time to the polka. Mr. Slee stood op were tossed between total solitude, or posite. Mr. Quim was a short man, leave to return at once to my mother. Mr. Slee a long one. As soon as we Florence slept at Mrs. Seymour's, she entered, Mr. Quim, with a bound, came in, in the morning, my eyes were came toward the door. Mr. Slee fol- red and swollen, and my head-ached lowed.. Mr. Slee was a very absent distractedly. "Why, what's the matman, and always did what Mr. Quim ter, Sophie," she said kindly, "you did. "My friend," said Mr. Quim, look ill?" I said I had had a bad night, is an absent man, an absent man is she put her hand upon my forehead. an unfortunate man, he is not an exig. Oh! its touch thrilled me through with uous man; neither has his face been all the memory of my mother's love, solated by summer's sun." Mr. Slee tears streamed down .my face afresh. bowed. Mr. Quim kept time with his "Why, you are crying, I declare," exheels to the music, "My friend is a claimed Florence, bending over me, barrister of acuity, and not of amphi- and her pure young face was full of bological capacity." The pretty girl sympathy, "are you ill?-has Adelia in pink, Miss Cotman, was passing been harsh?" she said in a breath. I just then with Mr. Gillet, and she was determined not to tell her the said, pleasantly: "Why, you've caught cause; I knew her violent nature when the banker." I was very much amused, roused. "I feel very wretched, Florand laughed a good deal. When Mr. ence," I said, "but I'm sure a few days Gillet turned again, I saw that he was rest will restore me." "Yes, I'm sure" observing me closely. This was the it will," she said soothingly, "you are most pleasant evening I had passed unused to so much excitement. I'll since my arrival at the sea shore. make Price bring you some coffee. I returned by Mrs. Beubell's cabin, What shall I tell Mr. Quim?" she said and staid some time. When I got playfully, bending over me. She must back to my own room, Mrs. Gillet have noticed the shade that passed and Adelia were in excited conversa- over my face. "Ah! well, we'll let that tion, they ceased for a moment when I alone until you are better." Delfy came in, and then Mrs. Gillet com- brought me the coffee. I had grown to menced: "Your conduct, Miss Caton, be quite a favorite with her. After has caused universal remark. John has breakfast Florence came running in been struck with your levity in the with an immense bunch of rare flow. ball room, and makes it a matter of ers in her hand. "Mr. Quim," she complaint. You must be content said, and laid them down on my pilthenceforward to remain in your own low; she was nearly out of breath. room, or cut Mr. Quim's acquaintance. "Mr. Quim sent them, he says you are Mr. Quim is a man of wealth, and his the prettiest girl at N. Oh! I'm so notice of you is causing great remark; sorry you are ill, his carriage has come because it is known to be a burlesque up from the city, and he said we would on your awkwardness." Mrs. Gillet's drive at five on the beach. Can't you words went through me like an electric get up, do try." Her words went shock. Suddenly there seemed to be through me like arrows, was I still a great gulf between me and all the farther to become a jest and by-word; world. I felt isolated and proscribed, was I to be driven about as a spectaI was whirled in a moment from the cle. Florence staid with me nearly all little elevation I had, through pain and the morning, and returned soon after mortification gained, and stood, in my dinner. On the fourth day I was up, own estimation, where I first began and pale and dejected, I went out with just emerged from aunt Nelly's hands, Florence. After desert, I was sitting in the pegged shoes and black frock. alone at the parlor window of the hoFlorence had not come in, I burst into tel, looking sorrowfully out on the tears and went into my own room; I lawn. Miss Cotman came running sobbed passionately all night; I did through with a little basket full of gernot close my eyes once, my thoughts man wools; on seeing me she stopped, by; she is the great poetess of Nature." she came toward the window and sat ed to read, dig or delve by, her beams down on an ottoman near it. "Have were given to muse, to dream, to love you been ill?" she asked in a sweet, clear voice, "you've lost the pretty bloom you had when I first saw you." I never compromise with my conscience, and said, no. She looked surprised, and after a little pause said: "Do you not stay with Mrs. Gillet?" I said yes. I thought she seemed troubled; I did not know why, and then she looked at me with a bright smile. "Mr. Quim has gone down into the city." My eyes filled up with tears. "Oh, you are distressed," she said, quickly, "why should you be?" Some how or other, I do not know why, I was hurried on by irresistible fate. I burst into tears and told her all. I shall never forget her face. "Mr. Gillet," she asked, "did he take part against you?" "He was the first informant of my levity." That hour sealed our friendship. She begged me to go up to her room, but I declined, and went back to the cabin. That evening Florence took unusual her, I knew it was her son, I read it in pains with my toilet. I wore a muslin her joy-lit face. When the set was looped up with blue. Delfy fixed up over, she came forward with him, my fine suit of light hair, and Flor- his face was handsome, and there was ence declared I was as handsome as a high-bred deference in his man. Miss Cotman. We got in the ball ner, even in his look toward a woman, room late. I was standing timidly by that bespoke refinement; he was not one of the pillars, Miss Cotman came much of a talker, though he seemed up with a very elegant looking man, interested with all that was said. The and introducing him to me, slipped her next morning after breakfast, Mrs. arm confidingly into mine, and said: Buebell and her son called in at Mrs. 