THE SPECTRE OF THE FALLS. N the wild and turbulent Swift River there is a spot that bears the name that stands at the head of this sketch. A name more fitting could hardly be found for so gloomy a locality. The dark rocks rise up from the depths below, stern and forbidding. Giant hemlocks tower aloft and throw their branches across the stream, until their arms are firmly interwoven together, shutting out the light of day. "Hill told them the same story he had related to me and others, but it did not satisfy them. "They did not like his looks, and their suspicions were aroused. "They made what inquiries they could, but nothing was discovered. "They had taken two or three tramps through the forest, and on each occasion Hill had persisted in accompanying them, notwithstanding that I and one or two more were along with them. "It looked to me just as though he was afraid to have them out of his sight. "One day we went down the river. The brother The road through the valley runs a mile away, of the missing man seemed somehow to be impressand between it and the river is a dense and unbro-ed with the idea that he had not gone out of the ken forest. There are but few inhabitants in that section of the country, and all of them shun the falls. A man was once murdered there, and to this day they say the spot is haunted by his restless ghost. They see it, they say, in the night-time when the moon is shining brightly, for it was at its full when the deed was done. One time I chanced to be in the valley, and an old resident told me the story of the murder "It was more than thirty years ago," said he, "in a time that has since been known in these parts as the great land speculation, that a stranger came into the valley for the purpose of looking at the timber, and buying largely of land should it suit him. "He wanted a guide who country, to pilot him about; the person of Jacob Hill. knew all parts of the and he found one in People wondered he had chosen such a companion, when others were ready, and even anxious, to accompany him; but then there was no denying that Hill was well posted, and could perform well what was expected of him. "He lived alone in a cabin about a mile from here, and most of his time was spent hunting in the forest. "It was all the way he had of obtaining a living, for he raised nothing on the little bed of cleared land he had about his cabin. "The stranger made his way home with him when the stormy weather drove them in, so it was very little the rest of us saw of him. "None of the people hereabouts liked Hill, and that was another reason why they saw so little of the stranger. valley alive, in spite of the repeated declaration of Hill to this effect. "We struck the river a half mile above the falls, and as it was good fishing there we went down. As we neared the falls I could not help thinking but that Hill was growing more and more nervous. I watched him narrowly, for since the men had come I could not help suspecting him. "At the top of the falls his uneasiness was still more apparent, and he suggested that we should fish no farther. "The brother of the missing man was standing on the edge of the rock, and he declared that he would go down and try the pool below, for it looked to him as though there must be plenty of trout there. "It seemed to me that Hill turned a shade paler at this, and again tried to dissuade the stranger from going. But it was of no use. He was determined to go, and already he had commenced to clamber down. "We all followed him, and after considerable trouble we stood upon the well-worn rocks which formed the barrier of the pool. We threw in our lines and soon were taking out the speckled trout faster than we had done before. "We had been at work in this way for perhaps ten minutes when an impatient exclamation from the brother of the missing man fell upon our ears. He had caught his hook in something beneath the black waters of the pool and could not free it. "At last he gave the line a jerk in hope of breaking the hook or line, but he did not do so. Instead, the object into which it was fastened began slowly to rise towards the surface. "He pulled slowly and steadily upon it, and "It was but seldom that any one paid a visit to presently a large body neared the surface. A mohis cabin. "One day, about two weeks after the stranger had come, Hill came to my house, and in answer to my inquiries told me that the stranger had got through his explorations and had gone home. "I had no suspicion then that all was not right, but I could not help wondering why it was that Hill should have taken such pains to come and tell me, as he made no other errand at the time. "It was about a month thereafter, as near as I can remember, when two men came into the valley making inquiries after the stranger. "One of them was his brother, and they had traced him here, but could not find that he had been seen afterwards. ment more and a cry broke from his lips, such as I have never heard before or since"Great Heaven! it is my brother!' he cried, his face white with the agony he felt. "We all looked that way. There was an outline of a face amid the dark waters, and a hand was thrust up as though imploring us to take it from its watery grave. "Another cry broke upon our ears, and, glancing about, we saw Hill, with a face of ashen hue, kneeling upon the rocks. "I killed him! I killed him he cried in terror, and now he comes back to accuse me of it!' "The next moment the brother of the dead man was upon him, and had caught him by the throat harmless scandals, its daily chronicles of intermiwith a grasp like that of a giant. "Die, murderer!' he cried, in a terrible voice. 