SCREAMY POINT.

BY THE AUTHOR OF 'MR. CLARENCE GOWER.'

'And can forget men's names with a great grace.'-BEN. JONSON.

FROM what circumstance Screamy Point derives its name, I shall not undertake to decide. Some learned antiquarians assert that it was thus called, because its early settlers, being attacked one dark night by Indians, screamed so loudly in their panic, that they were heard at another jutting head-land nearly three miles distant, and drove away the savages, who mistook this formidable outcry for a tremendous yell of ambushed braves. Others, with perhaps a greater probability of truth, allege that it was originally designated Creamy Point, and that the foaming aspect of the breakers which dash against it, suggested the appellation. For myself, I incline to the conjecture that the true and veritable name of this celebrated watering place is Screamy Point, and that it was so christened by the matter-of-fact Yankees in the neighborhood, because the sea-gulls and fish-hawks made it resound with their dissonant cries, long before it had ever been dreamed of by ruralizing cits, as a place for summer recreation. Be this as it may, the cognomen is singularly appropriate. The aerial aborigines have been driven from their desolate haunt; but the pianos and babies, which have displaced them, loudly assert its claims to its original nomenclature.

But a few years since, and a solitary farm-house, with its unseemly appurtenances of barn-yard and pig-pen, was the sole tenement upon this rocky promontory. Suddenly its destinies were changed. There was a hammering and an hurrahing for a few weeks upon the lonely beach, and videlicit, a splendid edifice. Far out at sea is that stately pile discernible, with its long ranges of Corinthian pillars, and the national flag floating from its dome. When less favored spots are burning with unmitigated heat, cool breezes play through its halls and corridors, and the rustling of their fairy pinions, together with the monotonous roll of the untiring surf, might, were it not for human accompaniments, lull the dreamy and imaginative into an elysium of indolent bliss.

Screamy Point is now the focus of fashion, the very pivot of the beau monde. Crowds congregate there from all the cities in the union, and the aspiring rustics of the vicinity, eager to mingle with these brilliant strangers, flock thither in countless numbers Let none who are ambitious of moving in the first circles,' neglect a yearly visit to this noted place, though their stay be ever so fugitive. Through the livelong winter which succeeds, it will be to them an epoch- a glorious Hegira! When an occurrence is referred to by their associates, they may perhaps be able to exclaim, with a proud consciousness of exalted worth, It happened while I was at Screamy Point!' At all events, they can date and ante-date from that memorable era.

It was the close of a hot August day, and the shadows of evening had begun to shut in around the spot we have been describing. The white sails in the offing were fast fading into dim obscurity, and a blue haze rested upon the inland hills, blending their summits with the clouds. It was nearly time for the tea-bell to ring, and groups of gentlemen were assembled on the piazza of the mansion house. Some in a linen

undress were balancing their chairs upon two legs, and poring over the same newspapers which they had seized upon in the morning. Others were consulting their watches, and hurrying to and fro as if upon the eve of a conspiracy. A few ladies languidly rested their arms upon the balustrade, and looked down upon the nurse maids and children who scampered and rolled over the grass-plot beneath. Within doors, all was important bustle. Waiters were seen passing and repassing the windows; plates, knives and forks clattered, and a nascent steam invaded the olfactories of the expecting.

Just at this momentous juncture, a small neat wagon drew up at the door, and cold, proud stares from the ladies, and inquisitive glances from the gentlemen, were directed toward the new arrival. Scarcely was there time, however, for the most cursory observation, when the bell rang with its usual vociferating peal. The effect was instantaneous. The quiescent gentlemen started up, threw down their newspapers, and fled with inconceivable speed, while the poor nervous men who had been fidgetting and fretting, found themselves far out-distanced by the long and bold strides of these tranquil deceivers. The ladies, having received a previous intimation, had already vanished, and the poor babies opened their round eyes in mute astonishment at the defection of their mama's. One or two of the little cherubs essayed a slight whimper when they found themselves so unceremoniously deserted; but the din of the brazen summons still ringing in their ears, convinced them that competition would be unwise and useless.

In the midst of all this hurry and confusion, the new comers had descended from their vehicle, and an old gentleman who appeared to be the patriarch of the party, consigned its reins into the hands of an attendant ostler. He then made known his requisitions to another functionary of the establishment, and as it was now nearly dark, himself and his companions were furnished with lights, and escorted to their respective apartments.

