The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

THAMKSUIVWO. BY K. KORMAtt OBSIKMO*. 0>r all th* border* of tho land I hear a happy voicing, That tells ThanfcfRiTinK is at hand, ihe echo <>f rejoicing: " The children throng f<*om different ways The homestead OTIC" ni'irv set king, 4u«l find in thrne"i hanksaiving days ,4 joy beyond their (-peaking. JUfcd Mary l>rinfrs her fln=t-born child; And t'h*rlev from tbe city, aumjp 1H» it'll Ktilljand wild, I- • »H of ireaks and nitty; TV g rls are drawn aside in pairs-- it !•<>' ms a-> if ni do?.' n«-- 4*1 yjll>w Initios and r»ckin(?-cn*mi Are filled with country cousins. The apples ptow upon the hearth, ' The nuts are crocked 1< r * atiilff. The voung «-f joy the things of eertu. The old are gone to meeting, The pie is yi-ilo* on till; shell, The turkey slowly browning, The borer-maid chatters to herself. Half smiling aud ha.I frowrning. At last the dinrer-hour is seenj Ai.d ea< h, a seat possessing, Walts with hushed lips and reverent mien, While father asks the blessing ; The cider foams within the glass, For no good thing is lacking. And gro»n-cp bojs and old-t:me lass The olden jokes are cracking-- The joke* mhich never can grow stale, And nevrr should be few* r; Each repetition cannot fail To n>»ke them fresher, newer; And merry lau»*h to merry jest Brit gs back from roof and rafter The latest still, the very best. And greeted w;ith frerfh laughter. f We watch tho olden features deaf,-, Setting tc find time's traces, And loved outf come froia far ana nsar To fill the >acaiit p aces : We think of dear ones gt ne before, . And joy to see the-livii.g ; And sunehiiie creeps acrors the floar, And this is onr Thanksgiving. We thank the dear God for his gifts, He fi'ls our clip 'With pleasure ; Whatever comes, His hand uplifts ibe sunshine's golden treasure; And in the chill days of ihe year We gratefully remember The rays which burned in summer dear, StMl brighten our November. Let others see His chastening hand, And (sei k his pathways blindly ; We view His plenty i* the land, And know He d«aleth kindly. Fill npthe grate, aud heap the board With treasures of His giving. The mellow autumn's r;pen« d hoard, The blessings of Thanksg.ring. Around are some with silver hairs We know when earth seemed dearer, Who, standing on life s altar-stairs. Have grown to heaven nearer. Oh, beautiful the locks of snow, Above the table bending. Which on'jr wait the t:me to go, And whiten for ascending. The day is passed in happy games-- Puss-in-the-corner, nimble; The apple-seeds one rarty names, While others hunt the thimble: But Mindman's buff comes cn at night, For hanpier than the others; Wfth handsome ej es and hidden Bight It banishfs its brothers. A push, a shove, and on the floor The merry party tumble-- One banp» tier head against the doer, But none are heard to grnmble. Ah ! half onr lives at bl n lman's-buff We play, and never know ;t; We bind onr eyes with flimsy stuffj • The rh; uiing of tee poet. The pight. draws on, the mirthful fan Grows faster sti 1, and faster; The guests fall off, as one by one Th<> sleepy eve lias mtfter; The o'd fo ks uive the farewell (grasp, The yonnn folks bft< r. And sleep has folded in its clasp The eyeB which brimmtd with laughter. The silence creeps with soft-shod feet 4!w each dreaming sleeper. And makes, with festive memories sweet, The night-time fancies deeper ; They hear a near and g!ad refrain Of happy, chimir g jirgle, Of holidays to come arain, The langhter of Kris Kringle. The midnight comes, Thanksgiving's o'er, The hours are onward rifted, Still tending toward the distant shore, Where all life's days are drifted: Time flies; we part with those we love, Ivor meet, perchance, while living-- God grai t that in the home abova We yet may find Thanksgiving. TWO THANKSUIVOttS Eighteen and Twenty-eight. CHAPTERL Betrothed ? Yes." Folks looked and wondered a little ; but then folks would gossip about every­ thing. There -was no stopping their tongues, and Lilian Travis had'nt the leant notion of placing a restraint upon her lover, simply because she was en­ gaged to him. That might be possible for some naturep, but to hers never. Tree, on several occasions she did expe­ rience a singular sinking at the heart wheD, coming suddenly upon her prom­ ised husband and the bewitching Ida Hairis, she found them in a cosy tete-a- tate, Ida, at lea^t, impatient of inter­ ruption. Did f-he show her annoyance ? Not even by the sign so unfailing, a change of color. Her very blood was held in check by an