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volunteered to go with her to find him. It was a beautiful night. A full moon shone unclouded on a fall of snow so light as just to exceed a heavy frost; there was a twinkle in the sky, and a twinkle on the earth, as if Nature had tried to outdo herself in the production of crystals. The grass, crisp with the frost, snapped and crackled under their feet, as the party, Katy quite as calm as any of them, pursued their quest for the erratic Jake. Soon they found him, standing by a little bridge in the full rays of the moon, the blood trickling from a gash in the throat, awkward but not fatal.

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Well, Jake,” said Katy in a tone of deep disgust, "I spose you think you've done something smart."

But these old people are gradually passing away. Quaint, honest, simple-hearted, they are leaving the homes which bounded their ideas of life, and their places will be filled no more. Enough remains of their simple customs to make the admirers of Irving delight in their acquaintance, so strongly do they corroborate his renowned descriptions. But when all these traces are gone, and everything is changed even more than Rip Van Winkle found his home after his preternatural sleep, the charm with which Irving has invested the Hudson and its surroundings will remain. The lover of the simple, the humorous, will read, and the delight which he felt in reading will be renewed whenever he visits the scenes made classic by the elegant pen of the historian of New York, and as he glides over the placid bosom of the magnificent river, the witching of the past will return, and he will welcome again the enchantments of old. Blessings on your memory, genial, mirth-moving Irving! The golden sunbeam that lit your still features as a sorrowing crowd took their last look of the face so dear to them, shall be a token of the innocent, the unalloyed delight with which your readers linger over your enchanting pages.

A novelty at the Sydenham Exhibition is thus described :— “A key on a curious principle, by G. Phillips, is said to be unpickable, strong and gunpowder proof. The key expands in the act of turning in the lock; thus, outside being a square, almost blank piece of metal, in the act of turning it opens out, elongates, and is furnished with wards; and as the same power is necessary either in expanding or contracting, it is not likely to get out of order."

GAMBLING WOMEN.

A New York Bohemian's letter contains the following bit of gossip:-"In one of my recent letters I spoke of gambling as one of the vices of our fashionable women, and I have since learned that it is practised in certain modish quarters far more than I had supposed. In Fifth Avenue, and Fourteenth and Twentythird Streets, there are parties of ladies from which the opposite sex are sternly excluded, where the fair gamesters play until daylight for large stakes; and it not unfrequently happens, that, when their purses are depleted, they put up their bracelets, necklaces, and watches, as wagers. Some of the feminine gamesters lose heavily, and the desperate shifts-no allusion to their wardrobes - to which they are to conceal their losses, and replace them, must. fearfully demoralizing. A young woman, the daughter of one of our most opulent citizens, was pointed out to me last Saturday in the Park, as a notorious gambler, by one of her own sex who informed me she had parted with nearly one hundred thousand dollars since she went to Saratoga, in July, and made her doting papa believe she had expended the sum in dress and charity. The young woman in question is very pretty, not more than twenty; and no one regarding her pale, spirituelle face, her soft, blue eyes, and gentle and reserved manner, would imagine she had fallen a victim to one of the most dangerous of vices."

HOPE AND WORK.

There are some people who think that nothing is gained unless all is gained. They prefer to go hungry if they cannot have the whole loaf at once. They are impatient, restless and unpractical; they rarely bring much to pass, but spend their days in chasing phantoms, mourning over the hardships of their lot, and watching for a Utopia or an earthly paradise. Another and wiser class see that all healthy changes, all real and lasting reforms, are slowly inaugurated. They have learned from the past that all enduring institutions are the products of slow growth. They avail themselves of every advantage, however small, offered them in the prosecution of their work, and toil on, cheerful in the hope that present achievements will form the stepping-stones to greater victories.

God is our refuge in distress.

THE TWO BROTHERS.

BY CHARLES CUTTERFIELD.

better that I lose my journey a thousand times, than sacrifice a single human life by neglect." "It is expedient, doubtless, to be humane,'

"Since it is always expedient to do right, it is well to replied the elder, "and though I have no faith study expediency." in your supposition, if you go, I shall accompany you."

TW

WO men stood by the sea and looked over the deep.

"I am glad that occasionally you see expe-
We will go at once,

"It is a bit of wood floating with the tide, diency, where I see right.
and together."

I think."

