We had crossed the Delaware at Yardley, with a splendid view of the river and the city of Trenton, a short distance below the bridge. We had arrived at Bound Brook, from which this division of the Philadelphia and Reading takes its name. We had passed through Plainfield and many other pretty Jersey towns, through the beautiful and historic little city of Elizabeth, and were rapidly approaching our journey's end. ride. Of this, one could not have wished better evidence than to have seen the old gentleman twist his moustachios, and gallantly offer his services to two fair young ladies overburdened with bundles and packages. This service they accepted in such a gracious and lady-like manner as made the dear old boy blush up to the roots of his hair. "Those two young women were ladies,” said he, as we were crossing the North River; "for, I had forgotten, until now, to ask my friend Bob, no woman of true refinement is ever prudish. what had brought him East. He informed me, much to my delight, that he had come East to stay, that he intended to buy new machinery and start his manufacturing business in the suburbs of either New York or Philadelphia, preferring New York so far, as he already had many large customers in that city. "All the more reason," I argued, "why you should choose our city, for your New York trade being already secured, why not settle in Philadelphia and build up an additional one there? And the expense of both time and money in getting to New York is so slight as to be no objection to Philadelphia. You can make the trip over and back in a morning or an afternoon or an evening, and for ninety dollars you can get twenty-five roundtrip tickets." Scudding over the few remaining miles of our course, in a few minutes we were running into the commodious depot at Communipaw, having so far consumed considerably less than two hours of time. "And here we are at last," I remarked, gathering up the luggage. "Is that a fact?" the old fellow answered gleefully. "Why, I thought we were only fairly started." Indeed, he was a different man; the clouds in his head and the twitches in his legs, as well as the irritability of his temper, had all been dissipated by the cheerful influences of our pleasant Why, one hot day last summer, when everybody in the car had the window next him up, one little plump, black-eyed miss of twenty had hers down, while she was perspiring and fanning herself as though her life depended upon it. Supposing she could not raise up the window, I said, bowing, 'Excuse me, miss, but shall I have the pleasure 'S-i-r!' said she, in such a tone as attracted the attention of everybody in the car. I was about to explain, but she wouldn't give me time, not she. 'I don't want to have nothin' to do with yer at all, yer old gray-headed sinner; an' if yer don't go way with yer impert'nence, it will cost you dear. I tell yer I've got a friend in the smokin' car, as I want yer to understand.' As you will imagine, I beat a hasty retreat to another car. It was well I did, for the people of that one would have hustled me out if I hadn't.” A short ferry ride and we were landed at Liberty street, within easy walking distance of Wall street and Broadway and of good hotels. After making an appointment for the return trip next day, we separated, and he started off as briskly as a schoolboy to fulfill his business engagements. It hardly seemed credible that he was the wretched person I had found at the hotel in the morning, groaning with rheumatic aches and dreading the very thought of further railway travel. Pleasant companionship and a quick, delightful ride had wrought the change. As I walked with myself And myself said unto me: "Beware of thyself, Take care of thyself, For nobody cares for thee." As I walked with myself I talked with myself, In this self-same reverie, And I said to myself, "Beware of thyself, For nobody cares for thee." A WONDERFUL WOODEN SHOE. BY HART AYRAULT. THE great and illustrious violinist, Nicolo | fused to take part in because he would have to Paganini, had fallen seriously ill toward the close play gratuitously, and I haven't a doubt that he of a series of concerts given by him in Paris, shuns our society for fear he may be asked for September, 1832. He was attacked by a low similar favors." intermittent fever, which refused to yield to the remedies employed, and he whose leanness was at all times almost spectral, now seemed as though his frail existence hung by a thread which the slightest shock might sever. His physicians, with serious apprehensions for his life, ordered absolute repose and a strict regimen as to diet, and in order to carry out these prescriptions, Paganini removed to the Villa Lutetiana, in the Faubourg Poissonnière. Paganini could not help perceiving how he was regarded by his fellow-boarders, but it affected him little, if at all. His health gradually improved, and he began by degrees to exchange a few words with Nannette, the bonne who attended upon him, a cheerful, bright-faced, innocent country girl, whose gay prattle when she served his meals often availed to dispel the cloud which habitually darkened his brow. One morning Nannette presented herself with swollen eyes and a sad, tear-stained countenance, and served breakfast without the customary cheery words. The musician, who watched her closely, noted the change in the young girl, and questioned her about it. "What's the matter, my child? You have been weeping, and you look very sad; some misfortune has then befallen you, Nannette ?" "Oh! but yes, Monsieur." "Would it be indiscreet to ask you what it is ?" "No, Monsieur, not precisely; but-" Paganini fixed his great black eyes on the girl's troubled countenance. This luxurious establishment was intended at that time for the exclusive reception and cure of wealthy invalids. A spacious handsome house stood in a large park-like garden, where every patient could ramble at will, and enjoy the society of his fellows or solitude at his option. The reputed charm of the house was that every one did precisely as he chose, either living in the solitude of his own apartment, or joining in the excellent company that brightened the drawingroom with music, games, conversation, or