The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-02-12

be. But Mynheer was no tombstone ornament;
nor had he the slightest inclination TO become the
subject OF one. SU, as soon as he had little re-
covered from the surprise of his immersion, he es-
sayed to call for assistance. But as he opened his
mouth TO let his voice out, quantity of muddy
water took the liberty to let Itself in. Here he be-
gan to make wrv faces, shake his head and to beat
the water with his arms in manner which added
very much to the delight of some half dozen ragged
boys and lazy porters, who stood grinnng and clap
ping their hands at his struggles on the opposite
side of the canal
The unlucky merchant had nearly exhausted
himself in vain struggles, and was sinking deeper
and deepar in the mad every instant, when youth,
apparently Il foreigner, with eagle eyes and hair
like the wing OF raven, happened 10 pass, and saw
his situation,
Can do anything for your assistance, friend !"
he inquired kindly.
The ucklcss merchant made one more desper-
ate effort to speak; but lost his footing, and his
head suddenly disappeared beneath the forbid wa
ter. The youth flung his velvet cap upon the pave
ment stripped off his coat, and plunged into the
canal. He soon succeeded in fishing up the un-
fortunate merchant, and supporting his head above
the water, called out Justify Cor assistance. This
was soon rendered, and Mynhecr Schuyler was
safely conveyed to his warehouse
new wig, and Mynheer Schuler lay upon the soft,
in hi. counting room in his dripping garments,
completely exhausted by his cold bath, when the
foreign youth who saw that he could he of no fur
Their service, was about to retire. The merchant
observed the movement, looked up and recognized
his daughters musc-maser; the very man whom
huff an honr before he had resolved to kick from
his door steps, did he ever presume to ascend them
again. The youth stood very quietly with his cap
in his hand, while the old mans face changed from
look of establishment to II naughty frown, which,
after a moment, gave place to an expression Of
wnrm-hearted gratitude, such as kind man would
feel toward one who had saved his life.
Young man, he said, grasping the hand of the
youth, this day shall be a fortunate one for you,
MS well as for me- pledge you the word OF CRATE
ful aud an honest man.
The youth bowed, and mu,erins something
about nm engagement, hurried from the warehouse.
Meantime, Katrina had proceeded to fountain in
the garden, where, as the season was summer, and
the weather pleasant she had been in the habit OF
resolving her music lessons A rustic seat stood
at the foot of dropping elm which Swallowed the
green-sward around the fountain, and ihicket OF
roses rendered the retreat fragrant and secluded
Kate looked upon the vacant beach and then upon
the sun. 1t was full time, and yet no muster had
arrived. She busted herself in gathering the roses
and scattering their leaves, and half open buds,
upon the water IN the iountan then, firing Of this,
she seated herself on the brink of the marble basin
and began to dip up the water in her little palm
and to shower it the flowers blushlng about her.
At length heartily impatient and half pointing, she
flung her guitar on the grass and saunercd away
into more secluded part of the garden, where, for
the first time in her fe she began 10 reflect, Sc
riouSly, about the future She was standing with
ella nnu unIpr hpr nnr, NH mn
lin, and her sweet oval face turned away with an
expression of more serious thought than usually
visited her beautiful features, when the music of n
guitar came tlnkng, with sweet merry sound
through the rosebushas which surrounded her. =
smile broke over her face, like the flash Of warm
sunshine; her hands uncasped and she dartcd for
ward with the graceful eagerness of an uncnged
bird. The youth, whom we have already intro
duced to the reader, was sitting beneath the elm
with the guitar in his hands.
And so my ady-brd h,s learned TO come Of her
masters call !" he said with quiet smile, AS the
painting gin placed herself on the bench beside him.
and for very good reason, because she never
expects to obey it again, replied Kate, striving to
look suIlen, and obeying n sudden impulse 10 make
her lover miserable for having kept her waiting.
Tho youth looked in her face, where smile
was struggling with affected grlyity, and said, with
undisubed tranquility. We'll, my pretty tcrml-
niglnt, what new quarrel have you with me now
was my last visit too short, or my lesson too long,
Kate shook her head very demurely, and tried
her best 10 look solemn and important, You will
not speak SO lightly when tell you my father has
received letter from the English lord, whom
have told YOU of, and thu, he is on his way to car
~ me to England" While she was conveying
this startling Intelligence the mischevons girl stole
g'ance, from under her long lashes, 10 mark its
effect upon her lover, A slight color spread up to
his high, white forehead, and II verv peculiar smile
disturbed the reposc Of his expressive lips other
wi'e his composure remained undisurbed.
Katrina was puzzled and more than half angry
Il pW make him feel she said in the bottom OF
her rogui'h little heart; so sh, looked rs resoIutc
a. possible and went on Yes, my father is de.
terminal that ! shall fulfil the engagement which
hs has made for me, and think that shall obey
him
That Is right, my sweet Kate! II j. a daugh.
ter's first duty to make her parents hnppy and af-
ter ALL what j. there so very terrible in being mar
ried to rich, well principed man, whom your "a
thar has chosen with a reference to your own ex-
ul,alion aud lappncss''
AT her lovers interruption, Katrina started and
raised her eyes to his with nm expression Of aston
i-hnent, which decpened as he spoke into absolute
dsmay.
Are you serious?' she inquired, in ,rcmulous
voi-e
Perfectly so for Notwithstanding all the
pleasant nonsense which we have talked together
you canno, suppose that J., a wanderer, withou,
country or name, would drag you from an opuleni
homo--cause you to break the heart Of good fl.
Their, and expose you 10 all the Ills Of poverty aud
repentance, for repentance would follow! Or, to
reverse the pcture, that should content myself
rs the hlnger-on of your fathers bounty, and be-
come pansioncr on my wife's fortune. In neither
case could we be happy; nor could be JUS, in
uniting your fate with nine
Katrina turned her head away, and anguish was
for the frs, time, busy with her heart. 1t was
more than minute before she spoke; then her
voice was cod aud constrained and the smile which
she s,rovc to force died away in Il tremuIous mo-
ton Of the lips. I'VE have forgotten our lesson
hold the music for me, If ,on please And taking
her guitar she went over the lesson with n calnnes.
that surprised herself But she did no, sing: TIM,
had been beyond her power. When she had fin
ishcd she arose, and s,id think you pronounce
me tolcrabe proficient on this instrument; call n,
my fathers counting room and he will reward
your services; | shall not require them in future