Newspaper of Burlington Free Press, February 15, 1839, Page 1

'JIB ftJMfUl'lkU" 1F NOT THE GLORY OF CliSAn II IJ T T II V. W E I. F A HE OF ItO itt E . BY H. B. STACY- FHSIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1S39. VOL. XII No. 60S From Blackwood' Edinbmgli Moga.inc. THE OIlTx KING. i CttAl'TUIl x. Early n" Sunday morning, Jnmos opened Ins eves in I lu- old f.um hotue, dieted liimelf liaMily, iini1 went lo look iiller the different little tnatlcis in the'sinule nnil lite farm-yard, which, even on Sun. ,iy, mint bo nlleii'lcd lo. Ho ihcn lelurneil to the lioii-c to make hiiu'clffinarl, which lie succeeded in liy dint of clean linen, n new blue co.il with Urge cilt button, h while handkerchief round liit neck, it vcllow waistcoat, mid n ilial) garment below ternii tinting in top-boots. Ho certainly looked very well ; and vvliilo lie gated into tlio littlo twisted looking-gl.if?. lie even ventured to lliink po, but fnincliow he feaird not well oiwugli to ptcaee Ann. She, too, lifter helping to prop no the brcakl.isl, had put on her best clothe. Her long d,nk hair, indeed was iiluiot hidden under n cap, but PI ill funned n akusy i-h.ide around Iter 1'oifliend. Tlio fare it crowned wi ng winning n. bright health, nnil i brighter .spirit", high complexion, nud picliy fiMliiics, could ni.iko it. Nor did her figure look less graceful in I lie while rot l on gown, with little blur! Iliiwcrri all over it, which J.itne li.ul given her, nnil uliicli fdie had lied with a bluo eauli. I'he wiiilc ftoikings und neat slioca tct ofTllic lonallncss of her feel, mid showed lli.U her hand', but fur n lift- of labour, would not have been Jess delicate. When ntwotk, she often sang half-iuwurdty some ersc of a gav or sad sung, and still went earnestly about her Invk ; but when resting, or in meals, null especially when Junie was with her, her lace was in a peipcltial play ol blushes, and duwnc.ist looks, anil licartv lauglitcr ; and cjes, nnd leeth, and cheeks siml lips, and soul, till fccined possessed by come imp of heedless merriment. Ha was it this nnrniim. A soon iis breakfast w as. over, she put on her bright straw bonnet, wiih ils blue ribbon, and James his new hat, anil the father hi with ils lirim :it least six inches broad : und leavin' the toother at home to take cue of the house, the three set out lo walk ihroujh the fields lo chinch. 'I'he old man often lingeied or tinned u step aside, or stopped In speak lo some of the neighbours, and 'Ann i-.nil .fnines conid talk almost ns fieely ns if they iiad been in ii wilderness. The chinch was more than luually crowded with people come lo hear a new crj.in plated, which had been piesented bv the kiml.lie.it led npiue, for it win not Sir Charles lluri'ourl's pniirli; lint Air alii'srate, the cuiale, pie.it'lied a mrniun, in which ho laid hue in ilm n-tuni-lied ruh'iits the ei roiieonsne.-s of the motives that led them to intend public worthip only when some snunue novelty attracted them. But the Wilson weie miwinni;, and enjoted both thcoigan and the sermon, except that Annvvns toiry for the poor people that had acted so funlifldy, and were now so seietelv reprimanded. I'lio old man nioaounced the sermon :i lishl good one, inn said that their liaison was the best man in thai country, only now and then n littlo Ion shaip upon people's faiihs. In ihn iifiernoon, Ann -laid at home, and the oilier lliiee wint lo the servile. In ihc eeniii!r the mother undettook to milk the cow and ihe f.iiher toalieod to all oilier mailers, while Ann .Mid James went out to walk. They strolled aim in arm, saying littlo lo each oilier, along the deep and warm lanes overgrown wnli tub.-, and inclosed between hish banks und tiii.liv heilires. The niahiinsalc was slill heard tin; distance. The wild ro--e and Iho lioaeysucKlo climbed mi either hand, and wcio iuterwnien with ilit tlnu ers of the hnd-wced and llio niglilslnule, Tim iierfomo nom the while -11111 imipli: timer (it'll filleil n!l the air. Now ami then James c:ui"lit at a wild-flower, nnd gao it to Ann, who took it, and onlv said, in a low voice "Thank yon." And still they wandered on, till I hey tinned through a gap into the thick dark copse. They parsed forward ilirottsh the ereeu shadows, broken heie ami theie by some straggling beam nfvcllmv light till they reached a point on the banks nhnvo si little stream claticinj away under its screen of hazel and alder Here thev found ihe broad "rev table left 111 culliii ilmvn an enormous oiik-lrre. On this Ann seated herself, nnd James pat beside her. He poked I he. ground I efore him w till his sirk. She sell'e ! her nosegay, and stuck it in her bieisl. At last he raid, "Ann, I have something something some, tiling to say to you." "VVcll well well James, what is ill" "It i a very fine evening." r Ann drew a' long sigh, as if relieved from a gicat fright 1 nnd answered, "Yes, it is, very fine." "Our hay is very well saved lliis tear, Ann and it is very pleasanl'to be here with you I mean, I like tis to be together." "So do I." ."Ann, will you marry me 1" A long pause followed, nnd then a low "Yes," and she hung down her head. Their happiness need not be described. But marble balconies, or silken tiavilinns. never witnessed a fonder kiss than that 111 which their lips unilcil, ns ttiey sal upon ine 0111 oak-s tutu p. When they relumed by moonlight lo ihe faun house, Ann's manner wnsmuch altered. She went silently through the. kitchen, where the old couple tat, lo her 'own room J and James, loo who leinain. cd with his parents, held his tonjuc for 11 few min utes. Then he bmst into a loud I lugh, nnd jumped up nnd told his story, nnd hugged his mother in his arms, and ai-ked his father's consent, nnd could not finish a sentence till he ended in a fit of tears, which changed ognin lo laughter. That night their supper was peaceful nnd joyous, :m if it had been a meal in I'aradise before the Full of Alan. cnAPTEn xi The nest day, at Burntwnml farm, was strangely in nontras'. with this) Sunday cvenin','. A letter came in Iho tnnrninp; to Mr. Wilson written in tlio ttaino of bin lost daughter for flic was herself loo ill to write -entreating his forgiveness, and telling of the Iofs of her hns-banil nnil child. Their hearts were divided between jny at hearing of her, anil grief at the thought of ier sudoring?. It was immctliatcly tletcr. mined that James should go to London nnd see her, ant), if possible, remove Iter to Surntwood. Ho set out llint nltcrnoon. lie wrote from London to Irs father, giving an oc count of hia 6ister't slate, and announcing that ho would return with her at onco to lUurntwood. Ann also received by the entno nost. a letter from htm, wnicn was the lonoesl and most elaborate composition ho had ever attempted, or eho had ever fcen. Tho creator portion of it ran as follows: "Dear Ann, I cannot bn fo long away without writintr to you. I reached Lon don at noon on Tuesday, and in the course of that day, I found out poor Elizabeth. Hut or I bavo written an auoui tier to la ther, I shall not say the same things over again to you. I was advised to taka a bed here at tho Black IScar, by Smithflclil, whero there aro very decent, civil people, and a great mony farmers und graziors, but some of them as I am told, nro only these London chaps dressed up to look liko us from tho country, and so cheat us unawares. And clever knowing follows many of them look. I feel os much ashamed when I look one of them in tho faco oa if ho could ceo through mo, and knew I waa never in Lon don before. Hut when nnv one ccem ross at me for staring nt him, I tnko ofT tny lint liken gentleman, and mnkc him n low unw, and I notice Hint then thoy mostly seem pleased and good humored like. Hot ear Ann, all the farmers ami the fnrminr' men too, in our country would make no difForcncc in this big crowded place, ifthcy wore all hero together. When 1 cunic in- i the streets, on the top of tho coach, I thought, to be sure It was fuir-d.iy. So I sled n man who sat next me, nnd ho said, Aye, to be sure, tnnn. In London, U'h Iways fnir-day for fools. Many n one of them comes here to look for u purse, and goes back without a poekot.' I knew by wnv nt speaking he wan jeering ot me. I5ut nncitlior gentleman spoke to nte milder. nd eaid, 'It is always Hie amn in London, for thcro aro people enough living there to crowd all the fairs in England.' And so, to be euro there arc unaceotintahlo many of them, and carriages, and carts, ond drays. (Jli, Ann it is altogether n perplexity ! Ihe coach could hardly go along tho street for them, and some of them were long things, like big hearses, only painled bright colours, and full of live rich people; but the poor walk along the sides of the streets, and yet some of them aro as finely dressed as lords and ladies. Since I came, I walked about and looked at the difi'orcnt things nnd people, and a wonder the place is to see, The crowd goes along past one. ns many and a? busy as ants, anil none of them seem thinking of each oilier, any more than if thev were all trees or stones. In our country, nnd when I go to tnntket or fair, 1 know most ol the pcoplo uv look, nntl fliake hands with half of th.