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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Black-Sealed Letter, by Andrew Learmont
+Spedon
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: The Black-Sealed Letter
+       Or, The Misfortunes of a Canadian Cockney.
+
+
+Author: Andrew Learmont Spedon
+
+
+
+Release Date: June 6, 2006  [eBook #18514]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLACK-SEALED LETTER***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Mary Meehan, and the Project
+Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net/) from
+page images generously made available by Early Canadiana Online
+(http://www.canadiana.org/eco/index.html)
+
+
+
+Note: Images of the original pages are available through
+      Early Canadiana Online. See
+      http://www.canadiana.org/ECO/ItemRecord/24721?id=a50979a2f62af312
+
+
+
+
+
+Tales for Canadian Homes.
+
+THE BLACK-SEALED LETTER;
+
+Or, The Misfortunes of a Canadian Cockney.
+
+by
+
+ANDREW LEARMONT SPEDON,
+
+Author of "Canadian Summer Evening Tales," "The Canadian Minstrel," &c.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Printed for the Author,
+by Mitchell & Wilson, Montreal.
+1872.
+
+
+
+
+    How slight a cause may change our life
+      Beyond its own control,
+    Produce a cordial to the heart,
+      Or canker in the soul.
+
+
+
+
+The Black-Sealed Letter;
+
+OR,
+
+THE MISFORTUNES OF A CANADIAN COCKNEY.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+
+Old London!--city of cities!--whose foundations were laid when the
+ancient Briton in his martial glory prowled among the dense forests
+whose foliage darkened the waters of the Thames, long ere the foot of
+the adventurous Roman had touched the shores of Albion; or the Dane and
+Saxon had established themselves within the strongholds of the British
+isles. Who has not heard of this great old city, teeming with human
+life, and filled with the extremes of wealth, poverty, righteousness and
+iniquity? Who has not heard of its eminent statesmen and its
+distinguished authors:--its time-honored institutions of religion,
+literature and jurisprudence: its antiquated buildings, themselves
+volumes of history written the eventful finger of time:--its massive
+warehouses; and also its magnificent mansions, wherein peers and princes
+banquet in luxury:--its club-houses; and its dens of pollution, amid
+whose shadows the grim spectres of degraded humanity struggle out a
+wretched existence. Into this great city--wonderful and complicated in
+itself--the modern Babylon of the world,--gentle reader, now follow me
+in imagination, and I will introduce you to the subject of the following
+story.
+
+It is the Saturday evening of a chilly night towards the end of
+November, 1869, that season of the year in which the grey old buildings
+of London assume a more sombre aspect than during the sunny days of
+summer. The twilight had congealed into darkness after a somewhat foggy
+day, and mantling its shadows around the homes of the destitute and
+degraded, tinging the wretched inmates with melancholy, and even making
+their lives more miserable and less tenacious to the world. The dark
+streets have been lighted up. The great tide of human beings that have
+during the day thronged the thoroughfares, has partially subsided; but
+thousands of pedestrians are still bustling to and fro; while the din of
+carriages are heard on every street. The provision shops are crowded
+with noisy customers. The coffee-houses are steaming forth their
+delicious viands, where throngs of both men and women are greedily
+satisfying their appetites: while thousands of ale-houses and gin-hells
+are pouring forth their poisonous liquids, where crowds of miserably
+degraded wretches of both sexes in human shape are swallowing down the
+deadly elements and rioting in hellish revelry. Alas! how many a home
+has been converted into a mad-house, yea, even into a very hell, by
+these dens of pollution, in which dwell the accursed spirit-dealers of
+iniquity.
+
+Alas! how many a fond wife, with her little ones, perhaps destitute of
+every domestic comfort, is at that very moment anxiously awaiting the
+return of her husband. Hour after hour may pass away, until the very
+depths of night appear to grow sad with the dreary sorrow of her heart,
+and at length he returns--but not as a loving and sober husband; not as
+a tender and home-providing father; not as a man, with all the noble
+attributes of the human nature; not as a Christian, with the spiritual
+Balm of Gilead, with which to soothe the cankering ills of his
+household;--no, not as either he returns, but rather as a madman escaped
+from the prison walls of Bedlam, or as fiend let loose from the nether
+kennel.
+
+But, nevertheless, there were thousands of happy households that evening
+enjoying the domestic comforts of a peaceful home,--that place, the
+dearest of all on earth, when sanctified by the affection of a united,
+sober, and industrious family. Such was the home and household of Mr.
+Charlston.
+
+Mr. and Mrs. Charlston, their two sons and three daughters, were on that
+night comfortably seated in their little sitting room after tea; the
+mother and her daughters engaged at needlework; the father and his
+eldest son, George, reading the newspapers, while Frederick, the
+younger, was reclining upon a sofa. An infant of a year old was sleeping
+in a cradle; a little kitten was nestling at its feet, and purring as if
+trying to soothe the dreamy slumbers of its tender companion.
+
+Mr. Charlston was about fifty-five years of age, in physical appearance
+tall and nervous; with sharp, prominent features, and well-defined head,
+denoting energy and perception. His wife was apparently about fifty
+years; well proportioned in form and feature, her face expressive of
+sensibility and affection. The little furrows around her dark eyes, and
+the streaks of gray hairs, had already denoted the footmarks of elder
+age; nevertheless, she was still possessed of a considerable share of
+that beauty which in her younger years had distinguished her as the
+"Belle of Elton," the village in which she had formerly resided. The
+daughters in appearance somewhat resembled their mother, the eldest of
+whom was then in her twenty-first year. George, the first-born of the
+family, was possessed of a robust constitution, of the middle size, and
+about twenty-six years of age. Frederick in appearance was the very
+_facsimile_ of his father, with all the finer sensibilities of his
+mother; yet, apparently possessed of a stern determination of will,
+amounting to stubborness when actuated by the impulses of a nervous
+temperament. Mr. Charlston was a hatter by trade; and at the time
+referred to kept a hat factory of his own in Fleet Street. His industry
+had placed him in favorable circumstances. Estimating the value of labor
+and intellect, he had given his children a tolerably good education, and
+at a proper age had apprenticed his sons to become tradesmen. George
+followed the business of his father. Frederick was a cabinet-maker, and
+at the time referred to had been two years employed as a journeyman.
+Neither Mr. Charlston nor his sons were then addicted to intemperance.
+Frederick was a strict teetotaller. Occasionally a bottle of ale was
+partaken of by the others; or when an acquaintance visited the house, or
+during the Christmas holidays, an additional bottle might be set down to
+grace the table. They were, however, a sober and industrious family; and
+when the labours of the day were past, they generally gathered around
+the household hearth to spend their evenings pleasantly and profitably
+to themselves.
+
+On the evening referred to, and whilst Mr. Charlston and family were
+engaged in their respective duties, as described, the door bell was
+rung. George attended to the signal; and in a few seconds a young man
+entered the room, signalizing himself in a very familiar but somewhat
+uncouth manner.
+
+"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Charlston. How are you Eliza, Amelia, and
+Charlotte? and you Frederick, old lad? I didn't see you at work to-day.
+I thought something was out of joint with you, and I have come on
+purpose to see. Why what's the matter with your neck? You have it
+swaddled up as if you were determined to defy the hangman's rope from
+ever getting a hold of you," ejaculated Charles Holstrom.
+
+"Oh, I have only caught a bit of a cold in my throat," replied
+Frederick; "come Charlie, take a seat by my side and give us your latest
+news about town."
+
+The husky voice of Holstrom awoke the infant from its peaceful slumber,
+and the poor thing began to bawl loudly as if startled from either
+surprise or fear.
+
+Mrs. Charlston lifted it to her knee, and having hushed it into
+quietness she began feeding it with some cordial food.
+
+"Well, I declare, he has grown to be a big lump of a lad," exclaimed
+Holstrom. "I dare say, Frederick, you feel conceited enough now to think
+yourself a degree above such fellows as George and I are, in having
+graduated as a Batchelor of Arts--I mean--Bachelor of Babies. You will,
+no doubt hereafter, append B. B. to your name as a title of merit; or,
+Bad Behavior, I should rather have said. However, the initials will
+stand for both. He's the very picture of yourself, and will soon need a
+hat as big as his grandpa's."
+
+At this moment the bell was again rung; and shortly afterwards, a
+graceful looking young woman entered the room. Very politely she shook
+hands with Mr. and Mrs. Charlston and the others present. She then took
+the infant, and pressed it lovingly to her bosom, imprinting a few
+kisses upon its tiny lips. The child in return smiled affectionately,
+apparently delighted with the caresses of a recognized and familiar
+friend.
+
+"I say, Clara," exclaimed Holstrom, addressing the young woman, with
+whom he was apparently acquainted, "I think it would be charitable on
+your part to spare a few of those luxuriant caresses for poor Frederick;
+a slight sprinkling of balm from your roseate lips would work wonders as
+a remedy to his breathing apparatus. Just come and see how many dozen of
+blankets he has wrapped around his throat: enough, I am sure, to supply
+the beds of a whole household on a winter's night."
+
+"Why, Frederick, how did you get such a cold in your throat?"
+interrogated Clara.
+
+"By sleeping alone during the cold nights of the past week," retorted
+Holstrom, ere Frederick could get time to breathe out a more respectful
+answer.
+
+At this moment the subject was immediately dropped through the timely
+interference of Mr. Charlston, reading a paragraph of interesting news
+from the _Times_. After an hour's conversation on various topics the
+young woman arose and announced her intention of leaving; whereupon
+Holstrom sprang up, bade them all good night and immediately departed.
+Clara shortly afterwards left also, promising ere long to repeat her
+visit. It was customary for Frederick to accompany her home; but on
+account of his illness that night George offered to convey her to her
+residence, distant about one mile.
+
+"Thank you, George, for your kind offer," replied Clara; "but there is
+no necessity to do so to-night; a female acquaintance who accompanied me
+to a friend's house a few doors from here, is expecting me to call for
+her, and perhaps I may be detained for some time, therefore, dear
+George, excuse me."
+
+No sooner had Clara departed than Frederick, disguised himself in his
+father's old hat, overcoat and muffler, and immediately started in
+pursuit of Clara.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+
+Before proceeding further it is necessary to inform the reader who Clara
+and Charles Holstrom were; and, also, to narrate the varied and
+complicated circumstances of several years preceding this eventful
+night.
+
+Charles Holstrom was the youngest son of a London tradesman. He had
+attended school with Frederick, and was now working in the same shop and
+at the same business with him. He was possessed of a robust physical
+appearance, somewhat coarsely featured;--of a bold, but humorous
+disposition--at times impertinent, and even repulsive in his manner.
+Frederick had really never considered him as a confidential friend; but
+their long acquaintance with each other, and the many associations of
+their united course in life had induced him to consider Charles as a
+respected friend rather than a fellow companion; and from these
+circumstances alone the Charlstons had received him as an occasional
+visitor to their house.
+
+Clara Hazledon was the only daughter of a poor but respectable widow
+with whom the Charlston family had been long acquainted. Previous to
+their removal to Fleet street they were next door neighbors. Mr.
+Charlston and Clara's father had been early companions of each other.
+Their children had grown up together, and had been associates at the
+same school, and although now in unequal circumstances, still looked
+upon each other as very familiar friends. After the death of Mr.
+Hazledon, he having died when the family was young, his wife struggled
+hard against adversity to bring up her little ones. But five years after
+the death of her first husband she married another, who, unfortunately
+turned out to be only a worthless and degraded fellow. Clara, by her
+expertness at needlework, had procured a good situation in a millinery
+shop. Her brothers, all younger than herself, were also respectably
+employed.
+
+Frederick and Clara had been passionately fond of each other when
+children, and as they grew older their affection became more matured;
+and at length the sympathies of their love were more firmly united by a
+marriage engagement, the consummation of which was purposed to take
+place as soon as circumstances would render it favorably convenient. But
+the basis of life's future prospects, however substantial it may be, is
+often undermined by some casual innovation; and there is no earthly
+hope, however bright its radiance may appear, but is liable to be
+darkened by some event that may suddenly loom up from the horizon of
+life. Such was the case amid the quietude of their affections. By some
+inadvertent impulse of human nature their chastity was sacrificed, and
+Frederick and Clara became parents before they had sanctified their
+affections upon the altar of matrimony.
+
+The event threw a shadow into the homes of both families, and served as
+food for the tongues of idle gossips among their acquaintances.
+
+Mrs. Charlston and her daughters paid a respectful visit to the house of
+Mrs. Hazledon--or Mrs. Collins as she was then named,--and with whom
+Clara was then staying. They carried with them presents of various
+sorts; and even Mr. Charlston himself, although chagrined at the event,
+evinced a charitable spirit by placing twenty guineas in the hand of
+Clara, as a present in behalf of his grandson.
+
+Frederick stole his visits under the secret shades of evening, and
+showed every expression of sympathy and affection for Clara and the
+little one; at the same time promising the consummation of their union
+as soon as circumstances would conveniently permit. A few weeks after
+the birth of the child, in December of 1868, Frederick made a tour into
+Devonshire for the purpose of visiting an uncle residing in the town of
+Exeter, and also discovering some thriving village or town where he
+might find ready employment, with the view of eventually establishing
+himself in business to his own advantage. He at length selected Tiverton
+as his place of residence, where he procured work at favorable wages.
+Elated with success he immediately wrote to his parents, and also penned
+a lengthy epistle to Clara, describing the place and people in very
+flattering words, flourishing off with a few epithets expressive of his
+undying affection for herself and the child; and hoping that in a few
+months he would have the pleasure of introducing her to a comfortable
+home, under the happy title of Mrs. Frederick Charlston.
+
+Winter passed slowly along, during which time letters were frequently
+sent and received. The first day of May at length came, but no house was
+apparently provided for Clara and her child. Shortly afterwards
+Frederick returned home, and made known the intelligence that he had
+given up the idea of settling in Tiverton as he had decided upon making
+his future home in Canada, which place had been described by an emigrant
+agent who had lectured several nights in the town, as one of the finest
+countries in the world for the workingmen of England; that millions of
+acres of land were there to be given away, and every actual settler
+received 100 acres _gratis_. A river one hundred times larger than all
+the rivers of England put together, ran the whole length of the country,
+1500 miles long. There were lakes there so large that even into the
+smallest of them the whole island of Great Britain might be thrown, and
+sink beyond recovery. In fact, said he, "it possessed all the facilities
+and improvements of the 19th century;--equality, independence and wealth
+awaiting every industrious man who went thither;--it was, indeed, the
+workshop of the tradesman, the emporium of the trader, and above all,
+blessed be the fact, _it was the poor man's paradise upon earth_."
+
+Frederick soon discovered that the big bubble he had blown up was likely
+to be blown down. His mother and sisters strongly objected to his
+purpose, and begged of him not to bury himself out of the world as long
+as he had an opportunity of living in it.
+
+"Why, Frederick," exclaimed his father, "were you to go to Canada you
+would repent of it but once, and that will be as long as you live. You
+talk of free-lands; why, of what use would they be to you? They might be
+of service to those who have been long accustomed to outside labor. But
+for you to go into the dense forests amidst mountains of almost
+perpetual snow, to chop out for yourself a fortune, or even a
+livelihood, would be a thousand times worse than banishment to the icy
+deserts of Siberia. For my sake, and for the love you owe to all that
+are dear to you in England, I beseech of you to relinquish, at least for
+the present, your design. Get married at once, and settle down quietly
+and industriously to work, either at Tiverton or in London, and I will
+assist in the furnishing of a house for you and Clara."
+
+Frederick made no satisfactory reply.
+
+On the second evening after he had come home, Charlie Holstrom, having
+heard of his return, called to see him.
+
+"A thousand welcomes back, old lad," exclaimed H., heartily shaking the
+hand of his old associate. "Why, my dear fellow, I've come over to bid
+you good bye, as I heard to-day that you are going to the Cannibal
+Islands."
+
+Mr. Charlston and the others laughed heartily at the expression.
+
+"It is only to Canada that I intend to ship myself," replied Frederick
+somewhat shyly.
+
+"Worse, and worse!" retorted H. "Why, what do you expect to get there?"
+
+"Get a farm for nothing, and make a fortune in five years," said
+Frederick.
+
+"If the farm is to be given away for nothing I may venture to say, _it
+will be worth nothing_," replied H., and continued, "I had an
+acquaintance who went to Canada a few years ago with £500; and having
+lived three years upon one of those 'nothing farms' or rather, living
+upon his money during that time, he returned to England utterly worth
+_nothing_. Why, Fred! such farms may be suitable enough for men of iron
+muscles and wooden stomachs, and who can work whether they eat or
+not;--men who have nothing to lose except their life, and would even
+sacrifice that for a small amount. But for either you or I to go there
+in search of a living, or anything else, except death and horror, would
+be worse for us than hanging; it would eventually result in
+strangulation by starvation. And besides, as my acquaintance informed
+me, the woods are infested with wild animals; and if a fellow attempted
+to venture out at night very possibly his carcass would be very soon
+deposited in the inside of a dozen of wolves. He further told me that
+the trees during summer rained down myriads of mosquitoes as large as
+beetles, with stings like hornets and in the shape of a tube, by which
+means a dozen of them could suck up a fellow's blood in a night; and
+were by far a greater plague than the grasshoppers of Egypt. To prevent
+them from settling upon himself he covered his head and neck with a mask
+made from deer-skin, in which he cut holes to inhale air and see
+through; but despite of such precautions they would sometimes force
+their way through these orifices, and one dart, said he, into a fellow's
+eye was sufficient to cause a myriad of stars to fly from his winker."
+
+"Well, but that is really horrifying," exclaimed Mrs. Charlston.
+
+"Awful, awful!" shouted Amelia.
+
+"'Tis really so indeed," added Eliza.
+
+"Oh! it is all bosh," ejaculated Fred.
+
+"_Bosh!_ d'ye say!" exclaimed H. "Indeed, I have only told you the least
+objectionable part. I assure you, he related things that would make a
+fellow's blood to curdle into vinegar, and perspire from every pore of
+the body. I credit everything he told me, for his word is as much to be
+depended upon as the 'Law of Moses.'"
+
+"That'll do for the present," said Amelia.
+
+"Go on," cried George.
+
+"What did he say about the climate?" inquired Mr. C.
+
+"He told me, sir, that it was so hot during the dog-days in summer, that
+the people had to lie upon deer-skins filled with water to prevent their
+bodies from being totally dissolved into vapor, and, that at the end of
+that terrible season they appeared only as living skeletons, as slender,
+indeed, as to be incapable of producing even a shadow."
+
+"Oh! but that is awfully horrible!" exclaimed Mrs. C. Mr. Charlston and
+George laughed heartily. The girls shrugged up their shoulders,
+expressive of nervous twitchings.
+
+"And in winter," continued H., "it is so intensely cold that every river
+to its foundation is frozen into ice. It snows sometimes for weeks
+without ceasing; it is then generally followed by fierce winds which
+drift the snow into heaps like mountains, frequently burying houses and
+their inhabitants a hundred feet deep."
+
+"Horrible! horrible!" ejaculated Mrs. C.
+
+"The air is sometimes so intensely cold that the mercury in the
+thermometer is congealed into ice at 150 degrees below zero; and it
+frequently occurs during those frosty periods that travellers, with
+their horses and vehicles, are found petrified into ice, so hard that
+they never can be thawed out again. Hundreds of such groups are
+preserved in the Canadian museums, and shown as curiosities to foreign
+travellers."
+
+"Oh! Charlie, for pity's sake, don't horrify us so!" shouted Mrs. C.
+
+"Do stop, Charlie, you'll frighten us to death," exclaimed the girls,
+fearfully excited.
+
+Mr. Charlston and George laughed heartily. Fred muttered out something
+condemnatory; while George cried out, "Go on Charlie, tell the whole
+story."
+
+"I haven't told you the one-half yet; but this will do for the
+present;--only I might merely add,--that if Fred goes out for a
+free-farm he will get a free wife into the bargain. The forests are
+infested with a more dangerous class of animals than wolves. They are
+savages in human shape, and are designated by the name of Indians. Every
+foreigner who takes a farm is compelled to take a young squaw--a she
+Indian--as a wife to himself. The males in return kidnap white women for
+themselves; but should a man refuse to comply with their wishes, he is
+immediately seized upon by those savages and flayed at once. His skin is
+afterwards tanned, and made into tobacco-pouches. These are sold to
+traders and imported to England. What say you, Fred, to this? Should you
+go to Canada, I may yet have a pouch made out of your pelt. So good
+night to all," ejaculated Holstrom, and abruptly made his exit, amidst
+an uproar of exclamations and laughter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+
+Perhaps many of my readers may think that I have thrown in the
+statements of Charles Holstrom as a sort of burlesque upon Canada. Such
+is not the case on my part. I have given expression to nothing more than
+the opinion held by too many persons throughout Great Britain respecting
+this country. Indeed, there are hundreds in England alone, who are not
+aware of the existence of such a place; and thousands there are who know
+of nothing authentic concerning Canada except the name. I speak not from
+hearsay alone; I can personally substantiate these facts.
+
+Since the Confederation of these Provinces in 1867, Canada has become
+better known in England through the means of lecturers and
+emigration-agents sent thither by the Dominion Government. But, in some
+cases, men have been appointed as lecturers who were not really
+possessed of any personal experience and practical knowledge of Canada
+beyond the limits of the city or town in which they had lived. Such men,
+in order to make the country and themselves popular, drew highly colored
+pictures of the New Dominion, extolling its inexhaustible physical
+resources, its mercantile and manufacturing advantages, its railway and
+river facilities, its millions of acres of new land in the shape of
+farms to be given away gratis to all who agreed to become
+settlers,--together with a thousand of other attractions, augmented 100
+per cent. Such lectures were generally delivered in manufacturing towns
+and the great centres of population. There is always in every audience a
+number whose minds are rendered pliable by the speaker's tongue,
+particularly if their own interests are involved.
+
+Such was generally the case at these lectures. Clerks, young
+professionals, and mechanics, including silk and carpet spinners and
+weavers would become thus unhinged from their long accustomed
+stand-post, and perchance, for the first time, begin to prospect their
+future beyond the limits of their own town, at the same time wondering
+what on earth had induced them to live fools so long. By these means a
+vast number of Englishmen during the past few years, have been persuaded
+to emigrate to Canada. The hardier class, comparatively few in number,
+flocked into the agricultural and forest districts, to hew out a home
+for themselves; while the more sensitive struck a bee-line to the
+cities, to procure easy and genteel employment at excellent wages. But
+in so doing the hopes of many were suddenly frustrated. Shops and
+counting-houses were literally crammed with employees; in fact, every
+genteel situation had its quota. Silk-lace and carpet weaving had
+scarcely a nominal existence. Every town, village, and city had more
+professional men than could get a comfortable livelihood. The
+characteristics of the country and its people appeared to them extremely
+coarse and terribly _'orrifying'_. Wages, they said, were no better than
+those in England. Many who could have got employment preferred
+travelling the country over in search of higher wages. Some, however,
+went manfully to work at once. Others preferred boarding at a hotel,
+living idle upon their stock of funds, waiting patiently for something
+upon the wheel of fortune to turn up profitably to their own interests,
+and every morning eagerly peering over the "_want advertisements_" of
+the _Globe_ and _Witness_, perhaps for months, until their means became
+considerably exhausted; and eventually taking a hurried departure to the
+_States_, or perchance returning home, utterly disgusted with Canada and
+everything connected with it, and carrying in their minds pictures of
+the country delineated in the darkest colors.
+
+We now return to our story. Frederick on his return from Tiverton went
+immediately to see Clara and the child. When he had made known his
+design she felt awfully chagrined at the idea of his intended "foolish
+adventure," as she termed it, and also sadly disappointed when she
+discovered that all those airy fabrications she had been building up
+during the winter were beginning to fall.
+
+"Why, Frederick, what do you really mean by all this?" she exclaimed.
+"Do you intend leaving me unmarried and unprovided for, with my child,
+to fret out a lonely, miserable existence in your absence?"
+
+"Oh! I shall return in a few months to take you and the child to a happy
+home in Canada."
+
+"Ah, Frederick; why again tantalize me with your promises, and false
+prospects. Where, I ask you, is the happy home you promised me at
+Tiverton? Where is the matrimonial title you promised to honor me with?
+Ah! Fred! Consider for a moment, what you have done and what you are now
+doing. By your insinuating love you riveted my affection to your heart.
+It still continues unbroken and as tenacious as ever. You flattered me
+with honied words. You excited me with false hopes. My confidence, yea,
+my very self I rendered submissively to your honor. But, alas! the very
+prospects you reared for my delight you are now trampling beneath your
+feet. Am I to be left with my little child, to struggle alone against
+the adversities of this world, while the finger of scorn is directed
+toward me, and also toward my child, whose innocence will neither soften
+the harshness of the world's tongue nor justify the errors of those who
+gave to it an existence."
+
+"Why, Clara," exclaimed Fred somewhat irritated, "you are really
+sarcastic and condemnatory in your remarks. Is this the sort of
+complimentary welcome I receive from you at my return? If so, I shall
+have to shorten my visit."
+
+"Well, Fred, consider the matter judiciously, and you will not think me
+unreasonable in my accusations," replied Clara.
+
+"Pooh, pooh," retorted Fred, "never allow your imagination to soar
+higher than your reason; curb down the irritable nerves of your temper;
+turn the dark side of life's picture towards the past, and keep always
+the bright side uppermost."
+
+"It is easier said than done," she replied. "Had you rendered me the
+assistance in reality instead of broken promises, I might have been
+looking to-day upon the bright side of life."
+
+"For goodness sake, Clara, do not tantalize me so unmercifully. I tell
+you that I have decided upon going to Canada, _and I shall go_. That
+country offers advantages unknown to England. Better hazard an adventure
+than remain forever riveted to hard labor here, and then die at last in
+the harness. Were I to marry you now I have no home but my father's to
+which I could remove you; better then to remain where you are,
+unmarried, than otherwise, for, I feel certain that Collins would turn
+you out as soon as he had discovered that I had both married and left
+you. But let me tell you but once and forever that I intend to become a
+husband to you as soon as I can find it convenient to procure a
+comfortable home."
+
+"The old story again," ejaculated Clara, "and let me tell you, Fred,
+that if you go to Canada you will never make your circumstances
+convenient to fulfil your promise--no, never, never, Fred."
+
+"I don't want to hear any more of such botheration," retorted Fred,
+irritably; and springing up from his seat, made his exit abruptly,
+leaving Clara to sigh out alone the sorrows of her heart in the solitude
+of her own reflections.
+
+Mr. Collins, as I said before was a man possessed of a degraded nature,
+being much addicted to intemperance. Widow Hazledon had married him
+after a brief acquaintance. She had felt the necessity of a fatherly
+assistance and protection in the rearing of her young family; but in
+Collins she discovered when too late that she had mistaken his
+character. She, however, continued to make the best of a bad bargain. He
+was a carver by trade, and commanded good wages; but every Saturday
+night, he got drunk. His Sabbaths were generally devoted to the worship
+of Bacchus. Sometimes he would continue drinking for several days, until
+every penny was exhausted. Then he would make demands at home for more
+money, which if refused, he was sure to abuse his wife and family. He
+was not only a drunkard; he was a scoffer at religion, and considered it
+a mark of honor to take the name of God in vain.
+
+On the following day after Frederick's interview with Clara, Collins
+came home partly intoxicated, and demanded more money to help him, as he
+said, to finish off a spree with an old comrade whom he had not seen for
+several years. Mrs. Collins expostulated with him, but to no purpose. He
+became, at length, exasperated, and threatened to turn them all out upon
+the street, and burn the house down. Clara attempted to pacify him,
+which only made him the more outrageous. He swore every oath imaginable
+at her, insolently ordering her to be off with her child, and find
+lodgings with the villain to whom she had prostituted herself, or else
+he would soon pitch her and her little bratling into the Thames.
+
+"Here, Tom, take this, 'tis the last shilling I have in the house. Now,
+dear Tom, like a good husband, keep quiet, and don't abuse Clara and me
+so much as you do," said Mrs. Collins with a pitiable sort of tone, the
+tears trickling down her grief furrowed cheeks.
+
+"Well, Annie, but you're a good sort of wife after all," replied
+Collins, in a somewhat subdued tone. "As for Clara, I like her well
+enough! but I have resolved that I shall not labor any longer to support
+the child of that blackguard of a fellow, who, as I have been informed,
+has absconded to Canada. I hate him, and I detest his child--the dirty,
+yelping thing that it is. If it is not instantly removed from here, I
+shall make short work of it to-night on my return. _Mark my words,
+Clara_," he emphatically added, and putting the shilling into his pocket
+he departed, leaving them to consider seriously over the matter.
+
+As soon as he had gone Clara and her mother began talking over the
+affair, premeditating what they should do with the child. They felt
+suspicious of the threats made by Collins, who, it appears, for several
+weeks past, had used somewhat coarse language to Clara, especially since
+he had discovered that there was no immediate prospect of her removal.
+
+While thus suggesting what was best to be done a rap was heard upon the
+door; and in the course of a few seconds Mrs. Charlston and her two
+eldest daughters entered. They had come on a visit to spend the
+afternoon and have a friendly conversation; but their object was more
+particularly to find out if Frederick had made known to Clara what his
+intentions really were, as he had given them no decided answer at home.
+Mrs. Collins and Clara were delighted to see them, but more especially
+on that occasion, as it afforded a sort of relief to their dejected
+hearts, and perhaps be the means of suggesting the best expedient for
+the adjustment of their condition under the present circumstances. Tea
+was being prepared, and a pleasant conversation was entered into. After
+having digested Fred's Canadian-bubble-scheme, as Mrs. Charlston termed
+it, the unhappy affair that had occured was made known by Mrs. Collins.
+She expressed herself, that she did not really know what to do with the
+child, as Collins would most assuredly put his threat into execution.
+
+"Oh! that's easily settled," exclaimed Mrs. Charlston. "The child is now
+nearly eight months old; it is time it was weaned--so it will serve both
+purposes to send it up to our house. I assure you I will be happy to
+take it into my charge; and Clara can come to see it as often as she can
+find it convenient."
+
+"Oh, yes, ma,--that is delightful," exclaimed Eliza.
+
+"Yes, ma, we'll take the dear little darling along with us," said
+Amelia, embracing the infant more lovingly, and imprinting a kiss
+tenderly upon its smiling lips.
+
+"O, but, perhaps, it will be too much trouble and inconvenience for
+you," said Clara.
+
+"Not in the least, I'm sure Mr. Charlston will be perfectly delighted
+with the child," replied Mrs. Charlston.
+
+"It will, perhaps, put him in remembrance of old times," said Mrs.
+Collins.
+
+"Yes, and perhaps make him conceited enough to fancy himself twenty
+years younger than he really is," added Mrs. Charlston.
+
+"O, yes, I'm sure pa will be infinitely happy," exclaimed Eliza.
+
+"Yes, and so will Fred," added Amelia with a sly wink.
+
+It was, therefore, agreed upon that little Richard, for so he was named,
+should go to his new home that very evening. Tea being over, he was
+dressed in his best clothes. A couple of carpet bags were filled with
+other necessary articles. All things being in readiness Mrs. Charlston
+and her daughters took their departure, accompanied with Clara and the
+child.
+
+When they arrived home Mr. Charlston and the others of his family were
+at tea, Mrs. C. entered carrying Richard in her arms, followed by the
+others.
+
+"Look here, old lad, and guess what I have got, as a present for my good
+behavior this afternoon," exclaimed Mrs. Charlston.
+
+"Only a baby," said Mr. C. "You seem as much excited as if you had found
+a purse of gold."
+
+"Just look at the sweet, little, silvery-mouthed hazle-eyed,
+rosy-cheeked cherub," said Mrs. C.
+
+"'Tis little Richard, I declare," shouted Charlotte, springing forth to
+see him. "What a sweet little fellow he is. Just come, pa, and see the
+little darling." "O, Fred come and see him, he is your very picture,
+what a dear lovely angel he is," &c.
+
+After the excitement had abated, they all removed to the sitting-room.
+Every one had to kiss and fondle little Richard; and even Frederick,
+whose heart had become softened by the touch of tender humanity, took
+the child into his arms, and with a parent's affection bestowed a dozen
+of fond kisses upon its ruby lips, feeling at the same time as if he
+could have similarly complimented Clara, as an expression of his
+affection, and a recompense for the abrupt manner in which he had
+treated her at their previous interview. Mrs. Charlston then told them
+that Richard had come to stay with them until he was weaned. Mr.
+Charlston felt apparently well pleased with the idea; it seemed to him
+as a happy acquisition to his household.
+
+Clara at length prepared herself to depart, and before leaving bestowed
+a dozen of fond kisses on the dear little fellow, and with a lingering
+look bade them all good night, promising to return on the following
+evening.
+
+Frederick put on his hat and quietly followed her to the door, and in a
+sort of undertone interrogated, "May I have the pleasure of seeing you
+home to-night, Clara?"
+
+"If you please," she replied. Fred very courteously complied therewith.
+The character of their conversation on the way that night may be guessed
+from the fact, that Fred and Clara became more lovingly attached to each
+other than ever they had been.
+
+Next day Fred hurried away to the house of his old master; and on the
+following morning was at his former place as a journeyman and an
+associate of his old companion and fellow-workman, Charles Holstrom.
+Clara also found immediate employment. The Charlstons were once more
+rendered happy at seeing Fred so spirited and reconciled; and also the
+presence of little Richard gave a relish to their happiness.
+
+Even old Collins was so well pleased with the change of affairs in his
+own household that he gave expression to his joyous feelings by getting
+pleasantly drunk every day for a whole week.
+
+The beautiful days of summer glided smoothly along. The nights were calm
+and refreshing. Under the exhilarating rays of the evening moonlight,
+Fred and Clara frequently strolled out pleasantly together. Feelings
+were reciprocated. Ideas of future prospects towered higher than the
+moon. A happy home, brightened by the golden beams of the honeymoon was
+seen peeping through the sylvan avenues of imagination. A few months,
+perchance only a few weeks had only to pass by, and their souls were to
+be pressed so closely together by the legal stamp of matrimony that
+nothing but the chisel of death could be able to separate them.
+
+What a delightful picture of future life is often sketched by the
+artistic fancy of the soul. What beautiful delineations of all that is
+exquisitely pleasing and profitable! The scenes are of the grandest
+descriptions: the coloring, of the richest hues, admirably shaded and
+intermingled. Even the darkest spots are glistening by the surrounding
+beauty. All appears as an enchanted dream; a glimpse of fairyland, or as
+a primeval paradise modernized, and rendered suitable in every part to
+gratify the desires of the mind.
+
+But, alas! too frequently these prospects of ideality are built only
+upon corner pillars, and tower to so great an altitude above their
+slender bases, that their summits, like the top of Babel become
+mystified by the clouds; and when the first storm of adversity, or the
+breath of insidious circumstances are blown against them, they totter,
+and eventually fall crashing to the earth, and lie scattered in
+shapeless ruins around their basis.
+
+But, perhaps, it is cruel to predict, or even to suggest, such ruinous
+consequences to the moonlit dreams of that happy pair. Time alone can
+unfold the mysterious realities of life. I will, therefore, pursue the
+windings of their course, and note down the various incidents and events
+as they are struck out, like the sparks from the heated iron under the
+blacksmith's hammer.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+We now come to that eventful evening referred to in chapter first, of
+which a part of the proceedings is described. We shall now continue our
+narration, and make known the consequences of that unfortunate meeting.
+
+No sooner had Clara departed from the house of Mr. Charlston than
+Frederick, from some impulsive motive, glided out of the room; and
+having hastily disguised himself in his father's great coat, hat and
+muffler, hurried out, and followed in pursuit of Clara. In the vicinity
+of the house at which she had left her acquaintance, he observed a young
+man sauntering around. This person Fred discovered to be none other than
+Charles Holstrom. So passing hurriedly onward without being recognized
+he crossed over at the first corner to the other side of the street and
+walked back. When nearly opposite the house referred to the door opened
+and a young woman, alone, whom he knew to be Clara, came out. She
+hurried forward only a few steps when Holstrom wheeled around and
+addressed her; and having received her hand on his arm they glided
+hastily along the street. Frederick was startled at the reality. His
+blood flooded in tidal waves to his heart. His nerves quivered. His soul
+became exasperated. He inwardly threatened immediate violence to both
+parties. But having hastily checked the outpourings of his resentment he
+secretly followed them, yet still breathing volumes of deprecations
+which rose in steaming vapor from his phrenzied brain.
+
+"Can it be possible?" he soliloquised, "that Clara has been practising
+deception upon my faithful affection? I have discovered when too late
+that she has flattered my fond heart with her insidious wiles. I loved
+her once, I despise her now. She has got rid of her child, and she is
+now trying to dispose of me also. Ah! the syren that she is! No longer
+shall I breathe her name but with feelings of hatred and disgust. Ah!
+that villain too, who is leading her headlong to her own ruin! I hate
+him also. His affection towards me as a friend and companion has only
+served as a mantle to cover his deceitful heart. He is a serpent more
+subtle and venomous than that which entered the Garden of Eden. Ah! the
+vile wretch that he is! The deed is too base to forgive. I spurn the
+debased villain. I shall humble his proud heart. I shall crush him to
+the earth. I shall have revenge upon his guilty head. Revenge, revenge I
+must have!"
+
+In this excited state of feelings poor Frederick followed them
+unperceived to the very doorsteps of her home. His impulses had made him
+recklessly desperate. His savage nature was aroused. He was, indeed, no
+longer himself. Like a wild beast he was ready to spring upon them, and
+would have done so had not the uprisings of his moral nature suggested
+to him not to do so.
+
+He heard for a while the lively chit-chat within--the humorous joke--the
+joy-excited laughter, all of which only aroused his indignation to
+greater fierceness. But at that moment, when ready to put his threats
+into execution the right hand of his soul arrested suddenly the uplifted
+weapon of his evil heart. He wheeled about as if it were instinctively,
+fled from the house, and directed his course homeward with hasty steps.
+
+Having quietly slipped himself into his bedroom he retired to his couch;
+but there was no rest there for his unhappy soul, which, even during a
+few moments of slumber was distracted with dreams of the most hideous
+character imaginable.
+
+Next morning Fred was not astir as usual. His mother, at length,
+dreading increased illness as the cause, entered his room. Fred looked
+up with a woe-begone countenance, which of itself was sufficient to
+verify her apprehensions.
+
+"Are you worse, Fred?" his mother interrogated. "I don't feel quite as
+well, mother," he replied.
+
+"Ah, Fred, I thought you would get more cold by going out last evening,"
+said she. "Why Fred, my son, you are quite feverish," she exclaimed
+resting her hand upon his forehead. "I shall get father to go for Dr.
+Guernsey immediately."
+
+"Mother, I beg of you not to do so, my throat is not worse. The want of
+sufficient sleep last night has had a tendency to make me feel
+debilated. Rather bring me a cup of coffee than send for the doctor."
+
+Mrs. Charlston at once hurried to the kitchen and told Amelia to prepare
+a strong cup of coffee and a slice of toast as quickly as possible.
+Shortly afterwards Mrs. C. entered Frederick's room with the coffee and
+toast, followed by his father and sisters.
+
+Fred strengthened himself for the occasion. He rose up on the bed quite
+vigorously, and took breakfast with an apparently good appetite. His
+mother having cooled his face with a wet towel he laid himself down to
+repose, and the others withdrew from the room. Ere long the tender
+finger of nature closed his weary eyelids, and during nearly all the
+rest of the day poor Fred lay calmly enlocked in the arms of sleep.
+
+On the following morning Fred was considerably better, and continued in
+a convalescent state.
+
+However, he kept himself closely confined to his room for several days.
+On the second evening Clara called to see the child; and on the
+following, Charlie also made a visit, as he said, to see Fred; but
+neither of them saw him as his room-door was locked, and he was supposed
+to be fast asleep. In less than a week afterwards Clara again called.
+Fred was in the sitting-room when she entered; but, on seeing her, he
+instantly sprang from his seat, and without opening his lips, abruptly
+left the room.
+
+Clara at once discovered in his appearance and actions that something of
+a serious nature had effected these results. However, she endeavored as
+well as she could to restrain her feelings. The others of the family
+also noticed the abrupt mariner in which Fred absconded; but excused his
+doing so by attributing it to the bashfulness of his bad looks rendered
+so by his illness.
+
+"Why, Fred," said Eliza after Clara was gone, "what caused you to make
+such a runaway as that?"
+
+"Why, Fred," cried Amelia, "you sprang up as if you had been startled by
+a shock of electricity?"
+
+"I thought, Fred," exclaimed Charlotte, "was going to play
+'hide-and-go-seek', with Clara, when I saw him jump up and run off so
+fast."
+
+"Perhaps he intended that to be the play," said Mrs. Charlston, with a
+sly wink looking to Fred.
+
+"Ah, the deceiver that she is!" exclaimed Fred irritably. "She is a vile
+woman."
+
+"Why, Fred, Fred, why all this! are you really going mad?"
+
+"No, mother, I am not mad, although I have been bitten deeply enough to
+have made me as mad as a raving maniac."
+
+"Why, Fred," said she, "do tell us what is the matter with you then--the
+why and wherefore also."
+
+"Well, mother, had you not asked of me to do so I would not of my own
+accord; but since you demand an explanation, I will give you my reasons,
+and then leave you to judge seriously whether I have acted right or
+wrong."
+
+Fred then related all that he had seen and heard respecting Clara and
+Charlie Holstrom.
+
+"But are you sure 'twas really them?" said his mother, when he had
+finished telling them.
+
+"Mother, do you for a moment attempt to doubt my word?" exclaimed Fred.
+
+"My dear son, I do not; but I thought you might be mistaken in them,
+especially at night. However, the next time that Clara comes here, I
+will question her plainly about it. I shall then hear her version of the
+story, and will be enabled to judge more correctly. If I find out that
+she has been keeping company with Charlie I shall forbid her to enter my
+house again."
+
+"Do as you please, mother; but I have resolved never to speak to her
+again," said Fred, and walked off to his room, leaving his mother and
+sisters to talk over the matter.
+
+On the third evening afterwards Clara made her appearance at Mr.
+Charlston's. After the usual preliminaries of courtesy were disposed of,
+Mrs. C. requested Clara to walk into the library room as she desired to
+speak a few minutes to her, alone. Fred had snugly enclosed himself in
+his bed-chamber. The others of the family were in the parlor.
+
+Having seated themselves Mrs. Charlston addressed Clara, and related all
+the particulars she knew relative to the unfortunate circumstances
+alluded to.
+
+"My dear Mrs. Charlston," exclaimed Clara, excitedly, "since I have
+patiently listened to your narration, will you now, as a favor I ask,
+have patience until I render an explanation?"
+
+"By all means I shall," replied Mrs. C.
+
+"But before that I do so," said Clara, "I desire that Fred should be
+present."
+
+"That is impossible to-night," replied Mrs. C. "I shall, however, find
+an opportunity of bringing the matter before Fred, in the manner in
+which you represent it."
+
+"On that unfortunate night, as I may term it," said Clara, "I left home
+accompanied with Emma Harrison, an acquaintance of my own, and came
+here, as usual, to see my child. When we had come as far as Mrs.
+Josleyn's, she said to me, 'I have to call here, so you had better go on
+to Charlston's, and you can call for me on your return.' I agreed
+therewith,--and on my way home stepped in for Emma; but Mrs. Josleyn
+informed me that she had gone out with her own daughters to spend the
+evening with an acquaintance; and, perhaps, added she, they may not
+return for an hour or two. Unwilling to wait so long I took my
+departure; but had not gone far when Charlie Holstrom stepped forth, and
+requested the privilege of seeing me home. The night being dark, and
+somewhat unpleasant for a woman to be out alone I embraced the
+opportunity, and with him went directly home. After having chatted a
+short time with us all he left the house and I have not seen him since.
+I knew not that the jealous eyes of Fred were staring upon us that
+night. He was able to follow me, why was he not also able to accompany
+me home?
+
+"For years my fond heart has invariably responded to his own; and I have
+done nothing to either insult his honor or tarnish the fidelity of my
+affection for him. He has falsely accused me. He has treated me
+disrespectfully; and now manifests a determination to dissolve our
+union. Since the moment that I yielded up the chastity of my affection
+to his desires he has treated me too frequently with indifference. He
+promised to rectify, or, rather, ameliorate the error we committed, by
+an immediate union for life. His promises at intervals were again and
+again repeated; and when I suggested the adequate necessity of having
+them fulfilled he treated me with contempt. Where, I ask, is the happy
+home he promised me at Tiverton. Where, also, are the half dozen of
+homes he has since reared for me in London. He also promised me a home
+in Canada; an unjustifiable plea, as I may term it, to smoothe down his
+intention of deserting me and my dear child, leaving us to be subjected
+to the biting scorn of the uncharitable world, and without even the
+nominal existence of a home that we could call our own. Again, the evil
+spirit of his soul has been aroused from its lair; and without a
+reasonable cause he pierces the very nerves of my affections with the
+stings of a jealous heart. A soul so sensitive as mine feels deeply the
+wounds he has afflicted. _Oh! unfortunate woman that I am! Wherefore am
+I consigned to the torments of impending fate._ Have I committed crimes
+so incurable that there is no remedy for them! My heart is ready to
+burst! I shall die under the horror of my calamity! Oh! merciful
+heavens, have pity upon me!--_poor wretched creature that I am_.
+
+"Oh! Mrs. Charlston what shall I do? What shall I do?" she hysterically
+exclaimed, the tears gushing out from her eyes.
+
+"My dear Clara," ejaculated Mrs. Charlston, grasping her affectionately
+by the hand, tears dimming her eyes also, "I shall have pity upon you;
+and although your friends should become enemies to you, I shall adhere
+to you, my dear child, like an affectionate mother and a faithful
+friend."
+
+"Thank you, thank you," exclaimed Clara, "but my heart is unable to
+express its gratitude."
+
+"Try to compose your feelings, my dear, with the assurance I have given
+you of my fidelity."
+
+"Yes, my dearest of friends, I shall endeavor to do so," said Clara.
+
+Then grasping each other more firmly and affectionately by the hand they
+sat together until they had sobbed out the sorrowful uprisings of their
+hearts.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+
+On the following morning, Mrs. Charlston found an opportunity of
+speaking privately to Fred about the unfortunate affair. She told him
+all that Clara had said, at the same time endeavoring to make as
+favorable impression in her behalf as the circumstances of the case
+would allow; and also earnestly beseeching him to come into good terms
+at once with Clara.
+
+"_Never! never!_" ejaculated Fred.
+
+"Why should you talk so determinately, Fred, I'm sure that Clara has
+given sufficient reasons to justify the circumstances of an
+unpremeditated act, apparently so innocent, as to be undeserving of
+censure."
+
+"Were it only the first innocent act, as you consider it, I would not
+have attached any importance to it," said he.
+
+"Have you really been made aware of a previous intercourse between
+Charles and Clara?"
+
+"Why, yes, I have heard of it a dozen times--I was informed by letter
+when at Tiverton that Clara was flirting with Charlie, or as the writer
+expressed it: 'In your absence your old friend, Charlie Holstrom, is
+playing at "_catch the beau_" with your affectionate Clara.'"
