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! BY GOULD & ELWELL,
Office 80 Middle, near Corner ot Exchange St.
: TERMS: PER YEAR .
One Dollar for Eight Months...
Cranscript,
bora tak
VOLUM E XVI.
POETRY.
1 LIFZ,
Life onward—use xt
With a forward aim;
Toil is heavenly—choose it,
nd its warfare claim.
Look not to another *
Keep your strong wand “sil
Life is onward—never
ook upon the past;
It would hold you. ever
In its clutches fast.
Bind not the soul’s pinion
Toa bed of euse.
Lite is onward—try it
Ere the day be lost;
It bath virtue—buy it
At whatever cost;
i ‘If the world should offer
Every precious gem,
) . 5, Look ngt at the scoffer,
{ “| Change it not for them. :
Life is onward—heed it .
} In each varied dress; \
Your own act can speed it
Tlis bright pinion o'er you
' Time waves not in vain,
, 1f Hope chants before you
Her prophetic strain.
Life ig onward—prize it
Iu sunshine and in storm;
Oh! do not despise it,
In its humblest form. i
Tope and Joy together, 01/4 6 «4
i ®@ Standing at the goal,
Through Life's darkest weather,
Beckon on the soul.
From Peterson’s Magazine,
COUSIN MER ERCY’S CURL,
Mitte _ 1, BY ELLA A RODMAN.
* Some years ago, when I was a little’ imp ot a
‘ giel, it was my ‘unlucky fate to come between, not
exactly two lovers, but two who might have been
such but for my untimely interference. Miserable
child that I was! thus to extinguish the faint blue
flame that was just struggliug into life! How ten-
derly I now would fan it into a blaze—how anxious-
ly wareh it as it wreathed slowly | but surely up-
ward !
«And yet E clumsily destroyed all the frostwork
of that dawning love-passage, Just as a bear might
be supposed to entangle himself in a silken net-
work—tittle knowing, and ‘perhaps little heed-
ing, the mischief I accomplished. ad it been any
+ one else—one whose youth was some foundation
for the assurance that “there are as good fish in the
seu as ever were caught”—but cousin Mercy, who
was like a summer flower i in aatamn time, felt the
cruel blow most keenly.
tis not much wonder, either, that the idea of
placing “Grother Brittles, in the light of ‘a ‘suitor
never once entered my ‘head, ‘and that when they
told me he came to sce Aunt Starr I should implic-
itly believe them 5 for Cousin Mercy had various
lite endesting peculiarities that stamped her as an
old maid.
“Tone night shared ber couch ; (the first and the
last time, by thé way) and during | the enjoyment of
this felicity, I-watched her performances with con-
siderable interest, _The first chunge in her appear-
ance that strack me particularly whs the total dis-
appearance’ of some very rich-looking eurls, and
the substitation of a very singular night-cap, secure-
ly ticd on the top of her head.
Being of rather a tender age, I puzzled over the
curls with a troubled spirit; but every conclusion
at which I arrived failed to satisfy me. At first, 1
thonght that she might haye burned them off in the
eandle; but then her remaining hair did, not look
singed—so I gave that up., She might have brush-
ed) them out and put, them up in papers—bat no
‘> papers were visible; and I remained very much
*\ puzdled, with eyes very wide open for the next oc:
Surrenc
URW Bae Pros
PORTLAND, SATURDA
row of false teeth, and laid them before her on the
toilet-table.
dreaming, and closed my eyes to open them again;
but there were the teeth—not exactly “a living evi-
dence,” to be sure—but the next thing to it. Yes,
the fact was not to be denied ; and now, quite pre-
pared fur the shedding of a set of limbs, intended
to come apart and fit together, like the puzzling
maps, I watehed in a state of benumbing astonish-
ment. Her next performance, however, was quite
an innocent little piece of old maidism; it was
merely to place a pitcher of water and a tumbler
by her side of the bed, to be ready for an emer-
gency.
