THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 N
 
 ALT HA; 
 
 OB, 
 
 SHELLS FROM THE STRAND 
 
 BT 
 
 MRS. ADA M. FIELD 
 
 "There is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth 
 understanding." JOB, xxxn : 8. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 JAMES FKENCH AND COMPANY. 
 
 1856.
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by 
 JAMES FRENCH AND COMPANY, 
 
 in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of 
 Massachusetts. 
 
 Stereotyped at the 
 
 UNITED STATES FOUNDRY, 
 41 Congress Street, Boston. 
 . C. HOBHS, PROPRIETOR. 

 
 TO THE 
 
 ESTEEMED FRIENDS 
 
 AND 
 
 RESPECTED CITIZENS, 
 
 WHO GENEROUSLY ENCOURAGED ME 
 
 TO PUBLISH THE MANUSCRIPT 
 
 THIS BOOK IS 
 
 GRATEFULLY DEDICATED. 
 
 1 670555
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 WHY have I ventured to launch my frail hark 
 among so many nohle-freighted and gallant ves 
 sels, upon the ever-changing sea of puhlic opin 
 ion ? I answer that I may place before you 
 its simple freight of shells an offering of love, 
 hope and duty; love for the noble hearts, 
 unchanged by Time's stern teachings ; hope that 
 it may strengthen some faint heart yearning for 
 the good, yet lingering by the way-side; and 
 duty, that whispers in spirit-voices, on, on, ever 
 on, toward the right, where shines the Eastern 
 Star, emblem of God's light and love ! 
 
 I have gleaned them, journeying in storm and 
 sunshine, pictures of home life ; they were 
 mine ; they are yours.
 
 ALT HA; 
 
 OR, 
 SHELLS FROM THE STRAND 
 
 CHAPTEK I. 
 
 " A glorious day. And the good people of this Tri- 
 mountain City seem fully to appreciate its charms," 
 soliloquized Halvor Hazel, while standing within the 
 doorway of the American House, glancing along the 
 pave at the throng of pedestrians constantly passing in 
 every direction. 
 
 " Many a countenance seems familiar, yet I cannot 
 claim acquaintance with any." 
 
 " Truly a stranger in a great city, is in the midst of 
 solitude, and feels what it is to he alone. It seems hut 
 a short time since I left my home to try my fortune 
 in distant lands, yet I find many changes, even in this 
 great city."
 
 4 ALTHA. 
 
 " Life's scenes are change, changing ever. Ah well ! 
 I will take a stroll hoping to find as much as a shadow 
 of some old friend remaining." 
 
 And he proceeded along the street with the easy care- 
 for-nothing air of the perfect man of leisure. He quick 
 ened his steps as he reached Court Street, occasionally 
 glancing at the numerous signs he passed, until his at 
 tention was arrested by a long list of names, posted he- 
 side a shady entrance, the ponderous door of which stood 
 invitingly open. He commenced ascending several flight 
 of stairs, musing as he went. 
 
 " What a cavernous looking entrance, how mysteriously 
 dark. I wonder how many tortured, anguished heads 
 and hearts have passed up and down these gloomy 
 steps." 
 
 He reached a half glass door, standing slightly ajar, 
 on which was portrayed in large black letters, Ethan 
 Eldridge, Attorney and Counsellor at Law, and quietly 
 entered without ceremony. 
 
 The occupant of the room was leaning back in his 
 chair, his arms suspended by a thumb caught in each 
 arm-hole- of his vest, his well shaped limbs crossed, and 
 resting on the top of an opposite chair, in which comfort 
 able position he seemed wholly lost in reverie profound,
 
 ALTHA. O 
 
 or given up to the study of some perspective speculation. 
 So intent were his thoughts upon his subject, that his 
 visitor stood several seconds coolly surveying the interior 
 of the apartment. Seeing the gentleman little likely to 
 he disturbed hy his presence, he walked holdly forward, 
 exclaiming, 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! 'Squire, turned visionary, and dreaming hy 
 sunlight?" 
 
 Instanter the *]person addressed was upon his feet, re 
 garding the new comer whom he quickly grasped, and 
 shook cordially hy the hand. 
 
 " < Shade of the Styx !' " My dear fellow, where did 
 you come from ? Ah ! my boy," laying his hand affec 
 tionately on his shoulder, " were you thinking of the 
 possibility of ' Charon' bringing hack to this shore of 
 mortality, some restless spirit of a former client, that 
 you seem so surprised at seeing me ?" 
 
 " Oh no, hy no means, have no fear upon that score ; 
 hut I'm delighted to see you. "Welcome, thrice welcome 
 home, my dear friend. When did you arrive ? Put up 
 at the Tremont, of course, and are going to stop with us 
 now, are you not ?" 
 
 With a bland smile at the squire's habit of premising 
 one's thoughts and actions. Halvor quietly answered.
 
 6 ALT HA. 
 
 " I arrived in town late last evening, stopped at the 
 American, (by the way, a new house opened since I left,) 
 which I have heard spoken of as being good at furnishing 
 home comforts, and quiet; and intend to stop just long 
 enough to get a little refreshed." 
 
 " But Ethan it is more than five years since we parted 
 company, leaving you to enjoy golden dreams, along 
 with the heterogeneous mass of humanity congregated in 
 the famous city of San Francisco, ostensibly poring over 
 
 grim statute books in the law office of Judge L . 
 
 Perhaps, occasionally, planning a siege against the 
 heart of some fair Senorita with golden pile and broad 
 rancheros in possession. Why is it I find you with all 
 your former ideal glory departed, settled down in this 
 changeful climate a Benedict." 
 
 " ask me not, I know nothing." 
 
 And his eye-lids drooped meekly. Yet a close observer 
 might see the smiling light of that hazel orb as it turned 
 a glance back upon the inner cell, where was hidden the 
 precious secret. 
 
 " Ethan this is hardly fair, I'll have to cut your 
 acquaintance on account of this unwarrantable selfish
 
 ALTHA. 7 
 
 silence, or in future repay you the same coin with 
 interest." 
 
 " Do no such thing Hal, and I'll confess." 
 
 " The truth is, I'm more anxious to hear of your 
 adventures, than to tell mine ; and why should I not 
 be? You have traveled throughout the length and 
 breadth of this, our glorious land, even to the western 
 portal, whose stupendous arches could shelter a stranded 
 nation, while proudly flung wide to welcome the com 
 merce of the globe." 
 
 " But here comes a client," said lawyer Eldridge, 
 taking out his watch as a foot-fall sounded on the stairs. 
 " I will dispose of his business as soon as possible, 
 make yourself comfortable, here is the morning paper." 
 
 "Thank you, don't hurry on my account. While 
 you are engaged, I will drop into the Exchange, and 
 take a look at the Washington Street belles, many of 
 their former images are retained in the little niche 
 where memory hides the pencilings of the beautiful" 
 
 " Exactly ; but you must dine with me to-day. We 
 dine at three ; not the most fashionable hour perhaps, 
 but it suits my time best." 
 
 " You may depend upon me, I would not willingly
 
 8 ALTHA. 
 
 loose this opportunity of paying my respects to your 
 wife." 
 
 Once more shaking hands at parting, Mr. Hazel 
 made his exit as the stranger entered, and touching his 
 hat au rewir disappeared from the landing.
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 " I go, I go ! And must mine image fade 
 
 From the green spots, wherein my childhood play'd, 
 
 By my own streams ? 
 
 Must my life part from each familiar place, 
 As a bird's song, that leaves the woods no trace 
 
 Of its lone themes ? " 
 
 MRS. HEMANS. 
 
 IN journeying through life, we meet many pleasant 
 acquaintances, and hold agreeable " chat and chaffer " 
 with them, knowing them only by name, perchance, not 
 even that. 
 
 However, we will improve the present opportunity to 
 learn something more concerning our new acquaintances 
 while they are engaged. 
 
 Mr. Hazel, or Halvor as he used to be familiarly 
 called, owned the modern city of Athens as his birth 
 place. His father, a wealthy and talented gentleman, 
 doted upon Halvor, his only son, and spared neither 
 teachers nor expense to educate him a perfect gentleman. 
 But Halvor would grow wild and careless, and the father
 
 10 ALTHA. 
 
 saw with dismay, that his son was frequently meeting 
 with fast young men ahout town, and feared and 
 trembled for his darling. 
 
 One day Halvor received from his hitherto too indulgent 
 parent a severe reprimand. In anger he seized his 'hat, 
 rushed into the hall, and out into the street ; no kind, 
 relenting voice as usual recalled him. Therefore, sullenly 
 he kept on his way, aimless his purpose, as had been 
 his life. He walked for a time beside the Park, then 
 entered it, and sauntered along the mall ; vexed still, 
 he threw himself upon one of the stone benches, beneath 
 the shade of the wide spreading trees, and gave way to 
 dark, bitter thoughts. The day was beautiful, the cool 
 sea breeze, from off the dark blue waters, fanned his 
 flushed and angry brow, and played with the heavy 
 mass of raven hair that shaded his broad lofty forehead. 
 His eye flashed, then softened as he gazed towards his 
 home, seen in the distance. He could see his sister's 
 room, and raising his tall form bent forward inquir 
 ingly, as through the open casement the white lace 
 window drapery rose and fell with the light breeze, 
 hoping and wishing to see her own dear self watching 
 beside it. Anon he watched the tiny boat of the
 
 ALTHA. 11 
 
 juveniles, wafted over the mimic waves of the pond, to 
 them a petite ocean, which reminded him of his own 
 boyish sports. He turned again toward the paternal 
 mansion, now doubly dear because he had left it in 
 anger. The shutters of his mothers room were closed 
 as usual. Sad, sad indeed were his thoughts reminding 
 him of that dear lost one, who had loved him, and 
 watched over his early days, with all gentleness ; curbing 
 the impetuous temper, and bending the strong will that 
 would break forth with harsh words and stern com 
 mands from less sympathizing persons. 
 
 He bent low his head, upon his hands, and gave way 
 to the flood-tide of feeling, which served to cool his 
 anger. At that moment two girls brushed gaily past 
 him, dressed in gauze and pastry gems, chattering and 
 giggling as they walked. He raised his head. His lip 
 curled. The feeling of vexation was but momentary. 
 
 " Oh why should I be angry with you, trifling dolls ; 
 for thus disturbing my reverie. Take comfort while 
 you may ; perhaps you are the wisest of the two. How 
 ever, your flight has recalled me to myself. A few 
 moments longer with this soothing, familiar scene 
 around me ; and thy potent influence my sainted 

 
 12 ALTHA. 
 
 mother, and I had succumbed to the ideal Goddess, and 
 had crept back to my father's Hall softened and sub 
 dued. I would ask to be forgiven, but in this case he 
 is in the wrong, and I will not be mean spirited through 
 any fear of the future." 
 
 He drew himself up and gazed proudly, sadly around 
 him. 
 
 "Farewell stately elms, and staid gravel walks, 
 beauteous green-sward and sparkling fountains, I leave 
 your cherished images for other scenes whose darker 
 hues shall nerve the soul to dare and do." 
 
 He hastened resolutely forward through thronging 
 thoroughfares, courts and narrow streets, a weary 
 round, stopping mechanically, it would seem, upon the 
 wharf and commenced surveying the packets and 
 steamers anchored in the dock and harbor. His brow 
 grew darker. His lips compressed more firmly. Not 
 even the sonorous " heave ahoy " of the sailors, which 
 he had formerly loved so well, had power to stir the 
 current of his thoughts. A hand was laid upon his 
 shoulder, and he turned suddenly, almost fiercely toward 
 the intruder, confronting our friend Ethan whose cheer 
 ful tones aroused him.
 
 ALTHA. 13 
 
 " Ah ! Halvor this is fortunate indeed, our meeting 
 here." 
 
 "Any thing remarkable in it;" rejoined Halvor 
 rather coldly, not feeling in the mood for company. 
 
 " Only this ; I am off for the gold regions, and could 
 not otherwise have seen you before leaving." 
 
 " Possible ! had not heard such was your intention." 
 
 " Suppose not, for I tried to keep shady about it, I 
 could not endure to talk over and discuss the subject 
 with every one. I don't like these adieus, unless with a 
 discharged creditor, bad case, or something of that 
 sort." 
 
 " When do you leave ?" 
 
 " I start to-morrow morning." 
 
 " So soon !" 
 
 " Yes ; I went to the city of Gotham two weeks ago 
 to purchase my ticket." 
 
 " Ethan just book me for your famous El Dorado." 
 
 " Halvor I should be most happy to do so ; but, can 
 you be in earnest ?" 
 
 " Yes ; there is nothing to prevent my keeping you 
 company. 
 
 Except you have no need to go ; you have not to wait 
 your turn, complaining clients scarce, office don't pay."
 
 14: ALTHA. 
 
 " Well, never mind that now, but remember the old 
 adage ' variety is the spice of life.' " 
 
 " How long do you stop in York city ? long enough 
 to have me get together what I need." 
 
 " Yes, and we have a little time now ; I am nearly 
 through with my arrangements, I'll assist you, and 
 gladly share with you all I have, only promise to stand 
 by me when we get there." 
 
 Arm in arm the two friends hurried about for a 
 couple of hours, then entering a saloon, Halvor wrote a 
 hasty note, enclosing the key of his desk, and despatched 
 a boy with it to No. , Tremont street. Then calling 
 for some refreshment the two sat down to await the 
 return of the messenger. The note ran thus : 
 
 ' ' SISTER ANNETTE : 
 
 Send me a roll of bills you will find in my desk, and keep the 
 key yourself until I return, I am going to New York, shall be ab 
 sent a few days, in the mean time, love as ever, 
 
 Your brother 
 
 HALVOR." 
 
 " What ! not going home Hal ? " 
 
 " Don't mention it, I'd not like to enter into any ex 
 planation of my movements at this time." 
 
 Soon after, the two friends separated to meet at the 
 rail-road station next morning.
 
 ALTHA. 15 
 
 " Well," said Halvor, to himself, " taking a retrospec 
 tive glance of this day's transactions, we have make 
 quick work of it." ' Alas, I have "broken the last link 
 that bound me to home and friends." 
 
 He leaned forward and took up the evening paper, 
 occasionally running his fingers through his hair that he 
 might forget.
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 "Art thou come "with, the heart of thy childhood back. 
 
 The free, the pure, the kind? 
 So murmur'd the trees in my homeward track, 
 As they played to the mountain wind." 
 
 MRS. HEMANS 
 
 FIVE years, old time with his hour-glass and scythe, 
 has wandered as usual through our "beautiful land, and 
 now, Halvor, the wanderer, has returned. He has grown 
 sterner and darker somewhat ; he walks forth free and 
 unconcernedly, yet at times, there is a sad expression 
 flitting around the mouth and the eyelids which tell his 
 thoughts are far away ; had we met him in some distant 
 country, we should have judged his heart was with his 
 kindred. Yet how has he heen engaged these weary 
 years ? Ah ! Lawyer Eldridge's client has departed, 
 and while the two gentlemen are going home, we will 
 make ourselves acquainted with a page or two of the 
 'Squire's early history. He was a true scion of the 
 north. In early days, inured to various hardships,
 
 ALT HA. 17 
 
 thought comparatively little of at the time, scarcely know 
 ing them to be hardships, from the difference of contrast, 
 I will repeat his story as I heard him relate it many 
 years ago. 
 
 "When I was a little shaver, we lived upon the 
 shore of Lake Winnepiseogee. One real hard winter, 
 when father had been sick for many months, and 
 mother had spent nearly all her funds for doctor's stuff, 
 I had to get up all the firewood, standing in the snow 
 barefooted. Fortunately, fuel was plenty, and I did 
 not have to go far to fetch it home. It was a long dis 
 tance to the store where we could obtain shoes and 
 stockings, besides, we did not know what might happen 
 before winter was gone, how long father might be ill, 
 therefore I would not take anything from mother's fast 
 diminishing pile, knowing she could not afford me any, 
 so mended and mended the old ones, till they couldn't 
 hang on any longer, then concluded to go without. 
 
 " Alas ! when the pleasant spring-time came, my father 
 slept his last sleep, and sadly we laid him down to rest 
 in the distant church-yard, and soon prepared to break 
 up our home. 
 
 "Often in boyhood's days, I have wandered along
 
 18 ALTHA. 
 
 the margin of that beautiful lake, where stood our cot 
 tage, "building air castles, as I gazed upon the darkling 
 blue limpid waters, whose glassy surface, reflected each 
 tiny isle, each wooded hill and shady dell, with the grand 
 old forest in the distance, and mountain tops lofty and 
 grim, whose granite "barriers would seem to defy even 
 the assaults of time. 
 
 " Those were days before the giant steam-horse had 
 crossed the country to our very borders, or the ' Lady_ 
 of the Lake' had walked the silent waters, waking 
 the echos of the fast nearing or receding shore with her 
 shrill whistle, and the panting, puffing, snorting efforts 
 of her sooty engine. But, as I was saying, we broke 
 up housekeeping, and sold the farm to the highest bid 
 der. Mother went to a distant part of the country, to 
 reside with connexions of some pretensions to wealth 
 and fashion, where she soon married again, thus en 
 tirely weaning me from home except by association of 
 early days. 
 
 " Too proud to be dependant, boy as I was, I struck 
 out for myself. Visiting the pretty village of Meridith, 
 I found a good situation, with plenty of employment, 
 also an opportunity for attending school, which I joy-
 
 ALTHA. 19 
 
 fully improved, and graduated at the academy in due 
 time. 
 
 " Soon after, with hands in my pockets, and heart in 
 the right place, I started upon a trip over the hills far 
 to the north, where I met and made friends with the 
 talented old Lawyer Underhill, a very worthy and re 
 spected citizen, who had a good run of practice in one 
 of the inland, would-he cities, and studied law with his 
 assistance, in his office three years. 
 
 " However, a peregrinating spirit was constantly get 
 ting the better of sober reason and staid habit ; conse 
 quently, at the end of that time I packed up and came 
 to this far-famed ' city of notions.' "
 
 CHAPTEE IV. 
 
 "He who loves not his country can love nothing." 
 
 BYRON. 
 
 THE hour-hand on the dial-plate of the Old South 
 pointed to three, as 'Squire Eldridge applied the latch 
 key, and ushered his friend into the hall. In the re 
 ception-room, which was most elegantly furnished, fhe 
 fair Mrs. Eldridge was waiting for the master of cere 
 monies. The usual ones, of presentation and compliment, 
 being over, they repaired to the dining hall. 
 
 Halvor supposed his coming had been entirely unex 
 pected to his fair hostess, but found everything arranged 
 for his comfort. His friend soon enlightened him, by 
 remarking, "Halvor, I am trying to adopt that old 
 fashion or whim of my father's that we have before 
 spoken of, of laying an extra cover when no guest is ex 
 pected. In this case, it has brought both the guest and 
 the blessing, which I consider your coming to-day." 
 
 Animated and happy, they laughed and chatted, dis-
 
 ALTHA. 21 
 
 cussing the variety of good things. An hour and a half 
 passed before the cloth was removed ; but as they were 
 neither great epicures nor gourmands, such a hasty 
 dinner might be excused, perhaps, even in fashionable 
 circles. 
 
 Emilie T had been quite a belle : as Mrs. Eld- 
 ridge, she was an interesting and agreeable lady, pre 
 siding with care and dignity over her household, with 
 all the magnified honors, cares and pleasures usually 
 pertaining to the establishment of a young wife. 
 
 Dinner being over, the gentlemen arose to leave 
 on plea of previous engagements that important 
 "somebody" to meet which must excuse them for leav 
 ing such pleasant cozy-like parlors. 
 
 ''Have you forgotten our cards for Judge Merrill's 
 
 to-night ? " Mrs. E ventured to say, addressing her 
 
 husband, who stood before the mirror, pulling up his 
 dickey, and giving his head a peculiar twist to see if his 
 neckerchief was easy, then adjusting his hat, and survey 
 ing it with a look, as much as to say, don't you think 
 I'm pretty good looking ? 
 
 " Now you remind me of it, I do remember. Well, 
 tell John to have the carriage ready, and you go as
 
 22 ALTHA. 
 
 early as you like, I will come as soon as I can get away." 
 And with a smile and " good bye," our friends are once 
 more in the street. 
 
 " Now, Halvor, what shall I do to amuse you ? we 
 have some hours on hand ; I have sent home my office- 
 boy, and closed doors for to-day. 
 
 " Will you go to the opera ? A friend sent me 
 tickets." 
 
 "I am not in the mood for harmonious sounds to 
 night of that description." 
 
 " What then, shall we go to the lodge ? 
 
 "Where shall it be, Ethan? where lofty halls are 
 magnificently draped with damask silks and velvets, 
 the gas jets flashing among cut-glass chandeliers, glit 
 tering with a jewelled radiance almost equalling the 
 splendor of noonday. The quaint device, the lone star, 
 the single eye, the death's head and cross-bones, the 
 scrip, the staff, the purse, the crystal basin, the floating 
 banners, where strong and noble men, dressed in all the 
 paraphernalia of pomp and greatness, glittering with 
 gold and mystery, are met to rehearse their kindly 
 charities, and give good gifts unto men? Or shall it 
 be the shady lodge, beneath the broad blue canopy oi
 
 ALTHA. 23 
 
 heaven, with myriad stars hung out to light the noise 
 less, swiftly-gathering band of brothers, no vigilant 
 watch can trace, no softly-tracing posse of nightly pat 
 rol can lay a hand upon, their wise brains teeming 
 with plans to save themselves, or brothers', perchance, a 
 nation's freedom ?" 
 
 " Here, Halvor, take my hat, and boots, too ; I am 
 ready to give in, since your's the high prerogative the 
 extent an honor of which I dream not to teach me all 
 the mysteries." 
 
 Steadily the twain kept on their way, jostled occasion 
 ally in the crowded streets, by some hasty denizen of 
 the city, or suburban, eager to gain their homes. But 
 they passed not without observation ; men, women, and 
 children, gazed at them, often turning back to take an 
 other look at the lions, who were obliged to hasten their 
 steps for fear of being followed by the crowd of loiter 
 ers. They reached the Tremont House, ascended the 
 stately steps, and palatial staircase, and traversed long 
 corridors with many windings and turnings, where one 
 might search and find not for many a weary hour. 
 Magically a door flew open, and they entered 
 a sumptuous chamber, fit for a monarch ; a nimble-
 
 24 ALT II A. 
 
 footed, animated attendant arranged everything for 
 their comfort. Doffing their beavers, they seated them 
 selves to enjoy the genial warmth of the glowing an 
 thracite kindling in the grate. 
 
 The attendant was disposing the crimson damask 
 more closely about the windows, while Halvor, as we 
 will still call him for brevity sake, raised his eyes 
 and continued speaking, as though he had just re 
 covered from the abyss of struggling thought in which 
 he had been lost. 
 
 " No ! No ! hope not, think not in me to find that 
 blessed privilege, that high prerogative of which you 
 speak ; were mine the precious boon to read mens souls, 
 and lead them, 'tis true I should wish no blot nor stain 
 to mar our nations heraldry, and that proudly, O, how 
 proudly on every breeze as now, on land and seas, 
 might wave the stars and stripes. Flag of the free ! 
 but I too might say, literally, I know nothing." 
 
 The curtain dropped from the nerveless hand of the 
 attentive Michael, who, for a moment forgetting his place, 
 stood with mouth and eyes wide open ; a glance from 
 Eldridge recalled him to himself, and he quickly 
 disappeared to his accustomed station in the ante-room 
 adjoining the office.
 
 ALTHA. 25 
 
 " Mike, Mike," called out one of his companions, " I 
 say, what kind o' chaps is them you've been waiting on 
 in No. ," intimating the situation of the room by a 
 quick motion of the thumb over his shoulder. 
 
 Mike, with the latent wonder still gleaming in his 
 eyes, put on a very wise look, and answered, " I know 
 nothing." 
 
 " Whew ! Jehoshaphat ! know nothings be they ? Well 
 then why didn't you creep into the closet, under the 
 chairs, behind the curtains, slide between the panels, 
 make yourself into a footr-ball, in short do anything 
 rather than leave ? " 
 
 " The fact is, I was so taken by surprise, so flusterfied 
 like, hearing the one with the dark eyes talking about 
 his high prerogative to teach the secrets, I didn't think, 
 nor dare neither to play tricks on them." 
 
 " Ah ! Mike," continued the first speaker, " that shows 
 you'r rather verdant, I only wish I had been there instead 
 of you, you'd see what I'd found out." 
 
 Thus, from lip to lip, in mysterious whispers, was 
 spoken the magic word of know nothing in connection 
 with the strangers. 
 
 The occupants of the chamber are still engaged in
 
 26 ALTHA. 
 
 friendly chat, unmindful of the commotion helow stairs 
 concerning them. 
 
 " Halvor, I have been often surprised at the number 
 of smart, enterprising men, who go out to the gold 
 regions, and more surprised at the rapid strides of 
 civilization, and the advancement and improvement of 
 society, compared with the number of human beings 
 from every grade and nation, without law or order, 
 making little of safety and less of comfort, even when we 
 , first went there. Now, the Cities are subject not only 
 to good order and the best regulations, but they abound 
 in the comforts, luxuries and splendors of olden Cities. 
 Nay, more, on the same plan of rapid advancement, I 
 believe they are already beginning" to live too fast. As 
 to society, all who can dress and appear respectably are 
 admitted to the best." 
 
 " Yes, Ethan, and their cry is, give us more energetic 
 men, more worthy citizens, for there is room enough, 
 room enough yet. But, Ethan, I supposed when we 
 parted company there, that great country would be your 
 home by adoption." 
 
 " Exactly ; not that we do n't appreciate our birth 
 place ; we value it more ; we glory in it, blessed by our 
 pilgrim fathers, from among the ashes of whose altar
 
 ALTHA. 27 
 
 fires, our noblest emotions and truest thoughts have been 
 nurtured ; but I learned 'twere well to improve the one 
 talent, not stand back inactive, or quietly suffer our 
 selves to remain in ignorance upon any subject, because 
 there are so many wise ones in the way before us, but 
 do the best we can, even if we cannot see honor and dis 
 tinction awaiting us." 
 
 "Ethan I learned a similar lesson by comparing 
 the people and institutions of other countries with our 
 own, and watching from a distance the thoughts and 
 movements of our own republic." 
 
 " In reference to your question Halvor, why am I 
 here, you will understand me better if I break off and 
 make you acquainted with the history of another." 
 
 " Ah ! something after the old sort, an ' affaire de 
 coeeur f ' " 
 
 " Yes ; I have it written, and will hand you the manu 
 script to peruse at your leisure. As for myself, I made 
 up my mind to try gold digging ; very sanguine that 
 I should get a heap of gold rocks in no time ; imple 
 ments to work with, land to be worked and water privi- 
 ledge, cost me a good round sum, but then we are going 
 to get it all back again so soon, I tried to think the 
 outlay quite excusable. Accordingly started with the
 
 28 ALTHA. 
 
 first company going to . On arrival hired two 
 
 sturdy laborers to remove the sand and gravel, and we 
 commenced operations. I worked for three days, then 
 caved; spunky say you? Well, the treasure might lie 
 buried, for me, if there could be no easier method of 
 getting it, than we had then. It was my business to 
 sift and wash the dirt and gravel, a long trough-liko 
 seive being used for that purpose formed with strips of 
 board for the sides, and parallel rods of iron or narrow 
 strips of board placed across the bottom. One's hands 
 had to be constantly used passing the dirt back and 
 forth with the water in the seive, picking out the ore 
 and gathering the dust. The first day, my hands 
 blistered and the skin peeled off, the second and third 
 the nails were worn below the quick, and such excruci 
 ating tortures you may have read of, but I hope you 
 have never suffered." 
 
 Halvor smiled his sympathy, while Ethan continued : 
 " The old miners told me I should get used to it, but 
 I had had enough of it, consequently discharged my 
 men, sold a part of my apparatus, leaving what I could 
 not sell, retaining only a lease of the ground to rent to 
 other adventurers, and sat down to count the profits.
 
 ALTHA. 29 
 
 As I told you, I had spent some hundreds to commence 
 with, for which I gained an amount of ore and dust 
 worth about fifteen dollars ; not half enough to pay my 
 board. I assure you I prized every particle of it, and 
 would not part with it ; since then I have had it made 
 into this ring," displaying a heavy one worn upon his 
 little finger. " I keep it as a souvenir of gold digging. 
 But it is time for me to be at Judge Merrill's ; will you 
 go with me? Your appearance will create quite a 
 sensation." 
 
 " No, Ethan,! am not fond of notoriety, besides I have 
 more important affairs on hand ; I must first see Annette. 
 My messenger returned answer that she was out this 
 morning, and would be engaged until evening ; I wish 
 to spend a few hours with her before presenting myself 
 to the rest of the family." 
 
 " Ah ! quite natural that she should be engaged, I 
 hear that she is to be married soon." 
 
 " Is it indeed so ? I could have wished it otherwise, 
 but have no right to complain, she may have felt the 
 need of sympathy, and a strong arm to lean upon, 
 myself in voluntary banishment, whose greatest pleasure
 
 30 ALTHA. 
 
 it should have been to have given her a brother's 
 affection." 
 
 " Well, Halvor, I must be off, here is the manuscript 
 I spoke of, for your perusal," and he handed him a 
 package of neatly written paper rolled together and 
 fastened by an elastic band. 
 
 " What ! from father Anselmo of Mexico ? Possible." 
 
 " Do you know him Halvor ?" 
 
 " Yes ; that is, I have met him, and anything con 
 cerning him will be doubly interesting." 
 
 " How did you know the papers were his." 
 
 " I suspected, rather than knew it ; for here are some 
 small characters upon the margin which he taught me 
 to decipher. Nothing of importance though." 
 
 " Do you know his history." 
 
 " I know that he wears the garb of a monk, and he 
 may have been a priest of the Holy Order, as he calls 
 the Ecclesiastic's of the Church of Home." 
 
 " He seemed to me remarkably sincere and candid ; 
 yet, notwithstanding all his efforts, he could not always 
 keep his thoughts and judgment in papistical subjection. 
 But good-night, Hal, come to my office to-morrow, early." 
 
 "Yes; good-bye."
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 " He seeks the needy in distress, 
 The widow and the fatherless, 
 And strives with all his means to bless." 
 
 "What a noble looking man your friend is," re 
 marked Mrs. Eldridge, when they were once more at 
 home. " Why did you never tell me more about him ? 
 and you went away together." 
 
 " Yes, he stood by me like a brother ; he's a noble 
 hearted fellow, he will stand by one in trouble to the 
 very death ; he used to be rather a wild boy before he 
 went away, but seems more thoughtful now. Where 
 formerly you would admire him, even as a stranger, for 
 his humorous wit and talent, you would love him now 
 for his candid interest, so full of sympathy, as though 
 his great heart could take in all the wants of his race, 
 and plan or help to provide for them. But he is so 
 modest, and has such a quiet way of doing things." 
 
 " I wonder, hub., why he never got married."
 
 32 ALTHA. 
 
 " Married, ha ! ha ! he will never get married I 
 assure you. He is not a lady's man." 
 
 " From what I saw of him to-day, he can be a very 
 agreeable companion." 
 
 " That is true, but it takes a very peculiar woman to 
 suit him. I remember he used to say he had no doubt 
 but that there was one made for him, but some other 
 might have claimed her through mistake, or they might 
 never meet. He used to declare in some of his facetious 
 moods that he should know the one at first sight." 
 
 " Well, dear, I hope we shall see him often while he 
 is in town."
 
 CHAPTEE VI. 
 
 " Where burns the loved hearth brightest, 
 
 Cheering the social breast ? 
 Where beats the fond heart lightest, 
 Its humble hopes possessed ? 
 
 Go ! leave thy gift unoffered 
 
 Beneath religions dome, 
 And be thy first fruits proffered 
 
 At home ! dear home I" 
 
 WITH strange confusion of emotions, the exile as 
 cended his fathers steps and rang the belL He was 
 ushered into the hall by a stranger. 
 
 " I wish to see Miss Hazel." 
 
 The man eyed him rather more freely than was his 
 wont, took a step or two forward, then turned, almost 
 doubting the propriety of his own actions, as he glanced 
 at the stern countenance of the stranger, and inquired 
 if he would " send up his card." 
 
 No ; just tell her I wish to see her." 
 
 " And who the deuce are you ! " thought the waiter, 
 as he began to climb the stairs, not knowing what 
 better to do.
 
 34 ALTHA. 
 
 Halvor followed close upon him, as lie threw open the 
 door cf the private parlor, and called " Miss Hazel a 
 gentleman wishes to see you." 
 
 " Who is it, Thomas ?" 
 
 But before the man could answer, Halvor had thrust 
 himself forward with a quick step, and come to a full 
 stop in the middle of the room. 
 
 Annette rose, gazed at him a second, and with the 
 cry, " brother !" sprung forward ; his strong arms were 
 already open to receive her, and quickly folded her in a 
 loving embrace, where she rested quivering with the in 
 tense excitement of the moment. 
 
 He led her to a seat upon the divan near, she cling 
 ing to him, and looking up in his face, as though he 
 formed part of her existence. 
 
 Speedily time flew by ; the small hours of a new day 
 began to le numbered, before Halvor arose to leave. 
 Chiding both himself and sister, for allowing him to 
 keep her up so late, he would not be persuaded to re 
 main, saying he had business which would render it 
 more convenient for him to stop " down town " until his 
 father's return from a journey, being expected in a few 
 days ; but he would come every day to see her, if his
 
 ALTHA. 35 
 
 presence would be no drawback upon her preparations 
 and arrangements for the future. 
 
 " I have also brought you a few choice presents in the 
 way of gems and curiosities, to prove to you that you 
 were not forgotten during my travels ; they will make 
 quite an addition to your collection for your new home." 
 
 " Thank you ; you are a darling brother. I shall 
 prize them highly, and you, always used to be so 
 thoughtful for me.
 
 CHAPTEE VII. 
 
 " How beautiful it is for man to die 
 Upon the walls of Zion ! to be called 
 Like a watch-worn and weary sentinel, 
 To put his armor off, and rest in heaven." 
 
 WILLIS. 
 
 EETURNED to his hotel, and seated once more alone, in 
 his comfortable room, Halvor slowly unfolded the manu 
 script, and commenced the narrative : 
 
 " Many years ago, standing in full view of the broad 
 expanding ocean, a short distance from the thriving 
 and beautiful city of Portland, might be seen a fine 
 mansion, the residence of a gentleman who had retired 
 from business, by the name of Walton, better known as 
 General Walton. Here he resided with his wife, a gentle- 
 minded, loving woman, devoting his time to his hand 
 some grounds, and the education of his three interesting 
 children, Geneva, Edwin, and Altha ; each shared a 
 father's pride and a mother's doating fondness. Yet, 
 the most endearing affections of the happiest home 
 circles are not always exempt from sorrow and trouble.
 
 ALTHA. 37 
 
 Happy are they who have learned to bear them as the 
 chastening messengers of a kind Father's love. 
 
 It was a cold bitter day in the month of February ; 
 the snow lay upon the ground many feet deep enough, 
 it would seem, to last until midsummer ; long icicles 
 were pendant from every building, tree, and fence like 
 wise, where there was one uncovered by the white dazzling 
 snow. 
 
 The cold was intense : even the city physician took 
 more than his usual precaution of wrapping in fur 
 coat, mufflers, and leggins, while preparing for his daily 
 visit to his patients. He drew reign opposite General 
 Walton's and throwing them upon the back of his well- 
 trained animal, sprung lightly out of his gig and up 
 the snow-path, attempting, as he went, to get up the 
 circulation, entered the parlor, and finding no one, 
 passed forward to the sick room. All the family were 
 assembled there, a sad, sad group. The once proud, 
 robust form of Mr. Walton was stretched upon a couch, 
 pale, emaciated, helpless. Deep lines were furrowed 
 across the forehead and darkened around the mouth, 
 caused by wearying sickness and pain. The eyes sunken 
 
 in the head, at times for a moment or two, were deeply 
 4
 
 38 ALTHA. 
 
 brilliant from excitement. The physician advanced to 
 the bedside, where Mrs. Walton sat, half reclining 
 against the pillows for support, and took the hand she 
 had been holding in her own, and had dropped upon 
 the coverlid at his approach. 
 
 " Well, General, how do you feel to-day ? " 
 
 "Doctor, my lamp grows dim. I shall soon know 
 what it is to make an exchange of worlds. 
 
 "I had hoped to find you more comfortable." 
 And he turned aside, looked out of the window, then 
 among the cups and glasses upon the table. Many 
 anxious eyes were upon him, dreading to read what 
 their fearful hearts knew but too well. He busied him 
 self preparing some simple anodyne to procure some 
 thing like rest, which the nearly exhausted patient 
 seemed so much to need, then turned again to the couch. 
 The General held out his hand ; the doctor took it, and 
 retained it several moments. 
 
 " Doctor," he spake at last, feebly and slowly, " thank 
 you for all your kind attention to me and mine, these 
 long months past. I thought I never should get up 
 from that fever last fall, and so it has proved. 0, be 
 always kind to these dear ones I leave behind, as you
 
 A L T n A . 39 
 
 have been to me. Farewell." He turned his face away 
 for a moment, as though to sound in his heart again 
 that funeral knell farewell ! 
 
 The good Doctor Burton drew himself back, and 
 looked around as though he hoped to gain fortitude 
 from the vain wish that he could say something more 
 cheerful to the family. He was used to such scenes, 
 yet he could not witness them unmoved, and his heart 
 would bleed for the stricken ones. 
 
 This parting with Doctor Burton seemed but the pre 
 cursor of more trying and painful ones for the family. 
 For a time he lay quiet and calm. The nurse passed 
 quickly to and from the room ; also Edwin and Altha, 
 when they could no longer contain the swelling grief in 
 their young bosoms, would leave the room for a moment 
 to still their sorrow-laden thoughts, then back again in 
 sight of the dear one. 
 
 " Deacon Breck, you are still here." 
 
 " Yes, brother ; how do you feel now ? " 
 
 " I know in whom I have believed, and, though I 
 walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no 
 eviL You will stay with us to-night." 
 
 " Yes, yes ; as long as you wish."
 
 40 ALTHA. 
 
 " Deacon, when I am gone," and his voice was firm 
 and clear as usual, " be faithful to the trust I leave with 
 you. See my will carried out as I have expressed it. 
 There is pleasure in the thought, even at this moment, 
 that with good management, I leave them all enough 
 for comfort, and a trifle to spare. My wife can look 
 after the girls ; but I want you to look after Edwin. 
 0, how I have wished him to become a wise and worthy 
 man. This has been my prayer ; see that he has every 
 advantage for the advancement of his morals and learn 
 ing. I have spoken to you of my thoughts and plans 
 before ; but remind you of them, knowing that you will 
 hold them more sacred, that you will remember my dy 
 ing request. You have been a good neighbor, a kind 
 friend ; may we meet again in that world where is 
 known no parting of friends." Again the solemn quiet 
 the clock upon the mantle seemed still alive, as it 
 ticked clear and monotonous as the death watch at mid 
 night. Once or twice the lips of the dying man moved, 
 as if the mind wandered, perhaps in prayer. But 
 the tones were too low for even the breathless dear ones 
 to interpret their meaning ; a shiver, and he partly 
 raised himself upon the pillow, and threw his arms
 
 ALTHA. 41 
 
 around the neck of his wife ; one long agonizing kiss 
 and he leaned back ; his children came quickly to his 
 bedside and shared each a parting kiss, a last fond em 
 brace ; something like a stifled groan was heard from 
 Edwin, who came last, and the father's eye rested upon 
 him earnestly and lovingly, yet sorrowfully. " My 
 son be to them a father, brother, all, when I am gone." 
 Gently the eyelids dropped, and closing down shut out 
 the dim light of earth. Still, still, oh ! how still was 
 the chamber of death. 
 
 " He sleeps in Jesus, let us leave him with his God," 
 repeated the Deacon, solemnly breaking the chill silence 
 creeping around the sorrowing hearts. Then the foun 
 tain of tears was broken, drowning the ghastly spirit 
 sorrow, until it sinks to sighs and a low wail for the dead. 
 The children gathering around the mother, all walk 
 away ; leaving husband and father to an unbroken rest. 
 Months passed away. The widow sadly brooded over 
 her loss ; in every look, in every movement, you could 
 well fancy you heard her saying, " I'm a'weary, I'm 
 a'weary, I would that I were dead." 
 
