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VOLUME 11. frlrrtcit SCHOOL. I read of “ Mrs. Always” And think of Mrs. Loss,—* An excellent old lady, Whom tee thought “ very cross.” I see her little school*room, Where we child ten sat in pairs, And its well-worn leather cushions In their tall mahogany chairs. And many a solemn lecture, And many a well-conned tula Loom up. in memory’s twilight, From dawning days at school. How we envied ragged urchins In winter at their slide, While we must with our lessons In gloomy comfort bide. llow the leaf-buds of the willow, In Spring, with longing eye, We watched each day unfolding Below its patch of sky. And sometimes from the country, Would come a bright youngbird, While sunlit rain-drops glittered Where the branches round it stirred. How we sought the biggest puddles, Wherein to cool our feet. And wondered why ‘iwu “ wicked” To play along the street! Emily Herrmann. (Original Calf. A CHAPTER IN’ THE LIFE OF CLAUDE CARRYSFORTE. or MISS SUSAN A. STUART. CHAP. I. “Well! lam sure von are a gen- W G leman of a more obdurate heart, than Itake you for, brother, mine,” said my sister Agnesse , “ if you are able to resist Mary Hazelhurst after seeing her.” ‘•I would make you a bet of it,” answered I, “did 1 not have an ob jection to a lady’s betting. But the best of all reasons, sis, i can assign fur not falling in love with your friend, is the fact of having seen by her letters to yourself, and gleaning from your own account of her du ring your visit, that she was mas culine in all her tastes and ideas; anil no litile adept in the art of co quetry. Now no disclaimers Agtry, and lay aside I pray you, your wish or plan, whichever it in ay be, of ever making a match between us, for I tell you seriously, I could not possibly love such a woman, were 1 to try ever so much.” “And really !” replied my sister, vexed at my prejudice against her friend, 44 and really, Claude, you speak as if you had but to say the word to ensure her marrying you. For shame, brother, 1 did not think vou had half the vanity of which I find you possessed. 1 assure you I never had the presumption to think of it for a moment as possible. — must recollect, Claude, that Mary Hazelhurst, is the only child of une of the wealthiest men in South Carolina; and independent of her wealth,she is beautiful, young and talented.” “Add to the list, Aggy, that she *3a fearless horse-woman, can whip fior own dogs—of which she has quite a pack —hunt with the best, a nd is always sure to he in at the death, and can look with a tearless eye and a rejoicing heart upon the noble animal as ’tis grappled by its fierce pursuers.” . “Yes, l can add all these to her for she is beautiful in all. You do not consider how Mary has been reared : without sisters or mother, a doating father, to whom she ever beei* a companion, a sol a(e, and from whom she has never fiecn separated, save the two years which she spent at boarding school with myself.” “ l (Jo look upon her being raised in this manner, as some excuse tor her, and do not wish to depreciate your friend in the least ; hut only answered your advice by showing you that my heart was well guarded. Come smooth your brow, sweet sis ter, and let us drop this subject, has almost made you angry with me. J only meant that l could never like a masculine young lad y ; k'U must acknowledge, that the toore helpless and dependant the gentle creature seems to be, they a ppear in proportion the more love aUe. You know her own letters £ peak of her feats of horsemanship ~~-her dogs—almost as a man could Dfuutcli tn jdtfflitmr, printer anil Slrt, tljt of Ctntjicrnnrf, (Dili jFdliitMjjijj, Bhsnnnj nnii Sntdlignnr. speak. When l have read a letter from her, written too in (hat bold free h and, and rather brusque style, 1 expect to see Harry, Tom, or some other rough cognomen appen ded, rather than the soft, poetical name of Marv, which ever suggests to me, from its euphony, a gentle, dove-like being, with azure eyes, fair hair, and the face of a seraph. I think l could describe your friend’s appearance from her letters.” “ First, let me tell you, however, that hold hand-writing, (in speaking of which, l consider you have com plimented her.) is the result of the practice to which she has been in ured from her early girlhood. Her father having injured his hand, she has ever been called upon to act as his secretary. Now for your de scription.” “ Well, that is something in her favor. As to her looks, she is tall by all means, with dark ringlets and dancing eyes.” “You must have heard me say so, or you could not possibly have guessed so truly. Go on.” •‘She has fine teeth undoubtedly,” continued l —pleased with my skill —“or she