"I have no terms to propose to you. I insist upon your absolute withdrawal.' "Madam, this is prejudice. You must give me an opportunity to overcome it.' "I insist, sir, that you shall abandon this wild pursuit of my daughter; that you leave my house, and make no further attempt to enter it.' "Madam, I cannot abandon my hopes of winning your daughter. My life's best hopes are staked upon my success. I will leave you at your request, but must hope to find you more favorably disposed towards me at another time.' "Understand me, sir," said Mrs. Clifton, 'this departure must be final. I warn you that you will find my doors closed against you, should you attempt to repeat this intrusion.' "The consequences be upon your head then, madam, for I will die upon your doorsteps. I will use no dishonorable means to see and influence Miss Clifton, but I will persevere as I have begun, and surrender my object only with my life.' "True enough, the next morning saw me debarred access, even to the vestibule. I sat down upon the doorsteps, choosing the side upon which a partial shadow was thrown by a magnificent live oak. As I vacantly gazed at the grand old tree, I was struck with the long streamers of gray moss pendant from its branches, and wondered I had not observed them before. Waving in the lightest breeze, and forming a beautiful contrast with the glossy leaves of vivid green, these tresses of parastic growth are highly picturesque; but they are always indicative of moisture, and suggestive of the dreaded fever of the low country. "All that day, all the next, all the third day I sat on those unrelenting steps. Visitors came to the house. I rose, bowed deferentially, and stood smilingly polite, while I saw them admitted to privileges from which I was debarred. I rose, bowed again, and stood as smiling and polite to see them depart, assisting the ladies to their carriages, like the true Virginia gentleman, which I knew myself to be, even while sitting on those doorsteps, which refused to recognize my quality. "I know that there were compassion and relenting felt for me, from slight indications within the citadel. More than once a sorrowful and sympa. thizing glance had fallen on me from some comely, dark face, surmounted by a hasty sunbeam; more than once the green latticed shades of the window above me rustled, as if somebody was an interested spectator of my sufferings; and once I detected near me the flutter of a muslin curtain, and caught the faintest imaginable sigh. The fourth day began its course like its predecessors. I was at my post betimes; but I remember that my thoughts were much on the delights of my hill-country home, and that I longed for a breath of its cool mountain air. I watched the gathering of a light fleecy cloud, hoping that it might come to such a size and position as to screen me from the round, red sun,' which seemed to burn into my throbbing brain. My spirits were unusually depressed. I grew less sanguine of ultimate success. The mocking-birds on the trees seemed to jeer me. The glare of the sunshine on the well-swept walks and trim trellises of the garden seemed to sicken me. A sudden dimness came over my sight; there was a surging of waves in my ears, and I sank back unconscious. "There was an interval of many weeks before I knew anything of what then befell me. I found myself at last a sick man, but most comfortably cared for. My own particular servant, and my 108ter brother, of a darker hue, was my quiet and attentive nurse. Around me were many familiar objects-my personal effects. The light food and cooling drinks which were brought me, were prepared as I had always been accustomed to have them, and savored of home. I asked no questions, though, as my dim recollections of the past took form, I began to be somewhat curious. Where could I be? Could it be that I was at home once more? How could I have been carried unconsciously so far? "At last I was so far convalescent that I was permitted to sit up, supported by my pillow. I begged for air, and my good Scipio stepped forward and raised the curtain. The clear blue sky, with what languid delight I gazed into it. But suddenly I started from my pillow, and sat upright. That tree with the waving streamers of gray moss! I had seen it till I knew every leaf of it. My heart bounded. There could be no mistake. I was within the citadel I had besieged. That was enough. I lay quietly back and asked no questions, waiting patiently for further developments. One day I broke out: "Well, then, Massa Harry, here goes. You done stay from home a long time. Who knows whar you was? All the word we get,' send my letters to C-;'' send my letters to C-;' ' send my letters to C. Mighty hot weather. I know right well that missus fret about you. Miss Winny look troubled, oneasy-like about her brother. I know they think you get sick. One day missus say to me, Scipio,' she say, whar is your Massa Harry?' Gracious know, missus, not Scip; but I gib one 'pinion-Scip better go and see. Whatever Massa Harry are doin' of, it's plain he are doin' of it easy, and it ar' my 'pinion dat Scip better go and help him.' Very well, Scip, you can go,' says missus, and if he doesn't like it, you can tell him I sent you about Mr. Sanborn's offer to buy the crop.' So I done come, and true for me, I done find Massa Harry want help mighty bad. White folks has not berry good sense.' ་ chose for a wedding sermon. It was taken from the Psalms of David, and read thus: "And let there be peace while the moon endureth." OLD KING COAL. Old King Coal was a merry old soul, his full height, and