days of my boyhood. Where the village rears its splendid mansions and gilded spires, there was then a dismal swamp, considered irreclaimable. A huge oak tree occupied the spot where the church now stands. All around were woods; and the cry of the panther, or the fierce howling of the hungry wolf, often resounded through the forest. The solitary log cabin stood upon this very spot. A little clearing surrounded it, and its inmates lived by the cultivation of a few acres, being forced by necessity to deny themselves the luxuries of life. At the time of which I am speaking, its only occupants were, a man who had seen some forty summers, his partner, and a little boy, their only offspring. He had emigrated to this country in consequence of some opposition to his matrimonial connexion; and instead of remaining upon the sea-board, had buried himself deep in the forest. Here his boy was born, and here he dwelt, until the earth was heaped upon his breast.

"A few years produced a change in the scene. The father and mother had grown old, and the boy had become a young man. He was strong and active, and possessed a disposition rather good than otherwise. I may say that he was handsome, having inherited a goodly share of his mother's beauty. By this time, a few other families had strayed into the forest, and a few more log houses had been erected. One of these families had emigrated from England, and, by reason of a family connexion, had built their cabin very near that of the first settler. It was composed of the same number, but the youngest of the trio was a daughter instead of a son. She was very beautiful. Her form was faultless, and you might gaze upon her features for hours together. There was a spot upon her face very similar to the strawberry that you may see upon your grandmother's cheek."

I turned to look at this phenomenon, and discovered that the needles of the old lady were flying more busily than ever. There was a slight smile on her lips. My grandfather pro

ceeded.

"As time flew on, the country around began to become more and more settled. The smoke from newly-risen cabins might be daily seen, curling and wreathing above the tallest trees. As the society increased, new ties were formed to bind it together. A building, larger than the ordinary dwellings, was erected, which served the purposes of a chapel, and public worship upon the Sabbath was conducted by the oldest settler. A school-house was also reared, and the most knowing man in the colony taught his school during the winter months. As

the soil grew more and more subdued, and more leisure was allowed, the former customs of the settlers were gradually restored. Parties and merry-makings were held by the young maidens, and the young men often amused themselves by more athletic sports. In running, leaping, wrestling, and kindred feats of strength, the son of the old settler, whom I shall hereafter call Harry, that being the name given him by his companions, was always victor. He was in a short time looked upon as the "smartest" young fellow in the colony. On the other hand, the daughter of his neighbour, whom I shall call Mary, excelled the rest of her companions not only in personal beauty, but she was also the best dancer, and could make better butter and cheese, than any around her: so that in a short time the hearts of all the young men in the settlement were laid at her feet. She possessed one quality that sometimes created a great deal of trouble. She well knew her power over her followers, and was a little addicted to coquetry.'

Here my grandmother moved her chair, and rattled the halfburnt sticks upon the fire, by which means I lost a few sentences, nor could I persuade the old man to repeat them.

"Harry had long desired to obtain the first place in the affections of the belle, but she wouldn't even give him an opportunity to breathe forth his hopes; for, as soon as he verged upon the topic that occupied the first place in his heart, her natural vivacity, I suppose, would lead her to talk of the weather, or the crops, or the size of the moon, or something equally vague and general, though she might have repeated the same remark an hundred times before. But she well knew the game she was playing; for, if he manifested the least symptom of disaffection, a single look restored him to his former position at her feet. It was too bad,' it was' outrageous,' and he told her so-but all to no purpose. Yet he was her follower. He gallanted her home from all the quiltings and tea-parties, and was considered by his companions as her accepted lover, and soon to be her acknowledged husband. This, however, she had never promised.

"At length, when Harry was about twenty-one, and Mary eighteen years of age, a series of depredations began to be committed upon the little colony by the neighbouring Indians. In the hope of obtaining a trifling reward, they scrupled not to tomahawk and scalp defenceless women and helpless children. In a few months, the number in the colony had so decreased, that but twenty able-bodied men remained. These were afterward accustomed to work together, going in a body to the field

of one man, and completing his work, and then to that of another. They always carried their guns with them, to be ready in case of surprise.

"One day, while they were at work, the war-whoop of the savages was heard. Hastening to the settlement, they beheld the women and children rushing to and fro, pursued by the enemy. They drove on, and attacked the Indians in the rear. and pressed them so hotly, that they fled, but not till every one had affixed a bleeding scalp to his belt. Perceiving that they were still the majority, they soon returned; and then it was the turn of the colonists to fly. But the aim of the Indians was too sure; all but two or three, who had escaped by secret flight, were tomahawked. Harry, on the first onset, rushed to his home, hoping that he might protect his parents, who were now old and infirm. The savages perceived him, as he entered the door, and pursued him close. They did not reach the house, however, until he had tore up the floor, and thrusting his parents beneath it, prostrate upon the ground, carefully replaced the boards. Before they entered the door, he himself had vanished. At this moment, the shout of friends was heard; and the Indians, without stopping to fire the buildings, betook themselves to flight.

"Soon afterward, Mary, who had contrived to save herself and her parents from the general slaughter, rushed into the house of the old settler. She was the picture of despair. Not a soul was to be seen; and she broke forth into exclamations of the deepest grief. Wringing her hands, and beating her breast, she cried out. 'Harry! my dear Harry where are you? Oh, they have killed him; would to God they had killed me, too !'"'

This was enough. The door of the old clock flew open; Harry jumped out; and with one bound, Mary was in his arms. Many were the kisses he imprinted on her lips. So al bing was his happiness, that Harry entirely forgot his pare ts, who began to grow tired of their imprisonment. These released, they went out in search of others who might have escaped. A few were found; but the most joyful sight, was a company of English soldiers, who had come to remain a few weeks at the settlement. Among them was a chaplain, and even before the dead were buried, the two lovers were united in marriage. But the clock is striking nine, boy; it is time for you to go to bed."

"But what was Harry's other name, grandfather?'' "Never mind to-night; ask me to-morrow."