The ravenous gentry of Screamy Point were at last satisfied, and the remains of the feast were cleared away. A clean cover was laid at one end of the long table, and plates of bread and butter, together with hot dishes of oysters and fish, were placed temptingly upon it. The officiating waiter, having completed his final arrangements, knocked at the doors of the newly arrived guests, and with many bows and cringes conducted them to the eating room.

The old gentleman of whom we have already made mention, his wife, and their son and daughter, were the persons who partook of the repast. They all looked very happy, and seemed gifted with excellent appetites.

Well, my dear,' said the blithe senior of the party, after the first cravings of hunger were in some measure appeased, how do you find yourself after your ride?'

'I feel as brisk as a bee,' said his respectable partner.

And whose name do you think I have found upon the books?' continued the garrulous worthy, who looked like one of those good country 'Squires, that have a long queue on one side of their head, and a long tongue on the other. we shall never guess,' said the young lady,

Do tell us, papa

anxiously.

The old gentleman looked around for salt, and was instantly supplied.

Come, pa,' said his daughter.

Well, then,' said the venerable news-budget, I will tell you! While you were fixing yourselves, I thought I would walk about, and see what was to be seen. In the first place, I went to the stable to find out how Rattler got along. It was well I did, for the rascals were a-going to cheat him out of his oats.'

Pa,' said the young lady, beseechingly, wont you tell us who is here?'

When I came in,' continued the tantalizing old gentleman, 'they asked me to put my name down in the books, and just as I was going to write, I heard a great letting off of steam. 'Where does that boat come from?' says I to a blackey, who stood close by. From the East River, Sir,' says he. The booby had just come from New-York, and did n't know the Sound from the East River!'

Here the good soul gave way to a loud cacchination.

'Oh, pa! do tell us!' said the poor suffering descendant of Eve.

The Squire looked seriously nettled. Mary,' said he, with an air of pompous dignity, I am ashamed of you! I do n't know where you got your impatience. Your mother does n't worry so. Why can't you behave like her?'

The excellent matron, who was thus upheld as a pattern to her daughter, had undergone a drilling of thirty years, and was in truth a model of forbearance. She smiled languidly, and motioned Mary to be silent. The old gentleman was so annoyed by these continued interruptions, that he finished an entire cup of tea before he again opened his lips. At last, however, the earthy admixture subsided, and the clear bubbling spring was again in a state of effervescence.

·

Harriet Ashcroft is here!' said the relenting parent.

'Harriet Ashcroft!' exclaimed the younger members of the family, in tones of joyous hilarity.

'OI am so glad!' said the old lady. What nice times you will have, Mary! Edward, you went down to Cherry Harbor last week, and you can tell her all about her grandma and her aunt Betsey.'

The young gentleman thus appealed to, was tall and slender, with a fine intellectual forehead, and dark brown eyes beaming with expression. Miss Ashcroft was a friend of his sisters, and the delight which irradiated his face when he heard of her proximity, bore witness to the warmth of his brotherly affection.

'Perhaps she will go home with us,' continued the old lady. I should n't wonder at all if she did. It can't be that she means to return to New-York, until the dog days are over.'

My dear,' said the old gentleman, sagaciously, it won't do to anticipate too much, for if we do, we are very apt to be disappointed.'

I know that, Mr. Raymond,' said the rebuked dame, who appeared to be a little vexed by the remark; but I don't see any thing to hinder Harriet's making Mary a visit. It costs a great deal to stay here, they tell me, and I'm sure she always enjoys herself when she is with

us.

'At all events, we can exert our powers of persuasion,' said the young gentleman, with a smile.

The 'Squire put his fingers in his button holes, leaned back his chair, and kicked the table legs with an air of dogged obstinacy.

'You forget, Mrs. Raymond,' said he, that Mr. Ashcroft is one of the richest merchants in New-York. It is not likely that he would care for the expense of Harriet's being here.'

That's very true,' said the old lady, perseveringly; 'but it's a great while since she was in Pendleton, and I guess we can get her to go there. Do n't you think so, Mary?' turning to her daughter, with a complaisant smile.

Ò I hope so, ma,' said Mary, then we can have all those nice rides on horseback over again; and Edward, you can read to us out in the orchard as you used to do. How delightful it will be!'

'Besides,' said the old lady, 'her grandma will be so glad to see her again! She has had the new kitchen built out, and that short road to Cherry Harbor has been cut through the woods, since Harriet was there.'

