A Disappointed Woman. A few months since a gentleman had the misfortune to lose his wife, a literary lady of some reputation. After grieving for a number of weeks, a bright idea entered the head of the widower. He thought that he could do something to lessen his sorrow, and for that purpose he called upon a lady of his acquaintance, and requested to speak a word with her in private. Thinking that she was about to receive a proposal, the lady prepared to listen with becoming resignation. watch, or any little valuable, as a memorial of friendship. The gentleman immediately presented his watch, and Chinqua, in return, gave him an old iron seal, saying: "Take this seal; it is one I have long used, and possesses no intrinsic value; should fortune further persecute you, draw upon me for any sum you may need, sign it with your own hand, and seal it with this signet." A man in Louisiana has had four wives go off and leave him. The fifth he swapped for an old "Myrrah," said he, with downcast eyes, as he shot-gun, and now he has got something that won't took her hand, "you knew my wife?" "Certainly." "It is not good for man to be alone!" "Perhaps not." "Did you ever reflect upon that part of the marriage service which requires couples to cleave unto each other until death do them part?" "I have." "I have often reflected upon it myself. Now death has parted me from my wife, and I feel very lonely." "I should think it likely." "I think I must do something to restore me to her kind consolations, and the memory of her virtues." He pressed the lady's hand and sighed. She returned the pressure, and also suffered a sigh to escape her. "My dear," said he, after a long pause, "I'll come to the point at once. I have a proposal to make." "A proposal:" "Yes; I have resolved to write my wife's biography. Now, I have but little skill in literary matters, and if you will correct my manuscript, and write headings for the chapters, I will give you fifty dollars." She sprang from his side, and her eyes flashed with anger. "You wretch-monster-" She left the room, not being able to express her rage. The widower sighed, took his hat and went home. He has not yet published the book. Chinese Gratitude. An English merchant by the name of C, resided in Canton and Macao, where a sudden reverse of fortune reduced him from a state of affluence to the greatest necessity. A Chinese merchant, named Chinqua, to whom he had formerly rendered service, gratefully offered him an immediate loan of ten thousand dollars, which he accepted, and gave his bonds for the amount. This the Chinese immediately threw into the fire, saying: "When you, my friend, first came to China, I was a poor man; you took me by the hand, and assisting my honest endeavors, made me rich. Our destiny is now reversed; I see you poor, while I am blessed with affluence." The bystanders had snatched the bond from the flames. The gentleman, sensibly affected by such generosity, pressed his friend to take the security, which he did, and then effectually destroyed it. The disciple of Confucius, beholding the increased distress it occasioned, said he would accept of his go off The cold world little realizes the sense of desolation that shuts down on a man who thinks he has been handed too much change by his grocer, when he dodges around the corner and finds it right to a cent. PROCRASTINATION. BY DR. MACAY. It fortune with a smiling face, When shall we stoop to pick them up? But should she frown with face of care, When shall we grieve, if grieve we must? If those who've wronged us own their faults, When shall we listen and forgive? To-day, my love, to-day. But, if stern Justice urge rebuke, If those to whom we owe a debt, If love, estranged, should once again But, if she would indulge regret, For virtuous acts and harmless joys To-morrow, love, to-morrow, ESQUIMAUX. The engraving on this page will be recognized by all as a scene in the Arctic regions. The furclad Esquimaux, the trained dogs and sledges, the snow, the frozen sea, the enormous icebergs, all present a dreary prospect to people who have grown accustomed to green fields, flowers, singing birds and balmy breezes during a half of the year, at least. Yet, as an illustration of the eternal fitness of things, it is well known that Esquimaux could not survive long in onr climate, and that they much prefer the perpetual winter to which they are constitutionally adapted by nature. This strange people live by hunting and fishing, exclusively, there being no vegetables or fenit in that region, and they clothe themselves with the undressed skins of the animals they kill. The seal, the walrus, the polar bear, and even the whale succumb to their spears, and the flesh of these creatures is usually eaten in its raw tate-especially the fat, oily substance called the "blubber," which is extracted from the whale, and which is said to be their favorite food. The Esquimaux live in snow houses, travel about on sledges drawn by dogs, and are much lighter colored and more peaceably disposed than other aboriginal Americans. A COUNTRY RESIDENCE. BY MRS. M. E. ROBINSON. RS. RODNEY ALVORD was decidedly tired of a city life, and so was Mr. Rodney Alvord. Both believed that a residence in one of the suburban towns was the only thing lacking to complete their mutual felicity. Mrs. Alvord preferred a neat, pretty, little cottage, with a wilderness of vines running over and about it, and a green and white summer-house in the rear; it would be so delightful and romantic to take their tea there during the warm weather! Mr. Alvord, however, liked a more solid looking style of architecture; a massive, substantial, squarebailt edifice, fashioned more for comfort and convenience than for ornament. But the gentleman was not very tenacious, and liked to gratify his