whether I should return to Morgantown, or attempt to force my way through the wrecks of the tempest. My business, however, being of an urgent nature, I ventured into the path of the storm, and after encountering innumerable difficulties, succeeded in crossing it. I was obliged to lead my horse by the bridle to enable him to leap over the fallen trees, while I scrambled over or under them in the best way I could-at times so hemmed in by the broken tops and tangled branches, as almost to become desperate. On arriving at my house, I gave an account of what I had seen, when, to my surprise, I was told there had been very little wind in the neighborhood, although in the streets and gardens many branches and twigs had fallen in a manner which excited great surprise. The valley is yet a desolate place, overgrown with briers and bushes, thickly entangled amid the tops and trunks of the fallen trees, and is the resort of ravenous animals, to which they betake themselves, when pursued by man, or after they have committed their depredations on the farms of the surrounding district. I have crossed the path of the storm at a distance of a hundred miles from the spot where I witnessed its fury, and again four hundred miles farther off, in the State of Ohio. Lastly, I observed traces of its ravages on the summits of the mountains connected with the Great Pine Forest of Pennsylvania, three hundred miles beyond the plaee last mentioned. In all these different parts it appeared to me not to have exceeded a quarter of a mile in breadth. J. J. AUDUBON. THE RAINBOW. A rainbow and the sun breaking through cloud. What though it fiercely rains and thunders loud, Behold there is a rainbow in the cloud, Wherein a trustful promise may be found, That quite your little worlds shall not be drown'd. Such comfort speaks our Emblem unto those Long use or time the storm away will turn, GEORGE WITHER, 155S-1667. XXV. Medley. THE STORY OF AARON THE BEGGAR. FROM THE SWEDISH. K ANGAS lieth in Sioni; 'tis a homestead that scarce has an equal; Plenteous in wood and in corn-fields, with rich grassy meadows and moorland. This won my father, in wedding the farmer's fair daughter; I spent the best years of my life, and dwelt like a king amid plenty. And maids in the house, too; and children, the joy of their mother At length came misfortune, and so put an end to my gladness. |