Here, then, golden opportunity wished for ! Here power of ascertaining at once never quite certain until heard it from warm, living lips, whose testimony is strengthened by glances whole soul speaks or--seems The time was short, sleighing was but too fine; and Father Kingsbury, having tied up his harness, and collected his scattered equipment, was driving so close behind that no possibility of lingering for moment Yet many moments were lost before Mr Horner, in earnest, and all unhackneyed in matters sort, could find word to clothe his new-found feelings The horse seemed to fly--the distance was half past--and , in absolute despair of anything better, he blurted out at once what he had determined to avoid--a direct reference correspondence

game at cross-purposes ensued; exclamations and explanations, and denials and apologies filled up the time to Master Horner so blest The light from Mr Kingsbury's windows shone path, whole result conference so longed for, was burst of tears perplexed and mortified Ellen, who sprang from Mr Horner's attempts to detain her, rushed house without vouchsafing him word of adieu, and left him standing, no bad personification of Orpheus, last hopeless flitting Eurydice

"Won't you 'light, Master ? " said Mr Kingsbury

"Yes--no-- --good evening," stammered poor Master Horner, so stupefied that even Aunt Sally called him "a dummy "

The horse took the sleigh against the fence, going home, and threw out the master, who scarcely recollected the accident; while to Ellen the issue unfortunate drive was sleepless night and so high fever morning village doctor was called to Mr Kingsbury's before breakfast

Poor Master Horner's distress may hardly be imagined Disappointed, bewildered, cut quick, yet in love as ever, only in bitter silence turn over thoughts the issue cherished dream; now persuading himself that Ellen's denial effect of sudden bashfulness, now inveighing against the fickleness sex, as all men do are angry with woman But his exhibition must go on of wretchedness; and he went about mechanically, talking of curtains and candles, and music, and attitudes, and pauses, and emphasis, looking like somnambulist whose "eyes are open but their sense is shut," and often surprising those concerned utter unfitness answers

almost evening when Mr Kingsbury, having discovered, intervention Doctor and Aunt Sally the cause of Ellen's distress, made his appearance unhappy eyes of Master Horner, angry, solemn and determined; taking the schoolmaster apart, and requiring, an explanation treatment daughter In vain did the perplexed lover ask for time to clear himself, declare his respect for Miss Ellen willingness every explanation which she might require; the father was not put off; and though excessively reluctant, Mr Horner had no resource but to show the letters which alone could account strange discourse to Ellen He unlocked his desk, slowly and unwillingly, while the old man's impatience was such that scarcely forbear thrusting own hand to snatch papers which were to explain this vexatious mystery What could equal the utter confusion of Master Horner contemptuous anger father, when no letters were found ! Mr Kingsbury was too passionate to listen to reason, or to reflect moment irreproachable good name schoolmaster He went away in inexorable wrath; threatening every practicable visitation of public and private justice head offender, whom he accused of having attempted to trick his daughter into an entanglement which should result favor

doleful exhibition last thrice approved and most worthy teacher ! Stern necessity power of habit enabled him through with most part, but where proud fire which had lighted up his eye on similar occasions before ? He sat as one of three judges before whom the unfortunate Robert Emmet was dragged shirt-sleeves, by two fierce-looking officials; but the chief judge looked far more like criminal than did the proper representative He personated Othello, but was obliged to excuse himself from raving for "the handkerchief ! the handkerchief ! " rather anomalous plea of bad cold Mary Stuart being "i' the bond," was anxiously expected impatient crowd, and with distress amounting to agony master was obliged to announce, in person, the necessity of omitting that part representation, on account illness of young ladies

Scarcely had the words been uttered, speaker hidden his burning face behind the curtain, when Mr Kingsbury started up place amid the throng, public recital grievance--no uncommon resort new country He dashed at once point; and before some friends who saw the utter impropriety proceeding could persuade him to defer his vengeance, he had laid assembly--some three hundred people, perhaps--his own statement case got out at last, half coaxed, half hustled; gentle public only half understanding what set forth thus unexpectedly, made quite pretty row of it Some clamored loudly conclusion exercises; others gave utterances in no particularly choice terms to variety of opinions schoolmaster's proceedings, varying the note occasionally by shouting, "The letters ! the letters ! why don't you bring out the letters ? "

, of much rapping desk president evening, who was fortunately "popular" character, order was partially restored; favorite scene from Miss More's dialogue of David and Goliath was announced closing piece The sight of little David in white tunic edged with red tape, with calico scrip and very primitive-looking sling; and huge Goliath decorated with militia belt and sword, and spear like weaver's beam indeed, enchained everybody's attention Even the peccant schoolmaster pretended letters were forgotten, while the sapient Goliath, every time that he raised the spear, energy declamation, to thump stage, picked away fragments low ceiling, which fell conspicuously great shock of black hair At last, crowning threat, up went the spear for an astounding thump, and down came large piece ceiling, and with it--a shower of letters

The confusion that ensued beggars all description general scramble took place, and in another moment twenty pairs of eyes, , were feasting choice phrases lavished upon Mr Horner Miss Bangle had sat whole previous scene, trembling for herself, although she had, as she supposed, guarded cunningly against exposure She had needed no prophet her what the result of tete-a-tete between Mr Horner and Ellen; moment she saw them drive off together, she induced her imp to seize the opportunity of abstracting the whole parcel of letters from Mr Horner's desk; which of sort of skill which comes by nature to such goblins; picking the lock aid of crooked nail, as neatly he born shadow Tombs

But magicians sometimes suffer severely malice with themselves inspired their familiars Joe Englehart having been convenient tool thus far thought it quite time to torment Miss Bangle little; so, having stolen the letters at her bidding, he hid them own account, and no persuasions of hers could induce him to reveal this important secret, which he chose to reserve as rod she refused him some intercession father, or some other accommodation, rendered necessary by his mischievous habits

He had concealed the precious parcels unfloored loft above the school-room, place accessible only of small trap-door without staircase or ladder; and here he meant kept them while it suited his purposes, but untimely intrusion weaver's beam

Miss Bangle had sat through all, as said, thinking the letters safe, yet vowing vengeance against her confederate for not allowing her to secure them by satisfactory conflagration; and not until she heard her own name whispered crowd, that she was awakened to her true situation The sagacity low creatures whom she had despised showed them at once letters hers, since her character pretty shrewdly guessed, handwriting wore more practised air than is usual among females country first taken for granted, and then spoken of as an acknowledged fact

The assembly moved like the heavings of troubled sea Everybody felt was everybody's business "Put her out ! " was heard from more than one rough voice near the door, and responded to by loud and angry murmurs from within

Mr Englehart, not waiting to inquire merits case scene of confusion, hastened his family out as quietly and as quickly as possible, but groans and hisses followed his niece as she hung half-fainting arm, quailing completely beneath the instinctive indignation rustic public As she passed out, yell resounded rude boys door, and she was lifted into sleigh, insensible from terror She disappeared evening, and no one knew the time of her final departure for "the east "

Mr Kingsbury, just man when in passion, made all the reparation power harsh and ill-considered attack master; and we believe that functionary show any traits of implacability of character seen, not many days after, sitting peaceably at tea with Mr Kingsbury, Aunt Sally, and Miss Ellen; and he has since gone home to build house upon his farm And people do say, that after more, Ellen will not need Miss Bangle's intervention if she fit to correspond schoolmaster