me sit down, Sirs. Roes, here, where there Is no 
light." She seemed almost heslde herself. 
‘•Sty dear, there Is no seat; Just wait a mo¬ 
ment," and the lady hurried Into the house. She 
returned In a few moments, but not alone. An¬ 
other hand brought the chair she had gone to 
seek, and another hand sot It down by Magda¬ 
len^ side. 
“Thanks, Mr. Langlet. Now, my dear, sit 
down; the fresh air will revive you." 
She sat down helplessly, without utterLng a 
word. 
Mr. Langley did not return to the house, but 
deliberately took his place against the pillar 
where Magdalen had leaned. 
The light from the windows fell on his dark face, 
as he stood, and Magdalen saw him clearly, but 
he gave no sign of recognition. “ We shall never 
teach this Northern snowdrop to hear our South¬ 
ern warmth" said Mrs. Ross. “Are all English¬ 
women so hard to accustom to; new climates?” 
He turned and looked at Magdalen in the dim 
light, hut no change of expression followed the 
look. “ English snowdrops can stand a good deal 
sometimes,” was his answer. 
“ You are not at all like a snowdrop, Air. Lang¬ 
ley, although you are a country man of Allss 
Marsden’S,” continued the lady. 
* “ I am scarcely English, my mother was an 
Italian,” he answered with a perceptible tremor 
In his voice, as he thought of the beautiful 
Southern face which had watched over his 
cradle,” 
“ Was she ? I did not know that. Have you 
lived In Italy 7 Tell me about It all, especially 
Rome and Venice. I long to go there ?” 
He obeyed her, and talked as Magdalen had 
never heard hlui talk of the far-famed cltLesof 
sunny Italy. It all seemed so unreal, so dream¬ 
like. The southern summer nights, the softened 
lights, and yet tn the midst ot It stood the center 
star of Magdalen's life. And how changed ! As 
the deep voice talked on, enrlchiug every subject 
that 11 touched upon, she saw how the dark face 
was softened, refined, yet with Its old expression 
of strength and determination. 
“ And now, alter all your wanderings, you have 
come here,” said Mrs. Ross. 
“ Yes, I have at last come here but not to stay" 
“ You do not leave at once I hope.” 
“I may leave to-morrow." Magdalen raised 
her head at the words, and met his dark eyes 
fixed upon her wl th no stranger’s gaze. 
“ Why, Mr. Langley, you will have seen noth¬ 
ing.” Mrs. Ross went on. 
“ I shall have seen what I came to see,” he re¬ 
plied. 
“Oh, well, of course, you know best about that, 
and—here is Mrs. Tracy, singing,” as a sound 
of music came through the open windows. 11 Mr. 
Langley you must come and hear her, and Allss 
AIarsden?” 
But Magdalen chose to sit sill, and watched 
the two figures, as they went together towards 
the door. At length one of them returned and 
stood before her in silence. 
“ I have come along way,” he said at length 
“to ask your forgiveness for certain harsh words 
of mine written long ago. it will cost you little 
to grant It, I know,” he went on In a slow cold 
voice: “When the pain of $ wrong has ceased 
we can forgive the wrong doe.r easily.” 
4for ®outfit. 
, CONDUCTED BY MISS FAITH RIPLEY. 
DECKING THE CROSS. 
In Naples, on a Christmas room, 
A priest the cross was dressing 
With opening- buds and flowers new-born. 
When, all her sins confessing, 
A beggar girl drew softly near, 
And on the cross she dropped a tear, 
“ Ah!” said the priest, "my flowers are sweet. 
But, child, thine eyes have given 
This blessed cross an offering meet 
To the dear King of heaven, 
For I can place no garland here 
So sweet as thy repentant tear ! " 
Boston Transcript. 
- 
LETTERS IN CROSS-STITCH. 
Fig. 1 is a monogram worked In cross and Ital¬ 
ian stitches, (Italian slitch is merely working a 
Fig 1. 
straight slitch at the edge of four threads each 
way), with Ingrain cotton ot two colors. It Is 
suitable for marking table, and house linen. 
Fig. 2 is Alphabet In cross stitch for marking 
napery of all kinds. 
-- 
GRANDMOTHER SPEAKS.-No. 1. 
Well, well! there is no reason that I know of, 
why I should not speak occasionally. Old ladles 
have a good deal of time to think; they are not 
occupied with the pomps and vanities of the 
world; they have lived long enough to see the 
folly of a, great many things, and if young people 
would only be advised, they might save them¬ 
selves a great deal ot sorrow and pain; but no, 
they are bound to rush along, and see the folly for 
themselves, and then they are convinced. Expe¬ 
rience Is i good school and a rough one too; hut 
lessons learned there are apt. to be remember¬ 
ed. I ha ve made up my mind, that young people 
are not. as happy now-a-rlays as they were fltty* 
years ago. They have so much pulling and frlz- 
zlng, and flounctng and furbelowing to attend to 
that they do not get time to eujoy themselves as 
thoroughly os girls used to. 
