Tales and Sketches. THE HAT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1233, 18 November 1882, Page 2 (Supplement)

Tales and Sketches.

THE HAT.

A CHARACTER SKETCH. ' \ i. . ......„,: Jrthfeiightofeatlymornlngwasjust'begitii 'I thp murky ti air which at all Triples hangs; like n dimly'tfansparcnt .veil ! ;; b.ver around|Blr.cTc' Regis, j as. 1 entered „'.,'th.O Blftdc t 'tSpiiritry r Village.' '.A '.long'',strafei .gjing rowbf tumbledownhiitpjboa'^tjng!twQ ~ '.^utter-'cojere'd'"windows and'.one.shattered'' • ' .door, Iconstituled'llfe'piiief. feature,,'of^'tho pjaco | lioiiseS; in 'fair jo'pair,.'.being, ',. qiiit'e' in^teJ _.''lri^"each l .' bt. huts. foresaid 'might Jjo'found'.a 'Httlb forge,', or' b 1 number of ' ; .'' small; B^uaje'.ir'on r b'afs,, and!,'hammers ;for same'iintol'nails.' AnoVih.these ' ;" huts' work 'one" or,two young' women.' or gtost : '..' engaged 'throughput t|e livelong day, initio ,'. occiijiatibn 1 of' hhil-mnkjng, JFrorh,early ' ," rabriiihguntil'jiite'atiiigb'tjoSoarii.heartbo "* ceaseless tap, tap j tap,, tap,l 'p£ : theism nil 1 ' nnil-baminers !'wielded';|by.!'thp'.. muscular ','| amazbns of 'Black'. A'sWnrige 'sight ','' truly.' [') l 'was lbbg'i.df''ppifi'i'bh','that : nail- '' mak,lhg was '& species' of labor confined t<(the . ' .male'acx;'and I cphftsal would'rathWrbavo : \ 'remained iiri'der'.that : delbslpri, ; fbr'i'cannot ''' help feeling a' certain'repugnance at behold- \ ing,women cngagcil in suoh'Oeoup'attons.! :, : , Black Regis,is, M:lhave;'said,,'a, murky. i. placo'-;.being.",darkened,,by the, smoke and, i„ chemical,,fumes,/that arise from ,;cpal-pit i shafts, iron and,chemical works and the,like, ; ~.,in.,the, immediate surroundings., ..To a, !',,stranger, this sraoke,,with it6;accompaniment ,i of .variegated fumes,,is,offensire, and ,wellnigh intolerable. But the ..inhabitants of Black Regis inhale the poisonous atmosphere uncomplainingly, ntid'nre possibly ignorantpf its nauseous character. Black Regislis.a.dull place! socially' as well as> atmospherically,'',' Thbre -'is ; no /place of amusement or recreation other than the public-houso,' and the.,half-levelled surfaces of as"V cricket"'or')gambling : ground, But itae were sufficient for such as have no higher craving ,o'r rAore laudable i' ambition. 1 MQoodl enough for them &£ is in! it I", was the> emphatio assertion of theohief i' the whafj? Nothing .elsei-' 'Nothing- but platti,!ißimplc, -'•"honest Bess,"! She had*appareritlyna'otber •'jiname.i 'i' And the triply strongnegatioa-iriwhifch'she-re-I 1 plied tfl'the put to herbyira'yself. ii'. l What's ihe l u'se'o' ■ hating- 1 moreVone name? ."ItxdbnH'make you> anyfbetter, nor i-any'rifchor- 'lt only takeb lodger to say, add •' ; ain'tnowaysa i bit.o'usei"' ( . '<■"■> ■■■ ,; " But it Would •beirathei! l awkward, , ' i ßaid ), "if everybody had only one name, WeOould i'i notget'on in' the World at alii"' k<w-<\) \ .'.' "Well, p'raps not, ''But that/ ain't'nothin' '. to ; do wi''me. -There ain'tno- use aSl'can see -bn for l snch as ; me to'have- more'h l brie )■ name. *■' We ain't known indre'n two br'threo • 'mile -away from home j an'nobody cares to . krtow'whether we ! has a name nt allof not, ' ■ 'for pays'as weget, 1 'an',don't come no l capers;' 1 what do it matter to you.•Whether inynaniels ■■''Bess, or Sill, 'so long as you' gets, to ' know what :! ybu wants to know from'me/an' - ■.•pay»noftta''ioriM"' :i; ' |,i ' l "." !l> "''"■:•'! • ■- ; This was a'cuU'' : The , orf-harid ; marih'er : in i which the speech' was : delivered,- and the twiiiklO'of : 'lhe''e'je'\Thich i accom'panied I 'the r last clause Of it, showed'mb that* Beas Was no 1 fool,- but a' isharp; shrewd ydu'hg woman, who '• had fathomed 'the 'curiosity that had led me ', to seek the otherwise unwelcome interior ; of - her little hut.' She had!nn'eye t6,the;"Billcr l ' ■ too/1 thought;' that last I hint ; of hers' telling '' me plainly that talk' to • me for nothing, 'I took up tWo-orthroe'lpf; the nails Bhe 'had forgedj' a'nd,* t6llhi'g.hbr 1 • would take"them, home with me'iis'a sample ' of her skill, requested' he'r to keepa'trifling

