cover when it had ceased. One day, on finding that he made no appearance at the call of the violin, we reached down the basket and found him gone. Whether he had fallen out by accident while hanging by his tail, or taken the leap on purpose, there was no knowing; but he had disappeared, and we saw him no more, though a few weeks after his departure we found his skin, turned inside out, behind a

and, among other natural curiosities, we fell in with a musical cow. This creature, a small cream-colored specimen of the Alderney breed, suckled her calf, along with a dozen other vaccine mothers, in a meadow which sloped down to the river's brink. Whenever we turned the bend of the river, "with our voices in tune as the oars kept time," and the meadow came in sight, there we were sure to see the white cow, standing up to the shoulders in the water, whith-box placed against the wall. er she had advanced to meet us, her neck stretch- Dogs, judging from the conduct of the gened out and her dripping nose turned toward the erality of them, may be regarded as indifferent boat. As we skirted the meadow she kept to music, as they are noticed neither to seek pace with us on the bank, testifying her delight | nor shun it, as a general rule. Being remarkby antics of which no cow in her senses would ably docile, however, they may be, and are, have been thought capable. She would leap, taught to discriminate tunes, and to dance to skip, roll on her back, rear on her hind legs, violin, pipe, and drum in a manner that indithen hurl them aloft in the air like a kicking | cates plainly enough their appreciation of muhorse-now rushing into the water to look at us sical time at least. Some dogs grind organs at nearer, now frisking off like a kitten at play. the command of their unfeeling exhibitors; When she came to the meadow-fence, she dashed and though they always set about the business through it furiously into the next field, and so with a serious face, that may be no proof that on through the next fence, and the next after they dislike music. Our own dog-a cross bethat. The fourth being railed, she would turn tween a Scotch and a Skye terrier-is affected it by wading the river, and was only prevented in an extraordinary way by the notes of the from following us further by a steep, precipitous harmonium, and chooses to post himself close bank which stopped her progress. After these to the instrument while it is playing. So long mad gambols she always returned to her calf, as the music runs below a certain pitch all is first saluting us with a long plaintive kind of well; but touch a single note above that, and bellow, by way of farewell. he prepares to join in the performance himself. If a shrill note is prolonged above a minim he points his nose in the air, at an angle of about forty degrees, and, elongating his body in a straight line from the nostrils to the tail, pitches precisely the same note, which he will go on sounding as long as you please. The inference generally drawn is, that he dislikes it, and that the notes to which he thus responds are painful to him. To us that is not so clear, since, though the door be open, and he has the run of the whole house, he never shows the least disposition to make his escape. Who shall say that it is not a luxury to him? The point is doubtful, at least; and we shall give him the benefit of the doubt, and acquit him of the charge, which we deem odious, of disrelishing music.

At this period it was that, rescuing a fine snake from some ignorant boys who were about to kill it, under the notion that it was venomous, but who were glad to sell it for twopence, we carried the slippery creature home, and assigned him a lodging in a small wicker basket, filled with moss, and suspended by a single string from a hook in the ceiling of our bachelor's snuggery. The reptile grew to know us, and to welcome us in his way, by gliding his cold coil across our face and temples when we brought him fresh moss, or tempted him with food, which, by-the-way, he would never take. It was by accident only that we discovered his musical predilections. One evening, while marching the room to the sound of our old violin, with which it was our custom to beguile an occasional hour, we caught sight of what seemed We shall close the present sketch by a rea monstrous python threatening us from aloft. markable instance of the love of music exemIt was the shadow of our pet snake, projected plified in the conduct of a party of mice, who by the single candle on the table to the arched had obtained surreptitious admission at a pubceiling above, and magnified to formidable-look-lic concert. Thus it runs: "Soon after Miss ing dimensions. The fellow was hanging out Hay had commenced her first song, the party of the basket almost by the tip of his tail, and, occupying the front seats saw a mouse saunterwith his head stretched toward us, was following leisurely up and down, close to the skirting ing our motions as we walked up and down the room. We remembered the snake-charmers, and conceived at once that it was the music which had brought him out; and so it proved, as we had opportunity of certifying by repeated experiments. Whenever he heard the violin he came out, and always with his head in the direction of the sound, as if anxious to reach it. When taken from the basket and hung round the neck, he lay limp and as if lifeless while the music lasted, and did not immediately re

of the platform on which she was singing. As the song proceeded the mouse stood spellbound. A lady tried to drive it away, by shaking her concert-bill at it; but the little animal had lost its fear of man, and would not retire. At the conclusion of the piece the mouse vanished, but reappeared, bringing with it a companion when the next song commenced. At the end of song the second the two mice retreated to their hole, but made their third appearance on the boards when the singing was again re

newed. Eventually, six or seven mice came out regularly with every song, and retired when the music ceased. While the melodious tones filled the apartment all attempts to drive away the mice were vain. These most timid members of the animal kingdom were too fascinated to be in terror of the human family, who actually filled the room; and though a fiftieth part of the means used to drive them away would, under ordinary circumstances, have sufficed, they now stood, or slowly glided, so entranced by the melody which pervaded the room that they were heedless of the presence of their natural enemies. How naturalists may explain this phenomenon we know not, nor shall we swell this article by attempting a solution." The paragraph concluded by giving the names of several respectable individuals who witnessed the singular phenomenon, and who were willing to testify to the truth of the report.

