tries to look at ease; the country is drifting into war; everybody is afraid of failure; and it is your duty to look out for yourself, and relieve your father from the care of you. You have flirted with fops enough now, honestly, is there any one whom you want to marry, and who may want to marry you? Do you want; let me see; where is my basket of cards? Do you want Geo. P. Drake? Goodness! No. Do you want this one? No. No. No. Nor any of this lot. Oh; I should have kept the ladies cards separate. Why there are no more gentlemen in the lot, except Billy Croesus. Nor do I want to be Mrs. Billy Crasus? No.'

"But I want to be Mrs. Somebody: Must be Mrs. Somebody: pretty soon, too."

"Let's run them over again. No-N-no. No. No. No. No. Now this is a good fellow: but if times go hard it wont do I can't think of him. This is a splendid balloon; but likely to burst if there comes a pressure: besides he is in love with Fanny Moore and she is a good creature. This is,-pshaw ! And here, at last, is Billy Cræsus again."

:

And I don't want him. Want a man who is called Billy! I think I see myself in such a concern."

Heigh ho! lets look over again! I wonder if there is one among them who wants me,-I ought to have thought of that before. This one I can't afford to take, if he offers. This wont do. This I wont have, any how. These are doubt ful, every way. And here, again, is William Croesus. I wonder whether he wants me."

"I wish women had their rights, and could pop the question, without loosing caste. Heigh ho! But we must take the world as it is, and not fag ourselves to better it, as some she-reformers do."

always at leisure; fond of riding; his horses were gentle if not extremely fast; and his carriages were comfortable, if not extremely light; they all found them delightful, and admired his taste in the selec tion of roads. One thing they remarked, -that he seldom subjected them to the discomfort of dust; but seemed to keep a look out for showers, and to take the best advantage of them. Mr. Croesus was a nice, sensible young man and in this opinion their mammas all concurred.

But although many had strong opinions on the subject, it was not positively known which of all of them had established her authority over him. Even Julia Dix who deemed herself spread in such matters, could not see that he was deeply affected by any one in particular. In fact, he seemed quite as well pleased with her, who had generally disputed him, as with those who had assented to all he said. Nor would the young gentlemen better agree: they thought him as likely to prefer one as another, excepting Julia Dix, who joined with them in calling him Billy, and laughing at his innocent notions of men and things.

Whether he had made up his own mind, or thought about it, was not positively known. If he was sounded as to his opinions of this or that lady, he always answered in terms of commendation, so warmly expressed as to leave an impres sion that he was decided; but what he said of others, in turn, threw a doubt over the whole matter. As to being a flirt, every one believed him too honest. Even Julia had always mitigated her satires by adding that he had sense and principle, which were very necessary if not very fas cinating qualities, at least in her estimation.

66

Mr. Croesus, as we have said, was a favorite with all the young ladies. They were sweet upon him; and generally were confident that their appreciation was merited by a corresponding appreciation on his part. He was always at their service,

ness was under the influence of the times: and begged the pleasure of her company to ride, and that of her mother and young sisters. His invitation was accepted, and all were pleased. On bidding Julia good evening he said, "Whenever you can spare time for a ride, just let a fellow know."

It is not our business to speculate as to what may have turned the brain, or the mind of Mr. Croesus; but his visits and rides became frequent; and the effects upon himself were decided, as we judge from the following monologue in which he indulged.

64

Heigh ho! I'm about afraid of her. She's such a politician, philosopher, business man-I mean business woman; and such a slashing satirist; such an explosive scold; such a she-Napoleon. If I could believe she could love a fellow, and wouldn't laugh at him, but just help him along! But Swift is in the way; so I ought not to think about it; he is such a worthy fellow, although some, who don't know that he is hard up for money, just for the moment, have doubts about him."

it

be

A very good and amiable young lady, in a way, Miss Eliza Williams, whom the reader may have seen and admired, thought wrong that Miss Dix, who had so long distinguished herself from all other ladies by expressions of doubtful respect for Mr. Croesus, should be guilty of flirting with him, to such extent as to excite a suspicion, in those who did not know her habits, that she really had serious designs upon him. Such conduct was opposed to all her notions of duty and propriety: it was a wrong not only to Mr. Croesus, but to herself. Miss Williams, who honestly respected Mr. Croesus, and, in short, was anxious that he should make a proposal that she had long expected, and that he probably would have made long before, had not the unkind not to say unprincipled conduct of certain others, temporarily diverted the fancy of that somewhat inexperienced young gentleman. It certainly was, at the least, uncharitable, not to say wicked; and it ought to be rebuked, not to say punish

ed; and she was morally bound not to suffer such wrong without an effort to repress it. She deemed it right, moreover, that Mr. Swift should know how, during his business emergencies, his dearest interests were exposed to remark, not to say actual doubt; and, knowing that gentleman's sister, she determined to convey a warning to him. She would, that very evening, invite herself to take tea with Miss Swift; and if she should meet her brother; she perhaps might herself be able to drop sufficient intimation.

ther

Miss Williams could not successfully tamper with a secret. Mr. Swift's genius was wholly in the way of discovering secrets and weak points, and taking the utmost advantage of them: and he was not an hour in reading the desires of Miss Williams in reference to Mr. Croesus, and in forming a scheme to turn to his own advantage the exasperation into which she had reasoned herself, and he had sedulously inflowed. He was not a man to forget the contemptuous treatment of Miss Dix, although the stake was too great to be abandoned, and he had dissembled his mortification and rage, and persevered in his attentions until in his judgment, furperseverence would not pay. Hence he was prepared to give up the idea of a "splendid operation," and to consider one less eligible, but still desirable, in all points of view, and opportune in his present financial emergency. In a word, Miss Williams, with eighty thousand in her own right, and great expectations, was not a poor substitute for Miss Dix, with nothing in her own right, although her expectations were very much greater and Mr. Swift resolved to play his gullible friend Croesus upon Miss Dix and himself upon Miss Williams; and to win as much as possible before the first crash which he anticipated in the affairs of a man whose pockets were always open to all who flattered him with demonstrations of friendship.

