TDc 
 
 COL. GEORGE WASHINGTON FLOWERS 
 MEMORIAL COLLECTION 
 
 DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 DURHAM. N. C 
 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 W. W. FLOWERS 
 

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OCKFOKD 
 
 
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 BY A. B. SEALS 
 
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 ATLANTA, GEORGIA: 
 ftlj^jsiIZTjIn r»rfi^ r nis"o house 
 
 WOOD, HANLMTER, RICE I CO. 
 
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 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1861, by 
 
 A. B. SEALS, 
 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Northern District o f 
 
 Georgia. 
 
 
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 IffiE FLOWERS COLLECTION 
 
 c ■ , , ROCKFORD. f * 
 
 i 
 
 CHAPTER 1. 
 
 We are all creatures of impulse, guided in the main 
 by our passions, whims and caprices. The human mind 
 is so constituted that it requires a certain quantity of 
 aliment, like the physical system, to sustain and keep it 
 upon its proper balance. That pabulum must be gar- 
 nered from the great field of literature, which blooms 
 and blossoms in every nation of the civilized globe. 
 Like the pilgrim in search of Truth, the neophyte of 
 learning is puzzled to find a shrine at which he may 
 worship and receive the signet which will serve as a 
 passport into the Temple of Fame. What the unhappy 
 pilgrim had considered as Truth in his own country, was 
 so different from that crowning virtue of mortals in otfc 
 er regions, that his heart sank within him, and he girded 
 his loins afresh, rebuckled the sandals upon his weary 
 feet, and retraced the space of his fruitless journey until 
 the minarets and spires of his own village gladdened his 
 eyes once more. The taste of our people is so different, 
 that it behooves the writers of romances to introduce 
 
 tt 
 
 R 
 
4 ROCKFORD. 
 
 scenes into their works which may please all classes of 
 society ; even then, the more fastidious may heap coals 
 of fire upon the heads of the innocent authors. 
 
 True, there is a great diversity of opinion existing in 
 the minds of individuals, even, who are competent judges 
 of literature, as to what constitutes true merit. That is 
 just and proper. If their minds ran in the same smooth, 
 unruffled channel, the mass of readers would become dis- 
 gusted with the easy path they tread, and retire from a 
 race in which there are no competitors. It is controversy 
 that brings truth to light, and fashions out the safest 
 plan for the government of all social bodies. Like the 
 rays of incidence and reflection, which move always in 
 equal angles though in different directions, the champi- 
 ons upon the arena of debate divest every question of 
 its surplus proportions, and erect a model which is 
 pleasing to every one ; or each party creates a system 
 of principles which has its own admirers. 
 
 As there is a marked difference in the opinions of 
 wise legislators upon the systems of government, so 
 there is a diversity in the minds of those who write 
 novels, plays, and books of amusement. The works of 
 fiction, of late years, are masked batteries, from which 
 the authors assail the public in every conceivable form. 
 The religion of particular sects is ridiculed and put to 
 the blush after a style so ludicrous, that the members 
 are often tempted to renounce their faith and adopt 
 some other creed. It is not to be doubted, that the 
 loose writers of French romances have prepared the 
 way for every revolution which has deluged the streets 
 
 
ROCKFORD. 5 
 
 of Paris with blood, for the last hundred years. But 
 scribblers will write, and even a starving population 
 will buy and read books. If the best talent of the 
 country is not engaged in writing histories, essays, or 
 romances of a legitimate literary character, the legions 
 of small fn/, who have no higher aspirations than to 
 amuse the giddy crowd for a brief hour, are filling our 
 book-stores with their worthless trash, which is daily 
 corrupting the morals of our youth, thus paving the 
 way for the subversion and dethronement of reason. 
 
 How shall this thing be guarded against? The de- 
 plorable system cannot be changed, except by the force 
 of education and right reason. Teach a boy that the 
 unequalled romances of Walter Scott are not to belaid 
 aside for the lascivious productions of Eugene Sue, or 
 the startling tales of horror which have rendered Alex- 
 ander Dumas so noted, and you place him in the right 
 path to avoid insurmountable obstructions in his literary 
 pilgrimage. The masses of mankind cannot be taught 
 in a single day or a year; but a series of years spent by 
 the educators of youth may effect a great change in this 
 matter. 
 
 The appearance of so many new novels of late year.- 
 from writers unknown to fame, will tempt many inexpe- 
 rienced authors to soar iiro realms of ether bright, hut 
 their own leaden weight will bring them down upon a 
 level with terrestrial things. If a hook without merit 
 forces its way into polite circles, the eager crowd may 
 read it; but the condemnation of wise critics will BOOD 
 consign it to the shades of oblivion. Criticism is 
 
 235956 
 
1 5 ROCKFORD. 
 
 sharp lancet which is admirably adapted to the work of 
 draining off superfluous fountains, yet it often kills an in- 
 nocent victim. The English and Scotch Reviewers sent 
 so many shafts into the ranks of mistakendom, who 
 were trying to force a passage into the Temple of Fame, 
 that none but the valiant and true in the palmy days of 
 Byron. Scott and Moore, were permitted to climb high 
 up the hill of the Muses. 
 
 If a romance is not intended to instruct, as well as 
 amuse the reader, it is written in vain. There are but 
 feAv authors who are capable of spinning out a tale by 
 merely giving narrations, after the pleasing style of the 
 old class of writers, therefore a variety of characters 
 must be introduced to cater to the taste of the multitude. 
 The monotone of a reader renders his hearers weary and 
 uneasy ; yet the musical modulations of a well-trained 
 voice fall upon the attentive ears of an eager auditory 
 like the thrilling chimes of a golden bell. The descrip- 
 tion of a beautiful landscape would not be so charming 
 if the writer should draw the picture of no rugged 
 mountains and desolate heaths. A beautiful, clear rip- 
 pling brook, as it rushes heedlessly and playfully along 
 over its pebbly bed, gladdens the eye and freshens the 
 grove ; but the very flocks and herds loathe and fly 
 from a sluggish, turbid pool. It is contrast that renders 
 beauty more sublime, and variety scatters all the flowers 
 of the forest in our paths ; even the kingdom of Flora, 
 would bloom in vain if the hedges were planted alone 
 with roses or lilies. The sensitive plant, which shrinks 
 from the touch and closes its tiny leaves when the rough 
 
ROCKFORD. 7 
 
 winds visit them too freely, has no sweet flower, but 
 every model of grace and beauty exists in its slender 
 form. It is not to be excluded from the garden, for it 
 is a sweet sister to the flowers. They look more beau- 
 tiful by its side, and they protect and guard it from 
 harm. 
 
 I propose to write a novel, not after the style of 
 trashy authors, whose existence is only ephemeral, but 
 one which may interest and instruct the reader. The 
 abuse of no religious sect will find a place in these pages. 
 If the work has merit, the public will soon discover it ; 
 if it has none, it will share the fate of thousands of 
 others which were written only to gratify the whim of 
 the authors. Like the author of Gil Bias, I respectfully 
 ask a perusal of this work. The reader may remember 
 the fable that the author relates in the opening chapter 
 of that masterly work. 
 
 
ROCKFORD. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 "The moon shines so brightly, my dear," said Mr. 
 Rockford to his wife, as he made preparations for an 
 |yening walk, "that I have an inclination to step over 
 to the village hotel and spend an hour in conversation 
 with our friends." 
 
 " Look ! Mr. Rockford, how the baby smiles upon you. 
 Do you not hear him say, 'Papa' ? He extends his lit- 
 tle hands for you to take him. Do remain with us this 
 beautiful Winter evening. There is such a pleasant, 
 bright^firc burning in the grate, and the hall looks so 
 comfortable." 
 
 Mr. Rockford excused himself, and promising to re- 
 turn by ten o'clock, hurried from the house, and was 
 soon walking briskly in the direction of the principal 
 square of the town. Mrs. Rockford kissed the rosy 
 cheeks of Sebastian more than once, and standing him 
 upon the marble slab which supported a costly mirror, 
 she pressed her darling to her bosom as he endeavored 
 to strike his own beautiful image reflected from the 
 crystal surface of the glass. Sebastian was a promising 
 little boy of two years of age. His light auburn ring- 
 lets clustered in many a curl about his well shaped head. 
 His blue eyes made his mother glad, when they beamed 
 upon her with an expression of intelligence so far be- 
 yond one of his age. 
 
ROCKFORD. 9 
 
 " Bless mother's little darling; she would not take 
 the world for him, Kiss mother, and then get down 
 upon the carpet and play with Jupe." 
 
 Jupe was a little white woolly fiec, which had heen bo 
 much petted, that he considered no place about the 
 house too sacred for him to eater! The sofa and rock- 
 ing-chairs were occupied by this diminutive specimen of 
 the canine race, whenever it pleased him to take a nap. 
 Jupe was never satisfied when little Sebastian Avas out 
 of his light* Sebastian returned his love with all tie 
 ardor that an affectionate child is capable of p mrr. 
 
 When Jupc would play too freely with Sebastian's toy.-. 
 or throw down his block houses and run off with Li- 
 ivory rattle, the boy would chase and fleck him with 
 his whip. Jupe had too much sense or did not care to 
 hurt Sebastian; but as dogs are not more patient of ill 
 treatment than human beings are, Jupe became nervous 
 when Sebastian bit his soft velvet ears too hard, and 
 never failed to give him an unlucky snap upon the fin- 
 ger-. Sebastian would run to his mother, crying, with 
 many bitter complaints against Jupe. She, upon occa- 
 sions of that kind, would order Jupe to be moderately 
 chastised, and sent to Lis kennel in disgrace. 
 
 "Hero, Jupe," said Mrs. Rockford, as she stood , v 
 bastian down upon the floor, "come and play with 
 darling." 
 
 Jupe barked immoderately, and playfully bit Sebas- 
 tian upon his leg. They were soon rolling over and 
 over upon the floor, while Mv<. Rockford beheld 
 
 le with uiucb delight. Her happin m< >\ to 
 
10 ROCKFORD. 
 
 concentrate*! in the boundless love she entertained for 
 her son. She almost idolized him, and yet her love for 
 her husband was not in the least diminished by its being 
 divided with Sebastian. All the wealth of Golconda, 
 added to the priceless pearls of the ocean, are not so 
 dear in a parent's eyes as a lovely child. Thus thought 
 Mrs. Rockford, as she seated herself before the glowing 
 grate, with the household pets playing at her feet. She 
 was a lovely woman, capable of rendering a household 
 happy and sharing the felicity herself. She was indus- 
 trious and prided herself in arranging and putting every 
 thing in its proper place. The piano was dressed oif 
 with a costly covering, embroidered by her own fingers. 
 A green vine formed the border of this magnificent 
 piece of her handiwork. In the center was a vase of 
 flowers, and numerous devices filled the space. The 
 embroidered mats for the lamps were not the least 
 attractive ornaments of the center-table, and the willow 
 basket, filled with Sebastian's toys, was beautified with 
 numerous emblems wrought in crewel. These were only 
 a few of the fruits of her accomplishments and industry. 
 It is generally supposed that women are unhappy 
 because the greater portion of their time is spent within 
 doors, but such is not the case. They have a thousand 
 things to interest them which are not attractive to men. 
 A woman will sit for weeks, and labor with her needle, 
 embroidering a pair of undersleeves or a single cambric 
 handkerchief. When Mrs. Rockford was not employ- 
 ing her time in reading, or playing with Sebastian, it 
 was thus that she amused herself. She rang a little 
 
ROCKFORD. H 
 
 brazen bell that lay upon the mantel, and Lucinda, the 
 housemaid, entered. Lucinda brought the work-basket, 
 which was filled with the scraps of many samples of 
 domestic goods. Placing the basket by her side, this 
 industrious lady commenced selecting some of the latest 
 styles which were to form the squares of a quilt for 
 Sebastian's bed. Being satisfied with the selection of 
 colors, she commenced cutting the pieces into diminutive 
 squares, triangles and crescents. If the manufacture 
 of quilts is considered a waste of time, it is truly a 
 great saving of rags. It would be but light employ- 
 ment, indeed, for a lady to make enough quilts for a 
 whole community, if it were only requisite for her to 
 cut the different goods into pieces of the length of the 
 quilts, and sew them together. The good ladies ought 
 to have their own way about their household affairs. 
 Let them cut their cloth into as many fairy-like sec- 
 tions as they please, and stitch in rose, lily or japonic a 
 patterns. 
 
 But Sebastian was not of this opinion, nor was Jupe. 
 or at least their actions indicated it, for they rose from 
 the floor as if by mutual consent, and made an attack 
 upon the good lady's basket. The boy emptied it upon 
 the floor and commenced selecting the Bcrapa <>i' tli< 
 brightest colors, before his mother was aware of his 
 intentions. Jupe seized several bits of cloth, regardless 
 of their whiteness, with his tiny sharp (teeth, and ran 
 to his usual safe retreat under the sofa, lie w. 
 fairy-like in his physical proportions, thai he could 
 occupy a very small space. Lucinda had upon several 
 
12 KOCKFORI). 
 
 occasions tried to eject him from his lurking place. The 
 sofa was so shaped that its frame work almost rested 
 upon the floor. Jupc effected his entrance to this safe 
 asylum by a small aperture between one of the legs and 
 slabs of the sofa. It was necessary to remove the sofa 
 in order to arrest the miscreant. Jupe had sense enough 
 to know this ; besides he was all pluck, and if he took 
 ■git into his head to withstand a siege he would maintain 
 his position and remain in his impregnable fortress from 
 {lie rising of the sun to the going down thereof. Se- 
 bastian ran all over the room, scattering his trophies, 
 while Jupe applauded him by keeping up a continual 
 barking. 
 
 Lucinda was ordered to gather up the scraps, and 
 place them beyond the reach of Sebastian. The ser- 
 vant did as she was directed, and Sebastian was upon 
 the eve of receiving a slight chastisement for his con- 
 duct, when his mother remembered that he would relate 
 everything to his father when he came home. Mr. 
 Rockford was not favorable to the rigid training of 
 children, believing that a child should be taught the 
 enormity of an offence before the punishment is inflict- 
 ed. The mother laid aside her work for the balance of 
 the evening, and ordered her basket put away. She 
 was in no mood to proceed with her work, nor could 
 she have done so to advantage, for Jupe had some of 
 her select scraps in his safe keeping. She knew lie 
 would stay under the sofa for hours to come. The war 
 had been waged, and he was not yet willing to surrender. 
 Mrs. Rockford readily forgave her child, but poor Jupc 
 
ROCKFORD. 23 
 
 must suffer in the flesh when she should lay her hands 
 upon him. She smoothed the dishevelled ringlets of 
 her darling, kissed his coral lips, and took him in her 
 arms and sang him to sleep. 
 
 How blessed is that happy mother who has an angel 
 sleeping in her arms ! An innocent child is the true 
 type of those celestial beings, whose dwelling place is 
 Paradise. If a child has the germs of sin within it. 
 the commencement of its trangressions is not co-cval 
 with its birth. .Angels guard the slumbers of infants, 
 and fan their cheeks with snow white wings. • Sebastian 
 slept the sweet sleep of happy childhood. His mother 
 unloosed, his tiny fingers from her neck, around which 
 his arms had clung as' if for protection, and gently 
 placing him in his little bed, covered him up carefully. 
 Taking a book from the center-table, she sat down to 
 read until the return of her husband. 
 
 When Mr. Rockford left his stately mansion to walk 
 to the town, the moon shone brilliantly and the pebbly 
 walks resounded beneath his manly tread. The steeples 
 of the churches and the dome of the town hall reflected 
 the silvery rays of the orb of night from their metallic 
 coverings. Crofton was a quiet, nice town, and possess- 
 ed an intelligent population, noted for integrity, sobriety 
 and industry. In the business season the place had a 
 bustling, commercial-like appearance. It was a se;iport 
 whose harbor admitted ships of light tonnage. Situate] 
 at the mouth of a navigable river, which bad its source 
 in the upland districts of the Stat.;, (he commodious 
 ware-rooms were the recipients of tbe staple produce of 
 
14 ROCKFORD. 
 
 the country. Besides, the place was considered very 
 healthy, and was frequently resorted to by those in 
 search of a quiet retreat. The waves of the Atlantic 
 dashed against the base of the steep bluff upon which 
 tlie town sfood, and the ears of the citizens had learned 
 to love the harmonious echoes of the moving billows/) 
 Mr. Rockford approached the square upon which the 
 .principal hotel was located, and was proceeding quietly 
 along the walk when his attention was arrested by the 
 appearance of a large crowd assembled at the corners 
 of the street. He approached the assemblage and en- 
 quired the cause of the excitement. One of the citizens 
 told him that a murder had just been committed by a 
 desperate character, and one of the most inoffensive, 
 upright men in Crofton w T as the unfortunate victim. 
 The citizens had assembled for the purpose of consid- 
 ering the propriety of taking the law in their own hands, 
 and dealing out summary punishment to the offender. 
 
 Mr. Rockford was a good man, and having practiced 
 law in Crofton many years, his views upon all subjects 
 were duly respected, He was instantly importuned by 
 those present, to speak to the infuriated citizens, and, 
 if possible, to induce them to respect the supremacy of 
 the law. He responded to their call, and mounting the 
 steps of one of the stores, admonished them not to 
 abuse the privileges they then enjoyed as law-abiding 
 and God-fearing men. He said it was true that one of 
 the best men in the community had fallen by the hands 
 of a desperate man, yet he was in safe custody, and 
 they had laws which ought truly to be executed ; but 
 
ROCKFORD. 15 
 
 the Statutes of the State pointed out the plan by which 
 they should be enforced. 
 
 The citizens were induced to pursue the course point- 
 ed out by Mr. Rockford, and the assembly adjourned 
 to the Court House, where the case was legally disposed 
 of. The jury of inquest having made up their verdict 
 against the prisoner, the proof before the Court was 
 conclusive, after the examination of three witness* 3, 
 The prisoner was sent to jail under the charge of mur- 
 der. Mr. Rockford sought his peaceful and happy 
 home, rejoicing that he had been the instrument of 
 preserving his community from the stigma of a desper- 
 ate act about to be committed by the irated, but well 
 meaning citizens. 
 
16 ROCKFORD. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 It was a custom indulged in by Sir Walter Scott to 
 rise early and take long morning walks while he was 
 engaged in the composition of any one of his great 
 works. He supposed that his mind was free from care 
 at such times, and his solitary rambles lent that beauty 
 and vigor to his compositions which are seen in the 
 writings of no other authors. The human mind is so 
 constituted that it requires rest, exercise, and indul- 
 gence. Being a philosopher by nature, this great man 
 knew that the mind, like the body, would be exposed to 
 the ravages of decay, without fresh pabulum to feed 
 upon. He would stand for hours and indulge his fancy 
 in beholding the silvery sheets of water pour over the 
 rough ledges of rock, and unite again in the bosom 
 of the soft rippling stream. Coleridge composed the 
 '"Rime of the Ancient Mariner" during a pleasant 
 evening excursion. Lord Byron would never have writ- 
 ten the unequalled poem of " Childe Harold," if his foot- 
 steps had never wandered beyond the limits of his 
 native country. As sweetly as his liquid verse flows in 
 melodious streams, he confessed that it was quite diffi- 
 cult for him to compose, unless he was very familiar 
 with his subject, and at such times as his mind was 
 completely under his control. Shelley had a peculiar 
 
ROCKFORD. 17 
 
 fancy for sail boats. If he was not indulging his fond- 
 ness for this sport in sailing across the lake, he would, 
 when fatigued with labor, hasten to the water side, and, 
 child-like, sail diminutive boats near the shore. It is 
 related of him, that lie was so fond of constructing 
 ships and sail boats out of paper, that he would tear 
 leaves from a book however so costly. Upon one occa- 
 sion, he was sitting upon the banks of a river in a 
 meditative mood. He had left his little boats at home, 
 and, unfortunately, had no book with him. He could 
 not be deprived of his pleasure, and taking out a Bank- 
 bill of considerable value, he fashioned out a boat and 
 flung it into the stream. 
 
 Napoleon Bonaparte so prepared his mind for labor by 
 by violent exercise, that he accomplished more in a given 
 space than any General of modern times. And if we 
 except Julius Caesar, who was one of the most accom- 
 plished scholars among the ancients, the great Napoleon 
 had no superior. The periods of history are so strangely 
 divided by those who are considered competent judges, 
 that we are in doubt whether it is proper to class Juliu> 
 Caesar among the ancients, or not. Some authors face- 
 tiously speak of events which happened before antiquity 
 itself began ; but let dates begin or end as the caprices 
 of men may limit them, Julius Caesar finished the an- 
 cient and laid the corner-stone of modern times. Hia 
 history of the Gallic War was composed in his camps : 
 it could not have been written by one, with half the 
 vigor, who was not a participator himself in those in- 
 teresting scenes. 
 
18 ROCKFORD. 
 
 Joscphus Napoleon Bonaparte Snibbens had a great 
 fancy for imitating distinguished men. He imagined 
 that he was learned, for the reason that he had read 
 and studied the works of great authors. It was certain 
 that he had read "Bobbins' Outlines of History " and 
 "Tooke's Pantheon." He could discourse eloquently 
 upon the mighty deeds of the Egyptian heroes ; and 
 when he was relating the scenes of the Chinese revolu- 
 tion he always grew pathetic. Mr. Snibbens was a 
 great man, as most of his patrons and pupils thought. 
 He had come to Crofton to teach the juvenile portion 
 of the community, not only the theories of the learned 
 authors, but he intended that the society of the place 
 should be improved by his illustrious example. 
 
 Early on the morning subsequent to the events related 
 in the preceding chapter, Mr. Snibbens emerged from 
 his boarding-house for the express purpose of taking 
 his usual morning walk. The weather was cool and 
 bracing, and the white frost glittered upon the ground 
 like transparent crystals. Buttoning his overcoat up 
 to his chin, and straightening up the collar to protect 
 his ears from the cold, this modern genius directed his 
 footsteps to the sea-side. He had not proceeded far 
 when he met John Simpkins, one of the town merchants^ 
 on his way to his place of business. 
 
 "Good morning, friend Simpkins,"' said Snibbens, as 
 he halted for a regular chat, "this is delightful weather. 
 Thomson gives such glowing descriptions of Winter 
 mornings, in his poem on the Seasons, that I am almost 
 tempted to rehearse a few of the stanzas for your es- 
 pecial benefit." 
 
ROCKFORD. ID 
 
 "Ah! Mr. Snibbens," replied Simpkins, "you men of 
 learning are excellent companions; but a plodding mer- 
 chant, like myself, is always at a loss to find suitable 
 words to repay you for your fine display of rhetoric." 
 
 Snibbens received the compliment with studied af- 
 fectation, and taking a pinch of snuff, described ;. 
 geometrical figure upon the ground with his walking 
 stick, and was on the point of entering upon a disci 
 sion concerning the properties of angles, but he was ~< 
 anxious to learn the particulars of the murder that he 
 changed his determination. 
 
 i{ Come, friend Simpkins," said the erudite pedagogue. 
 " please relate to me what information you have gathered 
 relative to the heart-rending occurrence of last evening, 
 which, as I have been informed, has no parallel in the 
 history of Crofton.*' (Here Snibbens took snuff a sec- 
 ond time, and looked wise.) 
 
 ••It is true," replied Simpkins, "that it is a deed 
 which makes one shudder to think of, yet I have read 
 of crimes as equally horrible. Carl Royston has bi 
 the terror of this community ever since his dissipation 
 commenced. A few years since he was an accomplished 
 clerk in one of the principal business houses in this 
 town. lie was admired and respected by all who knei 
 him, and was considered by his employers as a man «>f 
 strict integrity. For a long time he has led a despei 
 life. He was supposed to have been implicated in ;i 
 murder Committed only a few miles from Orofton, but 
 sufficient evidence Wtn not produced upon tin- inv< 
 tion to convict him. Last night In- wi iting ;i 
 
20 BOCKPOBD. 
 
 disturbance in the sitting room of the hotel, where 
 sereral gentlemen were conversing, when they endeav- 
 ored to pacify him. He commenced throwing the chairs 
 about the room, and one of them struck Jonathan Wins- 
 low. That gentleman remarked that he was a peaceable 
 man, but was not in the least inclined to submit to a 
 wanton insult. He made no advance upon Royston, 
 but cautioned him not to molest him again. Royston 
 drew out a pistol and discharged its contents in the 
 breast of Winslow, who fell and expired in a few min- 
 utes.'" 
 
 Mr. Simpkins wished Snibbens a very good morning, 
 and hurried to his store. Snibbens walked down to the 
 wharf, made a forcible speech to the waves, snuffed the 
 sea breeze a few minutes, and retraced his steps to his 
 boarding-house. When he entered the hall, the jingling 
 sound of a hand-bell announced that breakfast was 
 ready. He was a punctual man in all the relations of 
 life, but more especially in his attendance at his meals. 
 He took his accustomed place that morning, if not with 
 a light heart, at least with a keen appetite. 
 
 Samuel Culverhouse, and his tidy wife, subsisted upon 
 the profits of entertaining a dozen boarders. Mrs. Cul- 
 verhouse wore a Swiss muslin cap, bordered with wide 
 edging of her own knitting. The good dame had a 
 pair of old-fashioned silver spectacles which had been 
 the property of her grand-mother. The glasses were 
 circular, and when she put them on and seated herself 
 beside the coffee urn, she presented a very ludicrous 
 appearance. Samuel was dressed in his everlasting suit 
 
ROCKFORD. 21 
 
 of blue jeans, which his darling Dorothy had spun and 
 woven with her own bands. 
 
 "Take a bit of this steak, Mr. Snibbens? fine steak 
 — tender steak. I selected it myself," said Samuel, as 
 he helped each one of the boarders to a portion of the 
 savory dish. 
 
 "Mr. Snibbens, will you have cream and sugar in 
 your coffee this morning ?" said Dorothy. 
 
 "If you please, madam," said the learned pedagogue. 
 
 "Will you have much sugar in it, Mr. Snibbens?'* 
 continued the good dame. 
 
 "I am not at all particular, my dear Mrs. Culver. 
 house," anxiously replied Snibbens, who had given tin 
 identical answers to the same queries every morning, 
 for three years, in which he had sojourned in the housi 
 of that most excellent woman. 
 
 The conversation naturally turned upon the murder 
 of Jonathan Winslow. Each one had a good word t<> 
 say concerning the lamented man, while they all loathe] 
 the very name of Royston. Samuel entertained the 
 opinion that there would be but little difficulty in the 
 conviction of Royston, when the case should come up 
 for trial. Many murderers had been turned loose upon 
 that community, lie said, because the lawyers had b- 
 ably feed; and in some instances the jury had been 
 bribed. Samuel was not certain of this, but he 
 sustained by the boarders^ who were not in the habil 
 differing materially from the opinions as i xpressed by 
 the worthy host. 
 
 kk I knew Winslow Well, sir — knew him well.'' said tin 
 
22 ROCKFORD. 
 
 hearty Samuel, as he emptied his fourth cup of coffee, 
 and helped himself to a fresh supply of buck-wheat 
 cakes. "A nobler man was never an inhabitant of 
 Crofton than he was. I learn that old Mr. Winslow 
 has employed lawyer Rockford to prosecute the case. 
 and if he does his duty and brings the powers of his 
 mind to act with their accustomed vigor, it is not to be 
 doubted, but that the prisoner will be convicted. " 
 
 " Samuel, my darling," said the good house-wife, rais- 
 ing her massive spectacles from her long Roman nose 
 and resting them upon the frill of her muslin cap, "is 
 it the same young Mr. Winslow who used to drive that 
 dapple horse by here last Summer?" 
 
 " You are right, my dear," said the affectionate Sam- 
 uel. " You are seldom wrong in your surmises, Dorothy. 
 Mrs. Primrose never made the Vicar of Wakefield a 
 better spouse than you have been to me. Have Edith 
 to bring in some warm cakes from the kitchen." 
 
 Samuel knew exactly how to cater to the vanity of 
 Dorothy. She returned his compliment with becoming 
 modesty, but eluded him for being so affectionate before 
 company. 
 
 "Why, la! Samuel, what a plain spoken man you 
 are ! You will make Mr. Snibbens and Miss Jerusha 
 Smith blush, if you do not quit using such honeyful 
 words to me before them. I asked you a question about 
 Mr. Winslow, and you gave me only a half an answer, 
 and wound up by making an appeal for warm cakes." 
 
 "Just so my, dear. 'Variety is the spice of life,' and 
 cakes are the staff of life ; and you will please have my 
 request complied with." 
 
ROCKF0RD. 2S 
 
 The good Dorothy had sent Edith to the kitchen, to 
 assist the cook in preparing sausages for the seeond 
 table, and not desiring to interfere with her own ar- 
 rangements, she took a dish and tripped off to do the 
 behests of her husband. During her absence, Mr. 
 Snibbens related his morning's adventures, and expatia- 
 ted upon the many happy thoughts that arise in the 
 mind while the body is moderately exercised by a 
 pleasant ramble. He never forgot to relate, in speaking 
 of the benefits the mind derives from exercise, thai 
 Napoleon Bonaparte unloosed the leaden fetters from 
 his mind, by walking for hours before the camp-fires upon 
 the eve of a great battle. Mr. Snibbens had re.nl i 
 pictorial history of the French Revolution. 
 
 The mistress of the house having made a successful 
 trip to the kitchen, returned laden with some brown 
 cakesspread with Groshen butter. The boarders finish- 
 ed a pleasant meal, and left the host and his spouse t<» 
 discuss their plans for the day. 
 
 Snibbens went into the hall, sat a few minutes by tin 
 fire, picked his teeth and smoked a cigar. When the 
 hour for opening school arrived, lie went to his chamber 
 and collected his books which lie used at recitations. 
 He placed a Key to Algebra in one pocket and a Dia- 
 mond interlinear translation <>i* Virgil in the other. 
 Those were the best friend.- this noted teacher had in 
 tne world, as he overcame many obstructions by making 
 drafts upon their oracular leaves. lie went to his 
 -ehool-room. and rang the bell. The boys took tl 
 -eats and applied themselves to their lessons. 
 
24 ROCKFORD. 
 
 When the class in Virgil was called up to recitation, 
 three boys sauntered to the stand, each one carrying a 
 dilapidated edition of the works of the Roman bard in 
 one hand and a Latin Dictionary in the other. 
 
 "Which is the lesson, James Jones ?" asked the learn- 
 ed teacher. 
 
 "It commences at the two hundred and fiftieth line, 
 second Book of the iEneid, sir." 
 
 "You may commence, James," said Snibbens. 
 
 James took his sweet gum from his mouth and lent it 
 to the boy who sat next to him, and began his recitation : 
 
 " Vertitur intcrea coelum — the interior of the heaven 
 was inverted ; et ridt Oceano nox — and the ocean rushed 
 on to the night ; Involens umbra magna terramque po- 
 lumque — overturning the great shade of the earth with 
 a pole ; Myrmidonum que dolos — with the Myrmidonian 
 dollars. This translation did not exactly suit Snibbens, 
 though he supposed that the boy was not far from being 
 right. 
 
 "Wait a moment, James, until I go into the apparatus 
 room. I thought I heard something fall." 
 
 Snibbens went into the little room, and drawing out 
 his translation, hastily looked over the passage which 
 James had just read. He placed some of the retorts 
 upon different shelves, made a noise, as if picking up 
 something from the floor, and having arranged "what the 
 class had supposed was blown down by the wind, he 
 returned and required James to translate the sentence 
 again. The teacher grew very wrathy, and flourishing a 
 rod over James' head, ordered him to translate it again. 
 
ROCKFORD. 25 
 
 but the lazy boy did not improve by either effort. Snib- 
 bens exercised James in a lively manner with the rocl^ 
 around his shoulders, waist and legs. 
 
 "Listen at the translation I give you of this simple 
 sentence," said the teacher; and he gave James one 
 more cut upon the ankle. "The heavens are turned 
 around, and the night rushes from the ocean, enveloping 
 the earth, and the sky, and the treachery of the Greeks 
 with a great shadow." Parse ruit, sir." 
 
 ik Emit is a verb," said the whining and sobbing boy; 
 "of the first conjugation ; from ruo, ruare, ruavi, rua- 
 tum. Indicative mood, pluperfect tense, third person, 
 singular number, and agrees with Oceano. A verb must 
 agree with its nominative case in number and person." 
 
 "He is wrong, Mr. Snibbens," said Joe Bishop, 
 -• ruit is of the third conjugation." 
 
 tfc I am aware of that, Joe," replied the teacher. 
 • w Bring me here your dictionary. How often must I 
 point out words to you? Do you not see as plain a 
 the nose on your face that it comes from ruo, ruere rui 
 ruitum? Now bring me here your grammar and let 
 me show you Iioav to find it." 
 
 Snibbens found lego, and whispered to himself, lege, 
 legis, legit, legimus, legiti.% legunt, he discovered that 
 it was found in the indicative mood, present tense, third 
 person, singular number, and agreed with nox, 
 
 " Take this lesson over again, boys, and if you come 
 up here again so deficient I will make you remember 
 me. 
 
 Snibbens was an industrious teacher, who, when lie 
 
2$ ROCKFORD. 
 
 was master of a subject, could impart instruction admi- 
 rably. '-Primus, 8eemdmi iartius" repeated the boys. 
 "That is right, now go to your seats and study hard. 
 Remember that 'labor overcomes all difficulties.' 
 
 When Mr. Snibbens was bothered and had to refer 
 to his keys and translations, an excuse was easily 
 framed for a visit to the private room. He made good 
 pens, wrote a fair hand, ciphered tolerably well, was ;i 
 fluent reader, and made extensive displays with his 
 magic lantern. Those were the reasons that his pat- 
 rons, who had not suspected his deficiency, supposed 
 him to be a wonderful genius. 
 
 The foundation of a boy*s education is frequently 
 spoiled forever by just such teachers as Snibbens, who 
 may be found in all communities. They adopt teaching 
 as a profession, because it is a good stepping-stone to 
 the law, medicine and divinity. It is often made a sin- 
 ecure by ignorant men, who succeed in humbugging a 
 community by artifice, and plausibility of speech. 
 
 Mr. Snibbens was as punctual, to his business as the 
 dial is true to the sun; yet he aspired to the knowledge 
 of sciences and languages, of which he was entirely 
 ignorant. The more intelligent of the lads, who had 
 been placed under his literary guardianship, were cer- 
 tain that his instructions were not in the least beneficial 
 to them. They had often hinted their suspicious to 
 their parents, but a father who has forgotten the famil- 
 iar lessons which he learned in his youth, is not a proper 
 judge of the qualifications of a teacher. Trustees of 
 academies and high schools are more frequently chosen 
 
ROCKFORI). L »; 
 
 on account of their wealth and influence, than for their 
 literary accomplishments. Snibbcns had maintained 
 his position unshocked and unshaken against more than 
 one competitor more competent to fill the position than 
 himself, at several annual meetings of the board. Ev- 
 ery one acknowledged that Snibbcns was a good, clever 
 man, and it would have been such a pity to have ejected 
 him from his position, when the boys liked him so well : 
 and lie was such a nice, handy gentleman to instruct 
 the Sunday School classes. No one could raise the 
 hymns in church better than he could, and if one of the 
 neighbors should be taken sick, he was the best hand 
 to sit up, in the town, lie was just the man who could 
 have obtained his board in a family regardless of com- 
 pensation, repaying the worthy proprietor of the hoi 
 with no other coin than the pious example he might set 
 before the children. 
 
28 ROCKFORD. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 It is related of the renowned Gil Bias, that when he 
 left the parental roof to seek his fortune in the wide, 
 wide world, his mother bestowed upon him the last shil- 
 ling she possessed, and shed copious tears at his depart- 
 ure ; while his father enriched him with his blessing, and 
 gently pushed him out into the arena of life. The father 
 often means to bestow a blessing upon a son when he 
 forces him to buffet the waves of the sea of life, though 
 the son may place a different construction upon the 
 actions of the father, and accuse him of cruelty. Be 
 this as it may, if an individual is compelled to undergo 
 hardships, and sense is to be learned only in the school 
 of experience, youth is the proper season to receive such 
 costly instructions ; for then their admonitions will be 
 lasting. 
 
 Mortimer Rockford had been the architect of his own 
 magnificent fortune, and had worked his way up to the 
 enviable position he now occupied, by persevering in- 
 dustry. His father died while he was a mere boy, 
 bequeathing to his son only a moderate competency. 
 By studied economy his mother was enabled to procure 
 subsistence for herself and son. Through the assistance 
 of friends and his own scanty patrimony, Mortimer 
 was enabled to receive a Collegiate education. He 
 
ROCKFORD. 29 
 
 graduated with distinction, and his valedictory was re- 
 ceived with rapturous applause. His mother welcomed 
 him back to the cottage with warm embraces and eyes 
 streaming with the tears of affection. She had often 
 denied herself the necessaries of life to lay by a small 
 sum to purchase clothes for her darling boy. He saw 
 the world before him as the great theatre upon which 
 was to be enacted the great drama of life. With a bold 
 and dauntless heart, he was contented to step upon the 
 boards and perform his part. He had early learned that 
 life is a commingling of the good and the evil, and 
 that man, in a great measure, holds the reins of happi- 
 ness in his own hands. 
 
 What a strange mortal am I, thought Mortimer, if, 
 with the knowledge I possess of human nature, and the 
 modicum of learning that I have gleaned from the in- 
 structions of wise men, I shall not be enabled to buffet 
 the waves of any stream upon which my life-boat may 
 be hereafter cast? I have only to maintain a firm 
 position upon any question that presents itself to my 
 mind, and combat Prejudice and Ignorance with the 
 weapons of Reason and Common Sense, to obtain the 
 mastery. 
 
 Mortimer had not taken into consideration that fortune 
 or position was to be gained by other than close manage- 
 ment. Neither of the twain is the result of any certain 
 plan of action. Men who have been noted for chicanery, 
 industry and economy, have as often failed of arriving 
 at distinction, or been disappointed in the accumulation 
 of bags of golden coins. ;is those a\ 1 1 « > have waited for 
 
30 ROCKFORD. 
 
 the waves of prosperity to waft them upon a golden 
 beach. He had adopted the law as his profession, 
 though his fees had been meager in the beginning, and 
 at first he was almost denied the means of subsistence ; 
 yet Themis, at times, poured into his coffers bountiful 
 showers of gold. 
 
 Fifteen years of incessant labor and toil found Morti- 
 mer, surely but slowly, ascending to the topmost round of 
 the ladder in his profession. He had been a friend to 
 the needy, had combatted and contended with error in 
 all its forms and phases, and Fame was almost within 
 his grasp. He had nearly overcome the asperities of 
 life, had passed the rapids of man's existence and was 
 just entering upon the gulf of happiness, when the 
 flower of his youth was beginning to fade. He was a 
 famous lawyer and bade fair to arrive at eminence within 
 a few years, when Miss Josephine Broxton, the belle of 
 the State, enriched him with her heart and hand, and 
 encumbered him with a magnificent dowry. 
 
 Mr. Rockford built one of the most costly edifices 
 that was ever erected in the environs of Crofton. It 
 was in^ Crofton that he was born and reared, and it was 
 there that he wished to pass the remaining years of his 
 life. Heaven had smiled upon and blessed him, and it 
 was far from his purpose to desert the scenes of his 
 childhood. Five hundred acres of arable land were at- 
 tached to his homestead, and the products of the labor 
 of his slaves were more than equal to his expenditures. 
 Mr. Rockford would have been a mere madman had he 
 not appreciated all those advantages of fortune. He 
 
ROOKFORD. 33 
 
 was admired, courted, and almost worshipped by the 
 good citizens of the place, yet he was not vain of the 
 position lie occupied. Honors were showered thick upon 
 him, yet he bore them with meekness. 
 
 His lovely wife w;is many years his junior, yet she 
 seemed dearer in his eyes, for the discrepancy of age, and 
 she, as a fender vine, clung still closer to him for pro- 
 tection. If she sighed, it was only when he was not 
 near ; if she grieved, it was at such times as the busi- 
 ness and cares of life were too onerous for the comfort 
 of her husband. She had studied his nature, and his 
 every want was known to her. She had learned to read 
 the workings of his mind by the expression of his fea- 
 tures, and he should not have been surprised that all of 
 his domestic wants Were anticipated. One year of 
 domestic bliss glided by, and Sebastian blessed the 
 nuptial couch. The house of llockford was gay will) 
 festivities when this lovely child gladdened the hearts of 
 his devoted parents. They were now united by a strong 
 and heavenly tie. The father had an impetus to speed 
 him still higher up the ladder of Fame, and the mother 
 had a tender infant to nourish, which might rise up 
 hereafter and call her blessed. 
 
 Two joyous years passed by, and Sebastian was the 
 lovely child of Rockford house, as he appeared upoB 
 the eventful night of the murder of Mr. Winslow. Hi.- 
 mother had lain him quietly in his bed and drawn tli< 
 coverlids gently over him, and sat down to amuse her- 
 self by the perusal of ;: fatorite book, until the 
 
 her husband. She was not uneasy about Mr. B 
 
32 ROCKFORD. 
 
 ford until the hour of ten had arrived, and he came not. 
 She had scarcely ever known him to remain from home 
 longer than the appointed time for his return. She 
 turned over the leaves of the book with an air of se- 
 riousness, as the steady stroke of the pendulum vibrated 
 upon her ear and forced the obedient hands of the clock 
 to move in their accustomed sphere. Eleven o'clock, and 
 still her husband came not. She went to the casement 
 and looked anxiously in the direction of the town. Wea- 
 ried out by fruitless vigils, she took her seat by the fire 
 and gave vent to her grief by a copious shower of tears. 
 In a short time her husband came. The explanation he 
 gave for remaining beyond his limited time, relieved her 
 mind of much anxiety, yet the death of an estimable 
 citizen was a sufficient cause of her sharing the despon- 
 dency of her husband. Blessed Josephine ! if no deeper 
 sorrows ever fall to thy lot than to weep for departed 
 friends, thou wilt not share the fortune of those whom 
 adversity has marked out for its prey. 
 
 The next morning, while the Rockfords were seated 
 at the breakfast-table, the conversation took a turn from 
 a lisping word which fell from the lips of Sebastian. 
 He had been dividing his breakfast with Jupe, until the 
 little dog became impatient of being fed by driblets, and 
 seized hold of one of the boy's feet with his teeth, and 
 playfully bit it, while Sebastian dealt him a few hearty 
 blows with his spoon, declaring in his broken style of 
 speech, that Jupe should sleep no more in his little sail- 
 boat. 
 
 "Josephine," said Mr. Rockford, "this is a cool, 
 
ROCKFORD. ;;;; 
 
 wintry, sunshiny morning. Suppose we take Sebastian 
 and the nurse, and go upon a sailing excursion." 
 
 "Nothing will give me more pleasure than to gratify 
 you, my husband, " said the affectionate wife. "Besides, 
 Sebastian and myself both need exercise and a change 
 of air. The breeze has just sprung up, and as there 
 arc no indications of a storm, Ave will set out upon the 
 excursion as soon as lean prepare a sufficient supply of 
 provisions for the day." 
 
 "You need not tarry for that purpose, my love," said 
 the husband, "the ship Ellen is anchored only a league 
 from shore, and her commander has given me several 
 pressing invitations to visit him before he leaves ithe 
 port. When once we have ascended upon the deck of 
 his ship, I am certain we will be close prisoners for tin 
 day."' 
 
 The preparations for their departure were soon made. 
 Seated in the pleasure-boat that was kept for the especial 
 accommodation of the family, the Rockfords were soon 
 sailing upon the bosom of the Atlantic. Sebastian 
 would clap his hands for joy when a porpoise would 
 emerge from the waves in its rotary evolutions. The 
 sea gulls would almost strike the sails of the boat with 
 their snowy wings, as if they were tendering to the 
 party a joyous welcome to the crested waves. 
 
 '* Look, Josephine, how small the sails and hull of the 
 ship appear in the distance. The wings of that gull tliat 
 flew by then, are large in comparison to the rigging 
 the ship, at this distance. Within the space of an hour, 
 if no accidents befall us. wo will he upon tie- d< 
 
34 ROCKFORU 
 
 that ship which is larger than the castle we have left 
 behind us*" 
 
 "True, Mr. Rockford, the pleasures of life, like the 
 uncertain future, are in the distance, yet we are not 
 sure of ever having them within our grasp. A slight 
 misguidance of the pilot at the helm, a sudden and un- 
 locked for storm springing up, and the possibility of 
 our reaching the ship would be only in the scope of 
 Omnipotence." 
 
 a But, Josephine, suppose we should have no faith in 
 the security of our boat, and entirely distrust the capa- 
 city of the pilot, would we not despair of reaching the 
 point of our destination ? Why have we deserted the 
 land and embarked upon the sea ? You answer, for a 
 change, and to gratify a mere whim. We live to learn, 
 and desire to see what we have learned to admire, from 
 descriptions of good authors. As young as Sebastian 
 is, the scenes of this day may never fade from his mind. 
 His memory as yet is as a dream, but striking scenes 
 may awake it to a reality. One hour to a child is as 
 long as a day to an adult. Frequent changes of scenery 
 are beneficial to them, yet it is better for them to go but 
 little into the company of strangers." 
 
 The breeze blew briskly, and the helmsman performed 
 his part well. The boat was soon snugly secured along- 
 side of the ship. In a few minutes the party ascended 
 the ship's ladder, and were ushered into the spacious 
 saloon. The rocking of the vessel was at first unpleas- 
 ant to Josephine, whose voyages had been confined prin- 
 cipally to the inland boat travel and pleasure excursions 
 
ROCKFOKI) :;.- 
 
 along the beach. Sebastian was perfectly amazed to 
 see bo many objects of attraction. The door knob:-'. 
 locks, tippings and castors upon tie chairs, occupied Ids 
 attention. He rolled the single ottomans about, to the 
 amusement of the Captain, who took quite a fancy to 
 him, and had him supplied with candies and nuts in 
 abundance. Captain Walsingham was an old friend 
 and college-mate of Mr. Rockford' s, and had frequently 
 spent a day with him at Rockford house, while the 
 Ellen was lying in port. 
 
 "My dear Mrs. B-ockford," said the polite Captain, 
 "it affords me much pleasure to welcome you and my 
 friend of former days aboard of my vessel. It is n 
 pleasure I have long sought and heartily desired, Tin 
 best plan that we can conceive of, by which to preserve 
 old friendships, is cordial and happy re-unions." 
 
 "You are extremely kind. Captain Walsingham. — 
 Tbe friends of my husband merit my respect." 
 
