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girdled Tempe brought each an offering of trees and | fierce, whom the marrow of lions and fat of bears woven flowers, and wise Prometheus, whose limbs strengthened for the sad conflicts of Troas. No yet bore the traces of his vast agony, and the dread homely exercise taught his fingers to fight. TesParce with their prophetic song. The ox-eyed tis erit magnis virtutibus unda Scamandri. mother of the gods was there: and all of the im- Esculapius, the gentle, the beneficent; the mild mortals, save only Phoebus and the chaste huntress radiance of whose virtues attracts like the evening of the Carian mount. Yet in this august presence star. From the hand of the teacher he received was our great master as an equal, and father Jove a talisman which unlocked the secret powers of disdained not to drink with him health and fair issue herbs, and the hidden agencies of minerals, and to the blushing bride.* the healing virtue of flowing waters, and gave an Still was his mountain cave his home, chosen for antidote to the miseries of mortal life in the heartmeditation and quiet thought. The proud, unwise, easing nepenthe, and to its temptations in the deepwould disdainfully scoff at the cloud-begotten, the rooted moly. Could not he wrestle with death nubigena. Yet was he a true "son of the mist," stronger than Hercules? Alas! that Jove should who loved nature as a mother, and was stead- fear a divided Empire, and a thunder-bolt be the fast in his love, were she gentle, or in storm. And reward of so glorious benefits! Yet hath the bag from this filial devotion came his wisdom. The of simples its efficacy, and we laugh at the impo- / "unwedgeable oak" and the everlasting hill were tent rage of the thunderer, which only gave immorat his side, ever mute monitors of constancy and tality to its victim. endurance: the moon, on whose broad disk he Time would fail us to report the worth of Jason, gazed in the midnight chase, or from his lonely of Peleus, and of the many who became illustrious couch on the side of Othrys, taught him her les-under the instructions of the first teacher. Yet son of perpetual growth and decay the obscure we must drop a tear over the fate of the gentle and neglected wild-flower revealed to him its cun- Actæon. Brave was he in his life, mournful and ning the music of the stars inspired an inward untimely in his death. No unhallowed passion, harmony, and the fierce mountain winds trained no vain curiosity led him to the fatal fountain: but him to perfect manhood. In this communion with the nimble deer, and a hunter's weariness, and a nature he grew wise, and the beasts of the field cool shade: and an erring glance, and the wrath learned to reverence and obey him; which great of the maiden Dian, made the solace of his life fact the artists of later ages have not inaptly sym-the bitterness of his death, But the attendant bolized by a twofold nature.‡ Nymphs hung many a chaplet in memory of the beautiful stranger; and his faithful hounds howled a sad eulogy.

Wisdom hath no limit, and knowledge can not be confined. The fame of it comes forth from the desert where it would hide, and draws the young, the generous, the pure-minded to itself. So to this far off school came the sons of gods and heroes to gain strange lore and the perfectest masters of art. Came the famed son of Alcmena. Vain had been the lessons of strong Castor, of skilful Eurytus, of Autolycus, of the noble bard Eumolpus. Each had taught his separate art, but the completing accomplishment and grace could be given only by the hoary experience of Chiron. Well doth the glory of the pupil attest the virtues of his master; and long as the "twelve labors," twelve constellations shall endure, shall abide that master's fame.

Came the renowned son of Thetis, wrathful and

* Præberetque Jovi communia pocula Chiron, Molliter obliqua parte refusus equi. Claudian, In Nupt. Honor. et Mariæ Præf.

+ Virg. Æn., VII, 674.

Isocrates, Helena Encom. 13. Diod. Sicul. IV., 70, Etc.

VOL. X-70

None of the many who have striven to follow the example of our great progenitor can boast of such pupils. In these poor days, Busby might look somewhat proudly on his bench of Bishops: but how faint that praise!

the marriage feast of Pirithous and the fair LaodaBut we must close our eulogium. Once again, at mia, we find the presence and venerated gravity of Chiron, awing to peace, and calming the hot passions of riotous wassailers.

Alas! that the wise should die! that the good we do, often stings us like a serpent! That the hand which had learned its inevitable aim from the great son of Ixion, should loose the arrow of his

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And yet methinks they said

That he had gone-that in its bright young bloom,
Death nipp'd the flow'r, to deck his bridal tomb-
That in his lowly bed,

They laid him gently down in quiet rest,
And pil'd the sod upon his sinless breast!

