The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-10-02

birds in their new-built.nests was audi
bic, as if the happy creatures were ly-
ing awake in the bright breathless night ;
and here and there moth, that enjoys
the darke ned light, went by on its noise
less wings. All was serenity and peace
below, and not stain was round the
moon--no dimness over the stars. "We
shall have fair weather for fortnight,
at least, Jane for there is no halo yon-
der. As she looked up at these words,
her head continued to rest upon her
sailors bosom. To think on waves and
storms at such moment was natural,
but to fear them was impossible. Her
soul was strong in the undisturbed quiet
of nature, and all her accustomed feel
ings of trust in Providence now gather
ed upon it !; and she knew her sailor
would return well and happy to her
arms, and that she would then become
his wife.
81 will cut two little branches off this
rose-tree, and plant them side by side,
on yonder bank that first catches the
morning light. Look at them, now and
then, when | am away, and let them be
even, as ourselves, united where they
grow" The cuttings from the rose
bush were accordingly placed in the
ground. Nor did these lovers think,
that in this half playful, half serious
mood, there was any thing foolish in
persons at their time of life. To be
sure they were rather too old for such
trif1ing; for Arthur was twenty-five
years of age, and Jane wanted but a
few months Of nineteen. But we all
become wiser as we get DID, and per-
haps the time came when these rose
plants were suffered to blossom unheed-
ed, and to cover the ground about them
with snow-shower of fragrance, en-
joyed only by the working bees. At
present they were put into the mould as
carefully as if on their lives had de-
pended the lives of those who planted
them; and Jane watered them, unnec-
essarily. in vernal night of dew, with
a shower of tears. " If they grow,
bud, and blossom, that will be good
oMEN-if not, | must not allow myself
to have any foolish fears -
The parting kiss was given, and the
last mutual benedictions, and then Ar
thur Crawfurd, clearing his voice, said,
" | hear the fun and frolick is not yet
over, nor likely to be soon. Why don't
you ask me to join the party y" 1t was
well known that they were betrothed,
and that the marriage was to take place
on his return from this cruise; so. with
blush, Jane introduced him into the par
lour. "!presume. Lieutenant" said one,
"yGU have come here in balloon."-
swell, Jane," said another, 81 declare
that never missed you out Of the room
were you giving orders about supper
or have you been in the garden to
see if the crosses are fit to be cut ?''-
The sailor was, during this time. shak-
ing the old man by the hand so frmIy,
that the water stood in his eyes, and he
exclaimed, "Why, Arthur, your fist is
like vice. 1t would not do for you to
shake hands with any of the young las
ses there-you would make the blood
Jingle in their fingers. Sit down, my
dear son, and while the younkers are
busy among themselves, let US hear
what the French and Spaniards are a.
bout, and if it be true that Lord Nelson
is going to give them settling again"
So passed the evening by;-charades
and songs lent their aid, and after
breaking of the party, which lasted a
bout half an hour in fitting on straw bon
nets, shawls and shoes, the laughter and
voices of one and all, as they receded
from the cottage up the hill OF down
the vale, died away, and Crofthead was
buried in silence and in sleep.
To be continued.