Evening Star Newspaper, October 17, 1874, Page 2

‘fi TOO OLD FOR KI»3ES. be gazing ee en ae ACANC’ The basket: along the 1! Shooting arcle Phillip, hale old maz, as (4 children ty the dozen; Tom, Ned and oon Ki ow many call me “cor geod Dboys and girls, the best was Bess; 1 bore her on my shoulder,— A little bud of loveliness ‘That never should grow ident had sach a pleadin, E Heiney seemed to say, Donttarrike met”— ‘Then, growing bold, another dav, +] mean to make you like me.”” Iliked my cousin early. late, Who liked not litthe misses, Sbe used to meet me at the gate, ‘Just old enough for kisses! This was, I think, three years sgo— Before I went to college, 1 learned one thing there—how to row, A hea'thy sort of know! ‘ When I was plucked (we won the race), And all was at an end there, I thought of Uncle Philip's place, And every country-friend there, My cousin met me at the gate; he looked five, ten yeurs older. A tall young woman, still, sedate, ‘With manners coyer, colder, She gave her hand with statel, “Why, what agreeting this is You used to kiss me.” She replied, “+E am too old for kisses.” I loved, I love my cousin Bess; 8b in my mind now; ‘The rose of womankind now! She must have =u tors; old and young ‘Must bow their nc ads before het Vows must be made By wany & mad adore: But U must win her; she must give To me ber youth and beauty; And I_to love her while I live Will be my happy duty; For she will love me soon or late, And be my bliss of blisses,— Wit! come to meet meat the gate, Nor be too old for kisses! R. H. Stoddard. A LAGGARD IN LOVE. The Here of the Ice Drift. brave enough as the world John Marsden wa goes. He bad been stroke-oar of his university crew, and knew all the channels and chutes of the rapids below bis little eity at L 3 and | once, when practicing with his oara om the Fiver abuve them, he had saved @ perty, of ama- teur fishermen from being dashed to pleees on their socks. Marsden was brave enough in that way fence of Bessi in his heart cozed away to speak. The repetition of some funny re- | partee, which that laughable Mr. Erwin had | told the evoning before, depressed bim aga re- Winder of a brighter and more tal And wher the rivals met ot an eveni presence of the charming beauty, Fred. audacity angered Juhn his witty repartee vhich | Provohec the merry laughter of Bessie wis ae } gall to the sadate lover; and his lig the pimo, and the mellow voice with which he fang some sentimental song, directing tt with big impudent eyes at Bessie herself, stung Jobn With a sense of despair over ifs own ability to shive im these lighter acts so dear to the heart of | Woman. What hope had John Marsden against | puch an anconquerable wooer? And yet his | heart refused to yield up ail hepe, sud he lived | On, resolving and temporiting, and finding » Pleasure that he dared not risk even in the Brivilege of hoping. Old Mz. Alden was a shrewd observer, ant oc- cosionaily he gave bis daughter Bessie the benefit of his views 0 raid Fred. Er. repiled the charming Bessie, Too light-headed and shallow. And fora bank cashier, with ail the business of the Cash- | on his shoulders, that is a serious fault. Quite serious! For my part,”"*continued he, mnsingly, “1 think John Maradea is worth adozen Itke him. There is something about | t is solid and straightforward. And, ‘s going—I notice it takes a little diplo- Y set him going right—he can talk as brilliantly as Erwin. Lord, iord, in my day, whea Iwasa young lawyer inold Low- | Goin, courting your mother, it took a wreatlin, ors riding match to win & woman. Why, won your mother ‘‘and the old man’s eyes gieamed with subdued merriment” and she was the handsumest girlin LowJola county—it's no Feflection on you that you don’t look quite so Well as she did, my dear, though you look very | much like her—weil, I wom your mother by | breaking in u wild colt belonging to 3er father. | He leaped a tive-barred gate with me and gev- | erally made it very rough riding. It was a des- perate measare, but your mother drove me to itseems to ms,” remarked Mr. Alden, as Le toasted his slippered feet before the tre, | While Bessie sat neat by, gazing teonghetully | into the dying coals, “it se oO me that Fre: « preity attentive. my dear.” « woved petulantly. ‘‘He’s a lunatic,” the seid sua: ply. * prosed the olf gentle- debu Marsden.” ain ed unea-tty. »tiv aed the oldgeutloman, “‘he’sa suiter, provided always that he is That's the trouble. here are no | M to break. Mars Dover the five-barred gate while that sprig of an Er- 1d coll cried Bessie, ae she swept from reom. a ittle city of L. stood just above t! rapids of s beautifal river of tie West. The winter of IS7-, like most preceding winters, had filled the river tm frout of the litte city with gorged ice that completely bound in Its hurry- ing current, except for a harrow ribbon of open water, where the stream was the swiftest. Above the rocks of the rapids, huge ice-crags reared their beads, and one gorge iarger than the rest loomed directly above the dark eddies like s great buttressed fort. The stout ferry-boat, Chery bie, a steamer of the Wescern pattern, un- like the East and North river ferry-boats in baving double decks and but one Dow, was able to make bat few and difficult trips to the Little saburb Opposite, whilst coast navigation was | nter had embargoed L. “3 business in this wise on the day when John Marsden took his way agai down town, still rapt in bis hopes ot Bessie. A neighbor saluted bim as he “Did you hear about the U said be. Jobn bowed and smiled; so full of thoughts of | Beesie that hecid not comprehend. A lucid | moment revealed the somewhat remarkable fact that everybody was hurrying down the side | streets toward the river. There was an air of excitement gtout their movements that half roused him. A frien? brushed agatnst him at & corner hurrying river ward. “Excuse me, Jobn,” he said, “I’m barrying to see the Cberybie.” “The Cherybic! what’sthe matter with the passed. eryble, John?” Cherybie? Bui the hurrying friend was already out of hearing. Another friend, however, came ap at that moment (im that little city nearly every- | was @ friend of everybody else), and he Jobn's bewi dered sf vt you know? Sh ng over the roc d Lasteaed along to- getuer wit wii, aud were soun | €n boa: he levee, where a | xreter