Lancaster Examiner and Herald

              i#
vot. XXXI.
LANCASTER, PA., WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1856.
No. 2.
piTBLnnD'Br EDWABD 0: DAEMNGTON,
i"--^     *    orrm at voxra vna'wrwMMr.      _
The BXAHQ^ER k DBCOGRATZG HERALD ^ 1« paUlihvd wMUr, atTVo pou.au » yaar. ADimaiiBwmrwnot ezoeeding ons sqaus* wUlb«l»MTt«dtlu«illaM<broiw4«U«r,ud twantyr Ato emu will \m ehund fbr aaeh additional IbBtrtlon,— AUlMiU^AiMOutaUinndto thoM •dTerttaioK by tb«
FrvBt tht LoQltTlllo Courlar.
The Brid^Party; or, Pride Subdued.
BI IffifiJ AJWA -mLUB FBICB.
CHAPTER I. I wu the 011I7 child of a fontJ, indulgent mother, Bhe waa independently rioh, bnl from a dltlUce to the world whioh her mia- fortnnee had created, had, after the death of my father, selected a home in the village of N I was reared in   retirement.   My
mother wishing to shield me from the wick¬ edness and vice of the world, encouraged little intimacy with childron of my own age, and being an acoompliahed, intelli¬ gent woman, ooriduoted my early education herself.
I possessed an innately proad disposition which I inherited from my. father, and tho' my mother was humility personifled, instil¬ led dally b^ precept and example herown and noble prinoiples into my mind. I notwith¬ standing grew a proud OTorbearing child, and the germ of true nobility which ahe ao care¬ fully endeavore I to implant, remained l.itent in my composition for a number of years.— This waa partly owing to tbe iofluence of Agnes, the maid who had sttended me from my infancy. She instilled a false pride, and convinced me that I waa infinitely better than all who moved in an humbler circle of life than my owu. The people of N. were none of them ostentacious in their style of living, but were generally excellent people, posses¬ sing muoh intelligence and reQoement; but Agnes ridiculed their manners and dreas in order to excite my pride, and give me a con¬ tempt for them. She was certainly the most deceitful of human beings, for in my moth¬ er's presence sbe echoed all her aentimenta, bnt no sooner was she alone with me than she began with all thu cunning of her nature to stimulate the pride whioh waa inherent in my nature.
She had been a faithful servant in some respects, and my mother was deceived in her, for she certainly knew how to sustain the confidence sbe bad gained by the most able and crafty tact. The demon, Pride, had entered my heart, despite tbe watchful care of a mother's love, and she, Uke many pa¬ rents, waa blind to this one fault of her dar¬ ling child. She thought me retiring and timid with Btrangera, and would always give this as aa excuse when her friends ohided her for keeping me so much at home. I re¬ collect a visit she had from a Mrs. Town, a very pretty and interesting woman ; but I had unfortunately heard Agnea ridiculing her bonnet and her everlasting one ailk dreas, and this bad settled her in in my estimation. I was sitting on a low stool at my mother's feet, reading my lesson, when she entered* Pride "has many companions. Anger waa at this moment her handmaid, audlfelt my "face color to the roots of my hair at what I considered an unwarrantable intrusion. My mother seemed delighted to see her—invited her to be seated, and tnming to me, said,— "Victoria, take Mrs. Town's bonnet." I, stood in moody ailence. I feared my moth¬ er, though I darednot speak, I had too much contenpt for the bonnet to touch it. "Nev¬ er mind," said Mrs. Town, "I have not long to sit. Is tbis Victoria f I rarely ever see her. How pretty she is I Come here, my dear, I have a little daughter at home, too. Annie often Bays to me. Ma, wby don't Vic¬ toria Lysle oome to see me I Indeed, Mrs. Lysle, I think you keep her entirely too mnch confined. She looks ao fragile. But aee how she blushes. Ab, those are darling little cheeks."
"She takes exercise enough," said my mo¬ ther, "bnt Victoria is very diffident except with me. It is actually painful to sae her with strangers. But send Annie to see her and ahe will perhaps overcome this feeling." 1 felt insulted. Agnea had told me that Annie Town was a low, mean child, and ahe had convinced me that my mother was de¬ tracting a great deal from her own dignity by visiting Mrs. Trown. Agnea had unbounded infiuence over me, a power of which my mo¬ ther had not the slightest suspicion.
Some days after Annie came to see me.— She was a gentle, lady-like child, but I was unconscioua of her genuine goodneas. I spoke to ber in my mother's presence, but when we were left alone, in answer to her inquiry if I would Uke to play, I said in a haughty tone that Agnea had taught me, *hat 1 was too proud to play with her."— ¦Toor Annie! her eyes filled wtth tears at this unexpected insult, and withoat speak¬ ing she tiad her hat and left the house. My mother came soon after and said, "Why! is Annie gone! Victoria, you must leam to ba leas timid, poor child." I felt many com¬ punctions of conacience, but they were soon silenced by Agnes, who applauded my con¬ duct, and ended by saying, as she always did—
"Miss Victoria, you are your father's own child. Pity but poor mistress had' more spirit."
As I grew older I began to ahow greater de¬ monstrations of mybesetting sin, and my mother, wbo was ao good, so noble, could not alwaya remain blind. She mourned her want of penetration in so long neglecting thia fanlt whioh had almost become a part of my being. About thia time we received a viait from a tiistant relative of my mother's who had been left partly to her care by his parents, who were both dead.
Paul Lorraine was then about twenty—a fine, bandaome youth, with an eleganti easy manner that made him fascinating in my oyes. He was the only peraon I had ever aeen, except my mother, that I conaidered a oompanion for me, and we were aoon great frienda. He seemed to regard me as a play¬ thing at first, but having great penetration, aoon diacovered my ungovernable faiUng,and chided me often. He advised my mother to send me to a boarding school, and said in a jesting tone, that an extensive intercourse with tbe world waa neceaaary to my aalva- tion. My mother thought a great deal of Paul's opinion, and it was at laat agreed between .them that I should be sent to a fiourishing academy for young ladies in the neighboring city. I at first rebelled, declared I would not go, but my mother was always firm with me when she was blind to a fault, and I was compelled to submit.
If any one but Paul Lorraine had thus de¬ cided my desiiny for a period of four years, I would have never forgave the insult, bu* there waa a  strange fascination about him
have the aame hanghty curl of the upper Up; I think landcouain Ellen," meaning my mother, "muat put our witi together to aub- da« this extra mettle." lonly smiled, for I oould not feel angry with Paul ' He wiaa my equal, I thought, aome of my blood ran in Ma veins, and he was therefore excusable for questioning my pride.
My mother aoon informed me that be had finiahed the atudy of law, and had conoluded to remain in our village, as it was a desira¬ ble point for his practice. I often wondered why my cousin Paul, who was very wealthy, should condescend to adopt any profeaaion. I ventured to remonstrate with him one day, and declared that I thought it beneath the dignity of a gentleman to practice law, in¬ deed, any profession tbat would compel him to mingle with the common herd." I oa^ never forget the expression of his kind face when I uttered these worda, "Victoria I" said said he, sadly, "I had hoped that you pos¬ sessed to much inate nobility to ntter such aeutlments." He drew hia tall form to its full height, and looking at me pityingly,8aid —"What higher office ahould Paul Lorraine wish tban to be of'uae to hia fellow oreatures! Ah Victoria, that false pride of youra will one day destroy your happinesa forever." It w&s strange that I took ao little heed of his words, and the gentle warnings of my kind mother, for nothing could at that time affect me or make the leaat alteration in my senti¬ ments. I was tben sixteen yeara old, in the bloom ot youth and beauty. I was conscious —when I looked in my mirror—that it re¬ flected li, finely developed form, large brilliant eyes, and a . complexion tbat could vie with the rose and lily in hue, but I took leas pride in my exterior than in my nature. My pre¬ aent appearance was only to me a neceaaary aooompaniament of nobility.
Boon after my arrival home I reoeived an invitation to a ball in the village. Paul in. quired if I was going ; to which I haughtily replied by a contemptuous toss of the head. "Why not," said my mother, "the first girls in the plaoe will be there, and indeed, Victo¬ ria, you muat go." I saw that Paul wished me to go, and that my manner had displeas¬ ed him, I said in a more amiable tone, "Oh, I'll go, mother, but yoa must not expect me to dance." --
"Not if you do not wiah it, Victoria, but dancing waa my favorite amusement when I was young, and you bave been so well taaght."