wife; so it was finally settled that when they moved into the country her taste should be first consulted. The latter discovered every day some new objections to her city home, and became more and more sensible of the disadvantages under which they were hourly laboring; they were centrally located; their residence was a pleasant and convenient one, and all their neighbors were kind and agreeable. But these items were of little consequence to Mrs. Alvord and husband when they reflected on the numerous advantages of an out-of-town residence. "Had I better buy a house, or hire?" asked the latter, during a long conversation on the pleasing topic. "O, buy, by all means! It will seem so much more independent and less city-like than hiring. And as we shall occupy it the whole year, we may as well have a place we can call our own; in that case we can repair the house, if it needs it (but be careful that it don't, Mr. Alvord,) and make such alterations as we like, without feeling that by some sudden caprice of the owner, we may be obliged to leave." "My sentiments exactly!" exclaimed the gentleman, rubbing his hands together enthusiastically. What a treasure you are, my dear!" "We shall keep our carriage, of course?" continued Mrs. Alvord, inquiringly. "Well, really, my love-I don't-think it would be practicable," he rejoined, hesitatingly. "Pl nty of room in the country, you know?" suggested his companion. "Wouldn't horses require something to eat in the country as well as here? You must remember we are not rich, my dear." "Sure enough! But we can have a stable attached to the buildings, and that will do almost as well," added Mrs. Alvord, with a smile. "I can imagine myself sitting under our own vine and fig❘ tree, with nobody to molest and make us afraid. Cities never were made to live in, and that is settled beyond a doubt. The children can run to school and pick flowers by the way. Won't it be delightful?” "And we can raise our own vegetables, and perhaps a few bushels of apples," added Mr. Alvord. "The noise, too, in this Babel of a place is so annoying. I'm sure I can't hear myself think; and when I have callers we are obliged to talk distressingly loud. I shouldn't wonder if one or both of my lungs are affected." And the lady coughed a little to try their strength. "There is another matter that you have omitted, and one that I consider very important. You know we have a great deal of company; company can't find us there, my dear," said Mr. Alvord, significantly. "We can't be blamed for that, however," he added, stroking his handsome whiskers with a complacent smile. "That will be an advantage assuredly! You think of everything, Mr. Alvord," replied his better half. "But you won't be able to dine with us." "That is of slight consequence; I can drop into an eating saloon and take a bite and have the more time to devote to my business. To be sure it may not taste quite as good as our family dinner, but I shall enjoy your company at tea quite as well for the slight self-denial on my part." "And I shall have my whole time to look after myself and the children. The advantages certainly multiply," observed Mrs. Alvord. In the course of a month Mr. Alvord succeeded in finding a house, about three miles from the city, which suited his own fancy and that of his wife, and soon after the requisite papers were made out, and the property passed into his possession. The children were delighted at the news, and immediately set about forming plans for their future happiness. It was early in March that the purchase was completed, and owing to circumstances over which they had no control, it was deemed best by both Mr. Alvord and his wife to take possession as soon as possible. In fact the lady was inclined to facili tate matters; she was cager "to breathe pure air, and to see the beautiful sun once more; it was strange that people could contentedly exist in a crowded, smoky, dirty, dark, noisy city." Packing now commenced in good earnest, and Mrs. Alvord, who had not moved for several years, brought to the light numberless articles of trifling yalue, but which she argued, were much to good to leave behind, and some day could be put to use; so baskets and bags, barrels and boxes were soon brought into requisition. Mrs. Alvord's happy spirits were somewhat dampened by a driving snow storm, which came on in the midst of this important business, and soon after turned into a drizzling rain; but after much delay and trouble, she had the satisfaction of seeing the last load of goods deposited in their country residence, and of knowing that at last her much desired wish was gained. To be sure the baby had caught cold, and was in danger of having the croup; and also, owing to the extreme coldness of the weather, several valuable house plants had been frozen by exposure; but the lady argued that these same events would proba bly have transpired anywhere else. Neither the husband nor wife had taken more than a cursory view of the premises before purchasing, and were evidently rather disappointed when they discovered that the house was a very cold one, and the drafts not particularly good. Having been accustomed to the genial warmth of a furnace in the city, the change to a situation rather bleak than otherwise, and exposed to every blast of wind, was keenly felt. The wind howled, windows rattled, blinds with broken fastenings banged back and forth, and one with hammer and nails, and another with plenty of cotton wool, commenced trying to shut off, in some measure, the many currents of air that were pouring in from every direction. something must be decided on at once, for this keen night air is chilling you through,” added Mr. Alvord, as his companion shivered with cold. "O, I have it," she exclaimed, quickly. "You recollect Mrs. Andrews-the