 Mrs. Rockford was Left to amuse herself with Sebas- 
 tian an hour or two, while the gentlemen went upon 
 deck to enjoy a fine cigar. The ship maids, who att< 
 ded to the ladies* saloon, were directed to pay her 
 especial attention and spread the table with luncheon. 
 Rockford and Captain Walsingham, each, provided wit! 
 a Bpy-glassj amused themselves a few minutes in taking 
 observations, but discovered only a few fishing smacks 
 and oyster boats. 
 
 "See thos< restless, toiling men: bow fchej >}>■ 
 and draw in their nets'; How they Laugh and >liout 
 when a large quantity of !i>b is bagged I The oy- 
 
36 ROCKFORD. 
 
 catchers arc playing havoc with the mollusk tribe. One 
 of the crew has just raised the grapplers from the deep 
 bed, and another is receiving the huge mass. Large 
 quantities are produced from one mother shell, around 
 which they cling until their own weight breaks them off 
 into sections." 
 
 "Look again,'' said Rockford in reply to the Captain; 
 •'one of the men has fallen overboard. The waves hav£ 
 almost washed him from their reach. Now they have 
 succeeded in throwing him a line. He is safe among 
 them again, and they are applying a canteen of spirits 
 to his lips. What a happy set of fellows they must be ?" 
 
 "Yes, indeed,'' replied the Captain, "they think but 
 little of the past, and the future to them is not penetra- 
 ted by hopes or fears. They arc 'hale fellows well met,' 
 who make the most of the present time. I have frequent 
 visits from men of this class while lying at anchor in 
 various ports. They barter large quantities of fish and 
 oysters to me for provisions. Those men you see at the 
 bar paid me a visit yesterday, and I purchased some of 
 their cargo." 
 
 "I think," said Rockford, "they are the sea-faring 
 portion of the fish-mongers who dwell in those filthy huts 
 near our wharf.'* 
 
 " It is highly probable," replied the Captain, f They 
 related to me yesterday, that they had been attacked by 
 a party of desperate looking men in boats, and their 
 fish and oysters taken from them. They supposed that 
 the men were a portion of banditti, who have a retreat 
 not many miles from shore." 
 
 
ROOKFOKD. 
 
 •)i 
 
 u Tin's must hr looked into/" rejoined l{(H-kibr(L "The 
 police must have the country diligently searched.'" 
 
 The gentlemen, awn in arm. walked the quarter-deck, 
 talking socially about their college scrapes. Their mer- 
 ry peals of laughter often" attracted the attention of the 
 crew, who were busily engaged in hoisting packages of 
 merchandise from the hold of the vessel and Lowering 
 them upon the lighter, or scow, which was to convey 
 them across the bar to Orofton. The friends continued 
 their walk, and the jolly crew sang their songs and 
 turned the windlass. They Were devoted to the Cap- 
 tain, and his slightest command was executed by every 
 one, from the mate down to the sailor-hoy. ' 
 
 When the dinner hour appproachcd. Captain Walsing- 
 Liam led the way to the saloon, where Mrs. Rockford 
 and Sebastian were. The little hoy had made friend- 
 with a large Newfoundland dog belonging to Captain 
 W alsingham. 
 
 "Sebastian is very fond of dogs," said his father. 
 " He has a little pet at home which is as dear to him ae 
 his parents." 
 
 "He shall have the Newfoundland, too, if yon will 
 be encumbered with him, Rockford," remarked the Cap- 
 tain. ^ Carlo is a royal dog. and will guard any treas- 
 ure witli fidelity that may be placed under his care." 
 
 "] accept the gift for Sebastian with much pleasure," 
 said Rockford 
 
 Dinner was announced, and the part} 
 at a tab!-- which was spread with all the delicacies of th< 
 Jon. When the first and second cburses were < nded, 
 the wines and fruits were brought out. 
 
38 ROCKFOKD. 
 
 Those who have never partaken of a meal on ship- 
 board are not prepared to appreciate good eating. The 
 meal was finished, and the evening was spent in witness- 
 ing the feats of strength, agility, and the dances of the 
 sailors. The Rockfords were perfectly delighted with 
 their excursion ; and it was with regret they took leave 
 of the Captain, who accompanied them in his boat more 
 than half the distance to the town. Carlo only parted 
 with his master by compulsion. He was tied to one of 
 the rings of the boat, and struggled and howled pit- 
 eously when his master put back to the ship. 
 
 Just as the sun dipped his red disc into the sea, the 
 Rockfords stepped on shore and sought their home. The 
 servants made fast the boat, and took home the oars and 
 the disconsolate Carlo, who, if he had been let loose at 
 that moment, would have swum to his master's ship 
 
 again. 
 
BOCKFORD. ;;<, 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 It is a difficult thing, indeed, to give racy description? 
 ti the scenes of every-day life; but those descriptions 
 it" faithfully portrayed, are more eagerly read, and pro- 
 duce a more lasting impression on the mind than a 
 treatise upon abstruse subjects. Divest literature of its 
 common-place scenes, which are introduced by authors 
 to fill up the acts of the drama, and you remove one of 
 the main props which support the fabric of fiction. One 
 writer may spin out numberless pages upon an evening 
 excursion, and sustain a fair reputation for authorship, 
 yet the trivial scenes, clothed in such beautiful language, 
 will scarcely survive the first edition of a work. The 
 imagination of the reader may not be so lucid as that of 
 the writer, and it becomes necessary to paint each scene 
 with appropriate colors. Another writer may introduce 
 characters of ail heroic caste into his work, yet if the 
 picture is not faithfully sketched, and the back-ground 
 made to correspond with the subject-matter, the delin- 
 eator has mixed his colors in vain. 
 
 Some of the most noted authors have preferred bi 
 introduce the best scenes of their works in the opening 
 chapters, in order that the attention of the reader may 
 at once be arrested, but, the denouement of the plot may 
 expand into airy nothingness. The IHiad of Homer, 
 one of the most beautiful poems thai was ever written 
 
40 ROCKFORD. 
 
 in any language, and perfect in all its parts, is a re- 
 markable exception to the general rule, inasmuch as the 
 illustrious author plunges into mediasres, and presents 
 the hero in a revengeful mood, about to decide the des- 
 tinies of two great, contending nations, by retiring from 
 the war which his valor alone could win. But is it not 
 preferable to commence with the beginning, and enjoy 
 the pleasure of filling up each scene in the life of your 
 hero ; not leaving it for the imagination of the reader to 
 supply the vacuum? The taste of the intelligent reader 
 is the best arbiter. 
 
 Such a thing has happened, where self-styled critics 
 have disputed about the identity of the rightful hero or 
 heroine of a novel. It is an evidence of an erratic ge- 
 nius to clothe the hero in habiliments so similar to those 
 of the prominent characters, that the distinction is dif- 
 ficult. For fear that some critics may wrangle about 
 the hero of this work, it is proper to state right here 
 that Sebastian, and not his father, is the hero of this 
 novel. Who would care to record the actions of a more 
 promising lad than the little curly haired boy that was 
 the light and life of Rockford house ? 
 
 A few days subsequent to the advent of the New- 
 foundland dog to his new home, Sebastian was playing 
 in the veranda with his pets. Carlo was one of the 
 largest size of his species, while Jupe was the most di- 
 minutive of his race. The one was large, muscular and 
 well adapted to the performance of feats that required 
 both strength and agility : the other was exceedingly 
 small, feeble, and seemed to have been formed for a 
 
KOCKFORD. 4! 
 
 plaything and pest. Carlo was as much astonished ai 
 the little creature, as Jupe was at the huge proportions 
 of Ids powerful companion. Jupe hud all the mettle of 
 a ball-dog concentrated in his heart. At times, when 
 Carlo would irritate him, he would hite him upon the 
 nose with all the vengeance of an adder. The only 
 punishment Carlo inflicted upon him for his misdeeds 
 was both laughable and tantalizing. He would seize 
 Jupe carefully around the body and hear him off be- 
 tween his huge jaws. After running across the yard a 
 few times, at a pace so brisk that the poodle would lose 
 his breath. Carlo would deposit the culprit upon tin- 
 steps of the veranda for resuscitation. 
 
 Sebastian had learned to ride upon the back of Carlo 
 with perfect safety. Upon the morning on which the 
 boy and his pets were introduced upon the veranda, Se- 
 bastian had just finished feeding them. His mother. 
 hearing her son express a desire to ride, walked out 
 upon the veranda and placed him upon Carlo's back. 
 Jupe expressed a desire to ride also, by holding up his 
 tore-paws and barking piteously. Mrs. Rockford placed 
 Jupe in Sebastian's arms. Carlo had not the least ob- 
 jection in the world to carrying his young master, but 
 with the addition of Jupe to his burden he trotted oil' 
 that morning in no good frame of mind. If the weigh* 
 of Jupe had not been the hundredth fraction of an ounce. 
 i be principle would have been thv same with the ci 
 fallen Carlo, lie laid up a good shaking forthe poodli 
 when the next overt act should be committed. 
 
 Carlo carried his rider- mil upon the lawn in front of 
 
42 ROCKFORD. 
 
 the spacious mansion, where he met Mr. Rockford just 
 returning from town. The parent was much delighted 
 at the sport of Sebastian and Jupe. He conducted the 
 obedient Carlo back to the house, where he was disen- 
 cumbered of his load. 
 
 Mr. Rockford was particularly fond of the enjoyments 
 of home. His early years had been spent upon the 
 arena of a busy life ; and when the period had arrived 
 for him to assume the responsibilities of a married man, 
 the major portion of his leisure hours was passed in 
 the bosom of his family. 
 
 When Mr. Rockford seated Sebastian by his side in 
 the sitting room on that morning, the curiosity of the 
 boy was greatly exercised about the contents of his 
 father's pockets. As was his usual custom, he diligent- 
 ly searched them until he was enabled to draw forth his 
 candies and fruits, which were usually stored in those 
 receptacles in large quantities. 
 
 " What news do you bring from town, Mr. Rockford?'' 
 said the wife, as she seated herself for the purpose of 
 resuming her never-ending work of embroidery. 
 
 "There are strange rumors afloat in Crofton," replied 
 Mr. Rockford. "They say there is a band of robbers 
 not many miles from the town. Several suspicious men 
 have been seen lurking about the jail since the confine- 
 ment of Royston, and it is now believed that he has 
 been mysteriously connected with them for two or three 
 years. His frequent visits to the country upon horse- 
 back, during that space of time, and returning late at 
 night, are strong presumptive evidence that he knows 
 
110CKF0RD. 43 
 
 more about those lawless men than he cares to relate. 
 The jailor has been instructed by the proper authorities 
 to have the prisoner closely guarded." 
 
 Mr. Rockford had a select library. Every good wOrt 
 of ancient and modern times formed his tatety collection. 
 Shakspeare, Milton, Pope and Dry-den were his favorite 
 poets. It was from them he had derived that exquis- 
 ite taste in the selection of words that lent so much 
 beauty to his speeches. He had perused a thousand 
 hooks before he was thoroughly convinced that all 
 knowledge is contained in a few volumes. He was fund 
 of reading histories, particularly those that contained 
 the records of ancient heroes. He had learned to di- 
 vide the reigns of princes of different kingdoms into 
 periods. He was never at a loss how to place events in 
 their proper chronological order. His law hooks were 
 never neglected, being read and studied by him with 
 system. The English and American Reports of the 
 decisions of cases at Common Law, were as familiar to 
 him as household words. It was a thorough knowledge 
 of those works, and a practical application of the same, 
 that rendered him so formidable a competitor to his 
 compeers at the bar. 
 
 He employed his time chiefly in the investigation of 
 his cases, when not too busily engaged in the mechan- 
 ical formulas of the profession. He was never taken 
 by surprise when one of his cases was called in Court. 
 The Spring Session of the Superior Court was to com- 
 mence within ;. few weeks, and he beal all hi* i 
 ap0I] :; proper preparation for the prosecution of K 
 
4-i ROCKFORD. 
 
 . as Mr. Wlnslow had retained him as leading coun- 
 He was a conscientious man, who did aot desire 
 to receive five thousand dollars without rendering his 
 client an equivalent for the same. 
 
 Time ever speeds by rapidly when we arc engaged. 
 An unusually large gathering about the Court House 
 square gave indications that the Court was upon the 
 point of convening. 
 
 The Spring had come in fhatwarm, beautiful clime of 
 the South, and Nature had put on a gay dress. The 
 woods were enameled with flowers, and every hedge 
 was green with vernal beauty. The feathered songsters 
 sans their matins from the hush, and every animated 
 creature rejoiced in the return of Spring. Beautiful. 
 happy season, would that thy reign could last forever ! 
 
 The Grand Jury found a true bill against Royston 
 for murder, during the first day of the Session, and 
 when the case was called up, an unusually large crowd 
 mbled to witness the trial. The counsel for Roys- 
 ton did their duty to their client, but so well was the 
 case managed upon the part <>f the prosecution, a mo- 
 tion for a new trial was not made, though many were 
 the points they strove to make during the examina- 
 tion of the witnesses. Royston was convicted, and 
 sentence of death was pronounced upon him. 
 
 Mr. Rockford had made one of his ablest efforts upon 
 the trial of Royston, and through his adroit manage- 
 ment of the case, the Jury were enabled to bring in a 
 verdict against him, although there was some rebutting 
 evidence in his favor. I Lis speech upon the occasion 
 
ROCK FOR I). )- 
 
 was one of the crowning ads of bis life. He had never 
 been known to make a failure at the bar, but, upon this 
 occasion, his success was commensurate with the fame 
 he had previously achieved as a rriinhi;:] lawyer. The 
 Const House was filled to overflowing with the citizens, 
 and strangers from the neighboring counties, who had 
 been induced to attend, to listen to the speech of ;: dis- 
 tinguished man in a- case of such vital importance to the 
 State and community. Mr. Rockford received the con- 
 gratulations of Ins friends with that degree of moth 
 natural to one so gifted. 
 
 Duty, in his eyes, was more to be valued than the 
 hue and cry after popularity. Unless he considered 
 that he was entitled to commendation, he would have 
 shrunk from applause, and desired his friends to have 
 lavished their praises upon one more deserving. Popu- 
 larity is like the current of a stream, the more auxil- 
 iaries it receives, the more swollen will he the current, 
 and the more readily \\ill it he enabled to overcome 
 obstacles in its headlong course. Hut, instead of en- 
 deavoring to augment his popularity, Rockford discour- 
 d all propositions tending to his own advancement. 
 
 The law, especially the criminal portion, is fraught 
 with many difficulties. It is not at. easy task to recon- 
 cile the law with the evidence and make a point; nor is 
 it less difficult to convince n client that justice has been 
 done to him, or a culprit thai no advantage hac 
 taken of his dependent condition* Those who embark 
 in the profession must make up their minds t<> -nil uj 
 a tempestuous sea. It i- very much to he feared that 
 
4(j ROCKFOKD. 
 
 the majority of lawyers become ease-hardened, after a 
 few years of successful practice ; but it must be remem- 
 bered that all secular professions have their abuses-. 
 
 Mr. Rockford had never courted the popular favor of 
 the world for his advancement to honorable positions, 
 but his mind had been bent almost entirely upon thv 
 acquisition of property. He had seen the advantages 
 arising from the influence of WEALTH. If he did not 
 acknowledge its power, the world did. It is as profit- 
 able to blow your breath against the whirlwind as to 
 move in opposition to the popular current. The actions 
 of one man may be Herculean in comparison to those of 
 another; yet, when weighed in the balance against the 
 deeds of thousands, the scales are turned upon the side 
 of the majority. Some contend that the whole force of 
 government is ruled by compromises, but its own ab- 
 surdity refutes the admission. A party which admits 
 the force of compromises, will have but little else to do 
 but to make and support them. Rockford was a happy 
 exception to men who are guided, in the main, by con- 
 ventional rules. He steered very safely between Scylla 
 and Charybdis, neither asking nor oourjang popular 
 favor. 
 
 Thirty years ago, the period at which this story- 
 opens, our Government was supported more according 
 to the tenets of Justice, Truth and Moderation, than 
 it has been of late years. There was not such ah in- 
 equality in the dispensation of justice, as at the present 
 time. The contending parties,, if they differed mate- 
 rially, based the discrepancy of their views upon other 
 
ROCKFORD. 47 
 
 than sectional grounds. If the laws, then, were rightly 
 administered, and made to redound to the glory and 
 happiness of a State, the cause was attributed to the 
 correctness of self-government. If a State is made to 
 hear the burdens of other sections of a Federal Govern- 
 ment, the remedy to correct the evil is not within its 
 own hands, and there is no virtue, then, in State Sov- 
 ereignty while the people submit. 
 
 Rockford was not a mercenary man, but he had a 
 sufficient quantity of pride to speed him forward in the 
 performance of anything in which he thought his DUTl 
 was enlisted. He had made a powerful cifort to convict 
 Royston of the heinous crime of murder, and had suc- 
 - -coded, lie did not fear or care for the consequences 
 while his conscience was not disquieted. It had been 
 intimated to him that Royston was not without friends. 
 and the promptness with which competent counsel had 
 been employed to defend him, corroborated this belief. 
 It was supposed that lie had been intimately connected 
 with a band of robbers, whose depradations, of late* 
 were assuming an importance not to be overlooked h\ 
 those who had rights to maintain . It was even supp< i 
 that the wire-workers of that band were frequent visi- 
 tors to the town, and might he not have endangered his 
 life and property by discharging his duty so well ? Ad- 
 mitting this to be true, lie had pledged himself t«. b< 
 Faithful to his trust, and no obstructions could thwi 
 bis plans, or remove him from the course of his duty. 
 
 The laws had been seriously violated, the life of I 
 
 good citizen had been unjustjy taken, and was il 
 
48 UOCKFORD. 
 
 proper time to compromise the rights of humanity to 
 escape the prejudices of those who were not law-abiding? 
 He belonged to that class of men who were in favor of 
 letting justice be done, though the heavens should fall 
 Do you not applaud him ? 
 
ROCKFORD 49 
 
 (HATTER VI. 
 
 SwEET, holy, heavenly Sabbath, who does not love to 
 behold thy coming J Who does not admit thy right to 
 be classed among tilings divine ? It is the type of that 
 endless rest which God hath prepared in the Heavens for 
 Mis people. In whatever country of this beautiful world, 
 upon which the Gospel of Christ has poured its bless- 
 ings, the Sabbath is respected and observed. God is 
 truly in His Holy temple, and earth should keep silent 
 before Him. The citizens of Crofton were moral, and 
 the crowded pews of the churches attested the interest 
 they took in religion. There were but few, indeed, 
 whom an idle curiosity ever led to the sanctuary. It 
 was a pleasing sight, upon each Sabbath morning, to be- 
 hold the avenues and streets leading to the churches, 
 crowded with people hurrying on to worship at the 
 shrine of God. 
 
 The carriages of the wealthy drew up at the church- 
 yard, and the occupants passed quietly into the house 
 of the Most High. The middle classes and the poor 
 all thronged the aisles of the church, a] id crowded into 
 the unrentcd pews. Each one remembered the beautiful 
 sentence, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let as 
 go unto the house of the Lord." 
 
 The church of Christ will never be advanced in in- 
 
 1 
 
50 ROCKFORD. 
 
 terest where the fashions and prejudices of the citizens 
 are allowed to govern it. If wealth were more equally 
 distributed among the people, a moderate degree of 
 splendor might not be objectionable. But the majority 
 of those who are constant attendants upon Divine ser- 
 vice belong to the class of those who are supported by 
 their daily labor. They never feel at home in the midst 
 of so much splendor as is sometimes lavished upon the 
 decorations of churches. Whatever may be the view,^ 
 of others upon this subject, we respect them ; but if 
 money is to be spent in a good cause, let it be given to 
 the poor, for we have them with us always. 
 
 The organ struck up an anthem, and the choir joined 
 in sweet harmony. The Minister read out the morning 
 lesson, and his fervent prayers ascended to Heaven. In 
 Ins discourse he alluded feelingly to the recent painful 
 occurrence. Tears of sorrow were shed by those who 
 beheld the* grief of the father and mother of Mr. Wins- 
 low, who occupied one of the front seats. The Minister 
 bade them weep not for their son, but to prepare to meet 
 the great day of the coming of God. It was a difficult 
 thing for them to submit to the will of Providence, but 
 God hath commanded us to let the dead bury their dead. 
 and we should repine not. The Savior of mankind suf- 
 fered death for us, and lay in the cold embraces of the 
 tomb, and we should not dread to enter there. 
 
 He dwelt upon the enormity of the sins of those who 
 rejected the Gospel, and did not heed the warnings that 
 were given them every day. The whole congregation 
 felt the force of the appeal, and when the benediction 
 
ROCKFORD. 51 
 
 was pronounced, and the congregation departed for their 
 homos, each one felt that he or she had received a bless- 
 
 Mr. Rockford and his family were conveyed to their 
 splendid mansion in their costly carriage. When they 
 were summoned to dinner, the husband and wife com- 
 menced the meal in silence but they were soon engaged 
 in social con . • . 
 
 kw My dear,'" .-aid Mr. Rockford, Wk is it not strange 
 that we who enjoy so many blessings, should live so 
 neglectful in the performance of our duty?" 
 
 A tear glistened in the eye of Mrs. Rockford, as she 
 heard this confession from the lips of her husband. 
 She knew that he was not what the world calls a wicked 
 man, but his mind had been so bent upon the acquisition 
 of property that he had been too negligent in returning 
 thanks to God for tin- many blessings with, which he 
 was surrounded." 
 
 "Truly, my husband, we are all too sinful. We are 
 too apt to forget God while lie is so good to us. It is 
 only when his afflicting rod is scourging us that w r e re- 
 member Him. He afflicts us that we may be drawn more 
 closely into His fold. Suppose He should take Sebastian 
 from us, would wo not be bowed down with sorrow?" 
 
 As the eyes of Mr. Rockford rested upon the beauti- 
 ful face of his child, his heart was filled with pride 
 mingled with sorrow. He knew that if the boy should 
 bo spared to him, his own life might flow on in one un- 
 interrupted stream of happiness, but should an early 
 death remove him from the home of his dear parents, 
 that sorrow would fill that house forevermore. 
 
r y l ROCKFORD. 
 
 Mr. Rockford had arrived at the period of life when 
 it behooved him to render those around him all the as- 
 sistance that lay in his power. He resolved from that 
 day to commence a reform. His example might tend 
 much towards influencing others to leave off from fol- 
 io wing in the evil paths of sin. 
 
 But how to commence that reform was certainly a 
 difficult thing. As he sat in his studio upon that holy 
 Sabbath evening, and beheld with what glee Sebastian 
 sported among the flowers that were just opening to the 
 kisses of Spring, he felt as if his Maker had sent his 
 son as a blessing, and his own example would either 
 prepare his offspring for happiness, or consign him to 
 the shades of misery. 
 
 He had endeavored to live justly and conform to the 
 laws of the land, but, upon an examination of his own 
 heart, he discovered that the laws of God required more 
 than the mere observance of a, creed which is upheld 
 merely by the basis of morality. He had been influ- 
 enced too much by the subtle teachings of those who, 
 though not militating against the established usages of 
 orthodox church doctrines, invited them to pin their 
 faith to moral principles, which were not dissimilar to 
 those tenets taught by the ancient philosophers. 
 
 He had not sought his knowledge, in a prayerful man- 
 ner, from the great fountain of divinity — the Bible. 
 Henceforth he would not neglect the blessed volume. 
 If any of our readers arc in doubt as to any question 
 which should guide them aright, in a moral point of 
 view, let them search the Scriptures — the tenets of men 
 are dangerous guides. 
 
HOCK FORI). .-,:; 
 
 The Sabbath passed, and the week with its busy 
 seenes was ushered in. Eaeh one of the citizens of the 
 place was basy in tlie pursuit of his daily occupation. 
 Mr. Snibbens had turned over sever;-. 1 new leaves in bis 
 classics, and as many in his translation^. His scholars 
 were flogged and " turned hack " when they advanced 
 too rapidly for him. Mr. Samuel Culverhousr and his 
 amiable wife still prepared wholesome viands for their 
 boarders. Mr. Simpkins sold his goodd to those who 
 gave him their patronage, and the affairs of the town 
 moved on smoothly. The Ellen had keen heavily laden 
 with the staple produce of the country, and had sailed 
 to foreign ports. The Captain promised Mr. Rockford 
 to pay him a visit upon his return, and bring many cu- 
 riosities and presents for Sebastian, for whom he had 
 manifested much love. 
 
 Those who dwell in fine Houses, and are blest with the 
 goods of this world, are rarely, if ever, warning in 
 friends and relatives. Rockford house was noted for 
 its hospitality. A few days after the Sabbath evening 
 reveries of the proprietor, several friends alighted at 
 his gate. Mr. Rockford felt that it was not good to be 
 alone, and he hastened to welcome them. As he has- 
 tened across the long front yard, which intervened be- 
 tween the house and the outer street, he recognized 
 several friends and relatives whom he had not seen 
 several years. He should now have an opportnnitj of 
 presenting them to his dear Josephine. She bad n< 
 seen them, but his friends were ever dear to her. 
 
 "My dear aunt Margery." said Mr, Rockford, "how 
 
54 KOCKFORD. 
 
 glad I am to see you ! Welcome to Rockford house. 
 Cousin Roxana, this is indeed a surprise. Josephine 
 will be so glad to see you. Cousin Frances, how you 
 have grown ! Mr. Watson, you and Mr. Judson assist 
 the ladies to the house, while I look after your bag- 
 gage*" 
 
 Mrs. Rockford, arriving just at this time, was for- 
 mally presented to each one of her guests by her hus- 
 band. They were conducted to the spacious mansion 
 by the good lady. Rooms were speedily prepared for 
 the new comers, and Rockford house was no longer a 
 quiet residence, but it seemed more like a crowded ho- 
 tel at a watering place than the dwelling of a private 
 family. 
 
 The horses of the visitors were properly cared for, 
 and soon occupied the well filled stables. The carriages 
 Avere rubbed off and rolled under the spacious . sheds, 
 and every thing was in a happy bustle that lived, breath- 
 ed and moved upon that homestead. We live only for 
 our friends, thought Mr. Rockford, as he arrayed him- 
 self in a new suit of clothes which he had never yet 
 worn. Selfishness was no part of his nature, and what 
 he enjoyed, his friends were welcome to share with him. 
 Fie surveyed himself in the long mirror, and was not at 
 all displeased with his own personal appearance. It is 
 true a few gray hairs were intermingled with his flowing 
 locks, but he knew he had arrived at that period of life 
 when gray hairs were expected. We have said he was 
 satisfied with his appearance. The reader would have 
 acknowledged Mr. Rockford's claims to fine looks, we 
 
ROOKFORD. 55 
 
 will not say to beauty, for that term should never be 
 applied to men. 
 
 As we have said before, llockford house was the very 
 home of hospitality. The building was very large, and 
 commanded, not only a good view of the ocean, but a 
 person stationed in the observatory might overlook the 
 whole region. The eight spacious rooms upon the first 
 floor were occupied, principally, by the family and the 
 seleet friends and relatives who blessed the house with 
 their protracted visits. The eight rooms on the second 
 floor were used as the apartments of those who were 
 merely spending a few days as friends. The four 
 rooms of the third story were occupied when the house 
 was crowded to overflowing. Those rooms were resort- 
 ed to by Mr. Rockford, when he wished to retire from 
 the din and bustle of his family. The front of the 
 building was adorned with massive columns, which ex- 
 tended from the main piazza to the roofing, giving beau- 
 i v and strength to the entire structure. At the landing 
 of the second and third stories, a veranda extended 
 out for the accommodation of a small party who might 
 desire to enjoy a tete-a-tete, and yet have the benefit of 
 the sea breezes. The house was built of brick, and 
 stuccoed after the most approved style, and so accurate- 
 ly penciled as to present the appearance of a grand 
 marble pile. Every room of this magnificent structure 
 was supplied with furniture to correspond with its ex- 
 ternal appearance. The well trained servants moved 
 like clock-work in their appointed spheres. Few v, 
 the orders given at Rockford bduse, for when the ser- 
 
56 ROCKFORD. 
 
 vants, who know their duty, perform it. system is never 
 wanting. 
 
 Mrs. Margery Fairfield was an aunt of Mr. Rock- 
 ford's. She was a lady of moderate fortune, who re- 
 sided at Colonna, one of the neighboring towns. Her 
 husband had died only a few years previous to the visit 
 of the good lady to her relative. Her two daughters. 
 Roxana and Frances, who had completed their cduca- 
 tion, were her only children. Thomas Watson and 
 Reginald Judson were agreeable acquaintances, who 
 had kindly consented to be their visiting companions. 
 
 After the visitors had been conducted to their rooms, 
 and sufficient time had elapsed for them to perform their 
 ablutions, and exchange a traveling for a more comely 
 dress, the company assembled in the drawing-room. It 
 was a goodly sight to see how the countenance of each 
 one was wreathed with smiles. Mr. Rockford could but 
 anticipate a pleasant time with his visitors. If time 
 should pass sluggishly, and the hours should be inter- 
 spersed with moments of gloom, his carriages or pleas- 
 ure-boat should be put into requisition. 
 
 Mr. Rockford again welcomed the party to his house, 
 and wished them to put off all restraint and seek what 
 means of enjoyment that might be within their grasp. 
 The company were soon engaged in an animated con- 
 versation, in which Mr. Rockford and aunt Margery 
 took the lead. The young men, the cousins and Mrs. 
 Rockford were not long in becoming acquainted. Se- 
 bastian and his pets were not overlooked. At length, 
 when the party had expressed a desire to promenade 
 
ROCKFORD. 57 
 
 upon the terraces, Mr. Rockford led them out in front 
 of the building. They -were struck with admiration at 
 the beauty of the evergreen hedges, and the vast quan- 
 tity of early Spring fltawers, which were thus early 
 scenting the lawn. The area just in front of the house 
 bloomed with flowers. A little farther on, the giant 
 oaks, and the trees which were planted by the proprie- 
 tor <»!' the place, coyered the ground with a continuous 
 s]iade. 
 
 After spending an hour in an agreeable conversation, 
 and enjoying a delightful walk, the company retired t<> 
 their rooms to make preparations for dinner. 
 
 What mortal is there, who is free from the horrible 
 pangs of dyspepsia, that does not welcome the dinner 
 hour? Poems have been, written upon it, orations have 
 been pronounced upon it, yet the theme is inexhaustible. 
 The ancients revered it; the moderns do not scorn ii : 
 and we, oh ! Epicurus, do not hate it. Take away our 
 breakfast or supper, but let us not be far distant from 
 the smoking viands that roast upon the spit, or the 
 brown pheasants that iloat in the golden gravy, with all 
 the little extras that fill up the spare corners of the 
 ovens. Let us not be far from those when the tintin- 
 nabulation of the dinner-bell is heard. 
 
 Reader, did you ever enjoy a good dinner when t\\ entj 
 miles of travel had given you a good appetite, and you 
 had become siek of home fare '■ If not, vou have yel 
 something to live for. 
 
o8 ROCKFORR 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The majority of mankind rejoice in the blessings that 
 are poured out upon them from day to day, without re- 
 turning thanks to the great Giver of good and perfect 
 gifts. It is a common saying, that Uhe hog never looks 
 up to him who threshes down the acorns.' It is never 
 more perfectly exemplified than in the conduct of some 
 men, who seem to be perfectly devoid of all moral prin- 
 ciple. 
 
 Fortune, it is true, showers its blessings, indiscrim- 
 inately, upon the just and unjust. The rains of Heaven 
 descend with equal measure upon saint and sinner ; the 
 fortunes of the hour are within the grasp of the prince 
 and the peasant. Whether the happiness of our little 
 hero is controlled entirely by chance, or not, the writer 
 deposeth not. 
 
 We, at present, must follow the happy party into the 
 spacious hall of Roekford house. It was arranged with 
 every convenience that modern taste could fashion out. 
 We shall not give a minute description of it, leaving the 
 imagination of the reader to ornament the scenes. 
 
 The table was bountifully spread with costly viands, 
 which could not fail to tempt the palate of the most 
 fastidious. Mr. Roekford seated himself at the head 
 of the well-supplied board, and bade his guests be seat- 
 
ROCKFORD. 59 
 
 • 
 
 ed and enjoy the bounties of Rockford house. It was 
 his peculiar delight to have his friends surround his 
 table, and enjoy the comforts of his well filled larder. 
 Conversation is the fountain from which flows the source 
 of enjoyment at the dinner-table. Without its aid, the 
 sumptuous feast is spread in vain. The most marked 
 attention upon the part of the host, without a due ap- 
 preciation of the guests, is a vain effort to effect enjoy, 
 ment. Mr. Rockford had studied the philosophy of the 
 ancients and the more refined of the moderns, and was 
 prepared, upon all occasions, to render any company 
 into which he migAt be thrown, agreeable. 
 
 "Homer had a pleasant and very agreeable faculty. 
 Mr. Watson," said Mr. Rockford, "of describing a 
 feast, and lending to the assembly a grandiloquent flow 
 of conversation, to enliven it." 
 
 "True," replied the guest, who was never more at 
 home than in descanting upon his favorite authors. 
 kk Homer supposed, and that truthfully, that a feast 
 without conversation was a ludicrous thing. It would 
 have appeared in his qjq^, as if the guests had been in- 
 vited to a funeral, rather than to the board of merri- 
 ment, if the flow of sentiment were of consequence 
 obliged to be restricted." 
 
 ,k Who has not been touched with the lines in Homer; 
 
 •Then spread the tables, the repnst prepare, 
 Bach lakes his seat, and each receives his share. 
 When now the rage of hunger mms repressed. 
 With pure libations they conclude the feast." 
 
 *'But," replied Mr. Watson, "the sentiment, as ex- 
 pressed in those lines, is rather an invitation to youth 
 ' > enjoy the luxuries of tlie wine eup." 
 
 
60 KOCKFORD. 
 
 " Not at all," said the good host, 'fin those days, 
 when liquors were unadulterated, there was but little 
 drunkenness. Men were supposed to be guided more 
 by reason and common sense than they are now. The 
 feast, or even an extraordinary dining, was not supposed 
 to be complete without the introduction of wine. If 
 men would only drink the juice of the grape in moder- 
 ation, we should have no cases of intoxication." 
 
 Mr. Judson, who had been endeavoring to entertain 
 the ladies in the meantime, joined in the conversation, 
 and the meal passed off to the satisfaction of every one 
 present. The meats, dainties, fruits and wines were 
 served in turn. When the last course was served, the 
 company retired from the hall to enjoy the evening as 
 the fates might decree, or as their host might see proper. 
 
 He is a happy man who can make the best plans for 
 enjoyment. The wisest men have failed in this partic- 
 ular. In vain Ave often sit and ponder over the best 
 matured plans of action. The occurrences of an hour 
 may supply us with the means of enjoyment, or may 
 snatch from us every vestige of that basis of enjoyment 
 which may be fraught with pleasure. 
 
 The visitors of Mr. Rockford, in a very feu days, 
 became domesticated, and distant formalities were aban- 
 doned. The amusements consisted of excursions along 
 the coast in the pleasure-boats belonging to Mr. Rock- 
 ford, or the carriages conveyed the guests to the roman- 
 tic portions of the surrounding country. Mr. Watson 
 was particularly fond of the society of Miss Roxana 
 Fairfield, the elder of the beautiful sisters, while she 
 
KOCKFORD. 61 
 
 was not indifferent to his polite attentions. He had 
 
 commenced the practice of the Law at Colonna, under 
 (lie most favorable ausfj&ces. lie had been received as 
 an agreeable visitor -it the house of Mrs. Fairfield; thus 
 his acquaintance with the family had almost ripened 
 into intimacy. lie was one of those prudent young 
 men whose good sense never permitted him to enter 
 into extravagances of speech. He had been a close 
 student, and had not only read the works of the best 
 authors, bin had studied them carefully. Upon this 
 account, he was a very pleasant companion for Mr. 
 ;;ford. They spehl several hours of each day in 
 conversation upon polite literature. They were partic- 
 ularly fond of poetry, especially the works of the au- 
 thors of the old school. It was a pleasant task for 
 them to take the works of Pope, and select portions 
 from his best < ; and translations. Each line was 
 suggestive of thought, and lengthy disputations would 
 spring up between the friends, which could only be set- 
 tled by Jin agreement upon the next beautiful passage. 
 Mr. Judson was a young man of a gay temperament. 
 He scorned to live only for the enjoyment of the pres- 
 ent. Be amused Miss Frances Fairfield and Mr.-. 
 Rockford by a 1 of his college scrapes. To 
 
 have heard him converse, one would have supposed that 
 the four years he spent at the University were not well 
 improved, but he had managed to pick up a smattering 
 of the langu tges. He had merely scraped through a 
 graduation. He was (he life of the party, and never 
 let time hang heavy if he could procure an audien 
 
62 KOCKFORD. 
 
 If he could amuse himself in no other way, he would 
 take Jupe and Carlo and amuse Sebastian. The child 
 loved him dearly, and insisted upon a frequent rehear- 
 sal of the feats he had taught the pets to perform. He 
 would clap his little hands and jump for joy when Car- 
 lo would leap over the bars, or find a handkerchief, 
 hidden by Mr. Judson. 
 
 The guests had been at Rockford house several days, 
 and yet their host would not consent for them to depart. 
 Time had not passed so pleasantly with him in a long 
 time. He exacted a, promise from them that they would 
 spend two more weeks at his house. He desired to give 
 them a grand party, and invite the citizens of the town 
 to it. He was fond of merriment himself, and nothing 
 delighted him so much as to see his friends enjoy his 
 hospitalities. 
 
 Aunt Margery spent the most of her time in the so- 
 ciety of Mrs. Rockford, whose company she esteemed 
 very greatly. The good old lady was fond of imparting 
 what lessons she had early learned upon house-keeping, 
 the art of cookery, and the all-important one of quilt- 
 making, to all young folks. She had seen the folly of 
 throwing away scraps which might just as well form the 
 squares of a quilt. It would be well for us if we had 
 many such good souls as she was. She was not stupid 
 or awkward in company, but preferred the society of a 
 few to mingling with the gay throngs, whose only object 
 appeared to her to be a grand display of fine dress. 
 She thought folks had better learn to copy Nature more. 
 and trust less to art. But aunt Margery was too pru- 
 
ROCKFORD. 63 
 
 duent to restrict her daughters in their harmless enjoy- 
 ments. 
 
 What a happy thing it was for Mrs. Rockford that 
 she had the assistance of aunt Margery ! When her 
 husband proposed the party, she interposed not the least 
 objection, but readily gave her consent. Her larders 
 were well supplied with every ingredient she desired. 
 Her cooks were well trained, and she was no novice in 
 the culinary art. Aunt Margery could give her much 
 good counsel ; and upon the following day she com- 
 menced making extensive preparations for the festival. 
 Her husband had told her to spare no expense, but to lit 
 up a sumptuous supper for a great number of guests. 
 
 It was soon known in Crofton that a grand party was 
 to be given by Mr. Rockford in honor of Mrs. Fairfield 
 and her daughters. They had received the attentions 
 of the visiting portion of the ladies and the young men. 
 Those who expected tickets to the party commenced 
 making preparations to attend. Mr. Snibbens brushed 
 up his seedy coat, had it pressed and repaired, and 
 commenced looking out some big words and phrases to 
 use upon the occasion. 
 
 While the party is the common gossip of the town, 
 and the ladies of Rockford house arc making extensive 
 preparations for the occason, let us relate other thijigs 
 which may be of interest to the reader. It has been 
 intimated that a band of robbers was supposed to have 
 one of their retreats near the town of Crofton. The 
 attack which had been made upon the fishermen by nun 
 who seemed to be intimate with the coast, and the fact 
 
(34 ROCKFORD. 
 
 that suspicious men had been seen lurking in the neigh- 
 borhood of the jail, gave strength to the suspicions 
 that Royston had friends and accomplices in a set of 
 marauders, who place all law and order at defiance. It 
 was not at all improbable ; neither had the character of 
 that desperate man been above reproach for a long time. 
 It was a mystery to his former friends and companions 
 how he managed to pay his bills. They supposed that 
 he had resorted to the gaming-table. His most intimate 
 acquaintances were not generally known in the town, 
 nor did they appear as if desirous of pushing themselves 
 into society, so little were they suited for the company 
 of the refined. 
 
 Crofton was built, as to the business portion of it, 
 around the Court square. The stores of all descrip- 
 tions were situated at intervals, and, with the hotels and 
 and other buildings, filled up the entire space. The 
 churches and academies were located upon eminences in 
 convenient parts of the town, while the residences of 
 the inhabitants were ranged upon the different streets, 
 as suited the convenience of the citizen. The principal 
 street led to the wharf, where were located the exten- 
 sive ware-houses. Crofton, though not large enough to 
 be called a city, was a place that contained nearly two 
 thousand inhabitants ; though it was a small place in 
 comparison to some cities upon the coast. 
 
 Jewellers, druggists, dentists and painters occupied 
 the rooms of the second and third stories of the busi- 
 ness houses. It is to one of those out-of-the-way offices 
 that we are about to conduct the reader. Upon a swing- 
 
11O0KF0RD. ($- 
 
 ing sign might be rend the name 6f "Hans Kemple, 
 Jeweller." In order to diseover the exact locality of 
 the veritable Hans, the sign further described the part 
 of the house he was supposed to occupy, * w Third jl 
 xci'ond room to the rir/Jtf." "When you arrived at the 
 gallery of the second floor, numerous signs greeted you. 
 "Miss Jcrusha Smith, Milliner.'" -.J. Sinclair Peebles, 
 Attorney at Law.'' " G. Higginbotham Compton, Den- 
 tist." "Crofton Courier," and other offices. After 
 passing up the second flight of steps, the attention of 
 the stranger was only directed to the small sign of Hans. 
 The other apartments were private, or not occupied 
 at all. 
 
 At a given signal from without, Hans went cautiously 
 to the door, and having satisfied himself that a friend 
 sought admittance, he opened the door without hesita- 
 tion. 
 
 "Ah! Heinrich, is it you?" said Hans. "I am 
 overjoyed to see you. How is our scheme progressing? 
 When were you at the retreat?" 
 
 "Do not talk so loudly," replied Heinrich. "Walls 
 have ears. You are not aware how very closely we 
 are watched of late." 
 
 " Then come into my little back room," said Hans. 
 "We can talk there without fear of molestation." 
 
 Hans led Heinrich through his tolerably well filled 
 room into the small apartment indicated. The door 
 W*as bolted, and they commenced talking earnestly. 
 
 "Heinrich," said Hans, "time i. very precious, in- 
 deed. Only one week intervenes between this day and 
 
(36 ROCKPORD. 
 
 his execution. It will never do in the world for so noble 
 a soul as he is to suffer so humiliating a death. He has 
 been true and valiant, and right nobly has he divided 
 the spoils with us. He has been foremost in every at- 
 tack, the first to strike, and the last to quit the field. 
 When we have been forced to abandon an enterprise, he 
 has covered our retreat, and defied all the united force 
 of his assailants." 
 
 " You speak truly, Hans," said his companion. "Thus 
 far he has borne his confinement and trial with heroic 
 fortitude ; but death is a dreadful thing. Do you sup- 
 pose he would ascend the scaffold, and take the aw r ful 
 leap into eternity, with all the crimes that hang upon 
 his soul, and not make a confession ? You arrive at 
 different conclusions from what I do, if you think your- 
 self safe. He knows that it is in our power to release 
 him from confinement, and he expects it at our hands." 
 
 "See what I have been doing for the past few days," 
 said Hans. "Here is a finely tempered saw, which I 
 have made. This must be conveyed to him as soon as 
 possible. With this he can sever the manacles that 
 bind him, and cut his way out of confinement in a few 
 hours." 
 
 The companion of Hans informed him that he had 
 been upon a visit to their friends, and they were doubly 
 enlisted in the cause of Carl Royston. If he should 
 not be enabled to make his escape within a few days, it 
 was their intention to brave all, and risk their lives in 
 his defence. Hans had hit upon a plan to see Royston, 
 and he doubted not but that he could place the instru- 
 
ROCKFORD (ft 
 
 ment he had made in his own hands. The jailor had 
 called upon him only a few days before to have an article 
 of jewelry repaired, and he would walk out in that di- 
 rection and drop in and see him. 
 
 When Heinrich had taken his departure, Hans en- 
 closed the saw, which was very small, in a paper, took 
 several late newspapers and put them in his pocket. 
 He directed his footsteps towards the common, upon 
 which the jail was located. He was in the act of pass- 
 ing the prison, when the jailor, who was at work in the 
 garden, hailed him, and invited him to call in. Hans 
 tried to excuse himself, hut the jailor urged him so that 
 he consented to tarry only a few minutes. The jailor 
 was a communicative man. He could never rest until 
 lie had divested himself of every secret he was in pos- 
 session of. Yet he was a faithful man, who might have 
 been entrusted with the greatest treasure. He was 
 prepared to defend the jail and environs with his life. 
 
 The jailor invited Hans to join him in a glass, at the 
 same time opening the door of a closet. Hans consent- 
 ed, of course, and soon the friends were discussing upon 
 various subjects. The conversation at length turned 
 upon Royston, whom Hans pictured out as being one of 
 the most abandoned men he had ever seen. The drinks 
 were repeated, and the jailor was in a fair way of be- 
 coming intoxicated. Hans recollected that he had the 
 piece of jewelry, which he had repaired for the jailor in 
 his pocket. When he offered it to him, he could not be 
 prevailed upon to receive any compensation for his work. 
 Bane expressed a desire to seethe prisoner, saying that, 
 
68 ROCKFORD. 
 
 as he would not be in town upon the clay of the execu- 
 tion, he had a curiosity to see the wretch once more. 
 The jailor consented, and led the way to his place of 
 confinement. The massive bolts and locks yielded to 
 the key and the pressure of the strong hand of the 
 jailor, and they were soon in the presence of Carl 
 Royston. The prisoner was a man above the medium 
 size, and seemed formed for feats of strength and agil- 
 ity. He could not have been exceeding thirty years of 
 age, from the appearance of his face. A heavy beard, 
 almost jet black, corresponded with his long, flowing 
 ringlets. There were feAT finer looking men than Roys- 
 ton. The prisoner merely bowed to Hans, as the latter, 
 accompanied by the jailor, entered the room. Royston 
 was seated at a table, reading a book. Several papers 
 were scattered upon the table. Hans observed that 
 Royston was confined by a chain, which was fastened 
 to one of his ankles. The chain was secured by a staple 
 driven into the floor near his bed. 
 
 Hans conversed with the prisoner upon trivial matters 
 for some time, without alluding to the murder. Roys- 
 ton asked the jailor to furnish him with a supply of 
 fresh water. While the latter was gone to get it, Hans 
 hastily drew out the saAV and a ball of twine, and gave 
 them to Royston. He said that, upon the night previ- 
 ous to the day appointed for the execution, his escape 
 must be made. . The plan was imparted to Royston in 
 a few words. The friends embraced and were silent, 
 as they heard the footsteps of the jailor. 
 
