The weekly standard. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1865-1867, 1866-01-13

thusiast nor . misanthrope. His con
versation was modest, moderate and ge
NAL, andhe attended rigidly to the bust
ness which devo1ved ON him. He chos,
to amuse and to employ himself in hil
own way, and this gave Gas it generally
does) offence to the world. When peo
pie do not understand any one, like th,
ass with the philosopher, they generally
conclude there is something wrone
about him. SO it was in this case
Some thought he practiced the blacl
art in his laboratory, some that he was
seeking the philosophers stone, and 9th.
ers, from his having a rondness for stal
gazing and early rising, that he was
either an astrologer or Gheber.-
What most astonished all was his slow
ness in selecting q mistress for his
beautifr and ever-improving castle and
estate. While seeming to enjoy the
society of ladies, when occasionally he
entered it, he always avoided any PEI
liar attentions, to one above another
and never allowed his friends to talk
with him on the subject of marriage.
This was strange, certainly, and as bis
cotemporaries could not explain it, we
shall not attempt the task. Enough
for our purpose, every one thought that
rat or no rat, Lord Cyril would end the
line of II.
But curiously enough. soon after his
returu, having found rat alive in a
trap, and being fond of experiments,
saved the animal to see If it could be
tanned. HIS efforts succeeded perfectly,
and the rat showed a wonderful attach
ment for its preserSer, whocause lit
tie band of gold, containing lock of
his own hair to be fastened around its
neck, in order that no one should lyill
or harm it He at first enjoyed the af-
fectionate familiarity of the little beast,
and was pleased to observe its sagacity,
but after a while it became rather trou-
blesome, being constantly near him
and sometimes appearing most unex-
peetedly and recognizing him in the
presence of strangers, when miles away
from home.
Several times was he npon the point
of killing his curious pet, but it would
give him some bright look, or some
mark of affection which won it pro-
longed life. At last, it became SO trou-
blesome that he made some excuse for
going across the sea, in hopes that he
might get rid of it for a while or for
ever, feeling that it had become too
hard task to- kill it or command Its
death. He mounted his horse and gal
loped at the top of his speed to the boat
which was to take him to the place of
embarkation.
He had invited some gentlemen on
board to take q farewell supper with
him there. They were iii the midst of
their hilarity when one ventured TO
broach the almost tabooed subject by
exclaiming, @Let us drink to the health
of the future lady H, whoever fate
has now made her" ST fear" said
Lord Cyril, smiling .you propose a
nonentity." ''No matter, returned the
other; BLESSED be nothing then"
How pleasant, said another, would
be to have some gentle companion with
you on this iourneyP He has one,
said third. Have you never heard Of,
or have you forgotten his little imp of
a rat? What do you call her, H?'-
'Fatima, my little pet. I have left her
behind me this time And she seems
to be behind you still, said one, point
ing to the back of his lordship's chair
He turned round hastily, and there
saw Fatima seated quite composedly,
attentively eyeing something she held
in one of her paws-a trick he had
taught her. His annoyance was so
great that on the impulse Of the mo-
ment, he struck her smartly and knock
ed her down upon the floor, apparently
lifeless. No sooner was the act done
than regretted, and examining the body
be was glad to find life still remained.
AS soon as she revived, she seemed as
well and as fond of her master as ever,
but he was determined to be rid of a
pet that exposed him to remarks and
even ridicule. He made the captain Of
the boat promise to fasten her up Sc
curely, and when his lordship was well
out to sea to put her ashore. Lord Fl.
now thought himself rid OF the rat al
last, and enjoyed this belief for day
or two. But one evening, as he sat on
the deck enjoying the cool sea breeze
ett ~s