would not indulge so fre quently in laughter, of w hich I have heard you speak. And now, if her name was Kate, or Bell, or Mag, or any other wild abridgment, l should like it better than her bearing my favorite name of Mary ; which as l said before, always conjures up be fore mv mind’s eve. a gentle,loving, meek-eyed creature, whom one must protect like some fragile flow er.” “And thereby, flattering the o’er weening pride of manhood, by claiming his stalwart and firm arm to shield her. Is it not so brother?” “ Oui , ma mignonne . Now come play my favorite Ernani for me, and i will promise to do my best whilst at Hazelhurst hall; to act the cava lier or any part agreeable to your self or Miss Mary, save that of lov er.” This conversation took place on the eve of my departure south, to Hazelhurst Hall, to which place the kindness of Col. Hazelhurst, had invited me to pass the winter when he was informed that the Physicians had recommended a more southerly climate to overcome some symptoms of pulmonary complaint,with which l had been threatened,and my moth er, who almost idolized me, seemed better reconciled to the thought of parting, when she considered that 1 should have the care of the benevo lent Colonel, rather than trust her son to the cold charily of strangers. I must confess myself, that I was somewhat spoiled bv the society to which 1 had been habituated ; and took upon myself too many enlieal and fastidious airs to suit the taste of mv sister, from whom l often re ceived a lecture. Our conversation had commenced on this particular evening in question, by my hesita ting to carry with me some of my coxcombical wardrobe, on the plea, l should have no use for it in the country, to display to the old Col and his unfeminine daughter, about whom Iliad imbibed a prejudice; because her manners and ideas were to my thinking, very different from the paragon which my fastidious taste had created. chap. 11. It was three o’clock when I ar rived at the Rail Road station, (a week after the conversation written above,) where Col. Hazelhursl’s car riage awaited to carry me to his residence. The weather was pleas ant though December had com menced, and 1 seated myself with a comfortable feeling of enjoyment upon the luxurious cushions of the stately equipage, which had been sent to convey me. 44 How far from here to your mas ter’s?” queried lof the coachman. “About three miles, sir,” touch ing his hat, 44 but you are on mas ter’s land now.” It was not like December weath er, for the trees around still wore the many colors of Autumn; and here and there, stood out in vivid and bold relief, the rich green of the Magnolia, the live oak and the wild orange. We soon arrived at the gates of the park, which exten ded in front of the Hall for about a mile, enclosed with a good white fence ; and, by its velvety smooth ness and well gravelled road, re- SAVANNAH, GA., SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 1850. minded one of the grounds around an English Mansion. From the first gate, I caught a view of the house, which was in keeping with the park. ’Twas a noble building of white free stone, with a colonadeof pillarsexlending from the tessellated floor of the por tico to its dome ; and, between each column was the figure in stone, of a lion couchant. The large French windows gave an appearance of life to the fagade. On each side, and rather in advance of the house, were two little temples of octagon form, exactly similar in size and appear ance, and which I afterwards found to be the Col.’s business rooms ; hut which added greatly to the coup d'oeil of the whole as a picture. Now entering the carriage sweep we stopped a minute afterwards in front ofthe broad white steps. The old Col.—a fine hearty noble look ing man of sixty descended the steps, and stood with outstretched hands to welcome me to his prince ly looking home. “Welcome to Hazelhurst, Mr. Carrysforte,” said he shaking my hand. “J hope you do not feel fa tigued from vour travel, and how are your father, mother and my sweet young friend Miss Agnesse ?” “Well I thank you Col. They have all sent many kind wishes and remembrances to you and Miss Hazelhurst; and l have a letter from Agnesse, somewhere in my trunks.” “Mary will be delighted to re ceive it. The gipsy has not return ed from her ride yet though it is high time. Take a glass of wine sir”—as the servant appeared with a tray arid glasses “it will refresh you after your journey. Perhaps you would like to be shown your room. George ! here sir, show Mr. Carrysforte his room and attend on him. ” I followed the man up the broad staircase ascending from the hall in to a similar one on the second floor, from which doors opened into sever al chambers. The spacious one into which he conducted ine was in keeping with the house and fur nished in most comfortable style. 