When they go anywhere, It takes such an ever¬ 
lasting time to get ready, that, they are quite ex¬ 
much-rldleuled question of “womans’ rights,’-’ 
almost Invariably awakens In the masculine 
breast a feeling akin to that which Is aroused In 
the males of some other species, by displaying be¬ 
fore them a scarlet cloth—we cannot wenderat.lt, 
I will quote from Sword Stick’s article of Dec. 22d, 
“I charge the woman of to-day with a love of 
ease and display, and a destro to shirk the re¬ 
sponsibilities of her sex, which cannot, fall to de¬ 
stroy the sac red ness of her position, and the 
power to mold men.” Now, oh, valorous Sword 
.Slick, had you said that such women might, occa¬ 
sionally he found, especially in fashionable soci¬ 
ety, I should have been compelled to agree with 
you, more’s the pity—hut. as you Include the 
whole sex In your charge, I must say that 1 con¬ 
sider It cither a great mistake on your part, or 
worse still—the outward expression of that con¬ 
tempt for women in any capacity, except that of 
a child's nurse, Tmtsckccficj', or toil, which la so 
prevalent among gentlemen, especially vent 
young gentlemen, with urjformed minds—whose 
knowledge ot t he sex Is limited to their mediocre 
female relatives, and to a few shallow school 
girls. You are pleased to assert that mothers 
sacrifice their offsprings to faslilon, and money, 
This Is true only of the women belonging to what 
are termed the “ upper classes,” and probably of a 
comparatively small proportion even of them. 
With nine-tenths of woman-kind their own per¬ 
sonal ease and comfort are the last thing consider¬ 
ed, and, when the welfare ot tbetr lamllles seems 
In a measure to require it, they cheerfully make 
sacrifices, which, were they demanded of hus¬ 
bands and fathers, would be groaned over, and 
considered unendurable. Of course, there are ex¬ 
ceptions to this rule as to every.otber. When, in 
rare Instances, we see a woman indifferent to the 
moral and physical well-being ot her family, we 
are likely to look upon her as a sort of monster, 
whereas nobody is surprised to see a husoand 
and father deliberately deny his wire aucl chil¬ 
dren t he comforts and luxuries to which they 
have a right equal to his own, In order that 
he may indulge himself In what he doubt¬ 
less considers necessities, but which, instead of 
benefiting him In any way, only have the effect 
of making him every day a little more of a 
brute. 
1 know men (men, too, who occupy a good posi¬ 
tion In society, and In the Church and who con¬ 
sider themselves irreproachable as husbands and 
fathers) who, day after day can, evident ly with¬ 
out self-reproach, see a delicate, sickly wife 
wearing herself out lu performing unaided duties 
which only a strong, robust person should think 
ot attempting. They accept this sacrifice of 
strength and life as their right* in their supreme 
selfishness, never, perhaps, stopping to think 
that the sum which they squander weekly in 
that.vegetable abomination, tobacco, would be 
sufficient to hire a little help occasionally to 
llguton the burdens, and prolong the life of her 
whom they have sworn to cherish and protect. 
You say “ there be many, In whose presence men 
may well uncover the head, and bow. In loving 
and reverent homage;” very true—but* the wo¬ 
men who Inspire that respect are not the soft, 
pliant, submissive nonentities, wbo sit In “the 
quiet corner," discoursing ou household matt ers. 
Now, while pitying thoso Insignificant corner 
-A class of women is arising in our land, to 
whom, in the future, men will. Indeed, “gladly 
uncover their heads,” for they will have proved, 
not only to their own joy, but to the perfect, 
though, perhaps unacknowledged satisfaction of 
their would-be oppressors, that they are Intel¬ 
lectually, morally and physically qualified to 
stand side by side with their brothers, working 
with head, heart and voice., for t he good of the 
nation. Onward, is the watchword: One uni¬ 
versity after another opens its doors to the noble 
girls who are no longer content to call their edu¬ 
cation “ flolshed,” at a stage where their broth¬ 
ers’Is just commenced. Most, or the professions 
are admitting into their ranks women who will 
be to them an ornament and a crown, or such 
material Is the mother of t he future. Her sons 
will not call her “ the old woman.” and listen to 
her words with an Insolent smile and undis¬ 
guised comteinpt for her opinions. 
A better day Is at hand—yes, even now, in the 
East, we can see the first faint streaks which tell 
or its coming! Ah, hrave, but mistaken foe! 
