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Les diagrammes suivants lllustrent la mdthode. >d by errata ilmed to jment a, une pelure, le fapon d 3le. lOX 32X a,a,rt«*«rt*-»« ■WW8W*'** " ' i 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 ^-i.HC-^*ie>»,ias,i«Pi*IMp,jSj^ ■j^feii«^i-«-S'Bii.- .■.Uu ,.v B *(i li ■^ \ '1 B ^ A^^ H) ADfeLE Dubois: ^ Storn or TlIK LOVELY MIllAMlCHf VALLKY, V. -3., 'i'H-fl^ \. NEW BRUNSWICK. V J . ":;n ;\.>5 c_ LORIlSrG, PublishG nio Wasiiinoton Stbket, BOSTON. V Entered, Recording to Act of ConRremi, In the year IRflfl, by A . K . li O U I ^ , In the Clerk's Ofllc« of the DUtrta Court for tlio District uf Miusachuactta. n O C K W E L I. « It O I, I, I JJ H , rlimU AHO STKBKOTTPIUSI, 12'2 WASIIINOTOK 8TK(ET, B08T0W, year IWW, by lot of Miusachusetta. MIRAMICIII. CIIAFrER I. TllE PUIJOHS HOUSE. rHIET, B08T0K, ••"VYell, verily, I (lid n't expect to find anything like this, ii*uch a wild region," aiiid Mr. Norton, as he HCttlcd himself comfortiibly in a euriou.>jly earvcd, old-fashioned arm-ehah-, before the fire that blazed ehecrily on the broad hearth of the Dubois House. " 'Tis not a Yankee family either," added he, mentally. "Everything agreeable and tidy, but it looks unlike home. It is an Elim in the desert 1 Goodly palmtrces and abundant water I O 1 why," ho exclaimed aloud, in an impatient tone, as if eluding hini- eelf, •' should I ever distrust tjie goodness of the Lord?" The firelight, playing over his honest face, re\caled eyes , moistened with the gratitude welling up in his heart. He *8at a few minutes gazing at the glowing logs, and then his eyelids closed in the blessed calm of sleep. Weary trav- eller I He has well cai-ned repose. There will not be time, during liis brief nap, to tell who and what he was, and why he had come to sojourn far away ■r 8 MIRAMICIII. from home and friends. But let tlio curtain l)c drawn buck for a moment, to reveal a {,'limi)8C of that" strange, ques- tionable country over wliioli ho has been wandering for the last few months, doinjj hard Hcrvice. Miramichi,* a name unfamiliar, perhaps, to those who may chance to read thc^e pnt^cs, is the di'siMjuutioii nf a fertile, thou<{h partially cultivated portion of the iiii|)orttjnt province of New IJrunswick, belonffinfj; to the Ihitinh Crown. The name, by no nicauH unt.iii)honioi», is yet euj^gestivc of awHociationa far from attractive. The jSIiro- michi Kivcr, which {^ivcs title to this rcj^ion, has its riso near the centre of the provnicc, luid llowin^i; eastward emp- ties into the Gulf of St. Lawrcsnce, 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, pursued in a wayward and lawless manner, liad not exerted on them an elevating or refining influence, and the character of the people had degenerated from year to year. Frcjm the i-emotencss and obscurity 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 offscouring of the New England States and the Province. Witli a i'v.w rare excep- tions, it was a realm of almost heathenish darkness and vice. Sucli Mr. Norton found it, when, with heart full of compassion and benevolence, thirty-five years ago, he camo ♦ Pronounced Mir'imuhee. I i tfiin 1)0 (Iniwii buck liiit ' strniif^o, quca- wundoring for tlic nps, to those who (K'siMiiiitioii of t\ II of the importi^iit ifj^ to tlic Dritirih 'iil>h{)iiiow, is yot etivo. The Mhu- p^ion, has its riso 'm lhes(! dwellers in deatli shadi'. The Duhois 1 louse, where Afr. Norton had foinid shelter for the night, was situated on (he northern hank of (ho river, ahout sixty miles west from Chafhntn. It was a respeetahlc looking, two story huilding, with large banw adjaeent. Standing on tv graceful hend of the hntad stream, it eonunanded river views, several miles in extent, in two (Ureetions, with a nearer prospect around, coiisistin" of reaehoa of tall forest, interspersed with occasional .. pun- lugs, made hy the rude settlera. lieing the only dwelling in the neighhorhood sufRciently eonunodious for (he purpose, its occui)ants, maki' • u virtue of neeessify, iv/t.. in the h:>lnt of entertaining occ.ioioiml travellers who happened to visit the region. Ihit, softly, — Mr. Norton has wakened. lie was just beginning to drc^am of home and its dear delights, when a y no means taken aback by this pointed inquiry, iNIr. Nt)rtou replied very gently, "I believe, ma'am, in the i ] r t V h ai y ri la fr( a J 6t€ •so-foatiired, heavy ) frill, tlijit nearly ■d up by a pair of cunning and curi- Drod chintz dress, •oduced a sort of I by the contrast group. Dubois, on seeing the wild, equinoc- ly, 'i do you fear .rticidar danger at less country. The I wish he were iut you may trust ition, not a hau" of ply, Mrs. jNIcNab, said, " Yer dinna I from all eternity or rabbcd, or niur- rustiu' wad cause lose? Adcly," she lier cgj; an' a trifle )inted inquiry, INfr. ve, ma'am, in the i MlKAJWIcm. 13 power of prayer to move (he Almighty throne, when it comes from a sincere and humble heart, and that lie will bestow His blessing in return." " Weel," said Mrs. McNab, - I was brought up in the «hurch o Scotland, and dinna believe anything auent this new-light doctiine o' God's bein' tm-ned roun' an' o-ivin' up ins decrees an' a' that. I thi„k it 's the ward o' Satan," and she passed her cup to be again refilled with tea Adele, who had noticed that Mrs. McXab'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 wouhl meet with anything worse than perhaps being drenched by the storm, and half eaten up with vemiin in the dirty inns where he will have to lodge? I do not doubt he will be home in good time." - Yes, Miss Adcly, yes. I ken it," said Aunt Patty, aa she saw a finn, defiant expression gathering in the young gu-Ps countenance. -I'd a dream anent bun last night that makes me think he's comin." " Ila* ! " said Adele, starting and speaking in a clear nngmg tone, -he has come. I heai- his voice on the lawn," Murmuring a word or two of excuse, she rose instantly fron, the table, requested Bess, the servant, to hand her a lantern, and arrayed herself quickly in hood and cloak As she opened the door, her father was standing on the step, m the di-iving rain, supporting in his arms the form 11. X' 9 14 MIRAinCIU. of a geutlomau, wlio seemed to be almost in a state of insensibility. «' Make way 1 make way, A(Ulc. Here's a isiok man. Throw some blankets on the floor, and come, all hands, and rub liim. My deal', order something warm for hin^ to drink." JSIi-s. Dubois caught a pile of bedding from a neighbor- ing closet and arranged it upon the floor, near the fire. ]\£. Dubois laid the stranger down upon it. Mr. Norton immediately rose from the tcu-tablc, di-ew off" 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, chHd," said he to Adele, "and he'll come to, in a minute." Adele obeyed. The strfiTiger opened liis eyes suddenly and looked around in astonishment upon the group. " Alil yes. I see," he said, "I have been faint, or eomething of the kind. I believe I am not quite well." He attempted to rise, but sank back, powerless. He turned his head slowly towards Ui: Dubois, fSd said, ♦'Friend Dubois, I tliink I am going to be ill, and must trust myself to your compassion," v hen immcthately hia eyes closed and liis comitenance assumed the paleness of death. _• "Don't be down-hearted, Mr. Brown," said Mr. Du- bois. "You arc not used to tliis ]\Iiramichi staging. You'll be better by and by. My dear, give me the cor- dial, — he needs stinudating.' ] 1 a t fi P St bl of fei wi in^ thr uri ecU T' Juif.uiiciir. 15 t in a state of :'s a sick man. jinc, all liundd, warm fox* liim •om a ncighbor- , near the fire. :. Mr. Norton off the boots of La feet with his I, child," said he ubvitc." Adele nly and looked ^e been faint, or ot quite well." powerless. He lubois, d»d said, be ill, and must immediately hia [ the paleness of ," said Mr. Du- iramichi staging, give me the cor- He took a n>p of French brandy, n.ixod with su^nr and bodmg water, ft-om the hand of Mrs. i,..,,,,, ,„a ,:,,,i,,^. terc.1 It slowly to the exhausted man. It seo.ned to have a cpnetmg effect, and after awlule Mr. Brown sank into a ojsturbed slumber. Observing this, and finding that his limbs, which had b^en CO d and benumbed, were now thoroughly warmed, Air. Dubois rose from his kneeling position and turnin. to 1".^ daughter, said, ''Now then, Adele, take the lantern and go wnh me to the stables. I mnst see for myself that the horses are properly eared for. They are both tired and tamished. Adtle cauglit up the lantern, but Mr. Norton inter- posed ..Allow me, sir, to assist you," he said, risiu^ quickly. .. It ,vill expose the young lady to go out in th: storm. Let me go, sir." He approached Adele to take the lattern from her hand, but she di-ew back and held it fiist. "I don't mind weatlier, sir, "she sai.l, with a little sniff of contempt atihe thought. - And my fiither usually pre- fers my attendance. I thank you. Will you please stay with the sick gentleman ?" _ air. Norton bowed, smiled, and reseated liimself near the mvalid. In the mean time, Mr. Dubois and his daughter went throu-li the rain to the stables ; Ins M'ife replenished the tea- urn and began to rearrange tlie table. Mrs. McNab, during the scene that had thus unexpect- ccUy oecmi-ed, had been waddling from one part of the room K i ;; '■ 1 16 MIIJ.VMKUI. to the Other, exclaiming, " Tiio Lord be gxule to us !" Ilcr presence, however, sccnied iur tlic time to be ignored. AVhcn she heiird the gentle movements made by Mrs. Dubois among the di.shes, her dream seemed i^uddcnly to fade out of view. Seating herself again at the table, nhe diligently pur.sued lilie task of finishing her suijper, yet ever and anon cxamiuing the prostrate form upon the floor. " Peradvcnturc he's a mon fra' the States. His claithes look pretty nice. As ii gcn'al thing them people fra' the States hae i)lenty t)' plaek in thcu* pockets. What do you think, su- ?" "lie is undoubtedly a gentleman from New England," said ;Mr. Norton. lia( yet h0| hei tin ( we wo Sc( fan pac ros am cliti era rude to us ! " Ilcr I be ii^'iiorcil. ta niado by IMr-s. 3mcd Huddeiily to at the table, who r auijper, yet ever (on tlie floor. tcrf. His elaitlics m people fra' the s. What do you I New England, " CiLVPTER 11. MUS. m'NAD. Mks. McN.Ui was a native of Dumfries, Scotland, and had made her advent in the jNIiraniichi country abijut five ycai'a previous to the ocruiTcnces just mentioned. Having buried her liusband, mother, and two children, — hoping that change of scene might lighten the weight upon her spirits, she had concluded to emigrate* with some in- timate acquaintances to the I'rovince of New Bruns\vick. On first reaching tlie settlement, she had spent several weeks at the Dubois House, where she set immediately at work to prove her accomplishments, by assisting in mak- ing up dresses for Mrs. Dubois and Adele. She entertained them wuth ac(U)unts of her former life in Scotland, — talking largely about her acquaintance with the family of Lord Lindsay, in which she had served iu the ca- pacity of mirsc. She described the castle in whicii they resided, the furniture, the servants, and the grand company ; and, more than all, she knew or pretended to know the tra- ditions, legends, and ghost stories connected, for many gen- erations past, with the Lindsay race. She talked untiringly of these matters to the neighboi's, 2a ^1 18 MinAMICllI. oxcitin.^ their intcc.t and won.ler l,y the now ,,l.n..es ofUfc presented, an.l fnruU\un<^ loo.l f..r the s„,,er.titiouH tonden- ckw alNvays rife in new and ign..rant settlement.. In short, by these n.eans, she won her way gi-adnally in the conunu- nity, until she came to he the general faetotuni. It was notieed, indeed, that in the annnal r.,und of her vis- it. fron^honseto house, Mrs. McNab had a peculiar faculty of sccurin'T to herself the various material comforts availaUe, h.xvin.ran''excellent appetite and a genius for appropnatmg the warmest seat at the fireplace and any other little kuxury .,.„oin-. These things were, however, overlooked, cspc- ci.dly by the women of the region, on account of her social nualities, she being an invaluable companion during the lone, dr.ys and evenings when their husbands and sons were nw^y, engaged in hnnberin;-- .^r fishing. When the fannly with wluch she happened to be sojourning were engaged in domestic occupations, ^Irs. MeNab, established in soino cosey corner, told her old wife stories and wlnled away the long and dismal wintry hours. Of all the people among whom she moved, Adele Dubois least exercised the grace of patience toward her. On the return of ]Mr. Dubois and his daughter to the house, after having seen the horses safely stowed away, he refreshed himself at the tea-table and left the room to at- tend to necessary business. Mrs. Dubois and Mrs. Mc- Nab went to fit up an apartment for the stranger. In the mean time m. Norton and Adele were left witl the invalid. Mr. Brown's face had lost its paUid hue and was no^v c a c 8< <( b: ai bi ki w sl( wl ne ha no ca he to- Ai SL MIKAJIICIII. 19 ! new ])lin..''C9 of life ipcrt'titious tendcn- cmentd. In Hhort, iilly In the coniuui- ctotuni. iinl round of her vis- 1(1 !i i»ofuliiir faculty 1 comforts iiviiihiblc, U9 for apin-opriuting y other little luxury •, overlooked, cspc- iceount of her social npanion during the bands and sons were , When the family irning were engaged , established in sonic and whilcd away the r.oved, Adele Duboia I ward her. his daughter to the fcly stowed away, he 1 left the room to at- 3ubois and Mrs. Mc- he stranger. Adele were left with iiid hue and was now overspread witli the fiery glow of fever. lie grew moro and inorc restless in his sleep, until at length he ojiened hia eyes wide and b.