Wading in, the stream grows deep
Toward the center's downward sweep;

Backward turn, each step ashore
Shallower is than that before.

3. Ah, the precious years we waste
Leveling what we raised in haste:
Doing what must be undone
Ere content or love be won!

First, across the gulf we cast

Kite-borne threads, till lines are passed,

And habit builds the bridge at last!

-JOHN BOYLE O'REILLY.

IX. GENERAL MARION

1. General Francis Marion, born in South Carolina in the same year that gave birth to George Washington, was distinguished as one of the leading officers of the War for Independence. His success in the campaign of South Carolina, where rivers and swamps abounded, brought him the title of

Swamp Fox." When he was in camp at Snow's Island in 1780, he received a flag of truce brought by the hands of a young British officer, who came blindfolded.

2. Having heard great talk about General Mar

ion, the British officer fancied him some stout figure of a warrior, such as O'Hara or Cornwallis himself. What was his. surprise when, led into Marion's presence and the bandage taken from his eyes, he beheld in our hero a swarthy, smoke-dried little man, with scarce enough of threadbare homespun to cover his nakedness. In place of ranks of welldressed soldiers, he saw a handful of sunburned militia.

3. Having recovered a little from his surprise, the officer presented his letter to General Marion, who perused it and soon settled everything to his satisfaction. The officer took up his hat to retire.

4. “Oh, no,” said Marion; "it is now about our time of dining, and I hope, sir, you will give us the pleasure of your company to dinner."

5. At mention of the word "dinner," the British officer looked around him, but to his mortification he could see no sign of a pot or pan, or any other cooking utensil. "Well, Tom," said the General to one of his men, "come, give us our dinner."

6. The feast to which he alluded was no other than a heap of sweet potatoes, that were snugly roasting under the embers, and which Tom soon released from their ashy confinement.

7. "I fear, sir," said the General, "our dinner will not prove so palatable to you as I could wish,

but it is the best we have." The officer, who was a well-bred man, took up one of the potatoes and began to eat as if he had found a great dainty. Presently he broke out into a hearty laugh. Marion looked surprised. "I beg your pardon, General," said he, "but one cannot always, you know, command himself."

8. "I suppose," replied Marion, "it is not equal to your style of living."

9. "No, indeed!" quoth the officer, "and I imagine this is one of your accidental Lent dinners. In general, no doubt, you live a great deal better." IO. "Rather worse," answered the General, "for often we don't get enough even of this."

II.

11. “But," rejoined the officer, "probably, stinted in provisions, you draw noble pay?"

I 2. "Not a cent, sir," said Marion, "not a cent." 13. "I don't see, General, how you can stand it." 14. "Why, sir," replied Marion, with a smile, "these things depend on feeling. The heart is all, and when that is much interested a man can do anything. I am in love, and my sweetheart is Liberty. I would rather fight for my country's liberties and feed on roots than keep aloof and enjoy all the luxuries of Solomon; for now, sir, I walk the soil that gave me birth, and exult in the thought that I am not unworthy of it. Future generations may

never hear my name, but it gladdens my heart to think that I am now contending for their freedom."

15. When he returned to Georgetown, the officer was asked by Colonel Watson why he looked so serious. I have cause, sir," said he, "to look serious."

16. "What, has General Marion refused to treat?" No, sir," said the officer.

17. "Well, then, has Washington defeated Sir Henry Clinton, and broken up our army?"

18. No, sir, not that, but worse."

19. "Ah! what can be worse?" continued the Colonel.

20. "Why, sir," said the officer, "I have seen an American general and his officers, without pay, and almost without clothes, living on roots, and all for liberty! What chance have we against such men?"

MASON L. WEEMS.

X. TUBAL CAIN

1. Old Tubal Cain was a man of might,

In the days when the earth was young;
By the fierce red light of his furnace bright,
The strokes of his hammer rung;

And he lifted high his brawny hand
On the iron glowing clear,

Till the sparks rushed out in scarlet showers,
As he fashioned the sword and spear.

And he sang "Hurrah for

Hurrah for the spear and sword!

Hurrah for the hand that shall wield them well!

For he shall be king and lord.”

2. To Tubal Cain came many a one,
As he wrought by his roaring fire,

And each one prayed for a strong steel blade,

As the crown of his desire;

And he made them weapons sharp and strong,
Till they shouted loud in glee,

And gave him gifts of pearls and gold,
And spoils of forest free.

And they sang-"Hurrah for Tubal Cain,
Who hath given us strength anew!

Hurrah for the smith! hurrah for the fire!
And hurrah for the metal true!"

3. But a sudden change came o'er his heart
Ere the setting of the sun;

And Tubal Cain was filled with pain
For the evil he had done.

He saw that men, with rage and hate,

Made war upon their kind;

That the land was red with the blood they shed,
In their lust for carnage blind.