Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, January 05, 1860, Image 1

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

lewis h. grist, proprietor. | f An Independent Journal: For the Promotion of the Political, Social, Agricultural and Commercial Interests of the South. J?2 pee atouk nr ajtahce. VOL. 6. | Y<jRKYILLE, S. C., THTJBSPAY, JANUARY 5, I860. 3STO. JL. I Anginal |M*g.: ^ Written for the Yorkville Enquirer. BOS A. JS^ BY WILLIAM M. MAETUf. Oh! Rosa knows where grows a rose, Beneath a willow tree, Where musio swells from Lily bells In sweetest melody. 'Twaa there we sat in summer time, Beneath soft, star-lit skies, And heard the distantjvesper-chime When evening prayers arise; And from my heart a prayer nprose To God, to guard my lovely Rose. A crown, she wound, and bound around J With roses gorgeously, (It was a sprig, a bending twig Prom off the willow tree) And with the roses did entwine Pansies and King-cnps bright, With tendrils from the Eglantine, I And Lilies purely white; Then crowned with beauty, she aros^ ! Herself a rose, my blushing Rose. | With queenly mien serenely Been, While vassals crowded round, (The bending beaux, saluting Rose) ' Was Rose with roses crowned ; And where she moved with stately pnoo A "Glory" seemed to shine Around her head and on her face, With radiance all divine; " JL J And there I swore "come joys or wes My soul's own queen is lovely Ros(' i Oh! bright the light (and quite as>riglr The light in Rosa's eye) Which shone from walls in marblklalls, When mirth was rising high; And joyous maidens gleeful laugh* Amid the merry dance, While wine, from brimmiug beakaqua?, Was bright as maiden's glance ; . And when the goblets high uprost We drained them dry to lovely Rtf I Though rare and fair, there's noi?o dar Among the inuiaen laroag, Whose smiles are bright with Loyafrn ligfrt, Whose hearts gash forth in song ' Oh ! in the heavenly courts abov Beside th' Eternal Throne There's naught more pure than je love Of her I call my own; And purely from my heart outy A wealth of lore for lorely Rot |lii Anginal WRITTEN* FOR THE TORKVILLE HIRER. "STAR.' m BY MRS. MARY A. DES)X. CHAPTER It' THE VILLA. i A charmiDg villa has just beaomildtd on the banks of the Hudson, kvetaks the busy scene where mingle tbeveroijying sails, the bluff pipes of thelaint,ftd the tapering spars and gracefuhllsff he yachts, skimming the water likfirds Hills, rich in emerald andiirph 3^6, stand ambitiously around it.-B?re|bleback rocks, glistening, vivid iooloitecae shapely, some shapeless, riaboldlyipin huge masses from the very war's edp, it the pretty home just built,Dwersebte them. You can see the crea'shad ofts painting between those two-ung ains? The lawn just comes in eigb-smo*b-saven and sparkling in the eaisun. Ho^y trees stand branching out, tbgreafdra|d arms spread over the clusterafittle japlLrs ?child-trees, sporting in : presencef their elders. There is promise of fcellars in te waving corn?the wheat fie the pleaat orchards?the acres upon ts bloomr*, brightening with the richxlucts of ie teeming earth. What a sky this mor^! It isle that seen often in the tropieldom iair colder clime. There seemroivn oveits vast expanse a thin veil of aerial n?t, that makes the atraosphereJIy Iumiois ?tinging inanimate naturith a pecuar vividness of coloring. The blood flows in gushCirrents,he heart pulsates more rapi Thi cbek flushes. The soul warmeth imploag gratitude. Life seems s to fail. God is recognized bus? as wel as by faith as we drink in ttfc&w wio<of this soft June wind. CHAPTER MARK AND DORA ILTON. ^he cottage of wbich w? spoken, las the property of Mark Hao, junior. Mark was a merchaning }n ve&s, scant in experience. Hap?({,e said ; a graduate of \ all 8o far> V(.y successful in business. His commercial and ru.r&cter, seeaed well established. He little 'fast'? in fact?despised old fq Indulgiig in the luxuries of a maniiO0) },e his horse, smoked the cl^etd, atteaded the theatre, the opei^ sometim?, the church. His wife was a blondeile, dinging:, tender?she was what re to iken to a vine?and just as heltStiCh women are very pretty and int?, calculated for rich husbands, who, V, in the day of adversity, shrug thei^rs anq wiBh the vine was somethings, Mrs. Hamilton had , a boarding school, where she had le> write billet M doux, under the imprest love-notes W were belles letters. Sy a little of p foreign countries, but , a ijtt)e 0f her own. A profound ^ for poverty . 4" characterized her; in orjcumgtatceg L she was as passionless A sensitive spirit w^jj from ihc * glance of her cold blue Jfant thot^h S they were. A child wer g0 t0 ier in its trouble. Howe not B0 i r touch to blame for being what fashion and a Ieartless mother had made her. Mark Hamilton ministered to his pride as inch as his love, in choosing her for a wife, he had been celebrated as a belle. It was master-stroke to cage the bird in the triumph of its widest, wildest liberty. Three years had compassed their married life, and pora was yet but twenty-one. 1 Society is an artist with great capacities, rat no soul. Dora was only twenty-one and 1 calculating woman of the world, glorying to the title accorded her?an 'ornament to lociety.' Only with a heart shining in those beautiful eyes, she would have been supremely lovely. That wanting, what availed the chiseled features?the form of surpassing grace ? Dora was as devotedly attached to her wardrobe as she was to her husband. Her boudoir was a miracle of convenience and elegance. An only child? luxury bad always been her lot. It was not strange that people called