lady I was once so intimate with ?" The gentleman answered in the affirmative. "Well, she has repeatedly urged me to come and stop all night, whenever we felt so disposed, and I certainly never felt more inclined to do so than at present. How fortunate that I happened to think of her kind offer." "Persons sometimes say things that they do not exactly mean," said Mr. Alvord, slowly, as though he were calculating their chances of being warmly greeted about the midnight hour. "Not Mrs. Andrews!" added his wife with considerable warmth, as they moved slowly along. "She would not be guilty of such deception." The gentleman said nothing more, and quicken But there was one consolation, March might be a second February, but it could not always last; it must give way to welcome April, and then they should begin to enjoy themselves. The next four weeks were long and dreary ones to Mrs. Alvord, who liked society, and had always made it a prac-ing their steps, they soon reached the residence of tice to go out every day; but the weather was such a medley of wet and dry, warm and cold, that but twice in that time did she venture to visit the city, as the line of coaches that ran to and from the latter place, did not come within half a mile of her door, a circumstance that both had neglected to previously ascertain. "We must see Madame A - to-night," said Mr. Alvord, one morning while at breakfast. I will procure tickets, and come home earlier than usual. We cannot fail to enjoy it." "I should like it much, but I fear we shall be gone too long. One of the children is not well, and Jane will have the babe to take care of," returned Mrs. Alvord. "A very slight service, my dear, for a stout, healthy girl like Jane. Don't worry about the children, but put yourself in readiness to go against my return," he added, as he closed the door. "I suppose there will be no trouble about getting home?" said Mrs. Alvord to her husband, as the performance was about ended, and the brilliant and fashionable audience were dispersing. "Not in the least," he rejoined. "A coach always stands at the door for our place, so we need not hurry ourselves at all. There is abundance of time." The lady felt quite easy, and the couple leisurely proceeded towards the door, criticizing the respective merits of the different performers, not imagining that the last seat in the already crowded carriage had been taken ten minutes before. By the time they were outside, not a public conveyance Mr. and Mrs. Alvord looked at was to be seen. each other in blank surprise; that haste was at all necessary to procure passable accommodations they had no idea; neither did they know much of the scrambling, pushing and crowding of every applicant for a seat, and the vast amount of care manifested for self. "What are we to do?" at last exclaimed the lady, with much concern. "We have been exceedingly careless." "I am afraid we have. But it won't do any good to blame ourselves now, as I can perceive. Here we are three miles from home, after eleven o'clock, But and not a carriage of any kind to be seen. the friend Mrs. Alvord had named. After considerable trouble and delay, they succeeded in arousing the inmates and obtaining admittance. They were ushered by the servant into a cold and cheerless apartment, where they remained until Mrs. Andrews made her appearance. The lady tried to assume a cordial demeanor, but it was evident that she expressed more satisfaction than she really felt, for her manner was constrained and confused. Mrs. Alvord thought of her husband's remark, and a dozen times wished herself at home; but as that was not possible, she tried to appear agreeable to her hostess, who roused up a sleepy and grumbling chambermaid to make ready a bed. When this was done, and the new-comers were alone, Mrs. Alvord began to think of Jane and the children. What would the girl imagine had happened to them? What if little Emma should be taken suddenly ill, and not find her mother as usual by her side? Mrs. Alvord was disturbed by these reflections and troubled dreams the entire night; anxiety and nervousness prevented rest and sound sleep on her part, as positively as thin bed-clothing and damp sheets did on that of her husband. A slight touch of rheumatism served to remind him of the fact next morning, and Mrs. Alvord needed no better evidence of her sleeplessness, than was presented by her pale cheeks and sunken eyes. We scarcely need say that the parents returned home as carly as possible the next morning, and found matters in a great state of confusion. Jane had been greatly alarmed at their non-appearance, and distressed herself with conjectures of numberless unhappy accidents to account for the same. The babe had proved exceedingly troublesome, the sick child had cried incessantly for its mother, and to sum up the whole, the parties at home had passed a night of severe trial. Mrs. Alvord thanked fortune that nothing more serious had happened, and decided that the transitory pleasure she had experienced from the evening's entertainment but poorly repaid for the trouble and anxiety that had followed in its train. and Mrs. Three months had now passed away, Alvord during this time had made many comparisons to herself. She had been obliged to give up the preaching of her favorite minister and listen to one (when she went anywhere,) who differed materially from her in opinion, and who was moreover tedious and prosy. The Sabbaths, that used to pass so quickly and pleasantly, now seemed long and dull. Books and papers were not so conveniently procured as formerly, and the Sunday school was conducted on a plan so entirely devoid of interest, that the children could not be willingly induced to attend. But the weather was fast beComing warm and summer-like, and the lady's spirits