Austin, who is not only rich in purse but||he brought a book containing some fine in personal and mental endowments." passages which he wished to read to the "If he is to be fascinated by an expen-young ladies, sometimes he wished to exsive dress, I shall not hold his mental en-hibit to them a beautiful print he had dowments in high estimation." been purchasing, at others he would

"To be sure not, but if you should find bring a new song, for Alice, whose voice yourself in the midst of a gay and fash-was as sweet and melodious as a Peri's, ionable assemblage, attired in a mean, to sing. Love, in the mean time, was vulgar manner, you could not avoid ap-linking round her his silken chains, pearing stiff and awkward, and nothing wreathed with his loveliest roses; for alin the world would so soon awaken the though Sydney had, as yet, never spoken disgust of Sydney Austin as that." to her in the language of love, there was "If this Sydney Austin is so desirable ever in his voice when addressing her why not seek to secure him yourself?"

"the tone that shed
A tenderness round all he said,"

"To confess the truth, I am engaged to George Maynard, whom I mentioned in which was to her heart like the first my last letter, and I should have told you breath of heaven that steals into the opall about it before now, had we not have ening flower. Her smile might be more had so many other matters to discuss.-pensive than it used to be, but she was Here is his picture-how do you like it." never happier. Upon her spirit rested a "It is very handsome," replied Alice. light, soft and subdued, like the sunshine "It scarcely does justice to the origi-of an autumn day. One dim and shadowy nal," said Lavinia, "yet by many people speck, at times expanding itself into a Sydney Austin is thought to be his supe-cloud, throwing gloom over her spirits, rior in every respect" alone marred her enjoyment. She was Alice, when she had finished dressing conscious that she had expended far too for the party,could not help thinking that much in purchasing her splendid dress, she looked better than she ever had be-far more than her mother, with her slenfore, and almost ceased to regret the im-der means, could afford. By thus doing prudence she had been guilty of in pur-she had incurred a heavy debt, and alchasing her elegant dress'; and her re-though she felt certain that she should be gret grew still fainter when the ladies,jable to pay it in a few days, she was unmany of them attired much more expen-easy at having violated a principle which sively than herself, began to assemble in her mother had ever scrupulously adherthe brilliantly lighted apartments. Lavi-ed to herself, and sought with equal care nia, when Sydney Austin was announced, to impress upon the mind of her daughwas delighted to read in the expressiveter, by assuring her that its observance countenance of Alice,that she did not think had enabled them to live in ease and she had given her an exaggerated descrip-comfort, when an opposite course would tion of his personal attractions, & she was have brought with it a train of perplexicareful that an early introduction should ties, which must have soon terminated in take place between them. To Alice, the absolute poverty and distress. This prinhours were winged moments. Young ciple was, never to contract a debt exAustin was evidently pleased with her, cept through the most urgent necessity; and devoted to her as much of his time as never for the gratification of pride and politeness would permit. From this time vanity, or even intellectual wants. The he was at Mr Loring's daily; always hav-day she expected. to receive the money ing some excuse for calling. Sometimes her mother had promised to send her,

Sydney Austin came as usual. Lavinia,ny, and as you cannot remain in the city who had a letter to write to George May-without making some additions to your nard, soon retired to her own room, trust-wardrobe, you will see the necessity of ing, she said, that they would be able to your immediate return. The money I

amuse each other.

have sent you, will I trust, suffice to de"I shall not have a more favorable op-ray any trifling expense you may be oportunity," thought Sydney, "for the a-bliged to incur besides that of your jourvowal of my sentiments;-why should Iney home."

let it pass? A week is surely enough for the study of a character, which is all openness, simplicity and truth"

The remainder of the letter was filled with expressions of affection and commendation, such as would naturally flow from the heart of a mother towards a beloved and amiable daughter. But the words, which a few days before, would have fallen like balm upon her heart, were

turn.

Alice, that she might not fail in contributing her share to their mutual amusement, attempted to sing a favorite song that lay open on the piano, but she wanted the presence of Lavinia to give her converted to arrows, piercing it to its confidence, and the, words and tones core, and in an agony of shame and rewhich at first came timidly from her lips norse at her foolish expenditure, she traversed her apartment till Lavinia sent soon died away altogether, and blushing to remind her that Mr Andrews was in deeply at her failure, she rose and went to a window. Sydney ventured to her haste to depart and was awaiting her reside, but he seemed to be infected with The agitation and distress of Alher own timidity, and it was in language ice was so plainly depicted in her counthat would have done him little credit as tenance, that Sydney Austin, who on her an orator, that he expressed his wishes return rose to take his leave, could not forbear saying as he passed her, “I hope and his hopes. The words of Alice were you have no bad news." few in reply, but they were such as must have been satisfactory to a lover, for she dreamed not of concealment or disguise. Just at this crisis footsteps were heard in After the departure of Mr Andrews, the hall, and shortly afterwards, Mr An- Alice informed Lavinia of her disappointdrews was ushered into their presence.-ment relative to receiving the money. He had brought a letter to Alice from her "How extremely vexatious," replied mother, and Lavinia soon entering she her cousin, "for I told Mr Somers, who withdrew to read it. It enclosed a single hinted to me that he should soon be obligbank note, and she turned pale and trem-ed to make out a large sum, that you bled as she perused the first sentence. would certainly pay him by to-morrow,

"No, nothing that ought to have proved such," she replied with half averted face.