equivalent : ''.' " ;l ' '""'■'/ : '-" ! 13 ; "There, goon! That was only my'chaff. t' I don't mind'your talkitig'a bit; .onl'y'thcfe 8 a to; many fools'cornea gabbin' : herd,' and ex. t' pectin' 'mc to'wnsto my. time fooli'n' ;wi' 'cirj. r'did'u't'think'M you was one on lenf; 'bat'l I ' thought I'd'tty you', Y6u see,'you never a knows what's in the pit till you ''sinks the o shaft, and. then you,, see as whether there's li anything worth working, or only rubbish," j k "Well, Bcbs-I suppose I may call yoji t Bess?",.' , ; ■,■;■',• j t !''Whyj'of course, what else could'you call 8 me, I'd like to .know/ 1 .. i . i "Of course, I'd forgotten,that,. Well, t what was that'affair of' Bill" Thomson being t ■ BlVcd.fro'm drowning, that.l heard about this < ..'morning?'' ',... .... ~,.,,, ... .'.'. ,[...{, ■ 1 " I thought as mueh I > Iknew you'd come ! ..a-fishin'j: I neyerseesuch fools as some men ii 1 Can't take careo! theirselres, and then kicks i ,up a lot'o'' bother when nnybodyidoes a bit i of a thing' for 'cm, 1 Bill ''ought to; ha' '. "'known'better''than 'to; "go'an';' fajl'inti : , the canal,, an' him 'S^iink'an'. ! 'al I.'''''Xn' ' he' ought to 'ha' known better than to, gj) a lot o' palaver .an*.. tfttk about m§ pulling of him out, Why, anybody 'ud. pull ~ aiman put p' the water.as. couldn't: .'get out hisseifi; There ain't nothin' to make, a fuss about in that. If. somebody else bad a-heard him holler instead o' me, ithey'd a-runnnj hauled him out by the hair as I did," ;,! '''•" i "' ; ' "Butyou 7 hearly lost'.your.'own life—did you not?"' ; '. ■'■'■ ' ': ; n ': '' j ."I dunnq I P'raps I did. ' 1 bowl was under'the water, a : l)ifc| i ,''.,You,'.Beo, women's petticoats hang'about'thejr. legs, an' is a trouble to'em. ,But,.there,.l,never see such , a fool as that Bill is, anyway. < Next time hj falls in, he'll stop in for mo-r-if there's anyf ■body else about to pull him-out." 'The latter part of the.speech was added apologetically/as if she were ashamed of having been so mean as to say she would not heh) anybodyindistrej's,/ ,;'',' '■.''."''.. j Atjood'sohl, Beeai.'- fiougli, unouitivaHed] unrefined, but still nobis in a rugged ,!wayj : and possessing the true qualities of heroisiA —courage and humility. Black Eegiswas tho better for her.preaenco.iShe was in some . degroe a restraining influence for good. Her companions and associates almost uncon"sciouslyfeared' her'cehsufej (iincl were often ■ dteed' frpin, 'committing : iiiworthyactions ' by thethoug'h't'bf what BCsV wbiilfrsay, ''ln diffi(iulty,,they i ,rßin |i Jto her. She could .advise} and. better still, assist'^hem.in tbciivneoda i ..and many, ani,,act ofjfru'e, charity .was per- • formed.by : Jier,i |, :,:,.>■.■ .". . ; ; ■ ,iv ~i!,i j > None could more Iquickly quell a 'disturb,. ! 'ancei'than ; jiahe.ii.Whcn : ;the •authority_ of■ >' the" policeman would :: have been 1 laUghed'atl •''shfrcduldCommandrespectatidofdef. Upon >l 'on'e l 'opc'asi6n''she caught . wifej' hpoVcallftt ,fe mon wtjij' 'stood' list- '..'. IcJSßly' lhy', * r Va|loti' ''■ i ,gqod ~: i hia jVaised her very,high in Lthe estimation, ofitlie.Blackißegisites'. i Nqthjfcng so popu'la'r.ises a person in4he eyes of the ' HwW '"W untutored'tis mußcular superiority ■ /Supremacy''ofi'brttte'-fotcß.'- ,: ''i'ton'i .that •• of'BesV'ujioil'the . scßl'e : ' 6f AcH A 1 wiii Butebieiit','in ;tP|Stay.,thb.uinds,o| th^o^tintsl I ']''';/' 1 ' [, ; ,'.ll?HV,?Slll^p'r^Bo'n.aff^vt t >yas v assess appear.j.|SJi'e.'.'.had. /,,rcajly.saved / , jOwn,iano%only succeeded in:cradling'ioihe ~*' (.;odge' off tho canal 1 holding-the senselessißillin her- powerful 'J' arms. ; ''flbw *lie ; c'am'eto'be , 'near him when he fell in, she never quite, clearly; .explained. ■'"Srie Waßgust'out r forari'airirig',: i '"all, /whe'h she heard' him. holler,"' sfie',.bad ;' said' -whe'ri' .upoji | .ilie;Bubjectj' 'But ; I am. inclined|tp think'MerVye,rajo ~ rhore'i.sufficieht rjeasons'Jhanj'this,. ,as,„the , / ' ■,• sequel T(;i|l perhaps show. .<>.;,.., •.i'um . ...Bill declared,;he : owed:;hiai.life,tO:Bes3; :, ■ thatshe was a brave lass, and ho wouldido

1\ frl f; ,< -v.'. • '•■ .' ;.-; '■'';'' .."/ •pyffiinjlishe: liked for;her if she would only '' Practical Bess* having the'cause of ..His mishap olcarly ia mind, returned simply: "Then give up drinking for.three months." .«-"I-wffl..-.4i»ldoii , t, blow me I'', emphatj. bally answered Bill,' Those who are not ac : miniated with the daily life' of such men as , Bill insuoh a placo as Blaok Kegiß,' will not I be able;''ifear," to' appreciate the saorfice ho was making in promising to abstain from intoxicating' liquors for threo months, But I am inclined'to'think in this matter also that other considerations than respect and gratitude influenced Bill's decision, We shall see., ' j.,., . ...,.■ ~; ■

' Il Twelve months later I was in Black Regis again,",',' j could discern no change in the placb/'save perhaps that the air aeotned even more murky, and the fumes more nauseous thaneyer. Thero were the same straggling 'rows of huts, and I could hear the samo ceaseless'tap, tap I tap, tap I of the hammers," At the RisingSunl made inquiries respecting Bess,'and was somowhat amused, but oily partly -surprised, to find that she' was married—to Bill-Thomson. Bill, -true! to his promise, had abstained from drink for the spebifiedtthree months, and, attho expiration of that paid a spcoial' : visit.to : the hut of-Bees to inform her of the fact,; ,;She was busy with her work as Bill strolled ini and to his humble- "Evenin', . Bess 1" ■ characteriatioally replied: "Now then, what are you after now ? Don't come Here foolin', round, for I ain't no time, to [ta1k.'".'..,,",:.

" Well, ' i Bess," apologetically responded Bill, "I've kept my promise." '.;'•' "What • promise ?", queried Bess, striking the bjirbf iron at the same time, and causing a ian-shower.of.sparks to fly round the, hut'"! , !'.','.'|' ■'■ ', ,'■!■' "Why, about the drink. It's three months to-day since I promised as I wouldn't have any more, an' I ain't neithor." " Well, do you feel any worse for it ?" "I feel a good sight better, an 1 I've saved a bit o' coin too. I shouldn't ha' done it but for you, Bess j an' I come to see if you'll go shares in it. It's as much yours aßohine, you see, for if it hadn't been for yon, I shouldn't'—" : "Hero, stow it I" interrupted matter-ok fact Bess. "What d' you take me for? Think / want your coin ? /never see such a fool in all my life." " Won't you have it then ?"

"Have it? Nol What 'ud I have

for? 'Tain'tmine!"

"Well then, Bess, I tell you what I'll do," said tho desperate Bill; "I'll make a bargain with you' I'll promise to be teetotal for another three months, if you'll promise to be my wife at the end o' em," Bess was silent.; This honest proposal was perhaps not quite' unexpected; but honest Bess knewjnot how to meet it. She replied: "I never see such fools as some men is;" but it is 1 said she stealthily wiped a tear from her:bright brown eyes, and gulped down a lump that rose in her throat, ;'

"Come, Bess, What d 1 you say?" coaxingly inquired anxious Bill. " What do I say? Why, that-I never see such.a.fopl.. What pn.earth d' you want to throw yourself away on a good-for-nothing like mo for? I ain't no mortal use only to myself; an' what's the use o' you tying a tin can like me to your tail to scamper through the world wi'? Of oourse, I'd sooner go wi' you nor anybody else-allays thought so-but then /never thought as you'd ask

"Then, it's a bargain?" asked Bill. ■ " Well, I might do worse,. But mind you, not a word to anybody about it, or over you go. I ain't a-goin' to have folks a-talkin' about me."

