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Fabwill avd OOKrART, 87 CoagNM Stieot, Bocton. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Thi Dubois Houis ••••••• t •••• • 7 CHAPTER II. > MBS. UoNAB 17 :'■ '■: ■- V..I!- -,r.. .T^ ,4.. M' CHAPTER III. Ub. Nobton. 96 CHAPTER IV. MiOAH MVMMTOHOO .•••*. V CHAPTER V. ' Hbs. Lassdowkb. • 48 CHAPTER VI. <'JOHK,DeAB'' . 49 CHAPTER VII. A JOVBKET THBOUOH THE WiLDBBNESS K CHAPTER VIII. A FOVBBAL 03 CHAPTER IX. ADfiiLB DCBOIS .70 ■ 7 - -,• '■ . ■ » -,■■-- ' • - - . '.'.'-■ . ■ .. ' 1^. iy^ CONTENTS. « CHAPTER X. PlOABDT 81 • CHAPTER XI. Jf B. fiBOWK SB CHAPTER XII. A CA8B or COSSOIBlfCB 100 CHAPTER XIII. The OjiOVB •••••• 110 CHAPTER XIV. JOHir A»D CiESAR ••• IM CHAPTER XV. V » TBAVBLUKa VX NKW BBUNSMTICK 129 CHAPTER XVI. Tbb Flowxb Unfolding IM CHAPTER XVII. THB DBBB hunt «t*«*t« 137 '/ . ■ , ■--;■.,;■ CHAPTER XVIII. Thb Fbosbcdtion UO CHAPTER XIX. Thb Libutbmant Qovbbnob us » CHAPTER XX. Mb. Lansdowne submits to the Inevitable ••••• lOi CHAPTER XXI. Tbovblbd Heabts 170 ' " ' . ' ^ ■■ ' 't. ■' - . ■ \' ■ ■ CONTENTS. • . ▼ CHAPTER ZXII. A MXMOBABLX EVEXT •••• 179 CHAPTER XXIII. TBS Bbpabatzow in CHAPTER XXIV. Chateau db Bosbillon 197 CHAPTER XXV. Thb Last Slbkp ••••••••• 91S CHAPTER XXVI. FOMTEn 218 CHAPTER XXVII. OoHOLunoN za (.■■ v:; -T ■'., t-X' <' 3.x MIRAMICHI CHAPTER I. THE DUBOIS HOUSE. "Well, verily, I did n't expect to find anything like this, in such a wild region,'' said Mr. Norton, as he settled himself comfortably in a curiously carved, old-fashioned arm-chair, before the fire that blazed cheerily on the broad hearth of the Dubois House. " Tis not a Yankee family either," added he, mentally. *^ Everything agreeable and tidy, but it looks imlike home. It is an Elim in the desert I Goodly palmtrees and abundant water ! O I why," he exclaimed aloud, in an impatient tone, as if chiding him- self, ** should I ever distrust the goodness of the Lord?" The firelight, playing over his honest face, revealed eyes moistened with the gratitude welling up in his heart. He sat a few minutes gazing at the glowing logs, and then his eyelids closed in the blessed calm of sleep. Weary trav- eller ! He has well earned repose. There will hot be time, during his brief nap, to tell who and what he wob, and why he had come to sojourn far away 8 MIRAMIOHI. from home and fKends. But let the curtain be drawn back for a moment, to reveal a glimpse of that strange, ques- tionable countiy over which he has been wandering for the last few months, doing hard service. Miramichi,* a name unfamiliar, perhaps, to those who maj chance to read these pages, is the designation of a fertile, though partially cultivated portion of the important province of New Brunswick, belonging to the British Crown. The name, by no means uneuphonious, is yet suggestive of associations far from attractive. The Mira- michi River, which gives title to this region, has its rise near the centre of the provmce, and flowing eastward emp- ties into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, with Chatham, a town of considerable importance, located at its mouth. The land had originally been settled by English, Scotch, and Irish, whose business consisted mostly of fishing and lumbering. These occupations, pyrsued in a wayward and lawless manner, had not exerted on them an elevating or refining influence, and the character of the people had degenerated from year to year. From the remoteness and obsciuity of the country, it had become a convenient hiding- place for the outlaw and the criminal, and its surface was sprinkled over with the refuse and bfiscouring of the New England States and the Province. With a few rare excep- tions, it was a realm of almost heathenish darkness and vice. Such Mr. Norton found it, when, with heart full of compassion and benevolencei thirty-five years ago* he came *Fronomiced Mir'im'Uhei. MQUIOGHI. to bear the mesMige of heayenly love and forgiyeness to tlteae dwellers in death shade. The Dubois House, where Mr. Norton had found shelter for the night, was situated on the northern bank of the river, about sixtj miles west from Chatham. It was a respectable looking, two story bmlding, with large barps acyacent. Standing on a graceful bend of the broad stream, it commanded river views, several miles in extent, in two directions, with a nearer prospect around, consisting of reaches of tall forest, interspersed with occasional open- ings, made by the rude settlers. Being the only dwelling in the neighborhood sufficiently commodious for the purpose, its occupants, making a virtue of necessity, were in the habit of entertaining occasional travellers who happened to visit the region. But, softly, — Mr. Norton has wakened. He was just beginning to dream of home and its dear delights, when a door-latch was lifted, and a young gui entering, began to make preparations for supper. She moved quickly towards the fire, and with a pair of iron tongs, deftly raised the ponderous cover of the Dutch oveu, hanging over the blaze. The wheaten rolls it contained were nearly baked, and emitted a fragrant and appetizing odor. She refitted the cover, and then opening a closet, took from it a lacquered Chinese teopcoddy and a silver urn, and proceeded to arrange the tea-stable. Mt*. Norton, observing her attentively with his keen, gray eyes, asked, ** How long has your father lived in this plaoe, my child?" 10 MTRAMIOHI. # The maiden paused in her employment, and glancing at the broad, stalwart form and shrewd yet honest face of the questioner, replied, ** Nearly twenty years, sir.** Mr. Norton's quick ear immediately detected in her words a delicate, foreign accent, quite unfamiliar to him. After a moment's silence he spoke again. "Dubois, — that is your name, is it not? A French name?" • ** Yes, sir, my parents are natives of France." ** Ah I indeed I " responded Mr. Norton, and the &mily in which he found himself was iounediately inyested with new interest ia his eyes. "Where is your father at the present time, my dear child?" "He is away at Fredericton. He has gone to obtain family supplies. I hope he is not obliged to be out this stormy night, but I fear he is." ;-^r ; m She made the sign of the cross on her breast and glanced upward. /,:;:, Mr. Norton observed the movement, and at the same time saw, what had before escaped his notice, a string of glittering, black beads upon her neck, with a black cross, half hidden by the folds in the waist of her dress. It was an iostant revelation to him of the faith in which she had been trained. He fell into a fit of musing. In the mean time, Adsle Dubois completed her prepara- tions for the tea-table, — not one of her accustomed duties, but one which she sometimes took a fancy to perform. She was sixteen years old, — tail already, and rapidly \ MTRAMTOHI. 11 growing taller, with, a figure neither large, nor slender. Iler complexion was pure white, scarcely tinged with rose ; her eyes were large and brown, now shooting out a bright,, joyous light, then veiled in dreamy shadows. A rich mass of dark hair was divided into braids, gracefully looped up around her head. Her dress was composed of a plain red material of wool. Her only ornaments were the rosary and cross on her neck. A mulatto girl now appeared from the adjoining kitchen and placed upon the table a dish of cold, sliced chicken, boiled eggs ind pickles, together with the steaming wheat- en rolls from the Dutch oven. Adele having put some tea in the urn, poured boiling water upon it and lefb the room. Returmng in a few minutes, accompanied by her mother and Mrs. McNab, they soon drew up around the tea-table. When seated, Mrs. Dubois and Adele made the sign of the cross and closed their eyes. Mrs. McNab, glancing at them deprecatingly for a moment, at length fixed her gaze on Mr. Norton. He also closed his eyes and asked a mute blessing upon the food. -«^4 - Mrs. Dubois was endowed with delicate features, a sofl, Madonna like expression of countenance, elegance of move- ment and a quiet, yet gracious manner. Attentive to those around the board, she said but little. Occasionally, she listened in abstracted mood to the beating storm without. Mrs. McNab, a middle-aged Scotch woman, with a short, square, ample form, filled up a large portion of the ^ mfmmmln r 12 MIBAMICHI. U 9ide of the table she occupied. Her coarae-featured, heayy face, surrounded by a broad, muslin cap finll, that nearly covered her harsh yellow hair, was lighted up by a pair of small gray eyes, expressing a mixture of cunning and curi- osity. Her rubicund visage, gaudy-colored chintz dress, and yellow bandanna handkerchief, produced a sort of glaring sun-flower effect, not mitigated by the contrast afforded by the other members of the group. ** Madam," said Mr. Norton to Mrs. Dubois, on seeing her glance anxiously at the windows, as the wild, equinoc- tial gale caused them to clatter violently, ** do you fear that your husband is exposed to any particular danger at this time?" ^ ** No special danger. , But it is a lawless country. The night is dark and the storm is loud. I wish he were safely at home," replied the lady. <v By no means taken aback by this pointed inquiry, Mr. Norton replied very gently, <*I believe, ma'am, in the i\... MIRAMIGED> 13 power of prayer to move the Almighty throne, when it comes from a sincere and humble heart, and that He will bestow His blessing in return.'* " Weel," said Mrs. McNab, ** I was brought up in the church o' Scotland, and dinna beHeve anything anent this new-light doctrine o' God's bein' turned roun* an* givin* up his decrees an' a' that. I think it 's the ward o' Satan," and she passed her cup to be again refilled with tea. Adele, who had noticed that Mrs. McNab's observations had suggested new solicitudes to her mother's mind, re> marked, <* What you said just now. Aunt Patty, is not very consoling. Whoever thought that my father would meet with anything worse than perhaps being drenched by the storm, and half eaten up with yermin in the dirty inns where he will have to lodge? I do not doubt he will be home in good time." "Yes, Miss Adely, yes. I ken it," said Aunt Patty, as she saw a firm, defiant expression gathering in the young girl's countenance. "I'd a dream anent hun last night that makes me think he's comin." ** Hark I " said Adele, starting and speaking in a clear» I ringing tone, "he has come. I hear his voice on the I lawn." . . Murmuring a word or two of excuse, she rose instantly Ifroi;!^ ^^^ table, requested Bess, the servant, to hand her I a lantern, and arrayed herself quickly in hood and cloak. As fehe opened the door, her father was standing on the [step, in the driving raia, supporting in his arms the form 2 14 1tffTT^A'l>yj( Ti y|' . of a gentleman, who seemed to be almost in a state of insensibility. <* Make way I make way, Adele. Here's a 4Bick man. Throw some blankets on the floor, and come, all hands, and rub him. My dear, order something warm for him to drink." Mrs. Dubois caught a pile of bedding from a neighbor- ing closet and arranged it upon the floor, near the fire. Mr. Dubois laid the stranger down upon it.' Mr. Norton immediately rose from the tea-table, drew ofi* the boots of the fainting man, and began to chafe his feet with his warm, broad hand. ' ■ " Put a dash of cold water on his face, child," said he to Adele, **and he'll. come to, in a minute." Adele obeyed. The stranger opened his eyes suddenly and looked around in astonishment upon the group. **AhI yes. I see," he said, "I have been faint, or something of the kind. I believe I am not quite well." He attempted to rise, but sank back, powerless. He turned his bead . slowly towards Mr. Dubois, and said, *< Friend Dubois, I think I am going to be ill, and must trust myself to yoiu: compassion," when immediately his eyes closed and his countenance assumed the paleness of death. ■ ^ "Don't be down-hearted, Mr. Brown," said Mr. Du- bois. "You are not used to this Miramichi staging. You'll be better by and by. My dear, give me the cor- dial, — he needs stimulating.' inBAMicm. 15 He took a cup of French brandy, mixed with^ugar and boiling water, from the hand of Mrs. Dubois, and adminis- tered it slowly to the exhausted man. It seemed to have a quieting e£fect, and after awhile Mr. Brown sank into a disturbed slumber. Observing this, and finding that his limbs, which had been cold and benumbed, were now thoroughly wanned, Mr. Dubois robe from his kneeling position and turning to his daughter, said, *vNow then, Adele, take the lantern and go wi||p(me to the stables. I must see for myself that the horsed lite properly cared for. They are both tired and famished." Adele caught up the lantern, but Mr. Norton inter- posed. "Allow me, sir, to assist you," he said, rising quickly. " It will expose the young lady to go out in the storm. Let me go, sir." ^ He approached Adele to take the lantern from her hand, but she drew back and held it fast. *^ don't mind weather, sir," she said, with a little sniff I of contempt at the thought. * * And my father usually pre- fers my a^endance. I thank you. Will you please stay Iwith the sick gentleman?" Mr. Norton bowed, smiled, and reseated himself near the [invalid. In the mean time, Mr. Dubois and his daughter went [through the rain to the stables ; his wife replenished the tea- |urn and began to rearrange the table. Mrs. McNab, during the scene that had thus unexpect- [edly occurred, had been waddling from one part of the room HV 16 MIRAMIOHI. to the otl&r, exclaiming, *< The Lord be gudc to us !" Her presence, however, seemed for the time to be ignored. When she heard the gentle movements made by Mrs. Dubois among the dishes, her dream seemed suddenly to fade out of view. Seating herself again at the tabic, she diligently pursued the task of finishing her supper, yet ever and anon examining the prostrate form upon the floor. "Peradventure he's a mon fra' the States. His claith^ look pretty nice. As a gen'al thing them people fra' the States hae plenty o' plack in their pockets. What do you think, sir ?" <^?.r; ■; Mr. Brown's face had lost its pallid hue and was now ■r MIRAMICHI. 19 orenpread with the fiery glow of fever. H9 grew more and more restless in his sleep, until at length he opened his eyes wide and began to talk deliriously. At the first sound of his yoice, Adele started from her seat, expecting to hear some request from his lips. • • Gazing at her wildly for a moment, he exclaimed, ** What, you here, Agnes I you, trayeUing in this horrible wilderness 1 Where's your husband? Where's John, the brave boy? Don't bring them here to taunt me. Go away I Don't look at me 1 '* With an expression of terror on his countenance, he sank back upon the pillow and closed his eyes. Mr. Norton knelt down by the couch and made slow, soothing motions with his hand upon the hot and fevered head, until the sick man sank again into slumber. Seeing this, Adele, who had been standing in mute bewilderment, came sofdy near and whispered, * ' He has been doing aomething wrong, has he not, sir ? " ** I hope not," said the good man, << He is not himself now, and is not aware what he is saying. His fever causes his mind to wander." ^ . "Yes, sir. But I think he is unhappy beside being sick. That sigh was so sorrowful I " ^ *' It was sad enough," said Mr. Norton. After a pause, he continued, " I will stay by his bed and take care of him to-night." «« Ah 1 will you, sir ? " said Adele. * * That is kind, but Aujjt Patty, I know, will insist on taking charge of him. She thinks it her right to take care of all the sick people. so MIRAMIOHI. But I don't T^h her to stay with this gentleman to-night. If he talks again as he did just now, she will tell it all over the neighborhood.'' i^ At that moment, the door opened, and Mrs. McNab came waddling in, followed by Mr. and Mrs. Dubois. ** Now, Mr. Doobyce," said she, ** if you and this pus- son will just carry the patient up stairs, and place him on the bed, that's a' ye need do. I'll tak' care o' him." ** Permit me the privilege of watching by the gentleman's bed to-night," said Mr. Norton, turning to Mr. Dubois. ** By no means, sir," said his host ; ** you have had a long ride through the forest to-day and must be tired. Aunt Patty here prefers to tak^ charge of him." '<■ " Sir," said Mr. Norton, " I observed awhile ago, that his mind was quite wandering. He is greatly excited by fever, but I succeeded in quieting him oiSe and perhaps may be able to do so again. " Here Mrs. McNab interposed in tones somewhat loud and irate. ** That's the way pussons fra' your country always talk. They think they can do everytliing better'n anybody else. What can a mon do at nussin', I wad ken ? " ** Mr. Norton will nurse him well, I know. Let him take care of the gentleman, father," said Adele. " Hush, my dear," said Mr. Dubois, decidedly, ** it is proper that Mrs. McNab take charge of Mr. Brown to- night." • . <-^v^ f^^m^' Adele made no reply, and only showed her vexation by casting a defiant look on the redoubtable aunt Patty, :*♦ . V MIBAMICHI. SI whose face waa overspread with a grin of satisfaction at having carried her point. Mr^Norton, of course, did not press his proposal farther, but consoled himself with the thought, that some future opportunity might occur, enabling him to fulfil his benevo- lent intentions. A quieting powder was administered and Mrs. McNab established herself beside the fire that had been kindled in Mr. JBrown's apartment. After having indicated to Mr. Norton the bedroom he was to occupy for the night, the family retired, leaving him the only inmate of the room. As he sat and watched the dying embers, he fell into a reverie concerning the events of the evening. His musings were of a somewhat perplexed nature. He was at a loss to account for the appearance of a gentleman, bearing unmis^ takable marks of refinement and wealth, as did Mr. Brown, under such circumstances, and in such a region as Mira- michi. The words he had uttered in his delirium, added to the mystery. He was also puzzled about the family of Dubois. How came people of such culture and superiority in this dark portion of the earth? How strange, that they had lived here so many years, without assimilating to the common herd around them. ?• Thus his mind, excited by what had recently occurred, [wandered on, imtil at length his thoughts fell into their accustomed channel, — dwelling on his own mission to this [benighted land, and framing various schemes by which he light accomplish the object so dear to his heart. MIRAMIOm. In the mean time, having turned his face partiallj aside from the fire, he was watching unconsciously the fitful gleaming of a light cast on the opposito wall bj the occf^ sional fiaring up of a tongue of fiame from the dying embers. Suddenly he heard a deep, whirring sound as if the springs of some complicated machinery had just then be a set in motion. Looking around to find whence the noise procecI<)d ^e was rather startled on observing in the waJ, r. / < e comer, just under the ceiling, a tiny door fly OT)en, and emerping thence a grotesque, miniature man, holding, uplifted in his hand, a hammer of size proportionate to his own figure. Mr. Norton sat motionless, while this small specimen pro- ceeded, with a jerky gait and many bobbing grimaces, across a wire stretched to the opposite comer of the room, where stoou a tall, ebony clock. When within a short distance; of t?ie clock another tiny door in its side flew open ; the little man entered and struck deliberately with the hammer the hour of midnight. Near the top of the dial-plate was seen from without the regular uplifting of the little arm, applying its stroke to the bell within. Having performed his duty, this personage jerked out of the clock, the tiny door closing behind Wm^ bobbed and jerked along the wire as before, and disaTieijv^^ at the dc ^ • 'n the wall, which also immediately clod;.^! oiter his exit. Having witnessed the whole manoeuvre with comic won- der and curiosity, Mr. Norton burst into a loud and hearty peal of laughter, that was still resounding in the room when HIRAMICHI. 88 he became suddenly aware of the preaence of Mr«. MoNal>. There fihc st^Kxl in the centre of the apartment her fir»i, square figni ' appanutJy rooted to the fl«>or, her he»id envel- oped in innumerablo folds ot wliitc cotton, a tower u( strength and defiance. Her unexpected appearance changed in » moment the mood of the good man, and he inquired anxiously, *< Is the gentleman more ill ? Can I assist you ? " '* He's just this rainnut closed his eyes to sleep, and na^ I expect he's wide awake again, with the dreadfu' ra« k<'t you were just a makin*. O I my I wadna you hae mauo a [ good nuss ? " , ^ Mr. Norton truly grieved at his inad ertency in disturb- ling the household at this late hour ot the night, begged pardon, and told Mrs. McNab he would not be guilty of a [like of!ence. ; ' - c:. . , *♦ How has the gentleman been during the evening?" lie [asked. . r " O I he's been ravin' crazy a'maist, and (/bstacled every- [thing I've done for him. He's a very sick ][.u8Son naw. I 3am' down to get a bottle of muddeson," and Mrs. McNab rent to a closet and took from it the identical bottle of jrandy from which Mrs. Dubois had poured vvhen prepar- ig the stimulating dose for the invalid. Mr. Norton )b8erved this performance with a twinkle of ihe eye, but ig no comment, the worthy woman retired from the )om. • That night Mr. Norton slept indifferently, being dis- rbed by exciting and bewildering dreams. In his slum- * 1 24 MIRAMICTHI. bers he saw an immense cathedral, lighted only by wliat Beemed some great conflagration without, which, glaring m, with horrid, crimson hue upon the pictured walls, gave the place the strange, lurid aspect of Pandemonium. The effect was heightened by the appearance of thousands of small, grotesque beings, all bearing more or less resem- blance to the little man of the clock, who were flying and bobbing, jerking and grinning through the air, beneath the great vault, as if madly revelling in the scene. Yet the good man all the while had a vague sense of some awful, impending calamity, which increased as he wandered around in great perplexity, exploring the countenances of the various groups scattered over the place. Once he stumbled over a dead body and found it the corpse of the invalid in the room above. He seemed to himself to be lifting it carefully, when a lady, fair and stately, in rich, sweeping garments, took the burden from his arms, and, sinking with it on the floor, kissed it tenderly and then bent over it with a look of iatense sorrow. Farther on he saw Mr. and Mrs. Dubois, with Ad^le, kneeling imploringly, with terror-stricken faces, before a representation of the Virgin Mary and h^ divine boy. Then the glare of light in the building increased. Bush- ing to the entrance to look for the cause of it, he there met Mrs. McNab coming towards him with a wild, disordered countenance, — her white cotton head-gear floating out like a banner to the breeze, — shaking a brandy bottle in the faces of all she met. He gained the door and found himself enwrapped in a sheet of flame. # MTRAMTCHI. 25 Suddenly the whole scene passed. He woke. A glori- ous September sun was irradiating the walls of his bed- room. He heard the movements of the family below, and rose hastily. A few moments of thought and prayer sufficed to clear lus healthy brain of the fantastic forms and scenes which had invaded it, and he was himself again, ready and pant- ing for service. ■jr'-'j ?■ I i: I CHAPTER m. MR. NORTON. In ortler to bring Mr. Norton more distinctly before the reader, it is necessary to give a few particulars of his pre- vious life. He was the son of a New England farmer. His father had given him a good moral and religious training and the usual common school education, but, being poor and having a large family to provide for, he had turned him adrift upon the sea of life, to shape his own course and win his own for- tunes. These, in some respects, he was well calculated to do. He possessed a frame hardened by labor, and, to a native shrewdness and self reliance, added traits which threw light and warmth into his character. EQs sympathies were easUy roused by suffering and want. He spumed everything mean and ungenerous, — was genial in disposition, indeed brim- ming withmirthfulness, and, in every situation, attracted to himself numerous friends. He was, moreover, an excellent blacksmith. After leaving his father's roof, for a half score of years, he was led into scenes of temptation and danger. But, hav- ing passed through various fortunes, the whispers of the MIBAMICHI. 27 internal monitor, and the voice of a loving ■mfe, drew lum into better and safer patlis. He betook himself unremit- tingly to the duties of his occupation. By the influence of early parental training, and the teach- ings of the Heavenly Spirit, he was led into a religious life. He dedicated himself unreservedly to Christ. This intro- duced him into a new sphere of effort, one, in which his nat- urally expansive nature found free scope. He became an active, devoted, joyous follower of the Great Master, and, thenceforward, desired nothing so much as to labor in his service. About a year after this important change, a circumstance occurred which altered the course of his outward life. It happened that a stranger came to pass a night at his house. During the conversation of a lon^ winter evening, his curiosity became greatly excited, in an account, given by his guest, of the Miramichi region. He was astonished at the moral darkness reigning there. The place was dis- tant, and, at that time, almost inaccessible to any, save the strong and hardy. But the light of life ought to be thrown into that darkness. Who should go as a torch-bearer? The inquiry had scarcely risen in his breast, before he thought he heard the words spoken almost audibly, Thou must go. Here, a peculiarity of the good blacksmith must be ex- plained. Possessed of great practical wisdom and saga- city, he was yet easily affected by preternatural influences. He was subject to very strong " impressions of mind," as he called them, by which he was urged to pursue one S8 MIBAMIOHI. : course of conduct instead of another ; to follow out one plan of business in preference to another, even when there seemed to be no apparent reason, why the one course was better than its alternative. He had sometimes obeyed these impressions, sometimes had not. But he thought he had found, In the end, that he should have invariably followed them. ''■'- J' A particular instance confirmed him in this belief. One day, being in New York, he was extremely anxious to complete his business in order to take passage home in a sloop, announced to leave port at a certaui hour in the afternoon. Resolving to be on board the vessel at the time appointed, he hurried from place to place, from street to street, in the accomplishment of his plan. But he was strangely hindered in his arrangements and haunted by an impression of trouble connected vdth. the vessel. Having, however, left his wife ill at home, and being still determined to go, he pressed on. It happened that he arrived at the wharf just as the sloop had got beyond the possibility of reaching her, and he turned away bitterly disappointed. The night that followed was one of darkness and horror ; the sloop caught fire and all on board perished. ^ ' ' He had now received an impression "^hat it was his duty to go, as an ambassador of Christ, to Miramichi. Having for sometime previous *< exercised his gift " with acceptance at various social religious meetings, he applied to the authorities of his religious denomination for license to preach. After passing a creditable examination on points deemed MIBA^IOm. 29 essential in the case, he obtained a commission and a cor- dial God speed from his brethren. They augured well for hl» success. To be sure, the deficiencies of his early education some- times made themselves manifest, notwithstanding the diligent efforts he had put forth, of late years, to remedy the lack. But on the other hand, he had knowledge of human nature, sagacity in adapting means to ends, a wide tolerance of those unfortunate ones, involved by whatever ways in guilt, deep and earnest piety, and a remarkable natural eloquence, both winning and forcible. So he had started on his long journey through the wilder- ness, and here, at last, he is found, on the banks of the Miramichi, cheerful and active, engaged in his great work. The reader was informed, at the close of the last chap- ter, that after the perplexing visions of the night, by the use of charms of which he well knew the power, Mr. Norton had cleared his brain of the unpleasant phantoms that had invaded it during his slumbers. Being quick and forgetive in bis mental operations, even while completing his toilet, he had formed a plan for an attack upon the kingdom of darkness lying around him. ,(. ,-, As he entered the room, the scene of his last night's ad- venture, his face beaming with cheerfulness and coiurage, Adele, who was just then la3dng the table, thought his ap- pearance there like another sunrise. # After the morning salutations were over, he looked around the apartment, observing it, in its daylight aspect, with a somewhat puzzled air. In eome respects, it was 3* u I ; ^ 30 MIBAMiqpi. entirely unlike what he had seen before. The broad stone hearth, with its large blazing fire, the Dutch oven, the air of neatness and tlirift, were like those of a New Eng- land kitchen, but here the resemblance ceased. A paper-hanging, whose originally rich hues had be- come in a measure dimmed, covered the walls ; and cu- rious old pictures hung around; the chairs and tables were of heavy dark wood, elaborately and grotesquely car- ved, as was also the ebony clock in the corner, whose won- derful mechanism had so astonished him on the previous evening. A low lounge, covered with a crimson material, •occupied a remote corner of the room, with a Turkish mat spread on the floor before it. At the head of the couch was a case, curiously carved, filled with books, and be- neath, in a little niche in the wall, a yellow ivory crucifix. It did not occur to the good man to make any compari- son between this room with its peculiar adornings, and the Puritan kitchen with its stiff, stark furniture. One of the latter description was found in his own home, and the place where his loved ones lived and moved, was to him invested with a beauty altogether independent of outward form and show. But, as he looked around with an air of satisfac- tion, this room evidently pleased his eye, and he paid an involuntary tribute to its historic suggestiveness, by falling into a reverie concerning the life and times of the good Ro- man Catholic Fenelon, whose memoir and writings he had read. Soon Adele called him lo the breakfast-table. ^ « ;i Mrs. McNab not having made her appearance, he in- %■ MIltAMICm. di qiiired if any tidings had been heard from the fiick-room. Mrs. Dubois replied, that she had listened at the door and hearing no sound, concluded Mr. BroAvn was quiet under the influence of the sleeping powder, and consequently, she did not run the risk of disturbing him by going in. " Should Aunt Patty happen to begin snoring in her chair, as she often does," said Adele, " Mr. Brown would be obliged to wake up. I defy any one to sleep when she gets into one of those fits." "Adele," said her father, while a smile played round his mouth and twinkled in his usually grave eyes, ** can't you let IVIrs. McNab have any peace ? " *' Is Mr. Brown a friend of yours ?" inquired Mr. Norton of his host. *' I met him for the first time at Fredericton. He was at the hotel when I arrived there. \Ye accidentally fell into conversation one evening. He made, then and subsequent- ly, many inquiries about this region, and when I was ready to start for home, said that, with my permission, he would travel with me. I fancy," Mr. Dubois added, "he was somewhat ill when we left, but he did not speak of it. We had a rough journey and I tliink the exposure to which he was subjected has increased his sickness. If he proves to be no better to-day, I shall send Micah for Dr. Wright," said he, turning to his wife. "I hope you will, father," said Adele, speaking very decidedly. *' I should be sorry to have him consigned over wholly to the tender mercies of IVIrs. McNab." **Mr. Dubois," said the missionary, laying down his \ V 32 MIBAMICHI. ili i knife and fork, suddenly, ** I must confess, I am perfectlj surprised to find such a family as yours in this place. From previous report, and indeed from my own observation in reaching here, I had received the idea, that the inhabi- tants were not only a wicked, but a very rude and un- couth set of people." "Whatever may be your opinion of ourselves, sir," replied his host, ^< you are not far amiss in regard to the character of the people. They are, in general, a rough set." **Well, sir," said Mr. Norton, "as an honest man, I must inform you, that I came here with a purpose in view. I have a message to tliis people, — a message of love and mercy ; and I trust it will not be displeasing to you, if I promulgate it in this neighborhood." ** I do not understand your meaning," said Mr. Dubois. ** I wish, sir, to teach these people, some of the truths of morality and religion such as are found in the Bible. I have ventured to guess that you and your family are of the Roman Catholic faith." ■ " We belong to the commimion of that church, sir." ** That being the case, and thinking you may have some interest in this matter, I would say, that I wish to make an attempt to teach the knowledge of divine things to this people, hoping thereby to raise them from their present state to something better and holier." "A worthy object, sir, but altogether a hopeless one. You have no idea of the condition of the settlers here. You cannot get a hearing. They scoff at such tblfigs utterly," said Mr. Dubois. 'Matitk- MIRAMIOm. 33 ** Is there any objection in your own 'nd against an endeavor to enlist their interest?" asked Mr. Norton. «' Not the least," said Mr. Dubois. *' Then I will try to collect the people together and tell them my views and wishes. Is there any man here hav- ing influence with this class ^ who would be willing to aid me in this movement ? " Mr. Dubois meditated. • * v * * I do not know of one, sir," he said. * * They all drink, swear, gamble, and profane holy things, and seem to have no "respect for either God or man." *' It is too true," remarked Mrs. Dubois. <* Now, father," said Adele, assuming an air of wisdom, that sat rather comically on her youthful brow, ** J think Micah Mummychog would be just the person to help this gentleman." ** Micah Mummychog !" exclaimed Mr. Norton, throw- ing himself, back in his chair and shaking out of his lungs a huge, involuntary haw, haw, "where does the person you speak of hail from to own such a name as that^ my dearchUd?" . -^ < * I rather think he came from Yankee land, — from your part of the country, sir," said Adele, mischievously. "Ah, well," said Mr. Norton, with another peal of [laughter, ** we » « Micah made no reply. There was a pause of several minutes, and then the mis- sionary rose and said, "Well, Mr. Micah, if you can't help me, you can't. The little maiden that came with me, told me you could render me aid, if any one could, and from what she said, I entertained a hope of your assistance. The Lord will remove the obstacles to proclaiming this sal- vation in some way, I know." "Miss Ady didn't say I could help ye neow, did she?" said Micah, scratching his head. * ' Certainly. Why did she bring me here ? " "Well, ef that ainttamal queer," said Micah, falling into a deep reverie. In a few moments, Mr. Norton shook his new acquaint- ance heartily by the hand and bade him good morning. Was the good man discouraged in his efforts? By no means. He had placed in the mind of Micah Mummychog a 4* 42 MOtAMIOHI* •mall fusee, so to speak, which he foriesaw would &re a idiole train of discarded ideas and cast-off thou^ts, and he expected to hear from it. He filled up the day with a round of calls upon the Ta- nous ftunilies <^ the neighborhood, and came home to his lodgings at Mr. Dubois's with his heart overwhelmed hy the ignorance and debasement he had witnessed. Yet his ooiuage and hopes were strong. ';■;■■ ^ v?