+
+"Now Fred, you must tell me who was the writer of that letter."
+
+"It was Harry Walton."
+
+"I just thought so. I'm sure, Fred, you are aware that Harry is noted
+for manufacturing falsehoods. If you believe him you are the only person
+in London who does so."
+
+"But I have heard it from others, and they cannot all be liars. There is
+Mrs. Tennyson, for instance, an old respected friend of your own. One
+day she hinted sufficient to make me feel suspicious. Fernando Jones
+squirted a few dry jokes in that way. Sylvester Kennelworth termed me a
+hen-pecked bachelor. Even Julia Marks, Sylvina Oldham, and Sarah
+Silverstone bothered me almost to death one evening recently about
+Clara's intention of presenting me shortly with a 'ticket of leave.'"
+
+"Wherefore, dear Fred, would you for even one moment direct your
+attention to the malicious falsehoods of such idle gossips as those you
+have referred to. They are a thousand times worse than the starving
+thieves that lurk around the dark lanes of the city, who steal only what
+is practically useful to themselves; while those others go about robbing
+the youthful and virtuous of their reputation, scattering the seeds of
+dissension, and fluttering in the sunshine of their folly like
+butterflies tasting of the sweets of every flower, but collecting no
+honey, therefore, my son, discard the venom of such villainous tongues."
+
+"My confidence in Clara was so deep rooted that even all that I heard
+had scarcely any effect; but when I beheld personally that night their
+manner and appearance, and considered the coincident circumstances
+connected therewith, all that I had previously heard came rushing in
+upon my soul like an overwhelming flood and swallowed up every ounce of
+love that was in my heart."
+
+"But I wish you to have an interview with Clara the next time she comes;
+it will restore the affection you have lost."
+
+"It never will; nor do I desire to see her. I feel certain that she has
+been duping me with the flattery of a false affection, and then laughing
+at my simplicity in my absence. Even Charlie's actions towards me of
+late have also led me to feel suspicious of him. But my eyes are now
+awakened to the fact, therefore, I will never again speak to Clara, nor
+have anything whatever to do with her."
+
+"Oh! Fred, you are too hasty in your assertions. Remember, my dear son,
+the circumstances and associations by which you are morally bound to
+each other. Remember the vows which you have consecrated upon the altar
+of your heart. Remember the condition to which you have brought her by
+your folly. Bear in mind that if you forsake her under the present
+circumstances that an indelible stain will remain for ever upon your
+character; but above all, my dear son, remember the link which binds you
+inevitably together,--a link of living humanity, akin to you both.
+Remember then that you are a father, and that she is a mother,--titles
+that were conferred upon you both by the birth of that little angel who
+now sheds a radiance over our household by his endearing presence. Then
+think of him, think of what I say, and you will outlive your imaginary
+ills and all the jealous flickerings of your heart; therefore, I again
+ask you, Fred, to comply with my request."
+
+"I tell you again, mother, that I cannot. You need not think you can
+bait me with honied words. The insidious bee that fluttered around the
+flowers of my once happy affections has left its sting-wound within my
+heart."
+
+"But love is its own physician. It alone can cure the ills it makes."
+
+"But where there is no mutual love in the heart the wound is incurable."
+
+"Why, Fred! do you for a moment doubt the veracity of Clara's love for
+you?"
+
+"She has fooled me," he exclaimed. "She has forsaken me. She has made me
+reckless and desperate. I have ceased to love. I hate society. I even
+despise my very self. I shall seek for happiness in foreign lands as a
+substitute for what I have lost. I have decided upon going to Canada."
+
+"Are you again really determined to leave us, Fred?"
+
+"Yes, mother, I am more than determined. I am ready to leave to-morrow
+if I choose to go."
+
+"If you go, my son, you will go against the wishes of your parents and
+every relative you have; and if you go in such a manner and under the
+present circumstances you cannot carry along with you '_a mother's
+blessing_'."
+
+"I don't care!" replied Fred haughtily. "Mother, you have no love for
+me. You have vindicated the guilty actions of Clara in opposition to my
+opinions. You have tantalised my soul by so doing. I shall no longer
+bear the insults, you heap upon me,"--and therewith Fred arose and made
+his exit abruptly from the room.
+
+It appears that for several weeks past Fred had been ruminating
+upon going to Canada, reviving as it were his former intentions.
+His sore throat had originated from sudden exposure to the raw air
+of night on coming out from a crowded hall where he had been
+listening to a highly-colored lecture upon Canada and the
+Clerkenwell-Emigration-Scheme. The recent occurrence had made him still
+more determined, and also, afforded, as he considered, a sufficient plea
+to justify his purpose. That same evening, immediately after tea, his
+father being made aware of the design, took him aside and began to
+expostulate with him.
+
+"Father, I have determined upon leaving and therefore your influence can
+have no effect," exclaimed Fred.
+
+"But remember, my son, that text of Scripture which saith, 'Children
+obey your parents in all things.'"
+
+"And let me add," cried Fred, "the following, from the same author,
+'Fathers provoke not your children to anger lest they be discouraged.'"
+
+"Ah, Fred! that sentence is not applicable to my case. As a duty of
+parental affection I only counsel you for your own good. Remember, my
+son, what Solomon says: 'A fool despiseth his father's instructions, but
+he who regardeth reproof is prudent. Correction is grievous to him who
+forsaketh the way, and he who hateth reproof _shall die_.'"
+
+"I am no _fool_," ejaculated Fred, "I am of age. I shall, therefore, do
+as I please."
+
+"Ah! Fred, Fred, I'm afraid your conduct will yet bring down my grey
+hairs with sorrow to the grave. Perchance you may yet remember my words
+in a foreign land, without a kind friend to pity you in your distress.
+Ah, Fred! I hope, however, that you will not play the prodigal. Let me,
+therefore, read you the 15th chapter of Luke."
+
+Without replying Fred abruptly left the room before his father had time
+to bring forth the Bible.
+
+"Well, well, but this is really annoying," said Fred to himself after he
+had gone to his room. "Do they think that I have no mind of my own; so
+that I am to be mechanically guided by theirs. They favor Clara, and
+disrespect me because I do not favor her also. They say she loves me; if
+she does, my absence will test it. However, I will not allow myself to
+be treated as a captive. I shall and must have liberty, or else I die. I
+shall leave London this very night. I shall leave without shedding a
+tear or bidding a friend good bye. They will perhaps learn to love me
+better when I am gone." So saying, he began to prepare. Having filled
+two large carpet bags with such articles as were most necessary he moved
+quietly out of the house and by a back stairway reached the street.
+Having placed himself in a Hansom-cab stationed near by he was quickly
+conveyed to the station and in time for the night train to Liverpool.
+
+On the following morning he embarked upon the Moravian, belonging to the
+Allan Line of Steamships, plying at that time of the season between
+Liverpool and Portland, in Maine, U.S.
+
+The steam is up; anchors are weighed; and the vessel is soon riding out
+from the harbor towards mid-ocean. Although the air is cold, the deck is
+crowded with persons, among whom is Frederick Charlston, viewing the
+receding objects, and at length taking their farewell view of the dimly
+distant shores of their native land.
+
+Day passed,--and the shadows of the night came down. The vessel was
+dashing over the foaming billows. The winds were whistling dolefully
+amid the sails. A feeling of loneliness crept over the soul of poor
+Fred, and he retired to his hammock. Visions of the past and future
+floated across his mind, and under the poetic mantle of inspiration he
+gave vent to his feelings in the following verses:
+
+    Farewell to thee, England, the land of my birth,
+    The dearest, the fairest of countries on earth,
+    I love thee, yet leave thee, perhaps to deplore,
+    Alas, it may be to behold thee no more.
+
+    If at home I've a friend, yet true friends are but few,
+    In duty to friendship I breathe him adieu,
+    But joy to this bosom no friends can restore.
+    I love them, yet leave them, I may see them no more.
+
+    Old London, farewell,--my birth-place and home,
+    Far distant from thee I am destined to roam,
+    On the home I once loved a fond wish too I'll pour,
+    Tho' its household and hearth I may visit no more.
+
+    Sweet child of my love! Ah! the thought breaks my heart,
+    To know that thy mother hath caused us to part,
+    I love thee, yet leave thee, nor can she restore
+    A joy to this soul that may see thee no more.
+
+    To the land of the stranger I go--yes--I go,
+    In search of those blessings which it can bestow,
+    Its forests, its lakes, I shall proudly explore,
+    Far, far from that home I may visit no more.
+
+Thus sang the young poet. But before morning had dawned upon the billows
+of the ocean all the poetic fancy that was flickering in his
+half-phrenzied brain was driven out by a serious attack of sea-sickness.
+His emanations were then of a much grosser sort of material than the
+etherial-essence of poetic sentiment. During three long and wearied
+nights he continued in a most pitiable condition; his thoughts
+bewildered and fluctuating; at times, half regretting the course he had
+taken. The weather was tempestuous during the voyage; but, at length, in
+the afternoon of the twelfth day the vessel and all the passengers were
+safely landed at Portland. That evening Fred went on board the train for
+Montreal, but did not reach his destination until late in the afternoon
+of the second day, the journey having been prolonged by a severe snow
+storm. The cold was very intense. It was then that the words of Charles
+Holstrom occurred to his mind about the Canadian mountains of snow and
+the cold at 150 degrees of temperature below zero. He, however, arrived
+safely at Montreal, yet, cold, hungry and exhausted, and immediately
+engaged lodgings at the _St. James' Hotel_, where after a warm and
+hearty meal he soon experienced a more comfortable state of feelings.
+
+Night's shadows had settled down over the fair city. The great bell of
+the cathedral of Notre Dame was scattering its solemn tones over the dim
+air. The city-lamps were sending forth their mellow radiance. Throngs of
+pedestrians were moving to and fro. Sleigh after sleigh was hurrying
+along, filled with joyous souls, and drawn by sprightly steeds dancing
+as if it were to the sounds of the merry-tinkling sleigh-bells. Fred
+looked out upon the gay panorama of Canadian city life. It was a new and
+attractive sight to him, and he felt an itching desire to try the novel
+experiment of taking a sleigh ride; but his spirit recoiled within
+itself when the fact was brought forcibly to his mind that it was
+"_Christmas' Night_." He thought of the many happy Christmas evenings
+which he had enjoyed amid the society of his friends in the good old
+city of London. A thousand associations flashed across his memory,
+filling his solitary mind with sadness and regrets. Around him
+everywhere he beheld gay crowds flickering with joyous excitement. More
+keenly than ever he then felt that he was only a stranger in a strange
+land, isolated from congenial society, and far removed from his friends
+and his once happy home. Conscience awakened his mind to the reality of
+his past folly, and his heart was wounded by its own stings. A heavy
+weight of sorrow pressed deeply upon his bosom. A deep sigh rolled out
+heavily upon his lips. Tears glistened in his eyes; and alas, poor
+Frederick Charlston again wished himself back to London.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+The holidays having passed, Fred sought out and found immediate
+employment in Montreal. The sad impressions that were engraven upon his
+mind at first began and continued gradually to wear off. New friendships
+were formed. Things became more and more familiar to him, and at length
+he experienced a much happier state of mind. At first he purposed
+writing immediately to his friends in London, but after a few
+postponements, resolved not to do so, as he considered it would show an
+effeminency on his part, and that a few month's silence would perhaps
+season their affection for him.
+
+Two of his fellow-workmen, who belonged to a company of volunteers,
+persuaded Fred to join their ranks. He was tolerably well acquainted
+with military discipline, having practically served in a company during
+his residence at Tiverton; and he had also studied considerably the
+tactics of war, therefore he found no difficulty in getting himself
+initiated as a Canadian volunteer; but in so doing it ultimately proved
+to be another unfortunate step. The circle of his acquaintances was thus
+increased tenfold. Military glory unfolded its social charms. Friendly
+meetings with jovial comrades became more frequent. The foaming glass
+sparkled brightly with fascination. Temptation unmasked itself. Again
+and again his companions of the evenings had recourse to expedients to
+induce him to drink with them. He was willing to pass an evening and
+smoke a cigar, but sternly refused to even moisten his lips with the
+poisonous liquid, which showed a manly independence in principle, a
+dignity of honor; and it would have been well for him had he always
+continued as invincible.
+
+"I say, Fred, you must have something to drink with us to-night," said
+Billa Haveril one evening as Fred and a few of his comrades were walking
+along Craig Street. "Here's the '_Royal Arms_,' come in, boys--come in
+Fred, and I'll introduce you to Mr. Stone, a jolly good old Englishman.
+He knows how to warm up a fellow when the cold is 30 degrees below
+zero."
+
+They entered, and became seated in a room adjoining the bar.
+
+"Well, Fred, what's your choice," said Haveril.
+
+"A glass of cold water," replied Fred.
+
+"Horrible! horrible!" ejaculated Haveril. "Are you really going to
+commit an arctic outrage upon your sensibilities? That will never do if
+you intend living in Canada."
+
+"Perhaps he wants to convert himself into an ice-house," exclaimed Harry
+Jenkins.
+
+"Gentlemen," said Fred, "I previously informed you that I belong to the
+Sons of Temperance; you will therefore confer a favor by not pressing
+your kindness further upon me."
+
+"Take it as a medicine, then; a glass will neither awaken your
+conscience nor injure your stomach," said Haveril.
+
+"Do as St. Paul advised Timothy to do--take a little for your stomach's
+sake and your often infirmities," said Nichol Henderson.
+
+"Come, Fred, _one glass_ will never ruffle a feather in your
+conscience," said Ernest Stevens.
+
+"Come, boys! tip up your bumpers!" exclaimed Haveril, and then singing
+aloud, followed by the others in chorus,
+
+"_For Fred's a jolly good fellow_," &c.
+
+Frederick having declined was again pressed to drink, to which he
+replied--"I am willing to condescend to the wishes of the company in
+which I may be placed; but when principle is at stake I must necessarily
+decline sacrificing my honor to the demands of others, even those of my
+best friends, as I am a pledge-bound total abstainer."
+
+"Pooh! pooh!" ejaculated Jenkins, "that's enough of your sophisticated
+balderdash. Do you not know that a London pledge is not valid in
+Canada?"
+
+"Why, what's the difference," exclaimed Fred, "the principle is the same
+throughout."
+
+"Well, sir, the difference is just this," said Jenkins, "every country
+has its own laws, and every subject therein is commanded to obey them,
+and to do so only while he is a resident. The laws of the temperance
+cause are based upon the same principle."
+
+"Philosophically speaking, you cannot assimilate them," replied Fred.
+
+"Civil laws differ according to the government of a country, the
+characteristics of a people, their intellectual, moral and spiritual
+condition, etc. Whereas, the temperance cause, in its strictest sense,
+is everywhere identical, and its laws universal; the essence of which in
+the abstract is simply '_to abstain_' and '_to obey_.' But suppose, for
+the sake of argument, that you are right in your opinion, I ask then, is
+there sufficient reason in the act of having withdrawn myself from the
+country in which I took the pledge, to disannul my responsibility, when
+I have not withdrawn my name from the Society's list of membership. And
+again, I ask you, if I desire to remain a total abstainer, wherefore
+should I compel myself unnecessarily, in order to please others, to
+sacrifice my liberty to the 'king of evils,' even should I feel no
+longer bound to obey the laws of the Society."
+
+"I say, Fred, for goodness' sake stop," exclaimed Sandie Johnstone, "or
+else you will sink us so deeply into the ruts of philosophy that our
+friends will never be able to discover us."
+
+"Go on, Fred, go on, you're a brick," cried Haveril. "Give Jenkins
+another dig with your philosophical pick."
+
+"Fair play," shouted Jenkins, "'tis my turn to bait the trap."
+
+"Bait it with a bottle of brandy," cried Haveril, "and we'll see who'll
+bite at it first."
+
+"If Jenkins wont, I'll bet you a dollar you will," ejaculated Johnstone.
+
+"Yes, Haveril would bite at the very devil if his Satanical Majesty was
+filled to the teeth with brandy," exclaimed Jenkins, the others
+chorusing with a series of discordant laughs.
+
+"Well, well, gentlemen," exclaimed Fred, "if you desire the continuance
+of my friendship, and if you wish to respect the dignity of morality and
+the English language, you must refrain from using such insinuating
+balderdash and bar-room-slang."
+
+"You're right, Fred, stick to your subject and make them all your
+subjects," said Ernest Stevens.
+
+"Why, Fred, if you would only take a gentle sipling of the nectar you
+would know how to appreciate and enjoy our company," said Henderson.
+
+"True friendship and true happiness are based upon more _solid_ material
+than _liquids_," replied Frederick.
+
+"Well, Fred, as you are a sort of philosopher, allow me to ask you, if
+the true destiny of man, both here and hereafter, is not the enjoyment
+of life?" interrogated Henderson.
+
+"Certainly, sir," replied Fred; "but I further believe that our Maker
+designed that man should use the proper means for the promotion of both
+terrestrial and celestial happiness."
+
+"Our opinions are identical, then," exclaimed Henderson. "We are both of
+the same mind and yet cannot agree; and the reason is simply this--that
+I occasionally partake of a social glass with my friends as a means to
+awaken and promote enjoyment; whereas you teetotally reject the means.
+This delicious nectar sparkling before me has the inherent virtues of
+making me truly happy; I, therefore, use it for its medicinal qualities.
+So here is my best respects to you all, boys,--not forgetting you,
+Fred," added Henderson, raising the tumbler to his lips and draining the
+liquor to its very dregs.
+
+"Ha! ha! ha!" ejaculated Jenkins, "I say, Fred, you are completely
+cornered up, Henderson's as good a philosopher as yourself."
+
+"That may be so," replied Fred, "but I wish you, and Henderson
+also, to bear in mind that reason may be twisted into sophistry.
+He must first prove the premises of his arguments to be correct,
+namely, 'that spirituous liquors are conducive to the happiness of
+mankind'--otherwise, the syllogism must be false. To attempt such an
+undertaking would be a more fool-hardy task than that of Hercules to
+carry the globe upon his back. My dear sir, you would soon find that the
+universal evidence of the world would be against you. The horrid shrieks
+of suffering humanity would denounce the falsity of your arguments,
+while myriads of skeletons would startle from their graves with horrid
+indignation!"
+
+"Hold on, hold on, I say, Fred," shouted Henderson, "you are firing away
+your balls at random and never look at the target."
+
+"I think he has made a good many bull-eyes in your head," exclaimed
+Stevens.
+
+"Come, come, boys, we'll have a _horn_ on the _head_ of the subject,"
+cried Jenkins.
+
+"Yes, yes, that's the talk," responded some of the others.
+
+"Hold on, hold on, gentlemen," exclaimed Henderson, slightly irritated.
+"I must have fair play in the game."
+
+"By all means," said Fred, "I shall see that you shall."
+
+"Well, sir," said H., "allow me to inform you, that in your arguments
+you deviated from the proposition I made, namely--that liquor as a means
+is conducive to human happiness. I mean the proper use of it; but you
+immediately darted off to the furthest extremity of the subject, and by
+a sort of superlative sophistry of your own, you attempted to conjure up
+a horrid array of evils arising from the abuse of that spiritual gift,
+which is the very essence of those cereals designed by the Author of
+Creation as the principal sustainer of animal life."
+
+"You accuse me, sir, of doing injustice to your proposition, by
+representing the consequences of abusing that spiritual gift, as you
+very improperly term it," said Fred. "Your proposition, let me tell you,
+embraces only the germs; but I look forward to the fruits thereof. He
+would be but a very foolish farmer indeed, who would sow tares or
+imperfect seed for the mere pleasure of seeing his fields adorned with
+verdure, without looking forward to the consequences. Every good farmer
+anticipates an abundant harvest and accordingly sows the best seed. So
+should every man who desires to reap a harvest of happiness. He should
+look well to the seed, and sow only that which will eventually produce
+the best results. Again, you say that liquor when used in moderation, is
+a means of producing human happiness, and therefore should be used. I
+beg to differ with you; happiness arises not from the animal impulses of
+human nature stimulated by intoxicating liquor. Use it moderately you
+say. Alas, how many millions have been ruined forever by the taking of
+only one single glass at first, _only one glass_! Think of it! It is the
+magnet that attracts material akin to itself; alas, what a world of
+wretchedness and crime is reflected from that nucleus of Intemperance."
+
+"Hold on, hold on, Fred," ejaculated Jenkins, "that'll do for the
+present."
+
+"Go on, Fred, your illustrations are beautiful and impressive," cried
+Stevens, "go on, you are hitting the target at every shot."
+
+"For goodness sake, Fred, do stop; or you will convert us all into a
+company of 'cold water-boys,'" cried Jenkins.
+
+"Come! come, my lads," exclaimed Haveril, "we'll wind up for the present
+with a bumper of 'hot Scotch' and I'll pay for the drinks."
+
+"Hot Scotch! hot Scotch!" shouted a half dozen of voices--and having
+partaken of a rousing bumper they called upon Fred to favor them with a
+song, to which he responded in the following Temperance Song, entitled
+"One Glass More."
+
+    Behold yon wretch at the tavern-bar:
+      His matted hair hangs over his brow;
+    The manly form and the noble soul
+      Are wrecked and lost in the drunkard now.
+    He shivering stands in his dirty rags,
+      With bloated face and his blood-shot eyes;
+    With quivering lips and a fever'd breath
+      For one glass more how he pleading cries.
+
+    _Chorus._--O give me, sir, but a single glass;
+                 O pity me now when my cash is done;
+               The night is cold and my blood runs chill,
+                 And all I ask is a single one.
+
+    Away from here, you miserable wretch;
+      I want no more of your blubbering gas,
+    Be off at once! or I'll kick you out;
+      You'll get none here--not a single glass,
+    What brought you here in your filthy rags,
+      To disgrace my house in this drunken way.
+    At once, begone! for you'll get no drink,
+      No, not a glass, when you've nothing to pay.
+
+    _Chorus._--O give me, sir, &c.
+
+    O, wherefore, sir, would you kick me out!
+      Why so unjust to thy friend art thou;
+    You gave me drink and you took my cash,
+      You made me, sir, as you see me now.
+    You scorn me too, as a drunken wretch,
+      Debased and steep't in the dregs of sin;
+    And when I ask but a single glass,
+      You'll kick me out tho' you took me in.
+
+    _Chorus._--O give me, sir, &c.
+
+    Thro' ten long years while I labored hard,
+      You gave me drink, and you drain'd my purse,
+    I was your friend, and your blessings then,
+      Have proved at length but a demon's curse.
+    My loving wife and my children dear,
+      Have often sigh'd with a hungry soul,
+    While I was here with my social friends
+      And drinking deep from your mad'ning bowl.
+
+    _Chorus._--O give me, sir, &c.
+
+    My health and youth I have wasted here;
+      To thee, for drink, my money I gave;
+    I'm now a wreck of what I was once,
+      And sinking fast to a drunkard's grave;
+    All wasted here in my reckless course,
+      Which neither thou nor time can restore;
+    Then pity me now for old friendship's sake,
+      And give one glass and I'll ask no more.
+
+    _Chorus._--"Begone from here, you miserable wretch!"
+                 The landlord cried, and he stamp't and swore,
+               Then kick't him out to the cold night storm,
+                 And curs'd the wretch as he closed his door.
+
+Frederick Charlston continued to step into a saloon occasionally to pass
+an evening with his comrades. Every expedient was tried to persuade him
+to taste with them; but with a manly spirit of independence he remained
+for several weeks invincible to their attacks. At length he was induced
+to take a tumbler with hot water, sweetened with sugar, and flavored
+with nutmeg and peppermint. But Jenkins one night gave the innkeeper a
+wink to put a few drops of Scotch whiskey into Fred's tumbler. A few
+drops were sufficient to slightly stimulate his brain, and produce a
+flow of social feeling within his heart; and thus, when too late, he
+discovered that he had tasted of the evil spirit. Having once tasted, he
+felt a less restriction of duty; and on subsequent occasions allowed a
+few drops to be added to the mixture. _Only a few drops!_ how
+insignificant in number! how innocent they appear within themselves!
+But, alas, a few drops were added to the few, until they became _a great
+number_; and before winter had thrown off its fleecy covering, Frederick
+Charlston could empty a tumbler of hot punch as readily as any of his
+comrades. Thus, he who had once nobly defended the cause of Temperance,
+and had remained so long invincible, at length dishonored that pledge
+which, even under the most trying circumstances, he had hitherto never
+violated. "_Only a few drops_" at first--yes, _only a few drops_, and
+therewith poor Frederick Charlston became the votary of intemperance.
+His Saturday nights were afterwards too frequently spent, or rather
+misspent, in deep carousals with his comrades. His Sabbaths were also
+often desecrated; and instead of appearing in his accustomed seat in
+Church, he was either sleeping away the sacred hours of the day, or,
+perhaps, polluting his mind with the filthy contents of some sensational
+novel. For a few weeks at first his moral feelings were occasionally
+awakened by the stings of conscience; but gradually they became less
+susceptible and less unwilling to recognize or respect the laws of moral
+responsibility.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+April came, and with it came the alarm of an intended invasion of Canada
+by the Fenians. All the volunteers were ordered to be in immediate
+readiness, and several companies were stationed at different places
+along the Province Line, south of the River St. Lawrence. Every
+precautionary preparation was being made by the Canadian government, and
+also by the inhabitants. Great excitement prevailed during several days;
+and a series of appalling rumors were daily in circulation. But April
+passed away, and none of the Verdants made their appearance on the north
+side of the Line 45. There was apparently a lull in the Fenian camp.
+
+But on the morning of the 23rd of May following, the bugle again sounded
+the alarm. Gen. O'Neill had again stirred up the "Circles" to their very
+"Centres," and there was a fearful rattling among the dry bones. Every
+telegram brought additional intelligence confirming the affair. The
+march had in reality begun; and 50,000 men, as rumored, were marching
+towards Canada, in a direct line to Montreal. All the volunteers in the
+Province of Quebec were again called to arms, and every available
+company forwarded at once to the chief stations at St. Johns,
+Hemmingford, and Huntingdon. The 69th regiment of British regulars, then
+stationed at Quebec, was ordered to the front immediately. The loyal
+Canadian farmers in the vicinity of the Border line turned out at once;
+and with rifle in hand, distributed themselves in detached parties to
+watch and await the avowed enemies of their country; and defend their
+hearths and households in the hour of danger.
+
+The company to which Frederick Charlston belonged, had been ordered to
+St. Johns. Fred was delightfully excited by the occurrence, which
+afforded him an opportunity of realizing what he termed "_a novel and
+romantic adventure_."
+
+On the morning of the 25th of May, 1870, a detachment of Fenians, headed
+by Gen. O'Neill, crossed over the Line in the vicinity of Eccles' Hill.
+A company of farmers who had stationed themselves behind the rocks of
+the hill, adjacent to the high-way, observed the approach of the enemy
+sneaking along the road. When the Fenians had arrived within reach of
+gun-shot, the farmers, unperceived, fired upon them, killing two or
+more, and wounding several. The astonished Verdants at once replied by a
+volley, but becoming disorderly bewildered by the incessant stream of
+smoke and bullets from among the rocks, they hastily retreated to an
+adjacent hill; and for several hours the opposing parties in ambush kept
+up a continuous but ineffectual fire at each other. At length a few
+detachments of Montreal volunteers and others arrived; and in
+conjunction with the farmers, took part in the action. The Fenians
+imagining that a formidable army had arrived, became panic-stricken and
+fled, headed by their leaders, at quick march over the Border Line,
+where the "Fenian Tragedy" was magnificently concluded by the
+ludicrous farce of the Great O'Neill making a hasty exit as a "State
+prisoner," under the confidential protection of Marshal Foster.
+
+Simultaneously with this event, another squad of Green Jackets, headed
+by Gen. Starr, intruded upon Canadian soil, twelve miles beyond
+Huntingdon, and intrenched themselves about three-quarters of a mile
+from the Border Line. There they remained until the morning of the 27th,
+when they were speedily routed from their intrenchments and driven back
+beyond the Line by the Huntingdon Borderers and the 69th British
+Regiment.
+
+The Battalions in this District, and upon whom the inhabitants had
+chiefly to depend, were the "_Huntingdon Borderers_" and the
+"_Hemmingford Rangers_," under their gallant commanders, Cols. McEachren
+and Rogers, and to whose valorous energy and that of the heroic officers
+and men under their charge, is the country in general deeply indebted.
+
+Thus ended the Fenian invasion of 1870. Providentially not one of the
+Canadian party received even the slightest injury. The volunteers were
+immediately recalled, and peace was restored to the country.
+
+Among those who took part in the action at Eccles' Hill was Fred
+Charlston. He returned to Montreal, bearing along with him as trophies
+of war, a Fenian coat, knapsack and rifle. So elated was he on the night
+of his return by his fortunate and glorious adventure, that he with
+several of his comrades got mortally drunk, so much so that he and two
+others had to be taken to the police station for safe keeping, where
+they remained until they became sobered off.
+
+Frederick being somewhat of a poet, composed the following song in honor
+of those Canadian Volunteers who were brought into action along the
+Border.
+
+      OUR BORDER VOLUNTEERS.
+
+      All hail! our Border Volunteers,
+        All loyal, true and brave,
+      Who boldly faced the Fenian foe,
+        And spurn'd a coward's grave.
+      All hail to all those gallant chiefs,
+        Who stood the trying hour,
+      And bravely led their heroes forth
+        To crush the Fenians' power.
+
+      _Chorus._--Our country's foe we need not dread,
+                   When danger's hour appears,
+                 While guarded by those gallant braves,
+                   Our Border Volunteers.
+
+      No menial soldier fills our ranks,
+        Nor yet a martial slave;
+      O'er free and independent men
+        Our banners proudly wave.
+      They are our country's stalwart sons,
+        Who love their home and hearth,
+      Who honour still their Fatherland,
+        And this which gave them birth.
+
+      _Chorus._--Our country's foe, &c.
+
+      'Tis not the savage thirst for blood
+        Which makes our heroes brave,
+      'Tis not for conquest and renown
+        Their banners proudly wave.
+      Their voice proclaims the love of peace,
+        To all an equal right,
+      But mercy spurn'd by reckless foes
+        Empowers their sword of might.
+
+      _Chorus._--Our country's foes, &c.
+
+      Trout River's banks and Eccles' Hill,
+        Shall echo forth their fame,
+      And thousands yet unborn will rise,
+        To shout our heroes' name.
+      They form the martial battlements
+        Of Canada's frontiers,
+      Those guardians of our household hearths,
+        THE BORDER VOUNTEERS.
+
+      _Chorus._--Our country's foes we need not dread,
+                   When danger's hour appears,
+                 While guarded by these gallant braves,
+                  _Our Border Volunteers_.
+
+The disturbance at Red River in the North-Western Territory, by the
+revolt of Riel and his accomplices was also at this time attracting the
+attention of the Canadian government. A force, consisting of regulars
+and volunteers, had already been organized; and was to be despatched
+immediately to Red River for the purpose of suppressing the
+Riel-Rebellion.
+
+The glory of warfare had aroused within the mind of Frederick Charlston
+a love for adventure and a spirit of Canadian patriotism: and feeling a
+desire to enlist as a roving soldier, he immediately, after his return
+to Montreal, departed for Toronto, head-quarters for the Battalions
+designed for Red River. A few healthy and well-disciplined volunteers
+were still wanted; and Fred, having passed an examination, was initiated
+into the ranks as a volunteer for Red River.
+
+On the evening previous to his departure he retired to his room; and
+having emptied a tumbler full of hot brandy punch, he sat down
+gloriously happy, and penned the following letter to his parents.
+
+     "Toronto, June 7th, 1870.
+
+     "Dear Father and Mother,--As you may feel somewhat disposed by this
+     time to relish a bit of my history in Canada, I now, for the first
+     time, since I left home, lift my pen to address you. I shipped in
+     the S. S. Moravian from Liverpool, to Portland, U.S., and during
+     the voyage had to undergo the terrible ordeal of sea-sickness.
+     However, I arrived at Montreal on the evening of Christmas last, as
+     sound as a church bell. I found immediate employment in the city at
+     six shillings per day. I am partially fond of this country and the
+     inhabitants in general, with the exception of a sort of people
+     named French Kanucks; but they are as harmless as a flock of sheep;
+     and stand as mere cyphers in the ranks of society. Last winter I
+     joined a company of city volunteers; and was present at an
+     engagement with the Fenians at a place known as Eccles Hill, on the
+     25th ultimo, of which affair you will have heard by the London
+     papers. I went up boldly to the Front, and fought the Fenians like
+     a tiger. I don't know how many I killed; but I feel certain that I
+     must have annihilated quite a large number, as I fired away every
+     cartridge I had. I brought back with me to Montreal a Fenian-coat,
+     knapsack and rifle, &c. Since my return I have been lionized by my
+     officers and comrades for my daring exploits. The sun of fortune
+     has already begun to shine upon me; and I have determined that my
+     progress shall be in the ascendancy, until I arise to the very
+     zenith of my glory. I have just enlisted myself as a volunteer to
+     go over 2000 miles into the dense forests of Canada to fight the
+     savages of the North-West at Red River. I leave to-morrow. The
+     undertaking is gigantic, but the glory that shall arise therefrom
+     shall be immeasurably greater. Be not surprised should you hear of
+     me ere long being gazetted as commander of a battalion in the
+     North-Western Territory. On my return, to England, if ever, I shall
+     take my Fenian trophies along with me, and perhaps a few hundred of
+     Indian scalps, &c., as curiosities for my friends and old
+     acquaintances.
+
+     "Give my respects to none but those who inquire kindly about me. My
+     love to the little '_chick_.' He may live to be yet proud of his
+     father. I shall write again as soon as I get the savages disposed
+     of."
+
+     "Father, mother, sisters and brother, accept the expression of my
+     love. Farewell, farewell."
+
+     "Fred. Charlston."
+
+The volunteers for Red River were forwarded from Toronto to Collingwood;
+where they embarked on the steamers Algoma and Chigora; and proceeded
+300 miles to Thunder Bay, on Lake Superior; thence by land and water
+through a dense wilderness, several hundred miles, to Fort Garry, at Red
+River. A prodigious undertaking, indeed, involving a vast amount of
+labor and privation; nevertheless the majority of the troops endured it
+tolerably well. During the first two or three weeks Fred Charlston stood
+the hardships and inconveniences with a brave spirit, and enjoyed with
+good relish the rough life of the military pioneer; so much so that he
+gave expression to his patriotic feelings in the following song, which
+he and his associates frequently sung with great gusto:--
+
+    Come now, my lads, we'll march along,
+      And wave our banners high,
+    The savage herds in forest wilds
+      Shall hear our battle-cry.
+    The distant realm before us lies,
+      The road is rough and drear,
+    O'er lake and stream thro' mountain wild
+      Our martial course we'll steer.
+
+     _Chorus._--Then march along, my hearty lads,
+                  And cheer your hearts with song,
+                The nation cheers the Volunteers
+                  Who bravely march along.
+
+    No scorching sun, no torrent shower,
+      No toil, nor want of rest,
+    Has power to check that British pluck
+      Which warms each loyal breast.
+    No savage of the woods we dread,
+      Nor death, nor danger near,
+    We are a nation's loyal sons
+      Who spurn a coward's fear.
+
+    _Chorus._--Then march along, &c.
+
+    That savage wretch with bloody hands,
+      Usurping in his might,
+    Shall keenly feel a nation's steel
+      That justifies its right.
+    "_Revenge_" shall be our battle-cry,
+      Revenge the bloody foe:
+    Fort Garry's walls with tongues of blood,
+      Shall echo back the blow.
+
+    _Chorus._--Come march along, "my hearty lads,"
+                 And shout the martial song.
+               The nation cheers the Volunteers
+                 Who bravely march along.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+I will now silently pass over the space of three months, and leave the
+reader to follow in imagination the adventures of our hero in the
+Red River Expedition;--and as an essential character in the sequel of
+this story I will now take the liberty of introducing myself.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+On a fine afternoon about the middle of September, 1870, I arrived at
+Kingston, Ontario, and took lodgings at the "City Hotel," where I
+intended to remain for a few days. I was then on a tour selling a
+poetical work which I had written, entitled: "The Canadian
+Minstrel." After tea, that evening, I stepped up stairs to the
+sitting-room, and sat down to write a letter to my friends at home.
+Shortly afterwards, and while seated there alone, a young man entered
+the room.
+
+"I beg pardon, sir; I hope I'm not intruding," he exclaimed very
+politely as he entered.
+
+"No, not in the least, sir," said I. He then walked over to the sofa,
+and pulling out a newspaper from his pocket, sat down and began to
+peruse it. I resumed my pen; and when finished with my letter, I
+addressed him somewhat familiarly, and we entered into conversation,
+chiefly about the war which was then being carried on between France and
+Prussia. He was apparently intelligent; and although slightly reticent
+at first, became gradually more conversive and familiar.
+
+He appeared to be about 25 years of age, tall, and somewhat slender in
+figure; of keen a nervous temperament; with hair and moustache of a
+brownish color: features slightly prominent and very expressive. He was
+courteous in manners, and in general appearance, genteel and
+good-looking. His style of conversing was agreeable; his arguments
+pointed and logical; and his remarks, full of sympathetic sentiment,
+apparently the breathings of an impulsive moral nature. His countenance,
+although naturally expressive of energy, appeared slightly shadowed by
+an expression of sadness. Even in his manner and conversation there was
+a peculiar indication of deep thoughtfulness, tinged with melancholy.
+Respecting his own history he said nothing, nor did he ask anything
+about mine. I was however much interested in his company, and although
+strangers to each other, we passed a very pleasant evening together.
+
+At breakfast on the following morning he sat directly opposite to me. We
+saluted each other in a friendly manner, and occasionally exchanged a
+few sentences. Shortly after we had retired from the table he came
+forward and addressed me.
+
+"I shall bid you good bye, friend, for the present," said he, apparently
+in readiness to depart.
+
+"And so you are going to leave," said I. "I'm sorry I had not the
+pleasure of a longer acquaintance with you."
+
+"I leave for Toronto, where I shall remain a week or two. Should you be
+there shortly, please call at the 'Metropolitan Hotel,' and ask for me,
+I shall be happy to see you," said he, handing me a card with his name
+thereon.
+
+"Thank you, sir, I will be happy to do so," said I: and having heartily
+shaken hands together as a mutual token of courtesy and good-will, he
+departed.
+
+As I was desirous of attending the Annual Provincial Show, to be held at
+Toronto during the first week of October following, I passed all the
+intermediate towns on the line of railway, and arrived in that city a
+few days previous.
+
+The evening after my arrival I strolled over to the Metropolitan to see
+the stranger referred to. He recognized me at once, and was apparently
+happy to see me. Although our previous acquaintance had been incidental
+and but of short duration, we felt on meeting again as if we had been
+old friends. He invited me to the sitting room; and we passed a few very
+agreeable hours together. On leaving I requested him to spend the
+following evening with me at the hotel at which I was staying. He
+complied therewith; and during his further stay of one week in the city
+our interviews were of daily occurrence.
+
+During the following week the city was crowded to its utmost capacity;
+and the streets presented a gay and lively appearance, owing to the
+great influx of visitors to the Exhibition. In company with my friend I
+visited the "Show Grounds." Every department of the Arts and
+Agriculture, &c., were well represented, showing the vast progress and
+developments of the Province of Ontario.
+
+The day of the closing of the Exhibition my friend specially invited me
+to his room to spend the evening. During our previous interviews he had
+said but little respecting himself. I noticed, however, that something
+was deeply affecting his mind; and that he was apparently desirous of
+making it known to me. But it was not until this evening that he, in
+compliance with my wishes, gave me the history of his past career: the
+greater part of which is narrated in the foregoing chapters of this
+story: the remainder I will now give in his own words; for, gentle
+reader, be it known that this person was none other than Frederick
+Charlston, with whom you are already acquainted.
+
+"During the first part of the journey to Red River," said he, "I endured
+the hardships and fatigues tolerably well; but the encamping out every
+night upon the cold earth: the incessant labor; the hard marches over a
+rough road, and under a broiling sun, at length became too oppressive.
+Oftentimes I felt, as it were, unable to proceed a step further; but my
+proud spirit with a stern determination of will, exerted every possible
+energy, and I continued day after day to plod along with my foot-sore
+and way-worn companions. Our fatigues were however occasionally relieved
+by a general rest for a few days. But before one third of the journey
+had been completed I was seized one night with a severe attack of
+illness.
+
+"The day had been excessively hot; the commander wishing to get forward
+that evening to certain grounds favorable for one week's encampment had
+recourse to what might be termed a forced march. Many of the soldiers
+suffered from the effects thereof; I was prostrated at once by a severe
+billious attack, accompanied with chills and fever, and also diarrhea;
+and when the companies resumed their march, I was unable to proceed with
+them.
+
+"The evening previous to the general move the doctor made a special
+visit to my tent.
+
+"'My young friend,' said he, as he entered, 'I have come to leave you
+some medicine as I must move with the army at an early hour to-morrow
+morning. Your health, although progressing rapidly, will not permit you
+to undertake the journey, at least for one week. However, you will be
+provided with necessaries, &c. The Captain has appointed a couple of
+honest Indians to remain and take care of you: and who will serve as
+guides when you are ready to depart. But my special injunction
+is--"_Take good care of yourself_," otherwise you will never reach
+Red River.'
+
+"'Indeed, doctor, I'm afraid I shall never be able to resume the
+journey,' said I.
+
+"'It would have been much better for you had you not undertaken it at
+first.'
+
+"'Experience teaches fools,' I exclaimed.
+
+"'Yes, and the wisest of wise men too,' added the doctor, with a sly
+wink.
+
+"'I regret very much the course I have taken,' said I; 'I am now
+suffering the experience of my reckless folly. Were it possible to have
+an opportunity of living my past years over again agreeably to my
+wishes, I assure you, doctor, I would never make a second journey to
+Canada, nor go to Red River either; I would make England my home for
+ever. However, since I have undertaken this exodus, I hope I shall be
+able to complete it.'
+
+"'It is my opinion,' said the doctor, 'that your physical constitution,
+inexperienced as it has been to a life like this, will not be able to
+stand the fatigues; and even after a month's rest, I dread the
+consequences, as the hardships yet to be endured are tenfold greater
+than those you have undergone.'
+
+"'Then what shall I do, doctor? Must I live and die alone in this
+wilderness?' said I.
+
+"'Under the present circumstances, I think,' said he, 'your resignation
+will be immediately accepted. If so remain here for the present under
+charge of your attendants. In the course of a week or so, a gang of
+Indians will pass here on their way to Thunder Bay for provisions. They
+can convey you a great portion of the way by canoe; thence you can
+effect your course back to Toronto, or to England if you choose, much
+easier indeed than going the remainder of the journey to Red River.'
+
+"'Well doctor,' said I, 'I shall comply with your orders.'
+
+"'Then I shall attend to the matter at once,' said the doctor, and
+immediately withdrew. In about an hour afterwards he returned,
+accompanied with several officers. The doctor's request was acquiesced
+with, and I received my discharge. The commander on leaving placed $30
+in my hand, wishing me better health and a safe journey back to Toronto.
+No sooner had they left than I began to breathe more freely the air of
+liberty. I felt like a prisoner when liberated from his shackled bonds.
+I was no longer a mercenary. I was indeed exalted above the ranks, _and
+felt myself once more as a man_:--And wherefore, may I ask? Let my
+spirit echo the answer.
+
+"The novelty and the romance of adventure had lost their charms.
+Military glory had faded under the stern reality of circumstances.
+Sickness had dimmed the ardor of my soul. Home-longings had clustered
+around my heart: and I then felt as it were for the time being a
+happiness in disappointment, and an independence in my liberty.
+
+"My companions were indeed sorry to part with me: and before leaving
+presented me with many tokens of their affections. I felt the loneliness
+of a saddened heart when they were gone. The Indians were however kind,
+and faithful in their duties towards me. Under their care my health and
+vigor improved rapidly; so much so, that I felt sufficiently able to go
+with the returning Indians to Thunder Bay. I stood the travel much
+better than I anticipated. On the 27th day of August I arrived safely in
+this city, but much exhausted by the fatigues of the journey.
+
+"Alas! thought I. What a change of prospects! What a revulsion in
+circumstances! I left here as a proud follower of Mars, clothed in
+scarlet and fine linen like the Kings of Babylon, and blowing up the
+tinsel'd bubble of military glory, amid the beating of drums, the
+blowing of trumpets, and the cheers of an excited populace. But alas! I
+returned in silence, as a simple man of experience, covered in
+sackcloth, exhausted in body, disappointed in mind, without friends,
+without a home, and with comparatively meagre funds. It was then that
+the last words of my dear father to me came rushing upon my soul, and
+adding sorrow to the feelings of my heart. Humiliating as my
+circumstances were, more deeply affecting to my mind was the
+ever-present remembrance of a dream which I dreamt on the night previous
+to my departure from Chipenega, the place where I remained during my
+illness. I dreamt that I was again residing in Montreal, that I had
+retired to my room for the night, and was projecting the design of going
+to the Rocky Mountains to dig for gold: and felt excited by the idea
+that when I had accumulated a million I would return to England a
+gentleman of fortune. But my night visions, like my day dreams, were
+doomed to vanish in disappointment: for at that moment when my soul was
+elated with the prospect, and my heart throbbing big with joy, I was
+startled by a light suddenly shining around me; and on looking about I
+beheld a woman entering the room and approaching where I lay. Her
+countenance, though pale, shone with a peculiar brightness. A long robe,
+white as the snow, hung loosely around her, and sandals were upon her
+feet. I was amazed at the appearance at first sight: but after a
+momentary gaze I recognized in her features the expression of my own
+mother.
+
+"'Oh, mother! my dear mother!' I shouted as she approached, quickly
+raising myself up from my couch.
+
+"'Frederick, my son Frederick,' she exclaimed taking hold of my hand in
+her own, and kissing me affectionately. 'I have come to take my farewell
+of you, my dear son, as I am ready to depart on a long journey and will
+not again see you on earth. Around my poor body your father, brother,
+sisters, and other relatives are at this very moment sobbing in tears,
+while in spirit I am here present with you. My time on earth is limited
+to seconds. My words are therefore few. My injunctions are these,--I
+hope you will comply with them. Repent of your wickedness and folly.
+Abstain from intoxicating liquors and evil company. Live a righteous
+life. Return at once to England, and seal those bonds of a life-union
+with Clara, whom you have unjustly wronged. Promise me, my son, to do
+these things and I shall depart in peace.'
+
+"I was so overcome and bewildered at that moment that I could say
+nothing more than simply to whisper,--'_Mother, I shall try to do so_.'
+She then kissed me; bade me good-bye; and on wings of light instantly
+soared out of the room, leaving it in darkness again. I was so awfully
+impressed at this moment that I awoke suddenly. It appeared to me to be
+more of a waking reality than a dream. From that time until the present
+moment it has preyed heavily upon my feelings. Again and again have I
+tried to eradicate the impression, but every effort has only had a
+tendency to rivet it the more firmly to my mind, until it has at length
+assumed the aspect of a reality. I fear my apprehensions are too true;
+however I trust to Providence that my dream was nothing more than a
+baseless emanation of fancy. The evening after my arrival in Toronto
+from the Red River expedition I wrote a letter to my parents, and also
+one to a cousin of my own residing in London. I stated the circumstances
+which compelled me to return from the expedition; that the doctor had
+advised me to go back to England, as the Canadian climate was not
+suitable for my constitution; and that I purposed being in London to
+spend the Christmas holidays with my friends. Neither did I forget to
+mention the anxiety I felt about my child; nor did I neglect to express
+my intention of paying an affectionate compliment to its mother on my
+return. I desired my friends to reply immediately on receiving my
+letters. Nearly five weeks have elapsed since I wrote, but no answer has
+been received yet. I however expect something by the next English mail.