Horrified at what I had seen, I fairly trembled
when Cousin Mercy climbed into the couch ; and
retreating, as she advanced, I. shrank off to the
farther side. The bed, unfortunately, was’ in the
middle of the room; and not being protected by a
barricade of wall, I slid entirely out of it, and, to
Cousin Mercy’s great annoyance, fell upon the floor.
She decided that I was too troublesome a bed-fel-
low; and having been banished from her apartment,
which seemed to me almost like Blue Beard’s blae
chainber, I was kindly picked up by Aunt Starr,
who always took compassion upon stragglers.; I
found this a very pleasant exchange—except that
the old lady hada habit of snoring, which often
kept me awake ; and then I pondered upoa the cu-
tious metamorphosis that I had wimessed in Cou-
sin Mercy.
“Brother Brittles” was an innocent, unworldly-
minded minister, of the Baptist denomination, who
was distinguished by the peculiarity of a red cotton
umbrella. Winter and summer this sanguinary-
looking article kept company with “Brother Brit-
tles ;” in stormy weather it sheltered him from rain
and snow—on pleasant days it kept off the sun—
and when not on active duty it was shouldered like
a musket, and answered the’ purpose of a flag warn-
ing. Far off the red symbol gave notice of his ap-
proach ; and prevented any flutterings that might
have arisen from his unexpected appearance.
I had’seen him at church, and passed him in our
walks ; but I had never yet been actually , face to
face with him. My first acquaintance with “Broth-
er Brittles” was on this wise :—
At Aant Starr’s I had always heard a great deal
about “going to bed with lambs” and “rising with
tho larks ;” and I was there persuaded that bread.
and milk was the only supper that could be partak-
cn of with any degree of innocence. , Sometimes,
to be sure, I did suspect Aunt Starr and. Cousin
Mercy of taking something a little more hearty af-
ter I had retired to bed; and once I glided down,
and caught them in the very act; but upon the
whole, I was very eredulous; and ‘could without
much trouble, be persuaded that black was white.
Aunt Starr’s farm was rather retired, and I saw
very few visitors; therefore, I djsliked to miss any
that did come— not much caring bow. my object
was accomplished. I had retired, one evening, in
lamb-like fashion ; but not feeling very sleepily in-
‘| elined, I kept my ears wide open to listen to any
unusual signs below.
_ Before a great while I distinctly heard the front
door open and ehut, and a man’s step -in the hall.
An actual visitor, and I in bed! The ‘sound of
voices was absolutely galling ;,and without troub-
ling myself about the consequences, I glided down
stairs in my night-dress, and placed mpysell- close
beside the parlor door. i .
This happencd to be open; and as the weather
was very warm, it was only lighted by the! swing-
ing hall lamp.’ Jt was not my’ i intention to listen
I only wished to see; but that being denied me,
my attention was soon ‘wholly engrossed by some
very unwelcome companions. Shoals of snapping:
bags had flown in through’ the open doors and wih
dows, attracted by the light, and these were now
buzzing about my cars in a manner that | was any:
thing but agreeable.”
| Two or three of the Jargest_ and” blackest fairly’
settled themselves on my white drapery 5 3 and start-
led out of all prudence, I sent’ forth a shrick ‘that
drew Aunt Starr, ‘Brother Brittles,” aud Cousin
Mercy to the scene of action., The good-natured
clergyman took ‘the. litle, trembling, white-ygbed
Lfgure i in his arms, and broshed, off the bugs; Bile
Cousin Merey now deliberately took out a whole
I conceived, at first, that I. must be
Y, NOVEMBER 20, 1852.
the others overwhelmed me with questions. “Broth-
er Brittles” seemed resolved to believe’ that I had
been walking in my sleep; but Cousin Mercy smi-
lingly shook her head. “ She did not wish’ to con-
tradict the visitor ; but she looked very incredalou,
notwithstanding.
a! evening was one of unalloyed enjoyment
Poor “Brother Brittles !” - Naturally good-natured,
and doubtless supposing that he was this establish-
ing himself in the good graces of his “lady-love,”
he placed me on his lap, where I satenthroned like
a queen, and received his homage with infinite zest.