POMPS AND VANITIES.

"Even as some sick men will take no medicine unless some pleasant thing be put amongst their potions, although it be somewhat hurtful, yet the physician suffereth them to have it: so because many will not hearken to serious and grave doctriments, unless they be mingled with some fable or jest, therefore reason willeth us to do the like."-SIR THOMAS MOORE.

SCARCE

to be an awfully expensive business, my dear child!"

"Isn't it? I had to disappoint Clara Jones for that very reason! There's your own dress in the first place-it wasn't so bad when the bride gave the dresses, for then you had only to give her the same back in a present, but now there's your dress—and the party.”

"Yes, if it's only a sociable, you have to give something in the way of a party, and our rooms being so large, I had seven invitations to stand this winter. I hardly knew Adeline Crossman; such a set as I got into by it, oh mi!"

"There! I said to mamma-didn't I, mamma?-that I wondered you could mix yourself up with such very common people. But Serena Hopkins and I went to Madame Chegary's together, and we have always been excessively intimate. What do you mean to give her?" "Dear knows! this is the first I have heard of it."

"Oh dear! Why I knew it ages ago-six weeks at least-and it's well I did, for I shall have to embroider her something myself; the Papa groans materials are all I can afford. awfully this year over our bills, doesn't he mamma? He feels as poor as possible."

Lest our rural friends, to whom poverty has CARCELY had the friends of the late Miss usually a painful significance, should waste too Hopkins ceased congratulating themselves much sympathy on the young lady making such on having met the expense of the costly bridal an honest confession of it, we might as well presents she had received from them, when it state that both her mother and herself wore began to be privately circulated among the fe- costly robes de chambre; "mamma" differing male portion that any thing in the way of a so slightly in the style of her toilet that she christening gift would be acceptable. Indeed, might easily have passed for the elder sister of it was scarcely put in that form; the suggestion the two girls who were lolling in damask-covamounted to an expectation, a demand of trib-ered easy chairs on either side of the cheerute to the coming son and heir of Marcus ful fire. The glowing grate was made grateful Lane, who had been so fortunate as to win the belle of her set, née Hopkins. Those who had contributed to the elegantly-laid table in the bride's dressing-room would now have an opportunity to help fill her bureau-drawers with those delicate articles of lace, embroidery, cashmere, flannel, silver, and trinkets generally, which are by no means less expensive than the trousseau, and are quite as publicly paraded at the proper season. Those who had declined, or inadvertently neglected to pay tribute on that occasion, had a chance to redeem their stand-ribbons, and lightly filled with the delicate ing, while sharp eyes and long memories would keep the reckoning.

"I'm glad I made out to give Serena that handsome cake-knife," said Ellen Lawton, who had been first bridesmaid. "There won't be so much expected of me now. I have but just saved it out of my allowance."

"Have you? why, how economical you must be!" Bridesmaid number two, Miss Harris, of Madison Square, elevated her delicately-arched eyebrows and daintily-gloved hands at the same moment. "Why, I went right to Pa for the money for that card-basket-it was eighteen dollars at Tiffany's. But he vowed it was the last time I should be bridesmaid this year. I don't blame him, though-it's getting

by a blustering March wind that whirled dust and ashes past the heavily draped windows. The morning room was perfect in its appointments-low couches instead of sofas; sewingchairs which had no claim to their title, inasmuch as they were usually occupied by morning visitors who rarely set a stitch; book-cases of carved rosewood, well filled with the light literature of the day in resplendent bindings; an oval table to correspond, on which stood the most fanciful of work-baskets fluttering with

handiwork in which both mother and daughter took great pride, and which earned them the distinction of being considered miracles of industry by their idle acquaintances.

Poverty of feeling in rural districts is usually exhibited in a show of retrenchment, but in Clinton Place the seamstress up stairs, in some unknown corner of the domestic world, still set the careful stitches in wristbands and collars of the shirts which the distressed head of the family was to wear, and which his expensive sons ornamented with studs of opal or pearl, and even in the case of the eldest, who was supposed to be in business for himself, diamonds.