^gan to talk deliriously. At tlic first sound of his voice, Adele started froni her scut, expecting to hear sonic request fi-oni his lips. Gazing at her wildly for a moment, he ex(,-laimod, "What, you here, Agnes! you, travelling in this horrible wilderness I Where's your husband? Where's John, the brave boy? Don't bring them here to taunt me. Go away 1 Don't look at mo ! " Whh an expression of terror on liis countenance, he sank back upon the pillow and closed Ids 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 bewildennent, came softly near and wliispored, ' ' lie has been doing somethmg >\Tong, has he not, sir ? " " I hope not," said the good man, " Ho is not liimsclf now, and is not aware what he is saying. His fever causes liis mind to wander." "Yes, 8U-. But I think he is unhappy beside being sick. That sigh was so sorrowful ! " " It was sad enough," said Mr. Norton. After a pause, he continued, " I will stay by hia bed and take caxe of him to-night." * «♦ Ah ! will you, sir ? " said Adele. ' ' That is kind, but Aunt Patty, I know, will insist on taking charge of hun. She tliinks it her right to take care of all the sick people. '3- 20 MIUAMIC'III. But I don't wish her to ntiiy with tills gnitlt'mnii to-night. If he talks ii-rain an he did juat now, shu will tell it all over the ncijflihorhood." At tlmt moment, the door opened, and Mrs. McNub cauic waddling in, followed by Mr. and Mrs. Dubois. •• Now, Mr. Doobycc," said she, " if you and this pus- eon will just carry the patient up stairs, and place him on the bed, that's a' yo need do. I'll tak' care o'hiuj." " Permit me the privilerro of watching by the gentleman's bed to-night," said Mr. ISorttm, turning to Mr. Dubois. "By no means, sir," said his host; "you have had a long ride through the forest to-day and nuist be tired. Aunt Patty hero prefers to take charge of him." " Sir," said ISlr. Nt^rton, " I obsened awhile ago, that his mind was quite wandering. lie is gi-catly excited by fever, luit I succeeded in quieting him once 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 everything hctter'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. . " Ilush, my dear," said INIr. Dubois, decidedly, " it ia proper that Mrs. McNab take charge of ^Ir. Brown to- night." Adele made no reply, and only showed her vexation by casting a defiant look on the redoubtable aunt Patty, whc iiavi ^ but opp( lent A c^tal Mr. A was tlie < A rcvc: were acco luka undc inicli to til Dub ill th had : comi Tl wane accui lienij iiiigl; iitliinaii tn-ni^lit. vill toll it all over lul Mrs. iSIcNiib Irs. Dubois, you niul this pus- aiul jilacc him on re o'hiiu." )y the ht nint (in the opptwitu wiiIl l»y the ocni. HioMiil lliiiiiij,' up tti" u li)ii<,'uc of llumc tVoin tlio dyiii;,' cinlnTH. Siuldi'Mly ho honrd a (U'('i», whirring •^numl nx If tin' spiiiijjs of Hoino odiiiplifatod iiiiu'l iuiirj liiui jU-. tiicn Luiii Hot ill inntiiiii. liOdkiii^ iiroiiiid to f'lid vlcncc the u<>m procot'dcd, lio was rather .nfarthd on t)l>M' rviiiL;- in tho wall, in one corner, jiiHt under the ccilin;/, a tiny door {\y <>»)eii, mid oinerj^iii;' thenec a j;rotoH(|iio, niiniatiirc iimn, holdiiij;, uplifted in hU hand, a haiiiiner of ni/e propoitlonatc to his own (ijxniv, Mr. Xorton nat motionless, while tiiis Hiiiall .«iieeiiiien pro- ceeded, with 11 jerky ;,'fut and many hohhin;^ j^rhnaci', ncroMs a wire Htrctehcd to the opi>o.sitc corner of the room, where ntood a tall, chony chick. When within a HJimt distance of the cluck another tiny door in its side Hew open ; the little man entered and struck delihcratcly with tho hammer the hour of midIli;^•ht. Near tho toji of the dial-plate was seen from without tho rejrular uplifting of the litth; arm, applying,' its utroke to the hell within. Having performed his duty, this pcrsona resounding in the room wl.ca lie her Tliere .-(|ii!iri; |||ied i ^trenf; Her nmod I plltlel "II 1 expe ;iiii w« good r .Mr. ill,:,' til pMi'doii like oil -II a>kcd. "O lin;-' I riMii' d( went t( ii'iiiidy i:ig th( chsorvc uiiikinj; riiiiin. Tiiat tiuhed Ci'cc |miliiilly n.^Mf nr«('illll^ly till! fitl'iil (! wall liy tlio ot'cu- 10 from the ilyiii;,' i(r Himml M if tlm 'uui jii tiicn l)ct'n liuiHo proceeded, Iio wall, ill one corntr, ^peii, and emerjiiii;' illii^', u|ilirtt'd ill I'i-i to liis own fii,niiv. Hiuall .«iioeiinen pid- l)ol)l)in;^ j;riiimc(% eorner of the room, hen within a Mhnit lor in its side fi(ff ck dcliherately with S'ear the top of the ■ulani])liftind her divine boy, increased. Kush- of it, he there mot a wild, disordered yjx floating out like •andy bottle in the )r and found hinisclt' uriRAjiirTTr. 25 Suddenly the whole scene passed. lie woke. A glori- ous September sun was irradiating the walls of his bed- room, lie heard the movements of the family below, and rose hastily. A few moments of thought and prayer sufficed to clear his healthy brain of the fantastic forms %\d scenes which had invaded it, and he was liimself again, ready jmd pant- ing for service. in in til • CHAPTER m. jm. NORTON. In order to brin- Mr. Norton more distinctly before the reader, it is necessary to give a few particulars of lus pre- vious life. , lie was the son of a New England fanner. IIis father had -iven him a good moral and religious training and the usuid common school education, but, being poor and havmg a large family to provide for, he had turned him adrift upon the sea of life, to shape liis own course and wm his own tor- tunes. These, in some respects, he was well calculated todo. lie possessed a frame hardened by labor, and, to a native «lu-ewdness and self reliance, added traits which tluw light and warmth into his character. IHs sympatliies were easily roused.by suffering and want. He spurned cveiything mean and ungenerous, -was genial in disposition, indeed brun- niin- withmirtlifulncss, and, in every situation, attracted to himlclf numerous friends. He was, moreover, an excellent blacksmith. After leaving liis father's roof, for a half score of years, he was led into scenes of temptation and danger. But, bav- in- passed through various fortunes, the whispers of the in; JI( (h ur ac th, se: oc ho by at tai sti int Tl; till mn ph oit llf he MIRAJIICni. 27 tinctly before the ulars of liid pre- mer. His father I training and the r poor and having d him adrift upon I wm hia own for- II calculated todo. •, and, to a native which tlu-ew light latliies were easily \ cvciything mean ion, indeed brini- iation, attracted to iover, an excellent ilf score of years, anger. But, hav- ic whispers of the intcrnnl monitor, and the voice of a loving wife, drew liiia into Ix.'ttcr and snfcr paths, lie betook hinisoU" unremit- tingly to the duties of liis occupation. liy the influence of early parental training, and the teach- ings of the Heavenly Spirit, he was led into a religious life. 1 le dedicated himself unreservedly to Christ. This intro- duced him into a new spiiere of effort, one, in which liis nat- lU'ally expansive nature found free scope. He became an active, devoted, joyous follower of tlie Great Master, and, tlienccforward, desired nothing so much as to labor in hia service. About a year after this important change, a circumstance occun-cd 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 long winter evening, his curiosity became greatly excited, in an account, given by his guest, of the Mu'amiclii 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, l)efore he thought he heard the worils spokeii almost aucUbly, Thou must go. Here, a peculiarity of the good blacksmith must be ex- plained. l\)ssessed of great practical wisdom and saga- city, he was yet easily affected by preternatural Infiuetices. Ho was subject to very strong " impressions of mind," as he called them, by which he was urged to pm'sue one •iil t: I.: i 28 MiRAArirm. course of comluct in^^toad of another ; to follow out one plan of husinos.s In prciciviu-e to anotlior, t-vcn wlicn there .seeuKHl to 1)0, no apparent reason, why tlio one eonrse was better than its alternative. He had sometimes obeyed these impressions, sometimes luul not. Bnt he thought he had found, in the end, that he should have invariably foUowod them. A particular instance confirmed him in this belief. One day, being in New York, he Avaa extremely anxious to comi)lete his business in (mlcr to take piissagc home in a sloop, announced to leave pcn-t at a certain hour in tliQ afternoon, llesolving 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 liis arrangements and haunted by an imi)rcssion of trouble connected with the vessel. Having, however, left his wife ill at home, anil being still determined to go, he pressed on. It luippeted that he an'ivcd at the wharf just as the sloop had got beyond the possibility of reaching her, and he turned away bitterly disappointed. The iu<^rht that followed was one of darkness and horror ; the slo(»p caught fire and all on board perished. He had now received an impression that it was his duty to go, as an ambassador of Clu-ist, to IMiramichi. Having for sometime previous " exercised his gift" whh acceptance at various social religious meetings, he applied to the authorities of his religious denomination for license to preach. After passing a creditable c'xamination on points deemed C: d t e I n t( II tl f. h k v A r Min.uiicm. 20 follow out one , even wlicu there c one eoiirse was hues obeyed these c thought he h:ul ivariiibly followed thii l)elief. One cmely anxious to psissage home in a rtain hour in tliQ ! vessel at the time ICC, from street to an. But he was md haunted by an ! vessel. Iliiving, ng still dctcrniincd , he aiTived at the 1 the possibility of disappointed. The s and horror; the 3d. hat it was his duty iramichi. :iscd his gift " with cctings, he applied aination for license a on points deemed essential in the case, he obtained a commission and a cor- dial God speed from his brethren. They augm'(M well for his success. To be sure, the deficiencies of liis early education some- times made themselves manifest, notwithstanding the diligent clforts he had put forth, of late years, to remedy the lack. But on the other hand, he had knowledge of human nature, if yours. Perhaps e- consideration." ! oidy said what I Mammychog," said (tion ended. ciiAi^ER rv. MIC.UI MUJDIYCIIOa. Adout ten years before the period when this narrative liogins, Alicah jMiunmychog had come to this country from the Kennebec River, in the State of Maine. He soon purcluuscd a dozen acres of land, partially floared them, and built a large-sized, comfortable log house. It was situated not for from the Dubois house, at a Khort distance from the bank of the river, and on the edge of a grove of forest trees*. Micah iidiabited his house usually only a few montlia (luring the year, as he was a cordial lover of the unbroken wilderness, and waa as migratory in liis habits as the native Indian. On the morning after the events related in the last chapter, he happened to be at home. While Adele wiis guiding the missionary to his cottage, he was sitting in his kitchen, which also served for a general reception room, burnislung up an old Dutch fowling-piece. The apartment was furnished vrith cooking utensils, and coarse wooden furniture ; the walls hung around with fishing tackle, moo-^e-horus, skins of wild animals and a variety of lircarras. m f'j no Miituiicin. Mionh wn« no common, Htiii»iil, lMmi|.kit»-loi)kin;? por-ou. Bcloii^'in;^ to till! jfi'iiii-t YiiuktM', In- liiul Vft a tVw imciiIi u' tniits III" Ills iiwii. iff liail ii Hiiialli-'li, l)iillit-^lia|iiil li»iici, Hi'f, witli (li;;Milit.tl pui'O, nij a pair of wido, llat .*Ii(>iiliUr.'», His chcHt was hroatl uiul mwcIHuj,', liin limlw Htraij,'lit, mii-'- culur, nn»l istn)iif». Hi-* cycH were lar^'o, roinul, and bliu-. ^VIu'l» Ills mind \va« in a wlatc of ropcwc and his countiii- unco at rest, they liad a HoliMnn, owl-like cxiuTssion. Ikt when in an cxclU'd, oliserviuit mood, tlicy wore keen ami Moarchini^ ; and human orlw sniely never expressed more rolliekinj,' fun than did his, in his hours of recreation, lie had a habit of darting' them around a vide eirdo of ohjects Vitliout turning his head a hairshri'.'idth. This, together with another peculiarity of turning liLs head, occasionally, ut u sharp angle, with the quick (uid sudden motion of ii cut, probaldy was acquired in his hunting lilb. Micidi hiul never taken to himself a heli)mate, and aa fur as mere housekeeping was concerned, one would judge, ou looking around t'-.o decent, tidy apartment in which ho sat and of which he had the sole care, that he did not particularly need one. lie washed, scoured, baked, lirewed, swept ami dusted as deftly as any woman, and did it all as a lAatter of course. These were, however, only his minor accomplish- ments, lie commanded the highest wages in the lumber camp, was the best fisheraian to be found in the region, and had the good luck of always bringing down any game ho Lad set his heart upon. Micah had faults, but let those pass for the present. There was one achievement of liis, worthy of all praise. c I J c s I a tl a a a a f( b b 01 AV tr T nr o ul b( {[> dl W w kiti-liMikin'* priNcii, 1 ytt 11 fVw jH'ciili ir liilllcf-.>'li!l|ii'il Iu-ik!, iili', lliit >Iii»iiM(r.'». iinl)^ htriiij;hf, nui"<- !, ruiiiul, and liluo. ii! and liirt coiiufiii- kO cxpn's.iion. IJiit lioy wore keen uinl ver exprcM.xcd more of recreation. He idc cirelo of ol)jeotj<, th. This, togetlior head, occawionaily, 'iidden motion of ii ug lifo. lelpmatc, and (is fur mo would judge, oa iicnt in which ho s:it e did not particidarly , l)rcwed, swept and it all as a lAatter of is minor aecomplish- ^agcs in the hunbcr nd in the region, and ; down any game he ass for the present, rthy of all praise. I. MinAMicm. 37 It wafl roniarkod, that the logcjcrj' wnn nitiiated on tlio od^iMif II groM'. This grovo, when Micuh came, was ••!» piece of wood.-*," of Hie densest and most tangled Bort, By his strong arm, it had hecn transformed into a scene of exfeediiig l)eauly. He had cut away tht; under gronth and smaller trees, leaving the taller sons of the forest still rising loftily and waving their liaimers toward heaven. I#lorme(l a magnilicent natural tciuple, and as the etin fltruek in thnuigh the long, hroiul aisles, soft and rich were the lights and shadows that Hickered over the green lloor. The lofty arches, formcil Ity the meeting and interlaced hranches ahove, were often resonant with music. J)uring the sprin;^ and siunmer months, matin worship vva.s constantly [»er- formiil l»y u midtltudinousi choir, and praisea were chanted hy tiny-throated warhlers, raising their notes upon the deep, organ J)ase, rolled into the harmony hy the grand ohl pineg. It is true, that hardly a human soul worshipped here, hut when the "Te Deum" rose toward heaven, thouHandn of blue, pink, and white blossoms turned their eyes upward wet with dewy nioisturc, the hoary mosses waved their tresses, the larches shook their tjissels gayly, the birdies quivered and thrilled with j;,/ in every leaf, and the rivuleta gurgled forth u silvery sountl of gladness. On this partio ular September morning IVIicah's g;rovc was radiant with beauty. The wild equinoctial stonn, which had so fiercely assailed it the day before, had brightened it into fresh ver, dure and now it glittered in the sunbeams as if bei<_;^'^yQ|]j,j with emerald. ISIr. Norton and Adelo reached th.o cottafro door on wliich sho tapped softly. 