her placid selfishness, amiability. Tha vnnncr mfimhant. wn? verv wall win. tent with her. She was exhibited with an air of triumph to his friends, and petted to death at home. Whatever she wanted, she had, if it could possibly be procured. Her father had left her a few thousands, most of which she had spent in luxuries. To be beautiful?to be admired, was the height of her ambition. CHAPTER in. TEE BREAKFAST ROOM. It looked out upon the lawn. Delicate, gold-tinted paper adorned its walls, and sun-lustred as it was now, the effect was very striking. It is not necessary to enter into the details of its surroundings, save to say that it enclosed pictures, statues, and a bird in a gilt cage, that swung in the wide bay-window. Through the lace-folds of cur tains, streamed great masses of light, reddened with the day's new glory. Mark sat in a careless attitude near one of the windows, with the morning paper in his hand. He glanced up at the sound of a foot-step. Dora came in, and with a pleasant smile?her husband sprang to his feet. Beautiful morning, isn't it?' she said, languidly, sauntering toward him. 'Beautiful!' he echoed, half in compliment to her, as he gazed admiringly upon her. Let me give her credit for one good trait She invariably took pains with her morninj toilet. Nothing so soon banishes the lover in .til j husband, as a negligent appearance in to rresnest, sweetest part ot- tne aay.v. and all flowers look their loveliest in thl morning ; so should a woman. j There was no poetry in the scene to Dot. She glanced aboutas she had for years, raebly remarking that 'wer'nt there a great m?y roses this season ? and would'nt it be a godi j plan to save the leaves and make rose-wat* ? ! It was so nice for the complexion !' i 'Time for breakfast my lovesaid jong i Hamilton, with a graceful stretch if lis 'arms. . j \ Dora touched a tiny bell and soon ii cape i tU a f kft o m r? f ao urn fl>A LUC OH V Ci tucoiuuatug bca-uiuy uuc Mocha?which Dora, for the sake cf tlctt idolized complexion, never drank?tie tofit J and other et ceteras. They made a pretty family picture Don wore the least possible bit of a oTj with ! blue ribbons, and a bluepejnoir beajtifuty ; embroidered. The sun glanced agabst the : service, making it glitter as if overlad witi diamond dust. The water in the glafi pitcher caused a flickering golden shtdow of bright waves to play upon the ceilhg. 'A prospect of hard times, they saj Dora.' Dora opened her large eyes wije.r, but. I beyond an 'indeed!' said nothing, j 'Yes, Simpkins has failed?yonremem-! ber the magnificent party he gtve?and there's a pretty hard run upon thebanks;' replied Mark Hamilton. 'Yes ?' responded Dora, in the ferm of a query. 'Well,' she added, quietly 'I wish ' before you fail, I could get that shawl at I Stewart's. I should like once j) wear a ; thousand dollar shawl, if only forthe picasure of outdoing Ida Blanchard.' 'A mighty motive, upon my w?rd,' said Mark, laughing. 'Why, Dara,jif you're really in earnest about that shawljI'll draw a thousand dollars and you shfll rave it.? That will leave u? nine tbouaindin funds, you know. As to failing, with inyfetock paid for, and my father to back de tp, I don't jfeel any fear. You shall h^ve Ihe shawl, i Dora, if it is going to make voj any hapj pier.' 'Thank you, ten thousand timet!' How her eyes sparkled n<*! You would j have thought there was sojl iu them, but it was only the borrowed lijbt of vanity.? ; How the cheeks flushed ! end the red lips 'leaped to his forehead. I -T oolj- tkl f .) j *1 QiUU t uaic tu ooiv vim lavui ui JUU j Rhe continued, 'because Ikoew you had J money out, as you call it, aid couldn't very i well command it.' 14 'No dear?it is'nt out yd?I'm about deciding: whether to take anyof theb, nkstoek j Wilbur offers, or the shres of Lawson's. j By Jove! if there shouldbe a real panic in the money-market, I'll fcrn shuver. Some men could make forty tfcusand with ten, and do it easily.' j 'I'm sure I would if Iould;' replied his wife. 'But it seems moan bsiness to take advantage of a man's neceiities.' 'Still you do them a f?or?they want the money and are willing ttpay in proportion, I suppose. I'm sure I hould be. It may :save them from ultimas ruin, and if you don't do it, some body-dse will.' That's a bright thaght, Dora. To be sure, after all, it's but pying oneself for ac commodating others. don't know that its 1 taking any advantage ether, when in some cases they fairly beg i and consider it a God-send any way. Bt I'll see what Lawrence says' ?0! pray, don't, be ted to Lawrence, my dear!' and up went th pretty white hands. Don't you see he is coapletely ruled by that little puritanical wife if his, in everything ? I'm sure?homro*r brother ever came to marry that litdTdswdy, I can't imagine.? Whenever I wait; there, which is very seldom, I come ^ay 88 dull as death. Lawrence is too fitp o fellow to be fastened to a woman's aprof strings.' <0! now?fort?my love?you are much too severe, fawrence, to be sure, lives in a most unfashfmable house, but then it is oheerful, an/ within, really elegant. And as for Maryiei?g a dowdy, confess that you spoke too fit mere, my dear.' 'Any wofan,' exolaimed Dora, with due solemnity apd)>roper emphasis, 'any woman who will w/uT* ninepenny print and a shil ling necessity, be a dowdy!' Mark lacgbed. 'Well, fefl?I never knew whether her dress was! ;ninepenny print or a ten shilling merijK^' replied. <She certainly always looks Jady-like.' 'Yes, wd that's all the thanks we women of taste f?r our pains. You have no discrimitttion, sir;' said Dora, with a childisbpqutMark'prngged his shoulders. 