"When I was a boy there lived on my fa- | not free from troubles and trials. The archther's estate an old negro that we called Uncle enemy of souls, it seems, had an especial spite Ned. At the time I remember him he was old at him, and had personally appeared to him in enough to be on the invalid list, and spent his a variety of forms. His experiences on this days between his pig-pen, his patch, and his head were wonderful to hear. He had followprayers. In his youth he had doubtless robbed ed him in the shape of a black cat; had crawlmany a hen-roost, and swallowed many an un-ed into his cabin like a copper-snake, and tried lawful dram. Indeed, there was a story current of his having once been caught in a neighbor's turkey-house, and of his having adroitly excused himself by saying that he had come over to visit the colored ladies, and had mistaken that building for the kitchen. However, as he advanced in years he became extremely devout. One could never address him without hearing the tag end of a sermon, and you rarely passed his cottage without hearing his prayers, interrupted with frequent groans. He was continually wishing for death, and lamentably declared his belief that he was grown so old be-der-horn, and approaching Ned's cabin, with cause the Lord had forgotten to take him.

"Now Aunt Betty, Ned's wife, was a capital cook, and I often applied to her to dress eggs that I had filched and birds that I had killed; and with the addition of an ash-cake of her own baking, many a savory meal have I made in her cabin. My feasts were so often troubled by Uncle Ned's importunate sermons and admonitions that I got very tired of them. I got quite enough of such things from legitimate sources; and besides, I suspected the old rascal, with all his devotion, of being little better than he should be. I never approached a certain old wooden chest in his house without sniffing a strong odor of whisky, and I often saw heaps of chicken feathers under his bed, without perceiving that his stock of live fowls ever diminished. There was also a question of a pig between us; but that is not to the point.

"Uncle Ned's life, although an easy one, was

MISCHIEF.

to bite him; as a huge owl he had perched
upon the roof, and scared him with his hoot-
ings. When he could do no better, he mani-
fested his disapprobation of the old martyr by
spitting at him from among the coals in the
fire-place. At length, about Christmas time,
the fiend hit upon a more effectual mode of
troubling his ancient enemy.
That was by
whispering a suggestion into my ear.
ly adopted the proposition, and lost no time in
putting it into execution. As soon as it was
dark I slyly possessed myself of the big pow-

I eager

cat-like agility crept upon the roof, and leaned over the big stick chimney. The hearth was glowing with a fine bed of coals, upon which sat a coffee-pot and a skillet frizzling with fat sausages. The old woman was fidgeting about the supper-table, while the old man was sitting in front of the fire enjoying the prospect, and, possibly, reflecting on his sins.

"As I carefully dropped a few grains of powder upon the coals, he suddenly drew back his chair.

666

Betty, look da! See debbil sparkin' in dat fire da ?'

"""Tain't nothin'; jis' a sign of snow.' And Betty went on with her preparations.

"Betty,' cried old Ned, drawing still farther from the fire, ''pears to me I smells brimstone!'

"""Tain't nothin',' replied Betty, with less assurance than at first.

"A more decided blaze and smell of brimstone drove the old couple into the remotest corner of the room, where Ned, too much terrified to articulate a prayer, began to groan lustily. In my efforts to repress a sneeze, the next moment I let fall the horn. Whether I rolled or was blown off the roof of the cabin I can not tell, but in my bewilderment I gathered up and ran to the great house as fast as my legs could carry me. I slipped into the sitting-room where the family were gathered, and took a back seat, that my agitation and rapid breathing might not be noticed.

"The next moment there was a sound of hurrying footsteps through the yard, on the porch, in the hall; the door burst open, and in rushed Uncle Ned, staring and speechless. The inmates of the room started to their feet, when the old man's knees

gave way, and he sunk at his old mistress's feet, grasping her gown with both hands. Aunt Betty followed, blown and frightened, but not speechless.

"Oh master! oh mistis! Debbil-debbil arter us, sure enough!'

"The old negroes shook as if in an ague fit; but soothing words, with the assistance of a glass of cordial, partially restored their incoherent wits, and Aunt Betty was presently enabled to communicate the cause of their alarm.

UNCLE NED.

men, 'go down to the cabin directly, and see what is the matter.'

"Mistis,' answered George, 'I'se afeard.'