Cannot you see how vain arc all those fightings 
against what Is Inevitable 7 You may strive to 
block the way of reform—you, and others of your 
Ilk, may play your little games of literary battle¬ 
dore and shuttlecock—but, you can no more stay 
the tide of progress than a boy could drown the 
thunders ot Niagara with a penny whistle. And 
so, with armor unplerced, though battered, and 
soul undismayed, back to her “ quiet corner ” 
goes Ermengarde. 
- 4 - 
TALKS ON TIMELY TOPICS. 
The Household Library. 
ROSE GEHANIDJI. 
Pray do not pass judgement against us and 
rise up lu rebellion when we declare that the 
hook-shelves ot the average farmer are the most 
neglected spots In his dominion! Of course, there 
are very many exceptions, and yours, dear sir, 
may be one. However, by way of sobering your 
deliberations you m’glit Just get a pencil and 
paper and briefly catalogue! Facts are stubborn 
filings and we will rejoice with you If they place 
you beyond the reproach of mis accusing pen! 
We do love beauty as a child loves a butterfly. 
We joy, in all bright and graceful things, and 
we hold they are, each in Its place, ministers of 
inspiration. 
We like to w r ateh apalrof hopeful young home 
builders, busy as May-robins, lighting up tneir 
pretty domicile with bits or color; tempering It 
with shade, hallowing every whit by the impress¬ 
es of loving self-saermee and dear, carelul fin¬ 
gers ! We are glacl when the marble-topped cen- 
ter-table arrives; wUeu the Brussels carpet, and 
velvet rug are laiu down. We rejoice over the 
rep-cushloned chairs ami the silver tea-service. 
But withal, there Is a sore spot in our hearts un¬ 
less we can perceive that the library is filling up! 
We want to see a new book sandwiched be¬ 
tween every two purchases, and newspapers and 
magazines druting around so thickly that the 
very order or the situng-room Is Imperiled. We 
never knew anything worse than Intelligent sons 
She sprang from her seat, and stood one mo¬ 
ment shivering, then all her love rose in wild de¬ 
fense, and out ot her long sllenco, leapt this cry; 
“ It has not ceased—O, Hugh, the pain la here 
still!” And she pressed her trembling hands over 
her wildly beating heart, and then hid her race 
In them with one low piteous sob. 
“ .Magdalen," whispered a deep voice In her 
ear, and a strong arm Held her lu passionate em¬ 
brace. “Ah. AIaguelan mil, forgive me, I have 
beenfaitlmil through all, and 1 come to claim my 
reward.” 
She lifted up her face and saw in the dim light 
his dark eyes fixed upon her with the old tender 
gaze, yet mil ot new adoration, as he saw In her 
a new and a more perfect loveliness than had 
been hers of yore. 
“llnGu, l have waited for you,” she answered 
softly, then between them there was perfect 
silence, as they stood heart to heart, with the 
great sea stretching away at their feet, as It, 
had done years before In their quiet English home. 
and daughters to grow out ot such untidiness. 
However, there has never been a time calllug 
for such careful discrimination on the part, of 
purchasers as the present. There la no such thing 
as a simply innoc mt publication. Literature Is 
either helpful or hurtful. 
To avoid the uttcowpromisingly evil and vicious, 
is an easy task. When tbe enemy defiantly 
hoists his flag, there Is no mistaking him. We 
can, lu Mils case, pass by cm ihe other side; and 
if we are even wanting, as many must be. In in¬ 
telligent Judgment, our literature of to-day has 
somauy gifted friends and generous advisers, 
that we need not, go lar astray. 
To go to housekeeping without a family Bible 
and au Unabridged Dictionary ought to be elect¬ 
ed a criminal offense. Here are the bey innings 
of wtsdorn and Intelligence, and even in t he event 
otall prosperity ruuuiug backwards, the llt-nted 
victims need not be left without, a tangible basis 
for respectable knowledge. Indeed, with only 
these two volumes lor text-books, one may be 
quite fairly equipped lor a battle with existence. 
Yer, we only offer this as consolation for the poor 
and nor, as an apology for the rich. We should 
add modern history to ancient, poetry to sci¬ 
ence, Scott ancl dickens to theology. We should 
know the opinions or the best minds or to-day, 
upon all questions of social life, ot philosophy, of 
agriculture. 
We have kuown famous business men, keen 
financiers, to grow out of bookless homes, but 
never the groat-hearted and tender eouled. They 
come from retreats where, it poverty precludes 
more, there may, at least, bo round a well-worn 
Bible! And they come with yearnings for know i- 
edgo which will not be silenced until they are 
fed. 