 Hans took his departure from the jail, well pleased 
 
ROCKFORD. (39 
 
 with the success of his visit. The hopes of Royston 
 were revived. lie began his work of sawing the bars 
 of the window, which was happily within hie reach. He 
 worked slowly at first, and succeeded so well that the 
 bars were saAvn sufficiently, in one night, to render them ' 
 capable of being wrenched off. The window had ; 
 curtain, which the prisoner wisely drew over the aper- 
 ture to conceal his designs. The jailor bad heard no 
 noise, and not suspecting an attempt on the part of 
 the prisoner to make his escape, merely performed the 
 usual task of furnishing Royston with his meals. Roys- 
 ton concealed the saw in bis bosom, resolving to par 1 , 
 with it only with his life. 
 
 When the jailor had performed his round, upon the 
 evening preceding the day set apart for the execution 
 Royston commenced the task of sawing in twain the 
 iron that encumbered him. He labored I0112; and dili- 
 gently, and succeeded in severing it just at midnight. 
 He went to the window, and listened for the signal. 
 All was still and quiet. There was no noise in or about 
 the prison. His fate was in the balances, and the 
 weight of a feather would turn the scale. It seemed 
 almost an age to him when the clock tolled the hour of 
 one. Just then he heard a, low whistle from the co 
 bard by the jail-yard. He returned the signal cautious- 
 ly, and applied his hands to the bars, which yielded to 
 his pressure. One by one they were removed. Fasten- 
 ing the twine to one end of the saw, Royston threw it 
 with all his might over the enclosure of the jail. Ina 
 
 . minutes another signal was given, and be drew back 
 
70 ROCKFORD. 
 
 the twine and joyfully clasped the end of a rope in his 
 hands. It was only the work of a few minutes to make 
 the cable fast to the bedstead, and swing himself from 
 the dizzy height to the ground. Holding fast to the 
 rope, which had a fastening from without, Royston 
 climbed over the high wall. He was free ! 
 
ROCKFORD. 71 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 We are taught from experience, that many of the ills 
 of life result from disappointment. When once we have 
 placed our affections upon an object, its attainment forms 
 our chief desire for the present moment. It matters 
 but little how trivial is the object of our desires, the 
 mind is not the less bent upon its pursuit. A country 
 damsel, once upon a time, performed a journey of ten 
 miles, on foot, to witness an execution ; but the culprit 
 was reprieved by the Governor while the Sheriff was in 
 the act of adjusting the noose. The disappointed crowd 
 left the place filled with regret, and the damsel sought 
 her far-off home, bewailing her unhappy lot — complain- 
 ing that Fate had decreed that she should never enjoy 
 any of the pleasures of life ! 
 
 If the execution of criminals were attended by the 
 thoughtless thousands who witness them, with other ob- 
 jects than those of gratifying an idle curiosity, and of 
 seeing the culprit enact the last scene of the drama of 
 life, the effect upon the by-standers would be different 
 from what it really is. The public execution of crimi- 
 nals was intended by our legislators, who enacted the 
 law, to act as a warning to the people, who are never 
 backward in crowding around the scaffold to catch the 
 last confession of the victim of the law. Men, wli 
 
72 ROCKFORD 
 
 skirts were red with the blood of innocent victims, and 
 whq.se hearts were black with crime, upon surveying the 
 sympathizing crowd around them, have imagined them- 
 selves martyrs, and have died amid seeming exultations. 
 The increase of crime has, in a measure, resulted from 
 those happy exits upon the part of fiends ; and many 
 nations have substituted private for public executions. 
 The town of Crofton was thrown into a state of utter 
 confusion on the morning after the escape of Royston. 
 Five thousand persons from neighboring places were in 
 and around Crofton, to witness the anticipated hanging. 
 The hotels were crowded, the private houses were over- 
 flowing with visitors, and the woods were full of men, 
 women and children, who had pitched their tents the 
 evening before. The jailor was almost frantic when he 
 discovered that the bird had flown. He could not con- 
 ceive how the instrument had been conveyed to the 
 prisoner. Suspicion could not rest upon Hans more 
 than upon other men who had been admitted to Roys- 
 ton's cell. Besides, Hans was considered to be a man 
 of irreproachable character. The more ignorant por- 
 tion of the community imagined that Royston's escape 
 had been effected by super-natural agency. They did 
 not doubt but that Royston was in close league with the 
 adversary of souls. The editor of the town paper has- 
 tened to his sanctum, locked his door to keep out intru- 
 ders, seated himself by his desk, took out a fresh supply 
 of paper, provided himself with a new pen, shook the 
 ink, roached back his hair, crossed his legs, knit his 
 brows, clenched his teeth, and wrote the following edi- 
 torial notice : 
 
ROCKFORD. 73 
 
 MIRACULOUS ESCAPE! 
 
 CAPTIVUS FUGIVIT! 
 
 UNPARALLELED EXCITEMENT ! 
 
 MYSTERY CONNECTED WITH IT ! 
 
 "Last night, when the silvery orb had disappeared 
 behind the horizon, and the roseate scintillations emit- 
 ted from the stellated firmament alone guided mortals 
 upon their nocturnal peregrinations, by some mysterious 
 agency of supernal handicraft, a convicted miscreant, 
 whose life had been forfeited to the law by disinterested 
 and far-seeing jurors, effected his escape from duranec 
 rile. [Here the editor had recourse to his dictionary of 
 quotations.] Ensconced, as he was, by the unyielding 
 walls of the coneiergerie, [Here the editor took snuff*] 
 manacled with a brazen chain with frequent links, guard- 
 ed by day neath the dragon eye of the ever wakeful jail- 
 or, and by night [tempore noctis'] by the iron doors which 
 grate upon the brazen thresholds, how was it possible 
 for the prisoner to have made his escape ? [Here the 
 editor coughed three times, took snuff again, and spent 
 one hour in searching Pope's translation of the Illiad 
 for a suitable quotation.] 
 
 'Now pleasing sleep hath closed each mortal eye, 
 Stretched in their tents, the Grecian leaders lie, 
 The immortals slumbered on their thrones above. 
 All l»nt the ever-wakeful eyes of Jove.' 
 
 "Who would have supposed it within the power of onv 
 so helpless as Royston — just upon the eve of beholding, 
 experiencing and feeling the dread realities of the un- 
 known Future — to effect his escape from his keep, guard- 
 
74 ROCKFORD. 
 
 ed by bars of triple steel. [The editor spent another 
 hour in searching the pages of Shakspeare.] 
 
 c Ay, but to die, and go, we know not where," 
 To lie in cold obstruction, and to rot ;' 
 
 Royston thought this, perhaps, and assisted by some 
 elf, wrenched the mighty fabric of the windows from 
 their strong position in the walls, and summoning all the 
 courage his naturally brave, but drepraved heart pos- 
 sessed, he swung down the cord, by fairies wrought, 
 cleared the court-yard below, and vanished into thin air. 
 
 "So great is the unparalleled excitement of the infu- 
 riated crowd, that anarchy reigns without. ' Saevitque 
 animis ignobile vidgus.' It is apprehended, upon the 
 part of our sooth-sayers, that ' Jamque fasces et saxa 
 volant.'' If such a dire calamity should happen, as a 
 natural consequence, we can only expect that ''furor 
 arma ministrat.' But we shall not despair. i Nil des- 
 erandum.' 
 
 " By the time we go to press again, we hope and fondly 
 trust that the mystery may be cleared up. We should 
 not be too hasty in censuring our very excellent and 
 highly competent jailor for the escape of Carl Royston. 
 More anon. Nous verons." 
 
 The erudite editor unbolted the door of the sanctum, 
 placed the article in the hands of the compositor, bade 
 him use all possible dispatch, and give him a proof of 
 it very soon. 
 
 When the paper made its appearance, the sensible 
 portion of the citizens took a hearty laugh at the notice. 
 Snibbens thought it was an excellent production, full of 
 
ROCKFORD. 75 
 
 appropriate classical quotations. It is more than prob- 
 able that it saved much disturbance, as the editor him- 
 self thought, as the crowd dispersed, no lives were lost, 
 no blood shed, and the jailor was unmolested. What 
 a powerful engine is the Press ! 
 
 The miraculous escape of Royston was the constant 
 theme of conversation for several days. At length the 
 argument was exhausted, and other topics supplied the 
 vacuum. The whole town was in a bustle about the ap- 
 proaching party at Rockford house. The merchants 
 were reaping a rich harvest, indeed, from the sale of 
 fancy goods. Blessed are those who dwell in towns, 
 where the bustle and confusion of a crowded and hurried 
 populace do not deaden the genial vitality that should 
 pervade society. We should live in vain, if we did not 
 cultivate and refine the better feelings of our nature. 
 If only the morbid desire of acquiring wealth, and of 
 elevating ourselves to a superior position injsociety were 
 the mainspring to our exertions, the world, instead of 
 being advanced in civilization, would cease to reflect the 
 light of science, and the reign of the Dark Ages would 
 overshadow mankind again. 
 
 By frequent repetition we are enabled to learn the 
 most difficult languages, and to demonstrate the most 
 intricate propositions. By frequent contact with our 
 associates we are enabled to polish our manners, and 
 prepare our minds for the enjoyment of that blessed 
 existence which is promised to the faithful. The rough 
 
76 ROCKFORD. 
 
 Ashlar is divested of its asperities by the art of me- 
 chanism, and prepared for the adornment of costly 
 palaccs. The golden stream of education, when left 
 free to flow through our midst, waters and revivifies even- 
 plant in the garden of our hearts. The mind must be 
 concentrated upon a subject before the reasoning facul- 
 ties can rise superior to mere matter. It is by a strict 
 regard to Truth, which is the touch-stone of every vir- 
 tue, that society is held together — that governments 
 flourish — and the heavenly bodies move in their accus- 
 tomed sphere. Truth, like pure gold, becomes more 
 refined by being polished ; and the mind is expanded 
 and strengthened by the force of education. 
 
 Housewives would forget the use of their utensils, if 
 they were not, at times, permitted to bring them into 
 requisition upon extra occasions. By the advice of 
 aunt Margery, Mrs. Rockford ordered a complete mus- 
 ter of every culinary utensil upon the premises. The 
 pots, ovens, spiders, skillets and baking-pans were all 
 brought face to face, to give account of their steward- 
 ship. Mr. Rockford smiled to see his aunt examining 
 the quality of every piece of ware with the care of a 
 purchaser. After condemning about one-half the lot 
 as unfit for service, the good dame made out a list for 
 new articles, which were presently bought and brought 
 into immediate requisition. All was bustle and merry 
 confusion at Rockford house now. Turkeys were cha- 
 sed down, and sacrificed ; chickens suffered decapitation ; 
 pigs were slaughtered ; and the fish market patronized. 
 Egcs were broken by the young ladies, and the young 
 
ilOCKFORD 77 
 
 men lent a helping hand. Mr. Rockford pulled off his 
 coat, laid Coke and Littleton upon the shelf, tied up Ins 
 office papers securely, and followed the workers into the 
 pastry rooms. He was soon banished from there by 
 the edict of aunt Margery, for he had forgotten himscl!* 
 and upset the sugar bowls, mixed the white of the eggs 
 with the yellow, and spoiled fully a dozen of those in- 
 dispensible and ephemeral productions of the barn-yard. 
 He had mixed the sugar and flour without waiting for 
 commands, and must suffer banishment. 
 
 Judging that the house was almost too hot a place for 
 him, he hastened to the yard to assist Adam and dame 
 Phillis in roasting the meats, but he soon discovered 
 that his presence was not required there. He attempted 
 to turn one of the spits, and let a choice joint of meat 
 fall into the fire. 
 
 "Dar now,"' said Phillis, u massa done gone spile de 
 meat. I 'speck he done sumthin' 'rongin dc hous, and 
 missis run him out dar. Do pray, massa, go 'long to 
 de Law offis, and leave de niggers 'lone. Dey can cook 
 de meat better 'n you." 
 
 Mr. Rockford went to the house, and vowed he would 
 not again interfere with the arrangements of the party. 
 He procured a list of the guests to be invited, and sent 
 out the cards. In the meantime, the young men. who 
 were more docile, aided the ladies in their work, and 
 were of incalculable advantage to them. The domestic 
 apartments were redolent with the odor of pound-cake. 
 Every sunshiny place about the yard was put into re- 
 quisition for drying the iced cake. Sebastian and Jnpe 
 
78 ROCKFORD. 
 
 were closely guarded to keep them from mischief. Carlo 
 was the best custodian of the knick-knacks. The pigs 
 and feathered tribe, which had not been drafted, were 
 kept at bay by that faithful animal. He would stretch 
 himself out, as if asleep, by the tables, and watch the 
 chickens as they would step lightly upon tip-toe to per- 
 petrate mischief. When they were upon the point of 
 committing the overt act, Carlo would make an imme- 
 diate sally upon them. He kept his watch faithfully, 
 and suffered no harm to come to the tables. 
 
 So expeditiously had the work been carried on under 
 the superintendence of aunt Margery, that everything 
 was cooked fully two days before the time appointed for 
 the party. She had taught Mrs. Rockford some lessons 
 in the art of cookery she had never known before. The 
 young men had labored as faithfully as any of the ca- 
 terers. Mr. Rockford was not allowed to go near the 
 pantries, for fear he might upset something. Every 
 apartment about the house was cleansed and put in 
 complete order for the reception of the guests. When 
 the clay for the party arrived, the gentlemen took 
 guns, and went upon the beach to shoot gulls and ducks. 
 Aunt Margery sat down to crimp the border of her new 
 cap. Mrs. Rockford was busy in performing a thou- 
 sand useless things, but anything to keep the mind 
 employed is better than to sit down and do nothing. 
 Miss Frances took Sebastian and Jupe, and went to 
 play. Carlo kept guard at the entrance of the dining- 
 room. The numerous cats and pigeons about the prem- 
 ises were not too good to displace many a thing and 
 
ROCKFORD. 
 
 79 
 
 spoil it. Miss Roxana Fairfield, who had a mind of a 
 literary caste, sat down to write a letter to one of her 
 female friends in Colonna. As we have the liberty, let 
 us look over her shoulder while she writes. It is said 
 that time discovers all things ; let us rather take it by 
 the fore-lock in this instance. 
 
 But, gentle reader, do not imagine that you are doing 
 a very praise-worthy action in prying into the secrets of 
 others. If you can keep your own, it is well ; but it is 
 almost impossible for you to keep those of your friends. 
 There are really but few secrets kept. You may trace 
 out, by enquiry, a solution almost to everything. But 
 let us give everything its due. There is a society ex- 
 isting among us which has kept secrets from time imme- 
 morial. The very actions of Solomon and his wise men 
 are known to that society, and even to its neophytes. 
 Who will say that mankind is unfaithful, when Mason- 
 ry has withstood the ravages of time ? But, by Miss 
 Roxana's leave, we will look over her shoulder as she 
 writes. It may throw some light upon our novel. 
 
 "Rockford House, April 15th, 18—. 
 "Dear Helen: — When I left our beautiful town of 
 Colonna, only three weeks since, you exacted a promise 
 from me that I would write you often, if my stay at 
 Rockford house should be prolonged. I trust you will 
 excuse me, my dear friend, when I confess to you that 
 Mnce my arrival at this romantic place, my mind has 
 been so occupied by the sight of new scenes, which arc 
 truly enchanting, that I have been seemingly derelict 
 in the performance of sacred duties. Upon this beau- 
 
80 KOCKFORD. 
 
 tiful morning, which bids fair to be the happiest day of 
 my life, I am seated in my well furnished apartment, 
 writing to you, my dear Helen, who have si 1 a red my 
 bliss and divided my sorrows from our early childhood. 
 The window of my apartment commands a fine view of 
 the Atlantic, and I can distinctly see the briny billows 
 as they chase each other to the beach. Mr. Rockforcl 
 and our male friends, who attended us here, are out 
 upon the beach, waging war upon the gulls and ducks. 
 The report of their fowling-pieces is distinctly heard 
 every few minutes. 
 
 " To-night we are to have a grand party ; but I shall 
 not anticipate. It may not be uninteresting to you to 
 have a short rehearsal of every thing we have done, seen 
 and heard since we left Colonna. 
 
 " We women are such queer creatures, that we are not 
 satisfied with an outline ; we must have the particulars 
 of every scene. You shall not be deprived of that 
 pleasure, dearest, if what I write may convey to you a 
 faint idea of our trip to this place, and what we have 
 been doing since our arrival. You remember, Helen, 
 how we were amused at the exhibitions of a magician, 
 who came to Colonna several years ago ; and with what 
 rapidity he changed and varied his performances ? How 
 we clapped our hands and laughed, and were almost dizzy 
 at beholding the extraordinary feats of his magic lan- 
 tern ? It is true they were simple enough, and could 
 have been performed by almost any skillful man, yet 
 first impressions are the most lasting, and we have ever 
 considered Mons. De Luce as the greatest man we have 
 
ROCKFORI). SI 
 
 ever seen. My mind has been a mirror of late, upon 
 which many scenes have been reflected. You need not. 
 prepare yourself to read a secret, my friend, for you 
 are aware that I am not fend of telling them. 
 
 "But to begin with the beginning. I believe you 
 have never traveled from Colonna to this plase. A 
 description of the trip may help me to fill up the sheet; 
 for I do abhor the idea of sending a letter to a corres- 
 pondent only half filled up. I can judge from my own 
 feelings. It irates me to receive only a few hurried 
 lines from a dear friend. I feel like re-enclosing a 
 short, uninteresting epistle to the author. But I snail 
 not keep you in suspense. 
 
 Our trunks were packed with as much care as we 
 usually bestow upon such matters, (and you know, Helen, 
 you and I have spent three blessed days in packing our 
 trunks, when we were upon the point of leaving our 
 homes to goto college,) and, all things ha, ;;ig been pre- 
 pared for our departure, my dear mother, sister Fannie 
 and your tormentor were politely banded into the family 
 carriage by the very kind Mr. Watson and your waggish 
 friend, Mr. Judson. Those worthy young men had ac- 
 cepted of an invitation from, mother to be our attendants. 
 They followed our carriage in a buggy, and we left the 
 village of Colonna with joyful hearts. We had not 
 been from home in a long time, and, to confess the 
 truth. 1 had become so heartily tired out with Colonna. 
 that I had arrived at the same conclusion with Alexan- 
 der Selkirk. 
 
 'It is better tp dwell In the midst of alarms, 
 Than to reign in this horrible place.' 
 G 
 
82 ROCKFORD. 
 
 "Do not suppose, dearest, that I wish to cast any 
 aspersions upon the fame of our town. Far from it ; 
 but I longed to behold other scenes, and I left my home 
 with a joyful heart. We were soon out of Colonna, 
 and were passing through a beautiful country. The 
 high, sandy ridges were densely covered with the tall, 
 stately pines. As I leaned my head out of the window 
 of the carriage, and listened to the mournful sighing of 
 those Leviathans of the forest, I became almost sad ; 
 but then they are crowned with foliage all the year 
 round, and look so beautiful, especially in the Spring, 
 when they put on a new dress. Their tasselated leaves 
 do not wither, but at the appointed time they are forced 
 to give place to the younger shoot. 
 
 " You have no idea, dearest Helen, how many beau- 
 tiful streams we crossed. We could see the fish pla}dng 
 upon the pebbly beds. When we would get out at such 
 places to rest the horses, we would cast pebbles at the 
 fish. They would dart off under their retreat at the 
 bank, but when we threw them some crumbs, they would 
 come very near us. One large trout came to the sur- 
 face to get a chicken bone which Fannie threw into the 
 stream, when Mr. Judson, who is never better employed 
 than when engaged in sport, gave him so severe a blow 
 with the big end of his whip, that the scaly victim was 
 killed outright. 
 
 "We passed many fine residences. I was surprised 
 to see so much magnificence displayed in the country. 
 Those who reside in such lovely retreats, with every 
 convenience around them, should never despair of en- 
 
ROCKFORD. 83 
 
 joyment. If I could exchange my residence in Colonna 
 for a retreat, like some I saw when I came to this place. 
 I could spend my life so pleasantly. 
 
 "By eleven o'clock in the morning, wo arrived at Mr. 
 Rockford's stately mansion, having left Colonna at sun- 
 rise. We were scarcely six hours upon the road, though 
 our speed had not been great. But you know how very 
 careful mother is of her horses. She would not travel 
 more than four miles an hour to gratify us or any per- 
 son else. Mr. Rockford came and welcomed us with 
 such a becoming grace, and his wife has been so agree- 
 able, that I shall be sorry when the time comes for us to 
 return to Colonna. 
 
 w 'We have had delightful drives about the town, and 
 pleasant excursions in the sail-boats. Numerous friends 
 have called to sec us, and we have repaid their visits. 
 [ wish you could see Sebastian Rockford ! He is one of 
 the prettiest boys I have ever beheld. He is truly and 
 wonderfully intelligent. His parents love him so fondly 
 that I am afraid something will happen to the child. 
 But what a foolish saying that is, Helen, as if the love 
 one bears to a child should not rather be a protection 
 than a misfortune. 
 
 •'I have almost filled my sheet, yet I have told you 
 only a few of the many things I have seen. As I inti- 
 mitated to you, in the beginning of this letter, that we 
 were to have a magnificent party to-night in honor of our 
 visit, please allow me to put a period to this hastily 
 written letter. If I am not too much fatigued, I will 
 write you again to-morrow. 
 
 "In the mean time, dearest, think of me as your very 
 especial friend, Roxana Fairfield." 
 
84 ROCKFORD 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 When Mr. Roekford and his two friends had filled 
 their game-bags with as many birds as they chose to 
 carry, they directed their steps homeward, well pleased 
 with the morning's sport. There arc many birds to be 
 found upon the sea-shore which can be scarcely ranked 
 among the aquatic tribe. They not unfrequently wage 
 war with the Grallatores, which, after wading into the 
 water and capturing their prey, are ruthlessly deprived 
 of the proceeds of their labor. The Snipe, the smallest 
 species of the Grallatores, is a timid and cautious bird. 
 The slightest motion of the hunter will cause it to seek 
 safety in flight. Some bird-hunters suppose that the 
 old flint and steel lock guns are not quick enough in 
 exploding to kill them. Be that as it may, they are not 
 easily bagged. The Partridge, of the order Gallime. 
 family Tetraonidas, are generally found in low countries. 
 They resemble our barn-yard fowl, are war-like in their 
 disposition, attacking any animal which may disturb 
 their young. They are generally shot upon the wing- 
 by sportsmen, who train their pointers to the task of 
 flushing them. They go in flocks, and, except in the 
 laying season, when they are only found in pairs, fifty 
 or sixty may be seen in one flock. They are fond of 
 grain ; but, like other birds, are equally satisfied with 
 
ROCKFORD 95 
 
 insects. Their flesh is sweet and wholesome, and he is 
 no Epicure who refuses a roasted Partridge. 
 
 The bags of the huntsmen were filled with Ducks and 
 Partridges, with a few Woodcocks and Snipes. 
 
 "Here are some delicacies, Josephine," said Mr. 
 Rockford. "Have a few of the choice birds served up 
 for dinner."' 
 
 "Your success lias been commensurate with your de- 
 sires, one would think, from the great number of the 
 feathered tribe you have slain," said Miss Roxana to 
 Mr. Watson. 
 
 "Indeed, madam," replied the gallant, "we have not 
 sported this morning to no purpose. I have scarcely 
 ever seen birds more plentiful. We took our stations, 
 hidden from view by the copse, and when a Duck would 
 light near us, Mr. Rockford would request one of us to 
 shoot it, and enjoin upon the other to be ready to fire 
 upon the birds on shore, which, of a surety, were con- 
 cealed all around us in clusters." 
 
 Here an interesting lecture upon the subject of orni- 
 thology, by Mr. Rockford, occupied the time that inter- 
 vened until the dinner hour. When that meal had been 
 duly discussed, the friends separated, to meet no more 
 until the arrival of the guests for the party. 
 
 At the usual hour for fashionable gatherings to con- 
 vene, the extensive parlors and reception rooms w< : < 
 crowded with the numerous guests. Every one in the 
 town, who made any pretensions to gentility, was invi- 
 ted. If any deserving persons had been neglected, it 
 was not the fault of the Rockfords. The fashional 
 
$6 ROCKFORD. 
 
 the gay and the grave were represented. The aged 
 attended their children, to see them duly initiated into 
 the mysteries of fashionable society. The belles of the 
 town were dressed in the finest silks, satins and em- 
 broidered muslins. Those maidens, to whom Nature 
 had not been so lavish of its charms, supplied the de- 
 fects by the beautiful colors of the toilet-box. 
 
 When Josephus Napoleon Bonaparte Snibbens con- 
 ducted Miss Jerusha Smith into the parlor, nothing but 
 s;ood breeding prevented an outburst of laughter. The 
 appearance of this strange couple was anything but 
 prepossessing. Miss Jerusha was very stately, being 
 several inches taller in person than her pedantic escort. 
 The superfluity of bows, flounces and laces of her dress, 
 did not fail to attract the attention of those, even, who 
 were not connoisseurs in the art of haberdashery. Like 
 some jewellers, who seek to make a display by wearing 
 numberless rings and pins, Miss Jerusha, who was a 
 milliner, had surely made herself, upon that occasion.' 
 a locomotive sign post for the display of her goods. 
 Mr. Snibbens had been studying the costume, as well as 
 the attitude of the first Napoleon. Buif pants, a vest 
 of the same material, and a blue frock coat, cut in the 
 true military style, and fastened in front with military 
 buttons, set off the figure of the namesake of the "little 
 corporal/' Snibbens seated his charge, and commenced 
 discoursing his acquaintances upon abstruse sciences 
 generally. 
 
 Conversation soon became general, and the modest 
 reserve that naturally restrains the guests when they 
 
KOCKFORD. 87 
 
 first enter a parlor, gave place to fluent discourse. Sam- 
 uel Oulverhouse and his ancient spouse were there,- pre- 
 pared to listen to the conversation of the guests of 
 their own age, and to collect all the little news items 
 that were afloat in the town. Samuel and Dorothy were 
 an amiable; but homely couple. As a certain wag has 
 facetiously said, those two made a pair. Samuel's blue 
 domestic suit, which had only been worn seventeen 
 years, appeared to rather better advantage upon thai 
 occasion than usual, thanks to the renovating ordeal 
 that all household goods were subjected to by the excel- 
 lent Dorothy. She never permitted anything to go to 
 waste about her ; far from it. She had taken off the 
 fourteen yard border of her antique cap, washed it in 
 milk-warm water with a little weak soap, carried it 
 through a course of mysteries, quilled it up, as she had 
 done an hundred times before, and sewed it back again. 
 Her silver spectacles, with the large circular glasses 
 never became her better than thev did on the night of 
 the party. She held in her hand a large turkey-rai! 
 fan, bound with blue morocco. The good old couple 
 said but few words, but they were busily compiling in- 
 formation to be used on future occasions, perhaps at the 
 breakfast table on the next morning. 
 
 The Misses Fairfield were arrayed in costly but plain 
 dresses, and received an abundance of attention from 
 flic young gentlemen. Their good sense and fine ac- 
 complishments fitted them for the adornment of tic 
 most polite and elegant circles in which they had been 
 accustomed to move. The grace with which thev re- 
 
88 ROCKFORD. 
 
 ceived the addresses of their friends, might be attributed 
 to the excellent training they had received from their 
 parents. One of the young men, who was conversing 
 with Miss Roxana, escorted her to the piano. While 
 the company was entertained by the music, several in- 
 teresting scenes were being enacted in the room. An 
 old gentleman, who was noted for his wealth, had two 
 daughters present. The Misses Slocum were the belles 
 of Crofton, and were as much sought after for their 
 Avealth as for any accomplishments they possessed. Mr. 
 Slocum was very corpulent, and his manners exceeding- 
 ly stiff and starchy. His daughters were obedient dis- 
 ciples, and early imbibed the exalted notions of their 
 parents. The young men of Crofton, who were not 
 wealthy, were not welcome guests at Slocum hall. Slo- 
 cum had instructed his daughters, before arriving at 
 Mr. Rockford's, not to receive any advances from young- 
 lawyer Spingles, or from Dr. Montague, as they were 
 both very poor. He had never been pleased with their 
 visits to his house. When he took his seat, and ob- 
 served that both of the young men named were present, 
 he felt disquieted. He enjoined upon his wife the ne- 
 cessity of keeping a strict surveillance over Amelia and 
 Julia during the evening. He was not kept long in 
 suspense, for Spingles was casting furtive glances in the 
 direction of the Slocum circle. Miss Amelia reddened, 
 her father grew angry, and her mother darted basilisk- 
 glances at Spingles. 
 
 " Here he comes, wife," said Slocum. '"Just leave 
 him to me. I will not let him enjoy the company of 
 our daughter very long." 
 
ROCKFORD. 89 
 
 Spingles, who was a young man of sterling worth, 
 but poor and proud, now approached and saluted each 
 member of the Slocum family, mid seated himself be- 
 side Miss Amelia. He bad Scarcely passed the compli- 
 ments of the evening, when Slocum, after having made 
 an attack upon his gold snuff-box, which he never neg- 
 lected to display upon all occasions, addressed Spingles 
 after the following style : 
 
 tw You have only been residing in the town a few 
 years. I believe, Mr. Spingles?'" 
 
 •• Four vears next Fall," said the young man. 
 
 " Where did you graduate, sir ? My sons all i 
 nated at Yale College." rejoined the irated Slocum. 
 
 "Indeeed, sir/' replied Spingles, "I must confess 
 that 1 had not the advantages of a collegiate course." 
 
 "Pity, pity, sir; but you cannot expect to arrive at 
 distinction. A young man without wealth, or the pres- 
 of family influence, cannot aspire to lofty positions 
 in society." 
 
 "Truly, sir." said Spingles, "I am at a loss to com- 
 prehend you. I cannot believe that you desire to offend 
 me, but your conversation has assumed a strange form 
 for a social circle. I despise the aristocracy of wealth, 
 >r the false position a young man tries to assume by the 
 aid of family influence. If your remarks arc intended 
 to apply to my penniless circumstances, I must ask the 
 pardon of your exalted reverence, promising not again 
 to place myself in a position to receive an affront from 
 an ill-mannered aristocrat." 
 
 Slocum was nonplussed. He endeavored to explain, 
 
90 IJOCKFORD 
 
 but the young man turned a deaf ear to his confused 
 apology, and passed into another circle. The Slocums 
 did not enjoy themselves as well as they anticipated, as 
 they screened themselves from the contact of their in- 
 feriors : their equals (in wealth) had but little to gain 
 in seeking their confidence. 
 
 Mr. Rockford and his good lady passed from room to 
 room, endeavoring to render their guests comfortable 
 and entirel} r at home. Watson and Juclson were de- 
 lighted with the pleasant company. They proved them- 
 selves particularly interesting to several young ladies, 
 whose acquaintance they had formed several days before. 
 Aunt Margery gave entertainment to the old folks, who 
 chiefly assembled in a parlor apart from the gay young- 
 men and women. Sebastian, and a few juveniles, en- 
 joyed themselves in the nursery, as the mother had set 
 a table there for their especial benefit. 
 
 Rockford house was indeed filled with merriment. 
 The long piazza was crowded with promenaders, who 
 chose to pass an hour thus in social chit-chat. The 
 moon shone brightly upon some who stepped out upon 
 the terrace to pluck a flower, or to whisper the soft 
 words of first love. 
 
 "Tinie flew by on golden wmglets," and still pleasure 
 fanned the cheek of every one that sought it. The 
 haughty few, who threw themselves upon their dignity, 
 as was the custom of the Slocums, were almost entirely 
 overlooked and neglected. Some gathered around the 
 chess and whist tables, others engaged in lively conver- 
 sation. Snibbens let oft* superfluous quantities of gas, 
 
ROCKFORD. 91 
 
 to the edification of some, but to the amusement or dis- 
 gust of the more refined. The old folks heartily longed 
 for Bupper time to come. Samuel and Dorothy were 
 anxious to see the table, and the former fully intended 
 to do the subject full justice. 
 
 It was whispered around that there would be a sur- 
 prise, as they termed it, immediately after supper, but 
 it was not ascertained what the performance would con- 
 sist of. Every one was in suspense, when the announce- 
 ment for supper was made. There was a general rush 
 for partners, and the long hall was crowded almost to 
 suffocation. When the magnificent feast, was concluded 
 and the company had repaired to the parlors again, Mr. 
 Rockford invited the ladies to walk up to the rooms upon 
 the second floor. 
 
 Mr. Rockford was rather opposed to making an aris- 
 tocratic display upon any occasion, but he wished to 
 amuse his guests. He had invited a few select and 
 tasty friends, of both sexes, to his house, a few days 
 before the party, and they had gotten up some tableaux 
 and charades. After two or three rehearsals, they were 
 prepared for the representation. A temporary stage, 
 some scenery and a drop-curtain were prepared. 
 
 Tableaux-vivants ! What could it mean \ asked a 
 hundred persons of Snibbens, who was the oracle of a 
 certain class in the town. Snibbens had not "looked 
 <»ut " the word, and was at his row's end. He scratched 
 his head, bit his pale lips, and said nothing. One of 
 the young men supposed it meant table-turning, or some- 
 thing of that kind, he was not exactly certain. CJncle 
 
92 ROOKFORD. 
 
 Samuel told them they would learn what it meant by 
 waiting, as he was sure Mr. Rockford meant not only 
 to amuse, but to instruct them. Dorothy, having drank 
 five or six glasses of wine and syllabub, fell fast asleep, 
 supported by the stalwart arm of her husband. At 
 length the curtain rose, and revealed an interesting 
 group. An officer, rather beyond the prime of life, 
 stood gazing at a departing ship. Several were looking 
 upon him with- sorrowful countenances. A harpist re- 
 clined upon his instrument ; several attendants were 
 represented as weeping. The tableau was complete ; 
 the curtain dropped. It was Napoleon at the island of 
 St. Helena. Snibbens was charmed. He recognized 
 the god of his adoration. He had overheard a gentle- 
 man tell another the meaning of "tableaux-vivants,"' and 
 he was now explaining it to several around him. 
 
 The curtain rose again and revealed the inside of a 
 prison. A tall, finely formed man, dressed in the cos- 
 tume of the Elizabethan age, was clasping the hands of 
 a lady, and imprinting a kiss upon her brow. . The sul- 
 len warden held the massive bunch of keys in one hand, 
 and beheld the scene with feelings of indifference. A 
 file of soldiers awaited without, holding their muskets, 
 with match-locks, prepared for any emergencies. The 
 fetters had been taken from the ankles of the distin- 
 guished personage, but his wrists were secured with a 
 chain. His manuscripts and books revealed his studious 
 habits. The taper was burning at his table. It was 
 Sir Walter Raleigh taking leave of his wife on the 
 morning; of his execution. 
 
ROCKFORD. 98 
 
 After the performers had exhibited quite a number 
 of excellent tableaux, Mr. Rockford announced that a 
 few charades or rebuses would be represented. While 
 the company were waiting for the curtain to rise, the 
 orchestra discoursed sweet music. There is nothing so 
 acceptable as music when the mind is free from care : 
 there is nothing so soothing as music when the mind is 
 troubled with care. Let the dulcet strains of an iEolian 
 harp, or the wild warbling notes of an inspired child of 
 song lull us to slumber, when our souls are sad. 
 
 The curtain rose again. A triumphal arch, covered 
 with roses and vines, was on the stand. A conqueror 
 passed under it, while the ladies and children threw gar- 
 lands at his feet. The scene was changed, and a group 
 of shepherds, in oriental costume, appeared. They con- 
 versed apart, as if expecting something wonderful to 
 happen. They had heard some Heavenly music, i 
 expected a vision. Suddenly a crimson light flashed 
 across the stage, and an angel appeared. The shep- 
 herds fled, and the scene closed. Archangel was the 
 subject. 
 
 Many were the representations, and the company dis- 
 persed not until the small hours warned them to seek 
 their homes. The party was pronounced, by every one. 
 to be a decided success. All who were present wished 
 a long and happy life to Mr. Rockford, whose chief de- 
 light appeared to be that of dispelling sorrows, and dis- 
 pensing blessings upon his race. 
 
 He is a noble benefactor, who, instead of sinking hit 
 friends in the sea of trouble, will take them by the hand 
 
94 ROCKFORD. 
 
 and lift them to his own level. Remember, kind read- 
 er, you were sent to bless, not to curse mankind. This 
 is a moving world, and the scenes are ever changing. 
 You can not remain an idle spectator, while the drama 
 of life is performed. You must stem the tide, or the 
 current may bear you off. 
 
ROCKFORD 95 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 A few days .subsequent to the party, aunt Margery 
 and her company bade adieu to the good folks of Rock- 
 ford house, and sought the pleasant town of Colonna, 
 having been absent from their home much longer thai? 
 they anticipated. Quiet was again restored to the town 
 of Crofton. The escape of Royston had given place to 
 the week's conversation to which Rockford festival had 
 given rise. There was nothing out of the routine of 
 the ordinary affairs of life, worthy of notice, in the 
 place for several weeks. At length, Hans Kremple re- 
 ceived a letter without a signature, but he knew from a 
 fiance that Royston was the author of it. We take 
 the liberty of laying the contents of the letter before 
 our readers : 
 
 "Point Peak, May 10th, 18—. 
 "Dear Hans: — lam here, in this sylvan retreat, 
 enjoying the beautiful scenery and as many of the lux- 
 uries of life as I wish, for the present. The close con- 
 finement of the prison had almost wrecked my consti- 
 tution ; but, thanks to the salubrious atmosphere of this 
 healthy retreat, I have regained my accustomed strength. 
 It is true, that I am indebted to you for the fortui, 
 escape I made from confinement. The saw you g 
 me performed the task most admirably, and indeed you 
 
96 TiOCKFORD. 
 
 played your part with much tact, or I should not now 
 be permitted to write this letter to you.- . 
 
 "When I parted with you on that eventful "night, 1 
 followed the directions you gave me, and found jolly 
 Ben awaiting my arrival with much anxiety. I sprang 
 upon the horse he had prepared for me, and we were 
 soon beyond the vicinity of a place which had but few 
 (.-harms for me. It was broad daylight when we ar- 
 rived at Hermit's Retreat. Our friends were expecting 
 me, and were prepared to face any danger that might 
 present itself on my account. The tears stole down 
 my own cheeks, as I beheld them weep at once more 
 beholding me. They pressed around and embraced me, 
 and almost devoured me with kind offices. 
 
 "I dispatched a hasty meal, changed my apparel, re- 
 ceived a supply of gold from the strong box, had my 
 hair and whiskers curtailed, and mounted my black 
 charger and left my friends, to seek the covert of some 
 wild retreat. I am fully one hundred miles from you. 
 but at present it is not exactly prudent for any of our 
 men to come here. I am spending my time at the house 
 of a good farmer, who has taken quite a fancy to me. 
 You would laugh at me, were I to tell you under what 
 name I am known to him. My profession or a vocation 
 suits me as well as yours does you. I can tune pianos 
 and perform upon several instruments nearly as well as 
 you can repair watches or make saws. 
 
 "Do go to our friends and tell them I am safe. When 
 the officers shall have quit scouring the country for me. 
 then I may pay them a visit. I have read my descrip- 
 
ROCKFORD. 97 
 
 tion in several papers which the old farmer brings home 
 with him from the rural post-office. I wear those spec- 
 tacles you gave me, and if you were to meet me upon 
 the highway, it is not probable that you would recognize 
 your leader. 
 
 "The killing of Winslow has placed a heavier burden 
 upon my soul than any crime I ever committed ; yet 1 
 owe Rockford a grudge. He shall yet have cause to 
 remember Carl Royston. 
 
 "When I write you again, you shall have a descrip- 
 tion of my present retreat. You must not laugh at me, 
 Hans, for counterfeiting an honest occupation. I prefer 
 to undergo even the hardest labor imaginable, to remain- 
 ing in a close prison. Who would be deprived of the 
 skies one hour, if within his power to be free ? We 
 have lakes and small streams here, filled with an abun- 
 dance of fish. The scenery around my retreat here, is 
 wild and beautiful. The hills are elevated almost to 
 the height of mountains. I am enjoying myself as well 
 as I ever did. I am almost tempted, sometimes, to 
 cut the acquaintance of such scape graces as you and 
 Heinrich ; but then I know that you would get your- 
 selves into scrapes you could never be extricated from 
 without my assistance. Do not fear treachery from me. 
 [ shall prove true to the end. Caution the boys to 
 make no more sallies in the direction of Crofton until 
 I come among them. Address me at Point Peak, as 
 Monsieur Henri Deveaux, as that is my assumed name." 
 
 When Hans read the letter, he smiled, and seemed 
 
 much pleased at the news it contained. He sought out 
 
 7 
 
98 ROCKFORD. 
 
 Heinrich, who had an office not far from his own. Hein- 
 rich was ostensibly a painter, but his employees per- 
 formed more work than he did. He was dispatched to 
 the retreat to convey the information that Royston was 
 safe, and would be with them at no distant day. 
 
 Han Kremple was a jolly fellow, who might have 
 been a good citizen and a useful man, but fate had early 
 decreed that he should be a thief. He had so early 
 forgotten the distinction between his own goods and 
 those of his neighbors, that he had arrived at the con- 
 clusion that what he filched from those who could afford 
 to lose it, if applied to good purposes, amounted to no 
 crime. It was through his instrumentality that Roys- 
 ton had been seduced from his upright course, and made 
 the intrepid leader of a lawless band of robbers. Hein- 
 rich was another young man, whom the influences of 
 Hans had beguiled into evil habits. 
 
 So well concealed had been the manoeuvres of these 
 lawless wights, that suspicion had not even rested upon 
 them. Indeed, so contrary was the sentiment of the 
 citizens of Crofton, as related to the fidelity of Hans, 
 that he was generally considered to be a man of strict 
 honesty. Upon one occasion, when he was returning 
 from a peddling tour, he entered the town and reported 
 that a band of robbers had waylaid and robbed him of 
 some of his wares. No fox, that ever escaped the 
 huntsman by artifice, had more cunningly devised plans 
 than Hans had. 
 
 He frequently reported skirmishes that the citizens 
 of the community had had with the banditti, but, under 
 
ROCKFORD. 99 
 
 his lead, the officers of the law were always led in the 
 direction contrary to the place of hostilities. 
 
 Hans had the happy faculty of attending parties, and 
 making himself perfectly agreeable. He prided him- 
 self upon being a judge of jewelry, but not being 
 contented to risk his judgment at a hasty glance, it was 
 natural for him to take several silver forks and spoons 
 home with him from those parties, to put them to a 
 strict test. He was never known to return them to 
 their right owners. It arose, probably, from his being 
 very absent minded. Taken all in all, Hans was a rare 
 genius. You might travel over two continents without 
 finding his equal. He reminded one of the prig, Sir 
 Walter Scott described as being a man with so generous 
 a heart, that he stole a quantity of clothes to keep the 
 moths from eating them. Hans kept a fine store, and 
 many customers flocked to it to purchase fine wares, 
 and have their jewelry repaired. If some of them re- 
 cognized matches to lost spoons, forks and silver cups, 
 oh ! indulgent reader, do not impute it to any thing but 
 chance. 
 
 But as some authors have said, that there are no things 
 similar or like unto each other, except the same, we 
 may at once infer that the philosophy of chance is a* 
 an end when brought to bear upon the actions of Hans. 
 At any rate, by artifice and cunning, he managed to 
 live above suspicion. 
 
 He pondered several days upon the reply it behooved 
 him to return to the communication he had received from 
 Royston, and, after torturing his brain for a suitable an- 
 swer, the following was agreed upon : 
 
100 ROCKFORD. 
 
 u Crofton, May 15th, 18—. 
 
 u Dear Carl : — I was beginning to be low in spirits in 
 regard to your safety and welfare, when the post brought 
 me your very acceptable letter. I could scarcely con- 
 ceive, however, that one so accustomed to the ways of 
 the world as you are, should be at a loss, for a moment, 
 how to steer his bark. I sometimes feel the goadings of 
 conscience, upon reflecting that I am the chief instru- 
 ment of your ruin ; but, then, every action is not viewed 
 through the same medium. What is termed honesty 
 with some men, is downright villainy with others. I 
 have been led to believe that the right of property con- 
 sists, in a great degree, in the strongest owner. What 
 you, or others, think in relation to the same, is only a 
 difference of opinion, and you are entitled to your judg- 
 ment. 
 
 " The town is perfectly quiet in regard to your escape, 
 you may believe. I was not in town when the news was 
 circulated ; but upon my arrival, the day after, I raised 
 a squad of men, who scoured the country in the portion 
 that it was morally certain you had not gone to. Rest 
 assured of one thing: that your friends here will use 
 every exertion to keep your retreat an entire secret from 
 the beagles of the law. 
 
 "There was a grand demonstration at the house of 
 your enemy only a few days since. The whole party- 
 going population of the place had an invitation to the 
 party. That the affair was a magnificent one, none can 
 doubt. Such a programme was never enacted before in 
 this place. You know me too well to believe that I let 
 
ROCKFORD. 101 
 
 an opportunity slip of adding a few things to my com- 
 mon stock. It cost me only a few strokes of the scraper 
 to efface the name of Rockford from several fine articles 
 of great value. I sold one piece of silver that found a 
 lodgment in one of my pockets upon that memorable 
 night, for enough to maintain your humble servant a 
 long time. 
 
 "I shall expect to hear from you again at no very 
 distant day. In the meantime, believe me. 
 "Yours very sincerely, 
 
 "Hans Kremple." 
 
 For the space of several months, the officers of jus- 
 tice were upon the alert to discover the lurking place of 
 the fugitive ; but so well had the whole affair been man- 
 aged, it was firmly believed that he had fled from the 
 country. If suspicion had rested upon the robbers 
 (whom the best laid stratagems had, as yet, failed to 
 entrap) as affording an asylum to the convicted felon, 
 that suspicion only aroused those lawless men to greater 
 vigilance in eluding pursuit. Hans took it into his head 
 to go and see his friends at Hermit's Retreat. He had 
 been denied that privilege so long, that the company of 
 honest men had become irksome to him. He was soon 
 provided with a vehicle capable of conveying whatever 
 articles of merchandise he thought proper to sell as he 
 traveled. He journeyed for a few miles upon a road 
 not likely to conduct him to the Hermit's Retreat, but, 
 like a cunning fox, he soon changed his course, and ar- 
 rived safely at the place of his destination in a few 
 hours. 
 