+I am living in suspense; a dreadful feeling indeed to endure. Had my
+health and means permitted, I would have gone directly to England on my
+return from the expedition. Instead thereof I sent the letters referred
+to, and having rested in this city a couple of weeks, I went down to
+Kingston to visit an old acquaintance who had emigrated thither a few
+years ago; but when I arrived there I discovered with disappointment
+that he had recently removed to the State of Minnesota. It was then,
+sir, that I had the pleasure of meeting with you. Your kindness and
+familiarity on that occasion, and also since, have been as medicine to
+my soul. I have considered you as a genial and sympathetic friend. I
+have told you the history of my past career. I trust to God that my
+future will be characterised with less unfortunate events, but with
+deeds more worthy of being told. I feel, and I know that I have been the
+author of my own wretchedness and folly. I have wasted my time, my
+money, and my energies in dissipation. I have feasted my conceited
+fancies upon glory as light and transient as the flying gossamer: and
+besides all this, I have done injustice to my parents--to my child--and
+to her who gave it birth. I have wronged her with cruel heart, a heart
+that has recoiled upon itself, and now stings its own affections in the
+madness of remorse. But worse than all, I have done injustice to my
+Maker. I have mocked at His mercy. I have insulted His dignity. I have
+trampled upon His laws. _Oh! miserable wretch that I have been!_
+However, I have resolved to live a better life. I trust to God that
+through His divine power I shall be enabled to abstain from intoxicating
+liquor and evil company."
+
+"I intend returning to England in December next," continued Frederick,
+after a few moments silence. "Yesterday I met with a gentleman who
+formerly belonged to London, and with whom I was somewhat acquainted. He
+is now a resident of Hamilton, some 50 miles from here, and does a large
+business as an upholsterer. He offered me immediate employment, at $1.50
+per day. I have engaged with him for two months, at the expiration of
+which time, if health permit, I will ship myself for England. So that no
+time may be lost I shall leave for Hamilton to-morrow morning, to be
+ready to commence work on Monday.
+
+"Now, sir, as you intend remaining in Toronto for a week or two you will
+indeed favor me by calling at the Post-Office, especially when the next
+English Mail arrives, and any letters or newspapers addressed to me,
+please forward immediately."
+
+I promised faithfully to do so:--and having thanked him for his favors I
+bade him good-bye for the present, expressing a wish that I would find
+him in a happier state of feelings at our next interview.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+
+Having returned to the hotel at which I was staying I retired
+immediately to bed. I slept but little during the night, my fancy having
+been kept awake by the expressive interview of the preceding evening.
+The eventful narrative of Frederick Charlston's career was ever present
+to my mind, producing feelings akin to those of an experienced reality.
+But the most striking characteristic was the singular dream to which I
+have alluded. Dreams in general are nothing more than the echoes of the
+soul, or the breathings of imagination when the consciousness of the
+mind is in a latent state. Some dreams however, may be the productions
+of a spiritual agency photographing as it were through the electric
+telegraph of the soul the impressions of the real event upon the mind of
+the person who is absent, causing strange forebodings to loom up in the
+horizon of imagination. Be this as it may, it is a well known fact, that
+dreams have been occasionally verified. Thousands of them, however, are
+by the dreamer construed to suit circumstances. But the millions of
+these visions that arise nightly from the bed-chambers of the world are
+nothing more than the flickerings of the mind, at random, and like
+vapor, arising into the atmosphere of the soul, frequently assuming a
+variety of fantastic forms as a metamorphoses of preconceived ideas.
+
+Immediately on hearing of the arrival of the English Mail I hurried down
+to the Post-Office, and inquired of the gentleman in attendance if there
+were anything for Frederick Charlston. Shuffling over a pile of letters
+he drew one out and handed it to me. It was mounted with deep mourning,
+and heavily sealed with black sealing wax. I was startled at the
+appearance thereof. I took but a momentary gaze and requested him to
+forward it by the next mail to Hamilton. I felt an anxious curiosity to
+know the contents of the Black-Sealed Letter. I felt certain that some
+of Frederick's relatives had recently died. The aspect of his dream more
+forcibly impressed itself upon my mind. But let a few days more pass
+away, and the mystery will be solved.
+
+At the end of the second week after this occurrence I went up to
+Hamilton: and shortly after my arrival called upon the Upholsterer. He
+told me that Frederick had not been at the workshop during the past few
+days, owing to an attack of illness. He directed me to the hotel at
+which Frederick was boarding. I went there, and was by the innkeeper
+shown into a bedroom, in which he was reclining upon a couch reading a
+newspaper. On seeing me he sprang forward and grasped my hand
+affectionately in his own, and began sobbing aloud, the tears gushing
+from his eyes. For a few seconds I stood motionless in sad bewilderment
+of mind, feeling assured that something of a serious nature had
+occurred. At length I ventured to express a desire to know what had
+happened. He then drew from his pocket a letter, and handed it to me. I
+recognized it at once as the "_Black-Sealed-Letter_." I opened it with
+trembling hand, and read as follows:
+
+    "London, England, Sept. 20th, 1870.
+
+    "Dear Cousin Frederick.--I received your letter of the 28th ultimo on
+    the 18th inst., and was sorry indeed to hear of your illness, from
+    which I hope you have completely recovered. It gives me pleasure
+    however to know that you will again be amongst us. No doubt you will
+    feel happy to see your old friends again. But short as the time has
+    been since you left, you will find on your return that eventful
+    changes have taken place. Our life on earth is only a struggle with
+    itself, too frequently surrounded with adverse circumstances, that
+    are prolific with sad events, and gloomy with suffering and
+    disappointment. And were it not that the Star of Bethlehem still
+    shines in the firmament of Heaven the glory of this world would
+    transmit but a dim light upon the soul of the Christian life. Then be
+    prepared, my dear friend, to endure the ills of adversity with a
+    noble heart. Although a dark shadow may fall suddenly upon your
+    earthly vision, at once direct your eyes in faith towards the Star of
+    Celestial Glory; and the light of Heaven will dispel the darkness,
+    even, were it the shadow of Death.
+
+    "You desired of me to give particular information respecting Clara
+    Hazeldon. In accordance with your request I suppose I must do so.
+    Through disappointment, in hoping against hope, she became low
+    spirited, and failed considerably in health; and, on hearing of your
+    intended adventure in the Red River expedition, relinquished every
+    hope of your return, and shortly afterwards became the wife of
+    Charles Holstrom.
+
+    "Your child is still in your father's family, and is a
+    bright-eyed-healthy-looking boy, resembling you very much indeed. At
+    the request of your relatives, but with considerable reluctance on
+    my part, I now undertake to inform you of an event which has recently
+    occurred in your own family. They consider it better to make it known
+    to you by letter than allow the reality unexpectedly to force itself
+    upon your mind at your return.
+
+    "On the 20th day of July last, your mother, by a fall down the
+    stairway, unfortunately got one of her limbs broken. It was
+    considered necessary to have it amputated. Mortification set in
+    shortly afterwards, eventually proving fatal. At an early hour on the
+    morning of the 25th, only five days after the occurrence, your dear
+    mother breathed her last, surrounded by her weeping relatives. She
+    was sensible to within a few hours of her death. Her dying words
+    conferred a blessing upon you. She died happy, and with full
+    assurance of a blessed immortality.
+
+    "Striking as this announcement must be to your mind, I trust that
+    with the help of God you will be enabled to bear up under the severe
+    affliction. Sooner or later we must all die; and by what means we
+    know not. Then let this event be another warning to us to prepare
+    effectually for our exit to eternity. May God bless you, my dear
+    friend. May Christ be your spiritual Physician, to pour the Balm of
+    Gilead upon your troubled soul; and through Divine power may you ere
+    long be conducted back in health and safety to your old home.
+
+    "Your friends join in expressing their love to you.
+
+    "I remain, dear Frederick, your affectionate cousin.
+
+    "William A. Thornton."
+
+Appended to the above letter was the following note from Eliza,
+Frederick's eldest sister:
+
+    "London, Sept. 20th, 1870.
+
+    "My Dear Brother,--The sad events that have occurred since your
+    departure have thrown a deep gloom over our household. The death of
+    our dear mother has almost broken our hearts. I hope in God you will
+    be enabled to endure the severe affliction. Call upon Christ, and he
+    will assist you to bear up your weight of sorrow. It is some comfort
+    however to know that mother died the happy death of a Christian. I
+    trust her spirit is now reaping the heavenly harvest of her spiritual
+    labors upon earth. Father is terribly changed since her death. I
+    thought he would assuredly die under the heavy affliction. No doubt
+    your absence has had a tendency to augment his grief. He has become
+    fearfully melancholy, and of late has had recourse to drinking. I
+    dread the consequences; therefore I intreat you to come home as soon
+    as possible. Perhaps your influence may have a soothing effect upon
+    his mind; and prevent him from further indulgence.
+
+    "Oh, how glad we shall all feel, even in our sorrow, to see you
+    again, dear brother. Richard has turned out to be a fine boy; you
+    will be happy to see him. Cousin William has acquainted you with
+    other facts. Trust to God for the consolation of your mind. We all
+    join in love to you. With a heavy heart and in tears I have written
+    these few lines. I am, dear brother, your affectionate sister.
+
+    "Eliza Charlston."
+
+"These are sad news indeed," said I, returning the letter to Frederick.
+
+"Very, very sad, indeed, almost insufferable!" said he.
+
+Having paused for a few moments he continued. "My dream has been
+forcibly verified. How overwhelming is the reality that my poor mother
+is no more. Had I been present when she died it would have given some
+consolation to my soul. But, oh! to think of the manner in which I fled
+from her presence, and also from my happy home: to think of the
+sufferings both mentally and physically she must have endured: to think
+of the unfortunate circumstances of her death; to think that I, her
+favorite son, was absent in her dying hours, without an opportunity of
+confessing my errors and asking her forgiveness: to think of these
+alone, is sufficient to break my very heart. Nor is this all. She to
+whose loving heart I pledged my affections as a bond of an eternal
+union, has become the life-companion of another. But I reproach her not
+for so doing. She was faithful; I alone was false. She had hoped against
+hope; and not until she had despaired of my return did she seek out a
+help-mate and home for herself. It is only another unfortunate
+circumstance of my life. I feel deeply the wound it has inflicted; but I
+will not avenge it. My life is apparently a life of troubles, and like
+Job of old I am ready to curse the day of my birth. I, myself, may be
+the author of it all; but it seems to me that some demon, like the evil
+spirit of King Saul, has taken possession of life's-citadel, and strews
+my pathway with pandoric ills."
+
+"My dear sir, I do really sympathise with you in your affliction," said
+I. "But under such trying circumstances confide in God and he will be
+your friend indeed."
+
+"But for me there is no Balm in Gilead: there is no physician there," he
+exclaimed. "As a fallen sinner I again sought for balm in the Vineyard
+of Satan. I had recourse to the demon-wizard of intoxication, and drank
+from his enchanted bowl. It was impossible to live and do otherwise; for
+elsewhere I could find no consolation for my grief. I drank deeply for
+two days and two nights after having received the letter. I then resumed
+my work: and with a saddened heart and a weakened constitution, labored
+until three days ago, when, I again broke the bonds of my resolutions.
+To-day I am sobering off myself: and when my bottle is emptied of its
+contents, _I shall drink no more_."
+
+Saying this, he took from his trunk a bottle half-full with liquor.
+
+"Look here," said he. "You see how short a distance is now between me
+and total-abstinence. But, my dear friend, I will not insult your
+feelings by tasting of it in your presence."
+
+Therewith he returned the bottle to its place. In answer to my enquiries
+he stated that he still intended to return to England in December, and
+for that purpose had resolved to economise his time and means, and never
+taste of liquor again.
+
+"Ah," said he, "liquor and evil company have been my ruin. Through the
+influence of bad companions I first broke the pledge when at Tiverton:
+and by doing so at that time, I upset all my projected designs. I have
+been re-building and upsetting ever since; but somehow my superstructure
+appears to have no solid basis. However, I am determined to try once
+more and make amends for the past."
+
+I told him that I intended in the course of a few days to go on as far
+as New London, and would be absent at least a month. I would then return
+by way of Hamilton, and accompany him as far as Montreal, on my way
+home: it being about the time he purposed leaving for England. He
+appeared to be delighted with the idea of so doing, and heartily thanked
+me for the kindness I shewed towards him.
+
+On the following morning he resumed his work apparently with renewed
+cheerfulness and vigor; and during the ten days I remained in Hamilton
+he improved rapidly in both body and spirit. We met together every
+evening and passed an hour or two very pleasantly, and I may add,
+profitably. He never once tasted of liquor during that time; but seemed
+more determined than ever to resist its temptation. I advised him to
+remove to some private boarding house; where he would be less exposed to
+the influence of liquor and evil company: but he seemed unwilling to
+comply therewith on account of his intended removal in so short a time.
+On the morning of that day on which I left Hamilton I called at the
+shop, where he was vigorously at work. On bidding him good-bye, I
+expressed a wish that he would remain true to the principle of
+total-abstinence, entreating him to supplicate Divine aid to enable him
+to do so.
+
+"There may be some breakers ahead" said he, "but I think I can steer in
+the right course now."
+
+Then bidding each other good bye, we parted--_never to meet again on
+earth_.
+
+On my return to Hamilton I called at the hotel and requested to see
+Frederick Charlston.
+
+"O, he's gone, sir," abruptly ejaculated the innkeeper.
+
+"_Gone, sir!_" said I. "Where, and when did he go?"
+
+"Well, all I can say about him, is that he went off to his grave about a
+week ago," he replied.
+
+"Do you mean to say that Frederick Charlston is dead?" said I.
+
+"Why, yes, sir," said he, "the fellow's as flat as a board now."
+
+"What was the cause of his death?" I inquired.
+
+"Drinking more whiskey than he was able to hold, so he sprang a leak and
+sank, cargo and all," he replied, jokingly, with a humorous grin,
+endeavouring to be witty at the expense of his victim.
+
+This unexpected intelligence struck me so forcibly that for several
+seconds I stood motionless and bewildered. I then walked away with a
+sorrowful heart indeed. I could scarcely give credence to the
+announcement until it was confirmed by the upholsterer whom I called
+upon, and who related the following circumstances connected with the
+death of poor unfortunate Frederick Charlston.
+
+"Two weeks ago last Thursday night," said he, "a couple of fast youths
+who were carousing merrily at the hotel, persuaded Frederick to take a
+sip with them. But one taste was sufficient to rouse up the evil spirit
+again within his bosom. He drank deeply that night and for two days
+continued his carousal; but was at length turned out upon the street by
+the innkeeper for disturbing the necessitated quietness of the Saturday
+night. He found his way to the woodshed, where he laid himself down and
+fell asleep. In about two hours he awoke shivering with cold; and was
+ultimately admitted into the hotel. Next morning he was in a feverish
+state, and confined to bed. Towards evening his condition became more
+alarming, and a messenger was sent for me. I hurried thither, and
+procured a doctor immediately. Had it been prudent to do so, I would
+have removed him at once to my own house; however, I did all for him
+that I possibly could do! My wife and I in turn sat by his bedside and
+watched over him with tender care. But all was in vain. His fever
+continued to increase and he became delirious. At times he would startle
+up wildly from his couch, shouting frantically as if in the agonies of
+horror, frequently calling and in pitiable and heart-rending tones upon
+his mother to forgive him: and to come and help him out of the horrible
+pit into which he had fallen, &c. &c. But the scene during those moments
+was too appalling to admit of further description. Finally he became
+calm, and sank into a peaceful slumber from which he never awoke on
+earth. On the morning of the fifth day of his illness, November 30th, he
+breathed his last, and his spirit passed away forever into the regions
+of eternity.
+
+"Poor Frederick, he is gone. My heart is saddened by his death!"
+continued he, apparently much affected. "With all his faults he had a
+noble soul. Poor fellow! he is gone now. I gave him a decent burial. I
+wrote to his father informing him of his son's death; but modified the
+circumstances connected therewith; however, it will be sad intelligence
+indeed."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The history of Frederick Charlston is now told. His career was brief. It
+is however pregnant with unfortunate events, and contains excellent
+material for moral reflection. It is in itself a lesson for the young
+and the inexperienced, showing the sad results of a self-willed
+confidence, the love of vain-glory in adventure, the yielding of moral
+principles to gratify the desire of either oneself or that of
+others:--and worse than all, the sacrificing of the nobler attributes of
+human nature to the insidious wiles of evil society and intoxicating
+liquor. Millions of young men, as moral and as self-confident as
+Frederick Charlston, have been physically and morally ruined as he was.
+Once yielding a little to immoral influence gives the first impetus to a
+downward tendency. Continue to repeat it, and the inertia becomes
+stronger, and the descent more easy.
+
+"I see no harm in a social glass with a friend," cries one.
+
+"Let cold-water-fanatics preach until doomsday and hurl their anathemas
+against inebriates," exclaims another, "but they never shall prevent me
+from taking my occasional glass."
+
+"Nor I," says a third. "An occasional glass with a companion is the very
+life-spring of social nature. It assimilates one mind with another. It
+dispels sadness, and invigorates both soul and body. It opens up the
+fountains of the heart, and joy gushes out, sparkling with wit and
+melody. Wherefore then should I deprive myself of those blessings, on
+purpose to gratify the whims of some cold-water quack? Wherefore then
+should I bind my liberties with a pledge as a safe-guard to prevent me
+from becoming a drunkard? If other men have been foolish enough to allow
+themselves to become drunkards by abusing one of the precious gifts of
+nature, is that sufficient reason that I should not drink? I think not.
+I am no drunkard, nor shall I become one; therefore I will do as I
+please with my own liberty and independence."
+
+Such is indeed the false philosophy of too many moderate drinkers. No
+man is a confirmed drunkard at once. It is by degrees that men generally
+become inebriates. "Take but a glass," says the recruiting sergeant of
+Bacchus, "it will do you no harm." But one glass is but the starting
+point. It is the magnet that attracts material akin to itself. What a
+world of degradation has been generated by this nucleus of intemperance.
+
+Intoxicating liquor is indeed the most prolific source of wretchedness
+and crime. It has been and still is the greatest curse to humanity. It
+is the curse of curses. The grave is filled with its wrecks. The fire of
+hell is fed by its fuel. Millions upon millions of human beings has it
+hurled down to the blackest regions of eternity. How daring then must
+that man be;--how utterly lost to every principle of morality, who would
+hazard an assertion in favor of intoxicating drinks as a source of
+benefit to mankind. The universal evidence of all ages would be against
+him. The horrid shrieks of suffering humanity would denounce his
+arguments. Millions of grinning skeletons, blackened with every crime
+(if permitted) would startle forth from their infernal dungeons; and in
+myriads of drunkards' graves the rattling of dry bones would be heard:
+Yea, even hell, its very self, bloated with the souls of inebriates,
+would groan with indignation. Nay, call it not happiness that sparkles
+in the eye of the rum-drinker and softens his heart and tongue into
+kindred sympathy with each other. Happiness arises not from the
+flickerings of the brain when heated by the reeking fumes of the liquor
+glass. Nor does it arise from the fervid impulses of the heart when
+excited by the steaming vapors of the rum bowl. Neither does it exist in
+the fluctuating feelings of animal nature when stimulated into action by
+the demon-spirit of the brandy bottle. Nor does happiness consist in the
+wild revelry of human beings, like madmen, recklessly sporting their
+fantastic tricks around the unhallowed altar of Bacchus. Nay, term it
+not happiness, call it rather by the name of insanity.
+
+In conclusion, if any of my readers are addicted to intemperance, or
+take only an occasional glass, with a friend, let me entreat of you to
+consider this momentous subject: to crush the bottle-serpent ere its
+fangs have pierced you fatally to the heart; and at once and forever, to
+dash the accursed bowl to the earth.
+
+Once more, I earnestly entreat of you to pause and reflect. Think of the
+countless millions of human beings who have been utterly ruined soul and
+body forever by intemperance; think of the immeasurable mass of
+wretchedness and crime arising therefrom. Think of your present
+condition and your eternal future; and remember also that _every man_,
+even in his greatest strength is but a fallable creature; and finally my
+dear readers I ask of you to consider seriously the life, career and
+death of poor unfortunate Frederick Charlston.
+
+Finis.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+The foregoing story is the first of a series entitled--"Tales for
+Canadian Homes;" the others will appear in serial form in the
+columns of the _Canadian Garland_, a Weekly Newspaper, which the author
+intends to establish shortly, in the Village of Durham, Ormstown, County
+of Chateauguay, P. Q.
+
+    ANDREW L. SPEDON,
+        St. Jean Chrysostom,
+            Chateauguay Co., P.Q.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+The Poetic Wreath.
+
+BY THE SAME AUTHOR.
+
+
+
+
+LIFE'S STRUGGLE.
+
+
+    Our life is but a struggle here,
+    'Mid good and ill, 'twixt hope and fear,
+    Thro' dang'rous channels oft we steer,
+            With reckless force;
+    But self-made ills make life's career
+            A rougher course.
+
+    The world is but a human hive;
+    To keep the varied swarm alive,
+    Its working bees must toil and strive,
+            While others feast.
+    The lazy drones appear to thrive,
+            Yet work the least.
+
+    The world appears a battle-field,
+    The stronger rule, the weaker yield,
+    The golden nerves too often wield
+            The power which leads,
+    While justice' scales are oft conceal'd
+            By selfish deeds.
+
+    Yet still we strive midst hopes and fears,
+    With pleasure's smiles and sorrow's tears,
+    And tho' our bustling life appears
+            A transient breath,
+    It seems possess'd of endless years
+            'Twixt us and death.
+
+    The poor man toils for daily bread;
+    By him the rich are clothed and fed,
+    Yet life's to them a greater dread,
+            Or idle pest,
+    Their downy couch too oft a bed
+            Of sleepless rest.
+
+    How many a life's an idle waste,
+    Its destined glory seems disgraced,
+    Its vile possessor has defaced
+            The man divine,
+    That not a single mark is traced
+            Of God's design.
+
+    Man's but a child, a restless boy,
+    His life a game, the world his toy,
+    He strives for something to enjoy
+            Unjoy'd before,
+    Tho' vicious tastes and passions cloy
+            He longs for more.
+
+    The lust for gold, the love of fame,
+    The baser passions oft inflame,
+    And blindly masks the honest name
+            Of moral worth,
+    When life exceeds no higher aim
+            Than this vile earth.
+
+
+    Our souls the golden god inspires,
+    And feeds the life-destroying fires,
+    Until the fevered heart desires
+            With selfish greed,
+    More than it actually requires
+            For nature's need.
+
+    Life's hardest ills its spirit braves,
+    O'er mountain-crags and ocean-waves,
+    Then make ourselves the worst of slaves,
+            A slave to self,
+    To satisfy the thirst that craves
+            For yellow pelf.
+
+    The golden wand with magic art
+    Throws out the power to charm the heart,
+    But ah, we feel its bitter smart
+            When selfish greed
+    Has robb'd from life that better part
+            We so much need.
+
+    Alas, when gold absorbs our cares
+    Life's wheels get dry, the axle wears,
+    And heavier grows the load it bears,
+            And faster driven,
+    Its very dust defiles the prayers
+            We send to heaven.
+
+    Life's chariot wheels revolve with speed,
+    Yet faster still we urge our steed,
+    And scarcely slack the reins to feed
+            Or ease its breath,
+    The journey seems but short indeed,
+            When closed in death.
+
+    We haste it on with worldly care,
+    Oppressive toil, and meagre fare,
+    While sin and self-indulgence wear
+            Our chariot wheels
+    Increasing still the load they bear,
+            With countless ills.
+
+    How discontented life appears,
+    By every wind its compass veers,
+    Our hopes are tarnish'd by the fears
+            Of fancied ill,
+    Even tho' the sun of Fortune cheers,
+            We grumble still.
+
+    But why complain for everything
+    That gives our life a random sting;
+    Altho' we shift our tether-string
+            To please our will,
+    We'll always find the change will bring
+            Both good and ill.
+
+    Then why should we contract our sight
+    When life turns down the side that's bright
+    The blast that blows us ills to-night,
+            With cankering sorrow.
+    May cheer the clouds which shade the light
+            That shines to-morrow.
+
+    'Tis better then to be content,
+    Altho' we are not worth a cent;
+    Our precious hours when wisely spent
+            Are still the best,
+    For nature's ills are never sent
+            To be a pest.
+
+    And let it never be our creed,
+    That when we do an evil deed,
+    To think that penance can succeed,
+            To cancel sin;
+    We pluck the fruit, but still the seed
+            Remains within.
+
+    But may we daily strive to win
+    That happy world which knows no sin,
+    'Tis on the heaven we form within
+            Our bliss depends,
+    Where life celestial shall begin,
+            Which never ends.
+
+
+
+
+INDIAN SUMMER.
+
+
+    While winter in the dreary North
+    Lies crouching ready to leap forth,
+    In "_Indian Summer_" doth appear
+    The gentle seasons of the year.
+
+    As if they came to shed their bloom
+    Around their excavated tomb,
+    To hold their parting interview,
+    And bid their native world adieu.
+
+    The leaves that linger on the trees
+    Are smiling in the sunny breeze,
+    And chanting forth with holy breath
+    The mournful requiem of their death.
+
+    The desert-fields, tho' bleak and bare,
+    Seem lovely through the sun-lit air;
+    The very shades are glowing bright
+    Beneath the golden mellow light.
+
+    Rejoicing in their freedom still,
+    On cultured field and pastur'd hill,
+    The cattle crops the fading grass,
+    And bless the moments as they pass.
+
+    The ploughman and his trusty team
+    More happy and contented seem,
+    From golden rays the furrow'd field
+    A golden harvest yet may yield.
+
+    From bough to bough in yonder wood
+    The squirrel frisks in happy mood,
+    While searching round in hopes to find
+    That some few nuts are left behind.
+
+    The summer-birds that yearly fly
+    To yonder Southern sunny sky,
+    Are hovering round on lingering wing,
+    And fancy 'tis returning Spring.
+
+    While these sweet hours are gliding by,
+    How calmly smiles the solemn sky,
+    With golden hues of radiance bright,
+    As if it were the cream of light.
+
+    It seems as if an angel's wing
+    Had wafted back the breath of Spring,
+    To animate the ling'ring breath
+    Of Autumn on the bed of death.
+
+    Or from the rays of heavenly dews
+    Had gilt the earth in rainbow hues,
+    And o'er the sky so gently flung
+    The air that once o'er Eden hung.
+
+    'Tis but the calm before the storm;
+    The flush of earth's consumptive form;
+    The hopeful smile, the fever'd breath,
+    Before the stern approach of death.
+
+
+
+
+THE SHADOW OF THE HOUSEHOLD.
+
+
+    There is a sympathy in love
+      We bear for those who mourn,
+    Whose shadows of departed joys
+      With every thought return.
+    'Tis hard to stem the stream of grief
+      That floods the parents' heart
+    When death unvails embosom'd hopes,
+      And throws its fatal dart.
+
+    The nursling of a mother's love,
+      That nestles on her breast,
+    Is but a life, celestial gift,
+      By God's own seal impress'd.
+    And when its prattling lips rejoice
+      In innocent delight
+    The parents' love and cherish'd hope,
+      With tenfold power unite.
+
+    Anticipated prospects rise
+      From hope's enchanted dreams,
+    Converting life's prospective skies
+      From shade to sunny beams,
+    But oft, alas, those fancied hopes
+      Are in the bud destroy'd;
+    The cherished gift is pluckt away
+      And leaves a lonely void.
+
+    Its lovely form returns to earth,
+      Its spirit soars to bliss;
+    Tho' destin'd to a happy world
+      It oft may visit this.
+    Perchance around the household hearth
+      When prayer's sweet incense rise,
+    It may return as messenger
+      To waft it to the skies.
+
+    'Tis sweet to cherish such a thought,
+      Even tho' it were untrue,
+    That spirit-friends are hovering round
+      Tho' absent from our view.
+    But, oh! such dreams however sweet,
+      A solace to impart,
+    Can never fill the vacant seat,
+      Nor yet the parents' heart.
+
+    The silent toys, the empty clothes,
+      Those vestiges of death;
+    Are full of mournful memories,
+      Which spring from every breath,
+    The active form the smiling face,
+      In every thought appear;
+    The prattling voice so cheering once
+      Still lingers in the ear.
+
+    The future casts a shadow now,
+      And hopes give place to grief,
+    And all these things so pleasing once
+      Can give no real relief.
+    'Tis only from a heavenly source
+      That happiness can flow;
+    There only can the heart procure
+      A balm for every woe.
+
+    Then ye who mourn your absent ones,
+      Those gifts by nature given,
+    Remember tho' 'tis loss to you,
+      'Tis gain to Christ in Heaven,
+    But still the wounded bosom bleeds,
+      And cankers with its grief,
+    For things have not their former charms
+      To lend the soul relief.
+
+    There is no solid base on earth,
+      On which our hopes are sure;
+    The Rock of Heaven alone can make
+      Our faith and hope secure.
+    This life is full of varied ills,
+      With pain in every breath;
+    And everything, however pure,
+      Contains the germs of death.
+
+    How feeble is that vital thread,
+      Which holds us to the earth;
+    It may be snapt at hoary age,
+      Or at the infants' birth.
+    We see it break in every clime,
+      At every age and hour,
+    And still we live as if its strength,
+      Could match our Maker's power.
+
+    The curse of sin like Cain's mark
+      Is stampt on every brow;
+    And to the idols of the earth
+      We in submission bow.
+    Earth's things may seem as tangible
+      To life's short-sighted eyes,
+    But from the magic touch of death
+      The cherish'd vision flies.
+
+    The soul itself, like Noah's dove,
+      But flutters out its strength
+    Around the earth, its safety ark,
+      Then flies away at length.
+    Perchance it may, while hovering here,
+      Some olive-leaf procure,
+    An emblem of a spirit-world,
+      Whose solid base is sure.
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLACK-SEALED LETTER***
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+<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN"
+    "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">
+<html>
+<head>
+<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" />
+<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Black-Sealed Letter, by Andrew Learmont Spedon</title>
+    <style type="text/css">
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+    .poem span.i12     {display: block; margin-left: 12em;}
+    .poem span.i13     {display: block; margin-left: 13em;}
+    .poem span.i14     {display: block; margin-left: 14em;}
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+<body>
+<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Black-Sealed Letter, by Andrew Learmont
+Spedon</h1>
+<pre>
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre>
+<p>Title: The Black-Sealed Letter</p>
+<p>       Or, The Misfortunes of a Canadian Cockney.</p>
+<p>Author: Andrew Learmont Spedon</p>
+<p>Release Date: June 6, 2006  [eBook #18514]</p>
+<p>Language: English</p>
+<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p>
+<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLACK-SEALED LETTER***</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h3>E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Mary Meehan,<br />
+    and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br />
+    (<a href="http://www.pgdp.net/">http://www.pgdp.net/</a>)<br />
+    from page images generously made available by<br />
+    Early Canadiana Online<br />
+    (<a href="http://www.canadiana.org/eco/index.html">http://www.canadiana.org/eco/index.html</a>)</h3>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;" cellpadding="10">
+  <tr>
+    <td valign="top">
+      Note:
+    </td>
+    <td>
+      Images of the original pages are available through
+      Early Canadiana Online. See
+      <a href="http://www.canadiana.org/ECO/ItemRecord/24721?id=a50979a2f62af312">
+	  http://www.canadiana.org/ECO/ItemRecord/24721?id=a50979a2f62af312</a>
+	</td>
+  </tr>
+</table>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<h1>TALES FOR CANADIAN HOMES.</h1>
+
+<h2>BY ANDREW LEARMONT SPEDON,</h2>
+
+<h3><i>Author of "Canadian Summer Evening Tales," "The Canadian Minstrel,"
+&amp;c.</i></h3>
+
+<h4>PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR,<br />
+BY MITCHELL &amp; WILSON, MONTREAL.<br />
+1872.</h4>
+
+
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">How slight a cause may change our life<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Beyond its own control,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Produce a cordial to the heart,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Or canker in the soul.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<h2>CONTENTS</h2>
+
+<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. -->
+<p>
+<a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a><br /><br />
+<a href="#By_the_same_author">By the same author</a><br />
+</p>
+<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. -->
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>The Black-Sealed Letter;</h2>
+
+<h4>OR,</h4>
+
+<h3>THE MISFORTUNES OF A CANADIAN COCKNEY.</h3>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+
+<p>Old London!&mdash;city of cities!&mdash;whose foundations were laid when the
+ancient Briton in his martial glory prowled among the dense forests
+whose foliage darkened the waters of the Thames, long ere the foot of
+the adventurous Roman had touched the shores of Albion; or the Dane and
+Saxon had established themselves within the strongholds of the British
+isles. Who has not heard of this great old city, teeming with human
+life, and filled with the extremes of wealth, poverty, righteousness and
+iniquity? Who has not heard of its eminent statesmen and its
+distinguished authors:&mdash;its time-honored institutions of religion,
+literature and jurisprudence: its antiquated buildings, themselves
+volumes of history written the eventful finger of time:&mdash;its massive
+warehouses; and also its magnificent mansions, wherein peers and princes
+banquet in luxury:&mdash;its club-houses; and its dens of pollution, amid
+whose shadows the grim spectres of degraded humanity struggle out a
+wretched existence. Into this great city&mdash;wonderful and complicated in
+itself&mdash;the modern Babylon of the world,&mdash;gentle reader, now follow me
+in imagination, and I will introduce you to the subject of the following
+story.</p>
+
+<p>It is the Saturday evening of a chilly night towards the end of
+November, 1869, that season of the year in which the grey old buildings
+of London assume a more sombre aspect than during the sunny days of
+summer. The twilight had congealed into darkness after a somewhat foggy
+day, and mantling its shadows around the homes of the destitute and
+degraded, tinging the wretched inmates with melancholy, and even making
+their lives more miserable and less tenacious to the world. The dark
+streets have been lighted up. The great tide of human beings that have
+during the day thronged the thoroughfares, has partially subsided; but
+thousands of pedestrians are still bustling to and fro; while the din of
+carriages are heard on every street. The provision shops are crowded
+with noisy customers. The coffee-houses are steaming forth their
+delicious viands, where throngs of both men and women are greedily
+satisfying their appetites: while thousands of ale-houses and gin-hells
+are pouring forth their poisonous liquids, where crowds of miserably
+degraded wretches of both sexes in human shape are swallowing down the
+deadly elements and rioting in hellish revelry. Alas! how many a home
+has been converted into a mad-house, yea, even into a very hell, by
+these dens of pollution, in which dwell the accursed spirit-dealers of
+iniquity.</p>
+
+<p>Alas! how many a fond wife, with her little ones, perhaps destitute of
+every domestic comfort, is at that very moment anxiously awaiting the
+return of her husband. Hour after hour may pass away, until the very
+depths of night appear to grow sad with the dreary sorrow of her heart,
+and at length he returns&mdash;but not as a loving and sober husband; not as
+a tender and home-providing father; not as a man, with all the noble
+attributes of the human nature; not as a Christian, with the spiritual
+Balm of Gilead, with which to soothe the cankering ills of his
+household;&mdash;no, not as either he returns, but rather as a madman escaped
+from the prison walls of Bedlam, or as fiend let loose from the nether
+kennel.</p>
+
+<p>But, nevertheless, there were thousands of happy households that evening
+enjoying the domestic comforts of a peaceful home,&mdash;that place, the
+dearest of all on earth, when sanctified by the affection of a united,
+sober, and industrious family. Such was the home and household of Mr.
+Charlston.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. and Mrs. Charlston, their two sons and three daughters, were on that
+night comfortably seated in their little sitting room after tea; the
+mother and her daughters engaged at needlework; the father and his
+eldest son, George, reading the newspapers, while Frederick, the
+younger, was reclining upon a sofa. An infant of a year old was sleeping
+in a cradle; a little kitten was nestling at its feet, and purring as if
+trying to soothe the dreamy slumbers of its tender companion.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Charlston was about fifty-five years of age, in physical appearance
+tall and nervous; with sharp, prominent features, and well-defined head,
+denoting energy and perception. His wife was apparently about fifty
+years; well proportioned in form and feature, her face expressive of
+sensibility and affection. The little furrows around her dark eyes, and
+the streaks of gray hairs, had already denoted the footmarks of elder
+age; nevertheless, she was still possessed of a considerable share of
+that beauty which in her younger years had distinguished her as the
+"Belle of Elton," the village in which she had formerly resided. The
+daughters in appearance somewhat resembled their mother, the eldest of
+whom was then in her twenty-first year. George, the first-born of the
+family, was possessed of a robust constitution, of the middle size, and
+about twenty-six years of age. Frederick in appearance was the very
+<i>facsimile</i> of his father, with all the finer sensibilities of his
+mother; yet, apparently possessed of a stern determination of will,
+amounting to stubborness when actuated by the impulses of a nervous
+temperament. Mr. Charlston was a hatter by trade; and at the time
+referred to kept a hat factory of his own in Fleet Street. His industry
+had placed him in favorable circumstances. Estimating the value of labor
+and intellect, he had given his children a tolerably good education, and
+at a proper age had apprenticed his sons to become tradesmen. George
+followed the business of his father. Frederick was a cabinet-maker, and
+at the time referred to had been two years employed as a journeyman.
+Neither Mr. Charlston nor his sons were then addicted to intemperance.
+Frederick was a strict teetotaller. Occasionally a bottle of ale was
+partaken of by the others; or when an acquaintance visited the house, or
+during the Christmas holidays, an additional bottle might be set down to
+grace the table. They were, however, a sober and industrious family; and
+when the labours of the day were past, they generally gathered around
+the household hearth to spend their evenings pleasantly and profitably
+to themselves.</p>
+
+<p>On the evening referred to, and whilst Mr. Charlston and family were
+engaged in their respective duties, as described, the door bell was
+rung. George attended to the signal; and in a few seconds a young man
+entered the room, signalizing himself in a very familiar but somewhat
+uncouth manner.</p>
+
+<p>"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Charlston. How are you Eliza, Amelia, and
+Charlotte? and you Frederick, old lad? I didn't see you at work to-day.
+I thought something was out of joint with you, and I have come on
+purpose to see. Why what's the matter with your neck? You have it
+swaddled up as if you were determined to defy the hangman's rope from
+ever getting a hold of you," ejaculated Charles Holstrom.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I have only caught a bit of a cold in my throat," replied
+Frederick; "come Charlie, take a seat by my side and give us your latest
+news about town."</p>
+
+<p>The husky voice of Holstrom awoke the infant from its peaceful slumber,
+and the poor thing began to bawl loudly as if startled from either
+surprise or fear.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Charlston lifted it to her knee, and having hushed it into
+quietness she began feeding it with some cordial food.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I declare, he has grown to be a big lump of a lad," exclaimed
+Holstrom. "I dare say, Frederick, you feel conceited enough now to think
+yourself a degree above such fellows as George and I are, in having
+graduated as a Batchelor of Arts&mdash;I mean&mdash;Bachelor of Babies. You will,
+no doubt hereafter, append B. B. to your name as a title of merit; or,
+Bad Behavior, I should rather have said. However, the initials will
+stand for both. He's the very picture of yourself, and will soon need a
+hat as big as his grandpa's."</p>
+
+<p>At this moment the bell was again rung; and shortly afterwards, a
+graceful looking young woman entered the room. Very politely she shook
+hands with Mr. and Mrs. Charlston and the others present. She then took
+the infant, and pressed it lovingly to her bosom, imprinting a few
+kisses upon its tiny lips. The child in return smiled affectionately,
+apparently delighted with the caresses of a recognized and familiar
+friend.</p>
+
+<p>"I say, Clara," exclaimed Holstrom, addressing the young woman, with
+whom he was apparently acquainted, "I think it would be charitable on
+your part to spare a few of those luxuriant caresses for poor Frederick;
+a slight sprinkling of balm from your roseate lips would work wonders as
+a remedy to his breathing apparatus. Just come and see how many dozen of
+blankets he has wrapped around his throat: enough, I am sure, to supply
+the beds of a whole household on a winter's night."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Frederick, how did you get such a cold in your throat?"
+interrogated Clara.</p>
+
+<p>"By sleeping alone during the cold nights of the past week," retorted
+Holstrom, ere Frederick could get time to breathe out a more respectful
+answer.</p>
+
+<p>At this moment the subject was immediately dropped through the timely
+interference of Mr. Charlston, reading a paragraph of interesting news
+from the <i>Times</i>. After an hour's conversation on various topics the
+young woman arose and announced her intention of leaving; whereupon
+Holstrom sprang up, bade them all good night and immediately departed.
+Clara shortly afterwards left also, promising ere long to repeat her
+visit. It was customary for Frederick to accompany her home; but on
+account of his illness that night George offered to convey her to her
+residence, distant about one mile.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, George, for your kind offer," replied Clara; "but there is
+no necessity to do so to-night; a female acquaintance who accompanied me
+to a friend's house a few doors from here, is expecting me to call for
+her, and perhaps I may be detained for some time, therefore, dear
+George, excuse me."</p>
+
+<p>No sooner had Clara departed than Frederick, disguised himself in his
+father's old hat, overcoat and muffler, and immediately started in
+pursuit of Clara.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+
+<p>Before proceeding further it is necessary to inform the reader who Clara
+and Charles Holstrom were; and, also, to narrate the varied and
+complicated circumstances of several years preceding this eventful
+night.</p>
+
+<p>Charles Holstrom was the youngest son of a London tradesman. He had
+attended school with Frederick, and was now working in the same shop and
+at the same business with him. He was possessed of a robust physical
+appearance, somewhat coarsely featured;&mdash;of a bold, but humorous
+disposition&mdash;at times impertinent, and even repulsive in his manner.
+Frederick had really never considered him as a confidential friend; but
+their long acquaintance with each other, and the many associations of
+their united course in life had induced him to consider Charles as a
+respected friend rather than a fellow companion; and from these
+circumstances alone the Charlstons had received him as an occasional
+visitor to their house.</p>
+
+<p>Clara Hazledon was the only daughter of a poor but respectable widow
+with whom the Charlston family had been long acquainted. Previous to
+their removal to Fleet street they were next door neighbors. Mr.
+Charlston and Clara's father had been early companions of each other.
+Their children had grown up together, and had been associates at the
+same school, and although now in unequal circumstances, still looked
+upon each other as very familiar friends. After the death of Mr.
+Hazledon, he having died when the family was young, his wife struggled
+hard against adversity to bring up her little ones. But five years after
+the death of her first husband she married another, who, unfortunately
+turned out to be only a worthless and degraded fellow. Clara, by her
+expertness at needlework, had procured a good situation in a millinery
+shop. Her brothers, all younger than herself, were also respectably
+employed.</p>
+
+<p>Frederick and Clara had been passionately fond of each other when
+children, and as they grew older their affection became more matured;
+and at length the sympathies of their love were more firmly united by a
+marriage engagement, the consummation of which was purposed to take
+place as soon as circumstances would render it favorably convenient. But
+the basis of life's future prospects, however substantial it may be, is
+often undermined by some casual innovation; and there is no earthly
+hope, however bright its radiance may appear, but is liable to be
+darkened by some event that may suddenly loom up from the horizon of
+life. Such was the case amid the quietude of their affections. By some
+inadvertent impulse of human nature their chastity was sacrificed, and
+Frederick and Clara became parents before they had sanctified their
+affections upon the altar of matrimony.</p>
+
+<p>The event threw a shadow into the homes of both families, and served as
+food for the tongues of idle gossips among their acquaintances.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Charlston and her daughters paid a respectful visit to the house of
+Mrs. Hazledon&mdash;or Mrs. Collins as she was then named,&mdash;and with whom
+Clara was then staying. They carried with them presents of various
+sorts; and even Mr. Charlston himself, although chagrined at the event,
+evinced a charitable spirit by placing twenty guineas in the hand of
+Clara, as a present in behalf of his grandson.</p>
+
+<p>Frederick stole his visits under the secret shades of evening, and
+showed every expression of sympathy and affection for Clara and the
+little one; at the same time promising the consummation of their union
+as soon as circumstances would conveniently permit. A few weeks after
+the birth of the child, in December of 1868, Frederick made a tour into
+Devonshire for the purpose of visiting an uncle residing in the town of
+Exeter, and also discovering some thriving village or town where he
+might find ready employment, with the view of eventually establishing
+himself in business to his own advantage. He at length selected Tiverton
+as his place of residence, where he procured work at favorable wages.