"Ten dollars,” it said, "is all that I can and told him he might send you his bill. possibly send you. Mr Carnes has inva-I would lend you the money, but to conriably been so prompt in his payments. fess the truth, I am myself indebted to that I did not even dream of his failing him so largely, that I dread to tell father me. But his affairs, as he frankly con-how much, and as he always makes me a fesses, have of late become much embar-present New-year's day, of money, if I rassed, and he begs that his creditors prefer, Mr Somers has engaged to wait will wait till he can arrange them, when til! then."

he hopes to pay all. I have at present no "I will call on Mr Somers immediateother resource, which will render it ney, and inforın him of my inability to pay cessary for us to use the strictest econo-him for the present."

“O no,” said Lavinia, “I would not d No, I have not a single expedient that that. He may find himself able to def can resort to. I have done little else without what you owe him, and not sen or two days past except trying to collect your bill to-morrow." what I am obliged to pay into the bank, The ensuing day, Sydney Austin, while | sum which six months ago I could withon his way to call on Alice, finding that out difficulty have collected in as many he had lost one of his gloves, just as he hours. If those who are indebted to me had arrived at Mr Somers' shop, called in are not more prompt, I am a ruined man. to purchase a pair. While he stood at My bills will be dishonored-my credit the counter looking at som a boy en-destroyed."

"Can I see you a moment in another

tered, and addressing Mr Somers, said
"Miss Thornton says she cannot pay your room?" said Sydney, in a low voice.
bill, but will call and see you."

Mr Somers opened the door of an adjoining apartment, which they entered together.

"Her calling," said Mr Somers, "will be of little consequence. In two hours must pay two thousand dollars into the "If," said Sydney, "the sum which bank, and I have had more trouble in try- Miss Thornton owes you be enough to ing to collect the last five hundred than make up that which you require to pay all the rest. Let me send to whom I will, into the bank, as I happen to have as the answer is uniformly the same, 'lcan-much by me, I shall be happy to accomnot pay you to-day.' I thought that this modate you with it as long as you wish, Miss Thornton was very extravagant in provided you will give me your word that her purchases, but as she was a visiter at you will not, while you retain it, demand the rich Mr Loring's, I concluded I might the payment of the bill you hold against trust her. I should advise all young her."

men," added he, turning to Sydney Aus- "That I will readily do,” said Mr Somtin, who was apparently examining a pairers, his countenance brightening, "and of gloves very minutely," who are not al- you will never be able to appreciate the ready married, to remain bachelors.-extent of my obligation to you, unless Even your great wealth could hardly sup- you should at some time be harassed, as port a wife, who could not go to an eve-I have been for a few days past, and feel ning party without expending what would yourself on the verge of losing your charmaintain many a poor family in comfort acter for promptitude for the want of so for a year. Now here are articles charg-paltry a sum." ed in this bill, which a young and very beautiful, and I must add, a very nodest looking girl ran in debt for a week ago. that no woman, unless her income were thousands, should think of wearing without a blush."

Sydney Austin, from the first moment, had made up his mind with regard to the course he should pursue respecting Alice. If upon inquiry he found that the recent extravagance she had been guilty of proceeded from thoughtlessness,or was "Her being very young," said Sydney.induced by the example or persuasion of "may be some excuse. She may learn prudence by experience."

"No person should trust to that. pensive habits once contracted are tremely difficult to overcome."

her cousin, he determined to let it pass unnoticed; if, on the contrary, he found Ex-that she had been in the bit of lavishex-ing so much upon her person, he resolved to request a release from the engage "You cannot possibly do without the nent, into which he had entered only the money the young lady owes you." day before, although from that moment

he was conscious that his dearest hopes she, "for I want to confess to you how of earthly happiness must forever fleet very imprudent I have been, and how away, like some radiant bird that hovers very humble it makes me in my own opinfor an instant over some lonely flower of ion, and perhaps at another time, I may the desert,ere it rises into the air to wing not have the courage."

its way to a happier clime. He had just He did not dare to avow his knowlfinished counting the money, having first edge of what had occurred, as he would enjoined upon Mr Somers the strictest thereby betray the transaction between secrecy relative to the transaction, when himself and Mr Somers, and was cona clerk opening the door informed the strained, therefore, to listen to her conlatter that a lady desired to speak with fession.