Paul smiled, and said, "Why, coaain Ellen, I am astoniahed at your simplicity. Fashion¬ able young ladies are now what old ladies were in your youth, but Victoria will get over her foolish notions after a while ; she Is very erect now, but sbe muat, she will bend." He wiatled a tane and left ua. I blush now when I think of my ridicttloua conduct on the evening af the ball. I enter¬ ed the room with Paul, and bowing conde- acendtngly to the oompany, took my station near tbe head of the room, where I stood in what I considered dignified stlenoe, during the evening. Paul left me several timea to dance with the ladiea, among whom I observ¬ ed Annie Town. He offered to introduce me to the "beaux," but I declined the honor in my haughtieat manner. At last, growing weary of what I did not condescend to term amusement, I retired to the shawl room and sent for Paul to accompauy me home. I waa standing near the door when I heard voioes in the hall. My own name was called and I condescended to listen. "Does Miss Lysle dance, said a gentleman's voice. "Who," asid another. "Why man, you are speaking of Victoria ! Her Majesty would hardly con¬ descend to danoe at the Court of St. Jamea.
I did not feel aa I ahould have felt, morti¬ fied. I was insulted. My name had been bsen lightly used, and by suoh as thesr !— When Paul joined me I said ina haughty tone, that I wished to go home, tbat I waa shocked with so muoh vulgarity and imper¬ tinence. He looked impatient and angry, but attended to my wishea, and only said "Vic¬ toria I shall never ask your company to an¬ other ball!" "Never do, if you please," I replied, and the subjeot was dismissed.— When we reached home my mother was iur- priaed at our early arrival from the ball,' in¬ quired in an axious tone "if I had not enjoy¬ ed myaelf." "As well aa I expected," said I, and Paul, giving a miachievous wink, aaid in a demure tone to my mother, "the company was toomiiftffor cousin Vic; ahe could'nt be expected to stay. Now a rough fellow like , myaelf can take a hand in any company, and come with being fazed, but it is too hard on a princess of the blood." My mother sigh¬ ed, and I was stupidly proud and unfeeling . imagined that Paul was really compliment¬ ing -my Buperiority. I loved Paul witb a devo¬ tion that I could not overcome, and the idea that he could not, did not reciprocate ra.y feelings, never entered my mind. His every glance spoke love; hia words were constru¬ ed by me into the language of love. I ami- led when I thought he dreaded to con¬ fess his emotions, and felt that he feared a refusal. My fancy was busy building caa- tlea in the air, when Paul should find courage to propose for me. I had created an Eden.an exoluaive paradiae, where none should enter but he, my mother and myself. I was sel¬ fishly blind to my mother'a distress at my oonduot, unconsoions of the contempt my cousin felt for my principlea.
CHAPTER III. One cold moming in January, I had arrayed my person with unusual care, and descended to the parlor to meet Paul, who usually paid us a moming visit. He was sitting before the fire in deep thought, for he did not aeem to ohaerve my entrance.
"Why 30 abstracted signor," said I, gaily touching him on the ahoulder.
"Ah, ma belle cousin," exclaimed he, tur¬ ning. He surveyed me admiringly, I con¬ ceived.
"You look charming this moraing, Vic¬ toria, crimson is quite becoming to you.— With a little humility you would be an an¬ gel, bat alas, that lip of scorn! Sit down, I have something to tell you, a tale of doubts and hopes, of future happinesa or woe I"
"Ah," thought I, "be has at laat gained courage to tell hia love." I sat down near him in some embarrassment, but eager to bear tbe long expected words, "Victoria, 1 love you!"
He drew bis ohair closer to mine, and ta¬ king Tsxy hand Baid,without any appearance of confusion, "cousin, I waut to tell yoa a little secret, as I believe you like me pretty well, and I know young ladies of your age love to hear secrets ; of courae yoa won't tell any one, but Victoria, I am about to be married,
and"- ¦
I heard no more.   Don't imagine, sensible
reader, that I fainted I oh no, bat the rest of
. Paul's sentence waa unintelligible to me.    I
that rendered it impoasible for him to offend   ^^^^^^^^^ nnusual aelf command, and aoon
 TT 1 C;i„.l «f .11 .U.. w.a ...not I
me. He vas my beau ideal of all that was great and good, and I submitted beoause it waa big proposal. When bis visit was over be left us to attend a Law Bchool, and bis parting words to my mother were, "Send Victoria to sohool if you wish to save her from tbe bot¬ tomless pit."
CHAPTEE II. I went - to sohool, but my pride only led me to excel m all things. Imade no friends, my teaobsis acknowledged my talent, bnt tho't me oold and unfeeling ; my achoobnatss nev¬ er dared to intrude upon me. There was something in my manner that repelled all intimaoy, and I waa alone—a proud,unhappy girl, too proud indeed to commit wbat I con¬ sidered a mean aotlon,bat dead to all tbs gen- erona_«?^ feelings of my nature. I remained at soEooV four years; when 1 toinmed boins waswelwMMdby my mother aiid my. not forgott«n friend, Taul Lorraine. He oom- plim^il mjr appesranoe, and pisised my
rocoTered enough to aak
"WeU, and who is the bappy lady ?" "A young and blooming girl! Whathemame is matters not; that would not interest yon. I look forward to the time when sbe will be oal led Mrs. Paul Lorraine, the wife of Paul Lor¬ raine, Attomey at Law, a man of fortune and talent. Always put fortune flrat cousin if you wish to gain the attention of tbe public, Hurra for poor Paul I Why do yon look so grave cousin X Marriage, it is tme, ia a sol- «mn affaiV, but only to those who wed, and you are too proud to many any ona. But lot me Ull you all my arrangoments. I bave bought a beautifnl little villa on tbe edge of town, and wben tbe spring comes I am go¬ ing to tbe oitytobny meaome bandsomo fur¬ niture, and yon 'and oousin Ellen can arrange it for me. Then I will olaim my bride, and have a party at the villa. You can then be¬ hold bet in all her loveliness."
I murmured a few words, I know not what they were.   PaiU  excused bimself, said be
««,mpll.hment., but said 'Wsln,! see>«a' i^tT^ nw.^. £tt> tad ;^ dj;!
to attend to before the important a&ir came off: He aeemed muoh taken up with hia coming happlneas to notice my embarass | ¦ment. I atood for some momenta after be left me aatounded, or rather bewHdered.^^ What had I heard I Could I believe it! 11 paced the fioor in agitation aome time, and then flew to my room and gave vent to my feelinga in a flood of bitter teara. I had for- ^ gotten my pride. I wished to die. But af¬ ter the flrat ebulition of grief waa over, wiaely determined to arrange my disordered tresses, and "wipe the tear drop from my eye." Pride returned to my relief. I bath¬ ed my swollen faoe in cologne water, and aat down to my emdroidery nntil all traces of, tears had vanished. I went to my mirror to examine my coantenance, and saw myaelf very pale and haggard looking. I found aome rouge in Agnea* room, whicb adjoined miafe, applied it to my cheeks, which had be¬ fore never lacked brilliancy. "No one," thought I, "ahall ever know that I love Paul Lorraine 1" I descended the ataira. My mother was quietly sewing by the fire. I looked on her placid face, and wondered if she had ever suffered the agony I endured at that moment. She looked up and smiled. I felt like throw¬ ing myself on her boaom and telling her all, but pride cheoked my emotions, and I made somevtrivial observation.
"I wonder where Paul is to-day," said ahe at laat, riaing.
"He was here this moming," I replied, "but I auppoaed he waa too much engrossed in his own affairs to think of yon."
"Ah yes," said ahe, "ao Paul told you of his engagement did he !"
"What ia the ^ame of the young lady," sai 11, endeavoring to speak without embar- raaameut.
"That, my dear, is what I do not know.— Ue no donbt intends to sarprise us. Perhaps it ia Miaa Town. She ts a beaatiful girl, and Paul has alwaya baen intimate there. In¬ deed I believe Mrs. Town is iu aome way re¬ lated witb Paul's family."
"Indeed !     Ah yes," thought   I, "it muat
be her, for there is   no girl in N  who
oould answer his description bat Annie Town." A bitter feeling rose in my heart wben I thought that ahe whom I had spurned aud Blighted in my childhood should bear away my idol.
"Well," aaid my mother, "I am very glad Paul is going to marry. He will make any woman bappy, and I hope he will do weU."
I looked at my mother. She had a gentle melancholy expression except when look¬ ing upon me, then sbe alwaya amiled. She had seen many troublea in her life, and I waa her only comfort andbappineas. "Can ahe," thought 1, "l>e so blinded aa never to have suspected my love for Paul." I knew that abe loved Paul very much, and wag almoat certain before thia, that she had wished us to be united. I could not understand her calm look.
I scarcely knew how time passed aftor this until spring. I only know I was wretched, and the hours dragged wearily away, Paul was absent moat of the time, superintending ar¬ rangements about hia new home, and aa I supposed, visiting his betrothed. I could hear nothing of her, aud aa I did viiiit Annie Town, I was too proud to enquire if she waa tbe happy possessor ot Paul's affections.— Wben he came to see ua he waa very kind, but indifferent on all subjeots except his coming marriage. I exerted myaelf on all occasions to appear lively in hia preaence, but he never seemed to observe that my apirita wera unusually boyant.