102 ROCKFORD. 
 
 The appearance of the house was by no means pre- 
 possessing, nor was it remarkable for huge proportions 
 or elegance of structure. It had only six rooms, and, to 
 all appearances, it was the residence of an unpretend- 
 ing farmer, or a country hotel. u Hilton House" was 
 the rude sign that vibrated at the pleasure of the wind. 
 Dame Elspeth and her husband were the ostensible pro- 
 prietors, the former taking almost the entire charge of 
 the business. When Hans drove up and alighted from 
 his vehicle, dame Elspeth, who was a tidy, smart old 
 woman, adjusted her spectacles, and surveyed the new- 
 comer with a very scrutinizing glance. When she re- 
 cognized him, her countenance cleared up, and she 
 hastened to welcome him. 
 
 "Why, bless your body, Hans, is it really you that's 
 come this way once more ? It's truly a long time since 
 a body has seen ye. I was sure some one was coming, 
 for my nose has been itching the blessed day." 
 
 Hans was ushered into the reception room, and Els- 
 peth prepared for him a hasty, though well served repast. 
 Dandie Doane, the husband of Elspeth, soon came in 
 from his work, and informed Hans that six of the friends 
 had been absent a few days, but were expected at home 
 that evening. If they should prove successful in their 
 operations, it was more than probable they would return 
 laden with rich booty. 
 
 Dandie's declarations were shortly verified by the ar- 
 rival of several men on horseback, followed by a wagon, 
 which was drawn by two stout horses. The driver had 
 all the appearance of a country lout returning; from 
 
ROCKFORD. 103 
 
 market with his year's supplies, but a person versed in 
 physiognomy would have arrived at a different conclu- 
 sion. The whole group presented a motley appearance 
 indeed ; but when they recognized Hans, they threw off 
 their reserve and appeared in their true character. Ben 
 Harley was the leader of this lawless band of men in the 
 absence of Royston. He was a man above the medium 
 size, thick set and well muscled. His face and care- 
 worn brow indicated that he had passed the meridian of 
 life. His long, bushy beard and dark, flowing hair gave 
 him a remarkable appearance, and his black, sparkling 
 eye was sufficient of itself to designate him as a bold, 
 dauntless man. 
 
 It was night, and the sable curtains were drawn darkly 
 around "Hilton House." Dandie Doane and dame 
 Elspeth spread the festive board in one of the rooms 
 remote from intrusion. The old folks, at the command 
 of Ben Harley, brought out the wines and several kinds 
 of stronger spirituous liquors, and retired to keep watch. 
 After several glasses had been drunk by the company, 
 Ben commanded three of the men to look after the goods 
 they had taken, and have them conveyed quietly to the 
 cave, and to remove every appearance and vestige of 
 their arrival. Two of the more trusty men were per- 
 mitted to remain with him and Hans, as the latter was 
 a confidential friend of the gang whose society they sel- 
 dom enjoyed. 
 
 " Come, Ben," said Hans, "you have often promised 
 to relate your adventures to me, but it has never been 
 entirely convenient until now. Will you not gratify me 
 this time — it will help to while away an hour so pleas- 
 antly ? " 
 
1Q4 ROCKFORD3 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 First outlaw. — u Fellows, stand fast ; I see a prisoner.'* 
 
 Second outlaw.— ■" If there be ten, shrink not, but down with 'em. 7 * 
 
 Enter Valentine and Speed. 
 T hird outlaw. — t; Stand, sir, and throw us that you have about you ; 
 if not, we'll make you sit, and rifle you." 
 
 Speed — " Sir, we are undone ! these are the villains that all the trav 
 elers do fear so much." 
 
 Two Gentlemen of Verona. 
 
 Being thus importuned, Ben Harley arose from his 
 seat and went to the door ; and having satisfied himself 
 that no eaves-dropper was lurking around the house, he 
 brought both the lock and the bolt into requisition to 
 prevent a surprise. He drank another glass of brandy, 
 and resuming his seat at the table, thus began : 
 
 " You must prepare your mind, dear Hans, to hear 
 no maiden's story. My father resided in this State, 
 and was surrounded with the comforts if not the luxuries 
 of life. He was kind and indulgent to his servants, 
 and my brothers seemed to possess his love in so great 
 a degree, that their presence was indispensable to his 
 happiness. But, strange to say, he conceived a dislike 
 to me almost from the hour of my birth, as my mother 
 informed me ; and I have feeling recollections of having 
 received unmerciful castigations from his hands ere I. 
 had arrived at the age of discerning right from wrong. 
 
KOCKFORD. 105 
 
 Well do I remember the stern looks and cruel reproofs 
 he bestowed upon my mother, when, almost frantic, she 
 rescued me from his clutches. Yet was I gentle and 
 obedient to the tyrant ; never daring to speak to him ex- 
 cept when interrogated. My mother was my only friend. 
 Without the angelic love she manifested for me, and the 
 matronly care she bestowed upon me when not restrain- 
 ed by her husband, my slender frame would have re- 
 posed beneath the sod of the church yard ere I had 
 passed my first decade. My brothers hated me from the 
 sympathy they possessed for our father, whose love they 
 had never divided with me. I was the unfortunate re- 
 cipient of their unremitting abuses, and they compelled 
 me to carry their books to and from school as if I had 
 been a hired servant. I complained to my mother of 
 their unnatural treatment, but received only her tears 
 for consolation, with a promise that she would entreat 
 my father to intercede in my behalf. Instead of an 
 amelioration of the unfraternal manner in which mv 
 brothers acted towards me, it really seemed as if they 
 were bent upon my destruction. 
 
 "It is an old adage, and a true one, that ' a hair will 
 break a camel's back.' I had borne the insults, kicks 
 and rebuffs of those graceless boys so long, that I was 
 determined to be submissive no more. My heart sank 
 within me, and I was almost frantic with £rief : and if 
 I could not place a period to our unhappy intercourse. 
 I was fully prepared to make the effort and abide the 
 consequences. One evening, we had scarcely h'i't tin- 
 old rustic school house on our return home, wlien my 
 
106 ROCKFORD. 
 
 tormentors insisted upon loading me, as usual, with 
 their books and buckets, avowing that they desired to 
 play at hide-and-seek among the huge pines and oaks 
 that shaded the grove through which our path led. I 
 demurred to their injunctions and positively refused to 
 accommodate them. They commenced an abusive tirade 
 against me. I retorted, and my courage soon rose to 
 fever heat. The trio came at me under full charge, but 
 I parried their blows, returning several well aimed 
 strokes with my slate. I succeeded in keeping them at 
 bay until several of our fellow students came to my 
 rescue. I had almost killed my brother George by an 
 unlucky stroke of the slate, whose edges had been de- 
 prived of the frame during the encounter. 
 
 The blood was streaming from a severe wound upon 
 his head, when my father came up. My brother was 
 conveyed home almost senseless. I sought the protec- 
 tion of my mother, believing that my father would never 
 listen at my version of the unfortunate difficulty. I 
 was not kept long in suspense. My father searched for 
 and found the instrument of torture, which was a huge 
 leathern whip. I was dragged, nearer dead than alive, 
 from the protection of my only friend, and made to en- 
 dure the strokes of the whip, until I sank upon the floor 
 perfectly senseless. When I revived, I was lying upon 
 my trundle bed, and my mother was bending over me, 
 weeping bitterly. After satisfying herself that I was 
 out of danger, she imprinted a sweet kiss upon my burn- 
 ing lips, and bidding me good night, departed to the 
 privacy of her own chamber. 
 
ROCKFORD. 107 
 
 My resolution was soon formed. The candle my 
 sainted mother had left upon the table, was yet burning. 
 I rose and listened. All was quiet in the house. I 
 slipped easily upon tip-toe to the chamber of my broth- 
 ers, who slept in the room adjoining mine. I crept to 
 the bed, and by the light of the moon which shone into 
 the room, I discovered that George slept sweetly. His 
 head was bound up, but from the regularity of his 
 breathing, and from the absence of fever as indicated 
 by the feelivg of his hand, I was certain that he was 
 out of danger. I kissed him tenderly as he he slept, 
 and goin to the couch of my two youngest brothers, I 
 performed the same kind office for them and crept back 
 to my room. 
 
 "I was not long in forming a bundle of some of my 
 clothes. I extinguished the light, and stealing softly 
 through the parlor, I left the house of my father, not 
 knowing when I should again return. 
 
 "Years passed, and I had traveled over many States. 
 I had grown up almost a vagrant. I had been a sailor. 
 Our ship was taken by pirates, and by chance I alone 
 was saved, while my companions were forced to walk 
 the fatal plank. Oh ! I shall never forget how their 
 piteous screams pierced my ears as they struggled with 
 the devouring waves, which swallowed them as they 
 cried for mercy. I supposed that my fate would even 
 be worse than that of my lost companions, but I was 
 presently informed that if I would swear fidelity to 
 them, and become a pirate, my life should be spared. 
 Those terms were presently complied with. They were 
 
108 ROCKFORD. 
 
 Spaniards and French ; the captain having been born 
 at Marseilles. I had learned a smattering of those lan- 
 guages before, but in a few weeks I could converse with 
 fluency in both. 
 
 " I spent several years with these lawless infidels, 
 and in faith, I had become so habituated to crime, that 
 I could draw a cutlas across the throat of a prisoner 
 with as much complaisance as any pirate that ever un- 
 furled his black flag upon the dark blue waters of the 
 tempestuous Mediterranean. Every enterprise must 
 have an end, and all evil doers, must, sooner or later, 
 meet with the condign punishment that is merited by 
 their crimes. Our captain was the most heartless 
 wretch that ever walked the deck of a piratical sloop. 
 If he took a notion to seize a vessel with grappling 
 irons, preparatory to boarding it, no person could per- 
 suade him to desist from his perilous undertaking. 
 
 "He ordered us one day to board a vessel which was 
 in pursuit of us. We begged, entreated and implored 
 him to crowd on the sails and seek safety in flight. He 
 drew his pistols from his broad belt, and threatend to 
 shoot any pirate who should disobey his orders. We 
 submitted ; and waiting until the vessel was near enough 
 to claim us as a prize, we poured one broad-side into it. 
 The cracking of masts, and the screams of the wounded 
 were heard, and before the smoke cleared away, we were 
 upon the deck, making havoc with all those we encoun- 
 tered. Our captain was contending in a hand-to-hand 
 fight with an elderly man, whose strength was fast giv- 
 ing way. What was my astonishment when I recog- 
 
ROCKFORDJ 109 
 
 nized in the person of the old man, whose life was sus- 
 pended as if by a hair, my father, whose form I had 
 not seen since the night he inflicted the unmerited cas- 
 tigation upon me. 
 
 '• I rushed to his side, and implored the pirate to 
 spare my father's life. He did not heed me, but, re- 
 doubling his exertions, disarmed my father, and laid 
 him prostrate and bleeding upon the deck. So quickly 
 was the work accomplished, that my interference in my 
 father's behalf was ineffectual. I drew a pistol from 
 my belt, and shot the cruel pirate through the heart. 
 He fell and expired without a groan. I bent over the 
 bleeding form of my father, and discovered that he was 
 not dead. By the assistance of one of the pirates, who 
 had ever been a friend to me, my father was removed 
 to a place of safety. Hurrying back to the deck, I 
 perceived that the pirates had slain nearly all of the 
 opposing combatants. 
 
 " Great was the consternation of the pirates when 
 they beheld their beloved, yet tyrannical captain lying 
 stark and stiff in the cold embraces of death. I fondly 
 hoped that no positive evidence would convict me of the 
 wanton deed ; yet I trembled at the result. When quiet 
 had been restored, and the body of our captain convey- 
 ed to his state-room, I summonded the crew, and re- 
 vealed to them that my father was lying in articulo mor- 
 tis upon the deck of the captured vessel. They were 
 moved at my immoderate grief, and yielded to my sup- 
 plications. My dying parent was removed to a com- 
 fortable room upon our vessel. He was much revived 
 
HO ROCKFORD. 
 
 by the kindly aid we afforded him, but why delay the 
 fact ? he died in a few hours. 
 
 "He was much affected when I made myself known 
 to him, and fondly prayed that I would fprgive him for 
 the cruel treatment he had heaped upon me. Late at 
 night our captain was lowered to the depths of the sea. 
 I implored my friends to permit me to behold the face 
 of my parent until a few short hours should have elapsed 
 before consigning it to the watery grave. 
 
 " We were only a few leagues from shore, and I re- 
 solved to take my friend, and, in the stillness of the 
 night, when the pirates, as was their custom, should 
 betake themselves to deep drinking and be quieted into 
 profound sleep by too frequent draughts from the fes- 
 tive bowl, leave forever the sickening scenes, and take 
 my father's remains with me. Pierre assented to every 
 proposition I made, and while our comrades were jubi- 
 lant over the victories of the day, and were dividing the 
 booty, we were silently making preparations for our es- 
 cape when first an opportunity should present itself. 
 The grief at the loss of my father, and the known at- 
 tachment of Pierre to me, were a sufficient excuse for 
 our absence from the banquet. 
 
 " As we had surmised, it was scarcely midnight when 
 the revelry almost totally subsided ; and soon after, the 
 only noise we heard was the dashing of the waves 
 against the vessel. The moon had just risen in all its 
 splendor, and the stars paled before the majestic queen 
 of night. We quietly visited every portion of the ves- 
 sel. Every one was locked in the embraces of Mor- 
 
ROCKFOKD HI 
 
 pheus. The night-watch had yielded to the potent influ- 
 ences of the wines. We hastily exchanged our sailor's 
 garb for citizen's costume, and collecting supplies of 
 provisions, and as much gold and silver coin as we could 
 find, we lowered our cargo, together with the body of 
 my deceased father, into one of the boats, and leaving 
 the vessel to which we had been attached for so many 
 years, we were soon drifting upon the waves of the At- 
 lantic. 
 
 " Guided by the moon and stars, which are unerring- 
 guides to experienced sailors, we directed our course to 
 the shore. When day dawned upon us, we could per- 
 ceive no vessel of any kind within our horizon. We 
 had abstracted a compass from the ship, and by its aid, 
 we readily continued our course to land. About night- 
 fall, we arrived at the bar of Crofton, and landed at 
 one of the neglected wharfs. We reported ourselves as 
 fishermen upon an excursion, and by bribery, procured 
 what assistance we needed from those who dwelt in those 
 miserable huts. A suitable coffin and shroud were pro- 
 cured for my father, and it now devolved upon me to 
 convey his corpse to his residence. 
 
 "A steamer was about to ascend the river near 
 whose banks my father's residence was located. I 
 applied for tickets, and all the preparations were soon 
 made. In two days, Pierre and myself landed our car- 
 go. Procuring a suitable vehicle, we soon arrived at 
 the home of my infancy. An absence of twenty years 
 had made a great alteration in the appearance of the 
 old homestead ; but time had wrought a still greater 
 
112 ROCKFORD. 
 
 change in me. I learned from one of the servants, who 
 did not recognize me, that my brothers had long since 
 died ; but my mother — who was an invalid from grief 
 and from the disappearance of her favorite child a great 
 many years before — rarely ever received visitors. 
 
 " My heart was almost broken. I could scarcely sum- 
 mon up sufficient courage to seek my mother's chamber 
 and make the revelation. But should I dread to hasten 
 to the only being who had ever truly loved me ? I en- 
 quired for the room in which my mother dwelt, and, 
 pushing aside the servant that vainly strove to detain 
 me, I rushed into the presence of her who bore me. 
 When I succeeded in making myself known to her, the 
 joy she manifested was not of this earth. 
 
 "We buried my father beside my brothers. My 
 mother expired at the grave, and her lovely form soon 
 reposed beneath the sod of the family cemetery. 
 
 " I did not tell you that there were two younger chil- 
 dren which had been born during my absence. I left 
 the farm and servants to their care — promising to come 
 again in a few months — but I have never returned. I 
 was so entirely unfitted to associate with respectable 
 men, that I vowed to commence the business of rob- 
 bery when I should meet with an opportunity. I spent 
 a few months in Crofton, when chance threw me into 
 your society. We formed the band which I headed for 
 so many years, until I resigned my office in favor of 
 Royston. 
 
 " You are too familiar with our exploits in this coun- 
 try for me to give you a description of any of them, 
 
ROCKFORD. 113 
 
 having been engaged in several of them yourself. But. 
 flans, you are more expert in planning than in executing, 
 for if there is any danger at hand you are never the 
 foremost. 
 
 ••It is late ; let us retire to our beds, for I have much 
 upon my mind which I wish to relate to you on the mor- 
 row. 
 
 Thus ended the tale of Ben Harley. The friends 
 were soon in their beds, and sleep — Heavenly visitor — 
 
 drowned even the sorrows of those vile men. 
 
 8 
 
114 ROCKFORD, 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 :< I swear to do this though a present death had been more merciful. 
 Come on, poor babe ; some powerful spirit instruct the kites and ravens 
 to be thy nurses ' Wolves and bears, they say, casting- their savageness 
 *side, have done like offices of pity." 
 
 Winter's Tale. 
 
 It is not necessary to enter into any minute descrip- 
 tion of the lawless deeds that were enacted at intervals, 
 at and in the vicinity of Hermit's retreat. Suffice it to 
 say, they were generally of a most diabolical character. 
 From the narrative of Ben Harley, the reader may at 
 once infer that the wayfaring man, whom chance threw 
 in their way, was not likely to leave the retreat or its 
 environs with whole bones and a full purse. 
 
 Hans received several valuables from the band before 
 he left the retreat. He paid the friends only half of 
 the intrinsic value of the articles, declaring that, as he 
 ran a great risk in offering the wares for sale, it was 
 nothing but right for him to make a good profit. 
 
 Leaving Hans to pursue his journey, in whatever 
 direction he might select for the perfection of his nefa- 
 rious schemes, the attention of the reader is directed to 
 other scenes, which may be as interesting as the record 
 of any of the noted actions of the inimitable Hans 
 Kremple. 
 
 But it may not be out of place to borrow a familiar 
 
ROCKFORD. t -, r 
 
 lib 
 
 figure from one whose name is as familiar in both hem- 
 ispheres as " household words." Not Charles Dicken*' 
 « Household Words," kind reader, for though we con- 
 sider him a genius, and one of the princes of English 
 literature, the writer of these pages had rather be ex- 
 cused from quoting from an author who came among us 
 to enjoy our hospitality, and then, like a frozen adder 
 warmed into life by kindness, to turn and inflict upon 
 us a mortal wound. 
 
 George Payne Rainesford James, thou incomparable 
 light novelist, we invoke thy aid. Thou wert surely 
 born a cavalier, or the "solitary horseman " had never 
 entered into all thy plots. 
 
 It was in the leafy month of June— that happy sea- 
 son of the year, when Southern climes have first made- 
 glad the joyous heart of man. When tree, and shrub, 
 and vine, are laden with the tender, though delicious 
 fruits of early summer. It was the hour just before 
 the king of day hid his blazing head behind the western 
 hills. The day had nearly closed upon the sins of mor- 
 tals ; yet the lengthening shadows of the whispering 
 pines gave but few tokens of approaching night The 
 scarce audible tinkle of the distant sheep bell) and the 
 lowing of the home-returning herds recalled the enthu- 
 siast from his rustic dreams, and bade him remember 
 that he was remote from the noise and clamor of the 
 busy city. 
 
 It was at such an hour that a " solitary horseman V 
 might have been seen at the distance of more than , 
 mile from the Hermit's retreat. His noble charger— 
 
116 ROCKFORD. 
 
 whether of the Arabian or Canadian breed, the chroni- 
 cle doth not relate — had the appearance of having been 
 ridden hard, though his proud spirit could not submit to 
 the goadings of the rowel. 
 
 " So ho ! Dapple — softly Dapple," said the rider, as 
 he reigned in the horse, " dost not know thy master ? 
 By my Halidon, an I had a few more leagues to travel, 
 thou shouldst rue thy conduct." 
 
 A powerful mastiff bounded to the stirrup of his mas- 
 ter, and signified his joy at the subjection of the horse. 
 
 " Down, Wimple, down ! dost thou not remember the 
 trouble thou gavest me last night at the inn ? Gramer- 
 cy, sir, an thou troublest me again, thy shaggy skin 
 shall feel the vengeful weight of this whip." 
 
 Suiting the action to the words, the powerful rider 
 flecked the sagacious animal more than once, which sent 
 him howling to his proper station in the rear. 
 
 The rider was not dressed in "Lincoln Green," nor 
 in the garb of the knights errant, though Brian de Bois 
 Gilbert might have coveted the fine limbs of the un- 
 known. He did not ride with the majestic mien of the 
 "Black Knight," nor with the ease and grace of Wilford 
 of Ivanhoe ; yet, there was something very attractive 
 and romantic about his appearance. He was dressed 
 after the fashoin of a gay Southern gentleman, whose 
 chief pleasure is the chase. His dark hair correspond- 
 ed to the waving black plume that played with his flowing 
 ringlets. His features were concealed by a waxen mask, 
 which gave him rather a cavalier-like appearance. 
 
 Reining in his charger with all the grace and digni- 
 
ROCKFORD. 117 
 
 ty of one who was accustomed to the management of 
 horses, the rider dismounted beside the banks of a soft 
 rippling brook, and taking his pistols from the holster, 
 examined the flints and priming, which he found to 
 be in perfect order. Replacing the pistols with a 
 self-satisfied air, the "solitary horseman " drew out a 
 traveling flask, which was filled with delicious spirits, 
 if an eye-witness could have judged by the pleasure 
 with which he exhausted a large portion of its contents. 
 He poured a few drops of the liquid into the nostrils of 
 the panting horse. This being done, he produced a cup 
 from his traveling sack, and dipping up water from the 
 brook, sprinkled it over the head and neck of the horse. 
 
 After remaining at the brook a few minutes longer, 
 the unknown again mounted ; and, giving the reins to 
 Dapple, he was soon speeding swiftly in the direction 
 of the Hermit's retreat. Wimple had forgotten his late 
 castigation, and followed the fleet footsteps of Dap- 
 ple, with much love for his master. The owl hooted 
 from the hollow oak, the hare fled to the covert, the 
 shimmering rays of twilight closed up the day, but still 
 the hardy and dauntless rider kept on his course. (Wo 
 thank you, Mr. James, for a few random thoughts. ) 
 By the permission of the reader, Ave will imagine our- 
 selves (that is, the reader and ego) arrived at the Her- 
 mit's retreat a few minutes in advance of the unknown. 
 
 Ben Harley and his gang had just returned from the 
 cave, whither they had been to secure the spoils of the 
 last expedition. Dandie and dame Elspeth were busily 
 preparing the repast. The candles were lit in the re- 
 
118 ROCKFORD. 
 
 ception room of the hotel, and the members of the 
 household were waiting patiently for the supper bell to 
 ring. 
 
 " Pierre," said Ben, " our last expedition was a blood- 
 less victory, yet we returned home laden with spoils. 
 If there were not so much uncertainty and danger con- 
 nected with our business, the life we lead here would 
 be a pleasant one, compared to the seafaring existence 
 of a sailor." 
 
 " True, Ben," said Pierre, "but then we are put to 
 so much inconvenience in concealing our booty ; and 
 then we have to use all sorts of expedients to keep from 
 detection. Just remember, only a few days since, you 
 and I were so hotly pursued by the officers that we 
 barely had time to spring into the copse, and hastily 
 transform ourselves into ragged mendicants — which we 
 did with so much adroitness that we were not suspected 
 by the beagles of justice, as they passed in full pursuit 
 of — ourselves. 
 
 " I suspect, Pierre, that you long again to be in a con- 
 dition to shed blood more freely than we do here. You 
 soulless heathen ! Is it not sufficient that you take the 
 last sous from the trembling traveler ? Yet, we can 
 scarcely withhold you from slaying every one we despoil 
 of his purse and other valuables. Ah ! Pierre, you will 
 have to render a strange account to your Maker one of 
 these days." 
 
 " Softly, Ben," said Pierre, as he laughingly directed a 
 knowing glance to the window where Ben sat, " you speak 
 as lightly as if you had never aimed a deadly stroke 
 
ROCKFORD. H9 
 
 of the cimeter at the head of that fat Dutchman who 
 was imploring you to save his life." 
 
 " Quiet, Pierre," retorted Ben, "I was not much to 
 blame ; you know I could never make head or tail out 
 of that delightful language. How did I know what the 
 thick tongued foreigner was saying? " 
 
 " But, Ben, the signal of distress is always legible, 
 it mattereth not what signs are made to represent it." 
 
 "Oh! you piratical imp," said Ben, "to listen at 
 your jargon, one would be disposed to think that you 
 had turned preacher and abjured the wickedness of your 
 ways." 
 
 " Ben," said Pierre, " let us be quits on those scores. 
 When have you heard from Carl ? " 
 
 " I do not know," replied Ben, "It seems " 
 
 Here the sentence of the outlaw was cut short by the 
 sound of horses' feet near at hand. 
 
 " What can the fellow mean ?" said Ben, as the shrill 
 notes of a bugle saluted their ears. " The man must 
 be a herald of an Eastern troop just from Palestine. 
 I do wonder if the wand of Merlin has transport- 
 ed us to another hemisphere, and the wheels of Time 
 have rolled back five centuries ? These are strange times. 
 Pierre ; go and see what sir Knight wanteth." 
 
 Pierre went as he was directed, and perceiving that 
 the unknown was masked and spoke not, his knees 
 shook under him. He supposed that he stood in the 
 presence of a spectre horseman, or the shades of one of 
 those luckless men whom his bloody hands had sent to 
 his last account. Running back to Ben, Pierre declar- 
 
120 ROCKFORD. 
 
 ed that the place was haunted or was about to be put 
 under a "spell." Pierre ran to the sofa and hid his 
 head between its cushioned pillows, while Ben went, him- 
 self, to ask the rider in what manner he could be served. 
 
 Approaching the horseman, Ben made a very polite 
 bow, and asked in genteel phrase after the health of the 
 unknown knight. (We must imitate Gr. Payne Raines- 
 ford once more.) "Polite sir," replied the unknown, 
 "I am on a pilgrimage to the shrine of my lady of the 
 broken heart. She resideth only a clays' journey 
 from this spot, as my directions, given me by the i Sis- 
 ters of Mercy ' at my departure from my castle, plainly 
 indicate. It behooveth me to pay adorations at her 
 sainted shrine, and I have a burden at my heart which 
 cannot be removed except by her forgiveness. I crave 
 rest for myself and refreshments for my horse and dog, 
 (may Saint Barnabas protect them !) but as for me, no 
 food except that which hath been sanctified by the pray- 
 ers of the " Sisters of Mercy " must enter these lips 
 until I shall have knelt me at the shrine of my lady of 
 the Broken Heart." 
 
 " Alight, sir knight," said Ben, who was determined 
 to explore this mystery. " Our cottage shall be your 
 resting place for one night. No pilgrim to the shrine 
 of my lady of the Broken Heart shall ever be turned 
 from our door. Here, Pedro, see to the horse ; and 
 you, sir pilgrim, follow me, and I will conduct you into 
 our humble castle. Ho ! warden, lower the port cullis 
 and admit your commandant and his guest." But, 
 awaking from the enchantment which the pious words 
 
ROCKFORD 121 
 
 of the unknown had thrown around him, the infatuated 
 Ben implored the forgiveness of his stately companion, 
 who, approaching the unsanctified person of the fierce 
 robber, whisperad a few words into his ear, which pro- 
 duced a perceptible change in the demeanor of Ben. 
 
 " Your instructions shall be obeyed to the letter; and 
 we must keep up the deceptive appearance," said Ben, 
 who conducted him into the reception room. 
 
 Dame Elspcth commenced counting her beads, as she 
 dropped a plate of savory victuals in the yard. She 
 was certain her time had come. She imagined that the 
 arch-fiend had come to claim and bear her off as a prize. 
 
 " May the saints beshrew me," said Dandie, as he 
 hastened to the relief of his spouse, "the wife is daft, 
 yet blessings upon her, she hath a braver heart than 
 mine. What cowards doth conscience make of us all !" 
 
 "Pull off your visor, sir knight," said Ben as he led 
 the unknown to a seat, " and taste some of our refresh- 
 ments." 
 
 " It is not permitted me by my vow," replied the un- 
 known, " to discover my features to mortal until I have 
 paid my vows at the shrine of my lady of the Broken 
 Heart." 
 
 "'Tis he, 'tis he," said Pierre, " 'tis my victim," as 
 he rushed from the room, followed by his companions, 
 leaving the unknown and Ben alone. The former was 
 shown to his room, while the latter in vain endeavored 
 to collect his friends around the festive board. It is 
 needless to add, that the room of the unknown was not 
 entered that night for the purpose of robbery, nor were 
 
122 ROCKFORD. 
 
 Dapple and Wimple disturbed. By early dawn, Ben 
 brought out the horse, and the unknown vaulted into 
 the saddle. " You may rely upon me," said Ben, "I 
 will be there with assistance." They parted, and the 
 horseman was soon out of sight. 
 
 When Ben summoned Pierre and his comrades, he 
 could scarcely make them leave their rooms. In order 
 that he might keep up the appearance of mystery, he 
 told them that no stranger had been there, but supposed 
 they must have been disturbed by ugly dreams. 
 
 By the leave of the reader, the scene changes from 
 Hermit's retreat to the house of Mr. Rockford. On 
 the evening of the day subsequent to the departure of 
 the "unknown knight" from the Hermit's retreat, Mr. 
 Rockford was sitting in his piazza, reading to his wife, 
 while Sebastian, whom we have not seen in several 
 months, was playing upon the front yard with his pets. 
 
 "Josephine," said the husband, " Sebastian has grown 
 so much lately that Captain Walsingham will scarcely 
 recognize him when he comes to see us to-morrow. The 
 boy looks so handsome in the new suit you have made 
 him, suppose we let the nurse take him down to the 
 beach and play a while in the shade. He loves to see 
 the waves lash upon the shore." 
 
 The request of the father was complied with, and 
 Sebastian kissed his parents and departed with the 
 nurse. Mr. Rockford continued his reading until it was 
 time for him to go to his office. On his way thither he 
 met Hans Kremple, going towards the sea-side, in com- 
 
ROCKFORD. 123 
 
 pany with a stranger who appeared to be lame, having 
 the appearance of a foreigner. A huge pair of green 
 spectacles gave the stranger a comical expression. 
 
 " Hans has more strange acquaintances than any man 
 in Crofton," said Mr. Rockford to himself, as he hur- 
 ried past them. Before he arrived at the office, Mr. 
 Rockford encountered Mr. Snibbens, who had just dis- 
 missed his school. The pedagogue bored the good man 
 to the quick in trying to illustrate something beyond 
 his own comprehension. 
 
 Mr. Rockford was busily engaged in the investigation 
 of a "case," and was hunting up all the "points," 
 when one of his servants, hastily entering his office, 
 implored him to return home immediately, as something 
 dreadful had happened: Mr. Rockford was a man not 
 easily excited, but was generally disposed to encounter 
 and overcome obstacles with composure. Supposing that 
 his presence at his own house was absolutely necessary, 
 he hastened home, much troubled in mind. 
 
 When he entered his house, he found everything in 
 utter confusion. The servants were running in every 
 direction. Mrs. Rockford ran about the house almost 
 frantic. Mr. Rockford was horror-stricken when he learn- 
 ed that Sebastian had been taken from the nurse by a 
 party of men who had landed in haste from a boat, and. 
 before she could give the alarm, they had pushed from 
 shore and sailed away. 
 
124 liOvyA-I! UiiiJ 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 The reader must now imagine that five years have 
 passed away since the strange abduction of Sebastian 
 Rockford. We must now change the scene of our story 
 from Crofton, and introduce new characters into our 
 romance, and follow up, if possible, the fortunes of our 
 little hero. 
 
 The greatest men who have ever figured upon the 
 stage of life, and whose actions have been noted, either 
 descended from the Plebian race, or their road to fame 
 was traversed with dangers and difficulties. It is a sin- 
 gular fact, and one worthy of note, that men may be 
 born to wealth, but individuals must work their way to 
 distinction. Alfred the Great, who was one of the most 
 valiant kings that ever sat upon the throne of the Brit- 
 ish nation, was an outcast and a beggar in his own coun- 
 try, until the Fates decreed that a wise man should be 
 called back to the helm of State. 
 
 Wise men, on the contrary, have declared that our 
 fortunes are not in our stars, but in ourselves. If such 
 be the fact, then the science of Astrology is at an end. 
 Two thousand years have passed since the wise Chal- 
 deans looked up at the Heavenly bodies and read the 
 future history of nations by the fitful changes of the 
 twinkling stars. Antiquity itself has taken its rise 
 
ROCKFORD. 12 5 
 
 since prophecies have ceased to be promulgated by per- 
 ipatetic philosophers, or by those wise and good men 
 whose solitary yet holy tread have worn away the flag- 
 stones of deep dungeons. 
 
 Who that is an enthusiast and an admirer of the Hea- 
 venly bodies, has not watched the motions of the plan- 
 ets and wished that a sign might be given unto him ? 
 You arc a coward, and it can be very plainly demonstrated 
 even to your own satisfaction. You start at an appari- 
 tion in a dream, and the cold sweat bedews your brow, 
 and you thrust your timid head under the bed clothes 
 on awaking, for fear that you, in reality, may behold 
 the realization of your " poetic nightmare." Dare you 
 at such times walk into a cemetery and commune alone 
 with the spirits of departed friends ? You shrink from 
 the task ; you fear that you might call up spirits from 
 the vasty deep which would not down at your bidding. 
 They are not morally brave who start at the apparitions 
 of night. Those that sleep the sleep of death are our 
 best friends, or we should be infested with numberless 
 foes. The very dust you tread upon was once a com- 
 ponent part of a human being, and dare you fear the 
 soil you may call your own ? 
 
 Oh ! reader, if the dead are permitted to walk forth 
 at night, they will be seen only in your feverish imagi- 
 nation, or in your dreams. 
 
 Do you love fiction ? listen at the conversation of the 
 giddy crowds that throng your thoroughfares. If they 
 haye lately come into possession of a fact, the rules of 
 addition and subtraction will soon make truth appear 
 stronger than fiction. 
 
126 ROCKFORD. 
 
 Truth dwells at the bottom of a well. Would you 
 imbibe a draught ? take a glass of pure water, and cool 
 your feverish imagination. Do not expect to find a gold 
 mine in every furrow you open, nor expect a marvelous 
 revelation in every page of legitimate lore you peruse. 
 The authors of the Arabian Nights, Don Quixotte and 
 Gil Bias, exhausted the fund of thrilling adventure, and 
 we can never supplant or rival them. 
 
 When Moses was placed in the ark, which preserved 
 his life, did it occur to his mother that she was rescuing 
 from destruction the future patriarch and leader of the 
 children of God ? Oh ! skeptical reader, believe not 
 that all things happen by chance. 
 
 If we deal in a few reflections now and then, have 
 not Fielding, Scott and Bulwer done the same ? We 
 ought at least to be allowed as much license as some of 
 our funny female writers, (God bless and put them all 
 to some occupation that is more remunerative than 
 writing for one dollar and fifty-cents a column !) who 
 spin out sixteen pages a day in descanting upon the 
 travels of a certain toady in Lapland. One of those 
 blessed ladies, who has swept all Southern male authors 
 from the gay pages of Romance with one shake of her 
 curls, once wrapped herself up in a buffalo robe with — 
 we shall not call its name — at any rate, this was only 
 in imagination. She had read the book of travels, and 
 having nothing else to write about, she got into the 
 sleigh with it, (remember, reader, this was only in fancy) 
 and traveled all over Lapland, Russia and Norway with 
 Baron Toady, all in sixteen pages of manuscript ! Bless 
 
ROCKFORD. 127 
 
 the dear creature ! she is perfectly sincere when she de- 
 clares that men have but little genius. We had rather 
 be wanting in genius than to strive to imitate every 
 toadyish tale writer and poetaster who have forgotten 
 how to call things by their proper names. 
 
 We have no distaste to the writings of the ladies, but 
 we would have beautiful governments if their wise (?) 
 mandates were followed up. There are only two lady 
 authors whose works can stand the test of criticism — 
 we mean as distinguished writers — and those are Jane 
 Porter and Madame De Stael. Their mission seemed 
 to be to wreath garlands of immortality of ivy green to 
 crown their noble heads. 
 
 We have a few man-milliners in the United States, 
 who surely belong to the class of Mistakendom. — 
 Let them commence writing upon whatever subject they 
 please, they will make it convenient to quarrel with the 
 fashionable ladies of "Madison Square" about the 
 flounces of their dresses, the feathers upon the edges of 
 their fans ; and some of them have wisely invented 
 rouges and pomades, and a thousand little things for the 
 ladies that they (the ladies) never thought of themselves. 
 Those man-milliners are so delicately modest that, in- 
 stead of calling a silver thimble by its proper name, they 
 will denominate it a semi-perforated argental truncated 
 cone. Others, though bachelors, would not dare to un- 
 dress in a room in which there is a pin-cushion, becaiix- 
 the needles have eyes. Those fashionable critics have 
 given rise to the Flora McFlimseys who, though " ar- 
 rayed in purple," havn't a thing in the wide world to 
 wear. 
 
128 ROCKFORD. 
 
 Dear, gentle reader, if we were able we would not 
 distort your imagination by relating hair breadth es- 
 capes and impossible improbabilities. "We have seen a 
 few things which we durst not relate, for fear of being 
 considered a fabricator. We once knew a man who wae 
 so fond of the marvelous, that Truth, to him, dwelt so 
 deep in the well, that his bucket never reached the re- 
 treat of the nymph. 
 
 We commenced this chapter by notifying the indul- 
 gent reader that five years have passed since the abduc- 
 tion of our little hero. 
 
 Yonder is a beautiful, though an unostentatious man- 
 sion. Theodore Manning is the possessor of a thousand 
 acres of arable land. His many servants till his pro- 
 ductive fields, and the products of their labor yield him 
 an ample support. 
 
 Two little boys were playing in the shady yard in 
 front of the house. One of them was only four years 
 of ao-e, and the other was about seven. If the former 
 had nothing remarkable about him, the latter could not 
 have been passed carelessly by. His soft blue eyes and 
 auburn hair were so remarkable that his childish beauty 
 made you glad. The boys were arranging their toys, 
 when Mr. Manning came out to join in the sport. 
 
 " Come here, Falkner," said Mr. Manning, speak- 
 ing to the elder, " here are some new marbles for you 
 — divide them with Corolan." 
 
 " I thank you, my father," said the boy, " let me kiss 
 you for them." 
 
 " Bless the boy ! " murmured the farmer, " he is the 
 very light of my home." 
 
ROCKFORD. 120 
 
 * k See, Corolan," said Falkner, "see the pretty mar- 
 bles papa has brought us — here arc yours." 
 
 " Give me all of 'em here," said Corolan, "you always 
 take the biggest and the prettiest." And the child 
 — after making his own selections, and claiming the 
 largest share — asked his father what else he had for 
 him. 
 
 " Don't you thank papa for them, brother?" said 
 Falkner. 
 
 " I don't know," said the boy, "he brings us things 
 because he wants to." 
 
 " You are rather an ungrateful boy, Corie," said his 
 father, " I have brought Falkner another book," and he 
 drew out a pictorial reader, which he gave him. The 
 boy kissed him again, and read several passages to his 
 father. 
 
 " It is time you were off to school, Falkner — your 
 teacher says you must not be late. The boy hastened 
 to the school, while Mr. Manning played with Corolan. 
 He was not able to interest Corolan, and, calling to his 
 mother, the boy was delivered to her. Corolan dearly 
 loved his mother — who returned his love with compound 
 interest. She was kind to Falkner, too, but her af- 
 fections were doubly centered upon the younger. 
 
 If there was any difference exhibited by the mother in 
 the management of the children, it had no external ap 
 pearance. She had too pure a heart to be so far influ- 
 enced by caprice as to mistreat one of the children ; yet, 
 it must be confessed that Corolan was her favorite. If 
 the mother centered her affections upon the one, the 
 
130 ROCKFORD. 
 
 father had a secret love for the other that showed itself 
 too plainly, at times, to be entirely concealed. 
 
 " Wife," said the father, "are you carefully preserv- 
 ing those relics that were found with the child, and the 
 letter which was concealed in the wrapper ? We may be 
 compelled to have recourse to them some of these days." 
 
 "They are kept in a trunk to themselves," said the 
 wife, " and the key is never allowed to pass into the 
 hands of a third person." 
 
 " I am often forced to the point of belief that the 
 child was taken from a highly respectable family by vio- 
 lence. It seems as if we were doing a wrong deed to 
 keep the secret ; yet, the letter was couched in such am- 
 biguous language that a publication in a paper would 
 endanger the life of Falkner. We must be contented 
 to abide our time." 
 
 "I am perfectly contented," replied the wife, "to 
 rest the whole matter in your hands." 
 
 Those faithful parents could not consent to make the 
 revelation to a living soul ; and Falkner was supposed 
 by many to be their own son. It is true, he had* but 
 little resemblance to Corolan, but the affection the pa- 
 rents exhibited for him was the best evidence of his 
 being their child. 
 
ROCKFOIll). 131 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Falkner Manning was a very promising boy at seven 
 years of age ; and when he had completed his ninth year, 
 he had made so rapid a progress in his primary studies, 
 it was evident that he could easily enter upon a higher 
 course. He received the joyful tidings one moring, from 
 his father — who placed a Latin Grammar in his hands 
 — that he might commence the study of that useful lan- 
 guage. He had but little difficulty in acquiring a cor- 
 rect pronunciation from the wholesome iustructions of 
 his competent teacher, whose plan was not different from 
 the masters of the old school. He insisted that one book 
 thoroughly learned, was of incalculably greater advan- 
 tage to a bov than a confused knowledge of a dozen 
 folios. 
 
 Falkner was continued upon the Grammar until he 
 was enabled to analyze every portion of it readily. The 
 instructor had satisfied himself that there was no rail- 
 road to learning. The mind is so constituted, reasoned 
 he, that it cannot be forced. By constant application, 
 and frequent repetition, a thorough knowledge of the 
 primary rules of the most intricate language may be 
 learned by a boy of ordinary abilities ; but it takes the 
 study of long years to attain to any degree of perfee- 
 
132 ROCKFORD. 
 
 tion in a language so difficult as that of the ancient 
 Romans. Falkner read the primers and Julius Caesar's 
 Commentaries upon the Gallic War, in two years from 
 the time of his entry upon the study of the language. 
 At the examination he received a silver medal from the 
 board of examiners, for proficiency in Latin composi- 
 tion. Mr. Manning pressed him to his bosom when 
 they arrived at home, while Mrs. Manning participated 
 in the enjoyment. As a reward for his industry, a fine 
 suit of green cloth, trimmed with braid, adorned the 
 beautiful form of the fair-haired boy. Corolan was 
 made the recipient of one from the same piece ; though 
 his idle habits had sent him to the foot of the class. 
 He declared that he would not learn, and he wished 
 every day was Saturday, in order that he might hunt, 
 and fish, and ride his pony. 
 
 "Now, Corie," said Falkner, u father is so anxious 
 for you to be a good scholar, do put up those useless 
 toys and that noisy whip, and come to the table and let 
 me teach you how to find your map questions." 
 
 "I do not care if he does, Master Falkner — as the 
 teacher calls you. Father need not send me to the hate- 
 ful old school unless he wants to ; besides, I despise the 
 old rivers and towns with hard names. If you bring 
 that dirty old map to me again to-night, I'll dash it in 
 the fire." Here Falkner left him to his amusements. 
 
 Corolan was as petulant and quarrelsome as Falkner 
 was kind and submissive. The former was governed by 
 coercion and presents — the latter by duty. He could 
 never be induced to disregard the injunctions of his pa- 
 
ROCKFORD 13B 
 
 rents, or the rules of the school of which he was the 
 brightest ornament. 
 
 Vacation had come, with all its golden prospects of 
 fishing, hunting, gathering fruit, and excursions upon 
 horse-back. Corolan, instead of imitating the laudable 
 example of Falkner, in the preparation of his lessons 
 for the examination, which had lately passed off so much 
 to the credit of the latter, had neglected his books for 
 the purpose of arranging his fishing tackle and other 
 implements of sport. 
 
 "Come, my sons," said the father a few days after 
 vacation had commenced, put on your hunting suits and 
 let us go to the low grounds and shoot birds. You are 
 not old enough yet, Corie, to learn the art of shooting. 
 When you shall have grown larger, Falkner will give 
 you the necessary instructions." 
 
 "Papa," said Corolan, pouting and about to get into 
 one of his ugly fits, " I had rather not go, if Falkner 
 is allowed to take a gun. He learned to shoot during 
 last vacation ; yet, I have never fired a gun unless you 
 were holding it." 
 
 " Come, darling," said his mother, who had been lis- 
 tening to the conversation, " go on with father and 
 brother Falkner, and when you return I will give yon 
 some nice cakes." 
 
 The boy was humbled into submission by the entrea- 
 ties of his mother. He kissed her, and drying his 
 tears, made instant preparations for the excursion. — 
 Falkner endeavored to assist him in dressing, but he put 
 aside the hand of the good boy, and bade him attend to 
 
134 KUCKFOHD. 
 
 his own affairs — saying if he was not big enough to 
 shoot, he had sense enough to arrange his own dress. 
 He would gladly imitate the actions of Falkner, but if 
 the latter ever made, any suggestions, the stubborn 
 Gorie would change his plans. 
 
 The dogs were unkennelled and brought out. The 
 sagacious animals were so glad of an opportunity of 
 exercising their limbs, that they bounded over the head 
 of Corie, who took them, and started in full speed to the 
 field. The father directed Falkner to follow, and de- 
 tain them at the spring branch until he arrived ; or the 
 birds would be flushed before he was prepared to shoot 
 them. The boy did as he was directed. When he came 
 up to where Falkner was holding on to the dogs, he ob- 
 served that Corie was vexed with his brother. Mr. 
 Manning took out his whip and gave the pointers a short 
 exercise in gravitation. As the falling strokes lit upon 
 their shaggy sides, they were brought to their senses. 
 Corie was threatened with his displeasure if he did not 
 act like a pretty little boy. 
 
 They entered a grove, shaded by tall oak and hickory 
 trees, which beautify the Southern forests. The birds 
 played among the branches, and called one another with 
 plaintive notes. The mocking-bird echoed all their mel- 
 odies in sweeter strains than the original. Nature has 
 given that songster powers of imitation unequalled by 
 man himself ; yet the natural note of the melodious bird 
 is but a harsh, discordant sound. Ventriloquists, jest 
 ers and imitators are gifted in this respect by nature, 
 for the absence of brains. If a man will not attempt 
 
ROCKFORD. 135 
 
 to sound his own trump, he must sound the trump of 
 others. 
 