1 stretched myself into the commo dious arm chair, which the attentive servant wheeled in front of the blazing and cracklingoak fire, whilst he proceeded to unstrap trunks, and pour out water for my use. I could not help praising to myself, the taste —it must have been feminine that had so arranged the cham ber; whese carpet matched in col or the rich hangings of the windows, O O and threw a rosy glow, as it were on the white Marseilles which covered the low French bed. A table for hooks was in the centre upon which lav some volumes and on it, though December, was a rich bouquet breathing perfume through the chamber. The daik mahoga ny of the bureau, the bed stead, wardrobe and stand was glistening in the rays of the setting sun, and the fitful blaze .as it danced o’er them gave to the whole an air of luxury very pleasing to my sybarite feel ings. My toilette was soon finished, and 1 hurried down to join the Col. whom l found walking up and down ihe broad portico. The sun was just sinking in all his splendor, ting ing with gorgeous hues the floating O O O o clouds : every where around us was “Crimson and bright as if not night But yet the day had just begun.” In the clear, mellow air was a gold en tinge ; and against this brilliant horizou each branch, leaflet, and spray was thrown out as if traced with a pencil. And on the calm evening air. came a sound of gay, musical laughter, mingled with the the elat tering of horses hoofs on the hard gravel'll road. “Mv daughter is retmning I see,” —said the old gentleman as we stopped in our walk to contemplate the two riders, and their graceful steeds, as they came sweeping on, in a swift canter. The lady, l could discern was of a very delicate fig ure and sat her horse beautifully. Behind rode a youth, who was urg ing his horse up to the side of Miss Hazelhurst, for of course it was her. The merry laugh again issued from her lips as reaching the steps she sprang lighilv down and ex claimed in a voice, which even to my predjudiced ears, was like the homed droppings of liquid music. “ Fairly beaten, cousin,faily beat en, I told you Zaire could distance any animal in my father’s stable ;” and she patted the nose of the beau tiful creature with her while hand, from which she had drawn her gauntlet. “Mary, here is a friend whom I wish you to welcome,” said her fa ther She turned quickly, and whilst a bright blush colored her already rosy face, she gathered die long skirt ot her habit in one hand, and tripped gracefully up the steps. “I hope you will excuse me, Mr. Carysforte,” after lhad been named to her and her cousin Alexander, “1 forgot about your being expected and took you for Mr. Wring ham at the first glance.” Alas ! for tny pride, my self-com placency. 1 afterwards found out that Mr. Wringham was her father’s man ot business, and was the hap py parent of three or four little tal low faced, tow-headed brats—and I! the fastidious—whom the ladies had often called the elegant Claude Carrysforte to be likened to such a being!! I almost caught myself saying aloud, “I am determined not to love her,” so struck was l with the dif ference between my own descrip tion and the reality. And that witch of a sister, to allow me to congrat ulate myself so complacently on my skill in portraiture ! Instead of being tali, she was del icate and petitte, almost to childish ness, being scarcely five feet in height; and for the dark locks, were substituted— “ Golden tresses, Such as float on the wind’s carresses.” From her eye, of a deep violet hue, fringed with dark lashes, stole forth the most arch beams imaginable, as she stood talking alternately with her father, cousin and myself; all the while too toving with her riding • * * G whip and a playful greyhound that was whisking around her. “Get away,” she cried to another dog that at this moment catching the contagion of the greyhounds’ example, leaped up —at the same time dealing him a smart blow wiih her whip. “Pa, nou should learn l/our dogs better manners than to treat me so. I hope you will ex cuse me, hut this skirt is rather em barrassing, so 1 must go take it off; and Mr. Carysforte he prepared for a long conversation about Agnesse.” I said'over to myself (as one does one’s prayers, in a moment of dan ger,) “/ am determined not to love her.” And though I continued the conver sation with the Colonel and Alexan der Walton, (her cousin just from college,) I must confess I felt my thoughts wandering: off to the bright o o o eyed fairy, whose gladsome tones was echoing like a strain of music in my ears. At the tea-table, Miss