cr ered than in the busiest days ¢ season. Ip the micah uestling bow first Against the of an ice-gorge above the eddy, lay the stout itte ferry-buat Her whecls were stopped by ths | ce. igh Cetse volumes of smoke neys, ttle curls or ger than rats im @ trap, over her decks, and a busy in the pilot-house ci that would net turn. he dark rash of ye.cbes the rapids was had not secured a firm crowned w stately way ins long procession of complacent grapdeur,uoti! they struck the boisterous rapids and were buried headlong into the aprosrious eddies. John Marsden knew ali the rocks and chutes of the rapids by beart,and he comprehended the danger of the Cheryble on the tustant. ouch apan | § jeredith,” said he, his frieud’s arm, “this is feartull” STMPINS ! What can be done?” ‘They must have s line rus out to them,” re- piled Marsden, sbarpiy; ‘‘and they mast have — board who knows the chutes.” Tom Meretith looked up quietiy into his friend's face, startled by the pithy earnestness ne id be terribly 4: to “It wou y dangerous to attempt a8 oop huskily. sik tain “That against w! ey rest,”’ con- n Soka wite hie clear bige eye still bent to pom thoughts to be far away from ror friend’s arm and together they walked away toward the little ferry-wharf far up the stream, wheoce ill-fated steamer hed but an hour before started her . Tae ofone of the numerous email ship stores that stood on the street facing the levee was a little old woman, watching, with a dozen compan- ions, the threatened vessel. “Missy,” said John to ber. have aout a thousan ! yards of ship's sord? The company wil) pay for it.”” Ferry “An’sbure, wid pleasure, Mr. Marsden. Is somebody going to txke it to them foiks?” “Yes, m' ink, and note a few minute: be slone” John Marsden came oat of the little back Foum in about ten minntes, and, taking the long liue of ship's cord upon his shoulder, con- tinued bis way without a word to the’ little forrv-wharf. followed by the now silent tue poke a few words to the ferry-keeper, pointed, at the cooclusion of their conversat Dy to a stout, iron-bound ski that floated inside the narrow slip. The care lay idly in it, anda short hawser held it to the pisr. “That will do,” said Jobn; ‘‘antie it.” «Jobp,” eaid Meredith, buskily,-‘what are you going to do?" “I'm going to get aline to her fourself, Jubn—ate you going yourself? “Yes, [am going myself, if heaven f — It _was pot for the men who faced htm with laration, and lorions parnose soo, to utter pallid lips, as he made this d saw the wondrous gleam of a as it agai.. rested on Aword to de Sowe tooked on i who walks to bis « e and in the most r re was visible someth sisam that they have « 's handsome they nOKG Faves, solve ever «i the Cheryble? Wae there any us in men's protests when even Bessie’s pl ion faite -Jobn gave a few words of instruction to Tom Mere sith aud two or three yp and also relative to the careful hand line as he paid ie out. eo that it shoult not be caught In the jagged floes of ice. Then he drew | Tom Meredith to one side, an‘ sa! “I wish you'd tell mother,Tom, to-night, how ever my venture ends. She may be uneasy about me unless she knows where [ am. She's strong and can bear it, but. if I never reach the boat, break it to her as gently as you can,’ Meredith silently bowed his head, “and Tom,” continued Marsden, in a lower tone, and more slowly, ‘‘what I tell you now is in ho! : coutidence, never to be divulge: “Give this letter to its address when—when {am gone"—and be handed Tom Meredith the note which he had writtenin misey’s b: leaped in, and with a few strokes of his oars was swittly on his way tothe darkly-dowing ice- current outside. The little group cheered him ashe bent to bis task, andthe greater further down the river, guessing his purpose, stretebed itself along the river bank to cate a better view of him. As their cheers and move- ments conveyed the news to the imprisoned Cheryble, the little specks of passengors gath- ered at her sides to watch and hope. With bis long, stalwart strokes, afew moments sudived to bring John directly in the mid-t of the turou ient ice-current, and he soon knew himself to e drifting singgishly along with the stately procession of fairy palaces and rngged crags of ice toward the terrible eddies. Once he snud- dered as he raw the dark waves surging under him and thought of what a dismal d-ath he bad dared, but he choked down such thonghtson the instant. “No faint heart now, Johu Marsden!” he cried, and, as if to defy such thoughts, he stood upright in his boat, and waved bis hand in token of good cheer to the excited crowd on ore. Success required only aqnick eve anda ready band. and John had both. His troubles arose in contending with the thicker ice that hung sluggishly on the outer edges of the channel Here he would at times find bia litte craft bomping vainly against a heavy floe, while # | huge crag toppied over the rear, and then it re- | a@uircd both skill and strength to relieve him- self trom hisdapgers. Again, he would be com- pelled to debark upon some jong cake which washeld stationary by @ gorge, ani drag hi- deat across it; and once be had even to surmount a line of jutting crags, which had formed au ice-embankment across his path, aud pull his boat across and launch it again, while it was ciftcult even to maintain his footing on the | treacherous ice. To the fatigue of these ex- ploits were added also broise: and wounds, and wettings, which befell him at almost every tarn. His arms were paiving him, and he fuaad « drop r two of Dloud even flowing from his foretad, from what cause he did not know. But, with all thi so drawbacks, he continued to make pro. gress toward the disabled steamer. Once, on zlancing toward her to measure his dista he Gisunguiehed the dresses of women among \be passengers. His heart took new courage His biood warmed with the thought that 'e was battling fer women—women who knew Bessie, btless, ard would tel! her—som- of the how he bad werk:d to save them. Then he re- membered. end was almost startled ashe did <0, that there was @ grand ball to be given tha very hightata grand cowutry house beyond the saburb opposit-,and nearly everybody tn i had been invited, and doubtless Bessie among them; apd she might act he on board the Uberyblenow. As he neared the boat he caught occasional glances, in