'Come, I'm going to show you the Gillet's cabin. Adelia received the moon-light." Mr. Gillet was stand young officer with her blandest smile. ing directly opposite; for a moment I heard her liquid tones through the his face turned almost black. I never door, she talked for some time, his res saw him moved before. We went to ponses were very pleasant, and then the window, Miss Cotman looked up he asked for Miss Caton. When at the moon, and said: "I used to read came into the room, Mrs. Gillet and by moon-light when I was at Madam Adelia exchanged glances. Adelia G's, in the city, but it was a school looked spiteful through all her graces. girl's fancy. I'm more sober now." After sitting for a little while, Mrs. The young man with her laughed, and Buebell rose and said to me, "get your said, "why, the sun is the great utilita- parasol, Charles and 1 have come for rian, he is the agent and perfection of you to take a drive." I did not turn the practical and useful, he springs to look, I was through the door in a the corn and the grass; is a machinist moment, and then Mr. Buebell's pret and architect, fills the earth with fruits ty carriage drove off towards the beach. and flowers, and then the moon, like a queen, comes out to smile upon the scene. Moon-light was never intend Days wore on, and the rose on the cheek of summer was fading, the gentle breath of autumn was whispering the beautiful women of every clime could fancy a country girl; and then I thought of my appearance at the halfway house; the cut of aunt Nelly's dress, and my mother's shoes! It was the last evening of my stay at N. I had promised my sweet friend, Kate Cotman, to be in the city. in December. The Buebells were going to start on Thursday for their Boston home. I wore my pretty tarlton dress; and Kate had on the pink crape. When I came into the ball-room, MrBuebell seemed to have been watching the door. I joined Kate and Mr. Morris, he looked after me, his face was very sad, he held little Ida by the hand. words of premonition. I had learned long, earnest gaze, and my heart boundmuch, very much, in that time. I had ed when I heard his voice; but no, I become easy-the great secret of enjoy-turned it over a thousand times, it ment-the sea air had given me a fine could not be, that a man who had seen color, and my spirits were braced and buoyant. Miss Cotman and I were inseparable. Mrs. Buebell chided me for coming so seldom; but I read forgiveness in her face. I was in Miss Cotman's room one evening, we were lying together on the sofa, she had not spoken for some time, I thought she was sleeping, she opened her eyes, and said with a smile: "Sophie, I want you to return with me to the city," she blushed as she spoke, "you must be my bride's-maid." I could not help laughing, I thought of my mother's winter plans. "Mr. Morris is the groom." "I'm sure I once thought it would be Mr. Gillet." She laid her hand affectionately on mine: "You are I danced several times. Mr. Buebell the cause of breaking off that match." paced the floor impatiently. My flag, "Me!" I exclaimed, looking at her in as Florence had described it, had be astonishment. "Yes, I was engaged gun to flutter in the popular breath. to him at the time of your first coming Mr. Gillet looked patronizing, and Mr. to the sea shore; but I watched his Wilson fanned me as I stood against the bearing towards you, and became dis- pillar. It was growing late, I happengusted. I knew you were with his ed to be standing alone for a moment, family, a little notice from him would by the door that led out upon the balhave saved you much mortification." cony, Mr. Buebell came toward me, and Ah! here was retributive justice; she said, timidly: "Will you break an old was a lovely women, an orphan, with promise to keep a new one?"—we went a large estate. "Don't you remember out on the balcony-"you are going the evening we became friends at the away to-morrow" he was interrupted parlor window, you then confirmed by Miss Cotman, who put her arm what I before suspected, they are very around my waist, and said: "Come, heartless people, fashion is their idol, Sophie, do you know it is twelve." and a ridiculous adherence to caste. When the omnibus came to the door, Their aristocracy is of wealth, prece- the next morning to take us to the cars, dence and present position, forgetting I saw that through Delfy's managethat the boiling caldron of society is ment my hair skin trunk had been ever throwing to the surface new bub- neatly covered with oil-cloth, and the bles, and gilding them with the same feet removed. I was the last one to light that shone upon the butterflies of get in, Mr. Buebell stood with me in yesterday. This is a sea-saw world, dear the door, he pressed my hand when I Sophie, down to-day and up to-morrow.' got in, and slipped into it something. Mr. Buebell was with us every day, I squeezed it quickly down in my glove, he gave Florence beautiful trinkets, for I saw Mr. Morris give Kate a wink, and drove her frequently in his pretty and they both looked mischievously in carriage. There was something pecu- my blushing face. I was to go down liar in his manner toward me, he was to the city; my father was to meet me not a ladies' man, but he seemed to there, and