AUG. 23 
THE BUBAL fNEW-YOBKEB. 
557 
$ ittrarg Utisccllang. 
BOOKS. 
They came into my thvelliuR, one by one, 
Each a most welcome, and an honored Ruest, 
X never was bo sail they could not cheer, 
So weary they did not briny me rest. 
They bear grand names, those quiet Mends of mine, 
And yet they acorn no lowly household nest; 
They care but for appreciation, love, 
To him who gives them these they give their beet. 
The evening comes,ray daily task is done, 
From household cares my hands at lust are free; 
The children in their bed, the father gone 
To battlo with the world for them and me. 
Then turn X to my guests, and In ( they wait 
For mo with smiting faces, words ol' cheer 
To make the burdens of the day seem light; 
The dear ones I have served seem yet more dear. 
They sing grand songs, they paint nie pictures fair. 
Tell of heroic deads, bv land and sea; 
Of lofty castles whose now crombUn# walls 
Wero once the pride of ancient chivalry. 
Perhaps .Sir Walter’s magic mirror shows 
Homo gallant knight contending for a prize, 
With all the lire and force of one who knows 
His efforts watched by bright, approving eyes. 
Perhaps a sadder scene that plumed head 
Upou some fatal field is lying now ; 
No mimic ware fare this, In which he dies, 
No queen of beauty” crowns him victor now. 
I leave the “ WiZzu.nl of the North " awhile, 
Hero is another guest that I like well; 
Let others criticise, I lovn tin- hand 
That wrote so tenderly of “ Little Nell.” 
Her beauty, and her worth, we knew by heart; 
And of her weary pilgrimage below, 
While the same baud that made her seem so sweet 
Drew us to pity poor *' know uothink ” Joe. 
There is another, yes, I like him too 
With his half-kindly, half sarcastic air, 
He introduced me to •• Peudnnnis" Once, 
And took me for a atroll through " Vanity Fair." 
Recalling to my rnmd another” Fair,” 
Banyan describes its vain, delusive gleam, 
That brave old pilgrim who, long yearn ago, 
Reached the *' Celestial City" of his dream. 
The hand that gave its “ In Memoriam," 
And he who wrote of sweet ” Evangeline,” 
Seem clasped fraternally, although I know 
They dwell in diff erent lauds, the sea between. 
Others I see, the witty aud the wise, 
Who, even in childhood days, were my delight. 
They have not l 06 t thoir charm; but it- grows late, 
And I must bid my pleasant friends "good night." 
-» » • » - ■ 
WINNIE'S PORTIINE, 
“ Mamma, Mr. Uaroort has really come.” 
44 Has lie? How do you know ?’’ 
“ I met him Just now in the High Street; he is 
so brown, and oh, near! I’ve forgotten to get 
that wool for Maud; I must ruu back at ouce, or 
It will be too darkaud away scampered mad¬ 
cap fourteen-year-old Settle. 
No sooner was the door closed behind her than 
Mrs. Maitland fell into a tit of musing, and the 
work on wbieh her busy lingers had beenemployed 
lay unheeded In her lap. 
She was the mother or a huge family with three 
marriageable daughters. I.lke all mothers Him 
was anxious to see hoi’ girls comfortably settled, 
and hero was the chance of a moat suitable match 
r oroueot them 
David Uaroort. was a youug man or irreproacha¬ 
ble prospeels. Ar. live years of age he had succeed¬ 
ed to the family estates. They were heavily en¬ 
cumbered, It Is true; but by judicious managomuut 
during the long minority of the youug heir, every 
claim had been paid off, and a goodly sum in ready 
money had accumulated as well. 
Ills visits to West,ford had hitherto been but, 
short-llylug ones, lately, however, a tumor had 
galued ground that he was coming to take up his 
abode permanently at The Grange, and as the 
house had been undergoing considerable altera¬ 
tions, the report appeared to be not without foun¬ 
dation. 
Consequently, Mrs. Maitland pondered and 
planned. Duvld Uaroort would certainly make a 
most desirable son-in-law, therefore Mrs. Maitland 
considered herself JUBtltled In trying all means in 
her power to gain him for such a relative. Aud If 
he did not succumb to the belle-Uko charms, the 
petue figure, the plnk-and-wblte complexion, the 
rosy, pouting Upsof fair-haired Una, surely—sure¬ 
ly he must lay dowuhls arms boforo the dark eyes 
and queenly grace of stalely Maud. 
Major Maitland should call upon him soon, too. 