him. He hastily left the room, promising "There," said she, when she had finto return in a few minutes, leaving the ished, "I have told you all without gloss door ajar. The lady was Alice, whose or extenuation. Do you condemn me ?" paleness and agitation evinced her dis-The air of gaiety with which she had tress. She briefly stated, that, being in-pronounced the preceding word, changexperienced in such matters, she was not ing to one of solicitude as she asked the aware of the great value of the articles question.

she had purchased of him, and that she "If I should condemn you,” replied he, did not rightly understand her cousin "I should deserve to have sentence passwhen she assured her that they were led on myself, for a severe, if not an uncheap,imagining that they were positive- just judge." ly instead of comparatively so. She ther The next day in company with Mr confessed her utter inability to pay him Andrews, who had remained in the city for the present, giving at the same time to transact some business, Alice returnthe reason. Mr Somers, in return, ex-ed home where she had to confess her pressed much regret that she should have imprudence to another but equally lenibeen subjected to a moment's anxiety ent judge as Sydney Austin. Mr Carnes, respecting it, assuring her that she might Mrs Thornton's debtor, being enabled to take her own time for the payment of the retrieve his affairs much sooner than he debt. Alice, after warmly expressing her had at first anticipated, she was able, by thanks, with a much lighter heart than availing herself of another sum which with which she had entered, left the shop became due about the same time, and and Mr Somers returned to the apart-which she had promised Alice, previous ment where he had left Sydney Austin. to her journey to New York, should be

"She is certainly a very beautiful girl," appropriated to the purpose of enlarging said he, as Sydney handed him the bank their library, to discharge the debt of Mr notes to count, "and what is better, a Somers. The loss of the books was to very ingenious one. I wish you had Alice, who was excessively fond of readseen her, though I half suspect that you ing, a severe punishment, but one that have already, or you would not have plac-she felt that she deserved. Long before ed me under my present obligation to this, Sydney Austin had made a visit to you." the white cottage, and Mrs Thornton won

"O, I am the one that is obliged," re-by the united attractions of his fine perplied he smiling. When he left the shop son, affable manners, and his sound and he proceeded immediately to Mr Lor-cultivated intellect, unhesitatingly gave ing's and found Alice alone. her sanction to the promise he had re"I am glad that you have come," saidceived from Alice, which at the time,

Lines on the Birth-day of a Respected Friend.

79

was given only on condition of its meet-It shall bud,when these temples are frosted ing her mother's approbation. and grey,

When another autumn had put on its God grant, when the turf o'er my bosom gorgeous mantle, and the soft haze, which lingering on the mountains made them

is laid,

can fade.

appear as if melting into the sky, had It may bloom in the land where no flowret given place to the bracing and lucid atmosphere, which not only revealed many of their inequalities, but even the green woods with which they were clothed, he An came once more to claim her for his bride.

THE DOVE AND THE ANT.

ant, with a burden that weighed near a grain,

Walking home by a river with labor extreme,

pleasure of industry sweetened the pain,)

Her little foot slipped, and she fell in the stream.

We will only add, that the dress of Alice, prepared for the occasion, was beau-(The tiful and very becoming, though far less costly than the one with its blonde floundes embroidered with gold; which, although she never wore it a second time, On she ever carefully preserved, that it might teach her its silent, but eloquent lesson.

equal again,

a tree, near the place, sat a beautiful dove,

Who saw the misfortune, and mourned for it too;

And,urged by the feelings of pity and love, A bough for the poor little struggle she threw.

Thus kindly supported, thus rescued from death,

In safety she landed,her danger was o'er, For a mild passing zephyr, with pitying breath,

Soon wafted her kindly and gently to shore.

The ant's little bosom with gratitude swelled,

And she said (or perhaps she but wished she could say)

It comes, and I greet it with blessings By my minikin form, I, alas! am withheld From being allowed this kind act to repay.'

and prayers,

Such as gratitude breathes, when her

warmth she declares;

For when thro' the wanderings of life's devious track,

To the follies and pleasures of youth look back,

Your love, like an angel, unchanging is seen,

Your blessed example, a model serene,

And so, till the last rays of mem'ry depart,
I'll twine round your birth-day the flowers A

of the heart.

My wreath shall not wither, when summer is filed,

Nor shrink when the groves in their glory

are dead,

It shall burst forth anew, when the gar

dens decay,

repay;

fowler her friend was intent to destroy, She stung him, he screamed, and the dove flew away.

Despise not the humble-Oh! treat not with scorn

The poor and the low, whom so useful

we see;

We all of us equally helpless were born,

And our lot was assigned us by heaven's

decree.