" Not a word, Bess, Bless you, old gal," The three months passed away, and, all preparations having been secretly made, Bess and Bill were quietly married,, only, two particular friends being informed of the affair before it came off, and they only on tho very morning of the ceremony. There was great excitement at Black Regis when the marriage was made public, and all determined on giving some testimony of their goodwill, A privato subscription list was opened at once, and as Bess had kept her love-affair such a secret from them, they, thought it only fair that thoy should keep their secret intentions from her, There was something rudely noble-about this arrangement. When tho money had been collected, the difficulty of providing a suitable present arose. What could they give her? Some one suggested giving her the money, and allowing her to spend it as she thought proper. But this was indignantly negatived. They knew Bess too well to think sho would accept a gift of money from them. It is a strange but wholesome characteristic of the English people, that tho smallest present of manufactured goods is thankfully, accepted and gratefully acknowledged, while a gift of money is considered, to be an insult, After much consultation, 1 it was decided to present her with a tea-service and—a 'cradle! Tho latter article is generally considered by suoh people—and not always them alone-as an an indispensable article of domestic furni-

ture, and therefore a suitable thing to pre-sent-to a person newly married, The presentation was made at night, and for onco Bess was speechless, Good, simple soul, the possibility of such an expression of regard from her rough neighbors had never occurred to her, She could only mutter demurely her customary, " I never seo such fools as some folks is," and then hide her

face in her hands and burst into tears. So kind herself, the kindness of others, usually so rough and emotionless, was too much for

Bill thanked tha friends for their gift, and pointing to the -weeping Bess, said; " You ace, boya, she ain't used to thia aort o' thing,. an' it'a kind o' knocked her over, I know you means well, an' I shan't forget it, But if it's all the same, perhaps you wouldn't mind leaving Bess an' me alone a bit till she kind o' gets over iti You see, I don't want you to think as I don't think enough of what you've done j only, you see, she ain't used to thia sort o' thing, an' it's kind o' knocked I her over," ■'(Tho-audience kindly, left the newly married pair together,, s ■ •!Sirmonthß'had passed away since the marriage, whenTonce more stood in the hut of iße'ss-inow Mrs, Thomson, As I entered, she 'lboked :'up : with a smile of recognition, ,and<'a hearty:;, I 'Hullo I here again, sir? »\Yhy; what on earth do you see. here, to imak'e yon comeback again ?" ; much, Mrs.Thomson, truly," Ire. ■.pli4d,'4ying great stress upon her new name. She blushed crimson as she laughingly replied: "Ah! I thought as they'd tell you as soon as you set foot in the place, I never 1 see such born idiots in all my days." "TiVell,-1 must congratulate you on your marriage; and I hope you will be happy together." ''..' " Well, you see, Bill was such a fool, an' couldn't take care of hisself, You know I ;had:to;M him out o'the water once, But :.ihe.; ain't tasted .drink since, an' he promised j.aarheiWouldri't.if I'd marry him, An'you .sfee-iit was ;k pity : to see a fellow like Bill ! goto' ,an'. mukiit'i such a fool as hisself; so I , as leave liim to somebody worse than myHelf.iil ain't a.bad sort, if law a bit rough;; it .but men isnogood if they ain't got somebody to: look after;'oin." , il ■ i;Thc.ii, .-as.iil .suddenly, remembering some.rjtbiug, she.-thjew.-down her hammer, and bid. Ie ding me "Come here a minute,!' hurried out iibf ithe;hut to : a little one-story house that l,i.s{oo'd.olose by.t Opening the unlocked door, i,7shp,ba'de;mo;enter,' and then with the'air.of

a duoheiis, threw open, a little cupboard door with one to a prettily furnished cradle withjhe other. : "Oh! Your wedding presents?" I exolaimed,

;^Yes ; |'' sherepliedwithsome pride;and' with the snadowof a tear glistening in v her bright eye. "They ain't 'much, 'sir )'■• l'baa't' ways, thoy don't Beom much to you, I s'ppse; kt you" know we're pb6r folks about bore, an', has to: work hard for all, as.wo get, an 1 it. was aH they could afford :■ an' it mi .good'of ,!em,.wasn'tit?"■! ~,; ■ -. ■' ; -..;'-;v,-:.j •■' At, the recollection of the ; presentation, .episode, the truant tears overflowed tin* re-serypir-of .feeling,;.and trickled' down the dusky oheck,. I.amnot ashamed to' confess that the water, stood .in my own-.eyes as I huskily it was good.of them." •, I think I never : realised bo fully before the, true worth; of a' genuine though ,;humble gift, and the sunshine of gratitude and joy it will shed upon, the..heart'and...life of an ; honest.recipient.,, There was,more robußV joy in that heart of Bess's ,over that cradle and those cups and saucers, than is felt by the majority of richly dowered brides, any. on'o of whose presents would bo a-modest ..competence'to Buch as she,' ..-,.,. ;

; "Ah i sir, we ain't all as blaok as you'd, think fronvour faces,. We'ro rough outside, an' not over-nice; but we know how to feol, an' to help.each other." Casting one hasty glance at the household,,treasures, she once moro repaired to the little hut, and.taking up her hammer, commenced, her labors .again with renewed vigor. ,

"Well, Mrs, Thomson-—■" ■; f'Nbwthenjnbnoo'.thatl Callmeßess," .." .Well then, Bess, I must be making my way back."- '•.,..■

.".Won't you st-ajan' —..You'll excuse mo, sir, for asking you-but won't you Btay an' have a bite with us,? Bill 'nil, be. home directly. .Ah l.there he is—an' he'll be glad to see you. We can't offer you much; but what we have, you're welcome to," I scarcely knew what to say to this proposal, I really wanted to leave Blaok Regis by tho first train; but I was afraid that I should offend Bess if I refused to accept her invitatiou, I therefore determined to stay. I found Bill a rough-and-ready honest fellow, like the general class of people inhabiting such districts, But he had not the natural sagacity and shrewdness of Bess, who was literally his "better-half." He knew this too, and looked up to her as a superior being, During her temporary absence, he said proudly: "She's a good un, is Bess, sir; an' she's more in her head than a good many as thinks they're clever. Savod my life top, sir. Ah I she's a good un, is Bess 1" And I quite agreed with Bill, ,

Other six months elapsed before I once more set foot in Black Regis, My first impulse was to walk straight to the hut of Bess; but remembering that, on the occasion of my. former visit, I had received much Valuable information respecting her from the landlord of the Rising Sun, I determined to pay a passing visit to ascertain if anything unusual had occurred during my absence, In reply to'my query, "flow is Bess ?" the'face of the landlord became at once sorrowful and distressed, and I then learned for the firßt time that poor Bess was dead, In' a disjointed fashion, I managed to glean the following foots'-.from'my'.informant. Some months after my last visit, a great event occurred in the Thomson 'household—a son and heir wbb bom to Bill. Of course,

there was great rejoicing in Black Regis. Everybody in the place took an active interest in the affair, and discussed the future prospects of the little stranger over pipes and beer, and at house corners, as keenly as though.some event of national importance had transpired, Bill was peculiarly excited; Bess was calmly happy, Only one feeble complaint she uttered when informed that the child was a boy: "I'd rather it had beon a gal-.men is such fools I" After this she settled down to.the inevitable with good grace, showing great affection for the little life thrown upon her care, A few days after,the occurrence, Bill, who had been staying at home to wait on his spouse, went to his work again, as usual, leaving Bess with hnr child dependent/upon the.friendly assistance of kindly neighbors, As the evening came, Boa's" grew perceptibly anxious,Could she have spoken her fears, she would have said she was wondering jf Bill would be tempted by his mates to take drink on the

