ISHMAEI OR IN THE DEPTHS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 467, 30 April 1890, Page 6

ISHMAEI OR IN THE DEPTHS.

BY MRS EMMA D. E. N. SOUTH WORTH, Anther of “Self-Raised,” "Fair Piny,” “Th« iihsing ' ri.lc,'’ ** A boblo Lord,” “How Uo Won Hor,” “ iho Princo of Darkness," “ Tried for Her life.'’ Etc,, Etc. CHAPTER XLVI. NEW LIFE. Oil, mighty perseverance I Oh, courage, stern and stout! That wills and works a clearance Of every troubling doubt,— That cannot brook denial And scarce allows delay. But wins from every trial More strength for every day! M. F. T UPPER. When the judge met his daughter at dinner that evening, he informed her of the now arrangement effected with Ishmael Worth. Miss Merlin listened in some surprise, and then asked:

‘ Was it well done, papa ?’ 4 What, Claudia?’ ‘The making of that engagement with Ishmael.’ ‘ I think so, my dear, as far as I am interested, at least, and I shall endeavour to make the arrangement profitable also to the youth.’ • And he is to remain with us until we go to town ?’ * Yes, my dear, but you seem to demur, Claudia. Now what is the matter? What possible objection can there be to Ishmael Worth remaining here as my assistant until we go to town ?’ ‘Papa, it will be accustoming him to a society and style that will make it very hard for him to return to the company of

the ignorant men and women who have hitherto been his associates,’ said Claudia. ‘But why should he return to them? Young Worth is very talented and well educated. He works to enable him to study a profession. There is no reason on earth why ho should nob succeed. He looks like a gentleman, talks like a gentleman, and behaves like a gentleman ! And there is nothing to prevent his becoming a gentleman.’ _ 4 Oh, yes, there is, papa ! Yes, there is ! exclaimed Claudia, with emotion. ‘ To what do you allude, my dear?’ ‘To his—low birth, papa !’ exclaimed Claudia, with a gasp. ‘His low birth ? Claudia ! do we live in a Republic, or not ? If we do, what is the use of our free institutions if a deserving young man is to be despised on account of his birth ? Claudia ! in the circle of my acquaintance there are at least half-a-dozen prosperous men who were the sons of poor but respectable parents.’ * Yes, poor, but—respectable !’ ejaculated Claudia, with exceeding bitterness. 4 My daughter ! what do you mean by that? Surely young Worth’s family are honest people ?’ inquired the judge, in surprise. * Ishmaol’s parents were not respectable ! his mother was never married! I heard this years ago, bub did not believe it. _ I heard" it confirmed to-day !’ cried Claudia, with a gasp ana a sob, a 3 she sank back in her chair and covered her burning face with her hands.

The judge laid down his knife and fork and gazed at his daughter, muttering : ‘That is unfortunate ! very unfortunate ! no, he will never get over that reproach ; so far, you are right, Claudia.’ 4 Oh, no, I am wrong ! basely wrong ! He saved my life, and I speak these words of him as if ho were answerable for the sins of others ! as if his great misfortune was his crime! Poor Ishmael! Poor, noble-hearted boy! He saved my life, papa, at the price’ of deadly peril and terrible suffering to himself! Oh, reward him well, lavishly, munificently ! but send him away ! I cannot bear his presence here !’ exclaimed the excited girl.

• Claudia, it is natural that you should bo shocked at hearing such a piece of nows ; which, true or false, certainly ought never to have been brought to your ear. But, my dear, there is no need of all this excitement on your part. Ido not understand its excess. The youth is a good, intelligent, well-mannered boy, when all is said. Of course he can never attain the position of a gentleman ; bub that is no reason why he should be utterly cast out. And as to sending him away, now, there are several reasons why I cannot do that: In the first place, he is notable to go ; in the second, I need liis pen ; in the third, I ha ve made an engagement with him winch I will not break. As for the rest, Claudia, you need nob be troubled with the sight of him ; I will take care that ho does not intrude upon your presence,’ said the judge, as he arose from the table.

Claudia threw on her garden hat and hurried out of the house to bury herself in the shadows of the forest. That day she had learned, from the gossip of old Mrs Jones, who was on a visit to a married daughter in the neighbourhood, Ishmael’s real history, or what was supposed to be liis real history. She had struggled for composure all daylong, and only utterly lost her self-possession in the conversation with her father at the dinnertable. Now she sought the depths of the forest because she could nob bear the sight of a human face. Her whole nature was divided and at war with itself. All that was best in Claudia Merlin’s heart and mind was powerfully and constantly attracted by the moral and intellectual excellence of Ishmael Worth ; bub all the prejudices of her rank and education were revolted by the circumstances attending his birth, and were up in arms against the emotions of her better nature.