"It has a singular look," observed the other, “perhaps some human being clings to the wood." The tide was coming in, and the object neared the land. As yet, however, it was far distant on the blue expanse of waters. A dark object — a mere speck upon the great bosom of ocean had attracted their attention, and they rested from their labors to watch its approach. The two men were brothers one many years the senior of the other. The elder had mingled somewhat with the world, the younger had grown to maturity in the quiet retirement of the country where they stood. Upon the death of their father, they had succeeded to his estate, and though differing materially in their principles of action, lived very harmoniously together.

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The younger, by virtue of the surroundings

which had encompassed him from a child, had

imbibed a firm faith in principle. He only asked, of a given course, if it was right. The elder believed in expediency, and acted throughout, upon his convictions of what was best for himself, and those in whom he had an interest.

Many were the good natured arguments that the two brothers held, for both were kind at

heart, and they lived in peace, jointly cultiva

ting the land which their father had left them. "You will carry your principles into practice," said the elder, "and since you imagine a human being to be on the log of wood yonder, no doubt you will leave your work and take a voyage upon the ocean."

The tide was nearly at the flood, and the object in the distance would soon cease to move. It was already evident to the lookers-on, that it would never come to land without assistance. It would come a little nearer, stand still for a season, and then drift to sea upon the receding

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The morning sun was strewing its millions of diamonds on the rippling sea, when the brothers unmoored their boat, and pulled for the dark object in the distance.

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They must have been long at sea," said the elder, when they came near enough to determine with certainty, that human beings formed a part of the dark object. "There has been no storm since the blow of two weeks ago, that could have caused a wreck."

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Very likely they are in a suffering condition," replied the younger. "We are none too soon. Is there more than one-or can not you tell?"

A few more strokes of the oars, and the oc

cupants of the raft were distinctly visible. A man lay stretched at full length on the flat child drooped its head, as though asleep. surface, and hanging over his breast, a little

drove the boat against the raft and took the "Poor little thing," said the younger, as he

child in his arms, "she has cried till she has no more tears to shed."

The little child wound its arms around the neck of the kind-hearted man, and nestled close to his breast, as if to get warmth from his body. Its little hands were almost icy cold,

and it laid its cheek close to the cheek of the man, but uttered no cry, shed no tear.

"Poor little one," he said caressingly, nestling her closer to his breast, and wrapping his coat around her body.

"The man has just breathed his last," observed the elder. "There is yet warmth in his. breast, but no beating of the heart."

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name, or the name of the ship, from whence he had gone out upon the remorseless sea upon the frail raft. He was evidently poor;· his clothing revealed as much as that, but even his clothing had no further revelations to make.

Around the neck of the child, was clasped a tiny golden locket, with the sweet face of a woman inside.

"The original is in the bottom of the sea doubtless," said the elder brother. "Strange world, that brings a child to the light, and then takes away its protectors. It is well that the public is generous enough to provide for such little foundlings as this."

"The public shall never provide for her," said the younger. Providence gave her to our hands, as much as though she had been born in the house. We must care for her, as though

she were our own.".

"I was with you for the rescue," said the elder, "but I must differ with you in this. The child will be a bill of expense, and no one knows how much trouble. It is good policy to get her

off our hands in time."

“I shall not interfere with your principles of action," said the younger, somewhat sadly, "but I believe it is our duty to care for this little I foundling with the same tenderness that we would care for our own children. Our principles clash. I cannot let consideration of expediency interfere with my plain duty. She shall be a part of my household, as long as I have a

house."

"I honor your generosity," observed the elder, with the good nature which was a part of his being, "but I can see many reasons for not joining with you in your plan. She will be an element of discord among the other children, and the expense of her rearing and education will be at least a thousand dollars. I prefer to have my money in some other investment. If the public did not provide for such strangers, I should feel bound to protect her. But since provision is made by the town-good and ample, I do not think it expedient to be burdened with her, myself."

you call it, at the expense of your prosperity, I shall regret it. But I warn you in time.” "You believe in doing right as well as L answered the younger.

"Yes, but I believe it is always right to do just what is expedient.”

"We are not so far apart, for I believe that doing right always is expedient. I don't understand your philosophy, perhaps I never shall. I see it to be my duty to provide for this little motherless foundling -I must do my duty cost what it may."