From what I can remember of Cousin Mercy’s man-
ner on that particular evening, I have good reasons
for supposing that she wished me back again in my
nest; but I was too busy in repeating long poems
to “Brother Brittles” to heed her “nods and becks.”
Misery loves company ;’ and with all the suffer
ings, “both of dedy and mind,” attendant upon the
acquisition of that knowledge, still fresh in my re-
membrance, I imparted to “Brother Brittles” “all
my stores of geography, philosophy and history.—
I was deep in the siege of Troy when the clock
strack ten; and much to my. dismay, Aunt Starr
insisted upon my returning to bed. ; What did I
care if the lambs were tired of waiting for me, and
had gone to sleep long ago?’ Young as I was, I
had experienced aq excitement in finding, in alone
ly country place, something in a hat and’ coat te
talk to; and the enjoyment had not yet palled upon
my senses,
As L left the room, I had the satisfaction of hear-
ing the visitor say, “that is really a wonderful child !”
An idea probably echoed by Cousin Mercy, but
with the addition that there are various ways of be-
ing wonderful. tity
About once a week “Brother Brittles” came to
take tea; and although I have reason to think that
he was one ef those innocent minded men: who
would go on visiting in this way for five years and
tions were,” be fairly shocked into an abrupt depar)
ture—Aunt Starr and Cousin Mercy had come to
the’conclusion that “Brother Brittles’” attentions
were very particular. ”
“I really don’t know what to think of ‘Brother
Brittles,’” sntd Cousin Merey one day, when I sat
on a very high stool, hemming a very interminable
handkerehief, “every time I take @ walk with hin?
I'm afraid he'll propose.”
‘Aunt Starr pushed up her spectacles and gazed
at her daughter with infinite astonishment, as well
she might—for was nut “Brother Brittles” the straw
sent by kind fute to prevent Cuusin Mercy from
drowning in the Lethe of single blessedness # ' And
did not that perverse maiden actually hint at a fecl-
ing of indecision ‘with Yespect to grasping said
straw? So Aunt Starr looked, and finally came
out with :-—
“Don’t be too hasty, Mercy—you remember how
Doctor Kilworthy——” »
But here Cousin Mercy pointed to mé with the
wise observation that “little pitchers have large
ears,” and thus cut short a most interesting com-
munication,
Weil, time passed on,’as the novelists say; and
one evening Cousin Mercy came in from the gat-
den, where she had been taking @ moonlight walk
with “Brother Brittles,” wearing a most pertarbed
air,’ She carefully avoided the light, and remained
seated in a shaded corner of the apartment—qnite
unheeding the mysteMfous signs that were Birected
toward her by her parent. ~_
Aunt Star perfectly delighted in a courtship j j-
and she could never be persuaded that two ‘single
people who were brought together with reasonable
| opportunities, would not eventually tarn out & pair
of lovers. She smiled benignly “upon “Brother
Brittles” "—she made signs to her daughter that she
was ready to evacuate the apartment if desired ;—
but the evening passed, and nothing came of i it.
Afier the visitor's departure, Aunt Starr was ove
iaeuty preparing herself for a blushing contession,
ora * whispered entreaty of: “Mother? give mx
your Dlessing !” but Cousin Mercy merely unbur-
dehed her beart with the announcement that one
of her side curls was missing!
| “Depend upon it,” said Aunt Starr, ina knowing}
way, “that the poor man has captured it when you
A were not looki Ze Quite, romantic, I decane
a half, And then, on being asked “what his inten-|-
AN INDEPRNDENT. FAMILY JOURNAL. OF LITERATURE, NEWS, &&.
NUMBER, 32.
He'll be rather surprised,” she added, more soberly,
“to find it fastened on a comb.”
.Cousin Mercy groaned in spirit, and scarched
the hdase and garden through in vain. A convic-
tion that “Brother Brittles” must have taken it
forced itself upon her mind; but as a sort of for-
Jorn hope, she enlisted me in the search, and prom-
ised me two shillings if I succeeded in bringing to
light the missing curl.