Parents, take a half-hour and gla nee over your 
libraries to see 11 there be not some vacancy to 
till up with a volume which wlt^add to the cheer 
of the windy winter nights. Get for the boy a 
book of history or travels . (or tbe girl a copy of 
Tennyson, or Longfri.low, or Browninu— some 
sweet poet who sings along the quiet vales of ltte 
In notes we all can understand! Win them to 
read aloud around the evening lamp. and most 
unconsciously their young souls will be drawn 
out to follow after those who call—to follow, and 
slug, and be gl - d! 
For such Is the power ot Influence. Your child 
will be molded by the compa ulons you select. As 
you value Its happiness and the honor of your 
name, see that they are noble! 
hausted before tho operation of dressing Is com¬ 
pleted, and are tired enough to go to bed and 
rest. It Is a great wonder io me wbat they arc 
about: two hours, at the best calculation, to dress 
tor a party t I expect before they get through 
life, they will he glad to have a. little of the time 
they squander away in fixing themselves for a 
fashion figure. 
Folks do not look, act, or talk as they used to 
do. 1 suppose people are made up very much as 
they used to be; but somehow, the world or the 
folks lu it have got. badly twisted, Even babies 
don't look as they did. Little darlings! how 1 
pity them! Laid away In their cribs, with a glass 
bottle substituted for their mother, and fed ac¬ 
cording U) fashionable rules, Instead ot being 
gfUiggled in their toothers’ bosoms, as Uon meitui 
they should be. No wonder so many o( them die 
or grow to a maturity of weakness and III health, 
it ain't according to nature, to bring babies up in 
such a way, and It Is a sin to do It. But rashlou 
has got ahead of nature and humanity both. 
Mothers used to take comfort, cuddling ibelr ba¬ 
bies in their arras, and were real happy with 
them; but It Is so different now. I suppose It Is 
all in the march of progress. Then, too, we 
used to have sweet little girls and boys, full of 
lire and fun, and mischief too; but that class ot 
human nature Js out of fashion now. There Is no 
such thing as girlhood or boyhood in these days. 
They are ladles and gentlemen, and they are as 
full of affectation as the older folks. They make 
smart speeches and do remarkably pert things; 
and if they should act as children uspd to behave, 
they would g 'l lectured for their outlandlsHBeas. 
No. ] don’t believe lu bringing up children lu tbe 
present stylo. 1 don't think t hey are as happy, 
or as good either, hs they used to be. They are 
trained up to be deceitful and hypocritical. The 
first lessons they aro taught, are to put on a 
smooth exterior and appear hotter than they are. 
I presume many will disagree with what I have 
said. I expect they will; and If they think I am 
mistaken, they should say so. But I really be¬ 
lieve what I have said Is too sadly true. 
“THE COMBAT DEEPENS.” 
I non? I atn duly grateful for lb e Interest which 
at least two of the superior sex manifest lu regard 
to my unpretending articles. True, that Interest 
appears to assume rather a pugnacious character 
—still, when we recollect that any mention of the 
REFARTEE. 
It was said by the London Tlrae3 that the best 
repartee on record was one made by a homeo¬ 
pathic physician. It was elicited In this way : 
A homeopathic physician, practicing In Loudon, 
published a pamphlet commending the theory 
and practice or 11 aiinkm an. An allopathic physi¬ 
cian published an answer. The wordy contro¬ 
versy through tbe press became warm and per¬ 
sonal, and it so happened that the disputants 
met on the street, and then, from words, soon 
came to blows. Tbe homeopathist, being the 
weaker man of tbe two, whs thrown to the pave¬ 
ment, and while down theullopathlst steppod over 
him, and uplifting his cane said to tho prostrate 
homeopathist, “now beg for your lice!” No, 
said the threatened, “ not until I am your patient.” 
Tho anger, and tho uplifted club, had no terrors 
compared with his medicine. 
Highly commended as this repartee Is by the 
“ Thunderer ” we think that Sydney Smith made 
one fully its equal. Sydney lmd been holding an 
argument with a county squire, and quite to be 
expected, soon got. the best of It, when the squire, 
having lost the argument became personal, as 
most men do In such cases, and then said “Mr, 
Smith, it I had an idiotic son, half witted, I 
would make a clergyman Of him.” Sydney re¬ 
plied, “You may thlnltao, butyou father did nor.” 
J. Orville Taylor. 
Fig. 2. 
divinities, and admitting that their mental and 
physical weakness audllltleness are ciwl ng to gen¬ 
erations of systematic training and pruning, to 
make them fit nicely into that snug niche, which 
Is recognized as woman’s legitimate place, l 
would say that not tn them lies the hope for 
better things for our sex. 