"And if you lose all title in the old homestead one day, you will get your eyes open, perhaps, to the fallacy of your principle. Debating does no good. We are living together at present, and our affairs are inseparable. You are determined that the child shall remain-I am determined that I will have noth

ing further to do with the child. But since you cannot provide for her separately, I will estimate the expense of her keeping at one hundred dollars a year. I will charge you fifty dollars on every anniversary of her coming, as my part of the expense."

"Rather than see her thrown upon the town, consent to the arrangement," said the younger.

After this arrangement was entered into, things moved along as smoothly as before. Both brothers were kind-hearted men, and they loved each other sincerely. And it very rarely happened that there was a clash in their principles of action. The elder had sufficient heart and sense to see expediency, where the younger saw right, and in cases where they differed, they always found some common ground where both could stand in peace.

They christened the little foundling Mabel, and so far from proving an element of discord as had been predicted, she became the pet of the household - the elder brother becoming as sincerely attached as the younger. She had very large spiritual eyes, and a heart so full of love, that she won her way to the affection of all whom she reached. Sometimes she was very quiet for hours together, as if thinking

--

"My mind is made up. I cannot see her thoughts above her years at other times gay thrown upon the town." as the lark which sung in the meadows.

"Then you must suffer the consequences. Already you are embarrassed in financial matters, while I have a large amount of Bank Stock. I shall be sorry to see you sinking with your principles, though I have no objection to rising with mine. If you will persist in doing right as

Gradually, and to all appearances naturally, the elder brother encroached upon the property of the younger. The annual fifty dollars ceased to be paid, and began to accumulate against him. The times changed, and year by year, he sunk some portion of his capital in Lis in

creased expenses. Still he kept steadily on his | needlessly fallen. I have purchased claims

course.

One summer Mabel was sick. Week after week she lay moaning upon her bed, till months had passed. He watched over her with the tenderest solicitude, and his warm-hearted wife was as devoted to the little sufferer as though she had been its mother. But though they could give kindness, when the doctor's bill was presented, they had no way to meet it.

"I am sorry to see you persist in a course which will inevitably be your ruin," said the elder brother, one Sabbath evening. "You cannot help but see now that you made a mistake. Is it not a du'y-since you will be governed by no other motive-to provide for your own children first?'

The younger brother was thoughtful. He began to be troubled at the prospect before him. "Perhaps I am wrong," he said after a pause, "but I can do no other way than the way I am doing. I ought to provide for my own children, but I ought also to provide for this little motherless child."

“Mabel,” he said, speaking to the orphan, who at that moment came tripping into the She came and climbed into his arms. "Do you love me, Mabel ?"

room.

"Oh! ever so sweet," and she pressed her tiny arms around his neck.

against you, in order to save you from total ruin. Really you have not a dollar in this homestead at the present time. My claim, were I to enforce payment, would take all that you have in the world. There is a chance now to invest in an oil company which is forming in town, whereby you can redeem yourself."

"But I have nothing to invest," said the younger.

"Very true-you have nothing to invest, but I will advance the money and take your notes. This will place you upon your feet once more, and I shall hope that when you are up again, you will act on different principles. You must give up some of your notions, or you will be a pauper yourself. If all men were angels, you might do very well on your theory, but I think you have learned by time that men are not angels."

"I am obliged to you, but I know nothing of this investment of which you speak, and prefer to trust Providence for better times soon. I am entirely in your hands, but if you will bear with me another year, I will make a strong effort to advance a little. As I have nothing of my own to invest, so I will invest nothing." "I have examined the matter carefully, and am fully convinced that it is good policy to put money into this company. If you prefer pov

"Do you want to leave papa, and go way, erty, however, I ought not to complain. I shall invest heavily." way off?"

He had never spoken so before, and there was a certain sadness in his tone that went to the heart of the child. Perhaps she had some intuitive feeling that she did not belong there. She looked into his eyes with her childish sincerity, and the tears started over her cheeks. He took her very lovingly in his arms, and walked out of the room. That was his only answer to the argument of his brother.

The years, as they walked along, wrought many changes. The elder brother, by adhering strictly to his course, was moulded somewhat by the principle of expediency, (if it may be called a principle,) and grew less careful of the interests of his brother. He sympathized less with his misfortunes. As he grew old, his heart changed for the worse. And the younger kept steadily on his way, though now his life was a constant struggle with poverty.

