poor-wills,” said conny coaxlngly to the old lady, 
who, with her husband, had settled down after 
supper to a game of orlhbage, which Conny knew 
would last another hour at least—It was then 
about nine. 
“Bless the girl, can’t you hear them from your 
own garden ? Besides, you’ll catch your death of 
cold. Has Frank gone to bed already 7” 
“ Yes, dear, tired out,” said the wilful Conny, 
already on her way, 
Conny was soon threading her way along the 
moonlit walks of the grand old garden to her fa¬ 
vorite retreat—a high summer-house overlooking 
the river, built almost, immediately above the 
landing-steps where Will’s boat was always kept 
moored. The summer-house, embowered lu Its 
ivy covering and the foliage of the surrounding 
trees, was completely hidden from sight. 
And now, alone at laBt with all her fluttering, 
new-born bliss, recalling every word and look, re¬ 
membering every intonation of the musical voice, 
blushing again with tho memory of her lover’s 
kiss, Conny sat wrapt lu a dream of love’s own 
conjuring. 
By-and-by, borne upon the warm night air, 
came the harbinger of man’s lordly presence— 
tobacco fumes ; and soon from her hiding-place 
she saw the two men, Will and Harvey Devalue, 
coming along tho path. Her heart throbbing 
with the sudden Joy of seeing him who had been 
uppermost In her thoughts, she drew back Into 
the shadow until they passed. 
As they approached Devalue was saying— 
" Your Ideas, my dear fellow, won’t do Tor the 
present ago. In fact, I don’t believe they ever 
applied to men and women living In the world. 
Out away' In the back-woods 1 can understand a 
Darby-and-Joan existence. In tho world, In so¬ 
ciety, where a man meets with so much tempta¬ 
tion, 1 afllrm lt’Bimpossible.” 
“ i don’t see it,” was Will’s curt and dogged re¬ 
ply. 
*• My dear Mostyn,” said Devaine, seating him¬ 
self on the bench Just underneath Conny’s watch- 
tower, “ you never do see things in the same 
light as other people. Your Ideas of honor, truth, 
business, marriage, are all very line, hut simply 
not practical. Who but yon would ever dream of 
annoying me about little Ada 7 Did I seek her 
out? What is a man Lo do U 1 the women are so 
foolish 7 Thoy are all alike ; they never rest un¬ 
til they get a fellow In their tolls; and when he 
grows weary of the Joke, they kick up the deueus 
own shindy, and begin to rave about man’s luoou- 
stanoy and solhshness, Constancy, by Jove !”— 
here he laughed amusedly. “ I don’t believe a 
man could be constant. If he tried.” 
" Yes, yes," interrupted Will gravely, as be too 
seated himself—•* that Is all very Hue lu the 
* Ught-o'-lovo’ ufT ilia men Indulge In ; but when 
It applies to marriage, to that partnership tor 
life, It. alters tho case.” 
** Not a bit,” persisted Devaine. 
'* 1 toll you, Harvey, that when a man marries 
a woman, taking her to bo hl3 help-mate to 
share his lot, Tor belter ror worse, In riches and 
In poverty, and, by so doing, take.B from her 
every other chance In tho world—sotting aside 
nil religious caul and maudlin sentiment—I say 
he la pledged to her as sacredly as she Is to him; 
and, to my mind, being tiufalthful to a wlfo Is as 
dastardly as rounding ou a chum,” 
As Will delivered himself of this opinion, ener¬ 
getically enforcing each word with a wave of his 
meerschaum, he rose to his feet and strode on, 
leaving Devalue stretched out at mil length on 
the seat, his elbow supporting his handsome 
head, Uls cigar between Ills lips, which were 
curled with an amused and pitying smile, with 
one swift glance at t ho man lying below, and a 
long wistful look at Will’s receding figure, Con¬ 
ny turned and swiftly but noiselessly retraced 
her stops homewards. 
