Gertrude's forced composure would hardly tage. As she passed up stairs, with stealthy serve her now, as she took his mother's hand step, she paused at the study door. In the proand said, "Dear Mrs. Karne, think always the best you can of me."

She wandered on and on, lost in self-communing. She tried to laugh a laugh of scorn at his folly and presumption. "Should she, within whose reach golden Hesperian fruit hung invitingly, stoop to pluck the lowly, homely common russet?" Her laugh rung out so shrill and hollow, Mrs. Essery, on learning from the servant that its echoes among the hills, in the deep night Miss Elton had returned, though much astonishstillness that had fallen, sounded so strange and ed, immediately started for Beech Cottage, thinkunfamiliar, that a mysterious dread came over ing Mrs. Karne could not yet dispense with her her. She could almost have believed that the assistance. Gertrude was therefore spared any demons who, in olden tales current in the neigh-cross-examination from her aunt for the present; borhood, were said to inhabit the caves under but the dreaded interview with John must take the hills, were, with shrill mimicry, insultingly place at once. repeating her laugh.

and looking him steadily in the face, answered | "Well said! nobly done, sister mine! my true slowly, in a low, but very firm voice, 'Your sister!" exclaimed Jolin, rising, and printing his friend, Mr. Gilbert Karne, told me last evening hard mechanical kiss on her brow. But how that he loved me, and asked me to be his wife." hot your head is; and your hand, too, it burns "And you?" John asked, eagerly. me! Ah! you do not yet know the wisdom of "And I!-have you any doubt as to how I taking things coolly. You have suffered this should answer such a question? Do you think foolish affair to excite you too much." me so weak, so soft-hearted, so girlish and Gertrude did not answer, and a long silence frivolous, that the first offer of love and marriage followed. "Poor Gilbert!" broke involuntarily would be able to tempt me to step aside from from John's lips. "Poor Gilbert!" he muttered my self-appointed road? I answered as be- to himself more than once again in the course of came me. You insult me by asking the question," the morning. Poor Gertrude!" it never ocshe answered, with flashing eyes, with quick-curred to him to say; yet she was the far poorer coming words, and passionate breathing. of the two.

THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.

A NEW OPERA by Auber, libretto by Scribe, is

at Paris.

THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER made its about to be put in rehearsal at the Grand Opera appearance yesterday printed on a sheet of larger dimensions than heretofore The proprietors of that journal say that they find the demands made upon their space both by readers of news and men of business continually grow ing, and have long entertained the purpose which they now carry into effect. Other journals have been obliged to contract their dimensions in these unprosperous times, but we infer from this enlargement of the size of the Intelligencer, that its affairs are unaffected by the pressure which bears so heavily upon the commerce of the country.

at Paris, five military marches of her composition The wife of Omer Pacha has just had published, for the piano. They are the first musical productions known to exist of the wife of a professing Mussulman.

We hope that the just fate of Mr. Lover's play, at the Haymarket, The Sentinel of the Alma, has supplied a useful warning to managers not to trifle with public feeling by silly and ill placed jokes on the subject of the war. At the Olympic, there has been produced a piece of slight construction,

We are glad to see this token of its prosperity. The National Intelligencer is conducted with an ability and a decorum which place it in a very high rank among our journals. The moderation and dignity of its discussions have in them some thing imposing, which often supplies the place 4 Wife's Journal-adapted from the French, of argument, and lends to whatever it may in which, with the usual Parisian levity, the dosay on public measures and questions of policy mestic feelings of married life are turned to ridia peculiar persuasiveness. It costs the Intelli- cule, but in this instance with a conclusion to the gencer less effort, we imagine, to incline its read-piece which leaves nothing to object to. The ers to the view it may take of any given ques-trouble caused by the revelations of the wife's tion, than any other newspaper in the country. secret journal, is very amusingly represented. We often, very often, differ with it on public questions, but we wish that the journals with which we more nearly agree were conducted with the same courtesy.

sure,

PRAYER.

The Intelligencer. we are told in the leading ar- The man whose heart is moderate and pure, ticle of its yesterday's sheet, came into existence at the time of the removal of the seat of the fed-His prayer will reach the All-Glorious One, be eral government to Washington, which was then a wilderness. It was printed at first on a sheet so small as to be now a curiosity to all who are connected with the newspaper press. It is now

one of our blanket sheets.

[To this testimony of the New York Evening Post, a paper politically hostile to the National Intelligencer," we desire to add our own, after a daily acquaintance of thirty-five years.

This paper has not only done much good itself, but by its gentlemanly tone, united with great knowledge, experience and ability, it has been the cause of good by its example to others.]

Rapt from himself, the prayer is not his own:
Vain is the creature, but the prayer is true;
The prayer he utters is from God alone:
Divine the prayer, and the acceptance too.

