12 ZEPHANIAH STARLING. "Good mor-night, Zeffy. Don't forget tew come ling and the hopeful Zeph-and faithfully-perseveringnext Saberday-come tew tea." ly did they believe it. "If I don't, by golly! Swaller me whole if I aint! Good night again. I'm off by gum!" And away went Zephaniah, with his shadow before him, exalted and glorified in his own opinion by the success of his late conquest, and in opposition to the general silence around, and to render the lonesomeness of the road less irksome, he commenced singing part of a patriotic song, written by him expressly for the previous forth of July celebration. Sally Dumpkins had a love for variety. She was likewise whimsical, and whatever she took a notion to, she would have, let the consequence seem ever so alarming. In reality she did "take no heed of the morrow" (except in the matter of Zeph's farm,) for she was a creature of impulse. Mr. Samuel Smith had a talent for pleasing the girls; he was insinuating-he was dangerous. He was not the ignorant country fellow that many might imagine him. Though generally loose in his conversation, and withal, spicing it with odd sentiments, and outlandish Sally stood in the doorway and listened until the sounds no longer reached her ear, and then returned into the house, sought her bed, and soon comfortably dis-expressions, yet within there ran a deep current-a posed of herself, to dream over the incidents but just something that might have made the man. In his transpired, and to fancy herself once more in the arms earliest days his morals had been wofully neglected. of Zephaniah. He had been sent to school more to get him out of the way, than for any benefit that might accrue to him. What education he there got, his travels in after years enabled him to profit by; and add to, and roughly finish what he had begun at school. For dress he had a particular passion, and to this frivolous accomplishment he owed most of his success among the girls wherever he sojourned. He invariably sported a large watch establishment, of what metal I will not pretend to say. Every article he wore was in the extreme of country dandyism. Now, the Pedlar and Sally were intimate-that is as friends-they walked together-talked together-sat together-stood together. For two or three reasons did Sally do this; not that she cared a fig for him, but she was a mortal woman, and she knew it would teaze young Starling; besides, all the lasses of the town would be envious of her; and this was her grand delight. Zeph had observed it long and patiently. He would first win her consent to be his own, and then he was indeed an interested party, and he would soon know which of the two had the better right-himself or the Pedlar. Thus all things were drawing to a focus And now, for the present, I must leave my simple and honest friends to introduce new characters necessary to the construction of my story. CHAPTER IV. "Beware, my lord-beware of jealousy! It is a green eyed monster which doth mock The meat it feeds upon."-SHAKSPERE. On a certain part of Farmer Dumpkins' farm, and near the public road, lived a man bearing the familiar cognomen of Smith-Sam Smith. He was a Pedlara Yankee Pedlar-that vender of small articles, than whom none appear to be more honest or sincere, make less, or are less inclined to overvalue their own goods. Who would not, if it was in his power, be a Yankee Pedlar? Who has a better opportunity of knowing the world, and perceiving its hollowness, than the Pedlar? Yes, I candidly and sincerely protest that the person who would not be a Yankee Pedlar, it is impossible for me to tell what he would be, unless he would bean honest man-which at least is the antipode. Sam Smith was-but I am not going to describe him further than to say, that he was about five feet six inches high, sandy complexion and hair, abrupt nose, large mouth, with thick lips, small twinkling gray eyes, with a roguish smile, and something of the devil in his and they did draw to a focus. Zephaniah courtedproposed, (in his way) and was accepted in Sally's way. Zeph considered himself one of the happiest of mortals, and Sally one of the most divine angels; and Sally, no doubt, considered herself fully entitled to a countenance. I said that Sam resided on a certain part of Dump-quantum sufficit of natural bliss, although she did not kins' farm, near the public road. Even so. There choose to show it or tell of it, and in all human prowas a small house, a kind of shantee for a barn, and bability believed Zephaniah to be all that the gods had about two acres of ground which he rented from the made him. But the deuce of it was, and so thought Farmer; for the pasturage of his horse and one cow he Zeph, she would flirt with the Pedlar; he thought, too, paid extra. With him lived his mother, an old crone and perhaps hope favored the thought, that it was of a thing who never said much to any one, nor any Smith who did such a kind favor to the old mare, by one much to her. There was nothing particular in her letting her loose, and writing such a polite note to himcharacter, neither one way nor the other, only-she self. As it opened, the Pedlar had got home that was an old crone. They had resided there ever since same evening from a speculating excursion abroad, and Now Sam was a small boy. None knew positively where this