-m, But here, in London, I felt quite lonely among so many who carod nothing fur me, nor 1 for thrill. 1 saw many 'cores, ny, hundred of fine ladies, foiiic of them riding in their carriages, with their beautiful silk, and ace, and feathers, but nnno of them said how d'ye do to me; and I would have given them nil in a bundle, and their car riages too, lor a look of yours, though they seem so proud nnd high. I dare eay they would bo pretty much surprised at it.--Atttl, oh, Ann. the shops ! all the clothes ii u 1 1 moat, and wnntlerlul thiogs, morn in one shop than l could toll of in all my life 1 have seen eggs enough to fill our barn and frying-pans enough to fry them all at once, and bacon enough to eat with them. I do suppose, that in the front of otic shop there is glass enough to make a glass-case lor our biggest rick, and silks, and satin nnd shawli, and 1 do not know what u inside, that would make n cloth larger than our great net. cloth. There nro sonic big shops, too, full of nothing but hoots nnd shoos. But, no doubt, when the King wants shoes for his army, ho comes hero and buys them, and they must wear out a power ot them in those long marches, when they are going after glory, which, I suppose, must bo all one with walking against time. I judge, too, that tho King must use a sight of I hings for himself ; for I counted eleven tailor's shops, that had 'Tailor to the King' written up upon them So you may guess what a deal of clothes ho wears. 1 saw, too. nigh ns many cake shops with 'Confectioner to the King;' con fecioinor means a man that makes cakes; but if ho cat& too ninny (arts and things, and makes himself sick, there ts at least one doctor's shop for overy cake. shop, with 'Apothecary to the King' upon it. I have been by St. Paul's Church loo, which is Ilia biggest thing in tho world, sinco the Temple of Solomon anil Noah's Ark; and I thought my eyes would never got up to the top, it is so high, It has a roof like a punch-howl, with a spike sticking out of it. Onlv, I think, the punch-bowl must be n 2nod half-milo round. And it is built up with pillar-work, and windows, so strong, that it scorns it would Ftand for ever.-- rhought I to myself, I wonder will that fino llnco bum in the great fire that you know, Ann, will burn down every thing in the f)av of Judgement. What a blaze that will be! Fur I am telling no lies when ny, that il you could lift up the church, you might eel it down oyer Burntwood, dwelling-house, and barns, and trees, and nil, just as I would clap an extinguisher over your thimble, nnu room to spare too New, you must know that all iho while 1 was going along the streets, there was such a whirling, nud n clatter, and a buzzing, and a smoke, quite unnccountable, thai altogether it mnde my head turn round inside, ns if it had been a mill'stnnc. And I begnnto have nil manner of queer fancies as if I never should get back home. And I saw ever so many black kings on horse back, stuck up in dttlurent places, and looking grander and fiercer than the judgu at assizes, just as if they had only to come down from the stone places thoy were on and ride over all the people, like n donkey among the chickens. But 1 suppose thoy were put there lo keep litem out ot mis chief. "Last night an oldish sort of a fatmor that the people hero tell mo has a deal of grazing land down in Essex, eat near mo while 1 was taking tny Mipper, and he say to me, quito friendly, 'Young man, will you come Willi me to tho play?' bo I said 'Yes, to bo sure, when I have dono this platoofbecf. So he told me to leave tny watch and my money with tho landlord all but a fow shillings for uso, and off wo went; for, as I had had something to cat and drink, 1 was as fresh as a colt. When wo got to the play house, thcro waa n bi paper stuck up with red letters on it saying thoy were going to act 'Woman'i Miseries, or tho Victim of tho Heart,' translated from tho French. Well, thought , if it is any thing about tlioeo French that wo beat last war, it must uo good tun, ue causo as how thcyeal frogs for mutton, and tndpoleB for lamb. Wo pntd nt tho door, and went into a plnco that Grub an odd nomo. isn't it. Ann? ho's tho Essex man wo sat down in n big room all full of can dles, nntl people making noises nnd fncrw, tttt looking as strange ns could bo. I hen the fiddles played very loutl nnd pretty, nntl then the piny began ; and they pulled up n big cloth, and there was n plnco behind it for all tho world liko the floor of our ham. riicro were gentlemen nud ladies wnlking on it, nntl one of them was called Fchcilv an odtl name, isn't it, Ann ? Sho wns lo bo married lo n gentleman immediately, and it wns