4 88 MIKAJIICni. «'Comc in," Micah almost slicnitcd, without moving from liid sent or looking up from hid occupsition. The maiden opened the door, and said, "Good morning, Micah." At the sound of her voice he rose instantly and handing a chair mto the middle of the floor, said, "O! come in, Mis%A.dy ; I did n't know cz it was yeou." «' I cannot stop now, ISIicah, but here is a gentleman who has a Ihtle business with you. I came to show him the way. This id iSIr. Norton." And away Adele sped, without farther ceremony. INIicah looked after her for a moment, with a half smile on his weather-beaten face, then turned and motioning Mr. Norton to a chair, reseated himself on a wooden chest, with his gim, upon which he again commenced operations, his countenance setting into its usual owl-like solemnity. He was not courtly in his reception of strangers. Tlio missionary, however, had dealt with several varieties uf the human animal before, and was by no means distm-bcd at this nonchalance. " I believe you are from the States, as well as myself, Mr. jSIummychog," said he, after a short silence. <' I'm from the Kennebec River," said Micah, laconically. <* I am quite extensively acquainted in that region, hut do not remember to have heard your name before. It 'n rather an uncommon one." '^ " I guess ye won't find many folks in them parts, cz u (.•illed Iti^'immychog," said INIicah, with a twinkle of the eye and eometLiug Jii^Q a gr«i» o» l"'^ sombre visage. ton, wlic: drop the] (( couli want hunt there skcei fitilui] sech, (( ' <« ■ aU tl (( ^ ((•' since from eposc "] vocati He table, eaid, thout moving from , "Good morning, MlRAMICni. 89 tantly and handing aid, "O ! come in, ou." is a gentleman wlio 3 to show him the !r ceremony. t, with a half smilo and motioning ^Ir. wooden chest, with iccd operations, liis ke solemnity, of strangers. Tlio several varieties uf no means distm'bcd !, as well as myself, rt sUencc. 1 Micah, laconically. in that region, hut name hcfoi'e. It 'n in them parts, ez is a twinkle of the eye )re visage. " You Vo a smig place hero, Mr. IMIcah," said ^tr. Nor- ton, who, having found some difficulty in restraining a smile, when repeating ]Mr. ^Mummyehog's surname, concluded to drop it altogether, ' ' but wliat could have induced you tolcavo the pleasant Kennebec and come to tlus tUstant spot ? " " Well, I cam' to git ^ chance oad be somwhere, where I could jest be let ahmc." "A chance for what, Mr. Micah?" " ^Yhy, hang it, a chance to live an' dew abcout what I want tew. The moose an' wolves an' wildcats hcv all ben hunted eout o' that keutrj;. Thar wa 'nt no kind ev a chance there." So I cam' here. " You have a wife, I suppose, IMr. IMicah?" " Wife I no. Do ye spose I want to hev a woman kep' steered a most to death abeout me, all the time ? I'm a Mim' an' huntm good part o' the year. Wild beasts and sech, is what I like." '• Don't you feel lonely here, sometimes, IVIr SHcah?" "LunsumI no. There's plenty o' fellers rcound here, all the time. They 're a heowlin' set tew, cz ever / sec." ♦' You have a good gun there," suggested the missionary. •' Well, tolable," said Micah, looking up for the first time since air. Norton had entered the house, and scanning him from head to foot with his keen, penetrating glance. "I fpose you amt much used to firearms ? " " I have some acquaintance with them ; but my present vocation don't require their use." Here Air. Mummychog rose, and laying his gun on the tiible, scratched his head, turned toward Mr. Norton and said, *« Hev yeou any pertikilar bueiness with mt)?** 40 BHRAancm. » Yea sir, I have. I came to Miramicbi to ax-compH^li an important object, and I don't know of another i>er.ou who can help me about it so well as you can.'| «« Well, I dunno. "Wliat upon arth is it ? " " To be plain upon the point," said the missionary, look- ing serious and earnest, " I have ^mc here to preach the: cospcl of Christ." . .'mewlrcligin.isit? Icantcllycrightofr,itsnoso en tlicse ere parts." "Don't you thinkaUttlc religion is needed here, Mr. ISlicah?" - , 1. u »OVell, I dunno. Taint 7mn/e3. Folks cz lives here, can'f abide sermans and prayers en that doleful stuff." "You say you came here for a chance, Mr. Micah. 1 suppose your friends came for the same puiTose. Now, I have come to show them, not a cUnce, but a glorious cer- tainty for happiness in this world and in the eternity beyond." "Well, they don't want tew know anjtliing abeoutit. They just want tew be let alone," said :Mlcah. "I suppose they do wish to be let idone," said Mr. Norton. ' ' But I cannot permit them to go down to wretch- edness and sorrow unwarned. You have influence with your friends here, Islv. INIicali. If you will collect the men, women, aad children of tliis neighborhood together, some afternoon, m your beautiful grove, I will promise to give them not a long sermon, but sometliing that will do thcni good to hear." " I can't dew it no heow. There 'b ben preachers along here n a n V r II h t( SI n II T VI ai ir ibi to accomplif'li of another i^rsou can." it?" • missionary, look- icrc to preach the; right off, its no go needed here, ISlr. 'oiks cz lives here, doleful stuff." e, Mr. Micah. I pui-pose. Now, I but a glorious acr- id in the eternity anj'tliing abeoutit. Micah. it id one," said Mr. ut in order to recover her brctlicr to homo, honor, and happiness, it seemed necessary to bo 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 aiFection f()r hun also pressed its elo- quent suit, and at last the decision was confii'med. She resolved to venture her son in the quest. In the mean time, tho sunset hues had faded from the sky and evening had approached. The golden full moon had 48 MIKAJIirilt. risen nnd was n<.w Ml.lninf,' in at tlio !)r(in.l window, hrin^r. in- into l.cautif.il ivlicf tiu^ .l<-li."itc tra.-cry on the lii-li ooniircs liie ri.l. carvin--* .»f tl.r n.alM.-rany furnitnro, an.l htrikinj,' ont u Hoft nlurn JVom Mr-. LansdowncV l.la.k witin dres.H, aa hIio inovcil alowly to and fro, tiu-()iij,'li ti.c Sho seated herself onrc more at tho window and pazid upon the h.velv oH. ..f ni-ht. A i.orti..n of its serenity en- tend and tran.,..ilii/.ed her nonl. The eh.nd of earc and anxiety passcl IV.mu her brow, kuviug it smooth and pure ud that of au unyel. IK hi n( "1 (II ci E ad window, hrlnpj- atTry on the lii,i;ii rany t'uniituro, and lian."vt and i»ride. •« Aunt Ksther," Buid tliiit y<»nnj,' nuin, throwuif,' himself into an nisy-chair, nnd UHsuminjf as larkadnisical an ex- pression as his IVaidv laid ruguldi I'aee w.aild allow, "1 have jnst lost a Iriend." " Ver have?" said his old nurse, looking round con»i)!W- sionatcly. •'When did ycr lose him?" »' Ahout an hour ago." "What tlid he die of, Ma.-ta John?" *'()f a i»ainfnl nervous di.sease," said ho. "How old wan he?" *' A few years younger than I am." "Did he die hard?" "Very hard, Aunt Esther," said John, looking solemn. "Had yer known him long?" "Yes, a long time." Aunt Esther gave si deep sigh. "Docs yer know wcder lie was pious?" " Well, here he is. Perhaps you can tell by looking ai '.lim," said he, handing her a tooth, he had just had ex- traet^d, and bursting into a boyish laugh. "01 yer go along, Massa John. I might hev knowed it waa one of yer deceitful tricks," said Aunt Esther, trying of lici' iii'mil. A • WDidly lucks aiul ['luliciiliirly, Hoiiic- inpy li^iire. Slic ikmI imd I'lirly Itoy- ic-ial pi't ami i»ruli'. , tlii'owiiij^ liiuirtiU •kadai.xical an fx- wniiM allow, " I ing ruuud compus- lio. n, looking solemn. )0s ycr know wcdcr 1 tell by looking ut I had just had ex- li. niij;ht hcv kiiuwed Luut Esther, trying MIUAMKill. 51 fo (V)nocftl her nmnsptnont, l)y putting on nn injnnHl h)ok. "'I'lurc, till! (Iro bnrnH now. YiT jcnt put on tlu-ni dry rluthis an (piiik um over ycr can, or niohhy yi> '11 Iomc another (Viend hef'ore long." •* It Hhall l)'.iiuly, threw the door wide open and ushered in the ladv, saying, '« Come in, little (piccn mother, come in," and bowing over her hand with u pomimus, yet eom'tly gi'aec. !Mrs. Lansdowne, wlien seen a short time slnoo. v.-.ilkinf in her solitude, seemed cpiite lofty in stature, but now, standing for a moment beside the regal height of her son, one e(mld fnlly justify him in bestowing nnun her the title V ith V. bich ho had greeted her. Jolui Lansd()\viie was fast developing, physically as well as mi'ntaily into a noble manhood, and it was no wonder that his mother's heart swelled wilb prido and joy wlien -ho looked upon him. Straight, muscular, and vigorous in form, his features and cxi)ression were precisely her own, enlarged and intensified. Open and generous in disposition, his character had a certain quality of firmness, quite in contrast with that of his wv ' Edward, and this she had 52 MIUA^IICIII. carefully sought to strengthen. In the pursuit of his Btudies, he had thus far been earnest and successful. During the last half year, however, he had chafed under the confinements of student life, and having now become quite restive in the harness, he had asked liis father for a few montlis of freedom from books. He wished to explore a wilderness, to go on a foreign A-oyage, to Avander away, away, anywherfe })cyond 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 expedition for you." " O ! gloriotis ! mother where am I to go? to the Bar- can desert, or to the Arctic Ocean ? " " You arc to make a journey to the IMiramichi Elver?" " ]\Iiramichi ! " said John, after a brief pause, "I thought I had a slight acquaintance Avith geography, but where In the wide world is JNIiramichi ? " 'roken wilderness to pass through." "Seventy-five miles of wilderness ! magnificent ! where s my rifle, mother? I haven't seen it for. an age." " Don't be so nnpetuous, John. T'ds journey through the wilderness will be anything but magnificent. You will meet many dangers by the way and w ill encounter many hardships." " But, mother, what care I for the perils of the way. Look at that powerful member," stretching out bis large, muscular ami. MlKAMICiri. 3 pursuit of his successful. Iiad chafed under linuj now become d liis father for ;i wished to explore to wander away, ge Avails. have been con- and he lias con- 5X0? to the Bar- [iramichi Elver ? " brief pause, "I h geography, but swick. You will n'okcn wilderness ffnificent ! where s n age." LS journey through lificent. You will 11 encounter many perils of the way. dugout his large, "Don't trust too much in that, Jolm. Your strong arm is a good weapon, but you may meet sometliing yet that is more tlian a matdi for it." "■Possibly," said John, with a sceptical au-, "but when am I to start, mother?" . "To-morrow." ' ' To-morrow ! tliat is fine. AYell ! I must bestir myself," said lie, rising. ' ' Xot to-night, my dear. Yi ai 've notliing to do at pres- ent. Arrangements are made. Be quiet, Jolm. Wo may not sit thus together again for a long while." "True, mother," said lie, reseating himself. "But how is ILiiiso, on the banks of the ^.liraniichi, Jolin Lansilowne, (111 a l)rilliant Septeniljcr morning, started on his meiuor- al)le jonrncy to that region. He was np betimes, and made his appearance at the stables just as James, the stout little eoaelnnan, was com- pleting Cicsar's elaborate toilet. Caesar was a noble-looking, black animal, whose strength and capacity for endurance had been avcU tested. This morning he was in high spirits and looked good for months of rough-and-tumble sei'vice. " Here's yer riile, ^Mister John. I put it in trim for yo yesterday. I s'posc ye '11 be a s(iuintin' reound sharj) lor bears and wolves and other livin' wild beasts when ye git inter the wooc^i." ' "Certainly, James. I expect to set the savage old mon- sters scattering in every direction." " "Well, but lookeout, ^Mister John and keep number one cout o' lire and water and sech." "Trust nic for doing that, James." 56 MIU.VHIICIII. After many aiToctiontitc counPcls and adieus from his par- ents, John, mounted en the {ralh.nt CWr, >vith his ,il!e and portmanteau, posted on at a rapid rate, soon leavmy the eity fiir l)ehind. The position of one who sits eonfidcntly upon the back of a brave and spirited horse, is surely enviaWe. The mas- tery of a creature of such strcngtli and capacity— wlios) neck is ch)tlied with thunder — the gh.ry of whose nostrils is terril)h>, gives to the rider a sense of freedom and power not often feh- amidst the eommou conditions of life. No wonder that the Be.louin of the desert cral'ty, cringing, abject in cities, when he mounts his Arab steed and is olf to the burning sands, becomes dignified and courteous. Liberty and power arc his. They elevate him for the tunc in the scale of existence. John was a superb rider. From his fi. ^ ^-td, he had sat on horseback, firm and kingly. He and Ciesar apparently indulged in common emotions on Uxis morning of their departure fn.m home. They did not it is true "smell die battle afar otV, the thunder of the captains and the shouting," but they smelt the wilderness, the wild, the fresh, the free, and they said ha ! ha ! And so they sped on their long journey. The young man made a partial acquaintance with lum- bering operations at Bangor; had his sublimQ ideas of the nobility of the aborigines of the country somewhat discom- posed by the experience of a day spent in the Indian settle- ment atOldtown ; found a decent shelter at Mattawamkeag Point, and, at last, with an exidtant bound of heart, struck into the forest. ' c e t (1 II ll c V e a tl CI ni w Ic tv :ii li w MIIJAMirill. 