Part 15 (1/2)

”As how?”

”If the dog had not c.u.m to your house, he never would have found his way under my bed. When I pay for my night's lodging, I don't expect to have to share it with a strange dog--no how.”

So saying he retreated, grumbling, back to his bed, and we gladly followed his example.

I rose early in the morning to accompany my friends to W---. At the door of the hotel I was accosted by Mr. Browne--

”Why, you arn't goin' to start without bidding me good-bye? Besides, you have not paid me for my a.s.sistance at the _con-sort_.”

I literally started with surprise at this unexpected demand. ”Do you expect a professional price for your services?”

”Well, I guess the _con-sort_ would have been nothing without my help; but I won't be hard upon you, as you are a young beginner, and not likely to make your fortune in that line any how. There's that pail of b.u.t.ter; if you don't mean to take it along, I'll take that; we wants b.u.t.ter to hum.

Is it a bargain?”

”Oh, yes; if you are satisfied, I am well pleased.” (I could have added, to get rid of you at any price.) ”You will find it on the table in the hall.”

”Not exactly; I took it hum this morning--I thought how it would end.

Good-bye to you, Mr. H---. If ever you come this way again, I shall be happy to lend you my a.s.sistance.”

I never visited that part of the countryside since, but I have no doubt that Mr. Browne is busy in his vocation, and flattering himself that he is one of the first vocalists in the Union. I think he should change his residence, and settle down for life in _New Harmony_.

To Adelaide,[1]

A Beautiful Young Canadian Lady.

”Yes, thou art young, and pa.s.sing fair; But time, that bids all blossoms fade, Will rob thee of the rich and rare; Then list to me, sweet Adelaide.

He steals the snow from polish'd brow, From soft bewitching eyes the blue, From smiling lips their ruby glow, From velvet cheeks their rosy hue.

”Oh, who shall check the spoiler's power?-- 'Tis more than conquering love may dare; He flutters round youth's summer bower, And reigns o'er hearts like summer fair.

He basks himself in sunny eyes, Hides 'mid bright locks, and dimpled smiles; From age he spreads his wings and flies,-- Forgets soft vows, and pretty wiles.

”The charms of mind are ever young, Their beauty never owns decay; The fairest form by poet sung, Before their power must fade away.

The mind immortal wins from time Fresh beauties as its years advance; Its flowers bloom fresh in every clime-- They cannot yield to change and chance.

”E'en over love's capricious boy They hold an undiminish'd sway; For chill and storm can ne'er destroy The blossoms of eternal day.

Then deem these charms, sweet Adelaide, The brightest gems in beauty's zone: Make these thine own,--all others fade; They live when youth and grace are flown.”

[1] The daughter of Colonel Coleman, of Belleville; now Mrs. Easton.

CHAPTER VII

Camp Meetings

”On--on!--for ever brightly on, Thy lucid waves are flowing: Thy waters sparkle as they run, Their long, long journey going.”

S.M.

We have rounded Ox Point, and Belleville is no longer in sight. The steamboat has struck into mid channel, and the bold sh.o.r.es of the Prince Edward District are before us. Calmly we glide on, and islands and headlands seem to recede from us as we advance; and now they are far in the distance, half seen through the warm purple haze that rests so dreamily upon woods and waters. Heaven is above us, and another heaven--more soft, and not less beautiful--lies mirrored beneath; and within that heaven are traced exquisite forms of earth--trees, and flowers, and verdant slopes, and bold hills, and barren rugged rocks.