easy duty. If a multitude of counsellors ensures success in husbandry, that farm was a model. In truth, little doubt can be entertained that if Aristotle or Locke had witnessed its internal economy, they would have derived valuable hints for the organization of the government of a State. Mr. Newlove, of course, suggested his ideas in the first place; the manager came next, to ratify, or reject; and after the measure had passed this ordeal, it had further to endure the jealous censorship of old Priam. This constitution had, what will appear to unphilosophic minds, a deficiency of active vigor;-still some fallow-land was, that autumn, prepared for wheat. The morning came for putting in the seed. Priam was in readiness with his harrow and team; the bags of grain were disposed at proper intervals, and young Absalom, with his apron around his neck, stalked majestically forth.

Just as the seedsman had made his preliminary cast, Mr. Newlove bustled into the field. He brought in his hand a small linen bag. Absalom, as he received and opened it, said, with surprise: "What's this, sir?—some kind of grass seed ?"

Newlove explained, that having visited the harvest-field of a neighbor that summer, where the wheat-straw was short and difficult to bind, he had noticed that the rakers occasionally used mullein-stalks for bands. Generalizing from this fact, he had concluded that it would be proper not to depend upon chance for a supply of a material capable of being put to such an important use.

Absalom and Priam were alike astounded. The overseer, as soon as he recovered speech, asserted that never before, "in his born days," (a Pythagorean expression,) had he heard of a resort to so wild an expedient.

"If the experiment," pleaded Newlove, "has never been tried, we ought not, therefore, to condemn it. The great charm of a country life is that it emancipates one from the iron rule of custom. What vast consequences may result from this humble experiment! How cheap the fabric which we would convert to use! Becoming truly productive laborers, we will create out of nothing, as it were, a substantial addition to the wealth of the country. Think, Mr. Handsucker, how glorious it will be to have

our names handed down to remote posterity as the originators of a new practice in Agriculture. To share the fame of a Columella, a Tull, and a Coke. What a reward, this, for one short step in the advance of our age!"

"Well, I must say," returned Absalom, "that if this field's going to bring such trifling wheat that we must have mulleins to tie the sheaves with, we may as well save the seed, while we have it, in bags. What precious nice fun it will be, to cradle mullein-stalks all day!"

The venerable negro had stood silent, leaning on the staff of his whip. Newlove, loath to abandon his scheme, instituted an appeal from the white critic to the sable one. "Do you think, Priam, that these mulleins will really interfere with the cradling, next harvest ?"

"No, marster;-they won't."

"How?" exclaimed Absalom, "not interfere?-How do you make that out?"

Sylvester Newlove, with a countenance expressing the most pleasurable anticipation, also awaited the old man's reply.

"It isn't the natur' of mulleins," said Priam, "to shoot up to stalk the first summer-especially where the land ain't rich. So, if this seed is sown, we'll have to wait patiently till year arter next-then, if the season's good, I 'spose a crap may be looked for, such as aint often seen."

The negro, too decorous to laugh, vented his mirth in a subdued chuckle. There was no room for more discussion. Newlove took up his bag of mullien seed in a disconsolate manner, and was about going to the house, when he saw a horseman approaching. The stranger was soon within speaking distance.

"How do you do, sir?" he said to Newlove," Just at seeding I perceive. Excellent time and grounds in fine order. You sow by stakes it seems-for my part, I prefer laying off the ground in beds. Perhaps, too, it would be advisable to substitute the basket for the apron. Still, these are small matters; you go on the right general system, I dare say. It gives me great pleasure, indeed, to find gentlemen settling here who are disposed to lay out capital on the land. It is astonishing how blind many of our old inhabitants are. You mean to sow clover, doubtless, and plaster of Paris."

"Yes, sir," answered Newlove, invol

untarily glancing at the bag of mullein-seed, | "I design adopting the latest improvements in agriculture. I am convinced that to insure success, science and practice must go hand in hand."

re

"A fine-a noble observation-" joined the gentleman on horseback. "Allow me to shake hands with you, sir. It is Mr. Newlove, I believe, whom I address. My own name is Safety-Alonzo Safety, of this county."

"Accompany me to the dwelling, Mr. Safety."

"I thank you-not this morning. Nothing gives me so much gratification as to see an enlightened agriculturist in the scene of his active operations. Many here are rather jealous of you Northern gentlemen, but as for me, I avow myself a hearty sympathizer."