all settled, nud she seemed mighty fond of him. But nficr she wns married, she enmo forward closo to ns, and told us quite ns n secret, that she did not liko him nt all, only sho did not say so belorchand. for fear it should Hup tho marriage : bull hat sho liked two other men better. Then she said hor father was an tin grateful tyrant, nnd n Saracen's bend, or totnolhing uncommon, for not having gncssed her dislike, nnd sparetl her tle.li ca cy that was tho word tho pain ol telling it. So, to revenge herself, bhe could do nothing but poison tho poor old gentle tnnn, which 1 thought very hard upon him 1 lien she sat down on a green seat, all envored with roses, and sho stooped her head upon her hand, nntl gave a great sigh. and said, 'But when that is done, still I shall not be married lo Ihe man of ray heart, 'hut quite the contrary. Suppnsn then I also poison my detested husband. Then, alas ! I shall not know which of tho others to choose; for my heart is too tender, nntl cannot decide for either of litem. Thought I to myolf, Young woman, for all votir good looks and finery, I am glad you're not mv wife. Then Iter father c.ttne to sec her, and wish her iov of the mar ri'ige, und she gave him a glass of wine to drink Iter health; and, do you know, that very wine had the poison in it .' e should never havo thought dT t hat down nt IJiirnl wootl, would wc ? Then he went, nwnv nnd in came one of her two lovers, nnd wanted to kis her ; but she (rented bun very properly, ond would not lot him touch her; only nt last she whimpered htm, loud enough lor me to hear, that he must go kill her husband. 'Just then the oilier lover enmo in. and ns they wore both officers, and had their swords bv their sides, they drew tlnm. ami fought togeth"r, while the lady fell down on her knees nntl looked up lo (he cciliti Then one of them wns killed, and fell close by her. and he gave her s-uuli a loo!; befori he died O dear ! Then she got up and ran to the other, nnd put her nrms nboul him, nnd said, 'Bravo Henry, you hnve won tny heart. ' bo thev talked about it bit, i list as if (hcv had been 'jaraaining fur a pig at market, and they agreed thev would hide the dead man under the garden seal she had been sitting on, and bhu sat down on it again, eh thai, nothing could be seen. Then the lover went away behind the hushes, and she turned up her eves nnd groaned, and said, 'Now her life was a burthen to her, for sho had seen the death of the only man she loved.' Just then her husband came in, and wantnd to talk to her in n friendly way, but she pushed him off, nnd called him a faithless monster, and an oppressor of innocence, though I thought him a very nice civil gentleman ; nnd then alio upset the seat, in the way a cow up sets a milk-pail, and showed hun the ilea body, and said, 'There is the man I loved the trim husband of my heart. Oh, that vnu had died instead of him!' Then ihe lover heard her speak, I suppose, ns lis tenors never hear any good of themselves and he came in nnd caul, 'What, ma'am was it ho you loved? l'crfidous woman then will I scud voti lo inui him. lie was going lo run her through with his sword and I never saw tho squire angrier at poacher than he was with her; but the huaband catno in the way to snvo her, anil tho officer killed him instead, and said that would do as well. Then tlio father came in with n great many constnbles and so diers to carry the officer away to jail. They ot hold ol him, nud took away his sword and put a chain upon his wrists, and then ho began lo struggle, but it wns no us and thev wore going nwny with him, when tho father said, 'My daughter, some one has poisoned me, I hope it isn't you.' And ho fell down, and rolled Ins eves about and clenched his hands, and died. Then tho lad v said, 'Alas! how am I devoted misery ! My destiny lias made mo wretch cd ; but my principles Imvo always been Riihliino. Henry, while you go to death and I into a nunnery, knuw that my hearl has always buen true to you. Wo t-hall meet in u belter world, where it is nut crime to love. Take this kiss.' Then tho cloth was lut down again, and I said Mr. Grub, '1 wonder does till that come of eating frogs?' " ciiAi'TF.rt xtr. Before tho end of tho week James re turned, and with him his fiiifioring sister. Sho was too weak to stand, hut was lilted out of tho market cart that had brought her from tho next town, nnd was received in her mother's arms. Her own well. known chamber had been prepared nnd nnanged with all the littlo object familiar to her from childhood ; tho oaken cupboard, the walnut-wood chest of drawers, Iho queer oval looking-glnss, and