_ ■»■; ....^£'l.-- CHAPTEB V. MRS. LANSDOWNE. P — is a city by the sea. Built upon an elevated peninsula, surrounded by a country of manifold resources of beauty and fertility, with a fine, broad harbor, it sits queenlike in conscious power, facing with serene aspect th*> ever-restless waves that wash continually its feet. The place might be called . ancient, if tha# term could properly be applied to any of the works of man on New Eng- land shores. There are parts of it, where the architedw^ of whole streets looks quaint and time-worn ; here*and there a few antique churches appear, but modem struc- tures predominate, and the place is full of vigorous life and industry. It was sunset. The sky was sufiused with the richest carmine. The waters lay quivering beneath the palpitat- ing, rosy light. The spires and domes of the town caught the ethereal hues and the emerald hills were bathed in the glowing atmosphere. In lb larg*; apartment, in fhe second story of a tall, t}rick mansion on -street, sat Mrs. Lansdowne. Suscepti- ble though she was to the attractions of l^e scene before 44 MIBAMICin. I her, they did not now occupy her attention. Her brow was contracted with painful thought, her lip quivered with deep emotion. The greatest sorrow she had known had fallen upon her through the error of one whom she fondly loved. ■' ^ Though enwrapped in a cloud of grief, one could see that she possessed beauty of a r^ch and rare type. She had the delicate, aquiline nose, the dark, lustrous eyes and hair, the finely arched eyebrows of the Hebrew woman. But she was no Jewess. Mrs. Lansdowne could number in her ancestry men who had been notable leaders in the Revolutionary war with England, and, later in our history, others, who were remarkable for patriotism, nobUity of character, intellectual ability, and high moral and rehgious culture. Early in life, she had been united to Mr. Lansdowne, a gentleman moving in the same rank of society with her- aeUk His health obliged him to give up the professional life he anticipated, and he had become a prosperous and enter- prising merchant in his native city. They had an only child, a son eighteen years old, who in the progress of his collegiate course had just entered the senior year. Edward Somers was Mrs. Lansdowne's only brother, her mother having died a week gfterhis bJlh. She was eleven years of age at the time, and from that early period had watched over and loved him tenderly. He had grown up handsome and accomplished, fascinating in manners and most affectionate toward herself. She had learned that he had been engaged in what appeared, upon the face of it> a MnUMICUI. 45 dishonorable affair, and her sensitive nature had been greatly shocked. Two years before, Mr. Lansdowne had taken him as a junior partner in his business. He had since been a mem- ber of his sister's family. A young foreigner had come to reside in the city, profess- ing himself a member of a noble Italian family. Giuseppe Bossini was poet, orator, and mi^ician. As poet and orator he was pleasing and graceful ; as a musician he excelled. He was a brilliant and not obtrusive conversationalist. His enthusiastic expressions of admiration for our &ee institu- tions won him favor with all classes. In the fashionable circle he soon became a pet. * Mrs. Lansdowne had from the first distrusted him. There was no tangible foundation for her suspicions, but she had not been able to overcome a certain instinct that warned her from his presence. She watched, with mis- givings of heart, her brother's growing familiarity with the Italian. A facility of temper, his characteristic from boy- hood, made her fear that* he might not be able to withstand the soft, insinuating voice that veils guilty designs by winning sophistries and appeals to sympathy and friendship. And so it proved. . One day, in extreme agitation, Bossini came to Mr. Somers, requesting the loan of a considerable sum of money, to meet demands made upon him. Bemittances daily expected from Europe had failed to reaxsh him. Mr. Somers was imable to command so large a sum as he required. His s^or partner was absent &om home. But 46 MIBAMIOHI. the wily Rossini so won upon his sympathies, that he went to the private safe of his brother-in-law, and took from thence the money necessary to free his friend from embar- rassment. He never saw the Italian again. "When the treachery of which he had ^been the victim burst upon him, together with his own weakness and guilt, he was filled with shame and remorse. Mr. Lansdowne was a man of stern integrity and uncompromising justice. He dared not meet his eye on his return, and he dreaded to communicate the unworthy transaction to his sister, who had so gently yet so faithfully warned him. He made desperate efforts to get traces of the villain who had deceived him. Unsuccessful — maddened with sorrow and shame, he wrote a brief note of farewell to Mrs. Lansdowne, in which he confessed the wrong he had com- mitted against her husband, which Mr. Lansdowne would reveal to her. He begged her to think as kindly of him as possible, averring that an hour before the deed was done, he could not have believed himself capable of it. Then he forsook the city. When these occurrences were communicated to Mr. Lansdowne, he was filled with surprise and indignation, — not at the pecuniary loss, which, with his ample wealth, was of little moment to him, but on account of such impru- dence and folly, where he least expected it. A few hours, however, greatly modified his view of the case. He had found, in the safe, a note from Mr. Somers, stating the circumstances under which he had taken the money and also the disappearance of Kossini. This, to- MIBAMICm. 47 gether with his wife's distress, softened his feelings to such a degree thaf ho consented to recall his brother and rein- state him in his former place in business. ' But whither had th^ fugitive gone? Mrs Lanbdowne found no clue to his intended destination. During the morning of the day on which she is first in- troduced to the attention of the reader, she had visited his apartment to make a more thorough exploration. Look- ing around the room, she saw lying in the fireplace a bit of paper, half buried in the ashes. She drew it out, and after examining carefully found written upon it a few words that kindled a new hope in her heart. Taking it to her husband, a consultation was held upon its contents and an expedition planned, of which an account will be given in the next chapter. ' * She was now the prey of conflicting emotions. The ex- pedition, which had that day been arranged, involved a sacrifice of feeling on her part, greater she feared than she would be able to make. But in order to recover her brother to home, honor, and happiness, it seemed necessary to be made. Voices from the dead were pleading at her heart incessantly, urging her, at whatever cost, to seek and save him, who, with herself, constituted the only remnant of their family left on earth. Her own affection for him also pressed its elo- quent suit, and at last the decision was confirmed. She resolved to venture her son in the quest. In the mean time, the sunset hues had faded from the sky and evening had approached. The golden full moon had » t 48 MTBAMTOHI. riaen and was now shining in at the hroad window^ bring- ing into beautiful relief the delicate tracery on the high cornices, the rich carvings of the mahogany furniture, and striking out a soft sheen from Mrs. Lansdowne's black satin dress, as she moved slowly to and fro, through the light. • She seated herself once more at the window and gazed upon the lovely orb of night. A portion of its serenity en- tered and tranquillized her soul. The cloud of care and anxiety passed from her brow, leaving it smooth and pure as that of an angel. «■/ ■ -•' I S '■' CHAPIEB VI. «*JOHN, DEAB." O^ the eyening that Mia. Lansdowne was thus occupied, John, her son, who had been out on the bay all the after- noon, rushed past the drawing-room door,, bounded up the long staircase, entered his room, situated on the same floor, not far from his mother's, aiid rang the bell violently. In a few minutes, Aimt Esther, an ancient black woman, who had long been in the service of the family, made her appearance at the door, and inquired what **Massa John" wanted. , **I want some fire here. Aunt Esther. IVe been out on the bay, filching. Our smack got run down, and I've had a ducking ; I feel decidedly chilly.'* <*Law sakes I" said she, in great trepidation, < however, he had chafed under the confinements of student life, and having now become quite restive in the harness, he had asked his father for a few months of freedom from books. He wished to explore a wilderness, to go on a foreign voyage, to wander away, away, anywhere beyond the sight of college walls. «*John," said Mrs. Lansdowne, "I have been con- versing with your father on the subject, and he has con- sented to an exjpedition for you." "01 glorioiis I mother where am I to go? to the Bar- can desert, or to the Arctic Ocean? " ** You are to make a journey to the Miramichi River?** "Miramichil" said John, after a brief pause, **I thought I had a slight acquaintance with geography, but where in the wide world is Miramichi ? " I "It is in the province of New Brunswick. You will have seventy-five miles of almost unbroken wilderness, to pass through." • - «t^ ** Seventy-five miles of wilderness I magnificent I where s my ride, modier? I haven't seen it for an age." " Don't be so impetuous, John. This journey through the wilderness will be anything but magnificent. You will meet mayy dangers by the way and will encounter many hardships," " But, mother,' what care I for the perils of the way. Look at that powerful member," stretcliing out his large, muscular arm. MIRAMICm. 53 *< Don't trust too much in that, John. Your strong arm is a good weapon, but you may meet something yet that is more than a match for it." ** Possibly," said John, with a sceptical air, **but when am I to start, mother?" : : > "To-morrow." ► * . . * * To-morrow I that is fine. Well 1 1 must bestir myself," said he, rising. ' -' .- "Not to-night, my dear. You Ve nothing to do at pres- ent. Arrangements are made. Be quiet, John. We may noi sit thus together again for a long while." * * True, mother," said he, reseating himself. "But how did you happen to think of Miramichi?" he asked, after a pause. "That is what I must explain to you. Yoftr uncle Ed- ward has committed an act of imprudence which he fancies your father will not forgive him. He has left us without giving any information of his destination. We hope you will find him in New Brunswick, and this is your errand. You must seek him and bring him back to us." John^ad been absent at the time of Mr. Somers's depar- ture, and, without making definite inquiries, supposed him to be away on ordinary business. ^i After his first surprise at his mother's announcement, he was quite silent for a few moments. . Then he said, firmly, " If he is there, I will find him." Mrs. Lansdowne did not explain to him the nature of her brother's offence, but simply commimicated her earnest de- sire for his return. Then going together to the library they 54 MIBAMICm. consulted the map of Maine and Ne^ Brunswick. "Mi, Lansdowne joiiied them, — the route was fully discussed, and John retired to dream of the delights of a life untram- melled bj college, or city walls. !v>':;^ ^-.r"^'? Mr. iscd, reun- :*- , CHAPTER vn. ; A J0T7BNEY THROUGH THE WILDERNESS* Two days after the arrival of Mr. Norton at the Dubois House, on the banks of the Miramichi, John Lansdowne, on a brilliant September morning, started on his memor- able journey to that region. He was up betimes, and made his appearance at the stables just as James, the stout little coachman, was com- m pleting Caesar's elaborate toilet. Csesar was a noble-looking, black animal, whose strength and capacity for endurance had been well tested. This morning he was in high spirits and looked good for months of rough-and-tumble service. ^ ^ " Here's yer rifle. Mister John. I put it in trim for ye yesterday. I s'pose ye '11 be a squintiu' reound sharp for bears and wolves and other livin' wild beasts when ye git inter the woods." .. . : * * Certainly, James. I expect to set the savage old mon- sters scattering in everjr direction." ** Well, but lookeout. Mister John and keep number one eout o' fire and water and sech." << Trust me fordoing that, James." MIBAMICHI. After many affectionate counsels and adieus from his par- ents, John, mounted on the gallant Caesar, with his rifle and portmanteau, posted on at a rapid rate, soon leaving the city far behind. ' The position of one who sits confidently upon the back of a brave and spirited horse, is surely enviable. The mas- tery of a creature of such strength and capacity — ^whose neck is clothed with thunder — the glory of whose nostrils is terrible, gives to the rider a sense of freedom and power not often felt amidst the common conditions of life* No wonder that the Bedouin of the desert, crafty, cringing, abject in cities, when he mounts his Arab steed and is off to the burning sands, becomes dignified aud courteous. jLiberty and power are his. They elevate him for the time in the scale of existence. . jmi^i John was a superb rider. From his first trial, he had sat on horseback, finn and kingly. He and Csesar apparently indulged in common emotions on this morning of their departure from home. They did not it is true "smell the battle afar ofi', the thunder of the captains and the shouting," but they smelt the wilderness, the wUd, the fresh, the free, and they said ha I ha I And so they sped on their long journey. * The young man made a partial ax;quaintance with lum- bering operations at Bangor ; had his sublime ideas of the nobility of the aborigines of the country somer/hat discom- posed by the experience of a day spent in the Indian settle- ment at Oldtown ; found a decent shelter at Mattawamkeag Point, and, at last, with an exultant bound of heart, struck into the forest. I I «.■ >■ MIBAMICHI. 57 The only road through this solitary domain was the rough path made by lumbermen, iu hauling supplies to the various camps, scattered at intervals through the dense wilderness,, extending seventy-five miles, from Mattawamkeag Point to the British boundary. ■ ' Here Nature was found in magnificent wildness and disarray, her hair quitd unkempt. Great pines, shooting up immense distances in the sky smarted the path and flung their green-gray, trailing mosses abroad on the breeze; crowds of fir, spruce, hemlock, and cedar trees stood waving aloft their rich, dark banners; clusters of tall,, white birches, scattered here and there, relieved and bright* ened the sombre evergreen depths, and the maple with its affluent foliage crowned each swell of the densely covered land. Here and there, a scarlet tree or bush shot out its sanguiae hue, betokening the maturity of the season and the near approach of autumn^s latest splendor. Big bould« ers of granite, overlaid with lichens, were profusely orna- mented with crimson creepers. Everything appeared in splendid and wasteful confusion. There were huge trees with branches partially torn away ; otliers, with split trunks leaning in slow death against their fellows ; others, pros- trate on the ground ; andaround and among all, grew brakes and ferns and parasitic vines ; and nodded purple, red, and golden berries. The brown squirrels ran up and down the trees and over, the tangled rubbish, chirping merrily; a few late lingering birds sang little jerky notes of music, and the woodpecker made loud tapping sounds which echoed like 58 MTRAMTCm. the strokes of the woodman's axe. The air was rich and bahny, — spiced with cedar, pine, aad hemlock, and a thou- sand unknown odors. The path through this wild of forest was rude and diffi- cult, but the travellers held on their way unflinchingly, — the horse with unfaltering courage and patience, and his rider with unceasing wonder and delight. At noon they came to a halt, just where the sun looked down golden and cheery on a little dancing rivulet that babbled by the wayside. Here Caesar received his oats, for which his master had made room in his portmanteau, at the expense, somewhat, of his own convenience. The young man partook of a hearty lunch and resigned himself to> dreams of life under the greenwood tree. After an hour's rest, again in the saddle and on — on, through recurring scenes of wildness, waste, and beauty. Just as the stars began to glint forth and the traveller and horse felt willing perhaps to confess to a little weariness, they saw the light of the expected cabin fire in the distance. Caesar gave a low whinny of approval and hastened on. Two or three red-shirted, long-bearded men gave them a rude welcome. They blanketed and fed Caesar, and pick- eted him under a low shed built of logs. John, as hungry as a famished bear, drank a deep draught of a black concoction called tea, which his friends here presented to him, ate a powerftd piece of dark bread, inter- larded with fried pork, drew up with the others around the fire, and, in reply to their curious questionings, gave them the latest news from the outside world. ' : MTRAMTCm. 69 ■«»;f For this infonnation he was rewarded by the strange and sturing adventures of wilderness life they related dur- ing the quickly flitting evening hours. *^^* They told of the scores who went into the fores ^ in the early part of winter, not to return until late in the .-pring ; of snow-storms and packs of wolves j of herds of deer and moose ; they related thrilling stories of men crushed by falling trfies, or jammed between logs in the streams, to- gether with incidents of the long winter evenings, usually spent by them in story telling and card playing. Thus he became acquainted with the routine of camp life. Wearied at last with the unaccustomed fatigues of the day, he wrapped himself in his cloak, placed his port- manteau under his head for a pillow and floated ofi* to dream- land, under the impression that this gypsying sort of life, w just tne one of all others he should most like to live. The foUov^ing morning, the path of our traveller struck through a broad reach of the melancholy, weird desolation, called a burnt district. He rode out, suddenly, from the dewy gj^eenness and balm-breathing atmosphere of the un- blighted forest, into sunshine that poured down in torrents from the sky, falling on charred, shining shafts and stumps of trees, and a brilliant carpet of fireweed. It is nearly impossible ^o give one who has not seen something of the kind, an adequate impression of the pe- culiar appearance of such a region. The strange, grotesque- looking stems, of every imaginable shape, left standing like a company of black dwarfs and giants scattered over the land, some of them surmounted with ebony crowns ; some, 60 MIBAMICm. with,heada covered like olden warriors, with jetty helmets ; some with brawny, long arms stretched over the pathway as if to seize the passer by, and all with feet planted, seemingly in deep and flaming fire. How quickly nature goes about repairing her desolations I So great in this case is her haste to cover up the black, unseemly surface of the earth, that, from the strange resemblance of the weed with which she clothes it to the fiery elements, it would seem as if she had 3aot yet been able to thrust the raging glow out of her fancy, and so its type has crept again over the blighted spot. John rode on over the glowing ground, the black mon- sters grimacing' and scowling at him as ho passed. What ^ nice eerie place this would be thoaght he for witches, wizards, and all Satan's gentry, of every shape and hue, to hold their high revels in. And he actually began to shout the witches song — hov ** Black spirits and white, > Red spirits and gray." At which adjuration, Caesar, doubtless knowing who were called upon, pricked up his ears and started on a full run, probably not wishing to find himself in such company just at that time. * An establishment similar to the one that had sheltered him the night previous, profifered its entertainment at the close of our adventurer's second day. The third day in the wilderness was signalized by an incident, which excited such triumphant emotions as to cause it to be long remem- *t $' * SIIRAMICni. / 61 il I-, bered. About an hour subsequent to his noon halt, as he and Csesar were proceeding along at a moderate pace, he heard a rustling, crackling noise on the right side of the path and suddenly a deer, frightened and panting, flew ' across the road, turned for a moment an almost human ^ despairing look toward him, plunged into the tangled un* dcr-growth on the left and was gone from sight. John' drew his reins instantly, bringing his horse to a dead stand, loosened his rifle from his shoulder and after examining it closely, remained quiet. Ilis patience was not taxed by long waiting. Within the space of two minutes, there was another sharp crunching and cracklingof dry boughs, when a wolf, large, gray, and fierce, sprang into the ^path from the same opening, following on the trail of the deer. He had nearly crossed the narrow road in hot pursuit and was about springing into the thicket beyond, when an acciden- tal turn of his head brought our hero suddenly to his atten ' tion. He stopped, as if struck by a spell of enchantment. "Whiz I the ball flew. The very instant it struck, the bloodthirsty monster fell dead. When John reached the spot, there was scarcely the quiver of a limb, so well had the work of death been accomplished. Yet the wolfish face grinned still a savage, horrible defiance. " Here, Csesar," he exclaimed, in a boastful tone, ** do you know that this old fellow lying here, won't get the drink out of the veins of that dainty creatm*e he was so thirsty for ? No I nor ever cheat any sweet little Red Hiding Hood into thinking him her grandmother? This is the last of him. Did n't I do the neat thing, Caesar ? " 62 BUBAHICHI. ► Cffisar threw his head on one side, with an air of admi- ration and gave a low whinny, that betokened a etate of intense satisfactioh at the whole transaction. It may appear frivolous to those who have read with unwavering credulity the olden tales of the prowess and achievements of knights errant in the days of chivalry, that one should stop to relate such a commonplace inci- - dent as the shooting of a wolf, and above all, that the hero of this narrative, should betray, even to his horse, such a decided emotion of self admiration for having per- formed the feat. Such a trifle would not indeed be worth mentioning in company with the marvellous deeds and mysterious sorceries of the old romaunt, but this being a true story, the hero young, and this the first game of the kind he has yet brought down, it must be excused. After a critical examination of his victim, our traveller mounted his horse and proceeded on his journey, much gratified at his afternoon's work, and inwardly resolving how he would make the eyes of James and Aunt Esther stand out, while listening to the account of it he should give them, on his return home. In about seventeen days after his departure from P., John safely accomplished his journey. Amidst the subse- quent hardships, rough fare and toils of that journey, which, in truth, thirty-five years ago, were things not to be laughed at, he had a constant satisfaction in the recollection of having, with one keen shot, killed a large, fierce, gray wolf. f • «^ ^^ '^:i.v /^:X ! ' CHAPTER Vm. A FUNERAL. The day fbllowing the call made by Mr. Norton on Micah Mummychog, the last-named personage .came to Mr. Dubois's house and Adele happening to open the out- side door, just as he hove in sight, he called out, ** Miss Ady, do ye know where that individooal that ye broughv to my heouse yisterday, is ? " ' " You mean the missionary ? " said Adele. ** Well, yis, I spose so ; where is he? " ** He is engaged with a sick gentleman we have here. He has taken the place of Aunt Fatty, who is tired out and has gone to rest." ** Well, that piece of flesh, what's called McNab, has the greatest fakkilty of gittin' tired eout when there's any work reound, that ever I see. Any heow, she 's got to stir herself this time. But I want to see the minister, neow." ** Yes, I will speak to him. But I shall not call Aunt Patty. She is tired now. I can take care of the sick gentleman. But what has happened, Micah?" "Well, there's goin' to be a funeral. I can't jestly tell 64 MIllAMICIII. I. yc abcout it ncow. Ye can ax ycr sir, when he comes in,** said IVIicah, reluctant to go into particulars which he knew would shock Adelc. ^ . ^ *'Wcll, Captin," said Micah, when Mr. Norton made his appearance at the door, here 's a reg'lar wind-fjdl for ye. Here 's an Irishman over here, as is dead as a door nail. » lie 's goin' to be buried to-night, 'beout sunset, and I dun no but what I can git a chance for ye to hold forth a spell in the grove, jest afore they put him under greound." *' Dead I the poor man dead I indeed 1 " ejcclaimcd Mr. Norton. ** Yis. He was shot right tlu*ough his heart, and I hope a swingin * cusa 'ill come on him that put the ball threough, tew." ««Why, how was it, Mr. Micah?" said Mr. Norton earnestly. . *< WeU, yeou jest tell 'me fust wether yeou '11 say prayers, or sometliin' or 'nother over the poor chap's rccliks." «* Certainly, I will, Mr. Mcah." . ,,,t< "Well, ye see, Pat McGrath lived back here, half a mile or so, an' he 's got lots o' cousins an' friends 'ut live all along on this 'ere river, more or less, till ye git to Chartham, that^s sitooated to the mouth. Well, these fel- lers has been in the habit o' gittin' together and goin' deown river and hirin' once in a spell, some sort of old, cranky craft and goin' skylarldng reound to Eastport and Portland. Arter a while they 'd cum back and smuggle in a cargo o' somethin' or 'nother from the States, and shekk the dooties. Well, 'beout a week ago, there was a confounded old crit- &IIBA3IICIII. 65 tur 'ut lives halfway from here to Giartham, that informed on' cm. So they jcs' collected together — 'beout twenty fellers — and mobbed liim. And the old cuss fired into 'em and killed this 'ere man. So neow they 'vo brought his body hum, and his wife's a poor shiftless thing, and she's been a hollerin' and scrcechin' ever senco she heerd of it.'* *' Poor woman I " said "Mr. Norton, greatly shocked. "Well, I might as well tell ycr the whole on *t," said Micah, scratching his head. * * Yer sr^e, he was one o' these Catholics, this Pat was, and the fellers went to the priest (he lives deown river, little better* ten ro'^e from here) in course to git him to dew what's to be do. v to the funeral, and the tamal old heathen would n't dew it. ITo sed Pat had gone agin the law o' the keary. and he wouldn't hev anything to do * beout it. So the fellers brought the body along, and I swear, Pat McGrath shall hev a decent funeral, any way." ** "Where is the funeral to be?' asked Mr. Norton, after listening attentively to the account Micah had given him. ^ "01 deown here 'n the grove. The body 's to my heouse, and Maggie his wife's there a screechin'. The grave- yard's close here, and o they did n't carry him hum." I'll, go down and see tiiis poor Maggie," said Mr. Norton. * * Don't, for the Lord's sake. I'm eenermost crazy neow. The heouse is jammed full o' folks, and there ain't nothin, ready. You jes' wait here, tiQ I git things in shape and. I '11 cum arter ye." Micah then departed to complete his arrangements, and Mr. Norton returned to his post, in the sick-room. 6* 66 MISAMICHI. It was nearly five o'clock in the afternoon, before a mcssen<;er came to inform him that the hour of burial had arrived. f ^ - ■' ,,« A strange scene presented itself to his view, as he ap- proached the grove. A motley company, composed of the settlers of every grade and condition for miles around, had collected there. Men, women, and children in various costume — the scarlet and crimson shirt, or tunic, carrying it high above all other fashions — were standing, or walking among the trees, conversing upon the event that had brought them together. As the missionary approached, the loud indignant voices subsided into a low murmur, and the people made way for him to reach the centre of the group. Here he found the coffin, placed upon a pile of boards, entirely uncovered to tlie light of day and to the inspection of the people, who had^ each in turn, gazed with curious eyes upon the lifeless clay it enclosed. - In the absence of Mrs. McNab, who was still sleeping away the effects of her late fatigues at the house of Mr. Du- bois, the women of the neighborhood had arrayed Patrick McGrath, very properly, in a clean shirt of his accustomed wearing apparel, so arranging it that the folds of the red tunic could be lifted in order to expose to those who came to look upon him the wound he had received. There he lay, the rude smuggler, turned gently upon liis side, one cheek pressing the pillow. Death had effaced from his countenance every trace of the stormy passions which raged in liis breast when the fatal bullet struck him, and had sealed it with even a pleasant serenity. AURAMICIU. 67 Not so with the compeers of his race, who encircled the coffin. They scowled a fierce fury from beneath their bushy brows and muttered vows of vengeance. The raya of the sun, now rapidly declining, shot into their angry faces, the evening breeze shook out thei'. matted locks of hair. A peculiar glow was cast over their wild,- Erin features, now gleaming with unholy passion. Mr. Norton bent for a few minutes over the coffin, while an expression of sorrow and deep commiseration overspread his countenance. Then he stepped upon a slight knoll of ground near by, raised himself to his full height and began to speak in a voice that rose above the crowd, clear^ melodious, ftdl and penetrating as the notes of a bugle. It thrilled on every ear and drew instant attention. "Friends, brethren, fellow-sinners, one of our number has been suddenly struck down by the relentless hand of death, and we are here to pay the last honors to his mortal remains, — each and all to learn a solemn lesson while standing at the mouth of the grave. Brethren, we are to learn anew from this occasion that death often comes to man with the suddenness of the lightning flash. One moment before your comrade was struck by the fatal bullet, his eye glowed as keenly and his right arm was as powerful as yours. The next moment he was prostrate on the ground, with no power to move a single limb of his body, or utter a single sigh, or breathe a single prayer. He was dead. "I am ignorant whether he was prepared to make such a sudden transit from this world to that scene of judgment to which he has been summoned. You know, who were his (iS MIRAMIOHX. Mends and comrades, what his 'onner course has been, and whether he was prepared to meet the Judge of all the earth. I know nothing of all this, but I feryentlj hope that at the last erring, awful moment, when he had just committed an act of transgression against the laws of his country, he had in his heart, and did, offer up this prayer, * God be mereiM to me, a sinner.* We must leave him in the hands of the Almighty, who is both merciful and just. We cannot change his lot, but we have it in our power to profit by the circumstances of his death. Beholding how suddenly he has been cut off, in the prime and strength of his days, we may learn that we too may be called at some unexpected moment, and that it behooves us to be found ever in the right path, so living, so acting, that we shall be ready, when death comes, to meet our Judge without fear and with the assurance that when we depart this life, through • the righteousness of Christ, we shall be introduced into a better and nobler country. 1 beg of you earnestly, my dear brethren, in order to secure this happy result, to turn immediately from your sins, repenting of them without delay, and apply to Christ whose blood can alone wash them away. Take the Bible, this precious gift from Heav- en, for your counsellor and guide, follow its instructions, and you will be safe and happy, whether in life or in death. " My brethren, I will say but one word more ; that word I earnestly implore you to listen to. This book from God says, vengeance is mine ; I will repay. I fear it is in your hearts to seek revenge upon him who is the author of your comrade's death. I beseech you not to do it. God knows inBAMom. 69 Ml • <■; where the wrong is, in this case, and He, ihe great Ayenger, will not suffer it to go unpunished. Sooner or later He brings everj wicked and wrong-doer to a just reward. Leave all in £[is righteous hands, and stain not your souls with blood and violence. Let us seek the divine blessing." Mr. Norton then offered a short and simple prayer, im- ploring the forgiveness of sins, and blessings upon Patrick's wife, his companions, and the community. Maggie, who had wailed herself into perfect exhaustion and almost stupor, sat gazing fixedly in his face ; the rest seemed hushed as by a spell, and did not begin to move until some moments after his voice ceased. Then the tongues were loosened, and amid the ebbs and flows of murmuring sound, the coffin was covered, placed upon a bier and borne to the grave, followed by the crowd. "And shure," said a poor Lishwoman to her crony, as they trudged along behind, << the praste's voice sounded all the while like a gre§t blessed angel, a blowin' through a silver trumpet. Shure, he 's a saint, he is." .4V 'T CHAPTER IX. AD^LE DUBOIS. ' The Dubois family, though widely separated by social rank and worldly possessions from the population around them, had yet, to a certain degree, mingled freely with the people. Originating in France, they possessed the pecul- iar national faculty of readily adapting themselves to the manners and customs of races foreign to their own. It is impossible to forget in the early history of the North American colonies, what facility the French displayed, in contrast with the English, in attaining communication with the children of the forest, in acquirifig and retaining their confidence, in taking on their rude and uncultivated modes of life, and in shaping even their superstitions to their own selfish purposes. ' Of all the foreigners who have attempted to demonstrate to the world, the social and political problems of America, who has investigated with such insight, and developed so truly our manners and customs and the spirit and genius of our government as Tocqueville ? Mr. Dubois, though possessing a conservative power that prevented him from descending to the low type of character MIKAHIOHL 71 and the lax principles of the countiy, yet never made any other than the most quiet assertion of superiority. It was impossible indeed for him to hold business connections with the rough settlers without mingling freely with them. But he never assumed the air of a master. He frequently en- gaged with them in bold, adventurous exploits, the accom- plishment of which did not involve an infringement of law ; sometimes he put hand and shoulder to the hdrd labors they endured, and he was ever ready with his sympathy and aid in rediessing their grievances. Though often shocked at their lawless and profane customs, he yet recognized in many of them traits of generosity and nobleness. Without a particle of aggressiveness in his disposition, he had never undertaken actively the work of reform, yet his example of uprightness and integrity had made an im- pression upon the community. The people treated him with uhvarjdng respect and confidence, partly from a «ense of I his real superiority, and partly, perhaps, from the very lack [of self-assertion on his side. Consequently without having made the least effort to do so, he exercised an autocratio [power among them. -^ ;-.