defer it until another opportunity occurs. good-night to all."

So

usually an agreeable one. The thundering explosions from the escape-pipes, the jar of the machinery, the rush of the wheels through the water, the frequent signals from the bell, the shouts of command, all confused and half understood, are little calculated to soothe the nerves of those unaccustomed to such sounds, especially if the imagination has been properly stimulated beforehand by newspaper accounts of fires, snags, and bursted boilers. One who has been well brought up, is apt on such an occasion to say his "Now I lay me down to sleep" with especial fervor and emphasis, and to welcome the coming dawn with uncommon thankfulness. It is not, therefore, to be wondered at that some of our friends looked a little The first night on a Western steamboat is not haggard and sleepy, when they appeared at the

With regret our travelers concluded their pleasant sojourn at Knoxville, and embarked on the steamer James Williams bound for Chattanooga. The scenery on the river is bold and pleasing without ever rising to sublimity. But the weather was delightful, the stream was full, and the stern wheel-boat made good speed, and as she frequently landed to put off or take on freight the artists had opportunities of sketching characteristic scenes on shore. At night the young folks had the privilege of the promenade deck by the light of a glorious moon while the elders stupefied themselves with cards and dominoes in the cabin.

breakfast-table next morning; nor is it strange "There," said Squire Broadacre, drawing that they laid all the blame upon the narrow, attention to an athletic figure clad in a hunting uncomfortable beds which they occupied. All shirt of tawny jeans and leaning on a rifletravelers do the same thing. But people soon" there is the representative of a race who become accustomed to any thing. The imaginary dangers disappear, the real are forgotten, and in less than twenty-four hours after embarkation the most timid traveler sinks to sleep as free from apprehension as if he were in a church on shore.

I've often wondered how the women occupied themselves in their leisure moments."

"It must be awfully lonesome," said Annette. "It would require an uncommonly handsome beau to persuade me to lead such a life."

"There is a dash of adventure in the life," said Larkin, "which is doubtless the principal attraction for those who embark in it."

"And you, my fair and thoughtful daughter"-the Squire tapped Leonora on the cheek -"what have you to say? Can not you improvise some verses on the subject?"

But ever and anon

A murmur of farewell
Told, by its plaintive tone,

That from woman's lip it fell.

"Away, away, o'er the foaming main!"
-This was the free and joyous strain-
"There are clearer skies than ours afar,

We will shape our course by a brighter star;
There are plains whose verdure no foot hath pressed,
And whose wealth is all for the first brave guest."
"But, alas! that we should go,"

Sang the farewell voices then,
"From the homesteads, warm and low,
By the brook and in the glen."

"I have remarked," replied she, "that while"We will rear new homes under trees that glow the fire of hope and courage lights the eyes of the men, the women almost invariably look sad, care-worn, and regretful. And as for the verses, I could never think of touching a theme upon which Mrs. Hemans has written so beautifully." "Then let us hear her verses by all means, if you can recall them."

SONG OF EMIGRATION.

There was heard a song on the chiming sea,
A mingled breathing of grief and glee;
Man's voice, unbroken by sighs, was there
Filling with triumph the sunny air;

Of fresh green lands, and of pastures new
It sang, while the bark through the surges flew.

As if gems were the fruitage of every bough;
O'er our white walls we will train the vine,
And watch our herds as they range at will
And sit in its shadow at day's decline;
Through the green savannas all bright and still"
"But woe for that sweet shade
Of the flowering orchard trees,
Where first our children played

·

Midst the birds and honey bees!"

All, all our own shall the forests be,
As to the bound of the roebuck free!
None shall say, 'Hither no farther pass!"
We will track each step through the wavy grass,
We will chase the elk in his speed and might,
And bring proud spoils to the hearth at night."

"But oh! the gray church-tower,

And the sound of the Sabbath bell,
And the sheltered garden bower,
We have bid them all farewell."

"We will give the names of our fearless race
To each bright river whose course we trace;
We will leave our memory with mounts and floods
And the path of our daring in boundless woods;
And our works unto many a lake's green shore,
Where the Indians' graves lay alone before."

"But who shall teach the flowers

Which our children loved, to dwell
In a soil that is not ours?

-Home, Home, and friends, farewell!"

On the second night of their voyage our travelers retired early and slept soundly, and on awakening next morning found the boat moored at the Chattanooga landing. A carriage was procured to convey the ladies and baggage to the "Crutchfield House," while the gentlemen followed on foot. The hotel swarmed with people arriving and departing with the trains, east, west, north, and south, hurrying to and fro with eager and excited looks, as if lives, fortunes, and sacred honor hung upon the events of the next hour. All the corners and by-places were filled with groups in earnest conversation, some were handling bundles of papers, others examining maps. Rolls of bank-notes were exhibited, and net purses with red gold gleaming through their silken meshes. In the confusion of tongues the ear could catch the "Well lem'me see. You 'member dem boots words, Lots-Stocks-Quarter-section-Dépôt gemmen give me? I let Ike have 'em; he owes -Dividends-Township-Railroad-Terminus me half a dollar on 'em."

-Ten thousands-Hundred thousands-Millions. The Squire, impatient to get his coffee, peeped into the breakfast-room. The waiters were trading coats.

"I tell you what-I'll give you dis coat for a dollar and a half and take your paper at nine months, or ef you like better, one dollar cash on de button-"

"Dem 'rangements don't zactly suit me jis now. I mought be able to raise dat money,

A BARGAIN.

DIDN'T SELL.

and den agin I moughtent-but I'll gib a dollar and a quarter-thirty-one cents cash down and trust for de rest."

"Hum-what skurity on de 'furred payments?"

"Don't talk to me 'bout Ike; he's worse'en broke; got no karacter. He done niggered me already outen a good hat and a pair of pants." "How you like an order on boss?" ""Tatch your wages?"

"Dat's it."

"Done."

Having at length accomplished a comfortable breakfast, the gentlemen sallied out to see the town. At a short distance from the hotel they were accosted by three boys who offered some black bottles at a bargain. The Squire was indignant: "What the devil," said he, "should we want with empty bottles ?"

"They'll hold beer," replied the leading juvenile; "and only five

"Go about your business," said the Squire, with an impatient gesture. "I perceive, Robert, we are in a nest of speculators, where any thing may be had at a bargain, ranging from a man's soul down to a beer-bottle."

"Well, mister," persisted the merchant, "if you don't like beer, they'll hold whisky jist as well."

The Squire turned fiercely and shook his cane; at which the smallest boy took to his heels, but the others, being better physiognomists, only drew back a little.