57 icus from his par- sir, V ith Ills riile rate, aoon leaving tly upon the hack viable. Tho mas- l capacity — whuso T of whose nostrils Tocdom ami power tions of life. No , crafty, cringing, •ab .stcetl and is olf led and courteout*. tc liim for the time fii <^<^-'al,hchad.sit . common emotions u home. They did , the thunder of the It the wilderness, the \ ha ! ha ! And so Liaintancc with luni- sublimQ ideas of the Y somewhat disconi- m the Indian settlc- er at Mattawamkeag lund of heart, struck ' The only road through this solitary domain was the rou^h path made by luLJiennen, in hauling supplies to the various canipsi, scattered at intervals tin-ough the dense wilderness, extending seventy-five miles, from .Mattawamkeag Point to (lie r>'.ilish boinxlary. Here Xatm-e was found in magnificent wildncss and (lis;in-ay, her hair quite unkempt. Great pines, shooting np innncnse distances in the sky skirted the path and fhui"- their green-gray, trailing mosses abroad on the breeze; crowds of fir, spruce, hendgek, and cedar trees stood waving aloft their rich, dark banners; clusters of tall, white birches, scattered here and tliere, relieved and bright- ened the sombre evergreen depths, and the maple with its atlluent foliage crowned each swell of the densely covered land. Here and there, a scarlet tree or bush shot out its sanguine hue, betokening the maturity of the season and the near approach of autunm's latest splendor. Big bould- ers of granite, overlaid with lichens, were profusely oiiia- nionted with crimson creepers. Everything ai)pcared in s|ilendid antl wasteful confusion. There were hu<'-e trees with branches partially torn away; others, with split trunks leaning in slow death against their fellows ; others, pros- trate on the ground ; and around and among all, grew brakes and ferns and parasitic vines ; and nodded purple, red, and gold'.'ti 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 nuisic, and the woodpecker made loud tapping sounds which echoed like 58 MiRAMicnr. the strokes of the woodman's axo. The air was rich an.l bivlmy, — ppiccd with cedar, pmc, and hcuiluck, and a thou- sand uukno^vn odors. The path through this wihl of forest was rude and difVi- cuh, but the travellers held on tli. ' ■ way nnflinchin-ily,— the horse with unfalteruig courage and patience, and his rider with unocashig 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 G-sar received liia oats, for which his master had made room in his portmanteau, at the expense, somewhat, of his own convenience. The young man pai-t(H)k of a hearty lunch and resigned liimself to dreams of lif'J 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 Ts the stai's 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 Imsteaaed on. Two m- three red-shirted, long-bearded men gave them a rude welcome. They blanketed and fed Cicsar, and pick- eted him under a low shed built of logs. John, as hungry as a famished bear, ikank a deep draught of a black concoction called tea, which his friends heic presented to him, ate a powerful piece of dark bread, inter- larded with fried pork, drew up with the others around the fire, and, in reply to their curious qixestionings, gave thcui the latest news from the outside world. au' iui eai of itiu fiil get >pt bee ma liin wai r J thn call cicv lilln fl'Ol oft I son: cull I0..J. a ci hint MJIUMICIII. 59 ic air was rich and unlock, and atliou- ivas rude and difli- ay iinflincliinji'ly, — I pationoc, and hi-* L • icrc the snn looked ancing rivulet that received hia oats, II \m portmanteau, convenience. The nd resigned liiuiself tree. addle and on — on, waste, and beauty nd the traveller and to a little Avearinc'^s, 1 fire in the dif^tance. id and hasteaed on. •ded men gave them fed Cicsar, and pick- is. tlrank a deep drauglit licli his friends hero of dark bread, inter- :he others around the !titioninga, gave them W For this information ho was rewarded by the strange and stirrijig adventures of wilderne=is life they related dur- iiii,' tlie quickly Hitting evening hours. They told of the scores \vho went into the forest in tho ciuly part of whiter, not to return until late in the snrin"- : of snow-storms and [lacks of wolves; of herds of deer and moose; they related thrilUng stories of men crushed by Hilling trees, or jammed between logs in the streams, to- gether with incidents of the long winter evenings, usually .•tory telhng and card playing. Thus ho became acquaimed with the routhie of camp life. AVearied 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 off to dream- land, under the impression that this gypsying sort of life, was just the one of all others he should most like to live. The folloving morning, the path of our traveller struck tlirough a broad reach of the melancholy, weird desolation, called a burnt district. He rode out, suddenly, from the dewy greenness and balm-breathing atmosi)here of the un- lillghted 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 fircweed. Tt is nearly impossible to 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 liind, some of them surmounted with ebony crowns ; some, no MIUAMICIII. vith lioiul.-* covcml liki- dldiu warriors witli jetty licliiu'ts ; Puim- Nvith brawny, lon.i;' avm.^ strctclu'd over ihv. pathway a.-^ if to seize the pa.ssi-r hy, and all with iWl phuitnl, bi'fiuiiudy in deep and ilaniiuLi; luv. How (itiiekly natm-o. goes al'.iit repairing her des.dations ! So ^jreat in this case is her liaste to euver up the hlaek, unseemly surface of the earth, that, from the strange reseniWanee of the wivd with whieli she clothes it t.) the fiery elements, it would I seem as if she had not yet been al>le to thrust the racing •duw out ol' her fancy, and so its tyi.e had crept again over the l)Iighted spot. John rode on over the glowing ground, the l)laek mon- sters grimacing and scsowling at him as he passed. A\ hat a nice eeiie place this would he thought he for witches, wizards, and all Satan's gentry, of every shape and hue, to liold their high revels in. And he actually began to shout the witches song — " Black spirits .mil wliitc, Kud si)irlts and t?''^)'-" At which adjuration, Ca-sar, doubtless knowing who were called upon, pricked up his ears and started on a full run, probably not wishing to find himself in sucli company just at that time. An establishment similar to the one that had sheltered him the night previous, proil'ered its entertainment at the close of our adveuLarei'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 rcinem- be ail he pa ac d( vere procei'ding along at a moderate [taee, lie heard a ni.stling, eniekling noise on the right sitantly, hringing hi.s lior.se to a dead stand, IjMisened his rille from his .shoulder and after examining it clo.-^ely, remained (piiet. Ili.s patience was not taxed hy long waiting. 'Within the space of two minutes, there waa another .sharp crunching and eracklingof dry boughs, when a wolf, large, gray, and fierce, .spnmg into the path from the .same opening, following on the trail of the deer. lie had nearly ert).sscd the narrow road in hot pur.suit and wan nliont springing into the thicket beyond, when an aeciden- till turn of liid head brought our hero suddenly to his attcn ■ tiun. He stopped, as if struck by a spell of enchantment. "Whiz ! the ball flew. The very instant it struck, the bloodthirsty monster fell dead. When John reached the spot, there was scarcely the (jnivcr of a limb, so well had the work of death been accomplished. Yet the wolfish face grinned still a savage, horrible defiance. " Here, Ctcsar," 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 creature he Avas so thirsty for? No! nor ever cheat any sweet little lied Ividiiig Hood into thinking hini her grandmother? This is the last of him. Did u't I do the neat tiling, Caesar? " C2 MIUAMinil. Cif«nr tlirow liln licml on "lu- side, with im iiir oi' iidiiii- ratitin and },'!ive a low wliiiiny, tliat lictokoiuMl a ^tatc i.i A( to lie liu^ I the woi licr lien Pat "cn ,itli nn uir i>f lulini- (■ti)kciu«M ami J (lays of cliivnlry, coniinonphK.'L' iixi- aljovc all, that tlic j even to his hor.-ki, ion for having licr- lot indeed he worth n'vellous deeds and nt, but this bein^ a he first j^'anie of the be excused, lictini, (air traveller his journey, nuuh •ardly resolving how Aunt Esther stand I lie shoiUd give thciii, / depai'ture from P., Amidst the subso- s of that journey, re.e things not to be m in the recollection a large, fierce, gray CILVITIOIt VIII. A FUNEU/VL. Trii; day following the .'nl! mtuh; by :\rr. Norton on Mil-ill Miininiyehog, fho last-named peivonagi! eainc to Air. Dubois's h(mse and Adele happening to open the out- ^i.Iiglit, ho called out, " ^fisa Ady, do yu know where that individooal that yc brought til my hcouse yi>terday, is? " " I'ou mean the missi(miry?"said Adele. " Well, yis, 1 spose so; where is he?" "lie is engaged with a sick gentleman wc have here, lie has taken the [ilace of Aunt Patty, who is tired out and liiis gone to rest." " Well, that piece of flesh, what's called IMcXab, has the greatest fakkilty of -ittin' tired cout when there 's any work reound, that ever I see. Any lieow, she 's got to stir licrsidf this tune. But I want to see the minister, noow." " Yes, I will ppeak to him. But I shall not call Aunt Pnlty. She is tired mw. 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 Ci MinAMtnii. yc .ihonut it noow. Yo ran ax ycr ^ir, when ho ronics i..." miia Mi'-uh, ri'liirtant to i,'o into imrticulurs which ho knew would nhofk Atli-lc. -Will, ("i.i.tin," ^al.I Mi<'ah, wlu-u Mv. Norton iu^mIo hi.. ai.iR'Ui.in.-o at the door, honV a ir-"lar wiiid-lhll for y.-. Hero's an Irishman over horo, an is ^n-ovo, jest atoro tjwy put him anchor {^roound." ••Dciidl the poor man dead 1 indood ! " oxoUiiiucd Mr. Norton. " Yis. IIo was phot ri-,dit throu,'j;h his hoart, and I liopo I Hwinj,'in ' cmi 'Ul coino on him that put the ball thrcouph, tow." "Why, how was it, :Mr. Mlcah?" Kild Mr. Norton earnostlv. •' Woll, ycou jest toll ir.c fust wothor yoou'll say prayor.s or sonicthin' or 'nothor ovor tho poor ohap's rooUks." ♦'Cortainly, 1 will, Mr. Mi<'ah." "Woll, yc HOC, rapMoCiiath lived hack here, half a mile or 80, an' lie's <^nt lots o' cousins an' friends 'at live nil along on this 'ore river, more or loss, till yc git to Chavtham, tli(it\i nitooatod to the mouth. Well, these fil- lers haa hoon in thehahit o'gittin' to-other and n;oin'deown river and hirin' once in a spell, some sprt of old, cranky craft and goin' skylarkinir roound to Eastport and Pcjrtland.^ Artcr a while they 'd cum back and snuiggle in a cargo o soinethin' or 'nothcr from the States, and sheirk the dootics. Well, 'bcout a week ago, there was a cimfoundcd old crit- tu oil fol an Imi hi c (I CO an In an al UI1 li.v ai >•£ T re I i^' I Min.vMinn. 05 ivlicn ho roiiicH in," law which hi; knew Mr. Xi)rtnn lui'.ili! iiir wliid-liill tor yi-. ,';\(1 11!^ ii (>r Hiiil. siiiisrt, iinti I hy brows and nnittered vows of ven<;cancc. The rays of the sun, now ra^jidly declining, shot into their angry liices, the evening breeze shook out their matted locks of liiiir. A peculiar glow was cast over their wild, Erin features, now gleaming with unholy passion. ]Mr. Norton bent for a fe'\' minutes over the coffin, while an expression of son-ow and deep commiseration overspread liis countenance. Then he stepped upon a slight knoll of .rriiuiid near bv, raised lumself to his full height and began to speak in a voice that rose above the crowd, clear, iaeh)di(ms, fidl and penetrating as the notes of a bugle. Jt tiu-ilh;d on every ear and di-ew instant attention. "Friends, brethren, fcUow-sinners, one of our number has been suddenly struck down by the relentless hand of death, and wo are here to pay the hist honors to his mortal remains, — each and all to learn a solemn lesson while standing at the mouth of the grave. Ih-ethrcn, 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 "•lowed as keenly and his right arm was as powerful as yours. Tlie 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 wliich he has been summoned. You know, who were hia 68 MIKAMlOm. I fru-nds and comrades, what hh former course has been, and whether he was prepared to meet the Judge of all the eartli. I know nothing of all this, but I fervently hope tliat at the last erring, awful moment, when he had just eonujiitted an act of transgression against the laws of his country, he had in his heart, and did, offer up this prayer, ' God be mereifid to me, a sinner.' We nuist leave him in tlie hands of tiie Almighty, who is both merciful and just. A\'e cannot change his lot, but we have it in our power to profit by the circumstances of his death. Beholding how Buddcnly he has been cut off, in the prime and strength of his days, we may learn that we too may be called at some imcxncctcd moment, and tluit it behooves us to be found ever in the right path, so living, so acting, that wc shall be ready, wlicn 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. I beg of you earnestly, my dear brethren, in order to secure this happy result, to turn imr>v.ti.itely from your sins, repenting of them without delay, ind a]iply to Clu-ist 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 bretlu-en, I will say but one word more ; that word I earnestly implore you to listen tcf. 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 knowa If- MIUAIMICTII. 09 course has been, Judge of ill! the I fervently hope ,vhen he had jiulc prayer, im- ploring the forgiveness of sins, and blessings upon Patrick's wile, his companions, and the conununity. Maggie, who had wailed herself into perfect exhaustion ^ and almost stupor, sat gazing fixeilly in his face ; the rest seemed hushed as by a spell, and did not begin to move until some moments after his voice ceased. Tlien the tongues were loosened, and amid the ebbs and flows of murmuring sound, the coffin was covered, placed up<.n a bier and borne to the grave, followed by the crowd. "And shure," said a p<}or Irishwoman to her crony, as they trudged along behind, "the praste's voice sounded all the while like a great blessed angel, a blowin' through a silver trumpet. Shure, he's a saint, he is." ■r CILVrTER IX. ADtLR DUBOIS. The Dubois famil}-, tlioiig'i widely sc2iaratc(l hy social rank and worldly possossiijus from tlic po2)idati(iii around flicni, had yot, to a certain degree, mingled freely with the })cople. Originating in France, they possessed the pecul- iar nationtd faculty of readily adapting themselves to the mannoi's and customs of races foreiijn to their own. It is impossible to forget in the early history of the Xorth American colonies, what facility the French displayed, in contrast with the English, in attaining communication with the children of the forest, in acrjuiring 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 dcm^instrate to the world, the social and political problems of America, who has investigated with such insight, and d s doped so truly our manners and customs and the spirit and genius of our government as Tocquevillc ? Mv. Dubois, though possessing aconscrvavu-e power .htit prevented him from desceniling to the low type of character :i (> ii tl h V S( 01 ir (I m li( hi 1" III ill of 111 1» pn or pii er TVI MIUAMIC'III. 71 :>p:iratc(l by fcocial )opuliiti(iii around ctl fVocly with (he iscssod the pecul- themselvos to the their own. itory of the Xortli 'uch displayed, in niinunicatiori with md retaining their ncultivatcd modes Itions to their own ted to demonstrate licms of America, and d ■* oh>ped so lirit and genius of rvavu'C power Tliat ' tyjic of character Miiil the lax priiicipkvs of the coiiiifry, yet never made any i-dicr than the most (piiet assertion of siip-riui-jty. It was iiiipossihle inde(Ml for iiim to hohl business connections with file rough setth'rs without mingling freely witli them. * Uiit he never assmned the air of a master. lie frequently en- gaged with them in hold, adventurous exploits, the aeconi- l)lishment of which did not involve an infringement of law ; sometimes he put hand and sho.ildcr to the hard labors they endured, and he was ever ready with his sympathy and aid in redressing their grievances. Though often shocked at tlicir lawless and profane customs, ho yet recognized in many of them traits of generosity and ; (,",; -ness. "Without a partichj of aggressiveness in his disposition, he h:ul never undertaken actively the work of reform, yet his example of uprightness and integrity liad made an ini- l)ression upon the community. The people treated him with unvarying respect and confidence, partly from a sense of Ills real superiority, and partly, perhaps, from the very lack of self-assertion on his side. Ccjnsequently without having made the least cfFort to do so, he exercised an autocratic power among them. i\Irs. Dubois visited the women of the place frcquentlv, particularly when the men were absent in their lumberin<>-. or fishing operations, conversing with them freely, bearing patiently their superstitious and ignorance, aicUng them lib- erally in temporal things, and sometimes mingling kindly "^■(jrds of counsel with her fir.