In what consists the power of the quiet forest shades to calm fierce human passions ? I know not; bub it is certain that, after walking two or three hours through their depths communing with her own spirit, Claudia Merlin returned home in a better mood to meet her father at the tea-table.

«Papa,’ she said, as she seated herself at the head of the table and began to make the tea— ‘ you need not trouble yourself bo keep Ishmael out of my way. Dreadful as this discovery is, he i 3 not to blame, poor boy. And I think we had better nob make any change in our treatment of him ; he would be wounded by our coldness; he would nob understand it and we could not explain. Besides, the six weeks will soon be over and then we shall be done with him.’

‘ I am glad to hear you say so, my dear ; especially as I had invited Ishmael to join us at tea this evening and forgotten to tell you of it until this moment. Bub, Claudia, my little girl,’ said the judge, scrutinising her pale cheeks and heavy eyes ‘ you must nob take all the sin and sorrows of the world so much to heart as you have this case; for, if you do, you will be an old woman before you are twenty years of age. 5 Claudia smiled faintly; but before she could reply, the regular, monotonous thump of a crutch was heard approaching the door,

and in another moment Ishmael stood within the room.

There was nothing in that fine intel-, lectual countenance, with its fair, broad, calm forehead, thoughtful eyes, and finelycurved lips to suggest the idea of an ignoble birth. With a graceful bow and sweet smile and a perfectly well-bred manner, Ishmael approached and took his seat at the table. The judge took his crutch and set it up in a corner, saying : ‘ I see you have discarded one crutch, my boy ! You will bo able to discard the other in a day or so.’ • Yes, sir ; X only retain this one in compliance with the injunctions of the doctor, who declares that I must not bear full weight upon the injured limb yet,’ replied Ishmael, courteously. No one could have supposed from the manner of tho youth that ho had not been accustomed to mingle on equal terms in the be3t society. Claudia poured out the tea. She was not deficient in courtesy ; but she could not bring herself, as yet, to speak to Ishmael with her usual ease and freedom When tea was over she excused herself and retired. Claudia was nob accustomed to seek Divine help. And so, in one of the greatest straits of moral experience, without one word of prayer, she threw herself upon her bed, whore she lay tossing about, as yet too agitated with mental conflict to sleep. Ishmael improved in health and grew in favour with his employer. Ho walked daily from his chamber to the library without tho aid of a crutch. He took his meals with the family. And oh ! ruinous extravagance, he wore his Sunday suit every day ! There was no help for it, since he must sib in tho judge’s library and eat at the judge’s table. Claudia treated him well; with the inconsistency of girlish nature, since she had felt such a revulsion of feeling towards him, and despite of it resolved to be kind to him, she went to the extreme and treated him bettor than ever.

The judge was unchanged in his manner to the struggling youth. And so the time went on and the month of November arrived.

Ishmael kept the Rushy Shore schoolhouse in mind. Up to this time, no schoolmaster had been found to undertake its care. And Ishmael resolved if it should remain vacant until his engagement with the judge should be finished, he would then take it himself.

All this while Ishmael, true to the smallest duty, had not neglected Reuben Gray’s account-books. They had been brought to him by Gray every week to be posted up. But it was the second week in November before Ishmael was able to walk to Woodside and see Hannah’s babes, now fine children of nearly three months of age Of course Ishmael. in the geniality of his nature, was delighted with them ; and equally, of course, he delighted their mother with their praises. The last two weeks in November were devoted by the judge and family to preparations for their departure. As the time slipped and the interval of their stay grew shorter and shorter, Ishmael began to count the days, treasuring each precious day that still gave him to the sight of Claudia. On the last day but one before their departure, all letters having been finished, the judge was in his library, selecting books to bo packed and sent off to his city residence. Ishmael was assisting him. When their task was completed, the judge turned to the youth and said : ‘ Now, Ishmael, I will leave the keys of the library in your possession. You will come occasionally to see that all is right here ; and you will air and dust the books, and in wet weather have a fire kindled to keep them from moulding, for in the depths of this forest it is very damp in winter. In recompense for your care of the library, Ishmael, I will give you the use of such law books as you may need to continue your studies. Here is a list of woiks that I recommend you to read in the order in which they are written down,’ said the judge, handing the youth a folded paper. ‘I thank you, sir; I thank you, very much,’ answered Ishmael, fervently. ‘ You can either read them here or take them home with you, just as you please,’ continued the judge. ‘You are very kind and I am very grateful, sir.’ ‘lt seems to me I am only just, and scarcely that, Ishmael! The county court opens at Shelton on the first of December. I would strongly recommend you to attend its sessions, and watch its trials ; it will be a very good school for you, and a great heip to the progress of your studies.’ ‘ Thank you, sir, I will follow your advice.’