CHAPTER IV. On« morning towards the latter part of April, I retired to my room to indulge in teara. My apirita were fast wearing away, and I felt too miaerable to live. I aat down on a aofa,and buried my face in tbe cushions. I looked up and saw a book lying open on the table near me. I took it up mechanioally and read, "tbe only life of trae happiness ia one of uae. The kingdom of Heaven ia formed for uses, and the humblest being on earth that performs uaea to othera has a higher seat in Heaven than one who rolls in wealth, and leads a life of aelflah pride."
I read this sentence over and   over again and again, and when I  closed the book my past couduct rose before me in its true light, and I saw myself  as I was, a proud selfish being, v.- The   most bitter tears of repentance I wept on thst morning, and exclaimed, "No wonder that my noble cousin Paul ahould be indifferent to me.    I, so wicked, so unworthy of his honest heart.    I reviewed my past life. Memory presented nothing pleasing to cast a veil over my aelfiabneas and pride.   My love formy mother was only partof my pride.    I could not recollect then tliat I had evergranted her wishea whau they interfered witb my self- elated nature.   I knelt down and prayed that God would would give me atrengh to conquer the pride I had nurtured, until it seemed a full grown demon.     I determined to begin a new existence.     I arranged my hair and de- Bcendedlo the parlor.     My mother was out on aome mission of charity.     I  opened   the windows to let in the fresh April air, and as I did so, I saw   a  party of  girls and young men pasaing by with their fishing lines and baskets.     I leaned out to see if I   could re- cogniae auy one ; and to my surprise, saw in the lead my cousin   Paul and Annie Town laughing and chatting merrily.    Annie waa a lovely blonde.     Her flaxen hair hung  in light curls from her   forehead to   her waist, and as_ she   stood   talking with Paul, and twirling her   aan-bonnet,   I could not deny that she was charming, and for the flrst time waa struck witb the gentle unaaauming grace of her manner. My first impulse waa to retire from the window, but throwing aaide my old feelinga, I hailed   Paul   and Annie   as  they pasaei,   invited  them to  come in.   Annie aeemed unwilling to stop, but he whispered in her ear, and sbe nodded aaseut.    My pride was at my elbow every moment, but I resis¬ ted it bravely, and begged them to be seated until I could equip myaelf.
"Will you go with ua,l" said Paul in amazement. "Yes," said I, "although you nor Miaa Town have condeacended to invite me."
Annie waa rather dignified I thought.— She appeared to auspect aomething under my aaanmed cordiality. I was very misera¬ ble atthe moment, for it required almost au- perhuman courage to throw off the falae pride that had been so long a companion of my be¬ ing. I could only acknowledge that Annie trea¬ ted me with acoolneaa I juatly merited. When we joined the fishing party I was regarded coldly by all except Paul and Annie, who sud¬ denly beoame very cordial. I felt at firat an im¬ pulse to tura home, but I recollected that I had always treated them in a aoornfol manner and I felt that the retrihutiou waa milder than I deserved. I determined to make a good impreaaion, and to retrieve the charac¬ ter whioh had beoome so ' odious to me. I could be entertaining when I liked, and be¬ fore the day waa over had ingratiated myaelf with tbe whole party. I heard whispers such aa these, "Is ahe not changed ;" "I had no idea ahe could be agreeable."
Paul waa very attentive to Annie Town. I was convinced that it was ahe wbo had robbed my of my treasure, but thanks to God and my repentant spirit,! looked npon their hap- plnesa and wished they might be united. I was StiU determined that Paul should never know my love, and wheu wa returned home chatted gaily with him and my mother about hia marriage, when my heart waa almoat bursting with its disappointment and grief. I felt, however, happier. My mind was mors at peace with tho worid, and I pictured acenea of sociability with my new acquaintan¬ ces, in whioh I could find a balm for my wounded spirit. My mother was delighted beyond bounds, becauae I had joined. the fishing party, and said, "Victoria, I hopeypu will continue to be sociable.    Yoa have no
idea how muoh It will inoivase your happl¬ neas."
I at last oonquaredmy wilful heart enough to pay Annie Town a morning viait. She waa very buey, and I waa-*n4ted Into her mother's room. Several new dreases were receiving a flnisbing touch, aud among them a beantiful white ailk, which I examined with a scrutinizing eye. Mrs. Town aaked my advice about the trimming of thia dreaa. "Well," aaid I "it depends upon the occa¬ sion for which it is inteuded.
Annie blushed, her mother amiled, aud said "Annie is eng-iged in some secret, and these dreaaea are for the occasion, but I assure you I am. not in the aeorit."
"Perhaps," aaid I, "Mr. Paul Lorraine oould give us some light on tne subject; "but nev¬ er mind," aaid I, aeeing tliat Annie grew more confused, "we shall be enlightened soon enongh no doubt." "Perhaps yoa will be surprised when you are enlightened," aaid Anuie, crimsoning deeply. "Oh no," repUed ^ S^i^Ji " m thia age of novelty and wonders we are not often surprised."
CHAPTER V. When I returned home, I found my moth¬ er unpacking a variety of new dreaaea for myaelf. "Here, Victoria, oome and look at your spring dresaea I Are they not lovely f" "Yea," said I, turaing away to hide my emotiona j "but dear mother, I have no need forany thing new."
"Fie; child ! And cousin Paul to be mar¬ ried in two weeka! See, I have bought you this elegant white aatin to wear to tbe bridal party, and then, they wiil no doubt, invite you to accompany them to the city, and"— "No indeed 1" exclaimed I vehemently, "I will not wear white, nor am I going to the bridal party or the city, or any where with them! "Why, Victoria," aaid my mother mildly, "what will Paul think!. He wiU think," she added, "that you love him, which ia I expect too true." "Why mother!"
"Do not deny it, Victoria. I have more penetration tban yon think, and it is your dnty to behave in a becoming manner. Your diaappointment is in truth a severe trial, but my daughter, we muat all have our share of troublea in thia life, and thia ia I think Intended to subdue yoar proud,nnhappy diapoaltion." I hid my face in her bosom and wept. My I kind mother raised my head, kissed me, and aald,"! love to aee yoa thus hamble my poor proud Victoria, but do not despair, you will be happy yet, my ohild, and after thia triaj is over never again  let pride rule you."
"Oh, indeed, I ahall never kuow happinesa again," I exclaimed, sobbing, "you oan never know how I have loved, idolized him I"
"It ia wrong, my child, to make an idol of any earthly thing. Subdue thia paasion.— Look with au humble, trusting heart to God, and be will give you peace. Dry your tears, ' Victoria, I hear Paul's voice in the hall."
He was in a moment at my side. "Victo¬ ria in toara!" "The Millenium must be close i at hand. So many fine dreaaea, too ! Wby Victoria, you are certainly going to be mar¬ ried. White aatin 1 Cousin, is it possible that yoa are having hysterics over all this finery ? ' Now if it is a forced marrivge that' ia about to come off, Z advise you to resist it bravely, ^A girl of your spirit ought nev- , er to submit to such an outrage 1"
"Paul," said I, losing all my self oommand I "50 and.behappy inyour love and leave mo to my misery 1" I motioned him to the door.— "Well,"' said he, retreating, "I'll go. Paul is an humble individual, never intrudes up¬ on private grief, and really I am afraid of those black ilaabing.eyes of yonrs^" .
He waa gone, I heard him laugh ait he bade my mother adieu in the hall. How unfeel¬ ing thought I.
I had many bitter temptations during tbe succeeding fortnight, but weut with my moth¬ er to the villa to arrange the furniture for Paul. It waa a lovely place, ahaded by fine large trees, and tbe gentle spring fiowers aeemed to amile upon my misery. We were in the par¬ lor wben Paul entered. He looked ao band¬ aome, so buoyant with hope aud happiness. I was placing a cover on an elegant piano. " Thank you cousin," aaid he, " I am aure|I cau never forget your kindness. This ia a aweet i plaoe, isn't it Victoria. Do you think my bride will be happy here !"
"She will have every thing that wealth' can procure, aud you Paul, if you love her you oan surely make her happy." .These words cost me a considerable effort. "Yes, Victoria," aaid he, " but I have some- times doubtedheraffection forme. This may be ouly a fooliah fancy !" He looked kindly towards me and moved away with a smile.
The important day at length arrived. I made no inquiries as to wheu and where the marriage would take place. My mother waa out all the morning, aud I auppoaed ahe had gone to the wedding. I was now convinced that Annie Town would be the bride, and thanked my mother in my heart for not de¬ airing me to attend the ceremony. She re¬ turned abont noon. I asked no questions, and as ahe sat down ahe aaid, " Victoria, you must be ready early, they have concluded to be maried at the villa." " I had hoped moth¬ er," I replied, " that I would be spared the trial of going I Do not, dear mother, do not require my presenoe there I"
"Indeed, Victoria, you must go. Paul would never forgive you. It is my wiah, too and you know I would not willingly pain you."
I turned away to hide my tears. " Little doea Paul care," thought I.