indomitable will, s pride so superior to ordinary attacks* upon it as 10 be in the largest sense ex­ ceptional. Farmer Travis was a rich and pros­ perous farmer, with more land than he knew what to do with. His wife had gone home many years before, and Lilian was his only child, and as thoroughly idolized as ever fell to the lot of only child to be. It was with a sorrow too deep for words that he flu ally gave his consent to his daughter's union with Archibald Glenburn. No,t that he bad any objec tion to the young gentleman ; on the con trary, he was profoundly sensible of and grateful for the admirable qualities of his prospective son-in law. The marriage was proper enough, if he could only have kept his child at home. This would be, of course, impossible Mr. Glenburn was a rising lawyer, and his clients in New York city were a full day's journey from the farm. The day before Thanksgiving 1 Gold and blustering outride, but in the great, roomy country-house it was all warmth and cheerinesB. The presiding genius had touched and retouched everythiug from top to bottom, from the cake and pies in the kitchen to the hanging- baskets and special adornments of the sitting-room and parlor. The piano wtis open, and his favorite music ready on the rack, for the lover was hourly expected. As she arranges her abundant dark hair, and puts the finishing touches to the lace on her neck, let us se$ if we can analyze her thoughts. They are not altogether happy. In the midst of all human joys a flavor of bitterness arises from beneath. And what was liers? Gossips had been busy, as a matter of course, when her engagement was known, and it was said, so openly that it had even reached her ears, that during the past summer her cousin, the gay, heartless, but showy Ida Harris had done all in her power to win Archibald's ove. 1 And gossip paid that she had succeed­ ed ! Was it really so ? Lilian started to find herself insensi­ bly recalling little incidents of her cousin's visit, which had not been in the least t« that person's credit. The farmer had gone to the depot. 44 It is too cold, child, for you to go," he said, as Lilian made ready to a«- company him. " The wind !s as keen as a razor, and it's an up-hill journey anyhow." 44 Very well," she replied, placidly. Not even to her fatner could Lilian Travis show her great anxiety to meet her intended husband. 80 the birds had more seed, the tidies an extra pull, and the pictures another dusting. The new pieces were every one tried, and at last came the farmer's hearty "Whoa!" Lilian's heart beat quickly, but she made no motion to stir. What was that ?--a woman's voice, Lilian's heart almost stopped now. *4 Where in the world is Lil? Here, Archie, take my bag! Mercy ! my arms are almost broken, and nay hands are just like sticks." The sitting-room door opens with a bang, and the "sticks" find their way about the neck of the now self-possessed hostess. Archibglu brings up the rear with carpet-bag, umbrella, overshoes and waterproof. Lilian wonders if she is always to be so bitterly disappointed, but she re­ turns her cousin's unusual caress, and smilingly offers to unload her lover, whom she thinks she never saw looking quite so htmdsome and quite so awk­ ward since she has had the pleasure of his acquaintance. " j WTiere is the tenderness of that wel­ come she has so delightedly anticipated ? To be suie, Archie draws her to him and kisses her forehead silently. She feels sure be is just as glad to see her as she is to see kirn, but of course nobody can act-naturally when Ida is around. "I hadn't tho remotest idea of com­ ing," Ida lattled on; "but when Mr. Glenburn was to our house about a week ago, and I fcund he had decided to come, I wanted to come with him, oh, 90 much ! Mercy ! am I not a perfect ^ fright T' ard the" fair speaker brushed back the golden curls and pursed up her rosv lips till Lilian was fain to admit that she looked more kisgable than ever. So Archie visited at the Harrises. She supposed he must call occasionally, but cot an intimation of it had she re­ ceived from him. "I don't mean to go up-stairs until I get completely thawed out. But, as I wis saying, when I found Mr. Glenburn had really made up his mind to come--" Lilian wondered if the old adversary was really trying to make her jealous. So there bad been a doubt about the gentleman's spending Thanksgiving with her ? This was news also. I determined that I would come. I had to forego two parties to do it, Lil- but I had rather be here with you than anywhere else in