 Edwin had entered the Deacon's store, at his sugges 
 tion, until some place was decided upon for him to go, 
 where to complete his studies. -The girls remained at
 
 42 ALTHA. 
 
 home with their mother ; already with the buoyant 
 spirit of youth, anticipating their future .pleasures and 
 pursuits. 
 
 One evening in the early autumn, at twilight, the 
 ghis walked out to meet their brother on his return from 
 the store, and meeting with some associates remained 
 much longer than they had intended. 
 
 The Deacon dropped in occasionally to see the family. 
 Genevea and Edwin who never thought of him before, 
 except as their father's friend, had begun to watch him 
 with the anxious, instinctive curiosity of children, and 
 to feel a. dislike toward him, imagining him sinister and 
 cold hearted. Not so with Mrs. Walton, she could see 
 him only through the mind of her deceased husband, 
 which thought would not admit of doubt ; all must be 
 right. 
 
 On this evening, when the children were out, he had 
 casually dropped in. He sat a little time rather un 
 easily, making remarks on the weather and prospect of 
 crops, then clearing his throat began : 
 
 " Mrs. Walton, I have for some time delayed speak 
 ing definitely of your affairs, not wishing to harrow 
 your sad thoughts and grief, but it seems altogether 
 expedient that I should .not wait longer."
 
 ALTHA. 43 
 
 "What is it?" she asked, lifting up Jier eyes and 
 resting the glance of her full grey orbs upon him, taken 
 as she was quite by surprise. 
 
 " In regard to General Walton's estate, the property 
 and debts, after all is settled, I find there will be much 
 less remaining than he gave, me reason to suppose, and 
 it makes it all the more difficult to arrive at the amount, 
 from the fact that I find among the papers no will." 
 
 "No will! what do you mean? No will!" she 
 screamed, almost hissed, in his ears, so husky was her 
 voice from excitement. " I saw it written by 'Squire 
 Cram, and enclosed with the valuable papers in the box, 
 and locked and sealed, and handed to you for safe 
 keeping. No will ! I cannot comprehend it, sir ! " and 
 she bent forward, regarding him with a searching look 
 " Tell me how you account for it." 
 
 " The very thing madam, in which I hope you can 
 help me. I find a copy of a will, which must have 
 been the one drawn up at first, and which, by accident, 
 was taken, and placed in the box for the bona fide will, 
 while the true one was brushed away with the waste 
 
 * 
 
 papers." 
 
 " Impossible ! "
 
 44 ALTHA. 
 
 " Just so it seemed to me at first. But can you not 
 see how such an accident might have happened ? I can 
 account for it in no other way." 
 
 " dear, what shall we do ? But why," said she, her 
 eye lighting up with a new thought, " why did you not 
 mention it sooner." 
 
 " Why, I did not think it necessary to read the papers 
 immediately after the general's decease. Therefore, 
 when I did so and discovered it, I could not think of any 
 other way to account for it, and conferred immediately 
 with Lawyer Cram, and he thinks as I do, that the copy 
 must have been accidentally taken for the proper 
 will, and the true one destroyed, or laid away in some 
 thing." 
 
 The good lady was again taken aback, and dropped 
 into her seat, crouching forward. " My children, 0, my 
 children, why did this thing happen ? It is not for my 
 self I care, but for you, who will be wronged." 
 
 The deacon smiled, quite a satisfactory smile for 
 him, and continued, " I hope you will find the will, or 
 at least think where it might have been put ; unless you 
 can, I see no way but to go on and settle the estate by
 
 ALTHA. 45 
 
 law, and it will take a long time, as there are accounts 
 'to be brought in, and bills to be collected." 
 
 Still the widow's thoughts were in a tumult, and she 
 sat half unconscious of what she was saying. But he 
 had said his say, and prepared to leave, screwing up his 
 features into as sympathising a form as possible. " My 
 dear madam, how deeply I feel for you. I had all 
 along feared and dreaded this, and I would not speak 
 to cause you trouble, until I had thought and done 
 everything I could. But take courage ; you may find 
 the will," while his eye said, " I know you won't, and 
 what if you do not ; can't you settle the property be 
 tween yourselves." 
 
 " I will talk with you another time," said Mrs. Wal 
 ton nervously, " at present I can think of nothing." 
 
 Deacon Breck dropped his head, sunk his chin behind 
 his collar, well pleased with the move he had made, and 
 the advantage he had gained. 
 
 A little while and the girls returned with their brother ; 
 they were startled on beholding their mother, who,, they 
 saw at a glance, was suffering from new trouble, and 
 began to fear they had been gone too long. 
 
 " Mother," said Geneva, walking hastily forward, and
 
 46 ALTHA. 
 
 lifting her head, which was resting on the arm of the 
 sofa, " are you ill, dear mother ; I did not think we had 
 been gone very long." 
 
 Mrs. Walton raised her eyes sorrowfully, "I could 
 have wished, my children, you had been here, then I 
 should have been spared the repetition of bad news." 
 
 " What bad news ? " all exclaimed in a breath. " Let 
 us hear quick, mother," cried Edwin, cheerfully, and we 
 will help you to bear it." 
 
 "Put away your bonnets and shawls, and we will 
 talk about it," which order seemed given in this instance 
 partly to restore her own failing calmness. " The trouble 
 my children," said she, at length, " is concerning your 
 father's affairs. Deacon Breck tells me there is no will 
 to be found." 
 
 " No will ; the liar ! " exclaimed Edwin springing to 
 his feet. 
 
 " No will ! " said Geneva, proudly tossing her head. 
 
 " Explain it, mother," put in Altha, who, though the 
 youngest, and by far the most quiet, was not the least 
 quick-sighted. 
 
 Here the mother gave a detailed account of what had 
 passed, to her excited children. Edwin, who had seen
 
 ALT HA. 47 
 
 fourteen winters, felt himself quite a man, and walked 
 the floor with rapid strides, making his footsteps as 
 heavy as possible. His eyes flashing with anger, his 
 cheek burning with excitement, occasionally speaking a 
 bitter word against their guardian. Geneva stood 
 proudly before the fire, after they had ceased talking 
 and conjecturing, as though some great thoughts of vil- 
 liany had been presented to her mind for the first time. 
 Altha sat by her mother, a tear dropping from her long 
 eyelashes, for the grief of others, which she could not 
 comprehend. At last, Edward decided he would call 
 over to see Lawyer Cram, notwithstanding his mother's 
 assurance, that it would do no good. The next morning 
 the girls met him on his return, but he would not tell 
 them anything until he reached the house. Then, said 
 he, " Mother, whatever old Cram knows or does n't know, 
 he would n't tell me a word. My opinion is, mother, 
 that he knows more than he would like all the world 
 to know. 
 
 " But your opinion, my son, would not weigh in a 
 court of justice." 
 
 " I know it, mother, else he'd stand a chance to get 
 some of his deserts, along with some others I know ; but
 
 48 ALT HA. 
 
 I've a mind never to set my foot in old skinflint's 
 store again." 
 
 "Don't get so excited, Edwin, and talk so rudely 
 about the man ; perhaps it is as he says, and it will 
 come out all right in the end, and all for the best. I 
 think you had better go back to the store. Your guar 
 dian may be induced to look after our interests better 
 than he otherwise would ; besides, I see nothing we can 
 do at present." 
 
 "Well, I think he needs looking after; that's a 
 fact." 
 
 " Be careful, my sou, and not do wrong." 
 
 " Well, I'll be careful ; " and as he moved toward 
 the door he called to Altha "good bye, little sis," 
 and he caught hold of her long golden curls, that 
 floated like a veil over neck and shoulders, and threw 
 them in a tangled mass upon her head. She was his 
 pet, and took all his boyish freaks in good part, know 
 ing what re'al brotherly love he had for her. 
 
 After much useless talk and labor, it was decided 
 that the property should be reduced to available funds 
 and kept for the benefit of the children. The Deacon 
 never failed to remind them often, that the sum would
 
 ALTHA. 49 
 
 be small, not even precluding the necessity of laboring 
 to assist themselves. The house, grounds and furniture, 
 most of it must be disposed of, as unsuited to the place 
 they must occupy ; and all were of one mind that they 
 chose to go far away, rather than remain near their old 
 home, and did, at times, feel like murmuring and re 
 pining at what appeared to them a perverse fate ; I said 
 all, but should have excepted the mother, she knew the 
 value of kind neighbors, and well tried friends and 
 acquaintances, who had surrounded her in joy and 
 Borrow, and would gladly have remained among them, 
 however humble her lot, yet, if her children's welfare 
 demanded the sacrifice, she was willing to leave all for 
 their sake. The widow held her thirds, therefore, she 
 felt that she had a trifle to fall back upon in case of 
 sickness or dire necessity, in any uncalculable form. 
 How little one living in comfort and luxury, without 
 any knowledge of the minor details of living, can com 
 prehend the chances and changes of a future, and the 
 expenditures for a livelihood. It was well for our young 
 friends, that their prospects in anticipation looked less 
 formidable than they might prove ; yet, even with the 
 darkest side of the picture before them, with courage
 
 50 ALTHA. 
 
 and perseverance, we have no doubt but they will come 
 off conquerors, as others have done before them. 
 
 At this time there was loafing around that part of the 
 city, where Deacon Breck's store was situated, two young 
 men, suspected of having morals and principles as 
 unstable and disorderly as were their habits and circum 
 stances. Deacon Breck often employed one or the other 
 of them to do small jobs, such as loading or assisting to 
 unload goods, and stowing away heavy and unweildy 
 articles, for which service he gave them a drink, a 
 few cigars, or pipe and tobacco. They had been intelli 
 gent boys, and had got an idea that they were born 
 for a respectable or better situation ; but they had no 
 means to carry out any plan of their own, and did not 
 know or feel that they could proceed without some little 
 assistance, or well directed counsel which their parents 
 were unable to give. They had been too often im 
 pressed with the idea, that if rich, they might do any 
 thing, but if poor, no one would care for them. 
 
 How little do persons who have, outlived childhood 
 and youth think or dream of the effect of bitter lessons, 
 or the repetition of them, to cramp the energies of 
 younger minds. 
 
 The two boys lived near each other, and together
 
 ALTHA. 51 
 
 formed plans for the future, and idly waited for some 
 thing to " turn up " in their favor. They did not think, 
 or did not know, they must first discover their own 
 ability and power to cope with obstacles, and then push 
 ahead ; but from waiting and idling, they began to feel 
 the opinion that others, more fortunate, expressed, that 
 they themselves were little worthy of confidence and 
 respect.
 
 CHAPTEE VIII. 
 
 ' ' Behind the cloud of death, 
 
 Once, I beheld a sun ; a sun which gilt 
 That sable cloud, and turned it all to gold. 
 How the graves altered ! fathomless as hell ! 
 A real hell to those who dreamed of Heaven ! " 
 
 NIGHT THOUGHTS. 
 
 A FEW days subsequent to the events narrated in the 
 last chapter, one of these young loafers entered the 
 store in the ahsence of the Deacon, and coolly stretched 
 himself upon the farther end of the counter, there 
 being no one but Edwin present, who was engaged 
 in arranging various articles upon the shelves, which 
 he continued taking from a package just opened. 
 
 Edwin having been cautioned against associating with 
 young men of his habits, never ventured into conversa 
 tion with him, though he often felt pity for him, for be 
 coming so unworthy, when he had talents to make a 
 man. Ike, who answered to this euphonious title, spoke 
 at length, " Ed., how can you endure to stay here and 
 drudge for the Deacon ? Why don't you pay up old 
 scores and leave?"
 
 ALT II A. 53 
 
 " I do sometimes feel almost savage enough to do so ; 
 but then there is mother and the girls." 
 
 " Oh ! Ed. ; I only wish I was in your place, I'd do 
 it. You know how I hate him ; I am ready to kill my 
 self at times for doing his drudgery. But he knows I 
 can't resist a treat. He knows, too, that I have not 
 courage enough to stand up after my work is done and 
 say, ' Pay me something better.' How his look creeps 
 through my flesh to my very toes, as it says, ' What 
 else are you good for? ' " 
 
 " But Ike, why don't you turn over a new leaf in 
 your day-book of respectability ? " 
 
 " Yes, Ed., and write it down like the last ; for I 
 should meet Old Crooked Sticks, with his small jobs, or 
 some of the boys, just returned from somewhere, having 
 performed some wonderful exploit, ' to stand treat/ 
 when away would go all my good resolutions. It's no 
 use; I tell you it's no kind o' use. Howsomever, Ed., 
 if you will just ' keep dark ' and let me serve the 
 Deacon a turn, ' I'll set quits,' with him and then re 
 form." 
 
 Edwin had no time to make any inquiries, for Iktf 
 suddenly threw himself from his recumbent position, 
 
 exclaiming, " there comes his pictur," and thrusting his 
 6*
 
 54 ALTHA. 
 
 hands into his pockets, strode rapidly out of the shop 
 and down the street, looking indifferent and lawless as 
 possible. As the owner of the store entered, he gazed 
 around with a stern, consequential air, to assure himself 
 that all was right, then ensconcing himself in his arm 
 chair, he adjusted his gold-bowed spectacles, and took 
 up the paper. After a few moments, he inquired, 
 addressing Edwin, but never raising his eyes from the 
 paper, " What is that vagabond Ike hanging round 
 now for ?" 
 
 " Can't say sir," was the response, and Edwin con 
 tinued brushing down the counter. Another pause and 
 his employer went on interrogatively. 
 
 " I think your mother will make a good thing of it, 
 by removing to Eoxbury, Mass. I liked those English 
 people, Lord, I believe you call them, who visited here a 
 few weeks last summer ; they were so affable and agree 
 able; a distant connection of your father's, eh? and 
 they have the means. No doubt they will be a great 
 advantage to the girls, and help you considerably." 
 
 Edwin made no reply to this long speech, yet his 
 brow flushed with anger, for he saw in it the calculating 
 spirit of their guardian, wishing them well out of the 
 way, and willing to thrust them upon any one who
 
 ALTHA. 55 
 
 would bo likely to have any thought or care for them. 
 That day ended, as all days have an end. His 
 employer retired home early, leaving him to guard 
 his property, attend upon the few customers that might 
 call, close the shop and then seek his hard, temporary 
 couch among cotton bales, flour barrels and tea-chests, 
 over the sales room, where his gurdian had wished him 
 to sleep, in order to "be on hand a little earlier in the 
 morning," as he expressed it. 
 
 Edwin had put up the last shutter, and was closing 
 the door, when a hand was thrust in at the opening. 
 Edwin started in surprise, then drew the door open a 
 little to see who might be there, when Ike, with a 
 chuckle and a bound, sprang past him into the room, 
 expressing his satisfaction at having gained entrance 
 by a sort of defiant grin. 
 
 " What do you want now, Ike ? " 
 
 " O, something important, of course; but haul along 1 - 
 side," said he, drawing a seat near the stove where there 
 had been a fire, for the evening was cool, " and I will 
 toll you." 
 
 Edwin began to feel some few twinges in the region 
 of self-esteem, on finding himself in juxtaposition with 
 so questionable a visitor.
 
 56 ALTHA. 
 
 "Well," began Ike, " how are the folks to hum?" 
 
 " Well as usual," was the answer. 
 
 " Now, I must say, Old Crooked Sticks served you a 
 trick concerning that ere mil! fact, Ed. ; he ought to 
 suffer for it. I'll tell you what, I've a sort o' hankerin' 
 arter some o' these ar notions to balance accounts be 
 tween him and me.-" 
 
 " But I don't settle any such accounts as you may 
 have against Deacon Breck ; true, he has wronged me 
 and those dear to me, but I shall not play tricks upon 
 him ; I have enough to do to look after my own affairs." 
 
 " 0, don't fret yourself," said Ike, who always 
 adopted an outlandish style of language, when, as he 
 termed it, feeling for the soft place in the skull of his 
 victims. " Keep cool ; all we want, that is, Mose and I, 
 is, that you should be quiet, if you hear any little noise 
 in the back court or down below in here to-night, or if 
 anything is missing to-morrow, or any time after this, 
 you won't know anything about it of course. Come, now, 
 you can 't say you would n't like it." 
 
 " Perhaps I might Ike, if I was not here, as I am, it 
 is out of the question, and I shall feel it my duty to be 
 on the watch to prevent mischief." 
 
 " To preach against us, and get us jugged, eh ?"
 
 A L T H A . 57 
 
 " I should regret to do that ; but you know it would 
 not be safe for you or me either, after such an affair as 
 you propose." 
 
 " 0, we have arranged it safe enough ; but if you 
 don't want to list, nuff sed." 
 
 A rustling was heard, which sounded like a person 
 brushing against the shutter. Ike raised his head and 
 listened ; when all was still, he arose, signifying his 
 readiness to go home. Edwin unfastened the door to 
 let him out, when, to his astonishment, Mose crowded 
 himself in. 
 
 Edwin regarded the two a moment, then putting on 
 all the manliness he could command, addressed them 
 " Come, boys, you must be off ; it's getting late, and I 
 want to shut up." 
 
 " Wait a little," said Mose, " the street is full of peo 
 ple returning from the concert, and it would never do 
 for us to be seen going out of here at this time, on your 
 account, Ed. ; it would n't hurt us ; we are known ; if 
 we are not, at any rate people give us the name of be 
 ing wicked." 
 
 Poor Edwin he was in an unpleasant position, hesitat 
 ing, half in pity for his companions, because they had
 
 58 ALTHA. 
 
 no better reputation, half for himself, fearing if they 
 were discovered it would do him no good ; thus the two 
 turned back to wait a little longer. Mose began col 
 lecting the live and dead coals and brands of hemlock 
 in the great box stove, making quite a pile, over which 
 he warmed his stiffened fingers. Said he, " Old Crooked 
 Sticks has been holding forth in the vestry to-night. I 
 stepped into the entry as I came along, just for the fun 
 of the thing, and the way the deacon sentenced us, un 
 godly wretches, to perdition, and such a prayer as he 
 poured forth for the widow and the down-trodden ; if it 
 had been any other man! but it seemed so hypocritical, 
 and canting-like, and I kept constantly thinking of his 
 sins, as old grandmother says, ' forgot the beam in my 
 own eye hunting after the mote in his.' One such man 
 would make honest people forget to say their prayers." 
 
 "You don't mean to count yourself in that class?" 
 laughed Ike, rather bitterly. 
 
 " Sartin ; had quite an inkling that way once ; but 
 have so much to do looking after other folks, think less 
 about it now." 
 
 "Good Mose, go on, and give us some more of your 
 experience."
 
 A L T H A . 59 
 
 "Some other time perhaps. By the way, did you 
 know that Underhill cleared this afternoon, with his 
 wife and babies." 
 
 " No ! How ? Where ? " exclaimed both of his list 
 eners. 
 
 "Why, you see, Nat had just got through settling 
 with his creditors, since his failure some months ago, 
 without anything. Well, it seems the deacon had pre 
 tended to be a great friend of Nat's, who went to him 
 telling his trouble, and how hard his misfortune was, 
 only hoping he could save a little for his wife and child 
 ren. 
 
 " The Deacon thought there was no harm in saving 
 a little ; his cottage, for instance. He would make it up 
 to them when he got started again. Nat jumped at the 
 suggestion ; but then, who would hold it, was another 
 question ; of course, he must ' swear out.' Here, the 
 Deacon volunteered his services ; he would n't do it on any 
 account, only he thought so much of Nat and his wife. 
 He was sure he would make it up to them again forth 
 with ; the deed and papers were handed over to him 
 for safe keeping, until Nat got settled up and then he was 
 to have them returned to him. He also hinted to Nat's 
 wife, that anything she wanted to reserve, j ust have it re-
 
 CO ALTIIA. 
 
 moved to his house until after the auction sales of furni 
 ture were over, he would pretend he had bought them, 
 as he had the cottage, and then she could have them ; 
 accordingly, a nice sofa, a mahogany secretary, worth 
 seventy-five dollars, filled with articles of plate, some 
 jewelry and other valuables were conveyed to his house. 
 Mrs. Underbill persuading her husband there could he no 
 harm in it, if the Deacon approved of it, as he did. And 
 now, when they wanted the things hack again, according 
 to promise, the Deacon would not give up an article, 
 nor a paper. Had not Nat taken an oath that he was not 
 worth anything, and had n't they said the Deacon hought 
 their furniture ? All was his, and they had nothing to do 
 but leave. Poor Nat ! I pitied him. Such a cruel friend ! 
 He went back to the house, after his wife and children 
 were put in the wagon, and leaning his head upon the 
 mantle-shelf, he cried ; and then he's got to carry the 
 load with him, of bitter thought, if he had only been 
 honest with his creditors, he'd a been better off; so Ed., 
 you see your's is not the only case ; if it was, there might 
 be a little more excuse, perhaps, for the old curmudgeon." 
 Here Ike stretched his limbs and gave a long yawn, 
 started up with, " Come Ed ; my boy, let's have a glass 
 and we'll be off."
 
 ALTHA. 61 
 
 Edwin, who had listened attentively to every word 
 and look of Mose while he had been talking, was highly 
 excited, and brought forward the bottles, as directed. 
 
 " Draw the corks carefully my boy," said Ike, " we 
 want to put them in again, and snake the critters back 
 good as new, after we have done with them ; we are 
 going to pay for them, sure ; but you can wait before 
 putting the money in the drawer till you think there 
 Avill be no questions asked." 
 
 Edwin felt every moment as though he was getting 
 himself into the mire of trouble, and wished his visitors 
 would leave, but had not courage to say so, for fear of 
 their ridicule ; he had not courage to own he was afraid 
 of their company. 
 
 " Come Ed." said Mose, " you must drink with me." 
 
 " I do not drink." 
 
 " Oh do n't call it drinking, just taking a glass of 
 wine, and probably we shall never meet again ; our 
 boat is in the cove two miles below here, and to-night we 
 are off, no knowing when to return. I should like to 
 feel that we had left one good fellow behind." 
 
 Edwin, thus flattered, accepted the glass and drank 
 the contents. Well might the angels in heaven weep
 
 62 A L T II A . 
 
 over the ruin of that dear boy, or his first step towards 
 it ; and dark the line drawn "by the recording angel of 
 the sin of the tempters. 
 
 " Now, you must take a little of this ' white-eye ' with 
 me, no excuse. It wouldn't he fair to drink with 
 Mose and not with me. A spoonful of brandy wo n't 
 hurt you." 
 
 The next morning Edwin found himself lying upon 
 the bench that ran along by the counter, with a blind 
 ing headache and eyes burning like two coals of fire. 
 He remembered he had felt terrible sick the night be 
 fore, and then again, all was confusion. Slowly and 
 painfully he dragged himself up, and began to put tlie 
 store in order. The deacon had been called away on 
 business, and did not return until nearly noon. But 
 Edwin felt miserably wretched, waiting, with a guilty 
 trembling, his coining. Often he would repeat, " Why 
 did I suffer them to stop ? Why was I so weak as to 
 drink ? " " Truly the wages of sin is death." Where 
 now was his mother's hope, his sisters' pride ? Sorely 
 had he been tempted, and how dreadful might be the 
 end? The morning sun shining in upon him seemed 
 less cheerful than usual, bringing no happy, peaceful
 
 ALTHA. 63 
 
 feeling to his heart. Because lie had sinned the world 
 
 O 
 
 looked gloomy. Every familiar countenance appeared 
 as though it must hide a cold and selfish heart, "which- 
 would hastily judge and harshly upbraid him for his 
 fault, as though from their minds would vanish, in the 
 twinkling of an eye, the memory of his former good 
 conduct, leaving only a blank leaf for the searching 
 gaze of the curioso. Again and again he turned aside, 
 as though to hide himself from poignant, remorseless 
 thought, or, burying his face in his hands, wept tears of 
 bitterness. How futile to save him from the impending 
 de.iwmment. Soon after Deacon Breck returned to his 
 store, a citizen entered, bringing a package of woolen 
 socks, which he had found upon one of the unfrequented 
 streets leading from the city, to ascertain, if possible, 
 who might have been the owner thereof. This was, in 
 deed, an unlooked-for misfortune. Edwin bent low over 
 the desk upon which he was writing, trembling with 
 fear ; respiration almost ceased, and he felt no power to 
 move. His first thought was to deny all knowledge of 
 any missing articles, and accordingly, he acted without 
 farther reflection. The package was immediately recog 
 nized as belonging to the deacon's store, and Edwin
 
 64 A L T H A . 
 
 called forward and questioned. He gave them no satis 
 faction. Darker and more threatening appeared the 
 countenance of his employer, while examining the pre 
 mises. The lock and shutters did not show signs of 
 having been worked upon, besides the two men reasoned, 
 no person could force an entrance without awaking Ed 
 win. Even if such a thing were possible, he would 
 have discovered some trace of them in their work of re 
 moving or deranging the goods ; when, if he had not 
 been cognizant of it, he would have made it known imme 
 diately. A thorough search was instituted and a lawyer 
 next door called in to examine the books and papers.
 
 CHAPTEE IX. 
 
 " 'Tis hard to gire thee up, 
 And thy dark sin ! 0, I could drink the cup, 
 If from this wo its bitterness had won thee." 
 
 WILLIS. 
 
 WHILE his employer, with the assistance of others, 
 was thus engaged, Edwin hastened home. He tried to 
 appear calm as usual ; he spoke a few words to his 
 mother, then went to his room ; gathered a few trifling 
 articles which he valued, and secreted them about his 
 person. Passing out of the house, as though he would 
 return to the store, he laid a hand lovingly upon Gen 
 eva's shoulder, and, stooping down, playfully kissed 
 Altha, and lingered a moment or two with them in the 
 hall. They felt afterwards that he looked sadder than 
 usual while 'proceeding down the street, he turned to 
 look at them, still standing in the doorway, and 
 watching him quite out of sight. He must hence 
 forth become an outcast, a wanderer, neglected and 
 despised ; even if a few charitable hearts, softened
 
 66 ALT HA. 
 
 toward him, endeavoring to excuse his fault, he would 
 be none the wiser or happier. 
 
 Consternation filled every mind, when it was ascer 
 tained that three hundred dollars worth of goods were 
 missing ; and it was decided to put Edwin under arrest, 
 until some further knowledge could be obtained concern 
 ing the missing property. But upon looking for Edwin, 
 he was nowhere to be found. An officer was dispatched 
 to his home in search of him, who was indeed surprised 
 to learn that he had been gone two hours. 
 
 "I regret, madam," said the man, touching his hat, 
 "but I must do my duty, and search the house for 
 him." 
 
 Mrs. Walton sprung up with a cry of terror, and con 
 fronting the man, wildly demanded the object of his 
 visit. Gently as possible he unfolded the unwelcome 
 news, she clasped her hands, and sunk lifeless at his 
 feet. Directing Geneva to call some one to assist in re 
 storing her to consciousness, he then proceeded in his 
 fruitless search, after which he turned his horse's head 
 and galloped back to the city. 
 
 With a strength of purpose and understanding far 
 superior to their years, Geneva and Altha endeavored to
 
 ALTHA. 67 
 
 comfort and console their mother. They hovered around 
 her during the tedious hours of their first wretched and 
 suffering night. They listened attentively to the faint 
 est sound. If the rude wind jarred a door or casement, 
 or the breeze rustled, the falling leaves and stirred the 
 long arms of the giant oak that shaded their dwelling. 
 They heard his step, the bent branches, scratching 
 upon the roof or striking upon the window panes, must 
 be his knock ; and if a low wail or a faint moan sounded 
 amid the forest trees, dying away over the fields, crouch 
 ing along the fences, and disappearing like a wierd 
 spirit in some shady dell, beneath some rocky cliff or 
 cavern nook ; they started wild with excitement, fancy 
 ing they heard his voice his call. Fearfully they 
 peered forth into the darkness, feeling that he must be 
 looking upon them through the darkening shutter. 
 Sickening, harrowing the thought, what had become of 
 him. At one moment entreating, supplicating the In 
 visible Presence hovering around them, for their loved 
 one's return ; the next, sinking down faint, exhausted, 
 hope vanishing in the presence of grim despair. Gladly 
 they welcomed the first grey dawn of the morning,
 
 68 ALTHA. 
 
 thoroughly benumbed, weary, and heart-sick, having 
 taken neither rest nor refreshment for many hours. 
 
 "No news! No news!" called out a kind-hearted 
 neighbor, coining in abruptly, making a great bustling 
 noise, as though he had been searching for information. 
 His face shining with hopeful, happy thought, bidding 
 them bo of good cheer. " No doubt," he added, " the 
 boy is innocent, and it is lucky he thought to leave 
 until the guilty party is discovered. Take courage, 
 my friends, he will return all in good time. True, 
 the whole police have been on the look-out or tramp 
 after him ever since he left, but they wo n't find him ; 
 he's safe enough by this time, and he'd better keep 
 so, a spell, I reckon." 
 
 How much a few kind words can do to lighten the 
 heart crushed down with its heavy load of sorrow, 
 though spoken in homely phrase. 
 
 " Do not fear," he said, rising and going to the door, 
 his eye filling with happy light and moistening with the 
 dew of a tear. " There's not a sparrow that falleth to 
 the ground without our heavenly Father's notice ; lie 
 feeds the raven, and clothes the lilly ; " and the kind- 
 hearted neighbor was half way down the gravel walk 
 leading from the door, when he ceased speaking ; but
 
 ALTHA. 69 
 
 he had performed his little mission of love and charity, 
 and he wanted no words. 
 
 Mrs. Walton speedily finished her arrangements for 
 leaving the old homestead, as soon as she could realize 
 that Edwin would "be more likely to come to them in a 
 new place than he would if they remained where they 
 were; and as they settled in their new home, thrice 
 widowed seemed the heart of that fond mother, mourn 
 ing the uncertain fate of her darling hoy. 
 
 Their English friends whom we have hefore spoken of, 
 were all that friends could he. But even their kindest 
 care and sympathy could not relieve her mind of its 
 heavy weight of trouble. Their guardian withheld 
 all of the property except a small pittance to the 
 mother, and they were aroused too soon to the unwel 
 come knowledge that they must labor for a livelihood. 
 Deathless seemed the energy, and exhaustless the 
 strength of those high-souled, proud-hearted girls, toil 
 ing with hand and brain to secure an education, some 
 thing like the one their father had planned for them, 
 and still furnish all the comforts, with a few luxuries, of 
 i life, for their dearly loved, remaining parent. They made 
 many friends, and many a beautiful home was kindly 
 opened to them, many a peaceful asylum, where they
 
 70 ALTHA. 
 
 might find shelter from the fierce storms and warring 
 elements of care and misfortune. But no ! they had 
 "been too long accustomed to luxuries, in their own right, 
 to bow down and worship, or crave bright gifts, except 
 as fitting meed for honest endeavor, the which they 
 might unshrinkingly and happily enjoy. Days, weeks 
 and months passed away, and that gentle mother had 
 lived, subdued in thought and effort ; bent to earth like 
 a bruised reed, whose branches and leaves had withered 
 and crisped as the cherished springs of hope and love 
 had failed. The one sinking away down in the dark 
 earth, the other, afar off, perchance wandering in a dis 
 tant clime. But now her health failed rapidly, and her 
 daughters felt, for her sake, they must have assistance ; 
 consequently they wrote to their guardian, pleading for 
 a small share of their patrimony, to cheer and brighten 
 their mother's few remaining days. The answer came 
 at last, cold and cruel in the extreme. To them it 
 seemed the very climax of insult and despair. It ran 
 thus: 
 
 ' ' MADAM : 
 If you cannot support your daughters, send them to me." 
 
 How they had feared and trembled, as they felt they 
 stood upon the very verge of downright poverty. But
 
 ALTHA. 71 
 
 now they were strong again ; wounded pride as well as 
 love nerved them to almost superhuman efforts, to in 
 sure their mother every attention and delicacy her 
 wasted energy and failing strength required. But, yet, 
 still greater trials were in store for them. Slowly, 
 surely, day by day, that loved parent faded and weak 
 ened ; all effort powerless to save. Patiently, resignedly, 
 she watched and waited for the swift-winged messenger, 
 "bearing her summons from the shore of time; her 
 " lamp trimmed and burning ; " her soul purified and 
 strengthened, through a heavenly faith from the pre 
 cepts of our blessed Saviour. 
 
 0, how much of agony they endured with the last 
 parting words, the last farewell glance. Let us shut 
 out the light, and leave them for a time kneeling beside 
 their cherished dead, nor suffer such sacred grief to be 
 disturbed, even by the foot-fall of a friend. Long time 
 they wept, and indulged their passionate grief as though 
 they would not be comforted. The soul, void of happi 
 ness and pleasure, was filled with long shadows and 
 grief-laden sighs.
 
 CHAPTEK X. 
 
 " All was so still, so soft, in earth and air, 
 You scarce would start to meet a spirit there ; 
 Secure that nought of evil could delight 
 To walk in such a scene, on such a night. " 
 
 BYRON. 
 
 THE twilight deepens, softly, silently, night let down 
 her mysterious curtains, darkening a world. Altha and 
 her sister sat near a window in their cozy little parlor, 
 some few weeks after their mother's decease, watching 
 the noiseless shadows creeping around them. Altha 
 murmured, " Night ! beautiful, glorious night, I love 
 thy mysterious presence, thou that fillest my soul with 
 heavenly longings, with vague "blessings, and ideal 
 hopes ; thou art a guardian spirit watching over the 
 earth, and thoughtfully shutting out the light, that her 
 weary, restless children may enjoy more quiet rest, more 
 peaceful sleep. Sister I have been feeling all day as 
 though we should have company to-night." 
 
 " Banish such foolish fancies, Altha ; even our sainted 
 mother cautioned you against them."
 
 ALTHA. 73 
 
 " I know it, but I cannot get rid of them ; they come 
 unbidden, and stand like sentry-posts near the door of 
 the inner temple, filled with the mysteries of our own 
 mysterious being. And this thought or presentiment 
 of a visitor makes me feel lonely, how lonely ; all my 
 heart is shut up, and I see myself in the future, wander 
 ing alone." 
 
 " Oh ! Altha dear, I fear you will never be fit for 
 anything, if you indulge in such folly ; yet I have seen 
 even your childish prophecies sway older minds and 
 stronger nerves. Why is it ? I do not believe you are 
 favored with any knowledge or power superior to others ; 
 or that any mortal being possesses a gift to lift the veil 
 which hides the future. I am happy there is no such 
 power given, and that you do not possess it, for, indeed, 
 you would be most miserable." 
 
 " Is it because you think I should learn all the 
 mysteries of human hearts, and hate the world ?" 
 
 " No, sister Altha, you would think better of every 
 one and everything, the more true knowledge you pos 
 sessed. I remember when you were quite a child, your 
 wishing for power to read the heart of man, and com 
 prehend all its varied emotions, whether of pleasure or 
 misery. And supposing that thoughtless wish was
 
 74 ALTIIA. 
 
 granted, 1 shudder to think what might be your own 
 destiny, for, be assured, you can learn such lessons 
 only through your own trials and sufferings." 
 
 " Well, I suppose mine is a wayward heart or a 
 wicked one. I can never realize anything ; there is a 
 maze before my eyes, yet I am restless, and fain would 
 grow wise. Genius come fill me a goblet of thy choicest 
 nectar, and give me to drink, I am thirsting, and fain 
 would drink deep, deep, yea, and bathe my weary soul 
 also in thy waters." 
 
 Altha, as she walked to and fro in their little parlor, 
 speaking energetically, returned her sister's look of sad 
 surprise, with a careless smile, which vanished as their 
 only domestic threw wide the door and announced a 
 visitor. Happy and cheerful was their greeting and 
 welcome to Carey Landon, an old acquaintance and 
 friend, who resided near the old homestead, as they 
 termed their early home. He persuaded Geneva to re 
 turn with him, in a few weeks, when he would come for 
 her, to fill a beautiful home he had been preparing in 
 the " City of Elms." The grounds, house, furniture 
 and ornaments were unique and home-like. And with 
 a happy heart, she took possession of her stately home. 
 Altha declined staying with them except for an occa-
 
 ALTHA. 75 
 
 sional visit. " Why should I ? " she would ask herself, 
 " I have other cherished friends who care for me. Why 
 should I not carry out, alone, the plans Geneva and 
 myself suggested as a mutual benefit for each other." 
 
 Altha, once a quiet, gentle child, had grown to a 
 young lady, beautiful and self-reliant, and buoyant as 
 a happy thought. She possessed one of the few remark 
 able temperaments scattered along the wayside journey 
 of life, which rise higher, nobler, and more enduring 
 with every trial and misfortune ; yet, with all a true 
 woman's nature, pure, sensitive and lovely. Her mirror 
 answered to herself in no very flattering terms concern 
 ing her beauty, calm, tame, passionless in every fea 
 ture, to others, remarkably handsome and intelligent ; at 
 times, when moved or excited, was strikingly brilliant, 
 her large blue eyes when at rest beamed with a gentle 
 lovelight, at others, proudly flashed with enthusiastic 
 sentiment and feeling. 
 
 Altha often passed much time with her English friends. 
 Upon this evening she was standing in the deep bay, 
 window, looking forth upon the- night. Lovely, how 
 gloriously lovely the deep blue expanse of ether, through 
 whose silvery veil myriads of diamond stars peeped out 
 to cheer the lonely-hearted and young life's dreamer ;
 
 76 ALTHA. 
 
 the crescent moon, with pendant horns, foretelling to the 
 weather-seer the prospect of storm or shine for coming 
 days, sailing swiftly, majestically on, no dark gathering 
 clouds could stay or hide her, but, dashing them aside, 
 she sped proudly on, on, as though spurning their frail 
 harriers, set up to he defied or passed over in silence. 
 Altha enjoyed the quiet night time ; it was the season 
 of her soul's finest, noblest worship ; and, when contem 
 plating the outer world of universal harmony and 
 beauty, she forgot herself. 
 
 " I wish that you would choose me a companion of 
 your thoughts," said Walter Marvin, stepping to her 
 side. 
 
 " Indeed I fear you would be little benefitted by them. 
 I have not a very peculiar gift of imparting them to 
 others." 
 
 " But I am anxious to learn of your meditations ; can 
 I not buy them?" 
 
 " No, sir ; you cannot. Yet, if you are so anxious to 
 hear, listen. I was letting fancy take a journey upon 
 those light fleecy clouds, that have risen since I stood 
 here, and trying, while I did so, to stretch the neck of 
 my wits to discover the mysteries beyond, and finding
 
 ALTHA. 77 
 
 myself to be little wiser than when I set out, I turned 
 a look downwards, and commenced a study of the lords 
 and masters of this sphere. Puny, consequential man ! 
 Then I began to compare the frivolty and folly of in 
 stilling into the minds of children lessons of station and 
 rank, least they forget their own individual importance." 
 "You must have had a few lessons, one would judge 
 from your tone," remarked a lady who had come up and 
 remained standing behind the speaker. 
 
 " Think what you will, I hope my friends will not 
 judge me too harshly." 
 
 " Fie, darling ! " said the new comer, " why can 't you 
 talk nonsense ? Why can 't you be merry and noisy as 
 the rest ? Then no one would think you lonely and 
 proud ; but you go about with that earnest, dreamy 
 countenance, and those great deep eyes, turned within 
 that every eye follows you, and every heart wants to 
 open its own door and take you in. You should let 
 them discover how you are most comeatable," and the 
 speaker laughed carelessly, as though to do away with 
 the effect of her words, then glided away as some one 
 sat down to the piano, and played and sang the sweet 
 
 familiar song of " The Switzer's Home." 
 
 70
 
 78 ALT HA. 
 
 Altha forgot the gentleman beside her as she listened ; 
 she bent her head upon her hand ; the pearl drops glis 
 tened through her fingers ; her bosom heaved, and 
 brushing back the window drapery, she stepped upon 
 the balcony and disappeared among the shrubbery in 
 the garden. 
 
 " I am growing quite interested in this little blonde" 
 said Marvin to himself ; " I had thought her quite an 
 every-day young lady, but when she speaks, her eye 
 and tone remind one that there is a soul hid away some 
 where. I wonder she does not use her powers to advan 
 tage ; if she did she 'd have a crowd at her feet. Old 
 Colonel Kensing remarked last evening, as she passed 
 the hotel while we were standing upon the steps, that 
 ' she would fetch a fellow to the brink of love, without 
 herself ever seeming to have given one thought to the 
 subject in her whole life, and as soon as he made a der 
 claration, away he 'd go tumbling down the fearful pre 
 cipice of rejection.' But then the colonel pretends to 
 know so much, and goes about with his iron-bound dic 
 tionary under his arm, quizzing everybody. I 'd like 
 to have a little flirtation with her myself, only I 'm 
 afraid she would take it in earnest. She seems to mo
 
 ALTHA. 79 
 
 like a vine creeping up, up, and twining her arms 
 around, searching for affection and drinking it up, and 
 I cannot afford to get entangled. 
 
