"Oh! pardon me, Sir; spare me," she wheezed; "I am nothing; a light giddy creature; have achieved nothing solid-a mere butterfly in the arts." If she had said a butter-tub it would have been nearer the mark; but she continued: "I am an immense admirer of genius, a huge adorer of the beautiful, an infatuated worshiper of the sublime. And speaking of the sublime, what a magnificent panorama is unfolded around us! How, in the contemplation of such a glorious creation, the mind recoils upon itself after its impotent efforts to grasp the infinite and illimitable ideas suggested by the vastness of the scene." "Very true," I replied. "Then gaze upward into the intensified azure of the cerulean concave flecked with clouds of fleecy whiteness, and from the empyreal arch throw suddenly your bewildered glances downward into the stupendous abysses which yawn around, whose depths are hidden in shadowy and unfathomable mystery, exhibiting the disrupted strata of antediluvian formations crushed and splintered into a thousand fragments-Miss Puffin, allow me to assist you in mounting this rock. We have a better view." "What vigorous language!" wheezed Miss Puffin; "what power of expression! Surely, Mr. Berkeley, you are a poet ?" "I have but rarely indulged in versification, Miss; but I feel assured that I have the honor of addressing a distinguished poetess." "A few bubbles," she sighed—"airy and evanescent-unworthy of perpetuity. I am lacking in the energy and perseverance essential to great achievement. I am altogether a creature of feeling-I feel entirely too much!" she exclaimed, pressing both hands upon her voluminous bust. "It is a misfortune." I agreed that it was. Suddenly my companion stopped, and begged me to assist her to a seat on the rock, where, with a look of anguish, she commenced squeezing and caressing one of her gaiter boots. I inquired if she was ill, and officiously proposed to run for assistance to carry her to the house." "Not at all," she replied, with sharp decision of manner. "That abominable stirrup has rubbed my corns red-hot. Heavens! what suffering! Excuse me; you may go and get me a glass of water with some peppermint in itand-ah-brandy will answer, if there is such a thing to be found in this wretched rock heap." I made haste, and was fortunately enabled to fulfill the commission to the satisfaction of my interesting acquaintance. She expressed her gratitude for the attention in plain, direct language, and we returned to the Tip-Top House, where we found most of the company collected for dinner. Dick and Ellen were missing, however, and the Squire, feeling some uneasiness at their absence, asked me to go in search of them. Under the circumstances I would fain have declined; but as a refusal would have appeared discourteous to the old gentleman, I started on the unpleasant errand. After looking and calling for some time in vain, I stepped upon a large boulder, and under its lee saw the truant pair snugly ensconced, Dick talking earnestly and Ellen listening with smiling interest. Something of the discourse I could not avoid overhearing. "I do assure you, Miss Ellen, on my honor, my heart was never interested in that quarter. I never loved but once, never desired the affection of but one alone, and failing in that, life has no charms for me. I am incapable of another passion. You know, Miss Ellen, who that lady is." Ellen nodded and laughed. "Ah, Dick, don't attempt to deceive me? Didn't you give Harry Byrd two pointer pups for a lock of her hair? And at the tournament, two years ago. didn't you crown her?" Dick interrupted her vehemently, "Miss Ellen, upon my honor as a gentleman-" From motives of delicacy, as well as zeal in the cause of truth, I put a stop to this by hallooing, "Ah, you runaways, I've found you at last!" Dick jumped up as if he had been shot at, but the lady saluted me with entire self-possession | for the return to the Glen House, when I anand a look of polite inquiry. nounced my intention of riding in another direction to visit the Crawford Notch. There was general surprise, and the Squire protested vehemently. He had been told it was sixteen miles distant; the road dangerous, if not impass "A message from your father, Miss Hardy. Dinner and the company await your presence.' When Dick recovered from his confusion he became enthusiastic on the subject of the viewasked me if I had ever seen any thing so mag-able; at the bottom there was no accommodanificent-and said that he and Miss Ellen had been enjoying it wonderfully. I answered, dryly, that he had not chosen a good point for the distant view, as from where he sat they couldn't see more than fifty yards. Dick, who never let any one have the last word, insisted that near views were often more agreeable than distant ones; and, for his part, he was sufficiently