+Elated with success he immediately wrote to his parents, and also penned
+a lengthy epistle to Clara, describing the place and people in very
+flattering words, flourishing off with a few epithets expressive of his
+undying affection for herself and the child; and hoping that in a few
+months he would have the pleasure of introducing her to a comfortable
+home, under the happy title of Mrs. Frederick Charlston.</p>
+
+<p>Winter passed slowly along, during which time letters were frequently
+sent and received. The first day of May at length came, but no house was
+apparently provided for Clara and her child. Shortly afterwards
+Frederick returned home, and made known the intelligence that he had
+given up the idea of settling in Tiverton as he had decided upon making
+his future home in Canada, which place had been described by an emigrant
+agent who had lectured several nights in the town, as one of the finest
+countries in the world for the workingmen of England; that millions of
+acres of land were there to be given away, and every actual settler
+received 100 acres <i>gratis</i>. A river one hundred times larger than all
+the rivers of England put together, ran the whole length of the country,
+1500 miles long. There were lakes there so large that even into the
+smallest of them the whole island of Great Britain might be thrown, and
+sink beyond recovery. In fact, said he, "it possessed all the facilities
+and improvements of the 19th century;&mdash;equality, independence and wealth
+awaiting every industrious man who went thither;&mdash;it was, indeed, the
+workshop of the tradesman, the emporium of the trader, and above all,
+blessed be the fact, <i>it was the poor man's paradise upon earth</i>."</p>
+
+<p>Frederick soon discovered that the big bubble he had blown up was likely
+to be blown down. His mother and sisters strongly objected to his
+purpose, and begged of him not to bury himself out of the world as long
+as he had an opportunity of living in it.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Frederick," exclaimed his father, "were you to go to Canada you
+would repent of it but once, and that will be as long as you live. You
+talk of free-lands; why, of what use would they be to you? They might be
+of service to those who have been long accustomed to outside labor. But
+for you to go into the dense forests amidst mountains of almost
+perpetual snow, to chop out for yourself a fortune, or even a
+livelihood, would be a thousand times worse than banishment to the icy
+deserts of Siberia. For my sake, and for the love you owe to all that
+are dear to you in England, I beseech of you to relinquish, at least for
+the present, your design. Get married at once, and settle down quietly
+and industriously to work, either at Tiverton or in London, and I will
+assist in the furnishing of a house for you and Clara."</p>
+
+<p>Frederick made no satisfactory reply.</p>
+
+<p>On the second evening after he had come home, Charlie Holstrom, having
+heard of his return, called to see him.</p>
+
+<p>"A thousand welcomes back, old lad," exclaimed H., heartily shaking the
+hand of his old associate. "Why, my dear fellow, I've come over to bid
+you good bye, as I heard to-day that you are going to the Cannibal
+Islands."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Charlston and the others laughed heartily at the expression.</p>
+
+<p>"It is only to Canada that I intend to ship myself," replied Frederick
+somewhat shyly.</p>
+
+<p>"Worse, and worse!" retorted H. "Why, what do you expect to get there?"</p>
+
+<p>"Get a farm for nothing, and make a fortune in five years," said
+Frederick.</p>
+
+<p>"If the farm is to be given away for nothing I may venture to say, <i>it
+will be worth nothing</i>," replied H., and continued, "I had an
+acquaintance who went to Canada a few years ago with &pound;500; and having
+lived three years upon one of those 'nothing farms' or rather, living
+upon his money during that time, he returned to England utterly worth
+<i>nothing</i>. Why, Fred! such farms may be suitable enough for men of iron
+muscles and wooden stomachs, and who can work whether they eat or
+not;&mdash;men who have nothing to lose except their life, and would even
+sacrifice that for a small amount. But for either you or I to go there
+in search of a living, or anything else, except death and horror, would
+be worse for us than hanging; it would eventually result in
+strangulation by starvation. And besides, as my acquaintance informed
+me, the woods are infested with wild animals; and if a fellow attempted
+to venture out at night very possibly his carcass would be very soon
+deposited in the inside of a dozen of wolves. He further told me that
+the trees during summer rained down myriads of mosquitoes as large as
+beetles, with stings like hornets and in the shape of a tube, by which
+means a dozen of them could suck up a fellow's blood in a night; and
+were by far a greater plague than the grasshoppers of Egypt. To prevent
+them from settling upon himself he covered his head and neck with a mask
+made from deer-skin, in which he cut holes to inhale air and see
+through; but despite of such precautions they would sometimes force
+their way through these orifices, and one dart, said he, into a fellow's
+eye was sufficient to cause a myriad of stars to fly from his winker."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, but that is really horrifying," exclaimed Mrs. Charlston.</p>
+
+<p>"Awful, awful!" shouted Amelia.</p>
+
+<p>"'Tis really so indeed," added Eliza.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! it is all bosh," ejaculated Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Bosh!</i> d'ye say!" exclaimed H. "Indeed, I have only told you the least
+objectionable part. I assure you, he related things that would make a
+fellow's blood to curdle into vinegar, and perspire from every pore of
+the body. I credit everything he told me, for his word is as much to be
+depended upon as the 'Law of Moses.'"</p>
+
+<p>"That'll do for the present," said Amelia.</p>
+
+<p>"Go on," cried George.</p>
+
+<p>"What did he say about the climate?" inquired Mr. C.</p>
+
+<p>"He told me, sir, that it was so hot during the dog-days in summer, that
+the people had to lie upon deer-skins filled with water to prevent their
+bodies from being totally dissolved into vapor, and, that at the end of
+that terrible season they appeared only as living skeletons, as slender,
+indeed, as to be incapable of producing even a shadow."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! but that is awfully horrible!" exclaimed Mrs. C. Mr. Charlston and
+George laughed heartily. The girls shrugged up their shoulders,
+expressive of nervous twitchings.</p>
+
+<p>"And in winter," continued H., "it is so intensely cold that every river
+to its foundation is frozen into ice. It snows sometimes for weeks
+without ceasing; it is then generally followed by fierce winds which
+drift the snow into heaps like mountains, frequently burying houses and
+their inhabitants a hundred feet deep."</p>
+
+<p>"Horrible! horrible!" ejaculated Mrs. C.</p>
+
+<p>"The air is sometimes so intensely cold that the mercury in the
+thermometer is congealed into ice at 150 degrees below zero; and it
+frequently occurs during those frosty periods that travellers, with
+their horses and vehicles, are found petrified into ice, so hard that
+they never can be thawed out again. Hundreds of such groups are
+preserved in the Canadian museums, and shown as curiosities to foreign
+travellers."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! Charlie, for pity's sake, don't horrify us so!" shouted Mrs. C.</p>
+
+<p>"Do stop, Charlie, you'll frighten us to death," exclaimed the girls,
+fearfully excited.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Charlston and George laughed heartily. Fred muttered out something
+condemnatory; while George cried out, "Go on Charlie, tell the whole
+story."</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't told you the one-half yet; but this will do for the
+present;&mdash;only I might merely add,&mdash;that if Fred goes out for a
+free-farm he will get a free wife into the bargain. The forests are
+infested with a more dangerous class of animals than wolves. They are
+savages in human shape, and are designated by the name of Indians. Every
+foreigner who takes a farm is compelled to take a young squaw&mdash;a she
+Indian&mdash;as a wife to himself. The males in return kidnap white women for
+themselves; but should a man refuse to comply with their wishes, he is
+immediately seized upon by those savages and flayed at once. His skin is
+afterwards tanned, and made into tobacco-pouches. These are sold to
+traders and imported to England. What say you, Fred, to this? Should you
+go to Canada, I may yet have a pouch made out of your pelt. So good
+night to all," ejaculated Holstrom, and abruptly made his exit, amidst
+an uproar of exclamations and laughter.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+
+<p>Perhaps many of my readers may think that I have thrown in the
+statements of Charles Holstrom as a sort of burlesque upon Canada. Such
+is not the case on my part. I have given expression to nothing more than
+the opinion held by too many persons throughout Great Britain respecting
+this country. Indeed, there are hundreds in England alone, who are not
+aware of the existence of such a place; and thousands there are who know
+of nothing authentic concerning Canada except the name. I speak not from
+hearsay alone; I can personally substantiate these facts.</p>
+
+<p>Since the Confederation of these Provinces in 1867, Canada has become
+better known in England through the means of lecturers and
+emigration-agents sent thither by the Dominion Government. But, in some
+cases, men have been appointed as lecturers who were not really
+possessed of any personal experience and practical knowledge of Canada
+beyond the limits of the city or town in which they had lived. Such men,
+in order to make the country and themselves popular, drew highly colored
+pictures of the New Dominion, extolling its inexhaustible physical
+resources, its mercantile and manufacturing advantages, its railway and
+river facilities, its millions of acres of new land in the shape of
+farms to be given away gratis to all who agreed to become
+settlers,&mdash;together with a thousand of other attractions, augmented 100
+per cent. Such lectures were generally delivered in manufacturing towns
+and the great centres of population. There is always in every audience a
+number whose minds are rendered pliable by the speaker's tongue,
+particularly if their own interests are involved.</p>
+
+<p>Such was generally the case at these lectures. Clerks, young
+professionals, and mechanics, including silk and carpet spinners and
+weavers would become thus unhinged from their long accustomed
+stand-post, and perchance, for the first time, begin to prospect their
+future beyond the limits of their own town, at the same time wondering
+what on earth had induced them to live fools so long. By these means a
+vast number of Englishmen during the past few years, have been persuaded
+to emigrate to Canada. The hardier class, comparatively few in number,
+flocked into the agricultural and forest districts, to hew out a home
+for themselves; while the more sensitive struck a bee-line to the
+cities, to procure easy and genteel employment at excellent wages. But
+in so doing the hopes of many were suddenly frustrated. Shops and
+counting-houses were literally crammed with employees; in fact, every
+genteel situation had its quota. Silk-lace and carpet weaving had
+scarcely a nominal existence. Every town, village, and city had more
+professional men than could get a comfortable livelihood. The
+characteristics of the country and its people appeared to them extremely
+coarse and terribly <i>'orrifying'</i>. Wages, they said, were no better than
+those in England. Many who could have got employment preferred
+travelling the country over in search of higher wages. Some, however,
+went manfully to work at once. Others preferred boarding at a hotel,
+living idle upon their stock of funds, waiting patiently for something
+upon the wheel of fortune to turn up profitably to their own interests,
+and every morning eagerly peering over the "<i>want advertisements</i>" of
+the <i>Globe</i> and <i>Witness</i>, perhaps for months, until their means became
+considerably exhausted; and eventually taking a hurried departure to the
+<i>States</i>, or perchance returning home, utterly disgusted with Canada and
+everything connected with it, and carrying in their minds pictures of
+the country delineated in the darkest colors.</p>
+
+<p>We now return to our story. Frederick on his return from Tiverton went
+immediately to see Clara and the child. When he had made known his
+design she felt awfully chagrined at the idea of his intended "foolish
+adventure," as she termed it, and also sadly disappointed when she
+discovered that all those airy fabrications she had been building up
+during the winter were beginning to fall.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Frederick, what do you really mean by all this?" she exclaimed.
+"Do you intend leaving me unmarried and unprovided for, with my child,
+to fret out a lonely, miserable existence in your absence?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! I shall return in a few months to take you and the child to a happy
+home in Canada."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, Frederick; why again tantalize me with your promises, and false
+prospects. Where, I ask you, is the happy home you promised me at
+Tiverton? Where is the matrimonial title you promised to honor me with?
+Ah! Fred! Consider for a moment, what you have done and what you are now
+doing. By your insinuating love you riveted my affection to your heart.
+It still continues unbroken and as tenacious as ever. You flattered me
+with honied words. You excited me with false hopes. My confidence, yea,
+my very self I rendered submissively to your honor. But, alas! the very
+prospects you reared for my delight you are now trampling beneath your
+feet. Am I to be left with my little child, to struggle alone against
+the adversities of this world, while the finger of scorn is directed
+toward me, and also toward my child, whose innocence will neither soften
+the harshness of the world's tongue nor justify the errors of those who
+gave to it an existence."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Clara," exclaimed Fred somewhat irritated, "you are really
+sarcastic and condemnatory in your remarks. Is this the sort of
+complimentary welcome I receive from you at my return? If so, I shall
+have to shorten my visit."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Fred, consider the matter judiciously, and you will not think me
+unreasonable in my accusations," replied Clara.</p>
+
+<p>"Pooh, pooh," retorted Fred, "never allow your imagination to soar
+higher than your reason; curb down the irritable nerves of your temper;
+turn the dark side of life's picture towards the past, and keep always
+the bright side uppermost."</p>
+
+<p>"It is easier said than done," she replied. "Had you rendered me the
+assistance in reality instead of broken promises, I might have been
+looking to-day upon the bright side of life."</p>
+
+<p>"For goodness sake, Clara, do not tantalize me so unmercifully. I tell
+you that I have decided upon going to Canada, <i>and I shall go</i>. That
+country offers advantages unknown to England. Better hazard an adventure
+than remain forever riveted to hard labor here, and then die at last in
+the harness. Were I to marry you now I have no home but my father's to
+which I could remove you; better then to remain where you are,
+unmarried, than otherwise, for, I feel certain that Collins would turn
+you out as soon as he had discovered that I had both married and left
+you. But let me tell you but once and forever that I intend to become a
+husband to you as soon as I can find it convenient to procure a
+comfortable home."</p>
+
+<p>"The old story again," ejaculated Clara, "and let me tell you, Fred,
+that if you go to Canada you will never make your circumstances
+convenient to fulfil your promise&mdash;no, never, never, Fred."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want to hear any more of such botheration," retorted Fred,
+irritably; and springing up from his seat, made his exit abruptly,
+leaving Clara to sigh out alone the sorrows of her heart in the solitude
+of her own reflections.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Collins, as I said before was a man possessed of a degraded nature,
+being much addicted to intemperance. Widow Hazledon had married him
+after a brief acquaintance. She had felt the necessity of a fatherly
+assistance and protection in the rearing of her young family; but in
+Collins she discovered when too late that she had mistaken his
+character. She, however, continued to make the best of a bad bargain. He
+was a carver by trade, and commanded good wages; but every Saturday
+night, he got drunk. His Sabbaths were generally devoted to the worship
+of Bacchus. Sometimes he would continue drinking for several days, until
+every penny was exhausted. Then he would make demands at home for more
+money, which if refused, he was sure to abuse his wife and family. He
+was not only a drunkard; he was a scoffer at religion, and considered it
+a mark of honor to take the name of God in vain.</p>
+
+<p>On the following day after Frederick's interview with Clara, Collins
+came home partly intoxicated, and demanded more money to help him, as he
+said, to finish off a spree with an old comrade whom he had not seen for
+several years. Mrs. Collins expostulated with him, but to no purpose. He
+became, at length, exasperated, and threatened to turn them all out upon
+the street, and burn the house down. Clara attempted to pacify him,
+which only made him the more outrageous. He swore every oath imaginable
+at her, insolently ordering her to be off with her child, and find
+lodgings with the villain to whom she had prostituted herself, or else
+he would soon pitch her and her little bratling into the Thames.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, Tom, take this, 'tis the last shilling I have in the house. Now,
+dear Tom, like a good husband, keep quiet, and don't abuse Clara and me
+so much as you do," said Mrs. Collins with a pitiable sort of tone, the
+tears trickling down her grief furrowed cheeks.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Annie, but you're a good sort of wife after all," replied
+Collins, in a somewhat subdued tone. "As for Clara, I like her well
+enough! but I have resolved that I shall not labor any longer to support
+the child of that blackguard of a fellow, who, as I have been informed,
+has absconded to Canada. I hate him, and I detest his child&mdash;the dirty,
+yelping thing that it is. If it is not instantly removed from here, I
+shall make short work of it to-night on my return. <i>Mark my words,
+Clara</i>," he emphatically added, and putting the shilling into his pocket
+he departed, leaving them to consider seriously over the matter.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as he had gone Clara and her mother began talking over the
+affair, premeditating what they should do with the child. They felt
+suspicious of the threats made by Collins, who, it appears, for several
+weeks past, had used somewhat coarse language to Clara, especially since
+he had discovered that there was no immediate prospect of her removal.</p>
+
+<p>While thus suggesting what was best to be done a rap was heard upon the
+door; and in the course of a few seconds Mrs. Charlston and her two
+eldest daughters entered. They had come on a visit to spend the
+afternoon and have a friendly conversation; but their object was more
+particularly to find out if Frederick had made known to Clara what his
+intentions really were, as he had given them no decided answer at home.
+Mrs. Collins and Clara were delighted to see them, but more especially
+on that occasion, as it afforded a sort of relief to their dejected
+hearts, and perhaps be the means of suggesting the best expedient for
+the adjustment of their condition under the present circumstances. Tea
+was being prepared, and a pleasant conversation was entered into. After
+having digested Fred's Canadian-bubble-scheme, as Mrs. Charlston termed
+it, the unhappy affair that had occured was made known by Mrs. Collins.
+She expressed herself, that she did not really know what to do with the
+child, as Collins would most assuredly put his threat into execution.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! that's easily settled," exclaimed Mrs. Charlston. "The child is now
+nearly eight months old; it is time it was weaned&mdash;so it will serve both
+purposes to send it up to our house. I assure you I will be happy to
+take it into my charge; and Clara can come to see it as often as she can
+find it convenient."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, ma,&mdash;that is delightful," exclaimed Eliza.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, ma, we'll take the dear little darling along with us," said
+Amelia, embracing the infant more lovingly, and imprinting a kiss
+tenderly upon its smiling lips.</p>
+
+<p>"O, but, perhaps, it will be too much trouble and inconvenience for
+you," said Clara.</p>
+
+<p>"Not in the least, I'm sure Mr. Charlston will be perfectly delighted
+with the child," replied Mrs. Charlston.</p>
+
+<p>"It will, perhaps, put him in remembrance of old times," said Mrs.
+Collins.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and perhaps make him conceited enough to fancy himself twenty
+years younger than he really is," added Mrs. Charlston.</p>
+
+<p>"O, yes, I'm sure pa will be infinitely happy," exclaimed Eliza.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and so will Fred," added Amelia with a sly wink.</p>
+
+<p>It was, therefore, agreed upon that little Richard, for so he was named,
+should go to his new home that very evening. Tea being over, he was
+dressed in his best clothes. A couple of carpet bags were filled with
+other necessary articles. All things being in readiness Mrs. Charlston
+and her daughters took their departure, accompanied with Clara and the
+child.</p>
+
+<p>When they arrived home Mr. Charlston and the others of his family were
+at tea, Mrs. C. entered carrying Richard in her arms, followed by the
+others.</p>
+
+<p>"Look here, old lad, and guess what I have got, as a present for my good
+behavior this afternoon," exclaimed Mrs. Charlston.</p>
+
+<p>"Only a baby," said Mr. C. "You seem as much excited as if you had found
+a purse of gold."</p>
+
+<p>"Just look at the sweet, little, silvery-mouthed hazle-eyed,
+rosy-cheeked cherub," said Mrs. C.</p>
+
+<p>"'Tis little Richard, I declare," shouted Charlotte, springing forth to
+see him. "What a sweet little fellow he is. Just come, pa, and see the
+little darling." "O, Fred come and see him, he is your very picture,
+what a dear lovely angel he is," &amp;c.</p>
+
+<p>After the excitement had abated, they all removed to the sitting-room.
+Every one had to kiss and fondle little Richard; and even Frederick,
+whose heart had become softened by the touch of tender humanity, took
+the child into his arms, and with a parent's affection bestowed a dozen
+of fond kisses upon its ruby lips, feeling at the same time as if he
+could have similarly complimented Clara, as an expression of his
+affection, and a recompense for the abrupt manner in which he had
+treated her at their previous interview. Mrs. Charlston then told them
+that Richard had come to stay with them until he was weaned. Mr.
+Charlston felt apparently well pleased with the idea; it seemed to him
+as a happy acquisition to his household.</p>
+
+<p>Clara at length prepared herself to depart, and before leaving bestowed
+a dozen of fond kisses on the dear little fellow, and with a lingering
+look bade them all good night, promising to return on the following
+evening.</p>
+
+<p>Frederick put on his hat and quietly followed her to the door, and in a
+sort of undertone interrogated, "May I have the pleasure of seeing you
+home to-night, Clara?"</p>
+
+<p>"If you please," she replied. Fred very courteously complied therewith.
+The character of their conversation on the way that night may be guessed
+from the fact, that Fred and Clara became more lovingly attached to each
+other than ever they had been.</p>
+
+<p>Next day Fred hurried away to the house of his old master; and on the
+following morning was at his former place as a journeyman and an
+associate of his old companion and fellow-workman, Charles Holstrom.
+Clara also found immediate employment. The Charlstons were once more
+rendered happy at seeing Fred so spirited and reconciled; and also the
+presence of little Richard gave a relish to their happiness.</p>
+
+<p>Even old Collins was so well pleased with the change of affairs in his
+own household that he gave expression to his joyous feelings by getting
+pleasantly drunk every day for a whole week.</p>
+
+<p>The beautiful days of summer glided smoothly along. The nights were calm
+and refreshing. Under the exhilarating rays of the evening moonlight,
+Fred and Clara frequently strolled out pleasantly together. Feelings
+were reciprocated. Ideas of future prospects towered higher than the
+moon. A happy home, brightened by the golden beams of the honeymoon was
+seen peeping through the sylvan avenues of imagination. A few months,
+perchance only a few weeks had only to pass by, and their souls were to
+be pressed so closely together by the legal stamp of matrimony that
+nothing but the chisel of death could be able to separate them.</p>
+
+<p>What a delightful picture of future life is often sketched by the
+artistic fancy of the soul. What beautiful delineations of all that is
+exquisitely pleasing and profitable! The scenes are of the grandest
+descriptions: the coloring, of the richest hues, admirably shaded and
+intermingled. Even the darkest spots are glistening by the surrounding
+beauty. All appears as an enchanted dream; a glimpse of fairyland, or as
+a primeval paradise modernized, and rendered suitable in every part to
+gratify the desires of the mind.</p>
+
+<p>But, alas! too frequently these prospects of ideality are built only
+upon corner pillars, and tower to so great an altitude above their
+slender bases, that their summits, like the top of Babel become
+mystified by the clouds; and when the first storm of adversity, or the
+breath of insidious circumstances are blown against them, they totter,
+and eventually fall crashing to the earth, and lie scattered in
+shapeless ruins around their basis.</p>
+
+<p>But, perhaps, it is cruel to predict, or even to suggest, such ruinous
+consequences to the moonlit dreams of that happy pair. Time alone can
+unfold the mysterious realities of life. I will, therefore, pursue the
+windings of their course, and note down the various incidents and events
+as they are struck out, like the sparks from the heated iron under the
+blacksmith's hammer.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+
+<p>We now come to that eventful evening referred to in chapter first, of
+which a part of the proceedings is described. We shall now continue our
+narration, and make known the consequences of that unfortunate meeting.</p>
+
+<p>No sooner had Clara departed from the house of Mr. Charlston than
+Frederick, from some impulsive motive, glided out of the room; and
+having hastily disguised himself in his father's great coat, hat and
+muffler, hurried out, and followed in pursuit of Clara. In the vicinity
+of the house at which she had left her acquaintance, he observed a young
+man sauntering around. This person Fred discovered to be none other than
+Charles Holstrom. So passing hurriedly onward without being recognized
+he crossed over at the first corner to the other side of the street and
+walked back. When nearly opposite the house referred to the door opened
+and a young woman, alone, whom he knew to be Clara, came out. She
+hurried forward only a few steps when Holstrom wheeled around and
+addressed her; and having received her hand on his arm they glided
+hastily along the street. Frederick was startled at the reality. His
+blood flooded in tidal waves to his heart. His nerves quivered. His soul
+became exasperated. He inwardly threatened immediate violence to both
+parties. But having hastily checked the outpourings of his resentment he
+secretly followed them, yet still breathing volumes of deprecations
+which rose in steaming vapor from his phrenzied brain.</p>
+
+<p>"Can it be possible?" he soliloquised, "that Clara has been practising
+deception upon my faithful affection? I have discovered when too late
+that she has flattered my fond heart with her insidious wiles. I loved
+her once, I despise her now. She has got rid of her child, and she is
+now trying to dispose of me also. Ah! the syren that she is! No longer
+shall I breathe her name but with feelings of hatred and disgust. Ah!
+that villain too, who is leading her headlong to her own ruin! I hate
+him also. His affection towards me as a friend and companion has only
+served as a mantle to cover his deceitful heart. He is a serpent more
+subtle and venomous than that which entered the Garden of Eden. Ah! the
+vile wretch that he is! The deed is too base to forgive. I spurn the
+debased villain. I shall humble his proud heart. I shall crush him to
+the earth. I shall have revenge upon his guilty head. Revenge, revenge I
+must have!"</p>
+
+<p>In this excited state of feelings poor Frederick followed them
+unperceived to the very doorsteps of her home. His impulses had made him
+recklessly desperate. His savage nature was aroused. He was, indeed, no
+longer himself. Like a wild beast he was ready to spring upon them, and
+would have done so had not the uprisings of his moral nature suggested
+to him not to do so.</p>
+
+<p>He heard for a while the lively chit-chat within&mdash;the humorous joke&mdash;the
+joy-excited laughter, all of which only aroused his indignation to
+greater fierceness. But at that moment, when ready to put his threats
+into execution the right hand of his soul arrested suddenly the uplifted
+weapon of his evil heart. He wheeled about as if it were instinctively,
+fled from the house, and directed his course homeward with hasty steps.</p>
+
+<p>Having quietly slipped himself into his bedroom he retired to his couch;
+but there was no rest there for his unhappy soul, which, even during a
+few moments of slumber was distracted with dreams of the most hideous
+character imaginable.</p>
+
+<p>Next morning Fred was not astir as usual. His mother, at length,
+dreading increased illness as the cause, entered his room. Fred looked
+up with a woe-begone countenance, which of itself was sufficient to
+verify her apprehensions.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you worse, Fred?" his mother interrogated. "I don't feel quite as
+well, mother," he replied.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, Fred, I thought you would get more cold by going out last evening,"
+said she. "Why Fred, my son, you are quite feverish," she exclaimed
+resting her hand upon his forehead. "I shall get father to go for Dr.
+Guernsey immediately."</p>
+
+<p>"Mother, I beg of you not to do so, my throat is not worse. The want of
+sufficient sleep last night has had a tendency to make me feel
+debilated. Rather bring me a cup of coffee than send for the doctor."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Charlston at once hurried to the kitchen and told Amelia to prepare
+a strong cup of coffee and a slice of toast as quickly as possible.
+Shortly afterwards Mrs. C. entered Frederick's room with the coffee and
+toast, followed by his father and sisters.</p>
+
+<p>Fred strengthened himself for the occasion. He rose up on the bed quite
+vigorously, and took breakfast with an apparently good appetite. His
+mother having cooled his face with a wet towel he laid himself down to
+repose, and the others withdrew from the room. Ere long the tender
+finger of nature closed his weary eyelids, and during nearly all the
+rest of the day poor Fred lay calmly enlocked in the arms of sleep.</p>
+
+<p>On the following morning Fred was considerably better, and continued in
+a convalescent state.</p>
+
+<p>However, he kept himself closely confined to his room for several days.
+On the second evening Clara called to see the child; and on the
+following, Charlie also made a visit, as he said, to see Fred; but
+neither of them saw him as his room-door was locked, and he was supposed
+to be fast asleep. In less than a week afterwards Clara again called.
+Fred was in the sitting-room when she entered; but, on seeing her, he
+instantly sprang from his seat, and without opening his lips, abruptly
+left the room.</p>
+
+<p>Clara at once discovered in his appearance and actions that something of
+a serious nature had effected these results. However, she endeavored as
+well as she could to restrain her feelings. The others of the family
+also noticed the abrupt mariner in which Fred absconded; but excused his
+doing so by attributing it to the bashfulness of his bad looks rendered
+so by his illness.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Fred," said Eliza after Clara was gone, "what caused you to make
+such a runaway as that?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Fred," cried Amelia, "you sprang up as if you had been startled by
+a shock of electricity?"</p>
+
+<p>"I thought, Fred," exclaimed Charlotte, "was going to play
+'hide-and-go-seek', with Clara, when I saw him jump up and run off so
+fast."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps he intended that to be the play," said Mrs. Charlston, with a
+sly wink looking to Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, the deceiver that she is!" exclaimed Fred irritably. "She is a vile
+woman."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Fred, Fred, why all this! are you really going mad?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, mother, I am not mad, although I have been bitten deeply enough to
+have made me as mad as a raving maniac."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Fred," said she, "do tell us what is the matter with you then&mdash;the
+why and wherefore also."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, mother, had you not asked of me to do so I would not of my own
+accord; but since you demand an explanation, I will give you my reasons,
+and then leave you to judge seriously whether I have acted right or
+wrong."</p>
+
+<p>Fred then related all that he had seen and heard respecting Clara and
+Charlie Holstrom.</p>
+
+<p>"But are you sure 'twas really them?" said his mother, when he had
+finished telling them.</p>
+
+<p>"Mother, do you for a moment attempt to doubt my word?" exclaimed Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear son, I do not; but I thought you might be mistaken in them,
+especially at night. However, the next time that Clara comes here, I
+will question her plainly about it. I shall then hear her version of the
+story, and will be enabled to judge more correctly. If I find out that
+she has been keeping company with Charlie I shall forbid her to enter my
+house again."</p>
+
+<p>"Do as you please, mother; but I have resolved never to speak to her
+again," said Fred, and walked off to his room, leaving his mother and
+sisters to talk over the matter.</p>
+
+<p>On the third evening afterwards Clara made her appearance at Mr.
+Charlston's. After the usual preliminaries of courtesy were disposed of,
+Mrs. C. requested Clara to walk into the library room as she desired to
+speak a few minutes to her, alone. Fred had snugly enclosed himself in
+his bed-chamber. The others of the family were in the parlor.</p>
+
+<p>Having seated themselves Mrs. Charlston addressed Clara, and related all
+the particulars she knew relative to the unfortunate circumstances
+alluded to.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear Mrs. Charlston," exclaimed Clara, excitedly, "since I have
+patiently listened to your narration, will you now, as a favor I ask,
+have patience until I render an explanation?"</p>
+
+<p>"By all means I shall," replied Mrs. C.</p>
+
+<p>"But before that I do so," said Clara, "I desire that Fred should be
+present."</p>
+
+<p>"That is impossible to-night," replied Mrs. C. "I shall, however, find
+an opportunity of bringing the matter before Fred, in the manner in
+which you represent it."</p>
+
+<p>"On that unfortunate night, as I may term it," said Clara, "I left home
+accompanied with Emma Harrison, an acquaintance of my own, and came
+here, as usual, to see my child. When we had come as far as Mrs.
+Josleyn's, she said to me, 'I have to call here, so you had better go on
+to Charlston's, and you can call for me on your return.' I agreed
+therewith,&mdash;and on my way home stepped in for Emma; but Mrs. Josleyn
+informed me that she had gone out with her own daughters to spend the
+evening with an acquaintance; and, perhaps, added she, they may not
+return for an hour or two. Unwilling to wait so long I took my
+departure; but had not gone far when Charlie Holstrom stepped forth, and
+requested the privilege of seeing me home. The night being dark, and
+somewhat unpleasant for a woman to be out alone I embraced the
+opportunity, and with him went directly home. After having chatted a
+short time with us all he left the house and I have not seen him since.
+I knew not that the jealous eyes of Fred were staring upon us that
+night. He was able to follow me, why was he not also able to accompany
+me home?</p>
+
+<p>"For years my fond heart has invariably responded to his own; and I have
+done nothing to either insult his honor or tarnish the fidelity of my
+affection for him. He has falsely accused me. He has treated me
+disrespectfully; and now manifests a determination to dissolve our
+union. Since the moment that I yielded up the chastity of my affection
+to his desires he has treated me too frequently with indifference. He
+promised to rectify, or, rather, ameliorate the error we committed, by
+an immediate union for life. His promises at intervals were again and
+again repeated; and when I suggested the adequate necessity of having
+them fulfilled he treated me with contempt. Where, I ask, is the happy
+home he promised me at Tiverton. Where, also, are the half dozen of
+homes he has since reared for me in London. He also promised me a home
+in Canada; an unjustifiable plea, as I may term it, to smoothe down his
+intention of deserting me and my dear child, leaving us to be subjected
+to the biting scorn of the uncharitable world, and without even the
+nominal existence of a home that we could call our own. Again, the evil
+spirit of his soul has been aroused from its lair; and without a
+reasonable cause he pierces the very nerves of my affections with the
+stings of a jealous heart. A soul so sensitive as mine feels deeply the
+wounds he has afflicted. <i>Oh! unfortunate woman that I am! Wherefore am
+I consigned to the torments of impending fate.</i> Have I committed crimes
+so incurable that there is no remedy for them! My heart is ready to
+burst! I shall die under the horror of my calamity! Oh! merciful
+heavens, have pity upon me!&mdash;<i>poor wretched creature that I am</i>.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! Mrs. Charlston what shall I do? What shall I do?" she hysterically
+exclaimed, the tears gushing out from her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear Clara," ejaculated Mrs. Charlston, grasping her affectionately
+by the hand, tears dimming her eyes also, "I shall have pity upon you;
+and although your friends should become enemies to you, I shall adhere
+to you, my dear child, like an affectionate mother and a faithful
+friend."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, thank you," exclaimed Clara, "but my heart is unable to
+express its gratitude."</p>
+
+<p>"Try to compose your feelings, my dear, with the assurance I have given
+you of my fidelity."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, my dearest of friends, I shall endeavor to do so," said Clara.</p>
+
+<p>Then grasping each other more firmly and affectionately by the hand they
+sat together until they had sobbed out the sorrowful uprisings of their
+hearts.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+
+<p>On the following morning, Mrs. Charlston found an opportunity of
+speaking privately to Fred about the unfortunate affair. She told him
+all that Clara had said, at the same time endeavoring to make as
+favorable impression in her behalf as the circumstances of the case
+would allow; and also earnestly beseeching him to come into good terms
+at once with Clara.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Never! never!</i>" ejaculated Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"Why should you talk so determinately, Fred, I'm sure that Clara has
+given sufficient reasons to justify the circumstances of an
+unpremeditated act, apparently so innocent, as to be undeserving of
+censure."</p>
+
+<p>"Were it only the first innocent act, as you consider it, I would not
+have attached any importance to it," said he.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you really been made aware of a previous intercourse between
+Charles and Clara?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, yes, I have heard of it a dozen times&mdash;I was informed by letter
+when at Tiverton that Clara was flirting with Charlie, or as the writer
+expressed it: 'In your absence your old friend, Charlie Holstrom, is
+playing at "<i>catch the beau</i>" with your affectionate Clara.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Now Fred, you must tell me who was the writer of that letter."</p>
+
+<p>"It was Harry Walton."</p>
+
+<p>"I just thought so. I'm sure, Fred, you are aware that Harry is noted
+for manufacturing falsehoods. If you believe him you are the only person
+in London who does so."</p>
+
+<p>"But I have heard it from others, and they cannot all be liars. There is
+Mrs. Tennyson, for instance, an old respected friend of your own. One
+day she hinted sufficient to make me feel suspicious. Fernando Jones
+squirted a few dry jokes in that way. Sylvester Kennelworth termed me a
+hen-pecked bachelor. Even Julia Marks, Sylvina Oldham, and Sarah
+Silverstone bothered me almost to death one evening recently about
+Clara's intention of presenting me shortly with a 'ticket of leave.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Wherefore, dear Fred, would you for even one moment direct your
+attention to the malicious falsehoods of such idle gossips as those you
+have referred to. They are a thousand times worse than the starving
+thieves that lurk around the dark lanes of the city, who steal only what
+is practically useful to themselves; while those others go about robbing
+the youthful and virtuous of their reputation, scattering the seeds of
+dissension, and fluttering in the sunshine of their folly like
+butterflies tasting of the sweets of every flower, but collecting no
+honey, therefore, my son, discard the venom of such villainous tongues."</p>
+
+<p>"My confidence in Clara was so deep rooted that even all that I heard
+had scarcely any effect; but when I beheld personally that night their
+manner and appearance, and considered the coincident circumstances
+connected therewith, all that I had previously heard came rushing in
+upon my soul like an overwhelming flood and swallowed up every ounce of
+love that was in my heart."</p>
+
+<p>"But I wish you to have an interview with Clara the next time she comes;
+it will restore the affection you have lost."</p>
+
+<p>"It never will; nor do I desire to see her. I feel certain that she has
+been duping me with the flattery of a false affection, and then laughing
+at my simplicity in my absence. Even Charlie's actions towards me of
+late have also led me to feel suspicious of him. But my eyes are now
+awakened to the fact, therefore, I will never again speak to Clara, nor
+have anything whatever to do with her."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! Fred, you are too hasty in your assertions. Remember, my dear son,
+the circumstances and associations by which you are morally bound to
+each other. Remember the vows which you have consecrated upon the altar
+of your heart. Remember the condition to which you have brought her by
+your folly. Bear in mind that if you forsake her under the present
+circumstances that an indelible stain will remain for ever upon your
+character; but above all, my dear son, remember the link which binds you
+inevitably together,&mdash;a link of living humanity, akin to you both.
+Remember then that you are a father, and that she is a mother,&mdash;titles
+that were conferred upon you both by the birth of that little angel who
+now sheds a radiance over our household by his endearing presence. Then
+think of him, think of what I say, and you will outlive your imaginary
+ills and all the jealous flickerings of your heart; therefore, I again
+ask you, Fred, to comply with my request."</p>
+
+<p>"I tell you again, mother, that I cannot. You need not think you can
+bait me with honied words. The insidious bee that fluttered around the
+flowers of my once happy affections has left its sting-wound within my
+heart."</p>
+
+<p>"But love is its own physician. It alone can cure the ills it makes."</p>
+
+<p>"But where there is no mutual love in the heart the wound is incurable."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Fred! do you for a moment doubt the veracity of Clara's love for
+you?"</p>
+
+<p>"She has fooled me," he exclaimed. "She has forsaken me. She has made me
+reckless and desperate. I have ceased to love. I hate society. I even
+despise my very self. I shall seek for happiness in foreign lands as a
+substitute for what I have lost. I have decided upon going to Canada."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you again really determined to leave us, Fred?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, mother, I am more than determined. I am ready to leave to-morrow
+if I choose to go."</p>
+
+<p>"If you go, my son, you will go against the wishes of your parents and
+every relative you have; and if you go in such a manner and under the
+present circumstances you cannot carry along with you '<i>a mother's
+blessing</i>'."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care!" replied Fred haughtily. "Mother, you have no love for
+me. You have vindicated the guilty actions of Clara in opposition to my
+opinions. You have tantalised my soul by so doing. I shall no longer
+bear the insults, you heap upon me,"&mdash;and therewith Fred arose and made
+his exit abruptly from the room.</p>
+
+<p>It appears that for several weeks past Fred had been ruminating
+upon going to Canada, reviving as it were his former intentions.
+His sore throat had originated from sudden exposure to the raw air
+of night on coming out from a crowded hall where he had been
+listening to a highly-colored lecture upon Canada and the
+Clerkenwell-Emigration-Scheme. The recent occurrence had made him still
+more determined, and also, afforded, as he considered, a sufficient plea
+to justify his purpose. That same evening, immediately after tea, his
+father being made aware of the design, took him aside and began to
+expostulate with him.</p>
+
+<p>"Father, I have determined upon leaving and therefore your influence can
+have no effect," exclaimed Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"But remember, my son, that text of Scripture which saith, 'Children
+obey your parents in all things.'"</p>
+
+<p>"And let me add," cried Fred, "the following, from the same author,
+'Fathers provoke not your children to anger lest they be discouraged.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, Fred! that sentence is not applicable to my case. As a duty of
+parental affection I only counsel you for your own good. Remember, my
+son, what Solomon says: 'A fool despiseth his father's instructions, but
+he who regardeth reproof is prudent. Correction is grievous to him who
+forsaketh the way, and he who hateth reproof <i>shall die</i>.'"</p>
+
+<p>"I am no <i>fool</i>," ejaculated Fred, "I am of age. I shall, therefore, do
+as I please."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! Fred, Fred, I'm afraid your conduct will yet bring down my grey
+hairs with sorrow to the grave. Perchance you may yet remember my words
+in a foreign land, without a kind friend to pity you in your distress.
+Ah, Fred! I hope, however, that you will not play the prodigal. Let me,
+therefore, read you the 15th chapter of Luke."</p>
+
+<p>Without replying Fred abruptly left the room before his father had time
+to bring forth the Bible.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well, but this is really annoying," said Fred to himself after he
+had gone to his room. "Do they think that I have no mind of my own; so
+that I am to be mechanically guided by theirs. They favor Clara, and
+disrespect me because I do not favor her also. They say she loves me; if
+she does, my absence will test it. However, I will not allow myself to
+be treated as a captive. I shall and must have liberty, or else I die. I
+shall leave London this very night. I shall leave without shedding a
+tear or bidding a friend good bye. They will perhaps learn to love me
+better when I am gone." So saying, he began to prepare. Having filled
+two large carpet bags with such articles as were most necessary he moved
+quietly out of the house and by a back stairway reached the street.
+Having placed himself in a Hansom-cab stationed near by he was quickly
+conveyed to the station and in time for the night train to Liverpool.</p>
+
+<p>On the following morning he embarked upon the Moravian, belonging to the
+Allan Line of Steamships, plying at that time of the season between
+Liverpool and Portland, in Maine, U.S.</p>
+
+<p>The steam is up; anchors are weighed; and the vessel is soon riding out
+from the harbor towards mid-ocean. Although the air is cold, the deck is
+crowded with persons, among whom is Frederick Charlston, viewing the
+receding objects, and at length taking their farewell view of the dimly
+distant shores of their native land.</p>
+
+<p>Day passed,&mdash;and the shadows of the night came down. The vessel was
+dashing over the foaming billows. The winds were whistling dolefully
+amid the sails. A feeling of loneliness crept over the soul of poor
+Fred, and he retired to his hammock. Visions of the past and future
+floated across his mind, and under the poetic mantle of inspiration he
+gave vent to his feelings in the following verses:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Farewell to thee, England, the land of my birth,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The dearest, the fairest of countries on earth,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">I love thee, yet leave thee, perhaps to deplore,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Alas, it may be to behold thee no more.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">If at home I've a friend, yet true friends are but few,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">In duty to friendship I breathe him adieu,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">But joy to this bosom no friends can restore.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">I love them, yet leave them, I may see them no more.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Old London, farewell,&mdash;my birth-place and home,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Far distant from thee I am destined to roam,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">On the home I once loved a fond wish too I'll pour,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Tho' its household and hearth I may visit no more.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Sweet child of my love! Ah! the thought breaks my heart,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">To know that thy mother hath caused us to part,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">I love thee, yet leave thee, nor can she restore<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">A joy to this soul that may see thee no more.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">To the land of the stranger I go&mdash;yes&mdash;I go,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">In search of those blessings which it can bestow,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Its forests, its lakes, I shall proudly explore,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Far, far from that home I may visit no more.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Thus sang the young poet. But before morning had dawned upon the billows
+of the ocean all the poetic fancy that was flickering in his
+half-phrenzied brain was driven out by a serious attack of sea-sickness.
+His emanations were then of a much grosser sort of material than the
+etherial-essence of poetic sentiment. During three long and wearied
+nights he continued in a most pitiable condition; his thoughts
+bewildered and fluctuating; at times, half regretting the course he had
+taken. The weather was tempestuous during the voyage; but, at length, in
+the afternoon of the twelfth day the vessel and all the passengers were
+safely landed at Portland. That evening Fred went on board the train for
+Montreal, but did not reach his destination until late in the afternoon
+of the second day, the journey having been prolonged by a severe snow
+storm. The cold was very intense. It was then that the words of Charles
+Holstrom occurred to his mind about the Canadian mountains of snow and
+the cold at 150 degrees of temperature below zero. He, however, arrived
+safely at Montreal, yet, cold, hungry and exhausted, and immediately
+engaged lodgings at the <i>St. James' Hotel</i>, where after a warm and
+hearty meal he soon experienced a more comfortable state of feelings.</p>
+
+<p>Night's shadows had settled down over the fair city. The great bell of
+the cathedral of Notre Dame was scattering its solemn tones over the dim
+air. The city-lamps were sending forth their mellow radiance. Throngs of
+pedestrians were moving to and fro. Sleigh after sleigh was hurrying
+along, filled with joyous souls, and drawn by sprightly steeds dancing
+as if it were to the sounds of the merry-tinkling sleigh-bells. Fred
+looked out upon the gay panorama of Canadian city life. It was a new and
+attractive sight to him, and he felt an itching desire to try the novel
+experiment of taking a sleigh ride; but his spirit recoiled within
+itself when the fact was brought forcibly to his mind that it was
+"<i>Christmas' Night</i>." He thought of the many happy Christmas evenings
+which he had enjoyed amid the society of his friends in the good old
+city of London. A thousand associations flashed across his memory,
+filling his solitary mind with sadness and regrets. Around him
+everywhere he beheld gay crowds flickering with joyous excitement. More
+keenly than ever he then felt that he was only a stranger in a strange
+land, isolated from congenial society, and far removed from his friends
+and his once happy home. Conscience awakened his mind to the reality of
+his past folly, and his heart was wounded by its own stings. A heavy
+weight of sorrow pressed deeply upon his bosom. A deep sigh rolled out
+heavily upon his lips. Tears glistened in his eyes; and alas, poor
+Frederick Charlston again wished himself back to London.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+
+<p>The holidays having passed, Fred sought out and found immediate
+employment in Montreal. The sad impressions that were engraven upon his
+mind at first began and continued gradually to wear off. New friendships
+were formed. Things became more and more familiar to him, and at length
+he experienced a much happier state of mind. At first he purposed
+writing immediately to his friends in London, but after a few
+postponements, resolved not to do so, as he considered it would show an
+effeminency on his part, and that a few month's silence would perhaps
+season their affection for him.</p>
+
+<p>Two of his fellow-workmen, who belonged to a company of volunteers,
+persuaded Fred to join their ranks. He was tolerably well acquainted
+with military discipline, having practically served in a company during
+his residence at Tiverton; and he had also studied considerably the
+tactics of war, therefore he found no difficulty in getting himself
+initiated as a Canadian volunteer; but in so doing it ultimately proved
+to be another unfortunate step. The circle of his acquaintances was thus
+increased tenfold. Military glory unfolded its social charms. Friendly
+meetings with jovial comrades became more frequent. The foaming glass
+sparkled brightly with fascination. Temptation unmasked itself. Again
+and again his companions of the evenings had recourse to expedients to
+induce him to drink with them. He was willing to pass an evening and
+smoke a cigar, but sternly refused to even moisten his lips with the
+poisonous liquid, which showed a manly independence in principle, a
+dignity of honor; and it would have been well for him had he always
+continued as invincible.</p>
+
+<p>"I say, Fred, you must have something to drink with us to-night," said
+Billa Haveril one evening as Fred and a few of his comrades were walking
+along Craig Street. "Here's the '<i>Royal Arms</i>,' come in, boys&mdash;come in
+Fred, and I'll introduce you to Mr. Stone, a jolly good old Englishman.