the world. So I told him I'd let him know the next time he called ; aud here we are. It is ever so much nicer coming down with soma body 1 Why, the journey didn^ segsm ten miles long--did it, Mr. Glenburn ?" It never seems long to me," replied Archie, with a knowing glance in Lili­ an's direction that told wonderfully, but not outwardly. There might have been a trifle more warmth in her manner toward her cousin, but this was the only percepti­ ble effect. Ida must have been very entertaining all through the rest of that day and evening, for both Archie and the farmer were constantly testifying to her power over them by the heartiest laughter and the merriest rejoinders. Ten o'clock, and not one moment yet alone with her lover. Ida was sleepy and Archie fatigued. His handsome head pressed the sofa-cushion, and his yawns, though politely repressed, were quite sufficient to justify the hostess in suggesting bed-time. " Oh, mercy, yes !" gaped Ida. " I am just fagged out." And who would have thought it?" remarked the farmer, in surprise. •" It is 10 o'clock, upon my word 1" It had been an interminable evening to Lilian. She had played and sung, and Archie had turned her leaves, it is true, and sometimes his hand had strayed er shoulder, and lovingly lingered there, just as it always did when they were alone. It was provoking, though, to think that every one of these yttle heart-comforts had been offset by some coquettish trick of Ida's. Did you ever see such fine hair, Lil?" she had asked, her little hand among the luxuriant dark rings which adorned the young gentleman's head. "Say, Lil, lend me your back-comb, and let's see how he looks with his hair parted in the middle ; never mind, I'll take a hair-pin," and Lilian forced her­ self to laugh, as the giddy girl, her task completed, gulled her victim to a sitting posture, to mark the effect. " I hope you are not going to ring us out at 6 o'clock, if to-morrow is Thanks giving," continued Ida, lingering a mo ment at the foot of the stairs to bid the farmer good-night. "Breakfast at 8," replied Li ian, pleasantly. "And you need not rise then unless you are quite ready." "Oh, mercy, I always get up to breakfast. Don't you, Mr. Glenburn? Good-night, and pleasant dreams. Good-night, Lil. Dear me 1 I believe I f&all fall asleep before I can undress myself." Archie lingered at his door, lamp in hand. "Good-night, my darling," he whis­ pered, tenderly, as Lilian returned. 4 Good-night," and-Lilian's dark eyes sought her lover's face. Can we not have a few moments te ourselves now?" he laughingly asked, poiuting to the stairs. 41 Do you mean to go down again ?" she inquired, her eyes so full ot light that Archie playfully put her away, de- clariming that they dazzled him. 44 Gome on," he answered, leading the way. 44 Was there ever such a marplot as your cousin ?" he asked, as they sat to­ gether before the fire. 441 did every­ thing but tell her a falsehood about my coming. If she had had a particle of sense she would have seen that I didn't want her ; but never mind, Lillie dear, she oannot always spoil our courting." So it was all explained, and there was no need of asking a single question. How perfect was the harmony now! A thousand times more perfect for the tem­ porary discord. Five minutes of un­ alloyed happiness. Archio was in an explanatory mood, and was just going to tell of his calls upon Miss Ida, when their delicious tete-a-tete was rudely broken in upon by an unearthly scream from the second floor. 44Lillie! Lillie! Where are you! Uncle Travis! Somebody conle here quickly! There is a burglar in the clothes press! Oh, where is every­ body?" 44 Go away with your nonsense," Lilian heard her father say from the foot of the stairs where she stood, her lover's arm tight about her waist. 44 It is a mouse, I suppose, Ida. Lillie, where are you? Come and see what' yeur cousin has got/stowed away in her clothes-press." / "Confound tiuu; girl's foolishness!" muttered Archie. 441 believe it is all done on purpose." 44 Don't go there, I beseech of you!" shrieked Ida, as Lilian approached the closet, and threw wide the door. 44 Oh, mercy! I am petrified with fear," as the empty clothes press was disclosed. 