throwing his right foot and arm "The truth was, that Mrs. Clifton had wished an excuse for relenting in the severity of her purpose towards me, and she had unexpectedly found it in the remembrance of an old school friendship with my mother-Winnifred Leighton. Had she been less prejudiced, she might have recognized my claim sooner, for the name of Harry Dinwiddie had been iterated in her reluctant ear. "I have forgiven her all that, however, since she has made suitable reparation for the wrongs she did me. She has permitted a renewal of the old family intimacy. She has even carried it so far, as to insist that I shall annually accompany my beloved wife, Mrs. Lucy Dinwiddie, with a flock of rosy-cheeked Virginia children, to pass the Christmas holidays with her. I am now on my way to meet at C the precious company, which I sent by the lower and less fatiguing route, under the guardianship of Scipio. Scipio would be deeply mortified if any of the annual pilgrimages should be undertaken without him on the carriage box. His great delight is to boast of his own exploits, and he is particularly at home in a story he tells of Master Harry once taking a fancy to go deer hunting, and scaring up a right smart chance of game, but not being able to bring it down, till dat black dog Scip come on and help him powerful." The Honey Moon. Why is the first month after marriage called the "honey moon?"-Doubtless on account of the sweet lunacy which controls the heads of the parties during that brief and delightful period. What ▲ pity that they should ever get quite rational again! | that sentimentality should give place to sentiment, sentiment to sense, love yield to logic, and fiction to fact, till the happy pair are reduced from the Eden of romance to the Sahara of reality-from Heaven to earth-and perhaps a peg lower! Strange as it may seem, there have been couples who have quarreled in the £rst month of matrimony, and have got back to their astonished parents before the good mother had fairly done weeping, (and rejoicing too) at her daughter's departare. Their "honey moon" soured at the full of her horn, and became a moon of vinegar, instead. A bad omen that! There was much sense and propriety in the text which an ancient clergyman he called for the pick, and he called for tho spade, And he called for his miners bold; "And it's dig," he said, "in the deep, deep earth You'll find my treasures better worth Than mines of Indian gold!" Old King Coal was a merry old soul, And he said, "I've found what I desired, An! he called for water, and he called for fire, "Come build me engines great and strong; Old King Coal was a merry old soul, They spared the bones and strength of the men, There was naught 100 great, too mean or small- Old King Coal was a merry old soul, I should like to roam the wide world round, Who has made us great and free. We shall flourish fair in the morning light, In front of the world shall stand. It is claimed that a new people have been discovered in a district of India, who are thought to bo the descendants of the Jews sent into the land by Soloman to capture elephants and work in the gold mines. They call themselves Sons of Israel, not Jews, and declare that they have autograph prayer books, written by the patriarchs, and also a written Bible, though Hebrew has long been a dead language to lem. They observe the Sabbath, but know nothing of the Passover and Day of Atonement. The Winter Bird. When the chill winds of winter sweep down from the north, and the earth is hidden beneath a mantle of snow, we still see a few diminutive specimens of the feathered tribe flitting about among the halfburied evergreens, invading our barnyards for food sporting in the snow, and sometimes perching on our window-sills. Even when the weather is so severe that we can scarcely muster up sufficient courage to leave our comfortable firesides, these little birds are as lively as crickets, chasing one another from tree to bush, or chirping cheerily among the branches of the holly. One might think they would freeze to death in a very short time, they are so small and delicate-looking, but instead of that, they seem as happy and contented as a tropical bird in its own native clime. And of course they are, for cold weather is their natural element, and one which they prefer above all others, and at the very beginning of summer they migrate to the higher regions, where summer is unknown. In this frigid temperature they live and breed and enjoy life, fitted by nature to endure the rigors of winter, when a warm climate would probably kill them. The winter birds are never clothed in brightcolored plumage, like the tropicai specimens, but are severely plain and prosaic as to hues, the most common of them being a dull brown, with only a slight diversity of shades. Neither do they sing s sweetly as some of the southern species, but they are blithe, spirited little bodies, always cheerful and busy, and when seen in groups they keep up a continual chirping and twittering. A great deal might be said about the different kind of winter birds, and their distinguishing traits and habits, but that we will leave our readers to learn from books on ornithology, which may be found in every well-selected library. In our own country, as every one knows, the species called "snow-bird" best known, as it is seen in all parts of the United States during the winter months. Its first appearance is regarded as an indication of a coming snow-storm, and as soon as cold weather sets in it seems to become half domesticated, hovering about door-yards, picking