the midst of his arduous Guties, of a group who stood on the main deck with ropes and willing hands to help him, and of a row of anxious passengers at the railing ot the deck above. The trembling ice-cakes and the roaring eddies lifted his skiff, with one final effort, far on to the icy guard surrounding the Cheryble, and in another moment half a dozen hands had lifted him to the deck, aud « duzen more were waving bats in the air. «Phe line?” said John. “We have it here safe.” Marsden’s voice sourded ¢im and distant to his own ears as he spoke, and he became con scious of @ duli pain in his arm and nead as he moved gercss the deck. He heard, amid the eager thanks of strong men about him, the low murmur of the group on the deck above, and with a vague indefinite hope struggling for ex- ression even with fleeting consciousness, he turned big face to look at them. In the in- distinct array of anxious faces bent down upon him he raw bat one face distinctly. and that one only for an instant, She waskneeling with her hauds tightly clasped across her lap, avd her tearful, wondering eyes were gazing gracefally at him through the raiiing. Yes, Bessie was on board! Then Jobn shook off bis weariness, and de- cisred he must go outside. A little flutter of opposition rose from the kindly voices about him, but he said he had tosee about the line and consult with the captain about the safety of ali of them, avd they le* bim go. ‘The sturdy old captain of the Cheryble greeted bim bear the deor- “Nobody that knows the rapids?” “Not weil enough to pilot the Cheryble Jobn studies a mement. nd I will try it” But few orders were necessary. There were about thirty passengers on board, most of them goin asJobn bad divined, to that grand ball the suburb opposite. There were uo besong provelons whatever for them, and there was only coal enough for three trips. The gorge ot ice against which the Cheryble rested was sclid, and could hardly give way under less than three days’ thaw. Then the boat would bave to go as best she could over the rapids for a safe lauding below. The chute beyond her was al- most stralgh that it was th boat through. «Keep the firee banked,” he eald to the cap tein, “and a bt steam = bs with food.” he and Jobn teit reiieved toknow Sagging rope bridge of stout cable, rigged with rucning pulleys, already joiucd the cable to the shore. Strangely enon, John Marsden had not be- thought of the probability of Fred. Erwin’s ing op board when he first kuew of Bessie’s presence there. It was & most unpalatable fact, acd, when be remembered all as he did in @ moment, be blamed himself for not having thought of it before. “«Pshaw!’’ he said to himeelf, “of course he's with ber. He's her accepted lover.” He started to bis feet, halt in anger, as the face peered over the window-sill, and turned a it might have disconcerted any neried Fred. “On! to have us all basketed over to-mor- “Hardly responded Job. “If we can get pe sions enough to feed us for a day or two, it tock upon it t! one bet Fred. Erwin. * Sending word ashore?” ia row. I su is AS Much as we can expect just no con pro and other necessaries, and at noon a great m«il or Cheryble. Suddenly he seized his # srrived with letters apparently (or every 01 on the on rovage, ther was full of hope and cheer, a koots of men wno hathered sbout this oraclejof | with trust in the gvod the rapid intuitively followed them. In front ‘eoult yon let me And will you let me have pen, sper in your little back room for Excuse me, Tem, but 1 must vors 2ce8 of most same entha- | 5 But what could Had not the pewly-born hope of Bessie been struggling against bis grand re- e he had first seen the danger of U4 ng vis- ed men of the crowd in regard to the rigging of a rope bridge or cable which he hoped to draw over with his smaller line when he should reach the Qeat, pg of the ing an end to Meredith, John Marsden a all theee threedays? It means that you wil “I kpow every rock and chute,” he said, €asiest of them gil to pilot his Our line will fur- Ine had already been hanied over, and a 4 were tinnally during ey teat board. Bessie received two letters; ne from her fa- Tong ba management of » Marsden; the other—Hessie had read it first In wonder, then with varying em tions of joy aud sorrow and hope and wilderment, i bed Story had touched her aching heart with re- = joy and tenderness and pity ateach now Treading: Deak Miss Atpex—This will only be given you when I am mo more, and your reception of itean not effect me one way orthe other. I may say here what [ had hoped and yet feared to Say ever since I first felt the tender charm of your presence. { can say here, with neitaer fear vor bepe, that! love you. It may be some- thing for you to remember, as your bappy life moves on, that a heart, strong everywhere but in your mee, turned lovingly to thoughts of you at its death. Joun MARSDEN. ‘om Meredith had evidently mi his directions. Bessie Alden eat for hours that day gazing a>sently out of the cabin window at the woud: shore opposite, her eyes bedewed with dreamy tesrs, aud her face dimly brightened with a tender smile. She longed at times to go to this strong men’s side and telj him ali—retease him from that grim despair that would have given the eternal waters the secret of his love for her. But what diplomacy couid compass this The crowdon shore had meantime finished the scow by which they hoped to transfer the impri-oned passeng~re to solid earth, and it was ~iwly and tediously pulled over to the boat. 6 t its inatilicy was tested ontheroute. [t was i#hed about so vivlently when it struck the si ids that it was evident noone would trast imsclfte it for a passage back. When tt acted the boat John Marsden ordered it de- able as thoroughly useiess. among those ef the passengers € progress of the crew with the interest.” Ashe was convinced of Of ttstransit, he clincbed his hands that quick, nervous way, to he upper guard of the beat, and glanced again Li ned sharply, and climbed the etair to the pper deck, and confronted John Marsden, | where he leaned against the pilot-houss. “Do command this boat, Marsden?” he asked, biuntly. ee ‘What chance is there for me to get of in race oe “in thatscow? There isa a hondred!”