Individuals who never visited the Presi-have been described, characterized Mrs. || ted to hire?' Struck with the appearance of dent's nor met at the other ministerial hous- Madison throngh the whole of her husband's the lad, he said yes,' and Peter was provi– es, could not resist the softening influences public life. In the midst of the bitterness of ded a comfortable home, as a sort of do-a11” of her conciliatory disposition, and her frank party spirit and the violence of political ani- in a gentleman's family. To make a long and generous manners, but frequented her mosity, she was mild and courteous to all. story short, Peter was no common youth, evening circle; and sat at her husband's ta- The political assailants of her husband she and he gradually rose in the employ of Mr. ble; a table that was covered with the profu-treated with a kindness, which disarmed Parker; till for years and years he was his sion of Virginian hospitality, rather than with their hostility of its individual rancor, and head clerk, and finally at the age of twentythe elegance of European taste. The lady of sometimes even converted political enemies two was admitted into the house as a partner, a foreign minister was once ridiculing the enor-into personal friends, and still oftener suc- at one third the profits. The well-known mous size and number of the dishes with ceeded in neutralizing the bitterness of oppo-house of Parker & Co. continued for a which the board was loaded, and observed, sition. During the last war her courage and goodly number of years, and became one of that it was more like a harvest home supper. firmness were put to a severe test. In Au- the largest establishments of the day. The than the entertainment of a Secretary of gust, 1814, the British troops landed forty senior partner finally retired, leaving the State. Mrs. Madison heard of this, and miles below Washington, and approached whole concern in the hands of the junior, and similar remarks, and only observed with a that city. The President, left the city to for thirty years the house continued to grow smile, that she thought abundance preferable hold a council of war. with the growth of the city, under the prudent to elegance; that circumstances formed cus- Before his departure, he anxiously inquir-management of Mr. Brigham. He was estoms and customs formed taste; and as the ed if she had courage or firmness to remain teemed a merchant of the utmost integrity, profusion, so repugnant to foreign customs, in the President's house until his return on and maintained a most enviable reputation arose from the happy circumstance of the the morrow or succeeding day. She assur- during his long mercantile career. superabundance and prosperity of our coun-ed him she had no fear but for him and the try, she did not hesitate to sacrifice the deli-success of our army. When the President cacy of European taste, for the less elegant. reached Bladensburgh he unexpectedly found but more liberal fashion of Virginia. The the two armies engaged. Meanwhile terror many poor families daily supplied from that spread over the city. All who could obtain profusely spread table, would have had rea-conveyances fled to the adjoining towns. son to regret the introduction of European fashion, had Mrs. Madison been prevailed on to submit to its dictation.

One day, the old gentleman said to Peter, Jr. his oldest son, who had been brought up in the store

Do you think you could manage business alone? I leave you the store and a large stock of goods, and perhaps the best set of customers of any dealer in Boston; but remember, Peter, I paid my last penny to the toll man when I entered Boston.'

modate his business. When he had got comfortably into it, with elegant fixtures to match, the elder looked in upon Peter, Jr.

How do you like the store, father ?' 'Peter, the store is too long.'

The sound of the cannon was distinctly heard, and universal confusion and dismay prevailed. Some personal friends who reDuring the eight years that Mr. Madison mained with Mrs. Madison strongly urged The elder Brigham retired to Watertown, was Secretary of State, he and his family her to leave the city. They had her carriage in a neat country abode. Peter went on in lived with the inhabitants of Washington as brought to the door, but could not persuade the business. The spirit of improvement got fellow citizens; receiving and reciprocating her to enter it till her husband should return abroad, and Peter thought he must tear down civilities in the most kind and friendly man-and accompany her. And she did not finally the old store, and erect an elegant one, with ner. The Secretary himself being wholly depart till several mesengers had been de-a granite front, and of great depth, to accomabsorbed in public business, left to Mrs. spatched to bid her fly. Madison the discharge of the duties of social We close this sketch in the words of the intercourse. And never was a woman better memoir from which we have quoted Much calculated for the task. Exposed, as she as she graced her public station, she has necessarily must have been in so conspicu-been not less admirable in domestic life. ous a situation, to envy, jealousy, and mis-Neighborly and companionable among her Peter, Jr. continued to extend his operaconstruction, she so managed as to conciliate country friends, as if she had never lived in a tions, and finally became the importer of the the good will of all, without offending the city; delighting in the society of the young. teas and coffee he sold at wholesale. He was self-love of any of the numerous competitors and never better pleased than when promo- considered a desirable match for most any for her favor and attention. Every visitor ting every youthful pleasure by her participa- young lady, and in the following year espousleft her with the pleasing impression of being tion; she still proved herself the affectionate ed Julia Wentworth, an heiress of thirty thouan especial favorite, of having been the object wife during the years of suffering health of sand. He purchased an elegant mansion opof peculiar attention. She never forgot a her excellent husband. Without neglecting posite the Mall, and of course, fitted it up in name she had once heard, nor a face she had the duties of a kind hostess, a faithful friend | great splendor, becoming the high circle in once seen, nor the personal circumstances and relative, she smoothed and enlivened, which his beautiful bride would move. The connected with every individual of her ac-occupied and amused the languid hours of father of Peter claimed the privilege of prequaintance. Her quick recognition of per- his long confinement. He knew, appreciated senting the Mirrors for the dining hall. They sons; her recurrence to their peculiar inter-and acknowledged the blessing which heaven arrived from Liverpool on the day preceding ests, produced the gratifying impression, in had bestowed on him in giving him such a wife.'|| the nuptial dinner party. The old gentleman each and all of those who conversed with her, that they were especial objects of regard.