 "Bear in mind, Falkncr, that we are to admire the 
 songs of the mocking-bird, but we have a purpose, or 
 an aim in life to strive after. We must cut ourselves 
 loose from leading-strings and fashion out our own 
 course. If that stream yonder remained still, and re- 
 solved itself into a turbid lake, the waters would be un- 
 healthy, and the country would be filled with miasma. 
 But, look how swiftly the current glides on. The stream 
 is constantly receiving new springlets. Yonder is a 
 small branch winding around the bend, to augment its 
 waters. See that cascade, where we delight to bathe, 
 near the place where I taught you to swim. That 
 small river widens and deepens in its course, as it winds 
 majestically through the forests, and thousands are glad- 
 dened by its refreshing influence. One hundred miles 
 below here it empties into the ocean. That world of 
 waters is formed by the numberless streams like this. 
 Were it not for them, do you suppose the ocean would 
 exist ? That stream, my boy, is the type of human 
 life. Man, if he allows himself to become a sluggard, 
 is like the sluggish pool, but the active, smart, indus- 
 trious worker, if he accumulates property, whether for 
 himself or not, is like the beautiful river that we are 
 just approaching." 
 
 •• True, father," replied the thoughtful boy, "that ti 
 why I admire the works of Caesar. He had but little 
 rime to spare from his duties as a general." 
 
 •• You miK'niber, Falkner, that when the army of Cae- 
 
136 ROCKFORD. 
 
 sar was not upon the march, or in actual engagements 
 on the field of battle, it was in winter quarters. It 
 was in the camp that he composed his Commentaries.'" 
 " How could he find so much time even there to write, 
 father ? I am sure he had much to do in constructing 
 fortifications for defence." 
 
 " Falkner," replied the father, much interested in the 
 conversation, " Caesar had many lieutenants, or subal- 
 terns whom he commanded to have particular care in 
 seeing to the drilling of the men. He may not have 
 appeared upon parade more than once a month.'' 
 
 U I remember," said Falkner, "something about for- 
 tifying the camps, and leading the soldiers from the 
 winter quarters. ' Ocesar castella G-alliae munivcrat et 
 tres legiones ex hibernis eduxerat.' ' 
 
 Here the conversation was broken off by Corolan. 
 who, having espied a covey of partridges under the 
 copse, hastened to his father and reported the fact. 
 Falkner was requested to stand prepared to shoot as 
 soon as his father gave the word. The well trained dogs 
 were quickly upon the scent, and at the signal from Mr. 
 Manning, the birds were flushed. When they rose, 
 three were shot down by Mr. Manning, who commanded 
 Falkner to discharge his piece. The boy shot either 
 too soon or too late, as he missed entirely.'" 
 
 " I think I could beat that shooting myself, master 
 Falkner," said Corie — who seemed to be glad at the ill 
 success of his brother. 
 
 " I hope you can, Corie," said the good brother. "I 
 am not «at all averse to your being enabled to excell in 
 some things." 
 
ROCKFORD. 137 
 
 In a few minutes Falkner had an opportunity of test- 
 ing his marksmanship again when he was more success- 
 ful — having brought down two birds. When the father 
 and sons had bagged as many birds as they cared to 
 carry home, they sought the cool shade on the banks of 
 the stream. 
 
 "Now, Corie," said the father, "you are fond of 
 sporting with the hook and line ; suppose you rig up 
 some of those reed staifs that lie yonder, and let us have 
 some sport to divert you." 
 
 "I have the hooks and lines," replied the boy, "but 
 where shall we get worms from?" 
 
 "They are easily supplied, my boy; bend down one 
 of those green boughs over your head, and supply 
 yourself with Catawba worms." 
 
 " Those green monsters ! they look too frightful, sir, 
 I had rather not touch them," said the boy. 
 
 " They are perfectly harmless," said the mild, but 
 intrepid Falkner, as he pulled them from their leafy 
 homes and handed them to his father. 
 
 "There are but few things," said the good man to 
 his interesting sons, "which the Almighty has formed 
 for our use that are not harmless. The venomous rep- 
 tiles that attack us unawares arc not only poisonous, 
 but deadly to the taste. God has pointed out to us as 
 if by instinct, what fruits, herbs and animals we should 
 use for food. We long to pluck the luscious plum, 
 grape, apple and peach, but we shrink from the touch 
 of a prickly pear, crab-apple or persimmon. Learn to 
 improve those tastes while you are yet young, and you 
 may make connoiscars in the culinary art." 
 
138 ROCKFORD 
 
 *'Have all animals hearts?" said Ooroian to his 
 father. 
 
 " Certainly, my son ; but why do you ask the ques- 
 tion?" 
 
 " Because, I heard you and Falkner repeating the 
 lesson, ' Omne animal quod sanguinem habet, liabet etiam 
 cor.' I heard you tell brother that the translation was, 
 ' Every animal which has blood, has also a heart.' ' 
 
 " I think you are improving, master Corolan, in our 
 vacation," said the delighted Falkner, "you arc surely 
 sharpening up your wits." 
 
 "Not at all, sir, but as I am compelled to listen at 
 the two hours' drilling father gives you every night, I 
 would be very dull if I were not enabled to pick up 
 some phrases. When I drop to sleep and commence 
 dreaming about the fish biting or the pony galloping, I 
 am certain to be waked up by yours and father's never- 
 ending jamsquams and quid-quids." 
 
 " The boy is no dolt at last," murmured his father, "if 
 he is never to be skilled in books, he may surely turn 
 to be a good politician or a broker. 
 
 After spending an hour in the pleasant sport of fish- 
 ing, they wound up their lines, much pleased with hav- 
 ing drawn out several fine fish. 
 
 When they reached home, laden with fish, birds and 
 fruits, the mother had an elegant luncheon spread for 
 them, in which the cakes and sweet meats for Corie 
 were not forgotten. 
 
ROCKFORD. 1 8<* 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 The happiest days of our lives are those of our child- 
 hood ; yet, how heedlessly the rising generation reject 
 the sage advice of their elders, who warn them not to 
 spend their time in idleness, but advise them to use every 
 moment as a precious gift from the great ruler of the 
 universe. While one boy voluntarily seeks those silent 
 companions which speak as with a voice from the tomb, 
 one thousand will lay those wise monitors upon the dusty 
 shelves. 
 
 Do you wish to be wise and have your names engraved 
 upon the temple of Fame ? then the lark must not find 
 you slumbering upon your downy beds. You must be 
 watchful, and not lose one golden moment. Do not un 
 dertake a greater task than you can perform. Measure 
 your abilities by the proper standard, and if your pow- 
 ers of mind are great, place your mark high ; you may 
 never arrive at eminence by striving for honors of a 
 medium grade. Do you know where to find the key thai 
 can unlock more treasures than lie hidden in the mines 
 of California ? it lies concealed in your resolution — it 
 is PERSEVBBANCE. Nearly all great men have spra 
 from obscure families. Can you doubt this V look t<» 
 the pages of History. Where the crown or the reins < f 
 government have passed into the hands of an heir a})- 
 
140 ROCKFORD. 
 
 parent, and where new republics and empires have arisen 
 upon the ruins of tottering nations, the descendants of 
 the persevering plebian race have always pressed to the 
 front ranks. 
 
 Coriolanus, who sprang from the ranks of the Plebi- 
 ans of Rome, assumed the command of her armies with 
 as much pride as any of the representatives of the ex- 
 alted race of the Scipios. When fallen into disgrace 
 at home, he led the armies of the enemies of his country 
 to the gates of the city with the insatiate revenge of an 
 insulted potentate. The nobles of Rome bowed in hum- 
 ble submission to him ; but he withdrew the besieging 
 thousands from the walls of his native city, alone at the 
 entreaties of his revered mother. 
 
 The man possessed of true merit, and lofty intellect, 
 coupled with goodness of heart, and integrity of pur- 
 pose, be he poor, or endowed with the wealth of a prince, 
 should alone be the ruler of a free people. If a tyrant 
 oppresses you, slay him — if kings strive to rule over 
 you, depose them. Never be contented to bow the head 
 of a freeman in the presence of a crowned prince. The 
 days of princes were ended when Christ appeared upon 
 earth. You are as good as a king. To-day he may 
 flourish, but to-morrow his subjects may drag him to the 
 scaffold. 
 
 But to proceed with our story. If we digress now 
 and then, we only imitate the example of those who are 
 our superiors in the art of composition. Our readers 
 become tired of the dull monotony of a bare narrative 
 — so do we — hence the digression. 
 
ROCKFORD. 141 
 
 Two boys who have been reared up together as broth- 
 ers, having received the same kind attentions from in- 
 dulgent parents, were never more unlike than Falkner 
 and Corolan. If there was nothing vicious and sordid 
 about the latter, he possessed but few or none of the 
 ennobling traits of the former. Falkner was an excep- 
 tion to the majority of boys of his age. If he read a 
 book, it was with care that he tried to profit by its wise 
 instructions. His father had so lectured him upon the 
 first principles of literature, that he was readily enabled 
 .to judge of the merits and demerits of any composition. 
 Nature seemed to have formed him for a scholar, and 
 his father intended to give him all the benefits of a lib- 
 eral education. Corolan should enjoy the same oppor- 
 tunities, too, though he might not profit thereby. 
 
 Some of our readers will remember that a promise 
 was made in the commencement of this book, that a va- 
 riety of scenes should be introduced to please all classes 
 of those who delight in reading romances. If we in- 
 troduce the wise teacher of those interesting boys, and 
 give a few of his "wise saws and modern instances," 
 will the reader grow tired ? We hope not. 
 
 " Yonder comes old Heflin now," said Corie to Falk- 
 ner, as the Manning family lingered at the breakfast 
 table one fine morning during vacation, "I do wonder 
 what the old crow wants now ? Come, master Falkner, 
 you and father rub up your Latin ; as for me, I p 
 enough of the old owl during school time. Good mora- 
 ing to you all; I'll just ride to the post office and get 
 father's papers." 
 
142 ROCKFORD. 
 
 " What a strange boy you are, Corie," said the father, 
 who was both amused and vexed at the remarks of his 
 son, "if dominie Heflin is an odd old man, he is a fine 
 teacher, and deserves your respect/' 
 
 " That is all true, father, but I shall love him better 
 when I have ceased to be one of his pupils. Falkner, 
 don't you crawl down his throat or let him carry you 
 off in one of those large pockets. If I were father I 
 would send you to live with the old fellow. If you have 
 any occasion to send all your silver and copper pieces 
 to his dirty, tow-headed children, like you have done be- - 
 fore, remember that Corie Manning has an equal share 
 in the contents of our trunk." 
 
 " You need not be alarmed, brother; I have not the 
 least desire to kneel to our good teacher, or to load him 
 with useless presents. You ought to remember how you 
 implore him to spare you when your laziness puts you 
 at the foot of the class." 
 
 The old dominie knocked at the front door ; and while 
 Falkner hastened to give him admission, Corie made his 
 escape into his mother's room, thence to the stables. 
 His father smiled as he saw him riding off at a brisk 
 speed in the direction of the post office. 
 
 Dominie Heflin was not so erudite as dominie Samp- 
 son, but he chose to display more of his learning than 
 that strange genius, who will be remembered as long as 
 Walter Scott's works are read, but he was more fond of 
 talking than Harry Bertram's tutor was. He could 
 never bear to remain silent. He retailed his wisdom at 
 every step he took. It mattered not who was the lis- 
 
ROCKFORD 143 
 
 tener, dominie Heflin — when once his text was taken — 
 never left off speaking until the subject was quite ex- 
 hausted. He was not like the young man who sought 
 an introduction to Madame de Stael. The extraordi- 
 nary lady rebuked him, and left him, because he could 
 not advance one idea, good or bad. If the domine had 
 lived in her circle, perhaps she might have been amused 
 with his strange pedantry. 
 
 He wore a long, black camlet oversack, which reach- 
 ed nearly to his feet. A pair of tight-fitting pants was 
 intercepted in their downward progress by stockings. 
 The old man wore his hair in a cue, and his head was 
 covered with a quaker-like hat of the olden time. The 
 Vicar of Wakefield and the dominie would have made a 
 pair. He was what might justly be termed a locomo- 
 tive encyclopedia, or a circulating library. 
 
 "Diem bonamtibi ojrto, master Falkner, sol sjrfendidc 
 fulgety kocHe," said the dominie, as he walked into the 
 parlor. 
 
 " G-audeo te valere, ,J said the boy, who had learned 
 some phrases from the master. 
 
 "Your humble servant, friend Manning," said the 
 delighted dominie, as he took his seat to commence a 
 four hour's chat, " time hangs so heavily upon my hands 
 at home during vacation, that I become heartily tired 
 of conversing with the 'gude wife and bairns,' inasmuch 
 as their ideas and mine run in pretty much the same 
 channel." 
 
 " You are heartily welcome, friend Heflin," said tin- 
 good Mr. Manning, "I am quite glad to see you at all 
 
144 ROCKFORD. 
 
 times. It gives me an opportunity of rubbing up my 
 Latin and Greek to talk with you. I am never better 
 employed than when engaged in advancing the interest 
 of education. I am not fond of a display of too much 
 pedantry, but an intellectual debate upon the ancient 
 classics is never out of place when we can benefit our 
 children by the conversation. Corie is not fond of his 
 books, but Falkner is never better satisfied than when 
 perusing the work of a classic author. Do you think 
 you can prepare Falkner for the Freshman class of 
 M University in two years?" 
 
 "By all means," replied the dominie, "he is quite 
 ready to commence reading Virgil, and by your consent 
 he shall immediately take up the study of Greek. Boys 
 are never prepared to commence the latter language un- 
 til they have mastered the rudiments of the Latin. It 
 is altogether a mistake, sir, to force a lad through the 
 course. They may be enabled, by constant application, to 
 memorize all the rules of those languages in a short space 
 of time, but whether they can retain what they so hastily 
 learn, is another thing. As I have told you before, 
 'Squire, the mind cannot be forced. It must imbibe 
 right reason by degrees. One chapter, or one book 
 well digested, is worth more to a boy than the incom- 
 plete understanding of the works of a dozen authors. 
 Let us prove it : we can only relate what we have 
 learned thoroughly, and make it intelligible to our hear- 
 ers. If the mind is burdened with a thousand different 
 things, the reasoning faculties will become obtuse." 
 
 " You are correct, dominie," said Mr. Manning, " a few 
 
ROCKFORD. 1lr 
 
 Wns t*elJ learned each day, will soon make up the 
 tund of a boy's education." 
 
 "True my friend," said the dominie, " that is exact] v 
 what I endeavor to teach my lads, non omm mvltum 
 Bed quam bene. There is another wise saying, which is 
 worth its weight in gold, labor omnia rincit. If I can 
 not teach a boy to observe all these wise- saying,, and 
 conform entirely to any precepts; 1 almost despair of 
 Ins ever arriving at proficiency. I exhaust every pos- 
 sible plan before I confess that I can not teach a boy 
 who has even common capacity. Some of the best and 
 most accurate scholars we read of, either in ancient or 
 modern times, were very dull boys. But patience and 
 pcrsevcrence on the part of their instructors, overcame 
 every obstruction. You must not be too uneasy about 
 the backwardness of Corolan. He has an excellent 
 mind, but lus ideas have not yet been reached. He is 
 averse to study. If he ever learns much, it must be 
 either voluntarily or from observation." 
 
 The dominie made use of many Latin. Greek ami 
 trench quotations during the conversation, which we 
 omit from the fact that many of our readers are not 
 linguists. Falkner was an atttentive listener and often 
 joined in the conversation. Mr. Manning knew that 
 he dominie was versed in English as well as Latin poc- 
 «y. in order to draw him out on some other subject 
 he changed the conversation. 
 
 "What are your ideas of happiness, dominie Heflin 
 said the host. 
 
 Ki 
 
146 ROCKFORD 
 
 "It exists as much in our imagination as in anything 
 else, I think," replied the teacher. 
 
 "Suppose we should imagine ourselves miserable?" 
 
 "Then, my friend, there is an end to the enigma; 
 for you may safely say that happiness is a riddle too." 
 (Aquam da milii, master Falkner.) 
 
 While the youth ordered a glass of water, the father 
 brought out the wine. At the sight of the cut glass 
 decanters and silver goblets, the eyes of the dominie 
 sparkled, and he almost forgot his enunciation of hap- 
 piness. 
 
 u Rogo te aquam, scd mihivinum das" and the dominie 
 drank the health of his friend in more than one glass. 
 The domine was upon the point of feeling a portion of 
 what some men call happiness, and he thus commenced: 
 
 " You ask my opinion in regard to happiness. I will 
 just quote a few lines from the bard of Twickenham: 
 
 • Oh, Happiness. 1 our being's end and aim, 
 Good, pleasure, ease, content 1 whate'er thy name : 
 That something still which prompts the eternal sigh, 
 For which we bear to live, or dare to die : 
 Which still so near us, yet beyond us lies, 
 O'erlooked, seen double, by the ibol and wise : 
 Plant of celestial seed 1 if dropped below, 
 Say in what mortal soil thou deign'st to grow ?' 
 
 Here we have what happiness is, and what it may 
 not be. We cannot deny that all men desire to exist 
 in a state of bliss, yet their mode of living may differ 
 as widely as the habits of the animals of the Torrid and 
 North Frigid Zones. The pleasure of this man may 
 consist in drinking and riotous living, while the enjoy- 
 
ROCKFORD. 147 
 
 ment of another may be exactly the reverse. One man 
 may love ease — another is not contented unless he is in 
 continual motion. We may have happiness within our 
 grasp, yet sigli for enjoyments which may lead to mis- 
 ery. Thus, you see, happiness is a myth, or a will-o- 
 the-wisp. It may be ever in sight, yet, like the mirage 
 of the desert, vanish into air as we approach it." 
 
 •'But, dominie," said the host, "are you not sure 
 that Pope was right in his deductions, or do you not 
 think he was melancholy at times, and longed for things 
 he did not need?" 
 
 "It is hard to tell/' said the patriarch of Academus, 
 "we must take a man's writings at what they are worth. 
 He has but few equals as an essayist, and no superiors 
 as an original thinker and correct versifier." 
 
 "Alexander Pope," rejoined Mr. Manning, "had 
 correct views upon any subject. If he had lived in 
 our day, when learning has received so many auxiliaries, 
 he would have left us a greater legacy than he has. 
 But let us look and see what he says further upon our 
 subject in point: 
 
 • Order is Heaven's first law ; and this confessed, 
 Some are. and must be, greater than the rest. 
 More rich, more wise : but who infers from hence 
 That such are happier, shocks all common sense.' 
 
 "Here, my good Heflin, we are assured that happi- 
 ness is not alone confined to the wealthy classes. It is 
 very natural for us to hear some men long for wealth, 
 while others, who are rich in heaps of gold, long for 
 the repose that is bought only by ;i competency. For 
 
J48 ROCKFORD. 
 
 the very reason that we are never satisfied, we may 
 rightly infer that happiness is only a relative term. — 
 When a limit shall have been placed to our desires, 
 then we may know how to appreciate happiness. I fear, 
 sometimes, it is like a humming-bird. It is almost a 
 miracle to catch one, and when you confine the little 
 Peri, it dies. To sum up the whole subject and place 
 it in a nut-shell, Happiness is Liberty." 
 
 The dominie was about to enter at large upon several 
 points, but the dinner-bell was heard, and the discussion 
 ended. 
 
 The meal was scarcely concluded, when one of the 
 servants entered the room hastily and told the master 
 that the black pony had come back without Corolan. 
 There was much confusion in the house for the next few 
 minutes. When Mrs. Manning had been sufficiently 
 quieted, her husband followed the dominie and Falkner, 
 who had taken some of the servants and gone in quest 
 of the missing boy. 
 
ROCKFORD. 14«) 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 When we least expect danger it is at our door. — 
 Though we may linger in the paths of pleasure and 
 gather flowers from all the hedges, yet a serpent may 
 He hidden in the rosy bower to inflict upon us the mor- 
 tal wound. Is it better for us to long for all the pleas- 
 ures of earth at once, and to expect the full train of evils 
 to flood in upon us in their natural course afterwards, 
 or to long for an alternation of the good and the evil ? 
 It is difficult for us to bring our minds to a right deci- 
 sion. 
 
 All things do not happen by chance, or the whole 
 fabric of the Christian religion would be overthrown. 
 It was necessary in olden times for prophecies to be 
 fulfilled, which gave some semblance to fatalism ; yet, 
 both Moral law and the light of reason dispell that in- 
 fatuation. If God moves in a mysterious way, it is not 
 for us to divine the cause, or demand the reason. 
 There are thousands of things — as we are taught — 
 which will not be revealed to us until the day of judg- 
 ment. Why cannot man discern all things ? Why is 
 it not given him to explore all the foundations of science '. 
 Was he not forbidden to eat of the fruit of the Tree of 
 Life ? Let us reason a while. Whv can not a man null 
 
150 ROCKFORD. 
 
 down a house from its firm foundations V Simply for 
 the reason that he is not an elephant. Why can he not 
 survey the starry Heavens and discover new planets 
 without the aid of a telescope ? Simply because the 
 Great I AM hath placed those bodies too far for his 
 vision to scan. 
 
 '' Why has not man a microscopic eye '. 
 For this plain reason : man is not a fly." 
 
 If the father of Corolan had known what evil would 
 have befallen his son, his influence and fatherly kind- 
 ness would have kept the boy a close prisoner at home. 
 But Mr. Manning was like the majority of men; \\v 
 was perfectly willing to trust to chance in some respect. 
 The paths that youth are compelled to tread are so be- 
 sprinkled with flowers and thorns, that every step is a 
 venture. But to our narrative. 
 
 Oorolan saddled the black pony, and having mounted, 
 rode off briskly in the direction of Oak-Lawn — the vil- 
 lage at which his father recieved his mails. As we have 
 before related, the boy had a will of his own. He was 
 possessed of a dauntless spirit, and if he took it into 
 his head to accomplish an object, he would never desist 
 from an endeavor until he had tried every expedient. 
 If he had possessed the same aptitude for his studies 
 that he did for sport and pleasure, Falkner would never 
 have supplanted him in the estimation of the dominie. 
 
 The principal object that Corie had in view on that 
 morning, was to rid himself of the presence of his 
 teacher, for whom he entertained no good will. He 
 
ROCKFORD 151 
 
 urged the pony into a canter — the submissive quad- 
 ruped obeyed. He pressed him to the utmost extent of 
 his speed — still the pony made no resistance. For two 
 miles the caprices of the boy vexed and tortured the 
 pony from the most tardy to the swiftest gait. 
 
 When Corolan had spent as much time at the office 
 as he desired, in playing marbles and ball with his ac- 
 quaintances, he applied for and received his father's 
 mail, and started towards home. When he had accom- 
 plished about one-half of the distance between the office 
 and his father's house, he endeavored to urge the pant- 
 ing pony into a full speed ; but the reluctant beast — 
 tired out with cruel treatment from his young master — 
 became restive and threw him upon the roadside. 
 
 When dominie Heflin and Falkncr approached the 
 spot where the unconscious boy lay, they were rejoiced 
 to discover that he was not dead. Mr. Manning arrived 
 soon with the family physician, whom he had happily 
 encountered on the road. Corolan was much bruised 
 and stunned by the fall, but it was uncertain as to the 
 extent of the injury. It was certain that he was seri- 
 ously, if not fatally injured. He was speedily conveyed 
 home and placed in his bed. Falkner could not be pre- 
 vailed upon to leave the bed-side of his brother ; and 
 the mother — after the first shock had passed — remained 
 by the unconscious Corolan as a ministering angel. 
 
 For several days and nights Corie suffered immensely, 
 yet he seemed perfectly unconscious of what was pass- 
 ing around him. If he spoke, it was to warn his school- 
 mates from trespassing upon his rights. Ft was evident 
 
152 ltOCKFOKI). 
 
 that, from a severe shock which the brain had received, 
 that sensitive organ had suffered seriously. The physi- 
 cian informed the parents that, with proper treatment 
 their son might recover in the course of a few weeks. 
 Falkner endeared himself still more to the parents by 
 his unremitting attentions to Corie. If cold cloths were 
 to be applied to the head of his brother, his willing 
 hands performed the task. He Avould sit for hours and 
 fan the fevered brow of his brother, and shed tears of 
 sorrow at poor Corie's misfortune. 
 
 If he was overcome with fatigue and constant vigils, 
 he could not be prevailed upon to leave the room, but 
 would seek repose upon a couch by Corie's bed-side. — 
 Blessed Falkner ! why should the dreams or the reali- 
 ties of life ever disturb the repose of one so pure as 
 thou wert ? 
 
 One night, when Corie had revived, and there was a 
 change in his condition for the better, Falkner — who 
 had not left the room during the entire day — extended 
 himself upon the couch and slept. At first he scarcely 
 moved ; but soon he became troubled as one in a fright- 
 ful dream. Let us relate his dream, as told to his fath- 
 er the next day : 
 
 He dreamed that he was a child, quite young. He 
 dwelt in a far-off clime. His lather and mother were 
 so fond of him, that they would scarcely permit him to 
 leave their presence. He dwelt with them in a large, 
 fine house — so unlike the one he had lived in so long. 
 All the furniture was of the most costly kind. He was 
 reminded of some scenes in the "Arabian Nights" — 
 
ROCKFORD. 153 
 
 yet, all the appearance of his dream had a semblance 
 of reality. He dreamed that lie was the owner of a 
 large dog and a small canine pet, with which his hours 
 were spent in much glee. The scene changed. He was 
 sailing upon what appeared to him a broad river, with 
 his father and mother. As the boat, cut the rolling 
 waves and the breeze fanned his infantile cheeks, he ex- 
 perienced sensations of pleasure. The scene changed 
 again. He was playing beside the shore of that broad 
 river with his nurse. Some fierce looking men landed 
 close beside him. They seized him, struggling in the 
 embraces of the nurse, and bore him off. So great was 
 the struggle in his bosom, that he awoke, exclaiming, 
 " Save me, father ! oh ! where is my mother ?" 
 
 Mr. Manning rushed to the couch, and raised the boy 
 up and observed that he was as pale as marble. 
 
 "Oh! father, where am IV exclaimed Falkner, "I 
 have had such a horrid dream/" 
 
 " Tray relate it, son," said the father, "I am troubled 
 to see you in such agony." 
 
 "Oh ! I shudder to think of it. I cannot tell you 
 now. Oh ! father, tell me, am I not your son ? At 
 times, of late, I have heard you speak words whose mean- 
 ing I have been at a loss to divine." 
 
 " Falkner, I should be a miserable man indeed, did I 
 not esteem you more than a son. Come to this bosom, 
 darling of my soul! Sleep, Falkner, go to your bed ; 
 mother and I will watch by the couch of Corie. You 
 have much need of rest-" 
 
154 KOCKFORD. ' 
 
 In a few days Corie was so much better that he was 
 enabled to walk out upon the lawn, supported by the 
 strong arm of his brother. Falkner was perfectly de- 
 lighted to see the great improvement in the condition of 
 his brother. 
 
 Day by day health and strength returned to Corie, 
 and by the time vacation was at an end, the brothers 
 were tired of sport, and joyfully resumed their studies 
 under the astute supervision of the wise dominie Heflin. 
 
 Two years passed away, and still the brothers were 
 at school. Falkner was now prepared for college. He 
 was tall, muscular and active. His face was almost 
 effeminately beautiful, while his dark, auburn hair rest- 
 ed in many a curl upon his shoulders. His soft, blue 
 eye gave tokens of a greater degree of intelligence than 
 is usually possessed by boys of his age. 
 
 Corie had not improved much in books, but he had 
 grown rapidly. His disposition had slightly changed 
 for the better. He had ceased to hate the dominie, and 
 had learned to love Falkner. Within a few weeks it 
 was decided that Falkner should be sent to the Univer- 
 sity of M , only a few days' travel from home. As 
 
 there was a preparatory school attached to the Univer- 
 sity, Corie, who had expressed a willingness to attend 
 his brother, was to be Falkner' s companion. 
 
 While Mrs. Manning is preparing for the departure 
 of the sons, we will relate a. few events which may not 
 be uninteresting to the reader. 
 
ROCKFORD. 155 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 If we are particular at all times to respect the opin- 
 ions of our friends, we will not be obliged to make use- 
 less apologies. The ancient philosophers supposed that 
 next to wisdom, silence was the most commendable of 
 virtues. If it were possible for our friends to remain 
 silent and let our own actions speak for us, we might 
 often be relieved of a world of trouble. Those who 
 seek after popular favor are too often extolled to the 
 skies by senseless wights whose opinions are worth not 
 a sous, while the meritorious remain in comparative ob- 
 scurity. It was thus the case with poor dominie Heflin. 
 who had more talent than one in a thousand of those 
 good men who are devoting their time and talents to 
 the education of youth. He had remained in the back- 
 ground so long that it seemed as second nature to him 
 to court obscurity. If he had been puffed by the press, 
 as some are now-a-days who have not the scintilla of merit, 
 it might have destroyed his usefulness. Besides being 
 a very fine scholar, and a teacher whose merit was at 
 least appreciated by those who were directly interested, 
 lie could survey land, draw up deeds, transcribe ac- 
 counts, and, upon a pinch, write wills. 
 
 If the good dominie was not reaping the rich reward 
 of his merits in this world, he was laying up his treasure 
 
156 ItOCKFORD. 
 
 in Heaven — where neither moth nor rust can corrupt — 
 where thieves do not break through and steal. He 
 had surely performed his duty in teaching Falkner and 
 Corie. If the first-named had gained much by his wise 
 instructions, the second at least remembered some of 
 the wise tenets. 
 
 We said that the boys were nearly upon the point of 
 leaving for the University. Several days were wanting 
 to fill up the space ere the day appointed for their de- 
 parture would arrive. The events of an hour or of a 
 day may decide the fate of an empire, or may raise or 
 lower a man who is struggling for supremacy. 
 
 One evening while the family were seated at the sup- 
 per-table, one of the servants came hastily into the 
 house and stated that a man had been found in a faint- 
 ing condition not far from the front gate. It was sup- 
 posed by the servants that he had been thrown from his 
 horse, as his traveling sack had been found not far 
 from where he lay ; and it was not at all probable that 
 a man so well clad as the unfortunate, would be found 
 performing his journeys on foot. 
 
 Mr. Manning and his sons left the table in haste, to 
 go to the relief of the man. They were followed by 
 the good domine, who happened to be spending the eve- 
 ning with the boys, just upon the eve of their departure. 
 
 Falkner being the swiftest of the party, arrived first 
 at the place where the wounded man lay. He raised 
 his head from the ground and discovered that the blood 
 was issuing from a wound which had doubtless been 
 caused by his head coming in contact with a hard sub- 
 
ROCKFORD. 257 
 
 stance upon the road-side. The man was evidently too 
 weak to hold conversation with the party, and was im- 
 mediately taken to the house. 
 
 Falkner was forthwith dispatched for the family phy- 
 sician, who resided but a short distance from the home- 
 stead. While he was absent, the stranger was divested 
 of his apparel, and placed in a comfortable bed. Mr. 
 Manning had some experience in the treatment of 
 wounds and the management of invalids. The expert- 
 ness of the good dominie in staunching the blood and 
 applying bandages to the head of the unconscious man. 
 proved that he was equal to any emergency. 
 
 "What a finely formed man this is, friend Manning,'' 
 said the classical dominie. "His hair, though partial- 
 ly gray, has the appearance of having been of a beau- 
 tiful black color. Look at his handsome features. Old 
 age has not made this havoc ; grief or dissipation has 
 taken time by the forelock." 
 
 "True, dominie," said the good man," circumstances, 
 at times, hasten the flight of old age. Have you not 
 read of men who have grown gray in one night?" 
 
 "I have, but those instances arc rare. I read of a 
 man whose occupation was that of gathering the eggs 
 of birds which build their nests in the clefts of rocks 
 upon the sides of mountains and yawning precipices. 
 They were compelled at times to obtain the object of 
 their pursuit by perilous adventures. The father of the 
 boys, upon one occasion, was lowered several hundred 
 feet by a rope, in order that he might obtain the eggs 
 of numerous birds. He had despoiled the nests of many 
 
158 ROOKFOKD. 
 
 of their treasures, not neglecting to break in upon the 
 sanctity of the retreat of an eagle. The signal had been 
 given for his sons to draw him up. He was gradually 
 rising to the top of the steep precipice, when the mother 
 eagle attacked him with all the fury of her bellicose 
 nature. Drawing a hunting knife which he wore, 
 concealed in a sheath, he dispatched the bird, but 
 in so doing, he almost severed the cord by which he 
 swung. It is said that he was perfectly gray when he 
 was taken, fainting, from the noose in the rope, by 
 his sons." 
 
 Just at this moment Falkner entered the room, follow- 
 ed by Doctor Gillis. A description of this singular in- 
 dividual may not be out of place. He was a man just 
 above the medium height, rather thickly set. Judging 
 from the wrinkles that illustrated his swarthy face, he 
 might have been on the shady side of forty. His eyes 
 were of a yellowish gray, and his head was nearly bald. 
 His sandy whiskers were sprinkled with many gray ones. 
 His clothes were cut after the most approved style, 
 but his awkward gait and rustic air plainly indicated 
 that he had not been used to fine apparel. He had evi- 
 dently learned all his manners from observation. 
 
 "Good evening, Col. Manning," said the doctor. 
 " Your obedient servant, professor Heflin." Here the 
 doctor raised his gold-headed cane full in view of the 
 company, and handing it and his hat to Corie, desired 
 him to place them in one of the outer rooms. Pulling 
 off his kid gloves, and taking a pinch of snuff from his 
 silver snuff-box, this disciple of JEsculapius was pre- 
 vailed upon to take a seat. 
 
ROCKFORD. 159 
 
 4 * Whom have we here, Col. Manning, that needs 
 medical aid ? Have you learned the circumstances by 
 which he came to this accident ? Have his wounds bled 
 profusely ? Do his pains seem to be acute ? " 
 
 "B is difficult to answer all your queries at once, 
 doctor ; please examine him, and apply what remedies 
 you can." 
 
 '•But, Col. Manning," said the doctor, "it is entirely 
 necessary to ask all these questions before we can diag- 
 nose a case. If iEsculapius himself were present — 
 with all the remedies known to the healing art, or if I 
 possessed all the healing herbs known to the wise an- 
 cients — nothing could be done for a patient without a 
 proper knowledge of his disease. You are aware, also. 
 Colonel, that the ancients were ignorant as to the use 
 of the lancet. It was never thought the blood circu- 
 lated, until Harvey demonstrated it conclusively to 
 King Charles the First. When our class graduated, 
 Colonel, in the city of Philadelphia, just twenty years 
 ago, last June " 
 
 "Do, if you please," interposed the Colonel, "go to 
 the bed-side of the stranger and see what he needs. I 
 do not desire to have a lecture upon Anatomy, Pathol- 
 ogy or Surgery. You have told me all of those things 
 more than one hundred times." 
 
 • k Sir," said the doctor, much offended, " the fraternity 
 of which I am a member should have some deference 
 shown them. Do you suppose we burn the midnight 
 lamp in vain I Do you consider the researches we 
 make in science, nothing: Question-, sir, questions 
 
160 ROCKFORD. 
 
 should be answered when put upon abstruse subjects." 
 
 "I beg pardon, doctor," said Mr. Manning, "but I do 
 not see why you should make so much delay. Be kind 
 enough to step to the bed-side and examine the patient." 
 
 The doctor being thus importuned, and having car- 
 ried his point — which was to make a display of his 
 learning before the dominie — went to the bed-side of 
 the wounded man and felt of his pulse, which he re- 
 ported as indicating much fever. 
 
 " Please request Mrs. Manning to send me some do- 
 mestic goods for bandages, a plate, knife and spoon, 
 and some warm water." 
 
 When those things were brought, the invincible knight 
 of the pill-box divested himself of his coat, rolled up 
 his sleeves, and made awful preparations for a display 
 of medical skill. A small side-table was placed before 
 him, and his saddle-bags were brought in by the ever- 
 attentive Falkner. 
 
 "Now, Corie," said the doctor, "bring me a small 
 quantity of treacle." 
 
 "A small quantity of what?" said the boy. 
 
 " Treacle, my lad; do you not know what treacle is V ' 
 
 "I do not, sir," said the boy, "perhaps brother Falk- 
 ner knows, he is about to leave for College. " 
 
 "It is molasses, brother," said Falkner, "you are so 
 fond of it and do not know the several names under 
 which it is known ! ' ' 
 
 "If folks would use fewer big words and more plain 
 English," said the boy, "we would have less use for 
 wise doctors and learned teachers." 
 
ROCKFORD. 161 
 
 The doctor called for twenty things in a few minutes. 
 Falkner and Corie w T ere heartily tired of running to 
 their mother for lint, pins, salve, thread, flannel, sugar 
 and milk. 
 
 Mr. Manning and the dominie were afraid to open 
 their mouths, dreading that the descendant of the god 
 of the healing art would launch off into learned disqui- 
 sitions upon Epilepsy, Catalepsy, or Hydrophobia. — 
 Dr. Gillis thrust his pen-knife into a dozen vials, and 
 extracted from each a small quantity of powder. In 
 a very mysterious manner — known only to medical 
 men — he mixed up a small compound, (thanks to the 
 all-absorbing treacle ;) having rolled it out to the proper 
 length, he cut the compound into a dozen fearfully look- 
 ing slugs, which were hastily formed into globules. An 
 eye-witness would have pronounced them pills. 
 
 Oh ! gentle reader, if you have the same horror of 
 pills that Ave have, the very sight of a little round box 
 with red sides, blue top and white bottom, will disturb 
 your nerves. 
 
 The doctor looked up with a self-satisfied air, as much 
 as to say, what a wonderful thing is the science of Phar- 
 macy. He next mixed up several vial-fulls of mysteri- 
 ous liquids. 
 
 "Now, friend Manning," said the man of science, 
 "let us examine the wounds of the stranger." 
 
 "With pleasure," said the host, whose patience had 
 
 long since grown threadbare. "We should have done 
 
 that at first, but doctors must have their way.'' 
 
 The doctor, when he had exploded all hi- _;;»s. was 
 11 
 
162 ROCKFOKD. 
 
 expert enough. The bandages which the good dominie 
 had applied were removed, and the wound was washed 
 and properly dressed. When the doctor left, the patient 
 was in a calm sleep. The dominie and Falkner con- 
 sented to watch by his bed-side, and administer the med- 
 icines at the proper time. 
 
 
ROCKFORD. 103 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 Blessed is he that invented sleep — says some author 
 — it Wrappeth one up as with a blanket. We can truly 
 say that doubly blessed is he who hath an opportunity 
 to sleep, and a good bed to lie upon. It is certain that 
 all of God's creatures do not enjoy healthy sleep ; nor 
 is it within the power of every one to recline upon n 
 downy bed. Two of the sweetest bards that England 
 has ever produced, were so indigent that they could not 
 afford to rent rooms for lodgings. When the cafes were 
 closed at night, those authors with seedy garments, 
 ^Yere compelled to walk the streets of London until 
 dawn, unless generous friends invited them to their 
 houses. The great Fielding, whose quaint, classic style 
 of composition has rarely if ever been excelled, was so 
 beset with bailiffs and other pliant officers of the law, 
 that he could find but little rest either by night or day 
 Doctor Samuel Johnson, the wonder of his age, whose 
 articles in the Rambler set London in a blaze, was so 
 improvident of what money his great genius earned for 
 him, that he was frequently without the common neces- 
 saries of life. 
 
 Some authors suppose that an evil conscience* tuua 
 many barriers to the incursions of Morpheus; but such 
 is not the case in every instance. Many ;t malefactor^ 
 
164 ROCKFORD 
 
 whose cruel hands have been imbrued in the blood of 
 innocent victims, has slept soundly on the night pre- 
 vious to his execution. 
 
 Ill health, a hearty supper, the want of exercise, and 
 irregular habits, will banish sleep from the eyelids of 
 us all, whether we have good or evil consciences. 
 
 The stranger, whom chance had cast as an inmate in 
 the house of Mr. Manning so unexpectedly to the mem- 
 bers of the household, slept soundly and sweetly — 
 (thanks to the good quality of the medicinal potations 
 left in charge of the dominie and the tender-hearted 
 Falkner.) The dominie, whose thirty years' occupation 
 as teacher had taught him to sleep in his chair in an 
 upright position, when the hour at which he usually re- 
 tired arrived, could not keep himself awake. He placed 
 his hands over his eyes as if endeavoring to induce the 
 belief that he was in a state of meditation. Falkner 
 was too well acquainted with his habits to believe that 
 the good dominie was awake, when every signal he made 
 was an indication that he w T as in the quiet retreat of 
 Morpheus. 
 
 When the boy was warned by the significant strokes 
 of the clock, that the hour had approached for the 
 stranger to take his medicine, the good dominie was 
 easily aroused from his meditative slumbers by a gentle 
 touch. 
 
 " Carissime puer, dormiebam," would be the only ex- 
 clamation the sage would be heard to utter. He would 
 rouse himself from his slumbers and exert all his efforts 
 to assist the boy in performing the goodly task of ad- 
 ministering the medicine of the renowned Gillis. 
 
K0CKF0K1) KJ5 
 
 What a strange picture was there presented to an ob- 
 server ! Old age, with all the respect that is due it, 
 was represented in the person of dominie Heflin. Mid- 
 dle age, or the prime of life, was truly impersonated in 
 the character of the unknown, who lay stretched upon 
 the bed of affliction. Everything that is concentrated in 
 youth, hope and happiness, was impersonified in the 
 person of the gifted youth, who sat by the bed-side of 
 the sick man. 
 
 Falkner had arrived at the period of life when his 
 mind had commenced expanding. He had read most 
 of the works of the authors whose instructions arc 
 sought after. He longed to mingle with those whose 
 path led to the temple of Fame. The instructions he 
 had recieved from his teacher and from his dear father, 
 were of such a character that he was not enabled to 
 pause or linger by the wayside. 
 
 The good dominie slept, because it was his nature to 
 do so. He could not have maintained the wakefulness 
 of the watchful Falkner, because he had arrived at the 
 period of life when age must succumb to the force of 
 circumstances. 
 
 The map of life was spread out before our hero, with 
 all its phases of good and evil. He thought it within 
 his power to choose between the two extremes. Still 
 there was an incubus which weighed upon his mind. — 
 He had been early taught to consider that every man 
 held his happiness in his own hands. If chance should 
 cast the weight of the balances in his favor, it seemed 
 as if Fate were upon his side : but might it not be mor- 
 
166 ItOCKFORD. 
 
 ally true that the affairs of men are not entirely di 
 rected by chance ? 
 
 The dominie slept as sweetly as ever he did in the 
 halls of academus, Falkner smiled to see how the 
 good man endeavored to make it appear that he was only 
 in a meditative mood. 
 
 Falkner had arrived at that interesting period of life 
 when the mind is most active and the intellect is not 
 allowed to slumber. It was not his intention to remain 
 idle while there remained a chance for him to improve 
 his mind or to render himself useful to his fellow man. 
 Even whilst he watched by the bed of the unfortunate 
 man, he held a useful volume in his hands. 
 
 When the sick man was restless, the good boy was by 
 his side in an instant to attend to his wants. The 
 cooling drink was handed him by the attentive boy, 
 while the aged dominie slumbered in his easy chair. 
 The cold cloths were applied to the brow of the sick 
 man by the same tender hands ; and when day dawned 
 the vigilant boy was relieved from his watchful post by 
 Mr. Manning. 
 
 It is not exactly certain how long the good teacher 
 would have slumbered, had not the golden rays of the 
 morning sun aroused the erudite sage from his dreams. 
 When he rubbed his eyes, and observed that Falkner 
 was not present, he expressed some surprise ; but the 
 good dominie soon reflected that if there was any vir- 
 tue attendant upon the vigils of the past night, himself 
 would share but little of it. 
 
 Mr. Manning had learned from his beloved boy that 
 
ROCKFORD. 167 
 
 the medicine had been regularly administered to the 
 patient, (thanks to the watchfulness of Falkner.) But 
 in order to cater to the vanity of the old teacher, Mr., 
 Manning could not refrain from passing some compli- 
 ments upon his good offices to the invalid. 
 
 When the dominie sought his home on that morning 
 after breakfast, the astute Corolan ventured the remark 
 that the teacher had imposed upon the goodness of his 
 brother Falkner. He knew that it was a matter of im- 
 possibility for the teacher to maintain his watchfulness 
 even by day. If the sick man had received any atten- 
 tions at all, it was certain that dominie Heflin had not 
 been a voluntary agent in rendering them. 
 
 The horse of the invalid had been arrested not far 
 from the house by one of the servants. It was a mat- 
 ter of conjecture as to the social standing of the un- 
 known ; yet, there would be time enough for the host to 
 make all necessary enquiries when the convalescence of 
 the guest would render it expedient. 
 
 In a very few days the stanger had improved so rap- 
 idly, that it was no longer necessary for him to remain 
 in bed. He was a man of great intelligence, and was 
 competent to interest his youthful acquaintances who 
 sought his company. Corie was as much delighted at 
 his anecdotes as Falkner was interested in his descrip- 
 tions of his extensive travels. 
 
 k ^Day by day the invalid's health improved ; still Falk- 
 ner was his constant companion. One evening, when 
 they were walking in the grove in front of the house, 
 the following conversation passed between them : 
 
168 ROCKFORD. 
 
 "You say that you are about fifteen years of age. 
 Falkner, and have resided at this place from your in- 
 fancy. Have you no recollections of having dwelt at 
 another home ? " 
 
 "I am at a loss to comprehend the nature of your 
 enquiry," said the boy, " my father has been one of the 
 most indulgent of parents, whose love to me has been 
 unbounded. Pray tell me why you have propounded 
 the question? " 
 
 "I cannot tell you now, Falkner," said the stranger, 
 "we often propound questions which have but little or 
 no relevancy to the subject of conversation, yet subse- 
 quent events may bring obscure points to light." 
 
 "You distress me, sir," said the boy, grasping his 
 companion by the arm, "pray do not tantalize me with 
 wanton insinuations. If you know anything of my 
 early history, of which I am totally ignorant, in the 
 name of God, relieve my anxiety. I am prepared to 
 listen to any revelation, however disagreable it may be." 
 
 "Falkner," said the stranger, whose dark eyes beam- 
 ed with a melancholy pleasure, as they rested upon the 
 boy, "there are some revelations we cannot make except 
 at the proper time. Do not allow what I have said to 
 distress you. It is true, you may think it unkind in me 
 to withhold from you that which it might be imprudent 
 in me to reveal. You see before you a stranger whom 
 your unremitting attentions during his illness, have 
 greatly endeared to you. Promise me faithfully that 
 you will reveal no part of this conversation to your fath- 
 er, or to any other person." 
 