charmed with his company to think any view delightful-modestly hoping that Miss Ellen was of the same opinion. She made no direct reply, but, looking archly at me, said, "If an appreciative companion adds so much to the enjoyment of a scene, you, Mr. Berkeley, must have had a delightful morning of it. Our acquaintance, Miss Puffin, is the most enthusiastic creature I ever saw." As things stood I felt this as a personal insult, and replying only with a stately bow, led the way to the dining-table. After the Tip-Top dinner concluded, our company was mustered tion, as the old hotel had been burned, and the new one not yet completed. I said I had seen some workmen from the Notch who reported the road practicable, and rough entertainment for man and beast obtainable below. Squire Hardy had flattered himself that we would join parties and travel together henceforth. It was a mere whim on my part. We could take a wagon and drive around to the Notch to-morrow; that would be much more agreeable and rational. As I could not frankly state my reasons for the movement, I insisted that this White Mountaineering was too tame for my temper-a sort of cockney business; I wanted a little rough life and danger to stir my blood. "When will you rejoin us?" he asked, with an earnestness of manner that touched me. "To-morrow evening, perhaps. But if I don't get in, conclude I have broken my neck, and don't wait for me." I spoke lightly, but I had secretly resolved Can not to rejoin them at all. As I turned to de- | consulted on all matters of etiquette, fashion, part Ellen held out her little hand to me, but I and taste. Her manner toward me had been alaffected not to see it, and, waving a general fare- ways flatteringly deferential; I was always welwell, took the path leading toward Crawford's. comed with cordiality, and felt that I was reDescending from the knob of Mount Washing-gretted when my visits were ended. Yet I was ton, I came presently upon a dark pond fed by so much older than she that I never thought of the melting snows and overshadowed by bald her, I am sure, in any other light than that of an and jagged crests of the mountain, presenting interesting and cheerful friend, and never inaltogether one of the most striking pictures I dulged in a dream of romance of which she was had seen. Stony, grim, and desolate, I looked the heroine. For some years past I had begun upon this lake of the clouds with a feeling of to think that my life was an aimless, incomplete brotherhood. No flower blooming on its bleak affair, wanting some main-spring or essential margin, no living thing rippling its icy bosom, balance to harmonize its movements. My acciit resembled a sullen, deep-set black eye staring dental interview with Ellen in the morning had eternally upward from its sunless hollow at the opened my eyes to the truth, dispelled my vain unapproachable glories of the heaven above. philosophy, and thrilled me with a passion as sudThe path for several miles led around and over den and uncontrollable as ever blazed in the this line of savage crests, in many places steep breast of one-and-twenty. Ah me! and I fear and dangerous; but, occupied with gloomy and as absurd and hopeless as most of them. bitter thoughts, I took little heed of the way, not I see too plainly that, with the characteristic trusting every thing to the instinct of my hardy subtlety of her sex, she perceives the change in and well-trained steed. In time I reached the my demeanor, and that I may not wrongly esline of forest growth-at first appearing a mere timate the affectionate cordiality of her greeting, thicket of stunted firs, and increasing in size as she gracefully but firmly repels me to my former I descended. The character of the road also position of an esteemed friend-a title which changed. The rugged pavements and steep yesterday I rejoiced in, but to-day I loathe? stairways of loose and angular rocks had given Well, it is all clear, and with me all settled. place to deep-washed gullies, choked at every Stiffen up, proud heart! no human eye must see dozen or more rods with earth-slides and barred your wounds-no human ear hear the confession by fallen timber-and alternating with these I have whispered to this lonely forest. After all were long causeways and bridges, of half-decayed-perhaps-down; don't suggest doubts, that is pine logs, thicker set with traps and gins for horses feet, than was the Valley of the Shadow of Death for the feet of holy pilgrims; as I struggled through these difficult and vexatious passages I thought I heard a faint halloo from far up in the mountain, my horse at the same time stopped and gave a sociable whinny. I supposed the shout came from some of the workmen who had staid behind their companions, and with voice and whip tried to urge my beast forward. Although