rose in consequence. To be sure the groceries to be procured at the village store were vastly inferior to those to be had in the city, and the market-man had a decided propensity for bringing them tough meats and poor vegetables; but these were slight disadvantages, and in all probability, their neighbors were served no better than themselves. The house they had purchased was located on elevated ground, as we have before said, and commanded an extensive view of the fine scenery around. The family never tired of looking at the bright green leaves and swelling buds, and the green carpet that Nature had spread out on every side. Wild birds rivalled the pet canaries in the sweetness of their notes, and flowers of delightful fragrance opened their petals to the morning sun. But with all these pleasant things came something not quite so agreeable; an avalanche of company from the city slid into their quiet, rural residence, overturning all her bright anticipations of romantic and undisturbed retirement. Mrs. Heavysoles, a large, portly woman, accompanied by three young daughters and two sons, together with a French poodle and a swearing parrot, burst upon her astonished vision, with trunks, satchels, carpet-bags and bandboxes to match. At the moment of their advent, the youngest child was screaming most dolorously in consequence of a fall, the parrot was screaming, whistling, and going through the programme of its entertainments generally, while the poodle howled for the purpose of keeping the juvenile Heavysoles company. "My dear Mrs. Alvord, how do you do?" exclaimed the maternal guardian of the interesting troupe. Here we are, you see! Why, it seems an age since I've seen you-how well you are looking! I've brought the children, you see-I couldn't resist their entreaties, they think so much of you! How your James has grown-noble little fellow! Josephus, mind that poodle-how is dear Mr. Alvord's health? Alexander, tell the hackman to bring the trunks into the hall." Mrs. Heavysoles paused, apparently for want of breath, and seated herself to rest after her extraordinary efforts. Mrs. Alvord, though heartily wishing Mrs. Heavysoles and her troupe at the antipodes, put the best face that she could on the matter, and played the hostess as well as could be expected under the circumstances. As soon as her guests were disencumbered of their street garments, Mrs. Alvord's thoughts recurred to her empty larder, with feelings which none but careful and experi enced housekeepers can understand. She sat a few| minutes, and then begging to be excused, went to consult Jane in this emergency. "Don't put yourself out," said Mrs. Heavysoles, following her to the door. "I shan't enjoy my visit if you do, for I hate parade. Don't perplex yourself about what we shall eat; set before us just what you happen to have; a little cold ham or fowl, or something of that sort. We are not particular, you know, and the children are all small eaters." "All gas! all gas!" shrieked the parrot, and then made use of some emphatic words, which fully established his know reputation for profanity, and which had the effect to convulse the juvenile Heavysoles with laughter; whereupon Poll, greatly encouraged, proceeded to crack nuts and whistle. "Cold ham and fowl, indeed!" sighed Mrs. Alvord, as she glanced at the empty shelves of her pantry. Her situation was not an enviable one, but something must be done, and that quickly; for at that moment Alexander Heavysoles was heard inquiring "if dinner wasn't almost ready; while the youngest, Jerusha Ann, was peremptorily demanding "sponge cake." As Jane had not finished her morning work, nothing remained to be done but to go herself to market and order such meats as she might find, which was no slight task, as said market was three quarters of a mile distant, and the walking bad. As may be imagined, it was a very late hour before dinner was served; a fact which produced great dissatisfaction on the part of the juvenile visitors, whose appetites, instead of being of that diminutive capacity spoken of, proved to be quite the reveres. They were both rude and ill-natured, greatly shocking Mrs. Alvord's nice sense of propriety, stopping occasionally during the process of mastication to imitate the senseless screaming of the parrot, or the impatient whinings of the dog. The second day was like unto the first, and all the others like unto the second, with the exception that each brought new and unexpected trials. Her own children, by the force of bad example, began to grow undutiful and disrespectful, and on several occasions, in moments of irritation, quoted extensively the profane language of the ill-taught bird. Mrs. Heavysoles prolonged her visit for nearly the term of a fortnight; "she did so like to rusticate, and it seemed entirely useless to return home and open the house, until her husband returned from his business tour." When she did go her place was immediately filled by somebody else, who thought "that her dear friend, Mrs. Alvord, could not help feeling very lonely in such an out of the way place, and that company must be very desirable." And so it continued the entire summer; their family expenses greatly increased, and their comfort and domestic happiness daily interrupted. We would not convey the idea that Mrs. Alvord was not a warm-hearted, hospitable woman, always willing to extend a cordial welcome to those who entertained feelings of real friendship towards her; but yet not willing to make her house an inn for those whose only object was to obtain the greatest amount of enjoyment with the least expense. At the expiration of the summer, Mr. and Mrs. Alvord found that they had not been alone two weeks of the same; and the latter decided that her cares had been greater, and she had suffered |