Oh, I expected that," returned Charlotte Ann; "but don't give up,- perseverance can even conquer pa, and I'm resolved not to be disappointed. I have set my heart on a country-seat, for we shall never be considered decidedly and exclusively in the first circle till we get one. If we can only persuade him to rent for this summer, against the next we shall be able to induce him to purchase one. Mrs. O'Conner thinks that Mrs. Applegarth's will suit precisely, and promised me yesterday that if we took it, she would spend at least part of the summer with us."

"But you mustn't say any thing about company to ma," advised the more cautious Ellenetta.

"Certainly not, and, as Mrs. O'Conner is acquainted with the Mendenhalls, who live on the next place, we shall, of course, be introduced to them, and through them to the other families in the neighbourhood, who are all peculiarly aristocratic."

"And the gentlemen from town will think it a pleasant excursion to visit us. Mrs. O'Conner says that young gentlemen and ladies enjoy each other's society exceedingly in the retirement of the country. She thinks there is nothing so charming as to ramble through the woods and grounds, released from etiquette, and with the spirits elated by the beauties of nature."

"I'm sure Mr. Butford will come," observed Charlotte Ann.

"And Mr. Dilworthy," added her sister; "then, as to any less desirable beaux, Mrs. O'Conner will take them off our hands, and entertain them herself. It will be so convenient to have her to matronize us, she dislikes so much to submit to restraint, that she says she has no idea of imposing it on others. The more I think of the matter, the more I feel bent upon succeeding."

"Mr. Butford seems extremely fond of rustic amusements," said Charlotte Ann, musingly; don't you remember, he gave us his idea of rural felicity the other evening,-plucking peaches from the trees, with a beautiful young lady hanging on his arm."

Thus strengthened by their own agreeable fancies, the Misses Disneys were prepared to return with renewed vigour to the charge; and, accustomed to manage " their mamma, they found her an able ally.

We never refuse to yield the point of perfect equality with our lords and masters, but we will contend that the pertinacity of three women can match the obstinacy of one man any day. This even Mr. Disney was at length obliged to concede, and in due time his family had taken possession of Mrs. Applegarth's country-seat. In the triumph of their conquest the ladies found even the labour and bustle of "moving" invested with a charm; but when their excitement had subsided, they began to discover that their new situation, however much it might enhance their dignity, in the eyes of the world, was not, in all things, quite so delectable as they had anticipated. Wimbleton

Cottage was indeed, by the direct road, but four miles from the city, but that road was nearly impassable, except in a very fine season, and the one they were obliged to use, made the distance almost double the extent. Consequently, instead of their having Mr. Disney's protection at night, he was compelled generally, through want of time for such a journey, to resort to his othewise deserted mansion in town, while they all huddled into one room, listened to the wind and the rats, and fancied they heard in every sound the whispers or the tread of banditti.

Then, another disappointment was, that removal had taken place too late in the season for much gardening, and Mrs. Applegarth, having been too prudent to anticipate that labour, on the mere possibility of a future tenant, of course all the vegetables had to be transported from the city market. The young ladies had calculated upon raising poultry, fancying that it would be a pretty employment to flit among the young chickens in straw hats and white aprons; but it also, they found, required time and patience, and the town had to be resorted to again, and at last it was tacitly agreed, that little in the way of expense had been saved by the change.

Another, and the greatest difficulty, was the common one about servants. In these they had heretofore been remarkably fortunate; but, when they left the city, their domestic force, through dread of the drudgery of country work, had resisted all entreaties to follow them, and substitutes, willing to "make the sacrifice," were in particular demand. At length, however, they had engaged a cook, but it was on the express assurance that they would seldom have company, and two additional women, one of whom stipulated that she was not to have large washings and ironings, and the other, that she was to milk only a single cow. Mr. Disney had peremptorily refused to increase their former number by any additional individual, and a man to take care of the horse, and the cow, and the garden, besides doing house service, was, as it may be presumed, not easy of acquisition.

Three weeks passed, bringing little compensation for their disadvantages. The weather had been of the most gloomy kind; cool and wet, making their summer arrangements appear untidy and uncomfortable, and preventing any city beaux from appearing to enliven their solitude. Mrs. Disney, indeed, found some enjoyment in sitting about in a loose wrapper, congratulating herself on the absence of company, but she would much have preferred the luxury, had she been able to see a crowded street from the window; and the girls endeavoured to find satisfaction in toiling at their worsted-work, and thinking of the chairs it was to adorn, but they were too often reminded of their privations, by the want of colours and shades, to be obtained no nearer than the city.