up crumbs, and entertaining but little fear of man. The people of Cyprus are represented to be so honest that money is sent in open packages to any part of the island without fear of loss. Lying and stealing are unknown there. Hadn't we better send to Cyprus for a few missionaries? A prosy, tedious congressman said to Henry Clay, "You speak, sir, for the present generation, but I speak for posterity." "Yes," replied Clay, "and it seems you are resolved to speak until your audience arrive." trousis up in a cotton handkerchief, and with what loose change I had, started off between tew days, for Bostcown. XCEPTING the want of a good steward, Clark-in' tew nobody, but tied a clean shirt and a pair of son, my ship's company is complete." This remark was made by Captain Arthur Covendale, of the British steamer Oriole, to his intimate friend, George Clarkson, as they met on the pier at Kingston, Jamaica, on the morning of a bright and cloudless day in the month of September, some fifteen years ago. Before Clarkson could find time to reply, a man of medium height, wiry form, and fresh, good-natured countenance, having, as he leaned against a post near the edge of the pier, apparently overheard the words of Captain Covendale, stepped up to that important personage, and said: "If 'twas a cook, sir, yew had said yew wanted. instid of a steward, I should say most decidedly, I am yeour man." "Who are you?" Covendale inquired abruptly. "Samuel Tewksbury, commonly known in the toown of Saco, where I was bred and born, as goodfor-nothing Sam." "The fust thing I did arter I got intew that amasin' place, was tew look for a job, and wasn't obliged tew look a great while before I was lucky enough tew find one, in the kitchen of a fust-class hotel, where I begun opperations by choppin' wood for, and otherwise assistin' the cook, of which there were several, if not more. Wall, if ever there was a feller tried hard tow larn and git ahead, and show for sartin he was good for somethin', I am the identikle he that did it, and so well, too, that in the course of a year, takin' a great fancy to the bisiness, I got tew be head cook, and when 11 ft a couple of years arterwards, tow go tew sea, the boss of that ere hotel gave me a written recommendation, which, if yew would like tew see, hore 'tis." So saying, our worthy friend, Sam Tewksbury, "A bona fide down east Yankee, by all that's handed Capt. Covendale a letter, and that individverdant!" observed Clarkson, sotto voce. ual, after silently reading its contents, beckoned "You open your business with a queer sort of Clarkson aside, and addressing him, said: recommendation," answered Covendale. "Wall, yes, if yew take what I said in that particycwler light," replied Sam, "it is rayther queer, and no mistake. But the fact of the matter is, I only told yew what I was commonly called at home, so that in case yew and I should happen to git further acquainted, yew can see how easy it is, when a feller's got the character of a good-fornothin' there, for tew find eout he is good-for-sumthin' when he gits a fair chance of showin' it some where else." "This fellow shows me a document from one of the most eminent hotel keepers in Boston, which I know is authentic, certifying that he is a young man of steady habits, and an excellent cook. What do you think of him for a steward?" "Although rather uncouth in looks and manner of speech, I think, on the whole, he will make a good one," rejoined Clarkson. "I care nothing about his looks or manner of speech, as he cannot help the first, and speaks only his mother tongue," resumed Covendale, "80 I "How did you ever ascertain you were good for think, on the whole, I will take him." anything?" asked Covendale. "In order to git at that, fairly and squarely," answered Sam, "I must fust teil yew heow I came tow kneow the other thing. The very fust words I can remember my mother's sayin' about me, are like as follows: "One day, says she to dad, jest arter she'd given me the all-firedest spankin' a he-critter four years old or less, ever got: "This ere boy,' says she, Jesse-that's dad's Christian name, yew know-ain't good for nothin' neow, and I'il venter tew say never will be, if he lives tew be older than Methuzellar.' "No, he ain't,' says dad, and arter that it was yew good-for-nothin' Sam here, and yew good-fornothin' Sam there, till I een-a-most got tew think I was ra lly and teetotally good for nothin' myself. "When I fust went tew a woman's school, the school-marm said I was good for nothin'; when I went tew a master he said the same, and when I went to work with dad on the farm, I had the same agin. Wall, I stood it all, till I was abeout sixteen years old, when I says to myself one day-says I: With this, the captain went back to Tewksbury, and said: "Do you think you can do a steward's duty on board of my vessel ?" "I kneow, sir, I can try darnation hard," rosponded Sam. "That will do," answered Covendale. "You may con-ider yourself engaged, and go on board as soon as you like." "When are yew goin' to sail, sir ?" asked Sam. "If nothing extraordinary happens, to-morrow afternoon, about three o'clock. By the way, Tewksbury, how did you happen to get out here ?" "When I was a boy," replied Sam, "a retired old shipmaster, a kind of distant relation of my dad's, used tew visit our heouse occasionally, and tell sich etarnal wonderful stories about furrin parts, as made me detarmined as soon as I was able, tew go and see 'em for myself. I couldn't do a thing abeout it though, till arter I got to Bosteown, and I hadn't been there but a little