Yes, that must be the ilrst stop, and then ? why 
she had better fultU a long-standing promise and 
give a party. Both the girls were young enough 
and fresh enough to look well by daylight, but. still 
It was the beat way or getting Oh friendly terms; 
and besides tliore were several society debts to 
pay off. 
Here the good lady’s planning came to a full 
stop. 
“ I will consult Winnie,” she remarked to her¬ 
self; and even as she was saying It the door 
opened and Winnie entered. 
Winnie was plain; there was no denying It. She 
was not attractive beyond a pair of earnest gray 
eyes, and an abundance of soft brown hair. Not 
being ornamental, It had been taken for granted 
that she muBt be useful, and therefore rrom her 
earliest years upwards she had been accustomed 
to exercise her tl ngers and thoughts for the benefit 
of those about her. 
Very speedily Mrs. Maitland unfolded her pro¬ 
jects, that 1 h to say, she Informed Winnie of her 
party-giving Intentions, and casually mentioned 
that when papa called on Mr. llureort, If ho ap¬ 
proved of him, he might be invited to the pro¬ 
posed festivity. 
Whether Winnie’s shrewd common-sense en¬ 
lightened her as to her mother’s harmless little 
scheme It is impossible to say, but she entered 
with pleasant alacrity into all the arrangements 
for the unusual gaiety. 
After comparison of dates and possible engage¬ 
ments, It was settled that the loth of January 
would be the most convenient night for which to 
issue invitations. 
“ And now as to your dresses,” said Mrs. Malt- 
laud “ It Is a long time since you have had new 
ones, so we really roust manage the expense," 
“ Let me see,” mused Winnie, •* pule blue suits 
Lina better than any other color. Suppose, 
mamma, she had a pale blue crepe ; and Maud 
always looks well in amber and black, sue might 
have black net, wit h amber trimmings.” 
“ Yes, that would do nicely ; we will see what 
they think. But you want a fresh one, too.” 
14 No, Indeed I don’t, l shall iron out my grena¬ 
dine—it is only crumpled, not tom—and do tt up 
with bows of Coral-pink ribbon.” 
Mrs. Maitland gave utterance to a few feeble 
protests, but her objections were soon overruled. 
Somehow, Winnie not sharing her sisters' dower 
of beauty, her attire had never seemed of such 
grave Importance as theirs. 
Major Maitland, Instructed by his wife, paid a 
visit to The Grange, and brought back a glowing 
account of Its young master. An Invitation was 
accordingly dispatched, aud prompt ly accepted. 
The day or the ball came. Lina's blonde treuses 
had been In paper HU the eventful dressing hour, 
and Maud had been cioseted with the dressmaker 
all the rooming. W'loule flitted hither and t hlllier, 
ornamenting the rooms with flowers, constructing 
cunning little arrangements in the way of muslin 
drapery, setting out the suppcr-lablo, and keeping 
a general supervision over servants, children and 
confectioners’ men. 
44 Winnie, child, come aud put my cap straight,” 
called out Mrs. Maitland over the banisters, as 
Winnie, grimy and disheveled, hastened up-stalrs 
to put herself Into company order. 
44 For goodness sake, Winnie, come and tell me 
if my hair does,” frantically exclaimed I.lna, ap¬ 
pearing at her bedroom door. 
“And then I want you to fasten my tie backs, 
Winnie, there’s a pet,” cried Maud from within, 
for she and l Ina shared the same apartment. 
Having performed these and various other little 
duties required of her, Winnie hastericdoffto array 
herself In her own flnery. 
The rooms were already well filled when the 
guest par excellence of Lhe evening arrived. 
He was greeted with a beaming smile by his 
hostess, and after the Interchange or a few polite 
remarks, she led him to where Maud was holding 
mimic court. 
44 Mr. Harcort-my eldest duughter, Maud—Mr. 
Harcort.” 
Davhl bowed low, and hoped that Miss Mait¬ 
land’s engagements would allow him the honor of 
a dauce with her. 
The next was a quadrille, and this Maud gra¬ 
ciously accorded him. 
They were at the last, figure when he suddenly 
addressed his compunlou: 
44 1 am most lamentably Ignorant of the uarnes 
even of my neighbors In Weatford. Will you tell 
me wbo tbat young lady 13, seated on the opposite 
side of the room v” 
“Whichone do you mean? There are several 
silting there." 
“Theone in pink and white, talking to an old 
lady in black satin.” 
44 oh! that Is my sister; my second slater, Win 
me.” 
