ww membereth that we are but dust. "For within a little while, we return to that from which we were taken, when the life that was lent us, shall be demanded." But in what manner should the heart's loans be restored? We return a book to its owner, with thanks for the privilege of perusal; and repay money, with interest for its use. How shall we render back our soul's chief jewels, when He who entrusted sees fit to reclaim them? Must it be without tears? No! the voice of nature may have utterance, and we are permitted to weep, but not to murmur, or to repine. We should resign our precious ones, unmurmuringly, with gratitude for so long a period of intercourse and enjoyment,with praise, if they were fitted for a higher state of existence, and called by the smile of a Father to his home of rest in heaven. Thus, should we leave our dearest earthly friends, and our own lives also, meekly in His hand whose infinite love and wisdom will do no wrong, either to them or to us. Our own lives, said I? Have we aught that we can call our own the next hour or the next moment? The eloquent apostle answers us: "Ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your bodies, and in your spirits, which are God's." May we, who have together contemplated the nature of our earthly loans, the uncertainty of their continuance, the suddenness of their flight, and the fitting mode of their restitution, be thus assisted faithfully to use, or fortified quietly to resign them; and with an eye ever reared to Him, who hath a right, when he will, to reclaim his own, "revere Him, in the stillness of the soul." WHAT asks the Poet at Apollo's shrine, Not the fat harvests of the island grain, Let the gay vintager 'neath sunny skies Dear to the gods, since thrice within the year All these I ask not. Let me only see Thus, Great Apollo, speed my happy days, "The daughters of the Counsellor are very vehicle for the beautiful country. But first I beautiful," sobbed she. "And if they were angels, just come down from the seventh heaven of Mahomet, what then? I'll only look at them, and then away." "They are rich too," she sobbed again. "Hanker not after riches, which the moth corrupts," I replied, strong in Scripture. "I have the most melancholy forebodings," said Wilhelmine mournfully. "It is always so at separations," returned I; "one is prone to fear the worst." "Your uncle is inexorable ?" "Stone and iron are nothing to him," was my reply; "I declared to him I could not possibly marry either of the Miss Junghauels. 'Just see them once,' said he, and I wager you will be of a different opinion."" "There it is!" cried Wilhelmine sorrowfully, and clung anew around my neck; "do not leave me, Frank!" "But what can I do?" I answered; "my uncle's wish is not unreasonable; if I refuse to accede to it, it will excite suspicion. My second father is persuaded that I dislike those ladies, only because I have never seen them; all he desires is that I should see them, nothing more. Cannot I grant him this satisfaction? Besides, this autumn weather is fair and mild; I get free from the counting-room for a week, and have a pleasant time of it." you. had a grand audience with my honoured uncle. "You will not regret this trip, Frank," said he; "the maidens are beautiful, intelligent, and well read. You will find there no silly little geese, such as are gadding about in our streets. You may take all your learning with And remember too, they will have each her thirty thousand dollars; just take care and bring me home a nice little golden daughterin-law, and I will take you into the firm. In a year or two I shall retire, and you are a made man, and may sit snug and laugh at all the world. My tried old friend, the Counsellor, has set his heart too on this connexion. Every wooer is not so highly favoured. I had to run my legs off to get my wife. The old people were opposed to it, and spit fire and flames. Fortune lies right before you,—seize it at once.” Seize it at once," said I to myself, as I retired; "that is soon said, but my hands are tied, good uncle, and so is my heart too; and even if it were not so, I could not consent to make my fortune in this way. These forced marriage ties, woven by a third hand, I hate them; it is a desecration of that union which should be formed only by loving hearts. As I am determined to go to W- and please my uncle so far, I will just amuse myself with this bridal review. So much I owe to my benefactor, to whom I am indebted for everything. 66 "And you will forget me," said the dear I am not forced to marry one of the damsels ; girl reproachfully. I will merely look at them-that will not cost anything." "My heart and my thoughts are with you always," I said in a soothing tone, "no matter how far away fate bears me." When Wilhelmine saw that I was resolved to comply with my uncle's wishes, and start the next day for W —, where the rich Counsellor Junghauel with his three fair daughters resided, she resigned herself to the inevitable. In these soliloquies, my little carriage rolled along the road. It was a lovely forenoon in autumn; the sun shone on the hills, on which the vintage was just beginning. The most fertile landscape flew past me; the boughs of the fruit trees were bent heavily to the earth. From tree to tree, planted on both sides of the road, the busy spiders had during the night beauty. A figure which the ornamented huntwoven their silken webs, on which the dew-ing-dress set off to the greatest advantage, with drops glanced like diamonds. blonde locks waving in rich fulness round her blooming countenance. "I am a little curious about these daughters of the Counsellor," I continued in my soliloquy; "my uncle seemed at a loss for words in praising their beauty; but I don't exactly understand how they have remained so long unengaged if