while, afore I wanted tew go worse than ever. So, arter I'd larnt tew be a fust-rate cook, I shipped as sich on board a vessel beound for China, went the voyage, kinder liked it, got back safe and scound, shipped agin on board another craft, destined for the West Indies, which got dismasted in a tarnal hurricane, but finally made eout tew git in here, where she was condemned, and her crew left to git home or anywhere else, the best and cheapest way they could. That's jest the way I happened tew be here, and I feel amazin' glad I've got a chance tew go with yew tew New York, tew which port I think I overheard yew say yeour ship was beound tew go." 66 "Yes," replied Covendale, my vessel is bound to New York, and will probably be sent from there to England with dispatches for the Government. So, as I said before, I say again, you may consider yourself engaged, and go on board as soon as you like." Having thus spoken, and without awaiting a reply, Covendale, in company with Clarkson, left the pier, and walked up leisurely into the town. At precisely three o'clock the next afternoon, the Oriole, with Sam Tewksbury as acting steward, steamed out of Kingston harbor, and heading for New York, sailed swiftly off upon her destined course. Late on the third evening of this eventful trip, and just as Capt. Covendale was about retiring for the night, our friend Sam, entering his cabin, said: "Is there any sperrits aboard of this boat, capun ?” "None," replied the captain, "except a little wine and brandy I have with my private stores." "I don't mean sperrits of that kind, sir, by a long chalk." "What the d--l do you mean, then!" Covendale impatiently rejoined. "Ghosts!" was the brief reply. if not wholly cured. I state these facts simply to ease your mind of the ghostly ideas you just now intimated, and hope that in my hearing you will in that particular way, at least, offend no more. You can now retire." "Thank you, sir, and rayther guess I will," responded Sam; "who, thereupon, having had a little state-room fitted for his use, just forward of the captain's, so that in his capacity of steward, he might be within car call, retired to it at once, and immediately turned in. "A rayther cewrius story this of Capt. Covendale," thought Sam, as the friendly hammock, in which he comfortably rested, swayed gently to and fro, "and one that I should like to get at the bottom of, most darnationally. It seems plausible enough, but nevertheless and although, to use the words of an ancient song: "It's a very fine story tew tell tew him, Joolyar, Yet there's somethin' about it almighty pecoolyar." "However, all I can dew abeout gittin' at the right of it, is to keep my weather eye pealed, as the sailors say, and watch her and his proceedins confeounded narrowly every time I git a chance." A few moments afterwards, just as he was about trying to stop thinking and go to sleep, Sam heard a voice in the main cabin, which he well knew was Clarkson's, saying: "Is the coast all clear, Covendale ?" "Because if it is," resumed Clarkson," I want to have a little talk with you concerning your future intentions towards the wife you have and the one you intend to have." "Hush, for God's sake," exclaimed Covendale. "My steward hasn't but just turned in and may be listening." "Hark," rejoined Clarkson, "I think I hear him "That I am darnation sure I saw one," answered snoring." Sam. By Jupiter, so do I," replied Covendale, as a "When?" inquired the captain, with ill-assumed tremendous snort that would have done immortal indifference. honor to a large-sized hog, came from Sam's room, with a force that caused Clarkson to exclaim "Jest the last night that ever was," responded Sam. "Yew was on deck; I was in my room readin' a little, as I generally dew before I undress for bed, when a tall figger, dressed in white, glided by, swift as lightnin' reound the corner of a barn.' "Did you follow it ?" inquired Covendale. "Not very surcrumstrusly I didn't," answered, Sam, "because, if so be it was a true ghost, and I didn't know what else it possibly could be, tryin' to foller it would be like tryin' to foller a passin' cloud, which would be no use at all." "No man awake could make such an infernal noise as that, without scaring himself to death. I'll be cursed if he could." "Nor make it asleep," replied the captain, "without waking himself up. I've noticed, however, already, that this fellow has an excellent constitution for sleep, and goes to it as readily as a hungry man to his dinner. I think he is off now, sound as a roach, but to make assurance, Clarkson, doubly sure, suppose you just try him with a light." Acting immediately upon the captain's shrewd suggestion, Clarkson took a light, went to Sam's room, drew it leisurely a few times across that singular individual's eyes, returned to the cabin and expressed himself perfectly satisfied, that our honest friend was, in strong reality, fast asleep. After tossing off a couple of glasses of good old "She looked white and ghostly enough tew be Rhenish wine on invitation of his friend the capdead forty times over," replied Sam. She has been for a long time, more or less sick and is besides most hopelessly insane. She is the wife of a friend of mine who has desired me to take her to a private asylum in New York, where he fondly hopes she may in time be essentially helped, tain, Clarkson resumed the conversation previously broken off, by saying "When and where did you pick up this present wife of yours, friend Arthur." "Two years ago, in Vera Cruz," responded Covendale. "I was first introduced to her at a bal |