44 Indeed. May 1 ask for an Introduction pre¬ 
sently." 
44 Certainly." 
44 Winnie, Mr. Harcort wishes to be Introduced 
to you.” 
Winnie was listening with praiseworthy pa¬ 
tience to old Mrs. Armstrong’s rambling account 
of her last attack of rheumatics. She flushed a 
little as she turned and encountered the Intent 
scrutiny of a handsome pair of hazel eyes. 
One of Strauss’H divine waltzes sounded an irre¬ 
sistible Invitation to all lovers of thoTerpsIchoreau 
art, and Maud’s partner came to claim ner. 
44 Aru you engaged? Can 1 have the pleasure ?” 
said David to Winnie, 
“ No—yes,” she answered, laughing, aud took his 
arm. 
At that momenta servant, approached and whis¬ 
pered to her that she was wanted in the kitchen 
department Immediately. 
44 Will you excuse me, please?” she asked, with¬ 
drawing her hand. 
44 Really it la too cruel to desert me so soon,” he 
returned, In on aggrieved tone. 
•M am sorry; It—if you mind—” 
“ij I mind!” he rejoined, tragically. 44 You add 
Insult to Injury, Miss VVtnnltred.” 
Boor Winnie's cheeks burned most uncomforta¬ 
bly, as she flew down-stall’s to rectify some domes 
tie misadventure. 
When Mrs. Maltlands aching head was laid on 
her pUlow tt was with the satisfactory reflection 
that Mr. Harcort had been most attentive to Maud 
aud Lina, though which had particularly struck 
him It, was hard to say, as lie had appeared equally 
agreeable to both. David sent Ills carriage back 
unoeouplcd, preferring his legs to any other mode 
of locomotion. 
“No, she’s not exactly pretty,”he soliloquised 
thoughtfully, puffing at hla cigar, as he walked 
along the frost-bound road; “ but she’s ten times 
better than pretty. The other two are thorough¬ 
going beauties, bur. there Is something wonder¬ 
fully captivating about her. How bewitching she 
looked, too, when she blushed. Well, I’ll wait a 
month, I won't do any thing rash before, and then— 
and then—” 
Two days later Mi’s. Maitland and her two 
eldest daughters were at work in the drawing- 
room, when Mr. Harcort was announced. Mrs. 
Maitland gave him a most cordial welcome, and 
the yotmg ladles’ smiles were sweet and ready. 
Yet David did not seem quite satisfied. He 
watched the door anxiously, and listened eagerly 
W every footfall that crossed the hall outside. 
“Miss Wlnnlfred Is well, I hope ?” he said, pre¬ 
sently. 
“Oh! yes; she is out In the town now.” 
Shortly afterwards he took hla leave, resisting 
tne many pressing inducements to stay and par¬ 
take of afternoon tea. 
He advanced as a plea for his refusal a business 
appointment with his steward. But the impor¬ 
tance of this Interview apparently diminished 
when he got out Into the street, for he sauntered 
slowly along, earerully scanning every passer-by 
of the gentle sex. 
At sight of an approaching figure In a fur- 
trlmuied paletot and brown felt bat, his pace 
quickened. 
“ I am fortunate,” he said, lifting his hat. 44 1 
have just left your house." 
44 nave you," observed Winnie, her color unac¬ 
countably deepening. 
• 4 1 bope you were not very tired after your ex¬ 
ertions tbe other night,” he said, turning to keep 
at her side. 
44 Me tired ? oh! no,” she answered, in sur¬ 
prise, as though fatigue were a sensation unknown 
to her. 
The red-brick bouse, with the old-fashioned 
bow-wlmlow. was reached all too quickly, and 
with a close clasp of the Uand David wished her 
good-bye. 
“Save me 1” he muttered, stalking briskly away. 
*• I in afraid I shan't last out the. month. I was 
sorely tempted to say something then. I suppose 
It’8 a judgment on me for making fun of love at 
first, sight. Well, It knowing the feeling is my 
punishment, I’ve had my deserts at any rate.” 
“ Please Miss Winnie, you’re wanted in the 
drawing-room.” 
it was the tenth of February, a chill, drizzling 
day, and Winnie was giving one of the children 
a music lesson on the battered old piano In the 
school-room, 
As she entered the drawing-room a gentleman 
moved from the window and advanced towards 
her. 
“Ah! Mr. Harcort, how do you do? You—I— 
Jane told me I was wanted,” faltered Winnie; 
In some confuslou. 