 " No, Marvin, it would never do for you. What could 
 you do with a wife, with all the necessary appurtenances 
 and incumbrances ? But then, I could treat one well, 
 and love her, too, if she was just right." 
 
 " Come, Walter ; are you moonstricken, or love-smit 
 ten? standing here star-gazing," and the speaker 
 familiarly laid his hand upon his shoulder, being, as 
 Marvin termed it, " not only an acquaintance, but one 
 of his kind." 
 
 Altha had often met one or both of these young men 
 at Mr. Lord's. They were good company, belonged to 
 good families, and had money plenty to spend on all 
 occasions ; therefore many of their faults were passed 
 over lightly, their friends remarking, "rather high 
 boys, 'tis true, but they will have 'sowed their wild 
 oats' soon." 
 
 Marvin made answer : " Well, Robert, I am thinking 
 how I shall beat you, with the ' Lady Alice ' against 
 your ' Black Warrior,' in a two-mile heat to-morrow." 
 
 "No, you don't ; but I thought I saw Miss Walton
 
 80 ALTHA. 
 
 here a moment ago. Have you spirited her away ? I 
 shall feel happier to get a few words from between those 
 rosy lips, or a half smile from beneath those drooping 
 eyelids. Come, Marvin, tell me what you think of her." 
 
 " Do n't ask me ; you know I have no fancy that way, 
 consequently not a particle of good judgement. But 
 Robert," continued Walter, wishing to change the con 
 versation, "wasn't that joke at old Watty's well got up 
 to-day?" 
 
 " What was it ? " inquired Robert, a shadow passing 
 over his handsome features, as though he regretted to 
 have the subject uppermost in his mind, of Miss Wal 
 ton's accomplishments and attractions passed over so 
 lightly. 
 
 " Why, you know Lem Brown ; he was lounging as 
 usual, in Watty's shop, bragging, and quizzing the little 
 barber. ' Come, Watty,' said he, ' I want to lose a V ; 
 can 't you contrive some way to win it ? ' He then told 
 the barber, that if he would sit upon a chair, and move 
 his body from side to side, neither smiling nor speaking 
 if spoken to, constantly repeating, ' Here I go, Watty 
 barber a dunce,' for half an hour, he should have the 
 five dollars.
 
 ALTHA. 81 
 
 " First one customer, then another, dropped in, and the 
 hubbub soon reached that part of the building where 
 his family were, when all came rushing in, screaming 
 'Watty! Mr. Watty! what is the matter? Speak to 
 us ! Surely he is demented ; clean gone out of his 
 mind ! ' 
 
 " The wife wrung her hands and tore her hair, and 
 the neighbors added no small share of words and ques 
 tions, which increased the confusion ; but there sat Watty, 
 as grave as a judge, with a perfect fool's expression, 
 moving from side to side, half singing or draAvling, 
 'Here 1 go, Watty barber a dunce,' until the thirty 
 minutes were up, to a second, then, springing up, he re 
 sumed his natural shrewd countenance and position, 
 claiming his money, and he got it, too. We all exer 
 cised our lungs quite freely, and I think it will be a 
 good lesson to one, at least, of these inveterate bragga 
 docio, who are always troubled with a surplus of funds."
 
 CHAPTEE XI. 
 
 WALTER MARVIN possessed a very high opinion of his 
 own abilities, if we would read his thoughts as he turned 
 to the company, we should find them like this : 
 
 " Well, Marvin, I think you '11 do. How opportune 
 that story to put all thoughts of Miss Walton out of 
 Robert's head ! I could n't think of giving him my 
 opinion concerning that dainty parcel ; I mean to exam 
 ine the bill of sale myself." 
 
 These thoughts are an index to the character of the 
 man ; though careless and unprincipled, he could talk 
 and appear well, if disposed to forget his horses and 
 champagne, both of which he delighted in. He often 
 played the agreeable to the ladies in the most approved 
 and flattering style, and he now improved every oppor 
 tunity of becoming acquainted with Altha, which inti 
 macy soon ripened into friendship and love. High were 
 her hopes and light her heart contemplating her future 
 prospects. The object of her fondest wishes was to find
 
 ALT HA. 80 
 
 one to love and trust, a strong arm to lean upon, a wise 
 head to guide, with a hearfc full of sympathy to cheer 
 and hless. 
 
 As she stood beside Marvin at the altar, so calm, so 
 firm and statue-like, her soul whispered her hope, its 
 prayer for a happy peaceful life, believing all would end 
 well. Once a deep gloom rested upon her features, 
 with a momentary appeal that God would bestow upon 
 her wisdom and strength to fulfil every duty of a wife. 
 Strange anomaly, that a gentle, shrinking, trusting 
 nature often conceals strong passions, as a soul 
 fearless and unflinching in the hour of danger and 
 adversity, calm, faithful, enduring in the path of 
 right. 
 
 Altha removed with her husband to a distant city, 
 where he engaged in a lucrative business. Grand and 
 beautiful scenery surrounded their elegant cottage upon 
 the banks of the Hudson. Altha indeed felt, that no 
 lovlier spot could have been selected for her, and her 
 heart was full of happiness as her dwelling abounded 
 in comforts and luxuries. " God is good," she mur 
 mured, while a tear of adoration filled her eyes and 
 glistened upon the long fringed lids. Then her thoughts
 
 84 A L T H A . 
 
 would rest upon her husband, who was, in truth, her 
 greatest idol, so great was her confidence in him, 
 (Altha knew very little of him,) she would forget 
 his love might not always he to her " an abiding city," 
 nor this world her home. 
 
 The city, as it proved, furnished too many attractions 
 for a man of his unsteady habits. Too many jovial 
 companions were hunting him up, which ended, not only 
 in the neglect of his business, but the oft-repeated story 
 of the vanishing of happy dreams of wedded life. 
 
 " Austin, where is Mr. Marvin to-day?" intcrogated 
 Mrs. M. of the clerk, going up to the desk, while wait 
 ing in the store to select some articles for herself. 
 
 The accountant hesitated, then replied somewhat 
 abruptly, " He was in the bowling saloon an hour ago." 
 
 The hot blood mounted to Altha's cheek, then receded, 
 leaving her pale as marble; rallying, she inquired 
 pleasantly, " How do you get along in the store?" 
 
 Austin thought, "I may as well give her a hint of 
 what is coming," and he told her of the dissatisfaction 
 of the clerks, and that every thing was going wrong. 
 Altha stood in deep thought, then continued, " I will 
 do what I can tp repair my husband's negligence. I 
 can assist you with the books and papers, both here and
 
 A L T H A . 85 
 
 at the house, and you can devote more of your time to 
 your fellow clerks, and perhaps, cheer them with your 
 counsel and assistance." Austin regarded her Avith 
 surprise. " I trust you will not refuse, because I have 
 no right to ask you to do so, neither is it in my power 
 to offer you more wages. I think I have not been mis 
 taken in my judgment of your character, that you will 
 do all in your power for your employer." 
 
 Austin bowed ; " Excuse me, madam, if my silence 
 appeared uncourteous. It strikes me you look rather 
 delicate for the task you propose for yourself." 
 
 "0 do not fear for me. 'Where there is a will, 
 there 's a way,' " she added, smiling, " I will come in 
 to-morrow morning and look over what you have for me 
 to do." 
 
 Austin stood looking after her as she passed out of 
 the store. 
 
 " What a pity ; I fear all her energy cannot save the 
 concern. I have heard of woman's wit, but have not 
 much faith to believe it will prevent affairs here going 
 by the board." 
 
 With a sad air he resumed his pen, and began adding 
 a column of figures upon the page before him. Austin 
 was an excellent young ma'n, and one well qualified for
 
 
 86 ALTIIA. 
 
 his situation, to which he had arisen by his own per 
 severing efforts, and now, instead of forgetting the dark 
 hours of his early life, having overcome all obstacles, 
 he was more sensitive and full of sympathy for the mis 
 fortunes of others. Marvin felt no little chagrin and 
 annoyance when his wife entered upon her new duties 
 as a clerk. He would much rather fail through her 
 extravagance than his own neglect. However, her in 
 fluence instilled new life into every one, which she con 
 tinued to exert for three years. Her husband now 
 more frequently than ever, extracted large sums of 
 money from the drawer or desk, which made it impossi 
 ble to meet payments. Mrs. Marvin applied to Marvin 
 the elder, knowing her father-in-law could rondo r 
 assistance, as her husband often said, " in advance of 
 the fortune for him in the perspective." The old gen 
 tleman replied: 
 
 " MY DAUGHTER: 
 
 " Sorrowfully I perused your letter, and though you endeavor to 
 hide his faults with shame and confusion, I can see it is owing to 
 his delinquencies that you are necessitated to. ask for assistance. 
 For your sake I enclose a check for fifteen hundred dollars ; I 
 would rather you would keep it for your own use ; yet, if you 
 choose to make one more effort to continue the business, you have 
 my permission to use it as you will, and may God bless you. 
 
 " Yours with esteem, 
 
 M. M."
 
 ALTHA. 87 
 
 Duly the letter was received, and Mrs. M. wept tears 
 of joy over it, and thanked Heaven that for the present 
 she were spared from seeing her husband more openly 
 disgraced, and she herself spared greater anxiety and 
 trouble. And, as Austin approached the desk, she 
 pressed the letter between her two hands, convulsively 
 exclaiming, " Precious, precious news ; we are saved ! " 
 and waiting to see Austin enclose the money and direct 
 it to one of their creditors, a firm in New York, lock it 
 in the safe and put the key in his pocket, she returned 
 home to enjoy a few hours rest and quiet. Marvin 
 entered the store, as his wife passed out, and walking 
 up to the clerk demanded the key, which Austin very 
 reluctantly yielded to him. In a moment Austin 
 thought of the money letter, and catching up his hat, 
 walked to the desk with a view to get it, but Marvin 
 already held it between his thumb and finger, examin 
 ing it. 
 
 " Sir, I am going to the express office, and will take 
 that letter." 
 
 " Not so fast," rejoined Marvin, with all the coolness 
 imaginable. " I choose to examine it first." 
 
 Austin stood for a moment irresolute, eyeing his em-
 
 88 ALTHA. 
 
 ployer askance, not daring to say anything to arouse 
 his suspicion, still pondering how to get the letter. 
 
 " It is high time the letter was there, and I am wait 
 ing for it." 
 
 " Well, go about your business, I will attend to the 
 letter." 
 
 " Sir, you cannot have it, you have no right to take 
 my letters, nor examine them, so hand over quick." 
 
 " How now, Impudence ? Do you say truly that this 
 letter belongs to you, and the contents concerning your 
 own affairs ? " 
 
 Austin was strongly tempted to tell an untruth, and 
 thereby save his employer. Marvin observed him hesi 
 tate. " Ha ! the fellow wo n't compromise his integrity. 
 Feels too nice, too proud, to deceive," thought the man, 
 inwardly pleased, while he regarded his clerk with a 
 savage scowl. 
 
 " Mr. Marvin I wrote that letter and have some in 
 terest in its contents." 
 
 " Well, then I will hand it to the express-man, I am 
 just going past the office ; " and he chuckled with satis 
 faction as he strode independently forward, thrusting 
 the letter into his hat as he walked. 
 
 An hour later Mrs. M. sought her chamber to deposit
 
 ALTHA. 89 
 
 her precious child, who was fast asleep in her arms, in 
 its little rose-wood crib, so delicately draped with heavy 
 lace curtains and rose-tinted spread ; on returning from 
 the store, instead of seeking her own rest, which she so 
 much needed, she must soothe, caress and care for the 
 wants of her little girl, and then look after the dinner, 
 in order that everything should he prepared to suit the 
 fastidious notions and appetite of her husband. She 
 had deposited her lovely burden upon its snowy pil 
 lows, kissed the white lids, with their long fringes 
 closing so gently, and the rosy pouting lips, and folded 
 the dimpled hands, fairer than alabaster, over the deli 
 cate bosom ; with the tiiiy shoulders peeping out, and 
 lovingly shaded by the golden curls. Truly, the 
 mother's heart might grow fond as she watched her 
 cherub child. Turning around, she beheld her husband 
 seated very coolly near the window, with an open letter 
 in his hand, she walked slowly to his side, for with 
 every opportunity she sought to speak pleasant words, 
 hoping, in time, to win him to his own interests and 
 right feelings. 
 
 A gleam of pleasure had lighted his heavy features, 
 when his eye first fell upon his wife as she entered the 
 
 room bringing in the child, with the thought that they 
 go
 
 90 A L T H A . 
 
 were all liis own, which gave place to a different one, 
 contradictory of pride, often terribly cruel and cutting 
 to the gentle nature, who would have wished to look up 
 to him as one capable of guiding. He noticed the 
 caresses,. " Pshaw ! she loves the child better than me ; 
 'tis for that she labors, not for me. Thank heaven I 
 can take care of myself; I do n't need any help. If I 
 had n't them to maintain, and this expensive establish 
 ment, I might do something ; I wish I could get out of 
 it. I am not to blame for her loving me, and she mar 
 ried me because she chose to, probably. I don't see 
 why she might not work as well as other women. This 
 denying myself everything, to keep up this expensive 
 living, 'tis awful, I can't stand it much longer." 
 
 The man forgot, entirely, that he had done nothing 
 but spend all the profits of the store, for nearly three 
 years, wearing his wife out with care and anxiety. 
 Truly, he was an injured man, " it cost so much to keep 
 his wife and child and house." 
 
 " Any news this morning ? " she asked very cheer- 
 fully. 
 
 11 No," was the gruff reply, and he shook off her hand 
 which she had rested upon his arm, and pushed her 
 back a stop quite rudely.
 
 ALTHA. 91 
 
 Tears sprung to her eyes, and she forced them back. 
 She had caught a glimpse of the open letter ; her heart 
 misgave her, and she reached forward as though to take 
 it. He sprung up and held it tantalizingly ahove her 
 head. 
 
 " Do let me look at it ; you know I never troubled 
 you before in this way." 
 
 Unlucky expression ! if she had troubled him more 
 and been more exacting, he would have valued her 
 more highly. He was sick of the gentle, patient, en 
 during love. It seemed so simple, so foolish, he tried to 
 fancy he had a right to be disgusted with it ; that he 
 was disappointed in the piquant temper he thought he 
 had won, who was to blame ? whose cold, sneering 
 words, whose cruel neglect and rude treatment, had 
 crushed out the soul, tamed the once proud spirit. Al- 
 tha, where now are your bright dreams of happiness, of 
 truth, friendship, and love? Where now the cherished 
 thoughts ? Are their flowers all dead their fires 
 gone out ? Their smouldering ashes have indeed bur- 
 ricd the soul, a wreck of hopes and fear ; one attri 
 bute alone remains to love. How the weary, fainting 
 spirit would enliven and bloom again beneath the sun-
 
 92 ALT II A. 
 
 shine of reciprocal affection. He lowered the paper 
 within her reach ; she caught it, and gave one look ; 
 her heart died within her, for it was the identical letter 
 in which she had enclosed the check, over which had 
 been breathed so many anxious thoughts 'and hopeful, 
 thankful prayers. 
 
 " Where is the money ? " gasped Altha, confronting 
 her husband and pointing to the letter. 
 
 He returned her gaze with a daring, malicious smile, 
 suddenly grasping her by the throat, " There ; take 
 that for your meddling." 
 
 The hot blood rushed to her brain, blinding and suf 
 focating her ; the livid lips parted, and the delicate 
 frame trembled and quivered with the stifling, pent-up 
 agony. Poor, injured Altha! she clasped her hands 
 and raised them feebly towards her angry, passionate 
 husband, lover, and friend, for whom, and for whose 
 dear love she had given up friends, ease, quiet, happi 
 ness and enjoyment. The selfish and strong-hearted 
 may speak harshly, and scorn the loving woman who 
 bears meekly her cheerless lot, and exclaim, "She 
 ought to have known better ; I could have told her, if 
 she had listened to me, that he was not worthy of her." 
 
 That simple act of Altha's recalled him to himself,
 
 ALTHA. 93 
 
 or the sudden storm of fury had spent its force, for he 
 loosened his fingers, half-buried in the white flesh, and 
 she staggered forward and remained a long time sup 
 ported by the low couch against which she had fallen ; 
 darkness was all around her, even the lamp of reason 
 had flickered and seemingly gone out. Marvin reached 
 a chair and sat down, pale and faint with the obtruding 
 fear of what he had done. Pride forbade him to ren 
 der her any assistance, lest she should think he had re 
 lented his cruel act. Slow and painful was her awaken 
 ing to consciousness, as wearily, fitfully the eddying life 
 current again circled through its wonted channels. 
 She raised her eyes, and there sat her husband, regard 
 ing her with a cold calculating look. A tear dropped 
 from those long lashes, then another and another, which 
 she brushed away until they could not, would not be 
 controlled, and showered down, threatening to engulf 
 the spirit in a flood of bitterness. 
 
 "Why do you weep? your tears make me mad," 
 sounded harshly on her ear, coming from the stoical 
 being sitting in her presence. With an effort she arose, 
 bathed the burning eyelids and laved the flushed and 
 aching brow. Striving to be calm, and with an un-
 
 94 A L T H A . 
 
 steady step, she reached her husband's side, and kneel 
 ing with clasped hands raised imploringly ; her voice 
 was hushed, hut her eye, her attitude, was all a prayer, 
 pleading for love and protection. He felt for a moment 
 constrained to fold his arms around her, to rest her 
 head upon his hosom, and promise to love and cherish 
 her as he had never done. But his evil genius, which 
 he had drank from his brandy flask, had not entirely 
 left him ; enough remained to crush out each latent 
 throb of manliness and humanity. He arose and walked 
 coldly away. 
 
 Altha leaned her head upon the chair near her ; it 
 seemed as if some rude hand had crushed her heart and 
 soul, and rending them, had cast them away for ever. 
 
 "Altha," said her husband returning, "enough of 
 this ; you know I hate such scenes. I did not hurt you, 
 that you need make such ado. Let me tell you once 
 for all, I will not bear it, and if you love me or ever 
 did, you would do differently ; you would obey me. I 
 want you to go away from here ; I too, am going. I 
 care not where you go. I cannot support such extrava 
 gance. Leave me ; I can take care of myself, and 
 wherever I go, remember you cannot come."
 
 ALT HA. 95 
 
 Altha remained petrified as the cruel language was 
 uttered. 
 
 " Do you hear me ? " continued he ; " then speak. 
 Will you obey me? Remember you are mine, and 
 bound to do as I wish. Will you go ? " 
 
 " No ; O no ! " and she sprung forward ; " where could 
 I go, what could I do? I will not leave you, though 
 you are unfeeling and cruel. You have no right to 
 throw me upon the cold charity of a heartless world." 
 
 " Ha, ha ! but you shall go now, and hark ye, if you 
 need assistance, perhaps Austin will write to your 
 friends, and beg for help," and thrusting his hands into 
 his pockets, he walked carelessly from the room.
 
 CHAPTEE XII. 
 
 " Alas ! alas ! for the trusting heart, 
 
 When its fairy dream is o'er, 
 ' When it learns that to trust is to be deceived, 
 Finds the things most false where it most believed,- 
 Alas ! for it dreams no more." 
 
 SOME hours later Altha was aroused from her resting 
 place upon the floor, where she had lain in a death-like 
 swoon, since her husband left the room, hy the voice of 
 her darling child. Night had settled around them, and 
 from the dark "blue firmament, the young moon looked 
 calmly down, tracing giant shadows with its pale sepul 
 chral light. 
 
 Altha groped her way to the crih, lifted the little 
 Mataka in her arms, nestled the tiny form close to 
 her bosom, her arms folded tightly around it ; but the 
 fragile creature moved restlessly, and moaned as she 
 lay. Mrs. Marvin placed her hand upon the full fore 
 head ; it was flushed and burning ; the coral lips were 
 parched and thirsty. The frightened mother, pressing
 
 ALTHA. 97 
 
 her child more closely, flew swiftly along the dark pas 
 sages to the dining room, where the waning gaslight 
 threw around its fitful glare. Preparing the simple 
 remedies near at hand, then lighting her nurse-lamp, 
 sat down to watch by the little sufferer, now soothing, 
 now rocking it, then walking with it to and fro, through 
 the long hours of that fearful night. The child's nurse 
 was absent, and for many days the anxious mother 
 watched beside her darling, and attended her with un 
 ceasing care, giving her every thought as freely as she 
 would have given all of life, to mitigate its suffering, 
 and who will say this affliction was not sent by an all- 
 wise Parent, to save the reason and hope of that con 
 fiding soul, which had been so ruthlessly injured, its 
 pure love thrown back to wither and die. 
 
 The mother kissed her convalescent babe, who, with 
 cherub smiles, turned its arms around her neck, with the 
 loving helplessness of babyhood. 
 
 Hark ! the tramp of men in the vestibule and heavy 
 
 footsteps ascending the stairs startled Altha. She looked 
 
 out upon the street below to ascertain the cause of the 
 
 unusual disturbance, but started back, shame and con- 
 
 9
 
 98 ALT HA. 
 
 fusion mantling her cheek and brow, and tingling 
 through every nerve. 
 
 What moved her thus? The red flag of the auc 
 tioneer waved from a window of the drawingroom, and 
 soon the long-articulated, wavering sound of "going, 
 going, gone," was borne upward, awakening in her 
 heapt echoes of departed comforts. 
 
 Mrs. Marvin turned pale as the crowd drew near, 
 with rude jests, noisy tramp, and prolonged laughter, 
 which seemed to mock the fallen fortunes of the "game 
 of life." Here was the petty dealer in cast-off wares, 
 jostling among the busy throng of economists, covet 
 ing the luxurious appurtenances around them. Her 
 own room was thrown open and in rushed the little mul 
 titude, followed by the knight of the hammer and his 
 attentive clerks. 
 
 Our heroine rose to repel the intruders, but sank back 
 again reluctantly, on meeting their rude gaze. 
 
 " How much am I offered for this antique escritoir 
 of the finest rosewood, inlaid with silver and pearl, 
 quite a gem. How much am I offered ? how much ? " 
 
 Mrs. Marvin forgot her reluctance to encounter the 
 rude- stare of the bystanders, and sprung forward to
 
 ALTHA. 99 
 
 arrest the sale. Her voice trembled, yet her bearing 
 was cold and energetic. 
 
 " Sir, can I not be spared this indignity ; why do you 
 intrude within my private apartments ? " 
 
 " Am sorry, madam, to disturb you. But the law 
 must have its course." 
 
 " This escritoir was my mother's dying gift to me, 
 and who, who would rob me of the cherished souvenir 
 of my childhood," glancing around, in her excitement, 
 hoping to read the sympathy she wished, nearly every 
 article in the room were the gifts of dear friends. 
 
 The man hesitated. " My orders were to take all. 
 Why did you not secure these things ? " 
 
 "The noise of your entrance is the first notice I have 
 had of this misfortune." 
 
 " Ugh ! " and the man drew a long, hard respiration 
 between his teeth. " Have you no friend who will come 
 to your assistance and bid in these articles ? I might 
 go over the other rooms and give you more time." 
 
 " No ; none that I have a right to intrude upon, 
 within hundreds of miles." 
 
 " Strange, strange. Madam, I can do but little. I 
 am more and more surprised at every step. I had no
 
 100 ALTHA. 
 
 thought of finding such a splendid place, and most of 
 all, a lady here." 
 
 The conversation was carried on in an under tone, 
 which was here interrupted by a rough, impatient voice, 
 fearful of losing "a bargain" upon the many artistic 
 gems, and decorations of a ladies' boudoir. " Is this to 
 be a sham sale? if not, go on, our time is precious." 
 
 " Lost to the feelings of humanity," thought Altha, 
 as those harsh tones vibrated upon her ear, and she 
 drooped meekly, as a lamb led to the slaughter, the 
 faint rising hope dying away 'mid the chills of despair. 
 
 " Lady, I fear I must go on with this unpleasant 
 duty," and he drew his hands across his eyes. 
 
 Altha snatched up her child, and folding her arms 
 around it, fled from the room, to hide in some isolated 
 corner, where she might remain undisturbed.
 
 CHAPTEE XIII. 
 
 "Alas ! the sun, whose dawning beam 
 
 Was full of hope and gladness, 
 Sends daily back, its parting gleam 
 On cloud, and storm, and sadness." 
 
 MARVIN returned to his desolate home, to meet the 
 sad, imploring gaze of his wife, no cheerful fire "burned 
 in the polished grate, the rooms cold and dreary, the 
 bare walls and dusty, uncarpeted floors, met his eye 
 at every step. 
 
 " Oh ! my husband, I am glad you have come, we 
 have had no food, no fire, since yesterday morning, you 
 will bring us some wo n't you ? " 
 
 " Where is the money ? " he asked gruffly, not wish 
 ing his wife to see how far his feelings were touched. 
 " I can 't do anything without means, you will know 
 now what it is to want, pretty often, I expect." 
 
 " No, do not say so ; you have the ability to provide 
 for us, and you will ; and I will help you." 
 
 " But I do not want your help, you will want it all 
 yourself."
 
 102 ALTHA. 
 
 " What do you mean ? " 
 
 " Why, I am not going to provide for you with your 
 spirited airs and extravagance. Come, get ready, and 
 let 'a be off." 
 
 "Where will we go?" 
 
 " Where, why, to father's of course, let him keep you 
 if he has so much sympathy for you." 
 
 " But, Walter, I did not complain to him ; it was be 
 cause I loved you so well, that I wanted to help you, 
 when I knew how things were going." 
 
 " Yes, yes. I understand, you know everything, doubt 
 less you know enough to get rid of your husband en 
 tirely ; I '11 not interfere ; so get ready and let's be off. 
 Ha ! love me, I do 'nt want her to love me, the little 
 fool, she 'd let me take out her soul, and drink up her 
 life, if 'twould make me happy. I'd rather have 
 a virago who would put me over the road. I should 
 make a better man if she would assert her rights, and 
 forget love entirely. No, I do 'nt mean that ; God 
 knows I could weep rivers of tears and blood, almost, 
 if I could undo all the evil I have done. But she shall 
 not see it, for she would conquer, and might rule me 
 ever aftea" And with this flattering unction, he
 
 ALT II A. 103 
 
 quieted and put back the better feelings of his heart, 
 and turned away to prepare for his journey. 
 
 Without a tear, without a murmur, Altha viewed*, 
 each cherished token which had fallen beneath the re 
 lentless hammer of law and justice, which swallowed 
 all in the whirlpool of destruction. What poverty now, 
 what disgrace could add to the one dark thought, like 
 the " skeleton's tramp, tramp, going down to the dead," 
 that her husband had forgotten both her and himself. 
 Her eye lighted with a new gleam of sunshine, as her 
 glance rested upon the forgotten escritoir, which the 
 auctioneer, exercising his right for the occasion, had re 
 served for himself. When he had finished his exciting 
 task, and wiped the perspiration from his forehead, he 
 sought Mrs. Marvin, and told her he had left it for her. 
 
 "How shall I thank you for this kindness to a 
 stranger ? " 
 
 " 0, you need not mention it ; I have a family of my 
 own, and if you are ever able you may pay for it, if not, 
 all right." 
 
 " I have nothing to repay you with now, and lan 
 guage seems but a feeble expression of my gratitude ; 
 may God in Heaven bless you and yours." 
 
 The man turned away with a heavenly light shining
 
 104 ALTHA. 
 
 from out those usually cold, grey eyes, and lie mur 
 mured as lie walked, " when I have nothing left to give, 
 I should not wish to live any longer," and the angel of 
 good fanned his hot brow, and whispered peace, peace, 
 thou hast well done.
 
 CHAPTEK XIV. 
 
 " There is strength 
 
 Deep bedded in our hearts, of which we seek 
 But little till the shafts of Heaven have pierced 
 Its fragile dwelling. Must not earth be rent 
 Before her gems are found ? " 
 
 MRS. HEJIANS. 
 
 THE golden sands in Time's crystal glass, had num 
 bered days, weeks and months, while Altha seemed 
 gaining fresh energy with every new incentive to exer 
 tion. She taught the " village school ; " made delicate 
 garments for her friends, and translated foreign litera 
 ture for the press. Still more than all else, she yearned 
 for her husband's love and sympathy ; once gained, her 
 proud, fearless spirit would on, on, laboring unceasingly 
 to raise him even to the highest pinnacle of honor and 
 distinction. Not so with Marvin, his was a pusillanimous 
 nature, whom a breath of sarcasm, or a word of ridicule 
 from an associate,, could turn him from the noblest pur 
 pose. And while the wine flowed freely and sparkled 
 in the tall glasses, he drained them deeper and deeper,
 
 106 ALTHA. 
 
 to still the small voice of his better self, which would 
 cry out against the assassin of the soul. 
 
 " Why do 'nt you send Walter to the gold regions ? " 
 said the friendly Doctor Hartwell to the elder Marvin, 
 " much better than loafing around here, my boy would 
 go any way." 
 
 " Yes, I thought he came near going without your 
 consent." 
 
 " Just so ; but I forgave him, he has such a roving 
 disposition and I fitted him out at last ; here comes 
 your son. Ah ! how do you do, my boy ? " said he, ad 
 dressing Walter. " I have just received a letter from 
 my 'Tave, in California ; tke prospect is he '11 make 
 money about as fast as he 's a mind to. Why don ; t 
 you start and try your fortune, you are a ' chip of the 
 old block ' here, and I presume you would do well. 
 There 's a new steamer just ready to start, or will be 
 on the twentieth. They want active business men out 
 there, and you would do well." 
 
 " My dear sir I would go, but have not the funds, 
 and do not see any opening for me in these parts at 
 present." 
 
 " My son, as much as I regret such necessity, if you
 
 ALT HA. 107 
 
 wish to go, I will furnish the means, and trust you will 
 do better." 
 
 A scowl flitted across Walter's brow as his father con 
 cluded, saying aside, "Always reminding me that I 
 have not done well. I am provoked enough never to 
 try again." 
 
 There now," exclaimed the light-hearted son of JEscu- 
 lapius, who smiled at his own shrewdness, in managing 
 to get Walter out of the way, to save his friend further 
 disgrace ; " get your traps ready, my son, and I '11 bear 
 you company to York, and see you safely stowed away 
 in a snug berth, as I am going there to transact some 
 business for my dear boy." 
 
 ' 0, -when I am stricken, and my heart, 
 Like a bruised reed, is waiting to be broken, 
 How will its love for thee, as I depart, 
 Yearn for thine ear to drink its last deep token.' 
 
 " How I should have mourned and murmured to have 
 buried my boy in his childhood, and he so promising 
 then : he was all my pride, my greatest treasure ; but 
 now he has borne me down with care and sorrow, 
 and my hair has bleached before its time." Thus solil 
 oquised the elder Marvin, as he leaned upon his gold- 
 headed cane, and looked sorrowfully from one of the
 
 108 ALTHA. 
 
 gothic windows of his brown cottage over the beauti 
 ful, tasteful grounds surrounding it. "But to send him 
 away into a land of strangers, wilh no one to care for 
 or watch over him in sickness or death, seems like con 
 signing him to a living grave. Poor boy ! sometimes I 
 almost fear I half-spoiled him by being over indulgent 
 Perhaps I was not sufficiently watchful and careful con 
 cerning his habits and disposition. God forgive me, but 
 I was too proud of the boy, and thought I would not be 
 too severe with h^ little faults, and that all would 
 
 come right." 
 
 o o o o o o o o 
 
 "Altha, I tell you you cannot go." 
 
 " Say not so, my husband. I cannot endure that you 
 should go alone. Who knows but I might prove the 
 bright star of your destiny. Do unsay that cruel sen 
 tence." 
 
 " No ; what could I do with you there ? so dry 
 your eyes and go to bed ; you need not sit up for me ; I 
 am going to the hotel to meet some of my old chums, 
 and may not be home to-night." 
 
 She intercepted him as he proceeded to the door, and 
 standing partly against it, made one last appeal, saying 
 "Will you not let me go ? 0, do not leave me and go
 
 ALT HA. 109 
 
 alone ; for if you suffer, I would be near to cheer and 
 asskt you. Let me go, that I may to$,ch our child to 
 revere and bless her father." She had laid her hand 
 lightly upon his arm in the earnestness of her pleading, 
 but he shook it off, and, moving her from the door, 
 strode on, looking back to say, 
 
 " Once for all, I tell you that you cannot go. Still," 
 he continued, though speaking to himself, " I shall feel 
 disappointed if she does not, go, but I wish she would 
 not ask me, for it arouses me to torment her. I believe 
 the fiends possess me to thwart her, but she loves me so 
 wildly, so devotedly, I wonder she don't hate me ; no 
 fear of that ; I wish she would, for a change." 
 
 Mrs. Marvin, on entering her daughter's room some 
 hours afterwards, found her heart-sick and despairing, 
 no gleam of hope lighted up the dark future j the 
 fires of confidence and faith in aught of earth seemed 
 to have died out. She was looking upon life with the 
 chilling apathy of despair ; but Altha knew not herself, 
 knew not her own heart. She was at last constrained 
 to admit the equity of her mother's counsel, and say no 
 more to her husband about accompanying him, but 
 
 cheerfully prepared everything for his comfort. She 
 10
 
 110 ALTHA. 
 
 brought forth her little purse, and added it to his, even 
 to the last dollar of her own earnings. 
 
 A family group was gathered in the hall to speak 
 the farewell word; but as Walter Marvin glanced 
 around upon each familiar face and form, his heart 
 sank within him, and he felt the cool indifference and 
 stoical expression, which he had assumed, would leave 
 him at this trying moment. Altha saw the 'glance of 
 fear and pain, and, comprehending his feelings, sprang 
 forward, taking the long cashmere scarf from her neck, 
 threw it over his shoulders, and hanging her own heavy 
 shawl on his arm, cautioned him to be careful, pointing 
 to their child, then putting up that pretty, loving 
 mouth, gave him a parting kiss, which he returned ; 
 when coldly bowing to the remainder of the group and 
 waving his hand for an adieu, rushed from the hall, 
 down the steps, and, springing into the coach, the door 
 closed with a sharp clang ; crack went the whip, and 
 away whirled our adventurer, without casting one look 
 behind.
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 ' ' Within her heart was his image, 
 
 Clothed in the beauty of love and youth, as she last beheld him, 
 Only more beautiful made by his death-like silence and absence. " 
 
 LONGFELLOW. 
 
 " PERHAPS, my friend, it is as you say ; my wild im 
 passioned love for him has proved a curse ; yet I will 
 not strive to sever the chain that has bound me ; I will 
 not break my wedded vows, for they were voluntarily 
 spoken. You need not grieve for me ; ' the heart may 
 bleed, and bleed, and brokenly live on.' " 
 
 " 0, Altha, think of our long friendship, and take 
 my advice. Think of your beauty, your talents ; think 
 of the elevated position you might fill in society ; think 
 of. your child the lovely Mataka, and forget him. 
 Let the law (a very convenient mentor in such cases) 
 absolve your vows, and fancied duties." 
 
 " No, Laura ; highly as I value your friendship, vain 
 and futile your efforts to turn me from my purpose. 
 As well might you, with your delicate arm, attempt to
 
 112 ALTHA. 
 
 hurl from their firm foundations the granite boulders 
 which crown the hoary summit of Mount Washington, 
 we admired so much while standing "beneath their giant 
 shadows last autumn." 
 
 " 0, Altha, do he persuaded to give up your, I must 
 say it, foolish faith, and prepare to go to Washington 
 with us. Ah ! here comes the postman with a letter." 
 
 Altha arose to receive it. It was postmarked " Cali 
 fornia," and the superscription was in a strange hand. 
 Nervously she tore open the envelope, and hastily run 
 over the contents : 
 
 " SACRAMENTO, . 
 
 " MADAM : 
 
 "At the request of Mr. Marvin I write to inform you that he is 
 ill, and cannot recover except with the most watchful care and at 
 tention. He has suffered much already, and is likewise destitute 
 of funds and friends. . " 
 
 Altha dropped the letter, a film gathered before her 
 eyes ; the life-blood seemed chained, stagnant, turned 
 to stone. Laura snatched up the letter, then threw it 
 away in disgust, exclaiming, " I had hoped it was all 
 over with him ; but no such good fortune. He seems 
 bound to live," and she set about restoring her friend 
 to consciousness
 
 CHAPTEE XVI. 
 
 " Angels from friendship gather half their joy." 
 
 AXTHA'S early friend, the splendid and accomplished 
 Laura Lord, now the wife of Arthur Yale, was reclining 
 half-huried in the damask velvet cushions of- her luxu 
 rious couch, her 'broidered handkerchief crumpled and 
 tear-stained, indulging in the unfashionable luxury of 
 a good cry ; she heeded not the entrance of her kind- 
 hearted husband, who bent over her with a look and 
 tone of endearment. 
 
 "What, dearest, are you still grieving for the way 
 ward Altha ? I saw the steamer gliding proudly o'er 
 the sparkling, foaming water, bearing on ocean's trea 
 cherous bosom our treasures." 
 
 " O, I can but weep to lose her ; and it does seem 
 like insanity or tempting Providence, for her to dare 
 the horrors of sea and greater horrors of land, and 
 brave fortune among strangers and savages." 
 
 " Do not grieve for her ; she thought she was doing 
 her duty."
 
 114 AI.THA. 
 
 " But I am out of all patience with such devoted, 
 self-sacrificing wives." 
 
 "If there wei'e more of them, dearest, they would 
 redeem the world." 
 
 " Fie upon you ; say rather, if there were more such 
 romantic women, your sex would become all tyrants, 
 and ours all fools." 
 
 'Squire Vale laughed, " Marriage, you know, is a lot 
 tery, and those who win the prizes are the least capable 
 of appreciating them." 
 
 " Well, well, Arthur ; I had hoped Altha would have 
 been cured by this time, of her penchant for her worth 
 less husband, and that we should have had her one of 
 our party this winter." 
 
 The light-hearted husband hummed the fashionable 
 opera air " ; Tis better to laugh than be sighing," add 
 ing, "So please don this satin embroidered drapery, 
 which you call a cloak, and this tiara of gems, and let 
 us away to barn one lesson of life, and the charms of 
 ' la belle passion,' from the thrilling drama of to>-night ; 
 the audience will be the ton, the scenes are new, and 
 the music, it is said, divine. Then, ' away dull care ' ;
 
 ALTHA. 115 
 
 a truce to sorrow with him who goes to show a beautiful 
 wife." 
 
 " All things have a begining and an end, and I must 
 shut my ears and heart to the counsel of dear friends 
 and pursue the path of duty, and trust a heavenly wis 
 dom, which, oft ' behind a frowning Providence, hides a 
 smiling face/ " mused Altha, as the steamer bore her 
 swiftly over the darkling water. 
 
 Thus ends the manuscript. 
 
 "Well, Ethan," said Halvor, at their next meeting, 
 " WLat has this long story to do with your gold-digging 
 and subsequent return to this city? I might fancy 
 that you met this Mrs. Marvin quite a paragon "of 
 perfection,, and out of respect to her, married some 
 of her numerous acquaintances." 
 
 " Ha, ha ! I '11 not let you off so easily, since you 
 have enlisted to follow the woof of my adventures, I 
 intend to keep you traversing the labyrinthian walks of 
 dull and tiresome detail." 
 
 " Ah, Ethan ! I see you have not forgotten that I 
 used to vote every one a bore who made long prosy 
 speeches ; but proceed ; I am all attention." 
 
 " Purchasing a Mexican pony, I started for the city
 
 116 ALTHA. 
 
 of Sacramento, resolved to court fickle dame Fortune in 
 that vicinity as preferable to ' the diggins.' But I found 
 myself incapable of any great exertion, from the effects 
 of an intermittent fever and occasional chills, in conse 
 quence of exposure to all kinds of weather, and sleep 
 ing upon the ground in our numerous journey ings and 
 scoutings across the country. Accommodations were 
 none of the best : the rude dwellings we were forced to 
 occupy were crammed almost to suffocation with human 
 beings, who left me to suffer alone during the day, and 
 at night, wrapped in my blanket, had to contend for my 
 right to a place on the rough and dusty floor of the 
 domicile, along with some thirty others. 
 