44 Don't leave me, pray don't, Lillie. I shall have a fit if you do--I know I shall. Go and get your nightdress ai*d sleep with me. I'll stand right here in the doorway till you come bsck=" A smothered caress at the door of Archie's chamber, and the lovers sep­ arated for the night. For the night? Let us see. Lilian Vas up bright aud early the next morning. Many duties were hers to perform,, and, in true housewife fashion, she commenced in season. Her heart was lightened of its heavy load, and as she flitted from kitchen to dining- room, from e'oset to cupboard, the old cook thouc ht she had never seen her look half so hat dsome. Thanksgiving! What a delightful morning it was! The clonds had blown themselves away, and the sky was that of a September day. The hostler, as he warmed his fingers before the kitchen fire, declared it was 44uncommon raw," but this Lilian, looking out upon the pure blue of the heavens, her cheeks glowing with exercise, could hardly credit. The breakfast bell rang out merrily. Lilian had made the coffee, and was now busy in the dairy skimming a pan of last night's milk. Her silver pitcher is full, and blithely she trips to the dining-room, anxious to have every­ thing ready before her guests arrive. Her slippered feet make no noise as they cross the thickly-carpeted hall. The door opens very softly. The dining-room is iust off the large sitting-room, and right opposite the open door of the last is an immense mirror. Pitcher in hand, Lilian stands like one stunned. 'Bending low over the little figure of her cousin is her affianced hus­ band. ' Ida's arms are clasped about his neck in passionate embrace, and the low tones of her companion strike the knell of all Lilian's hopes. Once more the breakfast bell sounds out loud and clear, and the guests ad­ vance to the dining-room. Lilian is al­ ready at her place by tho coffee-urn. Her lip curls haughtily as Archie, with a very red face, makes his appearance from the hall door and Ida from the sit­ ting-room. 44 Contemptible subterfuge! " she keeps saying to herself. An hour later, the old cook presents each of the guests with a note. They both tell the same story. 1 4' Mr. Glenburn," lier lover's eaid, "I have loft tbe house to give you time to leave it. I shall return in two hours, and expect to find myself alone. LILIAN TRAVIS." Farmer Travis and his daughter ha no company at their Thanksgiving Aiti ner- table. I never was so surprised in my life, said the farmer, in evident perplexity. 44 as I was when I got back from th Marsh and found the folks gone. Wha on earth does it mean ? " There was not a quiver in Lilian voice as she answered : 44 It means this, father, that the gos­ sips were right when they declared that Archibald Glenburn was in love with Ida instead of me. 'Tt means that our engagement is over, and--and "--it was hard work to keep the tears back now-- 44 it means that I am your daughter and housekeeper forever, and that I will never believe another man when he tells me he loves me. Now let us drop the subject for all time." Farmer Travis was not a profane man, but this is his literal an: veyed his daughter's beautiful face and straightened himself in his chair : 441 suppose you have seen something, or heard something, that convinces you. But I'm -- I'm -- I'll be teetotall/ smutched if /believe it." face, and the result is a swe< t nobilify of expression, a tender sympathy of manner, impossible te a life of idleness. She feels that she has been richly blessed in her ability to bless others; buc--but! Ah, these womanly ifs and buts ! how they penetrate to the depths of the heart, disclosing all its hidden se­ crets ! Lilian has kept this love-cham­ ber of hers pretty well looked; but sometimes the fastening slips, and, to tell the truth, it is always opened widest by this tiny ring of dark hair* Another Thanksgiving morning! Lilian's little maid wondered what was the matter with her mistress. 44 Have your breakfasts," she had said, in answer to a timid knock upon the door. 441 shall not rise yet. I want nothing but a cup of coffee, and that I will take by-and-by." Eight o'clock! Why must she go over that heart breaking time ? Just this hour, ten years ago, she started for the dairy to skim the milk for Archie's breakfast; just this time she returned, pitcher inland, to see in that hateful mirror tho picture that has never left her memory a moment since. She sha^l feel better, she is suro she shall, when Archie and Ida have left the house ; for they are just as present with her now as they all CHAPTER II. Ten years had parsed--years of strange and valuable discipline for the farmer's daughter. Archibald Glenburn did marry Ida Harris, just as she had expected. Nei­ ther one of them had Lilian ever seen since, and very little had she heard of them. They had made two or three trips to Europe--so gossip bad reported --and some children had been born to them; how many Lilian did not know. A ring of dark hair was hidden away among Lilian's sacred relics. Strange that she could never bring herself to de­ stroy it. 41 It is the only link that binds me to the past," she had said many times, as her fingers fluttered over the silken wrapping. 