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rally be dull of apprehension,' but my feelings are quick enough; I comprehend you too well. Yes-it is impossible to judge of a woman before marriage, or to guess what sort of a wife she will make. I presume you speak from experience: you have been disappointed yourself, and repent your choice.

Mr. B. My dear, what did I say that was like this? Upon my word, I meant no such thing. I really was not thinking of you in the least.

Mrs. B. No-you never think of me now. I can easily believe that you were not thinking of me in the least.

Mr. B. But I said that, only to prove to you that I could not be thinking ill of you, my dear.

Mrs. B. But I would rather that you thought ill of me, than that you did not think of me at all.

Mr. B. Well, my dear, I will even think ill of you, if that will please you.

Mrs. B. Do you laugh at me? When it comes to this, I am wretched indeed. Never man laughed at the woman he loved. As long as you had the slightest remains of love for me, you could not make me an object of derision: ridicule and love are incompatible; absolutely incompatible. Well, I have done my best, my very best, to make you happy, but in vain. I see I am not cut out to be a good wife. Happy, happy Mrs. Granby!

Mr. B. Happy, I hope sincerely, that she will be with my friend; but my happiness must depend on you, my love; so, for my sake, if not for your own, be composed, and do not torment yourself with such fancies.

Mrs. B. I do wonder whether this Mrs. Granby is really that Miss Emma Cooke. I'll go and see her directly; see her I must. Mr. B. I am heartily glad of it, my dear; for I am sure a visit to his wife will give my friend Granby real pleasure. Mrs. B. I promise you, my dear, I do not go to give him pleasure, or you either; but to satisfy my own-curiosity.

MISS EDGEWORTH.

'Ap pre hên' sion, un lerstanding.-Derision (de riz' un), laughter; scorn; mockery.-'Inom påt'i ble, unable to be joined together; not agreeing with.

ARCHBISHOP SHARPE AND THE ROBBER.

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34. ARCHBISHOP SHARPE AND THE ROBBER.

T was a custom with Archbishop Sharpe, in his journeys, generally to have a saddle-horse attending his carriage, that, in case of feeling fatigued with sitting, he might have the refreshment of a ride. In his advanced age, and a few years before his death, as he was going in this manner to his Episcopal' residence, and was a mile or two in advance of his carriage, a decently-dressed, good-looking young man, on horseback, came up to him, and, with a trembling hand and faltering tone of voice, presented a pistol to his grace's breast, demanding his

money.

2. The archbishop, with great composure, turned round, and, looking steadfastly at him, desired that he would remove that dangerous weapon, and tell him fairly his condition. "Sir, sir," cried the youth, with great agitation, " no words; 'tis not a time for words now; your money, instantly!"

3. "Hear me, young man," said the venerable prělate;2 “come on with me. I, you see, am a věry old man, and my life is of little consequence; yours seems far otherwise. I am Sharpe, the Archbishop of York. My carriage and servants are behind; but conceal your perturbation, and tell me who you are, and what money you want, and, on the word of my character, I will not injure you, but prove a friend.

4. "Here, take this (giving him a purse of money); and now tell me how much you want, to make you independent of so dangerous and destructive a course, as you are now engaged in." "Oh, sir,” replied the man, "I detest' the business as much as you do; I am-but, but-at home there are creditors who will not wait. Fifty pounds, my lord, would indeed do what no thought or tongue besides my own can feel or express."

5. “Well, sir, I take it at your word; and, upon my honor, if you will compose yourself for a day or two, and then call on me at what I have now given you shall be made up to that sum; trust me, I will not deceive you."

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'Epis' co pal, belonging to a bishop, or overseer.-- Prèl' ate, archbishop. Per tur bà' tion, troubled state of mind; distress. De tåst', hate.-Cred' it ors, persons to whom money is due.

6. The highwayman looked at him, was silent, and went off and, at the time appointed, actually waited on the archbishop, received the money, and assured his lordship that he hoped his words had left impressions which no inducement could ever efface. Nothing more transpired of him for a year and a half; when, one morning, a person knocked at his grace's gate, and, with a peculiar earnestness of voice and countenance, desired to see him.

7. The archbishop ordered the stranger to be introduced. He had scarcely entered the room, when his countenance changed, his knees tottered, and he sunk almost breathless on the floor. On recovering, he requested an audience in private. This being granted, he said, "My lord, you can not have forgotten the circumstance of relieving a highwayman. God and gratitude will never suffer it to be obliterated3 from my mind. In me, my lord, you now behold that once most wretched of mankind; but now, by your inexpressible humanity, rendered equal, perhaps superior to millions. Oh, my lord, 'tis you that have saved me, body and soul; 'tis you that have saved a much-loved wife, and a little brood of children, whom I loved dearer than my own life.