-t lM-:in (n run .,i,.mt f'-,„u ()mM'<.ttii.ur to anotl.vr, lia.l Invu !Vto. JVank, au'l i.u; . : i.'U.. AVhcthir it wiis, that having .siull'.I tV....i bahvlu.oil d' ' frc^h furcit ulr of llw nrw v.rlfl', it. l.voath V-.'J la vir*^'- ''' ^^'f'" '' *"""''^'''' ""^''l'^"- dciicc not Bhircd l)y her pnvcw.ts, or, Avhuther the liiiu-hty blood that liad flowed larbaek in the veins of auce.-*t.>rs, after coursln- quietly along the gcnerati.^n.s had in lier h.- conic btimulated int.' n(;w uctivi^y, certain it is, she had al- v,uy,s tbc iK.iring of one Ir.ving authority and the art ot g. .ver.ung seemed u, : -ral to her. It was strange, therefore-, tint she shoul'l have l.ccn ^ueh a universal fav.)rlte in the ,u.I..hhorhood. But so it was. Those who hahitually set puhHe law atdefiauee, eamc readUy under the eontrol of her youth i'ul sway. rt.>-^essing a full share of the irrcpressildc activity ot childhood, The enaeted the part of lady of the ^lanor, assmmn;.- prerogatives that even her mother did not thmk of exeri'ising. Wheu ;il)out eleven sunuuers old, she opened one after- noon the door of an Irish cabin and received at ouee a cor- dial, noi. / welcome from its inmates. She did not howcve, make an" immediate response, for she had begmi taking a minute survey of the not over-nice premises. At lengthr Bhe deigned to speak. "Fn-id-et ]\Ialone, are you not ashamed to have such u disorderly house as this? Why don't y^u sweep the flour and put things in place?" "Och ! hinny, aiv^ how can I swapc the floor without a brum?" said Bridget, looking up iu some dismay. MlJiA.Mirm. 73 ittaijc' to iuiotlu'f, 'hftlioi- it was, that ■Cot ail- of tlio new I caivk'j-s iiulcpcu- K'ther the liauulity /eins of ancestors, ims, hail in lior ho- iii it is, slic hail al- ity and thi; art ot 1 straii^n'e, thcrcforo, LTsal favorite iu the who habitually set jr the control of her ircssihle activity of uly of the Manor, iiothor (lid not think opened one uftcr- ceived at once a cor- Bhe did not howcvc, had begun taking a i-eniides. At lengthr ained to have such a y iu sweep the floor ic the floor without a juie dismay. "Didn't my father order .lames to give yon a lironni wlienescr yoii want oney Here Pat," said .-lie, to a ragged nrcliin ai)(>ut her own age, who was tuniMing about o\er the floor with a little dirty-faecd baby, "here, take this jack-knife and go down to the river by Mrs. Campbell's new house and cut sume hendoek bougii.s. lie juick. and brinu' them back as fast as you can." I'at started at once. Allele tlien deliberately took oil' her bonnet and shawl, rolled them up into as small a package as she couhl make, and ])laccd tliem on tlic nearest a])pro.\imation to a (lean spot lliat could be found. Tlien slie stooped down, took the baby from the floor and handed him to his mother. ''Here, Bridget, take Johnny, wash his face imd put him on a clean dress. 1 know he has another dress and it ought to be clean." " Vcs. He "s got one yon gave him, Miss Ady, but it flint clane at all. Shnre it's time to wash I'm wanting, it is." " Now, don't tell me, Ih'idget, that you have not time to wa.-h your children's clothes and keep them decent. Vmi need not spend so many hours smoking yoiu' pipe over the ashes." " Von would n't deprive a poor oratur of all the comfort she has in the world, would ye, hinny?" " You ought to take comfort in keeping your hmise and children clean, liridget." In the meanwhile, Bridget had washed Johnny's face, and there bemg no clean dress ready for the little fellow, Allele said, "Come, Bridget, put on a kettle of water, jiick up your clothes, and do your washing." 7 4 .mii:amk in. " Slmrc, iiiiil I will, if ye f^ay ft). Miss Ady." 'I'lic [tour wliil'tlcss tliiii^^liiiviii;,' i»liU'c(l tliu buby on tho flour a^'iiiu, began to stir iihout aiid mnkv ready. Adi;le sat poking and turning over tho ehubby littlo Jolmny with her loot. At last, Pat appeared witli a modrrate ([iiantity of liendoek boughs;, whieli Adcle told him to throw u[)on the floor, — then to hand her the knife and sit down by her side and learn to niiiko a broom. She seleeted, elipped, and laid together the boughs, until slio had made (piile ii pile: sent Put for a strong piece of twine and an old broom liandle and then secured the boughs lirndy upon it. "Now Pal,'" she said, "here is a nice, flew jack-knife. If you will promise nie that you will cut boughs and make your mother two new brooms, just like this, every week, the knife sludl be yours." Pat, with eyes that stood out an unmentionable distance, and mouth stretched from ear to ear, promised, and jVdele jn-oceeded vigorously to sweep tlie apartment. In tho Course of half an hour, tho rot)m wore a wholly different aspect. '* And who tould the like of ye, how to make a lannu like that, hinny?"said Bridget, looking on in admiration of her skill. " Xubody told me. I saw Aunt Patty ^IcXab do it once. You see it is easy to do. Now, Bridget, remember. Have your house clean after this, or I will nut come to see you." "Yes, shurc, I'll have them blessed brums as long's tikcfc 'e a tree grows." w MiijA.Minri. 75 Vdy." the biiby oil tho c'iuly. ,0 cliubl)y little tc ([(i;intity of i throw ui)on the it down liy Iior •Iccteil, clipped, 111 lll!l(k' (|uill' 11 ud an old bi\)itui ii|)ou it. fli'w jack-knife. Jiinhs and make liiri, every week, ionable dis^taiioe, ji^ed, and Adele •tnu'iit. In tlie wholly ditlerent to make a l)rnni )n in admiration ty ^leXab do it idi;et, remember. [ nut come to see brums as long's And true it \vait of queening it over the people ; but they were perfectly willing to have it so, and both hned and wci '; proud of their little .lespot. 70 MIIIAMICIII. I;i (he iiiciiu limo, llii< DiiImm^ ihiiilly wciv livin.ir ii li(n vitliiii ;i lilr, l<. tlic /«y//r i.l' wWuU llic iTiidcr iiiii-l now In: jntni»lii<'C(l. It liiis lurn Hiiiil tliiil llic «iiitu;u(l !is|.oct of their dwcll- iiiLj was rcsiu-ctiiMi", and in tliat irijanl was not jiTrally at vnriaiKT, vKrv^tt in M/f, with thi- snrniiindiii},' lial)itatii.iis. AVithiii, howovor, thiMv wc-ro apaitiiicnts iiirnishcd and ndi;r I'd ill sinh a iiiaiiacr as to liotokoii the charaeti r and tii-^tt'S (if the iinnatcs. In the M't'ond ftnry, directly over the ppacions dininj,'- rooni ahrady descrihcd, then- was a I.-iil? apartment wilh two windows reaching"' lu-arly to th(^ floor. It was eaq.ctcd with crimson and hlack Tn-nsscls, contained two solas of French workmanship, made in a heavy, tiionL,di ricli style, covered witli cloth also of \' which was snpported by varions broadly . 'illnir, -.q-ote.Mpie crea- tnres, belonging to a genns known only hi the iloniiiin of fable. On the evening fijllowiiig tlie bnrial of poor Pat ]Mc- Grath, :\Ir;. Dnbois sat in this apartment, en-aged in enibroidering ii fancy piece of ihx'^>^ lor Adtle. That yonng lady was reclining niion a sofa, and was looking earnestly at a painting of the Madonna, a copy 4i-om some old ma.'ter, hanging marly opposite to her. It was now bathed in the yellow moonlight, wbich heightened the won- d. til to \n to or fa ni Ik^ a dc CO I" an l»i in as ar th MinAiMinir, 77 Tro livliifj n liHn Icr mii-t now lie t (if tlicir thvcll- as not jiTrally at liiiLT lial)itatii>iiH, •< t'iiriii>li('il ami 10 rharactiT and Hpaci()ii>» (lliiiii,!^- a|»artiiiL'iit willi It was carpc'ti'tl K'(l two solas of luiii-fh ricli style, lack ; with rliairn S ami I'liii.-licd in mo stooil in one ['liiiu'st> lac(|nci('il lie Ijowl "f wliicli f, raric looka down on n-i with a s\veet smik' lo-ni';ht." " She always looks kindly ii]K)n lis, cficir, when vrc try (o ill riuiit,"' said Mis. Diiiiois, smiliiif^. '» Doulitlcss voii lia\c tried to he irood fo-day and sluMipproves your elliirt." " Now, Jii:^t (ell me, inti. rfiirc »)^/7. how shi' would re- i.'-ard me to-ni^dit if I had eommitted one wicked deed t(i-e. lie sue- eeedcd. I have heard that that jiiitine has a strange (lower to soothe. (Jazing upon it the spirit grows calm and the voice unconsciously sinks into a whisper. Our priests woidd tell the common people that it is amiraenlous influence exerted upon them hy the Virgin herself, where- !is it is only the eflict produced hy the exquisite skill of the artist. Eh, blcn ! our ehureli is full of superstitions." " Wc will talk no more of it, mnjilk. You do not love the holy Marie as you ought, I fcii'..'' "Love her! indeed I do. She i? the most blest and 78 MHIAMirill. honoml nnu.n^ wonion,— tlu- moll.or cf tl.o Saviour. Hut why »-l."iilv«' l>vay to Ii.t, wImm .l.-^ii-* i^ the only i.itcr- rcs'h.or i'or our /lus will, the Fathor? Why, ma d>in vicic y "' ^^Ilrhis ! mnfilh. You h^anicl to Mi-ht the iutcrcc.-sion of Ihr holy HuhitH uhilc you were at the coiivcut. It i^ f.tranjj;c'. I thou^^lit I <'oulil trus^t you tlicri'." - Ho not think it the fault of th(! listers, rhiic vicic They (li Siiviniir. Hilt ( U tilt; ttiily inter- Why, nui I'liii'e ;lit tlK'iiitt'roo.«,<*i(in he I'ouvciit. Il i^ ere." istors, rhi'ie vicrc. iiii^ aimc to inc. I ftlh?" lit iiitotlio ooiivont nunc iiu', took mc osilics. r.iit 1 wiw lot (li.-tincfly kin>w LTHtiiiid it nil now." -those tooth, those . 'Hioii that uwl'iil lie convent iind was n chiirnel-lionse, I h parlor uruamcnts moa of the saints, cious lives? They on that eonsecratcs tliink of it." •» l\iirrihz, niiijiUc." •' My tVieiiil iVoin the States, Malxl MMiton, came to the coinent. llic diy I airiseil. A-< oiir studies wei'c ihu fiinne. and iis, nt lii>l, we were liolli Imme-iek, llie sisteiN piiinitted us to lie to;j;ethi'r iiiueli I'l' the time. /■.'// / Inrn ! I read her lionks, her Hiltle, and so liuht dawned. She n-ed to pray to (he Father, throu:j;h the l{e(|eeiner. I liked that way lie.r.t. fhit mn iivrc, our cathedral service is ^nll!in^(;. There is nothinj,' like tliitl. Now you will I'or- "ive mo. The arehes tiie altar, the incense, the •;lorious sar'nii" waves of music, — these raised me and Mahel, like- wise, up to the lofty third heaven. How hl^h, how holy we felt, when we worshipiied there. Ijeeausc \ like fiie ealhedral, you will for-ivc me for all 1 said before, — will you not, ma rlirrc nirn:'/" Turning; her lieail smldenly towards her mother, Adele saw her eyes filled with tears. *' E/i ! iiKi c/irrc mrrc, juinhnncz mni. I have pained you." And she rose and Hun;,' her arms, passionately, aiMund her mother's ncek. " l\iuvri"ltllr!" said the nidHier, relurninv and crliOL'S of liis luber, with a sliiul- tcai's, ami days uf ■hood, and perhaps lad been homesick •rsation recorded in r to unfold to Adelo itting in the parlor, ui gave an intense up the face of tlic ;hed the ivory keys i .'le's eyes were fixed is bcn;an, " we once V, I trust you never fnlPicardy, — what exiled in this rude st course. Indeed, L- us so good as thi:*. I consider, perhaps, \. I must tell yon, ■f miles from the city large estate, bordcr- cuue of ])oplars led Lintil it opened npou a broad, green platcan (if grass, studded with giant trees, the growth of eentiu'ies. Here; and there Averc trim little iluwer-beds, laid out in a variety of fantastic shapes, with still", glossy, green, closely-clij)pcd Ijorders of box. And, \ what was my childish admiration and deliglit, there was a ' fiiuntaiu that poured itself out in oozing, dripjjing droj)3 I'nmi the flowing hair and finger ti[)S of a marljle Venus, ju.-t rising in the inuncnse basin and wringing out her locks. Then the [);u-k, — there was none more beautifid, more stately, extending far back to the banks of the Somme, where birds sat on every bough :uid the nightingale seemed til ])onr its very heart away, singing so thrillingly and so king. I hear the liquid notes now, my Adele, so tender, so sweet ! At the end of the avenue of poplars of which I spoke stood the chateau, with tlic trhn flcnvcr-beds in iVont. It was built of brown stone, not much ornamented externally, with four round towers, one in each (nirner. Though not as old as some of those castles, it had been reared several centuries before, by a Count de Rossillon, who owned the estate and lived on it. In that chateau, I first saw the light of day, and thcio I spent my hap[)y childhood arid v lolh. The estate of Rossilli.n had bc^.i bequeathed by the will of my grandfather, to his twu son j. The elder, the present Cuimt de Rossillon, inherited the larger portion ; my father, the younger son, the smrller share. My father was a Bouapartist, and at the time of his raurriagc held a high rank in the army. During his ab- sence from the country, my mother resided ut the chateau ■vith her brother-in-law, the Count. w 84 MTRAMICm. One (lav In Jnne, new. .rnvo-l of th. sua.lon aoath of .„y i^ttlici^ It was connnunioatea to my -nother, by the messono-cr AvUo brousht it, witbout precaution. lb. ,i,..Ut. one bunr after, I was n.bered into an orpbune,! existence and my .notber took ber departure fronx tbo world. Tbink of me Adele, tbn.s tbrown a wad upon ibc sbore of life. Yet, tbou^'b born In tbe .badow ot r. great sorrow, sunli-bt struck aero., my patb. 