joyful occasion of the birth of his ohild. She knew he was not hard to persuade when sur; 'rounded by friends, and besides it was arecognised custom to drink the health of a ohild when born. Bess did not say anything to the neighbor who came in to attend to her, but she' was terribly anxious nevertheless.,. The time for his appearance passed, and the shades of the autumn evening fell. 'Still' he did not come. Should she ask some one to' go and inquire for him? No! slie'must not let thorn think she doubted him! : He would' come all right yet. Something had happened ■•at'the works to detain, him, ■ The suspense grew terrible. She could bear it no longer. Excitement gave her strength. Rising from her bed,,and leaving the infant asleep there, she with some difficulty pulled on her clothes. She was tottering feebly towards" the door;' when her straining ear caught the sound of a muffled cry.' She had heard that cry once before, It caused her heart to leap and the blood to courao like fire through her veins, Strung up with the energy of a strong soul, roused by the cry of duty and danger, she sprang to the door and rushed wildly out into the chill-darkness of the deepening night. Straight to the dangerous pool of the canal she staggered >vith a peculiar instinct bred of fear, and the remembrance of a for-

mer adventure there, As she reached the edge of the bank, she saw a'clenched hand disappearing beneath the surface of-the mudstirred water, and heedless of all but the one fact of her husband drowning.there, she plunged wildly in and clutched the horny fingers with a desperate grasp, and with almost superhuman strength succeeded in dragging the unconscious Bill to the sloping edgo of the'oanal. Having accomplished this, her poor human nature could do no more, With a feeble cry for help, she sank down in the shallow water exhausted and insensible. Hearing her cry, two or three neighbors vushedtothe spot,-and quickly carried the husband and wife to their humble 'abode. With great promptitude and- care they attended to poor Bess; anduent for 'the doctor to attend to Bill. . But for Bill it was too late. ■ The. strong man had breathed his last. They dared not tell Bess, for fear the shock should be too much for her. Bill's body was removed to a' neighbor's house, while the doctor set about measures to' prevent, serious consequences to the devoted wife, But alas! ho medicine could avail. The shock had. been jfcoo .severe, In a few hours she was' delirious and in a raging fever.. The burden of her.ravjngs.was Bill, ,'■' I never see such a fool' as Bill. "He ain't no more sense, than, a child,—Ha Imy little pet.—Ah! I wish he'd been a gal, men is such foplsi You promised me ydv?d swear off the drink,' an' hcro-ybn go, foolih' around, an' fallin' into the canal." "Then suddenly changing,., and spoaking- to. the- doctor, ;* Sh'-h-h;!;; Dbri't let Bill know a3 I'm dying. He's such, a fool, ,an''ull carry on po, Tell nihil shall get better. But when Ido go, imake him promise ,to take care o' the kid.— You :wilh won't you? >lt ain't no fault'b'' his,' poor little soul, I wish he'd' a-been a gal, though. But then he ain't;' an' maybe he won't be such afool'aa Bill.' Make him' swear off the drink when he grows up; it 'makes men such'fools.'. Ah! you'll put himin,th,e little cradle ? ■ I thought! should ha' rocked it myself,;' but Bill can do it instead, jlt was good of 'em,.wasn't it though, to give lis that?. God bless'em I''; .: •;■.■■'

oor B?83 rambled .ipn..- r ".Tho

dtruggle.:waa.fleroe'and fotty;eight hours'after'the was car) and. Eonseleßß to bed) was stilled for ever. Poor Bess 1

little churchyard, .the,- grea|ar Regis'following, the remains m prbo'esaiori,' and shedding -tears oyer, the grave,; • Some., thing had gone out of their lives'. •' They felt its loss, attd knew that it would never be'sup« Plied.;.:. • ,„■'. ■.:.'• ~: .■ ;..' ...:,' V.jyJ,: •' >■ > i 1 .Therewasonly.one thingleftfojfithem'to do after they had laid their: idol; ;in the ground, and that was to take care of the iohild, .A- meeting was heldto <talk over the best method of performing their, duty in .this jrespeot; ? After- muoli: diacusaiou,rai'simple and efficacious-.planwaa decided tupon and .agreed: .t0,.: ;iThey.., ; would the youngßter:byweekly.ofFerings,.i Abox,w.ould' bo kept! at the Rising Sun to receive the free; .will offeringsiof .as many as cared to.-contrir, ,bute towards.themaintenance of. the ohild,: It should be called '"Bess's.i.Box." This-

sacred duty performed, the meeting dispersed, but only to re-assemble the. next night to discuss another matter concemingvthodeparted Bess,; It would not do to allow her grave to i have no protectionism the sacrilege of those/ who in a short time would Beo .only* green mound, .They must protect; the sapred dust with a tombstone, , The" tombstone was erected, arid the'grave' Burroiinded with .hanging chains four s mall stone pillars, , " " ''.''" '.,,!" ', \

The landlord of the'.Risirig Sun' accom-, panied me to the'churchyard, out hot before Bhowingme "Bess'sßox," and'thankihg me for.my tribute. We stood beside the little, mound withi uncovered heads, and, looked down upon the green sod that covered the heroic woman who had had] • -. , ; ! The liotringo of a thousand hearts, ■ ;•''■- . : The Btrong, deep love of one. . .: :. i

I thought of that, cheery face,''those .sparkling eyes, the genial smilo, and the welcome voice silent for ever,

On the neat little stone at the head of the grave were the words, characteristic of ; the rough people who had inscribed them: " Here lie Bin Thomson, and the Queen of Black Regis, Bess,"

SO BLUE! A STOBY OP A GIRTON GIRt, .', . "My ohild,-you have more than fulfilled every hope I ever formed of you. I knew when! sent you to GirtOn-that you could not fail, to acquit yourself well, but I did not look for this,'",' . ... ■'' ''•■.'■■'

Magdalen Postor; blushed with pleasure .at her father's words', as well'she might, for the letter in her hand announced that the papers Bent up by her atthe recent, classical tripos entitled her to the ninth place, in the first class;. .The fact of her womanhood stood,in the way of the B.A, degree being actually conferred upon hor, but that wis a matter of no, consequence-whatever to a girl who had worked solely for tho love of knowledge implanted and fostered in her by aßoholariy : father. ~!':

• " Well,; Magdalen, Pin. sure,.! congratulate, you heartily," said'her sister Nora j "and all the more so because now at last 1 suppose you will consider yourself blue enough.". . . ■'■'.'■'.'■;.-' '■=' •':• .'•■■. . The blush of pleasure now faded from; Magdalen's cheeks, " I never wanted to-'be bine," she said norvously. ,-■•■'■ . '■;. ■ "Then I'm afraid you have succeeded' without the wanting,"laughed Nora, "Why, my dear, you are a blue of the,very deepest' dye;. and you not only are it, but you look it. You don't go about in cap and gown, or with spectacles and inky finger's, but there is no mistaking in you'the model of a' sweet girl graduate,'" ■ • .. ; •. , ; There s was a certain.amount of truth in this, Magdalen, .especially by'the .side;of tho pretty if 'rather dollishifeatured • Nora,-.; was studious-looking, to say the least, She ; was tall-' and' 'stooped; slightly, her complexion though clear was colourless, and she'' had the reflective, full look that is not unfrequently, the. sign of habitual study.. Yet herfacowas Bingularly sweet in expression, the open, tranquil brow seemed incapable of' frowning, the brown eyesmight be dreamy but never irate, ...'';' *' ■'■:;.■';.;■■.. . " Magdalen,"- asked her father' after awhile, "are you quite willing to become my amanuensis f ■ . "Oh I papa," returned the girl eagerly, " I shall :be so proud if you .will lot fiiei" Mr, Foster was an eminent student of the classics, and it,, had always been Magdalen's great ambition to help him in the preparation .'of his valuable works.'.:.:": ; ";