free enough in his pace heretofore he now resolutely refused to move, but pricked his ears, and, looking back, reiterated his call. weakness. Another halloo upon the mountain-faint but distinct. She can not be seriously interested in that rattle-brained boy. It is impossible. I could not even respect her if I thought so; yet who knows? By-the-by, what a source of vexation that boy has been to me for the last five years! I never have an opening for an especially agreeable tête-à-tête that he doesn't interrupt me. If I attempt a remarkable anecdote, he never fails to trump it with some preposterous exaggeration that attaints all genuineness, or leaves the simple truth cold and impoverished. "The creature wants companionship," I If I say a pointed thing, he botches it in the repethought. So I dismounted, and, seating myself | tition, and then asks me how it was? In society upon a log, allowed my equine friend to solace himself by cropping the grass and leaves within his reach, while I continued to chew the cud of bitter fancies. What pride would have forbidden me to acknowledge, even to myself, while in the matter-of-fact bustle of the world, in this silent solitude might be proclaimed without equivocation or restraint-I love that young girl. I had known Ellen Hardy from her childhood, I had romped with her, ridden with her, danced with her, and, as she grew older, I had chaperoned her in society, read with her, seconded her in musical duets, and had even talked philosophy with her. I had seen her under all circumstances, and had never seen a woman in whom were combined so much of personal attraction, cheerfulness of temper, and sterling good sense. As an intimate and valued friend of her father I enjoyed a sort of confidential position in the house, and was the oracle which the young lady he manages to monopolize the girl who is the toast, and invariably saddles me with some horrible megalonyx that feeds on literature. At table, if I set my heart upon a particularly brown biscuit, he is sure to take it before I am ready. He has lamed my favorite horses, shot my pointer-dog, upset my ink, mortified my vanity; and now stands between me and the sunshine that might have warmed my barren soul to life and joy. Yet I can't dislike him. He is so blunderingly obliging, so unconsciously absurd, so unselfish in his marplot zeal, so eager in his mismanaging generosity, that one is forced, in the midst of despair, to laugh and forgive. My pony suddenly raised his head and set up a joyous whinnying, which was promptly responded to in the same language: and, to my surprise, I saw a couple of mounted travelers coming down the road hard upon us. As soon as they perceived me, the foremost of the cavaliers joined in SLEEPING APARTMENT AT CRAWFORD'S. ments, erected for the entertainment of the thousands who resort to the White Mountains for summer recreation. The hotel had been lately destroyed by fire, and a large force was employed in rebuilding it on a handsome and . more extensive scale. A hundred workmen of all grades, with numerous assistant quadrupeds, were encamped in the stables, ten-pin alleys, and other outbuildings which had escaped the conflagration. We were received with good-humored civility, and our horses accommodated in the most unexceptionable manner. Squeamish folks might have been disposed to turn up their noses at the sleeping apartment offered the bipeds-a stall between two the outcry, with many gesticulations demonstra- | respectable and well-mannered oxen, with a tive of pleasure. My surprise was not abated when I recognized Dick Dashaway and the guide. “Hurrah, old fellow, we've caught you at last! What a lonesome, breakneck road this is, eh?" I expressed my astonishment at seeing them, and asked Dick why he had deserted the Squire and company? He replied that, as we had started together, he thought it didn't look well to part from me at this time, and he had brought the guide to look after the horses. I intimated that his concern for me was entirely unnecessary, while his other friends would miss him. In short, I did not consider it altogether kind or polite to leave them. "Indeed, I will be frank with you, Cousin Robert. I did insist on going with them and left them very reluctantly, I assure you; but Ellen told me it was not honorable to desert my comrade, and that if I did not follow you I would forfeit her respect." I turned away for a moment to hide the emotion which these words excited. Dick continued: "And you know, Cousin, I'd follow you to hell if she said so." "Very cheerfully, my boy, I've no doubt. Was there any thing more said?" "The Squire said you always were self-willed and stubborn as a mule, and ought to go by yourself, as you had chosen to leave them." This naïve answer closed the conversation on that subject, and after a few more miles of troublesome riding, we arrived at the Crawford Notch. It was near sunset, and as both men and beasts were dead-tired we lost no time in inquiring for quarters. At this point was one of the principal establishVOL. XXIII.