they are such miracles. I suppose my good uncle has been somewhat blinded by the hard dollars, as is often the case with these old speculating men of business." I had set my heart upon meeting with some little adventures on the way; but here I was disappointed. The journey passed off without incident. All the more numerous were the adventures that were to befall me when I reached my destination. It was ten o'clock on the next forenoon when I reached the large and handsome estate of the rich Counsellor. The morning was so beautiful, the country so delightful, that I resolved to leave my horse at a little inn about a quarter of a league from W-, and pursue the rest of the way on foot. Having paid due attention to my toilette, I put my resolve into execution, and tripped along the nice footwalk like a young god. Soon the stately buildings of the Counsellor's estate rose before me. I had only a little birchen grove to pass through before reaching the ample garden that adjoined the mansion. "Well then, you shall know my skill. "I don't like betting of this sort." I looked round in all directions, hoping to descry perchance one of the Graces whom I was to take for a wife, but in vain. In a field to the right a couple of women, peasants, were at work. I was just entering the grove when a slender female figure, clad in a graceful hunting-dress, with a fowling-piece in her hand, emerged from the green shade. She paused, and leaning on her gun seemed to creature, instantly taking aim again directly survey the landscape with delight. "If that is one of Junghauel's daughters," thought I, "my uncle was not so much out of the way; she is certainly very beautiful." As I did not wish to disturb the lovely vision, I passed on as if I had not observed her; but I had scarcely proceeded a few steps, when a clear, woman's voice called out, "Halt!" "That can't possibly be meant for me," I thought, and continued on my way. Suddenly I heard a click, there was a crackling among the leaves, and a ball whistled just over my head. I stopped instantly of course. "The woman must be crazy," thought I, and cast a shy glance at the desperate shooter. She came slowly towards me. I was impressed in an increasing degree with her extraordinary "Man has his weak hours." "Coward!" scornfully exclaimed the terrible over my head. Click went the cock. "Are you mad!" I cried, horror-struck; at the same moment there was a flash, and again the leaves crackled. I thought I should have fallen to the earth in my terror; the monster must certainly have hit my hat. "Take your hat off!" of the vicinity of this strange being as speedily | which we sate, a delightful prospect was preas possible. sented. "The deuce!" thought I; "have I got into Turkey and the Middle Ages, where they shoot at people merely to while away the time? Who is this dangerous woman? A spectre that frightens people, or a living being, with flesh and blood? I guess the former. Would a human maiden practise her skill and criminal rashness, by making a mark of the head of a quiet traveller? Beautiful, it is true, divinely beautiful; but Heaven keep me from such beauty, which is all ready, will ye, nill ye, to blow one's brains out. No, commend me to my Minna, even if she is not quite as beautiful as this second William Tell. "Said this witch, or wood-spirit, or whatever she was-said she not," continued I, in my soliloquy, "that I must take care of the Counsellor's daughters? If she is one of those dangerous beauties, the sooner I leave Wbehind me, the better. I cannot believe that this wood-witch is a Miss Junghauel. Impossible only a spirit, a wicked fairy, could behave so." Although I kept my eyes about me, the fearful apparition did not again appear; and I got out of the grove without harm. One ought never to be presumptuous. I had longed for some interesting adventure, and had been vexed that my journey had passed off so prosaically. I had nothing now, forsooth, to complain of. A more romantic adventure could hardly well be. Alas! I was to be punished still worse for my presumption. One sins against his fate when he murmurs at it. Still greatly discomposed, I passed along the wall which surrounded the beautiful garden of the Counsellor. I entered a spacious courtyard, and inquired of some labourers after the gentleman of the house. "Peter!" cried one of the workmen to a little boy, "lead the gentleman to your master." Peter ran forward; I followed, and soon found myself in the presence of the Counsellor, who seemed to me as hale and hearty as when I had seen him years before at my uncle's. He recognised and saluted me with great cordiality. "Right welcome to W," he cried: "I have long hoped to see you, and have written repeatedly to your uncle to express that hope." I bowed respectfully. "Make yourself at home," he resumed; "I will have you shown to your room. But first let us break a bottle of genuine Johannisberg together." The man pleased me. A servant appeared at his summons, with wine and refreshments. We took our seats. From the window, near "It is a pity," began my worthy host, “that, just at the moment of your arrival, my daughters should all be absent. I should be happy to present you to them. I trust they will return by the afternoon." 66 I suppose they are out, visiting," said I. "No," replied Junghauel, "they are out upon business." "Business!" thought I; "what business can young ladies have?" "However," resumed the Counsellor, "that you may have some acquaintance with my family, at least in appearance, please to step into the next room, where their portraits hang." I followed him. But how was it with me, when from the richly gilt frames, the three Graces of Greece seemed to smile down upon me, so beautiful were the portraits! But at the same instant, what horror seized me as I saw that one of the Graces was no other than the wood-witch, spectre, or William Tell, who, a little hour before, had almost shot my head off. "This blonde here," observed Junghauel, "is my Louise, the eldest of the daughterly trefoil, a really wild one and a rover; a fine lad is spoiled in her. I call her my Nimrod, because she is so fond of hunting. I don't approve of girls having such tastes, but she will outgrow it; and as the child is at heart a real angel, I wink at her knightly exercises." 