thickets of hawthorne and woodbine, and the body in all the world had ever been so unbrian-rose; now overhung by a pollard ash, or happy before. 66 a silver-barked beech, or a lime-tree in fall There she sat, with the tears rolling down blossom. Now a smooth turfy slope, green her cheeks, unconsciously making rings of to the eye, and soft to the foot; and now rushes that grew thereby," and Edward's dog again a rich embroidery of the golden flag, the Ranger, who had been watching a shoal of purple willow-herb, the blue forget-me-not, minnows at play in the shallow water, and and "a thousand fresh-water flowers of sever-every now and then inserting his huge paw al colours," making the bank as gay as a into the stream, as if trying to catch one, garden. came to her, and laid his rough head, and his It was impossible not to pause in this lovely long curling brown ears, into her lap, and spot; and Sophy, who had been collecting a looked at her "with eyes whose human meanbright bunch of pink blossoms, the ragged-ing did not need the aid of speech"-eyes robin, the wild rose, the crane's bill, and the full of pity and of love; for Ranger, in comfox-glove, or to use the prettier Irish name of mon with all the fore-footed world, loved Katy that superb plant, the fairy-cap, appealed to dearly; and now he looked up in her face, Katy to read a lecture of her country art," and licked her cold hand. Oh! kinder and and show "what every flower, as country faithfuller than your master, thought poor people hold, did signify”—a talent for which Katy, as with a fresh gush of tears, she laid the young maid of the mill was as celebrated her sweet face on the dog's head, and sat in as Bellario. But poor Katy, who, declining that position, as it seemed to her, for ages, Edward's offered arın, had loitered a little whilst her companions were looking and landbehind, gathering a long wreath of the wood-ing some white water-lilies. bine, and the briony, and the wild vetch, was. At last they approached, and she arose or pretended to be, deeply engaged in twist- hastily, and tremblingly, and walked on, anxing the garland round her straw bonnet, and ous to escape observation. "Your garland answered not a word. She tied on her bon-s loose, Katy," said Edward, lifting his hand net, however, and stood by listening, whils to her bonnet: "come and see how nicely I the other two continued to talk of the symbo-have fastened it! No clearer mirror than lic meaning of flowers, quoting the well-the dark smooth basin of water, under those known lines from the Winter's Tale, and the hazels! come!" He put her hand under his almost equally charming passage from Phil-arm, and led her thither; and there, when mechanically she cast her eyes on the stream, aster. At length Edward, who, during the conver- she saw the rich tuft of meadow-sweet, the sation, had been gathering all that he could identical Queen of the Meadow, waving like collect of the tall almond-scented tufts of the a plume, over her own straw bonnet; felt elegant meadow sweet, whose crested blos- herself caught in Edward's arms, for, between soms arrange themselves in a plumage so surprise and joy, she had well nigh fallen; richly delicate, said, holding up his nosegay, and when, with instinctive modesty, she "I do not know what mystical interpretation escaped from his embrace, and took refuge may be attached to this plant in Katy's 'coun- with her cousin, the first sound that she heard try art,' but it is my favourite amongst was Sophy's effectionate whisper, "I knew it flowers; and if I were inclined to follow the all the time, Katy! every body knew it but Eastern fashion of courtship, and make love you! and the wedding must be next week, by a nosegay, I should certainly send it to for I have promised Edward to stay and be plead my cause. And it shall be so," he bride's-maid; and the very next week they added, after a short pause, his bright and sud- were married.-Our Village. den smile illuming his whole countenance; "the botanical name signifies, the Queen of the Meadow, and wherever I offer this tribute, THE FAMILY OF ELIBANK. wherever I place this tuft, the homage of my Every body is familliar with the mode of heart, the proffer of my hand, shall go also. life practised some two or three hundred Oh, that the offering might find favour with years ago on the Scottish borders. When a my queen!" Katy heard no more. She housewife ran out of butcher-meat, she either turned away to a little bay formed by the presented a pair of spurs under cover at dinrivulet, where a bed of pebbles, overhung by ner, as a hint that her sous and husband should a grassy bank, afforded a commodious seat. ride out to obtain a supply, or, if inclined to and there she sat her down, trembling, cold be a little more provident, informed them, in and wretched; understanding, for the first the afternoon, that the "hough was in the time, her own feelings, and wondering if any pot," thereby insinuating that her beef-barrel ORIGINAL. HAPPINESS. was