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2 THE FORGED LETTER. In Madame Langdon’s beautiful rooms were gathered a choice assembly of about fifty ladies and gentlemen of the aristocracy of Brooklyn. Among these were Grace Conway, and her cousin, Ethel Clair. Both were the daughters of wealthy merchants, but in nothing else were they alike. Grace looked exceedingly beautiful, as she stood by a large bay window, her gar net silk harmonizing beautifully with her clear olive skin, while amid the heavy coils of her raven hair gleamed a tiara of gold, richly set with diamonds. Ethel was leaning on the arm of Roy Graison, and was just entering the conser vatory. She was unlike her Cousin Grace, though not 1 ess lovely. She was becomingly arrayed in a dress of blue silk, her long, golden curls hanging unrestrained over her shoul ders, and around her snowy neck and arms, and in her shining hair, were strings of exquisite pearls, fastened together by tiny threads of gold. When Ethel went home that night she thought she had never been so happy in her life. For did not a true, noble man love her? And had he not that night told her so? ***** Six weeks had passed. In the elegant parlor of the Conway mansion sat Grace, trying to read; but she could not. Iler thoughts were with her fair cousin and her handsome lover. Ever since that morning, five weeks before, when Ethel had come to her as she would to a sister, and told her how happy she was in Roy’s love, she had hated her with a deadly hatred. For she loved Roy Graison. Finally she laid down her book, and lean ing her head upon her hands, tried to think. In this manner she sat for half an hour, when suddenly a bright thought seemed to strike her. Rising, a triumphant smile played around her beautiful lips, and ex claiming, “ I will do it!” she left the room. An hour after, she might have been seen seated in her own room, busily engaged in trying to imitate the delicate handwriting of a little note which she had that morning received from Ethel. Roy Graison sat thinking of her whom he loved best. A servant entered, handed him a dainty perfumed note, and retired. Roy smiled as he recognized the writing, and quickly breaking the seal, read the follow ing:— “ Mr. Graison, —Sir:—You will probably be surprised, after what happened last night, to know that I wish our engagement to con tinue no longer. You need not seek an interview, as it will not be granted; suffice it to say. that I promised my hand when my heart belonged to another. Your ring, notes and gifts await your order. “Respectfully, Ethel Clair.” Roy paced his room hurriedly for a few moments, while a multitude of thoughts crowded his brain; then, going to his wri ting-desk, he took from within a small pack age of notes, and, gathering together all the little gifts Ethel had given him, reserving only one lock of her beautiful hair, he put them into a small box, together with a short note, releasing her from her engagement, and sent the box to her. One week after, Roy was on the broad Atlantic, on his way to sunny Italy, there, amid the scenes of olden times, to forget his sorrow. ***** Two years have rolled away. Again we see Ethel Clair, but not as we saw her last. She is seated before a piano in the drawing room of one of the most elegant mansions in New York, but not as the mistress of the house. Oh, no! She is simply the gover ness. It was the old story of speculation and failure, and Ethel, too proud to be de pendent on the charity of others, had ob tained the situation of governess. She had just finished giving little Lulu Howard her music lesson, and as Lulu left the room, she sat there, forgetful of every thing except the old times when she was the daughter of wealth, petted by every one; then running her fingers over the keys, she commenced singing, in a low voice, fa vorite song. Meanwhile, Grace had written to Roy, confessing her fault, and even then, he was in New York, making his way as fast as possible Io Mrs. Howard’s abode, where he was a welcome visitor. As he drew near the house he recognized the voice of Ethel, singing. He entered the house softly, ami walked noiselessly to the door of the music room, where he stood as if transfixed, while his heart thrilled as he saw her again, for the first time in two years. As she finished singing, she leaned her head on the piano and burst into tears. Roy stepped quietly behind her, and laying his hand on her shoulder, said, gently, “Ethel!’ and the next moment she was in his arms. Ethel is now Mrs. Graison, and a little Willie and Aileen call her mother. change of cars between Baltimore and New Orleans by the Kennesaw Route. T1 IK KENNESAW ROUTE GAZETTE. l>o THEY MISS ME AT HOME ! Do they miss me at home—do they miss me ? ’Twould be an assurance most dear To know that my name was forgotten, As though I had never been there. To know that the tailor and landlord, And the hanks where my paper is due, And hosts whom I now cannot mention, Had banished me quite from their view. Do they miss me at home—do they miss me ? When the market for money is light, And collectors in haste are pursuing Their debtors by day and by night? Do the friends who once loaned me a “ fifty,"’ And the others who loaned me a “ ten,” Heave a sigh of regret as they miss me, And wish they could see me again ? Do they miss me at home—do they miss me? When no longer I’m seen upon’’Change? And do those who were won’t to assist me Say, “ His conduct’s infernally strange”? Does the Shylock who loaned me his money, To bear me to regions unknown. Look in vain for occasions to dun me, And wish I again were at home? Hut 1 know that my memory lingers Around the dear’place as I roam: And while I’ve my wits and my creepers They'll miss me —they’ll miss me at home! FLORIDA FOR PLEASURE SEEKERS. It has been well said that no part of the United States can furnish a more exciting and agreeable winter hunting ground than Indian River and the Gulf Coast. Turkeys, ducks, squirrels, deer and bear are to be found throughout the State. The hunter in the Indian river region “ may comforta bly camp out, month after month, with a single blanket, taking as he needs his sweet potatoes from the ground, and the orange, lemon and banana from the plantations along the route, and in the continuous sun shine of an unending spring surfeit himself with the pursuit of game.” In the rivers and bays of Florida, the lover of angling will find his real paradise. They literally swarm with valuable fish. Mullet, Bass, Sheepshead, Trout, Perch—salt water and fresh —and innumerable other varieties abound. The fish caught in the Lower St. Johns will run from one to forty pounds in weight. Lakes Harney and Jessup are abundantly stocked with fish of excellent quality, which are easily caught with nets, hooks or spears. Alligator hunting is a sport peculiar to these southern latitudes and can be enjoyed to perfection along the rivers, lakes and lagoons of Florida. It takes a practiced eye to detect an alligator, for it closely re sembles a rotten log, half-submerged and motionless. Shooting the alligator from the decks of the river steamers is a common enough custom, but the real alligator hunt is to be had on the upper lakes, where they swarm in almost countless numbers. Hunt ing parties for Lake Harney are made up at Enterprise, on the Upper St. Johns. The expense is not much, and the amusement prodigious. The antiquarian and enthusiast in histor ical research will find abundant material of interest in the visible traces of the Spanish occupation of two and three centuries ago. Remains of ancient cities, forts, breastworks, churches and roads may be found, sometimes when least expected, in the midst of dense forests which have grown up and covered the vestiges of the early civilization. St. Augustine the oldest city on the North American continent, is unsurpassed in inter est to the antiquarian. The battle fields of the later Indian wars also have a peculiar attractiveness. Here the tourist may study the historic spots illustrated by the valor and genius of Jackson, Taylor and Worth. The State of Florida offers rare opportuni ties for study to the students in Geology and Botany. The former have an interesting an important subject for investigation in the extraordinary coral formation of the penin sula; the latter, in the wonderful and varied growth of floral and other vegetation. Sev eral professors of natural history, from Northern institutions of learning, were in Florida last year, collecting specimens of insects, birds, fishes and beasts. There are several excellent taxidermists in Savannah who make a business of preparing specimens for naturalists. There are those to whom field and water sports are uninteresting. They travel for a love of change merely, or to behold the beautiful and novel in nature, or to enjoy idleness— as a relaxation from severe and un remitting labor. The soft, balmy air, the clear, blue sky, the genial, though never enervating warmth, the tropical richness of the verdure, the bright-plumaged birds fill ing the forests with their music, the placid, transparent lakes and river scenery of un surpassed loveliness, fulfill all the conditions required by this class of tourists. No Amer ican need seek an Italy across the waters when one lies here, almost