 "Don't laugh at the agreeable picture, Halvor: like 
 Esau of old, I would have ' sold my birthright ' for a 
 glass of pure cold water, a luxury then not to be 
 thought of. Soon the great fire broke out, which laid 
 nearly the whole city in ashes, A conflagration in a 
 great city is frightful terrible ; but there, where 
 shelter and comforts were so scarce, it was doubly 
 trying. 
 
 " The fire broke out so suddenly in the night, and 
 spread so rapidly, that I had barely time to escape Avith
 
 ALTHA. 117 
 
 life. I saved from my stock of valuables only one pair 
 of duck pants and one flannel shirt. Casting a look 
 among the many groups, who, like myself, were watch 
 ing the devouring element rioting upon the spoils, leav 
 ing thousands shelterless and half-clad, I noticed a 
 rude couch, covered with canvass which supported an 
 invalid gentleman, and beside him a fine, though care 
 worn looking woman, in vain endeavoring to shelter 
 him from the sweeping currents of air ; one arm encir 
 cled a little girl some five years of age, who clung to 
 her, almost convulsed with fear. Accident and misfor 
 tune readily make acquaintance, and, at that time, 
 fashionable conventionalities had not been imported, 
 and ceremonious punctilios could very well be dispensed 
 with. 
 
 " Acting upon the impulse of the moment, I stepped 
 forward and addressed the lady, ' This is a sorry place 
 for an invalid.' 
 
 " She turned toward me with a look as frank and free 
 as though she had known me all her life. ' It is, in 
 deed sir, and I know not where to find the poorest 
 shelter. 3 
 
 "I conjectured she was from ' the States ;' evidently a 
 lady, and tacitly installed myself their guardian pro
 
 118 ALTHA. 
 
 tern. A lady from home, in that wilderness world, was 
 a ram avis; for the confusion and jargon at the Tower 
 of Babel, could not have been even a priming to that 
 around us. 1 found two men who were stopping to 
 breathe, having exhausted themselves contending with 
 the fire-demon, inch by inch, the ground and property. 
 They assisted me to remove the rude couch some hun 
 dred yards beyond range of the fire, where we remained 
 sheltered by the walls of a rude board and mud house, 
 hemmed in by the crowd of houseless beings until morn 
 ing. For an exorbitant price, we obtained permission 
 next day to occupy a small portion of a very small 
 room. From Mrs. Marvin, (for by that name she intro 
 duced her husband to me,) I learned that she had left 
 the States, with one thousand dollars in her purse, to 
 attend upon her husband, who was suffering from a pro 
 tracted illness, from which I saw no chance for him to 
 recover. 
 
 " The prices we had to pay for everything pertaining 
 to comfort, even for a cup of water, bid fair to exhaust 
 the remainder of her funds as well as mine, and aroused 
 us to discuss, very often, the important theme, what 
 was she to do. For several days I went ' house-hunt 
 ing,' hoping to obtain more comfortable quarters, and
 
 ALTHA. 119 
 
 judge my surprise, when one day, upon returning to re 
 port progress, I found standing near Marvin and bending 
 over him, a person robed as a monk or priest. For 
 nearly all of that class I had met there, wore pretty 
 much the same costume. His ugly cowl hid his features, 
 as the looae cassock tied around the waist with a hempen 
 cord, hid his form. I drew hack having no great re 
 gard for this papistical sect. Mrs. Marvin had observed 
 me, and motioned me to come forward; I did so. Her 
 smile at the moment was so pleasant and inviting, I 
 quite forgot my feelings of reluctance to come in con 
 tact with the priest. He was conversing with the 
 invalid ; the tones of his voice were so clear, so musical, 
 and he spoke in such an honest manner, that I began to 
 listen with pleasure, not unmixed with curiosity. He 
 seemed to understand all the discomforts of our situa 
 tion without a word or glance. I subsequently learned 
 he was familiar with such scenes. 
 
 " ' My daughter,' said he, addressing Mrs. Marvin, 
 ' you require better accommodations for your husband 
 and child.' 
 
 " I now proceeded to inform them that I had found a 
 room somewhat better than their present abode, which
 
 120 ALTHA. 
 
 they might take immediately. The monk bowed, then 
 continued : 
 
 " ' My daughter, I have a ranchero some distance from 
 here, where you can have quiet, which is needful, both 
 for your husband and yourself. With your permission 
 I will send a conveyance for your family to-morrow.' 
 
 " While Mrs. Marvin was expressing her thanks, I was 
 wishing that I might take the liberty of excusing them 
 from accepting his charity, although I knew how much 
 they stood in need of any assistance thai would be 
 offered them. I could form no opinion of him, for his 
 head-gear shaded all of his countenance except the 
 eyes, his long white beard which fell heavily upon his 
 breast, and a few straggling locks of bluish white hair. 
 At last he accosted me ; ' My son, you will accom 
 pany them if you please ; you will be welcome.' I 
 bowed in token of acquiescence, not liking over much 
 the idea of this friendship, and not wishing to leave the 
 party. Raising his folded hands as though giving us 
 his blessing, he passed on his way, leaning on his strong 
 oaken staff. My thoughts went out after him in no 
 very charitable manner ; the wily Priest, thought I, 
 surely has some design in this, or why should he 
 Belect our party from out the throng of sufferers the
 
 ALTIIA. 121 
 
 late disastrous conflagration has utterly ruined, and 
 those of his own church too. My sainted father, ' honor 
 to his memory,' would call it one of the ' leadings of 
 Providence.' The invalid turned aside as though he 
 would rest. I glanced at Mrs. Marvin, who seemed to 
 interpret my thoughts, ' certainly, my friend, we need 
 fear no temporary harm, nor apprehend anything 
 serious for the future ; his is simply a mission of 
 charity.' 
 
 " ' I hope, madam, your affirmation will prove correct ; 
 I see, like many of your sex, you are trusting, and un 
 suspicious accordingly ; much as I dislike to be indebted 
 to this man, or monk, I will make one of your ' retain 
 ers ' for the present.' 
 
 " ' Thank you ! thank you ! 0, how can we ever repay 
 you for all you have done for us. I am indeed very, 
 very grateful. May God bless and reward you.' 
 
 " Our preparations for removal were speedily made ; 
 yet, how were we going? The priest had said he would 
 send for us. I was restless and uneasy, for it seemed 
 like making a leap in the dark, and made many vague 
 speculations as to the result. At an early hour next 
 morning, I took up my station outside the rude dwelling 
 with my hands in my pockets and broad sombrero pressed
 
 122 ALT HA. 
 
 hard over my eyes, gloomily intent upon watching the 
 scene around me. All was confusion, a perfect chaos. 
 Cattle of every description were wearily moving along, 
 singly and in pairs and dozens fastened together, loaded 
 with timber, stone, sand and every procurable material 
 for building. "Worn and jaded mules and pack-horses 
 loaded with provisions and comforts, for such as could 
 procure them. Workmen, with loud voices and cease 
 less jargon, were planning, framing and putting up 
 new buildings over the blackened fragments and dying 
 embers of the former ones. Busy laborers, interspersed 
 with groups of half-clad sufferers, wading through mud 
 and debris, thirsting for a cup of water, or famishing 
 for bread, presented an exciting picture, which cannot 
 be easily imagined or described. 
 
 " The clang of the hammer, the crash of falling tim 
 ber, mingled with the ceaseless clamor of unknown 
 tongues, presented a stirring picture to our friend 
 Ethan, who declared the confusion at the Tow*v of Babel 
 would not have been a circumstance to it
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 " Hast thou not known 
 The priceless value of a real friend ? 
 If thou hast such, if thou hast a true friend, 
 Who is all worthy of thy confidence 
 In whom thou canst impose implicit trust, 
 Use such a one with all due gentleness." 
 
 " HALVOR you know we made up our minds never to 
 be surprised at anything ; "but I was a trifle started as 
 a dark, ferocious looking Mexican, mounted on a Hack 
 horse drew rein opposite me, leading a splendid Jennet, 
 light of foot and fleet as an antelope, splendidly capari 
 soned. The bridle was richly studded with silver and 
 gold, and the blanket thrown over it, was' elaborately 
 wrought, by the hand of some high-bred Spanish 
 maiden, with gay colors, of birds and flowers, and 
 strange devices, interspersed with stars and crosses of 
 gold. A net of solid silver wire ornamented its head 
 and ears, which was also of Mexican workmanship. A 
 short distance in the rear was another horseman, 
 mounted like the first, carrying a cushion in front of
 
 124 ALTHA. 
 
 him, and leading a more powerful charger, having a 
 simple bridle and blanket of untanned hide ; next fol 
 lowed several mules and half-savage looking men, as 
 runners, carrying between them a large willow basket, 
 shaped like a cradle, and constructed with two strong 
 handles upon each side. 
 
 " The splendid Jennet was allotted to Mrs. Marvin, 
 with the swarthy Spanish attendant, the charger for my 
 self, and the robber-looking man with the cushion, appro 
 priated little Mataka to himself; while the sick man 
 was gently removed to the willow cradle, well furnished 
 with cushions and blankets, and a screen was raised over 
 him, forming quite a novel, though comfortable convey 
 ance for an invalid. Our little cavalcade set forward, 
 greatly surprised at the novelty of our situation and 
 the comfortable provisions for our journey. Our ride 
 was through a romantic and charming country. The 
 scenery was constantly changing from the lovely and 
 beautiful, to the grand and sublime ; now passing roll 
 ing undulations covered with forest trees, shrubs and 
 vines ; now riding leisurely over beautiful plains 
 covered with grass and a thousand varieties of spark 
 ling flowers. We stopped to rest occasionally, and par 
 take of some refreshment which had been provided,
 
 ALTHA. 125 
 
 consisting of dried beef, preserves and wine, cold water 
 and fruit being offered us at many rancho's at which 
 we halted, (procured by some mysterious influence of 
 our guide.) 
 
 "Afar to the west, shrouded in gorgeous golden 
 drapery, the sun was fast sinking to his accustomed 
 rest, below the dark belt of the distant horizon ; while- 
 bird and insect had commenced their evening songs of 
 worship, warning the weary traveller homeward to find 
 shelter from the gathering dew. For miles in front and 
 around us, was spread out the beautiful ravennos, 
 where herds of cattle and horses were grazing ; but yet, 
 no signs of human habitation. We approached a slight 
 elevation covered with forest trees of sycamore and lin 
 den, mingled with the never ending red-wood and 
 stunted oak, interspersed with dark grey rocks and 
 luxuriant flowing vines. 0, how we longed for the end 
 of our ride ; as we wound around the brow of the hill, 
 I was just getting together my little stock of Spanish 
 to question our guides, when, as if from instinct, our 
 horses halted, and we were dismounted upon a beaten 
 path beneath the trees ; following our guide, the way 
 was soon intercepted by a tangled hedge-row, impene 
 trable it seemed, as a Mexican chapparcl Luxuriant
 
 126 ALTHA. 
 
 masses of grape vines, pride of the prairie, and honey 
 suckle, hung over the hedge. Our fatigue was for 
 gotten ; our weary eyes opened wide with wonder and 
 curiosity, as Mrs. Marvin's attendant lifted and put 
 back a curtain of vines, and we passed through upon 
 the other side. We passed through gardens of choice 
 fruits and flowers, seemingly of all that grew in Eden, 
 spread out around us, our way often interrupted by the 
 jangled hedge of willow or evergreen, when the magic 
 of our guide unveiled the way by raising one of the 
 primitive fragrant curtains. Surely we had entered 
 paradise, and stealthily we looked at one another to 
 assure ourselves we were all there. Had I been alone 
 how welcome any such adventure would have been to 
 me. I would gladly have braved all danger to explore 
 the mysteries of this mysterious enclosure ; but with an 
 invalid, a child, and a lady for companions, I began to 
 be filled with fear and apprehension. ' This must be a 
 hermit's habitation,' exclaimed Mrs. Marvin, at last. 
 See, the last vine curtain has dropped and we are in 
 the monk's home; it consists of one room formed of 
 saplins of oak and hemlock firmly woven together and 
 covered with clay, the roof is formed the same as the 
 sides and covered with tile, there was a ground floor
 
 ALTHA. 127 
 
 having an occasional grey flag-stone interspersed, with 
 here and there a tiny blade of grass or flower peeping 
 up from the sides of the stones ; a few stone seats and 
 a rustic bench, formed of the twisted saplins, furnished 
 the room, with the exception of a large stone pitcher in 
 one corner, filled with cold water, having a stone drink- 
 ing-cup beside it. 
 
 " ' Our friendly friar,' continued Mrs. Marvin, ' must be 
 very devoted in his religion to live in this pastoral style.' 
 
 "'Ah!' I rejoined, laughing slyly, "we come for 
 quiet ; shall we not expire of ermui ? Can we endure such 
 everlasting quiet? ' She smiled as I glanced around, and 
 inquired what we were to do next. The wall or partition 
 of the room rolled back a little way, and the monk stood 
 before us, and welcomed us to his humble habitation. 
 The vaqueros, (or servants,) hastened forward with the in 
 valid, and the man with the sleeping child in his arms, 
 followed by Mrs. Marvin and myself. The wall moved 
 back to its place, shutting out to the unwelcome or 
 chance visitor, all knowledge of any other rooms beyond 
 that one. A separate room was allotted to each of our 
 party, and, taking possession of mine, I. sat down to 
 ruminate. I resolved not to sleep but watch, to see 
 what I could find out, for it was not my principle to
 
 128 ALTHA. 
 
 stay in a place long until I 'd find some way to get out 
 of it. Why were our attendants so silent during our 
 journey. Why was the house so curiously contrived ? 
 Why were the grounds a perfect labyrinth, defying the 
 most curious ? Why were we shut out from the world? 
 What would be our fate ? In vain I tormented myself 
 with similar questions. I pushed aside the vine-leaves 
 that shaded the lattice and looked out. My vision was 
 bounded by those same mysterious hedges, and the pure 
 azure above me. I listened ; I heard a horse pass 
 swiftly along, as though upon a beaten track, then 
 another and another, at short intervals ; what could it 
 mean ? ' Ha ! I have it,' I exclaimed, half aloud, ' this 
 is the bandit's home, and the robber chief is the Priest 
 in disguise.' I examined my pistols and placed them 
 where I could lay a hand on them quicker than 
 thought ; then stretched myself upon the inviting 
 couch. It was not an iron-barred, hair-cloth covered 
 one, said to have been in fashion among zealous catho 
 lics, but a right eastern luxury, piled with cushions and 
 blankets, and draped with cambric and linen. I must 
 have slept soundly, for I was awakened by the twitter 
 of the early birds, I sprang up and hastily completed 
 my toilet, and walked out.
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 " ALL nature was robed in her most "becoming ap 
 parel; the dew was sparkling upon every leaf and 
 flower, tinted, gemmed and gilded by the glorious 
 radiance of the rising sun. Bright birds upon tree, and 
 hedge-row, and every drooping sprig, were carolling 
 their matin song to the Creator. I stood lost in the en 
 joyment and admiration of this beautiful outer world, 
 all breathing, smiling, happy. 
 
 " ' Only man, in the plan, shrinks from his part,' was 
 spoken in elegant Spanish, by a manly voice ; turning 
 I saw standing near me, as though reading my thoughts, 
 Mrs. Marvin's attendant of yesterday; few traces of 
 the ferocious looking Mexican were visible. He bowed 
 and went on his way. At that moment a gong sounded 
 far and wide upon the still morning air, and from 
 bush and tree, rock and hollow, a hundred forms started 
 to life. They laved their hands in the crystal water, 
 flowing from a rude stone trough, then entered a large 
 building composed of unbaked bricks and covered with
 
 130 ALTHA. 
 
 tiles, and shaded by cotton-wood trees. This was a 
 chapel, where each man, woman and child knelt and 
 went through the ceremony of prayer. I watched and 
 wondered, as one by one they passed out. 
 
 " ' My son,' I looked up, the monk stood beside me, 
 ' let us go,' said he. We visited the invalid ; the monk 
 spoke a few soothing words to him, administered a com 
 posing draught, as naturally as though he had been 
 bred Jo the office of nurse, then led the way to the 
 breakfast room, where we enjoyed a fragrant cup of 
 coffee. We were joined by Mrs. Marvin and a beautiful 
 Spanish lady, all ease, grace and dignity ; she was 
 brilliantly beautiful, reminding me of a painting by 
 the old masters, a perfect, glorious looking woman. 
 
 " ' Senorita Isabella Venicia,' said the monk, taking 
 the stranger lady by the hand and presenting her. We 
 bowed after the fashion of Yankees. Mrs. Marvin, as 
 she came forward, poured forth her thanks to him, for 
 his great kindness to herself and family, and I was 
 about to add something for politeness sake, when father 
 Anselmo waved his hand and dismissed the subject, and 
 we finished our meal nearly in silence. 
 
 " ' Have you recovered from the fatigue of yester 
 day ? ' said I to Mrs. Marvin.
 
 ALTHA. 131 
 
 "'Yes, partially. Methinks, 'Squire Eldridge, you 
 arc early.' 
 
 " ' Yes; I could scarcely rest last niglit, I was so im 
 patient to explore paradise, as you call it.' 
 
 " ' How do you like it this morning ? ' 
 
 " ' ! better and "better. But have you observed 
 the luxuries strewn around our rooms ? Every thing I 
 touch, and every thing I see, awakens a curiosity to 
 know more of our host. What do you think of him 
 now, Mrs. Marvin ; nothing ill of course ? ' 
 
 '"He is, no doubt, opulent, educated, and a gentle 
 man ; there is something about him, a word, or a ges 
 ture it may be, that reminds me of some friend I have 
 known.' 
 
 " Have you no doubts or fears of him ?" 
 
 " ' None,' she answered smiling. 
 
 " But I cannot say the same. Perhaps it is because 
 I am better acquainted with human nature, that I trust 
 less than you do." 
 
 " She continued, ' last evening, after we were shown to 
 our rooms, and I had attended to the comfort of my 
 husband and child, it was quite late when I prepared to 
 take some rest, my strength completely exhausted, and
 
 132 ALTHA. 
 
 \vcaricd Avith the fatigues of the day, I had scarcely 
 power to move, when suddenly I was aroused from a 
 torpor stealing over my senses, by thoughts of the 
 novelty of our situation, and tormented myself with 
 nameless doubts and fears, as I sat listening to tho 
 evening breeze whispering among the leaves that shaded 
 the lattice, and cast merry, dancing shadows upon the 
 moonlit floor ; then I felt a presence near me, an ethe 
 real influence, which seemed to say, ' fear not ; I am 
 thy guide ; I am thy shepherd. Ee member " not a spar 
 row falleth to the ground without its Maker's notice." 
 " Are you not worth more than many sparrows ? " Then 
 I felt ashamed of my uncharitable thoughts, and knelt 
 and prayed, and felt as though I had heard it spoken, 
 " O ye of little faith." There is one who doeth all things 
 well/" 
 
 " ' I wish I had your faith, but I never can.' 
 " ' Do not say that, my friend," said she glancing at 
 me cheerfully ; " only ask for it and it will come to you. 
 But I must go and see if my husband is awake.' 
 
 " I now began an examination of the room. It was 
 furnished in a style similar to the others. There were 
 lounges, tables, flower-stands, feantcau, and ottomans
 
 ALTHA. 133 
 
 together with every imaginable article for comfort, which 
 were composed of knotty, distorted, and twisted timbers 
 of the oak and redwood, some in its natural state, with 
 the bark left on it, yet varnished and gilded, and look 
 ing very graceful and beautiful. But this was not all : 
 there were luxurious cushions heaped upon the floor of 
 embroidered velvet and merino, window draperies of 
 linen and silk, shells, books and flowers, stone and 
 alabaster pitchers and vases, tipped and ornamented 
 with silver, also rare paintings and gems of art lying 
 in every direction. Stone and silver fountains of puro 
 sparkling water were in many of the rooms, having 
 drinking-cups of silver and gold attached to them by 
 a chain of the same metal. Tiny fountains of rose- 
 water and silver cups of frankincense sent forth their 
 odoriferous perfume at every step. In vain I conjec 
 tured how did they get into this uncivilized land, 
 and who planned this fairy grot ? Out of doors I 
 hoped to be more successful in solving these questions. 
 The main building seemed to have been built of one 
 room at first, ono story in height, (a copy after South 
 American dwellings, which are formed one story in 
 height, for fear of the tornado, or earthquake,) and to
 
 A L T II A . 
 
 this room had been added wing after wing, and pilo 
 upon pile, some of the rooms having balconies running 
 around them ; then there would be several grouped to 
 gether, presenting a singular and grotesque appearance. 
 A hundred yards from the dwelling we occupied, I found 
 a number of huts and tents, occupied by the retainers, 
 laborers and vaqucros belonging to the ranch ; and turn 
 which way I would, I found one of these tents or huts. 
 Some of them resembling pretty little cottages, half 
 concealed by the luxuriant shrubbery, with a small yard 
 of magnificent plants under cultivation of the females 
 of the cot. Some of these tasteful dwellings were sup 
 plied with a small fountain of cool spring water, bub- 
 ling up to irrigate their gardens and purify the atmos 
 phere. These little dwellings seemed like sentry-posts, 
 and the inmates all spies ; but I judged them differently 
 upon longer acquaintance. Splendid horses, mules, 
 deer, Mexican dogs, and sheep ; foreign and native 
 fowls, with thousands of gay-plumaged birds filled the 
 copse and covered the plains far as the eye could reach. 
 There were numbers of men, women and children, some 
 at work, some lying idly and listlessly about, either in 
 the rank grass or sleeping upon the sunny side of a
 
 ALTHA. 135 
 
 hedge. Many nations were represented. There was 
 the native from the mountains, hut little removed from 
 the savage ; the dark and haughty Spaniard ; the 
 ruddy-cheeked heef-eater for I heard his authoritative 
 tone exclaiming ' These are not fine hedges ; you should 
 go to England to see fine hedges. No other nation 
 knows anything ahout fine hedges.' ' Arra, an' hegorra 
 ye '11 he the death o' me entirely,' came from the light- 
 hearted Hibernian ; while ' Yah, yah ! ' sounded like a 
 clap-trap from one of Afric's shiny-skinned sons, laugh 
 ing at the jargon of the Yong Chong stepping oddly 
 ahout. How or where our host gathered together such 
 a motly tribe, and how he managed to keep them was 
 beyond my comprehension. 
 
 " I sought my own quarters to inspect them more par 
 ticularly. The suit of rooms appropriated to my use 
 were furnished with the rustic furniture I have already 
 described, which was ornamented with quaint devices 
 of gold and silver and gay-colored landscapes. Cer 
 tainly it seemed as though every kingdom of the world 
 had been ransacked to furnish the creature-comforts 
 and rare gems of art my eyes rested upon. I was oc 
 casionally ashamed of my suspicions ; everything seemed
 
 136 ALTHA. 
 
 so peaceful, so beautiful, even the cool scented breeze 
 rustled among the vine-leaves and lifted the window 
 drapery, fanning me with its rich breath and lulling 
 me to forget the world with all its cares and all its 
 pleasures.
 
 CHAPTEK XIX. 
 
 "His home was known to all the vagrant train ; 
 He chid their wanderings, but relieved their pain." 
 
 GOLDSMITH. 
 
 " MY friend, you have been exploring the grounds, I 
 presume." 
 
 " Yes, my dear Mrs. Marvin ; at least I have been 
 trying to do so." 
 
 " What is your opinion concerning the place ? " 
 
 " I scarcely dare tell you ? " 
 
 " Why do you think me so weak, that I cannot bear 
 unpleasant news ? " 
 
 "But it would not relieve your mind." 
 
 " Perhaps not ; but it will satisfy my curiosity, which 
 is worth something." 
 
 " Well, there is, as we remarked upon our arrival, a 
 mystery connected with everything. Evidently we are 
 enjoying the comforts of the bandit's home, or guests 
 
 of one of the myrmidons of the Pope." 
 12*
 
 138 ALTHA. 
 
 " I agree with you in thinking that many of the peo 
 ple here are Catholics, for I heard the Ave Marias 
 chanted during the night-watches, and at intervals, 
 while sitting beside my husband, until near morning." 
 
 " Did you not feel angry with them ? " 
 
 " O no ; I pittied them, because they had not learned 
 to approach the Author of all Light and Good, and 
 present their petitions in a more heart-cheering and 
 strengthening manner, and while they chanted, I felt 
 my own need of gratitude for numberless favors." 
 
 Occasionally I sat beside Marvin while his wife en 
 deavored to take a little rest ; often, while doing so, 
 drawing comparisons of her amiability and devotednees 
 to her family ; and then I would grow restless and im 
 patient concerning my own inactivity. However, I 
 allowed myself a great deal of credit for looking after 
 strangers, just because they were unfortunate, and gen 
 erally ended by detracting a tithe of credit from the 
 priest, doubting his disinterestedness towards them. 
 Mrs. Marvin growing sadder and sadder every day, as 
 Father Anselmo, who was also physician in some degree, 
 gave his opinion that her husband could not hold out 
 much longer. At times, when he slept ; with hushed
 
 ALTHA. 139 
 
 voice and " soundless tread," we gathered arouncl his 
 bed listening breathlessly to assure ourselves the weary 
 spirit had not flown from earth. At other times we 
 listened to the eloquent lessons of heavenly faith, conso 
 lation and soul-stirring prayers of the priest, poured 
 forth for the dying man. At such times he spake only 
 the religion of the heart, and faith in God, and no one 
 who heard him would have supposed him a professor of 
 popish sentiments. 
 
 The sick man Avould listen apparently for a time, 
 then turn away, shutting his eyes as though commun 
 ing with his own thoughts, or trying to sleep. I learned 
 to appreciate that loving wife. She was indeed a price 
 less treasure ; and I lamented that heaven had not 
 made such a one for me. No watching, no fatigue, no 
 labor, no extra patience and gentleness, seemed ever to 
 be thought of by her compared with his comfort. No 
 weariness, languor, or want of exercise could induce her 
 to leave his side except for a few moments, and then, at 
 the instance of the priest, whom she tacitly obeyed, 
 whether from reverence or gratitude, or that he under 
 stood her better than others, I could not determine. 
 Daily I visited the interior of the chapel, to admire the
 
 14:0 ALTHA. 
 
 rare paintings which adorned it. On several occasions I 
 caught glimpses of white drapery leaving the organ, or 
 gliding near the altar, which I supposed belonged to the 
 Spanish lady I had met at table. 
 
 For hours I watched the laborers upon the ranchero, 
 to discover, if possible, if the Priest was truly the main 
 spring which regulated and kept in order all these peo 
 ple. Some of them would follow him, calling him 
 " good Father Anselmo," taking hold of his robe ; pray 
 ing for blessings upon him, and asking for blessings 
 upon themselves ; in short, he seemed to be their 
 divinity. 
 
 Standing outside the chapel, I noticed father Ansel- 
 nio passing toward the house by way of a private en 
 trance, his head bent forward, and his hands dropping 
 listlessly by his side, as though somewhat dejected. I 
 ventured to accost him : " Father Anselmo." 
 
 " My son." 
 
 " Allow me to ask you one question ? " 
 
 " Certainly ; as many as you please." 
 
 " I wish to ask, what signifies the sign of the 
 cross." 
 
 "It signifies the incarnation and death of our
 
 ALTHA. 141 
 
 Saviour. But the illiterate make tlie sign to keep 
 away evil spirits." 
 
 " I may not answer, there is no truth in your asser 
 tion ; in their ignorant blindness, they gain many im 
 perfect ideas, and it is a great work to make them truly 
 comprehend the things which belong to their salvation." 
 
 " My son, do you make inquiries to learn the way of 
 immortal life, or to criticise and play the spy ? " 
 
 " The spy ! What do you mean, sir ? Did you not 
 invite me hither ? " 
 
 " Yes ; I wronged you, I know you better. My son," 
 he continued, " we were speaking of the ' sign of the 
 cross.' It signifies two principle mysteries ; the Unity 
 and Trinity of God, the Incarnation and death of our 
 Saviour. When we put our right hand to our head, 
 saying ' in the name,' we signify Unity. When we 
 make the sign of the cross, saying ' of the Father, of 
 the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,' we signify Trinity." 
 
 " Allow me to say, sir, there is so much mystery and 
 superstition mixed up in your religion, (I beg pardon, 
 sir,) in the Catholic religion, I cannot make it agree 
 with the passage, ' He that runs may read.' " 
 
 " My son, you will doubtless find many things to con-
 
 ALTHA. 
 
 demn ; but, I am at your service, and shall be happy to 
 talk with you often as you wish." 
 
 " But, sir," said I, (I had adopted the title of Father 
 Anselmo, because others did, for politeness sake ; but 
 now the words would stick in my throat.) " I shall 
 probably give you a few of my honest opinions, and, at 
 the same time, Sir Priest, you will find me quite a hea 
 then, as regards the creed and ceremonies of your 
 church." 
 
 " Your integrity and singleness of purpose, 1 think 
 will serve my purpose best." 
 
 " Indeed. I have heard that persons capable of in 
 trigue and deep design, are chosen for the Pope's work." 
 
 " You misunderstand me," said he, his forehead flush 
 ing and drawing himself proudly up, " but no matter" 
 said he, now resuming the conversation with his 
 usual quiet tone. " I fear you have met with those pre 
 tending to be Catholics, who have given you wrong and 
 unpleasant ideas concerning them." 
 
 " I have met with those, with whom I have thought 
 it a part of their religion to deceive, even to telling an 
 open and direct falsehood; yet, these same persons 
 attended mass and the confessional, repeated prayers
 
 ALTHA. 143 
 
 and did penance upon occasion, calling all honest folks 
 heretics." 
 
 " My son, perhaps you are a trifle excited toward 
 them. However, I will take your words for what they 
 are worth. They shall not hurt you. You do not 
 understand them." 
 
 " Yet how can I understand them, if I may not be 
 lieve my own observations." 
 
 " But, my son, you will not he allowed to trust your 
 own judgment ; you must accept everything, believe 
 everything, taught by the church." 
 
 We walked on in silence, and turning toward the 
 house, my companion entered without another word. 
 " Ah ! the wily Priest," I mused, " Perhaps he thinks 
 he has said enough for once. Yet, after all, I would 
 like to become acquainted with him, there is such an 
 air of mystery about him ; then he is such a scholar, 
 so refined, so gentlemanly, and charitable withal. No 
 wonder, he colors when I speak honest sentiments or 
 scandal in such a brusque manner, no doubt they jar 
 upon his sensitive nature.
 
 CHAPTEE XX. 
 
 ' ' And Lara sleeps not where his fathers sleep ; 
 But where he died, his grave was dug as deep ! " 
 
 BYRON. 
 
 1 HASTENED to the invalid's apartment, to assist Mrs. 
 Marvin. The angel of Death had passed by. Her 
 husband was going a journey to a far country. He 
 felt the messenger's icy breath, and shivered. We 
 heard not the language of the spirit, but we traced a 
 ghastly smile flickering around the lips of the dying. 
 Who can witness, unmoved, the death damps gathering 
 upon the brow of the doomed one ; the keen anguish at 
 parting ; the last great struggle for the fleeting breath. 
 Oh ! we would wish our friends to fall gently ' asleep in 
 Jesus.' We stood silently around the couch, hushed our 
 very breathing that we might watch, nor disturb the 
 weary one. Oh ! who has not lost a friend ? Who has 
 not some loved one in that land beyond the grave ? 
 The stricken one is kneeling beside the dying, in heart 
 breaking agony. The last wild kiss unheeded ; the
 
 ALT HA. 145 
 
 last fervent, hopeless, despairing, embrace unanswered. 
 Cold, and chill the form of the inanimate sleeper, so 
 dearly loved ; gone, gone, while we are left to mourn. 
 
 " Let us pray," came from the lips of the priest, and 
 there, as one of earth's angels, he poured forth a fervent 
 supplication for the bereaved one, until the fountain of 
 tears was broken, and overflowed the bitter sorrow. We 
 laid him down in his narrow bed beside the chapel, 
 where drooped the willow, and beneath which the green 
 turf was gemmed by the tiny star-flower of innocence. 
 No funeral pomp, no senseless grandeur disturbed the 
 tranquil sleeper ; no stately candles burned with ghastly 
 light within the darkened room, gloomy with pall and 
 shroud, and shadowy drapery. Wrapped in his mantle, 
 he sleeps beneath the green turf in the golden beauti 
 ful valley of . Often at twilight we wandered 
 
 near the quiet spot, hallowed by holy thoughts and 
 grief-laden sighs, and watered with many a tear, and 
 thought to commune with the spirit of our friend, who 
 had explored the convex river of life and death. 
 
 " The voyager," said the priest, " glides smoothly 
 along, gazing upon the crystal water ; in the twinkling 
 
 of an eye his boat goes down upon the further side, and 
 13
 
 146 ALTHA. 
 
 he may not come back She still clings to the 
 
 wild love she has nurtured through long years of sor 
 row," said Father Anselmo, as we came in sight of the 
 new-made grave. 
 
 There lingered Mrs. Marvin. Bright flowers strewed 
 the green turf, and fresh garlands were laid upon the 
 altar of small stones we had raised to mark his resting 
 place. We drew near, and the priest repeated in solemn 
 yet sweet thrilling tones, "Sorrow cometh with years, 
 and to live is to mourn. As a mother soothes to sleep 
 the wail of her troubled child, so death opens its arms 
 to the vexed spirit, and cradles in its bosom the un 
 quiet to repose. 'T is well," continued he, " to visit the 
 graves of those we loved in life ; we feel their spirit 
 presence near, and the words we breathe, the prayers we 
 pour forth above the hallowed dust will flow back upon 
 our own hearts, and 'enrich our inner life. My daugh 
 ter, you grieve for your lost earthly treasure. I grieve 
 that the love that joined us here was not more perfect, 
 yet grieve not without hope of a resurrection. Yes ; as 
 the Psalmist says, the mortal shall put on immortal, and 
 the corruptible put on incorruptible ; the dead shall rise 
 again in newness of life."
 
 ALT HA. 147 
 
 "Father," I said drawing him a little aside, " I thought 
 your church instituted many ceremonies to he performed 
 over the dying and the dead, even especial prayers to 
 he repeated to insure their happiness." 
 
 " Yes ; pious Catholics pray for the souls of departed 
 friends, to pass them safely through purgatory, or limbo, 
 as it is called." 
 
 " And what do you know of any such future state ?" 
 
 " Limbo is the state in which the soul enters imme 
 diately after death. It has seven degrees or spheres ; 
 the eighth is the one where the Eternal the Holy of 
 Holies dwells, and it is concealed from our view by a 
 thick veil, and we understand our prayers or the prayers 
 of the church are instrumental in raising the departed 
 soul from one sphere to another towards happiness." 
 
 " But I have seen no prayers or masses said for the 
 soul of our departed brother." 
 
 "No; such ceremony could not satisfy the mind of 
 yonder mourner," said he, pointing to Mrs. Marvin, 
 " because she has not been educated in our church. She 
 will not bow down to worship inferior power, but only 
 the great First Cause of all light arid creation. And 
 she would chose to let him sleep, trusting his future to
 
 148 ALTHA. 
 
 the God she worships ; trusting the rarified spirit of her 
 husband lingers near, and perhaps has power to influ 
 ence her in the present life." 
 
 " Do you believe she is right," I inquired, with con 
 siderable interest. 
 
 " Let her dream on, truly, hers is a happy religion. 
 But there is the alarm," and he hastened forward to the 
 chapel, followed at a short distance by the lady and 
 myself. 
 
 We entered, and stood a little apart from the kneel 
 ing devotees in front of the altar. 
 
 The interior of the church, although rudely con 
 structed, was tastefully ornamented with flowers, and a 
 basin of holy water stood before a statue of the Virgin 
 Mary. Several choice paintings adorned the walls, 
 which added to the beauty and mystery pervading the 
 whole, which was darkened and shadowy. 
 
 " How beautiful," exclaimed Mrs. Marvin, directing 
 my attention to a painting, a representation of the 
 crucifixion of our Saviour. "Do you not feel like 
 worshiping it too ? 
 
 " No ; though I confess admiration, almost adoration 
 is aroused upon beholding an exquisite piece of art, and 
 I rejoice that man can create the beautiful like this, it
 
 ALTHA. 149 
 
 incites our emulation, and elicits our praise. The 
 priest tells me they are placed here to incite a spirit of 
 devotion in those who come to worship. But I cannot 
 agree with him in all things ; I do not condemn 
 the love of the heautiful; yet, I would have them 
 pray to the Invisible Presence who hears our petitions 
 without money and without price.' What do yonder 
 devotees, before the shrine of the Virgin realize of com 
 fort and happiness, speaking in an unknown tongue, 
 praying to the Blessed Virgin, and imploring the saints 
 to present their petitions unto God, and to think, that 
 with less of labor than is now bestowed upon them, 
 they could be taught the only true way the Bible 
 teaches, and receive a greater amount of comfort and 
 happiness. Father Anselmo confessed to me, to-day, 
 that it was the mystery of these forms and ceremonies 
 that kept so many of his followers in subjection. The 
 idea of miracles direct from God, or a movement of a 
 painting, as an oracle of the saints, could work wonders 
 upon the crude mind with which he has to deal." 
 
 " And did father Anselmo think himself acting 
 rightly by fostering such superstition ? " 
 
 "No. I judge the man revolts from the work; but 
 
 said he, ' we may have no sentiments, no judgment, no 
 13
 
 150 ALTHA. 
 
 feelings of our own, in opposition to the church. Think 
 for one moment of the power of the church, and never 
 douht the almost utter impossibility of harbouring 
 doubts respecting her infalibility, and her efforts to 
 bring back the wavering disciple," and he gave me 
 a wild look, which I could not fail to interpret. 
 
 " I sec," I returned in answer to it, " how secretly you 
 work." 
 
 " You see," he replied, gazing steadily at me, from 
 out those deep set eyes, " and are you awake ? How long 
 shall your watchmen cry ' peace, peace, when there is 
 no peace.' There should be no quiet, inactive, dreamy 
 peace ; silently you should labor, ' watch and wait ;' you 
 pray for the spread of the gospel," said he, " but whore- 
 ever your laborers enter, do you not find the cross 
 already planted ; and are you not slumbering in peace 
 and pleasure, while the enemy is sowing tares in your 
 homes by the way-side, and in the hearts you love ? 
 My country, my country," said he, rising and walking 
 energetically back and forth, with folded arms and 
 head thrown back, " how long will friend and brother 
 slumber at his post ? I love thee, I love thee, and my 
 heart yearns toward thy rudest son," then dropping into
 
 ALTHA. 151 
 
 a scat, as though fearful he had said too much, he sat silent 
 and the drops of sweat gathered upon his brow and lip. 
 There is such a mystery about this man, that he has 
 power to move me in conversation as few men can." 
 
 " True, indeed," continued Mrs. Marvin, " and think 
 what a life he lives, of devotion and sacrifice to religion 
 and charity ; is it all for the benefit of the church 
 the infallible church, as he terms it? Friend, we must 
 know more of him, and his church too," impressively 
 laying her hand upon my arm. 
 
 " No," I returned ; " let it alone, with all its myste 
 ries, with all its hypocrisy, with all its falsehood, lest 
 one more soul be added to swell its bloated coffers." 
 
 " But we may work we must work, using his own 
 implements of mystery, in favor of the religion of 
 Jesus and freedom of conscience." 
 
 Her words seemed almost like inspiration, spoken in 
 a whisper beneath those dim and shadowy rustic arches. 
 
 " Here we are plotting heresy within shadow of the 
 altar ; do you not fear ? " and the sentence was barely 
 spoken, when we were interrupted thus : 
 
 " My children ! " and Father Ansclmo glided past, 
 giving us his blessing in Spanish.
 