Pieces of silver were in those days very “mach
like angel's visits with me; and I resolved that, if
human exertion could win it, the prize’ should be
mine. .Oh! how I searched through that garden,
and how endless seemed its extent! How I tram-
expectation of seizing the treasure, when it inva-
riably tarned oat to be something else! How:
laid awake o’nights spending that two sh ‘lings !—
very mach as Mrs. Caudle laid ont the five pounds
her husband had lent—and how I arose inthe
morning and went at the search with renewed vigor!
Days passed, and still no cnrls; and‘ what was
also puzzling, no “Brother Brittles.” Blessings +
brighten as they leave us; and now that the wor-
thy clergyman seemed only to have crossed her
path like a’ bright meteor, I'am’ convinced that
Cousin Mercy discovered a thousand perfections in
him that had hitherto lain concealed. .
One afternoon I was digging away in my own’ .
ee garden—having almost given up the curl as a
hopeless search—when, happening to lift my eyes
toward a lilac bush, that grew most provokingly in
the center of the plot, I saw—jointed ‘dolls, and
wooden tea-setts! what did I seet. I thought of
Absalom’s fate as I unhitched the devoted curl,
and wondered if he wore side combs ?
With my prize clatched in one bandwith eyes
fixed on a shining two-shilling piece—heedless of
all intervening obstacles rushed into the vey
midst.
As I entered the parlor, there sat “Brother’ Brit--
tles,” and there sat Cousin » Morey and ina + trans:
port ot rapture I called o
* *Cousin Merey here's your earl! I found it iv
the lilac bush I” '!
Tad so many pounds of lead heen dropped into
their midst it could not have produced a greater
heaviness than thé silence which followed my an-
tacky advent. | I had restored Cousin Merey’s carl
10 be sure—but how?’ Very much as the bear:
chased flies from the face of his friend, ©. =! 0 +.
“Brother Brittles” was so extremely innocent!
and unwordly that he would doubtless have Believed °
you had you told him that baked apples: grew on
trees, and that fried fish were the ready tribute of.
some particular ponds—but here ‘was’ proof posi- *
tive that hair didn’t always grow on heads; and‘
with a troubled spirit; that worthy man took his de-!
‘parture. Cousin Mercy felt that the last link was”
broken; and “Brother Briules” concladed ‘that i
would never do for a missionary’s" wife to wear”
false curls. “That red umbrella is now floarishin
about somewhere among tke ) asvagos of the Feeji
Islands. ;
! Lreceived my two shillings and my walking ticl
et very much at thesame time; my delightful com-
pany had failed to give satisfaction: -With the! ’
wisdom of riper years Ihave often mourned that”-
little fauz pas of my inexperienced youth} but™
alas! to Cousin Merey I might’ ery “peceavi” in *
vain, and repeat the Question, “what's in a name t
SSC RAESEDE RTRs CO a
| ‘Tre Deap oF Tox Yxan.—The'year just Dass.‘
ing i away has been remarkable for the ravages -of
death among the great, in’ all lands” France has *
lost her old Marshals of the Empire, Marmon
Gourgaud, Excelmans, and Marrast,one of the no-.
blest statesmen of the republic." England‘ mourns.’
- her greatest warrior, the very embodiment of Eng-"
lish character,—Wellington. * Spain bas buried her *
old Captain, Costanos, the veteran champion of her *
rights in the Peninsular contest. And America is -
bereft of her greatest statesmen, Clay, Woodbury, |
Webster—while the ehurch has been deprived of |
its shining lights, Gadsden,’ Henshaw, Chase, Hed-
ding, Stuart and Edwards,’ They are gone to heir
rewards, but who shall fill their places *
Ecoxomy.—A man who chews 14 worth of to-
baceo, annually, and stops bis newspaper Decause » *
he cannot afford to take it s 3
pled down Annt Starr's favorite plants in the vain»