As it grew later my mother undertook my toilet herself 1 I submitted passively. She curled my hair and placed a wreath of orange bloaaoms above my brnw. I raised my hand to tear it off. "Dear mother," I exclaimed wbat can I want witb orange flowera 1"
" Don't be fooliah child," said ahe, replacing tbe wreath. "What does it matter at beat," thought I, and I made no farther reaistanoe. I would eaaily have been miataken for a bride adorned for the altar, when my toilet waa finiahed. I glanced in the mirror ahd aaw my face pale and wan. I tumed to my mother and began to remonstrate, but ahe in¬ terrapted me with," Huah; here ia your man¬ tle ! Wo have no time to loose." My moth¬ er heeded not my reluctance, but hurried me to the carriage, and we were in a moment rolUng at lightning speed, I thonght. As wo approached the villa a flood of light from the window rouaed me from a kind of lethargy. When we entered the avenue I heard aounds of laughter andhigh mirth. I steppedout of the oarriage, and waa mechanically ascending the stepa in front ofthe villa, when my mother touched me quiokly, and taking my arm Baid, "oome let us go thia way." She led me around the houae, and we entered Paul'a li¬ brary which was some distance from the par¬ lors. He was there alone, looked agitated, and after begging ua to be seated, paced the floor a few moments and then advancing to¬ wards me, said in a hurried manner :
" Conain I bave a great favor to ask of you!"
" Have yoa," aaid I, languidly. " Yes, I am a poor disappointed fellow.— My girl haa deceived me. She declines the offer of my hand, and here I stand, simple enough, and a company waiting in my parlor to sea me married. Must I be subjaoted to the mortification of Informing them that I am a rejected lover I Victoria, will you be my bride 1 Could you be contented with a aecond love I I will cherish you, Victoria, I love you, aay will you be mine now !"
What did I hear! My bead was dizzy with contending emotions. Could I, proud as I Btill was, wonld I .locept the band of Paul Lorraine, knowing too, that he loved another. "No," thought I, "this is too mnoh But I loved him, and what higher of¬ fice should I wlah en earth than to study hia happiness I"
He knelt at my faet imploringly, and beg¬ ged me to marry him. Mymotherapproaohed.
"Victora," aaid ahe, "decide! we can wait no longer."
I faltered a faint yes, wbich Paul after¬ wards deolared waa loud enough to be beard in the parlors, but which I am certain con¬ quered my laat atom of falae pride. My mother left ns a moment, and retaraed with Annie Town who was arrayed in the identi¬ cal white silk which I had aoratlnized ao carefully.
"Will you allow me to be your brides¬ maid, dear Victoria," abe said, ' 'but oome, the minister is waiting."
I had no time for worda, and we were soou standing between the parlors, surrounded by a breathless crowd of spectatora. In a few momenta I waa tbe wife of Paul Lorraine.— After the oongratulationa were over, music and dancing began. A servant whiapered in my ear that I waa wanted In the library. I went, and found there my mother, Paul and Annie.
" Come," said Annie, "itis but right that you abould know the mystery of thia faroe." Paul exclaimed that it was all a " made up " plan \ etween himself and my mother, and Anuie beiog a particular friend of Paul's, had been taken iu their confldeuce to assist in the plot. And all to subdue my unfortunate f^ingl pridei- Paul deolared thathe had" always loved me, and hoped I would forgive bim. Did I foi^ive him? Reader, ooold you peep into our villa, and see the happi¬ ness and content that o'ershadows it, you would know how thankful Victoria is, for the ruse tbat ohanged her nature and made her an an humble, happy wife.
THEVEBMOITT COTTSIN.
A CAPITAL STOBT lOK TOUNO LADIES.
"It is too provoking, isn't It, that father will insist upon Inviting that Yankee oousin to come and stay at our house and go to achool I I don't see, for my part, how he came to have such countrified relations ; but sinoe he haa, I think he might let them stay up among their own green mountains, in¬ stead of bringing them down to mortify us in the city with their awkward ways and naaal twang 1"
Thus apoke out Mias Julia Acton, to her younger sister Helen, after they had retired to their room one evening, during which the expected arrival of the Vermont oousin had been one theme of conversation.
" I am sure I have more reason to be mor¬ tified thau you, Julia," answered Helen, " for I have to walk with her to and from sohool, and of course I cannot conceal from them tbat she is my oousin, and I know that they will all ridicule her, and make all manner of fun of her. Brother Ned stopped there laat year, when he was traveling through New England, and he aays they all aay ' neow,» and ' abeout,' and • dew tell,' and I am aure I shall sink if ^he talks eo before the girls." " Well I think no one has as mnoh reason to dread her coming as I have,' answered Julia, ' for what do you think Herbert Fer¬ guson will aay when he finds we have such a horror to everything unrefined. I would not wonder if he should desert me altogether, after she eomea to the house, rather than be brought into oontaot wtth anything so vulgar. He has been mora than usually attentive, too, lately, and mamma ai^s he is the^-rea/eri kaich in town."
" Well, now, F have heard that Herbert Fei^aon iarea only for intellect; that he thinks nothing of looka in oompariaon.
" I can tell you, you are mistaken, Mias Helen; if he haa no regard for looka, aa you I Jay, you ought to know, whaLlte aaid. to me lately; but no matter, I won't tell you, I only wiah father wasn't so obstinate, and mamma is quite, aa mnoh vexed about it as we are ; why even the servants will laugh at her, I know ; Thomas is so exceasively genteel."
"Well, well it oan't be helped. Father feela under great obligations to Lucy's father; the brothers all agreed that father should be aent to college, and the others remained at home and worked ou the farm and provided the means of his education, and now believes ' he ought to assiat them in return. But one thing I would suggest. Miss Julia, and that ia, that you bave your party over before ahe comes ; of courae she will not go out, as she is only a school girl, but I know father will insist upon having her in the room, if we have company at home."
" Well thought of Helen; let's see, I am engaged every .night for a week to come; I certainly cannot get an evening till the latter partof next week; oh! lam so afraid she will come before that time ; it will just apoil all my plesure, and I expected ao muoh."
The invitations for Miaa Julia's party were all aent out, and the extensive preparationa were proceeding most swimmingly, when the very day before that on whioh the party was to be given, a stage loaded with tranks drew up before the door of Mr. Acton's elegant mansion. From this, in the first place, alight¬ ed a atout aun-burnt young farmer, who waa immediately followed by a alender girl of about sixteen years of age; thia latter be ing none other than the muoh dreaded Ver¬ mont Cousin.
"Well, if thia isn't a little too much!'' exclaimed Miaa Julia, who had been drawn to the window by the buatle; "here is cold- hopper of a man-cousin, too; thia is rather more than we bargained; I declare," she oon¬ tinued, half crying with vexation, "if that man staya.I will pretend I am siok, and coun¬ termand the invitations to my party,"
Consin Arthur Holmes proved to be a very different youth, and one dinner among suoh fine folks aa the Actons was all he could stand. He waa on his way to Yale College, his uncle having, from his own observations, and from what he had heard of the young man, been convinced that to keep him labor¬ ing upon a farm, without the advantages of education, would be to hide under a bushel a light which, if trimmed and-fed and Buffer¬ ed to ahed ita beama, might shine forth for the illumination of its own and fature gene- rationa. And with this expectation he sought and obtained a willing consent from hia elder brother to bia propoaed plan of taking the education of Arthur under his care.
Aa I aaid before, Arthur waa not at all at eaae among his flne relativea, who, with the exception of hia uncle, took no pains to make him feel so, and, therefore, to Miss Julia's great relief, he took his departure that aame evening for New Haven.
Cousin Lucy—but I am afraid you will aet her down aa ugly, if I simply describe her features, and she is suoh a favorite of mine that I could wiah her to make a favorable im¬ preaaion upon my readers from the first.— Now I cannot deny that Laoyhad bright an- bura hair; Julia called it red, but Julia waa not alwaya good natured, and did not always adhere so closely to the trath as she might. Lucy's nose was slightly inclined to turn up at the point, and her complexion was one of thoae exceedingly fair onea which eaaily frec¬ kle ; Bat she had pair of the lovelieat laugh¬ ing, deep blue eyes, and the aweetest amile and the most brilliant teeth, and when ahe apoke or smiled (and she seldom did one without the other,) there was a charm about her whole face which made you forget hair, and noise, and freckles, and you only look¬ ed upou it aa a face to love.
True, ahe had what Julia called a ' Yankee twang,' and she was not dressed in the height of the lateat fashion, but in spite of theae drawbacks you loved her still—at least aome people did. There was a great deal more about Cousin Lucy, too, to call for respect and admiration; but this will all come out in time.
As ahe was, she had come, and now she must appear at the party, and be introduced as the cousin of the MUaea Acton. It was mortifying—it was diatreislng—but there waa uo help for it now.