ROCKFORD. 169 
 
 "If there is any truth in your insinuations, I can see 
 no impropriety in asking my father for a full explana- 
 tion upon every point relative to myself." 
 
 "Believe me, my young friend," resumed the stranger, 
 "it is better for you to make me the promise I request. 
 You are young yet, and do not know the ways of the 
 world. I would not fill thy young mind with sorrow 
 for the wealth of Croesus. Do you see that star which 
 the paling rays of the setting sun have given to our 
 sight ? Whilst the great lamp of day illumined the 
 world, the inferior planets held no sway, yet the rays 
 of that star have not been less brilliant. But see, as 
 the sun hides his head behind the horizon, and the soft, 
 mellow tints of the twilight are shed around us, each 
 one of the small planets come out and sparkle with crys- 
 taline delight. Everything has been made by God for 
 some wise purpose. We cannot foresee our own desti- 
 nies ; yet it is better for us to bide our time. Will you 
 promise me not to relate what has occurred between us 
 this evening ?"' 
 
 "It is strange that you should make such a request, 
 my dear friend," said Falkner, "and I am at a great loss 
 to comprehend you; still, if it is your desire — and 
 doubtless you have your reasons — I will conceal my sus- 
 picions in my bosom." 
 
 "Noble boy," said the stranger, "take this, and wear 
 it for my sake ; it may, at some time act as an amulet 
 to you." 
 
 Falkner received a beautiful gold chain, to which was 
 
 attached a medal. The letters "C. R." were engraved 
 upon it. 
 
170 ROCKFORD. 
 
 "Tell me your name," said Falkner, "I have never 
 before asked it." 
 
 " Conrad Rodman — and if you should ever be re- 
 duced to the necessity of calling upon a friend for as- 
 sistance, address me at H *" 
 
ROCKFORD. 171 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 A few days subsequent to the one on which the 
 conversation occurred between Falkner and Rodman, 
 the latter departed from the hospitable mansion of Mr. 
 Manning. He placed a letter in the hands of Mr. Man- 
 ning, having exacted a promise from him that the seal 
 should remain unbroken for the space of five years. — 
 This, thought Mr. Manning, was a strange request ; yet, 
 he yielded to the urgent solicitations of Rodman, and 
 the packet was carefully placed in a private drawer of 
 his writing desk. 
 
 Mr. Manning was troubled in his mind. He suspect- 
 ed that the letter had especial reference to Falkner, 
 who was as dear to him as his own son Corolan. Was 
 Rodman the father of Falkner ? and had chance thus 
 thrown the father and son together ? He formed a reso- 
 lution to conceal from Falkner the fact that he was a 
 foundling. He would make no revelations to the dea2- 
 boy until he had taken his degree at the University. 
 He fondly trusted that he would be enabled to explore 
 the mystery before Falkner attained his majority. 
 
 The trunks of the boys were carefully packed by the 
 good mother, whose tears of affection had bedewed the 
 nice garments as she folded them and laid them in their 
 proper places. 
 
172 ROUKFORI). 
 
 "I wonder why that black imp does not bring out the 
 carriage," said Corolan, "here we have been waiting 
 more than an hour. Master Falkner will cry his eyes 
 out at parting with papa, if we do not hasten away from 
 this place. Falkner, stay here with papa, and learn to 
 be a farmer. You are already farther advanced in book 
 learning than I ever expect to be, yet I am anxious to 
 travel some." 
 
 "You must try and exercise more patience, my dear 
 boy," said his father. "I have ordered the driver to 
 wash the carriage and grease the wheels carefully. If 
 you had as much love for your father as your brother 
 exhibits upon all occasions, my cup of bliss would be 
 full." 
 
 "Ah ! father, you think I do not love you because I 
 am too shame-faced to hug and kiss you and follow you 
 up, as brother Falkner does. It is as much as I can 
 do to let mother devour me with a thousand kisses each 
 day." 
 
 "Promise me, Corie," said his mother, "that you 
 will be a good boy, and listen to the advice of your 
 brother. He loves you more tenderly than you do him. 
 Oh ! Corie, learn to imitate his good example and stu- 
 dious habits, and you will gladden the heart of your 
 mother." 
 
 "I see the driver is coming with the carriage," said 
 the father. "Here is your purse, Falkner ; you will find 
 in it enough money to pay your college bills for one 
 year. You must give Corie some pocket-change as he 
 requires it ; but I need not advise you to be economical. 
 
ROCKFORD. 173 
 
 Good-bye, my sons ; write to me as soon as you get to 
 the University." 
 
 The mother kissed the boys and shed many tears at 
 their departure. Corie would have given birth to a few 
 tears himself, but he had none to shed. As the carriage 
 moved off, he thrust his head from the window and re- 
 quested his father not to let black Dick ride his pony 
 too hard. He wanted his fishing-poles kept in their 
 proper place in the carriage house. Falkner was too 
 sad to enjoy the rattling conversation of Corie. He 
 was leaving his father, whom he almost worshipped. 
 
 " Come, brother, dry up those tears ; you cannot ex- 
 pect to be with papa always. He has placed me in your 
 charge, but if you are to cry after this style, I shall 
 think that you arc not a safe guardian.'" 
 
 u Oh ! Corie, you are so unkind. Have you no ten- 
 derness in your nature ? You parted with father and 
 mother as carelessly as if you expected to be gone but 
 a few da vs." 
 
 "Master Falkner, you may yet learn some valuable 
 lessons from me. I do not care much for books, and I 
 rltank my stars that I have but little of the girl's na- 
 ture. You will pore upon the pages of a dry book as 
 if your life depended upon your learning its musty con- 
 tents. You have spent enough time in drawing and 
 painting to have made you an adept in each branch of 
 the art. Do you suppose that papa is a-going to let you 
 set up as a painter or drawing master?'" 
 
 "You wrong painters and drawing masters, brother 
 Corie, if you intend to cast a slur upon their professions. 
 
174 ROCKFORD. 
 
 If I thought I could arrive at distinction as an artist, 
 and father should happen to lose his fortune, I do not 
 suppose there would be any impropriety in my ' setting 
 up' as a painter." 
 
 "You misapprehend me, master Falkner ; it is not 
 my intention to wrong any man wilfully. I should feel 
 very sorry indeed to see you laboring in a close room 
 with the brush and pencil- As for me, I love the sun- 
 shine and the cold, piercing winds. I am not disposed 
 to addle my brains by hard study. I care more for my 
 dogs, and gun, and fishing tackle, than for the knowl- 
 edge that is contained in all the books in the world." 
 
 "It seems, Corie, that you are perfectly regardless 
 of the wishes of father and mother. They desire to 
 see you a studious boy. Why do you act so ? You can 
 learn anything if you will only apply your mind to the 
 task. I shall be very much displeased with your con- 
 duct if you prove as inattentive to the instructions of 
 the teachers of the preparatory school as you have been 
 heretofore." 
 
 " Why do you wish to force me to study hard books 
 against my will? Do you ever expect to derive much 
 benefit from your incessant labor in translating Latin 
 and Greek ? I can read and write tolerably well, and 
 with a few extra accomplishments, which I hope to gath- 
 er by way of observation, I shall not despair of making 
 the most of life." 
 
 When the boys arrived at the town where they pro- 
 posed to take passage in the stage, the carriage was 
 sent back home. The stage was not expected to leave 
 
 
ROCKFORD. 175 
 
 until towards night, and the lads had ample time to take 
 a stroll through the town. Falkner endeavored to point 
 out the objects of interest to his brother, who was per- 
 fectly delighted with everything he saw. How happy, 
 thought Corie, must they be who dwell in this beautiful 
 place ! 
 
 " Look, brother Falkner, at that church yonder I 
 what is the use of that small house upon the top of it, 
 which runs up to so sharp a point ? We have no such 
 churches in our old dull neighborhood. We are only 
 twenty miles from home, yet father has never thought 
 proper to let us come here before. If I do not improve 
 my time and see some strange sights before I return 
 home, then you may call me a dull boy.'' 
 
 "Look out, Corie," said Falkner, "those horses will 
 tramp you under their feet. You must not stand gaz- 
 ing idly at one object so long, or folks will think that 
 vou have never seen a town before." 
 
 " People will think entirely right, brother, for we 
 have been kept at home like close prisoners. Look at 
 those beautiful chains in the window of that watch- 
 maker's shop. I see one almost exactly like the one 
 Mr. Rodman gave you." 
 
 " They are pretty indeed, Corie ; if you will be eco- 
 nomical, and not spend the money mother gave you, too 
 lavishly, I will put by some of mine and we will pur- 
 chase one for you." 
 
 Every one that saw those interesting boys, was struck 
 with the beauty and manly bearing of the one, and the 
 independent, but easy manners of the other. When they 
 
176 ROCKFORD. 
 
 informed those who interrogated them that they were 
 on their way to college, they were kindly assisted in 
 purchasing their tickets. Corie was as much delighted 
 at the idea of riding in the stage as Falkner was of 
 knowing that he would soon be at the University, where 
 he could apply all his energies to the acquisition of 
 knowledge. The stage was crowded, but the boys ob- 
 tained as good seats as any of the passengers. Corie 
 was very talkative ; but when the night was far advanc- 
 ed, he stretched himself upon the breast of his brother 
 and slept as sweetly as if he had been in his own bed. 
 
 The good boy extended a parental care over his 
 brother. He held him fast in his arms to protect him 
 from harm. 
 
 " Bless your soul ! " murmured Falkner, "you have 
 but little love for any person, but for mother's sake I 
 will protect you with my life. You shall want for noth- 
 ing if it is in my power to assist you." 
 
 The attentions of the good boy did not escape the 
 observation of the passengers. One of them said to 
 Falkner : 
 
 "You take great care of your brother, I see." 
 
 "It is my duty," said the boy, " we are going to col- 
 lege, and mother has entrusted him to my care. If any 
 harm should befall him, I would be loth to see the face 
 of mother again. He desired so much to come with me 
 that I consented to become his protector." 
 
 "You are a noble youth," said the elderly man, who 
 had taken quite a fancy to Falkner. "I would give all 
 the wealth I possess if I had a son like you. A long 
 
ROCKFORD 177 
 
 time ago I had a fair-haired boy stolen from me. I 
 loved him so tenderly that I could scarcely trust him 
 out of my sight. I have searched for him diligently 
 over the United States — still my eyes have not yet rested 
 upon him. I have received anonymous letters stating 
 
 that my son was living" Here the grief of the 
 
 noble looking man — who was probably about fifty years 
 of age — choked up his utterance. 
 
 " How unfortunate !" said Falkner. " I trust you may 
 yet recover your son. Have you no other children?" 
 
 I have not, my lad, but we have adopted a daughter 
 of one of our deceased friends. She is beautiful and 
 charming, but can the place of my son be filled ? What 
 is your name ?" 
 
 "Falkner Manning," said the boy. " My father 
 dwells at Oak-Lawn, in the county of S ." 
 
 The conversation between Falkner and the stranger 
 was very interesting and entertaining, especially to the 
 latter, who, on parting with the boy, declared to a friend 
 that he was the most interesting youth he had ever seen. 
 
 Falkner and Corolan arrived at their destination in 
 two days from the time they started from home. The 
 good youth had been so well prepared, (thanks to the 
 kindness of dominie Hcflin,) that he entered the Fresh- 
 man class very easily. Coric was entered as an acade- 
 mician. He was permitted to share the room of his 
 brother. If Corie had been delighted with the large 
 towns and small villages he had passed through, he was 
 completely charmed at the appearance of the magnifi- 
 12 
 
178 110CKF0HD. 
 
 cent edifices on the Campus. Falkner had much diffi- 
 culty in directing the attention of his brother to his 
 books. When he had arranged his room and been re- 
 ceived as a regular student of the University, he wrote 
 the following letter to his father : 
 
JiOCKFOllD. X79 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 4t University of M , August 1st, 18 — . 
 
 "My dear and much beloved father : Brother Coric 
 has just ceased his noise in the room, and is making 
 preparations for retiring. It is with unfeigned pleasure 
 that I attempt to write an epistle to you. Be so kind, 
 dear father, as to excuse any imperfections that you may 
 find in this letter, as it is the first I have ever attempted 
 to write to you. I can now appreciate some of the lec- 
 tures the good dominie used to deliver to our class upon 
 the subject of composition. I was too young to com- 
 prehend the meaning of the technical terms the good 
 man made use of, but his tuition, even upon those ab- 
 struse subjects, may yet benefit me. 
 
 "It has been scarcely ten days since I parted with 
 you, yet it seems as if an age had passed since that 
 time. I thought I loved you dearly while at home, but 
 my affection has increased doubly of late. Corie has 
 been advising me by all means to abandon the idea of 
 remaining here and return immediately to your em- 
 braces. It is childish in me to be writing to you in any 
 -such style but I can not help it. 
 
 " To say that I am pleased with the University and ev- 
 erything appertaining to it, is but to confess the truth. 
 I have a finely furnished room, with as many useless 
 
180 ROCKFORD. 
 
 luxuries as your fatherly care allows me at home. — 
 Oorie sometimes desires extra attention, but I have 
 assured him that I would not consent to spend more 
 money than is absolutely necessary ; therefore I have 
 only engaged the services, together with the aid of sev- 
 eral of the students, of one negro, whom the Faculty 
 permit to wait upon the students. 
 
 "I must give you a short description of my examina- 
 tion. When I had presented myself for admission, the 
 old professors, (bless their wise pates !) ogled me through 
 spectacles which seemed to possess the sense of seeing. 
 E could scarcely withstand the gaze of the wise men ; 
 but I tried with my utmost powers to preserve my equa- 
 nimity. How my timid heart throbbed when, in com- 
 pany with forty boys, I was called upon to recite. My 
 tongue became dry and silent. I could scarcely articu- 
 late one word ; but, remembering your advice, I com- 
 posed myself, and commenced reading one of the 
 Eclogues of Virgil. I was even surprised at my own 
 success, and when I sat down I perceived that the pro- 
 fessor who was conducting the examination was pleased 
 with my effort. I had but little difficulty in convincing 
 each one of the Faculty that I was prepared for entry 
 into the Freshman class. 
 
 "I have some difficulty [in keeping brother in our room 
 at night ; yet I trust by entreaties and promises he may 
 disappoint our expectations. Corie has some pride, and 
 if I can operate upon that, I shall not despair of suc- 
 ceeding in arresting^his attention and directing it to his 
 books. 
 
ROCKFORD. jg-j 
 
 ik I have engaged a gentleman who gives lessons in 
 painting, to instruct me. I am heartily delighted with 
 his tuition, and trust that I may he enahlcd to paint your 
 and mother's portraits when I come home in vacation. 
 If you think the expense is unnecessary, the painter's 
 instructions shall he instantly dispensed with. 
 
 " Kiss mother a thousand times for me, and let her re- 
 turn each salutation. Tell her that the beautiful ruffled 
 
 shirts she made me are admired hy all the students. 
 
 Oorie has torn his new coat and almost spoiled his vest, 
 yet I have hopes that he will quit his sportive tricks. 
 
 •'Good night, dear father; may angels guard you by 
 day and night ; remember your Falkner always in your 
 prayers. Remember that you have ever a dutiful son 
 { ' n .y° ur Falkner." 
 
 ^ When Mr. Manning received the above letter from 
 Falkner his eyes were filled with the tears of affection. 
 How could he ever make the revelation to the boy that 
 he knew must be made sooner or later ! If Corolan 
 possessed one-half the talent that Falkner did, or if 
 he was endowed with the same good disposition which 
 rendered Falkner so amiable, then ho might consent to 
 tell Falkner that he was not the brother of Corolan. 
 He believed that Falkner suspected that there was some 
 Jurity about his birth, but he hoped that the boy 
 would ever consider him as his own. dear parent. 
 
 The letter which Rodman had left with such strict 
 injunctions weighed heavily upon his mind. He deair d 
 to know the information those mystic pages might re- 
 
£82 ROCKFORD. 
 
 veal to him ; yet he remembered that he had given his ; 
 pledge not to break the seal until the five years had ex- 
 pired. 
 
 Was he bound to keep his pledge with a man who 
 was unknown to him — one who owed him the preserva- 
 tion of his life ? Mr. Manning felt that it was wrong- 
 oven to violate pledges given to an enemy, although the 
 moral law would have borne him out in that. But he 
 had pledged himself not to break the seal of the letter 
 for a specified time, and, come weal or woe, his word 
 should be kept. He knew Falkner's confiding, yet in- 
 dependent disposition, and almost shuddered at the 
 consequences attendant upon the revelation. He was 
 ignorant as to the parentage of the boy. He could 
 never desert Falkner, but the half of his estate should 
 be offered him ! Would he accept it ? That was the 
 point that troubled Mr. Manning. Corolan was a gay 
 boy, whose love or attachment for an individual was not 
 worth a fig ; yet, he was Mr. Manning's only child. 
 He loved him because he was his son — he loved Falkner 
 for himself alone. 
 
 " Oak-Lawn, August 15th, 18- 
 
 Dear Son : Your kind letter reached me a few days 
 since by due course of mail, and as you request it, I 
 hasten to dispatch you an early answer. I rejoice ex- 
 ceedingly that you and Corie arrived safely at your place 
 of destination. I am sorry you did not relate the par- 
 ticulars of your trip, which, I doubt not, were highly 
 interesting to you and your brother. 
 
ROCKFOKD. jgg 
 
 You will discover, my dear son, that the world abroad 
 is quite different from what it is at home. In your sit- 
 uation as student you will not be forced to contend with 
 the world except in miniature. When you shall have 
 grown older, and the leaden shadows of mature age 
 have thickened around you, then you may realize 
 the responsibilities of life. Beware of those who flat- 
 ter you ; they are often foes to you, rather than friends. 
 They may seek to devour you with kind words and 
 endearing phrases, yet their actions are like a sepulchre 
 which, though white, smooth and beautiful without, is 
 filled with dead men's bones. Above all thing's, shun 
 the society of him who is devoid of integrity. The 
 baneful influence of such a one is more to bo dreaded 
 than a contact with the Upas tree. Truth is a Heav- 
 enly virtue which shines resplendant under all circum- 
 stances ; like pure gold, the more it is burnished the 
 brighter it will glisten. Truth dwells at the bottom, 
 because the purest foundations are deepest. Truth is 
 located in the middle of every circle, for the reason 
 that it is equally distant from every arc. 
 
 " Be plain and easy in your manners, so that every one 
 may claim your frendship. Borrow not from your friends, 
 but lend to those that are needy. Be neat in your dress, 
 for the world may judge you by your apparel. Learn 
 while you are yet a youth to value the precepts of the 
 Bible— that great Book of Life. Let it be as dear to 
 you as the apple of your eye, though all inferior books 
 be neglected. 
 
 "Be kind to your brother and keep him within tin 
 paths of rectitude. 
 
 "God bless you, is the prayer of your father 
 
 Theodore Manning." 
 
184 ItOCKFOItl). 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 We shall not attempt to relate the particulars of a 
 boy's actions at college, as a narrative of that kind 
 is not interesting to the general reader. A few words 
 upon college government may not be inappropriate. — 
 One of the objections to sending boys to college, is 
 that they learn bad habits. If no restraint is thrown 
 around them by strict discipline, it is not to be supposed 
 that a large number of boys and young men will remain 
 long in any Institution without diverging from the path 
 of rectitude. Those that are studious, modest and re- 
 served, may withstand the thousand and one tempta- 
 tions which allure so many good youths from the paths 
 of virtue, and plunge them into the depths of misery. 
 What are familiarly known as college scrapes generally 
 originate from a desire on the part of a few headstrong 
 boys to have what they term u a little fun." Sport, 
 like dissipation, when too freely indulged in, is a dan- 
 gerous thing. The passions of boys, when once arous- 
 ed, arc more violent than those of men, and more diffi- 
 cult to allay. It is generally the fault of discipline 
 that renders disagreeable occurrences anions; students 
 frequent. Moral suasion may do much in effecting a 
 change towards amelioration, yet there are some boys 
 whom the most stringently enforced rules often fail of 
 
ROCKFOKD. 1^5 
 
 bringing into subjection. It is a fact, that outrages upon 
 buildings and the furniture are often perpetrated by- 
 students who are desirous of attesting their aversion to 
 certain members of the Faculty, thus casting odium up- 
 on every member of the college. Numbers of boys have 
 been victimized by designing ring-leaders who had ob- 
 jects of their own to accomplish. When once the dis- 
 turbance ceases, the participants are generally penitent ; 
 yet, if harsh measures are used in enforcing the penal- 
 ties of the violated law, the pride of the students, in 
 many instances, when arraigned before the Faculty for 
 misdemeanors, will prevent them from making confes- 
 sions or of pledging themselves to offend no more. — 
 Would it not be better for the Faculty to use mild meas- 
 ures in enforcing the laws, by appealing to the honor of 
 the student? Let the laws be executed with firmness, 
 impartiality and moderation, with an eye single to the 
 welfare of the Institution, thus exhibiting a desire upon 
 the part of the Faculty to act upon each case in the 
 capacity of an unbiased tribunal o there will be an 
 alacrity upon the part of every student to respect the 
 laws. 
 
 Frequent lectures by the President upon moral sub- 
 jects, will tend, in an exceedingly great degree, to di- 
 rect the mind of the student to that course of training 
 which will prepare him for usefulness and induce him to 
 eschew the evil counsels of the wicked. 
 
 It lias been unwisely urged upon the Trustees of 
 Universities to construct their laws requiring the stu- 
 dents to obtain their board and lodging at the houses of 
 
185* KOCKFORD. 
 
 those who reside near the campus — thus using the rooms 
 of the University as recitation halls alone. Young men 
 will not submit to being placed under the surveillance 
 of a professor or tutor ; neither will the latter consent 
 to play the part of a pedagogue or usher. Young men 
 will have occasional frolics, and it is better for them to 
 confine their revelries within the sanctity (?) of their 
 own rooms than to invade the underground regions of 
 a GIN court, imbibe the unhealthy potations of suspi- 
 cious decanters, treat forty sovereigns in the persons of 
 hangers-around, learn billingsgate phrases from idlers, 
 get gentlemanly drunk, boisterous and warlike — and 
 lastly, be conducted by the police to a "lock-up/* 
 In a word, it is as easy a task to conduct the affairs of 
 a State as to govern one hundred and fifty young men. 
 with one hundred and fifty gold watches, one hundred 
 and fifty Colt's Repeaters, one hundred and fifty bottles 
 of choice " Old Otard," one hundred and fifty dulcineas, 
 one hundred and fifty fine suits making at the tailors' 
 shops, one hundred and fifty dollars a year of pocket- 
 money, and one hundred and fifty miles from their one 
 hundred and fifty fathers, who are satisfied to let their 
 dear sons have their own way. If the dear boys bring 
 home a " sheep skin" at the end of four years, (which 
 they are unable to read) the delighted fathers feel as 
 happy as so many presidents. 
 
 Dear reader, is it not one hundred and fifty wonders 
 that the Faculty, students and sheep-skins all get along 
 as harmoniously as they do ? Bless all their dear souls, 
 (not the sheep skins) let us pray for them and drop the 
 
ROCKFORD. 18T 
 
 subject. Colleges are good places to sow tvild oats in. 
 We are decidedly in favor of colleges with all their im- 
 perfections. 
 
 Falkncr and Corolan were sitting in their room one 
 
 night soon after their advent to the University of M . 
 
 The former was busily engaged in reading one of the 
 Odes of Horace, while the latter was looking at the 
 pictures in a book which one of the boys had lent him. 
 
 "Come, brother," said Falkncr, " do lay aside that 
 ridiculous book and let me teach you your lesson. 
 Come, now, you remember what I promised you about 
 the chain, do you not ? " 
 
 "Falkner," said the boy, "I do not think I shall ever 
 be able to learn Latin. I see but little sense in it ; 
 can you not prevail upon the teacher to let me skip it?" 
 
 "You talk so strangely, Corie, that I am astonished 
 at you. It is impossible for you to enter College with- 
 out a thorough knowledge of Latin and Greek." 
 
 The boys were cut short in their conversation by a 
 knock at the door. Corie opened it, and admitted about 
 a dozen boys, who had come to pay the new-comers a 
 visit. Falkner welcomed them to his room and desired 
 them to be seated. 
 
 "Falkner Manning," said one of the party, "we are 
 going to have a little ' burst up' to-night. You and 
 your brother must be of the party, since you arc stran- 
 gers ; besides, we have not initiated you into the mys- 
 teries of college life yet." 
 
 "You must excuse me, my friends,'" said Falkner; ww } 
 do not desire to go out to-night. I promised father that 
 
188 itOOKFOKI). 
 
 I would be studious, and not engage in any sports for- 
 bidden by the laws of the University. I must prepare 
 my lessons to-night, or my standing will not be high at 
 recitations to-morrow." 
 
 "You talk as if you disdained our sport, Manning," 
 said the spokesman of the party ; "we are not used to 
 having our mandates disobeyed. You will find it much 
 to your advantage to come with us without compulsion." 
 
 "With all due deference to your sports — of which I 
 know nothing — please allow me to remain in my room 
 with my brother, unmolested." 
 
 "You both shall go with us," said several, who ap- 
 peared to become excited all at once. 
 
 "You cannot and shall not force us," said the reso- 
 lute boy. 
 
 One of the boys took hold of Corolan, who was in for 
 the sport, while several of them advanced towards 
 Falkner to coerce him into submission. The latter 
 pushed them aside, and rushed to rescue Corolan from 
 the strong youth who was marching off with him. 
 
 "Put down my brother, sir, or you shall feel my ven- 
 geance," said Falkner. 
 
 The command was not obeyed, and Falkner seized 
 the boy, and before assistance could be offered by the 
 astonished crowd, Corolan was rescued., and the boy 
 whom Falkner had encountered, was hurled violently 
 from the room into the street. The other boys were 
 dreadfully enraged at the conduct of Falkner, and gath- 
 ered around to conquer him. Falkner 's blood was up, 
 and he bade them stand off. One of the boldest ap- 
 
ROCKFORD. 139 
 
 proachcd to contend with him, but he was soon thrown 
 from his footing. A second and third shared the same 
 fate. Falkner would have been overpowered in a short 
 time had not some of the professors come to his assist- 
 ance. The baffled students fled in all directions— some 
 with slight bruises upon their heads and faces. 
 
 When Falkner explained the cause of the disturbance 
 to the professors, they were astonished at his prowess 
 and determination to conform to the laws of the Uni- 
 versity. 
 
 The next day the "invaders" were arraigned before 
 the Faculty for their misdemeanors and severely repri- 
 manded. Some of them would have been expelled or 
 suspended, had not the good Falkner pleaded for them. 
 
 The boys pronounced Falkner a noble fellow, and 
 from that time he was regarded as a general favorite. 
 
190 ROOKFOttD. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 We love to see modesty in a boy. It is an ennobling 
 virtue which should commend itself, at times, even to 
 men. We are disposed to consider ourselves free from 
 this fault, simply for the reason that charity sometimes 
 begins at home. Parents owe it to society to educate 
 their children properly at home. Then we should have 
 fewer self-constituted critics upon manners and fash- 
 ions ; fewer masters of ceremonies at social parties, and 
 fewer nonsensical debates in political meetings. Esquire 
 Lighthead says to his son, " do not let any of them turn 
 you down, my boy ; hold up your head and be a man ; 
 tell folks that your father has fifty negroes — makes one 
 hundred and fifty bales of cotton. Here is a dollar for 
 you to buy whatever you please." That parent is in- 
 ducing precocity in his son, which may prepare him for 
 misery. Teach a boy that he is upon an equal footing 
 with his fellows, and superior to none except for his 
 moral worth — he is then prepared to commence the 
 world aright. If a boy is not taught that it is wrong 
 to speak improperly to men, especially to old ones, he 
 will grow up a man who will be compelled to learn po- 
 liteness in the costly school of experience. 
 
 Mr. Manning had endeavored to perform his duty in 
 this respect ; still he had failed to observe the good 
 
UOCKFORD. 1^1 
 
 effects of his precepts as applied to Corolan ; but Falk- 
 ner readily conformed to every requirement. If his 
 father had not neglected the sage counsels of Solo- 
 mon, Corolan might have been a better scholar and more 
 exemplary in his general deportment. If the froward 
 boy had been moderately chastised with a slender branch 
 of an umbrageous beach tree, when all persuasive argu- 
 ments had been exhausted, it is doubtful whether Falk- 
 aer would have excelled him. Boys may be punished 
 moderately without resorting to cruel measures ; yet, if 
 they cannot be conquered without it, give them the rod 
 freely. 
 
 " Corie, you have less modesty than any boy I have 
 ever seen. Your teacher has already complained to me 
 about your conduct. He says you are intolerably imper- 
 tinent, and hard to control. If you do not change your 
 course of conduct, I shall be reduced to the painful ne- 
 cessity of reporting you to father." 
 
 "Brother Falkcr, I shall become angry with you if 
 I am to be thus lectured by you. I do not care what 
 the teacher says. I intend to do just as I please, in 
 spite of him and you." 
 
 "What I dislike mostly in your conduct is, that when 
 any of the students call upon me, you speak to them so 
 harshly that they are forced to withdraw — fearful of 
 offending me by entering into a controversy with you. 
 Do not brag upon father's wealth, and hold yourself up 
 so stiffly; the wiser portion of the students will laugh 
 at you. Suppose we arc rich, is that any reason for 
 you to boast of it? Now, brother, once for all. IshaU 
 
192 ROCKFORD. 
 
 not allow you to spend so much money. You want me 
 to buy a fine suit of clothes for you, because one of the 
 boys has told you that you need them. Before I order 
 our Winter suits, I must write to father and get his ad- 
 vice. Only yesterday you spent one dollar for fruits, 
 which you distributed among those noisy boys whom 
 you bring in here to annoy me." 
 
 "Gome, master monitor, if I may be allowed thus to 
 salute your reverence," said Corie, who had much wit; 
 "I am heartily tired of your sermons — -or whatever you 
 call them. I must have another suit of clothes, as the 
 last suit old rustic Threadneedle made for me do not 
 fit]: besides, they are not exactly in the latest style. — 
 I must let you into one of my secrets, brother, which 
 your sense of honor will enjoin upon you to keep. You 
 remember, last Sabbath, wo went to Church, and do 
 you remember seeing a pretty girl, who sat in the pew 
 across the aisle from us ? Well, she looked at me, and 
 I looked at her, and we both looked at each other. I 
 think she is smitten with me, Falkner, and if I can 
 make a conquest of her, your brother Corie may not 
 have come to College in vain. I learn she is quite 
 wealthy, and have been informed that she is anxious to 
 see me." 
 
 "Come, my youthful Adonis," said Falkner, "you 
 are thirteen years of age, and are making your arrange- 
 ments to commence assuming the sphere of manhood. 
 Why bless my soul ! I expect you will imitate the ac- 
 tions of King Richard the First and his brothers, who 
 rebelled against their father, and tried to wrest the 
 
ROCKFORD. 193 
 
 sceptre from his hands, ere they had arrived at the age of 
 puberty. If you have any notions of marrying this 
 young lady this Winter, I hope you will not sell out 
 father's land and negroes without consulting him. You 
 may have my share in advance, if you will only sell that 
 and your portion." 
 
 "You are almost too pure for this earth, brother,'' 
 said Corie ; "I fear I may wake up some morning and 
 find that you have been translated to a better world. — 
 You must not take your flight until I have learned more 
 wise words from your lips, for I can assure you that I 
 shall never be able to learn anything from books. Be- 
 sides, I shall need your assistance in supplying myself 
 with a few phrases or set speeches to be used when I go 
 out to see my dulcinea, as you and- father would call 
 her. Now, Falkncr, if you will just consent to lend me 
 your assistance, and write my love letters for me — bt 
 sure to put in some French words — I do not know but 
 that I will give you the black pony and one of my choice 
 fishing-poles." 
 
 "Now, Corie, I have heard enough of your nonsense 
 for one night. Just close upon your love affairs, and 
 apply yourself to your books. I never heard such non 
 sense as sometimes falls from your lips." 
 
 "Very good, master Falkncr, I will obey you this 
 time ; but I shall resume the discussion of the subject 
 on to-morrow evening at early candle-light." 
 
 Falkncr possessed more control over his brother than 
 any other person, with the exception of his mother, and 
 knew exactly how to appeal to his sense of pride He 
 13 
 
194 ROCKFORD. 
 
 was exceedingly kind to him, and had never been known 
 to strike him. If he had anything in his possession 
 which the boy wanted, he immediately resigned it to 
 his hands. What a marked difference was there in the 
 deportment of Falkner to Corolan, as compared with 
 that of some older brothers. Love begets love, it is 
 said, and there is nothing truer than that unkind inter- 
 course between brothers engenders hatred which even 
 the wisdom of age and the charity of reason can never 
 dispel. 
 
 It seemed to be natural with Corolan to oppose every 
 thing that pleased his brother, so different were their 
 dispositions. Falkner knew the habits of Corie so well, 
 that he rarely opposed him except in matters of great im- 
 portance. He desired to continue the rules by which 
 his parents had governed the refractory boy. He loved 
 his brother, because it was evident that the disagreea- 
 ble boy had but few friends, and it was entirely uncer- 
 tain how long he would retain them. 
 
 The preparatory school was situated in a shady grove 
 convenient to the Campus. Falkner made it an invari- 
 able rule to be near the Academy when the boys were 
 dismissed for the day, in order that he might join his 
 brother and induce him to take a walk. He thought by 
 pursuing this course Corolan might be freed from many 
 temptations, and finally reclaimed from the error of his 
 ways. Falkner was almost a man in statue, though he 
 was scarcely sixteen years of age ; yet he was very 
 juvenile, and almost effeminate in appearance, and it 
 seemed perfectly consistent for him to be Corolan's pro- 
 
ROCKFORD. 195 
 
 tector. Corolan was small for one of his age, though 
 compactly built ; he was hardy and perfectly prepared 
 to encounter hardships. 
 
 " Now, Falkncr, if you desire to walk for a wager, 
 suppose you mark off a circuit and let me choose my lo- 
 cation and keep time — for it is evident to my mind that 
 I cannot keep pace with you, and I have just consulted 
 my legs upon the subject, and find them unwilling to 
 enlist in the contest." 
 
 "I beg pardon, brother; I have been so accustomed 
 to walking with father that I had forgotten that your 
 short legs were contending with mine/' 
 
 "You are perfectly excusable, my young philosopher, 
 but you must not offend again after the same style. — 
 What did father say about the clothes we should buy 
 this Winter ? I am getting extremely anxious to appear 
 before my dulcinea." 
 
 "Am I to be tortured thus every day about your dul- 
 cinea ? Surely you must imagine yourself a youthful 
 Don Quixotte. If you had the black pony here, 1 
 doubt not but that you would order a suit of mail and 
 go out upon an expedition. Father writes to me to 
 order a new suit of clothes for you and one for myself. 
 I will not purchase any for myself, but will order a sup- 
 ply of paints and drawing materials in lieu of the same. 
 We will go now to the store and make the purchases. 
 What color do you prefer for your suit, Corie ?" 
 
 " If I am to choose for myself," said the delighted boy, 
 "I will select black cloth for the coat, blue casiraere for 
 the pants, and buff cloth for the vest." 
 
196 IIOUKFORD. 
 
 "Here is the place, now, Corie, for us to make our 
 purchases. Here seems to be exerything we need ; so 
 let us walk in and see what the merchant has." 
 
 "You must let me make my own selections, then, 
 and allow me to do the principal part of the talking. 
 At times I will ask your opinion, but you must coincide 
 with me. I have not had a real good spell of talking 
 in two weeks, and I wish to exercise my voice." 
 
 " Have your own way this time," said Falkner. " I 
 hope you will not keep me witing until dark, nor should 
 you worry the merchant." 
 
 "That is fair for once in your life, brother, just give 
 me your paw upon that," said Corolan, as they entered 
 the finely furnished store. 
 
 Corolan displayed his taste, exercised his lungs and 
 the patience of his faithful brother, who paid the bill to 
 the irated merchant, whom the young Adonis had of- 
 fended more than once before the purchases were made. 
 The goods were left at the tailor's with directions to have 
 the suit made up after the most approved style. 
 
ROCKFORD. 197 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 When Corolan received his new suit of clothes, he 
 was so much delighted that the room could scarcely 
 contain him. He stripped himself to the skin, washed 
 with brown Windsor soap and arrayed himself with as 
 much pride as an Eastern prince. Falkner did not ap- 
 pear to notice him at all, for fear the boy might become 
 dissatisfied with the clothes and cast them aside. Corie 
 was really a fine looking boy, with as much pride as 
 ever falls to the lot of mortals. He was one of those 
 strange beings who believe everything made especially 
 for their use, and that they are formed to receive atten- 
 tions without rendering services for the same. He 
 walked up to the mirror, surveyed himself a few mo- 
 ments, cast a glance at his brother, who did not think 
 it prudent to look in that direction, and making the dis- 
 covery that Falkner was not watching him, the vain 
 lark commenced the task of copying the mode of ar- 
 ranging his hair and cravat from the style of his bro- 
 ther. He tried to make his hair curl like Falkner's, 
 but it seemed impossible for him to do so. After sev- 
 eral ineffectual attempts at imitation, he adopted his 
 own plan. He next endeavored to tic his cravat like 
 Falkner usually did, but made an utter failure. "1 
 know what I can do," murmured the boy : u l can brush 
 
198 ROCKFORD. 
 
 off as much dust as Falkner can, wash my skin as clean, 
 if not as white as his, and can use up as much cologne 
 as he can, but to save my life I cannot look half as re- 
 spectable as he does. Blame the fine looking fellow ! 
 everything comes perfectly natural to him, yet he is as 
 indifferent to his charms as I am vain of my silly at- 
 tempts at display." 
 
 "Brother Corolan," said Falkner, "you look very 
 charming in your fine new dress ; I suppose you are 
 going out to see your dulcinea?" 
 
 "You are rather fast this evening, Falkner; I am 
 only trying on the clothes to see whether they fit me or 
 not. I am rather inclined to think they do not suit me, 
 since you are so well pleased with them." 
 
 "Turn around Corie," said the boy; "I had not ob- 
 served them very closely ; I think now that the coat is 
 rather loose in the back for you, and the sleeves are a 
 trifle too tight just above the elbows. Your pants do 
 not stand out as they ought to, and the vest is rather 
 short for you." 
 
 "If that is your opinion, I am perfectly satisfied to 
 wear them, as our ideas upon dress are as different as 
 the poles. This coat sets as easily upon me as my skin, 
 and it is the only one I ever had that suited me in the 
 least. Look at the collar how smoothly it lies, and the 
 waist fits snugly up. Nothing can be more charming 
 than the pants, and as for the vest, it is a paragon of 
 beauty. Oh ! I shall surely make a conquest of my 
 sweetheart now." 
 
 " I hope you are not going to visit her without ever 
 
ROCKFORD. 199 
 
 having formed her acquaintance, Coric ; for if I am not 
 egregiously mistaken, you have not yet seen her except 
 at church. Do wait and exercise some patience, bro- 
 ther, or you will force your friends to laugh at you. 
 The students are to give a party very sqpn; it may be 
 possible that your intended will be present. For the 
 balance of the evening please take up your books and 
 endeavor to learn your Latin lesson." 
 ^ "You are surely relating a fable to a deaf man now, 
 Falkner, for I shall have no use for the dead languages, 
 having but little desire to converse with ghosts. Do 
 you suppose Cicero, if he should rise from the dead, 
 could understand you and professor Graymont? I 
 have never been so completely worried out in my life 
 as I was one night last week. The antique professor 
 and your ancient self clattered away at the verbs, ad- 
 jectives and pronouns, until I almost wished that the 
 spacious earth was one voluminous Latin Grammar and 
 you and he were the only inhabitants upon it." 
 
 " That is very uncharitable in you, brother, since I 
 have been so kind as to induce father to buy that suit 
 of clothes for you. Do I not literally stuff your les- 
 sons down your throat? You do not try to receive 
 them through the channels of reason. I see plainly 
 that you must learn everything by imitation or frequent 
 repetition." 
 
 "Tkat is sufficient, brother; you arc putting me fast 
 to sleep; I f ee l the leaden god, as you and professor 
 Graymont call him, drawing his sable curtains anum.l 
 me. Vale, Falkner, somnus venif. et Oorolan. tuus ca- 
 
 nssimus f rater dorm it." 
 
200 ROCKFORD. 
 
 The wild, but brilliant lad, tired himself completely 
 out before he ceased talking, and having disrobed, went 
 to bed to dream of his dulcinea, the black pony and the 
 new watch his mother had promised to send him. Falk- 
 ner Avas heartily glad to be rid of the noise, and com- 
 menced studying his lesson in good earnest. The clock 
 struck one that night before the studious young man 
 sought rest in sleep. 
 
 We have before remarked that Falkner was the fa- 
 vorite of the students. His room was the trysting place 
 for those who were at all inclined to be studious. One 
 boy frequently performs the task of translating the les- 
 sons for the entire class, and Falkner was chosen for 
 that purpose. If he could not read an intricate sen- 
 tence, solve a mathematical proposition or elucidate an 
 abstruse question in rhetoric or logic, the professors 
 were applied to. It was rarely that the learned boy 
 failed to give entire satisfaction upon any point. 
 
 Time flew by rapidly and the end of the first year 
 of Falkner' s college life was approaching. He had 
 easily maintained the first position in the class, though 
 much of his time had been spent in amusing and in- 
 structing his brother. He had redeemed the promise 
 he made to Corie relative to the chain. The virgin gold 
 links supported the beautiful watch his mother had sent 
 him, thanks to Falkner' s liberality. His dulcinea had 
 not been as easily victimized as he imagined, yet he had 
 some hope of obtaining her love by another year. If 
 she had bluffed him, the secret was carefully kept by 
 the astute lad. 
 
ROCKFORD. 201 
 
 Falkner had learned to write verse, and had been 
 complimented by the professors. He was pronounced 
 to be the brightest student that had ever entered the 
 University. The following letter to his father may be 
 read with interest : 
 
 >w University of M , June 1st, 18 — . 
 
 "Dear Father : I am rejoiced to inform you of the 
 change in brother Corolan's habits. It is said that 
 drops of water will eventually wear away the hardest 
 stones, so will a dull mind receive instruction by fre- 
 quent repetition. I had almost despaired of Corolan's 
 ever being able to master the rudiments of the Latin 
 language, but it is true he has made wonderful progress 
 during the last few months. 
 
 "Do not blame me, dear father, if you discover that 
 I. have allowed him more money than you directed me 
 to give him. I think he is entirely too fond of dress, 
 yet without a stimulus of some kind he would not have- 
 been satisfied to remain as a student with boys who are 
 so finely attired. 
 
 "I am truly beset with temptations, yet I strive to re- 
 member your counsels, trusting that I may do no wrong. 
 
 " If I win the esteem and praises of the virtuous and 
 good, I shall be confident that I have done my duty. 
 The older I become, the more I am impressed with the 
 obligations I am under to respect the laws of the Su- 
 preme Being who upholds and sustains us by His supe- 
 rior goodness. Some of the students pretend to be 
 atheists, but their very assertions are confuted by the 
 
202 ROCKFORD. 
 
 arguments they use. I fear that brother's young mind 
 may become imbued with their false philosophy, yet I 
 shall battle against those influences with all my might. 
 "I am not a believer in dreams, but I do have some 
 very strange scenes presented before me at times whilst 
 I sleep. You remember the singular, yet painful, dream 
 I had when brother was so dangerously ill ? I have had 
 a repetition of the same nocturnal visitation again of 
 late. I shall not allow it to weigh upon my mind ; but 
 why should I conceal it from you? I do think I shall 
 experience strange vicissitudes of fortune at some period 
 of life. 
 
 " You have often warned me against the use of ardent 
 spirits. A few days since, brother and I were invited 
 to a party given at the house of one of the Faculty. 
 Wine was plentiful at the table ; still I drank only one 
 glassfull ; I am sorry to say that Corolan was not so ab- 
 stemious. At the risk of revealing secrets, I must re- 
 late a funny little circumstance : 1 observed that Cor- 
 olan was drinking as much as any of the students, and 
 I went to him and remonstrated with him, but all to no 
 effect. One of the members of my own class who has 
 taken quite a fancy to brother, was acting as his chape- 
 ron on that occasion. He took a fresh bottle of cham- 
 pagne and opened it. He desired the boys to hold their 
 glasses for another draught. Brother was so completely 
 under the influence of what he had already drank, that 
 he mistook the stopple of a decanter for a wine-glass, 
 and held that to the boy to be filled with the intoxica- 
 ting beverage I I managed to get him to our room be- 
 
ROCKFORD. OQ3 
 
 fore it was discovered that he had hecome too merry. 
 He has promised me that he will not drink more than 
 I do at any future party, and you know that Corie will 
 keep a pledge sacred when it is once given. 
 
 "I will write to you again in a few days and enclose 
 some verses which I am now composing. 
 
 u Yours in love, 
 
 Falknee." 
 
 
204 ROCKFORD 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 " University of M , June 5th. 
 
 " My dear Father: I promised, in my last letter, to 
 send you some verses, which I now enclose. I trust 
 that you may not criticise my first effort at a long poem 
 too closely. I have not shown it to any person, though 
 often tempted to ask the advice of one of the profes- 
 sors. 
 
 " Corie thinks that I will be a poor man some of these 
 days, because I am learning to paint, and have a fancy 
 for poetry. He says he has peeped into the pages of 
 some moon-struck authors himself, when he thought no 
 one was watching him, and he has learned that most of 
 the bardlings died poor. He is a rare boy, whose like 
 has never yet been seen by me. 
 
 "Request mother to make a beautiful ruffled shirt for 
 me by the time I get home, and I will bring her some- 
 thing pretty. I will not worry you with a long letter, 
 fearing that you may be tired out with the ' Hermit's 
 Tale/ 
 
 "the hermit's tale. 
 
 :: Dark was the night: the wind blew shrill and loud : 
 The rain descended from the angry cloud ; 
 The mountain trembled 'neath the thunder's sound, 
 And Nature's echoes filled the groves around. 
 The stately oaks, (the foresfs giants old. 
 
ROCKFORD. 205 
 
 Beneath whose shades for countless years untold. 
 
 The hero, sage, or Indian warriors wild 
 
 Had planned their fights, or on their fair ones smiled,) 
 
 Dark, to the sky their stalwart branches bend, 
 
 While torrents through the leafy domes descend. 
 