< ,- v,,, Mrs. Dubois visited the women of the place frequently, [particularly when the men were absent in their lumbering, jpr fishing operations, conversing with them freely, bearing )atiently their superstitions and ignorance, aiding them lib- srally in temporal things, and sometimes mingling kindly rords of counsel with her gifts. Adele's intercourse with the settlers was in an altogether Lifierent ^tyle. Her maimer from earliest childhood, when v\ 72 MIRAMICm. she first bcgau to run about from one cottage to another, had toon free, frank, and impenoiia. "Wh^th«:. it was, that having sniffed from babyhood tb,e fr fli forest air of the new world, its breath had in>«pire^ her wit'i a ;areh*t?. indepen- dence not shared hy her jmrent • , or, whether the haughty blood that had flowed far bnck in the veins of ancestors, after coiirciag quietly along the generatioios, had m her be- come stimulate into new aetxviijf certain :t m, she had al- W{>y8 the bearing of one haying autho ^ v and the art of governing seemed natural to her, it was strange, therefore, sJiat she should have been such a universal favorite in the neigliborhood. But so it was.. Those who habitually set public law at defiance, came readily under the control of her youthful sway. Possessing a full share of the irrepressible activity of childhood, she enacted the part of lady of the Manor, assuming prerogatives that even her mother did not think of exercising. " ' ' When about eleven summers old, she opened one after- noon the door of an Irish cabin and received at once a cor- dial, noisy welcome from its inmates. She did not howeve, make an immediate response, for she had begun taking a minute survey of the not over-nice premispy. At lengthr. slie deigned to speak. ** Bridget Malone, are you not £ shamed to have such a disorderly house as this ? Why don't you sweep the floor and put things in place ? " . *' Och I hinny, and how can T swape the floor without a tjTun?" said Bridget, looking up in some disnL'y. MTRAMTCHI* 73 another, was, that the new indepen- 1 haughty ancestors, in her be- lie had al- he art of therefore, rite in the itually set ;rol of her ictivity of e Manor, not think one after- >nce a cor- )t howeve, taking a A.t lengthr. ive such a the floor without 9, "Didn't my father order James to give you a broom whenever you want one? Here Pat," said she, to a ragged urchin about her own ag^, who was tumbling about over the floor with a little dirty-faced baby, *'here, take this jack-knife and go down to the river by Mrs. Campbell's new house and cut some hemlock boughs. Be quick, and bring them back as fast as you can." Pat started at once. Adele then deliberately took off her bonnet and shawl, rolled them up into as small a package as she could make, and placed them on the nearest approximation to a clean spot that could be found. Then she stooped down, took the baby from the floor and handed him to his mother. **Here, Bridget, take Johnny, wash his face and put him on a clean dress. I know he has another dress and it ought to be clean." • .. -; / *' Yes. He 's got one you gave him, Miss Ady, but it aint clane at all. Shure it 's time to wash T m wanting, it is." "Kow, don't tell me, Bridget, that you have not time to wash your children's clothes and keep them decent. You need not spend so many hours smoking your pipe over the ashes." *' You would n't deprive a poor cratur of all the comfort she has in the world, would ye, hinny?" " You ought to take comfort in keeping your house and children clean, Bridget." In the meanwhile, Bridget had washed Johnny's face, and there being no clean dress ready for the little feUow, Adele said, "Come, Bridget, put on a kettle of water, pick up your clothes, and do your washing." 7 74 MIRAMIOHI. ** Shure, and I will, if ye say so, Miss Ady.** The poor shiftless thing having placed the baby on the floor again, began to stir about and make ready. Adele sat poking and turning over the chubby little Johnny with her foot. At last, Pat appeared with a moderate q^ntity of hemlock boughs, which Adele told him to throw upon the floor, — then to hand her the knife and sit down by her side and learn to make a broom. She selected, clipped, and laid together the boughs, until sho had made quite a pile ; sent Pat for a strong piece of twine and an old broom handle and then secured the boughs firmly upon it. ** Now Pat," she said, ** here is a nice, new jack-knife. • If you will promise me that you will cut boughs and make your mother two new brooms, just like this, every week, the knife shall be yours." Pat, with eyes that stood out an umnenticnable distance, and mouth stretched from ear to ear, promised, and Adele proceeded vigorously to sweep the apartment. In the course of half an hour, the room wore a wholly different aspect. ** And who tould the like of ye, how to make a brum like that, hinny?" said Bridget, looking on in admiration of her skill. "Nobody told me. I saw Aunt Patty McNab do it once. You see it is easy to do. Now, Bridget, remember. Have your house clean after this, or I will not come to see you." *« Yes, shure, I'll have them blessed brums as long,'s there 's a tree grows." %. • ^.. MCBAMIOHI. 75 iome to see And true it was, thai Adfele's threat not to visit her cabin proved such a salutary terror to poor Bridget, that there was a perceptible improvement in her domestic arrangements ever aft^^r. As Adfele grew olaer, the ascendency she had obtained in her obscure empire daily increased. At twelve, she was sent to a convent at Halifax, where she remained three years. At the end of that period, she returned to Miramichi, and resumed at once her regal sceptre. The sway she held over the people was really one of love, grounded on a recognition of her superiority. . Circulating among them freely, she became thoroughly acquainted with their habits and modes of living, and she was ever ready to aid them, under their outward wants and their deeper heart troubles. A community must have some one to look up to, whether co.iscious of the want or not. Hero-worship is na^firal to the human soui, and the miscel- laneous group of -ji omen and children scattered over the settlement, found in Adele a strong, joyous, self-relying spirit, able to hel|> them out of their difficulties, who could I cheer them when down-hearted, and spur them up when getting discouraged or inefficient. But, added to this were the charms of her youthful beauty, which even the humblest felt, without perhaps knowing it, and an air of authority that swept away all 'opposition, and held, at times, even Aunt Patty McNab at arms' length. Yes, it must be confessed that the young lady was in the habit of queening it over the people ; but ithey were perfectly wilHng to have it so, and both lo^ed and were proud of their little despot. 76 MIBAMIOm. In the mean time, the Dubois family were living a life witbih a life, to the locale of which the reader must now be iiitrotluccd. * It has been said that the outward aspect of their dwell- ing was respectable, and in that regard was not greatly at variance, except in siz^, with the sup-Ou'iiding habitations. Within, hoi/ever, there were apartments furnished and adorned in such a manner as to betoken the character and tastes of the inmates. In the oecond story, directly over the spacious dining- room already described, there was a long apartment with two windows reaching nearly to the floor. It was carpeted with crimson and black Brussels, contained two sofas of French workmanship, made in a heavy, though rich style, covered with cloth also of crimscii and black ; with chairs fashioned and carved to match tho couches, and finished in the same material. A quaint-loOking piano stood in one comer of the room. In the centre was a Chinese lacquered table on which stood a lamp in bronze, the bowl of which was supported by various broadly smiling, grotesque crea- tures, belonging to a genus known only in the domain of fable. On the evening following the burial of poor Pat Mc- Grath, Mrs. Dubois sat in this apartment, engaged in embroidering a fancy piece of dress for Adele. That young lady was reclining upon a sofa, and was looking earnestly at a painting of the Madonna, a copy from some old master, hanging nearly opposite to her. It was now bathed in the yellow moonlight, which heightened the won- • MIUAMIC'III. 77 derfiiUy saintly expression in the countenances of the holy mother and child. ** See ! ma bonne mere, the blessed !Marie looks down on us with a sweet smile to-night." ** She always looks kindly upon us, chcrc^ when we try to do right," said Mrs. Dubois, smiling. ** Doubtless you have tried to be good to-day and she approves your effort." " Now, just tell me, ina chere mire^ how she would re- gard me to-night if I had committed one wicked deed to-day." *< This same Marie looks sad and wistful sometimes, my Adile." * * True. But not particularly at such times. It depent! - on which side the light strikes the picture, whether she looks sad or smiling. Just that, and nothing more. Now the moonlight gives her a smiling expression. And please listen, chere mere. I have heard that there is, somewhere, a Madonna, into whose countenance the old painter en- deavored to throw an air of profoundest repose. He suc- ceeded. I have heard that that picture has a strange power to soothe. Gazing upon it the spirit grows calm and the voice unconsciously sinkf^ into a whisper. Our priests would tell the common people that it is a rairacul<3us « influence exerted upon them I>y the Virgin herself, where- as it is only the effect produced by the exquisite skill of the artist. Ehy bien ! our church is Ml of superstitions." ** We will- talk no more of it, vnajille. You do not love the holy Marie as you ought, I fear." . *< Love her I indeed I do. She is the most blest and 7» v\ 78 MIR^MIOHI. 1 ! honored among women, — the mother of the Saviou*. But why should we pray to her, when Jesus is the only inter- cessor for our sins with the Father? Why, ma diire mire?" **Helcu ! majille. You learned to slight the intercession of the holy saints while you were at the convent. It is strange. I thought I could trust you there." "Do not think it the fault of the sisters, cMre mire. They did their duty. This way of thinking came to me. I did not seek it, indeed." "How did it come to you, ma pauvrejille ? " ** I will tell you. The first time I went into the convent parlor, Sister Adrienne, thinking to amuse me, took me around the room and showed me its ciu-iosities. But I was filled with an infinite disgust. I did not distinctly know then why I was so sickened, hut I understand it all now." ** What did you see, Adele?" ** Eh I those horrid relics of saints, — "those teeth, those bones, those locks of hair in the cabinet. Then that awful skeleton of sister Agnes, who founded the convent and was the first Abbess, covered with wax and preserved in a crystal case I I thought I was in some charnel-house. I could hardly breathe. Do you like such parlor ornaments as those, ma cAere me/'eP" ^ < "Not quite." "What do we want of the dry bones of the saints, when we have memoirs of their precious lives? They would themselves spurn the superstition that consecrates mere earthly dust. It nauseates me to think of it." MIKAHICm. 70 ** Procedez, tnaJiUe.** ** My friend from the States, Mabel Barton, came to the convent, the day I arrived. As our studies were the same, and as, at first, we were both homesick, the sisters permitted us to be together much of the time. Eh ! bien ! I read her T)ooks, her Bible, and so light dawned. She used to pray to the Father, through the Redeemer. I liked that way best. But ma merCy our cathedral service is sublime. There is nothing like thtit. Now you will for- give me. The arches, the altar, the incense, the glorious surging waves of music , — these raised me and Mabel, like- wise, up to the lofty third heaven. How high, how holy we felt, when we worshipped there. Because I like the cathedral, you will forgive me for all I said before, —will you not, ma chere mere ? " Turning her head suddenly towards her mother, Adele saw her eyes filled with tears. ' i-' **Eh!ma chere mere, pardonnez moi. I have pained you." And she rose and flung her arms, passionately, around her mother's neck. * ** Pauvrefille!" said the mother, returning her embrace mournfully, " you will wander away from the church, — our holy church. It would not have been thus, had we remained in sunny Picardj. Eh! oublierje nepuis" ** What is it, chere mere" said Adele, " that you cannot forget ? There is something I have long wished to know. What was there, before you came here to live ?. Why do you sometimes sit and look so thoughtful, so sad and wish- ful? Tell me, — tell me, that I may comfort you." . '■ 80 MIRAMICm. «* I wiU tell you all, Adele, yes, —all. It is time for you to know, but — not to-night — not to-night." *< To-morrow then, ma ffieVc?" , *' Yes. Yes — to-morrow." a CHAPTER X. PICARDY. ^ « Weep ye not for the dead, neither bemoan him : but weep sore, for him that goeth away : for he shaJl return no more, nor see his native country." The prophet, who wrote these words, well knew the exile's grief. He was himself an exile » He thought of Jerusalem, the city of his home, his love, and his heart was near to breaking. He hung his harp upon the willow ; he sat down by the streams of Babylon and wept. The terrible malady of homesickness, — it hss eaten out the vigor and beauty of many a life. The soul, alien to all around, forlorn amid the most enchanting scenes, filled with cejiseless longing for a renewal of past delights, can never find a remedy, until it is transplanted back to its nf.tive clime. Nof was the prophet singular in his experience of the woes of exile. We have heard of the lofty-spirited Dante, wandering from city to city, carrying with Iiim, in banish- ment, irrepressible and unsatisfied yearnings for his beloved Florence ; we have seen the Greek Islander, borne a cap- tive from home, sighing, iu vain, for the dash and roar of his familiar' seas ; we have seen the Switzer, transplanted 8^ MUtAMICHI. to milder climes and more radiant skies, yet longing for the stem mountain forms, the breezes and echoes of his native land. Ah I who does not remember, with a shud- der, the despairing thoughts, choking tears, and days of silent misery that clouded his own boyhood, and perhaps even iome days of his early manhood? Oublier je ne puis. Poor lady I she had been homesick twenty years. On the afternoon following the couversatiou recorded in the last chapter, Mrs. Dubois was ready to unfold to Adele the story of' her past life. They were sitting in the parlor. The golden glory of the September sun gave an intense hue to the crimson furniture, lighted up the face of the Madonna with a new radiance, and touched the ivory keys of the piano with a fresh polish. Adele's eyes were fixed with eager expectation upon her mother. ** You know, ma chercj " Mrs. Dubois began, ** we once lived in France. But you cannot know, I trust you never may, what it cost us to leave our beautiful Picardy, — what we have suffered in remaining here, exiled in this rude country. Yet then it seemed our best course. Indeed, we thought there was no other path for us so good as this. We were young, and did not eujugh consider, perhaps, what such a change.in our life involved. I must tell you, my Adele, how it came about. In the province of Picardy not many miles from the city of Amiens, there was a fine, but nc« large estate, border- ing on the River Somme. A long avenue of poplars led from the main road up a gentle slope unti* it opened upon MTRAMTOHI. 83 a broad, green plateau of grass, studded with giant trees, the growth of centuries. Here and t^«!re were trim little flower-beds, laid out in a variety of tb tast shapes, with stiff, glossy, green, closely-clipped borders oi box. And, what was my childish admiration and delight, there was a fountain that poured itself out in oozing, dripping drops from the flowing hair and finger tips of a marble Venus, just rising in the immense basin and wringing out her locks. Then the park, — there was none more beautiful, more stately, extending far back to the banks of the Somme, where birds sat on every bough and the nightingale seemed to pour its very heart away, singing so thrillingly and so long. I hear the liquid notes now, my Adele, so tender, so sweet 1 A.t the end of the avenue of poplars of which I spoke stood the chateau, with the trim flower-beds in front. It was built of brown stone, not much ornamented externally, with four round towers, one in each comer. Though not as old as some of those castles, it had been reared several centuries Ve, by a Count de Rossillon, who owned the estate and lived on it. , #. In that chateau, I first saw the light of day, and there I spent my happy childhood and youth. The estate of Ro-^slllon had been bequeathed by the will of my grandfather, to his two sons. The elder, the present Count de Rossillon, inherited the larger portion ; my father, the younger son, the smaller share. My father was a Bonapartist, and at the time of his marriage held a high rank in the anny. During his ab- 8en> '^ from the country, my mother resided at the chateau with her brother-in-law, the Count. 84 MIRAMICm. One day in June, news arrived of the sudden death of my father. It was communicated to my mother, by the messenger who brought it, without precaution. That night, one hour after, I was ushered into an orphaned existence and my mother took her departure from the world. Think of nie Adele, thus thrown a waif upon the shore of life. Yet, though bom in the shadow of a great sorrow, sunlight struck across my path. The faithful honncj who had taken care of my mother in her infancy and had never left her, now took charge of me. She watched over me* faithfully and filled up my childhood with affectionate attention and innocent pastime. My uncle, the Count, who had never been married, loved, petted, and indulged me in every wish. When 1 grew old enough, he secured a governess well qualified to teach and discipline me. Under her care, with the aid of masters in Latin, music, and drawing, from Amiens, I went through the course of instruction considered necessary for ycung ladies at that time I was at your Age my Ad Me when I first met your father. He was not the bronzed and careworn man you see him nf^w. Ah I no. He was young and gay, with a falcon glance and black wreathing locks hanging over his white, smooth brow. His father was of noble blood, and sympathized warmly with the dethroned Bourbons. He was no lovei of the great Consul. The political troubles in France had operated in ways greatly to impoverish his house. "He owned and occupied only the remnant of what had been a large estate, adjoining that of the Coimt de Ros- sUlon. MIBAMIOHI. 05 While acquiring hia education, your father, except at occasional intervals, was six years from home, and it so happened that I never met him in my childhood. Indeed, the families were not on terms of intimacy. On his return from the University, I first saw him. Eh! him! It is the same old story that you have heard and r^^ad of, in your books, my Adele. We became acquainted, I wUl not stop now, to tell you how, and soon learned to love each other. Time passed on, and at last your father sought the consent of ray uncle, to our marriage. But he put aside the prop- osition with anger and scorn. He thought that Claude Dubois was neither distinguished nor rich enough to match his niece. In his heart, he had reserved me for some con- spicuous position in the great circle at Paris, while I had given myself to an obscure youth in Picardy. . Your father was too honorable to ask me to marry him without the consent of the Count, and tqo proud to take me in his poverty. So one day, after his stormy interview with my uncle, he came to me and said ho v/as going away to endeavor to get fame, or wealth, to bestow upon me and make himself more worthy in the eyes of the Count de Rossillon. Yet be wished to release me from any feeling of obligation to hiui, as, he said, I was too young and had too little acquaintance with life and society to know fully my own heart. It would not be ri?-ht, he thought, to bind me to himself by any promise. I told himm;'- affec- tion for him would never change, but acquiesced in his arrangements with a sad and foreboding heart. In a few weeks, he embarked for India. ^» 86 MIRAMICHI. i 'f Then my uncle roused himself from the inertia of his quiet habits and made arrangements for a journey through France and Italy, which he said I was to take with him. I received the announcement with indifference, being wholly occupied with grief at the bitter separation from your father. The change 4iowever proved salutary, and, in a week after our departure, I felt hope once more dawn- ing in my heart. " ' ' The countrjr through wlilch we travelled was sunny and beautiful, veined with sparkling streams, shadowed by for- ests, studded with the olive and m«ilberry, and with vines bearing the luscious grape for tlie vintage. The constant change of scenckand the daily renewal of objects of inter- est and novelty, combined with the elasticity of youth, brought back some degree of my former buoyancy and gayety. My uncle was so evidently delighted with the return of my old cheerfulness, and exerted himself so much to Jieighten it in every way, that I knew he sincerely loved me, and was doing what he really thought would in the end contribute to my happiness. He judged that my affec- tion for your father was a transient, youthful dream, and would soon be forgotten ; he fancied, no doubt, I was even then beginning to wake up from it. He wished to pre- vent me from forming an early and what he considered an imprudent marriage, which I might one day regret, im- availingly. And it proved to be all right, my Adele. Your father and I were both young, and the course the Count de Ros- sillon took with us, was a good though severe test of our MIRAMICHI. 87 junny and id by for- idth vines constant of inter- of youth, '•ancy and with the f so much rely loved n the end my afFec- eam, and was even d to pre- idered an gret, un- V )ur father t de Ros- st of our affection. In the meanwhile, I was secretly sustained by the hope that your father's efforts would be crowned with success, i^nd that, after a few years, he would return and my uncle, having found, that nothing could draw me from my attachment to him, would out of liis own love for me and consideration for my happiness, at last consent to our union. We crossed the Alps and went into Italy. Here a new world was opened to me, — a world of beauty and art. It bestowed upon me many hours of exquisite enjoyment. The Count travelled with his own carriage and servants, and we lingered wherever I felt a desire to pifolong my observations. He purchased a collection of pictures, stat- ues, and other gems and curiosities of art. Among the rest, the Madonna there, my Adelo, which he presented to me, because I so much liked it. But I must not linger now. Or? our return to France, we spent a month at Paris, and : there, though too young to be introduced into society, I met [in private many distinguished and fasliionable people, who ! were friends of the Count. « We were absent from the chateau one year. It was Ipleasant to get back to the dear old place, where I had s spent such a happy childhood, the scene too of so many [precious interviews with your beloved father. We re- fturned again to our former life of quiet ease, enlivened at frequent intervals by the visits of guests from abroad and [by those of friends and acquaintances among the neigh- [ boring nobility. Though I received no tidings from your [father, a secret hope still sustained me. A few times only. If, 88 MIKA&nCHI. I*!' \ L i h ■ ' dirnng the firat three years of his absence, did I lose my cheerfulness. Those were, when some lover pressed hie suit and I knew that in repelling it, I was upsettiro- ao..>e cherished scheme of my uncle. But I will Jo him the jus- tice to say that he bore it patiently, and, only at Ion 7 intervals, gave vent to his vexation and disappointment. It was when my hope concerning your father's return began to fail, and anxiety respecting his fate began to be indulged in its stead, that my spirits gave way. At the close of the fourth year of his absence, my peace was wholly gone and my days were spent in the restless agony of suspense. My health was rapidly failing, and my imcle who knew the caute of my prostration, instead of consult- ing a physician, in the kindness of his heart, took me to Paris. But the gayeties to which I was there introduced were distasteful to me. I grew every moment more sad. Just when my uncle was in despair, I was introduced accidentally to the Countess de Morny, a lovely lady, who had lost her husband and three children, and had passed through much sorrow. Gradually, she drew me to her heart and I told her all my grief. She dealt very tenderly with me, my Adele. She did not seek to cheer me by inspiring fresh hopes of your father's return. No. She told me, I might never be Claude Dubois's happy bride, but that I might be the blessed bride of Jesus. In short, she led me gently into the consolations of our Holy Church. Under her influ- ence and guidance I came into a state of sweet resignation to the divine will, — a peaceful rest indeed, after the ter- m MIRAMICHI. 89 rible alternations of suspense and despair I had suffered. But, my Adile, it was only by constant prayers to the bless^l Marie that my soul was kept from lapsing into its former state of dreadful unrest. Ma chere Adele, you know not what you do, when you speak slightingly of our Holy Church. I should then have -died, had I not found rest in my prayers to the blessed mother. Now, you are young and gay, but the world is full of sorrow. It nuay overtake you r.** it did me. Then you will need a hope, a consolation, a refuge. There is no peace like that found at the foot of the cross, imploring the intercession of the compassionate, loving Marie. Do not wander away from the sweet eyes of the mother of Christ, mafilleJ'* Here Mrs. Dubois ceased speaking, and turned a tear- ful, affectionate gaze upon her daughter. Adele's eyes, that had been fixed upcn her mother with earnest, absorbed attention, filled with tears, instantly. *^ Ma chere mere, I would not make you unhappy. I will try not to gi»'o you pain. Please go on and teU me all." ' * ' Eh ! Men ! ma chere, my uncle was pleased to see me becoming more peaceful. Finding I was not attracted by the pleasures of the gay city,4ie proposed our return to the chateau, and begged the Countess de Momy to accom- pany us. At my urgent request, she consented. On the day of our arrival, the Countess weary with the journey, having ^iyc.Q to her own apartments, I went to stroll in the beautiful, beloved park. It was June, — that month so full of leaves, flowers, birds, and balmy summer 8* 90 MIBAMICIU. w Is. I sat at the foot of an ol'l beech-treo, leaning my head against its huge trunk, lioto;»iag to the flow of the river, indulging in dangerous reverie, — dangerous cer- tainly to my peace of mind. Suddenly, I was startled by the sound of footsteps. Before I could collect my scat- tered senses, your father stood before me. * Marie,' he said, * Marie* For one moment, I met his earnest, questioning gj^ze, and then rushed into his open arms. In short, he had come back from India, not a rich man, but with a compe- tence, and when he found I had not forgotten him, but had clung to him still, through those weary years of absence, he resolved to see the Count de Rosillon and renew the request he had made four years previous. My uncle, though much surprised at his sudden appear- ance, received him politely,'if not cordially. When your father had laid before him a simple statement of our case, lie replied frankly. * I am convinced,' he said, * by what I have observed during your absence, M. Dubois, that the arrangement you propose, is the only one, which will secure Marie's happiness. I will say, however, honestly, that it is far enough from, what I designed for her. But the manliness* and honorable feeling you have manifested in the afTair, make me more willing to resign her to you than I should otherwise have been, as I cannot but hope that, -although deprived of the advantages of wealth and station, she will yet have the faithful affection of a true and noble heart I This was enough for us both and more than we expected. MIBAMIOni. 91 ♦*But a new difficulty arose. Upon observing the troubled and uncertain state of affairs in France, your father became convinced that his chances to secure the endH he had in aIcw, would be greater in the new world. Aftc/* a brief period P deliberation, he fixed upon a plan of going to B) '^1 America, and purchasing there a large tract of h founding an estate, the value / ' which he anticip 4 .ui . increase with the growth of the country. "To this arrangement, the Count was strenuously opposed. There was a pretty embowered residence, a short distance from the chateau, on the portion of the estate I had inherited from my father. There he wished us to live. In short, he wished to retain us near him- self. But your father, with the enterprise and enthusiasm of youth, persisted in his purpose. At last, my uncle gave a reluctant consent and purchased my share of the estate of Rossillon. " Not to my surprise, but to my great gratification, soon oiler tliis, the gentle Countess de Momy consented to become the Countess de Rossillon. " Surrounded by a joyous group of friends, one bright September morning, in the chapel of St, Marie ^ they were married, and then the priest united me to your father. The sweet mother looked down from above the altar and seemed to give us a smiling blessing. We were very happy, my Adele. In a few days we set sail for New Brunswick. We amved at St. John in October and there spent the follow- ^.'i^.. ^.^' IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 4p 1.0 I.I 1.25 IU|2e |25 1^^ iriii2.2 Sia ■** Uuu 1^ 10 1.8 u mil 1.6 Photographic Sciaices Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. M580 (716) 872-4503 ^ »\<^ 92 MreAMTcm. Ing winter. In the spring, your father explored this re- gion and made a large purchase of land here. At that time it seemed a desirable investment. But you see how it is, my Adele. All has resulted strangely different from what ^e anticipated. And somehow it has always been difficult to change our home. From time to time, we have thought of it, — obstacles have arisen and — we are still here." ** But where is the Count de Eossillon, mother? It is ^ twenty years, is it not, since you lefl France? Does he yet live?" **Ah! ma chere, we know not. After our departure from France we received frequent letters from him and the ' dear Countess until five years since, when the letters ceased. They constantly urged our return to Bossillon. You remember well the thousand pretty toys and g]£tr they showered upon your childhood ? " ** Ah 1 yes, mother, I remember. And you have not heard a word from them for five years ! " "Not a word." ** Do you wish to go back to France, mother? " ■ << It is the only wish of my heart that is unsatisfied. I am full of ceaseless yearnings for the beautiful home of my youth* Would that we could return there. But it may not be. France is in a state of turmoil. I know not what fate has befallen either my uncle, or his estate. He may be dead. Or, if living, he may no longer be the prc^rie tor of beautiful Bossillon. We cannot learn how it is." ** Cannot my father go to France and ascertain what has J ( MmAHiom. 93 happened there? Perhaps, mother, he might find a home for you once more m yovir dear Picardy." ** He is thinking of it even now, mafille,** . "Is he, mother? Then be comforted. You will see that sweet home once more, I feel assured." She rose and flung her arms around Mrs. Dubois, ex- claiming, " Dear, beautiful mother I " An. hour later, Adele might have been seen, wandering about in Micah's grove, her mind and heart overflowing with new, strange thoughts and emotions. She had just received the first full revelation of the early life of her parents. Her knowledge of it before had been merely vague and confused. Now a new world was opened for her active fancy to revel in, and fresh fountains of sympa- thy to pour forth, for those whom she so fondly loved. She sighed as she recalled that yearning, wistful look upon her mother's face, in those hours when her thoughts seemed far away from the present scene, and grieved that her gen- tle spirit should so long have suffered the exile's woe. For weeks after, she continually fell into reverie. In her day dreams she wandered through the saloons and cor- ridors of the old chateau, where her mother had spent so many years, chequered with sunshine and shade. She ram- bled over the park and cooled her fevered head and hands in the water that dripped from the tresses of the marble Aphrodite. Fancy took her over the route of foreign tra^, her mother had pursued with the Count de Rossil- lon. ^he longed herself to visit those regions of clascsi and romantic interest. During the long, golden, Septem- 94 MIRAMIOHI. ber afternoons, she spent hours, in the Madoana room, questioning her mother anew respecting the scenes and events of her past life, and listening eagerly to her replies. The young examine distant objects as through a prism. Adele's imagination invested these scenes and events with rainbow splendors and revelled in the wealth and beauty, she had herself partially created. The new world thus opened to her was infinitely superior to the one in which she held her commonplace, humdrum existence. She never wearied of her mother's reminiscences of the past. Each fresh description, each recalled item of that history, added to the extent and the charms of her new world. Mrs. Dubois herself felt a degree of pleasure in thus liv- ing over again her former life with one, who entered art- lessly and enthusiastically into its joys and sorrows. She also experienced an infinite relief in pouring out to her sympathizing child the regrets and longings which had, for so long a period, been closely pent in her own breast. Mother and daughter were drawn nearer to each othe^ day by day, and those hours of sweet communion were ag the purest, the happiest of their lives. < / - .'..-.".^.v,. m- ur^:. CHAPTER XI. HJtt. BKOWN. Nearly two weeks htid elapsed since the night when Mr, Duboii had brought Mr. Brown, in a sick and fainting condition^ into his house. That gentleman had lain very ill ever since. The disease was typhoid fever ; the patient was in a eritioal state^ and nothing now but the utmost care and quiet could save his life. * * What directions have you left for to-day, Dr. Wright ?" said Ad^Ie to the physician, as he came one morning from the sick-room. ** Mrs, McNab has the programme, " he replied. ** Will you please repeat it to me, sir? Mrs. McNab has been called elsewhere, and will not have charge of the gen- tleman to-day," Mrs, Dubois looked at Ad^le with some siu*prise. She made no remark, however, as Dr. Wright immediately began .to give the directions for his patient to that young lady. When ho had taken leave and closed tlfe door, Adele ^turned to her mother and said, " I have suspected for several da-ys that things were not goin^ on properly in that sick-room; Last night, I became convinced of it. I cannot stop to tell you about it now, mamma, as there ■ J W P W'I 'l.l i "mmamm 96 tttAAXIOBI. ;^ is no time to \m§ with ma inralicl. But Mrs. McNab must decamp* I luwe it all arranged, and I promise you I will not o(feml Aunt Tatty, but will dismiss her peace- ably. Do trmt \m to ine once, mamma. Please go now and tcU \m i\m& in a message waiting for her in the dining-room, Stay with Mr. Brown just one half hour, and you shall have f*o mitre trouble to-day." ** But, ma i'/tifef ym hare no patience with Aunt Patty. I am afmld you wl)l \m too abrupt with her." ** Don't fear, tnaniina^ 1 promise you I will not outrage Aunt Patty, ¥k»m go/' <« Ah ! well I I will go/* said Mrs. Dubois. Mrs, McNab man mode her appearance in the dining- room, and I with mnm degree of trepidation, inquired who wanted her tliere# '♦Mieabwfti \m§ an hour ago,** replied Adele, "and said Mrs, Campbell mat lilm here to ask you to come and help her. Four of her children are sick with the measles and she is mavly (Umti herself, in consequence of fatigue and watching, J did not s[»cak to you then, as I supposed you were sleeping, I told Micah I had no doubt you would com&t m ilwre are enough here to take care of the sick gentleman, awl Mrn, Campbell needs you so much." **Weel, MliS A4y/' said Mrs. McNab, twitching vio- lently a stray loek of Iter flaming hau: and tucking it beneath her eapf ''Xdinna ken how you could tak'upon yourself to sendiU^li a ward as that, when Mr. Brown is just on tba ereesk of hi« fmet and not one of ye aa knows how to tak' cave ^ Mm more than a nussin' babe." MTRAMTCm. 