* “Then I want to take that one chance! Maréden had stopped and gazed in wonder at pout one chance in sald win, savagely. “I want help. Witl you let me £9, or will you have the town ringing with my Cisgrace to-morrow?” A Vivid thought of Bessie flashed through John’s mind—how could she survite the dis- honor ogbisexpo¢nrs it she loved him? —and his answer @ime quickly to bis lips; «You may go. Quick! There is one chance, and Heaven Knows 1 Lope yon may win. The scow there. Make ready. We'll send one passenger ashore.” And he leaned over the railing and called to the boatmen below. Fred. was off like a shot. At this moment Bessie Alden found her op- portunity to seck John Mareden’s side. “Well, John,” she said, with a slight trema- jousness in her voice as she uttered the name, | ander an affected vivacity of manner, “what is your wisdom about to suggest’? ‘The otterance of his name startled John, and, ashe glanced downward at her, his heart glowed with generosity evon for bis rival. “We have a hero among us, Mias Alden,” he said “Mr. Erwin ts determined to try the scow.”* Mr. Erwin!” cried Bessie in dismay. ‘But not dreadfully dangerous?” Erwin was already in the scow, giving hurried and 1 distinct orders to the boatmen who were to draw him across. “Can he go sa n terror. ‘*He may,” eaid John, gloomily. “You should not let him go!” she cried. “He would go, Miss Alden,” said John. “1 urged him against it, but he would go.”” “But you sbonid net haye/et him go. You iy, John?” whispered Bessie, don’t know all, or you wonld not have let him go! You never knew!" and she tarned with agi- fated steps, and sought the tad: 8’ cabin, where, with a heart torn with anxtety and tear, she waited to hear the end of Erwin’s desperate ad- venture. John never blanched as the iron en- tered hissoul. “You don’t know all,” she says. ‘Ab! don't I? don’t I? She loves him, she loves him!” Twenty minut 2 afterward Jolin entered the cabin door to tell ber that Erwin waa safe. He been desperately driven about by the angry ids, but had desperately held on, and de- tely won. Shouts hai come back from “pe the excited crowd on the shore announcing that 4€ was safe, as John came in to tell her, he saw ier Fitting at the open window, her eyes yet red with weeping, gazing listiczsly out upon the wooded shore opposite. “Mise Alden,” said he advancing “ho is e? Really sate?” Keaily safe. Bruised, perhaps, but John,” You did not send him with a smile. “I ourse not. Forgive at l Was so anxious nght you and he were not y youtaiked, you know, ay asking such que «bout him, and J the riends—trom the John. Forgive m Jouy smiled calmly at the wild thought which @ suppos:d iuuet Lave crossed ber brain, and while Bessie again bent her gaze upon he wooded hill opposite, and ner ee or y with @ that diptomacy, which, she had eal sigh, she had not. On the evening of the fourth day John sat in “It looks like rain, John,” she said. “Yes. itisrain. And do you know what a good, copions rain means with this warm wind blowing and the steady shining of a glorous san your father before morning!” “You mean we'd get away?” “Yes. We'd get away. Thetce is slready rotftening about the boat, and the gorge above uietly beside him. “Conlé you not tell me to-night Joun of yout dreadtn} trip down the ice-drift? Did you fee! no fear?” bat é Yes, indeed,’ said he, lightly. «1 felt a dreadful fear. When had time to wink, J ehnddered.” “It was terrible,” said Bessi wer. “Why did you come; John, Frne ap your home and friends—tfor you must have thought you would never seé them again—wby did you do it?” “J thonght ote people might be hungry be- fore the week was over,’’ said he, laughingly. “But, John,” she continued, in low and tremulous tones, “you had so mach to give up. Did you give no last thought tohome aad friends?” Jobu moved uneasily. aaa is@ patter of rain on the roof,” he said. “You know you were braving destruction when you camé, John. Did you not speak of your mother, or utter & prayer,or’—the tone became so low and tremulous that it sounded like a whisper in John’s ear—‘or write—write a letter, Jon, or--"” Jcbn stole troubdlingly to his feet and glanced stea)thily toward ber face. It was hidden by ber bent head. He nervously handled the thermometer, and thrust his hands, all tremb- ing with any undetived fear and hope, out into the night-air as if to cool them with the rain- dreps. “john,” continued the low voice, now sweeter and more tremulous than ever, ‘I have re- ecived the letter.” “You bave received the letter,” murmured John, with a bewildering hope—‘you have re- ceived it!” ex, she said, looking up with a face full of the brightest tenderners that John could bave prayed for; ‘there may have been a mis- take, but—” “My letter!” John vaguoly reiterated. «And uu kno j—all, po aoe g ogre gy Sasa How the escape-p'pes ot stout eryble patted, and how « fires glowed, and her wheels clattered, and her great heart throbbed ashe moved elowly outer her prison. How steadily John tothe wheel with Bessie beside him, and tugged, at one moment this way, and at another that, and sent the old Chetyble, now flying by ‘the edges of hu; rocks, where the waters roared, and now 6! ing straight toward the wooded shore, until, as she seemed to strike, he sent ber whiz- about John, and how cruel be had been, an how little she could hy aded Fred Erwin, and all that, tears, and end mimic heed | making up the rest! and how grandly the hittie city glowed with bonfires and hurrahs when Bete me landed. e that imprisoned him. Then | THE BACHELOR'S SURPRISE. A — a ae with the rain and snow forming 4 disagreeable sort of conglomera- tenon the sidewalks, the gat lumps at ths corner Sickeringsullenly through the mist, an4 tie wind takiog one viciously as one came roand the corner. Not a pleasant evening to assame poss ion of & new home; but necessity kaows wl and Mr. Barkda’e pat up his night-key in'o the ret-brick honse inthe middle of the again and again re-read it, and its plaintive block, sincerely hoping that his new landlady world have common-sense to light a fire in the ae. Orie it you, 8 ing y. “There's “All right, e! said the bachelor, feeling the Dine tip of bis frosted nose to see w! ther ifhal escaped being frozen off entirely. “Well, lam gisd to bear that. Have the tranks come?” * Oh, yes, sir, and the other things.”” : oes other things?" deman Mr. Bark- ale. Bat Mrs. Hinman pursed her lips