reduced to its last and worst fragment. [no proclamation of banns-no session-clerk's It is told that Scott of Harden, the ancestor fees. The priest was sent for, and the indisof a very respectable family which still flour-soluble knot was tied. Nor did Haiden ever ishes on the border, was one day coming repent of his bargain; for Meg, notwithstandhome with a large drove of cattle, which he ing the deformity from which she took her had lifted, as the phrase went, in some of the name, was in fact one of the best creatures dales of Cumberland, when he happened to in existence, possessed of a great fund of exespy a large haystack in a farm-yard by the cellent sense,and withal a handsome personaway-side, which appeared to him as if it could ble woman. She turned out an admirable have foddered his prey for half the winter wife, managed the household of Harden with Vexed to think that this could not also be the utmost propriety; and a union which had lifted, the chieftan looked at it very earnestly, taken place under such extraordinary circumand said, with bitter and emphatic expression, stances, and with such very unpromising aus"By my saul, if ye had four feet, ye should pices, was in the highest degree cordial and gang too." A member of this family was constant.- Chamber's Scottish Jests and what might have then been called unfortu- Anecdotes. nate in one of his enterprises. Having in vaded the territories of Sir Gideon Murray of Elibank, ancestor of the noble family of that name and title, he was inveigled by the latter into an ambuscade, and taken, as it were, in; What is happiness? "Tis something often It is a the very fact. Murray, being an officer of desired acquisition that is rarely acquired— sought, but seldom found, by man. state, thought himself bound to make an ex- a boon rejected by its petitioners-a goal ample of the offender, and he accordingly gave that is not often reached. How incongruous orders to the unfortunate Harden to prepare is man! how wise, and how foolish; how for immediate execution. Elated with his potent, and how feeble; how complex, and victory, he went home and communicated his intention to his lady. how simple! he professes to seek for happi"Are you mad ?” said her ladyship; "would you hang the ness, yet how often do we observe him cast it from him, and reject it as dross, while with young laird of Harden, you that has sae mony puerile forwardness he pursues its phantom unmarried daughters? Na, na, it'll be a hantle mair wiselike to make the young laird with the delusive hope of overtaking it. With the substance far behind, he still keeps onmarry ane o' them." The eloquence of the lady prevailed; and, as young Harden was oft deceived, he never abandons_the_futile ward in pursuit of the sh dow, and though in perilous circumstances, and was expected hope of accomplishing his purpose. When. gladly to accept of any alternative to avoid ever he stretches forth his hand to reach it, an ignominious death, it was resolved that he like the airy dagger of Macbeth, it resolves should wed"Muckle-Mou'd Meg," the third itself into nought, he "has it not, and yet daughter of the family, who was distinguish he sees it still," thus does he continue still ed by what, in modern phraseology, is termed through life, always in pursuit, till in the an open countenance;" that is, in less reflective hour which sometimes preceedes metaphorical language, her mouth extended dissolution, he perceives that happiness might from ear to ear. The alternative was accordhave been his, but relinquished it for-noth ingly proposed to the culprit, but, to the asing. tonishment of all concerned, it was at once J. A. N. “Weel, weel, young man,' rejected. the laird of Elibank, "ye's get 'till the morn's THE MAD MINISTER of moffat. mornin to think about it," and so saying, he Dr. Walker, Professor of Natural History left the young laird in his dungeon to his own at Edinburg, a man of great science, and also agreeable reflections. In the morning, Har-of great worth, was not a little finical in dress. den, after a sleepless night, looked out from His hair-dressing was, till afterwards that he the window, or rather hole of his cell, and got a wig, the work of two or three hours saw the gallows erected in the yard, and all every day. Once when he was travelling the apparatus of death prepared. His heart from Moffat, where he was then minister, to failed him, and he began to think that life, pay a visit to the late Sir James Clerk of even though spent in the society of Muc- Pennycuik, he stopped at a country barber's kle-Mou'd Meg," was not a thing to be rashly on the way, in order to have his hair dressed. thrown away. He declared his willingness, The barber, who, although he had often heard therefore, to accept of the maiden's hand. of his customer, but was unacquainted with There was no marriage laws in those days-his person, did all that he could to obey the savs numerous directions which he received; with THE DYING CHILD. astonishing patience did he, for three hours,"Sweet mother, I seem gentle music to hear-" curl, uncurl, friz, and labour at the doctor's ""Tis but fancy, my child; turn to slumber hair. At length, however, he could not avoid again." exclaiming, "In all my life, I never heard of a man so ill to please as you, except the mad minister of Moffat. ORIGINAL. SPRING. BY E. GEO. SQUIER. I. Hark! who is this with tripping feet, I hear the warb'ling blue bird's note, All hail! all hail! O beauteous Spring! II. Hark! who is this that bounds along, III. Hark! who is this, all clothed with light, IV. Say, who is this all decked with smiles, V. Ah, this is Spring! the bright and gay, She spreads o'er earth her magic wing, "Nay, surely 'tis music, hark, mother! 