» » • • » 
“ There—1 knew how It would be! You’re as 
whlto as a ghost. A nice cold you’ll have to-mor¬ 
row I Did you hear the birds sing 7" 
“ No, dear, but I beard a raveu croak. Is papa 
In bed 7 Good night.” 
• « * •* * 
“ Then this Is your llnal answer 7” Tho spoaker 
was Harvey Devaine, who, pale even to his Ups, 
was standing In the parlor ol Ashton Cottage, 
having Just taken up his hat as If to go. 
“ Yes, Mr. Devalue,” was Coony’s low but Arm 
reply. 
“ Then, Miss smotalr, I compliment, you upon 
being tho most perrect coquette It has ever been 
my honor to know.” 
This taunt only served to bow Conny’s head a 
little lower, and to bring the hot blood rushing 
over face and oeck. 
“ Good morning.” 
'•Good morning,” she Just governed her trem¬ 
bling lips lo answer ; hut tho moment the door 
had closed she threw herself in a corner of the 
sofa and cried as though her heart would break. 
« • • t « 
Throe weeks had passed by and Will had not. 
put lu an appearance at Ashton Cottage. Frank 
and Mrs. Sinclair brought homo his exouBCB for 
not having called, ills plea was unusual pressure 
of business. 
Conny scarcely mlssod him at Urst, by reason 
of the bald battle she was hourly lighting with 
herself ; but, like iho true, bravo girl she was, 
sbe never illncbed from tho contest, but, facing 
t.be trouble, did her best to overcome It. 
At last Will wbo had not seen Devaine since 
the morning following tho boating excursion, 
when he, Will, left for business with the knowl¬ 
edge of what Devalhe’8 purpose was In remain¬ 
ing for a later train-made up hla mind that, as 
the thing had to be done, and not being able to 
Triune any more excuse for keeping away, he 
would got tuo meeting with Conny over ; so in a 
roost, cowardly state of mind be went across to 
Ashton Cottage. 
lie had waited until it. was dusk before be ven¬ 
tured to trust bis tell-tale face toitlie scrutiny of 
THE RURAL WEW-YORKER. 71© 
_v 
Conny’s—and most likely Devalne’s—keen eyes. 
Passing round the garden to the back of the 
house, where the sitting-room was. In which the 
old people Invariably played their evening game 
of cards, to his surprise there sat. Conny alone, 
reading by the light of the lamp, wbloh shed, to 
his thinkings, a pallor over her dear face. 
For one moment he meditated flight, lie never 
would bo able to go through the form of con¬ 
gratulation which would be expected of him. 
Just then Conny raised her head, and he was 
seen. As he stepped through the French window, 
she rose hastily and, putting out both hands, ex¬ 
claimed— 
<• Oh, Will, I am so glad to see you again 1” 
The glow of pleasure which spread over her 
face—which was thinner and paler than when he 
last saw lt>—he mistook for eager delight to Im¬ 
part her sweet secret to one whom she regarded 
as a brother. 
Holding her hands very tenderly lu his own, 
he said, looking wistfully into the beautiful grey 
eyes— 
“ conny, 1 have been a sad coward. Do you 
know I could not summon up the courage to come 
and wish you Joy 7” 
“ Wish—me—Joy ?’’ sheeohoed slowly and won- 
derlngly. '• Oh!” A sudden light seemed to 
dawn upon her. “ Will, you are all wrong,” she 
said, with a faint approach to her old saucy smile. 
The bands that he held were grasped so hard 
as to cause her pain. 
“ Conny, don't Joke, but tell me—tell me—did 
not Devaine-” as he hesitated, she supplied 
the words. 
“ Ask me to be bis wile 7 Yes.” 
"And you, Conny— 7” 
“ I refused him, Will.” 
“Thank Heaven !” said Will fervently, pressing 
her dear hands passionately to bis lips. 
“ Amen 1” was Conny’s low and solemn answer. 