Methinks-methinks they said

He ask'd for me-to fan his fever'd brow-
And kiss his burning cheek-to tell me how,
When he was cold and dead,

He hop'd I'd come, sometimes, unto his grave;
Where flow'rs, perhaps, would bloom and green grass wave.

Mother, I'm coming home!

My soul is heavy, and I fain would lie
Upon thy bosom! no, he could not die!

Tell him I'm coming Home:

Home, to the dear old place-the one lov'd spot, That Time may all destroy--but Memory can not!

"OUR KATE."

CHAPTER I.

"I can not do that! ask me not! If my father is no longer able to support me in college, I must look about for some other resource; but I will not be dependent-least of all on my best friend!"

"I honor your spirit, my dear Frank!" replied Edward Stanton, "and yet I would change your resolution. I have abundant resources, thank Fortune! or Providence, I should say. Early left an orphan, as you know, I am my own master, I am alone in the world. Let me share the fortune which I scarcely prize with you, who deserve it so much better than I. Don't you know the adage, 'a friend indeed is a friend in need?' Vice versa. I have it! but no matter! Give me leave to be a real friend."

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"You are so, Edward! Your sympathy "Sympathy is very good, my dear fellow! but it wont fill your purse-nor is it all, you may justly claim of my friendship. I do not believe you love me! You don't believe me a true friend!"

A tear sprung to the manly cheek of young Lee, as grasping the hand of his chum, he replied, with strong emotion, "do I not? take this proof of itthat I will not lower myself in your esteem by accepting your proffered bounty. In your soul I know you do me justice. You approve the principle from which I act. Were our circumstances reversed, I know that my feelings would be yours." "And would not mine be yours?" interrupted Stanton.

"Indeed they would! and yet I believe I should esteem you more for refusing to gratify them."

“And what do you propose to do?" asked Stanton after a pause, during which both had looked musingly in the fire, as if that could throw some light on a dark path.

"Leave college, I suppose, for a year or two, and go to digging for money."

"It is too bad! too bad that you must quit the field now when the goal is in view. One year more and we may graduate together! What a proud day it would be! But unless you are to share its honors with me, I protest I care not a fig for them all!" Lee was sensibly moved, but with a strong effort he controlled the rising in his breast, and answered, "it is I who have most to lose. To stand by your side would have been glory enough, for who can stand higher than Edward Stanton! But it is all over now, I fear. Instead of vain regrets, I must think of stern resolves." Another silence ensued, which Frank at length broke by saying, "there is the Academy in N—without a Principal. Could I get in there for a year or two, the work is done. Who knows but that is just the place?"

"Trust Providence, and try again,” replied Lee, trying to look cheerful.

Frank Lee was never long in forming a reso- | quired Stanton, perceiving from his friend's fallen lution, nor slow in acting upon it when once countenance, as he laid down the letter, that it formed. Without another word he rose, went to brought only disappointment. his desk, wrote, folded and sealed a letter; while his friend sat with his eyes still on the fire, his feet on the fender, and his head leaned on his hand, in a fit of melancholy musing, which lasted till Frank Lee had returned from the post-office.

CHAPTER II.

"If worse comes to worst you have still one friend!"

"I know it! I believe it!" cried Frank, warmly grasping the hand which Stanton extended, "and I may be driven to beg for the kindness I once rejected; but not till every other resource fails me. Ah! what's this? a letter from Kate!" he exclaimed, picking up one which had lain unnoticed. Eagerly tearing off the seal, he began to read, his

46

"Oh! the

"Which?" asked Stanton laughing. dog to be sure!" And with that, our excitable hero got up and described such a variety of antic circles around the table, that his more philosophic friend began to fear for the safety of his understanding which was no doubt endangered by his near approaches to the fire in some of the aforesaid performances.