'tis near; It floats round my couch with its gladdening strains." MISS WILBERFORCE. When Mr. Wilberforce was chosen mem ber for York, his daughter, in walking home from the scene of the election, was cheered by an immense crowd, who followed her to her own door, crying, "Miss Wilberforce for ever! Miss Wilberforce for ever!" The young lady turned as she was ascending the stair, and, motioned to the populace to be quiet, said, very emphatically, "Nay, gentlemen, if you please, not Miss Wilberforce for ever;" which sent them all home in good humour. CLARISSA. THE church-bell was tolling for divine service, and I was just thinking what a delight-1 Here was a blow to all my hopes; rising in a ful situation was that of a parish priest, when fit of desperation, I tore all the beautiful sonnets a friend, who often laughed at the strange per- to atoms, and packing up my clothes, rushed versity of feeling which would never allow me from the peaceful home of my parents, and a to remain long in one situation or employment, few hours saw me in New York without a entered, and leading me out of the room to the dollar. The first week I spent at an inn, maktop of the U. S. Hotel, claimed the fulfilment ing inquiry for employment in an office, but of a promise which I had made him of relating as I could get no employ nient, and consequentthe history of a life marked, perhaps, with ly could not pay my board, I was told very more changes than often falls to the lot of mor- civilly I must find another lodging, and leave tal man; and as I had nothing better to do, I my clothes as security for the debt already concommenced the following narrative. tracted. Heaven and earth, Clarissa, thought You know, my dear Jack, that I am one of I-when looking up I saw one of the prettiest those ever changing people who cannot, for girls I ever beheld standing on the steps of the the life of them, predict what may be their situ- Franklin Theatre. Catching my eye, she ations or opinions one hour hence, any more smiled, and a moment after she entered the than they can jump from off the City Hall with theatre, and disappeared. I could not resist, out breaking their necks; indeed I may say, but followed also, met the manager at the that I have in my day gone through more chan- door, was engaged, and the next Monday ges than the moon or Chamelion, and yet feel evening, a young gentleman never before on as far from settled as the day I was seventeen any stage, was to make his debut. years old. I have been christian, infidel and I shall never forget that week. I studied Jew-I have studied law, physic, divinity and my part almost night and day; for on that quackery-have strut my hour upon the stage, night I was to appear as the chief person, and slept in a palace and a sugar hogshead-have my lovely inamorata should witness my suchad one hundred sweethearts; learned ten in-cess. I must confess I was greatly in love struments and five languages; have been grocer, with her, and did all I could to obtain her good bookseller, clerk,book-keeper, church-warden, opinion, protesting that she was my only and janitor—have laughed with the gay, and adored Lavinia. Nor did I think she was wept with the sorrowful; have never done much deaf to my suit, although I did not quite like harm because I could not keep long enough in the familiarily with which she was treated by the mind; and should have accomplished a some of the actors. All things went smooth deal of good had not my attention been called till the middle of the second act; the audience to something else at the moment I was put- were pleased, and elated with their approbating my best schemes in execution, tion, I turned to take a look at the wings where I remember when I was about sixteen years I knew Lavinia was standing, when what old, falling desperately in love with a beautiful should I see, but my fair one reading the note creature, than whom, even to this day, I have dated ten days previous from my Clarissa, and never seen aught more lovely or enchanting; they laughing with all their might. Forgetfor three whole weeks I did nothing but sigh ful of all but the ridiculous light in which I and look unutterable things across the street at was placed by my folly in leaving the letter