07 ** Ah I indeed I Aunt Patty," said Adele, pretending to be offended, * ^ \ Mrs. McNab stood for a moment, much perplexed be- tween her impulse to go back to Mr. Brown's room and •unburden her mind to IVIrs. Dubois, and the desire to par- take immediately of the tempting array upon the breakfast- table. Finally, her material wants gained the ascendency and she sat down very composedly to a discussion of the refreshments, while Adele, anticipating that result, hasten- ed up stairs to collect the remaining insignia of that worthy woman's departing greatness. Mrs. Dubois, -on going to Mr. Brown's room, had found the atmosphere close and suffocating, and that gentleman, tossing restlessly on the bed from side to side, talking to himself in a wild delirium; She left the door ajar and be- gan bathing his fevered head in cool water. This seemed to soothe him greatly and he sank back almost immediately into a deathlike slumber, in which he lay when Adele en- tered the chamber. • MTRAMTOHI. 99 Cautioned by her mother's uplifted finger, she moved about noiselessly, until she had made up a large and mis- cellaneous package of articles ; then descended quietly, in- wardly resolving that the <*Nuss" as she called herself, should not for several weeks at least, revisit the scene of her late operations. Mrs. McNab was still pursuing her breakfast, and Ad^le sat down, with what patience she could command, to wait for the close. "You'll be wanting some ain to watch to-night, Miss Ady," said Aunt Patty. ** Yes, Mr. Norton will do that. He has offered many times to watch. He will be very kind and attentive to the invalid, I know." ** I s'pose he '11 do as weel as he knows hoo, but I havena much faith in a mon that sings profane sangs and ca 's ' em relegious heems, to a people that need the bread o' life broken to 'em." "Have you heard him sing. Aunt Patty? I did not know you had attended his meetings at the grove." " I havena, surely. But when the windows wei.. j.p, I heard him singin' them jigs and reels, and I ex- pectin' every minut to see the men, women, and bairns a dancin'." ** They sit perfectly still, while he is singing," said Adele, "and listen as intently as if they heard an angel. His voice is sometimes like a flute, sometimes like a trumpet. Did you hear the words he sang?" " The wards I yes I them's the -worst of a 1 " said Mre. 100 MIRAMIORIt McNab, expanding her nostrils with a snort of contempt. **The7 bear na resemblance whatever to the Psalms o' David. I should as soon think o' singing the sangs ol Bobby Bums at a relegious service as them blasphemous things." • **0h I Aunt Patty, you are wrong. lie sings beautiful hymns, and he tells these people just what they need. I hope they will listen to him and reform." ** Weel ho 's a very light way o ' carryin hiiQselff for a minister o ' the gospel, I must say." **He is cheerful, to be sure, and sympathizes with the people, and helps them in their daily labor sometimesi if that is what you refer to. I am sure that is right, and I like him for it, " said Adele. «« Weel I I see he's a' in a' with you, noo, " said Mrs. McNab, at last rising from the table. < ' 1 11 go up noo and tak* leave o* the patient." **No, no, " said Adele. **He is sleeping. He must not be disturbed on any account. His life may depend upon this slumber remaining unbroken." She rose involuntarily and placed herself against the door leading to the stairs. -Mrs. McNab grew red with anger, ot being thus foiled. Turning aside to hide her vexation, she waddled across the room, took her bonnet and shawl from a peg she had appropriated to her special use, and proceeded to invest herself for her departure. ^ **Weel 1 I s'pose ye '11 expect me to come when ye send for me," amd she, 'turning round in the doorway with MIRAMICm. 101 a grotesque distortion of her face intended for on ironical smile. *' That is just as you please, Aunt Patty. "We shall be happy to see you whenever you choose to come. Good- by." ** Good by," said IVIrs. McNab in a quacking, quaver- ing, half resentful tone, as she closed the door behind her. Adele went immediately to the adjoining pantry, called Bess, a tidy looking mulatto, gave her directions for the morning work and then went up stairs to relieve her moth- er. Mrs. Dubois made signs to her that she preferred not to resign her post. But Adele silently insisted she should do so. After her mother had left the room, she placed herself near the bedside that she might observe the countenance and the breathing of the invalid. His face was pale as that of death. His j)reath came and went almost imperceptibly. The physician had excluded every ray of sunshine and a hush, like that of the grave, reigned in the apartment. In her intercourse with the people of the settlement, Adele had often witnessed extreme illness and several dying scenes ; but she ha^ never before felt herself so oppressed and awe- struck as now. As she sat there alone with the apparently dying man, she felt that a silent, yet mighty struggle was going on between the forces of life and death. She feared death would obtain the victory. By a terrible fascination, hef eyes became fixed on the ghastly face .over which she fancied she could perceive, more and more distinctly, shad- ows cast by the hand of the destroyer. Every moment she 9» . mm^ mm 102 MIRAMIOUI. thought of rocalUag her mother, but feared that tho slightest jarriug movement of the atmosphere might stop at once that feeble respiration. So she remained, watching terror strick- en, waiting for the last, absolute silence, — the immovable repose. Suddenly, she heard a long, deep-drawn sigh. She saw the head of tho sufferer turn gently on one side, pressing the pillow. A color — the faintest in the world, stole over the features. The countenance gradually settled into a calm, natural expression. The respiration became stronger and more regular. In a few moments, he slept as softly as a little child. Ad^le's heart gave one bound, and then for a moment stood still. She uttered a sigh of relief, but sank back in her chair, wearied by excess of emotion. She felt instinc- tively, that the crisis had been safely passed, that there was hope for the invalid. Then, for a long time, her mind was occupied with thoughts respecting death and the beyond. Suddenly a shadow, flitting across the curtained win- dow, recalled her to the present scene. Ah I what a mercy, she thought, that Aunt Patty did not kill him, before I discovered her beautiful mode of nursing sick people. No wonder he has been crazed all this time, with those strange manoeuvres of hers I On the previous night, Adele had been the last of the family to retire. Stealing noiselessly past the door of 4he sick-room, which was somewhat ajar, her steps were ar- rested by hearing Aunt Patty, whose voice was pitched on lIIRAMIOm. 108 a very high key, sinking some old Scotch Bong.. Think- ing this rather a strange method of composing the nervous system of a delirious patient, she stood and listened. Up, far up, into the loftiest regions of sound, went Aunt Patty's cracked and quavering voice, and then it came down with a heavy, precipitous fall into a loud grumble and tumble below. She repeated again and again, in a most hilarious tone, the words — "Let us go, lassie, go. To tho braes of Bolquhithor, Where the blacbarries grow, *Mang tho bonnio Highland heather." In the midst of this, Adele heard a deep groan. Then she heard the invalid say in a feeble, deprecating tone — **AhI why do you mock me? Am I not miserable enough?" Mrs. McNab stopped a moment, then replied in a sharp voice, ** Mockin' ye I indeed, it 's na such thing. If ye had an atom o' moosic in ye, ye wad ken at ance, its %swect Scotch sang I'm singin' to ye. I '^ sung mony a bairn to sleep wi' it." There was no reply to this remark. All was quiet for a moment, when Adele, fancying she heard the clinking of a spoon against the side of a tumbler, leaned forward a little and looked through the aperture made by the partially opened door. The nurse was sitting by the fire, in her huge headgear, -wrapped in a shawl and carefully stirring, what seemed, by the odor exhaled, to be whiskey. Her mmm mummimim'm&m 104 MIBAMICHI. face was very red and her ejes wide open, staring at the coals. The sufferer uttered some words, which Adelo could not distinguish, in an excited voice. ** I tell ye, there isna ony hope for ye," said Mrs. Mc- Nab, who, for some reason, not apparent, seemed to be greatly irritated by whatever remarks her patient made. ** There isna ony hope for thum that hasna been elect- ed. Ye might talk an' pray a' yer life and 'twould do ye na gude. I dinna ken where you 've been a' yer life, not to ken that afore. With a' yer furbelowed claithes and jew- elled watch anid trinkets, ye dinna ken much aboot the gospel. And then tliis new preacher a' tellin' the people they can be saved ony minut they choose to gie up their heaiiis to the Lord I Its a' tegither false. I was taught in the Kirk o' Scotland, that a mon might pray and pray a' his days, and then he wadua be sure o' bein' saved. That 's the blessed doctrine I was taught. If ye are to be saved, ye will be. There noo, go to sleep. I'll read the ward o' God to ye." Alas ! for the venerable church of old Scotia, had she many such exponents of her doctrine as Mrs. McNab. Having thus relieved her mind, the nurse swallowed the contents of the tumbler, She then rose, drew a chair towards a table, on which stood a shaded lamp and took from thence a Bible ; but finding her eyesight rather dim, withdrew to a cot in one comer of the room, threw herself down and was soon sleeping, and snoring prodigiously. Adelc, who had, during the enactment of this scene, MIRAMICHI. 105 dele could been prevented from rushing in and deposing Mrs. McKab at once, only by a fear of exciting the patient to a degree of frenzy, stole in quietly, bathed Iiis head with some per- fumed water, smoothed his pillow and seated herself, near the fire, whwe she remained until morning. Mr. Brown slept only during the briefest intervals and was turning restlessly and talking incoherently all night. Soon after day dawn, Aunt Patty began to bestir her- self, but before she had observed her presence, Adele had escaped to her own room. Soon, hearing Micah's voice, she went to the kitchen. She found his message from Mrs. Campbell, just the excuse lHp needed to enable her to dispose of Mrs. McNab. She had become quite con- vinced that whatever good qualities that worthy woman might possess as a nurse, her unfortunate proclivities to- wards the whiskey bottle, imited with her rigid theological tenets, rendered it rather unsafe to trust her longer with a patient, whose case required the most delicate c^re and attention. The queer, old clock in the dining-room struck one. AdMe heard it. She was still watching. Mr. Brown still slept that quiet sleep. Just then, Mrs. Dubois entered, took her daughter's hand, led her to the door, and whispered— <* Now, take some food and go to rest. I will not leave him." Adele obeyed. f... '-' •■ iirm iWQttlMltiaiii auMwm .■■!(:,_! ::;,-. .-' ' ■;-•;-- .^-.'.ti CHAPTER Xn. !•: A CASE OP CONSCIENCE. Mr. Brown remained in a peaceful slumber during the afternoon. Mrs. Dubois aroused him occasionally, in order to moisten his parched lips, and with her husband's aid and Mr. Norton's to change his position in the bed. At such times he opened his eyes, gazed at them inquiringly, feebly, assented to their arrangements, then sank away into sleep again. The members of the family felt a peculiar interest in the stranger. Mr. Dubois had described him, as a man of intelligence, refined and elegant in his deportment and tastes. He had noticed in him, an air of melancholy, which even ludicrous events on the journey had dissi- pated, but for the moment. The wild words he had uttered on the night of his arrival, revealed some deep dis- quiet of mind. Away from home, hovering between life and death, a^^d thrown on the tender mercies of strangers, Mrs. Dubois was filled with compassion and solicitude in his behalf. \ Having confidence in Mrs. McNab's skill as a nurse, she had not suspected that her partiality for a hot dose at MIBAMICHI. 107 night, would interfere with her faithMness to her charge. Not having communicated with Adele, she did not yet know why it had been deemed important to dispose of her 80 summarily, and she secretly wondered how it had been accomplished with so little ado. When informed, she ap- proved Adele's decisive action. Mr. Norton had fully shared the interest felt by the family in the stranger, and was happy to relieve Mrs. Du- bois in the evening and to remain by his bedside -during the night. Since his first interview with Mr. Brown, on the day of his arrival, he had felt that, in accordance^ with the vows by which he had bound himself to the great Master, the unfortunate stranger had a claim on him, which he re- solved to fulfil at the earliest moment possible. He had had no opportunity as yet, of executing his purpose, Mrs. McNab having guarded the door of the sick-room like a lioness watcliing her cubs. When she had by chance per- mitted him to enter, he had found her patient wandering in mind and entirely incapable of coherent conversation. Meantime, he had prayed earnestly for hia recovery and secretly felicitated himself with the hope of leading him to a rock of refuge, - — a tower of defence, which would secure him from sin and sorrow. Mr. Brown continued to sleep so peacefully during the night, that Mr. Norton, whose hopes for his recovery had been increasing every hour, yras not surprised at the dawn of day to perceive his eyes open, examining the objects in the room, with the air of a person just awakened from a bewildering dream. 108 MIBAMIGHI. He gazed curiously at the heavy, carved bureau of datlc wood, at the grotesque httle table, covered with vials add cups, at the cabinet filled with specimens of foreign skill and art, at the Venetian carpet and at last, his eyes re- mained fixed upon a black crucifix, placed in the centre of the mantle. He uttered a deep sigh. Mr, Norton, convinced that he had fully collected his scattered thoughts and become aware of the realities of lus situation,- stepped gently forward from his station behind the bed and taking Mr. Brown's hand, said, in a cheerM tone, ** How do you find yourself, my dear sir? " After a momentary surprise, Mr. Brown replied — ** Better, I think, sir, better." ** Yes sir. You are better. I thank God for it. And also for this hospitable roof and the kind care these people have taken of you in your illness. The Lord's angel must have guided your steps to this house, and mine also,** "This house, sir! whose is it?" *< It belongs to Mr. Dubois." ? **Ahl I recollect. I came here with him and have been ill several days. And the country is — " ** Miramichi," said Mr. Norton. <* A desperate region sir. A land where the darkness may be^eZ^." Just then a ray of red, burning sunshine shot into the room. The good man modified his remark, exclaiming, ** Morally, sir, morally." , Observing a cloud of anxiety stealing over Mr. Brown's face, he went on. • "Now, my dear sir, let me tell you— ^ you have been MIRAMICHI. 109 very ill for two week*. The danger in your case is now over, but you are extremely weak, and need, for a time, the attention of the two lovely nurses, who watched over you yesterday and are ready to bestow, kind care upon you again to-day. You must lay aside, for the present, all troubles of mind and estate, and devote yourself to getting well. When you are somewhat stronger, I have excellent things to tell you." *< Excellent things 1" exclaimed Mr. Brown, excited- ly,— a flush overspreading his wan features. *< Has the traitor been found?" Then with a profound sigh of disap- pointment, he uttered feebly — ♦* Ah ! you do not know." **I do not know what your particular trouble is, my dear sir, but I know of a way to relieve you of that, or any other burden that weighs on your spirits. I will inform you when you get stronger. What you need now. Is a cup of oatmeal gruel, mingled with a tea-spoon- ful of wine, which shall immediately be presented to you by the youthful queen of this mansion." He turned to go and call Adele. But Mr. Brown motioned him to remain. ** Do you reside here, sir?" he asked, in accents indicat- ing great prostration and despondency. «♦ No, sir. I arrived here only a few hours before your I am from the State of . You are also from that region, and I shaU not leave you until I see you with your face set towards your native soil. Now, my dear sir, be quiet. Perhaps your life depends on lit." 10 t" '■'■'""■-''''— '1ii»M»r(ii^«ir»i)iMiii 110 MtttAlUCIII. ** My lifo fi not wortfi « pmaj to tmyhody.** * < Already bo folt tbo magnetic power of that good and 8ympatbi;;ing \mAftf of that honest, upright soul, which inspired by boavo»ly Wo and zeal, cast rays of life and happiness wborovof it tnoved. Moreover, bo wm too much prostrated in mmd and body, vigorously to ^rmp tlie eifcomstances of his situatjion, whatever they might he, Pain and debility had dulled lus faculties and tho ttlmfprniM if( his sorrow also. The good missionary's olioory w\m and heartfelt smile soothed^ for the time, bis woiuidod spirit. It was as if he had taken a sip of Letlio and iiod ootno into the land in which it always seemetb afternoon, , Soon Adiblo oponod tlio door and approaching the table gently, pkeed W|)0» it tiie gruel. When she turned her eyes full of sympotiiy an^l Icindness upon him and inquired for his health, iio star NmI with a remembrance that gave him both pain and ploosure. She reminded him strangely of the being bo lovod more than any other on earth — his sister. Ho amwetml \mf question confusedly. She then vfdmd lAn heoil upon the pUlow with one hand and presented tbo oup to hii lips with the other. He drank its contents, mooluinioftlly, Ad^le procoodod nok^ly to anange the tomewhat dis- MTRAMTCHI. » 111 ordered room, and after placing a screen between it and the bed, raised a window, through which the warm Septem- ber atmosphere wandered in, indolently bathing his weary brow. As he felt its sofb undulations on his face, and look- ing around the pleasant apartment observed the grace- ful motions of his youthful nurse, the scenes through which he had recently passed, appeared like those of an ugly nightmare, and floated away from his memory. The old flow of his life seemed to come back agaia and he gave himself up to pleasant dreams. Mr. Brown continued thenceforward to improve in health, though slowly. Mr. Norton slept on a cot in his room every night and spent a part of every day with him, assisting in his toilet, conversing with him of the affairs, business and political, of their native State, and reading to him occasionally from books furnished by Mr. Dubois's library. ^ ■'-:■-■ ^■■^: '--■■■:.■/'■.■ . -; ^"■-- /t;::--' He informed Mr. Brown of his mission to this wild region » of Miramichi, and the motives that induced it. That gen- tleman admired the purity and singleness of purpose which had led this man, unfavored indeed by a careful classical cul- ture, but possessing many gifts and much practical knowl- edge, thus to sacrifice himself in this abyss of ignorance and sin. He was drawn to him daily by the magnetism which a strong, yet heroic and genial soul always exercises upon those who approach it. In a few days he had, without any effort of the good man and involuntarily on his own part, confided to him the heavy weight that troubled his conscience. 112 MIRAMICm. ** Ah 1" saidlVIr. Norton, his eyes fiill of profound sor- row, and probing the wound now laid open to the quick, ** it was a terrible weakness to have yielded thus to the wiles of that artful foreigner. May Heaven forgive you I" Surprised and shocked at this reception of his confession, Mr. Brown, who had hoped for consolation or counsel from his sympathizing companion, felt cut to the heart. His countenance settled into an expression of utter de- spair. "Why have you sought so diligently to restore me to health, — to a disgraced and miserable existence? Yoti must have known, from the delirous words of my illness, of which you have told me, that life would be a worthless , thing to me. You should have permitted me the privilege of death," said he bitterly. ** The privilege of death I" said Mr. Norton. ** Don't you know, my dear sir, that a man unprepared to live, is also unprepared to die ? Every effort I have put forth during your illness has been for the purpose of saving you for a happy life here, and for a blissful immortality." "A happy life here I For me, who have deeply offended and disgraced my friends and my pure and unstained ancestry I" ^*" **Itis true, in an hour of weakness and irresolution, you have sinned against your friends. But you have sin- ned all your life against a Being infinitely higher that earthly friends. Your conduct has disturbed family pride and honor, and thereby destroyed your peace. But, do 1 I MIRAMICHI. 113 jou never think of your transgressions against God? For a world, I w.uld not have had you present yourself before His just tribunal, with your sins against Him unrepented of. Is there no other thought in your heart, than to escape the misery of the present?" Mr. Brown was silent. Mr. Norton continued. ** 3VIr. Norton spent much of the time with them, going from house to house, partaking of their rude fare, sym- pathizing in their joys and sorrows, occasionally lending them a helping hand in their toils, and aiding them some- times by his ingenuity and skill as an artisan. They found in him a hearty, genial, and unselfish friend. Hence when he appeared among them at the Grove, their personal interest in him secured a certain degree, of order and deco- rum, and caused them to list^'^ to him respectfully. MIBAMICBI. 119 Even beyond this, he held a power over them, by means of his natural and persuasive eloquence, enlivened by varied and graphic illustrations, drawn from objects within their ken, and by the wonderful intonations of his powerful and harmonious voice. He began his work by presenting to them the love of Christ and the winning promises of the gospel. • , This was his favorite mode of reaching the heart. On most of these occasions, Adele went to the Grove. It varied her monotonous life. The strange, motley crowd gathered under the magnificent trees, sitting on the ground, or standing- in groups beneath the tall arches made by the overlapping boughs ; the level rays pf the declining . sun, bringing out, in broad relief, their grotesque varieties of costume ; the gradual creeping on of the sobering twilight ; the alternating expressions of emotions visible on the countenances of the listeners, made the scene striking to her observing eye. Another burning, dusty day had culminated. It was nearly five o'clock in the afternoon. Mr. Norton was lying upon a lounge in Mr. Brown's apartment. Both gentle- men appeared to be in a meditative mood. The silence was only interrupted by the unusudl sound of an occasional sigh from the missionary. *' Why I friend Norton ; " at length exclaimed Mr. Brown, ** have you really lost your cheerfulness, at last?" ** Yes, " replied Mr. Norton, slowly. "I must confess that I am wellnigh discouraged respecting the reformation of thi» people. Here, I have been preaching to them these i^^mJKSMSSM r 120 MIBAllIOHI. weeks the gospel of love, presenting Christ to them as their friend and Saviour, holding up the truth in its most lovely and winning forms. It has apparently made no impression upon their hearts. It is true, they come in crowds to hear me, but what I say to them makes no per- manent mark. They forget it, the moment the echo of my voice dies upon their ears. The fact is, friend ^rown, I am disappointed. I did hope the Lord would have given this people unto me. But," continued he, after a mo- ment's pause, <* what right have I to be desponding? God reigns. (( » According to all accounts," replied Mr. Brown, " they must be a hard set to deal with, both mentally and mor- ally. I should judge, from what Miss Adele tells me of your instructions, that you have not put- them upon the same rigid regimen of law and truth, that you may remember you prescribed for my spiritual cure." Mr. Brown smiled. ** Perhaps," he continued, " these men arc not capable of appreciating the mild aspect of mercy. They do not pos- sess the susceptibility to which you have been appealing. They need to have the terrors of the law preached to them.* ** Ah I that is it, friend Brown, you have it. I am con- vinced it is so. I have felt it for several days past. But I do dislike, extremely, to endeavor to chain them to the truth by fear. Love is so much more noble a passion to ,, enlist for Clu-ist. Yet they nmst be drawn by some motive from their sins. Love often follows in the wake and casts v. out fear." "I remember," said Mr. Brown, "to have heard Mr. MIRABHOm. 121 N— — , the famous Maine lumber-merchant, who you know Is an infidel, say that the only way the lumbermen can be kept from stealing each other's logs, is by preach- ing to them eternal punishment." " No doubt it is true, " replied the good man, ** and if these souls cannot be sweetly constrained into the beautiful fields of peace, they must be compelled into them by the terrors of that death that hangs over the transgressor. Be- sides, I feel a strong presentiment that sQme great judg- ment is about to descend upon this people. All day, the thought has weighed upon me Hke au. incubus. I cannot shake it off. Something terrible is in store for them. What it may be, I know not. But I am impressed with the duty of preaching a judgment to come to them, this very afternoon. I will do it." A slight rattling of dishes at the door aidiounced the ar- rival ? Bess, with a tray of refreshment. for Mr. Brown, and, at the same moment, the tinkling of a bell below^ summoned Mr. Norton to the table. Half an hour later, the missionary, with a slow pace and the air of one oppressed with a great burden, walked to the Grove. He seated himself on a rustic bench and with his head resting on the trunk of an immense elm, which overshadowed him, sat absorbed i i earnest thought, while the people gathered in a crowd around him. At length, the murmuring voices were hushed into quiet. He rose, took up his pocket Testament, read a por- tion of the tenth chapter of Hebrews, offered a prayer, 11 122 MIBAMICHX. and then sang in his trumpet tones, Charles Wesley's magnificently solemn hymn, commencing, — :<<'■'. .• i **Lo! on a narrow neck of land ^Twixt two unbounded seas, I stand :, V:. Secure ! insensible ! " « He then repeated a clause in the chapter he had just read to them. "If we sin wilfully after that we have received a knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful . looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries." He began his discourse by reminding the people of the truths he had presented to thera during the weeks past. He had told thera faithfully of their sinfulness before a holy God, and pointed out the way of safety and purifica- tion through a Crucified Saviour. And he had earnestly sought to induce them, by the love thi ; Saviour bore them, to forsake their transgressions and exercise trust in Him. He now told them, in accents broken with grief, that he had every reason to fear they had not followed his counsel, and observing their hardness of heart, he felt constrained to bring them another and different message, — a message less tender, but coming from "the same divine source. He then unfolded to them the wrath of the Most High, kindled against those who scorn the voice of mercy from a dying Saviour. They listened intently. His voice, his manner, his words electrified them. His countenance was illumined IIIBAMICIII. 123 with an awlU light, isuch as they had not before witnessed there. His eyo ihot out prophetic meanings. At the close, he isiaid, in a low tone, like the murmur of distant thunder, ** what I have told you, is true, — true, as that we stand on this solid ground, — true, as that sky that bends above us. This book says it. It is, therefore, eternal truth. I have it impressed upon my mind, that a judg- ment, a swift, tremendous judgment, is about to descend upon this people on account of their sins. I cannot shake off this impression, and, under its power, I warn you to prepare your souls to meet some dreadful calamity. I know not how it will come, — in what shape, with what power. But 1 feel that death is near. It seems to me that I see many before me, who will soon be beyond the bounds of time. 1 feel constrained to say this to you. I beg you prepare to meet your God." When be eeosed, a visible shudder ran through the multitude. They rose slowly and wended their way home- ward, many with blanched faces, and even the hardiest with a vague mme of lome startling event impending. & C ' ' ., > ' >>•■. CHAPTER XIV. 1^.!" SOtllt Amy CMBMl. At four o^aUmk In tlie ftftenioon on the following day Mrs. DuboU mi in tlio Mfldonna room. Her fingers were employed upon a l>jfc of (aquwitc embroidery, over which she bent with a {umiractcd brow, as if her mind was filled with an%\owi ik/ught. Ad^le, robed i» & Vrenah »ilk of delicate blue, her rich, dark Imlr looped up 'm tnomivc braids, sat listlessly, poring over a volume of old French romance. Suddenly vUinfUt nho threw it hastily aside, exclaiming as she went towttnl^ an (i|)cn window, ** O I this intermin- able drought t It mttkm mo feci so miserable and restless. Does it not opprei* you, ma chtre mire ? " Mrs. DuboU itorkd suddenly, as Adele spoke. ** Ah I yes, It i« \ery wearisome," she replied. ** Ma mirff, I have disturbed you. Of what were you thinking when I ipoke'/" ** Thinking of i\ui chateau dc Rossillon and its inmates. It is very long Mitim we have had news of them. I am much troubled ftbont the dear friends. It would be like rain on tlw pnreM gnmnd, could I once more hear my uncle's voice. Tli§ go^xl, kmd old man ! '* < t MIRAMICHI. 125 "Never fear, ma mere. You shall hear it. I have a plan that will soon take us all to Picardy. You smile, but do I not accomplish my little schemes ? Do not ask me, please, how I shall do it. The expedition is not wholly matured." " Not wholly matured, indeed I " said Mrs Dubois, with an incredulous smile. "Nevertheless, it will take place, ma mere. But not this week. In the meantime, I am going to invite the gentlemen, who are doubtless moping in Mr. Brown's V room, as we are here, to come in and examine that curi- ously illuminated missal of yours. How agreeable Mr. Brown is, now that he is getting well ! Don't you think so ? And Mr. Norton is as good and radiant as a seraph I No doubt, they are pining with homesickness, just as you are, and will be glad of our society." Adele left the room, and soon returned, accompanied by the two individuals, of whom she had gone in search. She placed Mr. Brown, who looked quite superb in his brilliantly flowered dressing-gown, in a comer of a sofa. Having examined the missal with interest, for a time, he^ handed it to Mr. Norton and was soon engaged in an ani- mated conversation with Mrs. Dubois, respecting various works of ancient art, they hadljoth seen in Europe. Adele watched with pleasure the light kindling in her mother's eyes, as she went back, in memory and thought, to other days. Mr. Norton gazed at his friend Brown, transfigured suddenly from the despairing invalid, who had lost all inter- 11* isi •.«ft m Xu 126 MTRAMTOHI. est in life, to the animated being before hini) with traces indeed of languor and disease upon his person, but glowing now with life, thought, and emotion. " A precious jewel gathered for the crown of Him, who sits on the throne above," he whispered to himself. Fehcitating himself with this thought, he divided his attention between the conversation of Mrs. Dubois and Mr. Brown, and the marvels of skill, labor, and beauty traced by the old monk upon the pages before him. <*Imust say. Miss Adele, that these lines and colors are put on most ingeniously. But I cannot help thinking those ancient men might have been better employed in trac- ing the characters of divine truth upon the hearts of their fellow-beings." "True," said Adele, "had they been free to do it. But they were shut up from the world and could not, Bluminating missals was far better than to pass their lives in perfect idleness and inanition." "Don't you think, my dear," said the missionary, who had wisely never before questioned any laember of the k family on the points of religious faith, " that the cloister life was a strange one to live, for men who professed to have the love of God in their hearts, with a whole world lying in sin around them, for a field to labor in ? " "Yes, I do, and I think too many other things are wrong about the Roman Church, but it pains my mother to hear me speak of them," said Adele, in a low tone, glancing at her mother. "Is it so ? " exclaimed the good man. His face lighted MnUMIOHI. 