'I'ho faitbful Lonnc, wbo bu.l taken eare of nn' motbc -a her iniancv and bad never left ber. now took ebar,e of u.e Sbe watcbed ovcm- me faltbftdly and filled up nn cbiblbood witb afteetionate attention and innoee.^ pa.tnac. My uncle, tbe Count, wbo bad never been marr.ed, loved p Jted, and indulged me in every wi.b. AVben I grew old !„,,.,b, be .eeured a governess well qualified to teaeb and discipline mc. Under ber care, witb tbe aul of maste. i„ U.Un, music, a.d drawing, tnan Annens, I wo tbrougb tbe course of instruction considered ueeessaiy t.. young ladies at tbat time. I ;as ar your age n.y Adele wben I first met your fatbe, . 11. ^vas not tbe bronzed and .•areworn man you see nm nov. ^_ ^^^ Ab ! n.. He was young and gay, witb a tab^on glance and h ^^^ ^ ,,,a<.k wreatbing locks banging over bis wlnte, smooth ^^^^^ h,.,v. Ills fiitber was of noble bb. d, and syn.pat In.cd ^,^^^^ warmly witb tbe detbrone.l liourb.av . He was no lover ^^^ ^ ,, tbe great Consul. Tbe political tr -ublc. m 1 ranee bad ^ ^.^^^ operated In ways greatly to impoverisb lus bous^. . ^^^^^ lie owned and occupied only tbe remnant of wbatL.l ^ ^^^^ been a large estate, udjoinit.g tbat of tbe (^ount do Kos- tillou. w liiinAMicin. 85 sudilcii tlt'atli nf IV niother, by ihv, precaution. 'I'li't^^ into an orpliuuLil parturc from the l\ vn a waif upon the y sliudow of ii gi'e;it xo, of my mother in now took chavii'C [ly and filled up niy I innocent pa^t'nlu•. !en married, loved, When I grew old lalified to teach ami the aid of masters u Amiens, I Aveiit iidcred ncee^riary iW irst met yonr father. anyoiiscclum now. a falcon glance and i) his white, smooth ' d, and sympathi/.ed He Ai-as no lover mbles in France had , his hou^e. jmuant of what hud ^ ■ the ('ouut de Kos- A^^ule acquiring his education, your fallicr, except at o.'casional intervals, was six years fi-om home, and it so hap[)eiied that I never u}et him in my childhood. Indeed, tlie families were not on terms of intimacy. On his return from the University, I first saw him. Eh! blcn! It is the same old story that you have lieard and read of. In your hooks, my Adclc. We became acquainted, I will 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 Miy 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- soieuous position in the great circle at Paris, while I had iiiveu mvself to an obscure youth in Picardy. Your fadier was too honorable to ask me to marry him without the consent of the Count, and too proud to take me ill his poverty. So one day, after his stormy interview witli my uncle, he came to me and said he was going away U) endeavor to get fame, or wealth, to bestow upon me and make himself more worthy in tlie eye^ of the Count de Kos,,illon. Yet he wished to releiise me from any feeling of obligi-iion to him, as, he said, I was too young and had too little accpuuntanec with life and society to know •iilly my own heart. It would not be right, he tlumght, to bind me U) himself by auy promise. I told himray alFee- tiou for liinr would never change, but acquii-^ced in his arrangements with a sad and foreboding iv art. In a few weeks, he embarked for India. 8 86 MMIAMICIU. Tlieu .nv uuclo r..u.ca himself from tho in.Tt.t, of Iuh quiet luil,it.s and laudc an-.nj,n^..nents for a journey tlu-ou^L France and Italy, • •• '^ U'^ --1 I wan to take wtth luu.. I received the . ...^ .uent with inaillerencc, heu,^ whollv occupied ,:rief at the bitter separ^.tion h-u>u your fDthcr. The clian-o however proved .salutary, and, in a week after our departure, 1 felt hope once more dawn- in;-' in my heart. The ..ountry throuo-h which we travelled ^vas sunny and beautitid, veined with sparkling streams, shadowed I. y U.- ests, studded with the olive and uudberry, and with vnie. bearing the h.scious grape for the vintage. The constant chano-e of scene and the piness. He judged that my aftec- lion I'or your tiither was a transient, youthful dream, and woidd soon be forgotten ; he fancied, no doubt, I was even then beginning to wake up Irom it. He wished to pre- vent uic from forming an early and ^vhat he considered an imprudent marriage, whic-h I might one day regret, un- availingly. An.r it proved to be all right, my Adele. lour fiither and I were both young, and the course the Count de Eos- sillon took with us, was a good though severe test ot our I ■m BnuAMicirt. 87 tlio iiKn-tiii of li'iH a juurncy tliroii;j;li to take with liim. iiKlinorcncc, hnws, L n- scpiinvtiDU frum a vod .siilutary, and, "f c once more dawu- llcd was sunny and :, shadoNVcd by t'or- ry, and with vines \ru\ The constant of objects of Intor- clasticity of youth, •mcr buoyancy and dcli,ij;htcd with the ted him^^clf so nuirh w he sincerely lo\iil dit would in tlu' cud V'-cd that niv afl'ci'- pjuthful dream, and 10 doubt, I was even He wished to i)rc- hat ho considered an one day regret, un- Adelc. Your fothor se the Count de Eus- y tliosc of friends and acquaintances among the neigli- hiiring nobiUty. Though I received no tidings fi'om your filler, a secret hope still sustained mc. A few times only, 88 Mir.AMICIII. 1 diirin- the first tlircc year, of hh ab.^enee, dhl I lose my chccrFulnesd. Those were, when .>^uuie hjver pressed his .uit and I knew that m repelHng it, I was upsetting su.u.. ^ dierishcd scheme of my unele. But I will do hnn the jus- ^ lice to say that he bore it patieutly, and, (.nly at Ion- . intervals, oavc vent to his vexation and disappointment. | It wad when my hope concerninj,' your father's retui'u beii-an to fail, and anxiety respecting his fate began to be indul-cd in its stead, tliat my spirits gave way. At the elose^of the fourth year of his absence, my peace was wholly gone and n: lays were spent in the restless agony of suspense. IMy health was rapidly failing, a-/, ' my uncle who knew the cause of my prostration, instead of consult- ing a physician, in the kindness of his heart, took me to Pm-is. 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 husl)and and three cldldren, and had passed through much sorrow. Gradually, she drew n:c to her heart and I told her all my grief. She dealt very tenderly with me, my Adele. She '(lid 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 uito the consolations of our Holy Church. Under her inthi- ence and guidance I came into a state of sweet resignation to the divine will,— a peaceful rest indeed, after the ter- t \ I MIUA,AUCI1I. 89 t ^0, dill I I'l'^c I'ly luvcr pressed liis ) •as tipscttiujj; somo v ill do him the jus- ^ and, only ut liiii;,' , disappointment, nn- father'a retui'n fate began to bo avc way. At the ce, my peace was the re.«tles8 ugony iling, a'.;' my unclc instead of eousuk- heart, took me to as there introdnecd moment more fad. I was introduced a lovely lady, who LMi, and had passed * and I told her all •ith me, my Adele. ring fresh hopes of me, I might never :hat I might be (he { (lie I into } e led me gently . Under her inthi- of sweet resignation idccd, after the tcr- -'i>le alternations of nuspen-'' and despair I had sufTcred. 'Alt, my Adule, it was only by constant prayers to tiio bi! ■".'^d Marie that my soul Avas kept from lapsuig into its former state of dreadful unrest. Ma chv.rc Adelo, 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, bu* ilio world is full of sorrow. It may o\ertake you iis ii did me. Then you will need a hope, a c(jns()lati()n, a refuge. There is no peace like that found at the foot ot !ic cross, hnploring the intercession of the compassionate, Icving M«/-/e. Do not wander away from the sweet eyes of the mother of Christ, ma/dlc." Here Mrs. Dubois ceased speaking, and turned a tear- fij, affectionate gaze upon her daughter. Adelc's eyes, that had been fixed upon her mother with earnest, absorbed attention, filled witli tears, instantly. ' ' Ma cficrc mere, I would not .uakc you unhappy. I will try r'ot to give you pain. Please go on and tell mo all." " Eh ! bien ! ma there, my uncle was pleased to sec me becoming more peaceful. Finding I was not attracted by the pleasures of ihe gay city, he proposed our return to the chateau, and .rgged the Countess de IMorny to accom- pany us. At n. , urgent request, she consented. On the day of our an-ival, the Countess weary with the journey, having g')ne to her own apartments, I went to stroll in the beautifid, beloved park. It was June, — that month so fiUl of leaves, flowers, bu-ds, and balmy summer 8* 90 MinAMicni. wimls. i ■:" at the foot of an oM l)cccli-trco, loaniuj? my head against its hu-o trnuk, li.stcning t.. the tlow of tho rivor, In.hil-in- in dan-L-rous rcv.ri.'. — dan-.Tou. oca- taiuly to jny poacc of mind. Suddenly, 1 wa« dtartlod hy the sound of ibot.stq.s. Before I cm.uUI euilect my seal- tcred senses, your father stood before me. ' Mane; he eaid, ' Marie' For one moment, I met his can ear- ancc, received him politely, if not cordially. When your father had hiid before lum a simple statement of our eaaef he replied frankly. ' I am convinced,' he said, < by what I have observed during your al)scnce, 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 tar enough from w hat I designed for her. But the manliness and honorable feeling you have manifested in the affair, make me more willing to resign her to you than I should othervnse have been, as I cannot but hope that, although deprived of the advantages of wealth and station, slu; will yet have the faithful affection of a true and noble heart ! This was enough for us both and more than we 'expected. i I I 1 tr fa ei J\ MlltAMIClIl. 01 trco, K'aninjjj my t the How of till" — dan^'ci'ous wr- I \va.« .ittirtlcd by I I'ollct't my scat- me. ' Mark,' he fHiostiuniii Hpriii-j:, yimr tUthi'r »>xi>l<»iv(l thia rc- frinii and iniulf u liW^'c |.iircli!isf .if liuul lioro. At that time it Mccmod a (lu.xiriil.K- iuvcstnu-nt. Hut you m; how it in, my A.Il-Ic. Ail Iuim rcHiillrd stranjrdy (liiU'rotit from wliat wo aiitifipatcd. Ami Homchow it, 1ms always hccii (liHiciilt to (•lian;,'e our home. From time to Jimc, we liavo tliDU^lit of it, — obstacles have nriscu ami — we are still here." «' Rut where is the Count do Kossillon, mother? It is twenty years, is it not, since you left France? Does he , yet live ? " "J/*/ ma chere, wo know not. After our di'parturn from France wo received freiiuenl letters from him and tlio dear Countess until five years since, when the letters ceuscd. They constantly iu-gi' nf \t lioforp Vinil hpf«n mere!'/ vague and confused. Now a new world was opened for her active fancy to revel in, and fi-esh fountains of sympa- thy to pour forth, for tliose whom she so fondly loved. She sighed as she recalled that 3'earning, 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 travel, her mother had pursued with the Count dc Rossil- lon. She longed herself to visit those regions of clascsi and romantic interest. During the long, golden, Septcra- i ii \ 94 MiiJA-Micnr. l)cr afternoons, slic spent lu)urs, in the INIadonna room, qucsti()nin,^f her niotlior iincw respecting the scenes juid events of lier past life, and listening eagerly to lier replies. Tlie young examine distant objects as through a ])nsm. Adele's imagination invested these scenes and events with rainbow splendors and revelled in the wealth and beauty, 6he had herself partially created. The new world thus opened to her Avas infinitely superior to ti.e one in which she held her commonplace, humdiimi existence, ■^he 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. IVfrS. T)llbf)in llOr.iolf folf- •-> /^n,^•^'nr> r>P .Or>or,.,„,, :„ il T - .^.^ „ ...,^pi,_v^ t,, px>jUOUH^ 111 lllUB IIV" ing over again her former life Avith one, who entered art- lessly and enthusiastically into its joys and soitows. She also experienced an infinite relief in pouring out to her sympathizing child the regrets and L^iigmgs which had, for* so long a period, been closely pent in her own breast. i\ [other and daughter were dr.awn nearer to each other day by day, and those hours of sweet comn i were amono the purest, the happiest of theii- lives. Mr. condi ill ev was i and ( said . the s "J been tlema ]Mi made togi W turne seven that I cam onna room, .socnos juul Iicr rej)lit'.s. ,^li ti ])nsm. events with and Ijoauty, world tliiia le in which !uce. -She f the past. lat history, world. :„ ii !• Ill lllUB IIV- ntcrcd art- •ows. She out to her 3h had, for wn breast. 1 other day '^ere amona CHAPTER XI. MR. BEOWN. Nearly two weeks had elapsed since the night when Mr. Dubois had brought Mr. Brown, in a sick and fainting condition, into his house. That gentleman had lain very ill ever since. The disonso wos tvnjinid fever ; the ')aticnt was in a critical^statc;, and nothing now but the utmost care and quiet coiUd save his life. " A\niat du-ections have you left for to-day. Dr. Wright?" said Adele 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 mc, sir? ]\Irs. McNab has been called elsewhere, and avIU not have charire of the "cn- tleman to-day. " Mrs. Dubois looked at Adele with some surprise. She made no remark, however, as Dr. Wright immediately began to give the directions for his patient to that young lady. "WHien he had taken leave and closed the door, Adele turned to her moiher and said, " I have suspected for several days that things were not going on properly in that sick-room. Last night, I became convmced of it. I cannot stop to tell you about it now, mamma, as there iih I !i ' 1 1 ,ilt •111 i ' 9G BUUAMICHI. is no time to lose with our invalid. But Mra. jMcXub must decamp. I have it all arranged, and I promise you I will not offend Aunt Patty, Ijut will dismiss her peace- ably. Do trust her to me once, mamma. Please go now and tell her there is a message waiting for her in the dining-room. Stay with ^Ir. Brown just one half hour, and you shall have no more trouble to-day." " But, ma cherc, you have no patience with Aunt Patty. I am afraid you will be too abrupt with her." "Don't fear, mtunina, I promise you I will not outrage Aunt Patty. Please go." "Ah! well ! I will go," said Mrs. Dubois. ;Mrs. jNIcNab soon made her appearance in tlie dining- room, and, with some degTce of trepidation, inquu-ed who wanted her there. " Micah was here an hour ago," replied Adelc; <'and said ]\[rs. Campbell sent liini here to ask you to come and help her. Four of her children are sick with the measles and she is nearly do;vu herself, in consequence of fatigue and watching. I did not speak to you then, as I supposed you were sleeping. I told ^licah I had no doubt you would come, as there are enough here to take care of the sick gentleman, and ]Mrs. Campbell needs you so much." " Wecl, Mss Ady," said Mrs. McNab, twitching vio- lently a stray lock of her flaming hair and tucking it beneath her cap, "Idiuna ken how you could tak' upon yourself to send su(;h a ward as that, when Mr. Brown is just on the creesis of his fever and not one of ye as knows how to tak' care o' him m6re than a nussin' babe." beoflf about father the di "'J I 've ( hand ' respor now y ^Irs. I home "\^ I'm 80 fever l»atty'i " Mr. for hii going Camp] to assi watchi you. " convin length field 1( sons, < MIUASIICIII. 