‘ And after a while I hope you will be able to go for a term or two to one of the good Northern law schools.’ “I hope so, sir ; and for that purpose, I must work hard ’

‘ And if you ever . should succeed in getting admitted to the bar, Ishmael, I should advise you to go to the Far West. It nay seem premature to give you this counsel now, but I give it, while I think of it, because after parting with you I may never see you again.’ ‘ Again I thank you. Judge Merlin ; bub if ever that day of success should come for me, it will find me in my native State. I have an especial reason for fixing my home here; and here I must succeed or fail !’ said Ishmael, earnestly, as he thought of his mother’s early death, and unlionoured grave, and his vow to rescue her memory from reproach. ‘lb appears to me that your native place would be the last spot on earth where you, with your talents, would consent to remain,’ said the judge, significantly.

* I have a reason—a sacred reason, sir,’ replied Ishmael, earnestly, yet with some reserve in his manner.

‘A reason “with which the stranger intermeddleth not,” I suppose?’ Ishmael bowed gravely, in assent.

‘ Very well, my young friend ; I will nob inquire what it may be,’ said Judge Merlin, who was busying himself at his writing bureau, among some papers, from which he selected one, which he brought forward to the youth, saying : * Here, Ishmael—here is a memorandum of your services, which I have taken care to keep; for I knew full well that if I waited for you to present me a bill, I might wait for ever. You will learn to do such things, however, in time. Now I find by my memorandum that I owe you about sixty dollars. Hereistlie money. There, now, do nob draw back and flush all over your face at the idea of taking money you have well earned. Oh, bub you will get over that in time, and when you are a lawyer, you will hold out your hand for a thumping fee, before you give an opinion on a case!’ laughed the judge, as he forced a roll of bank-notes into Ishmael’s hands, and left the library. The remainder of the day was spent in sending off waggon loads of boxes to the landing on the river side, where they were taken off by a rowboat and conveyed on board the ‘ Canvas Back,' that lay at anchor opposite Tanglewood waiting for the freight, to transport it to the city. On the following Saturday morning, the judge and his daughter left Tanglewood for Washington. They travelled in the private carriage, driven by the heroic

‘ Sam ’ and attended by a mounted groom. The parting, which shook Ishmael’s whole nature like a storm, nearly rending soul and body asunder, seemed to have but little effect upon Miss Merlin. She went through it with great decorum, shaking hands with Ishmael, wishing him success, and hoping to see him, some fine day, on tho bench !

This Claudia said laughing, as with goodhumoured raillery. But Ishmael bowed very gravely, and though liis heart was breaking, answered calmly : * I hope so too, Miss Merlin. We shall see.’

4 Au revoir !’ said Claudia, her eyes sparkling with mirth. ‘ Until roe meet !’ answered Ishmael, solemnly, as he closed the carriage door, and gave the coachman the word to drive off.

As tho carriage rolled away, the beautiful girl, who was its sole passenger, and whose eyes had been sparkling with mirth but an instant before, now threw her hands up to her face, fell back in her seat, and burst into a tempest of tears and sobs. Ignorant of what was going on within its curtained enclosure, Ishmael remained standing and gazing after the vanishing carriage, which was quickly lost to view in the deep shadows of the forest road, until Judge Merlin, who at the last moment had decided to travel on horseback, rode up to take leave of him and follow the carriage. 4 Well! good-bye, my young friend ! Take care of yourself!’ were the lastadieux of the judge, as he shook hands with Ishmael, and rode away. ‘ 1 wish you a pleasant journey, sir,’ were the final words of Ishmael, sent after the galloping horse. Then the young man, with desolation in his heart, turned into the house, to set the library in order, lock it up, and remove his own few personal effects from the premises. Reuben Gray, who had come up to assist the judge, receive his final orders, and bco him off, waited outside with his light waggon, to take Ishmael and his luggage home to Woodside. Reuben helpedlshtnael to transfer his books, clothing, etc., to the waggon. And then Ishmael, after having taken leave of aunt Katie, and left a small present in her hand, jumped into his seat, and was driven off by Reuben. The arrangement of Tanglewood had occupied nearly tho whole of the short winter forenoon, so that it was twelve o’clock meridian when they reached Woodside.