+He knows how to warm up a fellow when the cold is 30 degrees below
+zero."</p>
+
+<p>They entered, and became seated in a room adjoining the bar.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Fred, what's your choice," said Haveril.</p>
+
+<p>"A glass of cold water," replied Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"Horrible! horrible!" ejaculated Haveril. "Are you really going to
+commit an arctic outrage upon your sensibilities? That will never do if
+you intend living in Canada."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps he wants to convert himself into an ice-house," exclaimed Harry
+Jenkins.</p>
+
+<p>"Gentlemen," said Fred, "I previously informed you that I belong to the
+Sons of Temperance; you will therefore confer a favor by not pressing
+your kindness further upon me."</p>
+
+<p>"Take it as a medicine, then; a glass will neither awaken your
+conscience nor injure your stomach," said Haveril.</p>
+
+<p>"Do as St. Paul advised Timothy to do&mdash;take a little for your stomach's
+sake and your often infirmities," said Nichol Henderson.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, Fred, <i>one glass</i> will never ruffle a feather in your
+conscience," said Ernest Stevens.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, boys! tip up your bumpers!" exclaimed Haveril, and then singing
+aloud, followed by the others in chorus,</p>
+
+<p>"<i>For Fred's a jolly good fellow</i>," &amp;c.</p>
+
+<p>Frederick having declined was again pressed to drink, to which he
+replied&mdash;"I am willing to condescend to the wishes of the company in
+which I may be placed; but when principle is at stake I must necessarily
+decline sacrificing my honor to the demands of others, even those of my
+best friends, as I am a pledge-bound total abstainer."</p>
+
+<p>"Pooh! pooh!" ejaculated Jenkins, "that's enough of your sophisticated
+balderdash. Do you not know that a London pledge is not valid in
+Canada?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, what's the difference," exclaimed Fred, "the principle is the same
+throughout."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, sir, the difference is just this," said Jenkins, "every country
+has its own laws, and every subject therein is commanded to obey them,
+and to do so only while he is a resident. The laws of the temperance
+cause are based upon the same principle."</p>
+
+<p>"Philosophically speaking, you cannot assimilate them," replied Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"Civil laws differ according to the government of a country, the
+characteristics of a people, their intellectual, moral and spiritual
+condition, etc. Whereas, the temperance cause, in its strictest sense,
+is everywhere identical, and its laws universal; the essence of which in
+the abstract is simply '<i>to abstain</i>' and '<i>to obey</i>.' But suppose, for
+the sake of argument, that you are right in your opinion, I ask then, is
+there sufficient reason in the act of having withdrawn myself from the
+country in which I took the pledge, to disannul my responsibility, when
+I have not withdrawn my name from the Society's list of membership. And
+again, I ask you, if I desire to remain a total abstainer, wherefore
+should I compel myself unnecessarily, in order to please others, to
+sacrifice my liberty to the 'king of evils,' even should I feel no
+longer bound to obey the laws of the Society."</p>
+
+<p>"I say, Fred, for goodness' sake stop," exclaimed Sandie Johnstone, "or
+else you will sink us so deeply into the ruts of philosophy that our
+friends will never be able to discover us."</p>
+
+<p>"Go on, Fred, go on, you're a brick," cried Haveril. "Give Jenkins
+another dig with your philosophical pick."</p>
+
+<p>"Fair play," shouted Jenkins, "'tis my turn to bait the trap."</p>
+
+<p>"Bait it with a bottle of brandy," cried Haveril, "and we'll see who'll
+bite at it first."</p>
+
+<p>"If Jenkins wont, I'll bet you a dollar you will," ejaculated Johnstone.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Haveril would bite at the very devil if his Satanical Majesty was
+filled to the teeth with brandy," exclaimed Jenkins, the others
+chorusing with a series of discordant laughs.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well, gentlemen," exclaimed Fred, "if you desire the continuance
+of my friendship, and if you wish to respect the dignity of morality and
+the English language, you must refrain from using such insinuating
+balderdash and bar-room-slang."</p>
+
+<p>"You're right, Fred, stick to your subject and make them all your
+subjects," said Ernest Stevens.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Fred, if you would only take a gentle sipling of the nectar you
+would know how to appreciate and enjoy our company," said Henderson.</p>
+
+<p>"True friendship and true happiness are based upon more <i>solid</i> material
+than <i>liquids</i>," replied Frederick.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Fred, as you are a sort of philosopher, allow me to ask you, if
+the true destiny of man, both here and hereafter, is not the enjoyment
+of life?" interrogated Henderson.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, sir," replied Fred; "but I further believe that our Maker
+designed that man should use the proper means for the promotion of both
+terrestrial and celestial happiness."</p>
+
+<p>"Our opinions are identical, then," exclaimed Henderson. "We are both of
+the same mind and yet cannot agree; and the reason is simply this&mdash;that
+I occasionally partake of a social glass with my friends as a means to
+awaken and promote enjoyment; whereas you teetotally reject the means.
+This delicious nectar sparkling before me has the inherent virtues of
+making me truly happy; I, therefore, use it for its medicinal qualities.
+So here is my best respects to you all, boys,&mdash;not forgetting you,
+Fred," added Henderson, raising the tumbler to his lips and draining the
+liquor to its very dregs.</p>
+
+<p>"Ha! ha! ha!" ejaculated Jenkins, "I say, Fred, you are completely
+cornered up, Henderson's as good a philosopher as yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"That may be so," replied Fred, "but I wish you, and Henderson
+also, to bear in mind that reason may be twisted into sophistry.
+He must first prove the premises of his arguments to be correct,
+namely, 'that spirituous liquors are conducive to the happiness of
+mankind'&mdash;otherwise, the syllogism must be false. To attempt such an
+undertaking would be a more fool-hardy task than that of Hercules to
+carry the globe upon his back. My dear sir, you would soon find that the
+universal evidence of the world would be against you. The horrid shrieks
+of suffering humanity would denounce the falsity of your arguments,
+while myriads of skeletons would startle from their graves with horrid
+indignation!"</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on, hold on, I say, Fred," shouted Henderson, "you are firing away
+your balls at random and never look at the target."</p>
+
+<p>"I think he has made a good many bull-eyes in your head," exclaimed
+Stevens.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, come, boys, we'll have a <i>horn</i> on the <i>head</i> of the subject,"
+cried Jenkins.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, yes, that's the talk," responded some of the others.</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on, hold on, gentlemen," exclaimed Henderson, slightly irritated.
+"I must have fair play in the game."</p>
+
+<p>"By all means," said Fred, "I shall see that you shall."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, sir," said H., "allow me to inform you, that in your arguments
+you deviated from the proposition I made, namely&mdash;that liquor as a means
+is conducive to human happiness. I mean the proper use of it; but you
+immediately darted off to the furthest extremity of the subject, and by
+a sort of superlative sophistry of your own, you attempted to conjure up
+a horrid array of evils arising from the abuse of that spiritual gift,
+which is the very essence of those cereals designed by the Author of
+Creation as the principal sustainer of animal life."</p>
+
+<p>"You accuse me, sir, of doing injustice to your proposition, by
+representing the consequences of abusing that spiritual gift, as you
+very improperly term it," said Fred. "Your proposition, let me tell you,
+embraces only the germs; but I look forward to the fruits thereof. He
+would be but a very foolish farmer indeed, who would sow tares or
+imperfect seed for the mere pleasure of seeing his fields adorned with
+verdure, without looking forward to the consequences. Every good farmer
+anticipates an abundant harvest and accordingly sows the best seed. So
+should every man who desires to reap a harvest of happiness. He should
+look well to the seed, and sow only that which will eventually produce
+the best results. Again, you say that liquor when used in moderation, is
+a means of producing human happiness, and therefore should be used. I
+beg to differ with you; happiness arises not from the animal impulses of
+human nature stimulated by intoxicating liquor. Use it moderately you
+say. Alas, how many millions have been ruined forever by the taking of
+only one single glass at first, <i>only one glass</i>! Think of it! It is the
+magnet that attracts material akin to itself; alas, what a world of
+wretchedness and crime is reflected from that nucleus of Intemperance."</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on, hold on, Fred," ejaculated Jenkins, "that'll do for the
+present."</p>
+
+<p>"Go on, Fred, your illustrations are beautiful and impressive," cried
+Stevens, "go on, you are hitting the target at every shot."</p>
+
+<p>"For goodness sake, Fred, do stop; or you will convert us all into a
+company of 'cold water-boys,'" cried Jenkins.</p>
+
+<p>"Come! come, my lads," exclaimed Haveril, "we'll wind up for the present
+with a bumper of 'hot Scotch' and I'll pay for the drinks."</p>
+
+<p>"Hot Scotch! hot Scotch!" shouted a half dozen of voices&mdash;and having
+partaken of a rousing bumper they called upon Fred to favor them with a
+song, to which he responded in the following Temperance Song, entitled
+"One Glass More."</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Behold yon wretch at the tavern-bar:<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">His matted hair hangs over his brow;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The manly form and the noble soul<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Are wrecked and lost in the drunkard now.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">He shivering stands in his dirty rags,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">With bloated face and his blood-shot eyes;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">With quivering lips and a fever'd breath<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">For one glass more how he pleading cries.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0"><i>Chorus.</i>&mdash;O give me, sir, but a single glass;<br /></span>
+<span class="i13">O pity me now when my cash is done;<br /></span>
+<span class="i11">The night is cold and my blood runs chill,<br /></span>
+<span class="i13">And all I ask is a single one.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Away from here, you miserable wretch;<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">I want no more of your blubbering gas,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Be off at once! or I'll kick you out;<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">You'll get none here&mdash;not a single glass,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">What brought you here in your filthy rags,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">To disgrace my house in this drunken way.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">At once, begone! for you'll get no drink,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">No, not a glass, when you've nothing to pay.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0"><i>Chorus.</i>&mdash;O give me, sir, &amp;c.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">O, wherefore, sir, would you kick me out!<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Why so unjust to thy friend art thou;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">You gave me drink and you took my cash,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">You made me, sir, as you see me now.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">You scorn me too, as a drunken wretch,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Debased and steep't in the dregs of sin;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And when I ask but a single glass,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">You'll kick me out tho' you took me in.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0"><i>Chorus.</i>&mdash;O give me, sir, &amp;c.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Thro' ten long years while I labored hard,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">You gave me drink, and you drain'd my purse,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">I was your friend, and your blessings then,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Have proved at length but a demon's curse.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">My loving wife and my children dear,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Have often sigh'd with a hungry soul,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">While I was here with my social friends<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">And drinking deep from your mad'ning bowl.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0"><i>Chorus.</i>&mdash;O give me, sir, &amp;c.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">My health and youth I have wasted here;<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">To thee, for drink, my money I gave;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">I'm now a wreck of what I was once,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">And sinking fast to a drunkard's grave;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">All wasted here in my reckless course,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Which neither thou nor time can restore;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Then pity me now for old friendship's sake,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">And give one glass and I'll ask no more.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0"><i>Chorus.</i>&mdash;"Begone from here, you miserable wretch!"<br /></span>
+<span class="i13">The landlord cried, and he stamp't and swore,<br /></span>
+<span class="i11">Then kick't him out to the cold night storm,<br /></span>
+<span class="i13">And curs'd the wretch as he closed his door.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Frederick Charlston continued to step into a saloon occasionally to pass
+an evening with his comrades. Every expedient was tried to persuade him
+to taste with them; but with a manly spirit of independence he remained
+for several weeks invincible to their attacks. At length he was induced
+to take a tumbler with hot water, sweetened with sugar, and flavored
+with nutmeg and peppermint. But Jenkins one night gave the innkeeper a
+wink to put a few drops of Scotch whiskey into Fred's tumbler. A few
+drops were sufficient to slightly stimulate his brain, and produce a
+flow of social feeling within his heart; and thus, when too late, he
+discovered that he had tasted of the evil spirit. Having once tasted, he
+felt a less restriction of duty; and on subsequent occasions allowed a
+few drops to be added to the mixture. <i>Only a few drops!</i> how
+insignificant in number! how innocent they appear within themselves!
+But, alas, a few drops were added to the few, until they became <i>a great
+number</i>; and before winter had thrown off its fleecy covering, Frederick
+Charlston could empty a tumbler of hot punch as readily as any of his
+comrades. Thus, he who had once nobly defended the cause of Temperance,
+and had remained so long invincible, at length dishonored that pledge
+which, even under the most trying circumstances, he had hitherto never
+violated. "<i>Only a few drops</i>" at first&mdash;yes, <i>only a few drops</i>, and
+therewith poor Frederick Charlston became the votary of intemperance.
+His Saturday nights were afterwards too frequently spent, or rather
+misspent, in deep carousals with his comrades. His Sabbaths were also
+often desecrated; and instead of appearing in his accustomed seat in
+Church, he was either sleeping away the sacred hours of the day, or,
+perhaps, polluting his mind with the filthy contents of some sensational
+novel. For a few weeks at first his moral feelings were occasionally
+awakened by the stings of conscience; but gradually they became less
+susceptible and less unwilling to recognize or respect the laws of moral
+responsibility.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+
+
+<p>April came, and with it came the alarm of an intended invasion of Canada
+by the Fenians. All the volunteers were ordered to be in immediate
+readiness, and several companies were stationed at different places
+along the Province Line, south of the River St. Lawrence. Every
+precautionary preparation was being made by the Canadian government, and
+also by the inhabitants. Great excitement prevailed during several days;
+and a series of appalling rumors were daily in circulation. But April
+passed away, and none of the Verdants made their appearance on the north
+side of the Line 45. There was apparently a lull in the Fenian camp.</p>
+
+<p>But on the morning of the 23rd of May following, the bugle again sounded
+the alarm. Gen. O'Neill had again stirred up the "Circles" to their very
+"Centres," and there was a fearful rattling among the dry bones. Every
+telegram brought additional intelligence confirming the affair. The
+march had in reality begun; and 50,000 men, as rumored, were marching
+towards Canada, in a direct line to Montreal. All the volunteers in the
+Province of Quebec were again called to arms, and every available
+company forwarded at once to the chief stations at St. Johns,
+Hemmingford, and Huntingdon. The 69th regiment of British regulars, then
+stationed at Quebec, was ordered to the front immediately. The loyal
+Canadian farmers in the vicinity of the Border line turned out at once;
+and with rifle in hand, distributed themselves in detached parties to
+watch and await the avowed enemies of their country; and defend their
+hearths and households in the hour of danger.</p>
+
+<p>The company to which Frederick Charlston belonged, had been ordered to
+St. Johns. Fred was delightfully excited by the occurrence, which
+afforded him an opportunity of realizing what he termed "<i>a novel and
+romantic adventure</i>."</p>
+
+<p>On the morning of the 25th of May, 1870, a detachment of Fenians, headed
+by Gen. O'Neill, crossed over the Line in the vicinity of Eccles' Hill.
+A company of farmers who had stationed themselves behind the rocks of
+the hill, adjacent to the high-way, observed the approach of the enemy
+sneaking along the road. When the Fenians had arrived within reach of
+gun-shot, the farmers, unperceived, fired upon them, killing two or
+more, and wounding several. The astonished Verdants at once replied by a
+volley, but becoming disorderly bewildered by the incessant stream of
+smoke and bullets from among the rocks, they hastily retreated to an
+adjacent hill; and for several hours the opposing parties in ambush kept
+up a continuous but ineffectual fire at each other. At length a few
+detachments of Montreal volunteers and others arrived; and in
+conjunction with the farmers, took part in the action. The Fenians
+imagining that a formidable army had arrived, became panic-stricken and
+fled, headed by their leaders, at quick march over the Border Line,
+where the "<span class="smcap">Fenian Tragedy</span>" was magnificently concluded by the
+ludicrous farce of the Great O'Neill making a hasty exit as a "State
+prisoner," under the confidential protection of Marshal Foster.</p>
+
+<p>Simultaneously with this event, another squad of Green Jackets, headed
+by Gen. Starr, intruded upon Canadian soil, twelve miles beyond
+Huntingdon, and intrenched themselves about three-quarters of a mile
+from the Border Line. There they remained until the morning of the 27th,
+when they were speedily routed from their intrenchments and driven back
+beyond the Line by the Huntingdon Borderers and the 69th British
+Regiment.</p>
+
+<p>The Battalions in this District, and upon whom the inhabitants had
+chiefly to depend, were the "<i>Huntingdon Borderers</i>" and the
+"<i>Hemmingford Rangers</i>," under their gallant commanders, Cols. McEachren
+and Rogers, and to whose valorous energy and that of the heroic officers
+and men under their charge, is the country in general deeply indebted.</p>
+
+<p>Thus ended the Fenian invasion of 1870. Providentially not one of the
+Canadian party received even the slightest injury. The volunteers were
+immediately recalled, and peace was restored to the country.</p>
+
+<p>Among those who took part in the action at Eccles' Hill was Fred
+Charlston. He returned to Montreal, bearing along with him as trophies
+of war, a Fenian coat, knapsack and rifle. So elated was he on the night
+of his return by his fortunate and glorious adventure, that he with
+several of his comrades got mortally drunk, so much so that he and two
+others had to be taken to the police station for safe keeping, where
+they remained until they became sobered off.</p>
+
+<p>Frederick being somewhat of a poet, composed the following song in honor
+of those Canadian Volunteers who were brought into action along the
+Border.</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i2">OUR BORDER VOLUNTEERS.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i2">All hail! our Border Volunteers,<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">All loyal, true and brave,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Who boldly faced the Fenian foe,<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">And spurn'd a coward's grave.<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">All hail to all those gallant chiefs,<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">Who stood the trying hour,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">And bravely led their heroes forth<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">To crush the Fenians' power.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i2"><i>Chorus.</i>&mdash;Our country's foe we need not dread,<br /></span>
+<span class="i15">When danger's hour appears,<br /></span>
+<span class="i13">While guarded by those gallant braves,<br /></span>
+<span class="i15">Our Border Volunteers.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i2">No menial soldier fills our ranks,<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">Nor yet a martial slave;<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">O'er free and independent men<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">Our banners proudly wave.<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">They are our country's stalwart sons,<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">Who love their home and hearth,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Who honour still their Fatherland,<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">And this which gave them birth.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i2"><i>Chorus.</i>&mdash;Our country's foe, &amp;c.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i2">'Tis not the savage thirst for blood<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">Which makes our heroes brave,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">'Tis not for conquest and renown<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">Their banners proudly wave.<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Their voice proclaims the love of peace,<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">To all an equal right,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">But mercy spurn'd by reckless foes<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">Empowers their sword of might.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i2"><i>Chorus.</i>&mdash;Our country's foes, &amp;c.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i2">Trout River's banks and Eccles' Hill,<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">Shall echo forth their fame,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">And thousands yet unborn will rise,<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">To shout our heroes' name.<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">They form the martial battlements<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">Of Canada's frontiers,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Those guardians of our household hearths,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">The Border Volunteers</span>.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i2"><i>Chorus.</i>&mdash;Our country's foes we need not dread,<br /></span>
+<span class="i15">When danger's hour appears,<br /></span>
+<span class="i13">While guarded by these gallant braves,<br /></span>
+<span class="i14"><i>Our Border Volunteers</i>.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The disturbance at Red River in the North-Western Territory, by the
+revolt of Riel and his accomplices was also at this time attracting the
+attention of the Canadian government. A force, consisting of regulars
+and volunteers, had already been organized; and was to be despatched
+immediately to Red River for the purpose of suppressing the
+Riel-Rebellion.</p>
+
+<p>The glory of warfare had aroused within the mind of Frederick Charlston
+a love for adventure and a spirit of Canadian patriotism: and feeling a
+desire to enlist as a roving soldier, he immediately, after his return
+to Montreal, departed for Toronto, head-quarters for the Battalions
+designed for Red River. A few healthy and well-disciplined volunteers
+were still wanted; and Fred, having passed an examination, was initiated
+into the ranks as a volunteer for Red River.</p>
+
+<p>On the evening previous to his departure he retired to his room; and
+having emptied a tumbler full of hot brandy punch, he sat down
+gloriously happy, and penned the following letter to his parents.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"Toronto, June 7th, 1870.</p>
+
+<p>"Dear Father and Mother,&mdash;As you may feel somewhat disposed by this
+time to relish a bit of my history in Canada, I now, for the first
+time, since I left home, lift my pen to address you. I shipped in
+the S. S. Moravian from Liverpool, to Portland, U.S., and during
+the voyage had to undergo the terrible ordeal of sea-sickness.
+However, I arrived at Montreal on the evening of Christmas last, as
+sound as a church bell. I found immediate employment in the city at
+six shillings per day. I am partially fond of this country and the
+inhabitants in general, with the exception of a sort of people
+named French Kanucks; but they are as harmless as a flock of sheep;
+and stand as mere cyphers in the ranks of society. Last winter I
+joined a company of city volunteers; and was present at an
+engagement with the Fenians at a place known as Eccles Hill, on the
+25th ultimo, of which affair you will have heard by the London
+papers. I went up boldly to the Front, and fought the Fenians like
+a tiger. I don't know how many I killed; but I feel certain that I
+must have annihilated quite a large number, as I fired away every
+cartridge I had. I brought back with me to Montreal a Fenian-coat,
+knapsack and rifle, &amp;c. Since my return I have been lionized by my
+officers and comrades for my daring exploits. The sun of fortune
+has already begun to shine upon me; and I have determined that my
+progress shall be in the ascendancy, until I arise to the very
+zenith of my glory. I have just enlisted myself as a volunteer to
+go over 2000 miles into the dense forests of Canada to fight the
+savages of the North-West at Red River. I leave to-morrow. The
+undertaking is gigantic, but the glory that shall arise therefrom
+shall be immeasurably greater. Be not surprised should you hear of
+me ere long being gazetted as commander of a battalion in the
+North-Western Territory. On my return, to England, if ever, I shall
+take my Fenian trophies along with me, and perhaps a few hundred of
+Indian scalps, &amp;c., as curiosities for my friends and old
+acquaintances.</p>
+
+<p>"Give my respects to none but those who inquire kindly about me. My
+love to the little '<i>chick</i>.' He may live to be yet proud of his
+father. I shall write again as soon as I get the savages disposed
+of."</p>
+
+<p>"Father, mother, sisters and brother, accept the expression of my
+love. Farewell, farewell."</p>
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Fred. Charlston.</span>"</p></div>
+
+<p>The volunteers for Red River were forwarded from Toronto to Collingwood;
+where they embarked on the steamers Algoma and Chigora; and proceeded
+300 miles to Thunder Bay, on Lake Superior; thence by land and water
+through a dense wilderness, several hundred miles, to Fort Garry, at Red
+River. A prodigious undertaking, indeed, involving a vast amount of
+labor and privation; nevertheless the majority of the troops endured it
+tolerably well. During the first two or three weeks Fred Charlston stood
+the hardships and inconveniences with a brave spirit, and enjoyed with
+good relish the rough life of the military pioneer; so much so that he
+gave expression to his patriotic feelings in the following song, which
+he and his associates frequently sung with great gusto:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Come now, my lads, we'll march along,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">And wave our banners high,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The savage herds in forest wilds<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Shall hear our battle-cry.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The distant realm before us lies,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">The road is rough and drear,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">O'er lake and stream thro' mountain wild<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Our martial course we'll steer.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i1"><i>Chorus.</i>&mdash;Then march along, my hearty lads,<br /></span>
+<span class="i14">And cheer your hearts with song,<br /></span>
+<span class="i12">The nation cheers the Volunteers<br /></span>
+<span class="i14">Who bravely march along.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">No scorching sun, no torrent shower,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">No toil, nor want of rest,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Has power to check that British pluck<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Which warms each loyal breast.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">No savage of the woods we dread,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Nor death, nor danger near,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">We are a nation's loyal sons<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Who spurn a coward's fear.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0"><i>Chorus.</i>&mdash;Then march along, &amp;c.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">That savage wretch with bloody hands,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Usurping in his might,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Shall keenly feel a nation's steel<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">That justifies its right.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">"<i>Revenge</i>" shall be our battle-cry,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Revenge the bloody foe:<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Fort Garry's walls with tongues of blood,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Shall echo back the blow.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0"><i>Chorus.</i>&mdash;Come march along, "my hearty lads,"<br /></span>
+<span class="i13">And shout the martial song.<br /></span>
+<span class="i11">The nation cheers the Volunteers<br /></span>
+<span class="i13">Who bravely march along.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+
+
+<p>I will now silently pass over the space of three months, and leave the
+reader to follow in imagination the adventures of our hero in the
+Red River Expedition;&mdash;and as an essential character in the sequel of
+this story I will now take the liberty of introducing myself.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>On a fine afternoon about the middle of September, 1870, I arrived at
+Kingston, Ontario, and took lodgings at the "City Hotel," where I
+intended to remain for a few days. I was then on a tour selling a
+poetical work which I had written, entitled: "<span class="smcap">The Canadian
+Minstrel</span>." After tea, that evening, I stepped up stairs to the
+sitting-room, and sat down to write a letter to my friends at home.
+Shortly afterwards, and while seated there alone, a young man entered
+the room.</p>
+
+<p>"I beg pardon, sir; I hope I'm not intruding," he exclaimed very
+politely as he entered.</p>
+
+<p>"No, not in the least, sir," said I. He then walked over to the sofa,
+and pulling out a newspaper from his pocket, sat down and began to
+peruse it. I resumed my pen; and when finished with my letter, I
+addressed him somewhat familiarly, and we entered into conversation,
+chiefly about the war which was then being carried on between France and
+Prussia. He was apparently intelligent; and although slightly reticent
+at first, became gradually more conversive and familiar.</p>
+
+<p>He appeared to be about 25 years of age, tall, and somewhat slender in
+figure; of keen a nervous temperament; with hair and moustache of a
+brownish color: features slightly prominent and very expressive. He was
+courteous in manners, and in general appearance, genteel and
+good-looking. His style of conversing was agreeable; his arguments
+pointed and logical; and his remarks, full of sympathetic sentiment,
+apparently the breathings of an impulsive moral nature. His countenance,
+although naturally expressive of energy, appeared slightly shadowed by
+an expression of sadness. Even in his manner and conversation there was
+a peculiar indication of deep thoughtfulness, tinged with melancholy.
+Respecting his own history he said nothing, nor did he ask anything
+about mine. I was however much interested in his company, and although
+strangers to each other, we passed a very pleasant evening together.</p>
+
+<p>At breakfast on the following morning he sat directly opposite to me. We
+saluted each other in a friendly manner, and occasionally exchanged a
+few sentences. Shortly after we had retired from the table he came
+forward and addressed me.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall bid you good bye, friend, for the present," said he, apparently
+in readiness to depart.</p>
+
+<p>"And so you are going to leave," said I. "I'm sorry I had not the
+pleasure of a longer acquaintance with you."</p>
+
+<p>"I leave for Toronto, where I shall remain a week or two. Should you be
+there shortly, please call at the 'Metropolitan Hotel,' and ask for me,
+I shall be happy to see you," said he, handing me a card with his name
+thereon.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, sir, I will be happy to do so," said I: and having heartily
+shaken hands together as a mutual token of courtesy and good-will, he
+departed.</p>
+
+<p>As I was desirous of attending the Annual Provincial Show, to be held at
+Toronto during the first week of October following, I passed all the
+intermediate towns on the line of railway, and arrived in that city a
+few days previous.</p>
+
+<p>The evening after my arrival I strolled over to the Metropolitan to see
+the stranger referred to. He recognized me at once, and was apparently
+happy to see me. Although our previous acquaintance had been incidental
+and but of short duration, we felt on meeting again as if we had been
+old friends. He invited me to the sitting room; and we passed a few very
+agreeable hours together. On leaving I requested him to spend the
+following evening with me at the hotel at which I was staying. He
+complied therewith; and during his further stay of one week in the city
+our interviews were of daily occurrence.</p>
+
+<p>During the following week the city was crowded to its utmost capacity;
+and the streets presented a gay and lively appearance, owing to the
+great influx of visitors to the Exhibition. In company with my friend I
+visited the "Show Grounds." Every department of the Arts and
+Agriculture, &amp;c., were well represented, showing the vast progress and
+developments of the Province of Ontario.</p>
+
+<p>The day of the closing of the Exhibition my friend specially invited me
+to his room to spend the evening. During our previous interviews he had
+said but little respecting himself. I noticed, however, that something
+was deeply affecting his mind; and that he was apparently desirous of
+making it known to me. But it was not until this evening that he, in
+compliance with my wishes, gave me the history of his past career: the
+greater part of which is narrated in the foregoing chapters of this
+story: the remainder I will now give in his own words; for, gentle
+reader, be it known that this person was none other than Frederick
+Charlston, with whom you are already acquainted.</p>
+
+<p>"During the first part of the journey to Red River," said he, "I endured
+the hardships and fatigues tolerably well; but the encamping out every
+night upon the cold earth: the incessant labor; the hard marches over a
+rough road, and under a broiling sun, at length became too oppressive.
+Oftentimes I felt, as it were, unable to proceed a step further; but my
+proud spirit with a stern determination of will, exerted every possible
+energy, and I continued day after day to plod along with my foot-sore
+and way-worn companions. Our fatigues were however occasionally relieved
+by a general rest for a few days. But before one third of the journey
+had been completed I was seized one night with a severe attack of
+illness.</p>
+
+<p>"The day had been excessively hot; the commander wishing to get forward
+that evening to certain grounds favorable for one week's encampment had
+recourse to what might be termed a forced march. Many of the soldiers
+suffered from the effects thereof; I was prostrated at once by a severe
+billious attack, accompanied with chills and fever, and also diarrhea;
+and when the companies resumed their march, I was unable to proceed with
+them.</p>
+
+<p>"The evening previous to the general move the doctor made a special
+visit to my tent.</p>
+
+<p>"'My young friend,' said he, as he entered, 'I have come to leave you
+some medicine as I must move with the army at an early hour to-morrow
+morning. Your health, although progressing rapidly, will not permit you
+to undertake the journey, at least for one week. However, you will be
+provided with necessaries, &amp;c. The Captain has appointed a couple of
+honest Indians to remain and take care of you: and who will serve as
+guides when you are ready to depart. But my special injunction
+is&mdash;"<i>Take good care of yourself</i>," otherwise you will never reach
+Red River.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Indeed, doctor, I'm afraid I shall never be able to resume the
+journey,' said I.</p>
+
+<p>"'It would have been much better for you had you not undertaken it at
+first.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Experience teaches fools,' I exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"'Yes, and the wisest of wise men too,' added the doctor, with a sly
+wink.</p>
+
+<p>"'I regret very much the course I have taken,' said I; 'I am now
+suffering the experience of my reckless folly. Were it possible to have
+an opportunity of living my past years over again agreeably to my
+wishes, I assure you, doctor, I would never make a second journey to
+Canada, nor go to Red River either; I would make England my home for
+ever. However, since I have undertaken this exodus, I hope I shall be
+able to complete it.'</p>
+
+<p>"'It is my opinion,' said the doctor, 'that your physical constitution,
+inexperienced as it has been to a life like this, will not be able to
+stand the fatigues; and even after a month's rest, I dread the
+consequences, as the hardships yet to be endured are tenfold greater
+than those you have undergone.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Then what shall I do, doctor? Must I live and die alone in this
+wilderness?' said I.</p>
+
+<p>"'Under the present circumstances, I think,' said he, 'your resignation
+will be immediately accepted. If so remain here for the present under
+charge of your attendants. In the course of a week or so, a gang of
+Indians will pass here on their way to Thunder Bay for provisions. They
+can convey you a great portion of the way by canoe; thence you can
+effect your course back to Toronto, or to England if you choose, much
+easier indeed than going the remainder of the journey to Red River.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Well doctor,' said I, 'I shall comply with your orders.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Then I shall attend to the matter at once,' said the doctor, and
+immediately withdrew. In about an hour afterwards he returned,
+accompanied with several officers. The doctor's request was acquiesced
+with, and I received my discharge. The commander on leaving placed $30
+in my hand, wishing me better health and a safe journey back to Toronto.
+No sooner had they left than I began to breathe more freely the air of
+liberty. I felt like a prisoner when liberated from his shackled bonds.
+I was no longer a mercenary. I was indeed exalted above the ranks, <i>and
+felt myself once more as a man</i>:&mdash;And wherefore, may I ask? Let my
+spirit echo the answer.</p>
+
+<p>"The novelty and the romance of adventure had lost their charms.
+Military glory had faded under the stern reality of circumstances.
+Sickness had dimmed the ardor of my soul. Home-longings had clustered
+around my heart: and I then felt as it were for the time being a
+happiness in disappointment, and an independence in my liberty.</p>
+
+<p>"My companions were indeed sorry to part with me: and before leaving
+presented me with many tokens of their affections. I felt the loneliness
+of a saddened heart when they were gone. The Indians were however kind,
+and faithful in their duties towards me. Under their care my health and
+vigor improved rapidly; so much so, that I felt sufficiently able to go
+with the returning Indians to Thunder Bay. I stood the travel much
+better than I anticipated. On the 27th day of August I arrived safely in
+this city, but much exhausted by the fatigues of the journey.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas! thought I. What a change of prospects! What a revulsion in
+circumstances! I left here as a proud follower of Mars, clothed in
+scarlet and fine linen like the Kings of Babylon, and blowing up the
+tinsel'd bubble of military glory, amid the beating of drums, the
+blowing of trumpets, and the cheers of an excited populace. But alas! I
+returned in silence, as a simple man of experience, covered in
+sackcloth, exhausted in body, disappointed in mind, without friends,
+without a home, and with comparatively meagre funds. It was then that
+the last words of my dear father to me came rushing upon my soul, and
+adding sorrow to the feelings of my heart. Humiliating as my
+circumstances were, more deeply affecting to my mind was the
+ever-present remembrance of a dream which I dreamt on the night previous
+to my departure from Chipenega, the place where I remained during my
+illness. I dreamt that I was again residing in Montreal, that I had
+retired to my room for the night, and was projecting the design of going
+to the Rocky Mountains to dig for gold: and felt excited by the idea
+that when I had accumulated a million I would return to England a
+gentleman of fortune. But my night visions, like my day dreams, were
+doomed to vanish in disappointment: for at that moment when my soul was
+elated with the prospect, and my heart throbbing big with joy, I was
+startled by a light suddenly shining around me; and on looking about I
+beheld a woman entering the room and approaching where I lay. Her
+countenance, though pale, shone with a peculiar brightness. A long robe,
+white as the snow, hung loosely around her, and sandals were upon her
+feet. I was amazed at the appearance at first sight: but after a
+momentary gaze I recognized in her features the expression of my own
+mother.</p>
+
+<p>"'Oh, mother! my dear mother!' I shouted as she approached, quickly
+raising myself up from my couch.</p>
+
+<p>"'Frederick, my son Frederick,' she exclaimed taking hold of my hand in
+her own, and kissing me affectionately. 'I have come to take my farewell
+of you, my dear son, as I am ready to depart on a long journey and will
+not again see you on earth. Around my poor body your father, brother,
+sisters, and other relatives are at this very moment sobbing in tears,
+while in spirit I am here present with you. My time on earth is limited
+to seconds. My words are therefore few. My injunctions are these,&mdash;I
+hope you will comply with them. Repent of your wickedness and folly.
+Abstain from intoxicating liquors and evil company. Live a righteous
+life. Return at once to England, and seal those bonds of a life-union
+with Clara, whom you have unjustly wronged. Promise me, my son, to do
+these things and I shall depart in peace.'</p>
+
+<p>"I was so overcome and bewildered at that moment that I could say
+nothing more than simply to whisper,&mdash;'<i>Mother, I shall try to do so</i>.'
+She then kissed me; bade me good-bye; and on wings of light instantly
+soared out of the room, leaving it in darkness again. I was so awfully
+impressed at this moment that I awoke suddenly. It appeared to me to be
+more of a waking reality than a dream. From that time until the present
+moment it has preyed heavily upon my feelings. Again and again have I
+tried to eradicate the impression, but every effort has only had a
+tendency to rivet it the more firmly to my mind, until it has at length
+assumed the aspect of a reality. I fear my apprehensions are too true;
+however I trust to Providence that my dream was nothing more than a
+baseless emanation of fancy. The evening after my arrival in Toronto
+from the Red River expedition I wrote a letter to my parents, and also
+one to a cousin of my own residing in London. I stated the circumstances
+which compelled me to return from the expedition; that the doctor had
+advised me to go back to England, as the Canadian climate was not
+suitable for my constitution; and that I purposed being in London to
+spend the Christmas holidays with my friends. Neither did I forget to
+mention the anxiety I felt about my child; nor did I neglect to express
+my intention of paying an affectionate compliment to its mother on my
+return. I desired my friends to reply immediately on receiving my
+letters. Nearly five weeks have elapsed since I wrote, but no answer has
+been received yet. I however expect something by the next English mail.
+I am living in suspense; a dreadful feeling indeed to endure. Had my
+health and means permitted, I would have gone directly to England on my
+return from the expedition. Instead thereof I sent the letters referred
+to, and having rested in this city a couple of weeks, I went down to
+Kingston to visit an old acquaintance who had emigrated thither a few
+years ago; but when I arrived there I discovered with disappointment
+that he had recently removed to the State of Minnesota. It was then,
+sir, that I had the pleasure of meeting with you. Your kindness and
+familiarity on that occasion, and also since, have been as medicine to
+my soul. I have considered you as a genial and sympathetic friend. I
+have told you the history of my past career. I trust to God that my
+future will be characterised with less unfortunate events, but with
+deeds more worthy of being told. I feel, and I know that I have been the
+author of my own wretchedness and folly. I have wasted my time, my
+money, and my energies in dissipation. I have feasted my conceited
+fancies upon glory as light and transient as the flying gossamer: and
+besides all this, I have done injustice to my parents&mdash;to my child&mdash;and
+to her who gave it birth. I have wronged her with cruel heart, a heart
+that has recoiled upon itself, and now stings its own affections in the
+madness of remorse. But worse than all, I have done injustice to my
+Maker. I have mocked at His mercy. I have insulted His dignity. I have
+trampled upon His laws. <i>Oh! miserable wretch that I have been!</i>
+However, I have resolved to live a better life. I trust to God that
+through His divine power I shall be enabled to abstain from intoxicating
+liquor and evil company."</p>
+
+<p>"I intend returning to England in December next," continued Frederick,
+after a few moments silence. "Yesterday I met with a gentleman who
+formerly belonged to London, and with whom I was somewhat acquainted. He
+is now a resident of Hamilton, some 50 miles from here, and does a large
+business as an upholsterer. He offered me immediate employment, at $1.50
+per day. I have engaged with him for two months, at the expiration of
+which time, if health permit, I will ship myself for England. So that no
+time may be lost I shall leave for Hamilton to-morrow morning, to be
+ready to commence work on Monday.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, sir, as you intend remaining in Toronto for a week or two you will
+indeed favor me by calling at the Post-Office, especially when the next
+English Mail arrives, and any letters or newspapers addressed to me,
+please forward immediately."</p>
+
+<p>I promised faithfully to do so:&mdash;and having thanked him for his favors I
+bade him good-bye for the present, expressing a wish that I would find
+him in a happier state of feelings at our next interview.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+
+
+<p>Having returned to the hotel at which I was staying I retired
+immediately to bed. I slept but little during the night, my fancy having
+been kept awake by the expressive interview of the preceding evening.
+The eventful narrative of Frederick Charlston's career was ever present
+to my mind, producing feelings akin to those of an experienced reality.
+But the most striking characteristic was the singular dream to which I
+have alluded. Dreams in general are nothing more than the echoes of the
+soul, or the breathings of imagination when the consciousness of the
+mind is in a latent state. Some dreams however, may be the productions
+of a spiritual agency photographing as it were through the electric
+telegraph of the soul the impressions of the real event upon the mind of
+the person who is absent, causing strange forebodings to loom up in the
+horizon of imagination. Be this as it may, it is a well known fact, that
+dreams have been occasionally verified. Thousands of them, however, are
+by the dreamer construed to suit circumstances. But the millions of
+these visions that arise nightly from the bed-chambers of the world are
+nothing more than the flickerings of the mind, at random, and like
+vapor, arising into the atmosphere of the soul, frequently assuming a
+variety of fantastic forms as a metamorphoses of preconceived ideas.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately on hearing of the arrival of the English Mail I hurried down
+to the Post-Office, and inquired of the gentleman in attendance if there
+were anything for Frederick Charlston. Shuffling over a pile of letters
+he drew one out and handed it to me. It was mounted with deep mourning,
+and heavily sealed with black sealing wax. I was startled at the
+appearance thereof. I took but a momentary gaze and requested him to
+forward it by the next mail to Hamilton. I felt an anxious curiosity to
+know the contents of the Black-Sealed Letter. I felt certain that some
+of Frederick's relatives had recently died. The aspect of his dream more
+forcibly impressed itself upon my mind. But let a few days more pass
+away, and the mystery will be solved.</p>
+
+<p>At the end of the second week after this occurrence I went up to
+Hamilton: and shortly after my arrival called upon the Upholsterer. He
+told me that Frederick had not been at the workshop during the past few
+days, owing to an attack of illness. He directed me to the hotel at
+which Frederick was boarding. I went there, and was by the innkeeper
+shown into a bedroom, in which he was reclining upon a couch reading a
+newspaper. On seeing me he sprang forward and grasped my hand
+affectionately in his own, and began sobbing aloud, the tears gushing
+from his eyes. For a few seconds I stood motionless in sad bewilderment
+of mind, feeling assured that something of a serious nature had
+occurred. At length I ventured to express a desire to know what had
+happened. He then drew from his pocket a letter, and handed it to me. I
+recognized it at once as the "<i>Black-Sealed-Letter</i>." I opened it with
+trembling hand, and read as follows:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"London, England, Sept. 20th, 1870.</p>
+
+<p>"Dear Cousin Frederick.&mdash;I received your letter of the 28th ultimo on
+the 18th inst., and was sorry indeed to hear of your illness, from
+which I hope you have completely recovered. It gives me pleasure
+however to know that you will again be amongst us. No doubt you will
+feel happy to see your old friends again. But short as the time has
+been since you left, you will find on your return that eventful changes
+have taken place. Our life on earth is only a struggle with itself, too
+frequently surrounded with adverse circumstances, that are prolific
+with sad events, and gloomy with suffering and disappointment. And were
+it not that the Star of Bethlehem still shines in the firmament of
+Heaven the glory of this world would transmit but a dim light upon the
+soul of the Christian life. Then be prepared, my dear friend, to endure
+the ills of adversity with a noble heart. Although a dark shadow may
+fall suddenly upon your earthly vision, at once direct your eyes in
+faith towards the Star of Celestial Glory; and the light of Heaven will
+dispel the darkness, even, were it the shadow of Death.</p>
+
+<p>"You desired of me to give particular information respecting Clara
+Hazeldon. In accordance with your request I suppose I must do so.
+Through disappointment, in hoping against hope, she became low
+spirited, and failed considerably in health; and, on hearing of your
+intended adventure in the Red River expedition, relinquished every hope
+of your return, and shortly afterwards became the wife of Charles
+Holstrom.</p>
+
+<p>"Your child is still in your father's family, and is a
+bright-eyed-healthy-looking boy, resembling you very much indeed. At
+the request of your relatives, but with considerable reluctance on
+my part, I now undertake to inform you of an event which has recently
+occurred in your own family. They consider it better to make it known
+to you by letter than allow the reality unexpectedly to force itself
+upon your mind at your return.</p>
+
+<p>"On the 20th day of July last, your mother, by a fall down the
+stairway, unfortunately got one of her limbs broken. It was considered
+necessary to have it amputated. Mortification set in shortly
+afterwards, eventually proving fatal. At an early hour on the morning
+of the 25th, only five days after the occurrence, your dear mother
+breathed her last, surrounded by her weeping relatives. She was
+sensible to within a few hours of her death. Her dying words conferred
+a blessing upon you. She died happy, and with full assurance of a
+blessed immortality.</p>
+
+<p>"Striking as this announcement must be to your mind, I trust that with
+the help of God you will be enabled to bear up under the severe
+affliction. Sooner or later we must all die; and by what means we know
+not. Then let this event be another warning to us to prepare
+effectually for our exit to eternity. May God bless you, my dear
+friend. May Christ be your spiritual Physician, to pour the Balm of
+Gilead upon your troubled soul; and through Divine power may you ere
+long be conducted back in health and safety to your old home.</p>
+
+<p>"Your friends join in expressing their love to you.</p>
+
+<p>"I remain, dear Frederick, your affectionate cousin.</p>
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">William A. Thornton</span>."</p></div>
+
+<p>Appended to the above letter was the following note from Eliza,
+Frederick's eldest sister:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"London, Sept. 20th, 1870.</p>
+
+<p>"My Dear Brother,&mdash;The sad events that have occurred since your
+departure have thrown a deep gloom over our household. The death of
+our dear mother has almost broken our hearts. I hope in God you will be
+enabled to endure the severe affliction. Call upon Christ, and he will
+assist you to bear up your weight of sorrow. It is some comfort however
+to know that mother died the happy death of a Christian. I trust her
+spirit is now reaping the heavenly harvest of her spiritual labors upon
+earth. Father is terribly changed since her death. I thought he would
+assuredly die under the heavy affliction. No doubt your absence has had
+a tendency to augment his grief. He has become fearfully melancholy,
+and of late has had recourse to drinking. I dread the consequences;
+therefore I intreat you to come home as soon as possible. Perhaps your
+influence may have a soothing effect upon his mind; and prevent him
+from further indulgence.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, how glad we shall all feel, even in our sorrow, to see you again,
+dear brother. Richard has turned out to be a fine boy; you will be
+happy to see him. Cousin William has acquainted you with other facts.
+Trust to God for the consolation of your mind. We all join in love to
+you. With a heavy heart and in tears I have written these few lines.
+I am, dear brother, your affectionate sister.</p>
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Eliza Charlston.</span>"</p></div>
+
+<p>"These are sad news indeed," said I, returning the letter to Frederick.</p>
+
+<p>"Very, very sad, indeed, almost insufferable!" said he.</p>
+
+<p>Having paused for a few moments he continued. "My dream has been
+forcibly verified. How overwhelming is the reality that my poor mother
+is no more. Had I been present when she died it would have given some
+consolation to my soul. But, oh! to think of the manner in which I fled
+from her presence, and also from my happy home: to think of the
+sufferings both mentally and physically she must have endured: to think
+of the unfortunate circumstances of her death; to think that I, her
+favorite son, was absent in her dying hours, without an opportunity of
+confessing my errors and asking her forgiveness: to think of these
+alone, is sufficient to break my very heart. Nor is this all. She to
+whose loving heart I pledged my affections as a bond of an eternal
+union, has become the life-companion of another. But I reproach her not
+for so doing. She was faithful; I alone was false. She had hoped against
+hope; and not until she had despaired of my return did she seek out a
+help-mate and home for herself. It is only another unfortunate
+circumstance of my life. I feel deeply the wound it has inflicted; but I
+will not avenge it. My life is apparently a life of troubles, and like
+Job of old I am ready to curse the day of my birth. I, myself, may be
+the author of it all; but it seems to me that some demon, like the evil
+spirit of King Saul, has taken possession of life's-citadel, and strews
+my pathway with pandoric ills."</p>
+
+<p>"My dear sir, I do really sympathise with you in your affliction," said
+I. "But under such trying circumstances confide in God and he will be
+your friend indeed."</p>
+
+<p>"But for me there is no Balm in Gilead: there is no physician there," he
+exclaimed. "As a fallen sinner I again sought for balm in the Vineyard
+of Satan. I had recourse to the demon-wizard of intoxication, and drank
+from his enchanted bowl. It was impossible to live and do otherwise; for
+elsewhere I could find no consolation for my grief. I drank deeply for
+two days and two nights after having received the letter. I then resumed
+my work: and with a saddened heart and a weakened constitution, labored
+until three days ago, when, I again broke the bonds of my resolutions.
+To-day I am sobering off myself: and when my bottle is emptied of its
+contents, <i>I shall drink no more</i>."</p>
+
+<p>Saying this, he took from his trunk a bottle half-full with liquor.</p>
+
+<p>"Look here," said he. "You see how short a distance is now between me
+and total-abstinence. But, my dear friend, I will not insult your
+feelings by tasting of it in your presence."</p>
+
+<p>Therewith he returned the bottle to its place. In answer to my enquiries
+he stated that he still intended to return to England in December, and
+for that purpose had resolved to economise his time and means, and never
+taste of liquor again.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah," said he, "liquor and evil company have been my ruin. Through the
+influence of bad companions I first broke the pledge when at Tiverton:
+and by doing so at that time, I upset all my projected designs. I have
+been re-building and upsetting ever since; but somehow my superstructure
+appears to have no solid basis. However, I am determined to try once
+more and make amends for the past."</p>
+
+<p>I told him that I intended in the course of a few days to go on as far
+as New London, and would be absent at least a month. I would then return
+by way of Hamilton, and accompany him as far as Montreal, on my way
+home: it being about the time he purposed leaving for England. He
+appeared to be delighted with the idea of so doing, and heartily thanked
+me for the kindness I shewed towards him.</p>
+
+<p>On the following morning he resumed his work apparently with renewed
+cheerfulness and vigor; and during the ten days I remained in Hamilton
+he improved rapidly in both body and spirit. We met together every
+evening and passed an hour or two very pleasantly, and I may add,
+profitably. He never once tasted of liquor during that time; but seemed
+more determined than ever to resist its temptation. I advised him to
+remove to some private boarding house; where he would be less exposed to
+the influence of liquor and evil company: but he seemed unwilling to
+comply therewith on account of his intended removal in so short a time.