fixed the suspicion more strongly on him they came from, or but guessed where they would go. fancy dictated to him how he would have revenge, and Some did pretend to say that the woman was once no he was determined to watch for an opportunity. better than she should be, and that she had lived a licentious and lascivious life in some city or an other, and that having amassed a sum of money, how large or how small, no one could tell-she suddenly determined to retreat while it was yet time, bearing with her the solitary fruit of her evil doings in the shape of Sam. Yet there were some who did not believe this story, and among them was Farmer Dumpkins and his family; for had they believed it, the Farmer would never have consented for them to reside on land of his But among those who did believe it was Squire Star Meanwhile time wore slowly but surely on, and the "next Saberday" arrived at last, and a glorious day it was. The sun shone fair and bright, the day was mild and balmy. Early in the morning Smith called upon Sally, to solicit the happiness of attending her to church. It was human nature, of course, for Sally to accept; the head ruled the heart in this instance, and how could it do otherwise? The Pedlar was trimmed out in his best "bib and tucker"-new white hat, blue coat and drab pantaloons. His hair was sufficiently well pomatomed to make it stay in any con ZEPHANIAH STARLING. dition he might put it; he looked like a pink of a fellow. Well, Sally consented to be waited upon to church by him; she thought of Starling, and sh wished to experimentalize, for she had determined to do her best. It was agreed that they should take the Pedlar's horse and the Farmer's wagon, and in this manner they should proceed to church, or as they termed it, "goin tu meetin." The good Squire, his father, owned, besides the "old mare," a three year old colt, as yet not very familiar with the bit, and not over fond of being directed by other will than its own. On hin, then, in preference to riding the dam, he was determined to go to "meetin," and after much trouble, and many petty oaths and threatenings, he succeeded in catching him, and leading him to the door of the house, where he was properly prepared for mounting. In about thirty minutes more he had finished his own toilet, and after The morning wore on; and in due time Smith had the horse and wagon ready, and Sally was arrayed in her gaudiest colors-silks, ribbons, and other little et-viewing himself admiringly in the old fashioned maceteras. After Mr. Smith had got all in readiness that hogany framed looking-glass, and satisfying himself was incumbent on him as a duty, snapping his whip, that all was correct, he sallied out to the wood pile to he advanced toward the door where Sally stood ready, choose therefrom a twig of proper pliability, and and watching his preparations, and stepping up to her, strength, for the purpose of propelling the gallant he exclaimed: steed, in case he should become unruly, which he strongly suspected would be the case. After pleasing himself in this particular, he advanced toward the colt, which immediately began to show strong demonstrations of restlessness. As Zeph was in somewhat of a hurry, this capering of the colt's a little riled his generally very even temper, and he launched forth several severe imprecations upon the head of the beastly offender. "Whoa! neow, I tell ye-better mind yer eyes, I guess!" were the first words he spoke, as the animal sprung aside at his advance. Zeph passed round to the other side, when the colt jumped back the other way. This was vexatious-Zeph felt it to be so, and he bit his lips to stop the big oath he was on the point of uttering, but it only modulated it without preventing its escape. "Snakes and thunder! Yew plaguy tarnal critter yew, if yew don't stand still I'll maul you to darnation-snap my gizzard if I don't! Whoa! now, I tell ye!" "Let me see, now; I reckon I be ready: but law me, what a queerish feller yew air, I veow-stop, I've forgot my smellin bottle:" and back Sally turned into the house to get her smelling bottle, and after searching five minutes for it she found it, and soon, with the help of Smith, she was safely seated in the wagon, where he quickly followed her, and in another minute they were on their way to meeting, traveling at a very But what good does it do to tell a restive, unbroken slow pace, with no inclination on either side to increase colt to "whoa!" One might as well talk to the ocean their speed in the least. They conversed together in a storm, or to the cataract of Niagara. The colt pretty freely upon no particular subject, and they had would jump this side, and the colt would jump that nearly exhausted what little things they had to say, side, and the colt would pull back and turn round, and when the sound of a horse's hoofs at full speed arrest-in spite of all Zephaniah's ingenuity, he could not get ed their attention, and caused them to look back, to at him any way, and in some of his antic movements, ascertain, if possible, the reason of this uncommon he came very near kicking Zeph over-he just grazed movement on the holy day of the week. The dust his breast and no more. At this Zeph was mad in good stirred up by the rapid progress of the horse, prevented earnest; he swore a terrible oath that he would do them at first from recognizing the person of the ider; something, and he was generally as good as his word and when they did, they were both equally surprized especially this time. that that person should be Mr. Zephaniah Starling; but they looked harder, and were satisfied that it was. On, on came the horse and his rider, like Mercury armed from heaven-as though death were in pursuit, and their lives depended upon the issue of the chase. But why was this?