up. “I wesn’t to tell, sir, please.” “Rather au eccentric old lady,” thought Mr. ” Mrs. Hinman quoth, peam- front room, which he had solemnly engaged the ise! before. ‘t had been rather a dark and dingy littie den by the light of the moon; but now, softened by the coral shine of @ wel-tilled grate, it wore quite another and a brighter aspect. “Velvet paper on the walls, gilt paneling, ted carpet, and a Sleepy-Holiow chair,” thought Mr. Barkdale, giancing around, “Not S) uncomfortable, after al. When I get my things unpacked, it will seem quite homelike.” He set down bis valise im the corner, deliber- ately op>ned it, took ont a pair of slippers, and tovested his tired feet therein. Next he laid off bis overcoat. “Now for a cigar.” thought he. But the brown-layered weed wis yet ta his hand, when there was a bustis, and a flatter, 0 admit half-a-d inz girls. Mr. Barkdale dropped his cigar, and retreated A step or two. “Don't be alarmed,”’ #aid the tall test of the bevy; “it’s oniy a surpri “A very agrevable one, I'm sire,’ said our friend, recovering iu some degree his presence of t and pret- | ake, T hope,” said a yollow- ed t . “Your name is not Greenfield?” No mistake at all, [ assure yon,” «aid Me. Barkdale. ‘Of course it is not Greenfield, Sit down, ladies.” And he pushed forward the Sleepy Hollow chair. camp-stco! avd two rhenmatic recep- tion chairs, which were all the accommodations presented by bis apartmen! Bot, instead of accepting his courtesy, the gills all fluttered out again, giggling, and in a 4, before he could realize the strange con dition of affairs, they were back again, bearing benches and a tablecloth, dishes, bouquets, & pyramid of maccarontes, piled up plates of sandwiches, of frosted cake, and a mysterious something Like unto an ice-cream freezer. The golden-tressed girl clapped her hands. “You needn't think we are doing all this for you, sir,” she said. “Oh,” said Mr. Barkdate, bashfally, “I—I— hadn't any such impression. “It's all @ surprise designed for Kate's cousin, “fs it?” said Mr. Ba: than ever. “And how do yon suppose we found it all put?’ demanded the tall gir! with the black yes and scarlet feather in her hat. I haven’t the least idea.” 4 We found yo tor to Kate, and we girls read it, and we resolved to take you and her both by surprise. She is to be here in half an hoar. Sarbara—that is Barbara Morris, in the blue tnerino dress,” with a turn of her long lashes toward the golden-baired girl, ‘pretends that sbe has moved herc; and Kate is tocome and spend the evening with Barbara. ‘Won't it be = jok ‘dale, more in the dark upendous!”’ ssid our hero, gradually be- ginning to comprehend the fact that he was tuken for some one else. | “What will Kate say when she ses you here?” ejaculated another maid, merrily. “Ab! what, in teed?” said Mr. Barkdate, id | wondering in what words he could best explain matters. “Ofcourse we shall al! look the other way while you are kissing and hugging her,” said Miss Barbara, demurely. “Very considerate of you, I am sure,” ob- served Mr. Barkdale. “She's the sweetest girl in New York,” ex- clanmed the tall damecl, enthusiastically. (1 4m oné of her dearest friends. We work our sewing- machines side by side at Madame Grid- ard’s. Hasn’t sbe ever written to you about Allee Moor “IT don’t just this moment recall that she has.” “Oh, well,it doesn’t matter, "said Alice, “Just you ai! down, and bea -good boy. while we fix the tables. Aren't those roses beantitnl? M gordness gracious, how astonished Kate will | l can’t eee how Lai | she said with tearful | vas bronght | little feminine war-dance about him, w! | seventh girl entared—a | little crea’ure like a doy: @ can’t be more so than 1 am," said Mr. | Barkale, sinking into the Sleepy Hollow chair, | and pas: ug his handkerchief vaguely across his foreliead. ‘Well, it’s a mere matter of fate; 0 explain myself, and yet perhaps, fought to explain. Ladies—” *Hurh-sh sh-sh,” cried the six pretty girls, iil in a biesieg chorus; Kate’s coming; Bessid for. Hosh-sb-sh! Dowt ay ® word, Mr. Greenfield. The goiden-haired girl’s | hand was eiapped promptly over his mouth. Alice Moore graspet b's arm spasmodically, and the other tour danced a sort of bewitebing ea tty, Madonna-taced “Come and ki-s him, Kate,” cried all the others. ‘Now don't be ridiculons, for we shan’t take anytiotice. Here he is!” | “Kiss wuio?” cried Kate, standing still and staring all rod ber, ‘Girls, what on earth | do you mean?” “You provoking thing!” said Barbara, stamp- ing her little foot. “Do you suppose we are all tools? Why, of course, we know all about him! the pilot-house, alternately scanving the rising | It's Mr. Greenfield—your cousin, Kate—the mercury and hailing instructions down the speaking-tube. Groups of passengers wandered about the deck, but Bessie alone came to keep John company. young M.D.” Kate iooked around in bewilderment. “Where?” “Why, here!” oe “Nothing of ube sort!’ said Miss Kate, de- murely. . Our hero stood up, feeling himself growing uncom ‘ortably warm and red. *Luadies,”” he said, ‘‘there’s some mistake here. Isaid at the outset that iny name was not Greenfield.’ There!” cried the girls at once. “There!” echoed K: defiantly. “Didn't we tell you?” eried the girls. “Didn't 1 tell you?” retorted Kate. “Be kind enough to let us know what your name is, Bs «“Cephas Barkda’e!"’ said the wretched victim of a misunderstanding. 5 “But,” said Miss Moore, ‘you said it was Nott Greenfield.” “Of course I did!” said the puzzled bachelor. «It isn’t Greenfield, and it never will be uniess I have it changed by act of Legislature.” “O-b-h!” cried the girls. ‘Dear, dear, to be sure! And we thought you were iCate’s lover— nd his pameis N-o-doublet—-Nott Greeatieid.” “Do hold your tongues, you ridiculous things!” said Kate, halt-vexed, half-laughing. “What must Mr. Barkdate think of us’ ‘<i think you aré véty nice,” eaid Mr, Bark- dale, gallantly. Mits Barbarain the meantime had takena slip of paper ont of her pocket. She attered a hystertca) shriek. “It's ali my fault!” she exclaimed. “It was No. 59 instead of rid figures turned the wrong end ap—tiat’s all. And the cake and the flowers and everything.” “Stop, ladies, if yoa please,” said Mr. Bark- Gale, courteousiy. ‘Because the surprise has come to the wrong place is no reason why the right person should not enjoy it. Allow me to give up this room to your use this evening. I will just step across the street aud send Mr. Nott Greentield over.” “But you must return with him,” id the iris. And Mr. Barkdate was not allowed to depart until be had promised. Mr. Nott Greentield—a good-looking medical student—who had the “sky parlor” directly op- posite—came promptly on mention of the name good fire, and it's ail right.” | tniag too precio | gesta that they should be kept cooler, or have the provabitides are that Barkdale, puching past her to the third-story | pa°,brobaullities are that not a green frond is to Ferns and Fern Collecting. j Taken as a whole, ‘ew plan's preseut 4 greater variety of grace'ul outlines thas dv oar native ferns.’ Those who go from cittes for taeir «am mer vacation are quite sure to b: attracted by the ferns, and a: they have seon other jernscal- tivated in cases amd ia greenhouses, they se: to work te gather the roots of thess to’ take home for the decoration of their rooms during winter. Ladies, and sometimes gentlem-n too, make ex- cursions to the hills and valleys in search of these plants; the roots are carefaliy placed in | dexes and ered and shaded auti the time for the retarn, and on the journey bome the parcels taken by the collector's own hant, + some to be risked with’ the bag- | gage. At length tne piants dad their piace in the fernery, and are fehed with mack to- terest. They perhaps do not look very well, but that may be on account of the juarasy. #8 cool weather comes on the ferns look worsa, and are given more heat. A still worse condition sug- more air, or more or less light; but with all the ackward, and by Christmas seen. This want of success is ascribed toim- proper soil, too much or too little water, or to any cause bat the right one—a want of know!- edge of the plants themselves. Tao fact is tuat the great majority of our ferns are decidaoas, and when taken home at the end of sammor no treatment whatever will make them flourish; they have completed thetr career, and must | have rest anti! the next season. These decidi- ous ferns, graceful and delicate as they are. not answer for house-cultare; we hi ew evergreen ones, readily distinguished by the rmness and persistence of their fronds, which wil do admirably; but with the exception of these fill up a fernery, de~ vend upon the exotic species farnished by the | riste, Still we world not discourage the col- | looting of native ferns, for much enjoym-nt may bad from their cultivation, only it must be for the most part out-doors rather than in the here are bat few city yards that do arnish a shady corner which will allow of a small fernery, and some stones should be ar- Tauged to form a little rock-work on which | msny kinds wil! grow that would not doarish in j the border. Some ferns seem to need the pros | tection the stones atford to their roots. Upon | Sach @ small scale no very picturesjae rock- work can be ach eved; the bust thatean ba done is to tmitate some rock hiil-side with crevices between the rocks which are filled with earth, which extends down to and isin counection with the soil of the border. This precaation mast | be observed in making a rock-work of sny | large or smail, for ferns or any other plaats, for if the earth is in mere pockets it will soou dry vat, apd a8 ho supply Of moisture cau come up from below the plants will in a dry time be sure | to perish. To those fond of ferns there ts every | encouragement for them to attempt thetr oul- | tivation in the manner here stated, and we | have #een several ferneries in city yards which | Possessed mach interest, the plants having been umulated during successive summer excar- sions. In collecting ferns, it would be better to | remove them inearly spring, jast as they are in the height of their growth or not at all. In this case, the best thing to do, after having secured & good clump of roots, is to cutaway all the fronds, provided the plant is one of thelarge kind. If considerable time must elapse between the time of gathering the plants and that of teking them home, it will be beat to gat them closely togetber in a box in which some woods earth’ bas been placed. Put the plants in sbady place, and sprinkle as often as may be needed to prevent them from drying ont, yet ‘hey should not be too wet at the roots. ting the ferns out, as near an appro: sible should be made to the natural localities o| the plants. Those fouad upon rocks shonld hare % place on the rock-work; those that were col- lected along the edges of thickets sides will make themselves at hom: der; and the “Ostrich Fi | rich. moist soils, and the | which come from the margins of swamps, may have @ place to which water can be conduct-d to keep up the proper moisture. The grast tcouble the town cultivator will encounter will he the soil. Very otten that in the yard is of ‘he poorest kind, and mixed with builder's rnb- | ‘ish. For some spectes it will be ey necessary to have soil that is light, and whic contains a large share of vegetable matter— | Sach as is known as woods-earth or leaf mold. | 1t sometimes happens that a florist wil! furnish & sapply of soil of this kind for a moderate sum, or arrangement can be made with some market gardener to bring in a barrel of the desired material One who is reatly tn earnest can pro- cure it without great difficalty. We would ad vise those who collect ferns by all means to | learn their name. We have seen a large c9!- jection, the resuit of several years’ labor by a indy, who did not know the naine of single one of her ferns, and we could not help thinking how much more she won!d have enjoyed her prts could she call them by name. In Gray's Manual the ferns of the Northern States are refully described by Prot. ). C. Eaton; and s= one specimen of each genus is ao illustrated by engravings that its characteristic parte are distinctly shown, almost any intelligent person n with a littie study make out the names of the species he finds.— american Agriculturist, The Scieuce of Kissing. People will kiss. Yet not one in a hundred knows he w to extract Diss from lovely lips, any more than they know how to make diamonds trom charcoal. And yet it is easy, at ieast for as, First, know whom you are going to kiss. D hough a mistake may good. Don’t jump up likea troat for a fly, od smack & woman on the neck, or the ear, or the corner of her forehead or on the end of her nose. The gentleman sbould be a@ little the taller. He should have a clean face, a kind eye, and a mouth full of expression.’ Don't kiss everybody. Don’t sit down to it. Stand ap. Need not be anxious about getting in a croad. Two persons are Plenty te corner, and catch s kiss; more persons would spoil the sport. Take the lett band of the lady im your right; let your hat go to -any place out of the way; throw the left hand gently over the shoulder of the lady, and let it fall down the rightside. Do not be in harry; draw her gently, toringis, to your heart. Her head will gentiy on your shoulder, and @ handsome shoulder strap it makes. Do not be in a hurry; let there be an impression to that, not like the gripe of a vise, buta gentle clasp, fail of electricity, thought and respect. Do not be in urry. Her head lies carelessly on your shoulder. Your are heart to heart. Look down into her half-closed eyes. Gently; bat maofaily, press her to your bosom. Stand firm. Be brave, but don’t bein a hurry, Her lips are almost open. Lean slightly for- ward with your head, not the body. Take good ; the lips meet; the eyes close; the heart rf he soul rides the storms, troubles, and sorrows of life, (don’t be ina hurry); heaven opens before you; the world shoote under your feet asa meteor flashes across the evening sky (don’t be afraid); the heart forgets its bicter- ness, and the art of kissing is learnt! No fase, no noise, no fluttering and squirming like hook- impaled worms. Kissing doo’t hurt, nor does it require an act of Congress to make it legal. WasninG.—Musiin dresses, even of the most delicate colors, can be Cleaned in ten minutes or @ quarter ofan hour without losing their color, Melt baif @ pound of soap in a gallon of water, empty it into @ wasbing-tub; place near two other large tubsof clean water, gud stir into one @ quart of bran. Pyt ths muslin in the soap, turn it over and "read it afew minutes, squeeze it Ov* Svel!, but do not wring it, least it ve" orn; ringe it about quickly in the ran for & couple of minutes. R again well for a couple of minutes in clean water. Squeeze out dry and bang it between two lines. A clear dry sbould be chosen to wash muslin dresses. a <0. 36—and the tailof the hore | Half a dozen may be done in this way in bait anhour. The last rinse may be prepared in the same way as the rinses for woolen fabrics. A colored F neyo on a white ground must be blued. The bran may here be dispensed with When the dreas is dry make the starch; fora colored muslin white starch, and unboiled, but made with boiling water, is beat for muslin Oresses. Stir the starch with the end of a wax candle; dip the dress; hang it again todcy. When —_ it quickly and ee in — hang it to di roll it up; Hot irons keep the starch stiff. Ti after starching ts called clear-starching; none of the stiffness, but much of the ht , of the is removed in this ‘ne advan- sy. {Kate Keliford, and did the polite thing inin- } tage of thus cleaning dresses tnstead of washin; troducto; Mr. Barkdale; and Dandale ave of | them is, first, if colored, the process is so rapid the sandwiches, and = cream, and coaxed Miss pink resebad in the buttonhole of bis coat, and enjoyed himself prodigiously. c thy like to be Farprised like this every night in the year!” said he. «“-O, you greedy creature!” said Miss Barbara. “But there war one time [seriously medita- ted throwing myself out of the Ww? he, ‘*when you toid me I waste kiss Kate.” Dear, dear!” said Barbara, tronically; «that ould have been dreadful, wouldn't it?” “But the awkwardness of the thing.’ “I dsreeay you never kissed @ pretty girl,’ pouted the blonde. “I pever did,’ said the bachelor, growing bold; “but I will now, if you say so."” “But [don’t say 80,” said Barb: coloring | ™ and laughing. ‘nBehave ‘yourself, air” el veh Mr. Barkdale went home with tne fair Bar- —_ bara, and they friends, pemponrt nowt any other grew to be very great [ ; i | that there is not time for the colors to ran; sec- eJoara to ping tata | ondly, the fabric ie not rubved, and therefore not strained and worn out; thirdly, the saves nearly all labor, oy is 20. quickly done thet any lady may manage itfor herself in the absence of a laundry maid or a lady’s maid, PRoritante Business FoR Woman.—One the most profitable a# well as interesting kinds of business for women is + care of bees. youth tor the past fe Wore soarce,@Bu his eyest Dag was not weil Gil has s mischievous rascal of a grandson, who would even play pranks on hi meantering through the woods tere i rename got into the path of a tree, tying it fa r Mgster showed on his retarn bome. ‘and, as be was elon the limb id man came meeclf and called The old man looked * heremarked. “Sure , there * Be still; I'l fete ty Med the trigger. ay, there sat the over bis back, not the least dusturbed. man loaded his gun with Sway again. Thesquirael stood this fire with ity as the first, only his tail and bad fallen over by Bonplassed. He did not, grandson, who, When the smoae uirre! with Bis tail it oare and blazed side. The old mai however, see his convulsions cf laughter belind aconveaien™ a become warmed up to the sport amd CLOTHS, CORD BLUE *quirrel to the tree usual heavy thud @0 well known to sportsmen, several feet into the air. man’s sagpicions, and going up to it he found the true nature of the sell. ¢ of position brought him in fall view of fectionate grandson, who w the ground in his effort to ing 4 noise. A reali crept over the old m: bat bouncin, rouse the ol as tearing up iaugh without mak ng sense of the position . Ho cast his eyes on the grovnd; they fellona piece of shingle, which aching the convaised doy unawares, he-afl-ctiouately fanned him & conple of times on the seat of bis breeches This bronght the youngster to a perpendicular, and he took to his heels, thereby stonping more The boy is just 10 vears and his grandfather declares he w scm time be Presid nt of the United States. He now has most unbounded faith in the ability he picked up, and, a: loving demonstrations A Portland Giri and a Scou We beara sad hist former, connected wi He that bas a tinge of romance in it. About 15 years ago there dwelt a young girl in this city, who, in the midst of surroundings not