"I shall make a last effort in your behalf," said the elder one day," and I hope to deliver you from the condition into which you have

All those little annoyances which trouble one, when a former equal assumes superiority on the ground of greater possessions, now began to trouble the younger brother and his family.

The elder brother moved into a new house, more in keeping with his means. His children moved in a different circle, he hired a m 'n to take his place with his brother in the field, the visits became less frequent. One was poor, and the other, one of the richest men of the town.

The year passed away, and the hopes of the younger were more than realized. He paid all the interest, and several hundred dollars of the principal.

Another year brought him equal favor. Prices ruled higher, and the crops were good. Slowly he was regaining his former position. His family continued to enjoy good health, and he hoped soon to be independent again.

And yet, all through the seeming prosperity of these years, there was a storm tre vol 29 the horizon. The clouds were bl......

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had been there before the wind was fiercer,
and the sleet colder, and a greater desolation
lay in the track of the storm. Expediency was
preparing to drive home its bolt.

"I have lost my last dollar," said the elder,
as the two brothers stood together again by
the sea shore. "I invested all that I had, and
borrowed to invest, and now the stock is
worthless."

He came out into the field by the sea where his brother was at work, with this information. "Don't let it overwhelm you, my brother," said the younger encouragingly; come back to the old farm, and we shall be happy together yet."

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"I called to see Mabel Brampton," said he. "She has been very diligent at study the past year, and has executed some paintings which a gentleman wishes to purchase. He chooses hers from among all the rest, and says he must have them. I cannot for the life of me tell for what reason -I suspect it is a whim of his."

"An odd whim I should say," said Mabel appearing at the door; "good evening, Mr. Danforth. This is my teacher at the academy, father."

"Can you walk to the village, Mabel? The gentleman wished to see you. Perhaps your father can accompany you.”

They went to the village in the twilight, and

"Would to heaven that I could — the farm returned in the darkness of two hours later; must be sold."

The younger looked up in astonishment.

"I have not a dollar in the world, and my claim against you must be collected with the rest."

It was a heavy blow. Nevertheless the answer was not one of despair.

"There will yet be some way provided for us. We have health and strength left, and I have property enough of my own to retain the house. I cannot see that sold."

The following few weeks were busy with settling, selling, and paying off. The elder brother had not exaggerated, his all was swept away. The estate which had been given them by their father, was all sold, save the house, and a few acres of ground.

"It is unwise to keep the house, but it is the only spot on earth that will ever seem like home. You can come and live with me, as we lived in happier days, and we will see what our strong arms can do to make a brighter future." And so the new house was given up, and the brothers were once more together under the same old familiar roof. A week had passed away, a week of anxiety and solicitude, and the brothers sat on the ancient verandah. One was melancholy, and both were sad. The years which had been working changes for them, had ripened the orphan into the thoughtful girl of sixteen summers.

The sun had already set. Softly and gently stole the shades of twilight over the mountains, over the sea, and over the landscape around the home.

A gentleman walked along the road from the village, swung open the gate, and saluted the brothers.

but they returned cheerily, for the younger brother bore a check for a thousand dollars, which the curious stranger had persisted in giving him for the paintings. There was a revolution in the household when these facts became known, as they did in the fewest possible minutes necessary after their return. The foundling became prominent; and the rising sun of Hope sent glad beams to heavy hearts in the shadow of that night.

"She has paid me double," said the younger to the elder, after the other members had retired, "double for all I have done. She has paid me in the wealth of a warm heart, and now she pays me in money. I am sure you will pardon me for rejoicing. I wish that you might join me, and act on a different principle in future. I have no reproaches, I have been as poor at you are now, and you were very kind to me. But I see more clearly than ever, that if one acts on the principle of expediency, with no principle behind to tell always what is expedient, that he will make a mistake sooner or later which will be ruinous. I must give you half this money."

"I do not deserve it—and I take it simply because I find it expedient to do so!"

That he said it with the olden time good nature, was greatly to his credit. He was too old to be converted.

A week later, and the money had been invested in the old family soil. Though the whole estate was worth ten thousand dollars, they ventured to take a deed, pay the thousand which Mabel had earned them, and gave a mortgage, as security for the balance. They hoped in time to clear the mortgage, and be the proprietors as of old.

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