'I would that you had a dozen lives, that I might take them all!' "He would have strangled Hill then and there had we not taken him off and assured him that vengeance should be meted out, and it was not possible that Hill could escape us. "We bound the murderer so that escape was impossible, and then turned to the task of recovering the body from the water. "I went back to the settlement for help, and by nightfall we had conveyed our prisoner and the body of his victim thither. "As his own words had condemned him, Hill confessed all. "Watching his opportunity, he had pushed his victim from the summit of the rocks, and he had disappeared in the pool and was not seen again. "In vain it was that he searched for the body, that he might obtain the money for which he had done the deed. So, after all, it availed him nothing. "In due time Hill died on the gallows; but it is said that the ghost of his victim haunts the falls still." What Evils Rise from Gossip. Gossip, public, private, social-to fight against it either by word or pen, seems, after all, like fighting with shadows. Everybody laughs at it, protests against it, or, at least, encourages others in it quite innocently, unconsciously, in such a small, harmless fashion-yet we do it. We must talk about something, and it is not all of us who can find a rational topic of conversation, or discuss it when found. Many, too, who in their hearts hate the very thought of tattle and tale bearing, are shy of lifting up their voice against it, lest they should be ridiculed for Quixotism, or thought to set themselves up as more virtuous than their neighbors. Others, like our lamented friends, Maria and Bob, from mere idleness and indifference, long kept hovering over the unclean stream, at last drop into it, and are drifted away by it. Where does it land them-ay, where? If we, or any one, were to unfold on this subject only our own experience and observation, not a little more than a volume it would make. Families set by the earsparents against children, brothers against brothers, not to mention brothers and sisters-in-law, who seemed generally to assume with the legal title the legal right to interminable squabbling. Friendships sundered, betrothals broken, marriages annulled while in the letter kept utterly, to be a daily torment, temptation and despair. Acquaintances that would otherwise have maintained a safe and not unkindly indifference forced into absolute dislike originating, how they know not, but there it is. Old companions that would have borne each others' little annoyances, and kept up an honest affection until death, driven at last into an open rupture or frozen into a coldness more hopeless still which no after-growth will ever have power to thaw. Truly, from the smallest little Pedlington that carries on year by year its bloodless wars, its nable nothings, to the great metropolitan world, fashionable, intellectual, noble or royal, the blight and curse of civilized life is gossip. A SUMMER EVE. BY GEORGE E. SENSENEY. On the smooth turf I have laid me In this small, sequestered grove, With the foliage to shade me From above; In the distance, deep blue mountains Drawn across the heavens lie, Upward gush clear silver fountains To the sky; Far above a cloud is sailing Like a bark upon the sea, Slow the rivulet flows nigh me With a softly ruffled sheet, How its murmuring floats by me Low and sweet! From the woods around upriseth Songs that trill a parting leave, For the mild South wind adviseth Of the eve; Now, each chorister is shrinking To its leafy woodland nest, And the glowing sun is sinking In the West. Hark! the village bell is pealing From the church with ivy twin'd, One as fair as Summer morning In the cold dark tomb they place her, Softly twilight is descending Over all, the air is still, Dale and hill; Stars from out the skies are peeping On the stream with kindly ray, And the flower cups are weeping For the day; "Tis a time to sit and ponder On vain mortal's lowly worth, Till the soaring thought doth wander From the earth. HORSFORD'S ACID PHOSPHATE Makes a delicious drink. Dr. M. H. Henry, the widely-known and eminently family physician, of New York, says: "Horsford's Acid Phosphate possesses claims as a beverage beyond anything I know of in the form of medicine, and in nervous diseases I know of no preparation to equal it." PRINCE CANDID; OR, HOW A WIFE WAS WON. BY J. R. WALINGFORD. WHERE was once a very foolish old King, who decided that he would leave his kingdom and his crown to the son who loved him most. He had three sons. Prince Ego was the eldest; Prince Mihi was the second; Prince Candid was the youngest of himself and brothers. merest common sense, he would have known that he would have secured for himself the happiest state of abdication, by considering which of his three sons was best fitted to rule in that land. The crown did not descend to the eldest son, but to the son upon whom the King thought fit to make choice, either upon his abdication or upon making his will. But, with great weakness, he supposed that the one who loved him most would be the most convenient of the three to wear the