8. "Here, my lord, are the fifty pounds; but never shall I find language to express what I feel. God is your witness; your deed itself is your glory; and may heaven be your present and everlasting reward." The archbishop was refusing the money, when the gentleman added: "My lord, I was the younger son of a wealthy man. Your grace knew him, I am sure. My name is My marriage alienated' the affections

of my father, who left me to sorrow and penury.

me.

9. "My distresses—but your grace knows to what they drove A month since, my brother died a bachelor, and intestate; his fortune has become mine; and I, spared and preserved by your goodness from an ignominious' death, am now the most penitent, the most grateful, and the happiest of human beings."

PERCY ANECDOTES.

'Efface', wear away; wipe off.-' Trans pired', happened; took place. - Ob lit' er åt ed, worn away; removed.- Al' ien åt ed, transferred to another; lost.— Pěn' u ry, poverty; want.—® In tês' tate, dying without a will.-' Ig no min' i ous, disgraceful.

THE FISHERMAN OF CASCO BAY

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35. THE FISHERMAN OF CASCO BAY.

MONG the numerous islands in Casco Bay,' there are few, indeed, which at present contain more than a single dwelling yet a century ago, the traveler would have been cheered with the mingled hum of business and of pleasure; and could have rested beneath many a hospitable roof, the ruins of which are now scarcely visible. They were formerly inhabited by fishermen, but, on account of the frequent attacks of the Indians, these huts were abandoned, and, being of slight materials, soon sunk into decay.

2. Near one of these ruins, and not far from Diamond Cove, is the grave of Michael Burn, of whom the following story is related. One evening, as he sat at the door of his hut, listening to the waves which broke on the rocks that surrounded him, his dog, which was lying at his feet, suddenly sprang up, and, darting toward a projecting cliff,4 plunged into the water. The fisherman, presuming from his earnest manner that something uncommon had attracted his attention, hastened to the spot from which the animal had leaped; but the night was too dark to discover either the dog, or the object of his pursuit, and the murmur of the waves prevented his ascertaining what direction he had taken.

3. For a long time, he awaited his return in vain, and, at last, supposing he was engaged in a fruitless chase after some seals,' which frequently made their appearance, he retired to rest. Scarcely, however, had he sought his pillow, when the wellknown bark, and a scratching at the door, not only announced his return, but anxiety for his master's presence. He opened the door; the dog whined, pulled him gently, as if wishing him to follow, and suddenly left him.

4. Having lighted his lantern, he left the hut, the dog, by his barking, directing the path; but, on approaching the shore,

'Casco Bay, in Cumberland county, Maine, extends east from Portland about 20 miles, and contains upward of 300 islands.- Century (sẻnt'yu ry), a hundred years.—3 A bån' doned, forsaken.—* Cliff, a high and steep rock.---3 Seals, animals that live mostly in the water, and are taken for their skins; there are two general kinds, the hair seal and the fur seal.

judge of his surprise to find by his faithful animal a human being, and to all appearance a corpse. It was evident that the dog had just drawn him from the water, but there were no marks of violence on his person. He opened his waistcoat-the body was still warm; and, filled with the hope of restoring animation,' he bore it to his hut. His exertions were not in vain. In a short time, the stranger gave signs of returning life, and by the next morning, he was enabled to converse with his generous

preserver.

5. "You probably recollect seeing a vessel near your harbor, yesterday," said the stranger. "In that vessel, it was my misforune to have been a passenger; Heaven grant that my beloved wife has not likewise fallen a victim to perfidy' and ingratitude. I am a native of America, but for some years past I have resided in France, where I acquired a considerable fortune. Desirous of spending my last days in the land of my fathers, I converted3 all my property into money, and embarked in this vessel with my young wife.

6. "I loaded the master and crew with presents, but this only served to increase their rapacity. Although I was aware that they knew of the wealth I had on board, I entertained no fears concerning either my life or property; but last night, their diabolical' plans for the destruction of both, were put in execution. I was alone on the quarter-deck, when a deep groan causing me to turn, I beheld one of the passengers struck down with an ax, as he was approaching to join me. The ruffians, with horrid yells, rushed forward to secure a second victim; but, though nearly overpowered by my sensations, I was enabled to reach the taffrail, and dropped into the sea.

7. "The darkness of the night, the presumption that I could not reach land, and above all, the work of death, which was still unfinished, prevented pursuit. I made an effort to float, trusting in Providence for my guide. But what was life? The dear woman for whom I wished to live, was deserted at the moment

1 Anima' tion, breathing; life.-2 Pêr' fi dy, treachery; violation of faith or of trust.- Con vêrt' ed, exchanged; turned from one thing to another. Ra påc' i ty, desire of taking from others; undue greediness of gain.-- Di a bôl' ic al, wicked; devilish.- Tåff' rail, the upper part of the stern of a ship; the rail round a ship's stern.

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