They found a very comfortable sittingroom awaiting them. Reuben, in the pride of paternity, had refurnished it. There was a warm red carpet on the floor ; warm red curtains at the windows ; a bright fire burning in tho fire-place; a neat dinner-table set out: and, best of all, Hannah seated in a low rocking-chair, with one rosy babe on her lap and another in the soft white cradle-bed by her side. Hannah laid the baby she held beside its brother in the cradle, and arose and went to Ishmael, and took hija in her arms and welcomed him home again, saying : ‘ Oh, my dear boy, I am so glad you have come back ! I will make you happier with us, lad, than you have ever been before.’ * You have always been very good to me, aunt Hannah,’ said Ishmael, warmly, returning her embrace. ‘ No, I haven’t, Ishmael, no, I haven’t, my boy ; but I will be. Sally ! bring in the fish directly. You know very well that Ishmael don’t like rock-fish boiled too much,’ she said, by way of commencement. Tho order was immediately obeyed, and the family sat down to the table. The thrifty overseer’s wife had provided a sumptuous dinner in honour of her nephew’s return. The thriving overseer could afford to be extravagant once in a while. Ah ! very different were these days of plenty at Woodside to those days of penury at Hill Hut. And Hannah thought of the difference, as she dispensed the good things from the head of her well-supplied table. The roek-fish with egg sauce was followed by a boiled ham and roast ducks with sage dressing, and the dinner was finished off with apple pudding and mince pies and new cider.

Ishmael tried his best to do justice to the luxuries affection had provided for him ; but after all ho could not satisfy the expectation of Hannah, who complained bitterly of his want of appetite. After dinner, when the young man had gone upstairs to arrange his books and clothes in his own room, and had left Hannah and Reuben alone, Hannah again com plained of Ishmael’s derelictions to the duty of the dinner-table.

1 It’s no use talking, Hannah ; he can’t help it. His heart is so full that he ain’t gob room in his insides for no victuals ! And that’s just the truth on’t. ’Twas the same way with me when I was young and in love long o’ you ! And wa’n’b you corntrairy nyfcher ? Lord, Hannah, why when you used bo get on your high horse with me, I'd be offen my feed for weeks and weeks together. My heart would be swelled to my very throat, and my stomach wouldn’t he nowhar !’ ‘Reuben, don’t be a fool! it’s not becoming in the father of a family,’ said Mrs Hannah, proudly glancing at the twins. ‘ Law, so it isn’t; so it isn’t, Hannah, woman. Bub surely I was only telling of you what ailed Ishmael, as he was off his feed.’

‘ But what foolishness and craziness and sottishness for Ishmael bo be in love with Miss Merlin !' exclaimed Hannah impatiently. ‘ Law, woman, who ever said love was anything else bub craziness and the rest of it?’ laughed Gray. 4 Bub Miss Merlin thinks no more of Ishmael than she does of the dirt under her feet,’ said Hannah, bitterly. ‘Begging your pardon, she thinks a deal more of him than she’d like anybody to find out,’ said honest Reuben, winking. ‘ How did you find it out then ?’ inquired his wife.

‘ Law, Hannah, I haven’t been fried and froze, by turn, with all sorts of fever and ague love fits, all the days of my youth, without knowing of the symptoms. And I tell you as how the high and mighty heiress, Miss Claudia Merlin, loves the very buttons on our Ishmael’s coat better nor she loves the whole world and all the people in it besides. And no wonder ! for of all the young men as ever I seed, gentlemen or workingmen, Ishmael Worthie the moat handsomest in his looks and his manners, and his speech and all. And I believe, though I am not much of a judge, as he is the most intelligentest and book larnedest. I never seed his equal yet. Why, Hannah, I don’t believe as there is e’er a prince a livin’ as has finer manners, I don’t!’

4 But, Reuben, do you mean what you say? Do you really think Miss Claudia Merlin condescends to like Ishmael ? I have heard of ladies doing such strange things sometimes; but Miss Claudia Merlin!’

‘ I bold you. and I tell you again, as she loves the very buttons offen Ishmael’s coat better nor she loves all the world besides. Bub she is as proud as Lucifer, and ready to bear her own heart out of her bosom for passion and spite, because she can’t get Ishmael out of it 1 She’ll never marry him, if you mean that; though I know sometimes young ladies will marry beneath them for love; but Miss Merlin will never do that. She would fling berself into burning fire first!’

The conversation could go no farther, for the subject of it was beard coming down the stairs, and the next moment he opened the door and entered the room. He took a seat near Hannah, smiling and saying: ‘For this one afternoon I will take a holiday, aunt Hannah, and enjoy the society of yourself and the babies.’ * So do, Ishmael,’ replied the pleased and happy mother. And in the effort to shake off his gloom, and please and be pleased, Ishmael found his sadness alleviated.