"While she was cooking supper her old man had observed some signs in the fire he did not like; there was an onaccountable spitting and sputtering, and a strong smell of brimstone, which, he too well knew, indicated the presence of the Evil One. Ned tried to pray, but his tongue clove to the roof of his mouth; when all at once, with a clap of thunder and a cloud of fire, the foul fiend came down the chimney. With one hand he shied the coffee-pot at her head, and with the other hurled the skillet of sausage at her husband; then "My father took his hat and stick, and, folbegan with his shovel to toss chunks and coals lowed by a trembling posse of whites and blacks, over the room; and wound up by seating him- went himself to examine the premises. Things self, cross-legged, on the old chest, and spitting were found in the cabin pretty much as Aunt streams of fire at them. 'On dat very chist Betty had described them, except that the nowhar de whisky was,' sobbed Aunt Betty. 'I torious individual who had made all the misoften told Ned dat whisky ought'nt be dar. chief was gone. The cooking utensils and supbil knowed dat whisky no business dar.' per were scattered over the house, mingled with "They're drunk!' cried my father. 'Get coals and chunks of fire, and a cloud of sulphurout, you old sinners! How dare you alarm the ous smoke not yet dispersed. My father lookhouse with such nonsense?' ed bewildered, and the teeth of the negroes began to chatter at these unmistakable evidences of the recent presence of his Satanic Majesty.

Deb

"Their terror is real,' replied my mother. 'George, Sam,' said she, addressing two negro

"Presently Sam stooped to examine an object lying on the floor. 'Merciful Fathers!' he exclaimed, suddenly jumping back, 'it's one of he's horns!'

"What is it?' asked my father. 'Hand it to me.'

"Sam shuddered.

'Master, tell me to kill myself, and I'll do it; but I wouldn't touch dat -not for my freedom.'

"My father picked it up himself, and on examination it proved to be a veritable horn, much splintered and powder-burned.

"I smell brimstone orful,' said Sam, staring at the terrible relic.

"I smell a rat!' said my father, putting the horn in his pocket, and quietly leading the way back to the house.

"As I expected, I was presently called aside. "Tony, this is the remnant of my big pow der-horn. Explain this matter immediately.'

"I could not tell a lie to my father, even if I had been so disposed; so I told him the story from beginning to end without apology or circumlocution. He tried to look stern, but was evidently at some trouble to repress a laugh.

"You have committed a grave fault,' said

he, 'partly through inconsiderateness, and part- | intended to cheer; but we strove manfully to ly from a spirit of mischief. You have wasted make merry over it. my powder, ruined the horn, and narrowly missed killing a couple of worthy old servants. You must now go and explain to them how this thing occurred, that they may return to their cabin in peace.'

"By this time the whole community, white and black, was in a ferment. The affair was circumstantially explained; the powder-horn was exhibited in confirmation. Some of the negroes shook their heads incredulous; some laughed, and said they knowed Mass' Tony was at the bottom of it. Sam mustered up courage to take the horn in his hand. But the general feeling was one of disappointment that such an eye-stretching story should turn out a joke. As for Uncle Ned, he listened to all this with the air of a man whose perceptions have been obfuscated. Neither bribes nor assurances elicit ed any further response from him than a mournful shake of the head. He was escorted over to the big kitchen, where, in the course of time, he recovered his usual appetite and spirits; but thenceforth gave up sermonizing, and never could be induced to cross the threshold of his cabin again."

The young people were highly amused with this story, but Mrs. B. took occasion to thank Providence that she had no boys, and also to observe that children who had been spoiled showed the effects of it to the end of their days.

The glasses being replenished, the Squire called on Larkin for a story, who, nothing loth, narrated the following:

"Friends,' said one, 'what a contrast between this and Christmas in our own country!' And with that there was a flood of reminiscences poured forth, a gallery of Christmas pictures sketched by lively and graceful fancies.

66

My tall acquaintance sat apart, saying nothing, with his head sunk upon his breast, and an expression, not of sadness, nor of despondency, but a dreamy look, as if his thoughts and heart were far away. I felt drawn toward him irresistibly, I don't know why; perhaps there was something sympathetic in his face, perhaps it was simply because I saw he could not even pretend to be merry like the rest of us. Deep down in that unrevealed breast, thought I, there are, doubtless, chords that will ring responsive to a skillful touch. Those who had spoken were from the North, and town or city-bred, and the joys they had pictured were such as they knew of. But it was now my turn; so I painted them a picture of an old-fashioned Christmas in our region. I drew it lovingly and truly, with heart as well as words.