-No. 134.-L promise of clean hay. We are not of the fastidious, and accepted the hospitality in the spirit in which it was offered. I have slept soundly on many a worse bed in my time, and very often have passed the night in worse company-oxen don't get drunk and play cards all night. We supped with the workmen in the ten-pin alley, and made a hearty meal on pork and beans; after which we looked around for something to amuse us until bedtime. Every White Mountain hotel has a bear, who is kept chained to a pole, like Samson, to make sport for the Philistines. The Crawford being a pre-eminent concern, had two full-grown animals and a four months' cub. The male was an old surly rogue, and folks had to be careful how they approached him. As Dick showed no disposition to enlarge his ursine experiences, I asked one of the boys to THE BEARS, catch me a frog. This request was speedily complied with, and the goggle-eyed captive tied to the end of a twig. Thus armed I fearlessly approached the vicious brute, who also advanced to meet me as far as his chain permitted. As he reared up, apparently eager to welcome me with a fraternal embrace, I poked the frog in his face. Quick as thought he gave a yell and tumbled backward, evidencing the greatest disgust and trepidation. So I chased him around his tree until his arrogance was completely humbled, and he took refuge under a log, whining piteously. The spectators, and especially the boys, were delighted, and I fear it was a woeful day for Bruin and the frogs when I taught that trick to their enemies. As we were about retiring to our stall, the foreman, who occupied a part of the ten-pin alley with his family, waited on us and offered us a bed, which two of his boys had agreed to vacate for our accommodation. We frankly accepted the courtesy and enjoyed it. In the morning, too, we took a private breakfast with his family -the bill of fare being enriched with a dish of trout, fresh caught and admirably cooked. Before the sun had illumined the hill-tops we were again upon the road, both men and horses in fine condition. The Notch is a narrow and romantic gorge, walled in by precipitous rocks and mountains of imposing height. Its entrance resembles a gate-way of Cyclopean masonry, affording scanty room for the rugged highway, and the passage of a brawling stream, one of the sources of the Saco River. Our early morning's ride through this wild rift, halting and turning often to admire its savage ruggedness, forms one of the most agreeable reminiscences of our mountain trip. At the end of two miles the pass widens into a regular valley, and the scenery becomes more commonplace; at the same time the sun had begun to find us out, and I do not know when I have suffered more from the heat. This was especially the case after our road left the forests and led us through an open, cultivated country, where there was nothing to protect us from the downright blaze. At Jackson we took refuge with one Trickey (a disagreeably suggestive name for a landlord), and there dined and slept until four o'clock in the afternoon. We then mounted and rode to the Glen House, having made a journey of thirty-six miles around the base of that group of hills of which Mount Washington is the chief. Just before reaching our destination we met a fellow riding rapidly down toward Jackson, who, in answer to Dick's inquiry as to what was the matter, informed us that his wagon had stalled with some heavy logs, and he was going for reinforcements to help out. Our friends were on the porch at the Glen expecting our arrival, and their welcome was flattering. Ellen desired to hear an account of our adventures, which I undertook to furnish, delicately dramatizing the most susceptible points; but Dick interrupted me with such an avalanche of jumbled gasconade that one who didn't know him might have supposed we had just returned from an exploration in the heart of the Andes. I went to the supper-table in disgust. When we repaired to the parlor after tea, I perceived that there had been considerable accessions to the company during our absence. I joined Ellen Hardy, and in the crowd of strangers hoped to find a quiet opportunity for delivering several effective little speeches which I had carefully prepared during the day's ride. Dick, however, seemed determined to allow me no chance, and whether at the piano, or looking at the stereoscopes, or promenading the room, he was always at her elbow. Whether she observed my vexation and kindly devised a temporary relief I can not say, but I felt pleased and grateful |