crown. So, to ascertain which of his sons was most devoted, he called a council, and commanded every Now, if the King had possessed a grain of the great lord to appear before him. It was a very busy day at the palace. There sat the foolish King upon his golden throne, and before him were ranged the three princes. The halfimbecile old man had announced his intention to abdicate, using the most pompous language possible, and declared that he would give his kingdom to the son that demonstrated that he loved his father best. The abject courtiers announced their sorrow at the King's abdication, and all expressed great surprise. But there was not a man there who dared to protest against the ignorance of his Majesty's decision. "Prince Ego," said the King, "you are my eldest son, and by right of birth you did speak first; therefore, you shall declare first how far you love me." "Sire," said Prince Ego, "I would lay down my life at your Majesty's slightest wish." The King smiled, and looked kindly at his eldest born, who thought, "Surely, no man can do more than say he would lay down his life for another. I gain the crown." "Then you are less worthy than your noble brothers." "Prove them, your Majesty. Well they know their father would not condemn them-the one to death, the other to the loss of sight. But if the maltreatment of my brothers would set an example of devotion to the subjects of your Majesty, I see a way in which they could do so, and yet live as happily in this world as they can." "Let us hear your plan. We listen." "My brother Ego says he would die for your Majesty. Now, let him prove this in part by drawing his sword and chopping off his left hand. The right does almost everything, and the left is almost useless; therefore, by losing it, Prince Ego will prove his devotion to your Majesty after his own manner." The King pondered, and, turning to Prince Ego, he said, "What say you, son ?" "Sire, at your Majesty's command, and only at your Majesty's command, I am ready to chop off my hand; but I pray my father to remember that I would have one hand the less to raise in his royal "And you, Prince Mihi, what say you? To defence." what extent goes your love for me?" "Sire, I should be, indeed sorry to die for your Majesty; for then death wonld part us, and that would be my deepest desolation. But, at thy slightest wish, I would put out my eyes in proof to all men of my love and devotion to you, and so, in my darkness, remain a lasting instance of the love your Majesty can inspire." "A royal youth-a right royal youth, and worthy of our love! Now, by the great diamond in our crown, we know not which loves us best, our first or second son." The abject courtiers murmured their approval in many low sounds, and showed it the poor creatures, in scores of weak smiles and nods. "But what says our third son ?" cried the King; our baby-prince-the last born of my royal race?" Sire," said Prince Candid, "I love your Majesty as a son should love his father." "You are right royal, my son, and shall not suffer. And now, you princekin, what say you to the offer of your brother, Prince Mihi?" "Sire," said Candid, "let Mihi put out one eye in his father's honor. Twill be sufficient to show his love, and the people will be edified, no doubt." "Son Mihi, what say you?" 'Sire," said the second son, bowing, "at your Majesty's command, and only at your Majesty's command, will I put out one of my eyes. But my royal father will remember that if I have but one eye, then shall I only have half the vision which I have wherewith to reverence him." "Thou art nobly right, my second son; and thou, traducer, what now hast thou to say for thyself?" "But this," said Prince Candid; "that I am a man, as is your Majesty, and that, as a man, I do respect myself. No vain adoration of your Majes "What now-what now? Pray, then, is this all ty's royal will should make me mutilate myself, you have to say?" "Sire, in an open war, or against treachery or treason, my life is at your Majesty's disposal; but I would not lay down my life at your Majesty's slightest wish, for your Majesty would have no right to require a life at your mere royal caprice." "Ho, ho!" cried the stultified King, beating his sceptre upon the arm of his throne; "here is flat treason! What! would you not lay down your life for the father that gave it thee?" "Ay, in a just cause, your Highness, but in no other." or even take away my life-which would to me be a less loss than maiming. But when your Majesty needs a faithful sword, and exceeding courage in the cause of truth, then I pray your Majesty rely on me, whatever may be to-day's decision. It it be unjust, I will forgive you; and if it be wicked, I will wish you a better heart." "What! am 1 bearded in my own palace? on my own throne?" "Sire, you resign both to-day. You should care therefore, little for the dignity of both." "My lords," cried the incensed King, "hear our "So, so; and may hap you would not blind your- decision! We hold that our elder sons have shown self to show your love for me, my son ?" "Sire, what have my eyes done that I should pluck them out? My greatest enemy could do no greater harm; for living in want of light is more terrible even than the black blank of utter death. In a just cause I would die for your Majesty; but nothing should compel me to be blind to please your Majesty, for to be blind would be of no avail or use, and 1 love the light which shows me how very beautiful is all the world." equal love and loyalty to us, and therefore we divide our land into two portions, the one being given to our eldest son, the other to our second born; and as for that most arch traitor, Prince Candid, unnatural and infamous prince that he is, we command him instantly to quit our land, and never to return to our court.' 