groan, that seemed to force itself out of my breast, I told myself it was in consequence of encouraging the poor children with presents that this was going to happen. There, seeing no danger, was a brighteyed, long-haired little thing dancing about and waving its hands as we came swiftly on.

It takes me some time to tell it, but what happened took only a few moments: and there it all is now, like a picture that, having once seen, I can never forget. It was a sunshiny afternoon, with all looking bright: the log-house, with its patch of flowers; the children by the side of the line, and their mother running out wild and frantic, but only to drop down in the path, half-way between the door and where the child was dancing and waving its little hands as we glided on.

I felt as one sometimes does in a nightmare dream, when the will is there to do something, only a dreadful fear holds the dreamer back, and he can see danger coming nearer and nearer, and yet can do nothing to avoid it. We neither of us spoke, but stood there, one on each side, leaning forward as helpless as the poor little child in front, till, with almost a yell, I fought clear of the power that seemed to hold me, and, with the feeling that it was all in vain, crept along the side of the engine, and lay down with my arms extended in front of the cow-catcher.

Only moments, but moments that seemed like hours, as, with its strange, hurrying, jumping motion, the engine dashed on, as I told myself, to crush out the life of that poor little innocent. I wanted to shut my eyes to keep out the horrible sight, but I dared not; and though now I seemed to be doing what might save the child's life, I

could not think it possible. There it was, just in front, and yet we appeared to come no nearer.

Twenty yards-ten yards! Were we never going to pass over the spot? or would some miraculous power stop the engine? I tried to shout, but only a strange hoarse noise came from my throat; I wanted to wave my hands, but they remained stretched out obstinately toward the child.

Five yards-four-three! There was the child laughing in its innocent glee, for it was expecting some little present from me, its murderer as I was calling myself, who lay there motionless as a statue.

Two yards-one! At last all is over! There was a shock, — so I thought, -as we dashed down upon the little thing, who seemed to stretch out its hands to mine, and to leap, actually jump, into my arms, and then, with it tightly grasped, we were still going on and on; I with my eyes shut, but feeling that I had the child tightly held to my breast, and yet not able to look to see if it was hurt.

Then I don't know how it was, but I believe I must have got up, and crawled back to my place by the fireman; but I can't recollect doing so. I only recollect finding myself sitting down there, with the child in my arms, and feeling stunned and helpless as a child myself.

We dared not stop to take the little thing back, but we sent it from the next station; and you'll believe me when I tell you that we were better friends afterward than ever, so that whenever I went by their place we used to make signals enough, I to the folks at the house, and they to me. I shall never forget that little one getting out upon the track.

But

LESSON CVII.

beau'te oŭs, very handsome.

phăn’tom, an airy spirit.

diş ǎs'ter, a sudden misfortune. scep'ter, a staff borne by kings.

CHARLEMAGNE AND THE BRIDGE OF
MOONBEAMS.

Beauteous is it in the summer-night, and calm along the Rhine, And like molten silver shines the light that sleeps on wave and vine,

But a stately figure standeth on the silent hill alone,

Like the phantom of a monarch looking vainly for his throne!

Yes! 't is he-the unforgotten Lord of this beloved land! "Tis the glorious Car'lus Magnus, with his gleamy sword in hand, And his crown enwreathed with myrtle, and his golden scepter bright,

And his rich imperial purple vesture floating on the night!

Since he dwelt among his people, stormy centuries have rolled, Thrones and kingdoms have departed, and the world is waxing old:

Why leaveth he his house of rest? Why cometh he once more From his marble tomb to wander here by Langewinkel's shore?

O fear ye not the Emperor;-he doth not leave his tomb
As the herald of disaster to our land of bright and bloom;
He cometh not with blight or ban on castle, field, or shrine,
But with overflowing blessings for the vineyards of the Rhine!

As a bridge across the river lie the moonbeams all the time,
They shine from Langewinkel into ancient Ingelheim;
And along this bridge of moonbeams is the monarch seen to go,
And from thence he pours his blessings on the royal flood below.

He blesses all the vineyards, he blesses vale and plain,
The lakes and glades and orchards, and the fields of golden grain,
The lofty castle turrets and the lowly cottage hearth,

He blesses all, for over all he reigned of yore on earth.

Translated from the German.

LESSON CVIII.

pǎl'e tōt, a loose frock or coat.
gar rōte', to strangle.

neo phyte, a new convert.
Ce les'tial, name applied to Chi-

namen.

sar dònʼie, forced; bitter. eŭm'brous, awkward; heavy. Ŏs'ten ta'tious, with great show. prē'ter nǎt'ū ral, supernatural.

JOHN CHINAMAN.

The expression of the Chinese face in the aggregate is neither cheerful nor happy. In an acquaintance of half a dozen years, I can only recall one or two exceptions to this rule. There is an abiding consciousness of degradation,―a secret pain or selfhumiliation visible in the lines of the mouth and eye. Whether it is only a modification of Turkish gravity, or whether it is the dread Valley of the Shadow of the Drug through which they are continually straying, I cannot say. They seldom smile, and their laughter is of such an extraordinary and sardonic nature-so purely a mechanical spasm, quite independent of any mirthful attribute-that to this day, I am doubtful whether I ever saw a Chinaman laugh.

I have often been struck with the delicate pliability of the Chinese expression and taste, that might suggest a broader and deeper criticism than is becoming these pages. A Chinaman will adopt the American costume, and wear it with a taste of color and detail that will surpass those ". "native, and to the manner born." To look at a Chinese slipper, one might imagine it impossible to shape the original foot to anything less cumbrous and roomy, yet a neater-fitting boot than that belong

ing to the American Chinaman is rarely seen this side of the Continent.

on

When the loose sack or paletot takes the place of his brocade blouse, it is worn with a refinement and grace that might bring a jealous pang to the exquisite of our more refined civilization. Pantaloons fall easily and naturally over legs that have known unlimited freedom and bagginess; and even garrote collars meet correctly around sun-tanned throats. The new expression seldom overflows in gaudy cravats. I will back my Americanized Chinaman against any neophyte of European birth in the choice of that article.

While in our own State, the Greaser resists one by one the garments of the Northern invader, and even wears the livery of his conqueror with a wild and buttonless freedom, the Chinaman, abused and degraded as he is, changes by correctly graded transition to the garments of Christian civilization. There is but one article of European wear that he avoids. These Bohemian eyes have never yet been pained by the spectacle of a tall hat on the head of an intelligent Chinaman.

My acquaintance with John has been made up of weekly interviews, involving the adjustment of the washing accounts, so that I have not been able to study his character from a social viewpoint or observe him in the privacy of the domestic circle. I have gathered enough to justify me in believing him to be generally honest, faithful, simple, and painstaking.

Of his simplicity, let me record an instance where a sad and civil young Chinaman brought me certain shirts with most of the buttons missing and others hanging on delusively by a single