The eveningof the party-proved olear and bright, and as it waa well known that the eatertaiument at the Actons would be one of the moat brilliant of the season, nonu of the invited who could get there remained at home. By ten o'clock the brilliantly lighted rooms were well fllled. Conain Lucy, simply attired in white cambric, (for she had reject¬ ed the ornaments and embellisnments with which her cousins, for their own sakea, would have adorned her,) set alone in one coruer on the sofa. She waa introduced to very few ; she did not look in the least neglected, how¬ ever, but aatin unaffected enjoyment of the new and brilliant scene. .
An hour after the other gueats were all asaembled, there sauntered in leisurely as if.for a call, with hia hat under hia arm, and his slight little cane in hia hand, an exquisite of the first water, rejoicing in the enphonlona name of Mr. Meredith Fitz Henry. This waa one of thoae brilliant youths whose sole time during' his day, whioh beglna per- -hapa at twelve o'clock, is apent lounging in saloons, studying the fashions, saunter¬ ing up and down Broadway, and staring at tho ladies or' driving on the fashionable thoroughfares; and in the evening dressing for the public entertainmenta, and attending them.    He aims at being
* The gUsa of faahlou and tha mould of form;'
and has no higher ambition than to be studied and copied as tho perfection of dress. He fancies himself a Beau Brummell as to manners, a Count d'Orsay in point of beau¬ ty and grace. He may be handsome—we cannot tell—for the immeuse amount of hair about his faoe renders it impossible to distinguish any feature, except a pair of great round light eyes, and a short and ef¬ feminate nose. Occasionally he condescend¬ ed to smile, and then his white teeth gleamed through the masa of hair snrrounding the lower part of his face, like lightning from a cloud.
Mr. Meredith Fitz Henry, unfortunately, seta up for a wit, and his silly apeeohea are laughed at, and repeated by sillier young ladiea, lill he ia really deluded into the belief that they are worth repetition. i
On entering Mr. Acton's parlor, Mr. Mere¬ dith Fitz Henry, with his glass to hia eye, atared about blm with great nonchalance and Impudence, till at length his attention was attracted by the Vermont cousin, sitting 00 quietly in the comer, utterly unconscious of his obaervation.
' Ah I what vision of loirelineas and grace is that I aee before meV exclaimed he to Mias Laura Wilton, a very young lady, enjoy- jug her firat winter out.
This brilliant speech waa greeted witb the uaual titter by the young lady, who was exceedingly flattered by even this mark of attention from the perfumed and bewhisker- ed eiquiaite,
' Ob, that is a country cousiu of the Actona, from Vermont; a farmer's daughter, excea¬ sively verdant, I asanre you,' anawered the poung lady.
"From Var^nount 1 la she ?' ah, well! I sup¬ pose I must pay Varmount alittle attention; I wonder who will lay me under everlasting obligations by giving me an introduction to so fair a creature,"
"Oh, I will introduce you," answered Misa Laura, in great glee, and then by signs ahe telegraphed those near her to draw up to the aofa, as great fan might be expected.— Gradually the crowd thickened In that part of the room, all pretending to be engaged about aomething elae, but all eager to hear the wit¬ ty Meredith Fitz Henry quiz the Vermont ' cousin.
! Herbert Perguaon aat sLiietly looking over a book of plates at a table near the sofa, on whioh the Introduction having now taken place in due form, the perfumed exquisite threw himself with his head thrown back, and his delicate little shining boots thrust out, determined to ahow himaelf off to his admirers, and have some fun out ofthe un- suapioious  country girl,
"Ahem! lately arrived, I believe," said Fitz Henry.
" Yea, sir, I came yesterday," anawered Lucy very simply.
A few more questiona were aaked, to which Lucy replied In a perfectly lady-like manner, thinking all the time that sbe waa convers¬ ing with a very soft-pated coxcomb, but be¬ ing too good natured to let him see how great a fool she thought him. At length the ex- quiaite remarked—
"Everything'svery^rcen up tbere Iu Ver¬ mont ain't it?"
Thia witticiam was followed by such a giggle that Lucy casting her eyes quickly around on the group before ber, and seeing the look of eager expectation on almoat every face, understoed at once that the silly fop at her side was intending to make a butt of her for the amusement of the by-standers ; bright¬ ening up at once, she began to take an in¬ terest in the conversation, and replied—
"Oh, yea, we have green things there, but I bave aeen greener onea already since I came to the city."
"No I dew tell!" aaid the unsuspicious dan¬ dy, imitating Lucy's tone of voice; "bow's wheat neow ?"
"Well, wheat'a poor," said Lucy, appa¬ rently with mnch interest.
"Lal is it now, what a pity! what's the matterof it?"
" Why, they say it all runs to beard this year, and when that is the case there ia little or uo head—and if there is, it hasn't anything In'it 1"
A few laughed heartily now, who had not laughed before, and Herbert Ferguson, lay¬ ing down hia book, fixed his eyes on the Vermont cousin aa if he expected aome amusement.
The young fop fidgetted and turned red and tapped hia little boot witb hia little oane, and laughed a allly laugh, as if he did know juat what to make of the girl, and then said : "Now I suppose you mean to grace the theatre and opera with yoar preaence, don't you ?"
" I thiuk not," aaid Lucy. "La! now, why not?   But perhaps your, ma does not approve of your going to auch \ places."
"My parents did say they thought I had better not have my mind distracted by snch amusements, and eapeoially while I waa at school."
"WeU, it is bad for the mind; I found it ao, and pa had to prohibit my going to auoh places at all."
Here came a perfect shriek of delight from Mr. Fitz Henry's admirers.
"Ahl" answered Luoy, "I should have thought you were perfectly safe from any danger of that kind ; did yon ever go to a menagerie?"
"No ! my pa won't let me go there either; he keeps me very cloae."
"Oh," aaid Luoy In a patronizing toue, "I ahould not think that would hurt you. We bad a very fine one through our country vil¬ lage thia fall, and I waa perfectly dtilighted with it."
"Now, dew tell! what did you see?" asked the dandy.
" Why, I aaw a baboon dressed up like a man, a regular fop, you know; and really," aaid ahe, screwing up her eyea, and looking at Mr. Fitz Henry from head to foot, " really, the likeness was ao perfeot that I should hardly have been able to tell which was wbioh; it was really perfect, cane, eye-glass and all; but never imagined that one of the flrst exhibitions I abould see on my arrival In New York city, would be that of a man endeavoring to aee how muoh he could look and act like a baboon.'"
The room now fairly rang with shouts and screams of laughter; and as soon as he conld be heard, Herbert Ferguaon, who had enjoyed th» whole thing migbtUy, called out:
"Now, Pit! Heniy, you had better beata retreat aa aoon as poasible, for yon are only getting deeper Into trouble."
And the diacomflted young coxcomb, who had jtist begun to perceive that he waa caught in his own trap, muttered aomething about "another engagement," and aneaked off, all that could be seen of his faoe being of tlie deepest orimpon. From tbence the Vermont cousin was quite aafe from his attacks: in¬ deed he seemed so thoroughly uneasy iu her presence, that if she even came on the same side of the room, whicb she sometimes did on purpose to tease him, be alwaya had some excuse for changing his aeat.
" Why, Lucy, you were rather bard on that poor young man to-night," said Mr. Acton to his niece, after the company bad retired, " and it muat have set tbe harder becauae be Is accuatomed to nothiug but adulatiou from our wise young ladiea."
" Well, unole, all I cau say is, he brought it upon himaelf. It ia very unpleasant in me to hurt the feelings of any oue, aud 1 was perfectly civil to tbe young man, though It was aomething of a piece of self-denial to talk to the poor creature, till I found tbat it was his aim to hold rae up to ridicule as an nnaophlsticated country girl. I thought it waa only fair to turn hia own weapons against him."
"I think so, too, Luoy, and I rather think it is the last tima any one here will attempt to quiz you."
Helen Acton and Lucy Holmes begau school together tbe next term, at one of the first schoola In the city, aud it was not loug before those who had Lucy's education uuder their care, beoame convinced that iu the Vermont young lady tbey had no ordinary mind to deal with. She came really to acquire knowl¬ edge, wbile most of tbe girla in the classes with her looked upon their sohool life aa a sort of ordeal through which it waa necessary to pass, before they could come out as young ladies, and apent their time ia uovel reading, trusting to chance or cheating for the manner in wbioh thoy should acquit themselvea be¬ fore the clasa.
Lucy applied herself tnteuaely, aud aoon outstripped all her classes, and waa obliged to go on with her studies by herself. At ev¬ ery examination she was the observed of all observers—excelling In every branch of study, and taking tbe first prize in every depart¬ ment; her oompoaitions in particular were regarded as master pieces ; and in short Lucy waa the pride of thc sohool.