Hazelhurst appeared in a pretty, coquettishly arranged dress ; and I already thought I was in fault in this part of my description about her being un feminine, for never did any lady within my ken, act so gracefully— so womanly as she did in dispensing with her taper fingers the delicious tea and coffee, and playing her part of hostess with so much tact. Our conversation, as may he supposed, related almost exclusively to my sister, and even after supper and when the night was well advanced, was the same subject discussed un wearied Iv. When I retired, l al most was ashamed to acknowledge to myself, that my sister was half in the right for her admonitions, for a feeling of delight was playing at my heartstrings, as 1 pictured to myself, l shall see her to-morrow, all day, and for many days. I turned the volumes over on the table, eagerly, to see her name writ ten in that “ bolds free hand” and 1 began to acknowledge that a little dash of spirit, was to feminine love liness what cayenne is to sauce, and added much to its piquancy. “ I think,” was a part ot my soliloquy, “that a woman like Mary Hazelhurst would at least ensure the constancy of a lover, for there is a ceaseless variety in her character, that would bring ever the charm of novelty to chain him to her side —she really did give that cur a sharp blow with her whip, but then the rascal richly de served it for daring to aspire.”— Here, ray good reader, a good day’s travel caused me to fall asleep even in the midst of my self-accusing thoughts, and though I was not in love with Miss Hazelhurst, would it not, think you, have pleased Miss Agge, if she could only have known how those sweet looks and tones were running riot through my wa king and sleeping dreams the first night of my arrival. 1 spent more time in dressing the next morning than l had expected to have done for “country people,” and as l congratulated myselfon the effect of my city costume, I might claim some merit for my disinterest edness, in thus making such a sac rifice of lime in the adornment of myself! Thinks I this rick friend jof my sister has, a thousand line ! things of which she has boasted un j doubtedlv, like all womankind, jew | els, horses, dogs, &e. And poor dear Agge has no pet hut a handsome \ puppy of a brother, and therefore j it behooves me to show myself to the best advantage, for her sake, who of course has often, like all fond sisters, spoken highly of me. I found the party assembled in the delightful breakfast room, and 1 thought Miss Hazelhurst looked ex quisitely beautiful, with her golden curls dancing and glistening in the sun’s early rays, as they fell upon them ; and from their gloss and color, surrounding her classically shaped head with the halo one sees around the Madonna’s of Ra phael. “1 must give you an account of how we kill time, and leave you a choice,” said the hearty old Colonel, as we breakfasted. “ I generally ride directly after breakfast which takes up the morning; then the newspapers and lunch ; arid after dinner, I nap a little —my custom always of an afternoon ; and the evenings we spend with music. It is rather dull in the country, 1 should think, for young people, hut you must make yourself at home. Get Marv to play and sing for you. The little witch can he quite amu sing, if she chooses, but like her sex she is wilful at times. You will find her a good player too at back gammon and chess. You also can share my ride, if you should feel interest enough in a planter’s schemes to ride over cotton-fields, or ‘hog* your horse through my rice plantation. Enjoy yourself, and make yourself perfect ly at home, and you will act up to my wishes.” “ Thank you, Colonel, 1 should be indeed hard to please if the de lightful programme which you have sketched for my entertainment, fail ed to do so. Make yourself per fectly easy on my account, as I shall do as you so kindly wish ; and hope when a little recovered from the journey to follow with much inter est your lead through the plantation. For this morning, I think 1 shall trouble Miss Hazelhurst for some music if she will dome the favor.” 44 With great pleasure, Mr. Carys forte. We have also some fine walks, where 1 promise you will not 4 bog,’ as Pa says, but enjoy as delightful a promenade as even your famed Pennsylvania Avenue can give }*ou.” And that morning, and many suc ceeding ones was passed most de lightfully by me. 1 began to imag ine that I was born anew in all my thoughts and feelings: for surely, 1 had never been so fully aware as now, to the beauties of nature, as when accompaning Mi ss Hazelhurst in her walks, or standing to admire with herthe glorious sunsets. Back gammon and chess, also afforded an excuse for me to linger at her side during an entire morning, and every evening she “discoursed most elo quent music.” 