.;She'did not foresee.,all; the results ofher college achievements', .Vd.bf this hew relation to her father. It did'jnot ocour to .the", 'simple-minded girl-that there'.was anything ■in what she .had. doiie'yto'alienate Ker from her old acquaintances; 'Yet so it was'. Quite unconsciously slie. awed.her contemporaries, who, girls'and youhg'men fought shy of so distinguished a ''bluestocking. Married' Women; "again; found, her ignorant Of their dpmestio while she was' too timid to open out to-elder men; Children alone, unable to comprehend the'talk about' her learning, were guided by the simple sweetness of her face, and fearlessly made a plaything of her.- • With them she could be happy, but in the midst of people who insisted, upon-paying her compliments and treating, her with deference hor manner be; came. stiff and distant for ■ very shyness. Society became distaateful-to. her, .ami gradually people left off inviting her, under the mistakon impression that .she was above, caring.for any entertainment, they could, offer, She remained Miss Poster only in name; to all intents and purposes.Nora was .the elder sister, While Magdalen had been poring over her books, Nora bad studied the art of making heiielf agreeable, and assiduously cultivatedfrarious useful gifts, -She was musical and clever with her pencil, could ride, and play tennis well; also she had the. bright attractive beauty that trebles the value of all such social accomplishments. And above all she knew exactly how to turn every one of her good points to the best possible account. It will thus be seen how easy it was for her to keep Magdalen in the back- • ground, and by skilful insinuations throw her own good qualities into greater .relief than lever. • •'■•• ■ ' ! ■■■ : - •'• : - •''■'' " ' '•■

■ One evening thoy< were l taken by surprise by the unexpected arrival of WillFairbairh, an old friend and playfellow; j Dinner was just being served, and 4he young man took his seat.among them; laughing arid putting up his hands as if to petition against the volley of questions and exclamations with which he was saluted.

■■ "I haven't:distinguished a single wore any one. has said," he-declared' at last ;",But.l -imagine you'are'-askirig'Where' '. spring from, and what I've come'about Briefly; then, I'm off to the Cape'iria month' time, and have come to' bid you ; alia lorii farewell;"--'. ■■ " ' r "^- > ><■■'■■ ■ ■■" ; '--"- ''

. ''.larewelll* The Cape !<!''exclaimedthe Fosters.:' "What do you mea'ri?'- : -'' ,: " ; i • "I've had>:£s,odoieft.me , by.ariaunt," Willproceed to explain; " and afrieridhas strongly advised jne to invest itf in l ostriches'. He aays they pay tremendously ahd t the : life is delightful. I have consnltedevery Jids 1 sible,authority, and really'doii't' see' : that'l -could do. better,' I hate office work; ;! I haven't:the' brains-to tako up- a profession,, and farming -in England is■ no go, ! ;' Arid' I consider I:am rather cut out for a colonist." He ended in- a tone" of; modest"Belfappreciation, which-'was; not' '•unwarranted,' for he was a man" of'splendid, phyaiq'ue."'': Be"sides which, all his tastes: fitted him for; an occupation demanding physical' rather than 'mental'ability, >He-had never cared for

study, SolonE l M ; hß|!oUd[Borap99ii at'l Bohool and fiollegi'witljjitit.'dj^tangihinl. 1 ;' self he was content, an&vbted his heart*" iest energies to the athletic .sports injwhioh soul delighted, Y v

DiHttefcrover, Mr; -Foster roaa: almost im mediatoly.from r tbe table, ''"-Cnn'you Bpare me an extra hourthii evening, -Magdalen'.?;he wked,'--;--;, '."" Certiairiiy, papa, I will come at once.**. "Magdalen is a _good;dealt changed," re marked Will, as" he and flora'strolled oh into the J N6ra offered he pwn explanation, teking ; ,c»re J to speak inth mostiaffeotionate, Biaterly tone, 'ui !;'i!"i' : :' ■;.''Ye3j"ißhe.Baid; fiyoui,(ii;eright.,: Yqi Bee over since Magdalen, returned fromGii ton she;has beenienpouraged. iri.herievotijii toistudy,; i - People '.expreßß jthe. greatest ■ad mirationifor her,talents ;,);hen papa has mad tier hie secretary,. and t teo; fiejng ii the leaet ■ conceited, she : natnrally.feela : tha she is superior to the -,gjrlsi she, ordinaril; meets,: 'You.know, Wi)l,,lcan!t help think ing it was a mistake to,let;her : grow ap y.er; learned. ,1 think it-is to b helpful and domestic, tor.take,interestinthi good management <»f ( Bmail', matters,, ii the welfare of thoso about.her.Vi/ri ,'!,h' ; :. VWhy oan't Magdalenbe .domestic as wel as intellectual 7". demanded Will n moodily !'I don't seethe ineompaiabijity.i!,! lj ; , -Nora did not choose to tejl him,that, Mag dalen had begged to bo allowed to take : par in household affairs, : an^ ; ,'that.. she herael had opposed, the suggestion.:,- She had gainei a character for domeßtioity, Md did not ffjal tohave:hersupremacy ( ,Bhated,'' - ; '|.| ( ,, ■,.; • ."Idare say there is; jio actual jncompata bility," iShe.admitted'-,-gentjy, j fl "',but!-Maj dalen is so wrapped upiin her work '. for pap thatiwe never .think of,.oecupying;her. mini with : mattplwlnph I am se after,myself. should.,Bltie be^otherpd. She is not ; tho girl: to marry, ;Un|esß : indeed ! -rNora laughed gaily>^! Jfllje find a mai who was all intellect and had no bodily need to be ministered'to." ! Poor Will I Magdalen joined them in th garden later on, but for his own sake he hell jloof from her. The girl was greatly hurt aa of old she had been his special friend Too shy to complain, however, she shranl into herself, and with a pang of regret aav Will fall into the way of the world-trea her, namely, with distant respect, and Hon with familiar friendliness. He had not beei it Foster's many days before his name wa soupled with Nora'siby all the match-maker in the neighbourhood. The good people weri much mistaken, Will might walk, ride, am play tennis with Nora, or even constat Himself her cavalier or escort on every pos lible occasion, but secretly his heart wen )ut towards' Magdalen, Yet how, afte Nora's words, could'he dream of betrayinj bis devotion ? How-could he, a man whos mly attainments w,ere those of physica itrength and agility, hope to please a git thrown both by training and natural ben nto the midst of purely intellectual inter ate?' Sadly he told himself that she wa lot for. him. ' And Magdalen as sadly told, herself tha ioineh'ow she had forfeited Will's friendship >y which, had he Only known it, she ee ;reat store, ; He seemed to her the perfec ion of a gentleman, and perhaps his want o earning was the thing she liked best abou lim; so cordially-did she hold hor own blue less in abhorrenco,,; Thus we're the two'.kept apart by a phan ora barrier'raised; between them by Nora vho, without caring ifor Will herself, resen ed hiß preference -for Magdalen, She wa inderno misapprehensions as to his feolinge ,nd yet a petty, jealousy debarred her fron loihg what lay in her power towards bring ag about a better understanding betweei lim arid her sister. ■'.■ Will's last day arrived, A largo tenni iarty was to take/place at Fosters in th fterno.on, as a'sort; of farewell entertain aent for him, and he did his best to thro\ iff the despondency which oppressed him, "Will;you play to-day, Magdalen?" h< ak'ed very hesitatingly in the morning, Magdalen shook her head, 'INo," she. said shyly, "I don't plaj ;ennis."..:'.. ■ "Of oourse not," laughed Nora. " Will, vhat an/extraprdinary ideal As if you lidn'ikhow Magdalen was above tennis," ! "It is not that," said Magdalen, colourng; '•'■ but that tennis iB above me, I tried t again and again atGirton, but it was never iny good, I only Bpoil every set I play