At last, one afternoon, during which they had

been favoured with an hour or two of sunshine, their attention was aroused by the view of a hackney-coach, jolting through the muddy and stony lane, dignified with the title of avenue, which led to the house, and the girls were especially gratified to recognize in the nodding and elaborately garnished head, perceptible within, that of Mrs. O'Conner. Even Mrs. Disney was somewhat pleased with the prospect of some termination of their tedious monotony, and hastened out with her daughters, though her complaisance received a check at the appearance of two trunks in the baggage rack, as many band-boxes beside the driver, and a couple of bird-cages on the front

seat.

Mrs. O'Conner, whom the girls prided themselves on considering their particular friend, was a frivolous, flirting, reckless, yet calculating widow, quite pretty, and rather under thirty, who, to support the greatest possible style, for one part of the year on moderate resources, restricted herself through the remainder to the economy of living among her acquaintances.

"My dear Mrs. Disney, my dearest girls! how are you all," she exclaimed, kissing them all rapturously; "you can't imagine how impatient I have been to see you, after such a separation! I have called at Mr. Disney's store, day after day, to accompany him out, but was always disappointed by his having too many engagements to be able to leave the city, and I concluded at length to hire a hack and come alone. The road is horrible though, and the coachman had the face to ask me as much fare as if I had come the longer way, because it took up as much time, he says, and was more wear and tear; but here I am at last, safe and sound, ready to make myself quite at home as one of the family, and peep with you 'through the loopholes of retreat.' What a sweet spot you have selected! I need not ask if you are not enchanted!"

"We have had rather unfavourable weather to enjoy it," replied Ellenetta.

True, but you see I have brought you a delightful change,- -as a gentleman of my acquaintance tells me, wherever I may be, there is perpetual sunshine. But, my dear girls, I think you don't look quite so blooming as before you left the city."

"It must be owing to our having been so much confined to the house," answered Charlotte Ann, "there was so much rain that we could not get out to take exercise. We have not been further yet than the gravelled walks in the yard since we came out. In the city we might have walked between the showers; but here the grass and the ground remained so wet, that ma thought it unsafe for us to attempt it."

"Sure enough; but I rather think the paleness is an improvement. I don't like much colour in the summer, it always looks to me so warm and vulgar. A delicate whiteness is much more refined and interesting to my taste, so we won't

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quarrel with the weather, if it behaves better hereafter."

"As we did not expect the pleasure of seeing any of our friends, we did not think it worth while to dress to-day," said Ellenetta, apologetically; "and having brought no warm dresses out with us, we have worn our shawls over these lawns, which makes them look tumbled."

"No apologies to me, my dear! but painted lawns always do look odious in wet weather; it takes the stiffening out, and makes them so dabby. White cambric wrappers are the only dresses suitable for the country, they always look smooth, as they require no starching, and you may soil them as much as you please, washing can't injure them. I have brought a full dozen of them with me, which I shall wear on all occasions. But the dampness has taken all the curl out of my hair; if you please, I should like to retire to my room to arrange it. It curls so easily, that an hour in paper is quite sufficient for it, and you may probably have some beaux here in the evening."

"We do not expect any," replied Ellenetta; we have had no gentlemen to see us as yet,-I suppose on account of the rains."

"Oh, those rains!-but I'll insure you plenty, now that I have come to add my forces to yours. I have promises from a dozen, but, whether they come or not, I like always to have myself in readiness. It is so unpleasant to be caught by surprise, so let us off to dress,"

Mrs. Disney referred to some want of preparation apparent in the room, alleging the deficiencies of her servants.

"Not a word, my dear madam," answered the widow, "I have been living with my house in dishabille for a fortnight, in readiness for my intended domestication with you, and with no servant excepting the chambermaid, as I had discharged the others. It would have amused you to have seen my levées in the evenings. The gentlemen would come, and one does not like to refuse them admittance when they are so solicitous. There we set in the parlours, with the floors bare, the glasses and pictures hidden by newspapers, and the sofas and chairs all covered with sheets and such things. We had a great many jokes on the subject,-it reminding us of love in a cottage, or in the new settlements, and all that. But, what a charming apartment this is! one can sit at the windows and perceive visitors approaching at such a distance, that there will be time for any preparation; and these shutters, with the movable slats, are just the things to peep through, in case of a serenade. It would be beautifully picturesque to see gentlemen standing among the statues with flutes in their hands, or reclining on the grass with their guitars."