dancing. Paganini naturally belonged to those who preferred quiet, and thus there was plenty of gossip about him, as several censorious old ladies chose to think he avoided their society too pointedly. "Have you seen the great artist," said one. "Ma foi! he salutes no one, either passing with his eyes cast down to the ground, or staring blankly in front of him, as though one didn't exist. He takes his bouillon covertly by himself in an arbor, and flees the moment any one approaches. What a drôle he is, to be sure!" "That is part of his malady," said another. "Depend upon it, there is some terrible mystery hidden somewhere. People do hint there was a love story." "Love story, indeed! one might as well be substitute for him?" wooed by Death on a pale horse." "No, mesdames, the secret is that Paganini is a miser; there's no mystery about it at all. Every one knows that the concert organized for the benefit of the inundation at St. Etienne, he re "I see how it is," he said. "After making you a thousand promises, he has quitted you, and you no longer have any tidings of him." "Hélas! Monsieur, 'tis not Henri's fault. It is true he has quitted me; but what will you? it was against his will." "How is that ?" "He drew a bad number in the conscription, poor fellow and he has been marched away with a great long gun on his shoulder, and I shall never see my Henri again," sobbed the poor girl, burying her face in her apron. "But, my child, listen: can you not purchase a The girl, withdrawing her apron, smiled through her tears. "Surely Monsieur is jesting," she said; "a poor girl like me, how could I buy a substitute?" "It costs then very dear?" "Ah! but yes, Monsieur. This year men are dearer than ever, because there is a report that there is going to be a war. Fifteen hundred francs is the lowest price." The musician patted Nannette's plump shoulders with his long, sallow hand as he said: "Don't distress yourself, my child, if that's all. We'll see what can be done." And disregarding the young girl's delighted thanks, he tore a leaf out of his pocket-book, on which he wrote: "There must be a mistake," said he; "I expect no case.' "Pardon, Monsieur," replied Nannette, "there is no mistake, for I saw the name myself on the lid in great letters, comme ça," measuring with her hands. "Then," said Paganini, "he'd better bring it in." Accordingly the stout porter was introduced, and brought into the room a large-sized deal-box, on which, besides the address, were the words, "Mem.--To see about giving a concert for the "Fragile-with care." Paganini looked it over benefit of Nannette." A month passed on and the winter arrived, and Paganini's physician still forbade his going out of the house until spring should come. with some curiosity, and calling for a hammer proceeded to open the lid. His skilled and muscular hands soon accomplished the task, and the company, whose curiosity caused them to trans "If I must submit, I must," replied the gress the bounds of good manners, crowded musician. During the winter Paganini grew stronger, and a comparative degree of health was attained. Being no longer able to stroll about the gardens, he began gradually to frequent the drawing-room, where, throwing himself on a sofa, he would pass half an hour or so turning over a book of engravings, or sipping a glass of eau sucrée. The old ladies of the house still gossiped about him and his peculiar ways, but if he heard he certainly did not heed them. Christmas eve approached. There is a Christmas custom in France that takes the place of our stocking-hanging, or that is equally dear to its juvenile inhabitants. The little wooden shoes are ranged in order around the hearth, and a beneficent fairy is supposed to come down the chimney laden with various presents and dainties with which he fills them. It has been calculated that one year with another the Christmas wooden shoe enriches the trade of Paris with two million francs. On the morning before Christmas several of Paganini's female critics were in secret consultation together. around in order to see the contents of the box. After burrowing through a quantity of straw and shavings, the musician drew out a large packet, enveloped in strong wrapping-paper, and sealed with several seals. Having opened this, a second, a third, and finally a fourth envelope appeared, all sealed in like manner, and at length the curious eyes of the company were regaled with a gigantic wooden shoe, carved out of a piece of ash, and almost large enough to serve as a child's cradle. Bursts of laughter greeted the discovery. "Ah!" said Paganini, with a long-drawn exclamation, "a sabot, and I can guess, without indiscretion, who sent it. Some of these estimable ladies wish to compare me to a child who always expects presents, yet never gives any. Allons donc ! We will try and make the wooden shoe worth its weight in gold." So saying, and absorbed in his own idea, Paganini withdrew to his own apartment without saluting the company, carrying with him the case and its contents. For more than four days he did not reappear in Before they separated one remarked: "It will the drawing-room. Nannette, when questioned, be for this evening, then ?" informed the company that he worked from morn "Yes, for this evening; that's settled," replied ing to night with carpenters' tools, and in fact the another. Just after Paganini had ensconced himself on his customary sofa that evening, and was quietly discussing his sugared water flavored with a dash of orange-flower, Nannette entered and announced that a porter had arrived with a case directed to Signor Paganini. musician, whose hands were wondrously flexible and dexterous in all things, had fashioned a perfect and sonorous instrument out of the wooden shoe. Having stretched one silver string across it, his work was complete. A public notice appeared stating that on New Year's he, Paganini, would give a concert in the large hall of the Villa Lutetiana. The great master announced that he would play ten pieces, half on the violin, half on a wooden shoe. The tickets were limited to one hundred, at twenty francs each. There was, of course, a great rush to secure places, and it is needless