44 And Jane spoke truly, you are wanted.” 
4 4 A m I ? W ho wants me ? ” 
Davhl did not answer at once. It Is a trying 
moment wbeu a rnan Is about, lo put lhe happi¬ 
ness or his life to the test—to lose all or gain all. 
Winnie watched him slightly surprised. His 
manner was rather peculiar she thought, for no 
faint glimmer of the truth had yet dawned on 
her. 
“ Have you not the least Idea who wants you?’’ 
Her astonishment Increased. She retreated 
towards the door. 
“Yes, mamma I expect; I—I will go and see ” 
He caught her hands quickly to detain ner. 
44 Winnie my darling, tt Is I who want you. 
oh! don’t send me away with my Ufe hopeless 
my love unsatisfied.” 
She lifted her eyes to his. She saw lhe lovc-llght 
shining in them, and her own dropped lower and 
lower, while a great wave of crimson surged up 
Into cheeks and brow and neck. There was Just 
one Ineffectual struggle for freedom, then her 
glowing face was hidden on a strong man’s shoul¬ 
der, and a low voice was whispering sweet secrets 
in her ear. 
**■****<• 
“Mamma, I have some news for you.” 
Mrs. Malilaud’s interest was Immediately 
aroused. 
“ Well, dear, what is it. ?” 
“ Young Harcort Is here ; he has been speaking 
to me.” 
44 Yes?” 
“ About what do you suppose ?” 
“ About one of the girls, of course, though 
really I don’t know which. He has not been long 
making up his mind certainly; we have only 
knowu him a month.” 
44 Which one do you Imagine tt la?” 
44 I have fancied that he Inclined to Maud, and 
she Is l he eldest, so It Is only right she should be 
married first." 
“No, It Is not Maud.” 
“ Not! Well, Lina will make a charming uttio 
matron. Dear child, 1 must go to her at once,” 
44 stay a moment, Ellen. You are not right yet; 
It Is neither Maud nor Lina.” 
44 Neither Maud nor lina? What—what—why, 
Robert, you don’t, you can’t, mean that that. It is 
Winnie?” 
“Yes, It Is Winnie.” 
Mrs. Maitland sat speechless with amazement. 
Her two handsome daughters passed over, and 
plain, unattractive Winnie chosen. It was Incred¬ 
ible, almost beyond the bounds of belief. 
“ l always knew,” said the major, after a few 
minutes’pause, “that Winnie was a dear, affec¬ 
tionate girl, and that If she hadn't good feat ures, 
3he had a good sound heart, and t always expected 
some day some one would find It out, and want 
to take her from us, but like you, my dear, l never 
thought that would be till the other two were 
married. 1 am afraid we have been underrating 
her.” 
Mrs. Maitland made no reply; she could not rally 
ner senses quite yet. 
44 1 deferred giving him a positive consent till I 
had spoken to you, though I told him I thought 
you would approve. You do. do you nor, ? 
“Yea; oh! yes,” ouswered his wife, with the 
calmness of a great surprise still upon her. 
44 Then 1 will go and relieve the poor fellow’s 
suspeuse; he Is wilting In the study.” 
Mrs. Maitland sat trying to recover her scat¬ 
tered senses, when the door was noiselessly 
opened and a slender, gray-clad figure stole softly 
in. A penitent, beseeching face was laid on her 
shoulder. 
44 Mother, are you very much disappointed?" 
44 My dear child, I am very glad that David flar- 
cot has choseu you. He will make a good husband 
—true, upright and faithful; and no man could 
desire, no man could nave, a better wife than my 
little Winnie, though I do not know what we shall 
do without you, or how we shall be able to spare 
you. Kiss me, darling, and then we will go down 
and ask him to stay to dinner.” 
--,— 
AGENTS. 
VEI.ENA. 
44 Of Them There In no Lai-k.” 
It had been my hope that with the coming of 
44 dog days ” there would be a stopping off of agents 
wbo go hawking through the country with wares 
of little or no value, for sale. 
Wares your better Judgment tells you you do not 
want but which are set forth tn such glowing 
terms that you wonder how you have done without 
them. Even In the face of previous bitter experi¬ 
ence one Is often induced to buy and frequently 
after having seen a mere sample. 