~ "Oh, well, yon cari't play or you won't, 1 ' said Nora impatiently; " it's all the same.'j //Nora's sudden ill-temper seemed very un-['. ;'called forj.but she ivaa irritnted by the disappointment on Will's face. Presently, however^'her^equanimity' was restored, and she: said, putting put' her land—- ' "Forgive me, Magdalen; lam talking a heap of cross nonsense, Of course you need riot.piay, but you shall talk to the people—■' thatis.if papa can! (spare us his -walking Dictionary of. Antiquities." j .Another alluSibnVto her bluenessl Magdalen gave hersisteran appealing look and left the'rooth..' Will fell into a brown study.'- '"■.. j i 'During.the afternoon he played a great deal with Nora as partner, and the two •proved an invincible couple. As Nora was fully occupied with tlie gamo, Magdalen was called upon for once j to do her share in receiving and talking to the guests, They .were hiore,than everjiuipressod with her intense bluen?ss, for the poor girl had the heart-ache, and found it strangely hard to 100k 1 bright and smilirig. Many were the re-. ■ marks' made to her about Will and Nora, who ' certainly played admirably together. In the middle of one exciting set, a young married lady, who was sitting next to Magdalen,; whispered confidentially, "Those two are made for ono another) aren't they ? Depend upon it they, will be partners in earnest before Mr. lairbairn leaves." .Magdalen went.a-little pale as she answered, evasively; "Every one likes to have Nora for a partner.": ;" Yes, yes, I know; but not in the sense I mean.. What a loss she will be to us all! Now, tell me, do you think Mr. Foster will let her go out with him, or will they have to wait?" ~. This was going too far, ,Magdalen thought. "The question has not been'discusse'd yet," she replied distantly I !j.^ndj'aJffed,by her manner,' the young lady'subsided'into silence. . ■■■".■ ■'"*., ' Magdalen went up'tb'herrbbm', whto'the party was' over, in a very 'miseriiblo frame of mind, 'As sHe cast a retrospect byef her life of'late, it seemed to. her that'her'success at Cambridge had coat Ker' '6V,erything 1 she ,ttiost cared about, She did'not'kriownbV much ; her three years at Girtbri had J: dori ; 6 for, her. She AVaß' not in a position ''to : ieiliae the''allimportant'' difference between 'her habit' of •mind arid that of. Norifs, ; | beWeeii 'her 'iiiiworldliriess and Nora's • worldliriess;'; It'' is ■\vorthy"of' note a : nd-Newnham "blu'eV are, for the'm'ost part, especially mfitylilii, ] : - v "' K ''•'/';.'' 'The twilight-deepened;and'.at'Wt'fall 'coulddelay the longer.,■ Magdaleri'k'epfc but'of ; the/roorh. i 'Will's going was thembSt'terrible'thingthat had ever happened tb.'he'r,'"ahd ; 'flhe Would i rather ! not say good-bye' ( to hlnfa't v all 'than havei to do it carelessly before them'all;,. "" ■'"Whereis Magdaleri : ?'Vasked Will pie- ; sently. * :'■ ■' •'--. '/'•■•'■ ! : '■''' She was looking dutßomethihg in\Hero> ; dotUB for- me just now,"' said 1 Mr. Foster, 1 "Eva, go and call her I ;'tell ; her Will' is , waiting to say good-byei"" ; r: ''■' " J \,';'' 'Poor Will I It was a' 'bitter thought' that . Bhe could hot leave her Greek' of h'erown a'ccofdj even to bid himfarewelli v',"' 1 ;-y" [ : '''Magdalen'is not in thbrstudy,;papa," ■ said the child, returning,' "'Jade' pays she

s&wher.'go dowriithe' garden 'and intbVtHe' •''" I will go' to her 'there,"' said'lWiMMv tily. .■ . >;--:* " ; -Y" The copse referred to was a small preserve just outside Mr.-Foflter'B ; gardenj- antbitwai not many minutes before Will found Mag* dalen, She was lying on the ground in the dusk, her face buried in her handstand her whole frame shaken by violent sobsT 'ln a moment he was kneeling :beside!herV;;v.ii'.< !'Magdalen," 'he,\exclaimed: anxiottsly '.'whatiait}"...;:' ■'■

L At the sound'Of .'his voioe; Magdalen •ros v and checked her tears,';;." Nothing,' Wil l" she said, with quivering lips* i i.'liv;.. • :' "Dou't say.nothing when you meansom >• ;thingi"i Baid Will. ; "Maggie, tell me/what is the matter?" ••■■■ >'.-:wn mv ut: j | : !. Ee.waa the only person whoever call*d her Maggie, and now the.old.petn&me, .ust d for. the first time this visit, renewed'the confidence ,that had existed between-them da* ■children.- ■...■ ■..-.':.:, '■ .■■.o' .■. :'■■;.•;■.•<>. | \ :, !U'mso uuhappyi" .Baid Magdalen; .'M'm so dull, and.blue, aad stupid. -I'mno goojT to.any one, and nobody oares.for me.";; - '. ,"Now,,Maggie y '' said Will, "you hav| .told; at least half a dozen fibs.) .You.are not .dull, you are notstupid, :you «wmotibl~i | ,atleast, i£jyou:are,• blue, blueness ticularly charming'; you are good for a great i de.al,;and.everybody„cares.foryoUi!', ,i.v | Magdalen shook her head, :, ;■»: I , VDpii't be, uniceasonable,". Willr-Vwhat about me? Donlt/ioaro.for you?"