-why should Zeph drive on at so unustanding off with the whip in his hand, he prepared to He proceeded forthwith to the barn, and there procured himself a good strong rope and a cart whip, which done, he returned to the colt, and after some trouble, managed to tie one end of the rope round his neck, and the other to a large post that stood by; then sual a pace? It will be necessary to retrogade in order explain the reason. In the morning when Zeph arose from his couch of down, and had fairly washed out the corners of his eyes that he might see distinctly, his first thought was that he would put on his best apparel to appear among the congregation of Elder Berry. Now, so far, this was a wise resolution on the part of Zeph; but whether it arose from any devout principle within, o from some more selfish motive, it is impossible for m to tell. As long as the deed is good, it is not for mortals to scan the motive. Well, his resolution once made up, he was not long in putting it into operation. "Well, my lady, are you ready?" "Well, I guess I are; don't I look as ef I ware, Mr. Smith?" said Sally. "'Cording to my notion o'thinking, I kinder calculate you do, my charming duck." "Come, none o' your ducking me, Mr. Smith, ef you do, I comprehend I wont ride a step with youthat's what I wont, now," retorted Sally, although she did not mean it. 13 "Keep cool, Miss Dumpkins, cause it's a Sunday; I didn't mean any thing, you know; but if you are ready, say so, and I will boost you in, in the twinkling of a cat's thumb." commence operations. "Take that, ye varmint!' and crack went the whip over the colt's side; and the colt danced a pretty figure and kicked up his heels. "Take that, ye sarpint yew! I'll larn ye tew kick!" and crack, crack, crack went the whip over the animal's ears, which made him ump ten times as hard as before. "I'll tell yew what it is, mister hoss, by Satan! I reckon yew and I will show some striking tokens of friendship, 'fore matters come tew a stand 'tween us, unless yew become more convincingly sincere in your oskerlations; darnation take me if I don't!" Whack! whack! crack! crack! "Take that yew young inferdel-yew unbeliever in okular demonstrations!" Whack! whack! "Kick, will ye yew pocky tarnal critter, yew! I'll larn ye tew use yer feet tew better advantage, yew young hoss -yew devil's colt yew!" and again went the whip over his head and ears, sides and legs, 'till the young beast spun again, snorted, and at last stood still, trembling in every joint, while the marks of the whip were plainly visible on his hide. "Now I guess you've got enough, aint ye? cos if ye aint, I'll try ye agin, for I aint tired yet by a jug full, no how yew can fix it, I snum!" self." Now there is something in human nature, that He took the rope from the colt's neck, and once more attempted to mount him, and was more success-leads us, if we have any pique against a fellow being, ful than before, being enabled, with very little trouto exult over any misfortune, anticipated or real, that ble o raise himself into the saddle; but no sooner had may befal them. he bestrode the beast, than away he flew, as though The Pedlar, from the natural consequences, deduced fire was in his heels. Zeph pulled back with all his very plain and palpable reasons for finding Zephaniah strength, but the colt had got the bit in his mouth, and unhorsed in the brook at the foot of the hill; and his no force of Zeph's could stop him. It had been Zeph's evil heart prompted him to wish that it might be so ; intention to stop at Farmer Dumpkins', and spend and he even carried his hopes further, for a gleam of a few moments with Sally; but no, the Fates had or- malignant pleasure for a moment lightened up his dained it otherwise; for, in the first place Sally would small gray eyes, as he thought—as he hoped that he have been gone, and in the second place, the mettled migh find Zeph seriously if not mortally injured from beat that he bestrode, had not the least thought of the effects of his fall. How far Smith was right in his stopping so near home, for it pursued its course by the calculations, the event will show; for as they passed Farmer's, as though pursued by a thousand furies; slowly down the hill, and over the bridge, Smith, who and the only evidence dropped that he had passed at was on the watch saw poor Starling apparently lifeless, all, was the unpremeditated fall of Zephaniah's hat, lying upon his back in a shallow part of the stream. which, after it first struck the ground, rolled gently In a moment his attentions were directed to Sally, toward the Farmer's door, who soon issued from his endeavoring to draw her into conversation, and, if house, picked it up, and with his coat sleeve, carefully possible, to keep her attention from that side of the wiped the dirt from it. Now, in reality, Zeph would bridge on