The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-03-07

may Heaven prolong their ivesl
There are no loves like our old loves-God
bless our loving wivesl
THE BIOGRAPHY OF SHILLING.
d'rn ~ CHAPTER I.
Although philosophy has put forth some
strange theories in these latter days, I think
there are stranger things in earth than
philosophy has yet dreamed Of In proof
of which, circumstance happened to me
os q nature that has never been set down in
any thesis or set of theses of which have
any knowledge. A friend of mine was
looking over some coins.
II would like" said he, 'tto hear the
stories OF all these pieces; they must have
strange tales to tell''
thought no more Of his words, until
some days ago. when little battered piece
of silver, bearing date of year long gone
by, fell into my hands. Coined in Spain,
it had doubtless travelled through many
countries; had been divided and Joined to-
gether again; in fact, it had look of ad-
venture on its time-worn face that impressed
me curiously. While engaged in its exa-
mination, my friends remark occurred to
me, causing me to think aloud:
.''Poor old shilling! you are one of the
little ones of this great financial world,
yet you must have passed through strange
scenes How would like to hear you give
an account of yourself u
"Would youp" spoke voice, very low,
very clear and very near me- I turned
quick glance around, but saw no one. I
went to the door and looked out; no one
was near. I opened the window, glanced
mp and down the outer wall, with no better
success. returned to my counting-room,
upset my Office chair, looked into the iron
safe, and even cast furtive glance at the
pigeon holes Of my desk; still the speaker
kept pertinaciously out of sight. To soothe
my perplexity. T turned to the coin, and
was startled at the change that had come
over it. The metallic visage was instinct
with life, the little dot that Represented the
eye of departed majesty glowed with un-
wonted brilliancy, and the thin lips trem-
bled and opened:
''You would like to hear my story" it
said. why don't you sit still and listen
then. instead of cutting up such queer ca
pers2"
II beg yonr pardon" stammered, con-
fusedly, Il did not know it was you who
spoke"
"Well, it was," complacently, "and I'll
begin my story at once, if agreeable to
you" o ~
Il signifed my eagerness to hear whatever
it might have to say. and, without more
ado, the old shilling drew itself up, with a
look OF grotesque dignity. and began:
III pass over the centuries that / slept
away. deep down In South American
mine. merely saying OF my situation that
my olfactories were often sassailed by fumes
sopeculiar as to- give nse to an expression
now much in vogue in sporting circles the
world over. However, my wanderipgs COM
menoed properly on the day that received
the likeness OF my gracious Sovereign, and
with .Inanv 0f. nv kind moo x>1oool .ool~,
for use, in the mint of the country of nv
adoption. That same day nobleman came
with draft on the royal exchequer, and
took me away, with heaps of yellow gold.
Arriving at his castle, he sat down to count
us over. While thus engaged, little girl,
richly dressed, opened the door and came
to his side.
"Ohppapa, how much goldp, and the
bright eyes and rosy fingers diyed down
into the shining heap.
"Don't disturb that, Inez. Here is one
for yon, and was taken fromthe pile and
put ,to the little hand. aa. III
Dear papa. may have it for my very
Eyes. Do with it whatever you de-
SIRE l.as .,yrsfs. M HIM
-. "'Thank you, so many times, and kiss
ing her father, she went out, holding me
closely in the soft little palm.
"'All this conversation" said the coin, in
patronizng aside to me, twas carried on
In Spanish; not one word of which do you
understand, so give it to you in English
:, shortly after, the Donna Inez, strolline
through the grounds that surrounded hei
fathers castle, came to the tall iron gate
that shut out the highway beyond Here
without the wall, icrouched on the ground
gazing on the child Of wealth with Wild.
hungry eyes, was the most wretched obiec,