441 will let it remain; per­ haps it will keep me from making a fool of myself in the future." Lilian's heme was now in New York. Farmer Travis had sickened and died. His illness had been a long and painful one, and at his death Lilian, who could not eudure the pressure of eld associa­ tions, determined to lease the farm. Her fortune was ample, and her desire for intellectual improvement the only stimulant that made life endurable. So she bought herself an elegant little home in the city, and then went to work in good earnest. 44 Every woman determined to be an old maid should be sure that she makes for herself a position where she can be of as much use as in the capacity of wife and mother," Lilian reasoned; and, full of this idea, became a medical student. • Twenty-eight, and a graduate with a diploma, a fair practice and a host of students! Truly, Lilian, you have made good use of your lime. There is very little difference in the girl of 18 and the woman of 28, after all; if anything, she has gained in beauty. The earnestness of her life has impressed itself upon her 1. V ̂ "*• O" * O those years ago. This is nothing new; she has lived it over every year, and now she is more inconsolable than ever. Who would ever suspect the presence of this ghastly intruder in the life of this beautiful and talented wo­ man ? Not a person in the whole world, for the same pride that dug the grave has covered it up, and there is nothing left to mark the spot save the tiny ring of dark hair hidden away in the upper drawer. This time the maid's knock is a little more decided. 44 One of the stoojents for you, miss, and says can you see him right away ?" 44 A business woman hasn't even time to bury her dead," she murmured, com­ mencing her toilet. Conscience inquired how many times this body of her sorrow had been con­ signed to the dvst, and hew often resur­ rected. 44 Yes, I know it has had a good many funerals," she answered, softly, to her­ self; 44 but a woman who cannot weep for her dead must do something." It was a very bright and earnest face that greeted the young gentleman wait­ ing for her in the parlor. 44 It is too bad, doctor," he apologized, 44 to trouble you on Thanksgiving day, but I have been through the wards this morning, and I find that two or three of the last patients are much worse, and you are wanted for consultation. Shall I say that you will be there ?" 44 Certainly," was the prompt answer. 44 Have a cup of coffee with me, and we will go down together." Surely this was no love-sick woman so learnedly conversing with her visitor. Beauty and accomplishments at 18! Beauty perfected by intellect at 28. 44 The most self-possessed woman in the college," had bpen tbe veridict of the professors, as Lilian had steadily pursued her studies. And now, as the young man listened to the words of Wisdom from his fair companion, he found himself constantly wondering at the amount of solid information she had obtained. It was very foolish--how Lilian did despise herself for it--but with the ut­ most effort she could not take herself out of that Thanksgiving day ten years ago. As she listened to the low mur­ mur of the doctor's voice as he explained to her this and that symptom of the sufferers around them, her right hand still clasped the handle of the silver pitcher, and over and over again she was forced to look upon the picture which the mirror in the old farm-house had sbown her. 41 This is a new one," said the physi­ cian, stopping before one of the last cots. 4 4 She was brought in last night in an insensible condition, and hasn't rallied in the least." Lilian's heart always went out with unutterable longing to sufferers of her own sex, and this (woman's forlorn con­ dition touched her deeply. 44 Intoxicated when she fell, I am quite sure," continued the doctor, as Lilian examined the patient. 4 4 Intoxicated," repeated Lilian;44 and, doctor, she is evidently from the higher classes," And then she stepped to the foot of the bed, strangely enough wish­ ing to get a better idea of the pallid features. 44 Yes," replied the professor; 44 but you ought to know by this time that that makes no difference." 