No stenographer could have reported Mr. Safety's rapid utterance. He explained in the course of fifteen minutes full halfa-dozen different routines of cropping, and gave a discriminating estimate of each. At the close, looking towards Absalom, he observed "Is that hearty-looking young man your son, Mr. Newlove?"

"No, sir;-but my manager. Let me make you acquainted with him. Mr. Absalom Handsucker, Mr. Safety."

"How are you, Mr. Handsucker? But why do I ask, when I see you with your harness on, engaged in the glorious work? Oh, 'tis delightful to behold youth active, industrious, indefatigable; not ashamed of that physical exertion that does honor to man!" Mr. Alonzo Safety took leave, with an invitation to both proprietor and overseer to visit him at his house.

"That man," remarked Newlove, "is a splendid farmer, I'll answer for it!"

At any rate, he talks as if he knew how to be," said Absalom.

Priam, however, dropped a hint to the effect that the farm of the retiring horseman was by no means distinguished either for neatness and good management, or for the abundance of its products. "Some people has the gift of talk, and some of doing; and some" he added, sotto voce, "of neither one nor t'other."

Absalom was in ecstacies at the recollection of the late call. The reason may be easily given. Alonzo Safety was the very little, lean old man who was es

He

corting the lady of the lost bundle. was now invited to visit him, and to visit her. After a few days of solicitous preparation, he determined to make the first move and, as he hoped, the decisive one. He would go in style. A buggy would have been his choice as a conveyance, but the neighborhood contained not such a vehicle. There was no better resource than to go on horseback. He was indeed neither a very skillful, nor elegant rider, but he conceived that a pair of spurs would make up for all deficiencies. Proceeding to the store some time previous (on business for Mr. Newlove, of course) he had procured a brilliant brass-mounted pair whose long rowels seemed capable of communicating mettle to the dullest steed. In compliment to those whom he proposed visiting, he thought proper to put on leggings, that well-known portion of Southern apparel. He had no cloth, but a couple of yards of gay check bought as a present for the black house-maid, would answer the purpose well enough, and, since the season was dry, the calico could not receive such injury as to prevent it from being afterwards applied to its original destination.

About an hour before sunset, the chores being disposed of, and Jack, the youngest of the pair of horses, saddled and bridled, Absalom started forth. The road went by Munny's store, and as the cavalier pranced through the village, his steed manifested a slight disposition to be restive. Absalom forgetting spurs and everything else in his anxiety not to fall in so public a place, clapped his heels close to Jack's flanks. The bound which the horse then made surpassed all the marvels on the programme of a circus or in the Duke of Newcastle's diary. Every hoof drawn under him, he shot up into the air like a balloon or a rocket. On his descent he crouched till his belly almost touched the earth; next, he whirled around and around with the velocity of grimalkin in a fit. Absalom, conscious that although clinging to Jack with every limb, he sat none too securely, dared not to withdraw his heels from their hold. What would have been the issue if the two had been left to themselves, it is difficult to conjecture. The horse could not run, for the severe bit and the heavy hand on the rein effectually curbed him; the rider could not well be thrown so long as hislegs

19

encompassed the animal like a hoop; the spurs themselves, whose rowels stuck fast between Jack's ribs, contributed to make a centaur of the tenaciously united couple. Sam Munny's stout negro blacksmith, observing a horse which he had supposed perfectly tractable, cutting such frantic capers, issued from the forge and seized the left branch of the bridle.

That's it, my good chap!" cried Absalom, "that's it ;-hold him tight till I get down."

"Really a very pretty young man," observed Mrs. Safety. "He looked at you a good deal, Arabella, and seems quite fascinated. He certainly is not your equal, but it would be far better to take up with a Yankee than with a low-born Southerner. The Yankees, in the matter of birth, are all alike, so that a girl who means to get a husband from among them, may as well take one as another."

"But you know ma, pa says it is all nonsense to think so much of family." "A Safety can afford to speak so," re

Again he was mounted, and without other mishap arrived at Mr. Safety's. The dwelling was a double log-cabin with no very tidy surroundings, yet there were such indications of comfort as an orchard, a ciderpress, and a spacious wood-pile. He was introduced to Miss Arabella. Ere he could persuade his halting tongue to address her in the impassioned strain which his heart dictated, the mother entered. Mrs. Safety was a fat, comely matron, with a double chin and a lisp, which did not prevent her from engrossing by far the larger portion of the conversation. She informed Mr. Handsucker that she came of an excellent family indeed, and was a cousin-only four or five degrees removed-of the Astivilles. A great many wealthy, and, according to common estimation, highly eligible suitors, had made application for her hand, but she had preferred Mr. Safety to them all, on account of his distinguished name and birth. To be sure, he was much older than she, there being a difference of some twenty years in their ages, but what was such a consideration to purity of blood? and the Safetys, though not a large family, were known to be one of the most ancient in the

State.