 152 ALTHA. 
 
 " We require no representations made by man," con 
 tinued Mrs. Marvin, " to reconcile our devotion, if we truly 
 love God, since he bids us come unto him, and him only 
 to receive the waters of eternal life, through Jesus our 
 redeemer and mediator. We find no place in the Bible 
 where we are taught'to present our petitions to the Vir 
 gin Mary, nor any of the numerous saints who have 
 lived upon earth, wise and pious men though they were, 
 who have entered before us the shadowy temple of death, 
 and rested in the cold silent grave. How cheering the 
 divine assurance, if we draw nigh unto God He will 
 draw nigh unto us. We may cast all our cares and 
 burdens upon Him, who will lighten the load and prove 
 'a present help in time of need.' How sublime the 
 Gospel revelations of light and love, which shall make 
 the desert blossom as the rose. The light which shines 
 upon us from the cross raises our thoughts above the 
 cares and annoyances of a changeful existence, to con 
 template the brighter future, and there is an ear ever 
 open to listen to our wants, a spirit that may be touched 
 'with a feeling of our infirmities,' who vouchsafes to 
 us lessons of divine love."
 
 ALTH A. 
 
 " He must wear the cross who wins the crown," said 
 the priest, again standing beside us. 
 
 As we passed out, there was borne upon the breeze, 
 laden with the perfume of the orange and magnolia 
 sweet breathing strains from the organ in the chapel, 
 awakening rapturous emotions, as reached our willing 
 ears the solemn chant 
 
 " Praise God, from whom all blessings flow." 
 
 When we were once more seated in the common par 
 lor, said Father Anselmo, " Altha, where did you learn 
 your heresies ? and, at the same time, where did you 
 gain your information concerning the doctrines and 
 teachings of the church ? " 
 
 I glanced at Mrs. Marvin ; she was leaning forward, 
 scanning the priest with an earnest, imaginative glance, 
 as though she would penetrate beneath the cowl and 
 cassock. I was surprised to hear him address her by 
 the name of Altha, wondering how he knew it, as I had 
 never heard it. 
 
 he continued gazing at him with a troubled expres 
 sion until he ceased speaking, then her lip quivered, 
 and the tears she could not repress filled her eyes, as she 
 walked to the window to regain her composure. Father
 
 154 ALTHA. 
 
 Anselmo liad spoken abruptly, not at all like his usual 
 elegant diction ; yet I saw nothing to frighten one, and 
 was thinking how nervous she was, when the priest 
 filled a silver cup at the fountain and motioned me to 
 give it to her. 
 
 She returned the cup with a sad smile, reminding one 
 of some old heart-wound re-opened by an unlucky 
 speech. "Please excuse me to-night," said she, rising 
 to go, " I will answer your questions at another time," 
 and she walked towards the door, the priest still watch 
 ing her intently. There must have been some potent 
 charm in his glance, for she turned half round, bent 
 upon him that inquiring gaze, then buried her face in 
 her hands, and would have fallen had he not sprung 
 forward and led her to a seat. He held her hands, 
 folded back the wavy hair, and bathed that classic brow 
 with a few sparkling drops from the cup, altogether ap 
 pearing quite interested. I could not view any of his 
 movements without suspicion, and I sent a few angry 
 glances towards him, as the thought entered my 
 brain, he is tryin-g what influence he can have upon her ; 
 he heeded not my angry looks, but raised a silver shell 
 to his lips, and a few notes from it was answered by
 
 ALTHA. 155 
 
 Mrs. Marvin's attendant, and soon after Senorita 
 Isabella entered and passing her arm around Mrs, Mar 
 vin, very affectionately led the way to her own room. 
 
 How my hopes, my aspirations, and bright dreams 
 of future happiness had "became interwoven with the 
 fancy thread of Altha's future, as the Priest called her ; 
 there seemed to be no sunshine where she was not. I 
 had learned to love her through her acts of kindness 
 towards others. 
 
 For several days .1 had been debating, in my own 
 mind, whether I should take her with me in my perigri- 
 natiqns through the country, or whether it would be 
 wiser to locate at San Francisco until my stocks had 
 accumulated sufficiently to return to the States, where 
 we might live quietly and cosily, enjoying all the crea 
 ture comforts and amusements at hand. Her confidence 
 in me with regard to her own plans, often put a damper 
 upon my resolution of broaching the important subject. 
 As she left the room, I felt more than ever anxious to 
 take her away from this mysterious rancho ; it savored 
 too much of her own quiet, romantic disposition, to 
 remain longer, not doubting her eagerness to go with 
 me. Thus I strode back and forth, the soft matting 
 giving back no echo of my hasty tread ; notwithstanding
 
 156 ALTHA. 
 
 Father Anselino's kind hospitality, I felt inclined to 
 quarrel with* him for his meddling influence, and as 
 blindly endeavoring to trace effect to cause, I overleaped 
 the mark in my hasty conclusions. I looked at Father 
 Anselmo, he seemed perfectly oblivious of my presence, 
 standing with his back toward me. He lifted his hands 
 wildly, striking his head as though laboring under 
 powerful emotion, then his arms dropped listlestly by 
 his side, he folded them and walked the room with 
 rapid steps. Wishing to leave him undisturbed, I 
 moved towards the door, he laid a hand upon my 
 shouder, speaking in his usually friendly tone. 
 
 " Stay, Ethan, arid keep me company." 
 
 My old brusque manner returning upon the instant, 
 I laughingly inquired, " What for ? To keep away the 
 blue 'evils, that have been serving a writ of habeas 
 corpiis upon your propria personce ? " 
 
 " No ! no ! but no matter now, enough to know we 
 waste our energies, and mar our influence holding fancy 
 revels with the buried ghosts of the past, chasing delu 
 sive phantoms in the present, and goblin dreams and 
 doubts concerning the future. Perhaps you may find a 
 few drops of the milk of human kindness flowing in my 
 veins ; yet, I confess my situation rather isolates mo
 
 ALTHA. 157 
 
 from sympathy and communion with my fellows. I tell 
 you," said he, nervously, " the sorrows and pleasures, 
 all the cares and joys of existence, even the enthusiasm 
 and energy of passion and fancy, must be stifled from 
 our very souls, and crushed out by the stern mandate 
 of duty." 
 
 " Why do you labor then, spending soul and body for 
 the benefit of the church ? " 
 
 " Do you ask why we labor ? How think you the 
 cross is to be planted throughout our glorious land, the 
 convent and the chapel be raised in every dell and 
 valley, and upon every hill-top, how but to labor and to 
 wait?" 
 
 I sprang to my feet. " Sir Priest, I begin to com 
 prehend you. Man, you are not what you seem ; why 
 not let me sleep on, while you work, and watch, and 
 wait?" 
 
 He bent toward me, and answered in a most impressive 
 whisper, " because I love you." 
 
 " I fear," said I, " this solitude and study has made 
 
 you a sad misanthrope. But are you indeed wishing 
 
 for sympathy ? Why have you chosen this unnatural 
 
 position ? Why debar yourself of social pleasures ? 
 
 14
 
 158 ALTHA. 
 
 Why make life all a sacrifice? is it natural, is it 
 scriptural ? " 
 
 " Pardon me," said he, turning abruptly, " if I leave 
 unanswered, why I do it ; as the Poet says, 
 
 ' Just as lamely can ye mark, 
 How far perhaps, I rue it.' 
 
 I have sinned and suffered, yet I wait not for Death, 
 neither can I pray for forgetfulness. I ask not fame, 
 nor honor, nor love, greater than that I am fitted "to 
 enjoy. We can feel around us an ethereal influence, 
 warning us of good and evil, we can say who, or what 
 are we, then we are lost in the labyrinth of our own 
 conjectures, and we sink down powerless ; 'tis but for a 
 moment, we may not, no, we dare not die ; we must 
 live, and we must labor ; the decree is written on crea 
 tion's every page ; you are young, and have a work to 
 do ; quietly, silently, it may be, yet you must fill your 
 place." 
 
 The old man bent upon me those soul-searching eyes, 
 and his long, white locks trembled, as they floated over 
 his coarse, time-worn dress. He continued, as though 
 bent upon reading my thoughts and purposes, " Altha
 
 ALT HA. 159 
 
 is admirably calculated to assist you in any situation or 
 profession." 
 
 To my stare of astonishment he answered, " Ah, no ! 
 'tis not for me, the holy sympathy of woman's love ; 
 the heavenly devotion, the celestial affection of a soul 
 transferred from a star-lit world, to cheer and bless our 
 own. If you win and wear the ethereal gem, I will not 
 say thee nay. Yet, my heart will speak its wildly-beat 
 ing sympathy, by fondly cherishing the pretty flower 
 that lingers the. lovely "Mataka, Altha's child. She 
 is so dazzling fair, so speakingly beautiful, with those 
 soul-full eyes, so darkly blue, and those long golden 
 curls, a cherub mouth, with two tiny rows of pearls be 
 tween those rolled up rose-leaf lips. Emblem of inno 
 cence ! blest spot where thy tiny foot-print lingers ; 
 thrice happy the pilgrim with whom thou mayest tarry. 
 Thy gleeful laugh cheats us of heavy years, and brushes 
 away the traces of leaden care and the cobwebs of 
 sorrow." 
 
 " But, Father Anselmo, Altha, as you call her, doats 
 upon her child ; she walks with her in the early morn 
 ing, she guards her when the sun is high, and when the 
 golden god sinks down toward the western waters, and
 
 160 ALT HA. 
 
 makes his resting place among the matchless drapery 
 of evening ; she watches beside her little lace canopy for 
 the noisy fly and cunning spider; unconsciously she 
 listens to her artless prattle, and childish joy ; indeed, 
 father, her heart, her life almost seems hound up in the 
 fragile child's : by rock and tree, down by the cool bub- 
 ling spring, I saw her walking with her child this morn 
 ing, teaching it holy lessons of truth. She will not 
 part with her." 
 
 Strange it seemed to me, that Father Anselmo often 
 visited the little Mataka, lavishing upon her an abun 
 dance of presents, sometimes holding her upon his knee, 
 smoothing back those glossy sunlit curls, looking into 
 those great blue eyes. With his usual thoughtfulness, 
 he had fitted up a play-room for her : it was arranged 
 after the rustic fashion of the hermit's cell, and the 
 room was made impervious to the trifling changes of 
 weather, by thickly-set redwood and stunted oak, inter 
 laced with vines. There was just air and sunlight 
 enough flickering and dancing from among the over 
 hanging spray, and luxuriant foliage to make the place 
 seem quite a young Eden. The interior was a perfect 
 parterre of bright and beautiful flowers, chosen both
 
 ALTHA. 161 
 
 for display and their delightful fragrance; numerous 
 cages of singing-birds with gorgeous plumage, rare 
 vases, and porcelain fountains dripping with crystal 
 water, sparkling and glad in every stray sunbeam and 
 ruffling zephyr. 
 
 The thought that I could provide for Altha's pet 
 flower made me happy, and I thought that Father An- 
 selmo knew how to win his way to the heart of the 
 mother, by these lavish attentions to the child. What 
 ever the mother's necessities, I did not fear she would 
 give up her child to the influence of the priest, and 
 scarcely divining the drift of his words when he spoke 
 of keeping her I answered, "No doubt you will miss 
 the child." 
 
 " Miss her ! I cannot part with her ; no, no; she can 
 not go from here unless it is home with the angels ! 
 therefore do not speak of it." 
 
 14*
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 " FATHER Anselmo, it has been a great subject for 
 speculation with me, where you gathered your numerous 
 clan, speaking every language from the Chinese to the 
 Hottentot, and, likewise, how you keep them under sub 
 jection and in harmony with each other." 
 
 " The gathering of them together has been the work 
 of years, adding one and another as I have met with 
 them, in peculiar circumstances of misfortune and 
 trouble." 
 
 " You have the strongest claims, then, upon their 
 gratitude and, no doubt, find it comparatively easy to 
 assimmilate their views to your own." 
 
 " One great source of power," said he, " is in gain 
 ing their confidence. There is, in unenlightened 
 minds a degree of humanity, and a greater or lesser 
 share of superstition. These materials, moulded by a 
 skilful teacher, will insure obedience to more than or 
 dinary requirement. I could not always feel perfectly
 
 ALTHA. 163 
 
 satisfied with my own labors, to depend upon the means 
 I have mentioned, and, therefore, I have gradually laid 
 open to them the scriptures, and found many of them 
 to improve from the lessons of our Saviour. I trust 
 many of them have an anchor of faith upon which to 
 stay their hopes, whose hold is in heaven." 
 
 " What ! " I exclaimed in astonishment, " this is con 
 trary to your precepts." 
 
 . " Not exactly. With a teacher, however, I believe 
 they can understand the Bible, and, moreover, that they 
 will feel inexpressible comfort from passages overlooked 
 as unimportant, or given up as mysteries, by the ear 
 nest champion of scholastic theology." 
 
 " If Mrs. Marvin were here to hear you, she would say 
 you were apostatizing from your church." 
 
 " Yes ; with so much of home around me, I might be 
 in danger," said he smiling. " See," said he, pointing 
 to his watch, " the vesper light grows dim, shedding its 
 pale ghastly hue upon the cadaverous countenances up 
 turned toward it, warning us to seek our rest and 
 court the goddess of pleasant dreams. 
 
 In the cool twilight I wandered forth to enjoy a happy 
 hour ; on over the green sward, and along the beatten
 
 164 ALTHA. 
 
 paths, beside the dark grey rocks, and 'neath the vine- 
 embowered trees and hedge-rows, I loitered, dreaming 
 of life and happiness and inanimate beauty. 
 
 Anon, the distant church organ breathed forth its 
 stirriner, solemn music. I knew Mrs. Marvin was in 
 
 O 7 
 
 the church, engaged with Senorita Isabella, and I lis 
 tened to their blended voices in the chant. How unlike 
 they were, those two ; yes, unlike in religion, education, 
 everything ; yet a strong friendship seems to have 
 sprung up between them. Ah! here comes Father 
 Anselmo. He has been taking one of his long rides, 
 upon some mission of business or charity. He is accus 
 tomed to leave us at all hours of the day and night. 
 His horse is as great a study as himself. See, the ani 
 mal cornes with his ears thrown back, his head drooping 
 forward almost to the ground, and he moves with a slow 
 jogging pace, in perfect keeping with the rusty bridle 
 and coarse blanket, one would think bespeaking the 
 poverty of the owner. The horse greatly aroused my 
 curiosity, whenever I saw him in this dejected-looking 
 condition ; I had seen him, when Father Anselmo was 
 riding free from observation. Then the animal pricked 
 up his ears, his eye filled with fire and energy, and 
 every limb full of life, bounded before the wind with
 
 ALTHA. 165 
 
 the speed of an antelope ; but, at the slightest sound or 
 object in the way before him, or a word or touch from 
 his master, so well trained was he, he would slacken 
 his pace to a creeping walk, putting on this forlorn 
 aspect. The monk dismounted a short distance from 
 me, removed the worn blanket and bridle, and hanging 
 them upon a tree, patted his faithful servant, speaking 
 a few cheering words to him. The noble animal rub 
 bed against his arm, bounded, glanced back at his 
 master, then away to the broad area of rich land to 
 feed upon the tall seed-grass. The monk could call his 
 horse upon the instant, by sounding a few notes on a 
 little reed bugle he carried about his person. 
 . " Life cannot be all dreary while my horse is left to 
 love me," said the priest, speaking to himself, approach 
 ing with his usual dignified mien. " My son, engaged 
 in meditation. The. Deity can make us feel His spirit- 
 presence, and we are made to understand our relation 
 to Him through the study of his works." 
 
 " Yes, father, the study of the natural world, in all 
 its grandeur, sublimity, mystery and beauty, I agree 
 with you is good, and must lead us to worship the 
 Author, but who is the Author ? " 
 
 " He who has given to man an iota of divine will,
 
 166 ALTHA. 
 
 the power of life, is the connecting link between God 
 and humanity, by which we know him. Who," said 
 the priest, " has power of his own will to live ? No one. 
 Then who will say there is no God ? This power enables 
 us to make ourselves fit companions for angels, or sink 
 down until we become even as devils." 
 
 " Even so ; but, Father, I have always heard this is 
 a hard, wicked world ; yet, I like it, and often think it 
 is not so bad a world after all." 
 
 "My son, 'tis how we take it. Although I have been 
 beaten and buffetted by the winds and waves of mis 
 fortune over two-thirds of this habitable globe. I can 
 still say I love this beautiful world of ours ; and 
 could we trust one another, heart to heart, as friend and 
 brother, we should rejoice in an earthly paradise a 
 heaven upon earth." 
 
 " Shall we live to see the good time coming ?" 
 
 " God grant we may," said the monk ; " for as our 
 pathway is onward, it must be improving in good or de 
 generating into evil. The good would unfold the mil- 
 lenial glory ; the evil dawn upon the day when the heav 
 ens shall pass away as a scroll, and the earth shall 
 melt with fervent, heat."
 
 AL1HA. 167 
 
 " Go on, if you please, Father Anselmo," said Ethan. 
 
 Anselmo continued : " All things are created for good, 
 be it ever so lowly." 
 
 " They live their day and die in the arms of grim 
 decay ; they waste away and are forgotten ; yet 
 they were created for our use, our pleasure and com 
 fort. We chose some and neglect others. Man exists 
 like the bird and the flower he has his day and decays. 
 Was man created without a motive ? " 
 
 " A little lower than the angels. In the likeness of- 
 God." 
 
 " When we die the spirit returns to the Creator : if 
 we have done well, we feel we are going home ; if ill, 
 that we are none of his." 
 
 "Now, what makes the savage create, in his rude 
 manner, an object of worship, but this spark of the in 
 dwelling spirit of God with which he is endowed." 
 
 Ethan answered his question by asking another : " I 
 see, Father Anselmo, you are charitably disposed to 
 wards your kind, and suppose the reason you admit to 
 your lodge in the wildernerness such a variety of per 
 sons, you find about them a little spark of godliness, or 
 some redeeming qualitity, hid beneath the dust and rub
 
 168 ALTHA. 
 
 bish of years, and you give them a helping hand, hoping 
 to make them more worthy." 
 
 " Not of myself alone do I it, but the spirit of God 
 which says to them, ' My children, O how can I give 
 thee up ! Come unto me." 
 
 "And what, if they will not come unto Him ?" 
 
 " Then He may do with them as He will, as they are 
 in his hands, as clay in the hands of the potter." 
 
 " But religion," I remarked, interrogatively, " is made 
 to die by." 
 
 " True religion, my son, is likewise made to live by. 
 It should accompany us everywhere, in every department 
 of business and pleasure, in every act of life, not 
 to spend itself in pompous words, noisy prayers, and 
 pharisaical alms-giving ; but to act upon, in quiet les 
 sons of love and charity to our fellows, to rest and lean 
 upon in the hour of trouble and temptation. Our reli 
 gion should be a part of ourselves, not a set formula for 
 which we need blush or cavil, because unlike our neiffh- 
 
 7 O 
 
 bors ; we should only be ashamed for want of it, as dis 
 playing our ignorance of self and our divine origin." 
 We continued our walk for a time in silence, myself
 
 ALTHA. 169 
 
 wishing I had been longer acquainted with this same 
 
 priest. 
 
 " Scnorita Isabella plays well," I ventured to remark, 
 
 as the whispering breeze caught and repeated the har 
 mony of song from the little chapel. 
 
 " Yes, and Altha spends much time with her." 
 
 " I am happy to know they love each other." 
 
 "But who is Senorita Isabella? tell me something 
 
 of her." 
 
 " It is the hour for my duties in the oratory, after 
 
 which I will be at your service," and smiling benignly, 
 
 he left me. 
 
 15
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 ISABELLA VENICIA was of Spanish blood, queenly in 
 her carriage, and very beautiful. Her regal head sat 
 lightly upon that arching neck and gracefully sloping 
 shoulders, seeming all unconscious of its being worthy 
 of admiration. Her shining tresses were put up in 
 braids, luxuriant waves and curls fastened occasionally 
 with a diamond pin or a sprig of pearls, with a white 
 muslin veil thrown over the whole, reaching nearly to 
 the floor. She wore, upon this evening, a robe of dark 
 velvet, lined with silk colour dc rose, thrown carelessly 
 over a costlier dress of white silk elaborately embroi 
 dered. I marked the richness of her costume, although 
 she was simply dressed for comfort in her own quiet 
 boudoir. 
 
 Said Father Anselmo, " our Isabella is the sister of 
 Juan Venicia, who crosses your path so often, as the 
 ferocious looking Mexican, Mrs. Marvin's attendant, or 
 the Spanish gentleman, disturbing your reveries, 
 smoking the everlasting cigarette, while he ponders 
 on your Yankee notions and movements."
 
 ALTHA. 171 
 
 Notwithstanding Father Anselmo's serious aspect, 
 there was an under current of humor governing his 
 words and acts, which made me feel quite at home with 
 him, instead of the cold, calculating spirit I had ex 
 pected to find. He continued: 
 
 " The old Don, their father, was a descendant of the 
 Montezumas, of wealth and distinction. When trouhle 
 occurred hetween the States and Mexico, causing the 
 war, the Don was deeply engaged in it, and during the 
 contention for their rights, he lost hoth life and prop 
 erty. Juan and myself being firm friends, accompanied 
 each other to this place, which had formerly been a 
 station for the holy Fathers, now ruined and dilapi 
 dated ; and here we spent many years in preparing it 
 to suit our own peculiar ideas. After the death of Don 
 Yenicia, and the loss of fortune, it was decided expe 
 dient for Isabella to return to the convent where she 
 had been educated. But senorita was quite too fond of 
 the gay world, and had been too long a captive bird to 
 wish to enter those grey old gloomy walls. ' Besides, 
 brother Juan,' she would say, ' I do n't like this institu 
 tion which consecrates only a few of its handsomest and 
 noblest maidens, and leaves the rest free to enjoy them 
 selves. Now Don Juan,' she would say, playfully, ' I
 
 172 ALTHA. 
 
 see no religion in occupying that crib of a cell and 
 counting my rosary and telling my prayers from morn 
 ing until morning again, when I so love the sunshine, 
 and my thoughts are with the birds, longing for the 
 flowers and the company of my friends." 
 
 " In that case, senorita, I fear you will have to do 
 penance often." 
 
 . " But that would not prevent me from wishing again 
 to be free, and then I should have to go over all again, 
 confess and do penance until I should hate myself and 
 fear Father Joseph more than all." 
 
 " You frighten me, senorita, railing at our holy re 
 quirements. I must turn you over to our confessor and 
 let him deal with you." 
 
 " Eather, brother, deal with me from your own kind 
 heart, and let me go with you," said she coaxingly. 
 
 " Were not the Lady Abbess and the Sisters kind to 
 you?" 
 
 " Yes ; oh ! so kind. But I used to lie awake nights 
 thinking of them, with their beautiful hair hid beneath 
 the veil or the ugly black hood, their marble cheeks 
 and pallid lips, and their great eyes forever looking 
 within as though tracing the memory of some great 
 heart-sorrow. Oh ! I never could be so good and weep
 
 ALTHA. 173 
 
 my strength, my life away, doing penance for every 
 thought and act of erring flesh." And then she con 
 tinued, in her earnestness, " When they have taken the 
 vows, are they not as good as buried alive ? Who will 
 know it, or care for them, if they are sick, and suffer 
 ing, and dying, alone, in their distant cells ? The door 
 is opened in the morning, are they dead ! Who 
 knew how much she suffered, alone, in that dark 
 ened cell ? Who sat beside her and watched her lamp 
 of life going out, and cheered her as she neared the 
 valley of shadows ? None. The novices may visit the 
 chancel, crowd around the bier and look upon those 
 clay-cold features, and be told to follow her bright ex 
 ample ; then she is forgotten, unless her ghost is con 
 jured up, wrapped in its white garments, gliding about 
 those dim corridors to frighten the refractory into obe 
 dience. Oh ! I -know I should die." 
 
 " Fie, senorita, you are too imaginative, too ro 
 mantic." 
 
 "But senorita gained her point. She is known 
 here as the ' Lady of the Chapel.' She plays upon the 
 organ, of which she is passionately fond, and attends to 
 those who come to the chapel to seek charity or to wor 
 ship. Don Juan and myself, together, own this rancho, 
 i 
 
 -L O
 
 174 ALTHA. 
 
 and share all the 'care and the profits besides, his nu 
 merous influential friends throughout the country, 
 furnish him enough to attend to, and myself, too, when 
 not engaged in the duties of my office, which is partly 
 devoted to charity." 
 
 " But Ethan, your party were not objects of charity. 
 No doubt, you thought it was rather miraculous that 
 Father Anselnio and his followers should take so great 
 an interest in you." 
 
 " Exactly, Halvor ; I puzzled my brain about it until 
 I could not think at all, and as often made up my mind, 
 that I would not leave Mrs Marvin and her child in the 
 hands of the priest, or his servants." 
 
 "Don Venicia intends sending Senorita Isabella to 
 the capital soon, that she may form an alliance worthy 
 her beauty and station," said he as we separated. 
 
 Upon entering the parlor I found the ladies there be 
 fore me. Mrs. Marvin was seated upon an ottoman, 
 near the window, intent upon watching the distant sky. 
 Senorita Isabella was reclining upon a pile of crimson 
 embroidered cushions, one arm resting upon the ottoman 
 and with her hand brushing back the muslin veil which 
 fell in heavy folds over her neck and shoulders ; she
 
 ALTHA. 175 
 
 was accustomed to appear well if not richly dressed, the 
 envious veil was worn to defy the curious ; her clear bru 
 nette complexion, the raven blackness of her shining 
 tresses, added to the expression of lofty pride of birth 
 stamped upon her features, formed a delightful contrast 
 to the delicate features, large blue eyes, brown wavy 
 hair, and subdued heavenly expression of Altha. I 
 seated myself in silence, not willing to destroy so charm 
 ing a tableau. The senorita was the first to break the 
 spell. 
 
 " O, how charming this hour ? I love to watch the 
 darkness stealing so gently, so silently downward from 
 cloud-curtains fashioned to lull earth's weary children 
 to rest. How beautiful the language it speaks to the 
 soul. I fancy I can feel the spirit presence of the good 
 angels, with their starry wings folded, amid the dark 
 ness, hovering near, breathing, ' God is love.' " 
 
 Mrs. Marvin turned her gaze upon Senorita Isabella, 
 as she replied, " The influence of this hour, with its lofty 
 enthusiasm goes to make up the poetry of existence ; 
 but to understand that God is love, we must see Him in 
 His plan of redemption to a fallen world. 
 
 " Senora, why so ? "
 
 176 ALTHA. 
 
 " Else our bright view of His love might be dispelled 
 by a less beautiful view before us. For instance, as a 
 learned divine expresses it, ' If a tornado was devastat 
 ing and sweeping everything to destruction, the confi 
 dence which had been, by an exhibition which appeared 
 eloquent of the benevolence of God, would yield to 
 horror and trepidation, while the Eternal One seemed 
 walking before us, the tempest his voice, the lightning 
 his glance, and a fierce devastation in every footprint.' 
 Senorita," continued Mrs. Marvin, "I too enjoy this 
 peaceful happy hour, and think to commune with the 
 friends I have loved and lost. Yet I love to look beyond 
 the arcadian divinity drawn from the beauty of the 
 landscape, to divine teaching, where we learn God loved 
 us so well, that he gave his only begotten Son to die for 
 us, that the sacrifice of His blood might be a propitiation 
 for our sins. Then I can feel the immeasureableness 
 of God's love." 
 
 " Senora, since you acknowledge the Saviour, why do 
 you not kneel before the crucifix or the Virgin during 
 prayer ? " 
 
 " Isabella, please tell me first, why you do it ? " 
 
 " To incite in one's mind a spirit of devotion. We
 
 ALTHA. 177 
 
 *tao present our petitions to the Holy Mother, that she 
 A* vy present them to her Son, and by Him to the Eter- 
 u*i Father." 
 
 ' Senorita, I learn from tne scriptures, that our heav 
 en]* Father not only gives us the blessed privilege of 
 coming direct to Him with our petitions, but commands 
 us to do so, asking all in the name of Jesus, for Christ's 
 sake. Therefore, as to a kind and heavenly Father, we 
 may come to him ; and, if we have the true spirit of 
 prayer, we need no representation made by man to incite 
 us to duty. Neither can I find in the Bible any com 
 mand or injunction, to present our petitions to the Vir 
 gin Mary." 
 
 " Senora, do you likewise doubt this command of the 
 church ' Confess your sins to the priest, that he may 
 absolve you ' ; you do not obey it ? " 
 
 " Because I find no authority for it in the Bible. St. 
 Paul said to his brethren of the church, ' confess your sins 
 one to another, that through their prayers ye may obtain 
 forgiveness.' But we learn, senorita, that we must re 
 pent, and humbly pray to God that he will deliver us 
 from sin, and suffer not our natural feelings to be over 
 come with temptation ; and we have the assurance from
 
 178 ALTHA. 
 
 the Bible, if we watch and pray, and strive to overcome 
 sin, we shall have the assistance of the Holy Spirit to 
 keep us in the right way." 
 
 " Tell me why you do not worship the host ? " 
 " How could I worship it while I have the privilege 
 of reading the Bible, and power of mind to understand 
 it ? Christ instituted the ordinance of the Lord's Sup 
 per, blessing the bread and wine, and enjoining it upon 
 His disciples to do it in remembrance of Him. There 
 fore, we consecrate the bread and wine by prayer and 
 faith. ' And of the cup, he gave thanks, and gave it 
 unto them, [his disciples] saying drink ye all of it, for 
 this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for 
 many, for the remission of sins ; this do as oft as ye 
 drink of it in remembrance of me ; for as often as ye 
 eat of this bread and drink of this cup, ye do show 
 forth the Lord's death, till he come.' We break bread, 
 bless the cup, and drink it, following his example, 
 thereby becoming his disciples, the clergyman serv 
 ing as Christ's servant. Now, Senorita Isabella, I 
 learn your church teaches that the priest turns the 
 bread and wine into the actual body and blood of 
 Christ, by transubstantiation, then calls upon all the
 
 ALTHA. 179 
 
 people to adore it as the host. Here the priest goes 
 through with a multiplicity of ceremonies, representing 
 Christ's sufferings and death, then makes ' an ahlutioii, 
 a sacrifice to God of the host, which he affirms to be the 
 real body and blood of Christ. The church suffers the 
 laity to partake of the bread, teaching them 'tis suffi 
 cient for them as they receive whole Christ under one 
 kind ; that the priest, because he offers the sacrifice, and 
 represents the bloody sacrifice upon the cross, is bound 
 to receive the cup and drink it, from the command ex 
 pressed to his disciples, ' drink ye all of it.' " 
 
 " But are not those his disciples who endeavor to obey 
 his instructions, and follow his example ? " 
 
 " Isabella, we are both taught these things, but how 
 widely different." 
 
 " We have the evidence of the Pope, senora, that wo 
 are right." 
 
 " What Pope, my dear? " 
 
 " Why, St. Peter ; he was the first Pope." 
 
 "And from what do you learn that, and gain a 
 knowledge of the Pope's authority ? " 
 
 " From the church whose oral and written traditions 
 have been handed down from generation to generation." 
 
 " Thank you," said Mrs. Marvin, smiling. " The
 
 180 ALT HA. 
 
 very reason you have given would banish all faith in 
 popery, since there is room to doubt the correctness of 
 these oral traditions, from the knowledge that there is 
 so much chance for error to creep in." 
 
 " But you must not doubt the authority of the church ; 
 she is infallible." 
 
 " But, senorita, how can I believe in her infallibility, 
 when I may search the scriptures and use my OAvn judg 
 ment." 
 
 " But you will not be allowed your own judgment. 
 The church forbids her children to read the Bible, 
 except under the eye, and with the assistance of the 
 priest." 
 
 " I know it, Senorita Isabella, therefore would not 
 intelligent men and women become mere machines sub 
 ject to their will and power, is it not so ? " 
 
 Senorita looked down, somewhat puzzled, and con 
 fused; while I sat looking on with wrapt attention. 
 Soon after we had commenced the conversation, Father 
 Anselmo had come in and taken a seat in the shade ; 
 neither Mrs. Marvin nor Senorita Isabella being aware 
 of his proximity to our circle. 
 
 " Senora," continued Isabella, " you talk away 
 everything connected with the holy Catholic church;
 
 ALTHA. 181 
 
 do you also deny the necessity of good works? The 
 priest teaches us to do penance and good works, that we 
 may obtain the favor of the church, and merit heaven." 
 
 " Senorita, our translation of the Hebrew teaches us 
 to repent, that we may obtain forgiveness. I find no 
 such word as penance." 
 
 " The Catholic church," said Isabella, earnestly, 
 " teaches us we can never do enough to merit the for 
 giveness of Heaven." 
 
 " My dear friend," rejoined Mrs. M., laying her hand 
 affectionately upon Isabella's arm, " this is only another 
 place where the Catholic church contradicts itself, as you 
 will see ; you profess to believe in the sacrifice of Christ's 
 blood as an atonement for sin, taking for granted we are 
 sinners from the commencement, which sin we have in 
 herited with our human nature, and take from God all 
 the glory of the sacrifice, which he offers a free offering 
 to all, and every one, who will accept of it, and which, 
 he says, is sufficient to cleanse from sin, ' though they 
 be as scarlet, they shall be white as wool.' >; 
 
 " Then, senora, we have nothing to do but accept 
 of it." 
 
 " yes, everything to do which was our duty from 
 the beginning, to serve God as a dear master, and love
 
 182 ALTHA. 
 
 Him as a kind parent. What right have we to hope to 
 obtain favor with God by giving Him that which already 
 belongs to Him ? " 
 
 "Senora, if I do all, and more than is required 
 of me, in penance and good works, ought it not to be 
 of some merit with God ? " 
 
 " If you give alms, whose is the money ? ' The silver 
 is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of Hosts. 7 
 If you mortify the flesh, whose are the macerated 
 limbs ? If you put sack-cloth upon the soul, whose is 
 the chastened spirit ? If you be moral and honest, and 
 friendly and generous, and patriotic, whose is the dispo 
 sition you exercise, whose are the powers to which you 
 give culture and scope ? And if we only use God's 
 gifts can that be meritorious ? " 
 
 " Yes," said Isabella, " to use aright, while others 
 abuse them. But it would be wickedness to abuse them. 
 Therefore, it can be only duty to use aright; and duty 
 is merit when debt is donation. "We must still say, 
 when we have done the best we can, ' all things come 
 of Thee, and of thine own, God, I have given thee.' " 
 
 Glancing at my watch, I found we had been unmind 
 ful of the flight of time, and also unaware that we had 
 been listening to a sermon while conversing so famili-
 
 ALTHA. 183 
 
 arly. Here Juba, Mataka's nurse, was aroused from her 
 position, where she had been curled up in the shadow of 
 a chair, her head resting upon her hands, fast asleep, 
 and sent off with Mataka ; the child having come in 
 softly, while we were talking, for the good-night kiss, 
 and climbing upon her mother's lap, was likewise asleep, 
 nestled in those loving arms. Senorita Isabella arose 
 and settled herself among the cushions of the lounge 
 with a look of weariness, from her previous wrapt atten 
 tion. Mrs. Marvin appeared least fatigued, and she 
 smiled as I stretched my long limbs, examined the toe 
 of my boot and thrust my hands into my pockets. 
 After partaking a glass of water from the fountain, by 
 way of refreshment, we were prepared to take a fresh 
 start. Father Anselmo still remained in the shade, 
 not a movement from him, betrayed his position. 
 
 " Mrs. Marvin you have told us before this evening, 
 that you believe there is a God. Now why do you be 
 lieve it ? " 
 
 " AVhy, Ethan, we feel it." Then after a few mo 
 ments pause, she added : " A controversy that would 
 last a life time, could give us no more satifactory an 
 swer than this, we feel it. If there is not within our
 
 184 ALTHA. 
 
 nature that which teaches us, there is a power superior 
 to our own. Why does the heathen, who has never 
 heard of God or revelation, make images to worship ? " 
 
 1 love to be on the negative side in every argument 
 or question, and accordingly inquired, "if there is a 
 God, and the Bible is true, why do not all Christians see 
 these things alike ? " 
 
 " They feel the inward comfort of them ; but it is 
 impossible for all persons to see exactly alike, where 
 
 * 
 
 there is ground for argument or controversy." 
 
 " Then, you allow the Bible contradicts itself," I re 
 marked with no little surprise and haste. 
 
 " My dear friend," said she, " this is one of the great 
 est charms and strongest proofs, that the scriptures are 
 of divine origin, that when a person doubts and en 
 deavors to prove it false, by theology and human reason, 
 he gets completely lost in the intricacies and windings, 
 and confounded ; all is darkness and blindness. On 
 the other hand, read it with an unbiased mind, free 
 from prejudice, and lifting the thought in prayer to 
 God, in the words of the Psalmist: 'O Lord open 
 thou mine understanding, that I may see wondrous 
 things out of thy law/ and we shall find that it contains
 
 ALTHA. 185 
 
 sufficient for consolation, instruction, and reproof for all 
 conditions of men, one verse hinging upon another, a 
 perfect whole." 
 
 " Mrs. Marvin, when you speak of God you speak of 
 him as a being to love ; now, some hold him up as a 
 being to fear." 
 
 " True ; for how can we have a perfect knage of God, 
 unless we have a just as well as a loving one. If we 
 will not hearken unto him, nor own him as our God, nor 
 try to obey him, would it not be right that he should 
 punish us, if he pleases. That is a question concerning 
 which I have often demurred, and had any one but your 
 self preferred it I should have been half vexed," 
 
 "Why, my kind friend, should you be angry with any 
 reasonable questions ? " 
 
 " I can scarcely tell why ; yet, it is hard to acknowl 
 edge some of the doctrines. For instance, God, know 
 ing all things from the beginning, and ordaining or 
 knowing that some will be saved and certain others 
 lost." 
 
 " I will give you a similie put in the simplest language 
 possible. Were you to invent a machine, you alone
 
 186 ALTHA. 
 
 would know its powers, and, consequently, apply to it 
 the necessary means to have it work according to your 
 design. But, suppose in the material used or added in its 
 construction, you add a free will of its own, by which 
 it may choose of itself to work right or wrong ; and, if it 
 work wrong, whereby all is confusion, ought there to be 
 any blame attached to you as the author, since the ma 
 chine exercised the power to chose for itself*?" 
 
 " Why, Mrs. Marvin, would not the author, who is 
 superior to his work, exert an influence upon it to make 
 it work aright ? " 
 
 "My dear friend, Ethan, the Author of our being 
 does exert an influence upon us in every good thought 
 in every generous act of humanity, in the beauty of 
 each tiny flower and waving tree, the plentiful harvest, 
 the sleeping lake a mirror of God's works, in the 
 thunder, amid the storm, upon the mountain, in the ava 
 lanche. From all and every work from God's great 
 storehouse of creation, a voice is heard, a whisper goes 
 forth, ' God, God ! ' and our souls give back the answer 
 ing echo, ' 't is true.' Wherefore should we not love and 
 obey him ? " 
 
 Father Ansclmo startled us by coming forward ; his
 
 ALT HA. 187 
 
 firm stop sounding heavier than usual, his arms folded, 
 and his eye resting on us as though studying every face 
 hcfore him. I glanced at Mrs. Marvin ; she sat calmly 
 and looked up as he approached, with her usual fearless 
 gaze. Senorita Isabella seemed to sink into the 
 lounge, as though to escape his anger. As for myself, 
 I felt anything hut agreeably disposed for the storm 
 I imagined ready to burst upon us. 
 
 "Madam," and Father Anselmo drew himself up 
 with more than usual dignity and hauteur, " allow me 
 to ask how you acquired such a knowledge of the Catho 
 lic church as you seem to possess, from what you have 
 already said, while thoroughly impregnated with the 
 opinions of schismatics ? " 
 
 " With pleasure, Father Anselmo : indeed, in consid 
 eration of your great kindness to me and mine, I feel 
 it my duty to answer all your questions as candidly and 
 explicitly as you wish, and in order to do so, I must call 
 up some buried memories of my childhood, which seem 
 to me like a waking dream. Do you wish me to parti 
 cularize, Father ? " 
 
 " I will listen," said he, with frigid politeness, as he 
 drew a chair and seated himself near us.
 
 188 ALTHA. 
 
 
 
 " In commencing," said Mrs. Marvin, " I will explain 
 my emotion of yesterday." 
 
 " As you please," said he, " I have no doubt you had 
 good reasons for being agitated." 
 
 " Thank you ; it is so difficult to keep one's feelings 
 always under control." 
 
 " Yes ; proceed." 
 
 I was quite irritated towards the priest for the cool 
 important manner he had assumed for the occasion, how 
 ever, it seemed advisable not to notice it. I was likewise 
 anxious to hear the story.
 
 CHAPTEE XXIII. 
 