During the two years of her life in New York, her manners, too, had acquired a pol- i.'ih only given by association with people of refinement, and even Julia waa prond to in¬ troduce her conain "Miss Holmea." Lucy's example and asaiatanoe were of great use to Helen, who provedunder her influence avery different character from what she would have been if left only to tbe guidance of her gay and faahionable sister Julia. Though infe¬ rior in intellect to Lucy, she waa atill far su¬ perior to the auperflcial young ladiea with whom she asaoolated; she really learaed to love knowledge for its own sake, and pre¬ pared on leaviug sohool to relish a atyle of reading more improving than tfaelight trashy works of the day, which form the only rea¬ ding of many of our young ladiea. Helen was reallx a vary fine girl, and uueomoiouly at¬ tractive and interesting. 1
During the two years in which Lucy made her bome at her uncle's, Herbert Ferguson con¬ tinued to be a constant viaitor there, and Julia often wondered that he made no decla¬ ration. When thinking on tbe subject she exclaimed, "Strange ! unaccountable !" raany a time and often, during thoae two yeara. She wondered, too that Herbert aeemed to love 80 much to talk to Lucy ; but still her self- complacency was never in the least disturbed by the thought of Lucy aa a rival.
Aud throughout those two years, Arthur Holmed, who bad eutered in the janior clasa at Yale, ranked aa high in his class as hie aia¬ ter did in hera. Being a young man of fine principle aa well as aplendld Intellect, he was determined to ahow hia uncle that he intend¬ ed to make the moat of the advantage he had so kindly furniahed bim. At the end of twa years he graduated with the highest hon¬ ors, and waa Immediately offerred a distin¬ guished professorship in another college,— Who would now recognize in the eaay and elegant Arthur Holmea, the diffident young "clod-hopper" who alighted from the stage years before, at hia uncle's door.
Helen and Lucy had graduated, the latter taking all the higheat prizes, and Helen com¬ ing only second to ber, and the next day Lu¬ cy wasto leave for the Vermont home, when, quite early in the moraing, at leaat early for viaitora, aa it was not yet twelve o'clocfc, in looking from tbe window, Julia saw Mr. Fer- guron aacending the steps.
" Strange! said abe, * he never calls so early, and, oh dear! lam not d rea red! hel must have come for something special.' " i And in a flutter of exciferaent Julia began to arrange her hair. But her hair waa ar- ¦ ranged, and her toilet completed, and no messenger had come to summons her to the parlor.
Pulling the bell, she  called Thomaa and asked him If Mr. Ferguaon bad nol called. " Yea, Mias," Thomaa answered. "And why did you uot call me? How can you be BO stupid?"
"Because he asked for MIsd Lucy," re¬ plied Tbomas.
•' Strange ! unaccountable .'" exclaimed Julia, aa sbe walked up and dowu the room her cheeks fluahed with agitation. "What can be want with Lucy? p^rhapa he wish¬ es her to make iuterest for bim with me, or, to ascertain my sentiments towards bim.' But tbe minutes went by, and Julia had exclaimed 'Strange! unaccountable I' adoz- en times, and yet no one came to call her. Preaently her little brother Harry oame rushing up atalrs, having just come from school.
"Juat like me!" he exclaimeJ, 'always blundering In where I ain't wanted I What must I do juat now but burat iuto the library, and there sat Mr. Ferguson on the aofa with his arm aronnd consin Lucy.— They tried to jump away from each otber, and look as If nothing was going on; but it waa no go;  I aaw through it all.',
Julia bad  now more   reason  to exclaim
"Strange!   unaccountable I"   than   ever.	
Arthur came for bia aiater, and Herbert Ferguson, too, accompanied her home aa her affianced lover ; and thus ended all Misa Julia's hopea  and expectations.
" Isn't It odd, Julia F" said Helen one Jay, a few montha later. * You were so afraid to hare Luoy oome here, lest It should drive Herbert Ferguaon from the house. Sho baa been the cauae of hia deserting you ; to be aure, but not from any dwllbe to her, or mortification at leing connected with her," " Well, I am sure it is no leas atrange," anawered Julia, that you are engaged to that same awkward, ahy ' TTian cousin,'of whom we were botb so aahamed two years ago." " It only teachea ua," said Helen, " Not to judge too hastily from firat appearances.- Who would have thought that we abould ever have so muoh reason to be proud of them both."
Herbert Ferguaon and his wife now have oue of the most elegant establishments in tbe city. Arthur and Helen went to Europe di¬ rectly after their marriage; Arthur having been eent on buainess for the college, with which he is still connected. JuUa atill lives in single bleasedness.
Mr. Meredith Fitz Heury may atill be aeen any fine day lounging up or down Broadway, at the hour when ladiea "most do congre¬ gate" tbere ; and one of the highest objeots of his ambition uow Is to be able at least to say that he is an invited guest atl the elegant and much talked of entertainmentB of the ouce ridiculed Vtrsnont ooasln.
When w© Husked Com.
U«tobat -icurcWng fifM th« Uetis, Aad DttkedllflH th«abtTaiiiis tIq«,
WbtU dimly o'«r the dUtant mu The fadlDjUghU of •timm« shine.
Along the Uwn th« ntgn blowg D««p sBBDiou OB hU DOon-dK7 bora.
And homeward troop the firla sni he»nx, Prom hoaklng of the corn
1 mind me well that atitnmQ day.
When five and twenty yean ago. ¦We tnfned oar lahor Inlo play.
And haiked corn for Delghbor L-jWh- Ah! wife, we were the bUtb9«t pair
That e'er to wo<lded lore were horn: Por I vrsM gay and you were fair,
A hasklDg of the corn. 0! huw wo anng and how we Uaghgd '
Onr heartji aat lightly on our Ups. Ah we Ihe golden elder qnaffed.
And pawad the howl with raritic qnips. A&d when Bly hlDts of love went round.
Too glanced at me with pwotlojf ucoru. Vet nmlled, tho' yon fain woald frown, A hnaklngof the corn.
Tlien wben 1 found the ecarlat ear. And clalmod the old tradltlooed Iclnu.
Yon httde me not approach too near. And pleaded that, and pleaded this—
Away yon fled, and I pnraued. Till all too faint yon warato warn,
And—know not how well I weed, A hntklng of the corn.
TrriLLIAM HOWITT, the celebra-
T V ted SoKllih antbor, wrirta for The Saturdav Evening post. TA.LLESGBTTA, or THE SQtjATTBR'S HOUB.   See ProBp«:tn« [a another place.	
A LICE GARY writes for   The Sat-
J^^T^y 4«n*nS Poit.   THK STOBX OP A COUN- ^Y OIEL.   8-Pro^pectosintnotherilace.	
I rp   S. ARTHITR writea for  The Sat-
X_ 9 urday Evening Post. THE WITBlHBt) HBABT. ' See ProapecinaJn^noUier placo.	
T lOHT-HOUSE  ISLAND,' an ^i^.
I 4 Inal Novelet, by the author of " ZillaB, kc, wiu be pahllHhed In The Saturday Evening Pott. Sea Proi- pectna In another place.	
RS. MARY A. DENISON writTs
 for tbe The Saturday Evening Post.   THE OUA-
SEK'tJ PROTEGE.   9ea Proapectua In anolher place.
Curious Faots of Natural Hifltory.
A single female house fly produces in one seasou 20,080,320,
Some female spiders produce nearly 2,000 eggs.
Dr. Bright published a case of an egg pro¬ ducing an inaeot 80 yeara after it must have been laid.
About thirty fresh water aprlnga are dis¬ covered under the aea, on the south of the Persian Gulf.
A waap's neat usually contains 15,000 or 16,000 cells.
The Atlauiio Ocean ia eatimated at three mllea, and the Pacific at four miles deep.
There are aix or seven generations of gnats in a Snmmer, and each lays 250 eggs
There are about 9,000 cells iu a aqnare foot of honey-comb. 6,000 beea weigh a pound.
A swarm of bees contalua from 10,<^00 to 20,000 in a natural state, and from 30,000 to 40,000 in a hive.
Thb boues of birds are hollow, and filled with air instead of marrow.
A cow eats 100 Iba. of green food every 24 houra, and yields five quarts, or ten lbs. of milk,
Fiah are common In the seaa of Surinam with four eyea ; two of them on boms which grow on tbe top of their heada.
Two thousand nine hundred ailk-worma produce one pound of ailk ; but It would re¬ quire 27,000 apiders, all femalea, to produce one pound of web.
Capt. Beaufart aaw near Smyrna, in 1841, a oloud of locusts 4G miles long, and 300 yards deep, containing, aa ho calculated, 189 billiona.
Lewenhoeck reckoued 17,000 divisiona in the cornea (outer coat of the eye) of a bnt- torfiy, eaoh one of whicb, he thought, posaea¬ aed a cryatalline lena. Spldera, etc., are similarly provided for.
The spring of a watch weighs 015 of a grain; a pound of iron makea 50,000. The pound of steel costs 2d.; aaingle spring 2d.; ao that 50,000 produces £416,
With a view to collect their weba for silk, 4,000 spiders were once obtaioed, but tbey soon killed each otber. iMauufacturea and war uever thrive togetlier.