He was never weary of wondering at Hannah and her children. To behold his maiden aunt in the character ef a wife had been a standing marvel to Ishmael. To contemplate her now as a mother was an ever-growing delight to the geuial boy. She had lost her old-maidish appearance. She was fleshier, fairer and softer to look upon. And she wore a pretty bobbin-net cap and a bright-coloured calico wrapper, and she busied herself with needlework while turning the cradle with her foot, and humming a little nursery song. As for Reuben, he arose as Ishmael sat down, stood contemplating his domestic bliss for a few minutes, and then took his hat and went out upon his afternoon rounds among the field labourers. A happy man was Reuben Gray!

CHAPTER XLVII

RUSHY SHORE. He feels, he feels within him That courage self-possest,— That force that yet shall win him, The brightest and the best,— The stalwarth Saxon daring That steadily steps on. Unswerving and unsparing Until the goal be won! M. F. T UPPER. The first thing Ishmael did, when he found himself again settled at Woodside, and had got over the anguish of his parting with Claudia and the excitement of his removal from Tanglewood, was to walk over to Rushy Shore and inquire of overseer Brown whether a master had yet been heard of for the little school.

‘ No, nor ain’t a-gwine to bo ! There ain’t much temptation to anybody as knows anything about this ’ere school to take it. The chillun as comes to it; —well, there , they are just the dullest, headatronge3t, forwardestset o’ boys and gals as ever was; and their fathers and mothers, take’em all together, are the bad payingest ! The fact is, concarning this school, one may say as tho wexation is sartin and the wages unsarbin,’ answered Brown, whom _ Ishmael found, as usual, with his pipe in his mouth, 4 Well, then, as I am on my feet again, and no other master can be found, I will take it myself ,—that is to say, if I can have it, said Ishmael. ■ Well, I reckon you can. Mr Middleton, he sent his lawyer down here to settle up affairs arter he had bought the property, and the lawyer, he told me, as I had been so used to the place as I was to keep on a-managing it for the new master; and as a letting out of this school house was a part of my business, 1 do s’pose as I can let you have it, if you like to take it.’

‘Yes, I should, and I engage it from the first of January. There are now but two weeks remaining until the Christmas holidays. So it is not worth while to open the school until these ehall be over. Bub, meanwhile, Brown, you can let your friends and neighbours know that the schoolhouse will be ready for the reception of pupils on Monday, the third of January.’ ‘Very well, sir; I’ll let them all know.’ ‘ And now, Brown, tell me, is Mr Middleton’s family coming in at the firßb of the year?’ inquired Ishmael, anxiously. ‘ Oh, no, sir! the house is a deal too damp. In some places it leaks awful in rainy weather. There be a lob of repairs to be made. So it won’t be ready, for the family much afore the spring, if then.’ *I am sorry to hear that. W ill you give me Mr Middleton’s address ?’ 4 His— ivhich, sir ?’ 4 Tell me where I can write to him.’ *Oh ! he is at Washington, present speaking; Franklin Square, Washington City ; that will find him.’ ‘Thank you.’ And shaking hands with the worthy overseer Ishmael departed. And the same day he wrote and posted a letter to Mr Middleton.

The intervening two weeks between that day and Christmas was spent by Ishmael, as usual, in work and in study. He made up the whole year’s accounts for Reuben Gray, and put hia farm books in perfect order. While Ishmael was engaged in this latter job, it occurred to him that he could nob always be at hand to assist Reuben, and that it would be much better for Gray to learn enough of arithmelic and bookkeeping to make him independent of other people’s help in keeping his accounts. So, when Ishmael brought him his books one evening, and told him they were all in order up to that present day, and Reuben said:

4 Thank you, Ishmael! I don’t know what I should do without you, my lad !’ Ishmael answered him, saying very earnestly : 4 Uncle Reuben, all the events of life are proverbially very uncertain, and it may happen that you may be obliged to do without me ; in which case, would it nob be well for you to be prepared for such a contingency ?’ 4 What do you mean, Ishmael ?’ inquired Gray, in alarm. * I mean—had you nob better learn to keep your books yourself, in case you should lose me ?’

‘Oh, Ishmael, I do hope you are nob going to leave us !’ exclaimed Reuben, in terror.

‘ Nob until duty obliges me to do so, and that may not be for years. It is true that I have taken the Rushy Shore school-house, which I intend to open on the third of January; but then I shall continue to reside here with you, and w’alk backward and forward between this and that.’