'Sire," said the youngest son, "I prove my love and duty by obeyiug. No word will I say, but laying down my title and my estate, I will go forth as a simple knight-errant, seeking to render help to the world." "You are a fool!" cried the King. "Fair father, my love is still your Majesty's; and with a heavy heart, I say farewell!" He turned on his heel and left the palace, with a firm, dignified tread. "By all means," said Candid, determined not to be outwitted in prompitude, even by a very clover dog. "Madame," said the Prince, "I will wish you good-day. I have no doubt Keeny will find his way home when he wishes." "Quite quite ?" said the little dog, with a sort of So Prince Candid went out into the world alone, bark. poor in riches, but very rich in hope. He wandered through many lands. One day, passing through a wood, he encountered an old woman, singing and spinning flax, after the Italian manner. Good-day, mother," he said. Good-day, my son." "Thou art happy ?" for I work, and am contented." "Have you no sorrow?" 'For myself, no; for the land, yes." "What ails the land?" "It is ruled by a Princess who will not marry." "Perchance she loves her people ?" "Yes; but she will not marry because most men are wicked." "A good reason." "But she has five cousins, all of whom covet the land. If, now, she had a wise husband, the cousins would be conquered; whereas, they may seek to poison her, or imprison her; and then what would become of the kingdom!" "But do not her courtiers tell her these things?" "Yes. But she knows them to be vain and bad, and, therefore, she mistrusts them. If now, an honest man, pointed out to her how wise it would be to marry, then she might listen." "What is her name!" "Violetta, and well she deserves it; for, like the flower whence she obtains her name, she is modest and retiring, and loves to give the perfume of her goodness to those who pass by without being seen or thought about." So they set out, and, at last reached the court of Princess Violetta. Prince Candid, according to his nature, first sought an interview with the Princess on rational grounds; then he appealed to the kindness of the courtiers. But no one dreamed of listening to him. Even when he said he had with him a talking dog, they took no heed; but when Keeny himself said "Good-morning," they were at once surprisingly civil. Prince Candid felt excessively humiliated. "Alas!" said the spaniel, "have you yet to learn, my Prince, that fools and puppies are often far more valued than wise men ?" The Prince shook his head. "But you have this consolation-wise men are very much more comfortable, each in his own society, than he would be in the presence of those who prefer fools to philosophers. The latter are modest men as a rule, and do not seem to know that they honor the world. On the contrary, they think themselves honored in being allowed to live among mankind." When the young Prince was presented to the Princess Violetta, he was so transported with delight that he could scarcely speak. For the Princes was the most ravishingly beautiful creature he had ever seen. Whereupon Keeny, seeing that his companion was struck dumb, spoke up briskly : "Madame, my master presents me to you as an animal of great common sense, and worth far more "I will go to her," said Prince Candid, "and than all the other animals-donkeys, the greater speak my mind." "But how shall you reach the throne ?" "I will tell the courtiers what I wish to do." "They would beat thee, for they hold that they should monopolize advice given to the throne. Nay, you must reach the royal chair by way of frivolity." "How shall that be?" "I will tell thee, son. I have a talking dog, who is wiser than most men, because he has tried to learn, and has kept himself humble." "A wise dog!" exclaimed the Prince. A very sensible-looking dog walked out of the hat and made a civil bow. "This gentleman wants a companion," said the old woman. part-which form your court." "You are very charming," said the Princess, "though a little rude. Pray, how can I reward your master for the charming present he makes me in the shape of a talking dog?" "Listen to him," said the spaniel, curtly. Madame," said the Prince," in a few words, I am come on the part of your subjects to pray that you will marry a wise prince, so that the kingdom may have lasting peace." "Alas!" said the Princess Violetta; "where shall I find a wise prince?" "Wise princes exist," said Candid. "He knows one," said the dog. "Or, at all events, I do." "Then," said Violetta, "I will marry him if he will prove that he has perseverance, courage and "I shall be most happy to be of service," said truth." the canine animal. 66 Madame," said the Prince, "I think my friend "Thank you," said the Prince. "I see we shall is fairly possessed of all the qualities you name. be great friends." "We are! My "Shall be!" said the animal. name is Keeny. Do you not think we may as well start? The sooner the Princess is brought to a state of common sense, the better." |