97 ■8. jMc'Xab rouiisc you her pcacc- Plcase go r hei- in the half hour, Lunt Patty. aot outrage tlie dining- quu-ecl who lelc; "and coinc and the measlea a of fatigue I supposed doubt you cai'e of the 1 80 much." itching vio- tucking it 1 tak' upon r. Brown is re aa knows e." "Ah! indeed 1 Aunt Patty," said Adele, pretending to be offended, "do you say that my mother knows nothing about sickness, when you are aware she has carried my father through two dangerous fevers and me through all the diseases of bab; hood and childhood?" "That raon 'ull never get weel if I leave him noo, when I 've the run of the niuddesons and directions. A strange hand 'ull put everything wrang and he'll dee, that's a'." "And if he does die," said Adele, "you will not be responsible. You have done what you could for him and now you are called away. I am sure you will not permit IMrs. Campbell to suffer, when she gave you a comfortable home in her house all last winter." "Weel, Mrs. Cawmmclls' a gude woman enough and I'm sorry the bairns are sick. But what's the measles to a fever lik'^ this, and the mon nigh dead noo?" Aunt Patty's face flushed scarlet. " Aunt Patty," said Adele, very slowly and decidedly, " Mr. Brown is my father's guest. We are accountable for his treatment, and not you. My mother and I are going to take charge of him now. I sent word to Mrs. Campbell that there was nothing to prevent you from coming to assist her. You have had your share of the fatigue and watching with our invalid. Now we are going to relieve you. " There was sonaethingin Adele's determined air, that convinced Mrs. McNab the time for her to yield had at length come, and that it waa of no use for her to contest the field longer. Feeling sure of this, there were various rea- sons, occurring to her on the instant, that restrained her 9 I- I r! ',1 li '1^ "'i' h 1 I i.i t ti I ri' Ml 98 MIRAMICUI. from a fm-tlior expression of her vexation. After u few luomenta of eullen silence, she rose and said — " Weel 1 I'll go and put my things tegitlicr, that's in Mr. Brown'8 room, and tell Mrs. Doohyee ahoot the mud- desons and so on." "That is not necessary," said Adcle ; "The Dr. has giv- en me directions about the medicines. Here is breakfast all ready for you, Aunt Patty. Sit down and cat it, while it is hot. I will go to the gentleman's room and gather up what you have left there. Come, sit down now." Adele placed a pot of hot coffee and a plate of warm rolls upon the table. 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 Mrs. Dubois, and the desire to par- take immediately of the tempting array upon the brcakfat^t- table. Finally, her material wants gained the ascendency and she eat 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 delii'ium. She left the door ajar and be- gan bathing liis fevered head in cool Avater. 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. t i C nboii cella ward ehou late I U sat d fortl (( ' Ady, times invali "J much relegi broke "I know "I I hci pectin a dan "^ Adele His 1 trunj|i "'J MII^VMICIII. SO After a few her, that's in oot the imul- ! Dr. has giv- i breakfast all cat it, whUc Liid gather up l)W." of warm rolls perplexed be- n's room and desire to par- the brcakfast- le ascendency ussion of the esult, hasten- »f that worthy im, had found it gentleman, le, talking to ajar and be- This seemed t immediately len Adele en- t \ Cautioned by her mother's uplifted finger, she moved about noiselessly, until she had nuule up a large and mis- cellaneous package (jf articles; then descended quietly, in- wardly resolvhig that the "Nusa" as she called herself, should not for several weeks at least, revisit the scene of her late operations. Airs. McNab was still pursuing her breakfast, and Adele sat down, with wliat patience she could command, to wait for the close. "You'll be wanting some ain to watch to-night. Miss Ady," said Aunt I'atty. " Yes, JMr. Norton will do that. lie liua offered many times to watch. lie 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 ha vena much faith in a mon that sings profane sangs and ca 'a ' cm relcgious heems, to a people that need the bread o' life broken to 'em." "* "Have you heard liim sing, Aunt Patty? I did not know you had attended his meetings at the grove." *'I havena, surely. But when the windows were up, I heard him siugin' them jigs and reels, and I ex- pectin' every miimt to see the men, women, and bairns a dancin'." " Taey 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 warst of a ! " said Mi's. \\V I 'i Mi I'' 1. I'M I IM' 100 UIKAMICIII. McXab, expanding her nostrils with a snort of contempt. "They bear na resemblance whatever to the Psalma o' David. I should na soon think o' singing tlio eangs o' Robby Bm'na at a rclegious service as them bhvsphcmoua things." "Oh 1 Aunt Patty, you nrc wrong. lie sings beautiful hymns, and he tells these people just what they need. I hope they will listen to him and reform." " Weel he 'a a vei'y light way o ' carryin lumaelf) for a minister o* the gospel, I must say." *'Hc is cheerful, to be sure, and sympathizes with the peojilc, and helps them in their daily labor Boiuetiiucs, If that is what you refer to. I am sure that is right, and I like him for it, " said Adele. ♦' Weel 1 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, at being thus foiled. Turning aside to Ixide her vexation, she waddled across the room, took her bonnet and shawl from a jjeg she had appropriated to her special use, and proceeded to invest herself for he/ departure. ""Weel 1 I a'pose ye '11 expect me to come when ye Bend for me," said she, turning round in the doorway with \ agi suiil << hnpi by." «( i"g. A Bess niort cr. resig so. near and 1 of dc The] hush her hade but f, struc d>-inj goinj death her c fanci( OW8 ( MIRA3IICIII. 101 of contempt. iic Paalins o' tlio Bangs o' bliisphcmoua inga beautiful they need. I iiimself) for a, lizcs with the eOiuCtiiiiCH, ir t right, and I I, " said Mrs. p up noo and ig. lie must I may depend f against the I thus foiled, iddled across . jjeg she had led to invest me when ye ioorway with \ \ a grotesque distortion of her face intended for an ironical enjilc. «' Tlmt is just as you please, Aunt Patty. Wo shall be hnppy to see you whonciver you choose to come. Good- by.», "Good by," said Mrs. McNab in a quacking, quaver- ing, half resentful tone, as she closed the door behind her. Adele went immediately to the adjouiing pantry, called Bess, a tidy looking mulatto, gave her directions for the morning work and then went up stairs to relieve her moth- er. JMrs. Dubois made signs to her that she preferred not to resigii her poat. DuL Adele silently insisted she should do so. After her mother had left the room, she placed heftielf near the bedside that she might ob8er\e the countenance and the breathing of the invalid. His face was pale as that of death. His breath came and w^t 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 had never before felt herself so oppressed and awe- struck as now. As she sat there nlone with the apparently d^-ing man, she felt that a silent, yot mighty struggle was going on between the forces of life and death. She feared death would obtain the victory. By a terrible fiiscination, her eyes became fixed on the ghastly face over which she fancied she could perceive, more and more distinctly, shad- ows caflt by the hand of the destroyer. Eveiy moment sh« 9* I II ,) I I, il I •« i,' i ' I I ' 11 1.' i- • I ii= j 1 ill |li i lOS MlilAMICIII. thought ofrccalUn'? her mother, hut I'eiiml that thcrtlightost jurriii;,' movement ofthoiitmoHphisro might wtoi) ut oiu'o thiit feeble rcfw with one hand >ther. He drank the somewhat dis- ordered room, and after placing a screen between it and the bed, raised a Avindow, through which the warm Septem- ber atmosphere wandeicd in, indolently bathing his weary brow. As he felt its soft 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 thoso of an ugly nightmare, and floated away from his memory. The old flow of his life seemed to come back again and he gave hinxself up to pleasant dreams. Mr* Brown continued thenceforward to improve in health, though slowly. ^Nlr. 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 INIr. Dubois's library. He informed ^Ir. 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 ignoi-ance and sin. He was drawn to him daily by the magnetism which a strong, yet heroic and genial soid 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 hun tho heavy weight that troubled his conscience. ■I ", 111 I \' ' ill ;il ' 'If ^ i ' '': I . , I .; . V ^ 'i \h pit Pi III 112 MIK.UIICIII. ♦' Ah !" said Mr. Norton, his eyes full of profound sor- row, and probing tlio wound now laid open to the quick, " it was a terrible weakness to have yielded thus to the wiles of that artful foreigner. IMay Heaven foi-give youl" 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. Ilis countenance settled into an expression of utter de- spair. ' ' ^Miy have you sought so dilir ently to restore me to health, — to a disgraced and mis;rable existence? You must have known, from the delu'oiis words of my illness, of which you have told me, that life would be a worthless tiling to me. You should have permitted me the privilege of death," said he bitterly. " The privilege of death !" 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 immortaUty." "A happy life here ! For me, who have deeply offended and disgraced my friends and my pure and unstained ancestry I " " It is true, in an hour of weakness and in-esolution, 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 a II ol tl P' w tl Vi 88 ir ti ir ai ai re T ei di h 6' MIKXAUCIU. 113 of profound sor- m to the quick, led thus to tho Ilcavcu forgive f his confession, itiou or counsel it to the heart, on of utter dc- o restore me to ixistcnce ? You 8 of my illness, d be a worthless me the privilege orton. "Don't cd to live, is also put forth during saving you for a ity." deeply offended and unstained md in-esolution, it you have sin- tely higher that bed family pride )eace. But, do you never think of your transgressions against God ? For a world, I would not have had you present yourself heforo llis just trll)un;il, with your sins against Iliui unrepcuted of. Is there ni> other thought in your heart, than to escape the misery of the jjrescnt?" i\Ir. Brown was silent. Mr. Norton continued. *'It is utter weakness and cowardice, in order to escape present discomfort and Avretchedness, to rush from this world into another, without knowing what we arc to meet there." A flush of resentment at these words covered the in- valid's face. Ju.nc then Adelc knocked on the door, and said a poor woman below wished to sec ]Mr. Norton. He rose instantly, weijt towards Mr. Brown, and tak- ing his thin hand between his own and pressing it affec- tionately, said, "Look back upon your past life, — look into your heart. Believe mc, my dear sir, I am your friend. " Then he went to obey the summons, and Mr. Brown vas left alone. The emotion of anger towaiils his benefactor soon passed away. lie had been trained early in life to religious truth, and he knew that Mr. Norton presented to him the stern rcfpiisitions of that truth, only in friendlmess and love. The good man was absent several hours, and the time was employed, as well as the solitude of several subsequent days, by Mr. Brown, in looking into his heart and into his past life. He found there many things he had not even suspected. He saw clearly, that he had hitherto held 10* n I ti. i •ij I i. '■'■ J''i'' i 114 MIRAMICIII. himself ninonrtMo only to tlio ju(l;L,nnont of the world. Its wtiiiidanl of propriety, tiistc, honor, had been hia. lie hiul not looked higher. Hid friend Mr. Norton, on the contrary, held himself accountable to God's tribunal. His whole conversation, j conduct, and ypirit, nhowed the ennol)linf^ etl'eet whieh that k sublime test of character had upon him. In fine, lie per- ceived that tlie ba-sis of his own character had been false and tlierefore frail. The sui)crstvucturc he had raised upon it, had been fair and imposing to the world, but, when it8 strength came to be tried, it hatl given way and fallen. He felt that he had neglected his true interests, and had been wholly indifferent to the just claims of the only Being, who could have sustained him in the horn- of temi)tation. He saw his past errors, he moaned over them, but alas ! he considered it too late to rei)air them. His life, he believed to be irretrievabl\ lost, and he Avished only to commit himself to the mercy of God, and die. For a few days, he remained reserved and sunk in a deep melancholy. At length, Mr. Norton said to hira, " I trust you are not offended with me, my dear sir, for those plain words I ad- |l dressed to you the other day. Be assured that though stern, they were dictated by my friendship for you and my duty towards God." " Offended 1 ray good friend. O no. What you said, is true. But it is too late for me to know it. ^ Through the merits of Christ, I hope for the pardon of my lil is I do rei mi tri CO! the sill wl in wi rcf cai hei Br die th( thi the i i ho world. Tt^^ 1 liiti. He luul , held himself convcrsiitii)ii, Feet wiiii'h that n fine, lie per- luul heen false he had raised he world, but, given way and i true interests, t claims of the in the hour of moaned over repair them, lost, and he 3y of God, and and sunk in a 'ust you are not ain words I ad- 3d that though for you and my 10. What you e to know it. 16 pardon of my RIinAJlICIII. 