4 4 Do you know, doctor, where 1 could find this woman's clothes?" inquired Lilian, in so solemn a voice that the pro­ fessor looked at her in surprise. 44 Certainly--yes," he answered. 44 The contents of her pocket are in the office." Lilian had lifted the head, and stood gazing into the dying woman's face with an eagerness which testified to previous acquaintance. 44 Have you any knowledge of this woman?" continued the professor.1 44If you "think you have, I will bring you the articles I had put away. I believe her relatives have already oeen sent for. Lilian's eelf-possession was hardly proof against the information which the gentleman returned with. This was the first thing that met her eyes: Ida--For the love of God, if you have noue for the only child you have left, return to your home. For his oate I will forgive everything, and thin you know full well. I have trackml you to yoar present infamous quarters. Write or tele raph me where the coachman may take you up lor, of course, I cannot send him there. ARCHIBALD. The next letter bore the date of a week back : Willie WI B buried yesterday. I did my bent to find you in time to look onc^ more upon his preciotiH Daby-face. Oh, Ida, our last dar­ ling hati gone, and his mother was not near him! May God forgive you for all the misery you have cauuc d me, A. G. On the envelope was written, in Ida's hand, 44 Dead, and I did it." Another examination disclosed a stMl later note, begging the wretched woman to return to her home and hus­ band. 441 knew you never loved me," it said, 44 but I oan be so much kinder to you than the wicked world you have so recklessly thrown yourself into. The doctor has ordered me abroad, and I feel that it is about my only chance for life. Come home, and go with me!" The remainder of the letter Lilian could not read for her tears. The nobil­ ity of the husband and father stood con­ fessed. It was by no fault, nor neglect of his that this wretched woman had oome to such an end, for surely her life was fast ebbing away. Lilian removed net things, and an­ nounced her intention of remaining until all was over. 44 Cottld it be possible ?" she asked herself, with quivering lip, 44 that this disfigured creature, this bloated, bruised mass of dying humanity, oould be her opee beautiful and gifted cousin, Ida Harris ?" Yes, there was the same golden, cuily hair, the Same beautiful hands, but only by them was the poor woman recogniz­ able. An hour after she breathed her last. Lilian had the body taken to her own home, and prepared for buriaL "5' Thanksgiving evening Lilian sat by the fire in her eheerful sitting room, her head bowed tipon her hands, the destroyer of her happiness dead in the next apartment. No tidings had yet been received from the husband, and Lilian feared he had left the city, if not the country. Her heart went out toward him in unutter­ able sympathy. 44 Great heavens! what must he not Tkovro suffered ?" she moaned, as she saw again in her imagination the disfigured countenance of the woman who had once been his wife. A ring of the bell. " This way, if you please, sir," Lilian heard the servant say, and then a slow, feeble step approach the door. His step, but how altered! Summon­ ing all her resolution, the brave woman stepped forward to meet her visitor. He did not look up at first, and she found ample time to note the change which had taken place in the sorrow- stricken man. "Archibald!" she said, extending both her hands in warmest welcome. Not a word escaped from the suffer­ er's lips. A smile of joy for one brief moment lit up the pale features. Me­ chanically he grasped her outstretched hands, his eyes riveted upon her face, then, with u groan, fell back upon a chair, insensible. Weeks passed, and neither strength nor reasoq returned. Ida was carried to her last resting place, Archibald all unconscious of the ceremony. Surely no invalid ever had such skillful and tender nursing as this one. 44 Where is--where is she?" were the first words of the sick man to his faith­ ful attendant. 44 Have no fears, Archie," Lilian an­ swered. 44 Ida is at rest." 44Thank God!" he replied, heartily. And is this Lilian ? Am I dreaming, or am I crazed ? Why, you are--you certainly are Lilian ?" 