It was a bleak November night, just a fortnight after the above conversation took place. The hills of New England were all white with the earliest snow. Sadly the wind moaned, in the long row of countenance undergoing a variety of changes, naked elms, on "College Green"-but it was mean while that quite non-plussed the sagacity of scarcely heeded by our two friends, as they drew Edward, as did the frequent ejaculations which the up the study-table to a well-replenished fire, and reader threw in, par parentheses. "What does the sat down to their evening's labor. A stranger girl mean ?" "Here is some joke!" "no-Mother's would have marked the contrast between them, and P. S. will explain all." "Noble girl! God bless wondered, at first sight, how they came to be friends. her!" A gush of tears accompanied the last exclaEdward was tall, slender, almost feminine in per- mation. Here, read this!" said Lee, putting into son-his high, pale brow stamped with the seal of his friend's hand the letter which had produced thought his eye deep-set and melancholy-his such an unwonted display of feeling. "Read it, manner indicating a sensitiveness too keen to leave Edward! If ever there was a good sister-if ever its possessor at ease, except in the society of those there was a happy dog, I am one!" whom he loved and trusted-and they were but few. To them he was irresistibly fascinating, not so much by the force of his genius and the brilliancy of his wit, as by a certain delicate playful seriousness, which seemed assumed, while it was altogether real. Frank Lee was not so tall as his friend, but more robust-his ample brow, clear and open as the day-his cheek glowing with health and manly beauty-his eye now blazing with eloquent passion, now melting with tender affection; always bright, and diffusing gladness over whatever it looked upon-his manners gay or serious, according to the impulse of the moment, "My next letter, dear Frank! is likely to be but ever displaying the whole-souled cordiality and penned in Dismal Swamp,' or some other insincerity of his nature-his soul alike capable of teresting part of the sunny South. I wonder if I the lofty and the tender in sentiment, frank, gene-shall be so fortunate as to fall in with one of your rous, high-toned and guileless as an infant's. Lee'noble-hearted Virginians and I wonder if I was a general favorite, and became so at first sight, should treat a 'proposal,' should he make one, as while Stanton secured affection only where intimately known. Such were the two natures, which, like two opposite poles of the magnet, insensibly attracted each other and became as one, till the two friends were never seen apart.

Dear reader! if your curiosity is on the alert like mine, step hither, and take a peep over Stanton's shoulder, as he reads-but lightly! and remember never to do the like again!

you have done? How I should love such an opportunity to show my disinterestedness! and how he would admire it! and how heroic I should feel!But pardon my nonsense, dearest Brother! Seriously, I admire your generous-hearted Southron, They had not been long at their tasks this even- and would fall in love with him too, were it as ing, when a hasty knock at the door, and the easy to get out as to get in! and as for you, my entrance of a fellow-student caused them both to noble brother, I love and I admire you a hundred start and look up. "I was at the post-office and times more than ever. And I'll do more than that. thought I might as well save you a walk in the You shall go to college, and through college too, snow-storm," said the intruder casting down a hand-in spite of Fortune. My little head has devised a ful of letters, and making his exit as unceremo-way, and my little heart is quite big enough to do niously as his entrance. Frank seized one that all my head can devise. You are not going to bore the post-mark "N -"and hurriedly broke turn Pedagogue-that's out of the question! nor are you to turn Paddy and go to digging praties"And what will you do now?" anxiously in- but I, with all my nonsense, can be serious, and I

the seal.

while the children and kittens gambol in the yard, without getting our noses frost-bitten. Indeed it is quite like summer; one genuine Indian summer; so soft, so warm, so dreamy, that even yon little bird-you see him in the aspen yonder ?--folds his wing, and sleeps, and dreams, perchance, of his loving mate, who hops lightly from twig to twig, as if in fear to disturb his slumbers. A light, soft veil of mist hangs over that still lake, just there among the persimmon trees-lake we will call it, though it seems more like an artificial convenience for making ice in the winter; serving also as a bath for sundry animals of the fowl, or foul kind, at other seasons. But listen. What is little Fred

saying?

