came my dearest, my only associates. worthy soul said, "but I wish to know Though as a companion and friend I had whether you dine at home on Christmas decidedly fallen off, I improved as a lod- day. Though, of course, you will be with ger; I kept regular hours, and paid all my your friends-but I thought I might as bills punctually. well make sure."

The good woman must have noticed my confusion. I stammered out something in the most awkward manner; but contrived to make her understand, in the end, that I should dine at home.

"On Christmas day, sir?" the woman re

talking about Christmas day, when every gentleman dines with his friends and relations; leastways, all the gentlemen I ever had, have done so."

"My friends live in Scotland, where Christmas is no festival," I replied, rather relieved at the opportunity of explaining my solitary condition.

My landlady grew confidential, in proportion as I grew domestic. She favored me with her history from the time of her birth I knew how she took the measles; the precise effect of her visit to a vaccine establishment; the origin of a scar over her left eyebrow; the income of her bro.peated, with particular emphasis. "I'mther in Somersetshire; the number of kit tens which her cat annually produced; the character she gave her last servant; and the fond affection she had lavished upon a brute of a husband. These matters, how. ever, were intrusted to me in confidence; and, to use an original phrase, they shall be buried with me in my grave! I had no occasion to repay my landlady's confidence with my own, because she paid herself. I could keep no secrets from her: She knew the contents of my trunks, desks and drawers, as well as I did-better, for if I lost any little article, I never, perhaps, missed it. I was seldom allowed to wear a pair of dress gloves more than once; when a collar was not to he had, "them washerwomen was," I was told, " "always a losing of something or other." I am sure the flavor of my tea, the quality of my mutton, and the excellence of my coals, were no secrets to my landlady; but she had many good qualities, so I ate what she left me in silence and in peace

"Well, dear a-me!" my landlady went on to say, "that's very awkard, very awkard, sir, indeed. Dear, dear a-me, what shall I do! My table, down stairs, won't hold anything like fifteen!"

Ffteen persons to greet my landlady on Christmas day, and not a soul to break bread with me! I saw, at once, the tendency of her observation as to the size of her table, and willingly offered to vacate my room for her great annual festivity. This offer was eagerly accepted, and once more I was left to my solitude. From that moment my fortitude deserted me. I knew that the weaver would enjoy his Christaside his brief, and, abating his professionmas feast; that the lawyer would, throw al solemnity, would, on Christmas day, make merry; and that the author would leave the pen in the ink-stand, to be jolly during a great portion of those twenty-four happy hours. Let me confess that I felt sick at heart-stupidly and profoundly dejected.

Despite my but too prying landlady, however, I got on very well by myself; and, like men who live alone, I became egotistic and lazy. I thought of the weaver at his loom; the lawyer burning the midnight composition over his brief; the author, with his throbbing temples, hard at work; and I rejoiced quietly by my fire and in my books. There was a selfish On Christmas eve the maid came into pleasure in the conviction that my case. was so much better than that of thousands my room, and, with a beaming face, begged of the toilers and strugglers of the earth. that I would allow her to decorate it with This I found a capital philosophy for holly; she said nothing about the misletoe every day in the year-except one. On which she carried under her apron, but I that day my landlady entered my room, saw her dexterously fasten it above the and, with a few words, blighted my hap-door-way. I was very lonely that evening. piness, and made me miserable as the The six square yards of space which I occupied were the only six square yards in "Beg pardon for interrupting you," the the neighborhood not occupied by laugh

veriest outcast.

there?"

ing human creatures. The noise of my chamber. I started from my bed, flung landlady and her relatives below made me open my door, and shouted, "Who's savage; and when she sent up the servant to ask whether I would like to step below, and take a stir at the 'pudding, my "no!" was given in such a decided tone that the poor girl vanished with miraculous ce lerity.

cessant.