. His voice, wasMl oi .&; tenderness whioh Magdalen shyly,ignored,, ■,-, : ,i !■,.'■:.■•,; ■; I , "Youmedto," she paid., ~,,„, |,i,,„;. 4 1. ; It was ail over with; Will; 'no power : on eartli couldhave 'Held him. back' n^w/from pouting out his confession to. h'er,',.,.... „,.. | ; he;said, "it I telljpftl love y<m,'worship you, think binothingbui yoii night and day,' cduld'you. thing but., that 'you don't, r'.care! 'a', 'aticaw wheth'er'ldo.ornotl" .;'''" ,',. ,',;,'■',;.',; | 1 was but hbiv.. 'Magdalen stood', mm gazed, as if she could not believe her the hand that had grasped hers, At last a smile of wonderful happiness stole about her

llP?."'.' ;....,.,.: | :; . ■, ,''Wiiy, Will," she swd, raising Her eye! 'toMb, "itwas jußtyou I mindedmost.'of allabottt; but you don't, you cau't reajlj mean-— -"■ ) '".,',- ''.■'.',' ~'' ,;,'■;., ■■'„.'?. i : Will did not find it very difficult her that he could and did meaii all and mora than he had said/.Gfeat was ; tho nraazement of the' Posters' .'when, presently 'they "rej entered the Bitting-foom.together, .and.Wilt announced that he never,meant to'say goodj byetoMagdaleu atalii' „'.,,., "^ '',';.'. •.'„' j Mr.'Foster's consent given, he ehanged.jili his plans; invested lite capital id; England after all, and eventually settled do)yn.'qij. i| large farm near the Posters, as happy a husi band, with as happy ■.&', wife, as:ps,te.be found in the United Kingdom, i'"„' ', ... , | Is that possible,? Could they'liy'e forlong together without the difference, between them becoming a discord ? ..'.'.' • j . Yes j'for, as the'wise professor at the l)reakfast ; table points' out to lis, "It takes a very 'true, man to be a, fitting companion for p woman of gonitis,, .but not a yery grealj one."—H, K, in CasselVs Family Magatinei

: RKOITED BT Mi COQUKHtf, ,OJf JHB '(iOHBDIR '" ',"..''",' ,'j In Paris, monologues are the fashion] Some are in verse;. some are in, prose. At every matine'e, dinner party, or r aoirde the] mistress of the entertainment makes it toi duty to provide some little scenic recitatibn,j to be gone through by Saint-Germain or 'fjorjuelin., .The one which enjoyed the greatest sucoeas last winter was, The_ Hatj which we here offer, in an English version; j Msc en keno : A gentlemen holding his hat. Well, yes! On Tuesday last theknotwastied— Tied hard and fast; that can uot be denied, ■■<■ | I'm caught, I'm engaged, from tho law's point of

view, ■■■■'; Boforo two witnesses, good men and.truo. I'm licensed, stamped: undo the dood who can Three hundred francs mode me a married man, Who would have thought it! Married! How Whatfor? • ' -.•-■■■■

T whowas ranked a strict old bachelor; : <[ I who through halls with married people crammed Infused a kind of odor of tho damned; •■ ' I who deolined-and gavo lanie reasons why- ; FivOjsix,'goodcorafor.taUlematches; I ': . i Who every morning when I camo, to dress,,.. | Found 1 had.one day more, and some hairs less j I wliom all. mothers slander and despise,, ■ i Because girls find no favor in my oyes-' Married! A married man! Be-yond—a—doubt 1] How, do you ask, came sunn a thing about?. i What prompted mo to dare connubial Miss? ■■ '■ Whatworkcdlthowondrous'metamorphosis?.. j What made so' great a chauge-a change Ilka that?'' " ' '.'.'''■ .'.,"" J ' ' '' I

■lmagine; Guess, You give it up? ~ ; "■•'. A hiit, in short, like nil tiic bats ]rou ■" A pinto silk stovo'pipehat. This did for me.". A plain black hat, just like tho one that's here, Ahat? ;

Why/yes. ' ' V'" : -! - But howl ' , ! ".. "„.; i '■ ; \Voll,'londancar.; ' One day this winter I went outtodinb. ■ '"' { All was first-rate-the style, tho food, the wine.; A concert afterwards—c/i rente— just so.'. ; ; The hour arrived. I entered; bowing low, '• ; My heols together, Then I placed my hat i , j On something:near, and joined the general chat.: Atjialf past-eight wo dined,, All went.off.well. i Trust mo for being competent to tell! ■ • ■ , | I satbetween two ladies-mute as fishes— ■ . i With nothing else to do but count, tho, dishes, ] I learned oaohitom in each course by heart."' j I hate tobacco, but as smoko might part '. " j Me from those ladies, with a'sober face t j I took a strong cigar, and kept my place, ' ' , The concert was announced for half past-ten, I '' j And nt tlmt hour I'jolneA a crowd of men. ■ '.. \ Tho ladies, arm to arrat sweot,,white. ; we found; Like rows of sugared almonds, seated ; round;, :; . ! I leaned against tho door—there was no ; chair. ! A stout fiorce gentloman, got up with csro i (A c'uirassior I set him down to be), /. .'. ; Leaned on tho door-post, hard by me,.'. ; Whiist'far off in the distance some poor girl Sang, with her love-lorn ringlets out of curl, \ Some trashy stuff of love and love's distress. ' I could see nothing, and could hear still loss, i Stllhlapplauded, lor politeness', sakei . ■.! Next a dress-coat of fashionable mako ; ~: Came forward and began.' It' clad' a poet..:' That's the last modo in Paris./ Did you:knowit 5 Our, host or.hostcss, after dinner, cUoCsca .' ••; To serve you up.somo effort of the pluses,; ..•;,, Recited with van, gestures', and by.-play, ,„,.; 'Bjj sotno bno' bbrrowodfrotti.tao. .great, Francats, I.blush to write it-poems,you must know, Allmakemesleqpyj.anditwassonow.i ~ ; For. as I listened to .that distant drpno,,. Of the smooth linos, I felt my lids droop down, And a strango torpor I'could not ignore Came 1 creeping o'er imv ' " ! ""' "Heavahs! suppose' I snort 1 Let me get out,"'l'cried,•" or else—" ; ' •■''• "!'••■•■:.:■■:■;■ ••;• >■• .With ; thal

I cast ray eyes around to find my lint.' • ■"■'!'" ' Thecflwfewlierel'laidit'dowhi'alasi ' '; ' Wasnow surrounded (not a mouse could pass) 1 By triplo.rows of ladies gaily dressed,' i''.-.': [ Who.fannedand listenedcalmlyjiundistressed. No man through that fair crowd could work' his

..way. : . ' ■•„,; .„,...■■ .'■ . ■,.,..;■ ..'..:■. i Rank .behind rank, rose, heads, in .bfight array,' Dlaraohds'wero there, and flowers,,and, lower still, ■'■''■■ ' i Such lovely shoulders 1, Not the smallest thrill '. Thoy raised in me. My'thoughts were of my hat.' It lay beyond where all those ladies sat, ... | Under a candelabrum, shiny, bright, '."•'"■ Smooth as when last I brusned it, full in'sight,' Whilst I, far off, withycaraing glances tried" i 'Whether I could not lure it to my side, : ." Why .may my hand, not put thee on my head,- j 'An'd'quit this stifling room 1" I fondly said.' "Respond. (What, toaraagnetio tlirob', ~!. 'Come, little darling; cleave this female'rriob.' :n j iFlyover heads; creep under. Coruej oh,' coine 1> Escape.' 1 We'll find no poetry at : tiome!" : W-' x