tho pictures of Spring, in yellow ribbons, nnd of a brown Abraham uhotit to sacrifice a pink Isaac. Tho small bed. with its cross barred cur tains of red and whito, in which the careless girl had slept so tranquilly, bcciiiciI liko a quiet grave opening Us arms to receive tho weary widow. Her mother undressed her, nnd laid her down lo rest, and then sat be side her nnd held her hand, restraining her own grief at Iho sight of tlio wasted faded being boloro her, while n long flow of lears came from tho daughter's closed eyes. At last sho seemed about to sleep, but looked up feebly and said, 'Would my father kiss mo as ho did when I was n good child V Tho mother went for her husband, who camo in with a tenderness of aspect such over her, kissrd again and again her hot lips, and murmured, 'Bless you. my child ! God bless yon I' 'Oh, faihor!' sho snitl, 'can you slill love me?' His tears mixed with her. nnil when he left her to her mother's care she fell into a deep sleep. She dreamed that she was again a child gathering cowslips in n well-known green meadow near tho Inrm-house, nnd tint illicitly she saw standing close to the high bank, two figures, ono in a white cloak Uh a while hood over its head, and the other similarly dressed in crimson . They corned taller Iran men. nnd with stntoly looks nud gestures each invited her to ap proach and to think of his fountain, which gushed out of Iho hnnk. Tlio fountain of a while liguroshc saw was milk, and she thought that she bad ofinti drank ot that; but the other siream was red wine, which he had ttevr tusti'tl, nnd she turned to it, nd drank of ti from the bowl which (he crimson figuru held out to her. Then the while figure snnk down, ond in sinking, unncovercd ils face, which sho saw was thai of Mr, Mti'grnvo the clergyman, nnd the cloak spread over him nntl round from him in a circle, wider and wider, and the bite stream poured forth and foamed, ond mot it, and the whole turned to white snow and ice. But the red figure seemed all rapped in red fire, nnil tho wine-stream turned to lire, and Hooded the field around her, and beat against the snow ; and the gurc rnisod its hood nnd showed the face her husband. Then suddenly she felt herself no longer a child, hut a woman, Willi her arms around nun, nud her clothes caught fire from him, nnd they both burned together. Htnniliug on n field of fire, while the red streams devoured the snow, nud blazed, but without smoke, over all the laud. Then a gigantic Death, all whose bones oemed icicles, glided with swift strides over the field, and his cold breath put oul the llnuies nud chi'led them through, nnd they shrunk and fell together; nnd tho Death took the bnwl that had huld the fiery wine, and filled it with the snow that till lay in a patch around the white foun tain, and poured it over them once nnd again, and yet again. Sho know that i was tho silence ot l he grave which he was poti'-ing over them, till they were buried under n hill of silent snow. But it fell softly and pleasantly upon them, nnd calm cd their burning, and so they slumbered in their grave, locked in each other s arms ; and she felt that their baby slept between them; yet its spirit sang, sho thought, at the samo timo out of a tuft of cowslips on he bank. While she dreamed thus, a gentle sm'lc came over her face, and her mother knew that her psu.s I. ad f.i.- a moment ceased. cii.WTEn xiii. Hasting? was an inveterate walker; and in the course of one of his rambles he found himself, after mnuv hours' exertion, we and' tired, close to Burntwood farm. Ho went in, and was, of course, hospitably received by runner Wilson and his wife as well as by James and Ann. They were going to dinner, nud invited him to join lliem, but proposed that lie should tir change his clothes which were thoroughly soaked, James ofiertng to lend him a suit o his own. Hastings gladly consented, and non appeared in Ihe young farmer s Sun ihy garb. lie had been so used to wear the costume of time rent countries and char acters, that nothing looked awkward on him. James could not help fancying that the vtsler nnpeared In much more ndvnn tago in the clothes than their true owner Ann did no: join in this amnion, but she was much amused at the spectacle of another person I ban James in her cousin' habiliments, and was constantly hanging down her dead to conceal a broad smile although slio acknowledged to herself that Hastings looked well anil at case in hi new drees. The wet clothes were bun up by the fire; and the whole pa rty sat down to dinner, while one or other of the women went frequently to Ihc neighboring room