66 Knightly exercises?" asked I. "Certainly," continued the good papa; "Louise fishes, rides, shoots, like an old student; as I say, a fine boy is spoiled in the girl." "As to the young lady's shooting," said I, "I believe I have already, this very morning, helped her to some proof of it. She shot a leaf off my hat." "Ah, indeed!" exclaimed Junghauel with surprise, "you have already made her acquaintance, then ?" I related my adventure. "A madcap!" said the Counsellor, with a smile; "I recognise her. But you had nothing to fear; Louise has a sure eye." "Allow me to remark that such manly employments hardly seem fitting for a young lady." her good resolutions are forgotten; one cannot resist her I give it up." We passed now to the portrait of the second daughter, Emilie, by name, as beautiful a brunette as I ever set my eyes on,-high, commanding beauty; but here, in the lineaments of the countenance, a certain manly resolution was discernible. I stood with delight before the picture, and could not tear myself away. | The Counsellor observed with evident pleasure the interest I took in the picture, and remarked, "That is my Dieffenbach !"* "Dieffenbach ?" I asked, with surprise. "Dieffenbach,” he repeated with a smile. "Emilie is the most skilful surgeon and operator in the whole country round. At this very time, she has gone to amputate the arm of a poor fellow-it was the only way of saving his life." "A very elevated calling," I observed, although it seemed to me hardly the thing for a charming young lady. We turned to the third portrait, which smiled down upon the spectator no less charmingly than the others. Rich dark curls waved round the blooming features. The features were softer than those of the others, and spoke more tenderly to the heart. "I hope," thought I, "that this lady does not share in the pursuits of Nimrod and Dieffenbach; she looks more gentle and feminine." "That is my Oken," said the Counsellor. "What! The naturalist ?" "Just so," continued my cicerone; "this, my youngest daughter, bears the name of Ernestine; but I call her my Oken. The maiden is as conversant with Natural History, as a professor. Nothing is dearer to her than the study of Nature, although it has its disagreeables." "Disagreeables?" "Ay; you see, my young friend, the maiden brings home to me, from her wanderings over hill and valley, woods and fields, so many ugly creatures, that I have sometimes nearly lost all patience. There's such a crawling and jumping and twisting of snakes, lizards, and toads. Ernestine is, besides, a great friend of spiders, of which she has a very valuable collection. If you could only procure for her a specimen of the American tarantula, you would be exalted to the very heavens." "But," I exclaimed in utter amazement, "how came your fair daughters, sir, to take up such strange pursuits, so abhorrent, one would think, to their very nature ?" "I will tell you, my young friend," said Junghauel. "The fact is, the girls early lost their mother, a fine woman, whose portrait also you may see hanging there. I could not attend to their education; I thought I had done my best when I procured for them a master, who was most highly recommended to me, and who brought them up like boys. Their only companion was my son Bernhard, who was unhappily drowned at the High School, where he was studying medicine. From him his sisters have learned and inherited their respective pursuits; Louise her fishing, riding, and shooting, Emilie her surgery, and Ernestine her natural science. However, I live in the hope, that when my daughters have found husbands to their hearts these strange passions will die away. Housekeeping will leave them little time for hunting, amputations, or scientific inquiries. I admit I ought to have endeavoured to correct the evil earlier, but the thing is done and can't be helped; we will hope for the best." The more I thought over these singular qualities of this beautiful trefoil, the more was I pleased with their pursuits, as these would justify me in declining to accede to the wishes of my uncle. I could not possibly think of a Nimrod, a Dieffenbach, or an Oken for a wife; no reasonable man could fail to see that. What availed all the gold and all the beauty! But still I was very curious to make the acquaintance of the two younger sisters;-they must be most lovely maidens. I did not care much about Nimrod. The fright of the morning still lingered in my limbs; I could not feel comfortable in the vicinity of the huntress. The desperate creature could at any moment shoot away my food from my lips, a pinch of snuff from my nose. There is no trifling with firearms-that I knew by experience. After passing in review the family picture gallery, I returned with the Counsellor to the breakfast-room. We were scarcely seated, when the barking of dogs was heard, and Louise, upon a snow-white pony, sprang into the court-yard. One could not wish a more charming sight than this bold, handsome rider, in her rich hunting-dress. Every movement was full of grace; and yet I could not suppress a certain dread at the sight of the strange maiden. After Louise had ridden up and down several times, she leaped out of the saddle and hastened towards the front door. "Now you will see the madcap a little nearer," said her father, who had been watch |