A short time since two men purporting to come 
from Chicago were offering fancy toilet soap at 
half price. Being victimized to the extent of one 
box, that, now Is shrivelled t.o a hard, dry, salty, 
distorted mass, when an agent comes along 
wanting to sell a superior article at a low figure, 
I have only to think of ray 44 box of soap ’’ and oc¬ 
casionally exhibit It. Nome are inclined to argue 
the case but the sight of that soap has had such 
an effect upon me that arguing Is of no use. now- 
over I am Inclined to think that that one purchase 
was a saving Investment. This much tt has at 
least proved to me, that, men do not hire fine es¬ 
tablishments and dress In fine clothes and ride 
about the country to sell better goods at lower 
prices than cau be had of residing merchants, 
druggists or grocery men. Reason t,eaohe 3 that tbe 
articles must be paid for or stolen, tbe establish¬ 
ment costs and the fine clothes do not grow spon- 
taneously, and the men are not going to squander 
thdr lime or waste their talent for nothing. What 
they want Is your money; they arc notlnterested 
lo you; It. is their owu dear self in whom all their 
interest centers; and that luterest consists In get¬ 
ting all the loose change into their own pockets. 
They have not the slightest idea of giving you 
value received Tor your money. 
Recently an elegantly dressed lady representing 
a charitable Institution had for sale some Jewelry 
claiming to sell It ar. a great, sacrifice for the bene¬ 
fit of this Institute; and so sweetly, so smoothly 
could she address one that many sensible people 
were ogled Into buying. The gold turned out 
brass aud the people, too late, round they had been 
swindled. Had they taken the facts into consider¬ 
ation they would have knownt here was something 
wrong. Goods cannot in? sold below cost without 
a loss unless they are of a class that can be easily 
adulterated. 
The fact Is If we do not care to be imposed upon 
wo must not allow ourselves to be flattered Into 
buying, especially what we do not want, merely 
because It is cheap. 
We must be 44 wise as serpents and harmless as 
doves,” with agents, peddlers or whatever name 
they may be called. 
When younger than now it used to make me 
uneasy to listen to these apparently wholesome 
t ruths told by the genteel traveler and know r hail 
not means to help relieve suffering humanity; aud 
I fear too many have similar feelings. For how 
often the honest hardworking woman feels her¬ 
self grow contemptibly small before an oily- 
tongued vender ot useless wares because she can¬ 
not tor “ sweet charities sake ” (as he represents 
it.) buy a halt dollars worth. Did we but know 
the truth of Ills story with what different feelings 
would he go away froth our door. 
And anon this traveler lias labor-saving ma¬ 
chines, or perchance is soliciting subscriptions for 
a valuable work now In the publishers hands. 
Hla whole story is summed up tn your behalf; tor 
your good; solely for your Interest according to 
his way of putting It. Now why Is It that he, a 
stranger, takes such deep Interest, in you. He 
whom you never saw before and probably will 
never see again, simply because he wants the 
money m your pocket put Into his own. 
it Is easy to tell another What they ought to have 
done; one can even think tor himself afterward; 
but It Is quite another thing to know at the moment 
whut to do or what to say when sentences full, 
round aud glowing are overwhelming you. We 
are simply overpowered and upon the Impulse of 
the moment allow goods to bo sold to us, or sub¬ 
scribe If orders are being solicited and afterward 
bitterly rue the day and the hour that found ug go 
weak. 
Strong men as well as weak women are also vic¬ 
timised, and Is there no way In which we can 
combine to abolish, to annihilate this dally grow¬ 
ing nuisance, If not really evil ? 
NANKEEN. 
Of all the cotton produced m China, the most 
remarkable, as well as the most beautiful, is that 
used In the fabrication of the calico known In Eu¬ 
rope under the name or nankin or nankeen, it 
has been long a matter of debate w hether the tex¬ 
ture called nankeen w r aa manufactured from a raw 
material, having, previous to any manipulation, 
tne yellowish hue which dlsUngulsnes it, or wheth¬ 
er It owed its peculiar shade to a light dye. 
M. Van Urautn. who was at the head ot the com¬ 
mercial mission sent out by Holland to Pekm tn 
1794, had been Instructed by the European mer¬ 
chants to request that the nankeen destined tor 
their different markets might for the future be 
dyed a deeper color than they had teen for some 
time past; aud he had an opportunity during his 
stay of ascertaining that the color of these tex¬ 
tures was natural to the raw material, and not 
subject to fade. 
Sir George Staunton, one of Lord Macartney’s 
embassy, found, ongoing through the province of 
Klungnun, that the cotton It produces is naturally 
of the yellow color, which It retains alter spin¬ 
ning and weaving. He also says that when the 
nankin cotton Is trausplauteu to another province 
It degenerates and becomes white, 