1You ?ways look woll, my love?but I'm sure I d^er stop to think what makes you ?you #ena beautiful of yourself.' Thiaibarming little domestic and diplomatic ajjfoke, molified the petted wife. The banish# smiles returned. ?nioke the car, I believe, this morning;' said #rk, springing to his feet at the souifd of a ditant whistle. <1 have ten minutes. If I'ahome late, remember, business detains^? CHAPTER IV. . THE FORE8TALLEE. Al the depot, just in time. The cars were fulW-no seat was visible. Some one called in-ijquick, sharp voice? -Mr. Hamilton !' <?his way, sir.' AJgloved hand beckoned. Hif moved forward unsteadily, and found httself by the side of an influential merofint, with whom he sometimes had commercial dealings. J'Mr. Carlisle?I am happy to see you said Mark. ' 'Obliged to you. You are looking finely fter your night's repose in the country;' feturned the other. I 'Have you been tartherontr queried Mark. <Yes, up to Winchester's; fine place that of his, very fine. You know Winchester, firm of Prebbles and Hawk ? We are engaCOsLtogether jn buying up wheat. It will pay, sir?a first rate season, sir.' ^.^lark respnndcTpkefpfnj-vH*- ?y?1 *he while, upon the luxuriant fielcX- along which the wheat glistened, as if showers of silver were poured upon it. The merchant, Carlisle, bent his elbow on the seat before him. lie had been holding a chat with a person habited in a rustic suit of gray, whose appearance indicated his primitive habits.? Hiram Butts was a prosperous farmer, originally a VermoDt boy, and had emigrated to the West twenty years before, a lad of sixteen. There, denied the privileges of education, the church, the lecture, for many seasons, he had grown up uncouth, unlearned, but shrewd, calculating, and rigidly honest. By his side sat his wife, a good looking, oldish woman, with keen black eyes, small features and sunburnt face.? Her dress indicated a total want of genuine taste, but made up in profusion and gay coloring, what it lacked in harmony and grace. A bonnet, not so small as the then prevailing fashion, but sufficiently so to disclose her profile, was tied tightly under her chin. Outside aod inside, it was covered with flowers, ribbons and lace. A crimson shawl with an unusual pattern-border, a ?owo of many colors, a pair of large black kid gloves, and an enormous breast-pin, completed her attire. Very different from these people, were their children, the occupants of the opposite seat, a twin-biother and sister. So nearly alike were they in voice, look and manner, that they attracted the attention of the passengers. Both were small and somewhat delicate in appearance, though they were nineteen?both were remarkably beautiful, and blushed often at the curious looks that were bent upon them from time to time.? They were all going to New York to visit relatives whom they had not seen for many yoars. ?Who are yoar consignees in New York T asked Mr. Carlisle, taking up the convcrsatlon, broken by the entrance of Ma:k, while the farmer partly squared himself round. 'Wal?Davii?Hiram Davis?heard o' him, I reckon. Davis is my particklar chum in the manageneDto' business. He gen'ly takes the Jnil o my wheat?fair dealin.too ?good customtr; pays ia hard goold;' und he jingled somt loose change in his pocket. 'Well, what does he give you ?' 'Dollar and a shilling, sir, for my wheat as it stands. Fiist rate red Ohio; prime article and as fulliu the head as Yarmountis full of rocks?tlat's so! 'I'll give youten shillings as it standscome,' said thenerchant in an undertone. .xr TT !>__.! v . 1 o 'j>ow, you n ram : exciaimea tne farmer's wife iu a wiisper, placing her foot ot his boot. 'Don't trea^ (? my cornscried Hiram Butts with the nanner of an injured man, which was answffed with a very brief, suppressed 'hold yotr tongue ' 'Don't you beafraid, old lady;' exclaimed the farmer?*-eckon I shan't do nothin' that'll harm me under the circumstances. I ain't up for wait of friends, however, by no means. But.heu,' and he turned farthcr about, ?I Ike to do the fair thing by old customers, a?d as Davis and I've allocs had dealing with >ne another?why I don't like to be meanp.bout it?aud it wouldn t seem just the thog?now, would it seem honest?honor bight?to snap off all ai once ?' ?0! very well-just as you like,' replied the merchant, drrwing back stiffly. <1 made you the offer anc'am ready to pay you the money in hard pld, at advanced prices? but of course yoi are at liberty to refuse.'? , A And with a careless wave of the hand he turned airuy.^ Mark had been watching the bluff, red linearaen:; of the Western fanner, but now Carlisle turned his attention to the topics of the day. 'Money is pretty tighthe said. . 'Yes,' replied the young man, 'the papers are, as usual, dull and wise, rewarding and recommending. Do you think there really will be a panic in the money marketj or is it only a false alarm V 'Undoubtedly there's truth in it;' replied Carlisle. 'We sneenlntnrs know the nulse r r of the market pretty well. Winchester and I are looking out for nnmberone, you sec? buying op all the wheat we can find, for flour will be flour this year, I can tell you. Prebbles has ton thousand barrels already stored. We have tremendous ware-bouses, and we expect to fill them to the roof. If we get ahead of the market, and undoubtedly we shall, we i-ealize a handsome fortune. But then, of course, we run enormous risks as you must be aware/ 'What do you consider the safest investment for ten thousand ?' asked Mark, to whom the idea of speculation was as fascinating as no most young men. ' 'Lend it at good rates;' was the reply; 'bond and mortgage never fail if a man has common discretion and business tact.' His face lighted up with a singular glow. 