“ And now, Will,” and all her bright manner re¬ 
turned—“ come and sit down and cell me ”' 
“ Walt a minute, Conny,” said he, without re¬ 
linquishing her hands; " I want you to tell me 
something elBa.” 
“ What is It, Will ?" 
“ If I were to’’—the tender voice grew husky In 
Its Intensity—” to ask you the same question that 
Devalue did, what would your answer be 7” 
“ Why, Will, my answer would be,” hero she 
disengaged onoot the Imprisoned hands and, lay¬ 
ing It confidingly on his shoulder, looked gravely 
andfruukly Into his taco—Ves.’” 
And Conny never regretted having given her 
life Into tho keeping of tue tuan who scorned the 
Idea of “ Hounding on an Old Chum.” a. v, 
-- 
RECENT LITEKATURE. 
'Phe Political Adventures ot Lord Hencous- 
lit-ld. Now York, ( if aui. vs Sciuu.VJtK’S cons. 
Price. 10 cents. OrlKiually puulished in FortnlgliUy 
llevlow. 
Thanks are due the publishers, tor collecting 
these caustic and clever papers and presenting 
them in a couveulout form to tho American pub¬ 
lic. Tho subject, of them has for many years oc¬ 
cupied so peculiar and prominent a position lu 
the political world, that even the feeblest at¬ 
tempt at outlining his personal history, could not 
but he entertaining and when, as in the present 
instance, the author shows a thorough knowl¬ 
edge and appreciation ol his subject, coupled wit.b 
literary ability of no moan order, the result Is a 
work, which uo one, who cares lu the least, for a 
Just estimate of the character and life or Eng¬ 
land’s Prime .Minister, can ufford to leave un¬ 
read. 
Disraeli la usually cited as an example of what 
persistent, wen-directed effort, can accomplish, 
and we are constantly being called on to admire 
tho tact and ability by which a man belonging to 
a proscribed race, has conquered for himself a 
proud position In the greatest of tnedern Empires. 
Well, tho world at large does admire him Im¬ 
moderately, and eveu the rev who take the 
trouble to peuetrate behind bis theatrical effects, 
and to get at the real man, must allow him a 
certain measure of greatness. No one could possi¬ 
bly more fully appreciate Beaconsilela’s attractive 
qualities tnan docs the anonymous author ot the 
book under notice, but while doing full Justice to’ 
the Premier’s undoubted ability, he is given to 
analyzing motives and methods and to t: noting 
out Inconsistences, and the result Is rather a 
sorry showing for Disraeli. “To thtno own self 
be true ” has been the Karl’s motto, and never 
for an instant, has he faltered lu Lila devotion to 
his own Interests. He has reaped wealth, posi¬ 
tion and the homage which these bring with 
them; but ho has done this at tho cost ot all that 
honorable men hold dear. To no principle has 
he been true. Expediency has neon the sole 
guide of his conduct, and bearing this Id mind, it 
is small wonder that wo Jlnd lilrn lueullfy log him¬ 
self at different times with political parties hold¬ 
ing the most diverse opinions. Whig, Tory, 
each In turn; in one breath advocating Free 
Trade and the next deno unclng It us a most st u¬ 
pendous evil. 
To-day, sir Robert Peel is a demigod, and Dis¬ 
raeli racks his brains for laudatory adject Ives of 
the degree superlative, lu which to express his 
devout admiration of his loader’s qualities of 
mlml and heart. A Utile later, and Mils fervent 
admirer has developed into t he most Implacable 
of foes, and theex-ldot Is plentifully bespattered 
with vituperation and Inventive. Bcuoouatleld’s 
method ot dealing with some of his books which 
It Is inconvenient now lo acknowledge, la, to say 
the least, unique, and besides, It has the merit of 
simplicity; he merely declares that they never 
have been, this too, in race of the fact that copies 
of tho “ never-have-beeas " are still extant. 
