For her brother was a soldier too and not afraid to die; And to hang the old sword in its place (my father's sword and mine) For the honor of old Bingen, — dear Bingen on the Rhine. "There's another, not a sister; in the happy days gone by You'd have known her by the merriment that sparkled in her eye; Too innocent for coquetry, too fond for idle scorning, — Tell her the last night of my life (for ere the moon be risen hear, The German songs we used to sing, in chorus sweet and clear; And down the pleasant river, and up the slanting hill, The echoing chorus sounded, through the evening calm and still; And her glad blue eyes were on me, as we passed, with friendly talk, Down many a path beloved of yore, and well-remembered walk! And her little hand lay lightly, confidingly in mine, But we'll meet no more at Bingen, -loved Bingen on the Rhine." His trembling voice grew faint and hoarse, his grasp was And the soft moon rose up slowly, and calmly she looked down On the red sand of the battle-field, with bloody corses strewn ; Yes, calmly on that dreadful scene her pale light seemed to shine, As it shone on distant Bingen, fair Bingen on the Rhine. CAROLINE E. NORTON. ARTEMUS WARD VISITS THE SHAKERS. "Mr. Shaker," sed I, " you see before you a Babe in the Woods, so to speak, and he axes a shelter of you." "Yay," sed the Shaker, and he led the way into the house, another bein sent to put my horse and wagon under kiver. A solum female, lookin somewhat like a last year's beanpole stuck into a long meal-bag, cum in and axed me was I athirst and did I hunger? To which I asserted, “A few.” She went orf, and I endeavored to open a conversation with the old man. "Elder, I spect?" sed I. 66 Yay," he said. "Health's good, I reckon?" "Yay." "What's the wages of a Elder, when he understands his bizness or do you devote your sarvices gratooitous ?'' "If the storm continues there'll be a mess underfoot, hay?" "Yay." "If I may be so bold, kind sir, what's the price of that pecooler kind of wesket you wear, includin trimmins?" 66 Yay." I pawsed a minit, and then, thinkin I'd be faseshus with him and see how that would go, I slapt him on the shoulder, burst into a hearty larf, and told him that as a yayer he had no living ekel. He jumped up as if bilin water had been squirted into his ears, groaned, rolled his eyes up tords the sealin and sed: "You're a man of sin ! He then walked out of the room. Directly thar cum in two young Shakeresses, as putty and suck lookin gals as I ever met. It is troo they was drest in meal-bags like the old one I'd met previsly, and their shiny, silky hair was hid from sight by long, white caps, such as I spose female gosts wear; but their eyes sparkled like diamonds, their cheeks was like roses, and they was charmin enuff to make a man throw stuns at his grandmother, if they axed him to. They commenst clearing away the dishes, casting sly glances at me all the time, I got excited. I forgot Betsey Jane in my rapter, and sez I, "My pretty dears, how air you?" "Where is the old man ?" said I, in a soft voice. "I mean that gay and festive cuss who calls me a man of sin. Shouldn't wonder if his name wasn't Uriah.” "He has retired." "Wall, my pretty dears," sez I, "let's have some fun. Let's play puss in the corner. What say?" "Air you a Shaker, sir?" they asked. "Wall, my pretty dears, I haven't arrayed my proud form in a long weskit yet, but if they wus all like you perhaps I'd jine 'em. As it is, I am willing to be Shaker protemporary." They was full of fun. I seed that at fust, only they was a little skeery. I tawt 'em puss in the corner, and sich like plase, and we had a nice time, keepin quiet of course, so that the old man shouldn't hear. When we broke up, sez I: "My pretty dears, ear I go, you have no objections, have you, to a innersent kiss at partin?" "Yay," they said, and I-yayed. C. F. BROWN. NELL. You're a kind woman, Nan! ay, kind and true! You knew my Ned? A better, kinder lad never drew breath. We loved each other true, and we were wed In church, like some who took him to his death; His senses when he took a drop too much. Drink did it all drink made him mad when cross'd And when I caught his arm and call'd, in fright, Then down he drops just like a lump of lead, Holding his brow, shaking, and growing whiter, And Nan! - just then the light seem'd growing brighter, All red! all bloody red! What could I do but scream? He groan'd to hear, And I was still, for fear. They're after me I've knifed a man!" he said, "Be still! the drink- drink did it! - he is dead!" Then we grew still, dead still. I couldn't weep; But breathing hard and deep. The candle flicker'd out the room grew dark And — Nan ! —although my heart was true and tried — I shudder'd not for fear of them outside, But just afraid to be alone with him. and he moan'd and shook, But kiss'd his poor stain'd hands, and cried, and bless'd him! Then, Nan, the dreadful daylight, coming cold With sound o' falling rain When I could see his face, and it look'd old, And Ned leap'd up, and knew that they had come. "Run, Ned!" I cried, but he was deaf and dumb! "Hide, Ned!" I scream'd, and held him; "hide thee, man!" He stared with bloodshot eyes, and hearken'd, Nan! And all the rest is like a dream the sound Of knocking at the door A rush of men a struggle on the ground For when I got my senses back again, The room was empty- and my head went round! God help him! God will help him! Ay, no fear! I didn't cry my heart was hard and dried ; And walk'd along the silent streets, where all And on I went, and stood in Leicester Square, 66 I started and turn'd east, before I knew, Then down Saint Martin's Lane, along the Strand, Some men and lads went by, And turning round, I gazed, and watch'd 'em go Next came a hollow sound I knew full well, For something gripp'd me round the heart!— and then O God! O God! how could I sit close by, And neither scream nor cry? As if I had been stone, all hard and cold, I listen'd, listen'd, listen'd, still and dumb, While the folk murmur'd, and the death-bell toll'd |