4 What! every day there and back, and to such a distance?’

‘Yes, Uncle Reuben ; I can manage it, do so, by rising an hour earlier than usual,’ said Ishmael, cheerfully. ‘ You rise airly enough now, In all conscience ! You’re up at daybreak ! If you get up airlier nor that, and take that long walk twice every day, it will wear you out and kill you—that is all.’ 4 lb will do me good, Uncle Reuben ! It will be just the sort of exercise in the open air that I shall require to antidote the effect of my sedentary work in the schoolroom,’ said Ishmael, cheerfully. ‘ That’s you, Ishmael 1 allers looking on the blight side of everything, and taking hold of all tools by the smooth handle ! I hardly think any hardship in this world as could be put upon you, would be took amiss by you , Ishmael.’ 4 1 am glad you think so well of me, Uncle Reuben ; I must try to retain your good opinion ; it was not of myself I wished to speak, however, but of you. I hope you will learn to keep your own aacounts, so as to be independent of anybody else’s assistance. If you would give me a half an hour’s attention every night, I could teach you to do it well in the course of a few weeks or months.’

‘Law, Ishmael, that would give you more trouble than keeping the books youreelf.’

* I can teach you, and keep the books besides, until you are well able to do it yourself.’

‘ Law, Ishmael, how will you ever find the time to do all that, and keep school, and read law, and take them long walks besides ?’

* Why, Uncle Reuben, I can always find time to do every duty I undertake,’ replied the persevering boy. ' One would think your days were fortyeight hours long, Ishmael, for you to get through all the work as you undertake.’ ‘ But how about the lessons, Uncle Reuben ?’

‘ Oh, Ishmael, I’m too old to larn ; it ain’t worth while now ; I’m past fifty, you know.’

‘ Well, but you are a fine, strong, healthy man, and may live to be eighty or ninety. Now, if I can teach you in two or three months an art which will be useful to you every day of your life, for thirty or forty years, don’t you think that it is quite worth while to learn it?’

‘ Well, Ishmael, you have got a way of putting things as mrkes people think they’re reasonable, whether or no, and convinces of folks again’ their will. I think, arter all, belike you oughter been lawyer, if so be you’d turn a judge and jury round your finger as easy as you turn other peoplo. I’ll e’en larn of you, Ishmael, though it do look rum like for an old man like mo to go to school to a boy like you.’ ‘ That is right, Uncle Reuben, you’ll be a good accountant yet before the winter is over,’ laughed Ishmael. Christmas came ; but it would take too long to tell of the rustic merry-makings in a neighbourhood noted for the festive style in which it celebrates its Christmas holidays. There were dinner, supper, and dancing parties in all the cottages during the entire week. Reuben Gray gave a rustic ball on New Year s evening. And all the country beaux and belles of his rank in society came and danced at it. And Ishmael, in the geniality ol his nature, made himself so agreeable to everybody that he unconsciously turned the heads of half the young girls in the room, who unanimously pronounced him * quite the gentleman.’ This was the last as well as the gayest party of the holidays. It broke upab twelve midnight, because the next day was Sunday. On Monday, Ishmael arose early and walked over to Rushy Shore, opened his school-house, lighted a fire in it, and sat down at his teacher’s desk to wait the arrival of his pupils. About eight or nine o’clock they began to come, by ones, twos, and threes; some attended by their parents and some alone. Rough-looking customers they were to be sure ; shock-headed, sun-burned, and freckle-faced girls and boys of the humblest class of ‘ poor whites,’ as they are called in the slave States.

Ishmael received them, each and all, with the genial kindness which always won the hearts of all who knew him.

In arranging his school and classifying his pupils, Ishmael found the latter as ignorant, stubborn and froward as they had been represented to him. Bam White would nob go into the same class with Pete Johnson, because Pete’s father got drunk and was * had up ’ for fighting. Susan Jones would nob sit beside Ann Bates because Ann’s mother ‘ hired out.’ Jem Ellis, who wa9 a big boy that did not know his ABC, insisted on being pub at the head of the highest class because he was the tallest pupil in the school. And Sarah Brown refused to go into any class at all, because her father was the overseer of the estate, and she felt herself above them all !

These objections and claims were all put forth with loud voices and rude gestures. Bub Ishmael, though shocked, was not discouraged. ‘ln patience he possessed his soul ’ that day. And after a while he succeeded in calming all these turbulent spirits and reducing his little kingdom to order.

It was a very harassing 1 day, however,and after he had dismissed his school and walked home, and given Reuben Gray his lesson, and posted the account-book, and read a portion of his ‘ Coke,’ he retired to bed, thoroughly wearied in mind and body and keenly appreciative of the privilege of rest. From this day forth, Ishmael worked harder and suffered more privations than, perhaps, he had ever done at any former period of his life.