to state that the élite of the beau monde, who, during several months had been deprived of the pleasure of hearing Paganini, attended in large force on the evening in question. The Faubourg Poissonnière was crowded with elegant equipages, the concert-hall was furnished with comfortable chairs and brilliantly lighted for the occasion, and expectation was on tip-toe to fathom the announcement concerning the wooden shoe. script, the tears, the sobs, the wailings of his betrothed,-then his stormy life on the battle-field, and finally his return in triumph and happiness to his love once more. A merry peal of weddingbells completed the musical poem. Thunders of applause shook the hall, as showers of bouquets thrown by fair and jeweled hands fell around the great artist. Even the censorious old gossips were transported, and clapped and applauded with the rest. In a far corner of the hall sat Nannette, sobbing and weeping bitterly, for the symphony had come home to her and gone straight to her heart. At the end of the concert the receipts were counted and found to amount to two thousand francs. At length Paganini appeared, smiling, with every appearance of sound health, and was greeted 'Here, Nannette," said Paganini to the aswith rapturous applause, as he played on his mar- tonished and delighted girl, "you have five hunvelous violin some of those strains such as were dred francs over the sum required to purchase a never heard before and may, alas! never be heard substitute for Henri; they will defray the marchagain. Then, in an ecstacy, he seized upon the ing expenses of your bridegroom; but, ma foi!" wooden shoe, which, in its new guise of a violin, he continued, as a new thought struck him, " you still preserved somewhat its pristine form. His will need something wherewith to start the ménage. whole being was alive with enthusiasm as he Here, my girl, take the shoe violin and sell it for began one of those wondrous improvisations which your dowry." transported his hearers into the seventh heaven. This one represented first the departure of a con Nannette did so, and received from a rich amateur six thousand francs for Paganini's wooden shoe. NOVELTIES IN FANCY-WORK. BY MARIAN FORD. LADIES who devote much of their time to fancy- represented. By studying the cuts in succession work of various descriptions are always in search no one will have the slightest difficulty in masterof "something new," and the interest felt in ing the stitch. It would be wise for the learner every description of embroidery, from the simple to begin by practicing upon canvas, or some simi"cross-stitch," familiar to almost every one who lar material, before trying her skill upon fine can hold a needle, to the most elaborate designs linen or grass-cloth, which will be a much more in "Kensington art-work," will doubtless secure severe tax alike upon eyes and patience. a welcome from the readers of the MONTHLY for two new varieties of cross-stitch, illustrated in this article, the Italian double-stitch, and the parted cross-stitch. The former is used for linen or grass-cloth, and possesses the advantage of having no "wrong side," a very desirable thing for some articles. This stitch is clearly illustrated in the accompanying cuts (Figs. 1-14). No extended description or detailed explanation seems to be demanded, with such clearness every stage of the stitch is here As soon as the stitch has been acquired, she can proceed at once to embroider the elaborate pattern illustrated in Fig. 15, where the heavier double-stitch is relieved by single stitches, forming slender graceful lines, the method of working which can be seen by a glance at the cut. This is used as one of the bands on the curtain illustrated in Fig. 16, a very beautiful design in which the border of Italian double-stitch embroidery is placed between rows of filet, for which, however, other styles of ornamentation may be the magazine, or insertion of darned net, designs for which will be contained in the present article. Another variety of Italian double-stitch is illustrated in Fig. 17. This is produced by simply drawing the threads tightly together, to cause a FIG. 5. Third bar, right. FIG. 6. FIG. 3. FIG. 4. medium size, in dark-red, yellow, and pale-blue zephyr. Very coarse canvas is shown in the cut, that the learner may be able to follow the stitch with greater ease. In Fig. 18 the first stitch is seen worked upward; in Fig. 19 the same stitch worked across to the left. Fig. 20 shows the second stitch worked upward, and Fig. 21 the same worked across to the right. In Fig. 22 we have illustrated the completion of the stitch and the beginning of the next one. It should be borne in mind that this stitch is to be worked slantingly. The pattern will be found very pretty for the low round footstools now fashionable. An ordinary pine frame can be made by any carpenter, Fourth bar, beginning of next stitch, and supplied with castors. Tack stout pieces of webbing, interlaced like the threads in darning, lace-like effect. The work should be done in an over the top. Over this tack strong unbleached embroidery frame. same row. A description of various methods of trimming curtains will be found in an article published in the December MONTHLY, entitled "Home Decoration and Holiday Gifts." would suggest to its readers that a band of Italian double-stitch embroidery would be very beautiful used in place of the tatted, crocheted, or drawn-work borders mentioned. cotton. Above this pile hair or wool to the height desired, cover with a second circular piece of cotton, and over this lay the embroidery, finishing it and concealing the wooden sides of the FIG. 7. The "parted cross-stitch," illustrated in cuts 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22, is very easily and rapidly embroidered, and is used for slippers, handbags, chair-stripes, pincushions, in- Finish last stitch, right, and beginning of deed, any of the articles for which the ordinary cross-stitch is employed. Congress canvas is generally the foundation, and either first stitch, left row. FIG. 8. Italian double-stitch, wrong side. stool beneath a band of plush, velvet, or rep, matching the blue or red of the embroidery |