within a day’s travel. A paragraph is going the rounds of the newspapers, to this effect: “There is one good wife in the country and every man thinks he has her.” Old Brown who lives on Olive Street, who is bald, and whose wife has red hair and a wicked eye, read this and murmured as he meditatively pass ed his hand over his head, “ I dunno ! I dunno ! ” LOOK OUT FOR REPORTS. The fond mother is anxiously waiting the time when the Signal Service Bureau shall also keep track of disease, and telegraph along the line what sort of sickness may be expected on the morrow. If the Bureau gets the matter down as fine as it has the weather, the dispatches will prove invaluable to every head of a family. When the morning paper is left on the step the mother will turn to “ Sickness Dispatches,” and read: Cheyenne, 14th. —Measles passed here this morning, going east at the rate of twen ty-four miles an hour. Don’t let your chil dren smell of anybody’s breath. Omaha, 14th.—Pulse stands at 84; Omaha slightly hectic; but digestion good and slept well last night; tongue slightly coated, but the lake region will probably escape. Milwaukee, 14th.—Rheumatism settling I over the lower lake regions; expect flying j pains in the back and knees; get trusted for { new boots. Pike’s Peak, 14th. —Whooping cough turning somersaults over the signal station; get ready to whoop; gas works open 8 a. in. to sp. m. Also indications of a stratum of bilious colic; will centre somewhere in Illi nois. Chicago, 14th.—In the Upper Mississippi and Lower Missouri valleys expect the toothache and a good deal of cussin’ around. Good time to argue political questions and I make up old feuds. New York, 14th. —Lame leg and chills I predicted for the New England States, with I gripe and such in the Adirondack region. Don’t go huckleberrying. Savannah, 14th.—Rush of blood to the head is predicted for the Gulf States, with I occasional rushes forth? camphor-bottle. May clear up after noon and dropsy set in. i Use Fitznoodle’s pills for all dropsical com i plaints. They cure like magic. Only twen ’ ty-five cents per box; for sale at all respect : able drug stores. Cincinnati, 14th.—Slight convulsions along the Ohio; look out for jaundice; seems to be making south from here. Sage tea ' has advanced to a dollar per pound; beware I of the dog; liberal discount to editors and | clergymen. Memphis, 14th.—Palpitation of the heart i is predicted for this region, but she’ll get over it; a disposition to lie in bed until the j old man builds the fire will also be apparent; good day for shooting your mother-in-law. Washington, 14th. —The old Harry’s to pay all over the country, and no pitch hot. Old pioneers who can thread a needle with out the aid of spectacles, are going to be knocked higher than Gilderoy’s kite, to morrow! Bad day for comic lectures; keep fat meat away from the children; telegraph your mother-in-law not to come; if it clears off before noon expect nervous prostration and no supper ready. Atlanta, 14th. —Clear weather; heavy mountain breeze along the Kennesaw Moun tain; large majority of people leaving by the Kennesaw Route for New York and the Springs; perfect rush for Sleeping Car ac commodations; 4 and 5 Through Sleepers on each Express Train from Atlanta. Fever raging, i. e., Traveling fever. The attrac tions for traveling are so great that mothers in-law forsake their- “ devoted ” sons-in-law to seek repose at the Springs. A CLERGYMAN IN A QUANDARY. “ Come in here, you black rascal! ” That is what the young lady said. The young lady, you see, was closing the window blinds at the twilight hour, and, seeing her little black dog sitting out on the stoop, wagging his tail, and wistfully looking up at her, her heart was moved with an impulse of affection toward her pet canine, shiver ing in the cold, and wagging out his mute appeal. So she hastened to the door, and, throwing it open, gave vent to the loving expression we have quoted. “Come in here, you black rascal! ” So far as the dog was concerned, he seemed to understand the terms of endear ment addressed to him, but when the young lady’s pastor, dressed all in black from top to toe, stepped forward from the shady side of the doorway, he wore a curious expres sion on his countenance. The young lady looked at the reverend gentleman and blushed. The dog wagged his tail as if willing to divide the honors. We don’t know exactly hoxv it came out. But report has it that the good man regarded doubtfully the ebony beast, glanced at his own broadcloth, concluded it was all right, and accepted the young lady’s declaration that: ‘ ‘ I— I —meant the other—the other—come in and