 The wolf went howling to his rocky lair, 
 
 Led onward by the lightning's fiery glare; 
 
 Nor stopped he at the hermit's sainted cell — 
 
 That holy one whom all men loved so well. 
 
 Long years had passed since first the hermit came — 
 
 None knew from whence, nor had they learned his name. 
 
 But this they knew : by either night or day, 
 
 If luckless wight should on that mountain stray, 
 
 And wander to the hermit's sainted cell, 
 
 He lingered long, and every word that fell 
 
 From lips which only deigned to speak in prayer, 
 
 Was hoarded up as some prized relic rare. 
 
 ,: Fierce raged the storm ; young Tibald's fiery steed, 
 Scared by the lightning, put forth all his speed ; 
 And rushing from the road and through the dell, 
 Climbed the rough peak and reached the hermit's cell. 
 The holy father, on his knees in prayer. 
 Was asking aid from Heaven ; his every care 
 Or ill of life was cast upon his beads; 
 Those numbered he in fervency. His deeds 
 Were known to Heaven ; may his prayer be heard : 
 Who trusts in prayer believes God's holy word. 
 
 " Long gazed young Tibald, then, wilh wild delight; 
 Still! knelt the hermit at his altar bright. 
 Nor ceased he from his fervent Vesper prayer 
 Till all his beads were told. His knees were bare 
 From oft reclining on the flag-stone cold ; 
 Around his neck was hung a cross of gold. 
 A sable robe around his form was thrown. 
 And wooden sandals on his feet were worn. 
 Three waxen candles shed their mellow light 
 Within the cell upon that stormy night. 
 The hermit beckoned Tibald to a seat — 
 
206 ROCKFORD 
 
 A rustic stoo! whereon his sacred feet 
 
 Had oft reclined when stretched upon his bed, 
 
 And leaden shadows 'round the cell were spread. 
 
 k ' : Holy hermit! one night within thy cell 
 I pray thee let a wayworn traveler dwell: 
 My limbs are wet and chilled with drenching rain; 
 Dark is the night and trackless is the plain. 
 My charger, frightened at the thunder's sound, 
 Forsook the road and up the mountain wound/ 
 Then from a recess in the rocky wall 
 The hermit brought a chest compact and small : 
 A secret spring threw back the iron lid, 
 And garments fine within the chest lay hid. 
 4 Long years have passed,' the holy father said, 
 'Since on these clothes mine aged eyes were laid : 
 I could a tale, young man. to you unfold- 
 But no; my secret to the silent grave 
 With me must go — ave Maria, save." 
 Then took he from the chest the garments rare 
 And robed his strange young guest with studied care. 
 Bright glowed the flames within the sacred cell ; 
 The smoking meat sent forth a savory smell ; 
 The red wine sparkled in the goblet bright, 
 And soon a festive board made glad the sight. 
 'The time has come when from this aching breast 
 My secret must come forth ; my soul will rest 
 On earth no more until is brought to light 
 The hidden scenes of that eventful night.' 
 The hermit gazed upon his youthful guest, 
 "Who, in the old, but princely, garments dressed, 
 Was seated at the well-filled, rustic board. 
 The rosy wine was in the goblets poured — 
 The rosy wine long in the larder stored. 
 
 " The feast was o'er ; the table moved from sight ; 
 Still raged the storm, and doubly dark the night ; 
 Then crossing thrice himself with pious care, 
 The holy hermit knelt again in prayer. 
 His prayer was ended ; then he sought his guest. 
 
ROCKFORD. 207 
 
 And 'round his waist his stalwart arm was pressed. 
 'Oh ! let me gaze upon thy youthful lace, 
 My prince, my boy; methinks I now can trace 
 My own resemblance in thy features fair : 
 My long black curls were like thy raven hair 
 When first the regal crown with diamonds spread. 
 By pious hands was placed upon my head. 
 My royal spouse across the ocean came. 
 And lit the altar with love's holy flame ; 
 When in my arms I pressed her form so fair — 
 Dark were her eyes and hlackher flowing hair — 
 My wide dominions dwindled into nought, 
 Compared to her. Could love like hers be bought ? 
 Swift passed the days, and sweet the rosy hours 
 Unheeded, flew. One eve within the bowers 
 Whose leafy dome would scarce admit the light 
 Of that bright orb, the silvery lamp of night. 
 We sat and listened to the nightingale 
 Repeating to her mates her plaintive tale : 
 My soul was filled with love, and grief, and pride: 
 I knew not why. for in my royal bride 
 My soul was centered, yet my heart was sad ; 
 Such fervent love had well nigh made me mad. 
 I could have dwelt with my sweet spouse forever. 
 (But cruel fate from her my love did sever :) 
 I could have dwelt beneath that bower so bright 
 And wished that day were one eternal night — 
 One night of moonshine, with birds and bowers- 
 One endless night of moonshine, love and flowers 
 
 " Bright was the morn, and sweet the pibroch's strain 
 That filled my high palace and filled the plain, 
 When chaste Lucina a lovely boy did bring, 
 A royal prince, to be the future king. 
 The pious monk that dwelt in cloistered cell 
 Came forth that morn the joyous crowd to swell : 
 My halls were thronged with valiant knights in mai?. 
 And lords and ladies from the quiet vale. 
 Grand was the feast — the wine did sparkle bright . 
 Grand was the feast that ended not with night : 
 
208 ROCKFOltD. 
 
 Three days and nights the festal board was spread. 
 
 And every hall resounded 'neath the tread 
 
 Of hooded monk, gay lord or soldier bold, 
 
 And minion, whose base love is bought with gold. 
 
 -• Like some proud bird that soars to realms on high, 
 Scorns the base earth and seeks the distant sky. 
 When borne aloft on self-sustaining wings 
 Far Irom the sight of sublunary things, 
 He sees beyond him worlds as bright as this — 
 Worlds without number — worlds as full of bliss; 
 I looked upon the proud and happy throng, 
 Whose life seemed sweet, like minstrels' dulcet song: 
 i thought myself the source from which did spring 
 The constant pleasures of a potent king. 
 
 -• Ere twelve revolving silvery orbs of night 
 Had waxed and waned, and shed their mellow light. 
 My royal spouse, inflamed with venal love, 
 (Unlike the pure who dwell in Heaven above,) 
 Forsook a monarch's couch and lestal board 
 For one who loved her not — a base-born lord. 
 One night I missed her from my royal side — 
 I missed my high-born, foreign, beauteous bride, 
 And stealing out at midnight's solemn hour, 
 1 found her seated in the rosy bower, 
 And listening to the love and plaintive tale 
 More sweet to her than song of nightingale. 
 I rushed upon the proud and guilty pair 
 And sent them to the depths of black despair. 
 
 * { My heart grew sick, my brain grew fierce and wild— 
 I rushed to the palace and seized my child — 
 I seized thee, Estell, with these bloody hands, 
 Left my rich realm and fled to foreign lands. 
 Behold your father, Estell, yet I trust 
 My sins are all forgiven ; with the just 
 I long to dwell in that bright world above, 
 Where all is peace and all celestial love. 
 Take this full purse and take this signet ring— 
 
ROCKFORD. 209 
 
 Nay, start not, boy; wert thou not born a king? 
 
 Thy father once was mighty; his renown 
 
 Is yet revered; take, then, the regal crown. 
 
 These are the treasures I have saved for thee ; 
 
 Then sail ye hence o'er the dark blue sea — 
 
 Haste to thy father's throne, where willing hands 
 
 Of trusty subjects will restore thy lands. 
 
 Mine hour is come; th' insatiate monster, Death, 
 
 Is here. Soon will this fleeting, mortal breath 
 
 Have ceased. Come closer, now, 'tis cold, my child — 
 
 1 see thee not — 'Thus died the hermit wild. 
 
 "If you think this poem contains any merit, I have 
 
 no objection to your showing it to dominie Heflin. In 
 
 a few days you may expect to see Corie and your 
 
 Falkner." 
 M 
 
210 ROCKFORD. 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 Mr. Manning made extensive preparations for the 
 reception of the boys. He intended that they should 
 be taken by surprise. He did what Southerners are 
 ever apt to do upon extra occasions — killed a pig and 
 barbecued it. (You need not laugh, reader, your father 
 did the same thing when you were expected home!) — 
 Mrs. Manning sacrificed a fat gobler at the altar of ma- 
 ternal love, and a real festal board was spread for the 
 boys. 
 
 The family carriage was dispatched to the town to 
 receive the boys at the station. The good Mr. Manning 
 delivered his proclamation and the servants rejoiced in 
 a holiday. 
 
 "Come, Dick," said black Joe, "lets dress up in our 
 best bib and tucker, as aunt Phillis calls it, and go and 
 meet mos Falkner and massa Corie. I tell you, mun, 
 if you don't put on good close, and wash dat black skin 
 o' yourn, massa Corrie will get out de carriage and 
 comb your head for you. You know how he combs 
 heads, boy. He jes takes de curry comb and 'pears like 
 it does him good to hear you holler." 
 
 "Dat is all true, nigger," said Dick, "but den as ole 
 moster's already gin me to mos Corie, I don't care much 
 ef he does sorter whip me sometimes. He gi's me many 
 
ROCKFORD. 211 
 
 more things den mos Falkner does you. Mos Cone's 
 got too much sense dan hurt his nigger ; he jes makes 
 out like he hurts when he dont." 
 
 "Now, Dick," said Joe, "you never seed mos Falk- 
 ner hit one de black foax in your life. I don't know 
 dat he ever expects to. I jes bleevc he gwine make a 
 preecher. I hope mos Falkner giv me sebenpens. 1 
 don't 'spect your moster got any, 'cause he oilers spens 
 his munny jes for foolishness." 
 
 Those negro boys, whom the father had given to his 
 sons, (as all farmers do, simply for the sake of letting 
 their children have something to claim,) chatted away 
 as happily as if they expected their young masters to 
 bring them a fortune. Fully two hours before the car- 
 riage was expected, Joe and Dick started off in a sweep- 
 ing trot to meet it. When they had proceeded about 
 three miles at that rapid rate, they espied the carriage 
 moving slowly down the hill. They increased their speed 
 and rushed forward to meet the carriage, hallooino* all 
 the time, "yonder cums mos Falkner — yonder cums 
 mos Corie ! bless God ! dis nigger want to die ; get out 
 de way and let dis nigger run. Black Sam think him 
 self mity smart scttin' up dar drivin' dem fine college 
 boys." ' 
 
 "Howdy, mos Falkner — howdy mos Corie; how you 
 boaf bin dis long time?" 
 
 After the familiar salutations had been passed, Coro- 
 lan ordered the driver to stop. He opened the door, 
 alighted from the carriage, and walked up to Dick to 
 compare bights. Having satisfied himself that black 
 
212 ROCKFORD. 
 
 Dick had outgrown him, Corolan mounted upon the 
 back of the stout negro, as he had done a thousand 
 times before, and rode him in advance of the fast trot- 
 ting horses fully a quarter of a mile before Dick could 
 be prevailed upon to let his precious rider dismount. 
 When Corie dismounted, he made Dick perform several 
 evolutions, such as turning summersaults, jumping up 
 and striking his heels together three times before he 
 touched the ground. 
 
 "Now, mos Corie, gin me one quarter dollar, plees 
 sir ; you know you promused me one if I would take 
 good care ob de black pony, and keep de tother niggers 
 from trublin' de fishin'-poles when de white foax gone 
 to church ebry Sunday. Now, mos Corie, you nose 
 you my moster, 'cause old moster gib me to you when 
 we little childon, long 'go as I can 'member." 
 
 " Oh ! you black imp," said Corolan, "I am glad I 
 have something to whip you for ; I have whipped but 
 one negro since I saw your black skin last, and that 
 was the boy that waited upon me at college. How often 
 have I told you not to appear before me with your head 
 half combed." 
 
 Here Corolan gave Dick a few light strokes with a 
 switch by way of asserting his superiority, and drawing 
 forth a horn comb from his pocket, the mischievous boy 
 gave Dick's head a radical combing. 
 
 "Lord a messy, mos Corie, you pull all de har out po 
 nigger hed. What you gwine do for nigger when Dick 
 ded?" 
 
 "There is no danger of killing you, you ebony imp, 
 
ROCKFOED. 218 
 
 What good does it do me to have a negro, if I do not 
 whip him at least once a year? You had no business 
 being a negro, but since you could not help it, take this 
 quarter and this handkerchief and cut out home. If 
 you do not have the black pony curried down slick when 
 I get there, I will comb your head well for you." 
 
 Dick started in a run, as happy as a king. He de- 
 clared to Joe, who had made a draft upon the liberality 
 of Falkner for fifty cents, that master Corie was the 
 best young man in the world. He soon forgot the head 
 combing, but he did not fail to obey the commands of 
 Corolan relative to the pony. 
 
 When the carriage arrived at the gate of Mr. Man- 
 ning, the father and mother went out and gave them a 
 very warm reception. The dinner w T as served up in 
 splendid style — several of the neighbors being present 
 — among them the meek dominie Heflin and the pomp* 
 ous doctor Gillis. 
 
214 R0CKF0R1) 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 It is not prudent to dwell too long upon one theme. 
 We have given a faithful history of the lives of Falk- 
 ner and Corolan from their childhood up to the close of 
 their first year in the University and Preparatory school. 
 Mr. Manning was so well pleased at the manly course 
 and studious habits of the good Falkner, and so much 
 surprised at the improvement in Corolan, that he shed 
 tears of joy. There was only one thing wanting to com- 
 plete his happiness, and that was an impossibility. If 
 Falkner had been born his son he could not have loved 
 him more than he now did ; or even if it were possible 
 for him to conceal from him the fact of his being a 
 foundling, his joy might still be complete. Mr. Man- 
 ning had a strange presentiment that Falkner would be 
 exposed to perils, though he was confident that the boy 
 had nerve sufficient to encounter any dangers that might 
 beset him. If the feelings of Mr. Manning had been 
 otherwise than of the most fraternal character, the 
 doubtful parentage of his foster son would not have 
 oast a darkening shadow upon his own manly brow. 
 
 He considered Falkner, whose hight was nearly equal 
 to his own, as one of the noblest specimens of youth he 
 had ever seen. His naturally effeminate face had lost 
 a slight degree of its delicacy and put on the ruddy 
 
KOCKFORD. 215 
 
 visage of early manhood. His hair had assumed a 
 darker hue, yet the auburn ringlets still clustered in 
 many a natural curl about his well-shaped head. His 
 eyes, as blue as the welkin, were not the least at- 
 tractive feature of this interesting youth. Mr. Man- 
 ning observed that Corolan had grown much, and his 
 face was gradually improving in appearance. Corolan 
 had been at home only a few days, when he expressed 
 a desire to return to school. It is strange, thought his 
 father, that Corie, who has never been known to love 
 school, should have improved so much as to desire to 
 leave home again in a few days, after having been ab- 
 sent one whole year. 
 
 "How is this, Falkner; has Corolan really a love fin- 
 backs?" 
 
 "I think not, father,'' said the boy, "but brother is 
 improving rapidly; yet I scarcely know how he learns, 
 unless it is from the frequent drillings I give him nightly 
 upon his lessons, very much against his own inclina- 
 tion." 
 
 "You are a good tutor, my son; I had almost ar- 
 rived at the conclusion that Corolan would ever remain 
 totally ignorant of the contents of books." 
 
 "I hope, father, that you will permit him to return 
 to the University with me. He may improve wonder- 
 fully during next year. If he remains at home he will 
 ;ts surely spend all his time in riding, hunting and fish- 
 ing as the means are placed in his power." 
 
 "You shall be gratified, my boy, and Corie shall 1>< 
 placed entirely under your control. But. to change the 
 
216 ROCKFORD 
 
 subject, why did you not relate how the hermit disposed 
 of Estell when he left the palace so precipitately after 
 the murder of the queen and her paramour?" 
 
 "I thought I would merely give the story a slight 
 touch of romance, leaving your imagination to supply 
 any defect in the narrative. I did not even give the 
 name of the king nor denominate the country he ruled. 
 The king's name was Bohomathalzal, quite an unpoetic 
 appellation, as you will observe, and it was so difficult 
 for me to insert it in the verse. I was fearful that Bo- 
 homathalzal might be a hard name to rhyme to, and I 
 thought I would serve it like you do the gar fish when 
 we are seining — throw it out. The name of his king- 
 dom is Utopia." 
 
 " You surely mean Ethiopia, Falkner, as there is no 
 such a country upon the map as Utopia. Probably you 
 have been reading the Arabian Nights and have gath- 
 ered some of your ideas from some of the strange fa- 
 bles you find recorded there." 
 
 "You talk as if you had not read the book to me and 
 Corie when we were children. Do you remember how 
 we used to laugh and clap our hands when you read one 
 that was uncommonly interesting ? But the ' Hermit's 
 Tale' is strictly original with me, and was written merely 
 to gratify a whim, at odd times. King Bohomathalzal 
 received the crown from his father Anakthalzer, and 
 was supposed to have been the most wealthy prince that 
 ever reigned in Utopia. He gave his father's fine pal- 
 ace to one of his subjects and built another, which was 
 the wonder of the world. Kings and princes came from 
 
ROCKFORD. 217 
 
 distant countries to see the magnificent pile and to taste 
 the rich dainties of his magnificently spread board. 
 One of the kings of the East was so much delighted 
 with Bohomathalzal that he gave him his daughter in 
 marriage, whose dowry was forty millions of piastres. 
 Bohomathalzal was so enamored with his queen that he 
 expended thousands of dollars upon her wardrobe daily. 
 Her beauty and rare accomplishments were so attractive 
 that the premier of the king, who possessed as many 
 graces of person and mind as the renowned Leicester, 
 won her love and despoiled her of her virtue. The kin^ 
 loved her too dearly to accuse her, from silly reports 
 and suspicions, but he could not withhold his hands 
 from shedding blood when he saw his wife, at the dead 
 hour of night, in social converse with his premier. He 
 shot both of them dead and hastened to the palace, took 
 a large quantity of gold and valuables, not neglecting 
 the golden crown, and going to the bed of the royal 
 babe, he took it up softly and carried it away with him. 
 He was accompanied by a trusty servant, upon whom 
 he enjoined secrecy. They traveled as private citizens, 
 and took up their residence in a strange country. The 
 self-exiled king bought a few roods of land and lived 
 secluded with his servant and babe about two years. 
 The servant was a white man, of rare intelligence, who 
 had been a faithful attendant of the kind's father. Bo- 
 homathalzal exacted a pledge from his faithful Adoni- 
 ram, that he would never reveal his secret, but raise and 
 educate Estell as his own son. He gave Adoniram o 
 large quantity of gold, and taking his crown and jew- 
 
218 ROCKFORD. 
 
 els, and a few clothes, he went to another strange coun- 
 try and dwelt in the cell in which Estell found him." 
 
 "That is a very strange little romance of itself," said 
 his father ; " but you have not related any of the par- 
 ticulars of Estell's life." 
 
 "Estell," resumed Falkner, "was a very wild and 
 venturesome boy. When Adoniram was not instructing 
 him in the languages, the royal boy would stray from 
 the cottage and engage in the sports of the chase. Upon 
 several occasions he was wounded by the wild boars and 
 panthers which he killed. He was not contented to 
 dwell in that secluded spot, and tried to obtain the con- 
 sent of Adoniram for him to join the army ; but the 
 good old man, who was noted for integrity, implored his 
 boy to remain with him. Estell was hunting one day 
 in the forest, when he encountered a sybil, who exam- 
 ined his palm and told him that he was the son of a 
 king, and would see his father within a few years. He 
 predicted that he would be a prosperous and happy mon- 
 arch, but as the lines in his hands crossed so strangely, 
 he would encounter many difficulties before he obtained 
 the kingdom of his fathers. 
 
 "Estell related the sayings of the sybil to Adoniram 
 when he returned home. The old man said to him that 
 he had but little to do to listen to the tale of a wander- 
 ing witch. But the boy, who had almost arrived at the 
 age of manhood, allowed the prophecies of the sybil to 
 prey upon his mind. He longed to be a great man. 
 He had not the modesty of Moses, who refused to be 
 called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, even though a 
 crown should be placed upon his head. 
 
ROCKFORD. 219 
 
 u He could not, he would not remain in solitude. He 
 threatened to throw himself from a precipice if Adoni- 
 ram should not consent for him to go to the wars. The 
 old man consented, and placing a fine steed at his dis- 
 posal, invoked the blessings of the Virgin upon the head 
 of the erring boy. Estell rode from the cottage as 
 happy as a belted knight, not doubting the prophecies 
 of the sybil. He lifted his mace and battle-ax and 
 slew many imaginary foes ere he had ridden a furlong 
 from the cottage of the weeping Adoniram. The fiery 
 youth had all the beauty of Adonis and the valor of 
 Achilles. He was received in the army, was among the 
 foremost when a charge was to be made, was knighted, 
 honored and rewarded by the prince whom he served. 
 
 "I have not yet seen my father," said Estell; "yet 
 I have encountered many difficulties. Surely the words 
 of the sybil are true. 
 
 "He was acting in the capacity of a spy upon the 
 night he so strangely encountered his father in the per- 
 son of the hermit." 
 
 "You have not told me, Falkner, whether Estell ever 
 gained his kingdom." 
 
 "You must be interested, father, in my tale; you 
 will not even give me time to breathe, before you hurry 
 me on with the recitation. When Bohomathalzal died, 
 Estell discovered among his relicts several letters which 
 the hermit had written, directed to Adoniram, giving 
 him directions as to his future course. Estell could not 
 doubt but that the hermit was his father. The crown 
 and royal robes were found in the cell. He had hifl 
 
220 ROCKFORD. 
 
 father's remains transported to Utopia and interred in 
 the royal cemetery." 
 
 "You are rather fast with your narrative, my son; 
 you have not told me anything about the difficulties that 
 Estell encountered in obtaining his kingdom." 
 
 "As to that, father, it is a long story; but if you 
 will give me your attention after tea, I will relate all 
 the particulars." 
 
ROCKFORD. 221 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 "Now, Falkner," said his father, when they had 
 risen from the supper-table, "you must tell me how 
 Estell obtained his kingdom." 
 
 " You may doubt the truth of some of my assertions, 
 my dear father, but they are as true as some of the ad- 
 ventures which we read of in the Arabian Nights. The 
 unhappy Estell had as many difficulties and dangers to 
 encounter as JEneas of old experienced ere he arrived 
 at the place of his destination. Often the shades of 
 his father appeared to him in his dreams and implored 
 him to bury his body in that strange land and hasten 
 on to his beloved Utopia ; but the good boy had taken 
 upon himself a vow to suffer death before he would yield 
 up the corpse of the deceased king. He was wrecked 
 upon an island, where he remained with a few friends 
 for two years. One day while they were out searching 
 for drift wood, and eggs which were deposited upon the 
 island by the sea-birds, they espied a vessel. With joy 
 they discovered that the ship was making for the island. 
 They were horror stricken when they discovered that 
 the vessel carried a black flag at the mast head. The 
 pirates landed and took possession of the persons and 
 property of the unfortunate sojourners. Happy it was 
 for them that they were able bodied men, or they might 
 
222 ROUKFORI). 
 
 have been slain. They were marched aboard of the 
 vessel and carried to a distant port and sold into slave- 
 ry. It was fortunate for Estell that he had concealed 
 his treasures in a cave upon the island. He had buried 
 the coffer that contained the remains of his father. 
 
 " The master of Estell was a good man, and treated 
 him with much kindness. He was employed as an 
 amanuensis and interpreter, (thanks to the instructions 
 he had received from the learned Adoniram.) The 
 merchant died after many years, bequeathing his whole 
 estate to Estell, who had married his only daughter. — 
 Estell purchased a ship, sailed to the island, and placing 
 his treasures aboard, steered for Utopia, many hundred 
 miles away to the South. He had not revealed to any 
 person on board that he was the son of the late Boho- 
 mathalzal, trusting to Fate to solve the great enigma 
 of his strange life. When the vessel of Estell had pro- 
 ceeded a few hundred miles upon the expedition, the 
 ship of a pirate hove in sight. Estell gave the pirati- 
 cal ship a few broadsides, and fastening the graj:>pling 
 irons to its sides, boarded it, followed by the trusty 
 crew. All the pirates except the captain were slain — 
 he being taken alive. What was the joy of Estell at re- 
 cognizing in him the pirate who had sold him into slavery. 
 He was immediately run up to the yard-arm amid the 
 shouts of the exultant crew. Groans were heard issu- 
 ing from the cabin of the pirate's vessel. Estell went 
 immediately to relieve the unfortunate persons. Adon- 
 iram, the aged foster-father of the boy, was among the 
 number. He was released, and fainted in the arms of 
 
ROCKFORD. 228 
 
 Estell, whom he recognized. He had traversed half of 
 the globe searching for the adventurous boy. The ves- 
 sel of the pirates was made fast to the ship of Estell, 
 and, buoyant with hope, the modern iEneas steered 
 again for Utopia. 
 
 " When the prosperous winds wafted them into the port 
 of the principal city of his kingdom, Estell was sur- 
 prised at the magnificence of the buildings. He was 
 greeted as a stranger whose prowess had subdued the 
 wizzard of the seas. He had the difficulties of Ulysses 
 to encounter ere he obtained his kingdom. 
 
 " He learned that a foreign prince ruled in the place 
 of his father, and had brought over as many followers 
 of his own as William of Normandy conveyed to Eng- 
 land. He had distributed the principal offices among 
 them — thus Utopia was held in complete subjection. — 
 He presented himself before the people and claimed to 
 be the lost prince. Adoniram, who was present, was 
 recognized by his old associates, and the story of Estell 
 was believed by many ; yet, others, among them the 
 king, believed it to be a fabrication. The king issued 
 a warrant for the arrest of Estell, but he collected many 
 soldiers who were not well disposed to the usurper, and 
 resisted the authority of the pseudo king. The armies 
 fought long and desperately, and victory perched upon 
 the standard of Estell. The aged Adoniram brought 
 forth the crown which had been piously kept by Estell, 
 and placed it upon the head of his foster son. The 
 joy of Adoniram was so great when the king marched 
 into the palace, that he expired." 
 
224 ROCKFOKD. 
 
 When Falkner had finished the narrative, his father 
 was satisfied that the boy had more imagination than he 
 had given him credit for. He cautioned the boy from 
 indulging too freely in novel reading, but recommended 
 a few standard works for his perusal. 
 
 Within a few weeks Falkner and Corie bade farewell 
 to the parents and departed for the University, very 
 much to the gratification of the latter, who was dying 
 to see his dulcinea. 
 
 <-. 
 
ROCKFORD. 22;1 
 
 CHAPTER XX VIII. 
 
 [from the journal of falkner manning.] 
 
 -Ten years have passed since I entered the University 
 
 of M . Ten years have passed swiftly away, jet 
 
 they have been mingled with sunshine and shadow, love 
 and grief, hope and despair. I try to be calm 'as I 
 write, yet my mind is so troubled at the recollection of 
 the past, I shudder to record my thoughts upon thfc 
 stainless sheet. I would long to die, but it is sinful in 
 me to wish to hurry myself into the presence of my 
 Maker. I have learned all that Mr. Manning know, 
 about my abduction, yet not enough to establish my pa- 
 rentage. How I long to see him whom I so dearly 
 love ! him whom I supposed was my father ! And Cor- 
 olan! these eyes may never again behold him, but [ 
 shall pray for him till life's last sun shall set. 
 
 "But let me be more explicit, and chronicle some 61 
 the principle events of my life. Perhaps these pages 
 may be exhibited to the world when I shall have ceased 
 to exist; perhaps my mind may be calmed by becoming- 
 familiar again with events which have nearly escaped 
 my memory. If we do not delight to do so, we are 
 forced to dwell upon occurrences of an unhappy na 
 turc. rj 
 
226 ROCKFOllD. 
 
 "How happy was I when I joined the Sophomore class 
 of the University of M ! Corolan was my con- 
 stant companion, and from my kindness to him, he had 
 learned to love and respect me. His mind reacted un- 
 der my tutelage, and his reason, which was not obtuse 
 except upon abstruse and scientific subjects, was sud- 
 denly loosened from the leaden fetters which bound it. 
 He became as famous for his excellence in learning as 
 he had formerly been noted for his inattention to books. 
 Father — yes, I must call him father still — was not hap- 
 pier on account of this sudden change in the mind of 
 Gorolan than I was. He could scarcely believe his eyes 
 when he opened and read the first letter Corolan had 
 ever written. When father was assured by me that the 
 letter had been composed by Corolan, without my assis- 
 tance, he wrote me a long, loving epistle, entreating me 
 to continue my laudable course of instruction. I was 
 directed by him to allow Corolan as much money as 
 he wanted, not doubting but that the boy had become 
 as economical as myself. I did not reveal this to Corie, 
 fearful that he might take advantage of it and relax 
 again into indolent habits. I gave him whatever 1 
 thought he needed, not refusing anything within the 
 bounds of reason that he desired. His love for me in- 
 creased, and I joyfully perceived that he would be able 
 to enter the University by another year. How quickly 
 that time rolled around and found us again at the Uni- 
 versity ! As I had expected, Corolan applied for, and 
 obtained an entry into the Freshman class. I rose Ju- 
 nior, having maintained the first position in the two 
 
ROCKFORD. 227 
 
 lower classes. Father was so overjoyed at the success 
 of Corie, that he insisted upon paying us a visit. He 
 went to the College and spent one week with us. That 
 week was one of the happiest of my life. I had a bed 
 prepared for him in my room. One night during his 
 visit, I waked up and saw father bending over me, weep- 
 ing bitterly. He bedewed my cheeks with his tears. 
 I asked him why he grieved ; he could give me no an- 
 swer, but, bending over me, kissed me more than once 
 and retired to his bed. I could not divine the cause of 
 his grief, thinking that he was sad on account of beinp- 
 about to leave his children so soon. I can now divine 
 the cause, oh ! father, but then I thought I was your 
 own son. 
 
 " Father left us, having made us many fine presents, 
 and enjoining upon us to write to him every week. He 
 embraced Corolan more tenderly than he had ever done 
 before, but when he came to take leave of me, his frame 
 shook ; he pressed me to his bosom, he kissed me, and 
 tears, which he could not restrain, flowed from his eyes 
 like rain-drops. How I remember his looks on that 
 morning ! His finely-formed, handsome face looked sad 
 and sorrowful. I had never discovered before that his 
 hair had commenced turning gray. His mild and beauti- 
 ful eye seemed a little sunken. I supposed that he was 
 unwell. No, it was sorrow; it was the visible trace of 
 grief; it was dejection, on my account alone. He knew 
 my nature so well that he feared to tell me I was a 
 foundling. Bless his good heart! Jiis letters arc read 
 by me with care and tenderness. If I should ever dis- 
 
228 ROCKFORD. 
 
 cover my father, I know I shall not, can not, love him 
 with half the ardor that I did (and do yet) Mr. Man- 
 ning. But I digress. 
 
 " Corolan maintained a fair standing in his class, as 
 some supposed, from my superior tuition ; but it was not 
 from that cause. His mind, naturally active, was as 
 capable of grasping a subject as mine, and he devoted 
 his whole time to his studies. He .had an excellent 
 constitution, thanks to the superior training he received 
 from father in our field sports. He was capable of per- 
 forming; heavier tasks than I could. I remember that 
 he had set up several nights, on one occasion, in suc- 
 cession — during the whole of which time he never ceas- 
 ed from study. His pride was fully aroused, and he 
 stood at the head of the class at the close of the Fresh- 
 man year. 
 
 "He was successful in obtaining the love of his dul- 
 cinea, who promised to become his bride when he obtain- 
 ed his diploma. She was indeed a prize. Her beauty 
 was of that soft, dove-like kind that renders the Italian 
 ladies so charming. I have never seen but one lady 
 who was her superior in point of beauty and accom- 
 plishments, and that was — yes I must name her — that 
 was my own flame, Elfrida Mordaunt. 
 
 "When the diplomas were distributed to the gradu- 
 ating class at the end of my fourth year in college, and 
 it was announced that I had obtained the first honor, 
 there was general applause. As I went upon the ros- 
 trum to receive my diploma, I observed that father, who 
 was seated with the trustees, was weeping for joy. I 
 
ROCKFORD. 229 
 
 received my diploma from the distinguished Mr. Rock- 
 ford, who was appointed by the authorities to deliver the 
 diplomas and the prizes. He is the same man who 
 traveled with Corolan and me when we first went to the 
 University. He was then in quest of a lost son. I 
 remember every word he said as distinctly as if it were 
 yesterday. He is the finest looking old man I have 
 ever seen. When he delivered to me the diploma and 
 the prize, I thought his voice and manner of speaking 
 were unequaled. He pressed me warmly by the hand 
 and congratulated my father for having so talented a 
 son. I long to see him again ; but how could I meet 
 him, now that he is the Governor of the State and I a 
 poor artist ? He is the guardian of Elfrida, whose love 
 I sought and obtained when I was in the senior class. 
 
 She was placed at the Female College of M by 
 
 him, where she graduated with honor. 
 
 U I returned home with father and Corolan, who was 
 as loth to part with his affianced as I was sorry to see 
 Elfrida depart with her father for Crofton. I promised 
 Elfrida, before I left, that I would come to Crofton when 
 one year had passed. I had not sought to obtain Mr. 
 Rockford r s consent to our marriage, preferring to wait 
 until we had tested our affections for each other thor- 
 oughly. 
 
 My father was duly informed of my intentions — for 
 I had never kept an important secret from him in my 
 life. He interposed no objections to my going to Crof- 
 ton. Brother Corolan had gone back to College, fear- 
 ing father and me to enjoy our sports alone. We -pent 
 
230 ROCKFORD. 
 
 the mornings in shooting ducks and partridges, and the 
 evenings in reading from select books. I amused my- 
 self at times in drawing and painting. I had learned 
 the art well. I painted the portraits of father, mother 
 and Corolan, which were admired by all who saw the 
 pictures. 
 
 "A few days before the time arrived for me to take 
 my departure for Crofton to see my Elfrida, father — 
 who had been long in conversation with mother — ap- 
 proached me, weeping, with a letter in his hand. He 
 extended it to me and sorrowfully bade me read it. I 
 did so and fainted in the arms of the good man. When 
 I revived, mother was weeping bitterly and bathing my 
 forehead with cologne. 
 
ROCKPORD. 231 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 [from falkner manning's journal.] 
 
 " My mother was standing over me, bathing my tem- 
 ples and administering what remedies were at hand. — 
 When I opened my eyes, my memory revived, and J 
 was the most wretched of mortals. A foundling — 
 ' Umbra nominis stat ' — all hope fled ; all the dreams cf 
 youth vanished. Elfrida lost to me forever ! Would 
 she who had engaged herself to the son of one of the 
 magnates of the land remain faithful to her pledge when 
 she discovered that I was a foundling ? Was it right 
 for me to deceive her, even though my reputed father 
 should permit me to retain the name I had not disgrac- 
 ed, and endow me with half his fortune ? I could not. 
 I would not deceive the pure being who might be made 
 miserable. I may be the son of a low-born man, but 
 the fine dress and the gold chain that were found upon 
 my person gave a contradiction to that assertion. The 
 letter that was enclosed in my wrapper gave no clue to 
 my parentage. For the benefit of those who desire to 
 learn something of the history of the unhappy man who 
 writes these pages, the letter to which I refer mav ],c 
 read with interest : 
 
232 ROCKFORD. 
 
 "June 4th, 18—. 
 " Theodore Manning, Esq. : You do not know me — 
 yet I know you from reputation. When you discover 
 the beautiful boy asleep at your door, receive him as a 
 gift from Heaven. You may learn something of his 
 history in the future — but not now. That he is one of 
 the most beautiful boys you ever beheld, there can not 
 be a doubt. You have just lost one about his age, and 
 it may not be improper for you to adopt him. You 
 are soon to remove to another portion of the State, and 
 it will not be inconvenient for you to adopt the boy as 
 your own son. If you make any publication of the 
 discovery of a foundling until the injunction of secrecy 
 is removed from you, the boy will be slain, or yourself 
 will be the sufferer in person. You may learn every 
 thing relative to the child at some future day — but you 
 must observe secrecy. With respect, 
 
 "C. R." 
 
 Thus had my reputed father been held in suspense. 
 Thus had my fates been balanced, as it were, upon a 
 hair. I had been beset with dangers, yet my dear father 
 and mother had carefully preserved my secret. The 
 servants, who loved me dearly, had obeyed the commands 
 of my father, who, removing to the place where I was 
 raised, within a very few days after I had been found, 
 easily persuaded the curious that I was his eldest child. 
 I was but three years of age when I was stolen from 
 my parents, and know nothing of my earlier history. 
 The first thing I remember, was my standing by my 
 
ROCKFORD. 233 
 
 mother's lap playing with brother Corolan, who was 
 then an interesting child of two years of age. I was 
 then about five years old. Corolan was a warrior from 
 his birth. He commenced fighting me before he could 
 pronounce my name. I have scratches upon my face, 
 the marks of which will never be effaced until this flesh 
 shall return to its original elements. It seemed natural 
 for him to fight everything that moved. He is a stranger 
 to fear, when his passions are excited. I never return- 
 ed one of his blows, because father and mother taught 
 me to love him and them. 
 
 u My father was so kind to me that I was unhappy 
 when he went from home and remained beyond his usual 
 time. Mother loved me dearly, but I could discern, 
 without complaining, that she doated upon Corolan. I 
 murmured not ; no discontent was ever heard to come 
 from me. She performed her duty, and I love her dearly, 
 and shall honor her until the grave closes over her. 
 Father loved me more than he did Corolan, because I 
 almost worshipped him. Who could have helped loving 
 so good a man as Theodore Manning ! He was a model 
 man, who concentrated all the happiness of this life 
 around his own fireside. All the unhappiness that I 
 feel is from the fact that I am not his son." ' 
 
 "When I recovered, father took me out to ride in the 
 carriage. He used every means in his power to pacify 
 me and make me content to live with him and be his 
 son. He offered me an equal share with Corolan in his 
 immense estate, but I could not accept it. I had learn- 
 
234 ROCKFORD. 
 
 ed that my father was living, yet I did not know what 
 position in society he occupied. If he was a boot-black 
 and possessed honor and integrity, I would rush into his 
 arms. But the dread uncertainty of suspense, ah ! that 
 is the most galling of all hardships. 
 
 "I refused to remain with the man whom I loved so 
 tenderly. I refused to share his fortune with Corolan. 
 That generous boy, who had learned to love me, would 
 have surrendered the half of his own claim rather than 
 see me depart. But the boy was absent, and I should 
 see him no more. Blessed Corolan ! may thy life be 
 not beset with the same misfortunes that have rendered 
 your brother Falkner so unhappy ! 
 
 " Mother implored me to remain and share the love 
 she bore her own Corie. Father wept, and entreated 
 me not to leave him. But how could I remain near one 
 I loved so well, knowing that our relations had changed ! 
 No, I could not stay; I had no name, and I must win 
 one. I knew I possessed some talent. I had borne off 
 all the prizes and the first honor from forty boys who 
 were contending for it with all their might. I could 
 draw and paint, and, that failing, I might be an instruc- 
 tor of youth. The world ower me a name and a living, 
 thought I to myself, and I will carve out my own for- 
 tune. 
 
 "Father made me promise to receive immediate as- 
 sistance from him. I consented, but with a mental re- 
 servation." 
 
 Before I proceed farther with my narrative, I will 
 place the letter of Rodman before the reader : 
 
ROCKFORD. 235 
 
 " Manning Hall, July 1st, 18 — . 
 " Theodore Manning, Esq. — 
 
 " Respected Sir : The object of my writing this letter 
 is to give you some information respecting the interest- 
 ing boy you claim as your son. You have been kind 
 to me, and Falkner has been to me as a ministering an- 
 gel during my illness. He is not my son, but I hold 
 the secret of his birth in my breast. I have an end to 
 subserve, and his own father must learn the secret of 
 his retreat from me alone. You love the boy, and it is 
 well, or I could take him from you at any moment. He 
 adores you, and I am contented for him to remain in 
 ignorance of his birth until he has graduated. You 
 
 may then tell him that he is a foundling, but if C 
 
 R can make it to his own interest, Falkner may be 
 
 restored to his father. You need not endeavor to fer- 
 ret out the father of Falkner. He can never discover 
 his father except through me. If there is any adver- 
 tisement inserted in the papers, Falkner may disappear. 
 
 "When the time, to which I have limited you, has ex- 
 pired, I shall be near Falkner ; but until I can make it 
 to my advantage, the secret shall remain within my 
 breast. 
 
 "For the present I shall be known as 
 
 "C. Rodman." 
 
EOCKFOHD. 
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 [PALKNEB MANNING'S JOURNAL CONTINUED.] 
 
 " I promised to receive assistance from my father with 
 the conditions that he would receive back the amount 
 he might advance me when I should desire to return it. 
 I was not long in making up my mind as to my future 
 course. I resolved to go to Italy and take a thorough 
 course of instruction under the chief masters of the art 
 of painting, in the principal galleries of the most noted 
 cities of that beautiful region. I thought, by adopting 
 this course, my mind might be freed from the great bur- 
 den of grief that was consuming my vitals. I had al- 
 lowed my mind to dwell at great length upon Italy. I 
 had read the works of Plutarch, Petrarch and Dante, 
 and I desired to behold the everlasting city whose fame 
 will exist through all time to come. Rome ! Rome I 
 what a world is spoken in that short word ! Two thou- 
 sand years ago it was the Capital of the World. Caesar 
 dwelt there in all his imperial pride ; Cicero harangued 
 the multitudes ; the Scipios were renowned for their 
 deeds of valor, and the Antonines gilded the imperial 
 cities with their golden laws. I would see the ruins of 
 the Colliseum ; I would see the tombs of the Scipios, 
 and stand upon the seven hills of the greatest city of 
 ancient times. 
 
ROCKFORD. 
 
 237 
 
 " Yes, I resolved to visit Italy, the birth-place of the 
 fine arts; the nurse of genius, if not the cradle of lib- 
 erty." 
 
 "My preparations were soon made, and I bade adieu 
 to my beloved foster parents. My father placed in my 
 possession a check for one thousand dollars, upon one 
 of the principal banking houses in the city of New 
 York. He accompanied me to the nearest station, and 
 I pressed his hand, returned his warm embrace and left 
 him. I was strongly induced to go by the University 
 
 of M and see Corolan; but how could I meet him! 
 
 how could I part with him ! My father must make the 
 disclosure to him ; I could not, I would not. His pres- 
 ence might baulk me in my purpose ; I could notsee him. 
 He never would have permitted me to leave him. 
 
 "I arrived at the great city of New York — a world 
 in miniature, of itself. There were so many attrac- 
 tions in that city for one like myself, who had never 
 traveled, that I was forced, against my will, to remain 
 several weeks. 
 
 "When I embarked upon one of the principal vessels 
 that made regular trips to Europe, I bade farewell, as 
 I supposed, to my native land forever. I was in search 
 of what I never expected to find — peace of mind. I 
 was in search of a name — where should I find it ? That 
 was the main question. 
 
 "I left New York, the great Emporium of the Western 
 World, to sail across the Atlantic. I cared not whether 
 its waves should ever waft me back again J still, it v 
 
238 ROCKFORD 
 
 not my intention to hasten my death. I longed to 
 hide myself in arid deserts. I longed to become famil- 
 iar with wild scenes. But we cannot always shape out 
 our own course ; we cannot ever direct our own bark. 
 The winds of prosperity or adversity may mock our ef- 
 forts or may be propitious. 
 
 "I visited London, that great babel of the world. I 
 stood upon Tower Hill and wept over the fates of Ral- 
 eigh, Wallace and More. Every place of note in that 
 great city was seen by me — some with incliiference, 
 others with interest. 
 
 "I dwelt not long in the gay French Capital, but left 
 the minarets and towers of Paris with but few pangs of 
 regret. 
 
 " It was at Rome that I lingered; it was in the gal- 
 leries of art that I tarried. My brush and pencil were 
 put in requisition for weeks and months in copying the 
 great models of the distinguished masters. 
 
 "Venice, sweet, smiling city of the sea, why was it 
 not fated for me to dwell within thy neglected palaces 
 forever ! 
 
 -ITALIA. 
 
 " The rustic muse was Virgil's pride. 
 As on the shady ground he lay, 
 With kids and lambkins by his side. 
 To hear the rural shepherds play. 
 
 '•Beneath the beech-tree's spreading shade 
 The herdsmen gathered in a band ; 
 Damoctas with Menalcas played — 
 The sweetest bards in all the land. 
 
ROCKFORD. 239 
 
 t; And when the oat-pipe's strain was heard, 
 The rustic maid with nimble feet 
 Prolonged the dance; the old ones cheered, 
 And time passed by on wings so fleet. 
 
 " The board was spread with apples red. 
 And chestnuts from the valleys gay, 
 And berries from the grassy bed, 
 That ripen in the month of May. 
 
 t: And then for drink, the rippling stream 
 Supplied them from its crystal tide; 
 The milk was crowned with golden cream. 
 The shepherd's first and fondest pride. 
 
 •■ Beneath the beech-tree's spreading shade, 
 Those feasts no more the shepherd greet: 
 No more the swains in each loved glade, 
 On rustic pipe those strains repeat. 
 
 "No more the shepherd maid with sighs 
 Repeats her love to gurgling rills ; 
 No more Italia's lovely skies 
 
 Smile on her peerless vine-clad hills. 
 
 11 No more the bard, in magic numbers, 
 Sends greetings to his friends in Rome : 
 Freedom lies in death's cold slumbers — 
 The rustic bard hath now no home. 
 
 kk The Vandals from the frozen North, 
 With cohorts gathered far and wide, 
 With war's dread tramp did issue forth. 
 And pitched their tents near Tiber's tide. 
 
 " Long waged the war, the struggle great: 
 Italia's best blood flowed ill streams: 
 The pillaged fanes and templed state 
 Live only now in poet's dreams. 
 
 " Land of the sun, Italia grand, 
 
 Where sleeps the pride of other days? 
 
240 ROCKFORD. 
 
 Where slumber now that mighty band ? 
 Where dwell thy bards of tuneful lays ? 
 
 " Perhaps some youthful Cicero, 
 
 With magic words upon his tongue, 
 May yet spring forth as once before 
 When danger o'er his country hung. 
 
 "Italia! once so brave, so grand, 
 
 Awake ! throw off the galling chains ! 
 Drive despots from thy sacred land. 
 Which once rejoiced in Virgil's strains.' 
 
 -• Land of the mighty Caesar's pride ! 
 How dear to me in youthful days ! 
 How fond I loved thee ! yet I sighed — 
 A despot ruled thy hills and braes. 
 