"I don't believe I shall like her! that I don't! She wont let me laugh or play a bit, I spose!" "Why, bubber! you don't spect to play in stool, does you?" asked a blue-eyed girl, a year or two his junior, with an air that seemed to say, "Ah! I know all about it!"

have taken it into my wise head to be a school- | driving blasts far behind. It is a warm sunny afterma'am. Hinder me who can! My trunks are at noon, and we may sit in this little shaded porch, the door. Rose and Hetty are watching for the stage which is to convey me to Providence, whence I shall go on to Fredericksburg, Va., with Mrs. La Motte, an old friend of Mamma's, now married to a Southern planter. It was through her agency that I obtained the situation which I am going to occupy as teacher. Hark! the stage is coming. Dear Mamma tries to look cheerful, and I try to feel so-but-good bye!" P. S. by Mrs. Lee. "But it is hard work,' she would have added. Yet, for your sake, my beloved son, we can do it, and much more. Our Kate is really gone! I can not realize it. The whole thing has been so sudden, so unpremeditated, at least by me, that I am as one bewildered, hardly knowing what has happened. Kate has, I believe, had this project in view ever since Mrs. La Motte's visit to us last summer. The day before your last letter came, we received one from her, stating that she knew of a good situation for Kate, which could be immediately secured, if we desired it. Mother,' said Kate, think of that opportunity to aid our "I wonder if she is pretty!" observed a youth dear Frank! In our present embarrassments, such of sixteen, who, with his back leaning against a a salary as I shall receive is quite a fortune!' tree, stood patting a savage looking beast whom he Your letter arrived. It decided my wavering reso-called Beauty. lution-and our noble Kate joyfully received my "She may be pretty enough, for your Yankee permission to do as she pleased. 'I please to have my brother stay where he is!' said she. 'He would do anything for us-I will sacrifice a little present happiness for him. It will only be for a year or two-and then when I return, and Frank graduates, and we are all together once more, how happy shall we be! how light will be the toils, the sorrows then past! And she is gone! Your dear father sinks under the reverses that have overtaken us. But we hope for brighter days. When you return, wearing the laurels which a strong arm has enabled you to win, we shall be both proud and happy. Go on! my darling boy! "As you do, dear grand-papa! and I thank you write for yourself a name that we can read with for teaching me that lesson! And will you be my honest pride. Fear not that our Kate will repent teacher still?" she asked after a pause, during of her resolution. She is no longer the timid, which she had been twining a lock of silver hair sensitive child that she appeared in the days of our in her fingers. He drew her closer to his side, prosperity. She has become, all at once, ener- and pushed back the curls that fell over her pale getic, unselfish, cheerfully devoting herself to the intellectual forehead, shading a pair of soft hazel task of sustaining us in our misfortunes. She is eyes, that turned confidingly on his own. "And learning to look on life as it is real, earnest'—why should you doubt it, my Lucy ?"

girls are all so, if bright eyes and blooming cheeks constitute beauty; but I imagine they are all her fortune, or she would hardly be coming out here to exchange them for money," replied his brother, some two or three years older.

"For shame! for shame! Gerald!" cried out a thoughtful looking girl, who had hitherto sat reading on the door-steps, but now rose and moved to the side of an elderly gentleman in the porch, who put his arm round her and said, fondly:

"That's right! that's right! my child! Always take the part of the injured!"

not a vague longing for that which is not! That "I do not, only I thought, perhaps, now Miss Lee she will adapt herself to her new situation, and be is coming happy in it, I doubt not. Our blessings, and the blessings of Heaven be upon her, and upon you my son !"

CHAPTER III.

"You shall have two teachers instead of oneso never fear, my child," said Mr. Ashton, kissing her. Lucy put her arm around his neck, and murmured in a voice low and soft as the music of a stream, and yet so plaintive that it seemed the We will now put on our "seven league boots" moaning of a turtle-dove. "Nobody loves me like and transport ourselves to the front porch of an you, dear grand-papa! Mamma is-does not like old-fashioned mansion in one of the interior coun- me to caress her. Oh she is not like my es ties of Virginia. We have left snow-storms and 'sweet mamma, whom I shall see no more! My own

gentle mamma! And papa-he loves me-but he is seldom at home, nor does he ever talk to me like you. I sometimes think he loves even Beauty and Cato more than me, for he never seems so happy as when caressing them. But perhaps I do wrong to say it. You look displeased! are you angry with me? Pray do not be angry!"

reply. "What next?" thinks our tired heroine, wondering if all the servants in the house are coming to see her. Again the door opens-Kate looks round nervously, and sees a pair of saucerlike eyes, and two rows of very white teeth, looking forth from the surrounding darkness, like two new moons from a thunder-cloud. "Well, what now?" "It is better," answered Mr. Ashton, his brow The saucy little "nigger" grins in her face and resuming its placid aspect, "it is better that you runs away. Our heroine hastens to turn the key, should not indulge in remarks of this kind. Never but it is not there. "Well," she wearily reflects; does it become a child to criticise a parent's tastes" well, this is not home, my own sweet home!" and pursuits, however she may feel in regard to That word never seemed to her so full of meaning them."