we were to return home toexercise a sort of guardianship over my gether. I went with Kate to her house movements, my eye fell beneath his on the fifth avenue. It was not until I returned that I had an opportunity of reading my precious little scroll. It ran thus: tude as he "counted" the "pints" on his fingers.] "Well, uncle John, did you shoot 'em?' For the South-Western Monthly. BY SALLIE B. SMITH. "I will be with you in a week." The week rolled around, and hap Shoot 'em child? It was so dark, pier than a queen, I saw Mr. Buebell you could'nt shoot! You could'nt see drive up and enter Mrs. Cotman's your hand before you! beautiful parlor. Was it I? Ah! well had Kate said this was a sea-saw world. Kate was married in December and Iin May. Florence, my noble hearted friend, has grown into an elegant, intellectual woman, she frequently visits us in Boston. Mr. Quim actually addressed me by letter, in spite of Mrs. Gillet's surmises. Adelia married Mr. Wilson. The Gillet's, I believe, have never been able to determine how I caught my husband; but this question they discuss among themselves; for apparently they are my dearest friends and warmest admirers. I am loaded with presents and invitations which, by-the-by, I never would have received had I actually needed them. For the South Western Monthly. "MIXED STORIES"-FROM THE REMINISCENCES OF AN OLD HUNTER. [BY ONE WHO HEARD THEM.] BUT tell us about the "Little Salt Lick," uncle John! Well child, there was a monstrous sight o' deer used about thar when I first come to the country; and one night Jeff an' me thought-thinks we, its a good spell sence we tried the Lick, and we kinder wanted some venison. So away we goes, (Jeff had no gun though) to watch the Lick. We sot there a long time, nigh 'pon an hour, I reckon, when crack! crack! goes the twigs not fur off, and presently, in walks three o' the biggest bucks ever any body seed! Sich horns! they looked like elks, they was so big ! "Well! uncle John!" "Well, I forget how many pints on each one's horns Jeff and me counted." [Here uncle John took a musing atti Lady, there is wildering witchery in thy tone, Yes, lady, thy every look and word Hath the depths of my dying heart so stirred, I have earnestly plead and wearied Heaven, Selections. A FUQUEER'S CURSE. eatables and drinkables; but, like the AMONG the many strange objects Scottish gentleman who was continualwhich a traveller meets with in India, ly begging brimstone, they were "no there are few which tend so much to for hissel, but for a neebour." When upset his equanimity as a visit from a I saw him he was soliciting offerings wandering fuqueer. of rice, milk, fish, and ghee, for the The advent of one of these gentry benefit of his patron Devi. These in a settlement is regarded with offerings were nightly laid upon the much the same sort of feeling as a altar before the Devi, who was supvagrant cockroach, when he makes posed to absorb them during the night, his appearance unannounced in a mod-considerately leaving the fragments to ern drawing-room. If we could im- be distributed among the poor of the agine the aforesaid cockroach brand- parish. His godship was very disishing his horns in the face of the criminating in the goodness and freshhorrified inmates, exulting in the dis-ness of these offerings; for he rejected. gust which his presence creates, and such as were stale, to be returned next intimating, with a conceited swagger, morning, with his maledictions, to the that, in virtue of his ugliness, he confraudulent donors. sidered himself entitled to some cake Sometimes a fuqueer will take it inand wine, perhaps the analogy would to his head that the community will be be more complete. benefitted by his trundling himself along, like a cart-wheel, for a couple of hundred miles or so. He ties his wrists to his ancles, gets a tire, com The fuqueer is the mendicant friar of India. He owns no superior; wears no clothing; performs no work; despises everybody and everything; some-posed of chopped straw, mud, and times pretends to perpetual fasting; and lives on the fat of the land. There is this much, however, to be said for him, that when he does mortify himself for the good of the community, he does it to some purpose. A lenten fast, or a penance of parched peas in his shoes, would be a mere bagatelle to him. We have seen a fuqueer who was never "known" to eat at all. He carried a small black stone about with him, which had been presented to his mother by a holy man. He pretended that by sucking this stone, and without the aid of any sort of nutriment, he had arrived at the mature age of forty; yet he had a nest of supplementary chins, and a protuberant paunch, which certainly did great credit to the fattening powers of the black stone. Oddly enough, his business was to collect cow-dung, laid along the ridge of his backbone; a bamboo staff passed through the angle formed by his knees and his elbows, by way of an axle, and off he goes; a brazen cup, with a bag, and a hubble-bubble, hang like tassels at the two extremities of the axle. Thus accoutred, he often starts on a journey which will occupy him for several years, like Milton's fiend, with head, hands, feet or wings, pursues his way." "O'er bog, or steep, through straight, rough, dense or rare, On arriving in the vicinity of a village, the whole population turn out to meet and escort him with due honors to the public well or tank; the men beating drums, and the women singing through their noses. Here his holiness unbends, washes off the dust and dirt acquired by perambulating several miles |