"I am afraid we are too far from the city to have many serenades," observed Ellenetta.

"Too far! why my beaux tell me that I have so much of the magnet in me, I could draw them any distance. But, how close those lovely woods

are! it will be sweet to stroll in them,-we must try it to-morrow morning."

"We shall have to wait till they are dry," said Charlotte Ann; "the dew on the bushes would be disagreeable, even if the rain should clear away this afternoon."

"Dry! oh you matter-of-fact creature! the very poetry of walking, is in the morning,-at sunrise, or before it, while the dew is sparkling. It reminds me of that exquisite and lover-like passage in Milton or Byron

'Together let us tread the dewy meads,

And gather in their prime fresh-blooming flowers
To grace thy braided hair;'

I shall never forget the occasion on which they were first addressed to me. But, speaking of flowers, Charlotte Ann, dear, oblige me by cutting a cluster of those multiflora rose-buds for me, yonder in the yard. Flowers, according to my taste, should be an indispensable part of a lady's costume in the country,--they are so graceful and appropriate."

The request was obeyed, and then with the intimation that their own attractions needed repairing, the girls were affectionately banished from the room. There might have been a secondary reason-a desire to delay their initiation into some mysteries of the toilette of which they were still in youthful ignorance, but this is only a conjecture.

The arrival of Mrs. O'Conner was hailed by the girls as a happy era in their country annals. From the contiguity of their respective dwellings in town, the extraordinary number of her gentlemen visitors was well-known to them, and both were in a state of happy expectancy that they would now profit by it. This seemed destined to a speedy realization, for in a few days the beaux began to appear, but a few days more proved that they were Mrs. O'Conner's beaux, and intended to remain so. Though the Misses Disneys were both pretty and pleasing, their girlish graces were small matters in comparison with the studied charms and practised accessibility of the dashing widow, particularly as a fortune, reputedly large, enhanced her attractions, while they were dependent on a father who was likely to live as long as any husbands they might select. Their favourite cavaliers, Messrs. Butford and Dilworthy did indeed make them a visit; but it happened to be under circumstances which made it a source of painful recollections, rather than agreeable hopes. Having lately become votaries of gymnastic exercises, they undertook the expedition on foot, but were caught in a shower, where there was nothing for shelter, and their white pantaloons, morocco boots, and well-dressed heads had suffered a lamentable metamorphosis before they reached Wimbleton Cottage. It was too good a subject to escape the joking volubility of Mrs. O'Conner, and she so improved it that, properly appreciating their dignity as a flourishing grocery firm, they

received her sallies as an affront, and never went back again.

Upon Mrs. Disney it brought what she considered still more serious grievances. The whole current of her housekeeping was changed. The beaux, though ostensibly coming to make calls, invariably made them about meal times, and, well as she always lived, like many other notable managers, she considered a family dinner and a dinner for company two entirely different things. Now, she felt it incumbent always to provide the latter, which was very inconvenient from their being dependent on the city for every thing the table required, and what with the trouble of going to market every day or two, and the difficulty and frequent disappointment in preserving their provisions, there was scarcely a day that she did not pronounce herself at a nonplus.

"If they would only come for tea!" she wished at first, but afterwards when some of them did come in the afternoon, Mrs. O'Conner had such a facility in talking of the effects of a walk or ride on the appetite, and was so eloquent in complimenting Mrs. Disney's knack at catering for hungry people, that to keep her credit she could save herself of very little trouble.

"If I had known all this, girls," she at last broke forth, "I would have been very clear of getting myself into such a business. I hoped that I had at last settled myself to have a little rest, but this is fourfold worse than ever. That giddy-headed, rattle-tongued widow! she is as much trouble with her dressing and flirting, as a whole corporation. I shouldn't wonder if all our servants were to leave us in the lurch on her account, and then what would we do?"

"Sure enough, ma, - who would milk the cow?" laughed Charlotte Ann.

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"It is no laughing matter, miss," returned Mrs. Disney, sharply; they are all grumbling and threatening already, and no wonder! to think of her having eight white wrappers in the wash in one week, and every thing else in proportion. Such wrappers too,-all ruffled, and puffed, and pleated, there is as much work with them as if they were intended for ball-dresses. Maria was so provoked about them, she declared she would have nothing to do with them, and I had to pacify her by ironing the most particular parts myself."

"Mrs. O'Conner thinks," said Ellenetta, "that unless wrappers are handsomely trimmed with ruffling and inserting, and edging, they look too much like night-gowns."