127 up with a secret satisfactioii. But he fixed hia eyes upou the book and was silent. Just then, some one knocked on the parlor door. Ad^le opened it and beheld Mrs. McNab, — her broad figure adorned with the brilliant chintz dress and yellow bandanna handkerchief, filling up the entire doorway, and her face surrounded by the wide, full frill, its usual framework, expressing a curious mixture of shyness and audacity. It was her first call at the house, since Ad^le's summary process of ejection had been served upon her, and it was not until that young lady had welcomed her cordially and invited her to come in, that she ventured beyond the .threshold. She then came forward, made a low courtesy, and seating herself near the door, remarked that Bess was not below, and hearing voices in the picture parlor, wishing to hear from the patient, she had ventured up. "An' how do ye find yersel* Mr. Brown?" said she, turning to that gentleman. " But I needna ask the ques- tion, sin' yer looks tell ye're amaist weel." Mr. Brown assented to her remark upon his health, and expressed to her his obligations for her attentions to him during his illness. "Them's naethin;" she replied with a conscious air of benevolence. **'Tis the buzziuess o' my life to tak' care o' sick bodies." "How are JMrs. Campbell's children?" inquired Mrs. Dubois. • " All got weel, but Katy. She's mizerble eneugh." "Has she not recovered from the measles, Mrs. Mc- Nab?" 128 MIBAMIOHI. ** The measles are gone, but sunthln' has settled on her lights. She coughs like a woodchuok. An' I must be a goin', for I tolo Mrs. Cawmell, I wadna stay a bit, but wad come back, immediate." As she rose to go, she caught a sight of several objects on the lawn below, that rooted her to the spot. <* Why ther's Mummychog," she exclaimed, ** loading a gran' black charger, wi' a tall bravo youth a walkin' by his side. Wha can he be? " At that moment a low, clear laugh rang out upon the air, reaching the ears of the, little company assembled in the parlor. At the sound, Mr. Brown's pale face changed to a peri- fectly ashen hue, then flushed to a deep crimson. He started to his feet, and exclaimed, *' John Lansdownet brave fellow ! " , It was even so. John and Ciesar had reac 1 ;3d their destination. — ) ■" . ■ - ■ -i:J?l' » '. . , rf . . CHAPTER XV. TBAVELLIXa IN NEW BRUNSWICK. The following morning, Mr. Norton, Mr. Somers, alias Mr. Brown and John Lansdowne were sitting together, talking of the route from to Miramichi. "You must have had a tedious journey, Mr. Lans- downe," observed the missionary. " By no means, sir. Never had a more glorious time in my life. The reach through the forest was magnificent. By the way, Ned, I shot a wolf. I '11 tell you how it was, sometime. But how soon shall you feel able to start for home?" **In two or three weeks. Dr. Wright says," replied Mr. Somers. " You must not take the road again, young gentleman," remarked Mr. Norton, " until we have had^afall of rain. The country is scorched with heat beyond anything I ever knew. Fine scenery on the St. John River, Mr. Lansdowne." . . " Wonderfully fine and varied I Like the unfolding of a splendid panorama I In fact, it nearly consoled me for the sleepless nights and horribly cooked dinners." ** Ah ! well—. I Ve had some experience while pasbing 130 HIRAMIOHI. Up and down in these parts. * In some localities, the coun- try is pretty well populated," said Mr. Norton with a brood smile. ; . \ . ** I can certify to that geographical fact," said John laughing. ** One night, after retiring, I found that a large and active family of mice had taken previous shares in the straw cot furnished me. A stirring tunc, they had, I assure you. The following night, I was roused up from a ten horse-power slumber, by a little million of enterprising insects,— well, — their style of locomotion, though irregu- lar, accomplishes remarkable results. By the way, I doubt that story of a pair of fleas, harnessed into a tiny chariot and broken into a trot." " So do I," said Mr. Norton. <"Tis a libel on them. They couldn't go such a humdrum gait." ** That reminds me," said Mr. Somers, "of a very curious and original painting I saw in England. It repre- sented the ghost of a flea." *' Bidiculous I " exclaimed John. ** You are romancing, Ned." < ^' But this Mummychog," said John, breaking into a clear, musical laugh, " that I came across last night. He is a curiosity. That of course, is n't his real name. What is it?" • : 132 MTRAMTCHI. " He goes by no other name here," replied Mr. Norton. *' I met him," said John, " a few rods from here, and asked him if he could inform me where Mr. Dubois lived. * Well, s 'pose I ken,' he said. After waiting a few min- utes' for some direction, and none forthcoming, I asked, * wUl you have the goodness to show me the house, sir? ' * S 'pose you hev particiler business there,' he inquired. * Yes. I have, sir.' * Well ! I s'pose ye are goin' fur to see hur?^ " * Hur I ' I exclaimed, my mind immediately reverting to the worthy ancient, who assisted Aaron in holding up the hands of Moses on a certain occasion, mentioned in the old Testament. ' Hur ! who is Hur ? I am in pursuit of a gentleman, — a friend of mine. I know no other person here.' ' O well 1 come then; I '11 show ye.' As he was walking along by Caesar's side, I heard him say, apparently to himself, ' He 's a gone 'un, any way.' " >^ " He is a queer specimen," said Mr. Norton. "And now I think of it, Mr. Somers, Micah told me this morn- ing, that a good horse will be brought into the settlement, by a friend of his, in about a week. He thinks, if you like the animal, he can make a bargain and get it for you." ** Thank you for your trouble about it, my dear sir," replied Mr. Somers. ** Two weeks then, Ned," said John, ** before the Doc- tor will let you start. That will give me ample opportu- nity to explore the length of the Miramichi River. What are the fishing privileges in this region? " S v '. ** Fine, — remarkably good I " said the missionary. MIBAMICHI. 133 In the course of a few minutes, John, with the assistance of Mr. Norton, arranged a plan for a fishing and hunting excursion, upon which, if Micah's services could be obtain- ed, he was to start the next day. After inquiring for the most feasible way of transmit- ting a letter, he retired to relieve the anxiety of his parents by informing them of the success of his journey. As might have been expected, after a somewhat detailed account of his travels, the remainder of his epistle home was filled with the effervescence of his excitement at having found Mr. Somers, and thus triumphantly ac- complished the object of his expedition. • Beneath the flash and foam of John's youthful spirit, there were depths of hidden tenderness and truth. He was warmly attached to his uncle. The difference in age between them was not great, and even that, was consid- erably diminished by the peculiar traits of each. John pos- sessed the hardier features of character. He had developed a strong, determined will and other granite qualities, which promised to make him a tower of defence to those that might shelter themselves beneath his wing. Thepe traits, contrasting with his own, Mr. Somers appreciated and admired. They imparted to him a strengthening in- fluence. John, on the other hand, was charmed with the genial elisposition, vhe mobile and brilliant intellect of his uncle, and the ready sympathy he extended him in his pursuits. In short, they were drawn together in that peculiar, but not uncommon bond of friendship, symbol- ized by the old intimacy of the ivy and the oak. ' . ■ 12 ■" :--^ -■* ' J■;^*^ •■- >•(, " f,' :: "UM C'- }i CHAPTER XVI. THE FLOWER UNFOLDING. Thebe is nothing in human life more lovely than the transition of a young girl from childhood into womanhood. It suggests the springtime of the year, when the leaf buds are partly opened and the tender blossoms wave in the genial sunshine ; when the colors so airy and delicate are set and the ethereal odors are wafted gently to the senses ; when earth and air are filled with sweet prophe- cies of the ripened splendor of summer. It is like the mo- ments of early morn, when the newly risen sun throws abroad his light, giving token of the majestic glories of noon- day, while the earth exhales a dewy freshness and 'the air is enchanted by the songs of birds, just wakened from their nests. It recalls the overture of a grand musical drama in- troducing the joyous melodies, the wailing minors, the noble chords and sublime symphonies of the glorious harmony. The development of llie maiden is like the opening of some lovely flower-bud. As life unfolds, the tender smile and blush of chUdhood mingle with the grace of maidenly repose ; the upturned, radiant eye gathers new depths of thought and emotion; the delicate features, the wavy, pliant form, begin to reveal their wealth of grace and beauty. > . - ^^ MIBAMICHI. 135 Sometimes, the overstimulated bud is forced into intense and unnatural life and bloom. Sometimes, the develop- ment is slow and almost imperceptible. Fed gently by the light and dews of heaven, the flower, at length, circles fo'*th in perfected beauty. Here, the airy grace and playfulness of a Bosalind, or the purity ana goodness of a Desdemona is developed ; there, the intense, passionate nature of a Juliet, or the rich intellect and lofty elegance of a Portia. But, how brief is that bright period of transition ! Scarcely can the artist catch the beautiful creation and transfer it to the canvas, ere it has changed, or faded. "How small a part of time they share, That are so wondrous sweet and fair ! " Adele Dubois had just reached this period of life. Her form was ripening into a noble and statuesque symmetry ; the light in her eyes shot forth from darkening depths ; • a faint bloom was creeping into her cheek ; a soft smile was wreathing those lips, wrought by nature, into a some- what haughty curve; the frank, careless, yet imperious manner was chastening into a calmer grace ; a transform- ing glory shone around her, making her one of those visions that sometimes waylay and haunt a man's life forever. Her physical and intellectual growth were symmetrical. Her mind was quick, penetrative, and in constant exercise. Truthful and upright, her soul shone through her form and features, as a clear flame, placed within a transparent vase, 136 MIBAMIOHI. brings out the adornments of flower, leaf, and gem, with which it is enrichedc r^.^ ■'-^' In a brown stone house, in the city of P., State of , there hangs in one of the chambers a picture of Adele, representing her as she was at this period of her life. , It is full of beauty and elegance. Sun-painting was an art unknown in the days when it was executed. But the modem photographist could hardly have produced a pic- ture so exquisitely truthful as well as lovely. W ■ ■'■'i, * -"*,• *.'■» ' 1 ■ , i's/ / . u^ CHAPTER XVn. > THE DEEB HUNT. Eablt In tho morning, John Lansdowue, haying donned his bunting iuit and taken a hasty breakfast, seized his rifle ftnd joined Micah, ah-eady waiting for him on the lawn in front of the house. : v He wa8 equipped in a tunic-like shirt of dressed buck- »kin, with leggings and moccasins of the same material, each curiouuly embroidered and fringed. The suit was a present from his mother, — procured by her from Canada. His head wag surmounted by a blue military cap and his belt adorned with powder pouch and hunting-knife. Micah with a heavy blanket coat of a dingy, brown color, leg- gings of embroidered buckskin, skull cap of gray fox skin, and Indian moccasins ; wore at his belt a butcher knife in a scabbard) a tomahawk, otter-skin pouch, containing bul- lets and other necessaries for such an expedition. In the dim morning light they walked briskly to a little cove in the river, where Micah's birchen canoe lay, and found it already stored with supplies for the excursion. There were bag« of provisions, cooking utensils, a small tent, neatly folded, Micah's old Dutch rifle, Ashing tackle, and other artiolen of minor account. 12* 138 MlltAMIOni. ** Ever tmvilad mwh In n mnoo?^ inquired Micah. ** None ftt ttU/' m\t\U;4\ thtUn, " Well, then I'll j» lt*« it mighty crank little critter, I tell ye. ' T wouI4 im i4)lttl;le unconvenient to upset and git eour cargo tuvmd UiUi iha siroam." **It would intodl" 0ttid John. "I'll obey orders, Mummychog.'* John entered tlw mme with tact, apparently to Micah's satisfaction and mum they were gliding down the river, now, owing to tlw h>ttg-continucd drought, considerably shrunk within iin hmUn, ' ^^^ Just a« Wight gttve it/** parting salute to the advancing day, the voyftgew jMW«cd into a region densely wooded down to the wftterV eilg«. Oaks, elms, and maples, birches of different »oi?t§, will(>w» and cranberry, grew in wild •luxuriance ftk»»g tli^ trtftfgin, tinged with the rich hues of autumn, AthoiWfliMl «plcy odors exhaled from the frost- bitten plants ftnd A\m\)^^ filling the senses with an intoxi- cating incense, VVIwtn thw rising sun shot its level rays through the trees, tlw dear stream quivered with golden arrows. John viewed tlw §€#tkJ» th|;crugh which they glided with eager eye, Micah'ii counteofltiee eiprcsscd intense satisfaction. He sat bolt upright \\\ tlw wtcfii of the canOe, steering with his paddle, his keen ImJkt fiyc* dancing from side to side exam- ining every object ai th^ passed along. Both were silent. MIRAMICniI. 139 At length, Micah exclaimed, "Well, Captin*, this ia the pootiest way of livin' I know on, any heow. Jily 'pinion • is that human natur was meant to live reound on rivers and in the woods, or vyagin* on lakes, and sech. I never breathe jest nateral and lively, till I git eout o' between heouse walls into the free air." *' 'T is a glorious life, Micah I I agree to it." * ' Hark I " said Micah I Got yer piece ready ? Maybe you '11 hev' a chance to bring sumthin' deown. I heerd an old squaw holler jest neow." "I'm ready," said John. "But I didn't hear any sound. What was it like ? " ■ • "01 kinder a scoldin' seound. Cawcawee I caw- cawee I Don't yer hear the cntter reelin' of it off ? Ha I *tis dyin* away, though. We shall hear it agin, by and by." ** An old fequaw," said John, as the excitement the prospect of a shot had raised in his mind subsided. " Do you have such game as that^ in IVliramichi? I've heard of witches 6ying on broomsticks through the air, but did n't know before that squaws are in the habit of skylark- ing about in that way." . ••..,, "Well, ye '11 know it by observation, before long," said Micah, with a slight twitch of one eye. "Them's ducks from Canada, a goin' south'ard, as they allers do in the fall o' the year. They keep up that ere scoldin' seound, day and night. Cawcawee ! cawcawee ! kind of an aggra- vatin' holler I Bmt I like it, ruther. It allers 'minds me of a bustin' good feller that was deown here from Canada once. n 140 MIRAMICHI. ** How remind you of him? " inquired John. " Well, • he cam' deown on bissiniss, but he ran afowl o* me, and we was eout in the woods together, consid'able. He used to set eoutside the camp, bright, starlight nights, and sing songs, and sech. He had a powerful, sweet v'ice, and it allers 'peared to me as ef every kind • of a livin* thing hushed up and listened, when he sung o* nights. He could reel off most anything you can think on. There was one kind of a mournful ditty he sung, and once in a while he brung in a chorus, — cawcawee I cawcawee, — jest like what them ducks say, only, the way he made it seound, was soft and meller and doleful-like. J^ liked to hear him sing that, only he was so solemn arter it, and would set and fetch up great long sythes. And once I asked him what made him so sober and take on so, arter singin' it. He said, Micah, my good lad, when I war a young man, I had a little French wife, that could run like a hind and sing like a wild bird. Well, she died. The very last thing she sung, was, that 'ere song. When I see how he felt, I never asked him another question. He sot and sythed a spell and then got up, took a most oncommon swig of old Jamaky and turned into his blanket." Just as Micah ended this account, John caught sight of a large bird at a distance directly ahead of them, and his attention became entirely absorbed. It took flight from a partly decayed tree on the northern bank, and commenced wheeling around, above the water. The canoe was rapidly Bearing this promising game. ^'. t-^:. ■ 'i; ; , Micah said not a word, but observed, in an apparently careless mood, the movements of his young companion. MIBAMICHI. 141 I afowl Id'able. tarlight >werful, ry kind Ke sung m think ng, and '^cawee I the way like. I m arter ^ - And 3. on so, when I kt could le died. When uestion. a most lanket." sight of and his ; from a imenced 1 rapidly mrently uon. Suddenly, the bird poised himself for an instant in the air, then closed his wings a*^ ' shot downward. A wliiz- zing sound 1 then a plash, and he disappeared beneath the surface, throwing up the water into spai'kling foam- . wreaths. He was absent but a moment, and then bore upward into the air a large fish. John's shot took him on the wing, and he dropped dead, his clav/s yet grasping the fish, on the water's edge. *' Euther harnsum than otherwise 1 " exclaimed Micah. ** You 've got your dinner, Captin'." » And he put the canoe rapidly towards the river-bank, to pick up the game. They found it to be a large fish-hawk, with a good- sized salmon in its fierce embrace. It was a noble speci- men of the bird, tinted with brown, ashy wliite, and blue, with eyes of deep orange color. ** Well, that are a prize," said Micah. ** Them birds ain't common in these parts, bein' as they mostly live on sea-coasts. But this un was on his way seouth, and his journey has ended quite unexpected." Saying which, he threw both bird and fish into the canoe, and darted forward on the river again. "When shall we reach the deer feeding-ground you spoke of, Micah ? "OI not afore night," said Micah. "And then we must n't go anyst it till momin'.''' ' -. ** I suppose you have brought down some scores of deer in your hunting raid?, Micah? " " Why, yes, — takin' it by and large, I've handled over 142 MIBAMIOm. consid'able many of 'em. 'Tis a critter I hato to kill, Captin', though I s'pose it seounds soft to say eo. Ef 't wan't for thinkin' they '11 git picked off, anyway, I dunno but I should let 'em alone altogether." tf " Why do you dislike to kill them ? " " Well, to begin with, they 're a harnsum critter. They hev sech graceful ways with 'em, kinder grand ones tew, specially them bucks, with their crests reared up agin the sky, lookin' so bold and free like. And thorn bright little does, — sometimes they hev sech a skoord, tender look in their eyes, — and I 've seen the tears roll out on 'cm, when they lay wounded and disabled like, jest like a human i. critter. It allers makes me feel kind o' puggetty to see that." ' They made a noon halt, in the shadows cast by a clump of silver birches, and did ample justice to the provision supplied from the pantry of the Dubois house. ^ ^'- ' At four o'clock they proceeded onward towards the deer hunt. John listened with unwearied interest to Micah's stories of peril and hair-breadth 'scapes, by flood, field, and forest, gathering many valuable hints in the science of woodcraft from the practised hunter. Just at dark, they reached a broad part of the stream, and selected their camping-ground. The tent was soon pitched, a fire of brushwood kindled and the salmon broiled to a relish that an epicure could not have cavilled at. The table, a fiat rock, was also garnished with white French rolls, . sliced ham, brown bread, blocks of savory cheese, and tea, smoking hot. MTRAMTCaEn, 143 The sylvan scene, — the moon shedding its light around, the low music of the gently rippling waves, the spicy odor of the burning cedar, the snow-white clouds and deep blue of he sky mirrored in the stream, made it a place fit at leas.t for rural divinities. Pan might have looked in, — ah I he is dead, — his ghost then might have looked in upon them from behind some old gnarled tree, with a frown of envy at this intrusion upon his ancient domain. On the following morning, at the first faint glimmering of light, Micah was alert. He shook our young hero's shoulder and woke him from a pleasant dream. ** Neow *s the time, Captin'," said Micah, speaking in a cautious undertone, *^ neow's the time, ef we do it at all, to nab them deer. While your gittin' rigged and takin' a cold bite, I'll tell ye the lay o' things. Ye see, don't ye, that pint o' land ahead on us, a juttin' out into the stream? Well, we've got to put the canoe on the water right away, hustle in the things, and percede just as whist and keerful as we ken, to that pint. Jest beyend that, I expect the animils, when day 's fairly up, will come to drink. And ♦here 's where we' 11 get a shot at 'em." " But what makes you expect they '11 come to drink at that particular place, Micah?" : - ♦♦ You see that pooty steep hill, that diopes up jest back o' the pint o' land, don't ye? Well, behind that hill which is jsteeper 'n it looks to be, there 's a largish, level piece of greound that 's been burnt over within a few years, and it 's grown up to tall grass and got a number o' clumps of young trees on it, and it 's 'bout surreounded by a lot o' 144 MIRAMIOHI. master rocky hills. That *b the feedin' greound. There *a a deep gorge cut right inter that hill, back 'o the pint. The gorge has a pooty smooth rocky bed. In the spring o' the year, there 's a brook runs through there and pours inter the river jest below. But it 's all dry neow, and the deer, as a gen'al thing scramble eout of their feedin' place into this gorge and foller it deown to the river to git their drink. It brings *em eout jest below the pint. We have got neow to cross over to the pint, huggin' the bank, so the critters sha n't see us, and take a shot from there. Git yer piece ready, Captin.' Ef there's tew, or more, I'll hev the fust shot and you the second. Don't speak, arter^ we git on to the pint, the leasteat word." ** I understand," said John, as he examined his rifle, to see that all was right. ,, , x..* '' *' Now for it," said Micah, as having finished their ar- rangements, they entered the canoe. ^ Silently, they paddled along, sheltered from observation by the little wooded promontory and following as nearly as possible the crankling river as it indented into the land. In a few minutes, they landed and proceeded noiselessly to get a view of the bank below. After a moment's reconnoitre, John turned his face towards Micah with a look of blank disappointment. But Micah looked cool and expectant. He merely pointed up the rocky gorge and said under his breath . " 'T aint time to expect 'em yet. The wind, what there is on it, is favorable tew, — it blows right in our faces and can't kerry any smell of us to *em. Neow hide yourself MIBAMICHI. U5 lere *» pint. ipring pours id the place their have k, 80 Git , I'U arter 9e, to ir ar- ■, •,:.>■>. iration rly as land. 3I7 to face lerely there 3 and irself \ i i V right ttwny. Keep near me, Captin', so that we ken make motions to each other." In a few moments they had secured their ambuscade, each lying on the ground at full length, concealed by low, scrubby trees. By a slight turn of the head, each could command a view up the gorge for a considerable distance. Just as the sun began to show his broad, red disc in the east, new light shot forth from the eyes of the hunters, as they perceived a small herd coming down the rocky pathway. The creatures bounded along with a wild and graceful free- dom, until they reached the debouche of the% pass into the valley. There they paused, — scanned the scene with eager eyes and snuffed the morning breeze. The wind brought no tale of their enemies, close at hand, and they bounded on fearlessly to the river's brink. It was apparently a family party, a noble buck leading the group, followed by a doe and two young hinds. They soon had their noses in the stream. The buck took large draughts and then noising his haughty front, tossed his antlers, as if in defiance, in the face of the god of day. Micah's eye waa at his rifle. A crack and a whizz in the air. The noble creature gave one mighty bound and fell dead. The ball bad entered his broad forehead and penetrated to the brain. iPr At the report of the rifle, the doe, who was still drink- ing, gave a bound in the air, scatteritig the spray from her dripping mouth, wheeled with the rapidity of lightning, and sprang towards the gorge. But John's instantaneous shot sped through the air and the animal fell dead ' from her 13 146 MIBAMICai. second bound, the ball haying entered the heart. In the midst of their triumph, John and Micah watched, with re- lenting eyes the two hinds, while they took, as on the wings of the wind, their forlorn flight up the fatal pathway. Having slung their booty on the boughs of a wide- branching tree, and taken some refreshment from the sup- plies in the canoe, Micah declared himself good for a scram- ble up the hill to the feeding-ground, a proposition John readily accepted. ♦ - ' - • Over rock, bush and brier, up hill and down, for five hours, they pursued their way with unmitigated zeal and energy. They scaled the hill, cut by the gorge, — ap- proaching, cautiously, its brow, overlooking' the deer haunt. But they could perceive no trace of the herd. ** It*s abeout as I expected," said Micah, " them two little hinds we skeered, gin the alarm to the rest on 'em and they 've all skulked off to some covit or ruther. S'pose Captin', we jest make a surkit reound through the rest of these hills, maybe we '11 light on *em agin." ** Agreed," responded John. ' They skirted the enclosure, but without a chance for another shot. As, about noon, they were rapidly de- scending the gorge, on their way back to the promontory, the scene of their looming success, Micah proposed that they should have ** a nice brile out of that fat buck at the pint, and then put fo» the settlement." "Not yet," said John. "Why, we are just getting into this glorious life. What 's your hurry, Mummychog ? '* "Well, yq see," said MiqaJi, "I can't be gone from MIRAMIGHI. U4 deer hvLxn, no longer neow, anyheow. Next week, 111 tiy it with ye agin, if ye say so." John acceded reluctantly to the arrangement, though hi«i disappointment was somewhat mitigated by the prospect of another similar excursion. The meal prepared by Micah, for their closing repast, considering the circumstances, might have been pro- nounced as achieved in the highest style' of art. Under a bright^ sky, shadowed by soft, quivering birch-trees, scat- tering broken lights all over theur rustic table, never surely was a dinner eaten with greater gusto. Life in the forest I ended all too soon. But thy mem- ories live. Memories redolent of youth, health, strength, freedom, and beauty, come through the long years, laden with dews, sunshine, and fragrance, and scatter over the time-worn spirit refreshment and delight. As our voyagers were paddling up stream in the after- noon, in answer to questions put by John to Micah, re- specting the Dubois family, he remarked. — • " Them Doobyce's came to the kentry, jest ten year before I did. Well, I Ve heerd say, the Square came fust. He didn't set himself up for anything great at all, but explored reound the region a spell, and was kinder pleasant to most anybody he came across. Somehow, or 'nuther, he had a kind of a kingly turn with him, that seemed jest a§ nateral as did to breathe, and ye could see that he warn't no ways used to sech a wildcat sort of a place as Miramichi was then." ** I wonder that he remained here," said John. 148 BURAMICHI. " Well, the pesky critters reound here rather took 'o him, and he bought a great lot o' land and got workmen and built a house, and fetched his wife .and baby here. So they 've lived here ever since. But they 're no ,more like the rest o' the people in these parts, than I 'm like you, and it has allers been a mystery to me why they should stay. But I s'pose they know their own bissiniss best. They *re allers givin' to the poor, and they try to make the settlers, more decent every way, but 'taint been o' much use. After a long, meditative pause, Micah said, " Neow Captin', I want yeou to answer me one question, honestly. I aint a goin' to ask any thing* sarcy. Did ye ever in yer life see a hamsumer, witchiner critter than Miss Adele is ? " Micah fixed his keen eye triumphantly upon our hero, as if he was aware beforehand that but one response could be made. John surprised by the suddenness of the ques- tion, and somewhat confused, for the moment, by a vague consciousness that his companion had found the key to his thoughts, hesitated a little, but soon recovered sufficiently to parry the stroke. J* You don't mean to say, Micah, that there 's any person for beauty and bewitchingness to be compared with Mrs. McNab?" * * Whew-e w," uttered Micah , while every line and feature in his countenance expressed ineffable scorn. He gave several extra strokes of the paddle with great energy. Suddenly, his grim features broke into a genial smile. "Well, Captin'," he said," ef yeou choose to y\ * play MIRAMICHl. 149 'possum that way, ye ken. But ye need n't expect me to believe in them tricks, cos I 'm an old 'un." John laughed and replied, *< Mummychog, Miss Adele Dubois^ a perfect beauty. I can't deny it." ** And a parfeck angel tew," said Micah. ** I don't doubt it," said John, energetically. " When shall we reach the settlement, Micah ? " ** Abeout three hours arter moonrise." And just at that time our voyagers touched the spot they had started from the day before, and unloaded their cargo. They were received at the Dubois house with the compliments due to succdfesful hunters. '^- V CHAPTER XVm. THE PEESECUTION. On the following afternoon, Mr. N. rton preached to a larger and far more attentive audience than usual. The solemn warnings ho had uttered and the fearful presenti- ments of coming evil he had expressed on the last occasten of assembling at the Grove, had been communicated from mouth to mouth. Curiosity, and perhaps spme more elevated motive, had drawn a numerous crowd of people together to hear him. He spokg to them plainly of their sinful conduct, partic- ularizing the vices of intemperance, profanity, gambling, ard Sabbath-breaking, to which many of them were ad- dicted. He earnestly besought them to turn from these evil ways and accept pardon for their past transgressions and mercy through Christ. He showed them the conse- quences of their refusal to listen to the teachings and counsels of the book of God, and, at last, depicted to them, with great vividness, the awful glories and terrors of the day of final account. \ *' When tlie Judge shaU come in splendor, Strict to mark and just to render." J I MinAMICHI. 151 i j « ih Af bis* mind dilated with the awful grandeur of the theme, hii thoughts kindled to a white heat, and he flung off words that seemed to dcorch and burn even the callous souls of those time-hardened transgressors. . He poured upon their earSy in tones of trumpet power and fuliiess, echoed from the hills around, the stern threatenings of ii\jured justice ; he besought them, in low, sweet, thrilling accents, to yield themselves heart and life to the Great Judge, who will preside in the day of impartial accounts, and thus avert his wrath and be happy forever. • At the close, he threw himself for a few moments upon the rustle bench appropriated to him, covered his face with his hands and seemed In silent prayer. The people involuntarily bent their heads In sympathy and remained motionless. Then, he rose and gave them th^ evening benediction. Mr. 8on|ers, liis nephew, and Adele had been sitting* under the shade of an odorous balm poplar, on the skirt of the crowd, at first watching Its movements, and then drawn away from these observations, by the impressive discourse , of Mr. Norton. '' ** What a clear, melodious voice he has ! " said John In an undertone to Ad^le, as the missionary finished the opening service. ' ^# **Wait, until you iiear Its trumpet tones, Mr. Lans- downe. Those will come, by and by. They are mcgnifi- cent. ' Please listen." And Ad^le placed a finger upon her lips, in token of silence. John listened, at first, in obedience to her request, but he soon became enchamed by the speaker. 152 umAMtmh After the dlieourM Wif eoneivMi, the trio remained Bitting OS if flpeUbound^ ^(uiUi unobiorvant of the crowd, slowly dispersing Around iliom« *< What would tbAtmfln hate been, Ned," at length ex- claimed John, << had h@ "ecdred the culture which such munificent gifts doi J t Vfhy, he would have been Ihe orator of our nation''' ' " Ay, John," replied Mr, Homers, "but it is the solemn truth of his theme that gives him half his power." « It is ai if I lied beard the pies ira chanted," said Adfele. As they walked on towards the bouse in silence, they encountered a company of persons, of which Mr. Dubois and the missionary were tlte eentre. These two were con- Tcrsing quite composedly^ but the surrounding groups seemed to be under §mm eiteltement* At the dispersion of tb# gathering at tHb Grove, as Mr. Norton was on bis way to the quiet of his own room, Mr. Dubois had presented to him the bearer of a dispatch from Fredericton. The ineiiOiiger said he had been instructed to announce that the Provincial Court was in session in that £ity, and that a eomplalflt hod been lodged with the grand jury against Mr* Kortoiii fttid he was requested to meet the charge immediately* 4i f Mr. Norton wAi iurprieedi but i|^ veiy calmly — « Can you inform fMf ilr^ what the charge is 1 " « It is a charge for hftvliig preached m the Province of Brunswick, without a lleetise/' « Can you tell me by whom the charge waa brought?" h Y) MIBAMICm. 153 i^ ** By the reverend Francis DInsmoor, a clergyman of the Established Church, of the parish of . ** Yes, sir. I understand. He is your neighbor on the other side of the river, Mr. Dubois. Well, sir," con- tinued Mr. Norton, " I suppose you have just arrived and stand in need of refreshment. I will confer with you, by and by." The messenger retraced his steps towards the house. In the mean time, a few rough-looking men had over- heard the conversation, taken in its import, and now came about Mr. Dubois and Mr. Norton, making inquiries. Tom Hunkins, more noted for profanity, hard drinking, and gambling, than any man in the settlement, and whom Mr. Norton at the risk of making him a violent enemy, had on one ocviasion severely reprehended for the pernicious influence he f jrted in the community, — here interposed a word of counsel. He was just speaking, when Adele, Mr. Somers, and John, joined the group. ** Nq^w ef I may be so bold," said Tom, ** I would n't go anyst the cussed court. It's nothin' at all, but the meanness and envy o* that rowdy priest over the river there. He 's jest mad, cos the people come over here to git fodder instid o* goin' to his empty comcrib. They like to hear yer talk better than they do him, and that 's the hull on it. I 'd let the condemed critter and court whizz, both on ' em. I would 't go ajnist 'em." <« But Mr. Hunkins," said Mr. Norton, " I must attend to this matter. I am exposed to a fine of fifty pounds and six months' imprisonment, for breaking a law enacted by he Assembly of His Majesty's Province." 154 MTRABOCRI. « 111 tell ye what ye can do, parson. I'll take and put ye right through to Chartham this very night, and ye ken take a schooner that I know is going to sail to-morrow for Eaatport. That 'ill land ye safe in the State of Maine, where ye ken stay tilf the Court is over, and the fox has gone back to his hole, and then we '11 give ye a lifk; back agin and ye ken go on with yer preachin'.'* ** I thank you for your kind feeling towards me, Mr. Hunkins, but I must go to Fredericton. The case is just this. I knew, before I came to Mlramlchl, that the gov- ernment was not particularly favorable to dissenting min- isters, and also that the Assembly had passed this law. But I had heard of the condition of this people and felt constrained to come here, by my desire to serve Christ, my Master and my King. By so doing, I took all the risks in the case. Now, if I, for conscience's sake, have violated an unjust law, I am willing to pay the penalty. I have not wittingly done harm to any of His Majesty's subjects, or endeavored to draw them away from their loyaby* I will therefore go with tb'^ messenger to Fredericton and meet this charge. I am not afraid of what evil-minded men can do unto me." " That is right, Mr. Norton," exclaimed Adele, who, had been lidtcning attentively to his words. " Will you not go with him, father?" After a moment's meditation, Mr. Dubois replied, " IT it ie Hr. Norton's wish. I have a friend who is a member of the Assembly. A favorable statement of the case from him, would doubtless have much weight with the jury." '\^ MmAMiom. 10|5 '■< ** Thank you, sir, thank you. Such an arrangement would doubtless be of great service to me. I should be exceedingly grateful for it." Micah, who had been hitherto a quiet listener to the colloquy, now gave a short, violent cough, and said, ** Captin', it's kinder queer I should happen to hev an arrand reound to Fredericton to-morrow. But IVo jest thought that as long as I'm a goin' to be in the place, I might as well step in afore the jury and say what I know abeout the case." <* Thank you, Micah. I believe you have been present whenever I have discoursed to our friends, and know pre- cisely what I have said to them." " Well, I guess I dew, pooty nigh.