"It's only me, sir, a-going for to put the puddin' in the copper," said an uncommonly cheerful voice.

room could be

spared at the fire to boil them. I occupied my landlady's back parlor, and was intruded upon, every minute, because a

Here was a delightful opening scene of my Christmas day, I believe I muttered; The knocks at the street door were in a wish, that my landlady's pudding had First it was the turkey, then the been in a locality where it might boil at apples, oranges, and chestnuts, for dessert; any time without disturbing any lodger. then the new dinner-set, then the sirloin. That morning I rang four times for my Each separate item of the approaching hot water, three times for my boots, and feast was hailed with smothered welcomes was asked to eat cold ham instead of my, by the women, who rushed into the pas-usual eggs, because no sage to examine and greet it. Presently a knock sounded through the house, that had to me a solemn and highly unpleasant sound, though it could not have differed thousand things wanted "for up stairs" from the preceding knecks. I listened to were left in odd nooks and corners of the the opening of the door, and heard my room. I had no easy-chair. My books landlady, in a sympathetic tone of voice, were all "put away," save a copy of declare, that "it was only the first floor's" Jean Racine," which I had taken down steak; poor fellow !" My loneliness, then, by mistake for a volume of the "Racine." was a theme of pitiful consideration with My breakfast table could not be cleared the people below! I was very angry, and for three hours after I had finished my paced my room with rapid strides. Imeal. I was asked to allow a saucepan thought I would wear cotton-wool for the to be placed upon my fire. It was sugnext four and twenty hours, to shut out gested to me that I might dine at two the din of general enjoyment. I tried, o'clock, in order to have my repast over after a short time, to compose myself to and cleared away before the feast up stairs my book; but, just as I was about to take began. I assented to this proposition with it down from the shelf, the servant, having ill-feigned carelessness-although my blood occasion to enter my room, informed me, boiled (like the pudding,) at the impertiin a high state of chuckling excitement, nence of the request. But I was too proud that "missis' friends was a going to light to allow my landlady the least insight into up á snap-dragon!" and the shouts that the real state of my feelings. Poor soul! burst upon me a few minutes afterward it was not her fault that I had no circle confirmed the girl's report. I was now within my reach; yet I remember that fairly savage, and, having called for my throughout the day I regarded her as the candle, in a loud, determined voice, went to bed, with the firm conviction that the impersonation of fiendish malice. revelers below were my sworn enemies, and with the resolution of giving warning on the following morning-yes, on Christmas day.

After I had dined, she came to ask me if there was anything she could do for me? I regarded her intrusion only as one prompted by a vulgar wish to show me her fine ribbons and jaunty cap, and curtBrooding over the revenge I promised ly told her that I did not require her sermyself for the following morning, I went vices. To relieve myself of the load of to sleep, and dreamed of the Arctic soli- vexation which oppressed me, I strolled tudes and the Sahara Desert. I was stand-into the streets; but I was soon driven ing at a dry well, surrounded, on all sides, back to my landlady's little parlor-the by endless sand, when a loud rumbling gayety that resounded from every house, noise broke upon my dream. I awoke, and the deserted streets without, were even and heard a heavy footstep passing my more annoying than her marked attention.

VOL. XXXVIII-8

was mingled with the hoarse guffaws of their parents; and the house shook, at intervals, with the romps of both parties. In the height of my desolate agony it gave me no little consolation to think that those children who were at their games, would probably dance to the tune of a tutor's cane at no distant interval. Such was my envy at the exuberant mirth that reached me in fitful gusts as the doors were opened or shut, that I felt all sorts of uncharitableness.. Presently there was a lull in the

I sat down once more, and doggedly read began to resound from the Christmas the heavy verse of Jean. I called for my party. The shrill laughter of children tea; and, in reply, I was informed that I should have it directly the dinner was over up stairs. My patience was giving way rapidly. My tea was produced, however, after a considerable delay; and I then thought I would make a desperate attempt to forget the jovial scenes that were going forward in every nook and corner of the country-save in my desolate, sombre, close back parior. I swung my feet upon the fender, leisurely filled the bowl of my meerschaum, and was about to mix my first fragrant cup, when that horrible ser- laughter-storm. I began to hope that vant again made her appearance, holding a dark, steaming lump of something, on a plate.

"Please, sir, missis's compliments, and p'raps you'd accept this bit of Christmas puddin'?"