 ONCE I had a brother, by me dearly, oh yes, wildly 
 loved! but years long dreary years he has been 
 lost, for I know not at what season he was called from 
 earth, to him a home of trial, nor where his precious 
 dust reposes. He left in the morning of his days, in 
 the first flush of his bright youth, and no tidings ever 
 reached us of his fate. 
 
 There was something, Father Anselino, in your man 
 ner and tone, last evening, that reminded me so much 
 of him, that I could not suppress my emotions, and it 
 has been ever thus since he went away. 
 
 With every tone or word, however lightly spoken, and 
 every feature that I see resembling his own, I start and 
 turn pale, or quiver with the half-frensied, expectant 
 longing for his dear presence, feeling there is but a 
 small space between us, and that he is waiting to clasp 
 me in a brother's earnest embrace. Alas ! that vain 
 chimera vanishes, and I fall back again in utter hope-
 
 190 ALT HA. 
 
 lessness as I hear the frozen, icy words lost, lost, for 
 ever. It was in an evil hour, and under strong temp 
 tation, that Edwin left us. He was suspected of having 
 been witness or abettor of some wrong dealing towards 
 his employer, who was also his and our guardian, and 
 held a large property in trust for us, left by our deceased 
 father. 
 
 Father Anselmo's fingers trembled slightly, and he 
 raised his hand nervously to his head But only the 
 white locks drooped 1 a little lower from beneath the 
 cowl, shading more effectually than ever the counten 
 ance of the old man. 
 
 All search for poor Edwin proved fruitless, and 
 Deacon Breck could gain no knowledge of his missing 
 property, or the depradators, who had infested his pre- 
 jnises. He, therefore, made this excuse serve his pur 
 pose for withholding, not only my brother's, but all of 
 my sister's and my own property, with a large share of 
 my mother's portion. Children, though we were, we 
 were thrown upon our own resources, and our dear 
 mother's failing health and energies soon -aroused us to 
 every exertionT Yet again, death, cold and relentless, 
 severed the chain that bound us to earth. We were
 
 ALTHA. 391 
 
 orphans, and alone ! Our mother had gone home, 
 where the blue ether hides her spirit from our longing 
 gaze, and we were left to struggle on in this mid uncer 
 tain light of earth. Thanks to a few kind friends, we 
 were not left entirely desolate with this fresh bereave 
 ment. 0, indeed, we were grateful to our friends for 
 all their kind words and ready sympathy, which was of 
 great benefit to us, to gain an education, or rather finish 
 the one our parents had planned and commenced. 
 
 Geneva, for that was my sister's name, always fell in 
 with pious, kind-hearted people, and consequently glided 
 along smoothly and pleasantly. She had a strong will, 
 decided in every purpose, firm and unyielding in the 
 path of right. She became a member of the Christian 
 church where she resided, exemplary and beloved. I 
 loved her none the less, nay, rather revered her for this, 
 although myself so differently situated. Eeligion, with 
 my young companions, was a subject of ridicule, and a 
 by-word. They seemed to feel a serious countenance 
 and a sanctimonious air, as they expressed it, to be 
 dreaded ; and who of our class-mates dare read the 
 Bible, for fear of being pointed out as pious, by the rest. 
 I often felt vexed at their wrong impressions and their
 
 192 ALTHA. 
 
 want of nobleness, their utter want of independence, 
 that feared to look anything in its face or try to discover 
 its horrible shape. But I had the power to love my 
 friends, devotedly, perhaps too well, for I was often 
 made to feel the insufficiency of human friendship to 
 perfect happiness. Still, there was always some kind 
 friend or generous acquaintance, to aid me with sympa 
 thy or counsel. Through the influence of some of these 
 
 noble friends, I was admitted into Madam E 's 
 
 school, situated in a delightful retreat, a few miles from 
 
 the modern Athens of America. Madam E was a 
 
 thoroughly accomplished lady. My sympathies were 
 enlisted whenever she spoke of the destruction of the 
 Ursuline Convent, where she had been educated ; and the 
 more I loved her the more anxious I was to become 
 acquainted with Catholic institutions. 
 
 In justice to her, I must say, she always left us, with 
 regard to religious sentiments, entirely unbiased in our 
 opinions. I wondered that she would not advise me to 
 enter the convent walls too. However, all our pleasant 
 chats upon the subject would amount to this : " I know, 
 a thorough education is desirable ; but, then, what sacri 
 fice, what powers of self-denial, and endurance to gain
 
 ALTHA. 193 
 
 it, to live within those sombre walls. Besides, one needs 
 to have their principles established, together with a 
 strong, yea, a stubborn will, else they would succumb 
 to the influence around them, so completely isolated from 
 the world." 
 
 I felt mortified : did she doubt my strength of pur 
 pose, my rectitude of principle. No ; but she had 
 lived and knew it to be ever thus. In the pride of 
 our young life, ere temptation has assailed our weak 
 points, we feel strong as a Sampson ' bearing the gates 
 of the city ; ' yet, how many, living along in a wearying 
 round of duty, and endless monotony of existence, with 
 out an object to direct or cheer, would not pine for the 
 voice of sympathy, yea, almost kneel and worship one 
 bringing even a ray-light of love and affection, where 
 numbers might command and entreat in vain for a like 
 homage." 
 
 " My daughter," said Father Anselmo, " thou hast 
 spoken truly. Oh ! why must we love, why must we 
 suffer, ere we can see the path of duty ? How many," 
 said he, clasping his hands convulsively, " how many 
 have I seen rise, pale and affrighted, with the ciy of 
 agony, 'Oh! God, I have sinned,' and folding the 
 pinions of innocence, lie down in the dust to mourn. 
 17
 
 194 ALTHA. 
 
 But they dare not die. No ; they must live on, although 
 existence but adds a deeper shame, though life prove a 
 hitter curse. But go on," said he, " though my heart 
 must bleed for the fallen, I will not mar your joy with 
 such bitter lessons." 
 
 Mrs. Marvin continued : " My life was constantly sub 
 ject to change. At the expiration of a twelvemonth 
 after I entered the seminary, my loved teacher was 
 married, and removed a long journey to the west, while 
 I was left again upon " life's broad ocean, without rudder 
 or compass." But a kind Providence opened to me a 
 new door and furnished new friends, and with a hopeful 
 heart, I counted the tall spires, and noticed the big trees 
 rising so fatherly-like above the pretty village we were 
 entering. It was situated just a pleasant drive from 
 the eity, and afforded every facility for pleasure and 
 happiness. For the next two years I enjoyed advan 
 tages from the best of masters. An Episcopal clergyman, 
 who was much respected, and dearly beloved, kindly 
 directed, in part, my studies. Even now, how truly I love 
 him, and his gentle lady-wife. But they never dreamed 
 that beneath my calm, cold exterior, there beat a heart 
 brimming o'er with affection, where they too, were sacredly 
 enshrined. But a new query aroused me from my dream
 
 ALTHA. 195 
 
 of peace and serenity. Would I join a few of my class 
 mates who were going to be confirmed upon the next visit 
 of the Bishop ? I was startled into the inquiry What 
 right had I to do so ? was I a Christian ? I loved the 
 clergyman and his lady, consequently I loved their reli 
 gion ; nay, more, I loved the deep impassioned lessons of 
 the church ; its few ceremonies, its impressive prayers. 
 The heaven "breathing music from the fine old organ, 
 the glorious chant, the solemn pause, all seemed tinged 
 with heavenly love-light, a holy calm just suited to my 
 dreamy temperament. However, these were not in ac 
 cordance with the requirements of my mother's church, 
 all that was needful to make me a Christian ; I must 
 meet with a great change ; some remarkable impres 
 sions, that would affect all of my future life. I walked 
 home from school that day, pondering upon the subject ; 
 locking the door of my room, I sat down, to examine 
 more fully, to learn, if indeed these things were so. I 
 heeded not the kindly call, where Jesus says, " I am 
 the good shepherd, through whom is the way and the 
 life." My eye rested upon the creed, " I believe in the 
 holy Catholic church.' Many times I had repeated this 
 sentence, without asking the simple question, what or
 
 196 ALTHA. 
 
 where is the Catholic church ? In history I had passed 
 it without comment, or thought of it as having existed, 
 with all its cruelties and evils, only in the dark ages ; 
 of course, such barbarisms were no longer extant among 
 this enlightened nation. The next day I applied to one 
 of my classmates, the daughter of a high-churchman, 
 'twas said. To solve the mystery, " Adaline," said I, 
 " are the Episcopal and Catholic churches alike ? " 
 " Alike ! " her eye flashed and her cheek flushed with 
 anger. " No," she answered, " they are widely, essen 
 tially different." 
 
 " Do they believe alike ? " 
 
 " No ; and if they say so, they lie and contradict 
 themselves. If out but a step from us, they cannot be 
 like us. They are schismatics. If you had applied 
 to your kind pastor, he would have satisfied your mind 
 by pointing out to you the falsehood, idolatry and priest 
 craft that had crept into the Catholic church, previous to 
 the Reformation, until the religion of Jesus had been 
 lost sight of, through man's invention. I know it now, 
 Father Anselmo," said Mrs. Marvin, smiling, " yet, 
 please remember, I was quite a child then, groping 
 around like a blind man, or drifted, with every current,
 
 ALTHA. 197 
 
 like a boat without rudder or compass. However, in 
 order to enlighten me, Adaline lent me her catechism, 
 prayer-hook, mass-hook and some lives of the saints, 
 which were much in favor in their church. I even 
 visited the city, and attended one of the first Catholic 
 churches. To me it seemed full of imposing ceremonies, 
 that effectually do away the word of God, and make it 
 of none effect. I was constantly confounded with the 
 multiplicity of ceremony, and the lessons, which re 
 quired so much time to learn and retain, besides the 
 sermons and prayers, many of them were in Latin, 
 which I did not understand. The more I read the 
 Bible, and the books that Adaline had lent me, and 
 compared them, the more I was decided, that I could 
 not make a good Catholic." 
 
 " But, did you not soon learn that you would not be 
 allowed to read the Bible, except under the eye or direc 
 tion of the priest ? " 
 
 " Yes, Ethan ; but there must have been ' a little of 
 the leaven of the old lump,' that caused our ancestors 
 so much trouble, in my composition. I would not be 
 lieve in the Pope's power to absolve from sin, because I 
 learned, ' the sacrifice of Christ's blood was the only 
 remission for sin ;' neither could I pray to the Virgin
 
 198 ALTHA. 
 
 Mary, when I had from infancy been accustomed to re 
 peat, ' Our Father who art in Heaven.' " 
 
 " It seems you learned quite early, to pass un 
 heeded all the minor finger-posts and charts pointing 
 to Heaven's gate, heeding only the all-important direc 
 tions through Jesus Christ. You there, Don Venicia, 
 concealed by the window drapery ; 'tis fortunate I am 
 surrounded by friends, these gloomy shadows can hide 
 so many listeners." 
 
 In answer, Don Venicia Taiscd his dagger half-mcna- 
 cingly over Mrs. M., then sheathing it, occupied a seat 
 near her as she continued : 
 
 " Death again invaded the happy home where I re 
 sided ; my friend, the father of that cherished famity, 
 gave up his schemes, his ambition, his love, to become a 
 tenant of the cold and quiet grave. Our house was 
 draped with black, our hearts were covered with mourn 
 ing. How beautifully and appropriately it has been 
 written, ' mourn for the living and not for the dead.' 
 I might have been houseless and homeless, had it not 
 been, my sister's hospitable mansion loomed up in the 
 distance ; soon entering upon the cares and duties of 
 wedded life, I imagined myself entirely forgotten by tliu 
 gifted pastor and my early associates. I was only
 
 ALTHA. 199 
 
 reconciled to be forgotten, as it spared me from giving 
 them pain by relating the doubts and vexations I had 
 experienced while blindly endeavoring to search out the 
 right way." 
 
 " And what are you now ? " inquired Don Venicia, 
 who was a privileged character everywhere. 
 
 " I know not what you will call me," replied Mrs. 
 Marvin, smiling. " I have adopted as my creed 
 the simple lessons of ' Jesus of Nazareth.' " 
 
 Father Anselmo arose and laying his hand upon 
 Altha's brow, reverently pronounced a blessing. Mrs. 
 M. clasped the. monks hand within her own ; as she bent 
 above it I saw a tear fall from her drooping lids and 
 glisten upon his hand. Her attitude, so full of rever 
 ence and love, again filled my mind with suspicion and 
 envy.
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 " Dost thou deem it 
 Such an easy task from the fond heart 
 To root affection out. " 
 
 " WELL," said plain common-sense, looking famil 
 iarly over iny shoulder, " it 7 s high time you were off, 
 now your attentions are not required ; it is an impera 
 tive duty for you to look after your own affairs a bit." 
 " I know it," said I, echoing the phantom tone, " but I 
 cannot leave without speaking to Altha to share my 
 future. Her presence is really necessary to my happi 
 ness and prosperity, nay, my very existence." 
 
 " Certainly," said the phantom, mockingly, and in 
 cold, provoking tones. " Why not ask her then?" 
 
 " Why, 1 atn going to ; yes ; I am decided ; to-morrow 
 I '11 broach the subject, and learn the worst, if worst 
 there is in store for me. But there can be no need to 
 fear." 
 
 " No need to fear " tauntingly echoed the phantom, as 
 in sleepless vexation I tossed upon my couch until dawn.
 
 ALT HA. 201 
 
 The morrow had come at last. So to every weary 
 lagging night succeeds a new, if not a brighter day. I 
 waited until Senorita Isabella was engaged in the chapeL 
 Father Anselmo had started upon one of his accustomed 
 rides, and Don Juan, I fancied, was out of the way, no 
 one knew where. Mataka was asleep under her little 
 lace house, watched by her affectionate African attend 
 ant, while Mrs. Marvin had taken the paper, and re 
 moved to the parlor sofa. I ventured forth, feeling like 
 a culprit going forward to hear his sentence of life or 
 death, every nerve alive and thrilling with hope of re 
 prieve, while the very heart-strings are cracking with 
 the fear that an unpropitious fate awaits him. 
 
 Mrs. Marvin looked up, smiled her welcome, and laid 
 aside her paper at my approach. Often before I had 
 tried to speak to her, but had not sufficient courage to 
 do so. Even at that moment I felt it to be the most 
 difficult thing I ever attempted to do. My lips com 
 pressed, a red spot burned on each cheek ; I had found it 
 an easy matter to make love to others ; but then, I had 
 reasoned, she is such a different character. She mo 
 tioned me to a seat beside her ; every limb trembled 
 with excitement ; yet, why need I fear ? she certainly
 
 202 ALT II A. 
 
 would not cherish any great sorrow for her husband ; 
 how could she, for whom she had suffered so much ? 
 He, perhaps, contributed but little to her happiness. 
 True, I never discovered anything but the most earnest 
 affection and unwearied tenderness ; yet she had made 
 many sacrifices for his comfort. Now, she was alone. 
 
 " Squire Eldridge, you seem sad this morning. Have 
 you received unpleasant news ? " 
 
 " No bad news, Mrs. Marvin ; but I propose return 
 ing to San Francisco to-morrow, " 
 
 "Do you indeed?" and a cloud rested upon her fea 
 tures. 
 
 " Yes, and have sought you this morning, to acquaint 
 you with my hopes that you will accompany me, or come 
 when I call you, when I would come for you." 
 
 Her head leaned forward her eyelids closed, and her 
 cheek was pale as marble ; her lip quivered, as I had 
 seen it upon one or two previous occasions. Surely, some 
 cruel pain must have entered her heart, to cause such 
 emotion. I took her hand ; it rested in mine, sending 
 a thrill of hope through every nerve. 
 
 " Ethan, I thank you ; but am wholly unprepared for 
 this. I have thought of you as a brother, as one, you
 
 ALT HA. 203 
 
 are very dear to me, and your kindness, how large the 
 debt of gratitude I owe you ? May God "bless and re 
 ward you. With love such as you require, I cannot repay 
 you ; mine is in the grave. Indeed I may say Love's 
 flowers have withered, its fires gone out. I am left to 
 mourn over the mouldering ruins, the blackened frag 
 ments, the heart a wreck of hopes and fears." 
 
 ''But, Altha, think of Mataka, think of your 
 child." 
 
 " To Him who provides for the sparrows I can safely 
 comniQnd my child." 
 
 " Still I think of you, and, my dear friend, sadly it 
 grieves me to give you one moment's pain." I sprung 
 up and crossed the room. I would fain grind out the 
 unoffending carpet beneath my feet. The unmanly 
 tear would start. Pressing my hands over my eyes, I sat 
 down by the table, and leaned my head upon it. Altha 
 had spoken so kindly, yet so decidedly, shutting out 
 every gleam of hope, that I had no power to move from 
 the room, nor to subdue the fierce passion raging within 
 me. I forgot her presence, and was, alike unconscious 
 of the time that was hastening on, and everything, but 
 the agony, mingled with anger and shame ; and this
 
 204 ALTHA. 
 
 must be some of the monk's influence. Fool that I had 
 been, to trust her in his power. 
 
 A gentle touch upon my arm, a soft hand raised my 
 head, and Mrs. Marvin pressed her fingers upon my 
 brow and smoothed back the disordered hair. I was 
 powerless, else I might have rudely thrown off that 
 gentle hand. 
 
 "Good God!" I exclaimed, "what more can I bear?" 
 
 " Ethan, Ethan ! my more than brother ! it will kill 
 me to see you thus." 
 
 She bent down and imprinted a kiss upon my fore 
 head. How soothing, how cooling to my burning brain ? 
 All my faculties stood still. "Was it because hcr's was 
 now the stronger will, and mine must submit? She 
 smiled so sweetly, making me forget the bitterness I 
 had felt. 
 
 " Ethan, you will not regret my decision. Your's is a 
 noble destiny. I feel it I know it. Your ambition 
 will lead you on ; it will be your glory, your pride, to 
 labor for the advancement of your race. You will em 
 ulate your noble countrymen in every good work. No 
 selfishness will blind you, no petty cares make you for-
 
 A L T H A . 205 
 
 get a duty ; and happier still, your hope is staid on 
 heaven/' 
 
 There I sat, as calmly as though every passion had 
 died beneath the magic of her touch, the potency of her 
 words. She held out her hand ; I pressed it fervently 
 to my lips ; she walked away ; I had no right to com 
 plain, and must see my cherished plans frustrated, yet, 
 I must learn to endure it. I hastened from the room 
 and stept out upon the verandah. Where was my hat ? 
 I would return to the parlor for it. Mrs. Marvin was 
 negligently reclining upon the divan, and weeping pas 
 sionately. I sprung forward and kneeling beside her, 
 clasped those listless fingers. 
 
 " Tell me, tell me, for it is my turn to question, 
 why do you weep ? Do you repent your cruel decision ? 
 Give me the power to make you happy, and I will be 
 your slave." 
 
 She arose with a calm more fearful than the spent 
 storm ; her eye flashed, her form raised proudly, and 
 from those pallid lips burst a faint though stern com 
 mand, 
 
 " No, no ! I tell you, no ! and raising her hand, she 
 pointed homeward ; " in that loved though distant land, 
 18
 
 206 ALT II A. 
 
 you have left a beautiful, happy bride, and a fair des 
 tiny awaits you. Go ! " 
 
 I sprang from her presence, in my haste overturning 
 everything that came in my way. Even now, I look 
 back upon that scene with little less of calmness, think 
 ing she must have been a wonder of. a woman. Taking 
 a few turns in the garden, I was suddenly brought to a 
 stand, by running against Father Anselmo, who pre 
 sented too formidable an obstacle in my way for me to 
 run over. Although he must have noticed my fearful 
 agitation, he made no comment, but quietly drawing 
 my arm within his own, we turned aside into a quiet, 
 lovely walk. 
 
 "Father Anselmo, I must go to San Francisco to 
 night." 
 
 " Must you, my son ? " 
 
 " Yes, I must." 
 
 " My son, remain with us one more night, and, to 
 morrow, if you wish, I will send an escort with you." 
 
 " But I cannot stay." 
 
 " My son, is your business so very urgent ? " 
 
 "No, Father ; but Altha " 
 
 What of her ? You love her ? "
 
 ALTHA. 207 
 
 "I dad!" 
 
 " And she cannot return it ? " 
 
 " Exactly." 
 
 " I thought as much." 
 
 I felt angry with him : some more of his influence, 
 thought I. 
 
 He continued : " No wonder, poor child, ; her past 
 experience makes her fear to hope ; her heart is like 
 this vase," and he touched with his foot a beautiful ala- 
 haster one standing heside the walk. " Some months 
 ago," said he, " upon this hed of sweetbriar, I noticed 
 this vase, that some careless hand had dropped, severed 
 in twain. I come again ; the weeds and the briar had 
 grown, lifting up the broken pieces of the vase, and 
 wreathing around it, had bound it together, when the 
 dust of time, the morning sun and evening dew had 
 formed a cement impervious to the storm, leaving 
 only this weather-beaten seam. Now, it fills with the 
 soft rain and gentle dew, repaying a thousand fold of 
 life and nourishment to the friendly vine. Even so it 
 will be with Altha's heart and life ; but we must wait." 
 
 I was touched with the beauty of the simile, and
 
 208 ALTHA. 
 
 vexed with myself for harboring one ungenerous thought 
 towards him. He went on : 
 
 " My daughter has well spoken ; unto her is given a 
 golden chalice filled with flowers immortal ; therefore, 
 let her remain in some quiet retreat, to watch each un 
 folding germ of leaf and hud, and full expanding 
 flower heaven's bright gifts ! then, one by one, fling 
 them forth upon the winning wings of hope and love to 
 cheer some lone despairing heart within this 'wide, 
 wide world, which has been to her a parent and a friend.' 
 These flowers would shine less bright cast upon the altar 
 of fashion, where beauty dazzles, and flattery, with 
 siren whisper, lingers, and the tempting whirl of pleas 
 ure draws one on, on, until even the wreath which 
 binds the brow of genius is forgotten, and the flowers 
 have paled and withered beneath the glare and glitter 
 and care of pomp and show ; the languid spirit filled to 
 satiety, and ennui longs in vain for peace and quiet 
 happiness. 
 
 As we neared the chapel gate, Father Anselmo left 
 me standing beneath the' sweet-scented magnolia, its 
 white blossoms filling the air with fragrance. I drew 
 my hat over my eyes, and travelled back over memory's 
 pathway. Well, here am I, having left a country full
 
 ALTHA. 209 
 
 of light and intelligence, far over the wide blue sea, 
 and come out here, to mingle with the heathen the idol 
 ater, and the Jew, interspersed with here and there a 
 Christian of the cross, and for what ? to learn that the 
 wisdom of life is love. Surely there is some overruling 
 hand in this, and we must acknowledge the power we 
 cannot see. 
 
 I acknowledged the presence of the Deity, the bless 
 ing of life, and the wisdom of eternity, and there the 
 spirit breathed forth its first yielding, supplicating, 
 soul-full prayer 
 
 The chapel organ sounded a glorious anthem ; the 
 Te Deum swelled upon the morning breeze, making the 
 green leaves thrill with the rush of harmony. I thought 
 of Altha and her singular prophecy. Had she the 
 power of the sybil, to read the future ? No ! no ! 
 Yet what is that vaunted power but a deeper knowledge 
 of the intricacies of the human heart ? I was aroused 
 by the rustle of a dress, and, looking up, saw Senorita 
 Isabella passing to the house from the chapel. I drew 
 her arm within my own, for her face always wore a 
 gleam of sunshine sufficient to make me feel quite happy 
 in her presence. 
 
 We separated beneath the portico, and I turned off to
 
 210 ALTHA. 
 
 visit the menage, to sec if my pony, who had been hav 
 ing a long rest, was in good condition for the morrow. 
 
 I took a stroll around the grounds, visited some of 
 the work-people, and, furthermore, busied myself with 
 preparations for my journey until the gong sounded 
 for dinner. I had thought I could not meet Mrs. Mar 
 vin again. However, I boldly entered the dining hall, 
 experiencing a slight twinge of vexation, which vanished 
 in a moment All seemed cheerful as usual, except 
 Mrs. Marvin, who, as I glanced toward her, appeared a 
 shade more thoughtful, if possible, than was habitual 
 with her. 
 
 I chatted with Isabella, telling her of my journey in 
 perspective, and bidding her watch for me about the 
 eighth hour in morning, from the east window of the 
 chapel, for the little white flag she had playfully made 
 to adorn my horse's head, telling me that it bore a 
 charm to insure success in all my journeyings. 
 
 After the meats had been removed and the desert 
 brought upon the table, Mrs. Marvin placed her finger 
 upon an exquisite spiral shell lying upon the table, it 
 was filled with a coil of silver wire that vibrated with 
 the touch and produced sweet musical sounds ; it was 
 a Chinese toy, of great beauty and ingenuity, picked up
 
 ALT1IA, 211 
 
 by our eccentric host during his travels in the East. 
 As the sounds died away, Mataka entered and glided to 
 a seat beside her mother, to share the fruit and flowers. 
 The intelligent Juba stood behind her chair, her eyes 
 and heart swallowed up in care for her little charge. 
 
 " Father Anselmo, I have become so attached to Juba, 
 that myself, as well as Mataka, will feel unhappy to 
 part with her." 
 
 " My dear Mrs. Marvin, why need you part with her ? " 
 
 " Since this is her home, I fear you would question 
 my right to ask her to leave it to attend on me." 
 
 ".I am indeed happy if she considers it her home; 
 yet, all my servants are free to go, when and where 
 they choose, if they can do better." 
 
 " Apropos to your position, Father Anselmo. We may 
 quote the language of our immortal friends : ' Liberty ! 
 Freedom ! Tyranny is dead ! Run hence ! proclaim, 
 cry it about the streets.' ' ; 
 
 " Thank you, Eldridge, I do love the poet who 
 wrote : 
 
 1 In the long vista of the years to roll, 
 
 Let me not see my country's honor fade ; 
 Oh ! let me see our land retain its soul, 
 Her pride in Freedom, and not Freedom's shade.'
 
 212 ALTIIA. 
 
 " Mrs Marvin, our friend Eldridge tells me you, too, 
 are wonderfully patriotic. Here is to your success, 
 raising the wine to his lips, I do not drain the glass," 
 said he, setting it aside untasted, " I eschewed it as an 
 evil from my youth ; I suffered on account of it ^ O, 
 how much.! But, my dear lady, Avhat were you talking 
 of leaving?" 
 
 " Father Anselmo, I have been too long a lingerer 
 upon your bounty. Our feelings do so twine around 
 cherished spots and hallowed memories. It is time I 
 was looking for some employment that will enable me 
 to support myself and child. A part of the small for 
 tune with Avhich I left the States, is still remaining ; 
 thanks to our noble friend Ethan," which compliment 
 she accompanied with a smile of gratitude. " However, 
 it would not last long to live in luxury, such as sur 
 rounds me here. I would not have Mataka grow up 
 weak and indolent, willing to eat the bread of charity 
 or subsist upon the bounty of strangers." 
 
 " Pray what do you know? what can you do? just 
 nothing." 
 
 His tone was jesting and his eye was full of mirth. 
 
 " Father Anselmo, how do you know what I can 
 do?"
 
 ALTHA. 213 
 
 "True,I do 'nt know," he replied, with the brevity 
 of language with which he occasionally surprised his 
 listeners. 
 
 Immediately assuming his usual grave expression of 
 countenance, he continued : 
 
 " Supposing you are saved from actual want, think 
 of the hardship, the labor, the vexation of living in 
 this busy, bustling world, where, seemingly, all virtue 
 consists in looking out for 'number one,' before you re 
 solve to try it." 
 
 " I have thought of it, Father ; I must do some 
 thing. I do not fear to trust my frail bark upon the 
 sea of time, and struggle with the waves of human 
 energy, for a position, which will enable me to live. 
 
 " Impossible ! " 
 
 " No Father ; not impossible. I might fear if I had 
 never tried it ; I may have gained strength by the rude 
 waves of adversity." 
 
 " I will think of this and talk with you this evening ; 
 I see my men have returned from San Francisco ; I must 
 see what they have brought."
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 '* The web of our life is a mingled yarn, 
 Good and ill together." 
 
 SHAKSPEARE. 
 
 THE same evening we assembled again in the family 
 parlor, percliance for the last time. Was it chance that 
 guided us to this spot ? was it chance, forming the web 
 and filling the woof of our destiny ? We may not 
 speculate upon such Hind theory, lest it prove obsolete 
 beside the prescient Power shown in the sequel. 
 
 Mrs. Marvin sat near the table, engaged in stringing 
 shells for Mataka. She looked interesting, even in her 
 widow-weeds. How my heart yearned towards her. I 
 seemed bursting with indignation at the thought of 
 leaving her under the influence of the monk. He 
 might be, even as I had conjectured, the bandit chief. 
 However, Mrs. Marvin never partook of my suspicions. 
 
 Isabella, seated upon a stool, was bending over her 
 guitar, which rested beside her, from which she had 
 played the air while delighting us with some of her
 
 ALTHA. 215 
 
 favorite Spanish songs. Don Juan Venicia, who rarely 
 favored us with his presence, in the hack-ground pour 
 ing over the evening journal for news of the outer world; 
 myself seated upon an opposite side of the tahle from 
 Mrs. Marvin, carelessly surveyed the group. Father 
 Anselmo, ahout whose life and purposes there seemed so 
 much mystery, leaned hack in a crimson fauteuil, non 
 chalant and dignified. He had paid us an uncommon 
 share of respect, hy laying aside that ugly cowl, and 
 donning in its stead a cap of hlack velvet embroidered 
 with gold, and ornamented with a golden tassel ; the 
 the coarse cassock and girdle had heen exchanged for a 
 rohe of purple velvet with gold embroidery, and lined 
 with crimson silk ; a mantle of India muslin and wide 
 lawn inside sleeves ; a diamond star hurned upon the 
 left breast, which added to the picturesque effect of his 
 costume. Its high color and unique style lent a look 
 of vigor and freshness to his countenance, not quite in 
 keeping with the long white locks and grey beard that 
 floated over his dress. 
 
 " Well," thought I, " the lawlessness of the country, 
 no doubt, has some effect upon him, as well as others 
 who pride themselves by living unshaven and unshorn.
 
 216 ALTHA. 
 
 But I like that old rusty cassock, with its happy memo 
 ries. I have found the wearer's heart in the right 
 place ; but, with this new dress of THE ORDER, I want 
 the assurance that he is one of us." 
 
 He spoke to Mrs. Marvin, who laid aside her needle 
 and shells, and paid attention. 
 
 " My daughter, I promised to talk with you this even 
 ing, concerning your future plans ; but first I will speak 
 a few words of myself, which may be of some interest 
 to you. My birthplace and boyhood's home was in your 
 own dear New England, where the rude grey rocks and 
 whispering pines strengthen and shelter her stalwart 
 sons, who go forth, often rough and unpolished, yet 
 strong in integrity. I was a proud-hearted, impetuous 
 youth, my very fearlessness leading me into danger and 
 temptation. 1 stained my soul by draining the wine- 
 cup, and sleeping the torpor of h 1 ; awaking to a 
 
 knowledge of a crime that drove me from my home, 
 no matter what. The knowledge of it made me culpa 
 ble, and I must fly, or stay to suffer remorse and dis 
 grace. 
 
 " I choose to fly, to become a wanderer in foreign 
 lands, 'neath burning suns, mid scorching sands, o'er
 
 ALTHA. 217 
 
 hoary crags and alpine snows, among rich, among poor, 
 even to the lowest depths of the mean, contemptible, 
 groveling of human kind, and to the highest summit 
 of the beautiful, sublime, glorious, and godlike of crea 
 tion. 
 
 " My mother ! 0, my mother ! 't is true that I loved 
 her, yet I left her, without one farewell word, without 
 even a mother's blessing, a priceless jewel to enrich a 
 lone and impoverished heart. My sisters, too ; I see 
 them now standing in the doorway, as I turned to take 
 a last fond look at their loved forms and the dear old 
 homestead. 
 
 How 1 have wailed and mourned for the youngest, 
 that I must leave her, with no one to shield or protect her. 
 O, worse than the bitterness of death is the memory of 
 our follies. 
 
 " I saw her, hair waving in the wind, and thought of 
 the times I had carried her in (as I then thought) my 
 strong arms, and kissed, with boyish sport, the golden 
 curls that strayed over my jacket. 
 
 " But I must not linger over these bright day-dreams 
 of my youth I must on. There was no time to weep 
 o'er what 1 was leaving or going to lose. I must reach 
 19
 
 218 ALTHA. 
 
 the cove, where I hoped to find the plotters and enactors 
 of the wrong for which I should suffer. Their boat was 
 launched and ready to sail. I sprung into the water, 
 and, leaping up, caught a loose rope and clambered 
 over the sides, scarcely knowing how, and manfully as 
 sisted in working our rude fishing craft far out upon 
 the blue water. We were out many days, at times cov 
 ered with a dense fog, we were nearly famished. We 
 went ashore at a port a good distance from our own. 
 Here I exchanged my dress for a sailor's suit, and ship 
 ped for England, subsequently visiting all the countries 
 in the old world, encountering storms and shipwrecks 
 and dangers innumerable, both by sea and land. I 
 soon acquired a knowledge of many languages which 
 often saved me, in the hour of peril, from evil and from 
 death. 
 
 " At last I turned my steps toward this partially ex 
 plored country. When the war opened between Mexico 
 and the United States, I would not fight against my 
 countrymen, nor against a people whose soil nourished 
 me, or whose homes had given me a night's shelter. 
 
 "Accordingly I followed in the trail of the army, 
 doing my best to relieve the suffering, the wounded and
 
 ALTHA. 219 
 
 the dying. I have seen ranks of my countrymen turn 
 pale, with agony, as they passed a fallen comrade hy the 
 wayside, praying them for a cup of cold water. But, 
 no ; the ranks must not he broken, the march must not 
 he stayed, their laws are imperative. They must on, 
 shutting their eyes and ears to the calls of a "brother, 
 and their hearts to the voice of sympathy, 
 
 " What wonder then if men learn to glory in the 
 
 strife. During the eve succeeding the battle of , 
 
 which had been remarkably severe, I visited the field 
 of blood, hoping to serve my countrymen, if any living 
 were found among the heaps of slain. 
 
 " I found a wounded officer, who had fallen, and was 
 lost, sight of, and forgotten in the succeeding rush and 
 carnage ; I placed my canteen to his parched lips, and 
 sought to staunch the purple life-tide slowly oozing from 
 his arm and side. . 
 
 " I heard a foot-step near. I looked up ; an old man, 
 a monk, habited in a grey woollen cassock and cowl, 
 was standing near us. Said he, ' my son, may God bless 
 you, in your work of charity and mercy. Let me assist 
 you to raise the sufferer, and make him more comfort 
 able.' We did so, unfastening the gilded trappings, the 
 blood-stained emblems of his worth and dreams of
 
 220 ALTHA. 
 
 earthly glory. The earth was his pillow, covered with a 
 blanket and another spread over him, which we had found 
 lying near. How fervently he thanked us for our 
 attention. I watched beside him, the monk going now 
 here, now there, among his own people. Our's was a 
 sad, weary task, and the night waned ere our vigils 
 were ended. The general ceased breathing; I bent 
 lower over him ; the conflict was ended ; death claimed 
 the soldier and the man, while he slept. We left him 
 there to share, on the morrow, a common burial, from 
 the hands of the victors. May the angels guard his 
 dust, while folding their wings over the blood-stained 
 field, watching o'er the unhonored graves of the van 
 quished. Our task was done. The distant watch-fires 
 paled in the morning light. The battle field was 
 hushed, the soldier and his slain charger all asleep, yet 
 cold, stark and stiff, marked by the icy hand of death. 
 I learned to hate war and every principle of oppression, 
 even with the effects of honourable strife. 
 
 " My son," said the monk, as we neared the city, 
 " come to my cell, if you need my aid, or when you will. 
 Call me Father Joseph." 
 
 " I thanked him, and often, when the army was rest 
 ing or waiting for reinforcements, I sought Father
 
 ALTHA. 221 
 
 Joseph's cell. It was rude, chill and gloomy. The 
 floor was of dark grey stone, the roof of unhewn timl>er, 
 dark and time-stained, rude wooden benches and a stone 
 pitcher filled with water, composed the furnishings of 
 the cell. He awoke in me a thirst for knowledge ; 
 gladly I availed myself of his offer to become my 
 teacher and my guide. I thought it must be easy for 
 him to live a virtuous life, one so good ; surely he must 
 be happy. I remarked the same to him one evening 
 while we were conversing together, commenting upon 
 the simplicity of his style of living. 
 
 " My son," said he, " we live, we labor for the church 
 for coming generations. We have one comfort," he 
 added, rising and walking to the opposite side of the 
 narrow celL He touched a secret spring, the wall 
 opened and rolled wide apart, disclosing a library, the 
 shelves filled with a long array of dusky volumes. 
 Tome, and manuscript of parchment piled one by one, a 
 vast, speaking, living monument of slumbering ages, 
 the echoing thought, tramp of millions gone down to 
 the dead. Father Joseph seemed to enjoy my surprise 
 for a few moments. The walls rolled back and fas 
 tened, leaving only the dingy timbers to view. 
 19*
 
 222 ALTHA. 
 
 " Beyond," said the monk, " are many passages lead 
 ing to the church ; you shall* be acquainted with all in 
 good time. I became a noviciate, and learned the 
 sacred duties of the holy order. 
 
 " I found no trouble while Father Joseph lived, for 
 he commanded great respect. He had been awarded 
 priestly orders, honor and power; yet, he chose the 
 plainest garb of the monastery, and the simple title of 
 Father Joseph. 
 
 " One day, upon visiting his cell, after having per 
 formed a commission for him, I found him ill and lying 
 upon his hard pallet. 
 
 " My son," said- he, " my brief race is almost o'er, I 
 near the goal, which is the grave. All I have belongs 
 to the church; the labor of a life-time. I sometimes 
 fear I cannot get to Heaven : that I have not done 
 enough. My merits are few compared with my deserts. 
 Stay with me brother, to the last." 
 
 " What can I do for you ? " 
 
 "I know," said he, "you cannot save me, yet 'tis 
 pleasant to have you with me in my dying moments." 
 
 " Do you suffer much pain ? " I asked. 
 
 " Oh ! I should not mind the pain, if I could but
 
 ALTHA. 223 
 
 know that I shall be happy. Oh! must I fall into 
 the hands of the Author of our life, a living and a just 
 God." 
 
 " Think," said I, " of all your labors, of your self- 
 sacrificing life, your devotion to the church." 
 
 " But all my good works go for nothing. Oh ! I 
 have not done half enough. Upon the wings of thought 
 came rushing my sainted father's death-bed scene, and 
 in full force I remembered his dying words, so calm and 
 peaceful, 'though I walk through the valley of the 
 shadow of Death, I fear no evil ; my Saviour is with 
 me.'" 
 
 " I repeated them ; Father Joseph started up and 
 gazed wildly around." 
 
 " Who spoke ? " he exclaimed, " Brother, did you 
 hear ? Those are not the words of our church ; yet, I 
 feel at this moment to wish them true ; how inexpressi 
 bly comforting and peaceful at this moment. How 
 beautiful a Saviour to lean upon." 
 
 " His brothers of the church, appointed to the office, 
 came in to anoint him with the holy oil, and other cere 
 monies required by the church for the dying. And 
 those who loved him will contribute their mite to pur 
 chase masses for the repose of his soul. The same ob-
 
 224 ALTHA. 
 
 trusive thought, which often aroused me, reminded me 
 of St. Paul's injunction : ' Let every one work out his 
 own salvation.' 
 
 "Father Joseph's death weakened my affection for 
 the Catholic church. I began to feel our own good 
 works are not sufficient to purchase Heaven, though 
 we are devoted to her interest and the strict observance 
 of all her precepts and doctrines. If the memory of our 
 charities, our penance, the mortifications of our spirit, 
 the maceration of our limbs ; our numerous prayers, 
 though unmeaning, as they were, if repeated in an un 
 known tongue, could not console us upon a dying bed, 
 what were we to do ? There was but one way, to accept 
 the free-will offering, the sacrifice of the Saviour's 
 blood, to cleanse from sin ; our good works, our moral 
 lives are but a duty we owe to our Heavenly Father. 
 
 " JESUS is the good shepherd : he careth for the sheep. 
 He who tries to enter the fold, except through the door 
 of the sheep-fold, is a thief and a robber." 
 