of Elizabeth to see how she was. Hastings wns delighted with his ndvcnluro, nnd nte like n true farmer, and talked so as to draw out all the information ho could from both tho Wilsons, often, also, introducing n word for (ho women. He picked up many fncls as (o Iho peasantry, and the modes of feeling and thinking of tho country people. Ho also tolil some anecdotes from Ins (ravels, which interested his new friends, and made Ann open her eyes wide, and look nt him ns if some preternatural being had suddenly nppoarcd in tho well known clothes. He sooko of African huntings.Hindno murders, the witchcraft of American Indians, and tho roving robbers of Arabia ond Persia; of volcanoes, crocodiles, nnd gold mines. Tho mention of juggling and magic led him to speak of many strange things that ho had known of in different countries, sonic of them easily lo be explained, others nnnaronllv unintelligible, but not tho less cerlnin. Ho said, for instance, that nnco when residing in one of tho West Indian islands, he had bought, and taken rather as a favorite than a servant, n handsome boy. coloured, or of tho mixed race, and eleven or twolvo years old. Ho was remarkable for tho liveliest and most joyous spirits, as well as for readiness nnd clearness ol head. But after some weeks, without any seeming cause, the hoy became melancholy nnd dull, and wns evidently losing his health. His master questioned him ns to Iho reason of this change, hut ho would givo none, and anncarcd terrified at the thought of conies sing. After much persuasion, however, he bnTst into tears, full on his knees, nnd said he would toll till. For maitv nights, h said, ho had always had tho samo bad dreams, urging him to rob his master, and leavo tho money in n cerlnin decayed (am arind troo near tho house. 'This advice, ho said, was given him in his sleep by different figures, nnw by n beautiful whito told mo wub colled tho pit; and there 1 as bo never showed before, and, bonding I drc n golden sword besido him; sometimes by cloudy gigantic figures of men and women playing on tlruttw, nnd kindling great fires, in which they threatened to" burn him ; sometimes by n whito preacher, with long grey hair, and n book in his hand, out of which a prodigious bamboo grow up into the sky, with n star in the top of it ; nnd sometimes by a number of litiln rose-coloured children, who played round liitn, and nil sang iho same thing in his ear. Hi master comforted him. told him tho bad dreams would go nwny. and gave him money, which ho desired him to lenvc in the hollow (roe. A person wo then sent to watch, who found that the money was taken nwny by an old negro woman, who sometimes come nboul tho house from a neighboring cstnlr to sell vegetables nntl poultry. The difficulty was to conceive how ihe dreams could have nrisen in the boy's tniiid. In order to discover this, his master, without informing him. bored n hole in the partition of Ins bedroom, nntl remained with his eye directed through it. The houses in those countries nro often not fastened, nor even (he doors laid to. It was, therclorc, not very surprising that early in the night, a faint sound was heard in tho hoy's room, nntl nn old woman was seen to enter, bent nearly double, and looiting lil;o some strange grizzled baboon rather than a human being. She crept to the bed side, nnd, after seating herself, and making various signs, she began to mutter in a low voice closo to tho hov's car. riieso were some of the words which the Suglishman caught : 'Now white woman come you very booful much tell you tnke massa'3 money put in um tree now she gib you um kiss very sweet much.' And o the old hag went on suggesting image after image, while it was evident, from the boy s writhing and gasping, that tho word took in his mind the nppenranco of corrcs ponding tilings, but did not wake hiin from his painful 6lcep. I he woman was seizcJ while creeping away, and put in the stocks where she was shown to the boy tho next day, and means were taken to frighten her from ever again approaching tho house I lie boy soon recovered his cheerfulness but would probnblv, in the opinion of an intelligent physician, bo liable all Ins life to similar influences from those about him After this, Hastings was led to speak of occurrences no les3 strange which lie had experienced in oilier countries. 