I could have hurled it, plate and all, into the yard below. I saw myself at onee an object of profound pity and charity to the company above. Although I am extremely fond of, that marvelous compound of good things eaten with brandy sauce on Christmas day, I could not have touched my landlady's proffered plateful for any consideration. I gave a medical reason for declining the dainty, and once more turned to my pipe and my tea. As the white smoke curled from my mouth, a waking dream stole over me. I fancied that I was Robinson Crusoe-my parrot dead, and my dog run away. I cursed fate that had consigned me to a solitude. I recited a few. verses from Keats aloud, and the sound of my volce seemed strange and harsh. I poked the fire, and whistled, and hummed-to restore myself to the full enjoyment, or rather to the misery, of my senses. The tea on that evening only was green tea. I felt its effects. I grew nervous and irritable.

the party was about to break up. A gentle foot was audible. descending the stairs. There was a smothered call for Mary. · Mary obeyed the summons; and the following dialogue was whispered in the passage:

"Did he eat the pudding?"

"No, mum-he was afraid of it: and he was so cross!"

"Cross! I was going to ask him to join us; do you think he would, Mary?"

"Bless you, no, mum! He jine! I' think I see him a jining! Nothing pleases him. He's too high for anybody. I never see the likes of him!"

The feet then ascended the stairs, and after another pause of a few moments, the din of merriment was resumed. I was furious at the sympathy which my loneliness created. I could bear the laughter and shouting of the Christmas party no longer, and once more; with a determination of having my revenge, 1 went to bed. I lay there for several hours, and did not close my eyes before I had vowed solemnly that I would not pass another Christmas day in solitude, and in lodgings-and I didn't.

In the course of the following year, I

The servant once more invaded my se- married the lovely daughter of Mr. Serclusion-what could she want now? "Please, sir, have you done with the tea-things? I'm a going to wash 'em for up stairs."

geant Shuttleface. My angel was a most astonishing piano-forte performer, and copied high art pictures in Berlin wool with marvelous skill, but was curiously "Take them," I replied, not very grace. ignorant of housekeeping; so, we spent fully. The servant thanked me, as I the beginning of our wedded bliss in furthought, with impertinent good nature, and [nished apartments, in order that she might gain experience gradually.

cleared the table!

About this time, sounds of merriment

On one point, however, I was resolute;

I would not spend a second Christmas day

II.

labors were o'er,

He would come with the smile of affection and truth,

And our circle was bright, that was gloomy before,

As we sang the sweet songs of our childhood and youth;

gone,

I see him no more in the home that he loved;

in lodgings. I took a house, therefore, In those days which are gone, when his toward the close of the year, and repeatedly urged my wife to vacate our apartments, that we might set up for ourselves. This responsibility she shrunk from with unremitting reluctance. There were, besides, innumerable delays. Carpets wouldn't fit; painters wouldn't work above one day a week; paper-hangers But now, when the sunlight has faded and hung fire; and blacksmiths, charging by the day, did no more than one day's work in six. Time wore on. December came, advanced, and it seemed to be my fate to And I long for the day, when, the victory undergo another Christmas torment. However, to my inexpressible joy, everything was announced to be in readiness on the twenty-fourth. My sposa had by this time learned enough of housekeeping to feel strong enough for its duties, and on Christ mas eve we left our rooms in Bedford Square, and took our Christmas pudding, in a cab, to my suburban villa near Fulham. And a merry Christmas we made of it! I don't think I ever ate a better pudding, though I have eaten a good many since then.

THE SISTER'S SONG.

AIR-"The Soldier's Dream."

won,

He will come, and my sorrow shall all be removed.

III.