which lay Starling. But fate will somehave stopped his horse, could he have done so, for he times misdirect the hand of the wily assassin, and had no notion of going to meeting bare headed; but he mar the intention of an evil thought. Just as the could not help it. He would be thankful if he did not Pedlar had conceived his intention nearly effected, the have to go further than meeting. On he sped by the attention of Sally was attracted to the loud howling of Farmer's, and it was something of an addition to his a dog, and on looking round she perceived Starling already agitated bosom, that he saw at a distance be- lying in the water, and his dog, which he had left before him, the Pedlar's horse in the Farmer's wagon, hind, but which had followed him, and had that moand those in it, whom he supposed rightly enough, to ment found him, standing by his body howling most be the Pedlar and his own beloved and adorable Sally. piteously. In a moment Sally comprehended the His heart swelled within him at the thought, but it whole, and with an exclamation of surprize, she inwas for a moment only, for in the next the colt had stinctivelygrasped the reins in Smith's hand, stopped dashed by them at full drive, letting his heels fly the horse, and in the next moment she sprung over at them as a token of brief recognition. As Zeph the side of the wagon, and hastened to the side of passed, Smith uttered a loud laugh of derision, that Zephaniah. As she reached him, he had just begun drove the blood to young Starling's cheek; and Sally to show tokens of animation, and made some effort to started and exclaimed, in a half abstracted and flight-recover himself. Sally leaned over him to assist him, ened manner, and thus he was enabled to raise himself to his feet so as to lean on the shoulder of Sally for support. She slowly led him from the water to the road side, and sat him down upon the dry grass, with herself by his "" 'Marcy on us! if that aint Zeph! He'll kill him side. "Never fear the devil-he's immortal," said Smith, addressing himself to Sally. would he drive any faster than a walk for the rest of the way. This vexed Sally very much, but she said nothing. Now the Pedlar knew the nature of a horse too well, not to draw certain conclusions from the snorting of Zeph's, as it crossed the bridge; and had Sally looked in his face at that moment, she would have seen a smile that would have startled her. However, on they proceeded at a slow walk to the foot of the hill, and up it, and continued at the same slow pace down on the other side. In the mean time, the speed of Zeph's horse had not diminished, but rather increased, if any thing; and like the steed of Mazeppa, wildly flew up a long hill that was before them, and as wildly down on the other side. Smith and Sally, although they could not see, could hear his receding steps down the hill, and his feet strike once on the wooden bridge at its base, accompanied with a loud snort, and then the gradual dying away of the sounds in the distance. The devil was in the heart of the Pedlar, for he mistrusted something, and immediately reined in his own horse to a slow walk, nor, although Sally wished it, "I suppose you aint never frightened at trifles, Mr. Smith?" rather sarcastically inquired Sally. Smith turned his head--their eyes met, he under- hurt?" stood, and was silent. "Zephaniah-dear Zephaniah!" exclaimed Sally, when at last she could speak-" tell me, are you "Bruised, Sally-badly bruised, but not seriously," answered Zephaniah. "But let me not interrupt your ride, Sally; go you on to meeting and leave me here; only when you get there, ask some one that knows me to take a wagon and come after me to take me home, for I don't 'spose I can walk. That is all Sally; Mr. Smith is coming for you-he is tired of waiting." "Now Zeph, you can't mean that; and if you do, don't say it for I wont hear a word on't. I aint naturally cruel, Zeph, if I be sometimes kind of thoughtless and wild-headed; and as for leaving you here on the cold ground, is what I aint got the heart to do.. ZEPHANIAH STARLING. "No, Sally; I guess I had better not; and as for leaving me here alone-why I don't know as the cold ground is any worse than a cold heart. So you shall go right home with us now in father's in a few moments he was mounted on his own horse wagon." and pursuing his way homeward. What his thoughts were as he trotted along on his nag, I am not free to say, for I never make a pretention of meddling with other people's private affairs; but enough I will disclose to let the reader know that Smith formed from that time a very convenient hatred to poor Zeph, and had any one listened as he turned away his horse's head, he might have been heard to mutter between his teeth-That if there was such a thing a licking this side of the Rocky Mountains, Zeph Starling should get it before long, any how." "Now, Zeph, you shant say so, for it is now as warm as ever-my heart will never be cold as long as it beats at any rate you must go home with us. Mr. Smith, turn the horse and wagon and bring it this way, for we must take Mr. Starling back with us." 15 After Zephaniah was comfortably attended to in the Smith, as she addressed him, was slowly coming toward them, his face ungraced with beaming smiles; but sad, and long, and most unpleasantly inclined. His