Spiders have four papa for aplnniug their threads, each pap having 1,000 holea ; and the fine web itself the union of 4,000 threads. No spider spina more than four weba, and when tha fourth la deatroyed they seize on the weba of others.
Every pound of coohiueal contains 70,000 inaecta boiled to death, and from 600,000 to 700,000 pounda are annually brought to Eu¬ rope for acariet and crimson dyes.
A queeu-bee will lay 200 egga dally for 50 or 60 daya, and the egga are hatched Iu three daya. A aingle queen-bee haa been atated to produce 100,000 beea iu a aeaaon.
Tho quautity of water discharged iuto the aea by all tberivera in the world la estimated at 36 cubio milea in a day; hence it would take above 35,000 yeara to create a circuit of the whole sea through clouds and rivers
River water containa about 23 graina of aolid matter to every cubic foot. Hencci such a river as the Rhine carriea to tbe sea every day 145,980 cubic feet of aand oratone. Mole-hilla aro curioualy formed by au outer arch impervious to rain, aud an inter¬ nal platform witb dralua, and covered waya on which the pair and young reside. The moles live on worms aud roots, and bury themselves in any soil in a few minutes.
Few inaecta live more than a year in their perfect state. Their firat atato Is the egg, then the catterpillar, theu tbe chrysalis or pupa, and fiually the procreative form. But in theae changes tbere are infinite degreea and varietiea of transition, all of which con¬ stitute the pleaaing and very inatmotive study of Entomology.
AUGUSTINE DUaANNE writes for The Saturday Evening Past. THE RAID OF BUE- GUnnY, A Tale of tub Bwik CA-sio-fg. See Prospec- tna la another place. ^^^
MRS. E. D. E. N. SOUTHWORTH writes for T/ie Satarday Evening Post.   SeeProe- poctua In another place.	
The Agricultural Almanac, for the
Cyear 1857. ONTATNING the usual Aatronomi- eal Calculailoa*, an extract from the Centennial Almanac, a Tariely of asofnl Essaya on Agrtcultare, Domestic Economy, R«clpe», kc. a Ust of courU of dif¬ ferent conntriee, Acecdotea, ^o.
Alao, Tbe German PennsyLvanla Almanac. Jnat pnbllibed and for aala, wholeitalo and retail, at the Bookntore of JOHN BaER k SONS,
oct 22-tf.47 No. 12 Nortb Qneen St., Lauc'r.
JOHN QYGEB & CO., Bankers,
LANCASTER, PA.,
ALLOW Five per cent. Intereat per _ annnm on tbe daily balances of regnlar d«po*il- tora; thewbole or anyportlon of balauce inlng bUB* JBCT TO CU&CK, vHthout Twlice.
Allow five per cent. Interent per annnm on their Cer- tifleatflH of Depoalt, luuad for any length of time over thirty dnyfl.
Depositors not drawiog interest, will always he ao- cummodated tn proportion to the value of their accoaots. Staekn hooght and nold oa cooiai\i,h\oB only. Uncarrent money bought at lowest rates. CoUectlo'nti promptly made.and drafta drawn on PMl¬ adelphia. Ifew York and Baltimoro.
The members of the finu ara individnally liable for all tbe oblieaUona of John Qyger .fc Co., conaUtlng of JOHN GYGER. BE.'TJ   EBHLBUAN, DAVID BAIE. HENKY MUSSELMAN. KoitBET C^A^aidOK, CKHhler. nov 26-3m-52
LAirCA8TEB.~COtIHTY
EXCHANGE & DEPOSIT OFFICE.
Cor. of Eaat King and Duke Streets,
BKT. THK CODET HOUSE AND SPRECHEE'S HOTEL
LANCASTEE CITY.
JOHN K. REED & CO., pay interest on deposits .t Lfae following rates ;— BJ per ceut. for one year and longer. 5       llo.        " 30 daya   "      do. ,
S3-ALS0, bny kai sell Ke«l Estlt. and Stocks on ootnmisslon, negotl&t« lo&nB, &c , &c.
J3-Tfa« nnderalgned are IndlTldually liable to the .rtent of their estates, for all the deposits and other ob- llgaUons or John K. Reod & Co.
JOHM K. REED. DAVID SHDLTZ, deo 19
AMOS. S. HESDKESOS, ISAAC K. HIESTEB.
tf-:l
Collectionof Powers of Attorney and Forwarding of Emigrants.
JACOB   HERZOG,   the   weU-known Merchant, No. Gl ^, North Qneen street. Laucaater, attends to
1. The Forwarding of Pemona from erery part of En- rope to the principal Ports and also to tha Interior of America, on tha most reaaOuable torms, which can ba ascerUined by applying to him.
3. He makea Payments and CoUectiona in all parts of Earope and America, aod nagotiatee Bills of Exchange for desired amoonU and time on the principal commor- oial ptacee of Enrope aud America.
Powers of Attorney for any coonty in Enrope execu¬ ted aod coUected by blm In tba mont careful manner.
Letters in  the German  Langnage. written bythe arsigned with promptness and deopatch.
april 2-lf-IB JArOB TTKR700.
Carolmayellow Pine PlooriDg Boards 1=\A f\f\f\   Fl'^I^T   Carolina  Yellow
0\j»\J\J\J    Piae Dresaed Flooring BMids. 30.000 Feet do., Undressed. 50.000 Cypress Shingles, No. 1 and 2. 60.000 Bangor Plastering Laths.
Jost received and for xale at QrnoiTs Laadiog, ou tbu Conestoga.   Apply to GEO. CaLDEK i CO.,
Offlce—East Orange st., near S. Queen Rt., Lancaster, oct 8 -45
TO FULLERS, DYEES& HATTERS TUST   liECEiXED.—Frinu:   Bengal
fJ and Spanish Indigo, Madtler. Cochineal. Vamvood, Hsiraci of Logwood. Biue Vitriol. A'um. Coppeias, Uall:!, Sumac. Lac Dye. Annatto. Sajfllojrer, Turmt-ric. Bi-Chro- TJiale and Prussiate PolaiJi. Verdigris.Red Tartar, Cream, of Tartar. Potash, Pearl Ash. Gum Shellac. White Glue, Alcohol.Salt of Tartar. Chipped and Gnmnd Dye Woods. Muriatic, Nitrous, Sulphuric and Oxalic Acids, Solution of Tin. Salts of Tin. i'C, trhicb are olfered for sala. together with every yiber article iu the line, ai the low¬ est market mteF, by
Jobn p. long & C0..Dniggl5itf, OCI 29-tr-iS No. 5 North Queen ^rtreet.
JOB PRINTING OP ALL KINDS,
From the largest Poster to the smallest Card
DONE AT  THIS   OFFICE,  in the BEST STYLE, with  great deapatch, and  at the lowest prices.
93*HA^DB1LL8 for tho eale of Kbal or PBBaosai, Pr.oPKKTT. printed ou from ONE to THREE HOURS NOTICE. novlMf-60
COAL.
THE   undersigned  are  now   receiving tbeir btipply of LYKENS VALLEY COAL,
BALTIMORE COMPANY COAL. PINE GROVE COAL,
SAHilOKIN COAL,
BROADTOPCOAL, Carefully selBCteJ. aud which they will deliver in good order to any part of tte city at low prices
S3-Lime homers and blaclcemitbd coal alwayfa un haad.   Apply to                      GEO. CALDER & CO.. Offlce EaHt Oraugontreet.2ad door from North Qneen aud at the yard at Grears Landing, on the Conesloga. aug 20 '.f-38
Commencement of the FaU Trade.
50,000 PIECES OF
Borders, Mouldings, Stationery, Pire- Board Screens, &c., now opening
AKD WILL  BS f^OLU
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL.
At unprecedented loto prices.
AT THE
Camargo Manufacturing Company,
NEW IRON PRONT STORE,
No. 20, EAST KING STREET, Adjoining the   Lancaster   County Bank.
0   il. BRENEMAN, for Company. nep2-l tf-43
LUMBER! LUMBERJ!
The Clearfleld Coal & Lumber Co'y*
ARE prepared to deliver BOARDS, LATHS AND SCANTLING, of any aiieor qnality, at any of tbe stationii aloug tbe Hue of the Pennsylva¬ nia Rail Road or on auy of the rondn connecting tbore- with.
The aiillH are located iu Clearfield and Cambriaroun- ties, on head waters of MoHhannon and Clearfleld Creeiti, connected with tha Pennsylvania Railroad by an ex¬ cellent Plauk Road, wblch affords facilities for ths prompt delivery of lnmber at all neasonn:
Tha prica will vary with the size aud quality of the maturial, hnt will be a^ low as lnmber of a aimilar character can he procured elsawbera.
t3-Spruca or Hemlock Fencing Boards, or Sawed Railn; al!^o. Joints. Studding. Raltera and other Scant- liog. for Barns and HoubeH. can be delivered at very short uotice, and at low price.i.
il3->0rders cau be directed to the Clearfleld Coal and Lumber Company, care of
WILLIAM B. DARLINGTON,
jan .SO-ly-fl Tipton. Blnir cnunty. i'a.