'If you want no double, aye ! treble and quadruple your money, lend it to men, who are hard up. They'll pay any thing for a present accommodation.' - Meanwhile, the farmer and his wife held an earnest consultation.' 'He's one o' them pesky speculators, you may depend on it,' said the woman, 'what keep yittles and things so high that poor folks have to starve.' 'I reckon not, old 'ooman;' replied the fanner?'and even say't he is, what's that to us? We an't spee'lators, are we? And ain't we bound to git the highest prices ? I tell you, forty or fifty dollars '11 be something to brag of, that's so ! Besides, the faster we raise the money the sooner them mortgages ?il be swept off, and the sooner Bogus '11 go to college. And don't you see, little Star '11 learn the pianny?' 'But won't Davis be orful mad ' 'Don't care if he is. Reckon there's rtfVvoi" frtllra in Via nrnrl/l Viooirina TT i'am UblK.1 XV1IXO 1U VUU nuuu Xil UUi Butts. Guess there be. It'll stump 'em though to scare up a better managed farm in all Ontario. Davis don't care who he buys of?'course he don't. I guess I'll sell to this chap?shant git another such chance. Look here, Mister?what's your name ? I'll have to sell you that ar wheat, being's it's you;' he added, attempting jocoseuess. The great man put off his dignity and condescended to tap the farmer on the shoulder, as he said, 'that's right my good friend : you couldn't do better;' and with this bland assurance, he took out his memoranda and entered into a closer negotiation. Mark Hamilton was, weanwhile, left to his own reflections, and the bewildering prospect that the merchant had spread before hisvison. Luxuries unthought of before, but tempting as the fruit in the desert to the parched traveller, had assumed a sudden importance to him. The power unbounded wealth would give; the ease with which he might accumulate and make his little inheritance a princely fortune; the regal luauaiuu ; OJUV;UUIU CljUipaye j lUtJ lUicl^U tour; all opsned up to his excited imagiuation, a splendid panorama of delights. The cars stopped. The engine was replaced by horses. One after another the passengers left for their different homes, or places of business. The merchant, Carlisle, with oily suavity, took leave of the honest farmer, not forgetting to compliment his wife and praise his children. Then walking on with Mark Hamilton, he resumed the conversation. 'You see;' he said, 'ten thousand dollars was just the capital I commenced with.? Doubled it, sir, in three weeks. Times were not as hard as they are now ; I could quadruple it to-day. I know twenty men thic very morning, who are spotted, sir. Some could do with less, some with more?but they'd pay enormously and give splendid security. A man sir, with a shrewd eye and quick ear, should never remain poor. Where's the sense of plodding all one's life, tied to a mus ty ledger and one dull round of business? No! I'm for doing things up fast. Might as well have means in middle life as old age.' 'So I say;'* cried Mark, warming up. 'Certainly?what enjoyment can a man take when he is old? His hands are palsied, his eye is dim, his senses are dulled, his feet stiffened with age. He relishes no beauty outside his own door-steps?wishes only to rest, to sleep, to hear his fogy newspaper read, listen to one sermon a week from his favorite theologian, and sink as quietly and as painlessly into the grave as nature will let him. That's not vij ideal. No, uo'?he added with a shrug?'I wish to taste as I go, of all the wines of life?and when I get to the lees, I shall at least have the remembered richness to console me.' 'Lawrence goes in for the legitimate principles of trade as he calls them;' said Mark ' ?'says a man sleeps with a bettor con- ' cience who makes haste slowly, and looks the 1 future in the face, with a steadier eye.' 'Conscience ;' said Carlisle with a sneer and a shrewd nod. 'Between you and me, 1 the conscience of a business man ought not ( to lie in his pocket. Make money?make 1 money ! why not you as well as others ? You 1 would not hoard it, nor throw it away, but. ' do good with it and enjoy yourself. Come, ' you say you have ten thousand lying still; I'll show you how to make it lively. Come 1 up to Willis'; he gives a great supper to- ' night, and I have tickets. In these gay i places men go sometimes to drown their ( cares, and I'll pick you out ten or twelve, 1 any one of whom would be willing to give you thirty, or even fifty dollars on the hun- i dred, for the sake of a temporary loan of s hard cash. Of course you would'nt be down I on 'em in that way?but at a much lower j figure, you would make money in a hurry.' i 3 'Willis*!?that's a gambling concern isn't it?' c Well?they do play there, gentlemen? r yon know?bat so they do at most of these a crack places?come go there this evening ; f Mtb. Hamilton is not jealous of your night- c key, is she ?' i '.The young man paused a moment to think, s His evenings had been rather dull, lately, t Dora was poor company when they were s alohe-i-always excusing herself from play- v ing or singing, and being much more in- c dined to dwell upon the mishaps of the day, t than tp talk of its pleasures. Besides, the t progpeot of doubling bis money?the chan- t ces of winning a fortune?these weighed in t bis wavering mind more tnan tne ireuui s complainings of Dora, who would, be knew, make him miserable if be chanced to stay beyond his allotted time. CHAPTER Y. THE GROCERY. A little child pot up its red hand over the counter, and a little voice asked for a peony's worth of salt. The grocer's boy smiled at the lisping sound, apd began to banter the little maid, whose brown cnrls were all of a tangle. 