see ma!” “Sally, what time do your folks dine?” “Soon as you go away that’s missus’ orders.” FLORIDA FOR INVALIDS. For more than a century Florida has been a resort for invalids from all parts of the world, and particularly for those afflicted with pulmonary complaints. The dryness, evenness and salubrity of the climate are a most delightful and health-restoring change from the piercing winds and frigid tempera ture of the Northern, Middle and Western States in the winter. That many consump tives who have come to Florida die of the disease, is true, but it is equally certain that they had postponed their visit until it was be yond the power of any climatic change to effect a cure. But there are thousands of persons, threatened with the consumptive’s death, who have recovered their health in Florida, or at least have lengthened their days not unpleasantly. It is estimated that at least forty thousand people visited Florida last winter, of whom about a fourth were invalids. The many beautiful villages and landings on the St. Johns River, as far up as Enterprise, were crowded with these seekers for renewed life and health. St. Augustine and the Indian River country, on the Atlantic coast, were also filled with visitors of the same charac ter. Among these were not only people troubled with lung diseases, but those who were suffering from nervous complaints and from physical and mental prostration. Many were overworked business men from the great cities of the North and West, who sought this delicious and invigorating mode of recuperation. The mildness of the atmosphere in winter permits much exercise in the open air. It is not uncommon for the native ladies to walk late in the moonlight evenings, cov ered, as to the head, only with a lace veil. Some nights are damp and chilly, particu larly in the northern parts of the State, and a little fire is- comfortable ; but usually, throughout the winter, the inhabitants sit without a fire, and with open doors and windows. These remarks are not intended to convey the idea that caution as to cloth ing can be neglected by the invalid. A writer on this point says: “As a rule, in valids should not expose themselves to the night air nor be tempted on warm, bright days to lay aside thick shoes and comforta ble clothing. The invalid should always be clad in woolen clothing, and the robust do not require a linen suit except in the sum mer months.” Statistics testify to the healthfulness of Florida. Notwithstanding the fact that so many thousands of consumptives resort to the State for relief, the proportion of deaths from pulmonary complaints in it is less than in any other State in the Union. The census of 1860 showed that these deaths were as follow’s: Massachusetts,.. one in 254 . Maine. “ 289 Vermont, “ 404 New York,. “ 473 Pennsylvania, “ 530 0hi0,... “ 677 California,. “ 727 Virginia, “ 757 Indiana, “ 792 Illinois,.. “ 878 Florida, “ 1,447 There is a wide-spread misapprehension respecting the malarial character of the in terior of Florida. It is supposed that in some parts the air is charged with the most poisonous and noxious vapors arising from the swamp lands, and that fevers are com mon in consequence of it. It is true that there is much swampy land in the State, and that wherever there is a dense vegetable growth accompanied by decomposition, ma larious diseases arise, but in this case, the magnificent breezes, which sweep across the country, clear the atmosphere and purge it of its evil humors. All fevers in Florida assume a much milder type than in other sections where they are prevalent. Surgeon- General Lawson, of the United States Army, in his report explicitly asserts this. He says that statistics show “ that the ratio of deaths to the number of cases of remittent fever has been much less among the troops serv ing there than in any other portion of the United States. In the Aliddle Division the proportion is 1 death in 36 cases of remit tent fever; in the Northern Division, 1 in 52; in the Southern Division, 1 in 54; in Texas, 1 in 78; in California, 1 in 122; in New' Mexico, 1 in 148; while in Florida it is 1 in 287.” BAKED BEANS AND SENTIMENT. At a city market the other day, a pale faced, solemn man took off his hat, smoothed back his hair, and said: ‘ My friends, we know not how soon we may fall by the wayside. We stand here to-day—next week we may sleep with the dead. I feel that I have only a few days more to stay, and I wish some of you would lend me fifteen so that 1 can get a dish of baked beans.’ I'he crowd at once moved away. Travelers between the North and the South should see that their tickets read— by the Kennesaw Route.