THE LADIES'

CASKET.

187

the agent from the West; don't you know notice was given last night?"

I pondered in my heart what difference that should make in our dress; but I soon learned, for it was whispered among the girls that one object of his visit was to procure a partner in his labors. His personal appearance was certainly not calculated to win a fair lady's heart. Tall by nature, he had managed to shorten the distance between himself and mother earth by a most ungainly stoop of the shoulders; his complexion sallow, scarcely relieved by a pair of large dull grey eyes. He had come with the ostensible object of delivering a lecture on School Teaching, but it was evident that his mind was a little wandering from the subject, for he would roll his sleepy eyes about upon the fair audience before him, and now and then forget the thread of his discourse, and repeat his remark the third time. Finally, I observed his gaze settled upon the features of my dressy room-mate. Whether it was the yellow bows upon her cap, the interest which she seemed to take in his discourse, or her sharp twinkling black eyes, forming such a contrast to his own dull orbs, I know not. But certain it is, that there was a mutual interest excited, and the evening found the tall school master a visitor at our boarding-house. To make even a short story shorter, he understood that she wished to engage in teaching, and being desirous to procure a partner in that line, had selected her as of the most suitable age.

I was sleeping quietly, when she came to her room and waked me by a kiss. I started, and thought for a moment that my mother's soft hand was on my forehead, and her lips on my cheek; but I soon recognized the face of Miss Hale, and saw by her expression that she was uncommonly happy. It was the first time I had received such a testimonial from that source, but all surprise vanished when she told me that she was going to Illinois with Mr. Hooper; that they were to be married in two weeks! "It will take me but little time to prepare," said she, for I have had sheets and bed-quilts ready for a long time." I rubbed my eyes and gazed wildly about; after a few minutes I said, "But do you love him?" I had derived all my ideas

of matrimony from Helen, and was wondering whether the cold hearted, phlegmatic individual could love with sufficient ardor to take the sacred name of wife. "Love! why, one cannot help loving such a good man. He has been engaged in the arduous duties of a teacher these twenty years! besides, he's none of your wild, flighty young men ; where he fixes his affections, there they remain." I reminded her of former remarks upon marriage. She had the same opinion still, but she felt that in her case she could be more useful as the companion of such a man, than in a life of single-blessedness. I was too tired to remain awake, and went to sleep wondering who would be my next chum.

Miss Hale was awake and dressed before the first sunbeam had peeped through the little round hole in the shutter. She seemed to renew her youth, and my heart almost warmed towards her as she sat penning an account of her good fortune to her poor old mother in the country. There was more merriment than regret when the report of her engagement was made known to the scholars. For myself, I had imbibed a prejudice towards "old maids" which it took many years to overcome. But, thanks to some of the most gifted of our sex, it is, I trust, wholly eradicated.

I know not why woman should be less respected because she chooses to tread her earthly pilgrimage single-handed and alone. There is in many of that class a self-reliance and independence of character commanding respect; others, to whom God has imparted the bright gift of genius, have devoted their time and talents to the pursuits of literature, and their fair names, inscribed on the book of fame, bear witness to their success. There is still another class, and for their sake, if for no other cause, should the name be revered. I refer to those who, deprived of the object of their first affection, have voluntarily lived a life of maiden widowhood. There are some such whom I once remembered among the dearest of my early companions, and now, when surrounded by the joys of my own fireside, and worshipping in spirit my "household gods," the thought of those bereaved ones will bring a sigh from the heart, and a tear to the eye.

PRAYER is a creature's strength, his very breath and being. Prayer is the golden key that can open the wicket of mercy. Prayer is the magic sound that saith to fate, so be it. Prayer is the slender nerve that moveth the muscles of Omnipotence. Wherefore, pray, O creature, for many and great are thy wants; thy mind, thy conscience, and thy being, thy rights commend thee unto prayer, the cure of all cares, the grand panacea for all pains, death's destroyer, ruin's remedy, the antidote to all anxieties.