1 began to feel like a miser already, as I told over each day as it passed so rapidly, so very rapidly. “Forquickly speeds the foot of Time, Whene’er it treads on flowers.” “How I shall miss you, Cousin Alic,” said her sweet voice as we all stood in the portico to see him depart. “ And l will never ridewow? without thinking of our merry scam pers, ‘o’er bush, and o’er brier.’” How 1 envied Alic for this regret, so expressed, ’twas from her heart, i one could well see, as her beautiful eves were glistening in tears, though she smiled radiantly on him as she b ide him farewell, and promised to write to him punctually* “ Will you not allow me to take Mr. Wei born’s place as vour escort Miss Mary?” “ I shall be .clad to have you as a substitute, I love riding better than any exercise save dancing. Jn the country, one must needs love it or some other amusement passionately to prevent a feelingoflonfcs'omeness; and when I was a ‘ wee thing,’ Pa al ways car ril'd me along with him on his daily ride; so I may truly say that hall ot my life has been passed on horse back.” Behold how I became duly in stalled as her escort. And well might my sister praise her for it, as an accomplishment. She rode bet ter than any lady 1 ever saw: fear lessly, yet most gracefully, no effort to sit erect; but her light, willowy figure, seeming to move in unison with the motions of her horse. Of ten diil I purposely linger, to gaze on her as sitting thus, with her nice ly fitted riding habit, showing her rounded and taper waist in relief from the full gathering of the skirl; and its long folds, in the swift pace of the animal was changing at eve ry step into the ‘ line of beauty,’ like the floating wave of our own Ameri can Flag. Then too she would turn her exquisite face to see why 1 thus lingered ; her rich, red lips parted with a merry smile, and excitement lighting up eve and cheek most bril liantly. Add to this picture, the little velvet cap with snowy plume, resting so caressingly as it were, mi those floating curls as they now in their perfume were dancing on the. breeze ; now shading, now revealing that face in its glorious beauty ; that you will wonder as l do now at myself for not openly declaring my admiration of this peerless beauty. “ All, Aggy,” did I often and over say to myself. You were right in deed when you said that 1 should not be able to resist your beautilul friend when I saw her. I feel now how immeasurably superior she is. to every one ot womankind that I ever beheld. She excels in every tiling, even new beauties are dis played by actions which in others could excite disgust.” You may imagine by all I have said that the disease had reached fe ver point with me by this hme, Yes it is true; 1 was desperately in love with Mary Hazelhurst, mud felt all the fluctuations of love, hope, jealousy, despair, and again hope as 1 saw her blush, or smile at whis pered word or look of mine. I nev er felt so little confidence in my own powers of pleasing as now ; and really if Agtiesse were by to see me, she would have but little occasion to lecture me on my self complacency; for 1 had become humble, ave, downright humble be fore my beautiful and coquettish Mary. That she was so, I was fully aware ; and yet with all this knowl edge, of what was one of my great objections in theory , I must confess, that now, in the practise , it lent new charms to me ; and I felt with the poet: ,l That (1 carpr s001110(1 each dawning smite Fur having lost their light awhile.” Yes, to a dead certainty, I was, to use a common phrase, “over head and ears in love with her,” and though l had never popped the (pies tion, yet l am sure she was as well aware of the fact as mvself. Some times too, I began to flatter myself she loved me ; when I have seen the vivid blush crimson her very tem ples, at the emphasis I would at times be reading to her; and again at the trembling of 1 lie soft hand, or the sudden drooping of her lashes when her eye met mine, after one of these readings. I was just in a fit state to have made a kmght-er rant of chivalric times, for l was ready to break lance at tilt or tour nament if any one should dare to dispute her claim as the “ Queen of Beauty and of Hearts.” To sum up all at once, T was madly in love with Mary T.iazel hurst, but through this delight was mingled the gall of bitterness, when 1 recalled m3’ sister’s speech— “ Make a match between von and Mary indeed \ 1 assure you I never had the presumption to dream of its possibility!” “Surely,” would l say as in the silent hours of the night I communed with my own heart—“ Surely, my sister knows NUMBER 24.