115 / sins. I am willing to live and sulfcr, if it is His heliest. But you perceive my power to act for the cause (if tnitli is gone. My past has taken away all good InHuence from my future course. Who will accept my testimimy now? I have probably lost easte in my own circle, and have, doul)tIcsH, lost my power to influence it, even should I bo received back to its ties. In society, I am a disjionorcd man. I (^annot have the happiness of working for tho truth, — for Christ. IVIy power is destroyed." "You arc wrong, entirely wrong, my dear sir. Ilavo courage. Shall not that man walk erect and joyous before the whole world, whatever his past may have been, whoso sins have been washed away in tho blood of Christ and wliose soul is inspired by a determination to abide by faith in Ilim forever? I say, yes. Do the work of (Jod. IIo will take care of you. Live, with your eye fixed on Ilim, ready to obey Ilis will, seeking His heavenly aid, and you can face the frowns of men, while serene peace fills your heart." Thus cheered and strengtheneil from day to day, Mr. Brown gained gradually in health and hope. Especially did ^Ir. Norton strive to invigorate his fiiith. He justly thought, it was only a strong grasp on eternal realities, that could supply the place of those granite qualities of the soul, so la;king in this lovable, fascinating young man. 11! t i i'' ' 51 H'i CTTAPTEIl XIIT. Tin: OUOVK. Iv tho moiinwhilo, three or f..nr tiraoH .-niumcM- and autumn. In fact, none worthy of note had fallen f..r (wo months, except what ea.nc dnrin- the late eqninoetial ntonn. The khihs wan i-arched with heat, the roads were ground to a fine da.st, which a !.r.;ath of wind «h-ovr, Uke ch,u(ls of .smoke, into the hurnin- mr ; the fores) 1 uves, which had been .so recently stained with a marvel) -us heaiity of brown, crimson and -old, be(;ame dim and shrivelled ; a nli-ht touch 8napi)ed, with a sharp, craeklin- sound, the dried branches of the trees ; even the golden rod and the pnrplo aster, those hardy children of autumn, began to hang their heads with thirst. All day long, the graishopper and locust sent through tho hot, pandng air, their shrill notes, stinging the ear with (Uscord. The hwiven above looked like a dome of brass, and a thin . filmy smoke gathers . . : -m,, „d th 3 horizon. ^ Even the rude settlers, with i '^t > ' '•''Jned by ' '- ship, unsusceptible of atmosplitxic Lluuigfc», were oppressed by the long, desolating drought. ^ t f Icr Htn th. toy Ultl ( cm iii api the CO I ] a 1 wit r Est tiai I per mil feel niai nxai for witl tim MinAMiciir 117 I i hwhv^ till- wck, M- the ppoplc III klinnnlchi re;,'i<)n , none worthy of hut ciunc iliiriii;^' ^08 piircht'd witli t, which a lm;ath i thi' hurniiifj; ah- ; tly stauicil with a Lfold, hecaiac led himself in the summer and autumn tor liis exile in lijnt barbarous regi(m, by fdling his house with provincial friends, who helped him while away tho time in tishiag, hunting, and racing. The winter months, i;!i) . t 118 JIIKAMICIII. ti w 4 he usually spent at Frcdericton, and during that interval no service was held in the chapel. Of late, the few, who were in the habit of attending the formal worship there, •had forsaken it for the more animating services held m the Grove. Not only the habitual church-goers, but the people of the parish at large, began to feel the magnetizing influence, and were drawn towards the same spot. For a week or more past, late in the afternoons on which the meetings were held, little skiffs might have been seen putting off from the opposite shore, freighted with men, women, and children, crossing over to hear the wonderful preachings of the missionary. What attracted them thither? Not surely the love of the truth. Most of them disliked it in their hearts, and haxl not even began to think 5f practising it in their lives. They were interested in the man. They were, in some sort, compel- led by the magical power he held over them, to listen to entreaties and covmscls, similar to those to which they had often hitherto turned a deaf car. Mr. 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 ii certain degree of order and deco- rim, and caused them to listen to him respectfully. f I g o o h C( tl C( hi "] m w si] <( th of inji that inten^iil ;e, the few, who il worship there, rvices held m the it the people of etizing influence, For a week or ich the meetings seen putting off len, Avomen, and lerful preachings irely the love of and had not even ves. They were me sort, compcl- tliem, to listen to o which they had svith them, going rude fare, sym- sasionally lending ding them some- a artisan. They sh friend. Hence >ve, their personal f order and deco- gpectfully. Min,VMICIII. 119 Even beyond tliis, he held a power over them, by means of his natural and persuasive eloquence, enlivened by varied and graphic illustnitions, 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 of the declining sun, bringing out, in broad relief, their grotesque varieties of costume ; the gradual creephig 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 m the afternoon. Mr. Norton was lying upon a lounge in Mr. BroAvn's apartment. Both gentle- men appeared to be in a meditative mood. The silence was only interrupted by the unusual sound of an occasional sigh from the missionary. ' ' Wliy 1 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 this people. Here, I have been preacliing to them these V\ :\ i j 120 MIK^UIICni. weeks the gospel of love, presenting Clmst 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 liearts. It is true, they come in crowd- 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 Brown, 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 are not capable of appreciating the mild aspect of mercy. They do not pos- sess the susceptibility to which you have been appealino-. They need to have the terrors of the law preached to them." " All ! that is it, friend Brown, you have it. I am con- vinced it is so. I have fell 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 Christ. Yet they must be drawn by some motive from tlieir sins. Love often follows in the wake and casta out feai'.' " I remoniber," said Mr. Brown, "to have heard Mr. N- kno can ing <( thes field tern sidei men thou slial^ Whi the very A rival and, sum 13 the i the I his I over the ] A quic tion / irist to them as ruth in its most irently made no B, tlicy come in n makes no per- it the echo of niv friend Brown, I i3uld have given he, after a mo- isponding ? God . Brown, " they sntally and mor- lele tells me of them upon the u may remember . Brown smiled. 3 not capable of hey do not pos- bcen appealing, ached to them." i it. I am con- lays past. But lin them to the )Ie a passion to by some motive wake and casta ave heard Mr. MITlAMICni. 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 punis^limcnt." " 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 some great judg- ment is about to descend upon tliis people. AH day, the thought has weighed upon me like an 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 tlie duty of preaching a judgment to come to tliem, thia very afternoon. I will do it." A slight rattling of dishes at the door announced the ar- rival of Bess, with a tray of refreshment for Mr. Brown, and, at the same moment, the tinkling of a bell below, fiuraraoned 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 in earnest thought, wliile 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 H ■«-:: i- 1 ;;,!■■! ; iil •' 122 JUUAMICHI. and then sang in his trumpet tones, Charles Wesley's magnificently solemn hymn, commencing, — . " Lo! on a narrow neck of land 'Twixt two unbounded seas, I stand Secure ! insensible 1 " He then repeated a clause in the chapter he had just re^J to them. "If we sin wilfully after that we have received a knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for suw, 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 them during the weelis past. He had told tliem faithfully of their sinfulness before a holy God, and pointed out the way of safety and pm-ifica- tion through a crucified Saviour. And he had earnestly sou'^ht to induce them, by the love tliis 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 liis counsel, Rnd observing their hardness of heart, he felt constrained j to bring them another and different message, — a message I 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, liis manner, his words electrified them. His coimtenancc was illuminjnd 1 \vi the clo thl sta ab( tru me UJM off pre 1 whi mc the Ib< ^ mul war witl iT~l Charles 'Wesilcy'B and pter he had just ter that we have ere rcmaineth no ;arful looking for 1 shall devour the the people of the ig the vveelvs past, iinfulncsa before a afety and pui-ifica- 1 he had earnestly saviour bore them, ise trust in Ilim. ^ith grief, that he lowed liis counsel, he felt constrained 3sage, — a message livine source. He klost High, kindled aercy from a dying Ills manner, his ace was illumined 1 Min.unciii. 128 witli an awful light, such as they had not before witnessed there. His eye shot out prophetic meanings. At the close, he said, in a low tone, like the murmur of distant thunder, " wliat I have told you, is true,— true, as that wo stand on tliis 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 I feel that death is near. It seems to me tliat I see many before me, who will soon be beyond tlie bounds of time. I feel constrained to say this to you. I beg you prepare to meet your God." When he ceased, a visible shudder ran through the multitude. Tliey rose slowly and wended their way home- ward, many with blanched faces, and even the hardiest with a vague sense of some startUng event impending. 1!^! ei! iiii i f 1 'If ; 'in 1 i i m. !■* it I- CHAPTER XIV. JOIIN AND CESiVR. At four o'clock in the afternoon on the following day Airs. Dubois sat in the Madonna room. Her fingers were employed upon a bit of exquisite embroidery, over which she bent with a contracted brow, as if her mind was filled with anxious thought. Adeie, robed in a French silk of delicate blue, her rich, dark hair looped up in massive braids, sat Ustlessly, poring over a volume of old French romance. Suddenly rising, she threw it hastily aside, exclaiming as she went towards an open Avindow, '< O I this intermin- able drought 1 It makes me feel so miserable and restless. Does it not oppress you, ma chore mere ? " Mrs. Dubois started suddenly, as Adele spoke. "Ah lyes. It is very wearisome," she replied. «* Ma mere, I have disturbed you. Of what were you thinking when I spoke ? " " Thinking of the chateau de Rossillon and its inmates. It is very long since we have had news of them. I am much troubled about the dear friends. It would be like rain on the parched ground, could I once more hear ray uncle's voice. The good, kind old man ! " pl;i do pl( nif an thi gei roo ous Brc so: No are 1 the brU Ila^ han mat wor A mot to IV sud( ry\ I i the following day Her fingers were )idcry, over which if her mind was 3ate blue, her rich, sat listlessly, poring T aside, exclaiming ' O 1 this intermin- lerable and restless. >» ele spoke. he replied. Of what were you on and its inmates. '8 of them. I am It would be like ince more hear ray JUIU5IICIII. 125 J "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 mo, please, how I shall do it. The expedition is not wholly matured." " Not wholly matured, indeed ! " 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 JMr. Brown's room, as we are here, to come in and examine tiiat curi- ously illummated 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 ! 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 liis brilliantly flowered dressing-gown, in a comer of a sofa. Having exammed the missal with interest, for a time, he handed it to Mr. Norton and was soon engagM in an ani- mated conversation with Mrs. Dubois, respecting various works of ancient art, they had Tjoth seen in Europe. Adele watched with pleasure the light kmdling in her mother's eyes, as she went back, in memory and thouo'ht, to other days. Mr. Norton gazed at his friend Brown, transfigured suddenly from the despau-ing invalid, who had lost all inter- 11* !l. m : I I ii I 'p. 12G MIRAMICTII. est in lite, to the animated being before him, 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 Ilim, who sits on the throne above," he wliispercd to himself. Felicitating himself with this thought, he divided his attention between the conversation of Mrs. Dubois and Mr. Brown, and the marvels of skill, Iab(ir, and beauty traced by the old monk upon the pages before him. «* I must say, INIiss 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. Illuminating 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 member of the family on the points of religious foil'-, '• that the cloister life was a stftmge one to live, for men Avho professed to have the love of God in their heartu, 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 80?" exclaimed the good man. Ilia face lighted up the opi adi hai sui CX] pn no in> tin an no to tui tio ex du be D N, ,„.-.. , MIUAMlcm. 127 c him, with traces craon, hut glowing ' A precious jewel sita on the throno it, ho divided hia Mrs. Dubois and ltib(Jr, and beauty before him. se lines and colors ,nnot help thinking r employed in trac- thc hearts of their eon free to do it. Id and could not. I to pass their lives 10 missionary, who ly member of the " that the cloister I who professed to with a whole world labor in ? " y other things are it pains my mother ilc, in a low tone, Ilia face lighted up with a secret satisfactiim. But he fixed his eyes upon the book and was silent. Just then, some one knocked on the parlor door. Adelo opened it and beheld iSIrs. ISIcNab, — her broad figure adorned with the brilliant chintz dress and yellow bandanna handkerchief, filling up' the entire doorway, and her face surrounded by tlic wide, <»ill frill, its usual framework, expressing a curious mixture of shyness and audacity. It was her fu-st call at the house, smce Adule'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 tho 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 ycrsel' Mr. Brown?" said she, turning to that gentleman. " But I needna ask the ques- tion, sin' yer looks tell ye'rc araaist wccl." IVL'. Brown assented to her remark upon his health, and expressed to her liis obligations for her attentions to huu during his illness. " Them's naethin ;" she replied with a conscious air of benevolence. "'Tia the buzzincss o' my life to tak' care o' sick bodies." "How are Mrs. Campbell's children?" inquired Mrs. Dubois. ** All got weel, but Katy. She's mizerble enough." ♦'Has she not recovered from the measles, JNIra. jMc- Nab?" iijll. 1' i'2S .MIUAAriClII. •'The moaslcs nro gimo, but fiunthiu' has t