of the sister as she felt a momentary pang at the idea, called up so vividly.

Yes, sister, it is better, of course, to make "Good evening, brother Edward," respond- the best of our condition, be it as it may," reed the woman, rising, with a smile of pleasure || plied Edward, with a deep inspiration. "Have on her face. you as much work as you can do?" he added, in a changed tone.