Absalom, as he listened, understood the reason of Mr. Safety's talkativeness when abroad-his wife allowed him no opportunity to use his tongue at home. That hardly treated gentleman was cunning enough to drag the guest out of doors, and as it was not yet dusk, to walk about the farm with him while supper was preparing. Then, within the house, a dialogue, and an anaysis of character, took place.

Mr. Handsucker is a working sort of a person, is he not, ma?"

"Oh, the Yankees all work, child. It comes as natural to them as talking does to a Southerner."

"But how odd he looks with those check handkerchiefs on his legs, instead of wrappers-in this dry weather, too!"

Mrs. Safety was at no loss for an answer. It was uttered, by the way, in a pretty sharp key. How do you know that is not the fashion? We are behind the world here, and I shouldn't be at all surprised if at this very moment the leaders of the ton in New York, are riding down Broadway with just such stylish leggings on as Mr. Handsucker wears."

Still, he seems to be a person who has to work for his living-he can't be well off. "Hush, Arabella, you know nothing about it. I tell you that all the Yankees are rich."

The walkers returned; after a plentiful meal which would have given Absalom unqualified satisfaction, if the table had only contained a somewhat larger proportion of those sweet arguments on which a Northern palate is accustomed to luxuriate, several hours were occupied in pleasant chat. About ten o'clock Mr. Safety showed symptoms of drowsiness. He nodded, and, finally, notwithstanding his wife's faithful nudgings, snored outright.

"Come, Alonzo," said Mrs. Safety, "The exertions of the day have proved too great for your constitution. Perhaps it would be as well to retire. Mr. Handsucker will excuse you."

"Certainly," said Absalom very promptly, "don't let my being here keep you up,

nor Mrs. Safety either. I am sure Miss Arabella is company plenty for anybody." Mr. Safety withdrew from the apartment, and as the door closed behind him, his lady remarked affectionately:-" Poor, dear Alonzo exhausts himself in this way frequently. He is fond of rural cares, and thinks that nobody can manage the plantation so successfully as himself; but there he is mistaken. Much as he loves the pursuit, he is far from having the qualifications to conduct it properly. For one thing, he lacks the requisite powers of physical endurance, as you may see from his fatigue this evening."

"If that's the case," said Absalom, "he will hardly find Texas to suit him, I'm thinking. Yet he says he means to get there in the Spring."

"Oh, rejoined the helpmate, "Mr. Safety is not going to Texas; he wants the energy for any move like that. He has been talking of going to the West for years, -yes, Mr. Handsucker, he has been projecking this way ever since we've been married, and will continue to projeck as long as he lives. I frequently tell Arabella she must profit by my sad experience, and choose herself a husband who has some enterprize and decision."

"Then she ought to look 'mongst us Northerners," remarked Absalom. "It would astonish you to go up to York, and see how all the folks, big and little, do rush a-head!"

"I assure you, sir," said Mrs. Safety, "that I am a great admirer of that feature of the Yankee character-"

"But we are not Yankees," interrupted Absalom. " They are the blue-nosed chaps who scramble among the rocks in Massachusetts and Connecticut. We are Yorkers of the Holland Dutch breed, which is much the best stock."

"I dare say" resumed the lady, "but as I was going to observe, I think it highly probable that our Southern race, fine as it is, might be greatly improved by having some of the best Northern qualities engrafted on

it."

"Just as your old-field cattle here would be bettered by a cross with our Durhams or Devons."