He rose every morning at four o’clock, before any of the family were stirring ; dressed himself neatly; read a portion of the Holy Scriptures by candle-light; said his prayers ; ate the cold breakfast that had been laid out for him the night before ; and set off to walk five miles to his scbool-hquse. He taught diligently until twelve o’clock ; then he dismissed the pupils for two hours to go home and get their dinners; he ate the cold luncheon of bread and cheese or meat that he had brought with him ; and set off to walk briskly the distance of a mile and a-half to Shelton, where the court was in session, and where he spent an hour, watching their proceedings and taking notes. He got back to bis school at two o’clock ; called in his pupils for the afternoon session ; and taught diligently until six o’clock in the afternoon, when he dismissed them for the day, shut up the school-house, and set off to walk home.

He usually reached Woodside at about seven o’clock, where he found them waiting tea for him. As this was the only meal Ishmael could take at home, Hannah always took care that it should be a comfortable and abundant one. After tea, he would give Reuben his lesson in book-keep-ing, post up the day’s accounts, and then retire to bis room to study for an hour or two before going to bed. This was the history of five days out of every week of Ishmael’s life.

On Saturdays, according to custom, the school had a holiday; and Ishmael spent the morning in working in the garden. As it was now the depth of winter there was but little to do, and half a day’s work in the week sufficed to keep all in order. Saturday afternoons Ishmael went over to open and air the library at Tanglewood, and to return the books he had read and bring back new ones. Saturday evenings he spent very much as he did the preceding ones —in giving Reuben his lesson ; in posting up the week’s accounts, and in reading law until bed-time. On Sundays Ishmael rested from worldly labours, and went to church to refresh his soul. But for this Sabbath’s rest, made obligatory upon him by the Christian law, Ishmael must have broken down under his severe labours. As it was, however, the benign Christian law of the Sabbath’s holy rest proved his salvation.

CHAPTER XLVIII. ONWARD. The boldness and the quiet, That calmly go ahead, In spite of wrath and riot, In spite of quick and dead— Warm energy to spur him, Kean enterprise to guide. And conscience to upstir him, And duty by his side, And hope for ever singing Assurance of success, And rapid action springing At once to nothing less! ' M. F. Topped. In this persevering labour, Ishmael cheer fully passed the winter months.

He had nob heard one word of Claudia, or of her father, except such scant news as reached him through the judge’s occasional letters to the overseer.

Ho had received an encouraging note from Mr Middleton in answer to the letter he had written to that gentleman. About tho first of April Ishmael’s first quarterly school bills began to be due.

Tuition fees were not high in that poor neighbourhood, and his pay for each pupil averaged about two dollars a quarter. His school numbered thirty pupils, about onethird of whom never paid, consequently, at the end of the first three months, his net receipts were just forty-two dollars. Not very encouraging this, yet Isbmael was pleased and happy, especially as he felt that he was really doing the little savages intrusted to his care a great deal of good. Half of this money Ishmael would have forced upon Hannah and Reuben ; but Hannah flow into a passion and demanded to be informed if her nephew took her for a money-grub ; and Reuben quietly assured the young man that his services overpaid his board ; which was quite true. One evening, about the middle of April, Ishmael sat at his school desk mending pens, setting copies, and keeping an eye on a refractory boy who had been detained after school hours, to learn a lesson he had failed to know in his class.

Ishmaol bad just finished setting his last copy and vraa engaged in piling the copybooks neatly, one on top of another, when there came a soft tap at the door. * Come in,’ said Ishmael, fully expecting to see some of the refractory boy’s friends como to inquire after him. The door"opened and a very young lady, in a grey silk dress, straw hat and blue ribbons, entered the school-room. Ishmael looked up, gave one glance at the fair, sweet face, serious blue eyes and soft light ringlets, and dropped his copy books, came down from his seat and hurried to meet the visitor, exclaiming: ‘ Bee ! Ob, dear, dear Bee, lam so glad to see you !’ ‘So am I you, Ishmael,’ said Beatrice Middleton, frankly giving her hand to be shaken.

‘Bee ! oh, I beg pardon ! Miss Middleton I mean ! it is such a happiness to me to see you again !’ *So it is to me to see you, Ishmael,’ frankly answered Beatrice. • You will sit down and rest, Bee ? —Miss Middleton !’ exclaimed Ishmael, running to bring his own school-chair for her accommodation.

‘ I will sit down, Bee. None of my old schoolmates call me anything else, Ishmael, and I should hardly know myself by any other name,’ said Bee, taking the offered seat.

* I thank you very much for letting me call you so. It really went against all old feelings of friendship to call you otherwise.’

‘ Why, certainly it did !’ * I hope your father and the family are well ?’