4 . . ; 'Don't trouble her, Horace;' said a handsome, portly man, looking out of bis officedoor. 'Always wait upon the children as quickly as any one else. All io their turn, Horace?all in their turn.' The voice wasjso cherry j so full of heartmusic ! In a twinkling, the salt was in the chubby fingers of the little girl, and she had gone . A damp, but not unpleasant sweetish smell, filled the precincts of that corner grocery. It was a trim, neat place. The floor always looked moist, as if it and the scrubbing cloth were on the best of terras. It was always clean-sanded, and on the shining counter, not a weight was out of place ?not a scrap of paper disfigured its entire length. Casks and barrels were noted for their strict propriety of position?their uniformity of expression. The basket of clothespins always stood in one place, on the left of the door. The barrel of pickles never presumed to move from the end of the counter. There was a charming air of order, of graceful utility, diffused over the whole place. The harmony everywhere apparent, shortened long faces, and brightened up short ones. Lawrence Hamilton seldom had any but smiling customers?he was always laughing himself. His very shop seemed to smile on passengers as they went by, and drew men in sometimes, when a:.), .r :? j ,u? ;i? tuvgr U1UU L til ill li Ul UUIUIU^ ttUU tllUOUJllC ' would penetrate to their pockets ; so that ' they would be sure to carry home something I good from Lawrence Hamilton's shop, that s would set wives and babies smiling. So ' there was a general smile all round?(not that wicked smile which sends men out 1 staggering where they walked in straight ' and sober)?and people liked to trade at ' Lawrence Hamilton's grocery?liked to < pass by of evenings, when it was fairly I laughing with light. No sooner had the little red-fisted, chub- 1 by child, with tangled curls, gone out, than ' in an opening near the centre of the shop, 1 shone another face. It was a cherry, sunshiny, happy, social little face, with wavy curls, floating off from heathful, rosy cheeks. : It bad two specks of pink ribbon belonging to a gauzy little cap, tied under the chin?its i eyes sparkled as they scanned the precincts, to see if any body was near. Two hands were deliberately wiped on a wide, white linen, well-flowered apron, that enveloped all the pretty figure?then the hands, clean- j ed of their clean soiling, sraothed, or tried i to smooth, the floating, gloss^ curls. 'Lawrence?Oh! Horace !'?to the shopboy?'you're there. Please haud me a lit tie soaa win you. ? ny .Liawrence : 'now you startled roe !' and with a musical laugh she , drew back at an explosive sound, the result , of the grocer's blowing up a paper bag and ; striking it against the wall. , 'Well, little woman, what are you after | now?' A blushing of pride and happiness j made his handsome face still handsomer, ( as Lawrence Hamilton stood on the inside , of his counter, leaning negligently against , it. 1 'Soda, dear, I'm all out. Sis Mayfield \ came in to see Tiney, and take tea with her. ( So Dothing would do, but I must make some \ of my soda-cakes. Thank you, Horace; t that's a nice package?it will last me a year. c Lawrence, supper will be ready in half an ^ hour. Do see me with a flowered-apron a over a black silk-dress !' and with a light, 1 pretty laugh, she retreated, while the smile t stayed by the lips of Lawrence Hamilton, as f he bent again over his ledger. a Mary, happy wife and mother, tripped t into her great kitchen, that shone with sun- t light, like the shop, and was as neat and c tasteful. A vivacious red-white flame sprang up from the dry wood in the fire-place. A y loquacious kettle, whose very spout had character, sang a chorus to the snapping . fuel. A white cat with a black set of stockings, blinked drowsily at the fire. 'Bilba,' said the mistress, 'I think you had better be getting the table ready. Put ^ on one of the damask cloths?it pleases the t children when they have company. The ^ little things like to be treated as guests, too/ k Bilba, was a stout and good looking hand- v ;J _ *ni i_ _ 1 tt r . maiaeo?a r'emisn gin. neriace was mot- t: tied with white and red?her sandy hair h was carried smoothly back and tucked un- p der a linen cap. A free and easy gracious- j| aess twinkled in her blue eye, and sat on a her large, but not unhandsome mouth. t| 'I'm sure I'll never be tired of doin' up h them things for such children/ said Bilba, hurrying to the side-board drawers, and ta- ^ iiDg out an armful of linen. 