"Then let her wear something else. If she must draggle her dresses by trailing them through the grass, or stain or crease them by reclining, as she calls it, under the trees, let her wear dark calico,-it would be more suitable."

"You know, ma, ladies can't walk gracefully when they are holding up their skirts," said Ellenetta.

"And Mrs. O'Conner thinks," added Charlotte Ann, that ladies should always be ready to re

ceive company, and that white is the most becoming rural dress."

"Rural dress!-now Lotty, don't let me hear any of that nonsense; she'll make you as ridiculous as she is herself. What would your father say, if he knew any of these romantic fooleries?it would be well if he did not warn her off the premises. Then, such an everlasting run of visitors, you ought to have too much spirit to have the house always filled with young fellows, who care nothing about you, and who are just making an accommodation of us."

"I'm sure we can't help it, ma," said Charlotte Ann.

'No, and that's the worst of it, for there's no telling how long it may continue. She either has not the sense to know or the conscience to care how much she imposes on people. If she was really as intimate with the Mendenhalls as she pretends to be, she would bestow some of her time on them, I should think."

"It is rather strange that the Mendenhalls have not called on Mrs. O'Conner," said Charlotte Ann, when their mother was summoned away to some of her multifarious duties; "you remember we calculated so much on making their acquaintance. But here comes Mrs. O'Conner,-I'll ask her what she thinks of it."

"They don't know of my being in the neighbourhood," returned the widow; "and if you wish to become acquainted with them, you'll have to call first."

But we are comparatively strangers in the neighbourhood," said Ellenetta.

"No matter, you came out first this season." "Did we?" asked Ellenetta, doubtingly.

Certainly, you did; I remember nodding to them as they drove out of town, which was two days after you came, and, of course, you must make the first visit. Supposing we go this evening? I shall be happy to introduce you, and, as I'm not ceremonious, I shall not wait to be called on."

The girls assented, and, as the distance was short, they were glad she had not proposed riding, for they would have been ashamed to present themselves in their plain Jersey wagon, the only vehicle their father had provided for them, before people whose equipages were so stylish as those of the Mendenhalls. Their road lay partly through the wood which Mrs. O'Conner so much admired, and towards it they proceeded.

If only we had a beau or two!" said the widow; but, on second thought, she mentally recanted the wish, for she remembered that the ordinary run of her gallants were not exactly such as the Mendenhalls might approve. "Oh, these sweet woods!" she exclaimed, when they had reached the shade of the trees; "what an exquisite place it would be for a pic nic, or gipsying party! I doat upon pic nics,-there is necessity to take care of one's heart at them, when the company is interesting,-one becomes so sentimental. I re

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member some sweet poetry on the subject, which was marked for me in an annual that poor, dear Mr. O'Conner presented to me before our marriage. It closed so archly and naturally'We went a gipsying,

And we are married." "

"Look there," interrupted Ellenetta in a low voice, "there is a gentleman with a gun in his hand!"

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A gentleman?--quite an adventure!" returned the widow joyfully, and they all bent their eyes upon a young man sitting on a stump at some distance from them. He had on a frock coat, excessively short in the skirts, and with the pockets so filled as to make it look still shorter; a very deep and very tight stock, on which his head seemed suspended, and a little blue cloth cap, apparently hanging on a few sandy-coloured, inflexible locks. Altogether in countenance, air and costume, he would have served admirably as a subject to illustrate a "Comic Almanac."

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Quite a distinguished looking young gentleman;" remarked Mrs. O'Conner, "I do so admire a hunting dress--it is so picturesque and genteel. It is strange that he does not perceive us."

"I am very glad he doesn't," replied Charlotte Ann, "I am so afraid of meeting people in the country. Thank fortune we have not to go past him. Let us be as quiet as possible and go round this way, and he, perhaps, won't see us at all."

"Indeed, I shall do no such thing--I intend to have an adventure; I'll see what he looks like a little nearer; dear me, that gun!" and as the widow approached the sportsman she uttered a scream, which frightened the girls as much as the report of the weapon would have done. The stranger even looked scared, and jumped off the stump; Oh, that gun!" repeated Mrs. O'Conner, still advancing, "I am so afraid of the horrid thing!"

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"It von't shoot you--I von't let it shoot sooch booty cals for de vold!" said the sportsman, on which the fears of Mrs. O'Conner were allayed

at once.