+On the morning of that day on which I left Hamilton I called at the
+shop, where he was vigorously at work. On bidding him good-bye, I
+expressed a wish that he would remain true to the principle of
+total-abstinence, entreating him to supplicate Divine aid to enable him
+to do so.</p>
+
+<p>"There may be some breakers ahead" said he, "but I think I can steer in
+the right course now."</p>
+
+<p>Then bidding each other good bye, we parted&mdash;<i>never to meet again on
+earth</i>.</p>
+
+<p>On my return to Hamilton I called at the hotel and requested to see
+Frederick Charlston.</p>
+
+<p>"O, he's gone, sir," abruptly ejaculated the innkeeper.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Gone, sir!</i>" said I. "Where, and when did he go?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, all I can say about him, is that he went off to his grave about a
+week ago," he replied.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean to say that Frederick Charlston is dead?" said I.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, yes, sir," said he, "the fellow's as flat as a board now."</p>
+
+<p>"What was the cause of his death?" I inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"Drinking more whiskey than he was able to hold, so he sprang a leak and
+sank, cargo and all," he replied, jokingly, with a humorous grin,
+endeavouring to be witty at the expense of his victim.</p>
+
+<p>This unexpected intelligence struck me so forcibly that for several
+seconds I stood motionless and bewildered. I then walked away with a
+sorrowful heart indeed. I could scarcely give credence to the
+announcement until it was confirmed by the upholsterer whom I called
+upon, and who related the following circumstances connected with the
+death of poor unfortunate Frederick Charlston.</p>
+
+<p>"Two weeks ago last Thursday night," said he, "a couple of fast youths
+who were carousing merrily at the hotel, persuaded Frederick to take a
+sip with them. But one taste was sufficient to rouse up the evil spirit
+again within his bosom. He drank deeply that night and for two days
+continued his carousal; but was at length turned out upon the street by
+the innkeeper for disturbing the necessitated quietness of the Saturday
+night. He found his way to the woodshed, where he laid himself down and
+fell asleep. In about two hours he awoke shivering with cold; and was
+ultimately admitted into the hotel. Next morning he was in a feverish
+state, and confined to bed. Towards evening his condition became more
+alarming, and a messenger was sent for me. I hurried thither, and
+procured a doctor immediately. Had it been prudent to do so, I would
+have removed him at once to my own house; however, I did all for him
+that I possibly could do! My wife and I in turn sat by his bedside and
+watched over him with tender care. But all was in vain. His fever
+continued to increase and he became delirious. At times he would startle
+up wildly from his couch, shouting frantically as if in the agonies of
+horror, frequently calling and in pitiable and heart-rending tones upon
+his mother to forgive him: and to come and help him out of the horrible
+pit into which he had fallen, &amp;c. &amp;c. But the scene during those moments
+was too appalling to admit of further description. Finally he became
+calm, and sank into a peaceful slumber from which he never awoke on
+earth. On the morning of the fifth day of his illness, November 30th, he
+breathed his last, and his spirit passed away forever into the regions
+of eternity.</p>
+
+<p>"Poor Frederick, he is gone. My heart is saddened by his death!"
+continued he, apparently much affected. "With all his faults he had a
+noble soul. Poor fellow! he is gone now. I gave him a decent burial. I
+wrote to his father informing him of his son's death; but modified the
+circumstances connected therewith; however, it will be sad intelligence
+indeed."</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>The history of Frederick Charlston is now told. His career was brief. It
+is however pregnant with unfortunate events, and contains excellent
+material for moral reflection. It is in itself a lesson for the young
+and the inexperienced, showing the sad results of a self-willed
+confidence, the love of vain-glory in adventure, the yielding of moral
+principles to gratify the desire of either oneself or that of
+others:&mdash;and worse than all, the sacrificing of the nobler attributes of
+human nature to the insidious wiles of evil society and intoxicating
+liquor. Millions of young men, as moral and as self-confident as
+Frederick Charlston, have been physically and morally ruined as he was.
+Once yielding a little to immoral influence gives the first impetus to a
+downward tendency. Continue to repeat it, and the inertia becomes
+stronger, and the descent more easy.</p>
+
+<p>"I see no harm in a social glass with a friend," cries one.</p>
+
+<p>"Let cold-water-fanatics preach until doomsday and hurl their anathemas
+against inebriates," exclaims another, "but they never shall prevent me
+from taking my occasional glass."</p>
+
+<p>"Nor I," says a third. "An occasional glass with a companion is the very
+life-spring of social nature. It assimilates one mind with another. It
+dispels sadness, and invigorates both soul and body. It opens up the
+fountains of the heart, and joy gushes out, sparkling with wit and
+melody. Wherefore then should I deprive myself of those blessings, on
+purpose to gratify the whims of some cold-water quack? Wherefore then
+should I bind my liberties with a pledge as a safe-guard to prevent me
+from becoming a drunkard? If other men have been foolish enough to allow
+themselves to become drunkards by abusing one of the precious gifts of
+nature, is that sufficient reason that I should not drink? I think not.
+I am no drunkard, nor shall I become one; therefore I will do as I
+please with my own liberty and independence."</p>
+
+<p>Such is indeed the false philosophy of too many moderate drinkers. No
+man is a confirmed drunkard at once. It is by degrees that men generally
+become inebriates. "Take but a glass," says the recruiting sergeant of
+Bacchus, "it will do you no harm." But one glass is but the starting
+point. It is the magnet that attracts material akin to itself. What a
+world of degradation has been generated by this nucleus of intemperance.</p>
+
+<p>Intoxicating liquor is indeed the most prolific source of wretchedness
+and crime. It has been and still is the greatest curse to humanity. It
+is the curse of curses. The grave is filled with its wrecks. The fire of
+hell is fed by its fuel. Millions upon millions of human beings has it
+hurled down to the blackest regions of eternity. How daring then must
+that man be;&mdash;how utterly lost to every principle of morality, who would
+hazard an assertion in favor of intoxicating drinks as a source of
+benefit to mankind. The universal evidence of all ages would be against
+him. The horrid shrieks of suffering humanity would denounce his
+arguments. Millions of grinning skeletons, blackened with every crime
+(if permitted) would startle forth from their infernal dungeons; and in
+myriads of drunkards' graves the rattling of dry bones would be heard:
+Yea, even hell, its very self, bloated with the souls of inebriates,
+would groan with indignation. Nay, call it not happiness that sparkles
+in the eye of the rum-drinker and softens his heart and tongue into
+kindred sympathy with each other. Happiness arises not from the
+flickerings of the brain when heated by the reeking fumes of the liquor
+glass. Nor does it arise from the fervid impulses of the heart when
+excited by the steaming vapors of the rum bowl. Neither does it exist in
+the fluctuating feelings of animal nature when stimulated into action by
+the demon-spirit of the brandy bottle. Nor does happiness consist in the
+wild revelry of human beings, like madmen, recklessly sporting their
+fantastic tricks around the unhallowed altar of Bacchus. Nay, term it
+not happiness, call it rather by the name of insanity.</p>
+
+<p>In conclusion, if any of my readers are addicted to intemperance, or
+take only an occasional glass, with a friend, let me entreat of you to
+consider this momentous subject: to crush the bottle-serpent ere its
+fangs have pierced you fatally to the heart; and at once and forever, to
+dash the accursed bowl to the earth.</p>
+
+<p>Once more, I earnestly entreat of you to pause and reflect. Think of the
+countless millions of human beings who have been utterly ruined soul and
+body forever by intemperance; think of the immeasurable mass of
+wretchedness and crime arising therefrom. Think of your present
+condition and your eternal future; and remember also that <i>every man</i>,
+even in his greatest strength is but a fallable creature; and finally my
+dear readers I ask of you to consider seriously the life, career and
+death of poor unfortunate Frederick Charlston.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Finis.</span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="By_the_same_author" id="By_the_same_author"></a>By the same author</h2>
+
+
+
+<p>The foregoing story is the first of a series entitled&mdash;"<span class="smcap">Tales for
+Canadian Homes</span>;" the others will appear in serial form in the
+columns of the <i>Canadian Garland</i>, a Weekly Newspaper, which the author
+intends to establish shortly, in the Village of Durham, Ormstown, County
+of Chateauguay, P. Q.</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">ANDREW L. SPEDON,<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">St. Jean Chrysostom,<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">Chateauguay Co., P.Q.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>The Poetic Wreath.</h2>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+<h3>LIFE'S STRUGGLE.</h3>
+
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Our life is but a struggle here,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">'Mid good and ill, 'twixt hope and fear,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Thro' dang'rous channels oft we steer,<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">With reckless force;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">But self-made ills make life's career<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">A rougher course.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">The world is but a human hive;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">To keep the varied swarm alive,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Its working bees must toil and strive,<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">While others feast.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The lazy drones appear to thrive,<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">Yet work the least.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">The world appears a battle-field,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The stronger rule, the weaker yield,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The golden nerves too often wield<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">The power which leads,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">While justice' scales are oft conceal'd<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">By selfish deeds.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Yet still we strive midst hopes and fears,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">With pleasure's smiles and sorrow's tears,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And tho' our bustling life appears<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">A transient breath,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">It seems possess'd of endless years<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">'Twixt us and death.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">The poor man toils for daily bread;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">By him the rich are clothed and fed,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Yet life's to them a greater dread,<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">Or idle pest,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Their downy couch too oft a bed<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">Of sleepless rest.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">How many a life's an idle waste,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Its destined glory seems disgraced,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Its vile possessor has defaced<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">The man divine,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">That not a single mark is traced<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">Of God's design.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Man's but a child, a restless boy,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">His life a game, the world his toy,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">He strives for something to enjoy<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">Unjoy'd before,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Tho' vicious tastes and passions cloy<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">He longs for more.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">The lust for gold, the love of fame,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The baser passions oft inflame,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And blindly masks the honest name<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">Of moral worth,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">When life exceeds no higher aim<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">Than this vile earth.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+
+<span class="i0">Our souls the golden god inspires,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And feeds the life-destroying fires,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Until the fevered heart desires<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">With selfish greed,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">More than it actually requires<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">For nature's need.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Life's hardest ills its spirit braves,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">O'er mountain-crags and ocean-waves,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Then make ourselves the worst of slaves,<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">A slave to self,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">To satisfy the thirst that craves<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">For yellow pelf.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">The golden wand with magic art<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Throws out the power to charm the heart,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">But ah, we feel its bitter smart<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">When selfish greed<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Has robb'd from life that better part<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">We so much need.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Alas, when gold absorbs our cares<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Life's wheels get dry, the axle wears,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And heavier grows the load it bears,<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">And faster driven,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Its very dust defiles the prayers<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">We send to heaven.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Life's chariot wheels revolve with speed,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Yet faster still we urge our steed,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And scarcely slack the reins to feed<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">Or ease its breath,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The journey seems but short indeed,<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">When closed in death.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">We haste it on with worldly care,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Oppressive toil, and meagre fare,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">While sin and self-indulgence wear<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">Our chariot wheels<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Increasing still the load they bear,<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">With countless ills.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">How discontented life appears,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">By every wind its compass veers,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Our hopes are tarnish'd by the fears<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">Of fancied ill,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Even tho' the sun of Fortune cheers,<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">We grumble still.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">But why complain for everything<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">That gives our life a random sting;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Altho' we shift our tether-string<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">To please our will,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">We'll always find the change will bring<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">Both good and ill.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Then why should we contract our sight<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">When life turns down the side that's bright<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The blast that blows us ills to-night,<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">With cankering sorrow.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">May cheer the clouds which shade the light<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">That shines to-morrow.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'Tis better then to be content,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Altho' we are not worth a cent;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Our precious hours when wisely spent<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">Are still the best,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">For nature's ills are never sent<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">To be a pest.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">And let it never be our creed,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">That when we do an evil deed,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">To think that penance can succeed,<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">To cancel sin;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">We pluck the fruit, but still the seed<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">Remains within.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">But may we daily strive to win<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">That happy world which knows no sin,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">'Tis on the heaven we form within<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">Our bliss depends,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Where life celestial shall begin,<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">Which never ends.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+<h3>INDIAN SUMMER.</h3>
+
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">While winter in the dreary North<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Lies crouching ready to leap forth,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">In "<i>Indian Summer</i>" doth appear<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The gentle seasons of the year.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">As if they came to shed their bloom<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Around their excavated tomb,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">To hold their parting interview,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And bid their native world adieu.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">The leaves that linger on the trees<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Are smiling in the sunny breeze,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And chanting forth with holy breath<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The mournful requiem of their death.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">The desert-fields, tho' bleak and bare,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Seem lovely through the sun-lit air;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The very shades are glowing bright<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Beneath the golden mellow light.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Rejoicing in their freedom still,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">On cultured field and pastur'd hill,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The cattle crops the fading grass,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And bless the moments as they pass.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">The ploughman and his trusty team<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">More happy and contented seem,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">From golden rays the furrow'd field<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">A golden harvest yet may yield.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">From bough to bough in yonder wood<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The squirrel frisks in happy mood,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">While searching round in hopes to find<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">That some few nuts are left behind.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">The summer-birds that yearly fly<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">To yonder Southern sunny sky,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Are hovering round on lingering wing,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And fancy 'tis returning Spring.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">While these sweet hours are gliding by,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">How calmly smiles the solemn sky,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">With golden hues of radiance bright,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">As if it were the cream of light.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">It seems as if an angel's wing<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Had wafted back the breath of Spring,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">To animate the ling'ring breath<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Of Autumn on the bed of death.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Or from the rays of heavenly dews<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Had gilt the earth in rainbow hues,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And o'er the sky so gently flung<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The air that once o'er Eden hung.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'Tis but the calm before the storm;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The flush of earth's consumptive form;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The hopeful smile, the fever'd breath,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Before the stern approach of death.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+<h3>THE SHADOW OF THE HOUSEHOLD.</h3>
+
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">There is a sympathy in love<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">We bear for those who mourn,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Whose shadows of departed joys<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">With every thought return.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">'Tis hard to stem the stream of grief<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">That floods the parents' heart<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">When death unvails embosom'd hopes,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">And throws its fatal dart.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">The nursling of a mother's love,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">That nestles on her breast,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Is but a life, celestial gift,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">By God's own seal impress'd.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And when its prattling lips rejoice<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">In innocent delight<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The parents' love and cherish'd hope,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">With tenfold power unite.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Anticipated prospects rise<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">From hope's enchanted dreams,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Converting life's prospective skies<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">From shade to sunny beams,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">But oft, alas, those fancied hopes<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Are in the bud destroy'd;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The cherished gift is pluckt away<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">And leaves a lonely void.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Its lovely form returns to earth,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Its spirit soars to bliss;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Tho' destin'd to a happy world<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">It oft may visit this.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Perchance around the household hearth<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">When prayer's sweet incense rise,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">It may return as messenger<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">To waft it to the skies.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'Tis sweet to cherish such a thought,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Even tho' it were untrue,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">That spirit-friends are hovering round<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Tho' absent from our view.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">But, oh! such dreams however sweet,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">A solace to impart,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Can never fill the vacant seat,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Nor yet the parents' heart.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">The silent toys, the empty clothes,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Those vestiges of death;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Are full of mournful memories,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Which spring from every breath,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The active form the smiling face,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">In every thought appear;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The prattling voice so cheering once<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Still lingers in the ear.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">The future casts a shadow now,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">And hopes give place to grief,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And all these things so pleasing once<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Can give no real relief.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">'Tis only from a heavenly source<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">That happiness can flow;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">There only can the heart procure<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">A balm for every woe.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Then ye who mourn your absent ones,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Those gifts by nature given,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Remember tho' 'tis loss to you,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">'Tis gain to Christ in Heaven,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">But still the wounded bosom bleeds,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">And cankers with its grief,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">For things have not their former charms<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">To lend the soul relief.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">There is no solid base on earth,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">On which our hopes are sure;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The Rock of Heaven alone can make<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Our faith and hope secure.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">This life is full of varied ills,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">With pain in every breath;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And everything, however pure,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Contains the germs of death.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">How feeble is that vital thread,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Which holds us to the earth;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">It may be snapt at hoary age,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Or at the infants' birth.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">We see it break in every clime,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">At every age and hour,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And still we live as if its strength,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Could match our Maker's power.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">The curse of sin like Cain's mark<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Is stampt on every brow;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And to the idols of the earth<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">We in submission bow.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Earth's things may seem as tangible<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">To life's short-sighted eyes,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">But from the magic touch of death<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">The cherish'd vision flies.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">The soul itself, like Noah's dove,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">But flutters out its strength<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Around the earth, its safety ark,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Then flies away at length.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Perchance it may, while hovering here,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Some olive-leaf procure,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">An emblem of a spirit-world,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Whose solid base is sure.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
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+</pre>
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diff --git a/18514.txt b/18514.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6ddfae5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/18514.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,3286 @@
+The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Black-Sealed Letter, by Andrew Learmont
+Spedon
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: The Black-Sealed Letter
+       Or, The Misfortunes of a Canadian Cockney.
+
+
+Author: Andrew Learmont Spedon
+
+
+
+Release Date: June 6, 2006  [eBook #18514]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLACK-SEALED LETTER***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Mary Meehan, and the Project
+Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net/) from
+page images generously made available by Early Canadiana Online
+(http://www.canadiana.org/eco/index.html)
+
+
+
+Note: Images of the original pages are available through
+      Early Canadiana Online. See
+      http://www.canadiana.org/ECO/ItemRecord/24721?id=a50979a2f62af312
+
+
+
+
+
+Tales for Canadian Homes.
+
+THE BLACK-SEALED LETTER;
+
+Or, The Misfortunes of a Canadian Cockney.
+
+by
+
+ANDREW LEARMONT SPEDON,
+
+Author of "Canadian Summer Evening Tales," "The Canadian Minstrel," &c.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Printed for the Author,
+by Mitchell & Wilson, Montreal.
+1872.
+
+
+
+
+    How slight a cause may change our life
+      Beyond its own control,
+    Produce a cordial to the heart,
+      Or canker in the soul.
+
+
+
+
+The Black-Sealed Letter;
+
+OR,
+
+THE MISFORTUNES OF A CANADIAN COCKNEY.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+
+Old London!--city of cities!--whose foundations were laid when the
+ancient Briton in his martial glory prowled among the dense forests
+whose foliage darkened the waters of the Thames, long ere the foot of
+the adventurous Roman had touched the shores of Albion; or the Dane and
+Saxon had established themselves within the strongholds of the British
+isles. Who has not heard of this great old city, teeming with human
+life, and filled with the extremes of wealth, poverty, righteousness and
+iniquity? Who has not heard of its eminent statesmen and its
+distinguished authors:--its time-honored institutions of religion,
+literature and jurisprudence: its antiquated buildings, themselves
+volumes of history written the eventful finger of time:--its massive
+warehouses; and also its magnificent mansions, wherein peers and princes
+banquet in luxury:--its club-houses; and its dens of pollution, amid
+whose shadows the grim spectres of degraded humanity struggle out a
+wretched existence. Into this great city--wonderful and complicated in
+itself--the modern Babylon of the world,--gentle reader, now follow me
+in imagination, and I will introduce you to the subject of the following
+story.
+
+It is the Saturday evening of a chilly night towards the end of
+November, 1869, that season of the year in which the grey old buildings
+of London assume a more sombre aspect than during the sunny days of
+summer. The twilight had congealed into darkness after a somewhat foggy
+day, and mantling its shadows around the homes of the destitute and
+degraded, tinging the wretched inmates with melancholy, and even making
+their lives more miserable and less tenacious to the world. The dark
+streets have been lighted up. The great tide of human beings that have
+during the day thronged the thoroughfares, has partially subsided; but
+thousands of pedestrians are still bustling to and fro; while the din of
+carriages are heard on every street. The provision shops are crowded
+with noisy customers. The coffee-houses are steaming forth their
+delicious viands, where throngs of both men and women are greedily
+satisfying their appetites: while thousands of ale-houses and gin-hells
+are pouring forth their poisonous liquids, where crowds of miserably
+degraded wretches of both sexes in human shape are swallowing down the
+deadly elements and rioting in hellish revelry. Alas! how many a home
+has been converted into a mad-house, yea, even into a very hell, by
+these dens of pollution, in which dwell the accursed spirit-dealers of
+iniquity.
+
+Alas! how many a fond wife, with her little ones, perhaps destitute of
+every domestic comfort, is at that very moment anxiously awaiting the
+return of her husband. Hour after hour may pass away, until the very
+depths of night appear to grow sad with the dreary sorrow of her heart,
+and at length he returns--but not as a loving and sober husband; not as
+a tender and home-providing father; not as a man, with all the noble
+attributes of the human nature; not as a Christian, with the spiritual
+Balm of Gilead, with which to soothe the cankering ills of his
+household;--no, not as either he returns, but rather as a madman escaped
+from the prison walls of Bedlam, or as fiend let loose from the nether
+kennel.
+
+But, nevertheless, there were thousands of happy households that evening
+enjoying the domestic comforts of a peaceful home,--that place, the
+dearest of all on earth, when sanctified by the affection of a united,
+sober, and industrious family. Such was the home and household of Mr.
+Charlston.
+
+Mr. and Mrs. Charlston, their two sons and three daughters, were on that
+night comfortably seated in their little sitting room after tea; the
+mother and her daughters engaged at needlework; the father and his
+eldest son, George, reading the newspapers, while Frederick, the
+younger, was reclining upon a sofa. An infant of a year old was sleeping
+in a cradle; a little kitten was nestling at its feet, and purring as if
+trying to soothe the dreamy slumbers of its tender companion.
+
+Mr. Charlston was about fifty-five years of age, in physical appearance
+tall and nervous; with sharp, prominent features, and well-defined head,
+denoting energy and perception. His wife was apparently about fifty
+years; well proportioned in form and feature, her face expressive of
+sensibility and affection. The little furrows around her dark eyes, and
+the streaks of gray hairs, had already denoted the footmarks of elder
+age; nevertheless, she was still possessed of a considerable share of
+that beauty which in her younger years had distinguished her as the
+"Belle of Elton," the village in which she had formerly resided. The
+daughters in appearance somewhat resembled their mother, the eldest of
+whom was then in her twenty-first year. George, the first-born of the
+family, was possessed of a robust constitution, of the middle size, and
+about twenty-six years of age. Frederick in appearance was the very
+_facsimile_ of his father, with all the finer sensibilities of his
+mother; yet, apparently possessed of a stern determination of will,
+amounting to stubborness when actuated by the impulses of a nervous
+temperament. Mr. Charlston was a hatter by trade; and at the time
+referred to kept a hat factory of his own in Fleet Street. His industry
+had placed him in favorable circumstances. Estimating the value of labor
+and intellect, he had given his children a tolerably good education, and
+at a proper age had apprenticed his sons to become tradesmen. George
+followed the business of his father. Frederick was a cabinet-maker, and
+at the time referred to had been two years employed as a journeyman.
+Neither Mr. Charlston nor his sons were then addicted to intemperance.
+Frederick was a strict teetotaller. Occasionally a bottle of ale was
+partaken of by the others; or when an acquaintance visited the house, or
+during the Christmas holidays, an additional bottle might be set down to
+grace the table. They were, however, a sober and industrious family; and
+when the labours of the day were past, they generally gathered around
+the household hearth to spend their evenings pleasantly and profitably
+to themselves.
+
+On the evening referred to, and whilst Mr. Charlston and family were
+engaged in their respective duties, as described, the door bell was
+rung. George attended to the signal; and in a few seconds a young man
+entered the room, signalizing himself in a very familiar but somewhat
+uncouth manner.
+
+"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Charlston. How are you Eliza, Amelia, and
+Charlotte? and you Frederick, old lad? I didn't see you at work to-day.
+I thought something was out of joint with you, and I have come on
+purpose to see. Why what's the matter with your neck? You have it
+swaddled up as if you were determined to defy the hangman's rope from
+ever getting a hold of you," ejaculated Charles Holstrom.
+
+"Oh, I have only caught a bit of a cold in my throat," replied
+Frederick; "come Charlie, take a seat by my side and give us your latest
+news about town."
+
+The husky voice of Holstrom awoke the infant from its peaceful slumber,
+and the poor thing began to bawl loudly as if startled from either
+surprise or fear.
+
+Mrs. Charlston lifted it to her knee, and having hushed it into
+quietness she began feeding it with some cordial food.
+
+"Well, I declare, he has grown to be a big lump of a lad," exclaimed
+Holstrom. "I dare say, Frederick, you feel conceited enough now to think
+yourself a degree above such fellows as George and I are, in having
+graduated as a Batchelor of Arts--I mean--Bachelor of Babies. You will,
+no doubt hereafter, append B. B. to your name as a title of merit; or,
+Bad Behavior, I should rather have said. However, the initials will
+stand for both. He's the very picture of yourself, and will soon need a
+hat as big as his grandpa's."
+
+At this moment the bell was again rung; and shortly afterwards, a
+graceful looking young woman entered the room. Very politely she shook
+hands with Mr. and Mrs. Charlston and the others present. She then took
+the infant, and pressed it lovingly to her bosom, imprinting a few
+kisses upon its tiny lips. The child in return smiled affectionately,
+apparently delighted with the caresses of a recognized and familiar
+friend.
+
+"I say, Clara," exclaimed Holstrom, addressing the young woman, with
+whom he was apparently acquainted, "I think it would be charitable on
+your part to spare a few of those luxuriant caresses for poor Frederick;
+a slight sprinkling of balm from your roseate lips would work wonders as
+a remedy to his breathing apparatus. Just come and see how many dozen of
+blankets he has wrapped around his throat: enough, I am sure, to supply
+the beds of a whole household on a winter's night."
+
+"Why, Frederick, how did you get such a cold in your throat?"
+interrogated Clara.
+
+"By sleeping alone during the cold nights of the past week," retorted
+Holstrom, ere Frederick could get time to breathe out a more respectful
+answer.
+
+At this moment the subject was immediately dropped through the timely
+interference of Mr. Charlston, reading a paragraph of interesting news
+from the _Times_. After an hour's conversation on various topics the
+young woman arose and announced her intention of leaving; whereupon
+Holstrom sprang up, bade them all good night and immediately departed.
+Clara shortly afterwards left also, promising ere long to repeat her
+visit. It was customary for Frederick to accompany her home; but on
+account of his illness that night George offered to convey her to her
+residence, distant about one mile.
+
+"Thank you, George, for your kind offer," replied Clara; "but there is
+no necessity to do so to-night; a female acquaintance who accompanied me
+to a friend's house a few doors from here, is expecting me to call for
+her, and perhaps I may be detained for some time, therefore, dear
+George, excuse me."
+
+No sooner had Clara departed than Frederick, disguised himself in his
+father's old hat, overcoat and muffler, and immediately started in
+pursuit of Clara.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+
+Before proceeding further it is necessary to inform the reader who Clara
+and Charles Holstrom were; and, also, to narrate the varied and
+complicated circumstances of several years preceding this eventful
+night.
+
+Charles Holstrom was the youngest son of a London tradesman. He had
+attended school with Frederick, and was now working in the same shop and
+at the same business with him. He was possessed of a robust physical
+appearance, somewhat coarsely featured;--of a bold, but humorous
+disposition--at times impertinent, and even repulsive in his manner.
+Frederick had really never considered him as a confidential friend; but
+their long acquaintance with each other, and the many associations of
+their united course in life had induced him to consider Charles as a
+respected friend rather than a fellow companion; and from these
+circumstances alone the Charlstons had received him as an occasional
+visitor to their house.
+
+Clara Hazledon was the only daughter of a poor but respectable widow
+with whom the Charlston family had been long acquainted. Previous to
+their removal to Fleet street they were next door neighbors. Mr.
+Charlston and Clara's father had been early companions of each other.
+Their children had grown up together, and had been associates at the
+same school, and although now in unequal circumstances, still looked
+upon each other as very familiar friends. After the death of Mr.
+Hazledon, he having died when the family was young, his wife struggled
+hard against adversity to bring up her little ones. But five years after
+the death of her first husband she married another, who, unfortunately
+turned out to be only a worthless and degraded fellow. Clara, by her
+expertness at needlework, had procured a good situation in a millinery
+shop. Her brothers, all younger than herself, were also respectably
+employed.
+
+Frederick and Clara had been passionately fond of each other when
+children, and as they grew older their affection became more matured;
+and at length the sympathies of their love were more firmly united by a
+marriage engagement, the consummation of which was purposed to take
+place as soon as circumstances would render it favorably convenient. But
+the basis of life's future prospects, however substantial it may be, is
+often undermined by some casual innovation; and there is no earthly
+hope, however bright its radiance may appear, but is liable to be
+darkened by some event that may suddenly loom up from the horizon of
+life. Such was the case amid the quietude of their affections. By some
+inadvertent impulse of human nature their chastity was sacrificed, and
+Frederick and Clara became parents before they had sanctified their
+affections upon the altar of matrimony.
+
+The event threw a shadow into the homes of both families, and served as
+food for the tongues of idle gossips among their acquaintances.
+
+Mrs. Charlston and her daughters paid a respectful visit to the house of
+Mrs. Hazledon--or Mrs. Collins as she was then named,--and with whom
+Clara was then staying. They carried with them presents of various
+sorts; and even Mr. Charlston himself, although chagrined at the event,
+evinced a charitable spirit by placing twenty guineas in the hand of
+Clara, as a present in behalf of his grandson.
+
+Frederick stole his visits under the secret shades of evening, and
+showed every expression of sympathy and affection for Clara and the
+little one; at the same time promising the consummation of their union
+as soon as circumstances would conveniently permit. A few weeks after
+the birth of the child, in December of 1868, Frederick made a tour into
+Devonshire for the purpose of visiting an uncle residing in the town of
+Exeter, and also discovering some thriving village or town where he
+might find ready employment, with the view of eventually establishing
+himself in business to his own advantage. He at length selected Tiverton
+as his place of residence, where he procured work at favorable wages.
+Elated with success he immediately wrote to his parents, and also penned
+a lengthy epistle to Clara, describing the place and people in very
+flattering words, flourishing off with a few epithets expressive of his
+undying affection for herself and the child; and hoping that in a few
+months he would have the pleasure of introducing her to a comfortable
+home, under the happy title of Mrs. Frederick Charlston.
+
+Winter passed slowly along, during which time letters were frequently
+sent and received. The first day of May at length came, but no house was
+apparently provided for Clara and her child. Shortly afterwards
+Frederick returned home, and made known the intelligence that he had
+given up the idea of settling in Tiverton as he had decided upon making
+his future home in Canada, which place had been described by an emigrant
+agent who had lectured several nights in the town, as one of the finest
+countries in the world for the workingmen of England; that millions of
+acres of land were there to be given away, and every actual settler
+received 100 acres _gratis_. A river one hundred times larger than all
+the rivers of England put together, ran the whole length of the country,
+1500 miles long. There were lakes there so large that even into the
+smallest of them the whole island of Great Britain might be thrown, and
+sink beyond recovery. In fact, said he, "it possessed all the facilities
+and improvements of the 19th century;--equality, independence and wealth
+awaiting every industrious man who went thither;--it was, indeed, the
+workshop of the tradesman, the emporium of the trader, and above all,
+blessed be the fact, _it was the poor man's paradise upon earth_."
+
+Frederick soon discovered that the big bubble he had blown up was likely
+to be blown down. His mother and sisters strongly objected to his
+purpose, and begged of him not to bury himself out of the world as long
+as he had an opportunity of living in it.
+
+"Why, Frederick," exclaimed his father, "were you to go to Canada you
+would repent of it but once, and that will be as long as you live. You
+talk of free-lands; why, of what use would they be to you? They might be
+of service to those who have been long accustomed to outside labor. But
+for you to go into the dense forests amidst mountains of almost
+perpetual snow, to chop out for yourself a fortune, or even a
+livelihood, would be a thousand times worse than banishment to the icy
+deserts of Siberia. For my sake, and for the love you owe to all that
+are dear to you in England, I beseech of you to relinquish, at least for
+the present, your design. Get married at once, and settle down quietly
+and industriously to work, either at Tiverton or in London, and I will
+assist in the furnishing of a house for you and Clara."
+
+Frederick made no satisfactory reply.
+
+On the second evening after he had come home, Charlie Holstrom, having
+heard of his return, called to see him.
+
+"A thousand welcomes back, old lad," exclaimed H., heartily shaking the
+hand of his old associate. "Why, my dear fellow, I've come over to bid
+you good bye, as I heard to-day that you are going to the Cannibal
+Islands."
+
+Mr. Charlston and the others laughed heartily at the expression.
+
+"It is only to Canada that I intend to ship myself," replied Frederick
+somewhat shyly.
+
+"Worse, and worse!" retorted H. "Why, what do you expect to get there?"
+
+"Get a farm for nothing, and make a fortune in five years," said
+Frederick.
+
+"If the farm is to be given away for nothing I may venture to say, _it
+will be worth nothing_," replied H., and continued, "I had an
+acquaintance who went to Canada a few years ago with L500; and having
+lived three years upon one of those 'nothing farms' or rather, living
+upon his money during that time, he returned to England utterly worth
+_nothing_. Why, Fred! such farms may be suitable enough for men of iron
+muscles and wooden stomachs, and who can work whether they eat or
+not;--men who have nothing to lose except their life, and would even
+sacrifice that for a small amount. But for either you or I to go there
+in search of a living, or anything else, except death and horror, would
+be worse for us than hanging; it would eventually result in
+strangulation by starvation. And besides, as my acquaintance informed
+me, the woods are infested with wild animals; and if a fellow attempted
+to venture out at night very possibly his carcass would be very soon
+deposited in the inside of a dozen of wolves. He further told me that
+the trees during summer rained down myriads of mosquitoes as large as
+beetles, with stings like hornets and in the shape of a tube, by which
+means a dozen of them could suck up a fellow's blood in a night; and
+were by far a greater plague than the grasshoppers of Egypt. To prevent
+them from settling upon himself he covered his head and neck with a mask
+made from deer-skin, in which he cut holes to inhale air and see
+through; but despite of such precautions they would sometimes force
+their way through these orifices, and one dart, said he, into a fellow's
+eye was sufficient to cause a myriad of stars to fly from his winker."
+
+"Well, but that is really horrifying," exclaimed Mrs. Charlston.
+
+"Awful, awful!" shouted Amelia.
+
+"'Tis really so indeed," added Eliza.
+
+"Oh! it is all bosh," ejaculated Fred.
+
+"_Bosh!_ d'ye say!" exclaimed H. "Indeed, I have only told you the least
+objectionable part. I assure you, he related things that would make a
+fellow's blood to curdle into vinegar, and perspire from every pore of
+the body. I credit everything he told me, for his word is as much to be
+depended upon as the 'Law of Moses.'"
+
+"That'll do for the present," said Amelia.
+
+"Go on," cried George.
+
+"What did he say about the climate?" inquired Mr. C.
+
+"He told me, sir, that it was so hot during the dog-days in summer, that
+the people had to lie upon deer-skins filled with water to prevent their
+bodies from being totally dissolved into vapor, and, that at the end of
+that terrible season they appeared only as living skeletons, as slender,
+indeed, as to be incapable of producing even a shadow."
+
+"Oh! but that is awfully horrible!" exclaimed Mrs. C. Mr. Charlston and
+George laughed heartily. The girls shrugged up their shoulders,
+expressive of nervous twitchings.
+
+"And in winter," continued H., "it is so intensely cold that every river
+to its foundation is frozen into ice. It snows sometimes for weeks
+without ceasing; it is then generally followed by fierce winds which
+drift the snow into heaps like mountains, frequently burying houses and
+their inhabitants a hundred feet deep."
+
+"Horrible! horrible!" ejaculated Mrs. C.
+
+"The air is sometimes so intensely cold that the mercury in the
+thermometer is congealed into ice at 150 degrees below zero; and it
+frequently occurs during those frosty periods that travellers, with
+their horses and vehicles, are found petrified into ice, so hard that
+they never can be thawed out again. Hundreds of such groups are
+preserved in the Canadian museums, and shown as curiosities to foreign
+travellers."
+
+"Oh! Charlie, for pity's sake, don't horrify us so!" shouted Mrs. C.
+
+"Do stop, Charlie, you'll frighten us to death," exclaimed the girls,
+fearfully excited.
+
+Mr. Charlston and George laughed heartily. Fred muttered out something
+condemnatory; while George cried out, "Go on Charlie, tell the whole
+story."
+
+"I haven't told you the one-half yet; but this will do for the
+present;--only I might merely add,--that if Fred goes out for a
+free-farm he will get a free wife into the bargain. The forests are
+infested with a more dangerous class of animals than wolves. They are
+savages in human shape, and are designated by the name of Indians. Every
+foreigner who takes a farm is compelled to take a young squaw--a she
+Indian--as a wife to himself. The males in return kidnap white women for
+themselves; but should a man refuse to comply with their wishes, he is
+immediately seized upon by those savages and flayed at once. His skin is
+afterwards tanned, and made into tobacco-pouches. These are sold to
+traders and imported to England. What say you, Fred, to this? Should you
+go to Canada, I may yet have a pouch made out of your pelt. So good
+night to all," ejaculated Holstrom, and abruptly made his exit, amidst
+an uproar of exclamations and laughter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+
+Perhaps many of my readers may think that I have thrown in the
+statements of Charles Holstrom as a sort of burlesque upon Canada. Such
+is not the case on my part. I have given expression to nothing more than
+the opinion held by too many persons throughout Great Britain respecting
+this country. Indeed, there are hundreds in England alone, who are not
+aware of the existence of such a place; and thousands there are who know
+of nothing authentic concerning Canada except the name. I speak not from
+hearsay alone; I can personally substantiate these facts.
+
+Since the Confederation of these Provinces in 1867, Canada has become
+better known in England through the means of lecturers and
+emigration-agents sent thither by the Dominion Government. But, in some
+cases, men have been appointed as lecturers who were not really
+possessed of any personal experience and practical knowledge of Canada
+beyond the limits of the city or town in which they had lived. Such men,
+in order to make the country and themselves popular, drew highly colored
+pictures of the New Dominion, extolling its inexhaustible physical
+resources, its mercantile and manufacturing advantages, its railway and
+river facilities, its millions of acres of new land in the shape of
+farms to be given away gratis to all who agreed to become
+settlers,--together with a thousand of other attractions, augmented 100
+per cent. Such lectures were generally delivered in manufacturing towns
+and the great centres of population. There is always in every audience a
+number whose minds are rendered pliable by the speaker's tongue,
+particularly if their own interests are involved.
+
+Such was generally the case at these lectures. Clerks, young
+professionals, and mechanics, including silk and carpet spinners and
+weavers would become thus unhinged from their long accustomed
+stand-post, and perchance, for the first time, begin to prospect their
+future beyond the limits of their own town, at the same time wondering
+what on earth had induced them to live fools so long. By these means a
+vast number of Englishmen during the past few years, have been persuaded
+to emigrate to Canada. The hardier class, comparatively few in number,
+flocked into the agricultural and forest districts, to hew out a home
+for themselves; while the more sensitive struck a bee-line to the
+cities, to procure easy and genteel employment at excellent wages. But
+in so doing the hopes of many were suddenly frustrated. Shops and
+counting-houses were literally crammed with employees; in fact, every
+genteel situation had its quota. Silk-lace and carpet weaving had
+scarcely a nominal existence. Every town, village, and city had more
+professional men than could get a comfortable livelihood. The
+characteristics of the country and its people appeared to them extremely
+coarse and terribly _'orrifying'_. Wages, they said, were no better than
+those in England. Many who could have got employment preferred
+travelling the country over in search of higher wages. Some, however,
+went manfully to work at once. Others preferred boarding at a hotel,
+living idle upon their stock of funds, waiting patiently for something
+upon the wheel of fortune to turn up profitably to their own interests,
+and every morning eagerly peering over the "_want advertisements_" of
+the _Globe_ and _Witness_, perhaps for months, until their means became
+considerably exhausted; and eventually taking a hurried departure to the
+_States_, or perchance returning home, utterly disgusted with Canada and
+everything connected with it, and carrying in their minds pictures of
+the country delineated in the darkest colors.
+
+We now return to our story. Frederick on his return from Tiverton went
+immediately to see Clara and the child. When he had made known his
+design she felt awfully chagrined at the idea of his intended "foolish
+adventure," as she termed it, and also sadly disappointed when she
+discovered that all those airy fabrications she had been building up
+during the winter were beginning to fall.
+
+"Why, Frederick, what do you really mean by all this?" she exclaimed.
+"Do you intend leaving me unmarried and unprovided for, with my child,
+to fret out a lonely, miserable existence in your absence?"
+
+"Oh! I shall return in a few months to take you and the child to a happy
+home in Canada."
+
+"Ah, Frederick; why again tantalize me with your promises, and false
+prospects. Where, I ask you, is the happy home you promised me at
+Tiverton? Where is the matrimonial title you promised to honor me with?
+Ah! Fred! Consider for a moment, what you have done and what you are now
+doing. By your insinuating love you riveted my affection to your heart.
+It still continues unbroken and as tenacious as ever. You flattered me
+with honied words. You excited me with false hopes. My confidence, yea,
+my very self I rendered submissively to your honor. But, alas! the very
+prospects you reared for my delight you are now trampling beneath your
+feet. Am I to be left with my little child, to struggle alone against
+the adversities of this world, while the finger of scorn is directed
+toward me, and also toward my child, whose innocence will neither soften
+the harshness of the world's tongue nor justify the errors of those who
+gave to it an existence."
+
+"Why, Clara," exclaimed Fred somewhat irritated, "you are really
+sarcastic and condemnatory in your remarks. Is this the sort of
+complimentary welcome I receive from you at my return? If so, I shall
+have to shorten my visit."
+
+"Well, Fred, consider the matter judiciously, and you will not think me
+unreasonable in my accusations," replied Clara.
+
+"Pooh, pooh," retorted Fred, "never allow your imagination to soar
+higher than your reason; curb down the irritable nerves of your temper;
+turn the dark side of life's picture towards the past, and keep always
+the bright side uppermost."
+
+"It is easier said than done," she replied. "Had you rendered me the
+assistance in reality instead of broken promises, I might have been
+looking to-day upon the bright side of life."
+
+"For goodness sake, Clara, do not tantalize me so unmercifully. I tell
+you that I have decided upon going to Canada, _and I shall go_. That
+country offers advantages unknown to England. Better hazard an adventure
+than remain forever riveted to hard labor here, and then die at last in
+the harness. Were I to marry you now I have no home but my father's to
+which I could remove you; better then to remain where you are,
+unmarried, than otherwise, for, I feel certain that Collins would turn
+you out as soon as he had discovered that I had both married and left
+you. But let me tell you but once and forever that I intend to become a
+husband to you as soon as I can find it convenient to procure a
+comfortable home."
+
+"The old story again," ejaculated Clara, "and let me tell you, Fred,
+that if you go to Canada you will never make your circumstances
+convenient to fulfil your promise--no, never, never, Fred."
+
+"I don't want to hear any more of such botheration," retorted Fred,
+irritably; and springing up from his seat, made his exit abruptly,
+leaving Clara to sigh out alone the sorrows of her heart in the solitude
+of her own reflections.
+
+Mr. Collins, as I said before was a man possessed of a degraded nature,
+being much addicted to intemperance. Widow Hazledon had married him
+after a brief acquaintance. She had felt the necessity of a fatherly
+assistance and protection in the rearing of her young family; but in
+Collins she discovered when too late that she had mistaken his
+character. She, however, continued to make the best of a bad bargain. He
+was a carver by trade, and commanded good wages; but every Saturday
+night, he got drunk. His Sabbaths were generally devoted to the worship
+of Bacchus. Sometimes he would continue drinking for several days, until
+every penny was exhausted. Then he would make demands at home for more
+money, which if refused, he was sure to abuse his wife and family. He
+was not only a drunkard; he was a scoffer at religion, and considered it
+a mark of honor to take the name of God in vain.
+
+On the following day after Frederick's interview with Clara, Collins
+came home partly intoxicated, and demanded more money to help him, as he
+said, to finish off a spree with an old comrade whom he had not seen for
+several years. Mrs. Collins expostulated with him, but to no purpose. He
+became, at length, exasperated, and threatened to turn them all out upon
+the street, and burn the house down. Clara attempted to pacify him,
+which only made him the more outrageous. He swore every oath imaginable
+at her, insolently ordering her to be off with her child, and find
+lodgings with the villain to whom she had prostituted herself, or else
+he would soon pitch her and her little bratling into the Thames.
+
+"Here, Tom, take this, 'tis the last shilling I have in the house. Now,
+dear Tom, like a good husband, keep quiet, and don't abuse Clara and me
+so much as you do," said Mrs. Collins with a pitiable sort of tone, the
+tears trickling down her grief furrowed cheeks.
+
+"Well, Annie, but you're a good sort of wife after all," replied
+Collins, in a somewhat subdued tone. "As for Clara, I like her well
+enough! but I have resolved that I shall not labor any longer to support
+the child of that blackguard of a fellow, who, as I have been informed,
+has absconded to Canada. I hate him, and I detest his child--the dirty,
+yelping thing that it is. If it is not instantly removed from here, I
+shall make short work of it to-night on my return. _Mark my words,
+Clara_," he emphatically added, and putting the shilling into his pocket
+he departed, leaving them to consider seriously over the matter.
+
+As soon as he had gone Clara and her mother began talking over the
+affair, premeditating what they should do with the child. They felt
+suspicious of the threats made by Collins, who, it appears, for several
+weeks past, had used somewhat coarse language to Clara, especially since
+he had discovered that there was no immediate prospect of her removal.
+
+While thus suggesting what was best to be done a rap was heard upon the
+door; and in the course of a few seconds Mrs. Charlston and her two
+eldest daughters entered. They had come on a visit to spend the
+afternoon and have a friendly conversation; but their object was more
+particularly to find out if Frederick had made known to Clara what his
+intentions really were, as he had given them no decided answer at home.
+Mrs. Collins and Clara were delighted to see them, but more especially
+on that occasion, as it afforded a sort of relief to their dejected
+hearts, and perhaps be the means of suggesting the best expedient for
+the adjustment of their condition under the present circumstances. Tea
+was being prepared, and a pleasant conversation was entered into. After
+having digested Fred's Canadian-bubble-scheme, as Mrs. Charlston termed
+it, the unhappy affair that had occured was made known by Mrs. Collins.
+She expressed herself, that she did not really know what to do with the
+child, as Collins would most assuredly put his threat into execution.
+
+"Oh! that's easily settled," exclaimed Mrs. Charlston. "The child is now
+nearly eight months old; it is time it was weaned--so it will serve both
+purposes to send it up to our house. I assure you I will be happy to
+take it into my charge; and Clara can come to see it as often as she can
+find it convenient."
+
+"Oh, yes, ma,--that is delightful," exclaimed Eliza.
+
+"Yes, ma, we'll take the dear little darling along with us," said
+Amelia, embracing the infant more lovingly, and imprinting a kiss
+tenderly upon its smiling lips.
+
+"O, but, perhaps, it will be too much trouble and inconvenience for
+you," said Clara.