Truly, his Karlshlp la a wonderful man. and those 
who Inquire closely into Uls life, are tempted to 
add, “ fearful.” 
PaullMfl nnd other Poems. By Haxfobp Lsif- 
nox Gordon. New York: G. P. Putnam & Sons 
Thb blank verse poem, whlob gives its title to 
this volume. Is a pathetlo tale of the war, and 
one which the author might have told with more 
effect In simple prose. In spite of t.be oft recur¬ 
ring alliterations and high sounding phrases, the 
treatment the subject receives Is not poetic. The 
shorter poems making up the volume are of no 
especial merit. 
Nursery Rhyme* nml Melodies of Mother 
mo. llIn«».riitod with SO f illl-paeo sketches " in 
white.” By J. K. UooojunuK. Boston: Lee & 
Shepard. Price 60 cents. 
It would seem that time-honored Mother Goose 
affords an infinite variety and inexhaustible en¬ 
tertainment for people of all ages. The strength 
of this little book lies in Its unique Illustrations 
of the well-worn rhymes—each rhyme having 
Its appropriate and mirth-provoking silhouette, 
which Is lu Itself a whole volume of fun. We 
commend the book heartily to those who, seeking 
amusement for the little ones, are not themselves 
averse to enjoying a broad smile, on their own 
account. 
Tire Exile. A Story of St. Augustine. ByFiUNCiS 
Fontaine. New fork: G. P. Putnum & Sons, 
$ 1 . 23 . 
This Is a romantic poem, founded on the massa¬ 
cre of a band or nuguenot settlers la Florida by 
Spaniards, and the loves of Jean Rlbau'.t, com¬ 
mander of tho French fleet, and Leonore de C'ollg- 
ny. Though at times there lssomethlng strained 
In the style, the poem is full of vigor and beauty, 
and will well repay perusal. The theme affords 
abundant material for both t-he poet and the 
romancer. 
Merry Time*. Published by Porter & Coates. 
Philadelphia. Price $1-25. 100 pages. 
Tms Is a book for the little folks. It contains 
contributions from Louis M. Alcott, J T. Trow¬ 
bridge, A. L. O. E.. M. Ballantync, Caroline Had¬ 
ley, and many from other authors not so well 
known to fame. The work Is embellished with 
over two hundred illustrations. 
Watson’s Complete Speller (price 26 cents), 
and a one Terra's Course In Latin, or the Study 
of Latin Simpllfled and Condensed (price 20 cents), 
published by A. S. Barnes & Co., New York, are 
excellent text-books, which every teacher should 
examine for himself. Even theugh it may not be 
convenient to introduce these books Into all 
schools, teachers cun gather from them many 
useful hints, and by putting the suggestions Into 
practice, they can vastly Improve on the old 
methods of instruction, 
--- 
SGffiNTITIO AND USEFUL. 
It la difficult to clean glass bottles and other 
vessels that have been soiled with fatty tub- 
stances ; but If a concentrated solution of per¬ 
manganate ot potassium, to which a few drops of 
hydrochloric, add are added, be used as a wash, 
tho cleansing Is effected speedily and thoroughly. 
To show tho comparative estimation placed 
Upon the principal American woods used lu cabt- 
net-ir.aklng, Professor 0.8. Sage gives tht follow¬ 
ing table of actual prices, per l ,000 feet, In the 
Boston market: 
Black Walnut...$75 i Butternut.$50 
Whlto Oak.05 White Ash... 40 
Cherry... . «HJ | Sugar Maple.40 
In Germany, according to the Polytechnic Re¬ 
view, sawdust Is employed la tho production of 
sundry articles both useful and ornamental. A 
plastic mass Is prepared, composed two-thirds of 
hard-wood sawdust and oue-lhlrd glue, resin, or 
other binding material. This is compressed In 
brass molds, and tho moisture driven out by 
heat. T.ic articles made are bass-reliefs, plano- 
I keys, door-knobs, brush-handles and backs, etc. 