Her house was very plainly furnished, and her dress no way 'extravagant. It was only in hospitality and charity that her profusion was unchecked and sometimes made her sensible that her income was not equal to her wishes.'

MISCELLANY.

The Store is too Long.' PETER BRIGHAM paid his last penny to the toll-gatherer at Charles River, as he made his entrance into Boston. He walked about most of the forenoon, and finally asked a gentleman The amiable and engaging qualities which near one of the insurance offices, if he wan

had personally superintended their adjustment in the hall. All the Wentworths and Brighams were around the festive board, when the son, speaking of the nuptial presents, in the joyousness of the occasion, exclaimed

two millions by the sale of his lots where the kansas of the feminine gender, David?" Cor-man, by imposing upon him a broken winded

and Brigham, Jr. went $29,000 into the lots morf, Louisa Anna on the souf, and Miss the bad character of the jockey, and taking

mighty West. It was whispered on 'Change genius, and you'll make a man before yer moth-Jockey, quite nettled, observed, Parson, I

DEVOTED TO POLITE LITERATURE, SUCH AS MORAL AND SENTIMENTAL TALES, ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELING SKETCHES, AMUSING MISCELLANY, HUMOROUS AND HISTORICAL ANECDOTES, POETRY, &c.

VOL. XIV.-[v. NEW SERIES.]

SELECT TALES.

From the Saturday Courier.
A Story of American Life.

CHAPTER I.

'All men are dreamers; from the hour
When reason first asserts its power,
Unmindful of its bitter sting,
"To some deceiving hope we cling-

That hope's a dream.'
'Yes, with all who gaze, confess
That thou art full of loveliness,
With all who for a moment view,
Thy dazzling eyes' unclouded blue.'

AND SO, Beauchamp, you are the favored lover of this unrivaled Miss Mansfield, at least so dame report tells me.'

Born to blush unseen,

And waste its sweetness on the desert air.'

"Well, Beauchamp, a fine sentiment truly. But actually you are the wildest, most unreasonable, irrational fellow

'Not so unreasonable as at first glance it seems. I am ambitious-ambitious of fameglory! and I should blush to owe my respectability in life to the fortune and rank of my wife. You will think this idle, my dear friend to another than you I should not speak thus aspiringly; but, unaided and alone, I will carve out my way to distinction, through poverty, obscurity, and neglect.'

I wish you success, my dear fellow. She, you know, has long sustained the too have had dreams, but they are over.' character of a notorious liar.'

But in this instance, I fancy, has blundered into the truth.'

No, Summer, she has not: I am not the favored lover of Miss Mansfield; nor indeed do I love her at all-though I confess, had I met her in some humble cottage, uncourted. unflattered, unknown, amid the obscurity of deep poverty, with her rich talents, her devotion to every thing noble and generous, I should have loved her with all my heart's

devotion.'

So you really like her the worse, for possessing, in addition to all these attractions, half a million of money.'

Miss Mansfield would scorn to think of me as a suitor-But could I even woo, and

NO. 12. not admire; but not there did she appear to the best advantage. At the bed side of the sick and suffering poor, she was indeed a ministering angel. And who could behold her bending over their lowly couch, with clustering ringlets, expressive eyes, and deeply flushed cheeks, and not love her? The tired and hungry beggar received food from her hand, and prayed God to bless her. The wearied and broken hearted wretch listened to her whispered consolations, and siniled. Her class in the Sabbath school meet her always with a pleased and happy look. The orphan's grateful look, the widow's halIlowed prayer, were hers. Fond, passionately fond, of literary pursuits, and devoted to all the endearments of domestic life, her own home was heaven to her, and she mixed but little in general society. But when she did attend the fashionable balls and parties of the day her appearance was always like the rising of some great luminary, before which a whole host of lesser lights vanished. Fair reader, we have so far described a creature all perfection. There is still room for faults in the filling up of the character, and Julia was indeed, a mere mortal beauty, with many of the passions, faults, varieties, and foibles of common mortals. But such as she wasshe was just the creature formed to captivate the coldest heart. Yet she had not many suitors, for there was something in her manners, a mixture of scorn, irony, and indiffer

The preceding dialogue occurred between two young law students, while walking, one starry evening, along the principal street of a somewhat noted village, r the center of

Massachusetts.