 " My mind was made up. Yes ; we have reason and 
 revelation to guide us, the soul of origin divine. Shall 
 we not obey the teachings of our heavenly father, and 
 adore the glorious majesty, the infinite wisdom of the 
 Groat Spirit?"
 
 ALTHA. 225 
 
 "I learn," remarked 'Squire Eldridge, "the heart 
 must be willing and the feet ready, in the service of the 
 Catholic church." 
 
 " Even so," said the monk ; " yet it is not for me to 
 disclose her secrets. If she retain one sentiment pure 
 and beautiful, that one I shall love. My sufferings, my 
 doubts and fears respecting her infalibility and require 
 ments, may go with me to the grave. 
 
 " The poet says 
 
 Man's inhumanity to man 
 Makes countless thousands mourn.' 
 
 Our duties teach us to sustain each other. Watch and 
 pray. What is the soul without religion, without some 
 knowledge of itself? Obey the injunction Go up to 
 the temple to pray, whether that temple be the leafy 
 grove, the marble dome, the mountain crag, or the fire 
 side altar, the Great Spirit hears." 
 
 Father Anselmo was silent, leaning his head upon 
 his -hand, while we sat almost breathless with the inter 
 est and excitement with which we had listened to him. 
 After a short pause, he added, " I LOVE MY COUNTRY. I 
 mourn the injustice of Deacon Breck which has driven 
 me an alien from her borders and the enjoyment of my
 
 226 ALTHA. 
 
 native home. I love my country ! May she roll on in 
 her glorious career of freedom, and learning, and her 
 institutions progress until superstition, darkness and in 
 iquity are remembered only in the pages of history. 
 In that day Jew and Gentile shall be gathered in, and 
 dwell in UNITY,- FAITH and LOVE." 
 
 Father Anselmo's closing words had somewhat calmed 
 the intense' excitement from which Mrs. Marvin had 
 
 been suffering. Like a marble statue, she had remained 
 
 
 with fingers clasped and lips compressed. I thought to 
 
 speak to her, to arouse her fixed attention ; she only 
 advanced a step nearer the monk, enquiring in thrill 
 ing tones, "Who are you ? " 
 
 Calmly confronting her, he threw off his robe of pur 
 ple velvet, appearing in a citizen's dress of fine black 
 cloth, laying aside his cap and wig, disclosed a fine head 
 covered with brown hair slightly sprinkled with silver, 
 and a frank, noble countenance, though traced with care 
 and weather-beaten. " Altha ! Altha ! " he exclaimed, 
 advancing forward. She raised her arms to save herself 
 from falling, murmering in a suppressed voice, "ED 
 WIN, MY BROTHER ! can this be true ? " 
 
 One wild sob. and she fainted, as he folded her to his
 
 ALTHA. 227 
 
 bosom, fondly caressing the wavy hair and white for- 
 head, as though soothing a weary child to sleep. 
 
 " No wonder, you did not know me ; I saw you leave 
 the hoat upon its arrival in San Francisco. You re 
 sembled my pet sister. I knew not what adverse fortune 
 had called you so far from home. I watched you ; you 
 are here ; I have enough ; though I spend for others, I 
 have a treasure for you., The dove has found shelter; 
 the wanderer bird found rest."
 
 CHAPTER XXVI, 
 
 " Be just and fear not ; 
 
 Let all the ends thou aimest at be thy country's, 
 Thy God's, and truth's. Then if thou fullest 
 Thou fallest a blessed martyr." 
 
 " AH ! Don Venicia, well met," said 'Squire Eldridge. 
 " Well met," rejoined Venicia, bowing in return, " I 
 fancied I heard thee saying : 
 
 " The age of virtuous politiss is past, 
 And we are deep in that of cold pretence ; 
 Patriots are grown too shrewd to be sincere, 
 And we too wise to trust them," 
 
 ' Not so Venicia, I- eschew politics ; I have no faith 
 in secret societies." 
 
 " Go with me," said the Don, drawing Eldridge's arm 
 within his own and moving forward down the walk. 
 
 " The crescent moon has silvered the sleeping lake. 
 The stars, one by one, have hung out their diamond 
 lights; the winds are hushed. Only the wierd spirit 
 whispers in the falling leaves. We near the old grey
 
 ALT II A. 229 
 
 rock, and the long arms of the darkling pine tap, tap, 
 tap, like the woodpecker's call upon the hollow heach 
 tree. " Stand." Yet no form appeared embodying that 
 grurn voice. "Proceed." We advanced slowly. Ah, 
 there are the hemlock houghs beside the old grey rock 
 that shades the eddying spring. Eyes were shining mid 
 the darkness ; forked tongues of fire leaped up among 
 the sombre foliage ; birds of living coal, with wings of 
 flame shot through the murky air and lodged in the 
 branches ; strange voices whispered in our ears ; a 
 solemn chant mingling, with the whispering zephyrs, 
 touched our hearts, unnerved our arms. The glittering 
 blade was sheathed ; welcome mysterious shades ; hast 
 thou aught to teach us ? our souls are free to learn thy 
 mysteries. 
 
 The darkness lifted. Light effulgent beamed from 
 leaf and spray, lit as by a myriad glow-worm. We 
 stood within an enclosure deep of stalwart forms, with 
 whitened locks, erect, with folded arms. The signal for 
 attention sounded 
 
 " Woe, woe to all who grind 
 Their brothers of a common Father down, 
 
 To all who plunder from the immortal mind , 
 Its bright and glorious crown." 
 
 20
 
 230 ALT II A. 
 
 A chief, clad in a robe of ermine, radiant with jewels, 
 welcomed me. Slowly he spoke : " My son, life is full 
 of mystery ; our race is short ; Time lends us to do the 
 will of heaven ; the good spirit whispers, we must live 
 and labor for one another ; tyranny and oppression must 
 cease, knowledge he diffused, and FREEBORN RIGHTS 
 must govern FREEDOM'S SOIL ! " 
 
 The voice of prayer ascended like incense, through 
 the thick branches of the whispering pine and waving 
 hemlock. " Amen," echoed a thousand voices. 
 
 " Wilt thou join us ? " 
 
 I bowed : then from the crystal basin, he sprinkled 
 me with cool water drops, and laved my hands in the 
 cooling liquid, saying : " Place thy hand upon this living 
 Eevelation of the Great Spirit which has descended to 
 us, through rapine, fire and blood, from generation to 
 generation, and it STILL LIVES. The star that has 
 arisen in the East still shines, leading us onward to 
 glory and duty. Kneel, while we enroll thy name 
 among the list of freemen ; brother, we administer the 
 oath of allegiance. Now thou art enlisted beneath thy 
 country's banner, to shield the religion of Jesus, con 
 tained in this blessed volume, and labor for the sons of
 
 ALTHA. 231 
 
 freedom, and thy country's good and glory, that she 
 may be called great among many nations ! Arise, 
 brother, and remember freedom's soil, whereon thou 
 standest, is hallowed ground, therefore, go forth ; labor 
 fervently, silently; then watch and wait May the Great 
 Spirit keep thy soul stainless of evil." 
 
 Another, bearing the ensignia of rank, clad in richest 
 robes of sable approached, bringing a welcome and a 
 charge. 
 
 "Brother, far away upon our journey toward the 
 setting sun we meet again. Until then, as now, hearts 
 will bleed and suffer ; many souls will have been immo 
 lated upon the shrine of right ere truth prevail ; many 
 will cry peace, peace, when there is no peace ; many 
 shall bite the dust, not by the rack, and the brain-mad 
 dening torture, and the headsman's gilt toy, but the 
 truth shall conquer. Go ! be watchful. " 
 
 Another, clad in russet brown, having scrip and staff 
 chanted ' 
 
 " How blessed are the feet of those who bring glad 
 tidings of gospel peace, the power of true religion upon 
 the soul ; its efficacy in shielding from sin, a talisman 
 iu the hour of temptation, a firm support in the time
 
 232 ALT II A. 
 
 of need, sufficient arguments for wishing it trans 
 lated into every language spoken on the habitable globe. 
 Go ! be steadfast." 
 
 Another, clad in the coarse garments of a laborer, 
 pressed my hand, saying 
 
 " Brother, 't is here we have to do in this every-day 
 work-day world of ours. Happy that one who has 
 lived for some good, be it ever so lowly. Wish not for 
 the gift of genius, a pen of fire, a golden easel reflect 
 ing every shade, every passion of human life. Only 
 wish to be wise and happy, and win many hearts to our 
 good cause, by thine earnest love and truth." 
 
 Still came another counsel, from one clad in purple 
 and gold. Said he 
 
 " Ask not for fame ; it cannot give thee lasting joy. 
 Ambition is but a mockery ; a phosphorescent light to 
 lead to the miry pit of remorse, and the ' dismal swamp ' 
 of hideous torments. Let thine be a purer, holier life, 
 to live in the hearts of men, and learn of these same 
 wayward incumbrances all the mysteries of life. Re 
 joice not to be ' among the crowd and not of them.' 
 What pleasure to soar so high, as not to joy with those 
 who joy, and weep with those who weep? Be faithful."
 
 ALTHA. 233 
 
 Still another, of youthful face and form, whispered 
 "Our faith is large our hope is strong. There is 
 a good time coming. Therefore, like as the angels 
 come to our hearts, and come to bless, let us cheer and 
 love one another. Still they conic, and still I listened 
 to the words of those who sought to lead. Still they 
 chanted " Remember the order." Said a sonorous voice, 
 " How many of our contemporaries sit upon the pinnacle 
 of Fame's temple, with a sea of white excited faces up 
 turned towards them? And there they sit dreary and 
 cold, shivering with the scanty meed of praise. At last 
 they come down to die. And where are they ? only echo 
 answers, where are they? Be thine the boon to live 
 in true hearts, in quiet homes, near humble firesides, 
 in peopled towns, in lonely hamlets, in noble halls and 
 quiet forest glens, upon the busy foam, and beyond the 
 rolling tide ; yes, even where wealth and pleasure meet, 
 also where the poor, the weary and the heartsick are 
 gathered; be thou there with thy gentle lessons 'and 
 cheering promise." 
 
 " What I say unto one, I say unto all," said the pa 
 triarch of the order, with tremulous tones, rising up from 
 the mound of earth upon which he had been seated. 
 
 " Brothers, we must labor ; we are called to labor ; 
 
 20*
 
 234 ALTHA. 
 
 therefore, come to the work willingly, counting labor no 
 such great misfortune, but rather a blessing ; neither 
 count it misfortune to be poor. The soul filled with the 
 holy principles of life, honor, faith, love and charity, is 
 rich, far above price. Misfortunes and temptations may 
 come, and weigh us down for a season, yet keep the heart 
 pure and unstained from evil. Have faith ! The angel 
 Faith, with bright moving wings, can cheer, lifting the 
 dark clouds higher and higher, and afar off, at last, 
 disclosing the heavenly world which lies beyond our own ; 
 where the noble and tried spirit will find rest and peace, 
 and the full fruition of more than earthly riches and 
 glory. Therefore, labor, and faint not ! labor, and weary 
 not with well-doing, for great is your reward. 
 4 Labor, omnia, vincent ! ' 
 
 " Though slowly at first appears the good for .which you 
 labor, and softly, silently, steal along the breathing in 
 fluence, fear not ! it shall not die. It shall on onward ! 
 broader, and higher, and holier. When your share of 
 the great work is finished, you shall lie down to rest ; 
 the spirit going home to God, hearing the welcome, 
 ' Well done, good and faithful servant ! thou hast been 
 faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over
 
 ALTHA. 235 
 
 many, and with one voice all responded solemnly, 
 'Amen.'" 
 
 " Brother," said the ermine chief, again approaching, 
 and laying his hand upon my brow, "thou knowest 
 what has been spoken ; what sayest thou? " 
 
 I answered, " Oh, wise and powerful chief, I know 
 nothing" 
 
 Then was heard, in thunder-tones, " Friends, brothers, 
 countrymen, disperse ! " 
 
 The stealthy tread was hushed ; only the gloomy pine 
 whispered through the lengthened shadows, as Don Juan 
 drew my arm within his own, and we turned our steps 
 homewards.
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 " Weep not that the world changes ; did it keep 
 A stable, changeless course, 't were cause to weep." 
 
 THE next morning, after coffee had been served, and 
 all preparations for my journey were finished, we assem 
 bled in the little chapel, and united in prayer, for the 
 blessing of the GREAT SPIRIT to attend each one of us 
 during all our journey of life and of future labors, also 
 for our country, and her blessed institutions, for her 
 rulers, and all conditions of people. Then, with lighter 
 hearts and cheerful countenances, these valued friends 
 mounted, and accompanied me some distance upon my 
 way. Halting at the base of a frightful acclivity, Sen- 
 orita Isabella reined up her horse close beside me, 
 and, gracefully and affectionately, spoke the fare 
 well. Mrs. Marvin followed her example, adding, 
 " Brother we meet again." Don Juan, placing his hand 
 upon my horse's mane, addressed me in the mystic 
 language of his order, into which, the night previous, he
 
 ALTHA. 237 
 
 had initiated me. Father Anselmo, approaching me 
 last, pronounced a fervent " God bless you." The 
 escort respectfully touched their hats, filling my mind 
 with an impression of deep regret that I must leave 
 them. 
 
 Upon reaching San Francisco, I found my business 
 in better trim than I had anticipated. I looked with 
 surprise and astonishment over the city. Making my 
 
 comments to Judge S , while standing at his office 
 
 window, concerning the endless variety of changes and 
 improvements which had been going on since I left. 
 
 " Ah, my boy," he exclaimed, " have you, Eip Van 
 Winkle-like, been napping for the last six weeks, that 
 you have forgotten that this is a fast country, and a 
 
 FAST PEOPLE ? " 
 
 Halvor and I, had quite enough, going out, of that 
 "fast clipper sailing around the Horn, until days length 
 ened into weeks. It gives one a most perfect appre 
 ciation of his own inferiority, one moment riding moun 
 tain high upon a foaming wave, the next, almost to the 
 regions below in the trough of the sea ; then, as suddenly 
 again changing to a calm smiling surface. But woe to 
 him who trusts its serenity, lest he become food for the
 
 238 ALTHA. 
 
 fishes ; in another moment a more sudden and greater 
 change, the lightening flashes until the heavens seem 
 wrapped in flame, ten thousand thunders roll and bellow, 
 with snow and sleet enough to blind you; while the 
 winds are screaming, screeching, raging mad in the fierce 
 conflict, to tear you from the frozen rigging. If a man 
 has the shadow of a soul he'll feel it then. 
 
 " How did you like crossing the Isthmus ? " 
 
 " Oh, I fared remarkably well, notwithstanding the 
 disagreeable propensity of my mule, to make sudden 
 stops, sending me occasionally upon a soft bed of black 
 mud ; one sees a few specimens of humanity, not at all 
 agreeable to weak nerves and notions of refinement ; 
 in common phrase, we have to get used to them." 
 
 " Yes ; one travelling that way learns to endure a 
 thousand things he would never dream of at home." 
 
 " Precisely ; hark ! there is the ' Old South ; ' I love its 
 echoing clang, reverberating along the deserted streets, 
 it gives one such a gloomy feeling, a grand loneliness. 
 With the whole city so still and motionless like a great 
 tomb, whose ghastly inhabitants have wrapped their 
 mantles around them and lain down to enjoy pleasant 
 dreams."
 
 ALTHA. 239 
 
 "Twelve o'clock! Good bye Halvor. Come to my 
 office early to-morrow morning." 
 
 Well, thought Halvor, as he drew himself up and 
 glanced around the well-filled table, covered with a 
 goodly array of edibles, mine host of the bountiful had 
 furnished, these Yankees do improve a little, yes, a 
 very little, in the fashion of swallowing their coffee 
 boiling hot, followed by chicken and toast, without dis 
 secting the one or masticating the other. He strolled 
 into the reading-room, examined the morning papers, 
 then passed out to remark the weather. A dull day ia 
 it, and not a speck of blue sky discernable, by looking 
 straight up between the buildings of the narrow street. 
 
 " Going to get some rain, stranger," said a man with 
 a fresh countenance, puffing away at a cigar. 
 
 " It looks somewhat like it, sir," responded our hero. 
 
 " Eh, very like," chimed in a raw-boned chap, leaning 
 against one of the columns. 
 
 Staring first at the new-comer, then at the pedestrians, 
 particularly the ladies, Mr. Hazel turned aside without 
 deigning any remark, not from pride, O no ; his con 
 versation would be lost. Jewels of thought and K' d
 
 240 A L T H A . 
 
 thrown away can never be recovered to the impoverished 
 owner. True, there is some one redeeming coin of vir 
 tue buried in every heart, yet it often requires a skillful 
 miner and patient laborer, to discover and bring it to 
 use.
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 UP, up those shadowy, gloomy staircases, perched 
 almost among the clouds. What ! searching for the 
 eyrie of some ravenous hird, in whose capacious beak 
 you may chance to get stowed away, if you are not wise. 
 When you get there it is not so bad a place after all. 
 It looks quite light and comfortable. The carpet has 
 been swept, the sofa, tables and chairs nicely dusted by 
 the office-boy, and a nice coal fire is burning in the 
 grate. As you enter the curly-pated African stares at 
 you with those great dreamy eyes, then drops them 
 upon his book, as something like a smile floats around 
 your mouth, at the idea of one of his race commencing 
 thus young to improve the hours, so soon after the chores 
 are done, in studying law. 
 
 The desk, the proper repository of the secrets, being 
 kept locked, we can 't examine that ; but we may, if 
 curiosity dictates, peer into these antique boxes of trea 
 sure, stowed away in niches and convenient corners. 
 21
 
 242 ALT HA. 
 
 Look at the golden piles, consisting of a few old books 
 not fit for the book-case, a few worn manuscripts, some 
 bundles of greasy parchments tied with red tape, an 
 old silk handkerchief, and a pair of cast-off slippers, 
 side by side with a few choice shells, and minerals, not 
 half so formidable an array as we expected. O, here 
 upon the table is a box of cigars, and " a dozen choice," 
 sent in by a certain well-to-do client ; bad, very bad ; 
 but our lecture is forgotten with the ready welcome and 
 the lively chat of the lightrhearted oivner of these valu 
 ables. 
 
 " Ethan, you have not told me how you found your 
 lovely wife." 
 
 " Why, Halvor, you know one just returned from El 
 Dorado is quite a lion, or rather, I was, when I came, 
 for they were not so common then as now. I attracted 
 as much attention as the Koyal Bengal Tiger, and I 
 found it quite easy to make acquaintance with the repu 
 tation of the golden wand in possession. One evening, 
 while attending a social party at Colonel Harvey's, I 
 
 met Emilie T , daughter of Judge T ; (you 
 
 used to know him.) I was more than pleased with her 
 at first sight, and we made rapid strides towards getting
 
 ALTHA. 243 
 
 acquainted. My mind was speedily made up, and it 
 does not take long to get the hymenial knot tied, when 
 one's mind is made up. I find her, as the song says, 
 
 1 All my fancy painted.' 
 
 You must call round often ; she took quite a fancy to 
 you the other day." 
 
 "And so, 'Squire, I am to understand your liason 
 with Mrs. Marvin was speedily forgotten ? " 
 
 " Forgotten, Halvor ; I reckon it will he about the 
 last thing I forget. I was interested to make her pro 
 phecy prove true." 
 
 " Precisely the case with every one who listens to the 
 words of a necromancer ; they try to bring his predic 
 tions out right." 
 
 "But, Halvor, was it not singular, her meeting her 
 brother after an absence of twenty years ? " 
 
 " God's plans are not ours, and the Great Spirit works 
 by means." 
 
 " I know it. Altha used to say the same ; Emilie 
 reminds me of it now. I am vexed if I ever forget it 
 for a moment. No great wonder either, when our 
 heads are full of all sorts, we have to ' take ilie papers.' "
 
 CHAPTEE XXIX. 
 
 "HALVOR, I have just received a letter from an old 
 chum in California." 
 
 " Eh ! 'Squire ! what, does he say ? " 
 
 "TO AN OLD CHUM AND DEAB FEIEND. 
 
 " JULY lOrn, MURPHY'S DIGGINS, 
 
 CALAVERAS COUNTY, CAL. 4 
 
 "ETHAN, From the mines I write you a few lines. Politics 
 and law being somewhat below par in the city during this hot 
 weather, I have taken a run to the mountains, for the first time. 
 For the fun of it, I furnished myself with miners' tools, consist 
 ing of shoTel, pick and tin pan. I have been here some two weeks 
 prospecting, that is, going around washing out, a few pans of dirt 
 here and there, to find a good place to dig. I have dug in all about 
 two BITS, (twenty-five cents' worth,) just enough to say ' I dug gold.' 
 I love to see the miners work ; some of them have faith enough, 
 from appearances to dig and dig for six months and more, without 
 finding anything, dig down two or three hundred feet, under 
 ground and all around ; then they strike a big lead, where it 
 yields them two or three hundred, perhaps a thousand dollars a 
 day, and they make their pile. Then others dig away for years 
 and do n't make grub. It 's a very uncertain business, and I should 
 not like it at. all, unless I could strike a big lead at first. I am 
 in Calaveras county, three hundred miles north of San Francisco. 
 The weather is rather warm ; the thermometer runs from one hun 
 dred to one hundred and fifteen, all the time, in the shade ; but 
 we do not suffer with the heat, the atmosphere is so pure among 
 the mountains, quite a healthy country. I have visited the
 
 ALTHA. 245 
 
 great mammoth cave in this county ; explored it to the distance of 
 half a mile from the entrance : found chambers, halls, and a lake 
 of water, as is usually found in caves. But did you see the big 
 trees in this county, when you were here ? If not, I suppose you 
 have heard of them. Next to Niagara, they are the greatest curi 
 osity in North America, if not in the world ; so it is said. The big 
 tree, or mammoth tree, although there are a grove of big ones 
 measures three hundred and two feet in length, thirty-one feet 
 in diameter, and ninety-three feet in circumference, and is said by 
 naturalists to be three thousand years old. This big tree was cut 
 down or rather bored through, so they got it down after a fashion. 
 Over the stump they have built a house, which forms part of a hotel 
 kept for visitors. When there is company enough, they get up co 
 tillion parties and dance upon the stump. It is large enough to 
 form a quadrille set. Upon the upper part of the tree has been 
 built two ten-pin alleys, having plenty of room all around them, 
 and a house over them. 
 
 It seems to me that Nature tried what she could do when she 
 1 got up ' this grove of trees. There are eighty-five trees of the 
 large kind in the grove ; the smallest is ten feet in diameter and 
 two hundred and ninety-two feet high, and the largest is four hun 
 dred and fifty feet high, and one hundred and ten feet in circum 
 ference. This one must be very old ; it is called the ' father of the 
 flock.' The inside of one of the large trees that was down, has been 
 burnt out, and thirty persons mounted on horses can ride abreast 
 through it.* 
 
 " I have been out to-day a little way, hunting grisly bears, 
 which abound in this region, but did not have the pleasure of get 
 ting one. I shall return to the city in a few days, when I will 
 write you something more interesting ; in the meantime, I hope 
 to hear from you, and all the news of home. The States will 
 always be home to us, and, as ever, we consecrate many of our best 
 thoughts to our own dear New England."
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 " SISTER Altha," said the quondam priest, leaning 
 back in his arm chair, regarding her as she sat caress 
 ing Mataka : " Tell me, was your married life happy ? " 
 
 " Why, "brother, do you ask ? How could I be quite 
 happy, and my husband away so much ? " 
 
 " Not that ; I mean, did your husband love you and 
 labor to promote your happiness ? " 
 
 Altha smilingly replied : " What put that idea in your 
 head, brother ? " 
 
 " But, you do n't answer my question." 
 
 She resumed, playfully, " You know I do n't come to 
 confession. If my husband had faults let them rest ; 
 or, if he loved less than I did, is that to be considered 
 a fault? It is not well for woman to give her whole 
 soul into the keeping of mortal, lest the too fond love 
 turn again and pierce her own heart." 
 
 " Come, suppose you get out some new work teaching 
 how to love wisely."
 
 ALT HA. 247 
 
 " Joke and sinile if you will, brother ; I shall do no 
 such thing ; la belle passion is not to be taught, it being 
 a spark of the invisible relation we hold to the Great 
 Spirit, or Deity ; and is the wonder-working power pro 
 ducing the pure, true, and lovely, in human nature." 
 
 " Then, how can a soul full of this God-given princi 
 ple, prove a source of trouble or suffering to its pos 
 sessor ? " 
 
 " Simply, because we have to do with mortals like 
 ourselves, and set our affections upon material things." 
 
 " Altha, would you have all the world turn stoics and 
 embrace the principles of selfishness ? " 
 
 " No ; I would only have them embrace the religion 
 of virtue." 
 
 " What do you understand that creed to be ? " 
 
 " The sublime truths taught by the early philoso 
 phers : first, that the principles of virtue are the laws 
 of God, from which none depart without suffering for it 
 in some way or other, and the doing good to others, or 
 an emanation of the Divine Spirit which comes with 
 out teaching and should be cherished. Happiness is the 
 state of pleasureableness which must be the result of 
 well doing. Therefore, a first love of God, or virtue, if
 
 248 ALTHA. 
 
 you will, coming between ourselves and the object of our 
 affections, will help to guard us against temptation, and 
 cheer us under disappointment." 
 
 "You advocate marriage, of course?" 
 
 " Where practicable, I do, as it is a ceremony and 
 a state honored and blessed by God, in which the great 
 est amount of happiness is attainable." 
 
 " But, supposing two persons united by the marriage 
 ceremony, find themselves entirely unlike each ether, 
 and they can 't be happy, what then ? " 
 
 " Brother, have done with your catechising. Can 't, 
 can 't ! I wonder who hunted out that pusillanimous 
 word ? " 
 
 " Why have you taken such a dislike to it, Altha ? " 
 
 " Perhaps, because it reminds me of something ridicu 
 lous," said she, smiling. " But I suppose I must tell 
 you, if it does not do me any credit. When almost a 
 child, that is, soon after you left home, I found, as I 
 imagined, a friend, one who was always talking of his 
 disinterested regard for us, often telling me to come to 
 him if I needed advise or assistance, in short, he would 
 be my brother. I had something of an idea of consti 
 tuting him my guardian angel; one day I asked of
 
 ALT HA. 
 
 him a trifling favor for a friend, which was a good 
 word from him, and any gentlemen or common acquaint 
 ance would not have hesitated long enough for me to 
 have finished the request ; hut he said coldly, ' I can 't 
 do it.' I sprang up, confronting him with scorn, ac 
 companied hy a few hitter words, Heaven save me from 
 dealing out to any other. Here was a man, portly and 
 lord-like, who could crush my petit form between his 
 thunih and fore-finger, saying : ' I can 't.' It rung in 
 my ears for days." 
 
 " A pretty guardian angel, forsooth. How did he 
 take it ? " 
 
 ' "Why, he looked perfectly stupefied with astonish 
 ment, as I turned and walked away. And I never 
 troubled my head concerning his friendship afterward. 
 However, it did some good, as I did not know I had 
 any temper before, and I immediately commenced the 
 study, of self." 
 
 Said her brother, " I never thought I should like a 
 woman with too much spirit, but a little is very desirable 
 sometimes." 
 
 But to return to our story : 
 
 " Do you believe your husband loved you ? "
 
 250 ALT HA. 
 
 Yes ; I think he did." 
 
 " Now I would like to know what reason you had for 
 thinking so ? " 
 
 O, pray do n't expect me to answer all the freaks and 
 ungovernable whims, contained even in one specimen of 
 the genus homo." 
 
 " Altha, I remember our friend Ethan used to doubt 
 the possibility of one person loving another to any 
 extent, unless they were loved in return, more particu 
 larly where there was little of attention, kindness, and 
 mutual sympathy to foster it." 
 
 " Wait until he has been in love." 
 
 " If I mistake not, he has taken a few lessons al 
 ready." 
 
 " What, must I endeavor to prove to you, there is as 
 wide a difference between love and fancy as between 
 Heaven and terra firma." 
 
 " Precisely, provided your arguments are sent like 
 sky-rockets without end or aim." 
 
 " I choose to remain about as wise as the old lady I 
 once heard trying to teacli a young girl wisdom ; after 
 having exhausted all her stock of argument and in 
 vectives, she exclaimed, with a look of irritation, ' Well,
 
 ALTHA. 251 
 
 I never ; when one loves, they love without a shadow of 
 reason for doing so, and they will love all the same if 
 misfortune and death oppose it. I can't comprehend 
 it,' said she, her feelings softening a little ; ' yet I have 
 seen some of the disappointed ones become stars, too 
 pure and bright for earth, while others go down with 
 tlum 'whose steps lead down to death.'" 
 
 " But, Altha dear, I know Marvin loved you." 
 " How do you know it ?" said she, rising up with a 
 look of interest. 
 
 " There it is, we affirm a thing ourselves and in the 
 next breath eagerly question another's knowledge. He 
 told me so, asking me to wateh over and protect you 
 and Mataka ; indeed he prayed me to do so ; oh ! how 
 earnestly ; yet, he never knew there was a tie of kindred 
 between us. He told me no one could have had half so 
 much power and influence over him as yourself, and he 
 could have made you so happy, but for his indomitable 
 pride constantly rebelling against his better nature. 
 You had so little art, and no skill in dissembling, ac 
 cordingly, he discovered all, too soon for your happiness, 
 and before you were aware of it ; your regard for him, 
 and when you were all his own, how he liked to tease 
 you, in order to probe the depth of your affection. If
 
 252 ALTHA. 
 
 you had been indifferent, or raved occasionally, it might 
 have done some good ; hut you invariably met his de 
 linquencies with that earnest, pleading, suffering look ; 
 it would have unmanned him, unless he sheltered him 
 self behind the wall of hateful pride. He did not dare 
 to be loving or agreeable, for the same reason, for your 
 caresses and happiness would take the temper all out 
 of him, and he was afraid of getting into leading- 
 strings. He would not be persuaded, up to the moment 
 of his leaving home, that you would be left behind, 
 although, notwithstanding the influence of your friends, 
 he needed to use commands, threats, almost violence, 
 compelling you to remain ; yet, not until he was fairly 
 upon the water, every moment losing sight of land, 
 would he be persuaded that you would not come, and 
 then, he was unreasonable enough to think that you did 
 not love him." 
 
 " Poor, poor Walter," said Altha, with a look of an 
 guish, " he never knew what he threw away. But pray 
 do not make him out so bad." 
 
 " I cannot believe it," continued her brother. " He 
 had no courage or inclination to earn anything at first ; 
 if he did, he 7 d spend it ; at last, he thought he 'd make
 
 ALT HA. 253 
 
 the effort, that he might come home. He bought a 
 piece of land to get worked, hut his health failed too 
 soon to accomplish much. When you come out to him 
 so nobly, he would not suffer you to know how much he 
 valued your love and presence ; he said it vexed him 
 to see how easily you gave up your own pleasures and 
 comfort for him. I promised everything he wished me to 
 do for you. The land is being worked as he suggested ; 
 it pays well already, and the prospect is, that you and 
 Mataka will have a splendid fortune in your own right. 
 He suffered, only his God knew how much, with that 
 fearful pride, which prevented him from folding you 
 to his bosom, and sharing with you every joy and 
 sorrow." 
 
 Mataka had slipped away soon after the conversa 
 tion commenced, in search of Juba, and Mrs. Marvin sat 
 weeping violently. 
 
 " I knew it would open the wound afresh, and make 
 your heart bleed, but he wished you to know it, that 
 you might be happier." 
 
 " Oh ! this is too much. It almost makes us call 
 upon the grave to give back its dead. Why could he 
 22
 
 254 ALTHA. 
 
 not have let me known it, ,then I might have done so 
 much more for him." 
 
 " Do not grieve or criminate yourself; you did more 
 than your duty." 
 
 " I am not quite sure of that ; 't is difficult to decide 
 where duty ends in such cases."
 
 CHAPTER XXXI. 
 
 " THE news ! the news ! who'll buy the news V " sa 
 luted our ears from one of the million news-boys jostling 
 each other in the great emporium of fashion and famine, 
 while standing upon the steps of the Irving House, watch 
 ing the busy tide of strife the ebb and flow of human 
 beings along the crowded mart in Broadway and Fulton 
 streets. 
 
 "Arrival of the Great Western from California, 
 distinguished passengers. Who'll buy," continued the 
 youngster, edging his way first upon one side then the 
 other, the better to protect his bundle of merchandize, 
 " The Journal of Commerce ; will you take, Mister ? " 
 thrusting it toward Ethan, eying him at the same time 
 from beneath his dusty head covering, then turning to 
 Halvor Avho selected a couple of different ones, much to 
 the youngster's satisfaction, and handing him the bits, 
 our two friends turned and entered the reading saloon. 
 Halvor turned to the list of passengers ; his forehead
 
 256 ALTHA. 
 
 paled, then flushed, his eyes lighted up, and a faint smile 
 might be seen hovering over those full lips. He hand 
 ed the paper to 'Squire Eldridge who perused the list 
 with no small interest. " Possible," said he, discovering 
 the names which had startled his friend Hazel, " quite 
 an unlooked for arrival, and I '11 do myself the honor to 
 welcome them." 
 
 " Madam Marvin, family and servants ; quite unosten 
 tatious, truly," said Mr. Hazel rising, " the steamer has 
 been telegraphed in, it is just time for her to be at the 
 wharf." 
 
 Proudly, gracefully, the ocean-chariot bore down, 
 ploughing the dark water, and dashing the white-flecked 
 foam far upon every side. How many hearts bounded 
 and wildly throbbed to welcome her precious freight ! 
 How many longing hearts were joyously returning to 
 the simple pleasures and endearments of home ! and 
 again returning to bless the hallowed ground, a free 
 man's boast, and bend, with moistened lids, above the 
 green turf or the marble urn, where repose the loved 
 ones, who, weary with watching, have been soothed by 
 death's angel to sleep. 
 
 0, those tedious delays, of custom officials, baggage 
 and porters, ere we are allowed to depart and enjoy the
 
 ALTHA. 257 
 
 smiles of welcome, a little friendly chat, and a few brief 
 reminisences of by-gones. Assembled in the drawing- 
 room, Mrs. Marvin appeared to us beautiful and lovely 
 as ever, while the brilliant Senorita Isabella Venicia, with 
 her small talk and the coquetting language of her 
 ceaseless fan prevented any great display of sentiment, 
 as we rehearsed, for the benefit of each other, snatches 
 from the drama of the PAST. 
 
 I learned from Mrs. Marvin that her brother had for 
 warded letters to an old friend of their fathers, whom he 
 had not lost sight of, owing to the kindness of some lib 
 eral minded gentleman he had encountered in his 
 travels. She might hear from this friend in a few 
 hours, until when, she would make no arrangements 
 for the present, of domesticating themselves at the 
 travellers home. While we were speaking, a gentle 
 manly clerk entered, and with a graceful inclination of 
 his head presented Mrs. Marvin a silver salver, upon 
 which lay a card ; she took it up, glanced at it, and 
 smiled her thanks' to the waiter, who readily inter 
 preted therefrom his answer. She turned to look at 
 Mataka standing in front of the window, with child-like 
 interest and prattle, watching the novel sights and 
 22
 
 258 ALTHA. 
 
 listening to the confused jargon of the street below, Jtiba 
 stood near half concealed by the heavy window drapery, 
 sne being privileged, taking charge of the little girl. 
 Her woolly hair, pressed down close as possible with 
 slender shell combs, was ornamented with braids of dark 
 brown ribbon, giving her head quite a fixed-up appear 
 ance. A splendid set of masticators shone between a 
 pair of round ruby lips shadowed by a sort of smiling 
 grin ; soft black eyes were swimming with an affectionate 
 intelligence, with the rich red blood welling up, and 
 tinging check and lip through the dark stain ; she 
 looked quite interesting. She was dressed in a light 
 blue cashmere, trimmed with bright buttons, and a little 
 green silk apron. Not less attractive, to every gazer, 
 appeared the principal part of our group who had to 
 endure a sea of eyes upon all occasions. Mataka was 
 most simply dressed in a frock of French blue and white 
 plaid silk, fastened at the back and upon the shoulders 
 with unique cameos, armlets, bracelets, and girdle 
 fastened with the same, set in sprays of gold ; these 
 were the gift of father Anselmo, and worn for his sake. 
 This dress and ornaments were suited to the style of the
 
 ALTHA. 259 
 
 delicate child, whose fair shoulders were loaded with a 
 shower of golden curls. 
 
 Senorita Isabella, was reclining among the velvet 
 cushions of the rosewood tete-a-tcte, inhaling the perfume 
 of a choice bouquet of flowers ; she was arrayed in a deli 
 cate rose color silk, the full flounces covered with the 
 richest Hack lace, the corsage and sleeves covered with 
 the same costly net ; her hair was arranged, very much 
 as when we first made her acquaintance, having the 
 same braids, waves and curls intermingled with gems, 
 and an occasional diamond or spray of pearls, but with 
 out that envious muslin veil ; a satin shoe, with black 
 sole and high heels, something after the fashion of our 
 illustrious grand-dames, fitted to admiration her proud 
 little foot. To that coquettish fan of pearl-feathers was 
 pendant, a chain fastening a tiny bouquet-holder, formed 
 of delicate pearls mingled with flowers of gold and silver. 
 
 " Senorita," said Mr. Hazel, bowing toward her 
 flowers, " you will have to depend upon the green-house 
 for your favorites." 
 
 " Senor, I fear so. Thanks to the unknown friend 
 who has sent me these ; I shall prize them more than 
 ever now." 
 
 " With us they are so plenty, I may say, I have walk-
 
 260 ALTHA. 
 
 ed upon flowers, breathed flowers, nearly all nay life. 
 I will hope your future path of life may still be strewn 
 with flowers destitute of thorns." 
 
 A thrilling glance of affection shone from out those 
 dark soul-full eyes, so delicately shaded by the long 
 fringed lids. Mr. Hazel glanced toward Eldridge, who 
 was donor of the flowers in question, adding 
 
 " Our friend here, despite his brusque style, (his own 
 opinion, however,) will do agreeable things. They flow 
 unwittingly from his generous heart, and we may lend 
 heart and mind, for the time, to the magic of their 
 happy influence." 
 
 A happy tear glistened upon the long lashes as 
 Isabella playfully raised the flowers to her lips in 
 acknowledgement of the favor. Mrs. Marvin observed 
 'Squire Eldridge's hand tremble, as it lay upon the 
 table beside her, for he was possessed of a rare under 
 current of sentiment and feeling. 
 
 She inquired, " Do you remember the magnolia that 
 shaded the east chapel window, Ethan ? It was in 
 full bloom when we left ; a perfect, magnificent snow- 
 wreath." 
 
 " Mamma," chimed in Mataka. " How I wish we 
 could have it here."
 
 ALTHA. 261 
 
 " We cannot liave all we wish, my child, yet no doubt 
 we will have many pleasures here we did not have at 
 home. We must learn, my dear, to prize what we have 
 in every situation. I do not wish you to forget old 
 friends, not even the flowers," and she brushed back the 
 long curls and kissed the white forehead of her darling. 
 
 At this moment my attention was attracted towards 
 Mrs. Marvin's costume, which was very rare for me, con 
 sidering she never appeared to give the subject a 
 thought. Dressing, for the gratification of her friends, 
 I think she might have studied to be well dressed, and 
 forgotten it the moment her toilet was completed. She 
 was wearing a dress of shaded purple and black moire 
 antique, the skirts ornamented with a broad trimming 
 of jet and chenneille flowers, interspersed with shining 
 leaves of velvet and satin, 'kerchief, stomacher, and 
 sleeves of rich embroidery. The muslin at the throat 
 was fastened with a spray of amethysts, also bracelets 
 of jets, amethysts and pearls ; her hair was orna 
 mented with a wreath of the same, interspersed with a 
 few delicate hair-flowers of the same shade as her own 
 hair, and one golden wheat, and a tiny shamrock en 
 livened the whole, by peeping from those "wavy puffs. 
 I was taking in, at a single glance, what has taken me
 
 262 ALTHA. 
 
 so long to describe, making the reader almost forget the 
 card Mrs. Marvin had received, when the clerk an 
 nounced a fine-looking man evidently "belonging to the 
 Society of Friends. His "brown coat of the finest cloth, 
 shining broad-brimmed heaver, and powerful frame, 
 surprised us not more than his clear hazel eye, and open 
 countenance, full of goodness and manly pride, charmed 
 us at first sight. As he approached, Mrs. Marvin arose 
 and extended her hand, hut he took, instead of one, 
 both of her's, within his own, regarding her with a look 
 full of kindness and love. 
 