the mos* agreeable, but yet comfortable, and such asshe would not have ed 0 exchang ties, became acquainted with a member elebrated Poppenberg’s band then sta- tioned at Fort Preble. The musician was agree- bie, talented, handsome, and bad a very win- Insome manner he made the acquaintance of the young girl, and, on her Sympathetic nature his many attractive guali- | ties soon made an impression favorable to his wishes. He offered himself with ali the ardor and poetical temperament of his profession and his suit was accepted. The pair were marricd, avd,ip a few months, left with the regiment tor New York, and took up their residence at Hart's Island. One day asthe husband was on his way trom the Union League club (where the | band had been serenading President G was suddenly astonished by feeling a pair of arms throws round bis neck, seit in theembrace of his first wife. Tothe questions as to where he had been daring past year or two, he made incoherent replies. but at Inst, when all the occupants of the s had left but himself and the suddenly fi u consort, he bolted out the *bus and took French The first wife then went quarters, told ber story, and broke thesad news to the unfortunate woman posed herself her husband's own and only true Then began one of thos? long struggles on the part of the Portland woman for bread that are too well known by dwellers in large cities. Finding employment for wo- meu hard to get and harder to hold, being pos- sessed of astrong frame and a fine figure, she determined to become a female gymnast and, after s long and tedio came @ variety star, opera house in this city. The worthless scamp, who bad made two lives wretched, after leay- ing his first wife in New York, fed to Alabama avd was there about to marry a planter’s daughter when rome suspicton of his character sufiiciently enlightened the family and be tied to Texas. There, we are told, h Mexican girl, got int fled arned up in Canada —Portlan uipg way with Kim. © | DEY coons” and lawfal wife. b | GBAND FALL OPENING. “STMCKED UP” Overceats! Overcoats! | | 2124 pieces CILCLOTHS, ic all widths and istest } Datierus. Overcoats! GOOD GENTEEL OVEROUATS ° WARM—DUKABLE-STYLISH. FINE NOBNY OVEROOATS ene eae KBRSEVYS—MELTONS—BEAVERS, | Lone Gres Grain at Bi 22 - | and $2{ FINK, ELEGANT oVEROvaTS. RICH—HAN DSOMS-DRESSY. SUPEBB CUSTOM-MaDB OVEBOOATS FUR BEAVERS—WHIINEY BEAVERS. FIsE FISE-SlR ae MMINGS-STYLISH OUR CUSTOM DEPARTMENT UNDEB A SKILLFUL CUTTER. A MATCHLESS DISPLAY OF FINE IMPORTED WOOLEN! GABMENTS TO ORDEB. OCR BOYS’ DEPARTMENT LABGELY STOCKED WITH SCHOOL SUITS, DRESS SUITS AND OVEROOATS AT ATTRACTIVE PRICES, wrCOALL IG HABLE BROTHERS, MERCHANT IAILORS § FINE CLOTHIEAS, octlitr Corner 7th and D Streets N.W. ——EZ_{z_[=—EE—EEE TLVANIA AVENUE, ‘ext to the corner of 18th DRY GooDs. C4LIFOBS1ia BLANKEIS. JOUN T. MITCHELL, _ 9 31_Penneyts BLANKA&Ts. plentd paty of KETS a M,api $6 BED COMFORTS el! p-ices DbY GOODS of all Kinds cheap CARPETS and OLL CLOTHS bees than venal pri tore. ot Certificates taken at 7S cents on the 4 oller OBO. 2 JOBNBON & © octte Be m2 ie M arkot Space H's* STA™DAKD VAL ™” OOATINGS, SUITINGS, KE ESSV SEES. Castons, Wie a other modern euths’ apd B7Our earns! Bt ck of a fo> towilins a: d housekeepers 82 Une Price Only, marked tn octet ‘ant [“PoRTany Sortcs We bave on end the in stock NCY AND STAPLE DRY « ve ever bed the plesrure We are Crsirous of conver mence fro: this date to offer t from 10 TO 20 PeR CEYT BRLOW FORM BK PRICES cy Call and see for ye urselres, 801 J st OPENED SO] An cutire now stock of Fall acd Wioter RY GoopDs all bought during che past week tn the New ¥ and Philadelphia markets at greatly reduces pr cmbracing the aew shades, novelties aad ta » Ode, Biack Silks, Black Mohatrs, 2eT68 & apacialty RAecortment of Fon * ndapied to the gen. Beekeepers. tion of my stock bet: : ore wm sour purchases elaewhere wv ing All goods go:d warranted as representad by W. COLLEY the salesman octlé St SOL, corner 8h at and Mark NEW DRESS GOODS : FOR THE FALL TS, and all the NEW PATTSENS from Mme. Dew- orest,) NOW OPENING ar BOGAN & WYLIR's ONE PRICE DEY GOODS STOKE cct3-tr 2016 and 1920 Teh atroot ar ASTONISHING LOW PRIOmS CARTER's, 707 MARKET Space Beantitnl now DRIES GOODS only 15 aq blendid double wiih Waterproof OLOTA, only sHent quality Biesched Sheeting Ot 3 I8s,(very cheag) eens COTO, ou Very Bue d-abie width Black ALPACA, only Bo. ly So Finest quatity Black ALPACA. only — CASI MEBR, vory fue, ouly 62) .(all Li ° new cheap. ( Beantifn) goods ) ‘ We areseiling the cl oapest BLANK STS to Wash- rgton | "BxSeuent rowmxs, ani 12s Very five B OK IEES, 6, GB, 12, On isthe pace to bay Dry Goodachaap. Large assortmvat of OLOTM for mon ata : oo ber BAEGsINS FOR EVERYBODY JOST RECKIVED anD NOW OPEN PORK INSPECTION, 260 rolieof choice aud vary newest dewigar BEUSSELS, TERBE PLY AND iNGRAIN CAKPETS. UX BET Goons. ATEPROOF CLOTRS, 600) ery shad: ant Geactigtan eee BLACK ALPAUAb ond MOURMING GOODS ts Complete neck of DOARETICS, Large assortment of 5 WeLronp THE ARCADE, _oets-Im 437 Teh ot, bet. D ana south weet. | SPRECEDENTED REDUCTION. Best make Paper Oamibric (dole width), Re Sstreaccesin and Fruit of the Loom Uvttons, inte, Sige. and up. count Black Lyons Bilk from T8c. to @3 28 (a 6, w jobaire from anton Mlanocis, bom makes, Werand, All Linen Towels, €1 dozen (3 for Bo.) abd ap. All Linen Bommed Bakfs . 120. worth 2ic. ann Bik Olocked Balbriggan Howe, only stock, ‘This le our final reduction. RRODHEAD & Co., eneli-tn 1806 F etrent. between Mth and bith ee PIANOS, &e. Ppissce ND OKGANS Of the best makers factory prices) and, guarantee. Also the DEOKEB B&uD. PIANOS, br- oe Practical 653 Bew Piance an¢ Organs tured and repabtede “outs iy 7M. KBABE & CO.% World rend, m. KMABE & CO's Word Grand, FORTES, pronounced the sxst Now mane McCAMMON PLANOS,we! ese of tone and beauty tab Becond PIANOS for sale at prices from $80 upwards on toning cet, aia tk sal reent oy ot BEICHESBACH'S PIANO WARE. Lith street above Ps. ave. sepié-tr BGATSI Pon CASE, JANOS ABD OkGANS At @. Lb. WH 5 eae ve PIANO AND USIC STORE, 23 71m Oreest Norrawnss, are Shove Patent Office eopidtr MERCHANT TAILORS. > B. BMITE BF, P antwant raion, Srazer, © Bait or + OrrosiTe. i agane Gorm, RGEB. orr! ABMY AND - Bnocesor ie foutcn 8 Oo.) BACHANT TAILOR, ray fe. etsine Beret .