BANK STOCK. 1 Q SHARES  FARMERS'   B A N K
XO STOCK POR BALE at the Office of dec 3-tf-l 1 JOHK K. REED & CO.
$4,000 "WANTED,
FOR which a Mortgage will be <;iveu on (> Farm of 125 Acres i'n a bigb slate of culllra- tl<to, with flr»t class Improvemente, and situated In one of tU> flneat partn of Lancaster couuty. This is a very defllrable and Pafa luvestment—Ihe security being of the hlKhast order—the property unincumbered and worth atleast four times tho above amount. For fnll particu¬ lars, apply to OEO. F. BRENEMAN, dec a-St-l                 Attorney at Law, West King at.
A STRAY BtriiL;
ABOUT two years old, red aud white spotted, came to tba pramlses ofthe sabscriber, tn Mount Joy township, balf a mila east of Blliabeth- tovra. The owner ta retinested to prove properly, pay charges and talte him away, or he will be disposed of according to law.
dec 3-3t-l JOSEPH BOYERS.
Great Bargains in Furniture, at the Housekeeper's Emporium I
North   Queen  Street,   near  Orange,   Lanc'r. "VYTE shall recoive a   large addition   to
YY onrstocl£, ouor about the flrst of Novembo next, aud to matja room for It wo _ will sell our present aasortmeut for 9 ready cash, at prices considerably! lower than uar former rates. Our present stock embraces every article in tbe bouselteep- ing line. Is perfecUy fresh, and as good as can be pro¬ duced in Lancaster or Pbiladelphla. C&H.tben, ladien and gentlemen, hefore tbo Srat of November, and you wUl be convinced that we mean aU ice say.
KETCHAM « VICKEY.
N. B.—Just   received  some splendid  sets of cottage furnitnre.
sep n.lf-42 K. & V.
A STRAY STEER,
CAME to the premises of the Hubscri¬ ber, in Drumore township, about tbe lat-— , ^. of Aognst last. A STRAY STEER, auppoaed ST^^l^ to weigh 600, red color aud witliont particular'fr^f ^ marlti. Tbe owner is requasiad to prove prop '•*¦¦'¦' erty, pay charges and talte it away, or it will be dlspo- sed of according to law.
d« 3-3«t.l JOHN 8. BOYD.
WHITE HALL MILLS TO LET.
SITUATE on Pequea creek, on the road loading from Strasburg to Safe Harbor, 1 mile from Lampeter Square, and 2 from the formor placa, baa four ran of atones, aud is calcnlnted forieiiher counlry or mercbant work, isin good repafr and doing a good business. CHRISTIAN BRACKBILL.
dec 3-fi"t 1 ] Strasburg twp,, Lancaater co., Pa.
NOTICE
IS hereby given that application hasbeen made to the Coort of Common Pleas ofLancaster Cuunty, for the granting of a Charter of Incorporation to tha "MobavijUI CacacH" ofLancaster city, aud that tho name will be allowed by nald Conrt on the THIRD MONDAY OF JANUARY. 1867, unless cause to the contrary he shown. JOijRPH BOWMAN,
nor 2fl-Ht-.'.2 Protbonofary.
NOTICB.
THE partnership heretofore existing between tbe undersigned doing business under the name and flrm of Johu F. Shroder, k Co., has this day baen dissolved hymntnal consent. Thebusiness of tbs late firm willbe settled by Georgo K. H«ed, who holds bimaelf refponHibla for all the obiigatlons of thu late flrm. JOHN F. SHRODER,
nov 26-31-52 QEO. K. REED.
$6,000 "WANTED.
2/1 (\C\ ^^ which amount will -^T"\/Vy be secured by mortgaga on farm, the baUnce on City Property; one mortgage In amonnt of ^2,600, and the other 81.000. AU the above mortga¬ gee bearing interest at 6 per cent. Persona tiojn the oity or coauty desirous of maidug a safe investment, will pleasecall on QEO. BRUBAKER,
Altorney of Law, in North Duke Btre«t, oppoKlte the New Court Houee. nov 28-tf-fi2
88 REWARD.
TTTAS lost ou thc road between Lan-
YY caster and Petersburg, snpposed toba near the laii6rplace,aPUR BOA. The flader wiH receive tbe above reward byleavlngit with Isaac Hollinger, Coach¬ maker, Petersharg, or the anbscriber, rear of Sprecber'a Ha divare Stora, lAQcasur.
uov 26-3»l-62 GEORGE DECKER.
TWO LABGE MARBT.E LIONS, m FRONT OF
HOWELL'S NEW MABBLE WORKS.
NORTH QUKEN STREET, BETWEEN 0RAN6S AND CHESNUT,
Mattrass Making and Upholstery.
THE aubscriber hu-s conmieiiced thft above husiness, and intends carrying It on at his reoldeuco ia East Kiog Hreet. Lancaster, half a sqaara west of the Connty Prison, where he will have manu¬ factured all kinds of MATTRASSES. CURLED HAIR MOSS, HUSK:^. PALMLEAF. COTTON, kc. of all quali¬ ties and at ail prices, and of tbe best of materials, and aa low as can be had anywhere el^e for cnsh.
He would solicit all wlio staud In need of anything n bis line to giva him a call.
g3-01d Mattra-iioB of all kindt. re-mude, and all kinds made to order.
[CJ-Orders can bo left at D. Bair's store. C. Widmyer'a furniture ware.; oom, H. S. Gara's store, or at the Coun- y Prison, which will b» promptly aiiended to. fflh 27.tf-1.1 IIEN'RV HF.R-'JH,
KONIGMACHER & BAITMAN,
TA-VNKUS and CURRIERS STOBE, back of R. ModerweU'e Comml»Mon Ware-House, fronting on tbe Railroad, aud North Prince street.
Cheap for Cash, or Approved Credit.
Constantly on hand A full aHHOrtmeni of all kinds o Saddler'sand Shoemaker'a Leather, of superior quality, laclodlug ¦¦ Router's colpbrawd Sole Lwiiher" ; al^o, Leather Bands, wall stretched, snltabla for aU kinds of machiuery, of any leoglh aud width roqulred. madoof a snpariorqnalityof Leather; Fnrnace B*llown. Band aud Laciug Leather, Qardea Hose, Tauuer'.i Oil, Currier's Tools. MoroccoB,Shoe Find ngs, kc, Ac.
All kindsof Leather bongbt tn ttio r>>ugb ; bigbost price given for Hides and SkliiM in canh ; orJors will be promptly ationdwd to. Inly 14.tr-a.S
SLATE I SLATE !!
THE sub.'jciibera respectfully anuuwnce that they atlll cnntlnuft to fnmish aud put on SLATE ROOFI]N'&, with Slato from the ceWbratod York County -Qaarriet. whicii aro unauipa-ffied by auy otber Slate In the Mar ket. Onr work is doue hy tbe most experieaced work man and warranted to give satlsfactiou.
RUSSEL k BARR, Hardware Merchants, Ho. 8 East Kiug st.. "uaySMf^W  I.HQcaBlftr.
JOHN MOORHEAD,
(SUCCESSOR TO KING A MOORHEAD.)
COMMISSION MERCHANT.
FOR THK riALE  OP
PIG    METAL    AND   BLOOMS,
No. 27,   Wood  Street, Pittsburg, Penna.
REFERENCES:
JOHX Obaqam, Esq., Prefiident Bank, Pittsburg. Pa
E. D. Jo.HEs, EUq., CaablBT Citliens' Deposit Bank,  do.
0. k J. H. SBOS-SBKaOER, Iron MercbantB, do.
CoLBXA.'t, Hailmax & Co.       do, do.
LoKEnz, Stkwakt A Co. do. do.
McaaBtKAH k Wirre, Marietta, i'a                          -    ^ Jan 2.3  Z±^
Baker's Tetter Ointment,
for the cure of Tetter, Ringworm, Itch, Scald
Head, and Diseases of the Skin generally.
THIS remedy is preseuted to the pub¬ lic with tba fullest confidence in its curative pow¬ ers It ia not professed that it will care everything, Uke moat pateal medicines. ItwiU not cure Bnrns; It will not cure Sprains; oor do I offer It aa a remedy for Rbenmatlsm or Consumption, or anything of tha kind. AU I claim for It is, that It toiU care Tetter, Ringworm, Itch, Scald Head, and diseases of a cutaneous cbaracter generally. It haa bean uaed lo huodroda of caaes with the moat signal success, and all 1 ask Is to have it tried, aa a faw daya" trial wUl tell th* Ul«. £»-Manufac¬ tured and for sale only at the Dmg Store oT ths propri¬ etor. 'WM.O. BAKEE, BOT 18Jm-«l          a. B. eor. CenU* SiiBw*, JUacY.