44 Yes, Archie," she smiled ; 441 am the same old Lilian ; and the greatest happiness of all my life has been this of nursing you back to life. Now you must be quiet, for I am your physician as well as nurse." And, as true as you live, she ^closed both of his eyes with a kiss. Did she marry him ? Of course she d ; and she found, too, that her father's impressions had been correct. The em­ brace that Thanksgiving morning was all Ida's, and the beseeching quality she had heard in her lover's voice was a des­ perate endeavor to bring the foolish girl to reason. So, summarily dismissed, the young man decided that Lilian did not care for him, and thus Ida's efforts were crowned with success. Yes, they were married; and they didn't wait a great while, either. Would you, if you had been in their places 1 TOH'S THANKSGIVING. ** Pjay, are you thankful," Margaret asked, "Tor all the bleaeinga of yonr lltel" Said Tom: l,Ah! o»ie thing yet I want-- The blessing of a loving wife ; And till I find that precious gift 1 cannot give thanks qiiite Bincere." 'Ah, wicked Tom !" the maiden sighed, 4* Tour caseig hopeless, then, 1 fear!" 44 Not so!" crifd he, "if yon, my friend, Would only try to find for me A maiden fair, whose heart is min«. Pevoutly thankful I thai) be : Butehc mUBt have--well, let me think, lite your or/n. as sc.ft and bine, Ana a&iT as goi<lcn, iip« &e red In short, ehe mmt resembl© you P " That which yon art," she answered then " t really dare not undertake." 44 What!" answered Tom, " have<you the heart thus a poor mortal to for-ake?" Low dropped her head before his gaze, , " Oh, Tom!" eaid she, " what shall I dot" Said Tom; "I think--indeed, I'm sure-- I oould be thankful, dear--for yon 1" Canaries in England. There is no putting a canary's song into words, but a canary may be taught any bird's song by being brought up from the nest among them. The great breeding-places for canaries are Nor­ wich, Yarmouth, Yorkshire, Leicester and Manchester. These places supply tke London market with canaries. Can­ aries are mostly bred by shoemakers during the summer, and sold to the London trade from October till March. They are sent up in 44 scores," one score being twenty pairs. If you were to send for a 44 score" of canaries, they would send you forty birds. The breeders prefer sending them in pairs. Three hens are charged as a 44pair." The wholesale price in the autumn is Jt'4 per score. The price rises in the spring, and advances to as much as £7 per score. The most valuable and delicate cana­ ries are the Belgians. When undis­ turbed, they sit 44 all of a lump," but when the cage is taken down, they show their beauty by lengthening themselves out like a telescope, and bringing them­ selves into form. Some will nearly pass through a wedding-ring, and birds of first class will fetch as much as £10 per pair. The next kind of canary most re­ sembling the Belgians are the Yorkshire birds. These are also very long and graceful. They vary from 7s 6d to 80s per pair. Norwich, as a rule, produces the richest color birds. The motto is : 44 Norwich for color, Belgian for shape, and German for song." The best come from the Hartz moru- tains. German birds are not much to look at, but command high prices on account of their beautiful song. Ijis Oood Reasons. A man who does business on Gria- wold street was yesterday button-holed at the Postoffice by an acquaintance, who observed: '^ , . " They say that you have left the church and joined the one over on stiirocit " 44 Yes, that's so," was the answer. 44 Didn't like the preaching, eh?' 44 Oh, the preaching was good enough, and the pew-rent wasn't too high, but they ere a queer set up there. Most any of them will lend a man ten dol.ars if he's pinched, but it isn't three days be- foie they come spooking, around and want it back. I want to get somewhere where the brethren are more absent- minded, or where they won't walk a mile in a heavy rain without an um­ brella to remind me that time s up. 44 And you like it ?" 441 think I shall. I borrowed $15 of a member nearly three weeks ago, and he hasn't said anything about it yet. -- Exchange. WHAT A SMEWJ you have in your nose; it is all stopped up ; get some of Dr. J. H. MoLean'a Catarrh Snuff. It soothes, hftalu and will care any disease in yonr nose of throat Trial boxes 50 ota. by mail. *)r. J. H, Mc­ Lean, 314 Chestnut, St. Louis. Pith and Point. IT is less pain to learn in youth be ignorant in old age. AN exchange remarks that 44 the mat­ rimonial fever has broken out again." Oh, yes ; the tie-fuss. WHY is a fast black horse like a oer-' tain preparation of india-rubber ? Be-- cause it is an inky-racer. " HAVE I not, my son, given you every advantage ?" 