** The aifalr being thus arranged, the party separated. Mr. Norton informed the messenger of his intention, early in the morning, to depart with him for Fredericton. He then retired to his room, spent an hour in reflecting upon the course he had adopted, examined faithfully the motives that influenced him, and finally came to the conclusion that he was in the right path. He firmly believed God had sent him to MIramichi to preach the gospel, and resolved that he would not be driven from thence by any power of men or evil spirits. He then committed himself to the care of the Almighty Bein^, and slept securely under the wing c^ his love. In the mean time, there was a high breeze of excitement blowing through the settlement, the people taking up the matter aoid maktog commoa oauae with Mr. Korton. He 1 , 156 MIRAMICni. Bcemed to have fairly won their good will, although ho had not yet induced them, except in a few instances^ to reform their habits of life. They ventilated their indignation against the unfortunate clergyman of the parish of , in no measured terms. There was, however, one exception to thu kind feeling manifested by the settlers, towards the missionary at this time, in the person of Mrs. McNab. She informed Mrs* Campbell, as they were discussing the matter before retiring for the night, that it was just what she had expected. ** Na gude comes o' sech hurry-flurry kind o' doctrenes as that man preaches. I dinna believe pu^sons can be carried into the kingdom o' heaven on a wharlwind, as he'd have us to think." "Well," said Mrs. Campbell, who had been much impressed with Mr. Norton's teachings, ** I don't think there's much likelihood of many folks round here, bein kerried that way, or any other, into the kingdom. And I shall almiys bless that man for his kindness to the children when they were so sick, and for the consoling way in which he talked to me at that time." *< His doctrenes are every way delytarious, am' you'll find that 's the end on 't," said Mrs. MoNab. To this dogmatic remark Mrs. Campbell made no reply. Sitting in the Madonna room, that evening, John re- marked to Mr. Somers, ** I have a growing admiration for your missionary. Did you notice what he said, in reply to the man who counselled him to fly into Maine and so evade MTBAMTCHl. 157 the charge brought against him ? Small things sometimes suggest great ones. I was reminded of what Luther said, when cited before the diet of Worms, and when his friends advised him not to go. * I am lawfully called to appear n that city, and thither I will go, in the name of the Lord, though as many devils as tiles upon the houses were assembled against me.'" ** Ay, John. There are materials in the character of that man for the making of another Luther. Truth, courage, power, — he has them all." ir CHAPTER XIX. THE LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR. The next morning at an early hour, Mr. Dubois and Mr. Norton, accompanied by the bearer of the despatch, started for Frcdericton. They were joined by Micab, whose alleged urgent business in that city proved to be nothing more nor less than to lend his aid towards getting the missionary out of what he called ** a bad fix I " • Proceeding up the Miramichi River a short distance, they came to the portage, where travelling through the wilder- ness twenty miles to the Nashwauk, they passed down that stream to its junction with the St. John's River, op- posite Fredericton. After throwing off the dust of travel and resting some- what from their fatigue, the two gentlemen first named, went to call on Col. Allen, the friend of whom Mr. Dubois had spoken, who was a resident of the Capital. He was a man of wealth and consideration in the province. Having listened attentively to the statement made by Mr. Dubois respecting the arrest of Mr. Norton, he promised to do all in his power to secure for him a fair trial. MIRAMICni. 150 w Although a high churchman in principle and feeling, he was yet candid and upright in his judgments, and happened, moreover, to bo well acquainted with tho character of tho clergyman of the parish of , who hijd brought the charge against Mr. Norton. He mado a few inquiries respecting the evidence tho missionary could produce of good character in his native State. *' It will be well," he remarked, to call on ^is Excel- lency, the Governor, and put him in possession of these facts. It is possible the case may take some plmpe in which his action may be called for. It will do no harm for him to have a knowledge of the circumstances from yourselves, gentlemen. Will you accompany me to .a*'^ Government House ? " ' The Government House, a large building of stone, is situated near the northern entrance to the city. With its extensive wings, beautiful grounds and military appoint- ments, it presents an imposing appearance. In the rear of the mansion, a fine park slopes down to the bank of the river, of which it commands frequent and enchanting views. The three gentlemen alighted at the entrance to the grounds, opening from the broad street, ar/* sifter passing the sentry were conducted by a page to the Governor's oj£ce. His Excellency shortly appeared and gave them a courteous welcome. In brief terms Col. Allen presented to him the case. The Governor remarked in reply, that the law prohib- iting persons :^rom publicly preaching, or teaching, without a license, had been passed many years ago, in consequence •^ 160 MIBAMICm. of disturbances made by a set of fanatics, who promol- *gated among the lower classes certain extravagant dogmas by which they were led on even to commit murder, think- ing they were doing God service. The purpose of the law, he said, having been thus generally understood, few, if any clergymen, belonging either to the Established Church or to Dissenting congregations, had applied for a license, and i this was the jSrst complaint to his knowledge, that had been entered, alleging a violation of the law. He said, also,- that from the statement Col. Allen had made, he appre- hended no danger to Mr. Norton, as he thought the charge brought against him could not be maintained. ** I advise you, sir," said he, turning to the missionary, ** to go to the Secretary's office and take the oath of alle- giance to the government. Mr. Dubois states you are exerting a good influence at Miramichi. I will see that you receive no further annoyance." . ** I thank your Honor," Mr. Norton replied, ** for your kind assurances, and I declare to you, sir, that I have the most friendly feelings towards His Majesty's subjects and government, as I have given some proof in coming to labor at Miramichi. But, sk) I cannot conscientiously take an oath of allegiance to your government, when my love and duty are pledged to, another. X ^an^estly hope that the present s^micablf i^elatlons, inay ev^r comtpue to exist between the two powers, but, sir, should any conflict ajnse^ between th^m, the impropriety of my paving taken such sm oath woul4 becpme too, evident." * ♦ You^ ar^ rig^tr Tw 9$% xi^^ ipy gQo4 sir," repli^; •■•'■, i MIRAMIGHI. 161 :\V' the Governoi^. ** I promise you that as long as you con- tinue your work in the rational mode you have already pursued, making no effort to excite treasonable feelings towards His Majesty^s government, you shall not be inter- fered with." His Excellency then made numerous inquiries of Mr. Dubois and Mr. Norton, respecting the condition of society, business, means of education and religious worship in the Miramichi country. He already knew Mr. Dubois by reputation, and was gratified to have this opportunity of meeting him. He inquired of the missionary how he happened to light upon New Brunswick as the scene of his religious labors, and listened to Mr. Norton's account of his << call '* to MIramachi with unaffected interest. The next day the case was brought before the Jury. The charge having been read, Mr. Dubois appeared in behalf of the missionary, testifying to his good character and to the nature of his spiritual teachings. He also pre- sented to the Jury three commissions from the Governor of the State of- » which Mr. Norton had in his pos- session, one of them being a commission as Chaplain of tile Begiment to which he belonged. Inquuy being made whether Mr« Norton's preaching was calculated to disaffect subjects towdrds the government, no evidence was found to that effect* On the contrary, witnesses were brought to prove the revetee, Mr. Mummychog, aware before he left; Miramichi^ that a nwnber of his compeelr^ in that region, who had been in the habit of ooming to the Grote to hear Mr* Norton 14» w 162 MIBAMICIU. I «' discourse, were just now ut Frederlcton, on lumbering business, had been beating up these as recrtiits for the oc- ^casion, and now brought forward quite an overpowering weight of evidence in favor of the defendant. These men testified that he had preached to them the importance 6t fulfilling their duties as citizens, telling them, that unless they were good subjects to the civil government, they oould not be good subjects in Chrjist's kingdom. They testified, also, that they had frequently heard him pray in public, for the health, happiness, and prosperity of His Majesty, and for blessings on the Lord Lieutenant-Gov- ernor. After a few minutes of conversation, the Jury dismissed the charge. The party retired, much gratified at the favorable con- clusion of what might, under other circumstances, have proved to the missionary an annoying affair. Mr. Norton warmly expressed his gratitude to Mr. Dubois, as having been the main instrument, in securing this result. He also cordially thanked Micah and his friends, for their prompt efforts in his behalf. *« Twant much of a chore, any heow," said Micah. *• I never could stan' by and see any critter put upon by another he*d done no harm to, ^d I never will.'' As they returned to the hotel, Mr. Dubois remarked that this journey to the Capital, after all, might not bo without. good results. ** You made," he said to Mr. Norton, ** an extremely fa- vorable impression on the minds of several gentlemen, who MIBAMICUI. 163 wield power in the province, and should you be subjected to future persecutions,' you will probably be able to secure their protection." j^g . . ** Possibly — possibly. I am grateful, if I have in any way secured the good will of those gentlemen. I was par- ticularly impressed by their dignity, affability, and readiness to oblige yourself. But, my dear sir, it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes." HI . CHAPTEE XX.. iiB. LANSDOWNE SUBMITS TO THE INEVITABLE. ' Ix the meanwhile, a change had come upon John Lans- downe. Only a few weeks ago, he was a careless youth, of keen and vigorous intellectual powers, satiated with books and tired of college walls, with the boy spirit in the ascendant within him. His eye was wide open and observant, and hi&> ringing laugh was so merry, that it brought an involuntary smile upon any one who might chance to hear its rich peals. His talk was rapid, gay, and brilliant, with but the slightest dash of sentiment, and his manner frank and fearless. But now his bearing had become quiet and dignified ; his conversation was more thoughtful and deep-flowing, less dashing and free ; he spoke in a lower key ; his laugh was less loud, but far sweeter and more thrilling ; his* eyes had grown larger, darker, deeper, and sometimes they were shadowed with a soft and tender mist, not wont to over- spread them before. The angel of Love had touched him, ai^l pened a new and living spring in his heart. Boiling and bubbling in its hidden recess, an ethereal vapor mounted up and mantled those blazing orbs in a dim and dreamy veil. A charmed wand had touched every sense, every *i ] ! m^tam.^ Mm/VMTcm. 165 I power of hit being, and held him fast in a rapturous thrall, from which he did not wish to be released. Under the ppell of this enchantment, the careless boy had 'passed into^ the reflective man. Stories are told of knights errant, in the times of Merlin and the good King Arthur, who, while ranging the world in queit of adventures, were bewitched by lovely wood fttiricis or wore lulled into delicious slumber by some syren's song, Of wore shut up in pleasant durance in enchanted cagtlei. Accounts of similar character are found, even in tbo pages of grave chroniclers of modem date, to say nothing of what books of fiction tell, and what we observe with our own eyes, in the actual world. The truth is, XiOve smites his victims, just when and where he finds them. Mr. Lansdowne's case then, is not an unprecedented one. Tlio keen Damascus blade, used to pierce our hero and bring him to the pitiful condition of the conquered, had been placed in the hand of Adele. Whether Love in- tended to employ that young lady in healing the cruel wound she hod made, remains to be seen. At the I eglnning of their acquaintance, they had found a common ground of interest in the love of music They both sang well. Adele played the piano and John discoursed on the flute. From these, employments, they parsed to books. They rummaged Mr. Dubois's library and read together, selected pas^ag'^s from favorite authors. OcoasionaUy, John gave her little episodes of ais past life, bis childish, his school, and college days. In return, ^dele told him of her term at Halifax in the convent ; of the ■.■i^i^'^«,«Tij;^ffv;igi av * 166 tllKAMlC^tl. routine of life an4 itudy there ; of her friendships, and very privately, of tll4: er«iitionK the mummeries and idyl* atry of the Cfttholle churc^i, When Mr, SaniefH h«t ♦ botit by day and night, tbey often sat and tftlke4 b^ r ' /fdiglit, on a balcony, built ever the laigo, porch-lik»? miirmm to the main door of the house. Thus tiohn auii AMh daily grew into a more familiar acquaintance, During the nun^nm of Mf. Dubois at Fredericton, Mr. SuL!{>rs annomu^eil to #Toiin that he felt himself strong enough to undertake tb§ ride through the wilderness, and proposec! that, ah nmn M their host returned, they should start on their journey Umm, With increasing strength, Mr. Somers had become Impatient to return to tlui duties he had so summarily forsaken. He wished to teit, in M^Wp life, his power to maintain the new principloi \m hfl4 iMpoused and to ascertain if the nobler aad holier hopei that now animated him, would give him peace, strength, and buoyancy, amid the temptations and trials of the faiur§» John, for neveral diiyi, hud been living in a delicious 4. I » MTRAMTOin, 167 reverie, and was quite startled by the proposition. Though aware how anxiously his parents were awaiting his return, and that there was no reasonable excuse for farther delay, he inwardly repudiated the thought of departure. He even indicated a wish to delay the journey beyond the time Mr. Somers had designated. A piercing look of inquiry from that gentleman recalled him to his senses, and after a moment of hesitation, he assented to the arrangement. But the beautiful dream was broken. He was thrown at once into a tumult of emotion > Unwilling to expose his agitation to the observation of others, he went directly to his room and locked himself in. After sitting half an hour with his face buried in his hands, the chaos of his soul formed itself into definite shape. His first clear thought was this, — ' ' Without Adele, my life wilji be a blank. She is absolutely necessary to my exist- ence. I must win her." A very decided conclusion cer- tainly, for a young gentleman to reach, who when he ar- rived at this house, but a few weeks before, seemed to be enjoying a liberal share of hope and happiness. The ques- tion arose. Does she care for me ? Does she regard me with any special interest beyond the kindness and courtesy she accords to all her father's guests ? On this point, he could not satisfy himself. He was torn by a conflict of doubt, hope, and fear. He thought her not averse to him. She conversed, sang, and rode with him as if it were agree- able to her. . Indeed she seemed to enjoy his society. But she was equally pleased to converse and ride with Mr. Somers and good Mr. Norton. He wa? unable to deter- fi'mm ■*iir 166 MIBAMICni. mine the Sentiments she really cherished arid remained tossed to and fro in painful suspense and agitation. A couple of hours passed and found him in the same state. Mr. Somcrs came and tapped upon his door. Un- willing to awaken a suspicion of any unusual discomposure, John opened it and let him in. ** Hope I don't intrude," said Mr. Somers, " but I want you to look at the horse Mumraychog has brought for me.'» ** Ah t yes," said John, and seizing his hat, he accom- panied his friend to the stables* Their observations over, they returned to the house. ** You have had a fit of solitude, quite unusual, my boy," said Mr. Somers, planting his hand on John's shoulder. "Yes, quite. For a novelty, I have been collecting my thoughts." John meant to speak in a gay, indifferent tone, and thoua:ht he had dohe so, but this was a mistake^ . . . * Besides he had in fact a decidedly conscious look. *'If you have any momentous affair on hand, I advise you to wait, until you reach home before you decide upon it, my boy," said Mr. Somers, with a light laugh, but a strong emphasis upon the word, home. And he passed up-stairs, leaving John, standing bewil- dered in the hall-door. ♦*Ah! Ned has discovered it all," said he to himself. But he was too much occupied with other thoughts to be annoyed by it now. -i v >4 \ Mr, Somers's last remark had turned the course of his meditations somewhat. He began to question what opinion his parents might have in regard to the sentiments he cn- 'f i r MIBAMICHl. 169 tertainod towards Adele, and the plan ho had formed of endeavoring to secure her love. He knew, they conaidercd him as yet hardly out of boyhood. He had indeed, until within a few weeks, looked upon himself Ii ^hat light. Not yet freed from college halls, — would they not think him foolish and precipitate ? Would they approve his choice ? But these queries and others of like character he disposed of summarily and decisively. He felt that, no matter how recently he had passed the limits of boyhood and become a man, it was no boy's passion that now swayed his whole being, it seemed to him that, should he make the effort, he could not expel it from his soul. But he did not wish to make the effort. Adele was worthy the love of any man . It had been his fortune to find a jewel, when he least ex- pected it. Why should he not avail himsolf of the golden opportunity and secure the treasure? ^(i^ould his parents approve his choice? Certainly, Adele wars ** beautiful as the Houries and wise as Zobelde." Conside/ ations of policy and expediency, which sometimes appear oa the mpntal horizon of older people, wore quite unknown to our young hero. So he returned to the only aspect of the case that gave him real disquiet. He had fears respecting Adele's senti- ments towards himself, and doubts of his ability to inspire in her a love equal to his own. But he must be left for the present to adjust himself to his new situation as best he.cen. , .:,.? -■. tm*» Kif. :-,■ CHAPTER XXI. TROUBLED IIEABTS* ^ On the afternoon of the day following, Ad^lo was sit* ing alone in the parlor. She held a book in her hand, but evidently it did not much interest her, aa her eyes wan- dered continually from its pages and rested, abstractedly, upon any object they happened to meet. She felt lonely, and wondered why Mr. Lansdowne did not, as usual at that hour, come to the parlor. She thought how vacant and sad her life would be, after he and Mr. Somers had departed from Miramichi. She queried whether she should ever meet them again ; whether, indeed, either of them, after a short time, would ever think of the acquaintances they had formed here, except when recalled by some accident of memory, or association* She feared they might wholly forget all these scenes, fraught with so much interest and pleasure to her, and that fear took pos- session of her heart and made her almost miserable.' She «trove to turn her mind upon her favoi ite project of return- ing with her p:;rent8, to France. But, notwithstanding her efforts, her thoughts lingered around the departing gentlemen, and the close of her acquaintance with them. MIBAMIGIU. xn Suddenly she heard Mr. Lansdowne's step approaching the room. Conscious that her heart was at this moment in her eyes, she hastily threw the book upon the table. Taking her embroidery, she bent her attention closely upon it, thus veiling the tell-tale orbs, with their long dark lashes. She looked up a moment, as he entered, to give him a nod of recognition. A flash of lightning will reveal at once the whole paraphernalia of a room, even to its re- motest corners ; or disclose the scenery of an entire land- scape, in its minutest details, each previously wrapt by the darkness in perfect mystery ; so, one single glance of the eye may unveil and discover a profound secret, that has hitherto never been indicated, by either word or motion. By that quick glance, Adele saw Mr. Lansdowne'a face, vry pale with the struggle he had just gone through, and a strange light glowing from his eyes, that caused her to withdraw her own immediately. Her heart beat rapidly, — she was conscious that a tide of crimson was creeping up to her cheek, and felt herself tremulous in every limb, as Mr. Lansdowne approached and drew a seat near her. But pride came to her aid. One strong effort of the will, and the young creature * novice as she was in the arts of society, succeeded in partially covering the flutter and agitation of spirit caused by the sudden discovery of her lover's secret. "When do you expect your father's return, Miss Adele ? " inquired Mr. Lansdowne. » ,' ^ *' In a day or two," was the reply. 172 iURAMIOm. ** Do you kno^ that my uncle and I will be obliged to leave our newly-found friends here, soon after your father gets home ? " ** I know," replied Adele, with apparent calmness, ** that Mr. Somers's health has greatly improved and I supposed you would probably go away soon." ** Pardon me, Miss Adele," said John, in a voice that betrayed his emotion, * * but shall you miss us at all ? Shall you regret our absence ? " Again Adele*s heart bounded quickly. She felt irritated and ashamed of its tumult. By another strong efibrt, she answered simply, ** Cer- tainly, Mr. Lansdowne, we shall all miss you. You have greatly enlivened our narrow family circle. We shall be very sorry to lose you." How indifferent she is, thought John. She does not dream of my love. *< Miss Adele," he exclaimed passionately, <*it will be the greatest calamity of my life to leave you." For a moment, the young girl was silent. His voice both thrilled and fascinated her. Partly proud, partly shy, like the bird who shuns the snare set for it, only fluttering its wings over the spot for an instant, and then flying to a greater distance, Adele bestirred her powers and resolved not to suffer herself to be drawn into the meshes. She felt a new, strange influence creeping over her, to which she was half afraid, half too haughty to yield without a struggle. • " Mr. Lansdowne, X am happy to learn you place some MIIIAMICIU. 173 Talue on our friendship, as we do on yours. But surely, your own home, such as you have described it to me, must be the most attractive spot on earth to you." ** Is it pc sible," said Mr. Lansdowno vehemently, taking her hand and holding it fust in his, ** that you cannot un- derstand me, — that you do not know that I love you infinitely more than father, or mother, or any human creature ? " Surprised at the abruptness of this outburst, bewildered and distressed by her own conflicting emotions, Adele knew not what to say, and wished only to fly away into solitude that she might collect her scattered powers. ** Mr. Lansdowne, I am not prepared for this. Let me go. I must leave you," she exclaimed. . *'\» Suddenly drawing her hand from his, she fled to her own room, locked the door and burst into a passionate flood of tears. Poor child I Her lover with his unpractised hand, had opened a new chapter in her life, too precipitately. She was not prepared for its revelations, and the shock had shaken her a little too rudely. John remained sitting, white and dumb, as if a thunder- bolt had fallen upon him. " Gone I gone 1 " he exclaimed at length, ** she does not love me I And, fool that I was, I have frightened her from jne forever ! " . He bowed his head upon the table and uttered a groan of despair. .. • . ^ Mr. Lansdowne returned to the solitude of his own room, sufficiently miserable. He feared he had offended Adele 150 :.....-■'■; *PP" 174 MIBAMIOHI. past healing. Looking over the events of the week, he thought he could perceive that she had been teased by his attentions, and that she wished to indicate this by the coolness of her manner and words to him, during their recent interview. And he had recklessly, though unwit- tingly, put the climax to her annoyance by this abrupt dis- closure of his love. He berated himself uL-inercifully for his folly. For a full hour, he believed that his blundering impetuosity had cost him the loss of Adele forever. But it is hard for hope to forsake the young. It can never wholly leave any soul, except by a slow process of bitter disappointment. John saw that he had made a mis- take. The strength and tumult of his passion for Adele had led him thoughtlessly into what probably appeared to her, an attempt to storm the citadel of her heart, and in her pride, she had repulsed him. •; - He bethought him that there were gentler modes of reaching that seat of life and love. He became a tactician. He resolved he would, by his future conduct, perhaps by some chance word, indicate to Adele that he understood her repulse and did not intend to repeat his offence. He would not hereafter seek her presence unduly, but when they were thrown together, would show himself merely gentle and brotherly. And then, — ~ he would trust to time, to circumstances, to his lucky star, to bring her to his side. In the mean time, after her tears had subsided, Adele found, somewhat to her surprise, that this sudden disturb- ance of her usual equilibrium came from the very deep interest she felt for Mr. Lansdowne. And, moreover, she // ' MIBAMICHI. 175 was annoyed to find it so, and did not at all like to own it to herself. Naturally proud, self-relying, and in the habit of choosing her own path, she had an instinctive feeling that this new passion ^ might lay upon her a certain thrall- dom, not congenial to her haughty spirit. This conscious- ness made her distant and reserved, when she again met Mr. Lansdowne at the tea-table. In ftxct, the manner of each towards the other had wholly changed. John was calm, respectful, gentle, but made no effort to draw Adele's attention. After tea he asked Mrs. Dubois to play backgammon with him. Adele worked on her embroidery, and Mr. Somers sat beside her, sketching on paper with his pencil, various bits of ruin and scenery in Europe, mixed up with all sorts of grotesque shapes and monsters. Mr. Lansdowne ap- peared, all the evening, so composed, so natural, and simply brotherly, that when Adele went to her room for the night, the interview of the afternoon seemed almost like a dream . She thought that the peculiar reception she had given to his avowal , mlgl:t have quite disenchanted her lover. And the thought disturbed her. After much questioning and surmising, she went to sleep. . ^ The next day and the next, Mr. Lansdowne's manner to- wards Adele continued the same. She supposed he might lenetv the subject of their last conversation, but he did not, although several opportunities pre;2*3nted, when he might have done so. Occasionally, she strove to read his emotions by observing hia countenance, but his eyes were averted to ^0 apw 176 MIBAMICHI. other objects. He no longer glanced towards her. **Ah I well," said Adele to herself, " his affection for me could not be so easily repulsed, were it so very profound. I will care nothing for him." And yet, somehow, her footstep lagged wearily and her eye occasionally gathered mists oil its bright-ness. It was now the eve of the fifth of October. An u jnat- ural heat prevailed, consequent on the long drought, the horizon was skirted with a smoky haze and the atmosphere was exceedingly oppressive. Mrs. Dubois, who was suf- fering from a severe headache, sat in the parlor, half buried in the cushions of an easy-chair. Adele stood beside her, bathing her head with perfumed water, while Mr. Somers, prostrated by the weather, lay, apparently asleep, upon a sofa. ■ ■' \}-"^M^ "That will do, Adele," said Mrs. Dubois, making a slight motion towards her daughter. "That will do, ma cherc, my head is cooler now. Go out and watch for your father. He will surely be here to-night.*' Adele stepped softly out, through the window upon the balcony. A few minutes after, Mr. Lansdowne came to the parlor door, looked in, inquired for Mrs. Dubois's headache, gazed for a moment, at the serene face of the sleeper on the sofa, and then, perceiving Adele sitting outside, impelled by an irresistible impulse, went out and joined her. She was leaning her head upon her hand, with her arm supported by a low, rude balustrade, that ran round the edge of the balcony, and was looking earnestly up the V u * ma MIRAMICHI. 177 road, to catch the first glimpse of her father. Her counte- nance had a subdued, sad expression. She was indeed very unhappy. The distance and reserve that had grown up so suddenly between herself and Mr. Lansdowne had become painful to her. She would have rejoiced to return once more to their former habits of frank and vivacious conversation. But she waited for him to renew the famil- iarity of the past. She turned her head towards him as he approached, and without raising her eyes, said, *' Good evening, Mr. Lansdowne." He bowed, sat down, and they remained several minutes in silence. *' I suppose," said John, atT length, making a desperate effort to preserve a composure of manner, entirely at vari- ance with the tumultuous throbbings of his heart, " you are confident of your father's return to-night ? " *' O, yes. I look for him every moment. I am quite anxious to hear the result of the expedition." ** I am, also. I hope no harm will come to our good friend, Mr. Norton. Do you know whether he intends to spend the winter here. Miss Adele ? " '* I think lie will return to his family. But we shall endeavor to retain him, until we go ourselves." ** You go. Miss Adele," exclaimed John, unable to con- ceal his eager interest, " do you leave here?" " We go to France next month." - " To France I " repeated the young man. "My father and mother are going to visit their early home. I shall accompany them." * mmmmmm 178 MIRAMICm. John, aroused by Information containing so much of im- portance in regard to Adele's future, could not restrain himself from prolonging the conversation. Adele was willing to answer his inquiries, and in a few minutes they were talking almost as freely and frankly aa- in the days before Mr. Lansdowne's unfortunately rash avowal of his passion. Suddenly a thick cloud of dust appeared in the road, and Mr, Dubois, Mr. Norton, and Micah, were soon distin- guished turning the heads of their horses towards the house. Adele uttered an exclamation of joy, and bounded from ii' her seat. As Mr. Lansdowne made way for her to reach the window, she glanced for a mon«j, .V, 186 MIRAMIOHI. at her own selfish indifference, <* that the gentleman looked pale and seemed to be dreadful tired like." Neither John nor Adele made reply, and the woman hurried on. In a few minutes, a sudden turn in the path brought them to the little cove where the boat still lay. The woman first caught sight of the wan face in the bottom of the boat, and uttered a scream of horror. The lips of the others were frozen into silence by the dread spectacle. Scarcely a moment seemed to have passed, before John rushed down into the water, reached the boat, raised thence the lifeless form, bore it to the shore and laid the dripping head into the arms of Adele, who seated herself on the grass to receive it. ** Go quickly," she said to the woman, **go for Dr. Wright. I saw him only a moment ago. Find him and bring him here." John threw himself upon his knees and began chafing Mr. Somers's hands. << He is dead ! he is dead I " he whis- pered, in a voice, hoarse and unnatural with fear and anxiety. ** Let us hope not," said Adele in a tone of tenderness. "Perhaps it is only a swoon. We will convey him to some shelter and restore him." And she wrung the rain from his curls of long brown hair. John's finger was upon Mr. Somers's wrist. *< It will break my mother's heart," he said, in the same hoarse whis* per. At that moment. Dr. Wright'i^ voice was heard. He placed himself, without a word, upon the grass, looked at \. MIBAMICHI. 187 the pale face, unfastened the dripping gaiments, thrust his hand in beneath them, and laid It upon the young man's heart. ** He is dead 1 " said Dr. Wright. " Friends, get a bit of canvas and a blanket nnd take him to some house, till (lay breaks." John, stupefied with horror and grief, still knelt by Mr. Somers, chafing his hands and wringing the water from his wet garments. At length, Mr. Dul^ois gently roused him from his task, telling him they would now remove their friend to a house, where he mighi be properly cared for. ** Let me lift him, " said Micah to the young man. But John shook his head and stooping, raised Mr. Somers and laid him on the canvas as gently as if he were a sleeping infant. Mr. Bubois, ithe missionary, John, and Micah conveyed the precious charge. The Doctor, with Mrs. Dubois and Ad^le followed in melancholy silence. The crowd came behind. The terrific events of the night had made the people quiet, thoughtful, and sympathetic. Once, after the prolonged, clinging gaze of each upon the face of the sleeper, the eyes of the missionary and John met. '* My dear young man," said Mr. Norton, in a low, emphatic voice, ** God has taken him in mercy. The dear friend whom we loved, is himself satisfied, I doubt not. May the Eternal Father grant us all at the end of our course here a like blessed deliverance. Amen." John looked in the good man's face, as if he but half -# 188 MIBAMICHI. understood his words, and fixed his eyes again upon Mr. Somers. At length, the party reached a house near the river bank, where they deposited the dead. Mrs. McNab, who. had followed close on their footsteps, when they reached the door, drew Adele aside and said, ** Naw, Miss Ady, I want the preevaleege o* trying to re- soositate that puir gentelman. It wad be like rasin' the dead, but there '11 be nae harm in tryin', to be sure." ** He is dead. The doctor says so. Aunt Patty." And Adele turned away quickly. But Mrs. McNab caught her shawl and held it. <*Naw, Miss Ady, dinna turn awa' fram a puir body, that was overtook ance or twice with the whiskey , when a was tired and worrit for want o' sleep. I wad nae ha' hurt a hair o' the gentelman's head. An' I wad.like the preevaleege o' wrappin'' Some blankets round him an' puttin' some bottles o' hot water to his* feet." Adele, who bad listened more patiently u..a she was wont, now turned and glancing at Aunt Patty, saw that she really looked humble and wishful, and two great tears were in her eyes. ** Well, I will see," said she, struck with this new phase of Mrs, McNab's countenance. She went into the apart- ment, where they had just laid Mr. Somers upon a bed. In a few minutes, she returned. ^ <* The doctor says it will be of no use. Aunt Patty. But Mr. Lansdowne woulcl like to make an attempt to restore him. So come, ntamma and I will help you." \ ■» inRAMiom. 