'I'll set the t< jxtra leaf of the table, too, Miss Hamilton, Ci should you say so, and put on fruit cake.' 8j ?Yes ! use your own judgment Bilba. Ti- g aey may want her china tea-things on her a side of the table. If she says aoything a- ti xmt it, let her have them. She is such a good ai girl, and enjoys her little company so ci uuch!' h The white cakes were baking in the t latch oven, when Mary went into the di- 1 ling room. The table, with its snowy oloth t ind old fashioned silver, looked delicately v ine enough for a royal gaest. The bright c arpet smiled up at her; so did the old fash- s oned pictures on the wall smile down. The t an threw a glorious shower of light over he waxed furniture, that gave the room c uch a look of comfort 1 She gazed about ( 71th a satisfied glance, and said as she pla- i ied the creamer farther from the edge of i he table--<after all, I like my own homely a hings as well as any I see. Dora Hamil- e on may have more fashion and display, but t here's one thing she can't have more of? 1 ind that's happiness.' Mother?mother?Oh 1 the table is just ight?bow beautiful! I ran to tell you hat I saw uncle Mark standing on the corjer, and he crossed over. I shouldn't wonler if he's in the shop; I shouldn't wonder f he comes to tea !' She was very pretty, that bright and anghing Medea (Medora was her name) a ? lelicate edition of her mother, only her s srow was wider and more thoughtful; her T, jyes more luminous and a little larger, while t here was a Titian tint of richness in the I ;olden ohesnut waves of her hair. ( <1 am very glad?we're quite ready, you t see. I had the table prepared for Tiney's ( little company.' . * 1 ?0! mother?how kind ! how thoughtful! Fou don't seem to think, as some do, that \ anything will do for children. It does look ( beautiful!?and so do you.' With a kiss < ind a laugh, away she ran to see baby, i while Bilba hurried to the door to let in i Mark Hamilton, and then hurried back to 1 :ake up tea for the table. I Mark was ushered into the dining room, < where every thing was so shining, so home- i like and cheerful, that he stood rubbing his t bands and looking about him with a smile < lie had caught from the grocery. I 'Sit down Mark?ait down. No style bere, as you know, but genuine home-hap- 1 piness. Come little wife?where are the s sirdies. 0! here they are?and little sis 1 Mayfield. God bless my heart! come to I play with Tincy, eh ? Marshall, my son ! I ?do you see your uncle ? You must know, Mark, that Marshall takes famously to ' study?and?and ahall I say it, Marsh ? I to poetry?that makes him absent-minded ] ?and so we quiz him sometimes.' * ( Mark Hamilton was light-hearted that I svening. He was always light-hearted, i when he came to see his brother. The sun i seemed more golden, as it streamed across I the table in that bright room. Lawrence i was handsome?so was his wife?so were I their children. And then they had always i something sensible to talk about. It was not dress eternally?it was scandal?never. < [f such a thing was hinted at?the father's < 'Look on the bright side, children?the s bright side?don't pick flaws in your neigh- i bors?' invariably silenced them. They i shatted and ate, and Mark did not grow tired of the table. On the contrary, he : leaned back and kept them still talking, to : the manifest uneasiness of the mottled Bilba, who wanted a long, evening with her German sweetheart. Business was not even < hinted. Lawrence had made that a rule at bis meals?and all was peace and pleasantness. j [TO BE CONTINUED.] Original papers. ; i For tbo Yorkvillc Enquirer. T.-RTfiTTR/R STTRmnTTRS TOV, YT ' by j. wood davidson. 1 SEEING THE PRESIDENT. We chose a morning levee to pay onr respects to the President. At one o'clock, accordingly, we made our way to the White House. The delay in the ante-room was ^ lot great, as some visitors seem to have found it. We were shown up and ushered nto the presence in the usual style; one of 1 jur party being introduced to the President, [ vho received us at the door, presented the est of us. We were severally greeted by aim in a genial and easy manner. His % rearing is free and dispels at once all idea >f constraint; and his cordial shake of the j land with the accompanying "I am glad o see you"?"happy to know you"?"very ;lad, Sir"?"Happy, Madam, to meet 8 rou"?"Obliged to you for the pleasure"? * ind so forth, impress one pleasantly enough. \fter a few words of conversation, regula- v ed as to length of time by the pressure 8 rom the door, the visitor makes way in ; ind remains there only till a favorable nio- 1 nent for egress presents itself, when he ^ akes leave by paying his adieus to his Ex:elleney, and retires. Mr. BucnANAN is a tall man; large, mt not at all heavy. His hair and cravat ^ re both white. He was plainly dressed n frock coat, black pants, and small-checked a est. His presence is fine. He is handomer than the pictures I have seen. The ( ;eneral openness of his countenance is not ? pecially marred by that peculiar contrac- !' ion of one eye; and yet it strikes one's at- ? ention instantly. - His bearing is elevated a without being at all commanding, free but t . 1 * a j !!!__ __ 3 0 [gat, pleasant, reooea, cuizen-iiKC ana i ery slightly official. During the short ^ ime our party remained in his presence, e conversed freely, bandying commonlaces with no mean dexterity. He said, ~ Qcidentally, conversing with us: "lam tl licays glad to seethe ladies, especially ial hose from South Carolina, since, as wo hi ear, she has lately come back into the ^ Juion; and that accords with the princi g1 les of the ladies always." I have indica- h: 2d by italics his peculiar emphasis. In c' onversatiou he emphasises very markedly, ^ peakiDg always deliberately, with a bland, rave voice. Ho does not look much like 81 bachelor?too venerable and paternal for aJ rat, rather?but his exceeding blandness U1 nd the deferential courtesy with which he ai rmpliments ladies, tell unmistakably that e is no benedict. I overheard him reply w o some remark which I did cot bear:? 