motions when coming toward them betrayed that | house, a physician was immediately sent for, who rehe was in no hurry to assist, and the way in which he siding not far distant, was soon present, and examinturned to obey Sally's request, so unlike álacrity, went ing his bruises, he pronounced them not at all serious more to confirm the suspicion; and he conducted the or important, and after leaving a few directions for whole in so slovenly a manner, that it attracted the his comfort, took his departure, adding, as he went, notice of Sally, who determined that after the present and pointing to Sally, who sat by the bed-side, that he time she should have no further use for the Pedlar. did not think the patient would suffer much from his pain, while so important and able a physician attended him. By the time these resolutions were forming in the head of Sally, Smith had got the wagon tolerably near, so that with a little trouble to themselves, and some pain to Zephaniah, they contrived to put him in, and ia a few moments more they were on their return, each one differently impressed than when they left their homes. * About two months after the above incidents occurred, upon a certain Sunday, a man might have been seen busily engaged in the porch of the village church, sticking with wafers in a small case with a glass door, Prone as we are to form schemes for our mutual ad- a notice that "marriage was intended between Zephvantage, and to rail most incoherently against our illaniah Starling and Sally Dumpkins." Of course, if fortune, as we are pleased to term it, still this same any one had any objections to the wedding, then was dame Fortune deems it inexpedient to notice our dis- the time to make them. None were, however, made; contents, and often in direct contrariety to our own and in three weeks from that time, Zeph and Sally wishes, overturns all our plans, and in one moment were man and wife, to the inexpressible delight of all accomplishes more for our benefit, than ourselves could the neighboring children, who, on that important occabring about in a whole year of vexation and trouble. sion were allowed to gorge a whole week upon gingerSuch freaks she often delights in, for her bandage is bread, sugar-plumbs, and molasses candy. sometimes removed from her eyes. Two weeks before his wedding, the grand drama of Such was her freak with Zephaniah; and saved Revenge was enacted by Zephaniah and Sam Smith. him much trouble at the expense of considerable pain. They met alone in a meadow, about a mile from the In carrying Zephaniah home, he had to sit on the Farmer's house, each bent on a deed of blood. Few bottom of the wagon, and rest his head in Sally's lap. words were uttered between them, but their flashing As he lay smarting under the pain of his bruises, eyes and their clenched teeth, told how desperate and Sally pondered well over the whole affair; how, in terrible were their thoughts. Some minutes elapsed the first place, she had, in a coquetish moment, con- before anything was done by either, till at last Zeph's sented to go to meeting with the Pedlar, merely, as patience getting low, he made a regular grab at the she thought to vex the spirit of poor Zeph. She fan- coat collar of Smith, who, on the impulse of the mocied she could still see his frightened horse dash by ment, seized Zeph in a similar manner, and at it they with the speed of lightning-the tramp on the bridge went hot and in earnest. Zeph was a powerful man, and -the loud snorting of the beast, and the fall of Zeph- the little Pedlar was like a child in his hands. Smith aniah; she remembered, too, the full gleam of malice possessed the the most skill, Starling the most musin the eyes of Smith; his unwillingness to hurry for- cle, and the scuffle was long and uncertain, when, with ward when she thought that he anticipated some acci- a sudden jerk, Zeph put the Pedlar on his back. dent to Starling, and his reluctant and dilatory move- However, he was soon up and renewed the strife with ments in assisting her when she had found him, ren-three-fold energy and ferocity. Blows of no childish dered him in her eyes equally odious and contemptible, quality were exchanged between them. Their clothes as he had before been pleasing and acceptable, and she became ragged, their faces scratched their eyes "bungresolved that from that time forth she would avoid his ed up," while the perspiration coursed freely down society as she would a pestilence. As for the Pedlar, their cheeks. For twenty minutes they fought with he found his situation anything but pleasant and the ferocity of tigers, and at last it finally terminated agreeable, for neither Zephaniah nor Sally exchanged in the success of Starling: and well might it be so; a word with him on their return, and it was a load for no man was ever more completely "used up" at from his mind when they arrived at the door of Far- the end of a fight, than was the Pedlar by the doughty mer Dumpkins, and with the assistance of the Farmer, prowess of his successful rival. he had transferred Starling from the wagon to the house, leaving him at liberty to depart as soon as he should see proper, which he did forthwith, regardless of an invitation from the Farmer to spend the after-ers, the Pedlar and his mother departed from their noon with