"Forgive me I will not do so again. But-I know not how to express what I feel I am so lonely here"-and Lucy laid her hand on her agitated bosom. "I am so lonely grand-papa! I have no friend but you, and —."

before. Home! its forsaken joys—its kind tones— its beaming eyes-its dear embraces-its bright hearth, and cosy winter evenings, all come back like the shadow of things long past; and she feels as if ages had intervened since she left them, though it is but a week. Home! the sound un

“And you want another who is younger and locks a fountain of sweet, bitter thoughts, and she handsomer? Is that it?"

"No, but

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throws herself on the bed and weeps. It is the first time since she left that home. Hitherto her The reply was prevented by a shout among the mind has been occupied-but now, the strangeness children, of "There they come! there they are!" of her situation bursts upon her all at once; a and a moment after a carriage rolled up to the new feeling of depression, of abandonment, as if front gate. A black servant hastened to let down there were no being in the world but herself, comes the steps. Out jumped a middle aged gentleman, over her, and she can but weep!-A light footwith a jovial eye, and a face that indicated a fond-step has glided into the room. Kate turns away ness for good cheer. After depositing himself her face, expecting no sympathy, and not choosing safely on terra-firma, he proceeded to hand out first to betray emotions which she feels are too sacred a lady in velvet hat and feathers, secondly our for the eye of a stranger. Presently a soft arm Kate," habited in a simple riding-dress, and straw steals around her neck, and a voice so like her own bonnet. The children crowded round " mamma," dear Hetty's, that it startled the blood from her drawing her as far as possible from the formidable heart to her cheek, murmurs timidly in her ear, "school ma'am," and engrossing her attention so "do not cry! are you very sad, dear Miss Lee? I completely, that the stranger was in a fair way to am sad too sometimes, though I am not far from be forgotten, had not grand-papa perceived her fol- home, like you! I should love to have a sister, lowing alone, and gallantly handed her up the such as I know you would be! May I not be your steps. Mr. Morris had lingered behind to return friend, your own dear sister?" It was not in Kate's sundry attentions bestowed on him by his quadru- nature to resist kindness. She looked up in the pedal friends. sweet, serious face of Lucy Morris-for she it was-folded her arms about her, and answered as her grateful heart dictated.

"Jenny! show Miss Lee up stairs. Dick, take those trunks up to her room.' The servants did as ordered, and both contrived to linger, under some pretence or other, long enough to get a peep at the new teacher's face.

Very slight things direct the currents of feeling. Kate found herself, without an effort, becoming cheerful. She thought of the motives "I want no assistance," said she, at length, won- which had made her a voluntary exile-her brodering why they did not go. Whereupon Dick ther's image rose before her, and she felt strong. made his bow-but Jenny, being seized with a "It is for him!" she said to herself, "and it is but sudden fit of industry or neatness, or both, caught for one or two short years and then I shall return." up a broom and fell to brushing the clean brick Hope, bright-winged hope, presented before her hearth. the hour of reunion; she began to think how her mother would look-how much the little ones would have grown-whether her father would have any more grey hairs-whether she herself would be at all changed; and what the neighbors would say. The tea-bell summoned her, in the midst of these speculations, and, hastily arranging her disordered curls, she followed Lucy down to the supper-table. Mr. and Mrs. Morris are there, Mr. Ashton, Lucy's maternal grand-father, is in his place. Half a

"That will do," said Kate. Jenny examined
the pitcher which she had herself filled, not ten
minutes before, and finally made her exit. Kate
sat down to collect her thoughts. The door opens.
"Missus say does you want anything."
"No-thank you," and Kate begins to examine
the state of her trunks.

Door opens.
"Come to see does you fire burn.”
"It is doing very well!" is the half impatient

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