>1. Trnuvklot, a foreign scientific observer, has 
been experimenting with butterflies In order to 
solve tho disputed question as to the use of their 
antennm. He found that they could lly when de¬ 
prived of the antenna'. TD has been stated by 
other entomologists that they fell at once with¬ 
out any power ot filght, When temporarily 
blinded by covering the eyes with India Ink, they 
could lly without dashing into objects, provided 
the antemuo were left on, but If cut oft they fell 
at once. When blinded they did not perceive sugar 
by the antenna), but. if the stump were touched 
with it, the liny proboscis was at once unrolled 
and searched for It. When the stumps were cov¬ 
ered with gum arable, they were Insensible to 
the seductions of sugar water. M. Treuvelot con¬ 
cluded that the sense, located In the antennm is 
not merely that of touch, hearing or taste, nor a 
combination ot all three; but one that differs 
essentially from any experlenco by human be¬ 
ings; It is a klndot feeling and smelling at a 
great distance. • 
Lieutenant s.vyck, a retired officer ot the 
British army, has patented a steel shield for sol¬ 
diers. It Is carried, when required, by the men 
suspended In front of the chest and lu this posi¬ 
tion protects the vital parts of the body ; but the 
particular feature In thesu snields, and which the 
Inventor claims as tho special novelty. Is their 
use, when several are set up In a lino upon the 
ground, In protecting the meu while lying down 
or kneeling and firing front behind them. The 
shields, being slipped off the hooks, are set up by 
themselves, a hinged double rest at tho backsup- 
portlng them, this rebt requiring to bo fitted In a 
particular manner, to enable the shield, when 
standing by Itself, to resist the shock of a bullet 
striking It, without being overturned. This ar¬ 
rangement proves to bo a considerable difficulty 
In perfecting the Invention. TUe principal ob¬ 
jection Is the weight; more than this would have 
to bo carried extra, were It oneo proved there 
was an advantage In doing so, heavier weights 
having been formerly submitted to In ancient 
times, when physical activity was as necessary 
as it Is at tho present, one cart would carry a 
supply for two companies of a regiment, as the 
shields need not be issued to the tueu until they 
are In. proximity to an enemy. 
BRIC-A-BRAC. 
ROMANCE AND BEAUTY. 
“ Hebe is the bod where Nellie slept.” 
BUe turned tho snowy coverlet down: 
In through the lattice tho ivy crept— 
What a blissful change from the heated town ! 
•• Good night. ” She left me: the moonbeams fell 
On flower carpet “ T ‘d duiuty bed ; 
I smoked and pondered, but. strange to tell 
I couldn't get Nellie out of my head. 
“ My aunt had never a friend,” I said. 
*' Named Nell, or Nellie, yet I am here 
Seated on Nell’s, or Nellie’s bed— 
My clothes on Nell's or Nellie’s chair. 
Nellie I I always lilted that name, 
The gods arif propitious, and I perchance. 
Who voted the country dull and tame. 
Am hereboglan.'ng iny lire's romance. 
•' How fragrant this and this ewer quaint 
Has the water held in which Nellie we shod- 
Nellie, whose face need* C° nasty paint: 
And the basin, too-what a Pity ’tia smashed. 
" How soft this towel! Nellie <n' Nell. 
Has bang it thus. What a dear, s .veet virl 
She is to be sure, and this brush—ah. well. 
I wish I could drop on a truant curl'. 
“ Is she a blond 7 or is she a brunette ? 
I’m sure to love her. These nlghtB of bliss 
Are made for loving'- I knew that yet 
I should meet my fate in some.way like this. ,r 
I sank on the pillows. ” O dour, sweet Nell. 
To think that your cheek has pressed this down 
And your limbs reclined here, my country belle. 
One day to be queen of my house in town.” 
My sleep was broken. 'Twas not the breeze 
That sighed through the trees the whole night long 
I rather feared that It was the fleas. 