The 'Squire had by this time recovered his good humor, and saw that it was useless to contend against the sanguine hopes of these female visionaries. 'My dear,' said he, Mary was talking about riding, and whether Harriet goes home with us or not, why can't the girls take a a jolt on Rattler to-morrow? I dare say they've got a side-saddle here.'

Edward Raymond now saw fit to interpose, and suggested that although Rattler might do very well, where his good qualities were intimately known by every man, woman, and child, upon the road, yet he had rather too much of the Rosinante in his appearance, to be a fit steed for a public watering-place. Mary assented to this idea of her brother's, and the old gentleman, after crying fie upon them for their foolish pride, gave up the notion,' with more ease than might have been expected from one of his positive temperament.

The meal, which had been somewhat lengthened by these schemes and discussions, was at last concluded. Screamy Point was declared to be the most delightful place in the world, and its oysters and fish of unparalleled excellence.

On repairing to the parlor, not a soul was visible; but the noise of cotillions betraying the theatre of action, our party proceeded to the ball-room. It was no easy matter to obtain an entrance through the dense crowd congregated at the door; but the 'Squire was blessed with sharp elbows, and a pertinacious will so he at last effected a passage for himself and suite. Once in, they were propelled toward the wall, and finding that struggles did but accelerate their fate, they yielded themselves lamb-like to the tide, and were safely stranded against its white-washed surface. Now then they had leisure to look about them, There was nothing to be seen but a sea of heads ringletted and ribboned, mustachoed, and bewhiskered, advancing and retreating, balancing and chasséeing. The room was so full, that it was impossible to look down at the feet of the dancers, and the effect of this ceaseless bobbing was laughably grotesque. No seats were to be procured, and no glimpses of Miss Ashcroft to be obtained. A very short stay in this hall of Terpsichore, sufficed to content the Raymonds, and they made their way out again with all convenient expedition. The old gentleman

then called for lights, and his wife and daughter, complaining of fatigue, ascended to their rooms. It was not long before he followed their example, leaving his son to amuse himself as his inclinations prompted.

It was one of those calm and beautiful evenings, when Nature communes most closely with her children, and showers most bountifully upon them her mysterious influences. The pale moonlight fell with a soft radiance upon the sea, and the huge masses of rock which lay piled around, assumed in the uncertain shade a wild and picturesque grandeur. Tempted by these appearances, the young man strolled forth upon the sands, and as he receded from the mansion-house, his spirit grew lighter, and his step became more free and buoyant. The tinsel of fashion and the inanity of fools may clog for a while the souls of the aspiring; but one walk upon 'the lonely shore,' one ramble through the pathless woods,' will remove these feeble shackles, and replume them for their upward flight. The happiest dream must have its awakening, and the most blissful reverie its close; but it was late before our wanderer sought repose upon his pillow.

At the earliest dawn of day, little pattering steps were heard in the halls of Screamy Point, and the rising generation' commenced their plaintive appeals to the sympathies of the public. Scarcely were the pack in full cry, when other accompaniments chimed in. Carriages rattled, servants shouted, brooms swept, and bells rung. Morning having thus resolutely asserted her dominion, the lazy and sleepy were compelled perforce to rise.

There was a broad glare of sunshine in the drawing-room, when our friends adjourned thither from breakfast, and the motes and flies were disporting themselves merrily in its beams. They took seats in a cushioned bow-window, and considered what was to be done. It had been ascertained by inquiry that Miss Ashcroft and her party had a private table, and the old gentleman, therefore, thought it best to convey to her some intimation of their presence. This rational proposal was negatived by his companions, who wished her to enjoy the agreeable surprise of an unexpected meeting.

A few ladies now made their appearance, and having popped into rocking-chairs, began swaying to and fro with the most laudable activity. Servants came in with their little charges, tied on their bonnets, and tightened their shoe-strings, preparatory to a walk. At last, a tall girl of fourteen, with cropped hair and pantalettes, opened the piano and began to 'practise.'

Hereupon the gentlemen took up their hats and went out.

Mary and her mother continued patiently sitting by the window. The old lady asked the miss if she played Paddy Čarey,' and the obliging demoiselle commenced the tune instanter. While their ears were yet regaled with these dulcet sounds, an equipage drove up to the door, whose glittering harness and bedizened coachman attracted their attention. It was entered by several ladies and gentlemen - the whip cracked, the horses pranced, and as it whirled past the window, in one of the occupants of the back seat was recognised Miss Ashcroft!

There goes Harriet!' said Mary, despairingly: O, mother, if we had only taken pa's advice!'

No luggage being attached to the carriage, it was conjectured that