Julia Dix ought to have been a man, and President of the United States, or Commander-in-Chief of the Army, in this emergency. She loved no one, male or female, young or old: but she was some

times kind, when not bothered; and would give away anything, from a lover to a bit of needle-work, if she no longer felt much interest in it. But if crossed, she would not be at all obliging, or do anything desired, or allow it to be done, even by her dearest friend, much less by one who had presumed to set up as her rival. Among those who had received many kisses and trinkets from her, for which she returned profusion of sincere gratitude and love, and practical devotion and service on all occasions, was a pretty and vivacious young lady named Jenny Smith. Jenny ran in, much out of breath, soon after the mutual consultation of Miss Williams and Mr. Swift, to tell her friend Julia the news that was all over town, that the affair was broken off-there was to be no such concern as Swift and Dix, but Swift and Williams was sure: Swift himself had confidently signified half as much, by telling all sorts of stories against Julia; and Miss Williams had gossipped shockingly about Julia and the milk-and-water Croesus, and betrayed her spite against both of them; in short, Swift's business was improving, under the impression that these was a sure thing in prospect.

There was not much in real life that Julia admired: but she heartily despised many traits of character; and was sometimes more influenced by a spirit of opposition than by any direct interest. She had perceived the motive which was at the bottom of the friendship of several fast young gentlemen for Mr. Croesus, and her dislike of them reacted in sympathy for him. He probably felt this sympathy, without understanding it; and it was this which attracted him to her. He believed in her friendship, and could not doubt her sincerity in fact, she was the only one of his acquaintance, male or female, in whose sincerity he had confidence; and a word or look of kindness from her had more effect upon him than he was aware, until after he had heard the gossip which Jenny Smith had taken the liberty to report to

him as well as to Julia.

When he heard the hard sayings of his bosom friend Swift, he shed tears. "You are very weak to shed tears for such a sel

fish ingrate." said Jenny; "Pardon me for telling you my mind."

66

Pardon! God bless you: I thank you: tell me whatever you are inclined. Do tell me."

"Then I will tell you. You have been shamefully imposed upon by all the men and women of your acquaintance, except John Bowman and Julia Dix: all the rest have surfeited you with false pretences. I don't mean that the women had not a certain degree of sincerity: but they all had selfish designs."

"Don't believe that I have been altogether imposed upon: I have not taken without allowance half the professions and attentions you refer to."

"I fear that you have made but insufficient allowance: you would not otherwise have been surprised and affected by the duplicity of your friend Swift."

True! I have been deceived by

him."

"And by others also, I believe. But all I can do is to caution you. Forgive me if I have said too much."

"You have not said too much. Not enough. I wish you-but never mind now. I am very sensible of the kindness of Mr. Bowman and Miss Dix. I wishbut never mind now. There is going to be a shower; and towards sunset, I think, there will be time for a ride, without dust, and everything looking fresh: wont you favor me with your company, and invite Miss Dix? Do!"

Do you wish to marry him ?"

"No. All things considered, I do not." "Are you quite decided."

'Yes. Entirely so." "You pause a long while. My n swer is exact you may trust it entirely. It can never be otherwise. I love Mr. Bowman, as a man of nob le principles, refined breeding and good taste, and amiable disposition; but he and I could not do well together, as man and wife."

"You still pause," continued Julia.
"Shall I tell you why?"
"If I merit your confidence."
"I love him."

Indeed! I did not suspect it. Have you not been a little prudish, dear; not to tell me before?"

"Not at all. I would have told you had I not seen that he loved you."

"Much as I love him."

"You are very good, my Julia." "So are you, my Jenny. And you could make a good wife for John; and he would make a good husband for you, as I judge; but you must both judge for yourselves.'

"Would you think it improper to help me to his company?"

"Not at all, dear. I shall do So, whenever I can arrange it for your advantage. That is settled. Now I have something confidential for you. I am going to be Mrs. Croesus."

"I am glad of it. He is honorable, kind, carefully polite and only errs in having too much charity for mean pretenders. I am persuaded that he will be devoted to you, and that you will be well contented with him."

"I believe I shall be well contented."

Dispatch of business was inevitable with Julia. The concern was soon organized. One morning Croesus gave his wife a small duplicate key, requesting her to keep it always tied to her person; it unlocked a small safe, in which were all other keys of importance. He had no secrets whatever from her; and had impli cit confidence in her discretion, and wished her to know all about his property and affairs, and at all times to give him advice.

Before night Julia found, to her astonishment, that an enormous amount of money, in small sums, scattered over a period of six years, had been lent to young gentlemen of great reputed wealth; and that but few of these, and these the smallest borrowers, had ever repaid any money; and no interest had been paid.

In the meantime the consequences of political operations had become embarrassing and alarming even to the wealthiest mercantile houses; and the rents of certain class of buildings had fallen to two thirds, and in some cases less than one third; and in cases of costly buildings on leased ground the ground rent and taxes exceeded all the rent paid by tenants. Much of Croesus' property was of this kind. And Julia, on a brief view of the