The ladies of the family had no time for plain sewing, no time for waiting on themselves

or the gentlemen who made their appearance at | Madame Chegary, who scarcely noticed her enthe six o'clock dinner. When caps, chemisettes, trance by a salutation. Mrs. Lawton had just under-sleeves, and petticoats were to be embroid-finished tracing an elaborate pattern of grapeered, all minor considerations must give way.

taught the absolute necessity of loading brides | expeditions among their cases and counters, with every manner of uselessness the last time charmed with an excuse to revel in the sight I was here. Suppose you proceed with my of such costliness and luxury. Young lady education, as I was 'brought up in the woods.' friends generally were in a flutter of curiosity You need not look distressed, Ellen. My feel- and delight; and as for Mrs. Lane, she was ings are never injured by the literal truth. particular to insist on her superiority over Your father and I were the children of a plain them as "a married woman.' Her importance farmer, and Greene County is still one of the knew no bounds. Before the arrival of the ex'dark places.'" pected infant, her caprices and whims were to be humored to any extent; but when it was actually announced that Mr. Lane was a father, he felt, bowed down by the greatness of the obligation his Serena had conferred upon him; or if he did not, the fault lay only at his own door. It was the united business of the lovely invalid, the devoted monthly nurse, and his agitated mother-in-law, to impress the convic

Miss Harris began to look about with her eye-glass for her sable cape, as if she were making a microscopic examination of insect life, although the article in question hung conspicuously on the arm of the lounge nearest to her.

"Oh, don't go yet, you dear creature!" urged her friend-and taking the opportunity to whisper, while affecting to join in the search-tion upon him. Mr. Hopkins, senior, was the "Never mind Aunt Hilton. She's so spiteful! You've no idea what Dick and I have to put up with when she's here."

"Poor Dick!" murmured Miss Harris; and as the unfortunate youth often made it a point to be home at luncheon when she was expected, she was finally persuaded, with a great show of resistance and repeated urging, in which Mrs. | Lawton joined, to replace the fur on the lounge, and allow her French hat and short velvet mantle to be laid beside it.

"Now that we are quiet once more," said Mrs. Hilton, as the bustle of entreaties and expostulation died away, "I should like to know what the necessity of giving christening presents is ?"

"Oh, it is expected nowadays," said Mrs. Lawton, conclusively. "One can't get over it; but I must say it is getting to be a great tax-so many of Ellen's friends have been married the past two years."

Mrs. Hilton was sufficiently well acquainted with her sister-in-law's tone of mind to know that there was no controverting the argument. Whatever was expected of Mrs. Lawton-by the world, that is—was invariably accomplished, at whatever sacrifice. She had no struggle whom to worship-mammon had long ago been decided for, and she was a most willing and faithful devotee.

The bridesmaids, who had preceded the present Mrs. Lane up the broad aisle of Grace Church on the happy occasion which gathered such a huge crowd of boys, shop porters, nursery maids, and small children about the steps, a few months before, were not the only ones among her friends who talked over the news of a future interesting ceremony to be performed at the same place.

only person about the establishment who preserved his usual calmness.

"Better take a cup of coffee, Mark," he observed to his son-in-law. "You'll come to take these little matters quietly in time." And he returned to the perusal of the Evening Post, over which he had addressed the remark to the excited young father, who disturbed him by pacing up and down the dining-room, with his hair slightly disheveled and his hands thrust into the pockets of his dressing-gown.

Ten days later and he was banished from the sick room with an air of the deepest mystery, and forbidden, on pain of his wife's severest displeasure, and future unremitting persecution from the nurse, to return until he was summoned. Having noticed the elaborate preparations going on around him, as he sat on the edge of the bed holding his wife's hand-the nurse having extended her royal permission to that length of indulgence-he was not so much surprised as he might have been on being ushered an hour after once more into what he had once blindly considered his own room.

It was darkened to the exact point which custom prescribed. The bed was freshly made, with a new, delicately-tinted Marseilles counterpane; the huge, square pillows were got up with a great display of cambric, Valenciennes, and frills generally; but the grand centre of attraction was its late occupant, sitting up for the first time in a dressing-gown lined with pale blue silk, the daintiest breath of a cap, with fluttering ribbons of the same color (Mrs. Lane was a blonde), which was carried even to the bows upon the tiny embroidered slippers that rested conspicuously upon a handsome ottoman before the easy chair in which she languidly reclined.

"There!" said the nurse, with a majestic

Relatives from whom "something hand-wave of the hand, and a deep self-conscioussome" was expected groaned in spirit. One ness of duty well performed. bachelor uncle reverted to the well-known prov- It was certainly an effective tableau. The erb of insult and injury when he recollected soft blush and smile with which he was welhow recently he had paid Ball and Black's bill comed-Mrs. Lane had seen the hand mirror, for a case of heavy silver spoons-table, des- and knew she was looking her very best; the sert, and teas-of the most expensive pattern. delicate complexion, clearer than ever, with its Mothers of small families, who doted on Gen-shade of paleness; the small white hand, holdin's and Bradbrook's, set out afresh on exploring |ing a richly embroidered mouchoir that had been

one of her bridal gifts; that admirably slippered | which a costly diamond engagement ring glitfoot, and the background so softly shadowed! tered as a guard above the heaviest plain gold Mr. Lane may be excused for thinking at the circlet that money could purchase. moment that he was the happiest and most fortunate man, not only in the city, but that the world itself contained!