Though the thought seemed wicked, and base, and 
wrong. 
I looked In vain in the break fast room 
For Nell, or Nellie. She was not there. 
“ Dear aunt,” I said, " are we not too soon ? 
Miss Nell has not finished her morning prayer." 
“ Nellie come here," With cheeks aflame, 
I could not raise my eyes from the floor 
But grim was the air of the ancient dame 
As Nellie, her poodle, came in at the door. 
[From the Argonaut. 
ROME SALAKIE8. 
Increase In the salaries of some of Government 
officers of the present date compared with the 
compensation to incumbents of the same offices 
In 1S32, forty-six years ago: 
ls32 Salary. 
President Andrew Jackson.$25,000 
Vice-President John C. Calc'Oliu. 5,000 
1878. 
President R. B. Haves.. 50,000 
Vice President W. A. Wheeler... 10,000 
CABINET. 
1832. 
Secretary of State Ed. Livingston... Ji.000 
Secretary of the Treasury Louis McLaue_ 
Secretary of War Louie Oas*-... 8,1X75 
Secretary Of the Navy Levi Woodbury. *>,»#« 
Postmaster General Wm. T. Barry. O.eeo 
Attorney-General Roger Tl. Taney. 3.5®* 
1878. 
Secretary of state William Kvart*. 8.000 
Secretary or tho Treasury John Sbenuau. 8.000 
i etary of War George W. McCrary. 8,000 
Secretary of the Navy R, W. Thompson. 8.000 
Secretary of the Interior Carl Sehurz. 8.000 
Attorney-General Charles Dovens. 8 .OO 0 
FORBID » MINISTERS, 
1833. To Great Britain. 1878. 
Martin Vim Huron, $9,000 John Welsh.$17,500 
To France. 
William C. Rives.... 9,000 Ed. F. Noyes. 17,50 
To Russia. 
James Buchanan .. 9.0<X) E. W. Stoughton_ 12,00 
To Spain. 
G. P- Van Ness.. 9,000 Jas. Russell Lowell. 12,0 
[Cincinnati Gazette. 
GOOD NIGHT. 
Good night! 
Now the weary rest by right. 
And the busy fingers bending 
Over work that seems unending. 
Toil no more till morning light 
Good night 1 
Go to rest! 
Close the eyes with slumber prest -. 
In the streets tho silence growing 
Wakes but to the watch-horn blowing. 
Night makes only ono request— 
Go to rest! 
Slumber sweet 1 
Blessed dreams each dreamer greet; 
Ho whom love has kept from sleeping 
In sweet dreams now o'er him creeping 
May he his beloved meet— 
Slumber swoet! 
Good night I 
Slumber till tho morning light. 
Slumber till the new to morrow 
Comes and brings its own new sorrow. 
We are in the Father's sight! 
Good night 1 
RICH MEN’S SONS. 
The president or one of our largest banks said 
to us a day or two since, that a rich man's son 
had Just left his place, and he was the last man 
ot the kind he would ever employ. Tho man was 
faithful, honest, autl fulfilled Intelligently and 
well all the duties required of him; but Jiut as he 
had become accustomed to his work, he found 
out it was too confining, and a raw clerk had to 
be pat lu his place. A bad look this for rich 
young men; but It Is tho old story repeated for 
the thousandt h time. If rich men's sons will not 
endure tho drudgery by which neaily all their 
fathers secured money and position, they must 
take a scooudury place In the next generation; 
and oltener they drop out of sight, amid tho idle, 
worthless herd, It, Indeed, they escape an iisfocI- 
ation with loafers and criminals. What say the 
laboi reformers lo fucts like these, for facta they 
are beyond question. Nearly every man in any 
leading position lu the community began life 
poor. Let tho sons of our rich men take warning 
and go to work honestly and faithfully every day 
It they hope to fill the positions honorably heiq 
by their fathers.— Tribune. 