189 * Notwithstanding Mrs. McNab's subdued state of mind and her genuine, unselfish wish to do all in her power to bring consciousness to the stricken form, she could not avoid, as she made one application after another, makidg also a few indicative observations to Mrs. Dubois. ** Did ye hear what the preacher said to the young mon. as we cam* alang? He 's a mighty quick way o* desmeesin a' bonnie creetur like this out o* the warld and sayin' he 's satisfied aboot it." "That .was not what the missionary said, Mrs. M> Nab," replied Mrs. Dubois. ** He said that Mr. Somers is happy now. . He is in Paradise, and we must not wish him back. He is satbfied to be with Jesus and the angels and his own mother. That is what he meant. And does he not look satisfied ? See his blissful countenance I " Mrs. Dubois leaded over him a moment, and thinking of his sister, Mrs. Lansdowne, parted his hair with her pale, slender fingers and imprinted a kiss on his forehead. All efforts to restore warmth, or life to that marble form were in vain, and at length they covered his face gently, until the day-dawn. John sat by the bedside, his head buried in his hands, until morning. He thought over all his past companion- ship with this youthful Uncle Ned, of his pleasantness, wit and fascination, of his generous spirit, of his love for his mother and himself, and wondered at the awful strange- ness that had thlis fallen, in a moment, between them. Then the thought of his mother's bitter grief swept over him like a flood and nearly unmanned him. Like the I 190 MTRAMTOHI. drowning man, his brain was- stimulated to an unwonted activity. He lived over again his whole life, in a few min- utes of time. This dread Power, who had never crossed his path before, shocked him inexpressibly. Who of the young, unstricken by sorrow, ever associates death with himself or with those he loves, till the Arch Reaper comes some day and cuts down and gamers his precious treasure ? John had heard of death, but he had heard of it just as he had heard of the poisonous Upas-tree, growing on some distant ocean island, or of an evil star, under whose bale- ful influence he might never fall. The young live as if this life were immortal. So much the more bitter their experience, when they wake up from the delusion. The Others of the party were gathered in an adjoining room, gazing silently at the scene without. It was fearful, yet sublime. The whole northern side of the* Miramichi river, for over one hundred miles, had become involved in one mighty sheet of flame, which was sweeping on in swift destruction to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The river boiled with the fierce heat and tossed its foaming waters, filled with its now lifeless inhabitants, to the shore. The fire was fed by six thousand square miles of primeval for- est, — >a dense growth of resinous trees* — by houses and bams filled with crops, and 'by thriving towns upon the river's bank. "^ Above all, the people could not put fipside the horrible tmth, that hundreds of men, women, and children, — their friends and their acquaintances, -—were perishing by the all- MmAMXom. 191 onted rmin- rossed )f the I with comes Eisurq? ' just as a some ) bale- I much p from joining 'eaxful} ramichi lived in on in le river waters, The val for- ses and )on the orrible — their theall- oonsuming element. Thej could not exclude from fancy f the agonized and dying shrieks of those dear to them^ and the demoniac light shone on countenances, expressing emotions of pity, grief, horror, and despair. While the missionary sat there waiting for the day, he recalled with startling distinctness the wild dream ):e dreamed, on that first night he spent at the Dubois House. Of course, his belief in foregleams of future events was confirmed by the scenes transpiring around him. Mrs. Dubois sat near him, her countenance expressing profound grief. **The dear young manP' she said. ** How sad and aigrful thus to die I " ** My dear madam," said Mr. Norton, *Met us BOt mourn as those who have no hope. Our beloved friend, brilliant and susceptible, aspiring and tender, was illy fitted for the rude struggle of life. It is true he might have fought his way through, girt with the armor of Christian faith and prayer, as many others, like him, have done. But the fight would have been a hard one. So he has been kindly taken home. Sad and awful thus to die? Say rather, infinitely blest the God-protected soul, thus snatched away from this terrific uproar of natural elements into the sphere of majestic harmonies, of stupendous yet peaceful powers." At daybreak the little community took to their boats, crossed the river and re-entered once more the dwellings they had but a few hours before left, never expecting to return to them again. Some went home and gathered 192 MTTIAMTOHI. iheir families in unbroken nnmbers around them. Others, whose husbands and sons had been absent in the forest at the time of the breaking out of the fire, over whose fate remained a terrible uncertainty, gathered in silence around lonely hearths. The terrors of the past night were, to 8i\ch, supplemented by days and even weeks of heart- breaking anxiety and suspense, closed at last by the knowledge of certain bereavement. All had been deeply impressed with the horror of the scene, and sobered into thoughtfulness. A few felt truly grateful to the Most High for their wonderful nreservation. iiers, Bstat ) fate 'ound e, to iieart- Y the >f the ; truly nation. CHAPTER XXm. THE SEPABATION. With the morning light and the return to the settle- ment, Mr. Lansdowne awoke to a consciousness of the duty immediately before him, that of making arrange- ments for the safe conveyance home of the precious form now consigned to his care. His friends at the Dubois house manifested the deepest sympathy in his affliction, and aided him in every possible way. In making his journey he concluded to take a boat conveyance to Chatham, and a trading vessel thence to his native city. The missionary, who since the early spring h. I been laboring up and down the rivers St. John and Miramichi, now concluded to return to his family for the coming win- ter. Such had been his intention and his promise to Mrs. Norton, when he left home. He was induced to go at this particular time partly by the hope of rendering some service to Mr. Lansdowne during his journey, and partly in order to see Mrs. Lansdowne and impart to her the particulars of her brother's residence and illness at Miramichi. A scheme of mercy on the part of the good man. 17 194 MiBAmcm. t- fc On the return of Mr. Dubois to his house, he found n package of letters, which, in the confusion and anxiety of the previous day, had remained unopened. There was one from the Count de Bossillon, announcing the death of the Countess. He wrote as if deeply depressed in mind, speaking of the infirmities of age weighing heavily upon him, and of his loneliness, and imploring Mr. Dubois to come, make his abode at the chateau and take charge of the estate, which, at his death, he added, would pass into the possession of Mrs. Dubois and Adele. Mrs. Dubois's heart beat with delight and her eyes swam with tears of pleasure, at the prospect of once more return- ing to her beloved Picardy. Yet her joy was severely chastened by the loss of the Countess, whom she had fondly loved. Adele felt a satisfaction in the anticipation of being restored to the dignities of Bossillon, which she was too proud to manifest. Mr. Dubois alone hesitated in entertaining the idea of a return. His innate love of independence, together with a remembrance of the early antipathy the Count had shown to the marriage with his niece, made the thought rcpellant to him. . A calmer consideration, however, changed his view of the case. He recollected that the Count had at last consented to his union with Mrs. Dubois, and reflected that the infirmities and loEsliness of the Count laid on them obligations they should not neglect. He found, also, that his own love of home and country, now that it could at last with propriety be gratified, welled up and overflowed like a newly sprung foiintain. MIBAMtOldl* m bund a iety of •e was I death ised in heavily Dubois charge Id pass s swam retum- leverely I fondly f being was too ,ea of a r with a shown cpellaut ged his had at reflected laid on I found, r that it up and The tornado had spent itself, ttie fire had rushed on to the ocean, the atmosphere had became comparatively clear and the weather cool and bracing. On the evening before the departure of Mr. Norton and Mr. Lansdowne, the family met, as on many previous occasions, in the Madonna room. In itself, the apartment was as cheerful and attractive as ever, but each one present felt a sense of vacancy, a shrinking of the heart. The sunny changeful glow of one bright face was no longer there, and the shadows of approaching separation cast a gloom over the scene. These people, so strangely thrown together in this wild, obscure region of Miramichi, drawn hither by such differ- ing objects of pursuit, bound by such various ties in life, occupying such divergent positions in the social scale, had grown by contact and sympathy into a warm friendship toward each other. Their daily intercourse was now to be broken up, the moment of adieu drew nigh, and the prospect of future meeting was, to say the least, precarious. Was it strange that some sharp pangs of regret filled then: hearts ? Mr. Lansdowne, who had up to this time been wholly occupied with his preparations for departure, was sitting, in an attitude betokening weariness and despondency, leaning his arms upon a table, shading his face with his hand. A few days of grief and anxiety had greatly changed him. He looked pale and languid, but Adele thought, as she occasionally glanced at him from the sofa opposite, that she had never seen his countenance so clothed with spiritual beauty. 196 MIBAMIOIII. Mr. Dubois, who had not yet ipoken to hii friends of his intention to remove to France, now broke the heavy silenoe, by announcing his purpose to leave, in the course of a week, and return with his family to Pioardy. Mr. Lansdowne started suddenly and uttered a slight exclamation. Adele looked at him involuntarily. He was gazing at her intently. The strange light again glowed in his eyes. Hor own fell slowly. She could not keep her lids lifted beneath his gaze. After the plans of Mr. Dubois had been discussed, mutual inquiries and communications respecting future prospects were made, until the evening hours were gone. ** If my life is spared, I shall come hero and spend another season, as I have spent t^'o one just closing," said Mr. Norton. Thus they parted for the night. In the morning there was time for nothing, but a few hasty words. Adele's face was very pale. Mr. Lansdowne, looking as if he had not slept for many hours, took her hand, bent over it silently for a moment, then walked slowly to the boat without turning his head; During days and weeks of tranquil pleasure in each other's companionship, these two young beingN had unconsciously become lovers. No sooner had they awakened to a knowl- edge of this fact, than a great danger and an unlooked for sorrow, while deepening the current of their existence, had also deepened their affection. Was that formal, restrained adieu to be the end of all this ? CHAPTER XXIV. CHATEAU DE ROSSILLO: jii In the year 1828, three years after the occurrences related in the lost chapter, Adelo Dubois, grown irito a superb btiauty, stood near the Aphrodite fountain, in front of the chateau de Rossilion, feeding from her hand a beau- tiful white fawn. It was a warm, sunny afternoon in June. Majestic frees shaded the green lawn, and the dark brown hue of the old chateau formed a fitting background for the charming tableau. Adele was enveloped in a cloud of white gauzy drapery, a black velvet girdle encircling her waist, fastened by a clasp of gold and pearls. Her hair was laid in smooth bands over her brow, then drawn into one mass of heavy braids upon the back of the head, and secured by a golden arrow shot through it. One who by chance had seen Adele in the wilds of Mira- mlchi, at the age of sixteen, would at once recognize the lady feeding the fawn as the same. At a second glance, the hair would be seen to have grown a shade darker and a gleam more shining, the large sloe-colored eyes more thoughtful and dreamy, the complexion of a more trans- 170 198 MIBAMICHI. parent whiteness, and the figure to have ripened into a fuller and richer symmetry. Nothing could surpass the exquisite moulding and fair- ness of the arm extended alternately to feed and caress the pet animal before her. No wonder the little creature looked up at her with its soft, almost human eyes, and gazed in her face, as if half bewildered by her beauty. With a proud and stately grace, she moved over the sward, up the marble steps and passed through the great saloon of the chateau. Was there not a slight air of indif- ference and ennui in her face and movements ? Possibly. It has been noticed that people who are loved, petted, and admired, who have plenty of gold and jewels, who sit at feasts made for princes, and have the grand shine of splen- dor always gleaming round them, are more likely to carry that weary aspect, than others. Queens even do not look pleased and happy more than half the time. The fact was, that Adele of Miramichi, having spent much time in Paris, during the last three years, where she had been greatly admired, now that the novelty was over, had become tired of playing a part in the pageantry of courtly life and longed for something more substantial. As she crossed the saloon, a page informed her that Mrs. Dubois wished her presence in the library. She im- mediately obeyed the summons. ; , v^ This apartment, one of the pleasantest in the chateau, was a favorite with the Count ; and as age and infirmity crept upon him, he grew more and more attached to it, and was accustomed to spend tliere the greater part of his MIHAMICHI. 199 into a 1 fair- caress eature 3, and er the 3 great P indif- issibly. sd, and sit at splen- ) carry ot look he fact time in d been ir, had courtly er that she im- hateau, ifirmity to it, t of his time, amused and soothed by the attentions of Mrs. Dubois and Adele. It was a lofty, but not very large apartment, the walls nearly covered with bookcases of oak, carved in quaint old patterns and filled with choice books in various languages. Several finely executed statues were placed in niches, and one large picture, by Rubens, gathered a stream of sunshine upon its gorgeous canvas. The Count was sitting, buried in the purple cushions of an easy-chair, fast asleep, and as Adele entered the room, her mother held up her finger, warningly. " Ma cherej " said Mrs. I'ubois, in a low tone, ** here is a packet of letters for you, from Paris." Adele took them from her mother's hand, indifferently. She read and crushed together a note bearing the impres- sion of a coat of arms. ** Count D'Orsay and sister wish to come here next week, " she said, with a half sigh. ** £A, bien! ma chere, they are agreeable people. I shall be glad to see them." ** Yes," replied Adele, Gabrielle is \ery lovely. Never- theless, I regret they are coming." ** Do you know, Adele, how highly your father esteems the young Count? " -^ "Yes, mamma, and that is one reiison why I do not wish him to come now to Rossiilon. You know he loves me, and my father approves. I can never marry him. But I esteem and respect him so much, that it will give me infinite pain to say nay.' yii'-Aun iViiS i,»«iJ-?. v>a'ilii5s'>' Mrs. Dubois looked at Adele very tenderly, yet gravely, *•;:; 200 MIBAMICHI^ and said, '* Ma filler do not throw away a true, devoted affection, for the sake of a phantom vine. I fear that, while you are dreaming and waiting, happiness will slip out of your path," "Dreaming and waiting," repeated Adele, a slight red color kindling on her cheek, ** am I dreaming and waiting ? " ** It seems to me you are, ma cherc ; I fear it will at last spoil your peace. I do not see how the Count D'Orsay can fail to win your heart. Do not decide hastily, Adele.*' ** I have considered the affair a long time already. I have looked into my heart and find nothing there, for Count D'Orsay, but simple respect, esteem, and friendship. It would be a wrong to him, should I consent to marry him, without a wariijer, deeper sentiment. It is of no use thinking about it longer. The subject must be closed. I know I shall not change, and his affection is too true and pure to be tampered with. 1 shall tell him all frankly next week." ** jEA, hien /" said Mrs. Dubois, with a sigh, and returned to her letters. Adele, who felt quite unhappy to disappoint her mother's hopes in the case, looked thoughtful. They were both silent for several minutes. ' *' Here i.', a letter from the good missionary," suddenly whispered Mrs. Dubois, holding up to her daughter several sheets of large paper, well covered. *' See what a nice long one. Now we shall hear the news from our old home.'* She began to read the missive in a low tone, looking oc- casionally to see if her voice disturbeci the sleeper^ and m MIBAMICHI. SiOi devoted t, while out of ght red iltlng?" 11 at last )'Orsay Adele." ady. I lere, for indship. ) marry • no use >3ed. I :rue and frankly returned mother's re both mddenly p several t a nice 1 home.'* king 00- )er) and Adele, whose countenance had instantly brightened upon the mention of the letter, drew her seat nearer to her mother and listened intently. MiRAMICHI BlTEB, APBIL, 1828. DeABFbIENDS — .-?" ' :::-^:-■^'^■:.■ l am again on the memorable spot. You can scarcely imagine my interest in retracing the scene of my brief mission here, in the summer and autumn of 1825, or the deep emotion with which I revisit your former res- idence, the house under whose roof you so kindly shel- tered and entertained one, then exiled, like yourselves, from home. I shall ever rejoice that Providence threw me into your society, and bestowed upon me the precious gift of your friendship. Three years have passed since those eventful weeks we spent together, on the banks of this beautiful river, and you will be interested to know what changes have taken place here during that time. Traces are still distinctly visible of the awful fire, but Time, the great healer of wounds, and Nature, who is ever striving to cover up the desolations of earth, are both at work, silently but diligently overlaying the hideous black disfigurement with greenness and beauty. The Miramichi and its picturesque precincts are now more alive than ever, with a hardy and active population. New villages are springing up on the banks of the river, and business, espec- ially in the branches of lumbering and fishing, is greatly increasing. There is also a marvellous change in the moral ^02 MTRAMtOHI. f aspect of the country. It is ascribed in a great degree to the deep impression made upon the minds of the people hy the conflagration, and doubtless this is the fact. It must be that God had a retributory end in view in that great event. It was a judgment upon the community for its exceeding wickedness. Nothing short of a grand, wide- spread illumination like that, could have penetrated the gross dadcness that hung over the land. The way has been thus prepared for the reception of the truth J and whereas formerly the people, if they came at all to hear the preaching of God's word, were only drawn by motives of vain curiosity, or the desire of novelty, they now come in great numbers and with a sincere desire, as I believe, to be instructed in the way of salvation. Last year, I came to this region early in the spring and labored until late in the autumn, preaching Up and down the river, from house to hotise and from grove to grove, and found the people, almost everywhere, ready to hear. Many were baptized in the flowing waters of the Miramichi, made n profession of their faith in Christ, and hate since exhib- ited in their daily lives, good and in some cases shining; evidence of their sincerity. You may perhaps be interested to know that yesterday, which was the Sabbath, I discoursed, as in days gone by^ in Micah's Grove. The people came in from a great distance around, and it was estimated that there were not less than eight hundred present. My soul was completely filled with a sense of God's unbounded love to the human family, and my heart was MIBAMICHI. 208 igree to jple by [t must t great for its , wide- tted the • 1 of the same at drawn ty, they ire, as I « Last labored te river, id found Many u, made e exhib- shining sterday, one hji a great irere not if God's ;art was enlarged to speak of the wonderful things beloin^ng to His goodness and mercy towards us, a§ a race. I was like a bottle filled with new wine, my heart overflowing with the remembrance of God's love. Conviction was carried in a most signal manner to the souls of many present. The whole assembly seemed for a time to be overshadowed by the immediate .Divine presence. It is remarkable, that though the people do at the present time seem to be under profound religious im- pressions, yet there are scarcely any traces of the delusion and Wildfire usually accompanying such seasons, among a somewhat uncultivated and undisciplined population. That great fire sobered them, perhaps. But, my dear friends, I know you are impatient to hea^ some details respecting the state of affairs at the *^ Dubois Settlement," so called from the grateful attachment felt by the inhabitants for a distinguished family once residing there. The new people who have established themselves he)re of late, are acquainted with the family just alluded to, of course only by tradition, but so deep has been the ^impression made upon the minds of the new cpmers, by Mrs. McNab, Micah Mummychog, and others, of the worth,^ benevolence, power, and pres^it grandeur of said tamily, that these persons are more than willing, they feel bonoredi in retaining the name of Dubois in this parish. The ^bpve is w:ritten, to elucidate to your mindc the faot» obvious enough here, that you aren#t forgotten. I^Qw, yQ\i will wifh to h^r -wh^t has belalleq some of the queer notabilities of the S^tU«^90t,« By ctoi^ayji I 204 MIBAMICHI. i^ii'' begin with Mrs. McNab. You will remember her, as the general oracle and adviser of a certain portion of the female population in the neighborhood, and as greatly opposed to some of the ** doctreenes," as she called my instructions to the people. Well, she remains in her entireness and individuality, her costume as grotesque and her. speech as Scotch as ever. You will be surprised, however, to learn that she has a far more favorable opinion of your humble servant than formerly. I have had some difficulty in accounting for this change in her disposition. It seems, however, that she i had early taken a prejudice against Yankees, and had got an idea, in the beginning, that I had some wily and sinister in- tentions toward the people, connected with my labors here. No developments of that kind having been made, she be- gan to look more complacently upon my efforts, and she thinks now that the way in which I have endeavored to lead the community, is not so bad after all. i ** The warst thing I had agen ye, was this," she sajd to me not long since. " My meenister o' the Kirk at Dum- fries used to preach that a pusson, might repent o' his sins, . an' pray and pray a' his life lang, but wad nae ken, in this warld, whether or nae he was to be saved. Whereas, ye ken ye told the people that ef they repented o' their sins and believed in Christ and gave the evidence o' gude warks they might settle right doon, and ken they 'd be saved, anyhow. I ca' that "a peskalent doctreen, an a loose ane to promoolgate. Though I must confess, ye hae na dune the meeschief I luked for." if HTRAMTOHI. t05 \ 18 the of the rreatly 3d my in her le and e has a it than ing for that she d got an ister in- irs here, she be- and she vored to e said to it Dum- his sins, . n, in this ereas, ye bheir sins de warks saved, loose ane nadune I did noi think ii best to go into a discussion of our the- ological differences, lest it should stir up the waters of strife, and therefore waived the subject. Mrs. McNab occupies two comfortable rooms at Mrs. Gampbell's house, from whence she issues forth, whenever occasion calls, to perform the duties of nurse, counsellor, and supervisor-general of the domestic affairs of the com- munity. The tea-drinkings in her parlor seem to be occa- sions of great social enjoyment to the fortunate neighbors invited. After the regular gossip of the day has been discussed, she entertains her company with the same old stories of her former life in Scotland, among its grand families, and to these she has added, for the benefit of those who have more recently come into the Settlement, accounts of the " Doobyce " family, characterizing its mem- bers by remarking, that ** Mr. Doobyce was a braw, princely mon, his wife a sweet, fair spoken leddy, an* Miss Ady was a born queen, ef there ever was ane. She had her ane way wi* everybody, an' e*en I mysel* hae gien up to her, whiles." Micah Mummychog, alias Jones, Mi!!3 Adele's special devotee, never a bad->hearted person, has now become one of the influential men of the neighborhood, j.nd sustains hero every good word and work. About a year after the great fire, he had a long and dangerous illness, brought on by great exposure to cold while lumbering in the woods. • Mrs. McNab voluntarily went to his house and took care of him most assiduously, for many weeks, until his recov- ery. Micah said, that f < it looked remarkable kind in the 18 20e TVmtAMTOHI. old soul bO come of her own accord and take keer of him, when he *d allers plagued her so mimascifully." He felt very grateful to her and paid her handsomely for her services. Nevertheless, he teases her jet occasionally and says ** he dont know neow, which skeered him most, the great fire, or comin' to his senses one night when he was sick, and seein' Aunt McNab with her head wropped up in its cotton night gear." Subsequent to Micah's recovery, he went to the Kenne- bec Biver and visited his friends. After his return, he commenced trading, and is now doing quite an extensive business. He has entirely broken off from his old habits of swearing and gambling, and discountenances them among the people. He attends religious worship constantly, and sets a worthy example in keeping the Sabbath day. He is also getting his ideas up on the subject of educa- tion. Not long since, he told me it was his opinion that ** there warn't half school larnin' enuf among the people, and there 'd oughter to be longer schools. There 's Jinny Campbell, there, a bright leetle imp as ever was, and ef she'd had a chance would a taken to her books, like a chicken to a dough dish. And there 's others, most. as smart as she is, all reound, that need schoolin'. I feel the want of it myself, neow its tew late to git it." ^ A few days ago, Micah told me he expected to build a ^new house for himself soon. ^ "Ah I Micah," said I, ** have you got tired of that comfortable old house of yours, where we have had so many nice suppers and cosey times together? " mSAMIOHI. 207 .*^- «Wdl, no, Captin'; I hain't, and I'mafeerd I shall never like another place as I dew that. But ye see, ef a feller is a goin' to git merried, he 's got to stir reound and dew what suits other folks as well as hisself."* ** Married I Micah," I said, in complete astonishment, •* are you going to be married?" <* That's jest the way I expected yeou'd look," said he, ** when I told ye abeout it, because ye knew I used to talk agin it, like fury. But ye see, Captin' ; I aint just as I used to be, abeout some things. I '11 tell ye heow it came reound, any heow, so as to sahtisfy ye I ain't crazy. "Well, when I was a beginnin' to git better o' that terable sickness, the fust and only one I ever had iu my life. Miss Campbell, she used to send Jinny im, with bits o' briled chicken, nice broth and sech, to kinder tempt my appetite like. The little critter used to bring 'em in and be so pitiful to me and say, do Micah try to eat this, so that you may git well ; and she seemed so pooty, sincere and nateral like in all her ways, that I took to her mightily, specially as I had n't Miss Adele to look arter and chore reound for, any more. Once or twice, when she came to bring suthin,' Ant McNab kinder advised her to do this and that, and the way the leetle critter spunked up and had her own way, made me think o' Miss Adele and pleased me some, I tell ye. ** Well, arter I got well, she seemed to be just' as chip- per and pleasant as ever, and was allers glad when I wient to the heouse, and so it went on (I won't bother abeout the rest on't) till six months ago. As I was a walkin' 208 MIBAMIOHI. hum from a meetin' at the Grove with her, she sed, * what a pooty Grove that is» of yours, Micah ; ' Witheout a considerin' a half a minit, I eed, right away, * Jinny, I'd giveyeou that Grove and. all I have beside, upon one condi- tion/ I looked at her, arter I 'd sed it, as skeered as I could be, fur fear she 'd fly right at me, fur sayin' sech a thing. But she did n't. She only colored up awfully and sed, in a fluttered kinder way, * what condition, Micah?* * Pon condition that you *d merry me, Jinny.' You may believe that arter I sed that, my heart stood still, better 'n a minit. She didn't say a word at fust, seemed ruther took by surprise, and then, all of a sudding, she turned her head and looked up inter my face as sarcy as ye ever see anything, and says s^e, * Do yeou think I 'd ever merry a man with sech a horrid name as Mummychog ? ' * Is that all the objection you hev, Jinny ? ' ses I. Ses she, * 'T ia the greatest, I know of.' Then ses I, * There ain't no diffikilty, for my name aint Mummychog, and never was. When I came deown to this kentry, I was a wild, reckless kind of a critter, and I thought I 'd tAke some outlandish name« jest for the joke on it. I took Mummychog, and they allers called me so. But my real name is Jones.' * Well, Mr. Jones,' ses she, lookin ' sarcier than ever, * I shall expect yeou to hev a sign painted with your real name on it and put up on your store, and yeou must build a new heouse before I merry yeou.' That sobered me dedwn a leetle. I sed, * But Jinny, I don't want ye to merry me, unless ye like me. I '11 build a heouse and gin it tew ye, ef that 's what ye want. But ye need n't merry HIBAMIOHI. 209 me unless ye like me — neow remember.* She looked at me, jest as soon as I sed that» and caught up my big hand inter her little one, and ses she, * O law, Micah, I *d merry ye ef yer name was Mummychog, and ye need n't build a heouse, nor nuthin'. I ken go right to the old place jest as well. I'd merry ye ef ye hadn't a cent, for I like ye better 'n anybody else in the world, Micah.' And then she began to cry, and I hushed her up. And so, neow it 's all settled." ** Well Micah," said I, after hearing this account of his courtship of Jenny Campbell, ** I congratulate you on your choice ; Jenny is a good girl and a pretty one. But is n't she rather young ? " ** Well, yis. I thought yeou 'd be speakin' o' that. I 'm forty year old and she 's abeout eighteen, or so. Con- sid'able difference in eour ages. I told her abeout that t'other day, and she sed, well she did n't see but I 'peared abeout as young as she did. She didn 't see much difference. So ef she 's sahtisfied, I 'd oughter be. But Captin,' I '11 tell ye, she's a cur us leetle critter as ever ye see. She has spells of playin' off all kinds o' tricks on me and hectorin ' me every way she ken, but the minit she sees me look sober, as ef I felt any way bad, she leaves right off, and comes up and kisses me, and ses she did n't mean anything by it, and is as good as a kitten." Alas ! poor Micah ! You see. Miss Adele, he is in the meshes, and there we must leave him for the present. I have taken pains to give you the above in his own Ian- 180 210 MIRAMIOni. guage, as it is so much more graphic than «ny I oould employ. My lottcr of Miramichi gossip has swollen, unoonsoiously, to an enormous size, and I fear I am getting tedious. Be patient a few minutes longer, dear friends, while I tell you of Mr. John Lansdowne. I happened in the city of F — last winter, on business, and just before leaving town I went to call on Mr. Lans- downe. Aunt Esther, Mr. John 's nurse, an aged negro woman who has been a member of tlio household many years, answered my ring at the door. Finding that none of the family were at home, I was turning to leave when Aunt Esther begged me to come in, saying she reckoned they would soon be babk, as they had already boon several hours absent, adding, good soul« that*' they'd all be dreffuUy disapinted not to see me." I knew that several months prior to this, Mr. Lans- downe had been admitted to the practice of law and had become junior partner in business, to the distinguished Mr. Eldon of P. And I now gathered from Aunt Esther, that the Supreme Court was in session, and that a great crimh il case was being tried before the jury. Mr. Eldon had been taken ill, just before the trial Came on, and had urged Mr. Lansdowne to take his place It Court, saying, he could argue the case us well as himr df, M^*. John, as Aunt Esther informed me, did it with gieui. reluc- tar'*e, though she did n't see why* He always does everything he seta out to do, 'markablo nioe. But Massa and Mibsiis ^ f b'nd of ".nxious, and theyv*e gone into * mn \Micin. 911 Court, with other gemroen and Indies, to hear how 't goes. I feel no concern about it. I know Ite 11 make a Bplen'Id talk, anyhow, cos be olwu a dues." After waiting half an hour, I was obliged to leave messages of regret with Aunt EHiher and hasten home. I observed in **The Eastern Gazette" of the f )11ov/ing week, a notice of Mr. Lansdowne's plea before iuc j' iy» in the great case of ** The Commonwealth vv Tenkins,'* in which he was eulogized in the highest terms, lie was said t6 have displayed ** great acumen, exten- sive legal acquirements, and magnificent powers of ora- tory.'' So, Aunt Esther's confidence, about the ** splen'll talk," was not without a reasonable basis. I was highly gratified, myself, in reading the flattering paragraphs. You know we all greatly admired the y< ung gentleman at Miramichi. He has a brilliant ear hly future before him, should his life and faculties be spar€3d. Mioah was much charmed with the intelligence I brought him of. his old favorite. ** I ain 't a mite surprised at what you v'e sed abeout the young man. Ever sence I took that trip inter the woods with him, I know'd he 'd the genooine ring o' trew metal tew him. When he gits to be President o' the United States, I shall sell eout here and go hum to the Kennebec." Please let me hear from you soon, my dear friends. It seems long since I have had tidings from you. With an abiding gratitude for past kindness, shown by you to a weary wanderer from home, and with the warmest respect and friendship, I remain as ever, Yours truly, Samuel J. Nobton. 212 MIBAMIOHI. Mrs. Dubois not having but one pair of eyes, and those being fully occupied with the contents of the above letter, and the Count de Rossillon remaining asleep during the en- tire reading, of course it could not be expected that they observed the changes that took place on Adele's counte- nance. But an author, as is well known, has ways and means of observation not common to others, and here it may be remarked, that that young lady's face, had exhib- ited, during the last fifteen minutes, or more, quite a variety of emotions. It had at first, been thoughtful and interest- ed, then lighted with smiles, then radiant with enjoyment of the good missionary's sketches of Mrs. McNab and Micah. But the moment her mother read the name of John Lansdowne, her face was suffused with a deep crim- son, and she listened almost breathlessly, and with glisten- ing eyesjito the close. *' Oh ! the good noble man !" said Mrs. Dubois, as she folded up the sheets. " It will please your father to read this, where is he, Adele?" ' . "He rode away with Pierre, not long ago. Please let me take the letter. I must read it again," said Adele, having conquered her emotion, without her mother perceiv- ing it. ■'■■', She took it away to her own boudoir, and as" she read the pages, the Rowing tears fell fast. Why should she weep over such a cheerful letter as that ? Why ? i. ,^imm^ "t ■:■ ■ ""■;;':• CHAPTER XXV. THE LAST SLEEP. .v;..i; ^.