 She drooped her head, to hide her emotion, for she 
 was remarkably susceptible to any little show of kind 
 ness from others. He passed one arm around her shoul 
 ders, lifting her head and looking down into those 
 speaking eyes, imprinted a father's kiss upon her fore 
 head, treating her as he would have done a favorite 
 child, exclaiming "Altha! welcome, -welcome home!" 
 then leading her forward, Mrs. Marvin presented him 
 to each in turn, as her father's friend. 
 
 A pleasant word, a friendly grip and smile he had 
 for each ; he seemed so kindly disposed towards us, that 
 we were immediately acquainted, and enjoying ourselves.
 
 ALTHA. 263 
 
 Enquiries followed concerning the voyage, and Altha's 
 brother whom he had known when a hoy ; then he spoke 
 of his own people. 
 
 Said friend William, as he was called : 
 
 " I thought I was going to meet a stranger, hut thee 
 reminds me so much of my friend General Walton, that 
 I seem to have known thee all thy life," 
 
 Said Altha, " You rememher when you visited father, 
 how I used to come into the parlor, wishing you would 
 look up from your paper and talk to me, and if you 
 chanced to look over the top of it, how quietly I would 
 glide away, not daring to speak a word." 
 
 Altha had spoken this with more than her usual 
 vivacity, and as she ceased, her Quaker friend again 
 hent upon her those great brown eyes, answering, "I 
 thank thee." 
 
 Ethan played with the tassel of the curtain, while 
 Halvor bit his lip, half vexed that both had resided un 
 der the same roof with her, without discovering what 
 friend William had done, without seeing, the very touch 
 stone and foundation of her character, which was a 
 gentle lovingness, only satisfied with a powerful in 
 tellect to guide, and a stronger arm than her own to 
 rest upon.
 
 264 ALTHA. 
 
 They had sought to win her by setting her upon a 
 pedestal to worship, from which position it would be 
 necessary for her to come down with possession. For 
 them it might have been better, if they, full of noble 
 thoughts and deeds, had loved her with full faith, and 
 expected the same love and confidence in return ; tlie 
 simplest lesson, and sure of meeting success. 
 
 " How long does thee think of stopping in the city ?" 
 
 " Just so long as you think advisable ; all important 
 business concerning myself and child, my brother ad 
 vised me to refer to you, for counsel, while I remained in 
 the States. As for myself, I have very few acquaint 
 ances or friends in the city ; probably all have forgotten 
 me during my long abscence, or at best, I am remem 
 bered only as a dream of the morning, dispelled with the 
 first ray of daylight, or the first adverse cloud of ab 
 sence." 
 
 " In like manner do you forget your acquaintances," 
 said Halvor, with some show of interest. 
 
 " Me forget," and she lifted her eyes with such a look 
 of astonishment, encountering his own. Wishing to 
 change the effect upon others she gaily remarked, " Oh 
 dear, every one I meet looks so sentimental, I am afraid
 
 ALTHA. 265 
 
 of losing my own individuality and following the fash 
 ion." 
 
 " Bees gather around sweets," said our grave Quaker 
 friend. 
 
 " Oh, fie, fie upon thee," and a laugh of music was 
 heard that echoed in every heart, making the pulses 
 thrill. 
 
 What wonder it was the first time any one present 
 had heard Altha laugh, a free, happy laugh. She had 
 grown sad as memory peopled the world of the past ; and 
 reflective, as hope with her starry wings folded, pointed 
 only to a heavenly inheritance. She lived at that mo 
 ment in the present. Halvor gazed at her almost with 
 a look of triumph, as he watched her momentary confu 
 sion. Instead of resenting his glance she passed quick 
 ly to his side. 
 
 " Halvor, do not mock me, my heart is full, full of 
 this undeserved happiness, and I am grateful, very grate 
 ful, my friends, for all your past and present kindness. 
 I am indeed oppressed with a sense of ohligation for 
 which you have only a share of my poor love. The con 
 trast of to-day with that of my leaving home years ago, 
 when all the cherished plans of life had died out in the 
 23
 
 266 ALTHA. 
 
 soul, leaving it a wreck of hopes and fears, partially 
 reanimated upon a foreign shore only to be "buried 
 with the loved one in the dust, completely overpowers 
 me. Therefore, my friends, you will, you must, forgive 
 all my eccentricities." 
 
 Fortunately for me, other ties bound me, or I should 
 have thrown myself -at her feet, and hazarded another 
 refusal," said Ethan, when recounting the entertain 
 ment to his wife. 
 
 However, friend William was on hand, to prevent a 
 scene, which he did, by drawing Altha's arm within his 
 own, and leading the way to supper. 
 
 The next day, I saw Madam Marvin and family, es 
 corted by our friend William, en routs for the stone cot 
 tage by the sea-girt shore, where the artist's lion reposed 
 beneath the marble portico, and the eagle and the dove 
 in arabesque, looked down from the columned hall ; 
 escutcheons old and honored, of the illustrious dead, 
 frescoed the lofty ceiling. And Altha loves her sombre 
 cottage home, near which the waves leap up and dance, 
 and mocking, kiss the rocky strand, making merry and 
 mournful music ; or, when obedient to the storm God's 
 wrath, they roll mountain-high, swelling, roaring,
 
 ALTHA. 267 
 
 lasliing the white "breakers in their mad rage. Often 
 alone sits our gentle friend, listening to the teachings 
 from out great Nature's heart, filling a universe, form 
 ing a world ; or, on some pleasant shiny day, our friend 
 William, with his loving wife hanging upon his arm, 
 clad in her rustling silver silk, her little grey "bonnet 
 shading those love-lit eyes, may be seen treading the 
 walk so nicely paved with shells, leading up to the door 
 of the cottage, where they meet with a warm welcome 
 from our eccentric Altha, who sits beside them or at 
 their feet, and learns, with a pure heart, lessons of 
 worldly wisdom, the practical lessons of life.
 
 CHAPTEK XXXII. 
 
 " Lull'd in the countless chambers of the brain, 
 Our thoughts are link'd by many a hidden chain ; 
 Awake but one, and lo, what myriads rise ! 
 Each stamps its image as the other flies ! " 
 
 " HALVOR, this is our last night, ' positively the last 
 night.' 1 have been from home a whole week, and 
 must return to-morrow, or my Emilie will he sending for 
 me, or crying me down, as having left her bed and 
 board, without just cause. I must return to-morrow. 
 Now it is your turn to raise the veil, and let us behold 
 the wonders of your adventures." 
 
 " Ethan, my friend, it is a long time since I have 
 rehearsed my adventures. Indeed I have become quite 
 miserly in hoarding my own affairs, believing they can 
 possess no trait of interest ; but to you, who watched 
 over me through that long tedious voyage, and through 
 whose care I was brought back to life, I will lay aside 
 all fastidious notions and reserve."
 
 ALTHA. 269 
 
 " Pray don 't mention anything in the way of grati 
 tude, for the debt is still upon my side." 
 
 " Well, Ethan, we will not quarrel about it ; we were 
 saved ; we are happy, and we have yet something to 
 live for. Usually the want of observation makes us 
 thoughtless of the present and heedless of the future, 
 and the melancholy fact is, that we so often increase our 
 amount of information, without practically increasing 
 our amount of motive. 
 
 " But to return to myself : When I left you at San 
 Francisco I took the boat, and followed some distance 
 up the San Puebla, having no settled purpose in my 
 mind, being only on the look-out for something new 
 and strange. I soon joined a party bound upon an ex 
 ploring expedition north. We were out many weeks, 
 encountering hair-breadth escapes and privations, too 
 numerous to paticularize at this time. However, at the 
 expiration of six weeks, our whole party, myself ex- 
 cepted, returned to San Joachim, completely exhausted. 
 I resolved to remain for a time and try ' Border Life,' 
 and joined a party en route for Oregon, to settle there. 
 But owing to sickness, fatigue, and scarcity of suitable 
 provisions, and almost impassable roads, it being the 
 23*
 
 270 ALTHA. 
 
 rainy season, we were obliged to encamp for Letter 
 weather, and to recruit. 
 
 " I fell in with the party, some two hundred miles from 
 their place of destination. They were twelve in number, 
 the greater part having gone on with most of the wag 
 ons. One of their greatest fears was from the Indians, 
 dreading some hostile tribe might come upon them. We 
 had fuel and some food to procure, and to keep a vigi 
 lant watch through fear of a lurking foe. 
 
 " There is so much excitement connected with border 
 life, that I entered into it with great zeal. There was 
 a young girl, who had seen eighteen summers, among 
 the company, with her father, mother, and brother. 
 They called her Stella Iverness; she was delicate 
 and beautiful as a poet's dream. At times I have 
 watched her, persuading myself there could be no 
 ties of kindred between herself and family. How often 
 a rare flower is transplanted to an humble wayside home, 
 as a link, to lead its companions to a better and heavenly 
 one. So it seemed with Stella. 
 
 " I stood leaning against our rude tent, at the back of 
 it, while the different members of our party were en 
 gaged preparing the evening meal, myself listening to
 
 ALT HA. 271 
 
 the whispering of the leaves of the surrounding forest 
 trees and the indistinct murmuring of a distant water 
 fall. Upon looking up, I saw the gleam of a light dress 
 disappear among the trees, at the left. After a short 
 time I threw my rifle over my arm and followed in the 
 same direction, knowing it to be unsafe for one to be out 
 alone far from the tent. I reached the large tree beside 
 which the dress had disappeared. Beyond was a huge 
 grey rock surrounded by trees and stunted oaks. 
 
 " I peered around for some time gently putting aside 
 the bushes, and at last discovered an open space encircled 
 by a belt of these tangled shrubs, the space being cov 
 ered with evergreens, myrtle, and pale flowers that grew 
 in the shade ; two or three stones were lying there par 
 tially covered with moss. And there too was Stella, 
 kneeling in prayer. This was her oratory, Nature's 
 own temple, ' not made with hands.' I was struck with 
 surprise ; a feeling of curiosity tempted me to listen, 
 which I should not have done in any other case ; but 
 it was long since I had heard or thought of such a 
 thing. She prayed for her friends, her country, then so 
 earnestly for myself for the stranger that had come 
 among them. Her lips scarcely breathed a sound at
 
 272 ALT II A. 
 
 first, but they grew eloquent, with her supplications, and 
 I heard distinctly every word. When she had ceased I 
 stepped aside and walked away, she soon come up with 
 nie, and was going to spring past, I caught her by the 
 arm, and said, ' Stella I want to talk with you one mo 
 ment.' She tried to free herself. Half vexed, that she 
 had no more confidence in me, or a dislike to hear my 
 request, I remarked again, ' Stella, I have heard your 
 prayer ; I want to know why you prayed for me ? ' She 
 looked up frankly, and answered : 
 
 " ' Because I want all my friends to join me in the 
 home to which I am going/ 
 
 " "What do you mean, Stella? I don't comprehend you." 
 
 " ' 0, I am going home, far above the blue sky, and I 
 want all my dear friends to come. You can't go now.' 
 
 " Why, Stella, what can you mean ; you are not going 
 away, you are not going to die." The tears sprang 
 to her eyes as she murmured, 
 
 " ' My friends must go to their new home without me ; 
 they must leave me here,' and a few tear drops fell, in 
 spite of her efforts to restrain them. 
 
 " Taking one little hand in my own, I said, ' Stella, 
 why do you talk so ? you are nervous.'
 
 ALTHA. . 273 
 
 " Laugh at me if you will, chide it as folly ; yet I feel 
 it, I know it every day, every hour, creeping, chill 
 and cold around ray heart. I did not want to be left 
 here ; hut I am willing, if God wills it. I know my 
 spirit will not rest, and I want to know all my friends 
 will meet me in Heaven.' 
 
 " Stella, your parents must know about this. Your 
 imagination, your over-wrought sensibilities are derang 
 ing your system, undermining your health." 
 
 " ' No, no ! let them remain in ignorance of it, they can 
 do nothing for me, more than they do ; they have no 
 means of doing anything more. Mr. Hazel/ she in 
 quired more cheerfully, ' did you ever learn to pray ? > 
 
 " Yes ; when a child my mother taught me. She is 
 an angel now, and all, all have forgotten me." 
 
 " ' No, no, do not say that ; God has not forgotten you.' 
 And she sat down by me upon the fallen trunk of a tree 
 and talked with me so beautifully of 'that blight 
 world which lies beyond our own.' 
 
 " The night shadows had gathered silently around us, 
 and the gentle dew was felt, setting in its work of char 
 ity, to replenish the thirsty earth. When we returned 
 to the tent, Stella's mother seemed pleased with my
 
 274 ALTHA. 
 
 attention, and speedily acted upon my suggestion, to do 
 away the effect of the damp. 
 
 " Daily, hourly, Stella drooped and faded, and wasted 
 to a shadow. Even the roughest woodsman of our party 
 was tranformed into a gentle nurse when admitted to 
 her side. 
 
 " One day, toward spring, I watched her, while her 
 mother was preparing something for her comfort. Stella 
 seemed sinking, sinking. I bent over her several times 
 to see if she breathed. Suddenly she started up and 
 looked around. Mrs. Iverness was near her in a mo 
 ment. Stella twining her arms around her neck, mur 
 mured, 
 
 " < Good bye, mother ; do not grieve for me,' and kiss 
 ing her, sank back upon her pillow. Father, brother, 
 and the few friends, who composed all of our party, 
 immediately clustered around, and shared in the 
 farewell. Once more arousing herself, she held out 
 her hand to me, and I bent over her to hear her softly 
 whisper, 
 
 ' Remember to die is but gain.' 
 
 " The sun of her young life had gone out and left, 
 darkness brooding around the hearth-stone. 
 
 " I grieved to leave her sleeping in that grand old
 
 ALTHA. 275 
 
 forest, all alone. It was some comfort to linger near 
 her ; tut there was no alternative. We hollowed 
 out the trunk of a tree, and in it made her bed, and 
 buried her deep, and heaped on the stones and earth, to 
 prevent the prairie dog from digging for her remains. 
 I lingered near the grave : the full moon was shining 
 gloriously, tracing gloomy and fantastic shadows upon 
 the ground ; I bowed my head and thoughts in prayer, 
 to Stella, wishing her, from her mysterious home beyond 
 the skies, to intercede for me, to watch over me, and 
 make me worthy to meet her at last. 
 
 " No answer of hope came back to my sorrowing heart ; 
 no feeling of peace filled my soul ; but a sad thought, 
 that she had forgotten me and earth, came upon me; 
 utter loneliness stole over me as as I tried to comprehend 
 the vast gulf between us, and I threw myself in de 
 spair beside her grave. Instantly a feeling of reproof 
 shot through my mind. I hesitated ; I looked up ; the 
 same solemn stillness reigned as before. I stood up ; a 
 zephyr passed over my face, and this thought seemed 
 spoken in the inmost recesses of my soul ' JESUS IS 
 TOUR FRIEND; HE is AN ALL-SUFFICIENT SAVIOUR!' I 
 was conscious that Stella was above me, and sorrowfully
 
 276 ALTHA. 
 
 understood what I had felt that my prayer to her was 
 mockery to God. I laughed at myself, and believed 
 that I must be laboring under some mental hallucin 
 ation. 
 
 "But there it was, as calmly and sensibly felt as 
 though articulated by the human voice, and written 
 upon everything around. It was a sympathy of spirit, 
 soul answering soul, nothing to fear, but all to love. 
 She had cast off her cerements of clay ; she was an 
 incomprehensible ray of celestial light, and had been 
 called home for some wise purpose, to work out the will 
 of the Father the Great Spirit. Then I knelt upon 
 Stella's grave, and poured forth my soul in prayer as 
 only a strong mind can do, when it feels there is a 
 power superior to its own futile reason. I walked away 
 calmed with a light and holy calm ; and now, in my 
 more peaceful hours, I can feel that spirit-influence 
 cheering and guiding me. 
 
 " I left the tent and the wayside grave, and struck 
 out upon a new track Beaching the Pacific shore, I 
 took passage in the first convenient packet, for the old 
 world, with the Bible for a companion Stella's Bible, 
 her dying gift. I passed through lands of pagan dark-
 
 ALTHA. 277 
 
 ness and gross superstition, unto the distant shores of 
 Palestine, even to the summit of the Mount of Olives, 
 and the spot where stood the Temple, once the glory 
 and pride of Jerusalem, now a heap of broken ruins. 
 How could I fail to trace in all the wonder-working 
 power of God ? How could I doubt the Gospel of Jesus 
 Christ the Saviour? while lingering near those hallowed 
 places, the mind expands with benign influence, and 
 fills with divine charity. 
 24
 
 CHAPTEE XXXIII. 
 
 4 4 And they who before were strangers, 
 Meeting in exile, became straightway as friends." 
 
 LONGFELLOW. 
 
 Once more I stood upon the shore of our golden country 
 en route for home. I longed to meet my sister and give her 
 a brother's love. I longed to meet my father, as every 
 shadow of his former harshness had been effaced, feeling 
 perhaps I had done better to have borne it more patiently, 
 and counted myself as the only one in error. I 
 longed to traverse the grounds and halls of old Har 
 vard University, and mark how many of former friends 
 and associates would recognize me. 
 
 One morning I started from the city of San Francisco, 
 for a day's ride in the adjacent country, to make my 
 self better acquainted with its scenery and facilities, and 
 ruralize a little among the fertile hills, bold, jagged 
 and picturesque. 
 
 After two hours' ride, I suddenly encountered a party 
 of two ladies, mounted upon splendid Spanish horses,
 
 ALTHA. 279 
 
 and six swarthy, fantastically dressed men as attendents. 
 I stared at the party with no little interest and curi 
 osity. One was a dark Spanish lady, a splendid heauty ; 
 the other I judged of Saxon origin, delicate, with a 
 fair skin, and very interesting. I bowed as I passed ; 
 the delicate lady returned the salute without seeming to 
 notice my rude stare, and I felt I must have known 
 her previous to that meeting. To some remark of her 
 companion, she replied : 
 
 " One of my countrymen, senorita ! " 
 
 Instanter, I turned my horse, without thinking of 
 etiquette at all, and rode to the side of the lady who had 
 returned my "bow, despite the savage glances and ready 
 gathering of their retainers. I offered her my card, 
 which she accepted, glanced at it and bowed, repeating, 
 
 " From Boston ; 't is a long time since I have had the 
 pleasure of meeting one from that dear city." 
 
 " Was it your home, lady," I asked, bowing in turn. 
 
 " Yes, it was for a long time." 
 
 " Let your being a countrywoman be sufficient excuse 
 for my presumption, and allow me to accompany you by 
 your side. 
 
 "It is the surest passport to our homes," said she,
 
 280 ALTHA. 
 
 " yet in our border life, we learn to welcome the 
 stranger." 
 
 After two hours' pleasant ride, the ladies reined in 
 their steeds, signifying their intention of returning. I 
 felt reluctant to part with them so soon, and begged 
 permission to accompany them. 
 
 " Most happy," they answered, " but our ranche is 
 some distance from here ; it will be night before you can 
 return, and you are alone." 
 
 Assuring them that' I would brave all danger, we 
 galloped homeward. I soon found I had not counted 
 upon the distance. 
 
 Arriving at the lodge, the lady dispatched a servant 
 for her brother. She cordially invited me to alight and 
 partake of some refreshment, which invitation, I was 
 happy to accept. Upon rising to go, I looked in vain for 
 my horse, which I had left in care of the groom. 
 
 Said mine host, in answer to my inquiry, 
 
 " I sent your horse around to the menage. It is too 
 late for you to return to San Francisco to-night." 
 
 But I was determined not to listen, the thought enter 
 ing my brain, that it was like forcing myself upon them. 
 
 " Make no excuses, my son," said he, " I shall not
 
 ALT HA. 281 
 
 consent to have you go unless it is very inconvenient for 
 you to remain, and then I will send an escort with you. 
 
 " However, at length I was quite pleased with the idea 
 of remaining, although it had been the farthest thing 
 from my thoughts. 
 
 I found Mr. Walton, or Father Anselmo, quite enter 
 taining for he had been a traveller and a scholar, prin 
 cipally educated among Catholics ; hut his feelings and 
 views had changed somewhat, and he was living con 
 tented upon his own estate, surrounded by a numerous 
 clan, all free and happy, yet owning him not only 
 their superior, but a friend as well as master. He seem 
 ed to live but for their interests and do good wherever 
 there was occasion. I told him frankly of my meeting 
 with the ladies ; he smiled. He seemed to comprehend 
 every tone, every feeling of the heart. Perhaps his 
 early misfortunes, education and subsequent seclusion 
 all conduced to teach him that great important study of 
 man. I lived over with him my travels and present 
 situation, for which I received an invitation to stop 
 with them. I might say, with truth, that we were 
 well met, and my heart warms toward him even at this 
 hour.
 
 282 ALTHA. 
 
 I returned to the city with my horse, followed "by a 
 native leading another, as Father Aselrno would not hear 
 of my leaving him except with the promise of immediate 
 return. 
 
 Hours and days glided imperceptibly by, numbering 
 weeks e'er I had had time to think. Every day 
 making it more difficult for me to leave my new found 
 friends. Madam Marvin's society had become necessary 
 to my happiness. 
 
 " O, ho ! " said 'Squire Eldridge, raising his feet 
 a round higher, and sitting back in a comfortable corner 
 of the sofa, " I wonder that I never thought of that 
 before, and you so suited to each other." 
 
 " Always the way," returned Halvor, slightly smiling, 
 "when we know a thing we wonder why we never 
 thought of it before. I purposed telling her of my re 
 gard. One evening after candles had been brought 
 in, the intruding insects brushed away, and the screens 
 fastened over the windows by the careful domestic, I 
 commenced telling her of my future plans, and found 
 her capable of appreciating and encouraging me con 
 cerning them. 
 
 [Here her brother entered, interrupting us, when a
 
 ALT HA. 283 
 
 long conversation followed, concerning free institutions, 
 and the best method for advancing civilization and 
 Christianity.] 
 
 " As I sit here," said he, " in this isolated spot, and 
 watch the affairs of home, (for it will always he regarded 
 hy me as home,) I rejoice to see the works of her sons, 
 her noble, freeboni sons, and I would never have them 
 careless, or thoughtless of her interests and principles. 
 I can sympathise with every true-hearted brother; my 
 blood bounds with enthusiasm, when I think what our 
 fathers sufiered, toiled and bled, to gain freedom for 
 posterity. I do not speak of any immediate danger, 
 yet I would not have them suppose themselves wholly 
 secure in their dreams of peace and self-enlightenment, 
 honors and pleasure, while evils are, or may be creep 
 ing, slowly, yet surely, into their hearts and homes. 
 'Tis not for me alone to cry out a warning, lest they 
 brand me with the mark of shame, and prove that I 
 once turned away and followed after other idols. bit 
 terly, bitterly I have lamented the evil doing of those 
 who caused me to become as an alien and a stranger in 
 my own country. 
 
 " I am aware of my own folly and guilt. But I was
 
 284 A L T H A . 
 
 young, without guide or home, and kindness conquered 
 my half-matured principles. Much more," said he ris 
 ing, " might be said upon this subject ; but a word to 
 the wise is sufficient." 
 
 000000*00 
 
 The morning sun shone brightly in at the little win 
 dow, and the cooling breeze fanned my fevered brow, as 
 I awoke, with a confusion of images in my brain, of 
 the previous evening's conversation, and the train of 
 thought it had suggested.
 
 CHAPTER XXXIV. 
 
 " Lives of great men all remind us 
 We can make our lives sublime, 
 And departing, leave behind us 
 
 Footsteps on the sands of time ! 
 
 Footprints that, perhaps another, 
 
 Sailing o'er life's solemn main, 
 
 A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, 
 
 Seeing, may take heart again. " 
 
 LONGFELLOW. 
 
 AT twilight I walked with Altha around the grounds ; 
 we stopped beneath the flowering acacia, within the en 
 closure of the little church; we remained for a time 
 silent and thoughtful. " Altha," I enquired, taking her 
 hand within my own, " have you not already discovered 
 my ill-concealed affection for you ? will you go with me ? 
 will you he my "better self, always cheering me in the 
 path of right, and nerving me in the path of duty ?" 
 
 She turned her face from me and remained silent 
 several seconds, to me an age. When she looked up 
 scarcely a trace of emotion was upon her pale cheek. I
 
 286 ALTHA. 
 
 was almost vexed, she appeared so calm while I was 
 trembling with excitement. 
 
 " Tell me, tell me Altha, do you love me ? " 
 
 Her eyes were full of confidence, and laying her hand 
 upon my arm, she answered " Halvor, you need not be 
 told that I lore you, and desire to insure -your happi 
 ness. Yet, I may not accept the blessed privilege' of 
 sharing your home and making you happy." 
 
 "Altha, this is wretched; what mean you? do you 
 doubt my love for you ? " 
 
 " No, not for a moment ; I believe our souls are 
 united." 
 
 I held her hand in nine. I wondered how she could 
 be so calm. 
 
 "Halvor, we should be wrapped up in ourselves 
 we should forget our duties ; let us end this scene. You 
 have important affairs to attend to ; some of your be 
 loved countrymen have appointed you to a position of 
 honor ; they expect much from you ; you need none of 
 my assistance in the way of duty ; you only wish my 
 sympathy and you will have it. My child requires all 
 my attention; for her sake I give it to her; for her 
 father's sake I would not forget this duty ; yet it is hard
 
 ALT HA. 287 
 
 to refuse this great happiness this greatest of earthly 
 blessings." 
 
 " Altha, Altha; oh, why do you mock me why do 
 you deal out agonies every moment, worse than death? " 
 
 But Altha had fainted ; she had heen tried in the 
 furnace of affliction ; she had experienced sorrow's 
 sternest discipline. Her heart answered "I go with 
 thee : thy God shall he my God ; thy people shall he 
 my people." Though not on earth, in heaven she will 
 fulfill that promise. 
 
 I must say I was anything but sensible or reason 
 able that night. I met Altha the next morning in the 
 breakfast-room, looking rather hagard, I suppose, as I 
 had not touched my pillow. She was standing at the 
 window ; I went up to her and dropped upon an ottoman 
 near her. As she turned toward me, I covered my face 
 with my hands. 
 
 Said she, laying her hand upon my arm, "Halvor, 
 Halvor, where is your fortitude ? you see I am calm." 
 
 It had the desired effect, and I went through the cere 
 mony of breakfast very well, though my soul did wince 
 a little occasionally. I gave her my arm, and we stroll 
 ed out, the better to familiarize ourselves with the pros-
 
 288 ALTHA. 
 
 pect of a separation. We lingered near the acacia flow 
 ering branches, upon the spot where we had made the 
 revelation of our love. Every scene, every animate or 
 inanimate thing seemed full of life and happiness. Her 
 hand rested in mine. Father Anselmo came from the 
 little church and passed ; before we were aware of his 
 presence, he had saluted us, and laying his hand upon 
 our own, repeated 
 
 " What God hath joined together let no man put asun 
 der. I know," he added, after a short pause, " that 
 you have both loved each other from the first moment 
 of your meeting. My sister's peculiar notions, that she 
 ought to devote herself to her child " 
 
 " Brother, I think I must abide by my decision ; 
 yet if Halvor grows weary or dispirited at his labors, 
 then I will be to him all he or you can wish." 
 
 I strained her to my bosom, and and giving her one 
 long wild kiss, in which we might have exchanged our 
 souls, I gave her to Father Anselmo, and prepared for 
 instant departure. I would not trust myself with a 
 longer farewell. Softly I passed her door ; it opened ; 
 there stood Altha. I sprung forward, and she 
 wound her arms around my neck. Her features 
 were rigid as marble, a cold dew stood upon her
 
 ALTHA. 289 
 
 forehead. I was frightened ; how could I have thought 
 her calm and calculating ! " Speak, Altha ! speak but 
 one word ; say that you will he calm ; say that you 
 will wait for me, and I will endure this separation for 
 your sake, and come back." 
 
 She opened her eyes, and by a strong effort of the 
 will, which often stood her in times of need. She an 
 swered, "I will wait" . 
 
 She walked with me a few steps, when the last kiss, 
 the last " God bless you " was spoken, and giving her 
 into the hands of her waiting-woman, I sprang down 
 the steps, for the call had twice sounded, that all was 
 ready. 
 
 " Halvor, can this be true ? " 
 
 " Only too true, Ethan." 
 
 "And you met Mrs. Marvin upon the deck of the 
 Great Western again, for the first time since that part 
 ing?" 
 
 " Even so ; it is as you say, Ethan." 
 
 " I must say you are a" perfect bundle of eccentrici 
 ties, both of you. Possible that you remained under 
 this roof forty-eight hours and never spoke of your sen 
 timents for each other ? " 
 25
 
 290 ALTHA. 
 
 " Precisely ; no word passed between us except under 
 your own eyes. I intend to wait patiently, if possible." 
 
 "0 now, I comprehend Altha's improvisatore last 
 evening, just before leaving the drawing-room. She 
 still dooms you to labor for the benefit of your people." 
 
 Go ! forget not I am with you, 
 
 Sharing in heart thy cross and chain ; 
 
 Spirits know their kindred; 
 
 For frhee I sing this wild refrain. 
 
 Go ! be wary and be steadfast, 
 
 Bide the pit and flee the snare ; 
 COUNTRY, FKIEND, and BROTHER, 
 
 All thy love and trust must share. 
 
 Go ! thy watch-word it is nothing ! 
 
 Go ! thy banner let it wave 
 O'er the true of every nation, 
 
 Fear no tyrant, own no slave ! 
 
 Thy lamp to guide a Saviour's love, 
 And cheer thee on life's toilsome way ; 
 
 A cloud by day, by night a fire, 
 Pointing to heaven's celestial day. 
 
 Said 'Squire Eldridge, " It is vain and futile to specu 
 late upon the probable future of two such eccentric be 
 ings, who, by a simple element of the will, can yield 
 interest and happiness for the benefit of kindred or 
 country. I suppose it is another one of the lessons of 
 the great spirit akin to Heaven."
 
 C II A P T E E X X X V . 
 
 MR. HAZEL touched the boll ; his ring was answered 
 by Pat, with his broad shining face, full of enthusiasm 
 and obstinate humor. Said Halvor, handing him a 
 bright quarter, " Call a carnage in half an hour, and 
 see my baggage properly put upon it." 
 
 " Shure, sir, an' I '11 be afther doin' that same, mis- 
 ther," making a grand flourish, in which his whole per 
 son largely participated. 
 
 " Patrick," called Mr. Hazel as the Hibernian started 
 for the door, "how long have you been in this country? " 
 
 " Ah ! to be sure ; just three years and a day next 
 Easter, yer honor. Bless the day that I set fut in it." 
 
 " You like it then, better than your own country ?" 
 
 " Och, by the powers, there's no place like our own 
 swate Ireland, where the pure water and the green 
 fields makes us comely and hearty." 
 
 " Then, why did n't you stay there, or return 
 "
 
 292 ALTHA. 
 
 " Ah, to be sliure, an' its me that loves the honest 
 penny I get, and the spot o' land, and the bit o' larnin' 
 for the childer. Hurrah ! hurrah ! " said he, " for the 
 blue flag of Ameriky ! May the Houly Mother bless the 
 "land of me adoption !" and having relieved himself of 
 this piece' of enthusiasm, he made his exit. 
 
 "Ethan, what need ..of a farther lesson? Do we re 
 quire a stronger incentive to carry on the good work in 
 thousands of true hearts ? Not to make Pat more of a 
 machine ; not to suppress the energies of the man, by 
 protecting the institutions our fathers founded, that the 
 light of our happy country may tievcr shine upon the 
 day when despotism, with giant stride, shall stalk 
 through our borders. Happy be that dawning when 
 the plague-spot of a nation's weakness, or secret sins, 
 have passed and are forgotten.
 
 CHATTEB XXXVI, 
 
 " Press bravely onward ! not in vain 
 
 Your generous trust in human kind ; 
 The good which bloodshed could not gain, 
 Your peaceful zeal shall find." 
 
 WHITTIER. 
 
 A DARK-EYED man, with raven locks slightly sprinkled 
 with silver, and twisted in careless masses ahove his 
 lofty temples, reins up his splendid hay in front of the 
 sea-side cottage, and throwing the "bridle over the stone 
 post, enters with hasty step that simple, beautiful par 
 lor, and kneels to the lady of the house. She strokes 
 hack his damp locks and smiles, breathing words of 
 faith and hope, pointing to a bright star arising in the 
 future, faintly shrouded by ignorance and wrong Then 
 the chevalier, rising, forgets the passion murmur that 
 swayed his soul for a moment, and answers with holy 
 worjls and eloquent aspirations, until cheered and 
 strengthened he goes forth again to labor and to wait. 
 
 No wonder man sinks in the strife and turmoil of 
 
 life. ' I would, that like Halvor, all might have as 
 25*
 
 294 ' ALTHA. 
 
 true a heavenly and earthly friend. He has forgot 
 ten his weariness and weakness as he goes forth, while 
 she, the idol of his soul, our gentle Altha, seeks her 
 closet, and prays for him, and that no idolatrous love 
 enter her heart, to change her purpose of a quiet 
 peaceful life.
 
 CHAPTER XXXVIII. 
 
 THE stars look down upon the dusky Park, telling to 
 the murmuring fountain their hearts' worship in radi 
 ant glances; the crystal drops leap up with glad joy 
 at the oft-told tale, then quickly steal away, to cherish 
 the dark earth, or, linked together mirror the sleeping 
 lake. As ever, forms are hurrying along the gravelled 
 walks, some filled with love and happiness and the dear 
 image of home and friends. Others are howed down 
 with care and sorrow. They have no heart to look up, 
 no soul to smile. We glance at such sympathizingly, 
 
 and pass on. Would they could hear our thoughts as 
 
 . 
 we look back after them. Take courage, friends ; we 
 
 have lived a day of sorrow ! the dark clouds are past ! 
 we are happy ! Be not disheartened ; you may smile 
 again ; only keep the heart pure, and remember the 
 Great Spirit forgets only those who forget him. 
 
 See yonder sculptured marble front, and -the bur 
 nished silver plate upon the hall-door ; there Halvor's
 
 290 ALT HA. 
 
 father dwells. Let us enter. A family group. Annette 
 is home, and is playing a game of chess with our 
 favorite lawyer, Ethan. Mrs. Eldridge, with Annette's 
 fond husband, and Halvor are bending over some new 
 engravings in another part of the room. The piano is 
 hushed, because father is reading the papers ; he lowers 
 it and looking over the top of his gold-bowed specks, 
 exclaims : 
 
 " Ah ! these isms, know-nothingism, for instance, 
 I wish they would have done with it, as a perfect 1mm- 
 bug. Do n't you think so ? " addressing his words par 
 ticularly to Ethan. 
 
 " I do n't know, sir," is the response. 
 
 " Father," said Annette, glancing archly at the law 
 ycr. " How do you know but he is one of them ? " 
 
 " Pshaw ! not him, I '11 be bound ; he has too much 
 sense." 
 
 Ethan having finished the ga'hie of chess, walked 
 away to the window, where he is joined by Halvor. 
 Interpret their silent language, it says : "Be not dis 
 couraged, labor and wait ; yes, wait to see if in vain we 
 have given our time, our talents, our wealth, our friends, 
 and long years of exile, for our country's good." And 
 Halvor's dark eye, and the white circle around the mouth,
 
 ALTHA. 
 
 betrayed a cloud flitting over the soul as he thought of 
 Stella's grave, the lessons in the wilderness, and Altha, 
 whom he styles the star of the sea-side cottage. 
 
 O O 
 
 It seems but a dream of yesterday that we stood in 
 that dear old room, in the stone cottage ; the rain pat 
 tered upon the window panes, the box and the hemlock 
 swayed in the rushing wind from off the foaming water. 
 We were not alone. Friend William and his loving 
 wife, Ethan and his New England bride, Altha and 
 Halvor, and the splendid Isabella ; even Mataka, clad 
 in the gala dress of childhood, was there. But still we 
 wait, and chat, and watch the storm. A carriage drives 
 furiously to the door. The recking coachman, in oil 
 cloth coat and hat, lets down the steps, two men spring 
 out, their slouched hats pressed hard upon their fore 
 heads, one wrapped in a heavy grey shawl, the other, in 
 a Spanish cloak. They enter the hall and throw hats 
 cloak and shawl at the wondering attendant. Who are 
 they ? The parlor door opens, Altha is clasped in the 
 arms of a brother ; his stone-grey beard contrasting with 
 her wavy brown hair as he bends over her. Beside the 
 half-fainting Isabella kneels a haughty Spaniard. The 
 loud thunder's roar has ceased ; the red lightning has
 
 298 . ALT II A. 
 
 leaped his sombre cloud-car and rolled away ; the sun 
 sets gloriously in the west. Again the door opens, a 
 clergyman, with book, and long black robe, enters ; 
 Altha chokes down the rising sob, Halvor walks to her 
 side ; friend William earnestly watches the pale check. 
 Is she going to lose a companion or gain a friend ? 
 
 Behind Mataka's golden curls Father Anselmo's eye 
 and lip arc shaded ; Senorita Isabella is standing side 
 by side with the stranger, with joined hands ; Ethan and 
 his bride are upon each side. The man of God invokes 
 a blessing. Listen : 
 
 " I Don Henri Vespuci, do take thce Isabella Venicia 
 to be my wedded wife, to love and cherish for ever." 
 
 Father Anselnio rises ; he speaks his home language 
 With years and wisdom his heart has not grown cold 
 his manliness has not died out. "God bless you, my 
 children," he murmurs above the bride and bridegroom. 
 
 O 
 
 He takes Altha's hand, and, joining it with Halvor's, 
 presses them between his own, and looks up to heaven 
 with a mute appeal. He turns to Mataka ; fondly 
 again and again he kisses the wondering child, and 
 strains her to his bosom. He turns away, and in that
 
 ALTHA. 299 
 
 darkened chamber, in prayer, he pours out his yearning 
 soul to the Great Spirit. 
 
 The last parting emhrace is given ; the last farewell 
 word has "been spoken ; Father Anselmo and Don Vcs- 
 puci with his bride, are seated upon the deck of the 
 Ocean Bird, that 
 
 ' Walks the waters like a thing of life," 
 
 returning to their golden home. Don Juan Venicia is 
 married to an Anglo-Spanish maiden, and they are 
 happy. 
 
 Father Anselmo, with his numerous clan a mixed 
 people, lives to do good, with Isabella and her husband 
 to preach likewise. " They that trust in their wealth, 
 and hoast themselves in the multitude of their riches, 
 none of them can by any means redeem his hrother, nor 
 give to God a ransom for him ! " Donna Isabella and 
 her husband share with Father Anselmo a home. 
 
 Deacon Breck defrauded many, and was long since 
 ejected from his church, and died among the Mormons 
 of the West, 
 
 Our two worthies Ike and Mose, Father An 
 selmo, greatly interested, traced them to New York. 
 Alas, how wretched! Ike was lying upon one of the
 
 300 ALTHA. 
 
 wharves, tattered, filthy and homeless, the fruit of his 
 vagabond life. Mose long since filled an unhonored 
 grave. 
 
 Our early friends, Mr. and Mrs. Vale, are still living, 
 the favorites of wealth and fashion. 
 
 Generva, Altha's sister, surrounded by her children, 
 is covered with cares and honors. 
 
 Counsellor Eldridge, in his office, is~ still watchful and 
 steadfast, while our friend William is quietly doing 
 good in the beautif\il city of . 
 
 But our dear and noble Altha and Halvor are still 
 doomed to LABOR AND WAIT. 
 
 THE END.
 
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 This little treatise seems well fitted to teach everything which 
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 BEAUTIES OF WRITING, containing twenty large 
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 Flourishing 75 
 
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 HIE '.SAME, Gilt Edges 56 
 
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 By Mrs. J. Thayer. Thirteenth Edition, with a beautiful frontis 
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 THE SAME, Gilt Edges and Sides 50 
 
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 on a highly-improved plan. 
 
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 with a copy on each page, and ample instructions for learners. 
 We commend them to the attention of teachers and parents. 
 Transcript. 
 
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 PS1664. F453A