“I beg pardon,” she replied, smiling her sweetest, but the sight of a gun always makes me unconquerably nervous--it is a failing with us ladies--one of our amiable weaknesses, as you gentlemen call them; and she seemed inclined. to prolong the scene, but, with a proper decorum, the girls hastened on, and she was constrained to follow. "A young foreigner," she continued when out of his hearing, "a young German, upon my word--at least, so I suppose from his accent. I have no doubt one of distinction; did you notice he was not at all embarrassed at seeing us?--perfectly easy and gallant; we have great reason to be flattered, he seemed so struck with admiration. You cunning rogues, I have a suspicion that you knew he was there, by your appearing so urgent to draw me away. Come,

confess the truth-isn't he some favoured beau that steals out to see you and conceals himself in the woods to await a smile from your fair faces? I know how opposed your father is to foreigners of pretension. A'n't I right!"

The girls regarded her with amazement, and both repelled the charge.

"Well, well, I see you won't make me your confidante, but I shall have my own thoughts on the subject, nevertheless-you know I am one of

the initiated in such matters. However, he is a delightful looking fellow, and no doubt worthy of the flirtation. I idolize Germans ever since I read the Sorrows of Werter, they have such sweet blue eyes, and play and sing so divinely. Some people prefer Spaniards and Italians, but I can't say they are to my taste. But here is Mendenhall Place-a perfect palace, isn't it?-and as I live, there is the irresistible Gust Mendenhall!" (To be continued.)

THE PRESIDENT'S

"WALLS," ," it is proverbially said, "have ears;" had they likewise tongues, what important, interesting and amusing facts, might the walls of the President's house reveal.

What a variety of characters, of events, of scenes and conversations, recur to the mind of one who has been a witness of the mutations which have taken place in this dwelling of our chief magistrates.

During the last forty years, eight presidents have successively lived beneath its roof; each one introducing not only new inmates into the house, but a new circle into the society of Washington, and thereby imparting to it a variety unknown in our other cities; thus affording to a contemplative mind more interesting subjects for reflection, than are elsewhere to be found.

These successive administrations, when thus reviewed, seem like so many different dramaseach distinct, and seen in itself complete, and with each, a new set of actors. How few of those actors now remain! Most of them have passed from the stage of life-the voice of public favour or condemnation cannot disturb the repose of the grave; and no motive can now exist to misrepresent their conduct or characters. But not only have the performers, the scenery of these dramas is likewise changed, and the seat of government, then a wild waste, where the farmer drove his plough-the sportsman followed his hounds, and the botanist pursued his studies, is now putting on the aspect of a city, with its houses and streets, its churches, its public buildings, and ornamented grounds. It is still an infant, but a thriving and handsome infant.

The comfortless and unfinished condition of the President's house forty years ago, is well described by Mrs. Adams, in her recently published letters-It stood on a wide common, uninclosedunsheltered by a single tree, and so pervious was it to the weather, that wind and rain found access to its best sleeping apartments; and its first tenants were exposed to every species of inconvenience and discomfort. It was not long, however, that

Mrs. Adams had to endure the disagreeables she so graphically describes, and whatever her husband felt on leaving the Presidential mansion, she, it may easily be imagined, was glad to return to the quiet and comfort of her happy home.

Then came Mr. Jefferson.-Borne on the full tide of popularity-sustained by a strong and triumphant party, with what exhilaration of spirit must he have entered on his new sphere of action.

His cabinet was formed of men of the highest talents, who were not only his political, but his personal friends, whose interests, opinions and principles were so identified with his own, that the different views, necessarily taken by different minds of the same subjects, never produced a discordance destructive of unanimity of action. Often has Mr. Jefferson been heard to declare, that this distinguishing characteristic of his administration, was the one which he most highly valued, and his face beamed with satisfaction as he said, "in fact we were one family."

This official family lived with him on terms of domestic intimacy; the courtly forms that had been previously established for the regulation of the presidential circle were little observed, if not entirely discarded, and a system of more simplicity and equality introduced into the social intercourse between the President, and his fellow citizens.

As Mr. Adams came to the new seat of government, only a few months before the close of his administration, there was no new furniture provided for the President's house, as appropriations for that purpose could only be made at the commencement of the presidential term. When Mr. Jefferson took up his residence there, he found it scantily furnished with articles brought from the President's house in Philadelphia, and which had,been in use from the time Gen. Washington resided in that place; these, though worn and faded, he retained, out of respect to their former service-particularly in his drawing-room, which was fitted up with the same crimson damask furniture that had been used in Mrs. Washing