+
+"Not in the least, I'm sure Mr. Charlston will be perfectly delighted
+with the child," replied Mrs. Charlston.
+
+"It will, perhaps, put him in remembrance of old times," said Mrs.
+Collins.
+
+"Yes, and perhaps make him conceited enough to fancy himself twenty
+years younger than he really is," added Mrs. Charlston.
+
+"O, yes, I'm sure pa will be infinitely happy," exclaimed Eliza.
+
+"Yes, and so will Fred," added Amelia with a sly wink.
+
+It was, therefore, agreed upon that little Richard, for so he was named,
+should go to his new home that very evening. Tea being over, he was
+dressed in his best clothes. A couple of carpet bags were filled with
+other necessary articles. All things being in readiness Mrs. Charlston
+and her daughters took their departure, accompanied with Clara and the
+child.
+
+When they arrived home Mr. Charlston and the others of his family were
+at tea, Mrs. C. entered carrying Richard in her arms, followed by the
+others.
+
+"Look here, old lad, and guess what I have got, as a present for my good
+behavior this afternoon," exclaimed Mrs. Charlston.
+
+"Only a baby," said Mr. C. "You seem as much excited as if you had found
+a purse of gold."
+
+"Just look at the sweet, little, silvery-mouthed hazle-eyed,
+rosy-cheeked cherub," said Mrs. C.
+
+"'Tis little Richard, I declare," shouted Charlotte, springing forth to
+see him. "What a sweet little fellow he is. Just come, pa, and see the
+little darling." "O, Fred come and see him, he is your very picture,
+what a dear lovely angel he is," &c.
+
+After the excitement had abated, they all removed to the sitting-room.
+Every one had to kiss and fondle little Richard; and even Frederick,
+whose heart had become softened by the touch of tender humanity, took
+the child into his arms, and with a parent's affection bestowed a dozen
+of fond kisses upon its ruby lips, feeling at the same time as if he
+could have similarly complimented Clara, as an expression of his
+affection, and a recompense for the abrupt manner in which he had
+treated her at their previous interview. Mrs. Charlston then told them
+that Richard had come to stay with them until he was weaned. Mr.
+Charlston felt apparently well pleased with the idea; it seemed to him
+as a happy acquisition to his household.
+
+Clara at length prepared herself to depart, and before leaving bestowed
+a dozen of fond kisses on the dear little fellow, and with a lingering
+look bade them all good night, promising to return on the following
+evening.
+
+Frederick put on his hat and quietly followed her to the door, and in a
+sort of undertone interrogated, "May I have the pleasure of seeing you
+home to-night, Clara?"
+
+"If you please," she replied. Fred very courteously complied therewith.
+The character of their conversation on the way that night may be guessed
+from the fact, that Fred and Clara became more lovingly attached to each
+other than ever they had been.
+
+Next day Fred hurried away to the house of his old master; and on the
+following morning was at his former place as a journeyman and an
+associate of his old companion and fellow-workman, Charles Holstrom.
+Clara also found immediate employment. The Charlstons were once more
+rendered happy at seeing Fred so spirited and reconciled; and also the
+presence of little Richard gave a relish to their happiness.
+
+Even old Collins was so well pleased with the change of affairs in his
+own household that he gave expression to his joyous feelings by getting
+pleasantly drunk every day for a whole week.
+
+The beautiful days of summer glided smoothly along. The nights were calm
+and refreshing. Under the exhilarating rays of the evening moonlight,
+Fred and Clara frequently strolled out pleasantly together. Feelings
+were reciprocated. Ideas of future prospects towered higher than the
+moon. A happy home, brightened by the golden beams of the honeymoon was
+seen peeping through the sylvan avenues of imagination. A few months,
+perchance only a few weeks had only to pass by, and their souls were to
+be pressed so closely together by the legal stamp of matrimony that
+nothing but the chisel of death could be able to separate them.
+
+What a delightful picture of future life is often sketched by the
+artistic fancy of the soul. What beautiful delineations of all that is
+exquisitely pleasing and profitable! The scenes are of the grandest
+descriptions: the coloring, of the richest hues, admirably shaded and
+intermingled. Even the darkest spots are glistening by the surrounding
+beauty. All appears as an enchanted dream; a glimpse of fairyland, or as
+a primeval paradise modernized, and rendered suitable in every part to
+gratify the desires of the mind.
+
+But, alas! too frequently these prospects of ideality are built only
+upon corner pillars, and tower to so great an altitude above their
+slender bases, that their summits, like the top of Babel become
+mystified by the clouds; and when the first storm of adversity, or the
+breath of insidious circumstances are blown against them, they totter,
+and eventually fall crashing to the earth, and lie scattered in
+shapeless ruins around their basis.
+
+But, perhaps, it is cruel to predict, or even to suggest, such ruinous
+consequences to the moonlit dreams of that happy pair. Time alone can
+unfold the mysterious realities of life. I will, therefore, pursue the
+windings of their course, and note down the various incidents and events
+as they are struck out, like the sparks from the heated iron under the
+blacksmith's hammer.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+We now come to that eventful evening referred to in chapter first, of
+which a part of the proceedings is described. We shall now continue our
+narration, and make known the consequences of that unfortunate meeting.
+
+No sooner had Clara departed from the house of Mr. Charlston than
+Frederick, from some impulsive motive, glided out of the room; and
+having hastily disguised himself in his father's great coat, hat and
+muffler, hurried out, and followed in pursuit of Clara. In the vicinity
+of the house at which she had left her acquaintance, he observed a young
+man sauntering around. This person Fred discovered to be none other than
+Charles Holstrom. So passing hurriedly onward without being recognized
+he crossed over at the first corner to the other side of the street and
+walked back. When nearly opposite the house referred to the door opened
+and a young woman, alone, whom he knew to be Clara, came out. She
+hurried forward only a few steps when Holstrom wheeled around and
+addressed her; and having received her hand on his arm they glided
+hastily along the street. Frederick was startled at the reality. His
+blood flooded in tidal waves to his heart. His nerves quivered. His soul
+became exasperated. He inwardly threatened immediate violence to both
+parties. But having hastily checked the outpourings of his resentment he
+secretly followed them, yet still breathing volumes of deprecations
+which rose in steaming vapor from his phrenzied brain.
+
+"Can it be possible?" he soliloquised, "that Clara has been practising
+deception upon my faithful affection? I have discovered when too late
+that she has flattered my fond heart with her insidious wiles. I loved
+her once, I despise her now. She has got rid of her child, and she is
+now trying to dispose of me also. Ah! the syren that she is! No longer
+shall I breathe her name but with feelings of hatred and disgust. Ah!
+that villain too, who is leading her headlong to her own ruin! I hate
+him also. His affection towards me as a friend and companion has only
+served as a mantle to cover his deceitful heart. He is a serpent more
+subtle and venomous than that which entered the Garden of Eden. Ah! the
+vile wretch that he is! The deed is too base to forgive. I spurn the
+debased villain. I shall humble his proud heart. I shall crush him to
+the earth. I shall have revenge upon his guilty head. Revenge, revenge I
+must have!"
+
+In this excited state of feelings poor Frederick followed them
+unperceived to the very doorsteps of her home. His impulses had made him
+recklessly desperate. His savage nature was aroused. He was, indeed, no
+longer himself. Like a wild beast he was ready to spring upon them, and
+would have done so had not the uprisings of his moral nature suggested
+to him not to do so.
+
+He heard for a while the lively chit-chat within--the humorous joke--the
+joy-excited laughter, all of which only aroused his indignation to
+greater fierceness. But at that moment, when ready to put his threats
+into execution the right hand of his soul arrested suddenly the uplifted
+weapon of his evil heart. He wheeled about as if it were instinctively,
+fled from the house, and directed his course homeward with hasty steps.
+
+Having quietly slipped himself into his bedroom he retired to his couch;
+but there was no rest there for his unhappy soul, which, even during a
+few moments of slumber was distracted with dreams of the most hideous
+character imaginable.
+
+Next morning Fred was not astir as usual. His mother, at length,
+dreading increased illness as the cause, entered his room. Fred looked
+up with a woe-begone countenance, which of itself was sufficient to
+verify her apprehensions.
+
+"Are you worse, Fred?" his mother interrogated. "I don't feel quite as
+well, mother," he replied.
+
+"Ah, Fred, I thought you would get more cold by going out last evening,"
+said she. "Why Fred, my son, you are quite feverish," she exclaimed
+resting her hand upon his forehead. "I shall get father to go for Dr.
+Guernsey immediately."
+
+"Mother, I beg of you not to do so, my throat is not worse. The want of
+sufficient sleep last night has had a tendency to make me feel
+debilated. Rather bring me a cup of coffee than send for the doctor."
+
+Mrs. Charlston at once hurried to the kitchen and told Amelia to prepare
+a strong cup of coffee and a slice of toast as quickly as possible.
+Shortly afterwards Mrs. C. entered Frederick's room with the coffee and
+toast, followed by his father and sisters.
+
+Fred strengthened himself for the occasion. He rose up on the bed quite
+vigorously, and took breakfast with an apparently good appetite. His
+mother having cooled his face with a wet towel he laid himself down to
+repose, and the others withdrew from the room. Ere long the tender
+finger of nature closed his weary eyelids, and during nearly all the
+rest of the day poor Fred lay calmly enlocked in the arms of sleep.
+
+On the following morning Fred was considerably better, and continued in
+a convalescent state.
+
+However, he kept himself closely confined to his room for several days.
+On the second evening Clara called to see the child; and on the
+following, Charlie also made a visit, as he said, to see Fred; but
+neither of them saw him as his room-door was locked, and he was supposed
+to be fast asleep. In less than a week afterwards Clara again called.
+Fred was in the sitting-room when she entered; but, on seeing her, he
+instantly sprang from his seat, and without opening his lips, abruptly
+left the room.
+
+Clara at once discovered in his appearance and actions that something of
+a serious nature had effected these results. However, she endeavored as
+well as she could to restrain her feelings. The others of the family
+also noticed the abrupt mariner in which Fred absconded; but excused his
+doing so by attributing it to the bashfulness of his bad looks rendered
+so by his illness.
+
+"Why, Fred," said Eliza after Clara was gone, "what caused you to make
+such a runaway as that?"
+
+"Why, Fred," cried Amelia, "you sprang up as if you had been startled by
+a shock of electricity?"
+
+"I thought, Fred," exclaimed Charlotte, "was going to play
+'hide-and-go-seek', with Clara, when I saw him jump up and run off so
+fast."
+
+"Perhaps he intended that to be the play," said Mrs. Charlston, with a
+sly wink looking to Fred.
+
+"Ah, the deceiver that she is!" exclaimed Fred irritably. "She is a vile
+woman."
+
+"Why, Fred, Fred, why all this! are you really going mad?"
+
+"No, mother, I am not mad, although I have been bitten deeply enough to
+have made me as mad as a raving maniac."
+
+"Why, Fred," said she, "do tell us what is the matter with you then--the
+why and wherefore also."
+
+"Well, mother, had you not asked of me to do so I would not of my own
+accord; but since you demand an explanation, I will give you my reasons,
+and then leave you to judge seriously whether I have acted right or
+wrong."
+
+Fred then related all that he had seen and heard respecting Clara and
+Charlie Holstrom.
+
+"But are you sure 'twas really them?" said his mother, when he had
+finished telling them.
+
+"Mother, do you for a moment attempt to doubt my word?" exclaimed Fred.
+
+"My dear son, I do not; but I thought you might be mistaken in them,
+especially at night. However, the next time that Clara comes here, I
+will question her plainly about it. I shall then hear her version of the
+story, and will be enabled to judge more correctly. If I find out that
+she has been keeping company with Charlie I shall forbid her to enter my
+house again."
+
+"Do as you please, mother; but I have resolved never to speak to her
+again," said Fred, and walked off to his room, leaving his mother and
+sisters to talk over the matter.
+
+On the third evening afterwards Clara made her appearance at Mr.
+Charlston's. After the usual preliminaries of courtesy were disposed of,
+Mrs. C. requested Clara to walk into the library room as she desired to
+speak a few minutes to her, alone. Fred had snugly enclosed himself in
+his bed-chamber. The others of the family were in the parlor.
+
+Having seated themselves Mrs. Charlston addressed Clara, and related all
+the particulars she knew relative to the unfortunate circumstances
+alluded to.
+
+"My dear Mrs. Charlston," exclaimed Clara, excitedly, "since I have
+patiently listened to your narration, will you now, as a favor I ask,
+have patience until I render an explanation?"
+
+"By all means I shall," replied Mrs. C.
+
+"But before that I do so," said Clara, "I desire that Fred should be
+present."
+
+"That is impossible to-night," replied Mrs. C. "I shall, however, find
+an opportunity of bringing the matter before Fred, in the manner in
+which you represent it."
+
+"On that unfortunate night, as I may term it," said Clara, "I left home
+accompanied with Emma Harrison, an acquaintance of my own, and came
+here, as usual, to see my child. When we had come as far as Mrs.
+Josleyn's, she said to me, 'I have to call here, so you had better go on
+to Charlston's, and you can call for me on your return.' I agreed
+therewith,--and on my way home stepped in for Emma; but Mrs. Josleyn
+informed me that she had gone out with her own daughters to spend the
+evening with an acquaintance; and, perhaps, added she, they may not
+return for an hour or two. Unwilling to wait so long I took my
+departure; but had not gone far when Charlie Holstrom stepped forth, and
+requested the privilege of seeing me home. The night being dark, and
+somewhat unpleasant for a woman to be out alone I embraced the
+opportunity, and with him went directly home. After having chatted a
+short time with us all he left the house and I have not seen him since.
+I knew not that the jealous eyes of Fred were staring upon us that
+night. He was able to follow me, why was he not also able to accompany
+me home?
+
+"For years my fond heart has invariably responded to his own; and I have
+done nothing to either insult his honor or tarnish the fidelity of my
+affection for him. He has falsely accused me. He has treated me
+disrespectfully; and now manifests a determination to dissolve our
+union. Since the moment that I yielded up the chastity of my affection
+to his desires he has treated me too frequently with indifference. He
+promised to rectify, or, rather, ameliorate the error we committed, by
+an immediate union for life. His promises at intervals were again and
+again repeated; and when I suggested the adequate necessity of having
+them fulfilled he treated me with contempt. Where, I ask, is the happy
+home he promised me at Tiverton. Where, also, are the half dozen of
+homes he has since reared for me in London. He also promised me a home
+in Canada; an unjustifiable plea, as I may term it, to smoothe down his
+intention of deserting me and my dear child, leaving us to be subjected
+to the biting scorn of the uncharitable world, and without even the
+nominal existence of a home that we could call our own. Again, the evil
+spirit of his soul has been aroused from its lair; and without a
+reasonable cause he pierces the very nerves of my affections with the
+stings of a jealous heart. A soul so sensitive as mine feels deeply the
+wounds he has afflicted. _Oh! unfortunate woman that I am! Wherefore am
+I consigned to the torments of impending fate._ Have I committed crimes
+so incurable that there is no remedy for them! My heart is ready to
+burst! I shall die under the horror of my calamity! Oh! merciful
+heavens, have pity upon me!--_poor wretched creature that I am_.
+
+"Oh! Mrs. Charlston what shall I do? What shall I do?" she hysterically
+exclaimed, the tears gushing out from her eyes.
+
+"My dear Clara," ejaculated Mrs. Charlston, grasping her affectionately
+by the hand, tears dimming her eyes also, "I shall have pity upon you;
+and although your friends should become enemies to you, I shall adhere
+to you, my dear child, like an affectionate mother and a faithful
+friend."
+
+"Thank you, thank you," exclaimed Clara, "but my heart is unable to
+express its gratitude."
+
+"Try to compose your feelings, my dear, with the assurance I have given
+you of my fidelity."
+
+"Yes, my dearest of friends, I shall endeavor to do so," said Clara.
+
+Then grasping each other more firmly and affectionately by the hand they
+sat together until they had sobbed out the sorrowful uprisings of their
+hearts.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+
+On the following morning, Mrs. Charlston found an opportunity of
+speaking privately to Fred about the unfortunate affair. She told him
+all that Clara had said, at the same time endeavoring to make as
+favorable impression in her behalf as the circumstances of the case
+would allow; and also earnestly beseeching him to come into good terms
+at once with Clara.
+
+"_Never! never!_" ejaculated Fred.
+
+"Why should you talk so determinately, Fred, I'm sure that Clara has
+given sufficient reasons to justify the circumstances of an
+unpremeditated act, apparently so innocent, as to be undeserving of
+censure."
+
+"Were it only the first innocent act, as you consider it, I would not
+have attached any importance to it," said he.
+
+"Have you really been made aware of a previous intercourse between
+Charles and Clara?"
+
+"Why, yes, I have heard of it a dozen times--I was informed by letter
+when at Tiverton that Clara was flirting with Charlie, or as the writer
+expressed it: 'In your absence your old friend, Charlie Holstrom, is
+playing at "_catch the beau_" with your affectionate Clara.'"
+
+"Now Fred, you must tell me who was the writer of that letter."
+
+"It was Harry Walton."
+
+"I just thought so. I'm sure, Fred, you are aware that Harry is noted
+for manufacturing falsehoods. If you believe him you are the only person
+in London who does so."
+
+"But I have heard it from others, and they cannot all be liars. There is
+Mrs. Tennyson, for instance, an old respected friend of your own. One
+day she hinted sufficient to make me feel suspicious. Fernando Jones
+squirted a few dry jokes in that way. Sylvester Kennelworth termed me a
+hen-pecked bachelor. Even Julia Marks, Sylvina Oldham, and Sarah
+Silverstone bothered me almost to death one evening recently about
+Clara's intention of presenting me shortly with a 'ticket of leave.'"
+
+"Wherefore, dear Fred, would you for even one moment direct your
+attention to the malicious falsehoods of such idle gossips as those you
+have referred to. They are a thousand times worse than the starving
+thieves that lurk around the dark lanes of the city, who steal only what
+is practically useful to themselves; while those others go about robbing
+the youthful and virtuous of their reputation, scattering the seeds of
+dissension, and fluttering in the sunshine of their folly like
+butterflies tasting of the sweets of every flower, but collecting no
+honey, therefore, my son, discard the venom of such villainous tongues."
+
+"My confidence in Clara was so deep rooted that even all that I heard
+had scarcely any effect; but when I beheld personally that night their
+manner and appearance, and considered the coincident circumstances
+connected therewith, all that I had previously heard came rushing in
+upon my soul like an overwhelming flood and swallowed up every ounce of
+love that was in my heart."
+
+"But I wish you to have an interview with Clara the next time she comes;
+it will restore the affection you have lost."
+
+"It never will; nor do I desire to see her. I feel certain that she has
+been duping me with the flattery of a false affection, and then laughing
+at my simplicity in my absence. Even Charlie's actions towards me of
+late have also led me to feel suspicious of him. But my eyes are now
+awakened to the fact, therefore, I will never again speak to Clara, nor
+have anything whatever to do with her."
+
+"Oh! Fred, you are too hasty in your assertions. Remember, my dear son,
+the circumstances and associations by which you are morally bound to
+each other. Remember the vows which you have consecrated upon the altar
+of your heart. Remember the condition to which you have brought her by
+your folly. Bear in mind that if you forsake her under the present
+circumstances that an indelible stain will remain for ever upon your
+character; but above all, my dear son, remember the link which binds you
+inevitably together,--a link of living humanity, akin to you both.
+Remember then that you are a father, and that she is a mother,--titles
+that were conferred upon you both by the birth of that little angel who
+now sheds a radiance over our household by his endearing presence. Then
+think of him, think of what I say, and you will outlive your imaginary
+ills and all the jealous flickerings of your heart; therefore, I again
+ask you, Fred, to comply with my request."
+
+"I tell you again, mother, that I cannot. You need not think you can
+bait me with honied words. The insidious bee that fluttered around the
+flowers of my once happy affections has left its sting-wound within my
+heart."
+
+"But love is its own physician. It alone can cure the ills it makes."
+
+"But where there is no mutual love in the heart the wound is incurable."
+
+"Why, Fred! do you for a moment doubt the veracity of Clara's love for
+you?"
+
+"She has fooled me," he exclaimed. "She has forsaken me. She has made me
+reckless and desperate. I have ceased to love. I hate society. I even
+despise my very self. I shall seek for happiness in foreign lands as a
+substitute for what I have lost. I have decided upon going to Canada."
+
+"Are you again really determined to leave us, Fred?"
+
+"Yes, mother, I am more than determined. I am ready to leave to-morrow
+if I choose to go."
+
+"If you go, my son, you will go against the wishes of your parents and
+every relative you have; and if you go in such a manner and under the
+present circumstances you cannot carry along with you '_a mother's
+blessing_'."
+
+"I don't care!" replied Fred haughtily. "Mother, you have no love for
+me. You have vindicated the guilty actions of Clara in opposition to my
+opinions. You have tantalised my soul by so doing. I shall no longer
+bear the insults, you heap upon me,"--and therewith Fred arose and made
+his exit abruptly from the room.
+
+It appears that for several weeks past Fred had been ruminating
+upon going to Canada, reviving as it were his former intentions.
+His sore throat had originated from sudden exposure to the raw air
+of night on coming out from a crowded hall where he had been
+listening to a highly-colored lecture upon Canada and the
+Clerkenwell-Emigration-Scheme. The recent occurrence had made him still
+more determined, and also, afforded, as he considered, a sufficient plea
+to justify his purpose. That same evening, immediately after tea, his
+father being made aware of the design, took him aside and began to
+expostulate with him.
+
+"Father, I have determined upon leaving and therefore your influence can
+have no effect," exclaimed Fred.
+
+"But remember, my son, that text of Scripture which saith, 'Children
+obey your parents in all things.'"
+
+"And let me add," cried Fred, "the following, from the same author,
+'Fathers provoke not your children to anger lest they be discouraged.'"
+
+"Ah, Fred! that sentence is not applicable to my case. As a duty of
+parental affection I only counsel you for your own good. Remember, my
+son, what Solomon says: 'A fool despiseth his father's instructions, but
+he who regardeth reproof is prudent. Correction is grievous to him who
+forsaketh the way, and he who hateth reproof _shall die_.'"
+
+"I am no _fool_," ejaculated Fred, "I am of age. I shall, therefore, do
+as I please."
+
+"Ah! Fred, Fred, I'm afraid your conduct will yet bring down my grey
+hairs with sorrow to the grave. Perchance you may yet remember my words
+in a foreign land, without a kind friend to pity you in your distress.
+Ah, Fred! I hope, however, that you will not play the prodigal. Let me,
+therefore, read you the 15th chapter of Luke."
+
+Without replying Fred abruptly left the room before his father had time
+to bring forth the Bible.
+
+"Well, well, but this is really annoying," said Fred to himself after he
+had gone to his room. "Do they think that I have no mind of my own; so
+that I am to be mechanically guided by theirs. They favor Clara, and
+disrespect me because I do not favor her also. They say she loves me; if
+she does, my absence will test it. However, I will not allow myself to
+be treated as a captive. I shall and must have liberty, or else I die. I
+shall leave London this very night. I shall leave without shedding a
+tear or bidding a friend good bye. They will perhaps learn to love me
+better when I am gone." So saying, he began to prepare. Having filled
+two large carpet bags with such articles as were most necessary he moved
+quietly out of the house and by a back stairway reached the street.
+Having placed himself in a Hansom-cab stationed near by he was quickly
+conveyed to the station and in time for the night train to Liverpool.
+
+On the following morning he embarked upon the Moravian, belonging to the
+Allan Line of Steamships, plying at that time of the season between
+Liverpool and Portland, in Maine, U.S.
+
+The steam is up; anchors are weighed; and the vessel is soon riding out
+from the harbor towards mid-ocean. Although the air is cold, the deck is
+crowded with persons, among whom is Frederick Charlston, viewing the
+receding objects, and at length taking their farewell view of the dimly
+distant shores of their native land.
+
+Day passed,--and the shadows of the night came down. The vessel was
+dashing over the foaming billows. The winds were whistling dolefully
+amid the sails. A feeling of loneliness crept over the soul of poor
+Fred, and he retired to his hammock. Visions of the past and future
+floated across his mind, and under the poetic mantle of inspiration he
+gave vent to his feelings in the following verses:
+
+    Farewell to thee, England, the land of my birth,
+    The dearest, the fairest of countries on earth,
+    I love thee, yet leave thee, perhaps to deplore,
+    Alas, it may be to behold thee no more.
+
+    If at home I've a friend, yet true friends are but few,
+    In duty to friendship I breathe him adieu,
+    But joy to this bosom no friends can restore.
+    I love them, yet leave them, I may see them no more.
+
+    Old London, farewell,--my birth-place and home,
+    Far distant from thee I am destined to roam,
+    On the home I once loved a fond wish too I'll pour,
+    Tho' its household and hearth I may visit no more.
+
+    Sweet child of my love! Ah! the thought breaks my heart,
+    To know that thy mother hath caused us to part,
+    I love thee, yet leave thee, nor can she restore
+    A joy to this soul that may see thee no more.
+
+    To the land of the stranger I go--yes--I go,
+    In search of those blessings which it can bestow,
+    Its forests, its lakes, I shall proudly explore,
+    Far, far from that home I may visit no more.
+
+Thus sang the young poet. But before morning had dawned upon the billows
+of the ocean all the poetic fancy that was flickering in his
+half-phrenzied brain was driven out by a serious attack of sea-sickness.
+His emanations were then of a much grosser sort of material than the
+etherial-essence of poetic sentiment. During three long and wearied
+nights he continued in a most pitiable condition; his thoughts
+bewildered and fluctuating; at times, half regretting the course he had
+taken. The weather was tempestuous during the voyage; but, at length, in
+the afternoon of the twelfth day the vessel and all the passengers were
+safely landed at Portland. That evening Fred went on board the train for
+Montreal, but did not reach his destination until late in the afternoon
+of the second day, the journey having been prolonged by a severe snow
+storm. The cold was very intense. It was then that the words of Charles
+Holstrom occurred to his mind about the Canadian mountains of snow and
+the cold at 150 degrees of temperature below zero. He, however, arrived
+safely at Montreal, yet, cold, hungry and exhausted, and immediately
+engaged lodgings at the _St. James' Hotel_, where after a warm and
+hearty meal he soon experienced a more comfortable state of feelings.
+
+Night's shadows had settled down over the fair city. The great bell of
+the cathedral of Notre Dame was scattering its solemn tones over the dim
+air. The city-lamps were sending forth their mellow radiance. Throngs of
+pedestrians were moving to and fro. Sleigh after sleigh was hurrying
+along, filled with joyous souls, and drawn by sprightly steeds dancing
+as if it were to the sounds of the merry-tinkling sleigh-bells. Fred
+looked out upon the gay panorama of Canadian city life. It was a new and
+attractive sight to him, and he felt an itching desire to try the novel
+experiment of taking a sleigh ride; but his spirit recoiled within
+itself when the fact was brought forcibly to his mind that it was
+"_Christmas' Night_." He thought of the many happy Christmas evenings
+which he had enjoyed amid the society of his friends in the good old
+city of London. A thousand associations flashed across his memory,
+filling his solitary mind with sadness and regrets. Around him
+everywhere he beheld gay crowds flickering with joyous excitement. More
+keenly than ever he then felt that he was only a stranger in a strange
+land, isolated from congenial society, and far removed from his friends
+and his once happy home. Conscience awakened his mind to the reality of
+his past folly, and his heart was wounded by its own stings. A heavy
+weight of sorrow pressed deeply upon his bosom. A deep sigh rolled out
+heavily upon his lips. Tears glistened in his eyes; and alas, poor
+Frederick Charlston again wished himself back to London.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+The holidays having passed, Fred sought out and found immediate
+employment in Montreal. The sad impressions that were engraven upon his
+mind at first began and continued gradually to wear off. New friendships
+were formed. Things became more and more familiar to him, and at length
+he experienced a much happier state of mind. At first he purposed
+writing immediately to his friends in London, but after a few
+postponements, resolved not to do so, as he considered it would show an
+effeminency on his part, and that a few month's silence would perhaps
+season their affection for him.
+
+Two of his fellow-workmen, who belonged to a company of volunteers,
+persuaded Fred to join their ranks. He was tolerably well acquainted
+with military discipline, having practically served in a company during
+his residence at Tiverton; and he had also studied considerably the
+tactics of war, therefore he found no difficulty in getting himself
+initiated as a Canadian volunteer; but in so doing it ultimately proved
+to be another unfortunate step. The circle of his acquaintances was thus
+increased tenfold. Military glory unfolded its social charms. Friendly
+meetings with jovial comrades became more frequent. The foaming glass
+sparkled brightly with fascination. Temptation unmasked itself. Again
+and again his companions of the evenings had recourse to expedients to
+induce him to drink with them. He was willing to pass an evening and
+smoke a cigar, but sternly refused to even moisten his lips with the
+poisonous liquid, which showed a manly independence in principle, a
+dignity of honor; and it would have been well for him had he always
+continued as invincible.
+
+"I say, Fred, you must have something to drink with us to-night," said
+Billa Haveril one evening as Fred and a few of his comrades were walking
+along Craig Street. "Here's the '_Royal Arms_,' come in, boys--come in
+Fred, and I'll introduce you to Mr. Stone, a jolly good old Englishman.
+He knows how to warm up a fellow when the cold is 30 degrees below
+zero."
+
+They entered, and became seated in a room adjoining the bar.
+
+"Well, Fred, what's your choice," said Haveril.
+
+"A glass of cold water," replied Fred.
+
+"Horrible! horrible!" ejaculated Haveril. "Are you really going to
+commit an arctic outrage upon your sensibilities? That will never do if
+you intend living in Canada."
+
+"Perhaps he wants to convert himself into an ice-house," exclaimed Harry
+Jenkins.
+
+"Gentlemen," said Fred, "I previously informed you that I belong to the
+Sons of Temperance; you will therefore confer a favor by not pressing
+your kindness further upon me."
+
+"Take it as a medicine, then; a glass will neither awaken your
+conscience nor injure your stomach," said Haveril.
+
+"Do as St. Paul advised Timothy to do--take a little for your stomach's
+sake and your often infirmities," said Nichol Henderson.
+
+"Come, Fred, _one glass_ will never ruffle a feather in your
+conscience," said Ernest Stevens.
+
+"Come, boys! tip up your bumpers!" exclaimed Haveril, and then singing
+aloud, followed by the others in chorus,
+
+"_For Fred's a jolly good fellow_," &c.
+
+Frederick having declined was again pressed to drink, to which he
+replied--"I am willing to condescend to the wishes of the company in
+which I may be placed; but when principle is at stake I must necessarily
+decline sacrificing my honor to the demands of others, even those of my
+best friends, as I am a pledge-bound total abstainer."
+
+"Pooh! pooh!" ejaculated Jenkins, "that's enough of your sophisticated
+balderdash. Do you not know that a London pledge is not valid in
+Canada?"
+
+"Why, what's the difference," exclaimed Fred, "the principle is the same
+throughout."
+
+"Well, sir, the difference is just this," said Jenkins, "every country
+has its own laws, and every subject therein is commanded to obey them,
+and to do so only while he is a resident. The laws of the temperance
+cause are based upon the same principle."
+
+"Philosophically speaking, you cannot assimilate them," replied Fred.
+
+"Civil laws differ according to the government of a country, the
+characteristics of a people, their intellectual, moral and spiritual
+condition, etc. Whereas, the temperance cause, in its strictest sense,
+is everywhere identical, and its laws universal; the essence of which in
+the abstract is simply '_to abstain_' and '_to obey_.' But suppose, for
+the sake of argument, that you are right in your opinion, I ask then, is
+there sufficient reason in the act of having withdrawn myself from the
+country in which I took the pledge, to disannul my responsibility, when
+I have not withdrawn my name from the Society's list of membership. And
+again, I ask you, if I desire to remain a total abstainer, wherefore
+should I compel myself unnecessarily, in order to please others, to
+sacrifice my liberty to the 'king of evils,' even should I feel no
+longer bound to obey the laws of the Society."
+
+"I say, Fred, for goodness' sake stop," exclaimed Sandie Johnstone, "or
+else you will sink us so deeply into the ruts of philosophy that our
+friends will never be able to discover us."
+
+"Go on, Fred, go on, you're a brick," cried Haveril. "Give Jenkins
+another dig with your philosophical pick."
+
+"Fair play," shouted Jenkins, "'tis my turn to bait the trap."
+
+"Bait it with a bottle of brandy," cried Haveril, "and we'll see who'll
+bite at it first."
+
+"If Jenkins wont, I'll bet you a dollar you will," ejaculated Johnstone.
+
+"Yes, Haveril would bite at the very devil if his Satanical Majesty was
+filled to the teeth with brandy," exclaimed Jenkins, the others
+chorusing with a series of discordant laughs.
+
+"Well, well, gentlemen," exclaimed Fred, "if you desire the continuance
+of my friendship, and if you wish to respect the dignity of morality and
+the English language, you must refrain from using such insinuating
+balderdash and bar-room-slang."
+
+"You're right, Fred, stick to your subject and make them all your
+subjects," said Ernest Stevens.
+
+"Why, Fred, if you would only take a gentle sipling of the nectar you
+would know how to appreciate and enjoy our company," said Henderson.
+
+"True friendship and true happiness are based upon more _solid_ material
+than _liquids_," replied Frederick.
+
+"Well, Fred, as you are a sort of philosopher, allow me to ask you, if
+the true destiny of man, both here and hereafter, is not the enjoyment
+of life?" interrogated Henderson.
+
+"Certainly, sir," replied Fred; "but I further believe that our Maker
+designed that man should use the proper means for the promotion of both
+terrestrial and celestial happiness."
+
+"Our opinions are identical, then," exclaimed Henderson. "We are both of
+the same mind and yet cannot agree; and the reason is simply this--that
+I occasionally partake of a social glass with my friends as a means to
+awaken and promote enjoyment; whereas you teetotally reject the means.
+This delicious nectar sparkling before me has the inherent virtues of
+making me truly happy; I, therefore, use it for its medicinal qualities.
+So here is my best respects to you all, boys,--not forgetting you,
+Fred," added Henderson, raising the tumbler to his lips and draining the
+liquor to its very dregs.
+
+"Ha! ha! ha!" ejaculated Jenkins, "I say, Fred, you are completely
+cornered up, Henderson's as good a philosopher as yourself."
+
+"That may be so," replied Fred, "but I wish you, and Henderson
+also, to bear in mind that reason may be twisted into sophistry.
+He must first prove the premises of his arguments to be correct,
+namely, 'that spirituous liquors are conducive to the happiness of
+mankind'--otherwise, the syllogism must be false. To attempt such an
+undertaking would be a more fool-hardy task than that of Hercules to
+carry the globe upon his back. My dear sir, you would soon find that the
+universal evidence of the world would be against you. The horrid shrieks
+of suffering humanity would denounce the falsity of your arguments,
+while myriads of skeletons would startle from their graves with horrid
+indignation!"
+
+"Hold on, hold on, I say, Fred," shouted Henderson, "you are firing away
+your balls at random and never look at the target."
+
+"I think he has made a good many bull-eyes in your head," exclaimed
+Stevens.
+
+"Come, come, boys, we'll have a _horn_ on the _head_ of the subject,"
+cried Jenkins.
+
+"Yes, yes, that's the talk," responded some of the others.
+
+"Hold on, hold on, gentlemen," exclaimed Henderson, slightly irritated.
+"I must have fair play in the game."
+
+"By all means," said Fred, "I shall see that you shall."
+
+"Well, sir," said H., "allow me to inform you, that in your arguments
+you deviated from the proposition I made, namely--that liquor as a means
+is conducive to human happiness. I mean the proper use of it; but you
+immediately darted off to the furthest extremity of the subject, and by
+a sort of superlative sophistry of your own, you attempted to conjure up
+a horrid array of evils arising from the abuse of that spiritual gift,
+which is the very essence of those cereals designed by the Author of
+Creation as the principal sustainer of animal life."
+
+"You accuse me, sir, of doing injustice to your proposition, by
+representing the consequences of abusing that spiritual gift, as you
+very improperly term it," said Fred. "Your proposition, let me tell you,
+embraces only the germs; but I look forward to the fruits thereof. He
+would be but a very foolish farmer indeed, who would sow tares or
+imperfect seed for the mere pleasure of seeing his fields adorned with
+verdure, without looking forward to the consequences. Every good farmer
+anticipates an abundant harvest and accordingly sows the best seed. So
+should every man who desires to reap a harvest of happiness. He should
+look well to the seed, and sow only that which will eventually produce
+the best results. Again, you say that liquor when used in moderation, is
+a means of producing human happiness, and therefore should be used. I
+beg to differ with you; happiness arises not from the animal impulses of
+human nature stimulated by intoxicating liquor. Use it moderately you
+say. Alas, how many millions have been ruined forever by the taking of
+only one single glass at first, _only one glass_! Think of it! It is the
+magnet that attracts material akin to itself; alas, what a world of
+wretchedness and crime is reflected from that nucleus of Intemperance."
+
+"Hold on, hold on, Fred," ejaculated Jenkins, "that'll do for the
+present."
+
+"Go on, Fred, your illustrations are beautiful and impressive," cried
+Stevens, "go on, you are hitting the target at every shot."
+
+"For goodness sake, Fred, do stop; or you will convert us all into a
+company of 'cold water-boys,'" cried Jenkins.
+
+"Come! come, my lads," exclaimed Haveril, "we'll wind up for the present
+with a bumper of 'hot Scotch' and I'll pay for the drinks."
+
+"Hot Scotch! hot Scotch!" shouted a half dozen of voices--and having
+partaken of a rousing bumper they called upon Fred to favor them with a
+song, to which he responded in the following Temperance Song, entitled
+"One Glass More."
+
+    Behold yon wretch at the tavern-bar:
+      His matted hair hangs over his brow;
+    The manly form and the noble soul
+      Are wrecked and lost in the drunkard now.
+    He shivering stands in his dirty rags,
+      With bloated face and his blood-shot eyes;
+    With quivering lips and a fever'd breath
+      For one glass more how he pleading cries.
+
+    _Chorus._--O give me, sir, but a single glass;
+                 O pity me now when my cash is done;
+               The night is cold and my blood runs chill,
+                 And all I ask is a single one.
+
+    Away from here, you miserable wretch;
+      I want no more of your blubbering gas,
+    Be off at once! or I'll kick you out;
+      You'll get none here--not a single glass,
+    What brought you here in your filthy rags,
+      To disgrace my house in this drunken way.
+    At once, begone! for you'll get no drink,
+      No, not a glass, when you've nothing to pay.
+
+    _Chorus._--O give me, sir, &c.
+
+    O, wherefore, sir, would you kick me out!
+      Why so unjust to thy friend art thou;
+    You gave me drink and you took my cash,
+      You made me, sir, as you see me now.
+    You scorn me too, as a drunken wretch,
+      Debased and steep't in the dregs of sin;
+    And when I ask but a single glass,
+      You'll kick me out tho' you took me in.
+
+    _Chorus._--O give me, sir, &c.
+
+    Thro' ten long years while I labored hard,
+      You gave me drink, and you drain'd my purse,
+    I was your friend, and your blessings then,
+      Have proved at length but a demon's curse.
+    My loving wife and my children dear,
+      Have often sigh'd with a hungry soul,
+    While I was here with my social friends
+      And drinking deep from your mad'ning bowl.
+
+    _Chorus._--O give me, sir, &c.
+
+    My health and youth I have wasted here;
+      To thee, for drink, my money I gave;
+    I'm now a wreck of what I was once,
+      And sinking fast to a drunkard's grave;
+    All wasted here in my reckless course,
+      Which neither thou nor time can restore;
+    Then pity me now for old friendship's sake,
+      And give one glass and I'll ask no more.
+
+    _Chorus._--"Begone from here, you miserable wretch!"
+                 The landlord cried, and he stamp't and swore,
+               Then kick't him out to the cold night storm,
+                 And curs'd the wretch as he closed his door.
+
+Frederick Charlston continued to step into a saloon occasionally to pass
+an evening with his comrades. Every expedient was tried to persuade him
+to taste with them; but with a manly spirit of independence he remained
+for several weeks invincible to their attacks. At length he was induced
+to take a tumbler with hot water, sweetened with sugar, and flavored
+with nutmeg and peppermint. But Jenkins one night gave the innkeeper a
+wink to put a few drops of Scotch whiskey into Fred's tumbler. A few
+drops were sufficient to slightly stimulate his brain, and produce a
+flow of social feeling within his heart; and thus, when too late, he
+discovered that he had tasted of the evil spirit. Having once tasted, he
+felt a less restriction of duty; and on subsequent occasions allowed a
+few drops to be added to the mixture. _Only a few drops!_ how
+insignificant in number! how innocent they appear within themselves!
+But, alas, a few drops were added to the few, until they became _a great
+number_; and before winter had thrown off its fleecy covering, Frederick
+Charlston could empty a tumbler of hot punch as readily as any of his
+comrades. Thus, he who had once nobly defended the cause of Temperance,
+and had remained so long invincible, at length dishonored that pledge
+which, even under the most trying circumstances, he had hitherto never
+violated. "_Only a few drops_" at first--yes, _only a few drops_, and
+therewith poor Frederick Charlston became the votary of intemperance.
+His Saturday nights were afterwards too frequently spent, or rather
+misspent, in deep carousals with his comrades. His Sabbaths were also
+often desecrated; and instead of appearing in his accustomed seat in
+Church, he was either sleeping away the sacred hours of the day, or,
+perhaps, polluting his mind with the filthy contents of some sensational
+novel. For a few weeks at first his moral feelings were occasionally
+awakened by the stings of conscience; but gradually they became less
+susceptible and less unwilling to recognize or respect the laws of moral
+responsibility.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+April came, and with it came the alarm of an intended invasion of Canada
+by the Fenians. All the volunteers were ordered to be in immediate
+readiness, and several companies were stationed at different places
+along the Province Line, south of the River St. Lawrence. Every
+precautionary preparation was being made by the Canadian government, and
+also by the inhabitants. Great excitement prevailed during several days;
+and a series of appalling rumors were daily in circulation. But April
+passed away, and none of the Verdants made their appearance on the north
+side of the Line 45. There was apparently a lull in the Fenian camp.
+
+But on the morning of the 23rd of May following, the bugle again sounded
+the alarm. Gen. O'Neill had again stirred up the "Circles" to their very
+"Centres," and there was a fearful rattling among the dry bones. Every
+telegram brought additional intelligence confirming the affair. The
+march had in reality begun; and 50,000 men, as rumored, were marching
+towards Canada, in a direct line to Montreal. All the volunteers in the
+Province of Quebec were again called to arms, and every available
+company forwarded at once to the chief stations at St. Johns,
+Hemmingford, and Huntingdon. The 69th regiment of British regulars, then
+stationed at Quebec, was ordered to the front immediately. The loyal
+Canadian farmers in the vicinity of the Border line turned out at once;
+and with rifle in hand, distributed themselves in detached parties to
+watch and await the avowed enemies of their country; and defend their
+hearths and households in the hour of danger.
+
+The company to which Frederick Charlston belonged, had been ordered to
+St. Johns. Fred was delightfully excited by the occurrence, which
+afforded him an opportunity of realizing what he termed "_a novel and
+romantic adventure_."
+
+On the morning of the 25th of May, 1870, a detachment of Fenians, headed
+by Gen. O'Neill, crossed over the Line in the vicinity of Eccles' Hill.
+A company of farmers who had stationed themselves behind the rocks of
+the hill, adjacent to the high-way, observed the approach of the enemy
+sneaking along the road. When the Fenians had arrived within reach of
+gun-shot, the farmers, unperceived, fired upon them, killing two or
+more, and wounding several. The astonished Verdants at once replied by a
+volley, but becoming disorderly bewildered by the incessant stream of
+smoke and bullets from among the rocks, they hastily retreated to an
+adjacent hill; and for several hours the opposing parties in ambush kept
+up a continuous but ineffectual fire at each other. At length a few
+detachments of Montreal volunteers and others arrived; and in
+conjunction with the farmers, took part in the action. The Fenians
+imagining that a formidable army had arrived, became panic-stricken and
+fled, headed by their leaders, at quick march over the Border Line,
+where the "Fenian Tragedy" was magnificently concluded by the
+ludicrous farce of the Great O'Neill making a hasty exit as a "State
+prisoner," under the confidential protection of Marshal Foster.
+
+Simultaneously with this event, another squad of Green Jackets, headed
+by Gen. Starr, intruded upon Canadian soil, twelve miles beyond
+Huntingdon, and intrenched themselves about three-quarters of a mile
+from the Border Line. There they remained until the morning of the 27th,
+when they were speedily routed from their intrenchments and driven back
+beyond the Line by the Huntingdon Borderers and the 69th British
+Regiment.
+
+The Battalions in this District, and upon whom the inhabitants had
+chiefly to depend, were the "_Huntingdon Borderers_" and the
+"_Hemmingford Rangers_," under their gallant commanders, Cols. McEachren
+and Rogers, and to whose valorous energy and that of the heroic officers
+and men under their charge, is the country in general deeply indebted.
+
+Thus ended the Fenian invasion of 1870. Providentially not one of the
+Canadian party received even the slightest injury. The volunteers were
+immediately recalled, and peace was restored to the country.
+
+Among those who took part in the action at Eccles' Hill was Fred
+Charlston. He returned to Montreal, bearing along with him as trophies
+of war, a Fenian coat, knapsack and rifle. So elated was he on the night
+of his return by his fortunate and glorious adventure, that he with
+several of his comrades got mortally drunk, so much so that he and two
+others had to be taken to the police station for safe keeping, where
+they remained until they became sobered off.
+
+Frederick being somewhat of a poet, composed the following song in honor
+of those Canadian Volunteers who were brought into action along the
+Border.
+
+      OUR BORDER VOLUNTEERS.
+
+      All hail! our Border Volunteers,
+        All loyal, true and brave,
+      Who boldly faced the Fenian foe,
+        And spurn'd a coward's grave.
+      All hail to all those gallant chiefs,
+        Who stood the trying hour,
+      And bravely led their heroes forth
+        To crush the Fenians' power.
+
+      _Chorus._--Our country's foe we need not dread,
+                   When danger's hour appears,
+                 While guarded by those gallant braves,
+                   Our Border Volunteers.
+
+      No menial soldier fills our ranks,
+        Nor yet a martial slave;
+      O'er free and independent men
+        Our banners proudly wave.
+      They are our country's stalwart sons,
+        Who love their home and hearth,
+      Who honour still their Fatherland,
+        And this which gave them birth.
+
+      _Chorus._--Our country's foe, &c.
+
+      'Tis not the savage thirst for blood
+        Which makes our heroes brave,
+      'Tis not for conquest and renown
+        Their banners proudly wave.
+      Their voice proclaims the love of peace,
+        To all an equal right,
+      But mercy spurn'd by reckless foes
+        Empowers their sword of might.
+
+      _Chorus._--Our country's foes, &c.
+
+      Trout River's banks and Eccles' Hill,
+        Shall echo forth their fame,
+      And thousands yet unborn will rise,
+        To shout our heroes' name.
+      They form the martial battlements
+        Of Canada's frontiers,
+      Those guardians of our household hearths,
+        THE BORDER VOUNTEERS.