them. He felt that he was not wanted, and lonely tenement, nor did any one know of their where It was his "last appearance" in that part of the country; for on that very night, when sleep spread her dark wing over the peaceful cottages of the farm JOHN NEAL. abouts, nor did any one seem to care. We may certainly add, that Mr. Starling and his devoted better half are at this moment living in all the enjoyment that can be possibly realized from a good farm well stocked, and "six lovely babes." the night; and dying-literally dying with that word young Newfoundland puppy, of which he was very JOHN NEAL NOT Joseph C. Neal, of Philadelphia, of "charcoal" me- Well sir-we met once more-and she forgave me ; mark. Poor little fellow! He had "Sir, said he, I am a sad fellow--very childish, very wicked, and of cosrse, very wretched. I am a fool, I never see a fur-cap of know-but I can't help it. that color, pointing to his own which lay steaming on a settle, before a huge roaring fire-on the head of a boy, without feeling as if I could cry my eyes out. I have been, what you told me once you were-a husband and a father, a proud father and a happy husband. You remember the fires we had in 1824? Well, I had camped out that fall, and was making a fortune; how, and with what view is nobody's business. You need n't stare-I saw the question rising to your throatWell, I had left my wife; no matter why; incompatibility of temper if you like. All I have to say is that Had she been she was altogether too good for me. more of a woman less of an angel, I should not have been what I am now-an outcast-a wanderer-a hunted outlaw. Oh, you need n't stare. I've told you about all I mean to tell you on that head. Well -we separated-in plain English, I ran away and left my wife; taking with me only one child-my poor dear Jerry-the only child I was sure of; for between ourselves, my good sir, the devil had put it into my head to be jealous of my poor wife-and so I left her all the children with blue and gray eyes, and took with me the only one that resembled me. Ah, if you could but have seen that boy's eyes! They were like sun-shine, though black as death. Well, Jerry and I got along pretty well together for nearly three years, when one THE SECOND VOLUME.-In order to secure full sets day, I received a letter from my wife, saying that Luther, my eldest boy, and the two blue-eyed babies, were of the second volume of the ROVER, which commences in their graves. Two were drowned in each others with this number, subscribers and agents should send arms-the other died of a broken heart-a mere baby-in their orders as early as possible. The work is not but it pined itself to death after I disappeared-she told stereotyped, and after the edi ion printed is exhausted, me so and I believed her-asking for farler, poor farler, the reprint of back numbers is so expensive the puba hundred times in a day, and whenever it awoke in lishers cannot promise to do it in future. During a severe draught in 1824, the fires run through way back to the place where she was prepared to see the towns of Wiscasset and Olney in the State of her little nestling asleep, and dreaming of its motherMaine, driving the inhabitants before them, consum- his dear, new mother, as he called her, and persisted in ing their dwellings, and eating up to a wide extent cal'ing her from the moment I told him that she was all vegetable matter from the face of the earth over coming to live with us. grass-land and forest. From an article entitled "The almost forgotten her. Suddenly, as we were descendSquatter," describing some of these scenes the following the top of a hill, our horses began to snort-my ing sketch is taken. wife caught my arm, and as I turned toward her, I saw the whole western sky in a preternatural glow. Before I could speak, a strange darkness swept by, and I felt as if the hand of death were upon me, I tried to speak, but I could not. I could only urge my wife to follow-and clapping spurs to my horse, I rode straightway toward the fire. Once only did I turn-and then only to look back and forbid her to follow me further. Well, I arrived at the place; and there I found-bear with me patiently-first the hired girl, frightened half out of her senses, and hiding under a fence. I asked She stood aghast at the inquiry. her for my boy. Her only reply was a wandering of the eyes as if in search of something. At last, and with great difficulty, she recollected herself enough to say that she had seen the fire in time to escape with my dear boy-that being dreadfully fatigued, though she had not run far, she sat down to rest herself, looking toward the path by which we were expected-that some how or other she fell asleep-and that the last she remembered was, something little Jerry had said about going back to untie poor I knew that Carlo! My heart died away within me. I was childless-I knew it-do n't talk to me-I knew When I arrived at my house, I it. And it was so. fonnd it nearly destroyed by the fire-and a little way off, lay my poor boy with Carlo watching over him. The child was dead-that is Carlo you see there. My wife is in the mad-house at Philadelphia—and here am I. God forgive me!" Here he stopped, and his breathing changed; but after a few minutes, began anew, in a lower and steadier, though much altered tone. ་ |