From the British Quarterly Review. back woods- peculiarities far more interesting The Americans at Home; or, By-ways, Back- than aught the American cities can present, woods, and Prairies. Edited by the Au- since in them, society is too much the transthor of Sam Slick. 3 vols. Hurst & Black-cript of mere fashionable life in the Old World. ett. 1854.

Here is a fresh and pleasant scene from the backwoods, where friends and neighbors are gathered together on the bright summer day— neighbors from only some twenty miles distant to "raise the mill," in the midst of the first cleared "location":"

AFTER the many vapid sketches illustrating the sayings and doings of " the upper ten thousand," who in the New World, as elsewhere, seem to have attracted far more attention than they deserve; after the more numerous tales, "Yo heave! yo heave!"-the mingled sounds intended to be most pathetic about ladies of of many voices became more and more distinctly angelic beauty and impossible excellence, cru- audible as we ascended a high bank. When we elly subjected to all manner of out-of-the-way reached its summit, from which the road detrials, and always meeting with people super-scended suddenly into a deep woody dell, a naturally good, or supernaturally wicked scene of strange beauty met our eyes, and exthese mawkish stories, which have followed in plained all. Over a small stream, in the bottom of the dell - a mere brooklet, as it seemed from the wake — but how immeasurably distant of Mrs. Stowe's inimitable" Uncle Tom," it is that distance - some eighty, or perhaps a hundred really refreshing to take up a collection of men, were erecting the framework of a large mill. Nothing could be more striking than the contrast American sketches, in which the writers, ut-between this intricate specimen of human skill terly ignoring all the crowd of charming gen- and the majestic simplicity of nature around it. tlemen" of commanding presence," or with The trees, which had been felled to make room "deep dark eyes," and irresistible ladies," with for it, lay in their yet unfaded green on every side; form of sylph-like grace and softness" not and so scanty an allowance had been made for daring to have aught to do with satin slippers the gigantic intruder, that the still-living forest and Turkey carpets, or with " thrilling" scenes hung over its symmetrical spars. An immense of melodramatic effect, are content to bring bent was about to be raised, and as many men as could find handbreadths on its edge Brother Jonathan before us in his every-day were applying their united strength to the task, garb, shouldering the axe, or pointing the ri-bringing to mind the sleeping Gulliver, under the fle; following the bear-hunt, or raising the effects of the Liliputians. As the huge mass left mill; feasting merrily at the quilting and ap- the ground, poles and handspikes assisted its asple-gathering; or laughing, dancing, rolick- cent; and the "Yo heave!" was repeated, as a ing and fighting too, at a Tennessee frolic. signal for every fresh effort, as on shipboard. Plenty of books have been written about When it had reached its place high in the air, it America and the Americans, but still much re-made one's heart stand still to see men perched mains to be learnt; for while, as Judge Hali- upon it, and leaning over, to drive its corners burton truly remarks, in his preface," the home with heavy mallets; those below tossing up large cities, and vast rivers, and railroads of the the requisite pins, which were caught with unerring precision ... The work went on rapidly, United States, are not only well known to all and well; everything fitted, and the complicated tourists, but to the reading public generally, structure grew as if by magic aid. The masterthe peculiarities of the people, their modes of mind, clear-headed and keen-eyed, stands by, living, thinking, and acting, are principally to calmly directing the minutest movement; and so be sought for in the rural districts, where un- complete is the confidence reposed in him, that restrained freedom of action, and the incidents his commands are implicitly obeyed, where the and requirements of forest-life, encourage and least mistake might cost many lives. And, under such auspices, it was not long begive room for the development of character in its fullest extent;" and from these rural dis- fore the last rafter found its appropriate place; tricts, unvisited by the tourist from the Old tion-stones, which had left such yawning cavities and nothing was lacking. from the huge foundaWorld, and but slightly noticed by the dwel-in the wood, through which we had approached ler in the American cities from the by-the scene, to the apex of the airy pile, which ways, back woods, and prairies, are the pleasant showed its outline with beautiful distinctness on sketches now before us entirely drawn.

the heavy foliage around it. This was the moThese volumes are, however, not original; ment of triumph! The men, who had been scatthey consist of a number of short papers, which tered in every direction throughout the frame, have appeared in a variety of American local giving it the appearance of an enormous birdpublications, but which, "with the exception cage, rather aviary, now ranged themselves along the beams, and gave three thrilling cheers, preof one or two," the editor asserts, "have never found their way to England." Some of them senting the most perfect image of the beautiful manœuvre "manning the yards," on board a we have certainly seen before; we shall, there-man-of-war, that can possibly be conceived..... fore, pass these over, confining our attention Nothing now remained but to name the structure, to those which bring out most vividly the pecu- according to the formula invariably used on such liarities of the dwellers in the by-ways and occasions, let the terms suit as they may :

--

This reminds me of the ceremony of naming at a launch but if there were libations on this occasion, they were not poured on the ground. The whole company then adjourned to the shanty where abundant refreshments were provided. Sir Walter Scott observes, that he always found "something fearful, or at least melancholy, about a mill." He had never seen one "raised," I am sure.

hear him groan?" This was said as the box struck the ground, and the concussion caused a vibration of the strings.