'Yes, sometimes gentleman are; ladies lever?ladies are never troublesome?always more than agreeable." By such incidentals the old man lets it oat that his oul is yet unsubdued?yet unbroken to he yoke! * We took our leaves. We retired. rThe leed was done?we had seen the President. )ne of the inalienable rights, which doubtess Jefferson meant to embrace somewhere n bis trinne categories of "life, liberty, md the pursuit of happiness," to which svery American citizen lays claim?one of bese rights had been enjoyed. We drove jack to Willard'a; and dined at three. Columbia, S. C. For the Yorkvtlle Enquirer. REVERIES OF~A BACHELOR. BT WILLIE LIOHTHIABT. Snug ? Well, yes j the fire is very warm ?plenty of books, papers, and magazines; i nice carpet upon the floor; several bandlome paintings suspended around the walls, [here is the commodious easyrchair right jefore the fire; the soft cushioned sofa near )y?there are the nicely dusted walnut jhairs, desk, book-case, and marble-topped ;able ; and in that corner over .yonder is jne of the warmest, coziest, snugest little seds that ever & fellow slept upon. Snug ? Quite so, .when a man wants to write a letter, romance, sketch or poem.? jrlorious, when one wants to smoke a quiet ;igar, and lie back in the easy-chair after i long walk. Splendiferous, when one vants to read the last magazine, or review lis Latin and French ; but when all this bas been done, I want to have a little sp;ial chat by the fire with somebody I love, md there is nobody there; though l am itrongly impressed with the belief that my ;asy chair would accomodate tyro young people very nicely. , Oh! Oh! For the life of me, I cannot lelp making the exclamation. The heart says, Oh !?the weary head, and poor tired ingers say, Oh 1 and, therefore, it will come from between the lips and ruffle my mous;aohe. ; P I wonder what that exclamation means ? Bless me ! there are plenty of books about the room, if I want to read; whole files of papers?literary, scientific and agricultural; there's this story, and that, and the-other, to be finished, before many weeks; then Snobs, the printer, wants a New Year's iddress; Snooks wants a pathetic sketch for his paper, and Rinker wants an original poem for his Matilda. Plenty of work to do?but it is not that that makes me jay Oh! Now there's Peter Funk, with bair.red enough to scorch a pillow, and face ugly enough to frighten a barbarian; and he lctually had the impudence to get married, end send out several small editions of his ugliness upon the world. * By the way, I wonder how it wonld do for me to marry ? I don't think I ever frightened a horse?indeed, I have heard it stated, that there actually existed uglier men than myself. Tomkins, who lives.a cross the street, very maliciously asserted that I broke his mirror bj looking into it; but I am sure that it was cracked before, and would not have fallen from the frame bad not Peter Funk looked over my shoulder. I wonder if I will ever marry ??if there ever will come a time when the gentle tread of woman shall be heard upon this floor? the low-spoken words of woman fall.sweetly npon my ear, and her dear lips "welcome Willie home ?" I wonder if ever I shall see a woman in that easy-chair making a bib for a baby, asleep in the cradle, ind nurse warming the pap by that identical hearth? How nice and comfortable that sounds !?and, as I live, there goes mother sigh ! I wonder if I would not love wife and laby, and work the livelong day to make ,hem comfortable and happy??if I would lot come to the dear home early in the ;veniDg, and talk ever so pleasantly to wife ill the time ? How nice it would be ! How happy it vould make me to bring home something hat she is fond of?something that would nake her kiss me, and call me a dear, good ellow ; and then how pleasant it would be, ifter the tea things were cleared away, to it by the fire and read the news to her vhile she plied the glistening needle.? Then, when both were tired, how sweet it rould be to kneel together in family-prayer, nd call benedictions down upon the little tousehold; then to go quietlv and haDDilv 0 bed; and with the little baby between | is, and the blessings of God upon the trio, i all sweetly asleep. I wohder if I would'nt be a bett?? man, f such were the case ??if the unutterable earnings of the heart would not he abunahtly satisfied with such treasures, as wife nd baby, and God's blessing? Suppose that I never marry. Well, as ang as youth and health lasts; as long as dear mother and affectionate sisters are a the world. I may get along comparatively easy and comfortably. But, to outlive 11 these 1?to find myself alone when the dark days" come !?to be left to the tencr mercies of hired house-keepers, and ursed by stranger hands in my old age!? >h! the thought is shocking! < The idea of an old man without a home i -having an apartment in some noisy, busing hotel; or living in some hired garret, 1 ad taking his meals at a public eating- I ousc; the idea of nobody to meet him at < le door and call him husband, father, or I rand papa; to place a chair by the fire for $ im and bring him his warm slipplers; no < aildren to climb upon his knees and listen I ? bis stories?Oh! Oh! what a thought! i Bah 1 after all, my room .does not look ? iug at all, and the fire does not burn half i 1 brightly as usual. That bundle of man- s script, and that huge pile of newspapers s e in my way. /I'm siok of this everlast- t ig read>ug r.ad smoking; and so far as 1 >ntributio;;e to literary papers are concern- t / . i ed, its all a humbug, and dont make me.tf bit happier! - ; ' I'll get married?see if I dont 1 PU make a general rush among the girls, and get somebody to love me that I love more than anybody in the wide, wide world* There goes my candle! The room gets aaI/J OA T oiivtvwusa T mnof am 4a mw triW^flAVIfl vvill y OV X ouppvov x UJUOV gw M/ coaoh, and dream that I, am an ice-berg, with a grizzly bear on my' back. Bat I will have a wife?see if I dont I I'll have a nice, good, pretty wife' to. lotto land comfort me before many months; and if I dont ?well, I wont, thats all I . A I'll bate a young and loving heart jSA To tbrob in tunc with mioc; To put the soul's pare tcnd**,,rcnwa^M sua I.1.L-J u?. ? ? Something to nerve the spirit up In the dark days of life; Something to be my "peace-be-8till,,r Amid the world's great strife. And when the wedding cake goes round? < Whom else I may forget? I'm sure the "P. Enquirer" shall . . The biggest pieces get. THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE On Tuesday, the 27th ulL, the President communicated his annual Message to the United States Senate.