Beauchamp, while yet a mere boy, had been left an orphan, poor and friendless, with an only and cherished sister; a delicate, timid, and affectionate little girl. He had thus far struggled manfully, nobly, on his way to distinction. He had trod the roughest path of literature; had acquired, unaided by any thing but his own surpassing talents, a thorough and classical education; and was pursuing, with unequaled application, the dry study of the law.

The village where he resided, had been

win the prize, I would not. Were I even of accused, and perhaps with justice, of aristo-ence, that told the fops, the exquisites, the cratical manners. But our young hero's pre- would be great men of the day, how much

her own rank,

6

'I would worship as soon a familiar star, That is bright to every eye.'

And yet I acknowledge she is a glorious creature; every thing a man ought to love.'

And with this glorious creature you spend every hour of leisure in company, scarcely know whether any body else is present, acknowledge she is all a man ought to love. and yet do not love her-rather an incomprehensible fellow.'

possessing appearance procured him at once an introduction to its best society, and made him a favorite in its most exclusive circles of refinement. In those circles, he became acquainted with the young lady referred to in the conversation between the two students. Julia Mansfield ought not, perhaps, to be called the belle of the village; the word, in its common acceptation, would be derogatory to her character-but she was decidedly the ⚫ Yes, perhaps so; but incomprehensible most beautiful, the most talked of, the most or not, the girl of my choice, whatever may admired, and envied, of its fair young girls. be her other qualifications, must, at any rate, she was brilliant, attractive-in the fashionabe poor and unknown; like Gray's flowret-ble assembly, no one could gaze at her, and

she despised them. The society and conversation of men of talents she was fond of, and could listen with complacency even to their trifling. Yet in her conduct towards such men, there was a spice of-ofsomething-which, because no better name occurs, must be called coquetry-how I hate that werd. Indulgent reader, do not suppose Miss Mansfield was that most heartless of all heartless things, a designing coquette. No, she possessed a heart-a heart full of gushing, and warm, and pure affections.

And does this divine creature really love me, thought Beauchamp, as he was return