in her chamber, as she sat at work before the the dressing room, I rushed from the stage, open window; night after night I spent gazing snatched the paper from her hand, and disat the moon, and writing sonnets to Clarissa, appeared, leaving the manager to account for till at last the dear girl pitying my situation, my absence in any way he might think progave me the following love letter: per. SIR. Being once more a gentleman at large, I set out in search of employment, and almost im At the risk of your thinking me a bold or mediately found myself opposite a window froward girl, I am going to write to you, be- where a number of placards on different colourcause I consider it an imperative duty. My ed paper, announced clerks wanted, bookconduct of this morning must have appeared keepers, bar-keepers, teachers, servants, garstrange to one from whom I had received so deners and grocers. many marks of kindness and attention; but I Delighted at my unexpected success, I enfelt I was acting consistently. I saw with tered and a long man, with a long nose, feelings of deep regret that you were fond of hair, long legs, long coat sleeves, and long eyes that looked longingly towards the door, as if in opposite chamber I hoped, I prayed that he search of a long wanted customer, to afford had escaped; for I knew the morning would him a long expected dinner, asked what I want- plunge him in a prison. The sun rose! I looked-there sat the man, pale and haggard, ed. "Do you want a book-keeper, sir?" said I. and all that I could do was to return to my "No." A Clerk in a dry good store?" "No." 66 'In a Grocery ?" "No." "To attend bar, sir?" "No, Sir." "A Gardener ?" employer and tell him to send the myrmidons of the law to wreak their vengeance upon an unfortunate but honest man. 'Tis true, I told a little boy to run to him, and let him know the officers were coming? but though he left the house, he was taken in the street; his goods were seized, his wife and children left without a penny for their support, and he himself was cast into prison, and the next morning "Then what the devil do all those papers found dead in his cell. Disgusted with the law, I once more applied to the Intelligence "That I may want them,' "answered he. office, and my next situation was in a school "But!" he added, after a pause, 99 if you are as attendant teacher. in need of either of those situations, and will pay me a dollar I will insure you a good berth." Without more ado, I paid him my dollar, and the next morning's paper announced: 66 'No, Sir." in the window mean, sir?" 66 To be continued. We feel pleasure in transfering to our columns the following touching lines, from the Wanted, a book keeper, two teachers, six pen of the gifted Mrs. SIGOURNEY; well may clerks, four bar-keepers, a farmer, and a gar- she be considered the Hemans of Americadener want situations, apply at- -street. Punctual to the hour I applied at the office, and well may our country feel proud of her. and received a ticket directed to Mr. Takem, There is a pathos in the following, which is he wanted a book-keeper, but I found he must derived at once from the depth and fulness of work for nothing and find himself, with the a mother's love. hope of getting a fine insight into business if Mr. Takem did any. In this way I was sent all over the city, till I agreed to write ten hours a day, for Lawyer Catchem, for three dollars a week. I soon found that my employer was, what is termed by the profession, a pettifogger, and my adventures in his service were both numerous and curious, I will give you the last of them, Jack, and you shall judge if I earned my wages. It was Sunday night, and I was to watch the house of a delinquent debtor that we expected to abscond before morning. I had obtained possession of a room that overlooked the one in which the poor man was spending his last day with his family. I saw the bible brought out I beheld them on their knees-I could hear the voice of suppressed anguish in which the father besought the protection of an Almighty God upon his desolate wife and children, and the sobs of the daughter and the mother were distinctly audible, where I sat. He strained them one by one to his breast, kissed them, took his hat, went to the door. opened it, shut it again, returned and threw himself on the bed, unable to tear himself away from all that he held dear in life. I watched long and anxiously for his depart-1 ure, but I saw no signs of it, the light was extinguished and the wretched man slept. How anxiously I noted every movement in the THE WIDOW'S CHARGE, At her Daughter's Bridal. BY MRS. LYDIA H. SIGOURNEY. Deal gently thou, whose hand has won She gaily carroll'd day by day- Yet hear her gushing song no more. And blend her holiest prayer with thine. 'Mid stranger scenes her foot shall rove, Nor let thy tender cares decay, The soul of woman lives in love; That man's strong heart can ne'er partake. On thy true breast to sparkle rare--- When judgment wakes in terror wild, |