and sister, should return to the mill. The whole party were soon in motion, the thieves were tied together and brought along by the miller's men, while Russell and his wife proceeding more rapidly, called at the barn for the children, who had cried themselves to sleep, nestled in each others arms. They were speedily taken to the miller's residence, where every comfort that the place afforded was profusely heaped upon them. Food, a good bed, and change of clothing; and after keeping them a couple of days to recruit, Russell took them in his wagon to the neighboring town, and then paid their fare by stage to the town where their father lived. Then giving the elder girl' some money to buy food, and once more thanking her warmly, he left them to proceed on their journey, while the three children uttered many a heartfelt expression of gratitude to the miller and his good-natured wife. Thus the humblest, and apparently most insignificant act of our lives, is often connected by an invisible link with important events, upon which may hinge the future happiness or misery of our earthly career; and thus it often happens that some trifling act of kindness is repaid to the giver an hundred fold, independent of that lasting satisfaction which ever attends the excercise of charitable feelings. THE BLUE KNIGHT. A CONCENTRATED ROMANCE. CHAPTER 1.-AN ARRIVAL. On the summit of the loftiest tower of the castle of Altenburg gaily flaunted in the evening breeze the flag of the redoubtable and right valiant Baron Ulric. His only daughter, the incomparably beautiful Elvina, was the sole object of his love and fear: her filial tenderness was the cause of the first; her wit and beauty, of the latter; for, as the fairest flowers attract the bees, and the dazzling flame the moth, so did he dread lest some adventurous and unworthy knight might be attracted by the charms, and win the affections of his child. The Baroness of his early love had long since yielded to the arms of Death, and the barrenness of his domains was alone left for his enjoyment. Secluded from the world, the Baron trusted that his daughter would remain unscathed by the random arrows of love, until he could select some stalwart knight of wealth and valor on whom he should be proud to bestow her hand. Compelled to take the field to repel the invasion of in enemy of one of his distant allies, he left the castle of Altenburg in the care and custody of his warder, and two or three vassals. The moon had just risen, and the inmates of the astle had retired for the night, when a Knight, atended by his faithful esquire, approached the borders of the castle-moat. "Seest thou that moat?" inquired the Knight. Ay, truly, your worship," replied the esquire; for do not the wise ones say that we sooner see the tote in our neighbor's eye than the beam in our own?" "We must crave a lodging there, Grummel," connned the Knight; "blow me yonder horn." With what breath I have," said Grummel; "for 'n blown myself, as well as the steeds, with our ng journey." The horn was sounded, and the warder appeared the wicket. In the name of St. Grimbald," cried Grummel, "give shelter to the valiant Knight, Sir Wilhelm of Dusseldorf, and his trusty esquire." "The Baron Altenberg is abroad," said the warder, in an excusatory tone. "And so are we," replied Gruinmel; "for we have lost our way." Tarry awhile," answered the warder, after a moment's consideration, and, closing the wicket, departed. "A discourteous knave!" grumbled Grummel, keeping us here like a couple of dogs." "How, sirrah ?" Why, did he not bid us tarry here? and therefore are we not in better condition than a couple of tarriers." "We cannot bite, and therefore bark not," answered the Knight. The warder again made his appearance; the drawbridge was lowered, and the Knight and his esquire crossed the moat. "The lady Elvina welcomes the stranger Knight to her father's castle," said the warder, obligingly. I kiss her hands," replied the Knight, "and thank her for her courtesy." Anon they were ushered into a spacious hall; and, while they unarmed, the board was spread with substantial fare for their refection. "I am anxious to pay my respects to the lady," said the Knight. "And I to the fare," replied Grummel, vigorously attacking a boar's head. "She is not visible, Sir Knight," said the warder. "Then it's impossible we can see her," said Grummel, falling to. She is doubtless a morning star, your worship?" "What then?" "Why then, your worship, the Knight cannot expect her presence." CHAPTER II.-AN ENGAGEMENT, BOTH IN LOVE AND WAR. At an early hour the following morning, Grummel, having dressed his master in a superb blue velvet doublet and suit, proceeded to the kitchen to dress his breakfast. Sir Wilhelm, meanwhile, descended to the castle garden, where he encountered the blushing Elvina. about to blow another blast, he shot an arrow through his heart, and transfixed him to the spot. "If all the rest run," said he, cooly," there is no chance of that fellow quitting his post! Nailed, by St. Grimbald! There is no succor for him, pour fellow! May all the rest of the wounded find leeches in the moat. This exploit was the signal of assault, and a shower of arrows fell upon the castle., "Let the porcupine shoot his quills at the boar said Grummel, he is only throwing away his means of defence! Hand me that pebble," continued he. pointing to a stone of half a hundred weight. It was soon raised, and hurled by one of their warlike machines into the thickest of their foes. "That has made an impression," cried he; it is quite a smasher; there's half-a-dozen, at least, stone deal. Another little one," said he; "we shan't miss that. though it should miss them. Besides, it will be as well, as they have challenged us, to show them we After the due acknowledgement of her hospitality, the Knight, who was, of