He thought of the time when his voice trembled as he held the last upon her finger, and said, after Dr. Taylor, "With this ring I thee wed." Dear girl! he promised then to love and cherish her, and he would, so he would!

Yet the childless widow of his guardian, who had been more than a mother to him, had implied the wish that the little one whose birth she so rejoiced over should be called by her name, and in an unguarded moment Marcus

The infant-it was a girl, much to its doting papa's disappointment, after he had ceased to be thankful for any thing, as the nurse told him he ought to be when he ventured to remark on the fact this innocent cause of the bustle and preparation of the past few months, was sleeping as quietly as if she had only been one of ten, and that where she was not made particu-Lane had promised it, counting on being able larly comfortable or welcome. Such children to win his wife's consent. Since it was not a are apt to thrive; they are not exposed to the boy to be Marcus Lane, junior, what did a name dangers and mischiefs of overfeeding, overheat signify? ing, and underdressing, which beset the entrance into life of those who have the misfortune to belong to opulent parents.

The young father restrained his desire to look at the little pink, wrinkled face for the second time that morning. One glance had been previously accorded him, and he had a subject for conversation just now apart from the sufferings of the dear invalid, and inquiring what he should bring her from down town. The lovely convalescent noticed his glance turning to the cradle, canopied with a cloud of tulle, looped back by bows of white satin ribbon.

Mrs. Lane did not agree with Miss Juliet Capulet. There was every thing in a sweet, fanciful name susceptible of endearing diminutives. Her mother's-Louisa was not so badLouise was girlish and graceful-"Lu-lu,” for her babyhood, charming. Then Edith-Mabel -Ethel: Saxon names were getting so fashionable. If she should have fine features and a majestic form when she grew up! The present limp figure-swathed in flannel rollers-and mobile physiognomy did not promise much to an uninterested spectator. However, the rash father found himself uncomfortably situated between the horns of his dilemma, desiring to keep his promise and gratify the person he loved and

It has been said that the bridal vail usually enters into this portion of the arrangements, but who shall dare to impute aught that savors, how-respected most in the world, and at the same ever remotely, of economy to fashion!

"Why, yes," said Mr. Lane, in a tone which evinced relief at having the subject introduced for him. "Every body asks me what we are going to call her, and in speaking of her, 'Baby' sounds unfinished somehow. By-the-way, I saw Tom Gilbert down town, and he was so surprised, you have no idea!"

"Was he?" and the maternal pride of possession brought up a deeper and more becoming flush.

"Yes-and so was Jack Alsteyne; they've been married a year and a half now. He looked so envious, I pitied the poor fellow."

time to avoid grieving and crossing his petted wife, "especially at such a time."

"I'm sure it's my child," urged Mrs. Lane, with a voice slightly raised above the languid whisper she had maintained since her motherhood.

"That's so there's no denying it!" her husband was forced to admit.

"And all for a stupid old woman!" "Mrs. Hamilton is any thing but stupid, and I must beg, Serena, that in speaking of the best friend I have-"

The petition was interrupted by an hysterical little sob, and the exclamation, "I'm sure I never expected to hear you speak so to me!"

"Poor, dear lamb!" said the nurse, bound on all occasions to sympathize with her suffering "I don't wonder! Oh, Mark, don't swing charge, and bustling about for Cologne and aroyour foot so, it makes me so nervous!" matic vinegar.

"Not for the world, darling-I'm so sorry." He sometimes felt that it was extremely selfish in him to breathe freely in the darkened, perfumed room, so shielded from profane intrusion. "I wouldn't worry my little pet for a kingdom, she knows very well; but as I was saying, dear one, about baby's name."

"If it was any other name in the world! but Betsy'-oh, horrors, Mark, only think of Betsy for our dear little precious darling! No, you must not ask me! You know I am willing to make any sacrifice for you, and what a devoted wife I am."

Mr. Lane darted an uncomfortable look at the person who had thus dared to interfere between himself and wife, but remembering who she was, took it back again.

"I'm sure (sob) nobody ever spoke so to me (sob) in all my life (sob), and now (sob) of all other times " and the expostulation was drowned in the threatening flood.

Mr. Lane was instantly and deeply penitent, but the offense had been too serious to be lightly forgiven.

"There, there-I know, Neena, I'm a wretch, my precious, to tease you now, my darling. "I know it, sweet!" and he kissed the hand on There, don't cry, my darling."