+
+      _Chorus._--Our country's foes we need not dread,
+                   When danger's hour appears,
+                 While guarded by these gallant braves,
+                  _Our Border Volunteers_.
+
+The disturbance at Red River in the North-Western Territory, by the
+revolt of Riel and his accomplices was also at this time attracting the
+attention of the Canadian government. A force, consisting of regulars
+and volunteers, had already been organized; and was to be despatched
+immediately to Red River for the purpose of suppressing the
+Riel-Rebellion.
+
+The glory of warfare had aroused within the mind of Frederick Charlston
+a love for adventure and a spirit of Canadian patriotism: and feeling a
+desire to enlist as a roving soldier, he immediately, after his return
+to Montreal, departed for Toronto, head-quarters for the Battalions
+designed for Red River. A few healthy and well-disciplined volunteers
+were still wanted; and Fred, having passed an examination, was initiated
+into the ranks as a volunteer for Red River.
+
+On the evening previous to his departure he retired to his room; and
+having emptied a tumbler full of hot brandy punch, he sat down
+gloriously happy, and penned the following letter to his parents.
+
+     "Toronto, June 7th, 1870.
+
+     "Dear Father and Mother,--As you may feel somewhat disposed by this
+     time to relish a bit of my history in Canada, I now, for the first
+     time, since I left home, lift my pen to address you. I shipped in
+     the S. S. Moravian from Liverpool, to Portland, U.S., and during
+     the voyage had to undergo the terrible ordeal of sea-sickness.
+     However, I arrived at Montreal on the evening of Christmas last, as
+     sound as a church bell. I found immediate employment in the city at
+     six shillings per day. I am partially fond of this country and the
+     inhabitants in general, with the exception of a sort of people
+     named French Kanucks; but they are as harmless as a flock of sheep;
+     and stand as mere cyphers in the ranks of society. Last winter I
+     joined a company of city volunteers; and was present at an
+     engagement with the Fenians at a place known as Eccles Hill, on the
+     25th ultimo, of which affair you will have heard by the London
+     papers. I went up boldly to the Front, and fought the Fenians like
+     a tiger. I don't know how many I killed; but I feel certain that I
+     must have annihilated quite a large number, as I fired away every
+     cartridge I had. I brought back with me to Montreal a Fenian-coat,
+     knapsack and rifle, &c. Since my return I have been lionized by my
+     officers and comrades for my daring exploits. The sun of fortune
+     has already begun to shine upon me; and I have determined that my
+     progress shall be in the ascendancy, until I arise to the very
+     zenith of my glory. I have just enlisted myself as a volunteer to
+     go over 2000 miles into the dense forests of Canada to fight the
+     savages of the North-West at Red River. I leave to-morrow. The
+     undertaking is gigantic, but the glory that shall arise therefrom
+     shall be immeasurably greater. Be not surprised should you hear of
+     me ere long being gazetted as commander of a battalion in the
+     North-Western Territory. On my return, to England, if ever, I shall
+     take my Fenian trophies along with me, and perhaps a few hundred of
+     Indian scalps, &c., as curiosities for my friends and old
+     acquaintances.
+
+     "Give my respects to none but those who inquire kindly about me. My
+     love to the little '_chick_.' He may live to be yet proud of his
+     father. I shall write again as soon as I get the savages disposed
+     of."
+
+     "Father, mother, sisters and brother, accept the expression of my
+     love. Farewell, farewell."
+
+     "Fred. Charlston."
+
+The volunteers for Red River were forwarded from Toronto to Collingwood;
+where they embarked on the steamers Algoma and Chigora; and proceeded
+300 miles to Thunder Bay, on Lake Superior; thence by land and water
+through a dense wilderness, several hundred miles, to Fort Garry, at Red
+River. A prodigious undertaking, indeed, involving a vast amount of
+labor and privation; nevertheless the majority of the troops endured it
+tolerably well. During the first two or three weeks Fred Charlston stood
+the hardships and inconveniences with a brave spirit, and enjoyed with
+good relish the rough life of the military pioneer; so much so that he
+gave expression to his patriotic feelings in the following song, which
+he and his associates frequently sung with great gusto:--
+
+    Come now, my lads, we'll march along,
+      And wave our banners high,
+    The savage herds in forest wilds
+      Shall hear our battle-cry.
+    The distant realm before us lies,
+      The road is rough and drear,
+    O'er lake and stream thro' mountain wild
+      Our martial course we'll steer.
+
+     _Chorus._--Then march along, my hearty lads,
+                  And cheer your hearts with song,
+                The nation cheers the Volunteers
+                  Who bravely march along.
+
+    No scorching sun, no torrent shower,
+      No toil, nor want of rest,
+    Has power to check that British pluck
+      Which warms each loyal breast.
+    No savage of the woods we dread,
+      Nor death, nor danger near,
+    We are a nation's loyal sons
+      Who spurn a coward's fear.
+
+    _Chorus._--Then march along, &c.
+
+    That savage wretch with bloody hands,
+      Usurping in his might,
+    Shall keenly feel a nation's steel
+      That justifies its right.
+    "_Revenge_" shall be our battle-cry,
+      Revenge the bloody foe:
+    Fort Garry's walls with tongues of blood,
+      Shall echo back the blow.
+
+    _Chorus._--Come march along, "my hearty lads,"
+                 And shout the martial song.
+               The nation cheers the Volunteers
+                 Who bravely march along.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+I will now silently pass over the space of three months, and leave the
+reader to follow in imagination the adventures of our hero in the
+Red River Expedition;--and as an essential character in the sequel of
+this story I will now take the liberty of introducing myself.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+On a fine afternoon about the middle of September, 1870, I arrived at
+Kingston, Ontario, and took lodgings at the "City Hotel," where I
+intended to remain for a few days. I was then on a tour selling a
+poetical work which I had written, entitled: "The Canadian
+Minstrel." After tea, that evening, I stepped up stairs to the
+sitting-room, and sat down to write a letter to my friends at home.
+Shortly afterwards, and while seated there alone, a young man entered
+the room.
+
+"I beg pardon, sir; I hope I'm not intruding," he exclaimed very
+politely as he entered.
+
+"No, not in the least, sir," said I. He then walked over to the sofa,
+and pulling out a newspaper from his pocket, sat down and began to
+peruse it. I resumed my pen; and when finished with my letter, I
+addressed him somewhat familiarly, and we entered into conversation,
+chiefly about the war which was then being carried on between France and
+Prussia. He was apparently intelligent; and although slightly reticent
+at first, became gradually more conversive and familiar.
+
+He appeared to be about 25 years of age, tall, and somewhat slender in
+figure; of keen a nervous temperament; with hair and moustache of a
+brownish color: features slightly prominent and very expressive. He was
+courteous in manners, and in general appearance, genteel and
+good-looking. His style of conversing was agreeable; his arguments
+pointed and logical; and his remarks, full of sympathetic sentiment,
+apparently the breathings of an impulsive moral nature. His countenance,
+although naturally expressive of energy, appeared slightly shadowed by
+an expression of sadness. Even in his manner and conversation there was
+a peculiar indication of deep thoughtfulness, tinged with melancholy.
+Respecting his own history he said nothing, nor did he ask anything
+about mine. I was however much interested in his company, and although
+strangers to each other, we passed a very pleasant evening together.
+
+At breakfast on the following morning he sat directly opposite to me. We
+saluted each other in a friendly manner, and occasionally exchanged a
+few sentences. Shortly after we had retired from the table he came
+forward and addressed me.
+
+"I shall bid you good bye, friend, for the present," said he, apparently
+in readiness to depart.
+
+"And so you are going to leave," said I. "I'm sorry I had not the
+pleasure of a longer acquaintance with you."
+
+"I leave for Toronto, where I shall remain a week or two. Should you be
+there shortly, please call at the 'Metropolitan Hotel,' and ask for me,
+I shall be happy to see you," said he, handing me a card with his name
+thereon.
+
+"Thank you, sir, I will be happy to do so," said I: and having heartily
+shaken hands together as a mutual token of courtesy and good-will, he
+departed.
+
+As I was desirous of attending the Annual Provincial Show, to be held at
+Toronto during the first week of October following, I passed all the
+intermediate towns on the line of railway, and arrived in that city a
+few days previous.
+
+The evening after my arrival I strolled over to the Metropolitan to see
+the stranger referred to. He recognized me at once, and was apparently
+happy to see me. Although our previous acquaintance had been incidental
+and but of short duration, we felt on meeting again as if we had been
+old friends. He invited me to the sitting room; and we passed a few very
+agreeable hours together. On leaving I requested him to spend the
+following evening with me at the hotel at which I was staying. He
+complied therewith; and during his further stay of one week in the city
+our interviews were of daily occurrence.
+
+During the following week the city was crowded to its utmost capacity;
+and the streets presented a gay and lively appearance, owing to the
+great influx of visitors to the Exhibition. In company with my friend I
+visited the "Show Grounds." Every department of the Arts and
+Agriculture, &c., were well represented, showing the vast progress and
+developments of the Province of Ontario.
+
+The day of the closing of the Exhibition my friend specially invited me
+to his room to spend the evening. During our previous interviews he had
+said but little respecting himself. I noticed, however, that something
+was deeply affecting his mind; and that he was apparently desirous of
+making it known to me. But it was not until this evening that he, in
+compliance with my wishes, gave me the history of his past career: the
+greater part of which is narrated in the foregoing chapters of this
+story: the remainder I will now give in his own words; for, gentle
+reader, be it known that this person was none other than Frederick
+Charlston, with whom you are already acquainted.
+
+"During the first part of the journey to Red River," said he, "I endured
+the hardships and fatigues tolerably well; but the encamping out every
+night upon the cold earth: the incessant labor; the hard marches over a
+rough road, and under a broiling sun, at length became too oppressive.
+Oftentimes I felt, as it were, unable to proceed a step further; but my
+proud spirit with a stern determination of will, exerted every possible
+energy, and I continued day after day to plod along with my foot-sore
+and way-worn companions. Our fatigues were however occasionally relieved
+by a general rest for a few days. But before one third of the journey
+had been completed I was seized one night with a severe attack of
+illness.
+
+"The day had been excessively hot; the commander wishing to get forward
+that evening to certain grounds favorable for one week's encampment had
+recourse to what might be termed a forced march. Many of the soldiers
+suffered from the effects thereof; I was prostrated at once by a severe
+billious attack, accompanied with chills and fever, and also diarrhea;
+and when the companies resumed their march, I was unable to proceed with
+them.
+
+"The evening previous to the general move the doctor made a special
+visit to my tent.
+
+"'My young friend,' said he, as he entered, 'I have come to leave you
+some medicine as I must move with the army at an early hour to-morrow
+morning. Your health, although progressing rapidly, will not permit you
+to undertake the journey, at least for one week. However, you will be
+provided with necessaries, &c. The Captain has appointed a couple of
+honest Indians to remain and take care of you: and who will serve as
+guides when you are ready to depart. But my special injunction
+is--"_Take good care of yourself_," otherwise you will never reach
+Red River.'
+
+"'Indeed, doctor, I'm afraid I shall never be able to resume the
+journey,' said I.
+
+"'It would have been much better for you had you not undertaken it at
+first.'
+
+"'Experience teaches fools,' I exclaimed.
+
+"'Yes, and the wisest of wise men too,' added the doctor, with a sly
+wink.
+
+"'I regret very much the course I have taken,' said I; 'I am now
+suffering the experience of my reckless folly. Were it possible to have
+an opportunity of living my past years over again agreeably to my
+wishes, I assure you, doctor, I would never make a second journey to
+Canada, nor go to Red River either; I would make England my home for
+ever. However, since I have undertaken this exodus, I hope I shall be
+able to complete it.'
+
+"'It is my opinion,' said the doctor, 'that your physical constitution,
+inexperienced as it has been to a life like this, will not be able to
+stand the fatigues; and even after a month's rest, I dread the
+consequences, as the hardships yet to be endured are tenfold greater
+than those you have undergone.'
+
+"'Then what shall I do, doctor? Must I live and die alone in this
+wilderness?' said I.
+
+"'Under the present circumstances, I think,' said he, 'your resignation
+will be immediately accepted. If so remain here for the present under
+charge of your attendants. In the course of a week or so, a gang of
+Indians will pass here on their way to Thunder Bay for provisions. They
+can convey you a great portion of the way by canoe; thence you can
+effect your course back to Toronto, or to England if you choose, much
+easier indeed than going the remainder of the journey to Red River.'
+
+"'Well doctor,' said I, 'I shall comply with your orders.'
+
+"'Then I shall attend to the matter at once,' said the doctor, and
+immediately withdrew. In about an hour afterwards he returned,
+accompanied with several officers. The doctor's request was acquiesced
+with, and I received my discharge. The commander on leaving placed $30
+in my hand, wishing me better health and a safe journey back to Toronto.
+No sooner had they left than I began to breathe more freely the air of
+liberty. I felt like a prisoner when liberated from his shackled bonds.
+I was no longer a mercenary. I was indeed exalted above the ranks, _and
+felt myself once more as a man_:--And wherefore, may I ask? Let my
+spirit echo the answer.
+
+"The novelty and the romance of adventure had lost their charms.
+Military glory had faded under the stern reality of circumstances.
+Sickness had dimmed the ardor of my soul. Home-longings had clustered
+around my heart: and I then felt as it were for the time being a
+happiness in disappointment, and an independence in my liberty.
+
+"My companions were indeed sorry to part with me: and before leaving
+presented me with many tokens of their affections. I felt the loneliness
+of a saddened heart when they were gone. The Indians were however kind,
+and faithful in their duties towards me. Under their care my health and
+vigor improved rapidly; so much so, that I felt sufficiently able to go
+with the returning Indians to Thunder Bay. I stood the travel much
+better than I anticipated. On the 27th day of August I arrived safely in
+this city, but much exhausted by the fatigues of the journey.
+
+"Alas! thought I. What a change of prospects! What a revulsion in
+circumstances! I left here as a proud follower of Mars, clothed in
+scarlet and fine linen like the Kings of Babylon, and blowing up the
+tinsel'd bubble of military glory, amid the beating of drums, the
+blowing of trumpets, and the cheers of an excited populace. But alas! I
+returned in silence, as a simple man of experience, covered in
+sackcloth, exhausted in body, disappointed in mind, without friends,
+without a home, and with comparatively meagre funds. It was then that
+the last words of my dear father to me came rushing upon my soul, and
+adding sorrow to the feelings of my heart. Humiliating as my
+circumstances were, more deeply affecting to my mind was the
+ever-present remembrance of a dream which I dreamt on the night previous
+to my departure from Chipenega, the place where I remained during my
+illness. I dreamt that I was again residing in Montreal, that I had
+retired to my room for the night, and was projecting the design of going
+to the Rocky Mountains to dig for gold: and felt excited by the idea
+that when I had accumulated a million I would return to England a
+gentleman of fortune. But my night visions, like my day dreams, were
+doomed to vanish in disappointment: for at that moment when my soul was
+elated with the prospect, and my heart throbbing big with joy, I was
+startled by a light suddenly shining around me; and on looking about I
+beheld a woman entering the room and approaching where I lay. Her
+countenance, though pale, shone with a peculiar brightness. A long robe,
+white as the snow, hung loosely around her, and sandals were upon her
+feet. I was amazed at the appearance at first sight: but after a
+momentary gaze I recognized in her features the expression of my own
+mother.
+
+"'Oh, mother! my dear mother!' I shouted as she approached, quickly
+raising myself up from my couch.
+
+"'Frederick, my son Frederick,' she exclaimed taking hold of my hand in
+her own, and kissing me affectionately. 'I have come to take my farewell
+of you, my dear son, as I am ready to depart on a long journey and will
+not again see you on earth. Around my poor body your father, brother,
+sisters, and other relatives are at this very moment sobbing in tears,
+while in spirit I am here present with you. My time on earth is limited
+to seconds. My words are therefore few. My injunctions are these,--I
+hope you will comply with them. Repent of your wickedness and folly.
+Abstain from intoxicating liquors and evil company. Live a righteous
+life. Return at once to England, and seal those bonds of a life-union
+with Clara, whom you have unjustly wronged. Promise me, my son, to do
+these things and I shall depart in peace.'
+
+"I was so overcome and bewildered at that moment that I could say
+nothing more than simply to whisper,--'_Mother, I shall try to do so_.'
+She then kissed me; bade me good-bye; and on wings of light instantly
+soared out of the room, leaving it in darkness again. I was so awfully
+impressed at this moment that I awoke suddenly. It appeared to me to be
+more of a waking reality than a dream. From that time until the present
+moment it has preyed heavily upon my feelings. Again and again have I
+tried to eradicate the impression, but every effort has only had a
+tendency to rivet it the more firmly to my mind, until it has at length
+assumed the aspect of a reality. I fear my apprehensions are too true;
+however I trust to Providence that my dream was nothing more than a
+baseless emanation of fancy. The evening after my arrival in Toronto
+from the Red River expedition I wrote a letter to my parents, and also
+one to a cousin of my own residing in London. I stated the circumstances
+which compelled me to return from the expedition; that the doctor had
+advised me to go back to England, as the Canadian climate was not
+suitable for my constitution; and that I purposed being in London to
+spend the Christmas holidays with my friends. Neither did I forget to
+mention the anxiety I felt about my child; nor did I neglect to express
+my intention of paying an affectionate compliment to its mother on my
+return. I desired my friends to reply immediately on receiving my
+letters. Nearly five weeks have elapsed since I wrote, but no answer has
+been received yet. I however expect something by the next English mail.
+I am living in suspense; a dreadful feeling indeed to endure. Had my
+health and means permitted, I would have gone directly to England on my
+return from the expedition. Instead thereof I sent the letters referred
+to, and having rested in this city a couple of weeks, I went down to
+Kingston to visit an old acquaintance who had emigrated thither a few
+years ago; but when I arrived there I discovered with disappointment
+that he had recently removed to the State of Minnesota. It was then,
+sir, that I had the pleasure of meeting with you. Your kindness and
+familiarity on that occasion, and also since, have been as medicine to
+my soul. I have considered you as a genial and sympathetic friend. I
+have told you the history of my past career. I trust to God that my
+future will be characterised with less unfortunate events, but with
+deeds more worthy of being told. I feel, and I know that I have been the
+author of my own wretchedness and folly. I have wasted my time, my
+money, and my energies in dissipation. I have feasted my conceited
+fancies upon glory as light and transient as the flying gossamer: and
+besides all this, I have done injustice to my parents--to my child--and
+to her who gave it birth. I have wronged her with cruel heart, a heart
+that has recoiled upon itself, and now stings its own affections in the
+madness of remorse. But worse than all, I have done injustice to my
+Maker. I have mocked at His mercy. I have insulted His dignity. I have
+trampled upon His laws. _Oh! miserable wretch that I have been!_
+However, I have resolved to live a better life. I trust to God that
+through His divine power I shall be enabled to abstain from intoxicating
+liquor and evil company."
+
+"I intend returning to England in December next," continued Frederick,
+after a few moments silence. "Yesterday I met with a gentleman who
+formerly belonged to London, and with whom I was somewhat acquainted. He
+is now a resident of Hamilton, some 50 miles from here, and does a large
+business as an upholsterer. He offered me immediate employment, at $1.50
+per day. I have engaged with him for two months, at the expiration of
+which time, if health permit, I will ship myself for England. So that no
+time may be lost I shall leave for Hamilton to-morrow morning, to be
+ready to commence work on Monday.
+
+"Now, sir, as you intend remaining in Toronto for a week or two you will
+indeed favor me by calling at the Post-Office, especially when the next
+English Mail arrives, and any letters or newspapers addressed to me,
+please forward immediately."
+
+I promised faithfully to do so:--and having thanked him for his favors I
+bade him good-bye for the present, expressing a wish that I would find
+him in a happier state of feelings at our next interview.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+
+Having returned to the hotel at which I was staying I retired
+immediately to bed. I slept but little during the night, my fancy having
+been kept awake by the expressive interview of the preceding evening.
+The eventful narrative of Frederick Charlston's career was ever present
+to my mind, producing feelings akin to those of an experienced reality.
+But the most striking characteristic was the singular dream to which I
+have alluded. Dreams in general are nothing more than the echoes of the
+soul, or the breathings of imagination when the consciousness of the
+mind is in a latent state. Some dreams however, may be the productions
+of a spiritual agency photographing as it were through the electric
+telegraph of the soul the impressions of the real event upon the mind of
+the person who is absent, causing strange forebodings to loom up in the
+horizon of imagination. Be this as it may, it is a well known fact, that
+dreams have been occasionally verified. Thousands of them, however, are
+by the dreamer construed to suit circumstances. But the millions of
+these visions that arise nightly from the bed-chambers of the world are
+nothing more than the flickerings of the mind, at random, and like
+vapor, arising into the atmosphere of the soul, frequently assuming a
+variety of fantastic forms as a metamorphoses of preconceived ideas.
+
+Immediately on hearing of the arrival of the English Mail I hurried down
+to the Post-Office, and inquired of the gentleman in attendance if there
+were anything for Frederick Charlston. Shuffling over a pile of letters
+he drew one out and handed it to me. It was mounted with deep mourning,
+and heavily sealed with black sealing wax. I was startled at the
+appearance thereof. I took but a momentary gaze and requested him to
+forward it by the next mail to Hamilton. I felt an anxious curiosity to
+know the contents of the Black-Sealed Letter. I felt certain that some
+of Frederick's relatives had recently died. The aspect of his dream more
+forcibly impressed itself upon my mind. But let a few days more pass
+away, and the mystery will be solved.
+
+At the end of the second week after this occurrence I went up to
+Hamilton: and shortly after my arrival called upon the Upholsterer. He
+told me that Frederick had not been at the workshop during the past few
+days, owing to an attack of illness. He directed me to the hotel at
+which Frederick was boarding. I went there, and was by the innkeeper
+shown into a bedroom, in which he was reclining upon a couch reading a
+newspaper. On seeing me he sprang forward and grasped my hand
+affectionately in his own, and began sobbing aloud, the tears gushing
+from his eyes. For a few seconds I stood motionless in sad bewilderment
+of mind, feeling assured that something of a serious nature had
+occurred. At length I ventured to express a desire to know what had
+happened. He then drew from his pocket a letter, and handed it to me. I
+recognized it at once as the "_Black-Sealed-Letter_." I opened it with
+trembling hand, and read as follows:
+
+    "London, England, Sept. 20th, 1870.
+
+    "Dear Cousin Frederick.--I received your letter of the 28th ultimo on
+    the 18th inst., and was sorry indeed to hear of your illness, from
+    which I hope you have completely recovered. It gives me pleasure
+    however to know that you will again be amongst us. No doubt you will
+    feel happy to see your old friends again. But short as the time has
+    been since you left, you will find on your return that eventful
+    changes have taken place. Our life on earth is only a struggle with
+    itself, too frequently surrounded with adverse circumstances, that
+    are prolific with sad events, and gloomy with suffering and
+    disappointment. And were it not that the Star of Bethlehem still
+    shines in the firmament of Heaven the glory of this world would
+    transmit but a dim light upon the soul of the Christian life. Then be
+    prepared, my dear friend, to endure the ills of adversity with a
+    noble heart. Although a dark shadow may fall suddenly upon your
+    earthly vision, at once direct your eyes in faith towards the Star of
+    Celestial Glory; and the light of Heaven will dispel the darkness,
+    even, were it the shadow of Death.
+
+    "You desired of me to give particular information respecting Clara
+    Hazeldon. In accordance with your request I suppose I must do so.
+    Through disappointment, in hoping against hope, she became low
+    spirited, and failed considerably in health; and, on hearing of your
+    intended adventure in the Red River expedition, relinquished every
+    hope of your return, and shortly afterwards became the wife of
+    Charles Holstrom.
+
+    "Your child is still in your father's family, and is a
+    bright-eyed-healthy-looking boy, resembling you very much indeed. At
+    the request of your relatives, but with considerable reluctance on
+    my part, I now undertake to inform you of an event which has recently
+    occurred in your own family. They consider it better to make it known
+    to you by letter than allow the reality unexpectedly to force itself
+    upon your mind at your return.
+
+    "On the 20th day of July last, your mother, by a fall down the
+    stairway, unfortunately got one of her limbs broken. It was
+    considered necessary to have it amputated. Mortification set in
+    shortly afterwards, eventually proving fatal. At an early hour on the
+    morning of the 25th, only five days after the occurrence, your dear
+    mother breathed her last, surrounded by her weeping relatives. She
+    was sensible to within a few hours of her death. Her dying words
+    conferred a blessing upon you. She died happy, and with full
+    assurance of a blessed immortality.
+
+    "Striking as this announcement must be to your mind, I trust that
+    with the help of God you will be enabled to bear up under the severe
+    affliction. Sooner or later we must all die; and by what means we
+    know not. Then let this event be another warning to us to prepare
+    effectually for our exit to eternity. May God bless you, my dear
+    friend. May Christ be your spiritual Physician, to pour the Balm of
+    Gilead upon your troubled soul; and through Divine power may you ere
+    long be conducted back in health and safety to your old home.
+
+    "Your friends join in expressing their love to you.
+
+    "I remain, dear Frederick, your affectionate cousin.
+
+    "William A. Thornton."
+
+Appended to the above letter was the following note from Eliza,
+Frederick's eldest sister:
+
+    "London, Sept. 20th, 1870.
+
+    "My Dear Brother,--The sad events that have occurred since your
+    departure have thrown a deep gloom over our household. The death of
+    our dear mother has almost broken our hearts. I hope in God you will
+    be enabled to endure the severe affliction. Call upon Christ, and he
+    will assist you to bear up your weight of sorrow. It is some comfort
+    however to know that mother died the happy death of a Christian. I
+    trust her spirit is now reaping the heavenly harvest of her spiritual
+    labors upon earth. Father is terribly changed since her death. I
+    thought he would assuredly die under the heavy affliction. No doubt
+    your absence has had a tendency to augment his grief. He has become
+    fearfully melancholy, and of late has had recourse to drinking. I
+    dread the consequences; therefore I intreat you to come home as soon
+    as possible. Perhaps your influence may have a soothing effect upon
+    his mind; and prevent him from further indulgence.
+
+    "Oh, how glad we shall all feel, even in our sorrow, to see you
+    again, dear brother. Richard has turned out to be a fine boy; you
+    will be happy to see him. Cousin William has acquainted you with
+    other facts. Trust to God for the consolation of your mind. We all
+    join in love to you. With a heavy heart and in tears I have written
+    these few lines. I am, dear brother, your affectionate sister.
+
+    "Eliza Charlston."
+
+"These are sad news indeed," said I, returning the letter to Frederick.
+
+"Very, very sad, indeed, almost insufferable!" said he.
+
+Having paused for a few moments he continued. "My dream has been
+forcibly verified. How overwhelming is the reality that my poor mother
+is no more. Had I been present when she died it would have given some
+consolation to my soul. But, oh! to think of the manner in which I fled
+from her presence, and also from my happy home: to think of the
+sufferings both mentally and physically she must have endured: to think
+of the unfortunate circumstances of her death; to think that I, her
+favorite son, was absent in her dying hours, without an opportunity of
+confessing my errors and asking her forgiveness: to think of these
+alone, is sufficient to break my very heart. Nor is this all. She to
+whose loving heart I pledged my affections as a bond of an eternal
+union, has become the life-companion of another. But I reproach her not
+for so doing. She was faithful; I alone was false. She had hoped against
+hope; and not until she had despaired of my return did she seek out a
+help-mate and home for herself. It is only another unfortunate
+circumstance of my life. I feel deeply the wound it has inflicted; but I
+will not avenge it. My life is apparently a life of troubles, and like
+Job of old I am ready to curse the day of my birth. I, myself, may be
+the author of it all; but it seems to me that some demon, like the evil
+spirit of King Saul, has taken possession of life's-citadel, and strews
+my pathway with pandoric ills."
+
+"My dear sir, I do really sympathise with you in your affliction," said
+I. "But under such trying circumstances confide in God and he will be
+your friend indeed."
+
+"But for me there is no Balm in Gilead: there is no physician there," he
+exclaimed. "As a fallen sinner I again sought for balm in the Vineyard
+of Satan. I had recourse to the demon-wizard of intoxication, and drank
+from his enchanted bowl. It was impossible to live and do otherwise; for
+elsewhere I could find no consolation for my grief. I drank deeply for
+two days and two nights after having received the letter. I then resumed
+my work: and with a saddened heart and a weakened constitution, labored
+until three days ago, when, I again broke the bonds of my resolutions.
+To-day I am sobering off myself: and when my bottle is emptied of its
+contents, _I shall drink no more_."
+
+Saying this, he took from his trunk a bottle half-full with liquor.
+
+"Look here," said he. "You see how short a distance is now between me
+and total-abstinence. But, my dear friend, I will not insult your
+feelings by tasting of it in your presence."
+
+Therewith he returned the bottle to its place. In answer to my enquiries
+he stated that he still intended to return to England in December, and
+for that purpose had resolved to economise his time and means, and never
+taste of liquor again.
+
+"Ah," said he, "liquor and evil company have been my ruin. Through the
+influence of bad companions I first broke the pledge when at Tiverton:
+and by doing so at that time, I upset all my projected designs. I have
+been re-building and upsetting ever since; but somehow my superstructure
+appears to have no solid basis. However, I am determined to try once
+more and make amends for the past."
+
+I told him that I intended in the course of a few days to go on as far
+as New London, and would be absent at least a month. I would then return
+by way of Hamilton, and accompany him as far as Montreal, on my way
+home: it being about the time he purposed leaving for England. He
+appeared to be delighted with the idea of so doing, and heartily thanked
+me for the kindness I shewed towards him.
+
+On the following morning he resumed his work apparently with renewed
+cheerfulness and vigor; and during the ten days I remained in Hamilton
+he improved rapidly in both body and spirit. We met together every
+evening and passed an hour or two very pleasantly, and I may add,
+profitably. He never once tasted of liquor during that time; but seemed
+more determined than ever to resist its temptation. I advised him to
+remove to some private boarding house; where he would be less exposed to
+the influence of liquor and evil company: but he seemed unwilling to
+comply therewith on account of his intended removal in so short a time.
+On the morning of that day on which I left Hamilton I called at the
+shop, where he was vigorously at work. On bidding him good-bye, I
+expressed a wish that he would remain true to the principle of
+total-abstinence, entreating him to supplicate Divine aid to enable him
+to do so.
+
+"There may be some breakers ahead" said he, "but I think I can steer in
+the right course now."
+
+Then bidding each other good bye, we parted--_never to meet again on
+earth_.
+
+On my return to Hamilton I called at the hotel and requested to see
+Frederick Charlston.
+
+"O, he's gone, sir," abruptly ejaculated the innkeeper.
+
+"_Gone, sir!_" said I. "Where, and when did he go?"
+
+"Well, all I can say about him, is that he went off to his grave about a
+week ago," he replied.
+
+"Do you mean to say that Frederick Charlston is dead?" said I.
+
+"Why, yes, sir," said he, "the fellow's as flat as a board now."
+
+"What was the cause of his death?" I inquired.
+
+"Drinking more whiskey than he was able to hold, so he sprang a leak and
+sank, cargo and all," he replied, jokingly, with a humorous grin,
+endeavouring to be witty at the expense of his victim.
+
+This unexpected intelligence struck me so forcibly that for several
+seconds I stood motionless and bewildered. I then walked away with a
+sorrowful heart indeed. I could scarcely give credence to the
+announcement until it was confirmed by the upholsterer whom I called
+upon, and who related the following circumstances connected with the
+death of poor unfortunate Frederick Charlston.
+
+"Two weeks ago last Thursday night," said he, "a couple of fast youths
+who were carousing merrily at the hotel, persuaded Frederick to take a
+sip with them. But one taste was sufficient to rouse up the evil spirit
+again within his bosom. He drank deeply that night and for two days
+continued his carousal; but was at length turned out upon the street by
+the innkeeper for disturbing the necessitated quietness of the Saturday
+night. He found his way to the woodshed, where he laid himself down and
+fell asleep. In about two hours he awoke shivering with cold; and was
+ultimately admitted into the hotel. Next morning he was in a feverish
+state, and confined to bed. Towards evening his condition became more
+alarming, and a messenger was sent for me. I hurried thither, and
+procured a doctor immediately. Had it been prudent to do so, I would
+have removed him at once to my own house; however, I did all for him
+that I possibly could do! My wife and I in turn sat by his bedside and
+watched over him with tender care. But all was in vain. His fever
+continued to increase and he became delirious. At times he would startle
+up wildly from his couch, shouting frantically as if in the agonies of
+horror, frequently calling and in pitiable and heart-rending tones upon
+his mother to forgive him: and to come and help him out of the horrible
+pit into which he had fallen, &c. &c. But the scene during those moments
+was too appalling to admit of further description. Finally he became
+calm, and sank into a peaceful slumber from which he never awoke on
+earth. On the morning of the fifth day of his illness, November 30th, he
+breathed his last, and his spirit passed away forever into the regions
+of eternity.
+
+"Poor Frederick, he is gone. My heart is saddened by his death!"
+continued he, apparently much affected. "With all his faults he had a
+noble soul. Poor fellow! he is gone now. I gave him a decent burial. I
+wrote to his father informing him of his son's death; but modified the
+circumstances connected therewith; however, it will be sad intelligence
+indeed."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The history of Frederick Charlston is now told. His career was brief. It
+is however pregnant with unfortunate events, and contains excellent
+material for moral reflection. It is in itself a lesson for the young
+and the inexperienced, showing the sad results of a self-willed
+confidence, the love of vain-glory in adventure, the yielding of moral
+principles to gratify the desire of either oneself or that of
+others:--and worse than all, the sacrificing of the nobler attributes of
+human nature to the insidious wiles of evil society and intoxicating
+liquor. Millions of young men, as moral and as self-confident as
+Frederick Charlston, have been physically and morally ruined as he was.
+Once yielding a little to immoral influence gives the first impetus to a
+downward tendency. Continue to repeat it, and the inertia becomes
+stronger, and the descent more easy.
+
+"I see no harm in a social glass with a friend," cries one.
+
+"Let cold-water-fanatics preach until doomsday and hurl their anathemas
+against inebriates," exclaims another, "but they never shall prevent me
+from taking my occasional glass."
+
+"Nor I," says a third. "An occasional glass with a companion is the very
+life-spring of social nature. It assimilates one mind with another. It
+dispels sadness, and invigorates both soul and body. It opens up the
+fountains of the heart, and joy gushes out, sparkling with wit and
+melody. Wherefore then should I deprive myself of those blessings, on
+purpose to gratify the whims of some cold-water quack? Wherefore then
+should I bind my liberties with a pledge as a safe-guard to prevent me
+from becoming a drunkard? If other men have been foolish enough to allow
+themselves to become drunkards by abusing one of the precious gifts of
+nature, is that sufficient reason that I should not drink? I think not.
+I am no drunkard, nor shall I become one; therefore I will do as I
+please with my own liberty and independence."
+
+Such is indeed the false philosophy of too many moderate drinkers. No
+man is a confirmed drunkard at once. It is by degrees that men generally
+become inebriates. "Take but a glass," says the recruiting sergeant of
+Bacchus, "it will do you no harm." But one glass is but the starting
+point. It is the magnet that attracts material akin to itself. What a
+world of degradation has been generated by this nucleus of intemperance.
+
+Intoxicating liquor is indeed the most prolific source of wretchedness
+and crime. It has been and still is the greatest curse to humanity. It
+is the curse of curses. The grave is filled with its wrecks. The fire of
+hell is fed by its fuel. Millions upon millions of human beings has it
+hurled down to the blackest regions of eternity. How daring then must
+that man be;--how utterly lost to every principle of morality, who would
+hazard an assertion in favor of intoxicating drinks as a source of
+benefit to mankind. The universal evidence of all ages would be against
+him. The horrid shrieks of suffering humanity would denounce his
+arguments. Millions of grinning skeletons, blackened with every crime
+(if permitted) would startle forth from their infernal dungeons; and in
+myriads of drunkards' graves the rattling of dry bones would be heard:
+Yea, even hell, its very self, bloated with the souls of inebriates,
+would groan with indignation. Nay, call it not happiness that sparkles
+in the eye of the rum-drinker and softens his heart and tongue into
+kindred sympathy with each other. Happiness arises not from the
+flickerings of the brain when heated by the reeking fumes of the liquor
+glass. Nor does it arise from the fervid impulses of the heart when
+excited by the steaming vapors of the rum bowl. Neither does it exist in
+the fluctuating feelings of animal nature when stimulated into action by
+the demon-spirit of the brandy bottle. Nor does happiness consist in the
+wild revelry of human beings, like madmen, recklessly sporting their
+fantastic tricks around the unhallowed altar of Bacchus. Nay, term it
+not happiness, call it rather by the name of insanity.
+
+In conclusion, if any of my readers are addicted to intemperance, or
+take only an occasional glass, with a friend, let me entreat of you to
+consider this momentous subject: to crush the bottle-serpent ere its
+fangs have pierced you fatally to the heart; and at once and forever, to
+dash the accursed bowl to the earth.
+
+Once more, I earnestly entreat of you to pause and reflect. Think of the
+countless millions of human beings who have been utterly ruined soul and
+body forever by intemperance; think of the immeasurable mass of
+wretchedness and crime arising therefrom. Think of your present
+condition and your eternal future; and remember also that _every man_,
+even in his greatest strength is but a fallable creature; and finally my
+dear readers I ask of you to consider seriously the life, career and
+death of poor unfortunate Frederick Charlston.
+
+Finis.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+The foregoing story is the first of a series entitled--"Tales for
+Canadian Homes;" the others will appear in serial form in the
+columns of the _Canadian Garland_, a Weekly Newspaper, which the author
+intends to establish shortly, in the Village of Durham, Ormstown, County
+of Chateauguay, P. Q.
+
+    ANDREW L. SPEDON,
+        St. Jean Chrysostom,
+            Chateauguay Co., P.Q.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+The Poetic Wreath.
+
+BY THE SAME AUTHOR.
+
+
+
+
+LIFE'S STRUGGLE.
+
+
+    Our life is but a struggle here,
+    'Mid good and ill, 'twixt hope and fear,
+    Thro' dang'rous channels oft we steer,
+            With reckless force;
+    But self-made ills make life's career
+            A rougher course.
+
+    The world is but a human hive;
+    To keep the varied swarm alive,
+    Its working bees must toil and strive,
+            While others feast.
+    The lazy drones appear to thrive,
+            Yet work the least.
+
+    The world appears a battle-field,
+    The stronger rule, the weaker yield,
+    The golden nerves too often wield
+            The power which leads,
+    While justice' scales are oft conceal'd
+            By selfish deeds.
+
+    Yet still we strive midst hopes and fears,
+    With pleasure's smiles and sorrow's tears,
+    And tho' our bustling life appears
+            A transient breath,
+    It seems possess'd of endless years
+            'Twixt us and death.
+
+    The poor man toils for daily bread;
+    By him the rich are clothed and fed,
+    Yet life's to them a greater dread,
+            Or idle pest,
+    Their downy couch too oft a bed
+            Of sleepless rest.
+
+    How many a life's an idle waste,
+    Its destined glory seems disgraced,
+    Its vile possessor has defaced
+            The man divine,
+    That not a single mark is traced
+            Of God's design.
+
+    Man's but a child, a restless boy,
+    His life a game, the world his toy,
+    He strives for something to enjoy
+            Unjoy'd before,
+    Tho' vicious tastes and passions cloy
+            He longs for more.
+
+    The lust for gold, the love of fame,
+    The baser passions oft inflame,
+    And blindly masks the honest name
+            Of moral worth,
+    When life exceeds no higher aim
+            Than this vile earth.
+
+
+    Our souls the golden god inspires,
+    And feeds the life-destroying fires,
+    Until the fevered heart desires
+            With selfish greed,
+    More than it actually requires
+            For nature's need.
+
+    Life's hardest ills its spirit braves,
+    O'er mountain-crags and ocean-waves,
+    Then make ourselves the worst of slaves,
+            A slave to self,
+    To satisfy the thirst that craves
+            For yellow pelf.
+
+    The golden wand with magic art
+    Throws out the power to charm the heart,
+    But ah, we feel its bitter smart
+            When selfish greed
+    Has robb'd from life that better part
+            We so much need.
+
+    Alas, when gold absorbs our cares
+    Life's wheels get dry, the axle wears,
+    And heavier grows the load it bears,
+            And faster driven,
+    Its very dust defiles the prayers
+            We send to heaven.
+
+    Life's chariot wheels revolve with speed,
+    Yet faster still we urge our steed,
+    And scarcely slack the reins to feed
+            Or ease its breath,
+    The journey seems but short indeed,
+            When closed in death.
+
+    We haste it on with worldly care,
+    Oppressive toil, and meagre fare,
+    While sin and self-indulgence wear
+            Our chariot wheels
+    Increasing still the load they bear,
+            With countless ills.
+
+    How discontented life appears,
+    By every wind its compass veers,
+    Our hopes are tarnish'd by the fears
+            Of fancied ill,
+    Even tho' the sun of Fortune cheers,
+            We grumble still.
+
+    But why complain for everything
+    That gives our life a random sting;
+    Altho' we shift our tether-string
+            To please our will,
+    We'll always find the change will bring
+            Both good and ill.
+
+    Then why should we contract our sight
+    When life turns down the side that's bright
+    The blast that blows us ills to-night,
+            With cankering sorrow.
+    May cheer the clouds which shade the light
+            That shines to-morrow.
+
+    'Tis better then to be content,
+    Altho' we are not worth a cent;
+    Our precious hours when wisely spent
+            Are still the best,
+    For nature's ills are never sent
+            To be a pest.
+
+    And let it never be our creed,
+    That when we do an evil deed,
+    To think that penance can succeed,
+            To cancel sin;
+    We pluck the fruit, but still the seed
+            Remains within.
+
+    But may we daily strive to win
+    That happy world which knows no sin,
+    'Tis on the heaven we form within
+            Our bliss depends,
+    Where life celestial shall begin,
+            Which never ends.
+
+
+
+
+INDIAN SUMMER.
+
+
+    While winter in the dreary North
+    Lies crouching ready to leap forth,
+    In "_Indian Summer_" doth appear
+    The gentle seasons of the year.
+
+    As if they came to shed their bloom
+    Around their excavated tomb,
+    To hold their parting interview,
+    And bid their native world adieu.
+
+    The leaves that linger on the trees
+    Are smiling in the sunny breeze,
+    And chanting forth with holy breath
+    The mournful requiem of their death.
+
+    The desert-fields, tho' bleak and bare,
+    Seem lovely through the sun-lit air;
+    The very shades are glowing bright
+    Beneath the golden mellow light.
+
+    Rejoicing in their freedom still,
+    On cultured field and pastur'd hill,
+    The cattle crops the fading grass,
+    And bless the moments as they pass.
+
+    The ploughman and his trusty team
+    More happy and contented seem,
+    From golden rays the furrow'd field
+    A golden harvest yet may yield.
+
+    From bough to bough in yonder wood
+    The squirrel frisks in happy mood,
+    While searching round in hopes to find
+    That some few nuts are left behind.
+
+    The summer-birds that yearly fly
+    To yonder Southern sunny sky,
+    Are hovering round on lingering wing,
+    And fancy 'tis returning Spring.
+
+    While these sweet hours are gliding by,
+    How calmly smiles the solemn sky,
+    With golden hues of radiance bright,
+    As if it were the cream of light.
+
+    It seems as if an angel's wing
+    Had wafted back the breath of Spring,
+    To animate the ling'ring breath
+    Of Autumn on the bed of death.
+
+    Or from the rays of heavenly dews
+    Had gilt the earth in rainbow hues,
+    And o'er the sky so gently flung
+    The air that once o'er Eden hung.
+
+    'Tis but the calm before the storm;
+    The flush of earth's consumptive form;
+    The hopeful smile, the fever'd breath,
+    Before the stern approach of death.
+
+
+
+
+THE SHADOW OF THE HOUSEHOLD.
+
+
+    There is a sympathy in love
+      We bear for those who mourn,
+    Whose shadows of departed joys
+      With every thought return.
+    'Tis hard to stem the stream of grief
+      That floods the parents' heart
+    When death unvails embosom'd hopes,
+      And throws its fatal dart.
+
+    The nursling of a mother's love,
+      That nestles on her breast,
+    Is but a life, celestial gift,
+      By God's own seal impress'd.
+    And when its prattling lips rejoice
+      In innocent delight
+    The parents' love and cherish'd hope,
+      With tenfold power unite.
+
+    Anticipated prospects rise
+      From hope's enchanted dreams,
+    Converting life's prospective skies
+      From shade to sunny beams,
+    But oft, alas, those fancied hopes
+      Are in the bud destroy'd;
+    The cherished gift is pluckt away
+      And leaves a lonely void.
+
+    Its lovely form returns to earth,
+      Its spirit soars to bliss;
+    Tho' destin'd to a happy world
+      It oft may visit this.
+    Perchance around the household hearth
+      When prayer's sweet incense rise,
+    It may return as messenger
+      To waft it to the skies.
+
+    'Tis sweet to cherish such a thought,
+      Even tho' it were untrue,
+    That spirit-friends are hovering round
+      Tho' absent from our view.
+    But, oh! such dreams however sweet,
+      A solace to impart,
+    Can never fill the vacant seat,
+      Nor yet the parents' heart.
+
+    The silent toys, the empty clothes,
+      Those vestiges of death;
+    Are full of mournful memories,
+      Which spring from every breath,
+    The active form the smiling face,
+      In every thought appear;
+    The prattling voice so cheering once
+      Still lingers in the ear.
+
+    The future casts a shadow now,
+      And hopes give place to grief,
+    And all these things so pleasing once
+      Can give no real relief.
+    'Tis only from a heavenly source
+      That happiness can flow;
+    There only can the heart procure
+      A balm for every woe.
+
+    Then ye who mourn your absent ones,
+      Those gifts by nature given,
+    Remember tho' 'tis loss to you,
+      'Tis gain to Christ in Heaven,
+    But still the wounded bosom bleeds,
+      And cankers with its grief,
+    For things have not their former charms
+      To lend the soul relief.
+
+    There is no solid base on earth,
+      On which our hopes are sure;
+    The Rock of Heaven alone can make
+      Our faith and hope secure.
+    This life is full of varied ills,
+      With pain in every breath;
+    And everything, however pure,
+      Contains the germs of death.
+
+    How feeble is that vital thread,
+      Which holds us to the earth;
+    It may be snapt at hoary age,
+      Or at the infants' birth.
+    We see it break in every clime,
+      At every age and hour,
+    And still we live as if its strength,
+      Could match our Maker's power.
+
+    The curse of sin like Cain's mark
+      Is stampt on every brow;
+    And to the idols of the earth
+      We in submission bow.
+    Earth's things may seem as tangible
+      To life's short-sighted eyes,
+    But from the magic touch of death
+      The cherish'd vision flies.
+
+    The soul itself, like Noah's dove,
+      But flutters out its strength
+    Around the earth, its safety ark,
+      Then flies away at length.
+    Perchance it may, while hovering here,
+      Some olive-leaf procure,
+    An emblem of a spirit-world,
+      Whose solid base is sure.
+
+
+
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