home one evening, after a long delightful in- ||ruthless time of all its branches, it laid like || Julia's parents, for the first time, expressed terview with Julia, (their intercourse had con- other fallen majesties, a proud wreck of its their entire approbation of his union with tinued for more than a year, and had ripen- former greatness. Between them, and the their peerless daughter-and the happy day ed into intimacy.) house from which they had wandered, hand to consummate his bliss, though not definiteShe who has rejected the proudest of our in hand, lay, stretched out in true New Eng-ly fixed, it was agreed should be sometime land, will she be mine? It is evident she land glory, an extensive orchard, or rather the ensuing spring. A deeper blush than prefers my society to any other-she pours forest, as it seemed, of fruit trees, dressed usual was still bathing the expressive features into my bosom her deepest thoughts, her in unrivaled bloom. The beautiful white of Julia, who, amidst the general vivacity and wildest dreams, while the deeply suffused mansion was entirely hidden from view, but interest of the scene, sat silent, her eyes cheek tells any thing but indifference. Yes, the top of the willow grove in front of it, was fixed intently on a book; how her thoughts she loves me her undisguised and frank seen waving, arrayed in spring's first tender were employed, we leave the reader to imagnature proclaims it, in every word, and look. green. A little brook was dancing at our ine. Beauchamp held a literary paper in his and action. But why does this conviction lovers' feet; and from its margin rose ab-hand, but only looked at it occasionally. come like a pang across my bosom? Do I ruptly, on the opposite side, craggy and He conversed with the young Mansfields not love her in return? Yes, heaven knows moss-covered rocks, which terminated in a about the wonders, the antiquities, the manhow deeply, fervently, I love, I idolize her. lofty hill, crowned with unchanging, but ners, and the governments of Europe; but But something whispers this love will be a gloomy evergreens; and glimmering through Margaret, a fair haired girl, who sat by his curse. It was not my young dream, to be their branches like gold, was seen the setting side, with an expression of raillery on her sure, to marry a celebrated beauty, an heiress, sun. That sequestered and narrow valley bright face, could not once or twice suppress a being worshipped by all the world. No, was full of nature's simple but affecting mu- an audible laugh, at his blunders, blushes, and some beautiful girl, whose rich talents and sic. There was music in the gurgling of the apologies. exalted virtues, had been always hidden by wild brook, rushing on its devious way, like Time passed rapidly on; the conversation poverty and obscurity, was the ideal mistress a wayward and wild boy in pursuit of pleas- grew more and more animated and interestof my young and wild imagination. But that ure: there was music in the lonely and plain-ing; but Julia still obstinately adhered to foolish dream has been long past. For tive notes of the whippowil: music in the her book. A visitor was announced, and months, it has been my object to win the hum of the next village, which came softened Judge Mansfield introduced the Hon. Mr. heart of Julia Mansfield. And that pure in the distance; music in the merry peals of Durant, whose acquaintance he had made, young priceless heart is mine-almost with- the factory bell, proclaiming to the tired oper- the preceding winter, at Washington. Duout a doubt. And am I not supremely hap-ators that the long weary hours of labor rant's personal appearance was striking and py? Yes-begone evil genius, I am, I will were closed, and evening, sweet season of prepossessing; his conversation rich with be so, in spite of all thy whisperings. But rest and amusement, had arrived. It was a knowledge, talent and taste, was all that could her parents, will they consent to our union?fitting hour, a fitting scene, for young hearts interest and captivate. Julia's book was Her sensible, prudent father-her proud, in- to enshrine their first fond vows of love and thrown aside, and she listened to her father's consistent mother? Why should I doubt everlasting fidelity, to mingle their wild and friend, whose eloquence in debate she had it? Judge Manfield has ever acted towards hitherto untold dreams. Mutual confessions often heard spoken of, (she was a devout me as a warm and steady friend: he speaks were made-inutual vows-though unheard worshipper at the shrine of eloquence,) with contemptuously of that superiority which is by mortals, were registered, were they not? an apparently absorbing attention; while the founded on riches; and I have heard him in heaven, Julia never seemed to Beau- expressive glances he directed towards her, declare, that in the all-important affair of champ, much as he had long loved her, half showed he was not indifferent to beauty. choosing a partner for life, his daughter so lovely as at that bewildering moment, when James felt himself thrown at once into the should not be crossed! Her mother-she he caught, half breathed from glowing lips, back ground. He was unusually, painfully, is an inexplicable character! but then I have and consciously embarrassed, in the presalways been her favorite. They have both ence of the haughty southerner, and he at seen, without discouraging, our intercourse. last became entirely and gloomily silent, while They must have seen, for neither of them his conversation seemed not at all missed by lack penetration, our growing affection. Yet the happy and loquacious party. During the she is allowed to sit alone with me for hoursevening, Durand received and accepted an she rides with me, and hour after hour we invitation to spend several weeks in the famwander together through the most delightful ily of Mansfield. At this, James could hard. scenery. Pray Mr. Beauchamp, forgive me, ly repress a frown. Did he doubt Julia's for thus exposing your private thoughts. The constancy? Even to his own heart he would thoughts of any romantic lover, however talent- An unusually happy group were assembled not have acknowledged it. But then he was ed, when reduced to words, and, especially, one evening around a cheerful fire, in the perfectly conscious that the proud young when read aloud, will appear very, very foolish.elegantly furnished parlor of Judge Mansfield. stranger possessed infinitely the advantage of All Beauchamp's apprehension, or premo-it consisted of himself and wife, their two him, in person and manners, in eloquence, nition, (is there no word that will express eldest sons, just returned from a tour rank, riches, and popularity: and he could my meaning, I can think of none, but the through most of the countries of Europe, not bear to be outshone in the presence of something' which whispered this love will Julia, her younger sister Margaret, and a his mistress. With the wild enthusiasm of be a curse,') had vanished, and was entirely rosy cheeked boy of twelve. James Bean- a lover, he imagined no one could behold forgotten the next day, as the lovers sat to-champ too was there. The conversation her without adoration. Durand was not ungether in one of their favorite and romantic was lively and very interesting; but the favor-known, by reputation, to any of the present haunts. Their seat was formed by what had ed lover, though unusually animated, was party; for he was not only a statesman and been a monarch of the forest; but now up-rather absent minded. You will forgive him, || an orator, put a poet. Of his poetry, Julia rooted by some tornado, and stripped by gentle reader, for only that afternoon had Mansfield had always been a most immoder

the frank confession that she loved him. It
was an hour, a scene never forgotten. Its
memory-but we will not anticipate our story

CHAPTER II.

The lover hangs on some bright eye,
And dreams of bliss in every sigh:
But brighest eyes are deep in guile-
And he who trusts their fickle smile,
Trusts in a dream."
'I've sighed that charms like thine should be
Possessed by one so false as thee.'