'Once,' he said, I made a sudden journey from ono part ol l'crsta to another in company with several natives, whom 1 roscmbleu in mv dress, beard, and general appearance. On the last day of mv expedition I rode for fourteen hours without stopping, and reach ed in the evening the cily of my destination. As wo pnspi'd through the gate, I saw a. lining the crowd who were looking at our cavalcade an old man, who seemed to walcli mo with great intetitness. We were stop ped for a few momen's n one of the streets, and, on looking round, he was again close to inc. After wc had settled ourselves for tlio night in our khan, a Inrge building de signed for trsvil crs, while my servant was ntlendiug to my horse, and I was about to cat my supper, the samo old man approach, cd mo, and nsketl if I would come with him anil share a better meal than the ono before me. I looked at him now more attentively, and, having before seen, from his drcs. that ho wns one of the Atmenians who are unlives of iho East, but not Mahometans. il now also appeared lo me that ho was of an honest and benevolent countenance. He looked rcspectnble but not wealthy, felt that I had my pistols about me, loosen cd my sword, and followed him. We passed through several streets, nnd entered nt l.i-t a small door in a high antl solid wall tint) lea tu int n n court, nntl thence wc passed into n garden, nt the further side of which a building stood; into this wo passed, nud 1 loiind myselt in a scene of wonder The light of many perfumed lamps showed tint Hie walls wore covered with blue and red silk embroidered in gold. There were several large ebony and japan cabinets filled witli golden plate, and with pyramids of cot and rough jewels, I he carpet wa of brocade, nud the cushions that lay upon it of purple silk worked with (lowers m seed pearl. I ho old man made me sit down ond left mo for a fow minutes: after which ho returned superbly dressed, and placed himself beside mo. He spoke very little, ami seemed of a grave, if not tiielan. choly humour. But he had hardly given me lo wonder at Ins proceedings, when a train ol slaves came in, beautifully clothed and bonring walor in eilvnr bowls to wasl the bauds; and then a multitude ofdishe of the most delicate and costly meals. Wo sat nlnunt in idlenco ; wino cool ns snow was brought to me, and again the owcrs for washing. When wo were left alone, tho old man sighed, and said, 'Stranger, great as may bo your wonder, it cannot exceed my confusion, But it is useless to delay speaking wnal must bo told. I am a mer chant, accounted the richest of this cily nnd. some have said, of Persia. But my wealth avails littlo for happiness. I hnve nn only child, u daughter, than whom I ho lievo there nro few more beautiful. Hut all mv jov in her is blighted by the misfor tune ol the evil eye which has fallen upon her. Her health has long been wailing away. I hnve consulted tnanv phvsicinns mollahs, and dervishes, but none have been of use toiler. One, reputed thosagetof the holy men in nil the province, told me three mouths agn, that on tins day a strati gor, a Frank, would enter nt sunset th eastern gale; (hat htm 1 must wail for and cntruat, and if ho would consent to become the husband of my daughter, tho spell would bo defeated, and sho would live; hut that if he refused, within ono hour of his denial she would surely die. You sen the coniouu of this loom, which nro but u small putt of my riches; alt will nt my tlenlh bo bore, and tiinro than you now 6uo I would at orce lint, although mar riage customs of tho Frnnks. nnd will show you the damsel hersnlfbelorc you decide.' lie then drew nil' n curtain from n door, nnd the maiden, who had been Killing within, rose up timidly, let Iho covering fall from off her hend, ntid with a low bending of the hotly, and hnnds crossed, stood trembling before me. She waa beau tiful, even in European eyes, but, I saw that she was dying. I slonped to kis tin- hem of her garment, drew Iho curtain be fore her, and led the "Id tnnn nwny. Ilav. ing made hun -it beside me. I told him with many tlinnk' that 1 oould not accept U bounteous offtr. Ho looked nt. mo with fixed eyes for a lull minute, then his conn lenonce assumed nn expression of dcndlv (urv. and, exclaiming, 'Slav, you slmll repent this insolence,' ho thrice violently clapped his hands. Immediately Fix or seven armed men entered, to whom ho called to seize me. I had time to draw my sword; and. enraged at his violence, while they rushed upon me I made n blow nt him; but his daughter, who had rushed in for the ptirpne, I fear of saving me, threw herself between ns and received the blade of the scytnitar on her neck. She shrieked. fell, and mud, doubtless, bavo died upon the spot; but. I could not slay to learn her late, lor several swords were lined against me. In the cnnfuion I fired a pistol among my a-sti'.lnnt?, dashed a lamp against