‘ All except mamma, who, you know, is very delicate.’ 4 Yes, I know. They are all down here, of course V

‘No ; no one bub myself and one man and maid-servant.’ ‘ Indeed !’

‘ Yes ; I came down to seo the last preparations, so as to have everything in order and comfortable for mamma when she comes.’

‘ Still “ mamma’s right-hand woman," Bee !’

* Well, yes; I must be so. You know her health is very uncertain, and there are so many children ! two more since you left us, Ishmael! And they are all such a responsibility ! And as mamma is so delicate and I am the eldest daughter I must take much of the care of them all upon myself,’ replied the girl-woman, very gravely. ‘ Yes, I suppose so ; and yet—’ Ishmael hesitated and Bee took up the discourse :

—‘ I know what you were thinking of, Ishmael! That some other than myself ought to have been found to come down to this uninhabited house to make tho final preparations for the reception of the family; but really now, Ishmael, when you come to think of it, who could have been found so competent as myself for this duty? To be sure, you know, we sent an upholsterer down with the new furniture, and with particular instructions as to its arrangement; every carpet, set of curtains, and suite of furniture marked with the name of the room for which it was destined. But then, you know, there are a hundred other things to be done, after the upholsterer has quitted the house, that none, bub a woman and a member of the family would know how to do—cut glass and china and cutlery to be taken out of their cases and arranged in sideboards and cupboards; and bed and table linen to be unpacked and put into drawers and closets; and the children’s beds to be aired and made up; and mamma’s own chamber and nursery made ready for her ; and, last of all, for the evening that they are expected to arrive, a nice delicate supper got. Now, who was there' to attend to all this bub me ?’ questioned Beatrice, looking gravely into Ishmael’s face. And as she waited for an answer, Ishmael replied : ‘ Why—failing your mamma, your papa might have done it without any derogation from his manly dignity. When General Washington was in Philadelphia, during his first Presidential term, with all the cares of the young nation upon his shoulders, he superintended the fitting up of his town house for the reception of Mrs Washington ; descending even to the details of hanging curtains and setting up mangles!’ _ "" Beatrice laughed, as she said : 4 Law, Ishmael! haven’t you gob over your habit of quoting your heroes yet ? And have you really faith enough to hope that modern men will come up to their standard ? Of course George Washington was equal to every human duty from the conquering of Cornwallis to—the crimping of a capborder, it necessary ! for he was a miracle ! But my papa, God bless him, though wise and good, is but a man, and would no more know how to perform a woman’s duties than I should how to do a man’s ! What should he, know of china closets and linen chests ? Why, Ishmael, he doesn’t know fi’penny bit cotton from five shilling linen, and would have been as apt as nob to have ordered the servants’ sheets on the children’s beds and vice versa ; and for mamma’s supper he would have been as likely to have fried pork as the broiled spring chickens that I shall provide. No, Ishmael ; gentlemen may be great masters in Latin and Greek; but they are hopeless dunces in housekeeping matters.’ 4 As far as your experience goes, Bee.’ 4 Of course, as far as my experience goes.’ 4 When did you reach Rusby Shore, Bee ?’ ‘Last night about seven o’clock. Matty came with me in the carriage, and Jason drove us. We spent all day in unpacking and arranging the things that had been sent down on the “ Canvas Back ” a week or two ago. And this afternoon I thought I would walk over here and see what sort of a school you had. Papa read your letter to us, and we were all interested in your success here.’ 4 Thank you, dear Bee; I know that you are among my very best friends ; and some of these days, Bee, I hope, I trust, to do credit to your friendship.’

‘ That you will, Ishmael: What do you think my papa told my uncle Merlin?— that, “ that young man (meaning you) was destined to make his mark on this century.” ’ A deep blush of mingled pleasure, bashfulness and aspiration mantled Ishmael’a delicate face. He bowed with sweet, grave courtesy, and changed the subject of conversation, by saying: ‘ 1 hope Judge Merlin and his daughter are quite well ?’

* Quite ! They are still at Annapolis. Papa visited them there for a few days last week. The judge is stopping at the “ Stars and Stripes ” hotel, and Claudia is a parlour boarder at a celebrated French school in the vicinity. Claudia will not “come out” until next winter, when her father goes to Washington. For, nexb December, Claudia will be eighteen years of age, and will enter upon her mother’s large property, according to the terms of the marriage settlement and the mother’s will. I suppose she will be the richest heiress in America, for the property is estimated at more than a million ! Ah ! it is fine to be Claudia Merlin—is it not, Ishmael ?’ r

‘ Very,’ answered the young man, scarcely conscious, amid the whirl of his emotions, what he was saying. (To be Continued. )