I look on the books that together we read,
And recall the pleased smile or the pity-

ing tear;

I look where he slept on his own downy bed,

And think of his hardships, and wish he

were here;

But he asks not for rest while the arm of the foe

Is stretched o'er his country and over his

home,

And though in his absence my heart feels a woe,

There'll be joy when we'er free, and my brother has come.

the Never-more, how often does the weary Have spent the sweet hours, and dreamed pilgrim look wistfully back to thy green oases sparkling with fountains! How of

that no other

Than happiness e'er should our sky ten, led by Memory, does he retrace thy sunlit paths, and chase again the butterfly, I now sit, and in sadness I think of the called Happiness, among thy dear, okl

When he kissed me, and begged me that into the waters. Behind him, entwining

often I'd pray

his silvery hair with wreaths of evergreen,

For his happy return to his friends and stood the graceful Daphne, still beautiful

his home.

as when she fled from the enamored Phoi

bos.

But the old man's thoughts were same glorious loveliness. In wild delight, wandering far away; and, for hours, no I sprang towards her; and as my heart sound disturbed the stillness save the mur-throbbed and brain reeled, 'Art thou,' I mur of the stream. At length, wearied by gasped-Art thou indeed my Ionè, the the protracted silence,Ione of the olden time?" Suffused with the tears of joy yet gleaming with the light of the old love, the dark eyes were turned to mine, and her voice, rich with the marvellous sweetness I so well remembered, answered, 'Thy own Ione. Together we

"Of what art thou dreaming?" said she, "Good Algamon, that thou hast no word of greeting for the friend of thy solitude?"

"Of the days, the happy days, that have fled forever," said Algamon, in a voice whose strange mournfulness was heighten-are permitted to renew the happiness, and ed by the tremulousness of age. "I was revisit the Elysian scenes of the Long-ago.' thinking of the sorrows which still linger, And as she spoke the sun threw a richer of the joys that can return no more. Two radiance over forest and wold, the earth days since methought I had reached the already covered with the verdure of the cliff which marked the terminus of my spring-time put on a richer mantle, the bird pilgrimage, and, from its brink, looked forth in the thicket sang with sweeter note, the upon a sea whose waves were cursed with innumerable violets and wild roses around gloom and silence. It was the sea of us breathed forth a more delightful fraDeath. Behind me were green valleys, grance. Thus Eros fills the world with and gurgling streams, and old, familiar loveliness. faces; behind me were cities, beautiful as the Syrian Damascus to the far off traveler, and villages, lovely as those seen in the desert by the sons of Ishmael. And from the green valleys, the cities and villages, the banks of the gurgling streams, and from all the delightful scenes in the realms through which I had journeyed, came the sweet voices of a thousand departed friends.

"Upon the shores of Death I had prayed to the gods that I and all those dear ones, whose voices came to me from the far past, might be rejuvenated and live again the lives we had lived. That prayer had been answered, but in my joy I forgot that those lives had all been chequered with shadows and some with the blackness of despair. I forgot too the fate which had befallen my own Ionè, and fancied that we were endowed with perpetual happiness and youth. I knew that we were passing through the same scenes that we were speaking to each other, day after day, in the same words and tones we had used in our former

Yesterday, chill and faint, I reclined upon the withered sward and slept. When I awoke, I found myself wandering among old scenes, with a being whose form seemed familiar, but whose features were concealed by a veil of richest texture. The youth. But with Ionè repetition could not death shadows and the cliff, and the sea, I make monotony, and Love gave to samehad been so long contemplating, were ness the zest of novelty. gone. The locks, white with time and "Together we wandered through our thinned by the icy fingers of seventy win-ancestral halls, now stopping on some long ters, had become again thick and glossy as corridor to study the master-pieces of art of old. The bent form was straight, and that hung upon the walls, now renew. the cheek which looked so like death in ing our troth under the vines which clamlife, was roseate with the hues of health bered in fretwork upon the Corinthian coland youth. Oh, joy! I was a boy again. umns. Day after day upon the noble I turned to my companion to learn the steeds of old, we were out upon the hills meaning of this mysterious change. The with hound and falcon. Day after day we veil falling from her brow disclosed the wandered blissfully among the Parian features of one whom I had loved and busts and statues which adorned the plealost-one who had been sleeping beneath | sure-grounds of her father, the noble Agathe cypress for fifty years. But there were thos. In the centre of the lawn that the same golden tresses, the same large stretched away to the front of the mansion, brown eyes, the same graceful form, the a fountain fashioned out of the purest mar