some muslin hangings nenr me, which sot them in a blaze, sprang into the closet whero the girl had been, nnd forced my way through the women's apartments into the street. I left the town the next morn. ing, and never returned to it ; nor can I. to this hour, explain by what means the der vish had predicted my arrival, and its dis astrous conseiiuenccs.' ciiArrnn xtr, To such talcs as these, while they sat round the fire nftcr dinner, and the drench ing ram slill fell, the Wilsons lent an ad miring attention. The father told in re. turn, some English wonders of ghosts nnd and omens, without, apparently, giving them much credit; and ho afterwards said, 'No doubt there is plenty of fortune. telling and all such nonsense, going nn in the neighbourhood, as there is a gang of gip sies encamped at uo great disinnce1' Thi awakened the curiosity of Hastings; for he had seen bodies of that dispersed race in almost every country between India and England, unit could speak t-omcting of their peculiar language. He enquired par ticularly where thoy were to be found; and as soon as the rain abated, lie sent n mes- ige to Beechurst to say he should proba bly be absent some hours, and then set out in search of the tents of tho wanderers. He left the lilllc family full of interest in so wonderful a man. I'oor Ann, in whom every emotion bubbled at once to the sur face, spoke twice or thrice to James, ns it she had felt more admiration for Hastings than ho was pleased with his annoyance was much increased by anger at himsell for having nny 'uch feelings from so nb- tird n cause. 1 he familv, however, nil parted for the night, apparently great Iricnds. But James, when alone, in-toml of going lo bed, sni and thought over his visit to London, and mourned his own igno rance nnd perplexity a to evcrv thing be yond the small circle of his daily life. In addition to this discontent, he could no Ireo himself from the imago of Hasting-, dressed in his clothes, anil talking of s tunny wondrous things that he had never before heard of, with n composure and liveliness in him so perfectly asioni-hing. How largo and various, ho thought, h 1 1 world, nnd what n brutish stupidity is i' that leaves me so ignorant. What have I lo describe to Ann, that she does not already know as well as I? Impatient and unhappy, ho begin to undress himself. But when tho clock struck twelve, the whole of his storv as Arthur Edmnnstono and Sir Charles Ilarcoort blnzd sut upon him, and lie fell for and found the Oov Ring lied to a ribbon round his neck He cut the string and put tho ring upon his finger. I ho lawyer, I ho baronet, and the farmer, were three distinct figures that now came bclorc him as his own, though he knew that tiio original furin of his boinr was that of Arthur. Each of these ho hail tried, anil with each of tltrni been diatis fiod. Neither of the changes which ln had experienced had supplied that which was wauling in his original existence, ami each had distressed him by ils own hind rances antl pains. Il seemed that nothing would really supply his cravings but th unbroken freshness and vigour of tempera ment. tho keen and chcerlul courage, of a man liko Hastings, finding pleasure wherev er there is room for adventure, and -trikni ' out adventure whore others would di-cnve'-only n dull routine. Tho figuro, loo. nf lh man dressed in iho farmer's clothes, yet n experience ami versatility so much Iri superior, and awakening so strongly lh" alternate laughter and nmnzoineiu of poo Ann, liauntnd him invincibly, nnd, rimm" Iho ring to his mouth, ho pronounced th name of llnstings The true James wn restored to Ins native position, uncousctou i of an interruption in Ins life ; nntl Iho im aessor of Iho ring found himself, in iIm character nf Hastings, a visitor of th gipsy camp, Tj he Continued- woman, now by a great negro chief, 1 bestow on Iter os n portion. But, nlili dressed in green and crimson clothes, with I it is nut o Persian ueoge, I know the Wo are informed upon this b-.t million'" that on Mondny morning Inst the water i' tho lake. on tho American Bottom, nppn.su i to this city, called Iho Grand Manns, cov ering mora than nno thousand ncres, sod denly disappeared, leaving tniio tenths of us bed entirely hare. Ii has since filled tin gradually; but, nn Thursday, wns nlvni ono foot below its oitlinary height. Th i fish in tho loko appear to Invn all been dy. strayed, thuiis.-inds m them being imw lion' ing on the surlaeo nf tho M;e. Wlnl" th water was out, a huge fissure wns discovore 1 in thocarth nt the bottom of the lake extend, ing from batik to bank. St. Louis Gaulle.