-We presents synopsis: After expressing gratitude to the Almjgbty for blessings throughout the year,' the President, refere-to the recent bloody occurence at Harper's Ferry. These eventsj bad and cruel iu themselves, derive their chief importance from apprehension?are but the symptoms of incurable disease in the public mind, which' may break out stilt more dangerous outrages, and'terminate in open war by the North to abolish iefoveiy. While he-hituself entertains sp such apprehensions, they ought to afford solemn want ing to us all to beware of approaching danger. Let me implore my oountiymeu, North and South,-to cultivate the auoient friendly feeling and mutual forbeaiaooe and j m A 1? 1 .it A^ guuu win wiwarua euuu uiuer. omve tu alia; the demon spirit of sectional hatred and strife now alive in the land. This advice proceeds from the heart of an old publie functionary, whose service oommenced in the Jbst generation of the wise, conservative statesmen of that day; hot he indulges in no gIdomy-foreb.Qdiogs. He thinks that the Harpers' Ferry-Affair will be the mean^ of allaying much of tbe previously existing . sectional excitement and prevent further outrage. .* He congratulates Congress on the final4 settlement, by the Sopreme Court, Of the question of slavery in the Territories,.the right being established for. anj citizen to take bis property, including slaves, into fcerL-eJoining w UlC federacy, and have it protected there under the Federal Constitution. Neither Congress, ? nor any Territorial Legislature, nor any human power, has any authority to*annul this vested right. Thus has the st<xtut of a Territory daring the intermediate period from its first settlement until it becomes a State, been irrevocably fixed by thsiioal decision of the Supreme Court. He then do-, scribes the mode of admission of a Territory into the Union as a State. It may be admitted with or without slavery, as its OoD&titution may prescribe. This principle has been reoognized in some form by the al most unanimous vote of both Houses in the last Congress. All lawful means at his command have been employed,' and will continue to be employed, against tbeslave trade. Our history proves that the fathers of our Republic were in advance of gll other nations in the suppression of the slave trade. The ratifications of the Chinese treaty have been exchanged. Two supplemental conventions are pending in relation to the right of Americans in China, and in regard to the transit duties. The Paraguay diffi caities fiave been satisiactoruy adjusted.? Our relations with Franoe, Russia, and all the Continental Governments of Europe, Spain excepted, continue most friendly. His opinion of the acquisition of Cuba by fair purchase remains unchajged. He, therefore, again invitesthe serious attention of Congress to this important subject. As regards Great Britain, he had good reason, until recently, to believe he wodM be able to announce that our difficulties arising from the Claytou-Bulwer treaty was finally adjusted in a manner honorable'and satisfactory to both parties From causes, however, which Great Britain had not an-? ticipated, she not yet having completed treaty arrangements with Nicaragua and Honduras- pursuant to understanding, he is at present unable to do so; these fwo Governments are, however, confidently expected to have this object shortly accomplished. In relation to the San Juan difficulty he Entertains no doubt of our title. But he ^ is happy to state that what has been left to General Scott's discretion, could not have been placed in better hands, who has successfully accomplished his mission. There is no longer a reason to apprehend a collision between the respective forces during the pendency of negotiations. He regrets that Mexican affairs are unimproved. He speaks on the subject at leDgth. Outrages of the worst description are committed on persons and property.? Scarcely any form of injury that has not been suffered by our citizens there during the last few years. We have been nominally at peace with Mexico, but as far as our, interests, niir (inmmerM. or nnr rtitizanA am ? concerned, we might as well have been at war. Mr. McLane, in August last, wrote, "I hope the President willJael authorized ^entA^-Me^Tco wTtEluilitarjf fbrcgs. at the :all of the Constitutional authorities to pro* :ect onr citizens and treaty rights. Unless' mch are conferred on him, evils must increase," &c. The President adds, I have jeen reluctantly l9d to the same opinion, md I feci bound to announce this,donoh2* lion to Congress. This is a question which elates to the future as well as the present md the past. The aid which be the Pre* ident, requires, and which interests all com* neroial countries, require that it should . lave belonged to this Government, so as tot only to render by virtue of our neigh" & J* . M