The true northerner., 1880-02-20

should join them IN stroll
through the grand old woods.
Carl Maurice, for this was
the name OF my friend, had
been passing the warm summer
days in the close confines CT city walls,
inhaling the clouds of dust and vol
umes of smoke that arose from its
crowded streets and busy workshops
and ramble in the green woods-the
pure, fresh breeze that played hide-and-
seek through his wavy hair the sweet
melody of the song birds as they fitted
from branch to branch of the tall pines
that waved and sighed above our heads
gave an unusual buoyancy to his ma
cure. / had never seen him so gay, so
frolicsome, so boyish before. L noticed
that spirit of hilarity had taken pos
session of him, and the dignitied bear
ing he had hitherto displayed during
our former meetings In city parlors was
fast departing, and L slyly wondered if
the bewitching Anna had not thrown a
Circean spell around him.
After walking a considerable distance
we found beautiful, shaded retreat,
such as l fancy wood nymphs dwell in.
High above us rose an immense bluff,
topped by the huge forest trees that
seemed towering to the skies, while the
fairy nook in which we sat was richly
covered with natures green velvety car
pet, dotted over with bays, which filed
each passing zephyr with their deli
cate fragrance, and fringed with
water lilies. At our feet whirled
and danced the ripping waves,
which were thrown into greater
agitation by the revolution of NAM
moth mill that stood but short dis
tance from us; the continued buzzing
of the gigantic wheels, and the loud
roar of the water, as it fell over them
in dashing, silvery sprays, played a
grand part in natures music.
It seemed as if Anna and Carl had
had lively interest awakened within
their hearts, that had become mutual.
/ knew them both well enough to read
in their faces that they were evidently
pleased with each other, and felt salts
fed that they were destined to be firm
friends, and perhaps more than friends,
to each other.
AS L sat listening to the sounds of
the busy mill, and watching the ripples
chase each other, was lost in beauti-
full dream of what their future lives
might be. l knew that this was one of
Cupid's busiest days, and, as he had an
extra amount of labor to perform, I'M
aeined that he had deputized me to
assist him in match making, and flat
tered myself that L would be very sue
cessful. But rs frowning reality has
ever proved to be a destroying enemy
! to blissful dreams, mine was at this mo-
ment crushed to the earth by the sud
denapproach ot a stranger that had dared
to intrude himself upon the happy trio
OF this hallowed spot.
"Why, good mornin'; 1 liked never
to have found you"
AS his rude salutation fell harshly
upon my ear l turned my head and
my eyes rested fully upon the most un-
couth specimen of humanity that l had
ever seen III that community slim,
gawky, boyish form-a sallow, beardless
face, and long, stringy, sandy hair, that
fell in disheveled locks around his neck.
He wore a suit of white linen (and
from my earliest recollection / have
had holy horror of a man dressed in
white) his coat was one of those airy,
commodious busters used for travelling,
and my candid opinion has ever been
that if part of it could have been
added to the length and breadth of his
pants his general appearance would
have been greatly improved while on
his head rested coarse, ,brOad-brimmed
straw hat, the crown entirely covered
with wide black band that encircled
it, which served to prove the most con-
spicuous part Of his dress. To increase
my mingled indignation and astonish-
ment, Anna arose, gave him as hearty a
grasp of the hand and as cordial well
come as L had bestowed upon the fas-
tidious Carl, and then returned the
courtesy that L had formerly extended
to her by introducing me to her friend,
Mr.. Jones. Carl also received an intro
duction, and returned the quick jerk of
the hea3-which Mr.. Jones intended
for bow-with very low bow of true
patrician grace. / was watching him
very closely; he tried TO conceal his
feelings; but, as he stood twirling his
mustache and looking silently on, /
could easily see mischievous smiles play
ing over his features, which he could
not suppress; this gave new life to the
indignant feelings with which L was
struggling. felt the blood mounting
to my throbbing temples. and fervently
wished that the repulsive creature-the
horrid Jones-had never found us.
L proposed returning TO the plat
form, for felt that our lovely retreat
had been invaded by an evil spirit
and the sweet siren spell that fingered
around was now broken. Anna led the
way, gayly chatting with Mr.. Jones; but
Carl and / walked on in silence. ]
knew that he was longing to give vent
to his laughter, and hated him for it
for copious flow of tears would have
then brought healing, refreshing
balm to my wounded pride and burn
ing brain. l did not dare to speak +; for
L felt that he was only waiting for me
to break the silence, which would give
him an opportunity to relieve his
amused feelings by some ludicrous re-
mark. As great as my modification
had been at seeing Anna condescend to
recognize such q person as q friend