"Comrades,' I began, 'let me invite you to a country Christmas eve in the mountains. Take a peep into the roomy whitewashed parlor, lighted with flaming tallow-candles, and floored with a striped carpet. In the widemouthed fire-place a hickory fire roars and glows like a furnace. A black and turbaned damsel is present, whose time is occupied snuffing the candles and sweeping up the hearth with a turkey wing. Two swarthy elves bring in alternate armfuls of wood to keep up the blaze, al"The first Tennesseean I ever became ac- ways leaving the door wide open behind them. quainted with I met in Rome, while I was there In rushes the wintry wind, flaring the candles, a pseudo-student of the fine arts. In my free- and whirling the hickory-ashes over the hearthand-easy intercourse with the artistic fraternity rug; in rushes a brace of shivering dogs, and I had frequently observed a tall, fine-looking with them "a sound of revelry" from the kitchman, with a mild, intelligent countenance, but en across the yard: squeaking, booming, and withal so silent and reserved that for a time our clattering in mingled cadence. The dogs are acquaintance went no farther than a simple turned out, the wind is shut out, and with it salutation when accident brought us together. the merry noise of the fiddles; the candles One evening ten or a dozen Americans happen- snuffed, the hearth swept, and then “da capo al ed in, as they say, at the room of a friend. fine." On the right hand sits the landed propriWithout, the air was damp and chilly; within, etor, plainly clad, strong-featured, and bronzed; the uncarpeted tile floor and dingy walls were a face that can easily assume the sternness of scarcely more suggestive of comfort. There command, for he has smelled powder on the was no fire in the room, except, indeed, our field of battle, and rules his estate like a feudal host's scaldino (an earthen pot filled with light- lord: yet the companionship of a loving wife ed charcoal and ashes), which was civilly hand- and a troop of coaxing daughters has smoothed from guest to guest to thaw their benumbed ed away all trace of harshness. Opposite to fingers. Orders were dull with the artists, funds him sits the comely dame, knitting a gray were low, and conversation took a sober turn, yarn stocking; her demeanor nicely balanced until some one remembered it was Christmas between placidity and fidgetiness; observing eve, when, with one consent, it was determined sparks on the carpet, ashes on the rug, thieves we must have a spree in honor of the occasion. in the candles, and quietly signaling "Cassy" The paoli were accordingly posted up, and a on the subject. There are some good-looking, servant dispatched for refreshments. These gawky boys, or would-be young men, sitting were presently set before us: a few bottles of around, talking about horses and guns. There thin sour wine, some dry rusk glazed over with is a great stone pitcher sitting by the fire, covwhite of egg, and a hatful of the sorriest dried ered with a plate. This appears to be under figs. The appearance of the entertainment was the charge of the proprietor, and nobody knows rather calculated to dampen the spirits it was what is in it; but when he takes the plate off

CHRISTMAS.

surance.

then with such winning, girlish gentleness that you think she might be had for the asking.

"In short, there sits the little maiden who can tweedle you between her finger and her thumb as easily as she twirls that same egg-beater-can bind you with a thread of pink worsted, and lead you, blind and helpless, as Samson was of old. You forget you are an intruder, but are presently reminded of it by half a dozen affected little screams. Then all the sweet little coquetries, simperings, and pretenses which the engaging sex always puts on in the presence of an admirer are immediately resumed. They try to hide their handsome arms, but don't succeed; to arrange their frolicsome ringlets, but only toss them about the more charmingly. You

"Then the egg-nog is mixed, and poured into the mighty glass bowl, and crowned with whipped cream; the great silver ladle is pro

to stir it, as he does occasionally, you may smell are scolded, menaced, ordered to retire (a pretty hot apple-toddy all over the room. You are sneak would you be to go!), but you know betdisappointed at not seeing the girls, your cous-ter, and join the gleeful bevy with laughing asins, of course. The good dame smiles-they are in déshabillé-not visible yet; then she leans over and whispers confidentially, "Go in the next room and surprise them." This is a sufficient hint. You open the door, and glide into the presence of half a dozen bouncing, blooming girls, gathered about a table with crocks of milk, bowls of sugar, eggs, and various et ceteras. Now for a moment you may look on and admire that exquisite, unstudied grace of movement and expression which our dear girls are careful never to exhibit in general society. But your heart thumps like a pheasant drumming. You had secretly hoped, but had hardly expected it- but there she is, her face flushed with the frolic, the comb just falling from her hair, which tumbles in luxuriant confusion upon her shoulders, her rosy tapering arms quite bare -beating, with all her might and main, the whites of two dozen eggs into a foam-Cousin Mary, with whom you have walked, and talked, and ridden, and danced so often-she that is such a madcap that the old folks are outdone with her; and so shy and prudish withal that you have often been outdone with her yourself -she that will fearlessly mount the most mettlesome steed and scream so prettily at the sight of a mouse; who sometimes bears herself so proudly that a prince would hardly dare to woo her,

THE MAID.