"I am not much acquainted with cows and calves, and other cattle," said Mrs. Safety, affectedly. "Alonzo, indeed, at

tends to such things. His taste, in many respects, is very singular, and he takes delight, sometimes, to torment me, by contrasting it with mine. For instance :-Mr. Safety, as everybody knows, has good blood in his veins ['not much of it, however,' thought Absalom,] as the country can furnish; yet every family has its unfortunate connections-so it is in Mr. Safety's case. The Evanses here are quite a low set, and most of them very poor, besides. Well, Mr. Safety's aunt married an Evans, Joshua Evans,-who was once overseer for the present Mr. Astiville's father. This man has been off at the West this many a day-some thirty years, I think. It is evident the whole affair might sink into oblivion, yet so singularly queer is Mr. Safety, that he will vex me, by calling these poor starving Evanses,-who are no earthly kin to him, as his aunt died without leaving children,his cousins. Just think of it, Mr. Handsucker, an Evans a cousin of a Safety!"

"We are not so particular off our way," replied Absalom, "I have a cousin named Evans-pretty fine sort of a man too-has lots of apple orchards-rides about among the quality, I can tell you."

"Very probable," said Mrs. Safety. "Society is constituted very differently with you. All Northerners are equally worthy and respectable; the whole community constitutes, as it were, a body of nobility. Here it is otherwise: we have, &c. &c."

But it would exhaust any quantity of patience to follow Mrs. Safety, as she continued to pour forth her profound remarks with unabated fluency. Absalom endured the flood indeed; but he had an object. He was waiting till the "old woman" should go to bed, and leave him alone with Arabella, when they two would have the fun of keeping awake all night long, by the Dutch method of looking each other straight in the eye! Eleven o'clock had passed, and Absalom, who sat resolutely upright in his chair, began to suspect that the fat woman before him never felt somnolence or fatigue. She, on her part, could not conjecture what possessed the visiter that he stayed so late. Not anticipating that he would choose to remain through the night, she had had no chamber prepared, so she found herself under a kind of housewifely necessity to

await his departure, before offering to close doors and windows. At last midnight arrived. Hope kept Absalom alert; but poor Arabella's eyelids, which had no such stimulus, grew heavy, and the mother, though she spoke on, could not help marking the close of every sentence with an emphatic nod.

"I never heard tell of an old madam so provoking," thought the lover.

"Why don't the man go," sighed the mistress of the house.

"Will you stay all night, sir?" said Mrs. Safety, compelled, in desperation, to incur the risk of his acceptance. "I will have a room put in readiness for you very shortly."

"Don't be at any such trouble, ma'am -I must be off after a little. Yet I hope you will not stay up on my account, Mrs. Safety. Arabella's all I want; so make your mind easy, and leave us to ourselves."

Mrs. Safety stared.

Absalom, observing her perplexity, explained: "It's the fashion to the North, when a young man's visiting a young woman, for the rest of the family to go to bed early, and leave them to talk without interruption, as long as they have a mind." "Is it indeed?-that's very curious. But it is not the fashion here, Mr. Handsucker."

"Yet you admit, ma'am, that some of our customs are the best, and I leave it to Arabella if this isn't one of them."

"She has nothing to say about it," replied Mrs. Safety, quickly. "And it is time, too, for her to retire. Arabella, you may bid Mr. Handsucker good evening."

When the obedient daughter had left the room, which she darkened, by depriving it not only of her presence, but of one of the candles, Mrs. Safety was silent for a few seconds, and then renewed the expression of her hope that the gentleman would be content to accept lodging until morning. "Thank you," returned Absalom, with

Safety.

"Halloo!-Halloo! Does Alonzo Safety live here?"

"Yes," answered Absalom. "You're hit the right nail this time, carpenter, though it be in the dark. What's wanting?"

There was no immediate response; but presently a man walked up to the door. By the aid of Mrs. Safety's candle, it could be distinguished that he was a short, compact person, grey-headed, and with a nervous, deep-lined countenance.

"How do you do, mum ?" said he, entering the house without ceremony. "This is Mrs. Safety, I take it. Alonzo wrote word he had got a young wife since I left Redland. You have heard of me,

am sure. I am Joshua Evans."

I

"Gracious!" ejaculated Mrs. Safety, with a side-glance to Absalom, that seemed to say: "You never talk of Satan, but he's at your elbow."

"Where's Alonzo ?" inquired the stranger, impatiently. "This young fellow has no likeness to him, I'm sure."

Mr. Safety's slumbers were broken, a supper was prepared for his aunt's widower, and a reluctant house-maid, under her mistress' not very good-humored supervision, bustled about to find clean sheets and pillow-cases for the spare bed.

The unfortunate Absalom, having lost the better portion of a night's rest, mounted Jack, and took his homeward, solitary way.