 •• Where are all thy shining treasures 
 
 Brought from the conquered nations far ? 
 Where are all thy haunted pleasures 
 That made thee an imperial star ? 
 
 " As sunset gilds the western sky, 
 
 And spreads its halo o'er the world. 
 And sets that orb and bids good-bye, 
 While darkness is around unfurled: 
 
 '•Thus leaden shadows o'er that land 
 Lie thickly dark, and broke the lute, 
 And, leveled low with torch and brand, 
 Italia sleeps — her bards are mute. 
 
 •■ The Tiber, flushed with golden hue, 
 Still pours its noble stream along ; 
 No laden vessels rise to view 
 That echo with the victor's song. 
 
 • : No trophies from the golden East 
 Are wafted o'er the ocean blue; 
 No costly wines to cheer the feast 
 Give welcome to the honest crew. 
 
ROCKFORD. 241 
 
 - Pair Venice smiles, but not with life; 
 The gondolier's sweet song is still; 
 The harp is hushed ; the drum and fife 
 Are heard from every vale and hill. 
 
 '• Dead is Ilalia's ancient lame: 
 
 Her noble deeds live but in song; 
 Extinguished is the brilliant flame 
 That lighted up her Janes so long. 
 
 'Land of the brave! awake once more! 
 
 Awake thy sons to deeds of fame! 
 Their blood-red falchions steeped in gore 
 Can but restore thy ancient name. 
 
 " One thousand years have passed away, 
 And downward still thy course has been; 
 Five hundred more, and yet decay 
 Will on thy ancient realms be seen. 
 
 u Thy mighty sons that made thee greal 
 Are. not revered by thy cold race; 
 Their deeds were valiant, yet their fate 
 Was smothered by oblivion's trace. 
 
 " Land of the sun, farewell ! but yet. 
 When future heroes rise to sight, 
 Thy star, though not forever set. 
 
 Will shine in realms of ether bright. 
 
 "I tarried in Italy two long, sweet years, and left 
 it with regret ; I knew not why. I knew not why 1 
 wept at parting with any place; a prison were as ac- 
 ceptable to me as a palace. 
 16 
 
242 ROCKFORD. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXI. 
 
 [from falkner manning's journal.] 
 
 "I said that it was with regret that I left Italy, 
 where I spent so many happy hours in visiting the gal- 
 leries of art. It is true, that the beautiful land of the 
 sun possessed many charms for me ; yet, I felt as if I 
 were in search of something I could not find. I had 
 rowed with the gondoliers of Venice, and listened to 
 their sweet songs and romantic stories ; had stood in 
 the decayed palaces of the mighty Caesars ; had wan- 
 dered by the banks of the Yellow Tiber ; yet I could 
 not, I did not, realize the dreams of my boyhood rela- 
 tive to that sainted land. 
 
 "Where does the enthusiasm of youth spring from'/ 
 Italy. Where does the neophyte in the arts and sci- 
 ences, poetry, eloquence and philosophy obtain his mod- 
 els ? From the land that Brutus tried to redeem from 
 servitude. Shall it be ever thus that the birth-place of 
 literature is to remain in obscurity and ignorance ? The 
 very citizens of that once happy country have forgot- 
 ten their ancient language. The most learned of them 
 know not the many valiant deeds that their ancient an- 
 cestors enacted. The orchards and vineyards which 
 once enriched the owners of the soil, have gone to pre- 
 
ROCKFORD. 248 
 
 mature decay. The instructions of the swan of Mantua 
 have been forgotten and neglected. Cimmerian dark- 
 ness broods over the land — despotism exerts its potent 
 sway. Italy may never awake from her lethargy, but 
 let us wait and hope. 
 
 "I stood upon the Alps, and heard the thunder roar- 
 ing and saw the lightning flashing beneath my feet. S 
 gathered the vernal flowers at the base of those famous 
 elevations, and saw the snows and experienced the chil- 
 ling blasts of a polar region upon their summit. The 
 armies of Napoleon had passed those gorges; the feet 
 of Byron, Shelley, Keats and Goldsmith had pressed 
 those glaciers, and should I dare to tread where mortal 
 had ever ventured ? No ; fear has never been to this 
 bosom known, though I have ever been esteemed as a 
 quiet and unobtrusive man. I climbed the summits of 
 the Alps, where the Swiss cottager, accustomed ever to 
 brave danger, durst not venture. I communed with the 
 spirits of those whom I imagined had ventured upon 
 the most dangerous places. If wizzarcls, witches or 
 hobgoblins existed otherwise than in the fancy of nerv- 
 ous mortals, it would have been a source of pleasure for 
 me to have welcomed the apparition. While standing 
 upon one of the highest pinnacles in the world, why did 
 I long to cast myself down ? It surely arose not from 
 a desire to imitate the actions of a Curtius or Manfred, 
 but all men have a strange desire to jump from high 
 places. I would particularly advise the nervous man 
 not to venture upon high mountains : their desires may 
 overcome their judgment. 
 
244 ROCKFORD 
 
 " Did I desire to dwell upon that summit forever ? Did 
 I wish to exclude myself from the balance of my race, 
 and end my days in thoseTrozen and frightful solitudes ? 
 T know not, I care not. My feelings were not as they 
 were when I read of those serial regions. I crossed the 
 beautiful lowland regions of la belle France, and my heart 
 leaped afresh at the goodly sights I saw — a prosperous, 
 happy people to all appearances. If their burdens 
 were heavy, they repined not. The yoke of the despot 
 seemed to sit lightly upon their necks. They sang to 
 their tuneful harps, danced with light and merry hearts, 
 trod the wine-presses, drank the health of their despotic 
 rulers — yet they claim to be happy ! 
 
 " I had learned to speak the French language with 
 fluency at the University, but I could scarcely make 
 myself intelligible to the Vendeeans. It is true, they 
 were polite, clever and courteous ; yet it is evident 
 that they are only children of nature. France has 
 changed her policy of Government so often, that it is 
 impossible for the lower classes to keep pace with the 
 strides of conquerers and rulers. It is certain that the 
 tenets of the first Napoleon obtained a greater sway 
 over that fickle people than the fixed laws of any king 
 since the good times of Louis Quatorze. 
 
 "I passed into Spain. I wandered by the banks of 
 the famous Guadelquiver. I listened for the sounds of 
 a magic iEolian harp to strike upon mine ear — but I 
 heard it not. The nymphs of poesy have even deserted 
 those vine-clad groves. The Spanish maid hath truly 
 hung her harp upon the willows, and its strings arc all 
 
ROCKFORD. 246 
 
 broken, and dead the sound. Yet, lovely Spain, the 
 memories of the past will ever cluster around thee, and 
 render thee, as ever, an interesting nation. That beau- 
 tiful land of the sun rejoices in more natural advantages 
 than its sister States — still the populace are an ignor- 
 rant, degraded, besotted race. But the grandees of 
 Spain retain the pristine virtues of their ancient com- 
 peers. Some of them have yet the valor of the ancient 
 Gauls — some of them could yet contend with another 
 Wellington." 
 
 "Upon the deep waters of the dark blue sea again 3 
 embarked. As the noble ship cut the proud waves of 
 the briny deep, I looked out upon that wild waste 
 of waters and thought my life as cheerless as the pros- 
 pect before me. The captain was a man who had passed 
 the prime of life. He was tall and handsome, and withal 
 very intelligent. He had been upon the sea nearly forty 
 years. He might have been sixty years of age, still 
 he might have passed for a man of middle age had not 
 his head assumed a hoary garb. Captain Walsingham 
 is a man whom to know is to love. His manners are 
 mild, unassuming, k and yet of the most fascinating char- 
 acter. He took a peculiar fancy to me before I had 
 been aboard of the vessel one day. He said I had a 
 striking resemblance to a charming little boy who was 
 the child of Governor Rockford. He related the cir- 
 cumstance of 'his having given the boy a Newfoundland 
 dog a great many years before, when the father and 
 mother were upon a visit to his ship. It is very singu 
 
246 ROOKFOKD. 
 
 lar that I should be so interested in the fate of that boy, 
 whom I, of course have never seen. I listened atten- 
 tively to Captain Walsingham's narrative, and I could 
 scarcely refrain from weeping when he had finished. I 
 do wish I could see that lovely boy. I think they call 
 Mm Sebastian. I wonder if he is as unhappy as I am ? 
 No, no, he cannot be ; it is utterly impossible ; no mor- 
 tal knows how I suffer. But to return to Captain Wal- 
 singham. He seemed to love me. He praised my su- 
 perior hight, extolled my music, and often when the sea 
 was calm, and the sun was about to dip its fiery arc in 
 the bosom of the distant waves, I would take my guitar, 
 which I could at times strike in tuneful melody, and 
 play for him some plaintive air. He had a fine voice, 
 and sang delightfully. The tears would glisten in his 
 eyes when I would happen to play a melody which re- 
 vived the memories of the past. 
 
 " Captain Walsingham gave me a large Newfound- 
 land dog, because I took a fancy to him. He said he 
 would give a thousand such dogs if he could only be- 
 hold Sebastian Rockford again. He has made his will, 
 devising his whole estate to Sebastian, if he should ever 
 be found. That boy must have been truly and wonder- 
 fully interesting and lovely. Walsingham was one of 
 
 the first graduates of the University of M . He 
 
 seemed dearer to me for that reason. When shall I see 
 him again ? Bless his soul ! he would receive not a sous 
 for my passage from Madrid to S . ? * 
 
 "I am here in this dull town, fully one hundred miles 
 
ROCKFORD. 247 
 
 from father 's residence. I long to go and throw myself 
 in his arms, yet I cannot. Crofton is fully fifty miles 
 lower down the river than this place. I have been here 
 several months, yet have heard nothing from those I 
 love. I will soon be out of money, yet I trust that the 
 portraits I am painting may replenish my empty purse. 
 I shall not stay here very long, but let come what may, 
 I must go to Crofton and ascertain if Elfrida Mordaunt 
 is yet single. But why should I care to know ? She 
 is the ward of the Governor and I am only a poor 
 painter. ' ' 
 
248 ROCKFORD. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXII. 
 
 [from falkner manning's journal.] 
 
 " The night is dark, and my soul is sad. As I sit 
 here in my lonely chamber and listen to the merry peals 
 of laughter that come from the street below, my mind 
 reverts to the scenes of my college days, when Corolan 
 was with me ; when we were happy ; when only the 
 faint shade of a shadow had crossed the path of my 
 life. I feel sad ; yet why should I repine ? It may be 
 that the darkest days of my life have passed. The cur- 
 tain of Time may soon rise and present different scenes 
 to my view. I have tasted of the bitter dregs of the 
 cup of despair, yet the future may have bliss in store 
 for me. If I could only discover my dear father, who 
 has grieved for me so bitterly, I would bid sorrows de- 
 part, and fly to his arms. I would then go back to my 
 foster father and ask his blessing. I love him too well 
 to dwell near him, knowing that he is not my parent- 
 Why did he not rear me as a foundling ? I should not 
 have repined if the discovery had been made to me at 
 an earlier day. 
 
 "The only friend I have in this town is my New- 
 foundland dog. He is lying at the door of my cham- 
 ber, guarding it from intrusion. Last night while 1 
 
UOCKFORD. 249 
 
 was asleep, I was aroused from my slumbers by his 
 barking. In a few moments I heard the sound of a 
 footstep upon the stairs. I apprehended no danger — 
 feared none ; the word is not to be found in my vocabu- 
 lary. The hand that writes these lines can trace with 
 delicate pencil, the softest tint of an oriental landscape, 
 and hurl the bar and quoit farther than any man with 
 whom I have ever contended. I feared no danger — 
 had no enemy in the world that I knew of, yet the cau- 
 tious tread of the intruder aroused my suspicions. In 
 a moment after he had arrived at the head of the stair- 
 e, the dog disputed his approach to the door of my 
 chamber. I rose quickly from my bed and sprang to 
 the assistance of my noble guardian. As I opened the 
 door, by the light of the moon I beheld a stalwart man, 
 with long grisly beard and gray hair, standing to con- 
 front me. I asked the cause of the intrusion ; he spoke 
 not, but, taking a knife from his girdle, he rushed upon 
 me. I seized his wrist, wrenched the knife from his 
 hand, and hurled him down the steep stairway. Not de- 
 siring to return to a contest so unequal, the assassin 
 left the house ; I did not pursue him, but sought my 
 room again. I lighted my lamp and examined the in- 
 strument of destruction. It is a beautiful dagger : the 
 blade is of the finest Damascus steel; the handle is sil- 
 ver, inlaid with pearl. < C. R. — to Ben Harley !' is 
 the inscription. ' C. R. !' Was I so near danger with- 
 out knowing it! Harley is the name of the wretch 
 who desires to rob or slay me. ' C. R. !' Oh, how those 
 horrid initials haunt me ! Conrad Rodman, without a 
 
250 ROCKFORD. 
 
 doubt, is engaged with desperate men. He is the one 
 whom my kindness helped to restore to health. He 
 stole me from my father. He is evidently near me ; 
 he alone can restore me to my birth-right. I will seek 
 him out and denounce him. He shall reveal the secret, 
 or I will plunge this knife into his bosom. I would 
 rather die than be kept in suspense." 
 
 "I have seen Rodman, but for a few minutes. He 
 is strangely altered. How differently he appears from 
 the mild, gentle, intelligent man that gave me the chain ! 
 I seized him by the collar, held him fast, and confronted 
 him with kidnapping me ! I threatened to call the po- 
 lice and have him arrested. His hand sought a dagger 
 that was concealed in his bosom. I hurled him to the 
 ground, and was in the act of castigating him, when I 
 beheld the same man whom I had encountered and dis- 
 armed at my chamber door. In an instant Rodman 
 was gone, and I turned to grapple with my quondam 
 stout antagonist. Thrice I hurled him to the ground, 
 yet he returned to the attack. He drew a pistol and 
 fired at me, but without effect. I disarmed and disabled 
 him ; he was at my mercy. I bade him depart, though 
 I ought to have handed him over to the officers of the 
 law. Happy it was for them, and unfortunate for me, 
 that they engaged me upon the commons, or they would 
 have been apprehended by the police." 
 
 " I have finished the portraits ; my purse is filled with 
 golden coin ; I ought to be happy. I am going to 
 
ROCKFORD. 251 
 
 Crofton ; 1 must see Elfrida, if but for a moment ; I 
 must gaze again upon her beautiful face, though she 
 may be the bride of another man, whom Fate hath not 
 doomed to despair, as it hath done me." 
 
 
252 ROCKFORD. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIII. 
 
 [FROM MORTIMER ROCKFORD'S JOURNAL.] 
 
 "I HAVE lost my son ; the light of the world is dark- 
 ness to me. I am a man of sorrow and acquainted with 
 grief. What is life to me, now that I have no Sebas- 
 tian! My fine mansion and the wealth I have accumu- 
 lated yield me no pleasure. It is true that my dear 
 Josephine is left to me, but she is overwhelmed with 
 sorrow. My hearth is desolate ; the joy that lighted 
 up my house has fled. Only twelve months have passed 
 since his disappearance. I have reasons to believe that 
 he lives, because I have received anonymous letters to 
 that effect. I will start upon a tour of search for the 
 boy to-morrow. The inhabitable globe shall be travers- 
 ed or Sebastian shall be found. How bright and sweetly 
 he smiled when I ordered the nurse to take him to the 
 beach and see the wild waves dash against the shore ! 
 I knew not how much I loved him until he was lost to 
 me and his dear mother." 
 
 "Five years have passed swiftly away, yet I have 
 not found my dear son. I have been in every impor- 
 tant city of the Union ; have offered large sums for Se- 
 bastian, yet my heart is still bereaved. I suspect that 
 
ROCKFORD. 9 
 
 — ' . 
 
 Royston has had something to do with his abduction. 
 The police have discovered the robbers' retreat, and, as 
 fate had directed, some of the ring-leaders have been 
 discovered. Who would have believed that Hans Krcm- 
 plc and the painter Ileinrich were implicated ! It seems 
 that they have been engaged actively with the band for 
 a number of years. The police had been directed to 
 the Hermit's retreat by some travelers who had barely 
 escaped with their lives. The officers of the law con- 
 cealed themselves in the vicinity of the den and wit- 
 nessed the assassination of a man one night, and Hans 
 and Ileinrich were the principal murderers. They and 
 Pierre, a French pirate, are now in jail awaiting their 
 trial. I am engaged in the prosecution. Their trial 
 will come on next week. The prison is guarded night 
 and day, for fear of a rescue. Dame Elspeth and Dan- 
 die Doane were examined, but, nothing of a criminal 
 nature being found against them, they were discharged. 
 They have been forced to leave the country by the citi- 
 zens, who have long suspected them. 
 
 "What a pity it is that Harley and the notorious 
 Royston, who has been at large under sentence of death, 
 should not have been taken !" 
 
 "I have just returned from the Court-house. The 
 trial of Krcmple, Heinrich and Pierre has terminated. 
 There were many strange faces in the Court-house; 
 some suppose that many of the confederates of that 
 lawless gang were present. Krcmple received the sen- 
 tence of death with more composure than I imagined 
 
254 ROCKFORD. 
 
 he possessed. Heinrich and Pierre were in a joyful 
 glee when the Judge o 
 the sentence of death. : 
 
 glee when the Judge ordered them to rise and receive 
 
 "A large concourse of people thronged the town to- 
 day. I have never seen a greater crowd in the town of 
 Crofton. The thoroughfares were crowded to overflow- 
 ing at an early hour. When the jailor delivered Hans 
 Kremple, Heinrich and the pirate Pierre into the custody 
 of the Sheriff, the jolly crowd made the welkin ring 
 with their cheers. Some of the boys asked Hans if he 
 did not desire to sell them a patent for making saws, 
 and teach them the art of erasing names from jewelry. 
 
 "While on his way to the place of execution, Hans 
 stole the golden cross from the priest, and when he was 
 swung off he held the purse of one of the by-standers 
 between his thievish fingers ! Heinrich and Pierre died 
 sullenly, but there was much merriment over the eleva- 
 tion of the inimitable Hans Kremple. Hans would 
 have made a safe companion to have taken a sea voy- 
 age with ; for, as the poor fellow was surely born to be 
 hanged, he might never have feared death by the waves." 
 
 " Twelve years have passed since the abduction of my 
 sainted Sebastian. I have not yet despaired of seeing 
 him again. We have adopted a lovely little girl of ten 
 years of age. If Sebastian does not return she will be 
 heir to my broad estate. I have lately been to the town 
 f ]\/[ to see Elfrida. I saw one of the most hand- 
 some and amiable boys in the stage I ever beheld. He 
 reminded me so much of my lost Sebastian, tnat I felt 
 
ROCKFORD. 255 
 
 a strange fondness for him. He said his name was 
 Falkner Manning, and his father lived at Oak-Lawn. 
 He had a little brother with him, over whom he was 
 exercising parental care. That boy will yet arrive at 
 distinction." 
 
 "I have just returned from the University of M . 
 
 I delivered the diplomas and prizes to the graduating 
 class. It was with much pleasure that I conferred the 
 honor upon Falkner Manning. He is the most distin- 
 guished young man of my acquaintance. He bore his 
 honors so meekly, and reminded me so much of myself 
 when I was of his age, that had I not known that he 
 was the son of Theodore Manning, Esq., I would have 
 claimed him for Sebastian. 
 
256 UOCKFORD. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIV: 
 
 [PROM THE JOURNAL OF MORTIMER ROCKFORD.] 
 
 u It is strange that I should have this load of sorrow 
 to encumber me so long. I have grieved over the loss of 
 Sebastian for more than twenty years, still I shed tears 
 when I think of the beautiful face, the flowing auburn 
 ringlets and the sparkling blue eyes of the beloved boy. 
 I have hopes yet that my son may be restored to me, 
 having received several letters of late from an anon- 
 ymous author that Sebastian was living, totally uncon- 
 scious of the names of his parents. It is strange that 
 the individual who holds my secret within his breast 
 should make no revelation to me. 
 
 "I have heard nothing from Royston for several 
 years. He was recognized at one time and arrested. 
 The officers who were conveying him to this place for 
 the purpose of confining him in prison, were attacked 
 by members of his desperate band, and the prisoner was 
 rescued from custody. 
 
 " I firmly believe that Royston is the person that stole 
 Sebastian, assisted by some of his lawless clan. Since 
 the execution of Hans Kremple, I have called to mind 
 the strange individual I saw with him on the evening 
 Sebastian was abducted. I believe, now, that it was 
 
ROCKFORD. 257 
 
 Royston himself in disguise. If Royston desires a 
 compromise, and will restore my son to me, lie shall be 
 rewarded with wealth. I am the Governor of the State, 
 and will pardon him if a petition is presented from a 
 respectable source." 
 
 "I have lately heard of the death of my aged aunt 
 Margery. May the sod rest lightly upon her breast, 
 and the flowers bloom sweetly around her sacred grave. 
 Her fair daughters have made exemplary wives, (thanks 
 to the good advice of their mother.) Mr. Watson and 
 Mr. Judson were happy in their selection of partners. 
 They have frequently visited me. The party I gave 
 them when Sebastian was a child, will ever be remem- 
 bered by me. They were so happy ; we were all happy." 
 
 "There arc some things I delight to remember; and 
 as their scenes come up from the mist of long forgotten 
 years, I put forth my hand to draw aside the curtain of 
 memory, as if about to gaze upon a picture which once 
 had the powers of fascination. Yet, I pause and reflect 
 ere I draw aside the veil that divides me from the scenes 
 of former years, as if I feared the change would pro- 
 duce disappointment. How often have I imagined that 
 the house in which I passed the first years of my exist- 
 ence equalled in splendor some noble old Gothic struc- 
 ture, yet a visit to the old homestead, which is scarcely 
 two miles from my own house, dispelled the illusion. It 
 is strange I had not visited the house since the death of 
 my father compelled my mother to leave it and dwell in 
 
 a cheaper cottage. How changed, thought I, is the 
 17 
 
258 ROCKFOKD. 
 
 scene ; but still, time had dealt gently with the old 
 house, and memory revealed every picture to my ad- 
 miring gaze. 
 
 "In youth, our admiration of the most trivial objects 
 is only equaled by the pleasure we experience during 
 all those golden moments which come no more in after 
 life. Our pleasures die as the flowers, but they live em- 
 balmed in our memory like some departed hope, which 
 may return with the soft rays of Spring. Our tastes 
 change ; the flowers and birds that once delighted us, 
 yield us no pleasure, because the associations which 
 made them dear are far away. 
 
 "I stood beneath the tall oak, where my dear father 
 used to sit, and, as I fancied I could see the good old 
 man reclining in his easy chair beneath the umbrageous 
 boughs of the graceful tree whose branches were the 
 homes of the tuneful choristers, I brushed away the 
 tears that voluntarily dimmed my eyes. I hope that I 
 may meet my father again, in that better world, where 
 parting is never known — where sorrows come not — 
 where pain is felt not. Is it not a tender mercy, that 
 Earth is not the abiding place of the saints, but that a 
 holier and happier sphere is prepared for them by the 
 wise Ruler of the Universe ? Death is only the gate 
 through which we must pass to reach that Elysian plain 
 that is watered by the river of Life. How solemn it is 
 to visit the family cemetery, and see the graves of de- 
 parted friends ! Yonder is the grave of a man who was 
 interred when I was a lad. I remember how I shud- 
 dered and clung to the skirts of my mother's dress as 
 
ROCKFORD. 259 
 
 the coffin was lowered into the deep and solemn grave, 
 and I heard the rumbling sound of the fatal clod falling 
 upon the frame-work of the vault. He had died in the 
 spring time of life, having hastened his death by draughts 
 from the wine cup. The old spring is down yonder, be- 
 neath the hill, surrounded with sycamore trees. It was 
 a sacred spot in my boyhood's days, and the trysting 
 place of many happy thoughts. If I had a pleasant 
 book to read, it was thither I hastened. It was there 
 that my mother used to sit and tell me of the joys of 
 Heaven. Fifty years have fled since I stooped to im- 
 bibe the sweet waters of that old moss spring ; but I 
 must cease — my soul is sad." 
 
 ••I know not why my mind dwells so much upon Falk- 
 ner Manning, who received the first honor at the Uni- 
 versity of M , six years since. I have learned that 
 
 he has lately returned from a visit to the Old World, 
 whither he had gone to copy the paintings of the mas- 
 ters of the Art. Captain Walsingham was here yes- 
 terday, and informed me that young Manning was a 
 passenger in his vessel. Walsingham was so much de- 
 lighted with him that he gave him a large Newfoundland 
 dog, similar to the one he presented to Sebastian. Poor 
 < Jarlo sleeps at the beach near the spot where his young 
 master was stolen, and a plain marble slab marks his 
 resting place. Jupe reposes by his side. How they 
 loved Sebastian ! they grieved at his loss seemingly as 
 much as we did. 
 
 • L My li air is perfectly gray: yet my form is erect. 
 
260 ROCKFORD. 
 
 and my features have not assumed the appearance of 
 old age. Josephine looks young yet, though grief has 
 depressed her spirits. Elfrida has heen a faithful child, 
 and a great source of comfort to my sorrow-stricken 
 wife. I know not why she has never married. I some- 
 times think that she has refused so many opportunities 
 of marrying from the love she entertains for Josephine 
 and me. She says she never intends to leave us. Bless 
 her soul ! she lights up our benighted hearth, and con- 
 soles us, to a great extent, for our losses. I oftentimes 
 think she loves Manning, yet she has never revealed the 
 secret to me. She seems interested in him, and often 
 joins me in extolling his merits. Josephine goes out 
 upon the beach and casts many long and sorrowful glances 
 upon the sea — indulging the vain hope that every home 
 returning vessel may restore Sebastian to her arms.'' 
 
 "I have just returned from the seat of Government, 
 having been called thither on official business. When 
 my term of office expires, I shall not again be a candi- 
 date for re-election — as I am tired of public life, and 
 am heartily disgusted with the fawning and flattery of 
 office seekers. I shall retire to the privacy of my own 
 peaceful home, and spend the remnant of my days in 
 the shades of private life. The world is a theatre, up- 
 on whose stage are enacted many strange scenes. The 
 curtain rises amid the cheers of the impatient audi- 
 ence : a tragedy is performed, and the idle and listless 
 lausrliwhen a chief is slain ; the sentimental young man 
 may shed tears at the pathetic passages of a comedy." 
 
ROCKFORD 261 
 
 CHAPTER XXXV. 
 
 [from the journal of elfrlda mordaunt.] 
 
 "The year lias almost expired, and I shall soon sec 
 Falkner. I have not yet told Mr. Rockford that he 
 was coming ; I have never informed him I possessed any 
 than feelings of friendship for Falkner. I went to Mrs. 
 Rockford's room one morning for the purpose of making 
 the confession, but my lips faltered, and my tongue was 
 silent. Falkner will soon be here, and my cup of bliss 
 will be full. I think he bears a striking resemblance to 
 the portrait of the beautiful Sebastian that hangs in the 
 parlor. His hair and eyes correspond exactly with Se- 
 bastian's, though the curls of Falkner may be a shade 
 darker. Yes ! yes ! I am too happy ! Falkner will 
 bless my sight ere one more month shall have elapsed. 
 His last letter was so full of love that I pressed it a 
 thousand times to my lips. It is now in my bosom. 
 where it shall remain until I see him. I have placed it 
 next to my heart, which beats fond and fervently for 
 him, and him only. I know he loves me tenderly; I 
 know he is faithful and true to all his pledges. I love 
 him the more tenderly because he loves me for myself 
 alone. I told him that I had no fortune ; that I should 
 never consent to receive the estate that belongs to Se- 
 
262 ROCKFORD. 
 
 bastian, or any portion of it, as he might be restored 
 to his father. Yes, he loves me for myself, and this 
 faithful heart will cease to beat ere my love for him 
 shall grow cold." 
 
 u Ah, me! I am so miserable! Fate hath decreed 
 that I should be unhappy. All is dark and dreary; 
 the future hath no bright hopes for me ; the day no sun- 
 shine. I recall the lines of the poet of Nature to mem- 
 ory : 
 
 ' Had we never loved so kindly, 
 Had we never loved so blindly. 
 Never met and never parted, 
 Then we'd not been broken-hearted.' 
 
 " I cannot blame him ; I cannot reproach him ; I can- 
 not cease to love him. Oh ! the fatal letter ! it came 
 this morning by post. It has plunged me in a sea of 
 sorrow. The noble, generous Falkner is not less hap- 
 py than his miserable Elfrida. How his heart must be 
 troubled ! how his mind must be tortured, to leave the 
 good man whom he so fondly loves ! He has released 
 me from every obligation, but that is cruel; I would 
 have loved him more tenderly for his misfortunes. Sup- 
 pose he is a foundling, he is none the less noble — none 
 the less dear to me for that. He is upon the broad 
 waters of the ocean ere this, and is borne far away from 
 her who adores him." 
 
 " Three years have passed since I saw Falkner — three 
 long years, filled with bitterness. My secret has been 
 kept within my own breast, and there it will remain for- 
 ever. I cannot think he will ever return. He is so 
 
ROCKFORD. 263 
 
 pure, so sensitive, so refined, that he wrongly imagines 
 he is disgraced. He will never return, I fear; he will 
 pass his life amid solitude ; he will delight to remain in 
 obscurity. If I could only see him; if I could only 
 speak to him, it would lessen this burden of grief at my 
 heart. No ! no ! I must pine in solitude. I must reject 
 
 the addresses of every one as I did those of H . 
 
 "Mr. Rockford has been elected Governor, and I am 
 to go to the Capital to spend the winter during the ses- 
 sion of the Legislature. Mr. Rockford looks so noble, 
 and is so little elated at his distinguished honors, that 
 I am astonished. He would give all his wealth to have 
 Sebastian restored to him." 
 
 "I have just learned that Falkner has returned! he 
 is near me! he is in Crofton ! Shall I see him? Has 
 he forgotten his Elfrida ? No, never ! never ! If I 
 knew that he loves me yet, an eternity of bliss would 
 be centered in a moment. 
 
 "Be still, my throbbing heart, be still! Elfrida is 
 unhappy ! Elfrida is happy! 
 
264 ROCKFORD. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVI. 
 
 [from falkner manning's journal.] 
 
 "When I had resolved to go to Crofton, I commenced 
 
 making preparations for the journey. My trunks were 
 quickly packed, my bills paid, and I left the place, hav- 
 ing hired conveyance and a driver. As we proceeded 
 along the road that extends through the beautiful coun- 
 try, I was forcibly reminded of the home of my child- 
 hood, and I wept. My own beautiful land of the South 
 is not less lovely than the most .smiling portions of Italy 
 or France. The leafy magnolia-, which bear the sweet- 
 est flowers that ever bloomed; the stately pines, whose 
 stalwart brandies have withstood the storms of an hun- 
 dred winters ; the graceful sycamores and elms; the 
 live-oaks and cypress, beautify those never-ending 
 groves, while the vine, the lowly shrub and honey- 
 suckle fill every place with flowers and fruits. Was 
 the land of Beulah more lovely in the eyes of the Is- 
 raelites than the beautiful vine-clad land of the South 
 is to us? Mountain and valley, hill and plain, river, 
 brook, spring and fountain present one continued round 
 of beauty and interest. Who that is born at the South 
 would care to dwell in the frozen regions of the North ? 
 "It was nearly night, and the stately pines cast long 
 
ROCKFORD. 265 
 
 shadows across my path. I saw several men skulking 
 
 behind the trees, endeavoring to shun observation. I 
 
 directed the driver to be upon his guard, and force the 
 
 horses to their utmost speed, if an attempt should be 
 
 le to attack and rob us. 
 
 " I was not kept long in suspense. We had proceeded 
 
 rcely another mile on our journey, when a man, 
 
 mounted upon a charger that had the appearance of 
 
 having been ridden very hard, advanced to the carriage 
 
 and ordered the d ol to proceed another step at 
 
 the peril oi' his life. The robber wore a mask, but from 
 
 ' his gray hair, which his 
 hood failed to conceal, I easily recognized Ilarlcy, or 
 the ruffian whom i had twice before encountered. I 
 demanded of him th< of my being thus rudeh 
 
 topped upon the highway, at the same time ordering 
 the postillion to drive on. The highwayman drew a 
 pistol and discharged it at the head of the postillion, 
 who, falling from the box a moment sooner than the re- 
 port was heard, escaped with his life. I sprang from 
 the carriage and went to the assistance of the cowardly 
 fellow, who was nearly insensible from fear. He was 
 trembling in qycyj joint of his cowardly frame. When 
 I raised him from the ground he could scarcely stand. 
 Four men emerged from the woods and awaited the 
 commands of the leader, who sat upon his horse, a cool 
 spectator of the scene. I knew my own strength, and 
 did not fear those who were directed by the leader to 
 force me to submit. I drew out a pistol and fired it at 
 the foremost man. He fell instantly, but I was closely 
 
266 KOCKFORD. 
 
 pressed by the others, who were within arm's reach of 
 me. I smote one of them with my heavy stick, which 
 felled him to the ground. I had a desperate encounter 
 with the remaining two, inflicting upon them several 
 severe wounds with my knife. Two men rode up to my 
 assistance and the graceless assassins fled, leaving be- 
 hind them the robber whom I had shot. I was bleed- 
 ing from several severe wounds I had received during 
 the combat. 
 
 "I was glad to discover that the man was not dead. 
 I placed him in the carriage and looked around for the 
 postillion, who was lying at a little distance from us 
 with his face to the ground. I raised him up, telling 
 him there was no danger ; he slowly recovered his 
 senses and went back to his position on the box. I 
 thanked those who had come to my assistance, and they 
 accompanied me to the nearest house, where my wounds 
 and those of the robber were dressed. The physicians 
 said that the man was seriously, but not mortally, 
 wounded. 
 
 "I was able next morning to proceed upon my jour- 
 ney, leaving the wounded man with the landlord, who 
 promised to have him sent to Crofton for commitment 
 as soon as expedient. I arrived at Crofton that even- 
 ing, much fatigued, and feverish from loss of blood." 
 
KOCKFORD. 207 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVII. 
 
 "Father! Corie!" said Falkner, as lie hastened to 
 embrace Mr. Manning and Corolan, as they stepped 
 into his studio, " welcome to my poor apartment. Is 
 mother with you?'' 
 
 Mr. Manning pressed Falkner to his bosom, and shed 
 tears of joy. Corolan wept upon the neck of his be- 
 loved Falkner. It was long before they were sufficiently 
 composed to reply to the interrogatories of the painter, 
 who was just finishing a portrait of Governor Rockford. 
 
 "Falkner," said Mr. Manning, "you have been in 
 Crofton nearly six months, yet you have not written 
 one line to me. I was only made acquainted with your 
 residence by accident. A traveler came to my house, 
 and I gave him entertainment. He was very commu- 
 nicative, and I became interested in his conversation. 
 I learned from him that he had witnessed the encounter 
 between a young man by the name of Manning ami 
 -■ vera! highwaymen. From his description, I v 
 tain that it was my own self-exiled Falkner. II< said 
 that his companion assisted him in extricating you from 
 a, hazardous combat, though lie was confident thai you 
 would have conquered them all. The man upon horse- 
 back had taken n<> pari in the fight, from causes un- 
 
268 ROCKFORD 
 
 known to my informant. Corolan and ' myself made 
 immediate preparations to come and see you. 
 
 " We were surprised to receive a visit from Rodmaf* 
 — whom you remember — on the day we hach* set apart 
 to commence our journey. He is strangely altered, and 
 time has not dealt gently with him. , There* is some- 
 thing mysterious about the man I cannot ' fathom. He 
 said that the time had come for him to reveal the secret 
 of your birth. He directed me to pack' up the articles 
 which were found with you, (when Heaven directed the 
 person, as it seemed, to leave you at my room door,) and 
 carry them with me. He could restore you to your pa- 
 rents beyond a doubt. He has not revealed the name 
 of your father. Are you prepared to see him, Falkner ? ' ' 
 
 "I am," said the boy. " I would rather learn the 
 name of my father, and rush into his arms — though he 
 were the poorest man in the Universe — than remain in 
 suspense. But whoever lie is, I cannot, I shall not love 
 him more than I do you. I have wronged you, my 
 father, in not writing to you, but I could not." 
 
 "How you have grown, my son; you were tall, but 
 rather slender, when you left upon your European tour. 
 Now you are almost Herculean. Cone is scarcely half 
 your size. Your form is similar to that of Governor 
 Rockford." 
 
 "Father," said Falkner, "when shall I see Rodman? 
 Did he tell you that I had encountered him and de- 
 nounced him for his perfidy ? " 
 
 "He is in town now, Falkner, but preferred stopping 
 at an obscure hotel near the wharf. He would give me 
 
ROCKFORD. ^ 269 
 
 no explanation of" 4 his preferring to take that course. — 
 To-morrow morning he will meet us in this room, where 
 the mystery will^be cleared up." 
 
 Falkncr had held Corolan in his strong arms during 
 the conversation with his father, as if he had been a 
 
 child. • j£ 
 
 Corolan was small of stature but had improved much 
 in appearance since last we saw him. He was slightly 
 below the medium height, though very strong for a man 
 of his size. His beard was long, and gave him a manly 
 appearance. Falkner was slightly above six feet in 
 height, and as finely- formed as the statue of Apollo. 
 
 " Falkner, my own brother — I shall never call you 
 by another name — you must return home and live with 
 us, and share our estate. You must never leave us 
 again. Put up the brush, throw away the paints, break 
 all the pencils, and go with us to the home of our happy 
 childhood. It was cruel in you to leave us and remain 
 away so long. My dearest wife will be so glad to wel- 
 come you. Mother is almost frantic to see you. I have 
 been married two years, Falkner. Our little boy bears 
 your name ; do go with us and see him." 
 
 "I will go," said Falkner, "but I cannot promise to 
 remain. I will tell you my future plans after I have 
 seen Rodman. How is dominie Heflin ? " 
 
 " He sleeps the sleep of death," said the father. " He 
 often spoke of : you during his illness, and shed many 
 tears at your departure." 
 
 "Where is the chain Mr. Rodman gave you, broth- 
 er?" said Coric. 
 
270 ROCKFORD. 
 
 u I have it still, Corie ; but he shall receive it back 
 when I see him. The ungrateful man is not worthy of 
 respect ; besides, he is a robber, or he would not have 
 been an associate of Hurley's. It is reported and be- 
 lieved here that Harley was among the number of those 
 who were slain in a skirmish with the police a few weeks 
 since." 
 
 The father and sons spent the whole day in conversa- 
 tion, and when they retired to their beds at the hotel 
 it was late. They retired to dream, perhaps, of what 
 the morrow might disclose. 
 
 The lamps were lighted in the stately mansion of 
 Mr. Rockford. The reader is familiar with the place, 
 and it needs no further description than we have given of 
 it heretofore. The Governor was seated with his wife 
 and Elfrida at the supper-table. Elfrida had just in- 
 formed them that she was the affianced bride of Falk- 
 ner Manning, the poor artist. The Governor said he 
 would not withhold his consent. The conversation was 
 broken off by a loud knock at the door. Mr. Rockford 
 went to the door and beheld an aged and infirm man, 
 who craved an audience with his excellency. He led 
 the man into the library, and desired him to take a seat. 
 
 " You had a little son stolen from you about twenty- 
 three years ago," said the man. "Have you heard 
 from him of late years ? ' ' 
 
 "I have not," said Rockford, becoming interested. — 
 "Pray keep me not in suspense. Tell me instantly, in 
 the name of God, do you know aught of Sebastian ? 
 Speak, man, does he live?" 
 
UOCKFORD. 271 
 
 "He lives," said the man; "and you may sec him 
 soon, upon conditions. Do you remember one Carl 
 Royston, who made his escape from prison on the night 
 previous to the day set apart for his execution?" 
 
 "I do," said Rockford, "and I have long supposed 
 that he was engaged in the abduction of the boy." 
 
 "He was," said the man. "He told me that he did 
 it for revenge. He has seen the error of his ways. — 
 The last one of his band has suifcred death, and he 
 alone remains. He cannot present himself before you 
 except you will sign this instrument. When that is 
 done he will conduct you to your son." 
 
 "The Governor took the instrument and examined it, 
 (which was a form drawn up for the pardon of Carl 
 Royston, under sentence of deatli for the murder of 
 Jonathan Winslow.) 
 
 "I do not know whether I ought to sign this or not, 
 sir. I am the Governor of the State, and Sebastian 
 is my own son. I am willing to give this man Roys- 
 ton thousands of dollars if he will restore my son, but 
 I ought not to sign his pardon. What is your name, 
 old man? you look feeble." 
 
 Mr. Rockford ordered a glass of wine to bo brought, 
 and the old man drank it. He seemed much revived, 
 and resumed the conversation. 
 
 " It may not interest you to learn my name. I came 
 upon an errand of mercy. Royston will not receive 
 your gold. If you do not sign the pardon you may 
 never recover your son." 
 
 "When shall I see Sebastian if the pardon is sign- 
 ed?" said f **« excited Governor. 
 
272 KOCKFOKI) 
 
 " To-morrow, " said the man. 
 
 "Hand it to me," said the Governor; "I would do 
 it were it the last act of my life." 
 
 The name of Mortimer Rockford was affixed to the 
 instrument in an instant. 
 
 "But I must keep the pardon in my hands until I see 
 the man Royston himself." 
 
 "You can have the opportunity to-night, sir," rejoin- 
 the man. 
 
 " Then let us go instantly to him," said the Governor, 
 "moments seem like hours to me." 
 
 " Royston stands before your excellency," said the 
 man, who, pulling of his gray wig, and freeing himself 
 from the long black wrapper, revealed the person of 
 Conrad Rodman, or Carl Royston. 
 
 Morning came. The day was beautiful. The sun 
 shone in splendor, and the house of the Governor was 
 thronged, as usual, with early visitors. Rockford excus- 
 ed himself, requesting his friends to remain with his 
 wife and Elfrida. He and Royston (who had remained 
 with him during the night) left the house and proceeded 
 to the town. 
 
 "Let me step into the studio of the painter one mo- 
 ment, Mr. Royston," said the Governor, "and I will at- 
 tend you. He has been painting my portrait/' 
 
 When Rockford entered the room of the artist, he 
 was surprised to see two strangers with Falkner. 
 
 "Mr. Manning, I am glad to meet with you again : 
 I scarcely recognized you. This is your younger son. 
 
ROCKFORD. 273 
 
 I have been surprised that your son Falkner, here, 
 should have taken it into his head to be a painter. — 
 Have you failed in business, sir, that Falkner was driven 
 to this expedient? He informs me that he is penni- 
 less." 
 
 Mr. Manning looked sad. Falkner blushed, and Cor- 
 olan was confounded. 
 
 "Your excellency will excuse me if J give vou an 
 evasive answer," said the good farmer. 
 
 At that moment Royston, who had remained in the 
 street, entered, 
 
 "I have come according to appointment, Mr. Man- 
 ning," said Rodman. u Falkner, I hope you will for- 
 give me. I can repair every injury I have ever done 
 you." 
 
 "How is this, sir," said Rockford, tk do you know 
 anything of this young man ? Let us proceed upon our 
 expedition." 
 
 "I will soon explain, sir," said Royston, (or Rod- 
 man) this is the place and this is the time to make the 
 revelation. Mr. Manning, you will please produce the 
 clothes of the boy" 
 
 " What boy — what clothes ! " said the excited Gov- 
 ernor. 
 
 "The clothes of your son." 
 
 "Why should this gentleman have them ?" said the 
 Governor. 
 
 "Will your excellency please remain quiet a few min- 
 utes? I will soon explain every point." 
 
 When the clothes were unwrapped, and the gold chain 
 
274 ROCKFORD. 
 
 was held up to view, Mr. Rockford sprang forward and 
 grasped them nervously. 
 
 " Sebastian's suit — Sebastian's chain ! where is my 
 boy 1 " said the Governor, as he fell to the floor. Falk- 
 ner raised the stately form of the prostrate Rockford, 
 and laid him upon his couch and bathed his head with 
 water. When he revived, he implored Royston to con- 
 duct him to his son instantly. 
 
 "Falkner, behold your father ! Mr. Rockford, receive 
 back your stolen child ! " 
 
 The Governor sprang from the couch and embraced 
 Falkner with wild delight. Falkner could scarcely re- 
 alize his happiness. Mr. Manning appeared as if in a 
 dream. Corolan embraced Falkner and wept tears of 
 joy. Mr. Manning related to Mr. Rockford all the 
 particulars of the early history of Falkner, with which 
 the reader is familiar. 
 
 "I have two fathers, now," said the artist. "My 
 love for them shall be the same." 
 
 "We cannot stay here another moment," said the 
 Governor. "We must hasten to mother, my own Se- 
 bastian. Come, my dear friend, Mr. Manning; come, 
 Corolan, Royston, all. ■ We must go and convey the 
 news to Josephine." 
 
 They left the office of Sebastian (we shall call him by 
 his own name) and proceeded to the house. 
 
 " I wonder why Mr. Rockford is bringing so many 
 friends home with him? It is just like him — he often 
 brings a dozen with him without having given me warn- 
 ing. Elfrida, do you see Mr. Manning with them?" 
 
ROCKFORD. o 7 r 
 
 "I do," said the young lady; "and I must not re- 
 main here, but go and adjust my hair." 
 
 Mr. Rockford entered hastily, followed by Sebastian, 
 who was the only one of the party that could keep pace 
 With the lengthy strides of the excited and happy Gov- 
 ernor, who, approaching the place where Mrs. Rockford 
 Was standing, said : 
 
 "Oh ! Josephine, God lias heard our prayer. Sebas- 
 tian, behold your mother! " 
 
 We must let the curtain fall upon this scene. 
 
 < Vofton lias improved wonderfully since the abduc- 
 tion of Sebastian. Samuel Oulverhouse and Dorothy 
 have been sleeping for many years under the sod. Jo- 
 sephus Napoleon Bonaparte Snibbens married Miss Je- 
 rusha Smith. He named his first child Joachim Napo- 
 leon Murat Ney. He has not yet completed his knowl- 
 edge of the classics, but it is hoped that he may do so 
 before he dies. 
 
 There was a grand festival at the house of Mr. Rock- 
 ford within a few weeks after Sebastian had been re- 
 stored to his father. Captain Walsingham was there 
 to give away the bride. Corolan and his wife and Mr. 
 Manning and his wife were there. 
 
 All who were present declared that Sebastian and 
 Elfrida were the finest couple that ever knelt at the 
 altar. 
 
ERRATA. 
 
 On page 73, for "eaptivus fug wit" read " captlvus 
 fugit" On page 183, for "purest foundations " read 
 "purest fountains."