No sooner had all hands let go than the doctor was besieged by his neighbors, to know what was the meaning of the word "piano-forte." On his telling them it was a musical instrument, some "reckoned it would take a tarnal sight of wind to blow it;" others, that "it would take a lot of men to make it go." The doctor explained as well as he could, but he could only get rid of his inquisitive neighbors by promising them a sight at an early day.

the

Three days elapsed, ... and all was ready for the reception of the "vizters," and Miss E. was to act as first performer. The doctor had but to open the door, and half a score men were ready to enter. Some went directly up to the instrument "crittur," as it had been called on All the sketches are not of so bright and account of its four legs; some, more shy, resunny a character. The Pre-emption Right, mained close to the door; while others, who had a tale of stern "wild wood justice;" and Jem never seen a carpet, were observed walking round Wade, and the Grizzly Bear, a powerful story handsome kaliker," they might "spile" it. The on the strip of bare floor, lest, by treading on of the lone trapper, reduced to starvation, and saved from the last terrible resort of famine, ecstasies. first tune seemed to put the whole company into The raw-boned man, who was so by the sad sacrifice of Wade's faithful hound, much opposed to temperance tracts, pulled out a exhibit the shadows of backwood life with much flask of whisky, and insisted that "the gal," as force of painting; but they are too long for in- he called Miss E., should drink. Another laid. sertion. The First Piano in Northern Illinois, down a dime, and wanted "that's worth" out of however, exhibits one of its more laughable the "forty pains," as the name had come to him phases. A Baltimore physician having re- after travelling through five or six pronunciations. moved, with his family, to a settlement near Another, with a broad grin on his face, declared the Illinois River, during the earlier period of he would give his 'claim,' and all the 'truck' on emigration thither, with his goods and chattels it, if his darter' could have such a cupboard.' stowed away in seven large wagons, excited no of music had been in the Black Hawk war, 'they The pine fort' man suggested that if that sort little wonder and conversation among the would have skeered the Injuns all holler.' backwoodsmen on their appearance in those far-off regions, whose inhabitants had "never seen the like before."

"Glass-this side up, with care!" Why, I thought this ere feller was a doctor. What on yearth is he going to do with that box full of winders?" "This side up, with care," exclaimed another. "He's got his paragoric, and ile of spike fixins in that. Wont he physic them agur

fellers down on the river?"

person,

The result may easily be anticipated; the ladies were long tired of playing, ere their "vizters" were tired of hearing. The whole country, for twenty miles round, rang with the praises of Dr. A.'s "consarn," the "musical cupboard." Patients came in crowds for advice, or " a few agur pills," all determined to appear in leave without hearing the "forty pains ;" and but none of whom would In the last wagon there was but one large box, the physician, thanks to "the first pianoforte and on it were painted the words, "Pianoforte, in Illinois," became one of the first men in keep dry, and handle carefully." It required all the assistance of the bystanders to unload this! box; and great was the curiosity excited. "Pine Fort!" said a tall, yellow-haired, fever-and-aguelocking youth. "Wonder if he's afeerd of the Injuns? He can't scare them with a pine fort." "K-e-e-p D-r y," spelt by a large, rawboned-looking man, who was evidently a liberal patron of "old bald face." He broke off at the letter y with "Dyour temperance carraturs; you needn't come round here with tracts.

He was

interrupted at this point by a stout-built personage, who cried out, "He's got his skelton in thar, and he's afcered to give them likker for they'll break it if he does." "Handle carefully," said a man with a red hunting-shirt, and the size of whose fist was twice that of an ordinary man. "There's some live critter in that; don't you

the State.

The sayings and doings of these settlers in Illinois-a few years ago the rudest of backwoodsmen-have furnished American writers with many humorous illustrations of the free and easy character of these genuine children of the forest. The following incident is related, as having really occurred, a few years ago, in the circuit court of Khane County and when Governor Forde was the presiding judge:

An old miner and land-contractor, of conside rable wealth, was summoned as one of the grand jury. He came to court gloriously drunk, and rather late-in fact, not until the court was organized and was trying a case. He came stag

gering in, dressed in buckskin, and making his | Our road led us round the outer fence of the way to the bar, addressed the court and people magistrate's farm, to a lane which divided it with, "How are ye, darn ye?" at the top of his into nearly equal parts. We now perceived a voice. The judge put on a decorous frown, and said, "Mr. Clerk, enter a fine of five dollars against Mr." Wal, judge, I guess you think this old hoss han't got the money; but you'er mistaken, old feller." Judge.- Mr. Clerk, enter a fine of ten dollars. "Wal, old feller, I can fork up." And he threw down the gold to pay the fine. Judge.—Mr. Clerk enter a fine of fifty dollars." Wal, judge, here's the pewter, but if only we two are going to play this, put up your money, if you do rake down the pile." Judge.-Mr. Clerk, enter a fine of fifty dollars. "Hold on, judge, that's too big an ante. The old hoss's got the lead, but I wont play if you don't put down you're stakes." By this time the judge was savage. "Mr. Sheriff, commit this man for contempt of court." "Hold on, judge, you'er too fast, or I be, and I guess it's me. I bid off the jail-yard, and jail and all, for the taxes, and I guess I own that ere public institution, and you wont imprison a man in his own house, I reckon." The drunken gravity with which this was said, made it irresistibly ludicrous. The sheriff. however, dragged him off, but the next day, when he was sober, he made a suitable apology, and was forgiven.

great many horses hitched to the posts of the yard fence, for there is a singular propensity in this country to sit, perched up on the top-rail of a fence, with the feet lodged on one of the rails to secure a position, while conversation or an argument or a "bargain" is driven leisurely on. As we rode up to the fence, every eye was turned upon us; no one approached, however, but the magistrate.... Ball opened his business in com- · ing there by saying, “Squire, I've killed Tom Hinkle, an' I've come to give myself up." No one uttered a syllable, but there was not a face that did not strongly express, as regards the killing, Amen. . . . In a few minutes a number of chairs and a table were brought and arranged in the yard, and the court was opened. The whole scene was most strange and interesting to me. The yard was so covered with locust trees, and a few forest oaks spreading out their broad arms far above, that scarcely a direct ray of the sun fell upon the thick-set green grass that hid the earth.... Squire Buckley now called on Ball to state what lie had to say. The old man rose, and with a composure and clearness I was not. prepared to expect from him, alluded to the chief points, and then offered me as a witness. I It is very interesting, and to us very suggave substantially an account of everything, from. gestive, to perceive, not only throughout these my encounter with Ball in the forest, to our departure from the scene of action between Ball volumes, but in every genuine tale of back- and Hinkle. All present listened with breathless wood life, that fine element of the Anglo- silence. Ball kept his eyes fixed upon the grass; Saxon character, reverence for the law, rising Squire Buckley maintained throughout a calm, above and struggling with all the disadvanta-steady attention, and then, with great mildness ges of imperfect civilization. Even the drunk- of manner, cross-examined me. . . . en grand-juryman willingly apologized, we sec, for his laughable blunder of attempting a betting match with the judge on the bench; and in more than one of the tales before us, the stern feeling of justice, the anxiety to be acquitted by law," as well as by conscience, which may be warped, or by friends who may be too lenient, is powerfully brought out. In In an instant the whole scene was changed; one of the longer tales, Slaying an Assassin, the silence and order which had first reigned the earnest anxiety of the old hunter, who in were gone, and the bustling, noisy congratula self-defence killed a man who had been lying tions of Ball's neigbors showed that he had been in wait to take his life, is very characteristic raised rather than lowered in their estimation, by of this feeling. The struggle has been long On our way back, every one perceived Ball's exhis battle and victory over the detested Hinkle. and deadly; the assassin has clutched at his treme depression of mind. The effort he had throat, and Ball's only chance of escape is to just made at the Squire's was now followed by use his knife. "Let go his arm," cried the son. a deeper gloom than I had before noticed in "Let me go," cried the desperate father. him. ... On our return I found Burns, and "The man is dead," I replied. Jack lowered most of the company, in the room with the dead the gun, and Ball, looking on the face of his body; to my surprise the corpse was dressed in dying enemy, arose slowly off his body. Then, a coarse shroud, and already placed in a rough rough as was his nature, and furious as had coffin. ... The grave was dug under some trees been his passion, the old hunter dropped upon rude bier was prepared to carry the body. Five in a corner of one of his fields, and a sort of the ground, and fainted away. On recovering he proceeds home, and expresses his determi-bier, and, much to my surprise, everything was or six of the company removed the coffin to the nation to his family of immediately surrender- conducted in the most orderly and respectful ing himself to the nearest magistrate :—

Accompanied by his neighbor Burns, his son and myself, he set out on his manly errand.....

The two

magistrates leaned their elbows on the table and consulted together for a moment or two. when Buckley rose and said: "Peter Ball, we are of the circumstances that forced you to take his the opinion that Hinkle himself brought about life in defence of your own. There are no grounds whatever for committing you for trial, and you are now discharged free from blame.'

manner; nothing, indeed, was neglected that usually was observed in their simple funeral processions; we marched two and two after the coffin, and in more silence and reserve than are