\ And all the whllo did that dull poem creep Drearily on, till, sick at la«t with sleep, /My eyes fixed straight before me with a itwe, I groaned within me: " . , My darling, let us both mtMtogeth«; ■ , ■ -Here'all Wtfffid'dosa ;? otttßtde,-tho'W(S.ath« Is simply perfect, and th» pavement's dry; ; Come, come, my hat-oneeffortt Do but tty.. Sweet thoughts the.silent and loftmoonwfll stir Beneath'thy shelter,!' ■•'-•■-•--•••"', u& iHave youdono staring at my daughter'yet?', .. ■.ByJovptvslrA;- v.'i.'ii ;•>>'<;<..:> ;• ;u ~.;,,, ~.My .astonished glance, here M The angry red face of my ouirassier." Idtd no.tquail beforehUjook severe, i ;«/■ ,-Butlsaid.ipolitely,-.•" f! U-->;: !. ,;.i;'/.' <.■.! , : . ;v . vti'i •:'•■ irMttim «hr,M.li! ll -jj > Dpaot so much as. know ~•,-,, ~,g ~ ',...,;: f„, : | ~,;,,,! Jjm&W, yifJi 'My'dau'ehtor's yondot f sir, beside, table. ; Pink ribboni, sm" Don't tell me youta unable. 'To : under«tahd l '';' : ' ; ;::' , 'r''' 1 ;':' .•','■;■„ •';'. ! <'"-"' ''-■■"' - [nil;; !.; :k'':7 >;: i! '?: v i JUjipjOW : You inoan to toll me4" r ~ ; -,) '■'>>' rA '■'■>': : :..';,!;w.l . 1 , i1 , 1: , !U ; ; ,h,.;,,.,,,: „,f-•,•', j Who but knows • iVoWway.of.dealtogwlth.young *>, sirlj; I'll have.no trlfilnfolf yott,pleßi». ,<# W], ■ 1 ; , r ' }M^-M^i^'mi^ Every oho knows It-eVcry man Mil'. ~ ,.!., • ■"■Mow'.'lß'"" '■'•;" " '''.,",.'.:... '■■■'"■• ! '. :! ''. T : ! ' !,: ' , ,'No;''«tf, /TBrerjf'fttbei'knows : Yourr6putatt6n;daintgitigtbthbi6 ! < *'"'••

, b;<: ■n,..:i M.■ ,r. dtWyOU iatllUpltM Starehalf an hourjn mytfaughterVfacet" „ !', sajirijti, monsieur 1., .\ I. protest-—I avrear .; inßTerlooked,nther.",;.,, ~;,,'.,[ li'v-'i 1 ■■'■■•■'-." :, ;, ."Indeed!; i.mstwtß ~ ~ i-..-,A ; >,.,,. iigijj I'll tillyou'W'My'naVslr,' I '''' ■'■;■"'■'■ '■'"'','"' ; 7'!'" ,' •■hi. fir iicijiforJtett/ 'litokingst'youthatr Hi i : i.i :;;;:>r'i ;,; ■■ My coter-rose t;i' " ■Ho angered me; this man.ivho wduldauppoßt ■: I.thought of, nothing.but his girl..- j-:m -J,' ~; ~„,,,;;,.,; j,.., 7 /ir , :, t; -,,'. sMoaotime,..,, ! TJie black coat m?undered,on in dreary. rhymo. IPapa,andl,eetungmor6.angry:eTpr, . ~ Ewhanged. fierce, gltuwei; speaking Ma. to* gbther,"',' '; "' '" ''*■ ■', • ■..' >'. '-'.! While no b'notouh'd uskW'ivuAt wa.were it "It was'my daughter,' eir." ! " ,! ' ; • ,'" T " .:■!.'( n:',"'- ; i;r-.'.'■ i''"No, air—myhat," .!! Speaklower, gontlemen/'.said some one near. ,";You'll glreacoouiit for this, air. DoyoUhear ?" "Of COUraa,, sir.": ,:,-n: i •.■•r. | :,-.; 1 '•',"■:' 1,,.:,.;., j.,,,.,"Thenboforo the woild's astir Vbii'ilgetmy.ckrd,sir."' '...,..; ...,.,;.. -4■■■)<■„ :.;';..,; ; ,V;„!,'„, ;.: ;['Wii>.ww fr '.':' A.pretty qurneil! Don'tyo» tiiink.itsot,.• . A'momentafter, alloirelaimed, •'' Braro I", -?jyy. Black, cpaVhadfihished.-' A general moVo toward ice and lemonade.' ; ThecoMtw'asciear'imywAywMopenno*; . My hat was'njine •' I'madomyfo'eabow, ! ; And hastened; fast as lover could hate moved, Through trailing traini; toward the;dear thing . ,1 lp.ed. ~:,,,;■,-: ~,.• ■■■;■-. ;,.,-. •,■.,■■.'! . I tried to reach it.. • ■ ~,.- ■■.,■ ,>, .., ..'. "Here's the,hat, I think, You'aro in search'of.'\ '. '..,.'-', ''.''.',, ' ; !., ' • ;' ' Shapely, soft, and pink, A lovely arm,'a perfect arm. held out';;My precious hat..' Impelled by Hidden doubt.' I raised'my eyes. PM.rlbbom trimmed her f'Hefe,'monsieur, take it: hard to What madeyou-look.this way.. You longed ,to

go, ~../,..- ..,. ~■ ,:■■•.-.'.•!.•'./ •..-•■• .: .: 1 ,You were so sleepy, noddinp—see I—just-rso.;, Ah, how I wished to holp you, if I could 1 ; I might have passed it possibly, ,1 would . ~ Havo tried by ladies' chain, from hand to hand, To send It to you; but, l you understand," : '••','"' I felt a Uttle timid—don't ybu see t— " '' Forfenr they might suppose- Ah! Pardon me, lam too prone to talk; I'm keeping you. .' Takoit. Good-night" i.. -, • ■ .■;.■■. ■ ;Sweet.angel, pure and truel My looks to their wal cause; aAecould refor, • • And never thought drie.glance was meant for her, 'Oh, simpletrust, puro from debasing wiles I I took my hatfrom her fair hand with smiles, r . And -hurrying back, sought out my wP<p foi, Exclaiming: ■■ ■;i ■ ,■•■• .i: • ■ <'< >.■■■ . ,' ."Hear mo, sir.; Mow I go, Letmoexplaia. You, rir,wero In the.right; 'Twss'n'ot my hat attracted mo tofnlght. Forgivo mo, pardon me, I entreat, dear sir. I lova your daughter, and I gaiod at her." " "You, sir?" "■• '■'■■■' ! . He turnod his big found oyes on mo, Then hold his handout, ! '' ' ' „ ,■■'■> ■•:< "Well, well', we will s«e." Next day W talked*' That's how'it cams • ; '' about,' ; < :: " "■'■" '' : . : " And the result you see, .My secret's out > It was last Tuesday, as I said, and even ■.. Add, she's an angel,'and my homo li-hHYMi;; Her father, mild In ipito of.mien severe,'> ■. ( Holds.a high; olfice-ls no culrasiier, , ,:, ~; :i Besides—a boon fowbridegrooras can cginmandy Ho is a widower-so'you understand,' ..'. ~:•..' .Now all this happiness, beyond a d0ub1,;,,, •, By this silk hat I hold was brought about, , Or by its.broth'or.,', Poor old English tilo 1 , , Many have sneorpd at thy ungainly .style) Many, with rldic'ulo and gibe-why riot?- "' Have' dubbed' thoe "stovo-plpo," called the '■" chimney-pot.l,'. l ,' ■'• They, l asmsthotesj are not far wrong, maybe j : But I; for all thou hast ddno forme;'. _ ; Raiso tliee, in spite of nonsense'sung ori&id, Withdeop roßpect, andplaeo thee on my head.