■ Ad&le had long since discovered that the events of greatest interest in her life had transpired before she entered the walla of Rossillon, or mingled in the festivities of the Court at Paris. The scenes that occurred at Miramichi, during Mr. Lans- downe's accidental residence there, were fraught with a power over her heart, continually deepening with the flight of time. Those golden days, when their lives flowed side by side, had been filled with the strange, sweet agitations, the aerial dreams, the bewitching glamour, the intoxicating happiness of a first and youthful love. Those days were im- printed yet more deeply in her memory by a consciousness that there was somewhat with which to reproach herself, connected with them. Just when she had reached the top of bliss, her pride had sprung up, and like a dark storm- cloud, had shadowed the scene. She could not forget that cold, 6ad parting from her lover. And now, though the ocean rolled between them, and the spheres in which each moved were so widely separated and the years had come and gone, she was yet calculating eu MntAMicm. .-■'■' and balancing the probabilities, that they might meet again and the wrong of the past be cancelled. Mr. Lansdowne had been plodding among musty law books and threading legal intricacies, with occasional in- terruptions, caused by fits of impatience and disgust at the* detail and tedium of study, until he had at length fought his way thro'jgh and placed himself in the front rank of his profession. His brilliant achievement in the famous Jenkins case, in the outset of his career, had at once won for him a position at the bar which most young men have to toil years to obtain. His family was wealthy and influ- ential. It was not strange that with these advantages, united to the possession of remarkable personal beauty, he should be the centre of a numerous group of friends and admirers. He was the object of pride among the older barristers and gentlemen of the bench, the cynosure of the young men, and the one among a thousand whom elegant mammas and smiling maidens wooed with their selectest influences. Yet one great element of earthly happiness was wanting to his life. He could not forget the enchantment of those days spent in the far-off* wilds of Miramiehi. He turned continually to those scenes, as the most prominent of his existence. There he had stepped from boyhood into man- hood. There he had seen life in new and before untried forms. He had there witnessed a wonderful display of God's power through the terrible agency of the all-devour- ing flame, and there, for the first time, he had confronted death and sorrow. There, he had loved once and as he (f\ MIRAMICHI. 21$ again ty law lal in- at the- fought ank of 'amous ce won in have d influ- ntages, uty, he ids and ig the jrnosure i whom th their wanting )f those J turned it of his to man- untried splay of -devour- nfronted nd as he \ believed, forever. He recalled Adele, as she first appeared before him, — an unexpected vision of beauty, in all her careless grace and sweet, confiding frankness ; in her mo- ments of stately pride, when she chilled him from her side and kept him afar off*; and in her moments of affectionate kindness, and generous enthusiasm. In short; in all her changeful moods she was daily flitting before him and he confessed to himself, that he had never met a being so rich in nature and varied in powers, so noble in impulse and . purpose, so peerlessly beautiful in person. Thus he lived on from day to day, remembering and yearning and dreaming, — the ocean yawning between him and his love. Concealed in the depths of his soul, there was, however, a hope fondly cherished, and a purpose half formed. A few weeks after the reception of Mr. Norton's letter, the Count de Rossillon died. Sitting, as usual, in his great purple-cushioned arm-chair, taking his afternoon nap, he expired so gently that Mrs. Dubois, who was reading by the window, did not know, or even suspect, when the parting between spirit and body occurred. Kindly, genial, and peaceful had been his last years, and his life went out calmly as the light of day goes out amid the mellow tints of a pleasant autumn sunset. When Mrs. Dubois went to arouse him from what seemed an unusually long slumber, she found a volume of Fenelon spread open upon his knee, and turning it, her eye ran over passages full of lofty and devout aspiration. These, probably expressed the latest thoughts and desires of the 216 MTRAMICHI. good chevalier, for as she looked from the pages to his face, turned upward toward the ceiling, a smile of assent and satisfaction was still lingering there, although his breath had departed and his pulse was still. Mrs. Dubois stooped to kiss the forehead of her uncle, but started back with a sudden thrill of fear. She gazed searchingly at him for a moment, and then she knew that Death, the conqueror, stood there with her, looking upon his completed work. >; After the first shock of surprise was over, she remained gazing upon the spectacle in perfect silence. A truly l'\ devout Catholic, in her grief she leaned with all a woman's trust and confidingness upon the love and power of Christ, and something of the divine calmness which we associate with the character of the mother of our Lord, and which has been so wonderfully depicted to the eye by some of the older painters, pervaded her spirit. As she thus stood, spellbound, entranced, her eyes fixed upon the noble features irradiated with a smile of content and peace, the long silvery locks parted away from the forehead and flowing around the head, like a halo, she thought it the countenance of a saint, and her poetic fancy created at once a vision of the Saviour, with an aspect grand, glorious, yet gracious and benign, placing with His right hand a golden jewelled crown upon her uncle's head. A cloud swept up over the gorgeous earthliness of the great Kubens picture, and from out itsi folds shone sweet and smiling angel faces, looking down upon the scene. MIBAMCHI. 817 to his assent Mrs. Dubois never knew how long she remained thus ab- sorbed. She was first aroused by hearing a voice saying, in tones of fervor, «* How blessed it is to die I" And Ad^le, who had entered the room a little time before, and had uttered these words, stepped forward and imprinted a kiss upon the pale uplifted brow of the sleeper. mained truly all a power which r Lord, eye by ^ !.-•■ * ^o. \ N-- .■1 :- .-.■ ' ( y' CHAPTER XXVI. POMFEn. r -. About this period, Mrs. Lansdowne, whose health had been declining for nearly a year, was urgently advised by her physician to seek a milder climate. John immediately offered himself as her compagnon de voyage^ and manifested great alacrity in the preparations for their departure for Italy. After a favorable sea passage, they landed at Civita Vecchia, and, with brief delays at Eome and Naples, went to Sorrento, intending to remain there several months. This place combines the most striking peculiarities of Italian scenery. It stands on a wide and beautiful plain, shut in by the mountains and the sea. The fertile soil produces oranges, lemons, grapes, and figs of the richest quality and in great abundance. The coast line, a wall of volcanic rock, is broken into varied forms, by the constant action of the waters. Here, they spent day after day, ram- bling about the old town, making excursions into the neigh- boring mountains, or crossing the bay to different points of interest. They delighted particularly in sailing under the shadow of the cliffs, watching the varying colors, blue, purple, and green, presented by the glassy surface, peering MIBAMIOHI. 219 into the arched caverns, worn into the rock by the waves ». and looking upward at the gay profusion of wild flowers, which, growing in every crevice, adorned its face with beauty. From the balcony of the hpuse they occupied, they looked upon gardens, invisible from the street, so closely were they walled in from the view of the passer by, and beheld orange and lemon trees, with rounded tops of dark green foliage, golden fruit, and snowy blossoms. «> The soft air permitted them to sit during the evenings and listen to the whisper of the sea on the beach, to watch the sails of the fishing vessels gleaming in the moonlight, and gaze at the dark form of Vesuvius, with his lighted torch, brooding at a distance, over the scene. A mouth had thus passed away. A marked improve- ment had taken place in Mrs. Lansdowne's health, and John proposed that they should go to Naples and make an excursion thence to Pompeii. One morning, they drove out from the swarming city toward those famous ruins, revealing to the curious so much of the old Roman civilization. After a drive of twelve miles past fields of lava and ashes, the accumula- tions from recent irruptions of "Vesuvius, they arrived at the street of tombs, a fitting entrance to the desolated city. Here, the beautifully sculptured monuments, me- morials of a departed generation, awoke in their hearts a peculiar interest. Through these they entered at once into the inner life of joys and sorrows of an extinct race, *< How terrible death must have been to these people, whose ideas of the future world were so vague and unsatis- 220 MIBAMICHI. fjing, and who had really no knowledge of immortality I ** said Mrs. Lansdowne* ** Yes," replied John. ** And with nothing brighter or more glorious to look forward to in the beyond, how reluctant they must have felt to leave these glowing skies, this delicious air, these scenes of beauty and art, for the darkness of the grave. I fancy it must have been harder for them than if they had been surrounded with the sombre tints, the chilling atmosphere, and the more subdued forms of life in our own clime." ' « Leaving the cemetery, they passed on through tho narrow streets, paved with blocks of lava, on which were the traces of carriage wheels worn into the material more than eighteen hundred years ago. They went into the Pompeian houses, walked over the marble mosaic floors, looked at the paintings on the walls, examined the bronzes, the statues, the domestic utensils, the shop of the oil mer- chant, with his name on it still legible, until, in imagina^ tion, they began to people the solitude, — bringing back the gay, luxurious, beauty-loving Pompeians again to live and revel in their former haunts. At length, quite exhausted, Mrs. Lansdowne sank down on a seat in one of the porticoes, and John, placing himself by her side, tempted her to partake of a lunch he had provided for the occasion. />■- Soon, the pensive influences of the scene stole over them, and they sat for some time in perfect silence. Mrs. Lansdowne first interrupted^ it, by exclaiming, ** John, what are you thinking of ? " MIBAMIOHI. 221 »» ** Thinking of I why I was thinking just then how those Pompeians used to sit in these porticoes and talk of the deeds of Cassar and of the eloquence of Cicero, while those renowned men were yet livxig, and how they discussed the great combats in the amphitheatres of Rome. And what were you cogitating, my dear mother?" said he, smiling. ** Oh 1 1 was thinking woman's thoughts. How slowly they excavate here I I have an extreme curiosity to know what there is,' yet uncovered to the light of day, beyond that dead wall of ashes." "If I were a magician, I would apply to your eyes some unguent, which should unveil what is there con- cealed," said John, smiling. "Will you go now to the theatre?" He drew bis mother's arm within his, and they moved on. That portion of the city appeared as if it had been partially destroyed by a coniSagration. Looking towards Vesuvius, he said, ** I can easily imagine the sensations of those who gazed at the volcano on that terrible day and saw for the first time its flames bursting out, and throwing their horrid glare on the snow- capped mountains around. Fire is a tremendous element." As he uttered the words, the scene of the great confla- gration at Miramichi rose to his view. **' Salve ! Salve ! " exclaimed a rich, musical voice near him, just at that moment. The word and the tone in which it was uttered, thrilled him, like an electric shock. He looked, with a bewildered 222 MIUAMIOIU. air, in the direction from whence the voice proceeded, and eaW} standing before the threshold of one of the Pompeian houses, a toll, elegant female figure, habited in mourning. Her eyes were fixed uponU^e word of salutation, written on the threshold, at the entrance. After contemplating it a moment, she turned her head involuntarily towards Mr. Lansdowne, who stood transfixed to the spot. Their eyes met in instant recognition. Neither moved — they were both paralyzed with sudden emotion. ; Mrs. Lansdowne looked up in surprise. • "What is it, John?" ** It is," said he, recovering himself, " it is, that I am astonished to meet here, so unexpectedly, a friend whom I supposed to be in France — certainly not here," He led his mother forward a few steps and presented her to Mademoiselle Dubois. M. and Mdme. Dubois, who were standing a little apart, examining some objects of interest, while this scene, of recognition transpired, now joined the group and were presented to Mrs. Lansdowne. During the remainder of the day, the two families formed one party. They visited the ruined theatre, the Forum, the temples of Isis and Hercules, but the spell of Pompeii no longer bound the souls of John and Adele. It is true, they walked on, sometimes side by side, sometimes with other forms between, absorbed, entranced; but a spirit more potent than any inhabiting the walls of the old Koman city had touched the powers of their being and woven its sor- |, ceries around them. The living present had suddenly shut out the past. ^ \ MIRAMIOIU. 22a they other more n city 9 sor- * yshat So, after three years, they had met. Such meetings are critical. In the lapse of time, what changes may oc- cur I There is so much in life to mar the loyeliest and noblest ! In regard to character, of course no one can stand still. There is either a process of deterioration going on, or a work of intellectual and spiritual advancement. Memory and imagination glorify the absent and the dead. The lovers had been constantly exercising, respecting each other, their faculty of idealization . When they parted , they were young, with limited experiences of life, with slight knowledge of their own hearts. It was a dangerous mo- ment when they thus met. But there was no disappointment. Mr. Lansdowne gazed upon Adele, with emotions of surprise and astonish- ment at the change a few years had wrought in her and marvelled at the perfection of her beauty and manner. Adele, albeit she was not used to the reverential mood, experienced an emotion almost verging into awe, mingled with her admiration of the noble form, the dignity and stately grace of him who had so charmed her girlish days. Thus the acquaintance, broken off, in that. cold, re- strained morning adieu, on the banks of the Miramichi, was renewed under the sunny, joyous sky of Italy. Their communion with one another was now no longer marred by youthful waywardness and caprice. During those long years of separation, they hod learned so thoroughly the miseries attending the alienation of truly loving hearts, that there was no inclination on the part of either, t > trifle now. Day by day, the hours they spent together be- came sw«eter, dearer, more fuU of love's enchantment. 224 MIJIAMIOBI. ** Mademoiselle Dubois/' said Mr. Lansdowne, a few weeks after their recognition at Pompeii, ** I think I did not quite do justice to that famous oxcuvatod city, when I visited it. I was so occupied with the i)loasure of meeting old friends that I really did not examine objects with the attention they deserve. To-morrow I intend to revisit the spot and make amends for my neglect. Will you give me the pleasure of your company ? " ** Thank you, Mr. Lansdowne, I shall be happy to go with you. A week spent there, could not exhaust the in- terest of the place." The two families were still at Naples and from that city Mr. Lansdowne and Adele started again to visit Pompeii. No evidence, as to the amount uf antiquarian lore ac- quired on that day by our two lovers has yet transpired, but it is certain that, while wandering among the ruins, they come before the threshold. of the door, whore Adele was standing, when first recognized by Mr. Lansdowne. There, he gently detained her, and explained, how that ancient salute of welcome to the guest and the stranger, when uttered by her lips, hod thrilled his heart ; how it hod been treasured there as an omen of good for the future, and how the memory of it now emboldened him to speak the words he was about to utter. There, within sight of Vesuvius and with the fiery memories of Miramichi hanging upon the hour, he renewed the avowal of his love, first made in the haste and efiervesoence of youthful passion. And now, Adele did not, as then, fly from his presence. She simply put her hand in hli, and pronounced in sweet and almost solemn accents, the irrevocable promise. MIRAAlICni. 8Jt5 In the meantime, Mrs. Lansdowne had been cultivating the friendship of M. and Mdme. Dubois. She was grati- fied to have an opportunity of thanking them in person, for their hospitality and kindness to her son and brother in Miramichi. Her profound gratitude for attentions to those BO dear to her, would have proved a bond of suffix cient strength to unite her to these naw acquaintances. But she was attracted to them also by traits of mind and character unfolded in their daily intercourse. The discovery of John's attachment to Ad^le explained many things in his conduct, during the last few years, that had appeared enigmatical. With this fact made clear to her mind, it may well be supposed that she observed the young lady with keen scrutiny. At the end of a week, John confessed his intention to win Adele if possible for his wife. His mother had no objection to such an alliance, and only wished him success in his efforts. * Ha^ng spent six weeks together at Naples and Sorrento, the party pursued their travels leisurely, for several months, through Italy and Germany, until at length they reached France. After a visit at Paris, they located themselves quietly at the chateau de Bossillon, where preparations were soon commenced for the marriage. 'It was obset^ed, that the lovers, supposed to be the parties most particularly interested, were remarkably in- different in regard to these affairs* When needed for consultation oh important arrangements, they were re- ported to be off, riding or driving or wandering in some remote port of the park, and when at last, an opportunity 226 MIRAMIOra.- occurred to present some point for their consideration, they seemed to have no particular opinions on the subject. With a very decided taste of her own, in matters of dress, not less than in other things, Adele could not be made to attend to the details of the trousseau, and at last the two older ladies took it into their own hands.- ^^ In the mean time, the lovers were leading a rapturous life in the past, the present, the future. In the past they remembered the morning glories of Miramichi; in the present they saw, daily, in each other's eyes, unfathomed depths of love ; as to the future it shone out before them,, resplendent with the light of an earthly Paradise. At last,, the wedding day came, and the parting between Adele and her parents. It was a great sacrifice on the part of M. and Mdme. Dubois, But, remembering their own early trials, they miide no opposition to Adele's choice. They sought only her happiness. n. r CHAPTER XXVn. CONCLUSION. On a dark, stormy day, in the winter of 1845, at ten o'clock, afternoon, a tall, stout, elderly man, muffled in fur, rang at the door of Mr. Lansdowne. The house was large, of brown stone, and situated on H — Street, in the city of P . As the servant opened the door, the hall light fell upon a face of strongly marked featureB, irradiated by an expres- sion of almost youthful cheerfulness. To the inquiry, if Mr. and Mrs. Lansdowne were at home, the servant re- plied, that they were absent, but would return shortly. **Miss Adele is in the drawing-room sir," be added, immediately throwing open the door of that apartment, to its widest extent, as if to insure the entrance of Mr. Nor- ton, for it was no other than the good missionary of Mira- michi. He was still the warmly cherished and highly revered friend of the entire family. Adele, a young lady of sixteen, was sitting on a low seat in the drawing-iroom, beneath a blaze of waxen candles, intently occupied with a new book. She gave a start on being recalled so sudileitly from thi&iancy laaad in which she ipi 228 MI3UMICHI. was roaming, but after a moment of bewilderment, flung aside her book, came quickly forward, put her arms around the nedk of Mr. Norton, who bent down to receive them, and welcomed him with a cordial kiss. " Every day more and more like your mother. Miss Adele," said he, as, after returning her salutation, beheld her at arm's length and surveyed her from head to foot. << Papa and mamma will be home soon," said Adele. ** They went to dine at Mr. Holbrook's. It is time for their return." ** All right, my dear. And how are you all?" \ The young lady led him to a large, cushioned arm-chair, ♦* How did you leave mamma Norton, Jenny, and Fanny?" " All quite well. And they sent love; " replied the missionary. ; * * ; «* How is Gray Eagle?" <- v' ** Ah I Gray Eagle is good for many a trot round the parish yet." ^ ^ ** I have not forgotten how he shot over the hills with me, last summer. He began his scamper, the moment I was fairly seated on his back. I hope he has sobered down a little since then," said Adele. " Yes, I remember. Gray Eagle knew well enough that the little sprite he carried, liked a scamper as well as himself. The animal is quite well, I thank you, and is on good behavior. So are your other acquaintances, Cherry, s" the cow, and Hodge, the cat." • ^ .i . v'^^-^ ** I am glad to hear it. I had a charming visit at MlRAMICm. 229 Rockdale last summer. Johnny and Gabrielle are wild to go there. But mamma and I, and all of us, were so disappointed because you would not consent to Fanny and Jenny coming to spend the winter with us. Mamma says she does not quite understand yet why you objected." , ** Ahl well, my dear, I'll make it all right with your mamma. The fact is, I wish to get a few rational ideas into the heads of those precious little ladies before they are launched out into city life. Just a little ballast to keep them from capsizing in a gale." *< Mamma says they are both very much like you," said Adele, archly. <* True, my dear. That makes it all the more necessary to look after them carefully." After a few moments of chat, Adele left the room to give orders for hastening supper. During her absence, Mr. Norton, with his eyes fixed upon the glowing grate, fell into a fit of musing. Look at him a moment, while he sits thus, occupied with the memories of the past. Twenty years have passed since he was introduced to the attention of the reader, a mission- ary to a remote and benighted region. He is now sixty years old, and very few have passed through gieater toil and hardships than he has endured, in asserting the claims of the Redeemer to the gratitude and love of the race. Yet his health and vigor of mind are scarcely impaired, and his zeal continues unabated. Beginning his journey early each spring and returning to his family late every autumn, he had spent sixteen suc- 20 no DIBAMIGHI. «essive summers in Miramichi, engaged in self-imposed labors. Each winter, he wrought at his anvil, and thus helped to maintain an honest independence. Four years previous, a parish having become vacant, in the town where he resided, it was urged upon his accept- ance, by the unanimous voice of the people. By his efforts, a great change had been wrought in the field of his past labors and a supply of suitable religious teachers having been provided there, he accepted the invitation as a call of Divine Providence, and had ministered to the spirit- ual wants of the people of Bockdale since. \ Business called him occasionally to the city of P. His visits there were always regarded by the Lansdownes as especial favors. The two families had frequently inter- changed visits and had grown into habits of the closest intimacy. , j- /,•.- v? ,■;_■. -u-'^ ■■.•.,..-•,, •■;f-'-* Having been in the city several hours and dispatched the affairs which drew him thither, he had now come to look in upon his friends for the night, expecting to hasten away at day dawn. There was something in his situation this evening, thus housed in warmth, light, and comfort, protected from the darkness and the storm without, and ministered unto by a lovely young maiden, that reminded him of a like scene, that had occurred, twenty years ago. He vividly recalled the evening, when, after a day of toil and travel on the banks of the distant Miramichi, he reached the house of Dubois, and how while the tempest raged without he was cheered by the light and waiJith within, and was miilistered ■/ MIBAMICHI. 231 imposed Qd thus icant, in I accept- By his field of teachers tion as a he spirit- \ P. His ownes as tly inter- Q closest ispatched ow come ecting to ling, thus from the into by a ke scene, y recalled el on the house of it he was miilistered unto by another youthful maiden, in form and feature so like her, who had just left him, that he could almost imag- ine them the same. A glance around the apartment, however, dispelled the momentary fancy. Its rich and beautiful adornments afforded a striking contrast to the ■ appointments of that humble room. He was roused from his medit&tions by the ringing of the street bell, and in a moment Mr. and Mrs. Lansdowne came forward to welcome their early and long-tried friend. The good man, who loved them with an affection akin to that which he felt for his own family, had preserved a watchful care over their earthly and spiritual welfare. Sometimes he feared that their wealth and |ame might draw away their hearts from the highest good and impair the simplicity of their religious faith. After the first cordial greetings, in accordance with his habit on occasions like this, he indulged in a careful scru- ' tiny of his two friends. Time had in no wise impaired the charms of Mrs. Lans- downe. Experience of life, maternal cares, and religious duties had added a softer light to her once proud beauty, and her old friend might well be pardoned a thrill of admi- ration as he gazed and thought within his heart, that Mrs. Lansdowne, robed in black velvet, Mechlin lace, and the diamonds of the house of Bossiilon, surpassed in loveliness, the radiant Adele Dubois, arrayed in the aerial garments of girlhood. When also his keen eye had wandered over the face and figure of John Lansdowne, it returned from its explora- 232 MIBA3IICHI. tions satisfied. No habits of excess bad impaired the muscular strength and vigor of his form. Nor had un- governed passion, avarice, political craft, or disappointed ambition drawn deep defacing lives, to mar the noble beauty of his countenance. *^ It is well with them still," ejaculated the good man mentallj, " and may God bless them forever." THE END. y.:y PIQUE: A, Tale of the English Aristocracy. 1 vol. 12ino. Price $1.75. Three thousand eight hundred and seventy-six new books were published in England this last year, which is about the ayera^e number of past years. Thirteen years ago Pique y^s first published in London, and up to the present time, notwithstanding the enormous number of new books that have been issued, the effect of which is to crowd the old ones out of sight, this remarkable novel has con- tinued to have a large sale. This is the strongest praise that can be bestowed on any book. It is not in the least " sensational," but relies solely on its rare beauty of style and truthfulness to natui'e for its popularity. It has the merit of being' amusing, pleasantly written, and engrossing. The characters being high-bred men and women, are charm« ing companions for an hour's solitude, and one puts the book aside regretfully, even as one closes the eyes on a delicious vision. The American edition has taken every one by surprise, that so remarkably good a novel should have so long escaped attention. Every body is charmed with it, and its sale is immense^ an4 wiU endure for years to come. FIITH EUTIIEn CimillOD. By the Author of ' Joys at OheqnaBset." 1 vol., 12mo. Cloth. Price $1.50. This charming story fills a void lonj^ felt for something for a young girl, growing into womanhood, to read. It depicts that bewitching period in life, lying between rouB- TEEN and TWENTY, with its noble aspirations, and fresh enthusi- asm. It is written by a very accomplisbed lady, whose previous book was universally pronounced to be " the best Boys* book written.'* A lady of rare culture, and wide experience, says, — " 'Faith Gartney's Girihood,' is a noble, good work, that could only have been accomplished by an elevated mini united to a chaste, tender heart. From the first page to the last, the impression is received of a life which has been lived ; the characters are genuine, well drawn, skilfully presented ; they are received at once with kind, friendly greeting, and followed with interest, till the last page compels a reluctant farewell. " 'The book is written for girls, grovring as they grow to womanhood.' The story has an interest, far beyond that found in modern romances of the day, conveyed in pure, refined language ; suggestive, pleasing thoughts are unfolded on every page; the reflective and descriptive passages are natural, simple, and exquisitely finished. " In these days, when the tendency of society is to educate girls for heartless, aimless, factitious life, a book like this is to be welcomed and gratefully received. Wherever it is read, it will be retained as a thought- ful, suggestive — if silent — friend." ^|:Jf» Parents, give it a wide circulation. t TT^IOE LOST. By S. M., Author of "Linnet'B Trial." »■■■■—■■ — Head the Opinions of tlio X^nffllsli Press. Another flrst-rato novel by a woman ! The plot well conceived and worked out, the cli iracters individualized and clear-cut, and the story so admirably told that you are hurried along for two hours and a half with a smile often breakini^ out at the numor, a tear ready to start at the pathos, and with unflagging IntercBt, till the heroine's re- ItMiso i>om all trouble is announced at the end. • * • We h«!urtlly recommend the book to all readers. It is more tall of character than any book we remember siuoo Charles Reade's " Christie Johnstone." — i2ea(2er. « Twice Lost " is an entertaining novel ; the struggle between the high-spirited, gen- erous, half-savage heroine, another specious, handsome, unprinclplea, aoi-duant father, is exciting ; and the sympathy of the reader is cleverly enlisted for the heroine, Lucia, fVom the first moment. The personages have all of them a certain look of reality, and there is a notion of likeness which insures the reader's interest. We can recommend " Twice Lost " as a novel worth reading. —Atherueum. By far the cleverest book on our list is " Twice Lost." * * * This is bold and Bkilnil drawing, and it is a fair sample of the earlier half of the volume. The com- bined vigor, ease, and perspicuity of the writing is unusual. — Guardian, Nothing can be better of its kind than the first portion of " Twice Lost." * • • The caustic humor and strong common sense which mark the sketches of character In this book, betray a keenness of obBcrvation and aptitude for producing a telling likeness with a few strokes, which need only a wider cultivation to secure a more complete success than has been attained in " Twice Lost." — Weatminster Jteview, It Is quite clear that the author has given a good deal of thought to the oonstruo- tion of the story, with a view to producing strong interest without the use of the common sen- xtional expedients. To say that " Twice Lost " is very well written, and very inter ating, would not be doing It justice.— Jlfomin^ Herald. There can be no doubt of the author's power. She holds her characters and inci- dents well in hand, writes firmly, and often very happily, and there are many pas- sages which indicate power much above mediocrity. — London Review. Not very often do we meet with a novel so thoroughly good as " Twice Lost." If, as may be assumed fi-om both subject and style, its author is a woman, she may at once be classed with the BrontS sisters and George Eliot. She has the firm concep- tion and distinct touch of the first-class artist. Her characters are real and indi- vidual. — Prc»». This is a iifell-written romantic talc, in which we And many pleasing incidents and some suocessfVil portraiture of character. The character of Miss Derwent, the com- panion and governess of the nerolne. Miss Langley, is very well developed in the . course of the narrative. The moral tone of the dook is very good, and so far as re- ' liglouB matters are touched ui>on, they are treated with propriety and reverence. — English Churchtiian. The characters are well drawn— the situations arc new, the sentiments are unsen- timental, and the incidental remarks those of a clever woman who is^'easonablc and tolerant. — Globe. The plot of this tale is an original one, and well worked out. * * * We can sin- cerely recommend this tale ; it is quite out of the general run of books, and is sure to prove an interesting one. — Observer. We notice this story because its authoress will one day, we believe, produce a powerful novel. — Spectator. The-reader is carried along with unflagging and exciting interest, and the book is fall of characters finely sketched, and of passages powerfully written. — Patriot. That the author of " Twice Lost " can write well, the book itself ftimlshes suffi- cient evidence. — Nation. This is a striking storyl It has a fireshncss and originality about it which are very pleasant. — Morning Advertiser, Without being a sensation novel this is a most exciting and attractive story. — Daily News, A most romantic story, the Interest being well sustained throughout, and every thing coming right at the end. Any one must be entertained by it, — John Bull. 1 Margaret and her Bridesmaids. BY TIIK AVTHOn OF ••Tlie Ijady of Olynne/' **Mr. and :Mr«. Ashton," ••Valley of a Hundred HHree," "The LadieH of Lovel ILieish,** ••Tlie Cliallenae,'* •• The Queen of the County .i* Uniform with "Pique." 1 vol., 12mo. Cloth. Price f 1.50. ^>^ This talented authoress ranlcs first among the successful female novel writers of England. Her books are immensely popular there ; edition after edition of each has been called for, and the announcement of a new one from her pen creates a new demand, and increases the popularity of what has been published. By an arrangement with her and her Eng- lish publishers,** all her books are to bo brought before tlie American public, where she is almost wholly unknown, except to the readers at LORING'S CIBCULATING LIBRARY, and they are enthusiastic over them. "Margaret and Her Bridesmaids" is the one chosen to introduce her with, as this, she writes mo, has enjoyed the greatest popularity in England. This will be followed by " Tub Qdebn of tub County," and the others, as fast as compatible. It is the history of four school-girls. The London Athenaum, the highest literary authority, says of it: *' We may save ourselves the tronhK if giving any lengthened review of tiiis book, for we recommcn ' .ill who are in search of a fascinating novel, to read it for themselves. They will find it well worth their while. There Is a fireshness and originality about it quite charming, and there is a cer- tain nobleness in the treatment, both of sentiment and incident, which is not often found. JTo imagine that few can read it witliout deriving some comfort or profit fi:om the quiet good sense and unobtrusive words of counsel with which it abounds." The story is very interesting. It is the history of four school-fellows. Margaret, the heroine, is, of course, a woman in tii highest state of perfection. But Lotty — the little, wilful, wild, fascinating, brave Lotty — is the gem of the book, and, as far as our experience in novel reading goes, is an entirely original character — a creation — and a very charm- ing one. No story that occurs to our memory contains more interest than this for novel readers, particularly those of the tender sex, to whom it will be a dear favorite. We hope the authoress will give us some more novels, as good as << Margaret and her Bridesmaids." d^n^KV