44 Oh, yes ; but I couldn't think of taking advantage of you, father." IT wouldn't be a bad idea to pin the little boy's comparison of 4 * cold "to your memory nowadays : 4^ Positive, cold ; comparative, cough ; superlative, coffin." SOMEBODY remarks that young ladies look upon a boy as a nuisance until he is past the age of 16, when he generally doubles up in value each year, until, like a meerschaum pipe, he is priceless. A WOMAN makes the momenta fly- She makes the cash fly too; Fer husbands say she makes them boy Whatever comes in view. But this I know, oh Modern ISelle!-- It is no vain surmise-- The art in which you meat excel Is that of " making eyes," SOKITE in a New York Police Court-- Judge : 44 Prisoner, I find you guilty of intoxication in the public streets. The punishment is $10 or ten days. Which will you take?" Prisoner: 441 will take th#- $10, Your Honor. " LNDDT>nuous (?) Seafaring Party-- 44 What! Ain't got nothin' to dof Why, here I've been a-mendin' this blessed net ever since last November, and yott're a-idlin' about as if there warn't such a thing as work in the world 1" ' . ' UNOLB LEVI--44Now, Sammy, tellme, ha\e you ever read the beautiful story of Joseph?" Sammy--44Ob, yes, uncle." Uncle--44 Well, then, what wrong did they do when they sold their brother ?" Sammy--44 They sold him too cheap, I think." 441 DON'T mind sharing my bed with the children," yelled a Chicago man to his wife, the other night, 44 but blamed if I am willing to share it with bread crumbs!" Then the wife remembered that she had enticed tbe little ones to Bleep by giving them each a cruller. IRATE young lady--44 Mr. Cox, I de­ clare your machines are the worst I ever saw ! There's not even a looking-glass !" Proprietor of bathing machines--44 Why, miss, if there was looking-glasses, we shouldn't get you ladies out of them 'ere machines for howers and howers!"-- Punch. A GEORGIA colored debating society^ was lately discussing, 44 Which is the best for the laboring man, to work for wages or part of the crop?" An old 44 uncle " spoke the sense of the meeting when he thought 1l4Bofe was d® best, if dev could only be brung togedder somehow." 44 THE alligator," wisely remarks the Courier-Journal, " never blows his nose." Likewise the whale never knows his blows. ' Rah for natural his­ tory.--Rochester Chronicle. Now both of you be blowed.--Detroit Free Press. Let us have peace, blubbered bredren. --St. Louis Republican. CUSTOMER--44 Oh, I think I'll have the last tish you've got--it'll make the half dozen." Coster-44 Well, no, m«m, I can't part with all on 'em." Customer-- 44 And why not, pray ?" Coster--44 Well, mum, to tell you the truth, we've been out together so many days that I've got quite'tached tb 'em, like, and I ixiust keep one."--Funny Folks. 44 Is THERE an opening here for an in­ tellectual writer?" said a very red-faced youth, with the cork of a bottle sticking out of his breast pocket. The editor with much dignity took the man's intel­ lect in, and said : 44 An opeifiing? Xes, sir; a kind and considerate carpenter, foreseeing you* visit, left an opening for you. Turn the knob to the right." A CORRESPONDENT writes : 441 have a friend who is unable to leave London himself this autumn, but whose wife and children are enjoying the breezes of their native Scotland for a few weeks. Wishing to say something civil to him the other day, and knowing that he and his better-hal* got on pretty veil to­ gether, I remarked that he must 4 feel rather lonely without Mrs. X. and the little ones.' 4 Yes,' he replied, 41 do ; but the wind is tempered to the shorn lamb, and you see that when my wife is away I can smoke in bed.' People's ideas of enjoyment differ." Honor Among Thieves. A stage-coach was robbed of $64,000 in gold, in 1870, by five men, who buried the plunder, agreeing to return and get it after the search was over. They were so closely watched, however, that they dared not go near the place; and, lately, four of them met in San Francisco. They were penniless, and in order to get the money with which to make the journey to Idaho, they made George R. Bailey a partner, he furnishing the needed cash. On arriving at the place where they had buried the gold, they saw that it was gone. The fifth robber had been there before them. They went back to San Francisco, obtained a heavy bar of bogus gold, told Bailey that it was the remain­ der of the plunder, and gave it to him in consideration of $1,000 in money. As he was crossing to Oakland in a ferry­ boat, with the bar in a bag, three men seized it and threw it overboard, having been hired to do so by the robbers as a means of hiding the trick. The three men were arrested, and the story is here given as sworn to in oourt.