course, deeply enamored at the first glance by her trancendent charms, began to make a little love on his own account. The innocent Elvina listened with pleasure to the silver music of his sweet discourse and courtly compliments, for he had been to court, and now had come to court again. And in a few minutes, after the fashion of those roInantic times, she surrendered the fortress of her affections. She did not, indeed, tell her love," but referred him to her father with such an expressive blush as gave him confidence. At this present junc-have a second." ture, the old warder rushed breathlessly into the garden, and interrupted their placid felicity by hurriedly informing them that a petty Baron, with whom his lord was at feud, had just appeared before the castle with a force of one hundred and fifty strong, and demanded the immediate surrender, threatening to put the whole garrison to the sword if they resisted. "Oh! Sir Knight," exclaimed he, "repay our hospitality by thy succor and counsel in this extremity. What's to be done?" "Away with these rashers," exclaimed the esquire, on hearing the news, "there is a less savoury broil preparing for us by the enemy. We are in a pickle, 't is true; but small as we are, as the capsicums said to the cauliflower, they shall find us hot withal, and not at all to their palate." "If they ford the moat, and scale the walls, we are lost," said one of the three vassals. "Tut, man!" exclaimed Grummel, who was an old soldier, and knew all the resources of war, "fill the kettles presently with pitch, and hand me the ladle; and, long ere they reach the parapet, I'll-pitch 'em over. "There's the horn again," cried the warder, "summoning us to surrender." : "What o' that?" said Grummel, encouragingly "we 're not veal, to be spoiled by their blowing. Pluck up thy courage, my boy, and lend me a bow;an I do not put a cloth-yard shaft into the varlet, and pin him like a cockchafer to the gate, I'm a ninny!" While he kept talking in this strain, he armed himself and his master. The garrison" was soon in battle array. Grummel now proceeded to his post with two of the vassals, and proved his skill and strength by executing his vaunt; for, at the ilentical moment the herald was While Grummel was thus ably executing his part. the Blue Knight (for so was Sir Wilhelm called, from the favorite color of his armor and appurtenances directed his little force with equal skill, dexterity, and advantage. The engagement now began to assume a more serious appearance; the enemy began to fill the moat, in order to proceed to the escalade. The little garrison was now concentrated. The boiling pitch and water were supplied by two of the vassals; and the besieging party had no sooner succeeded in raising a scaling-ladder, and begun to mount, than they were saluted by a cataract-like discharge of scalding water. "'Tis but a fair return," said Grummel, as they keep us in suspense, that we should keep them in hot water! Down with it, my comrades, till they're done in their armor like lobsters in their shells! Another pebble! What! no more? Then up with the flags from the court-yard, and break their ladder-they re the only flags we 'll lower to them." These new missles were speedily provided, and did great execution; the ladder was dashed to fragments, and numbers of the assailants were precipitated headlong into the moat. The Blue Knight was u wearied in his exertions, and encouraged his little force by his daring example. "Bravo!" exclaimed Grummel; "we have retted the enemy's courage, and sharpened our own." The discomfitted leader now retreated, and rallied together his "remnant.” "By George!" exclaimed the 'squire, they are forming for a fresh assault. We have so far lost nothing, and yet, in the language of the lawers, they may be said to have gained the action,' for they have already got considerable damages.' "And see yonder!" cried the warder, extending his right arm, there comes my liege lord. 1 recog nise his banner. What a happy diversion!" Very diverting, indeed!" replied Grummel: "mark how the scamps are making ready to scamper The bow-men are all like cross-bows, prepared for a bolt!" The Baron Ulric von Altenburg, now galloped to the scene of action with all his band. The besiege"s were in an instant scattered over the plain, like a flight of allrighted sparrows in a corn-field, when some ad venturous Cockney boldly takes the field to-waste his powder. 66 Wheugh!" whistled the 'squire, "that fellow hath truly brought his pigs to a fine market! While the Baron is picking the lot, let us descend and clear away the litter he has left." CHAPTER V.-COUNSEL. WHEN they retired, Grummel addressed his master in these words: "I can tell which way the wind blows, your worship, as well as a weather-cock. It's my mind the Baron wishes to deprive us of the Lady Elvina." "Us?" repeated Sir Wilhelm. The warder lowered the drawbridge, and the Blue Knight sallied forth with the " garrison" to pick up the wounded which they had so dexterously picked "To be sure; when she's your wife, will she not off. The moat was so full that Grummel declared it be my mistress?" replied Grummel. Now, I'm rewas more like a folk-mote than any thing else. When solved on the match, for thereby you'll get a better they had got in the "living," which the 'squire de-half, and I better quarters: two things no less agreeclared was no "sinecure," the gentle Elvina, as was the wont of those days, humanely busied herself in dressing their wounds. "I'm bound to serve you," said the Missal to the Monk, as he clasped it; and so said the bold Baron Altenberg when he encountered the Blue Knight on the morning following the affray. Grummel, like an independent man, was serving himself; for chine, chickens, and flowing flagons graced the baronial board in the most tempting profusion. "Left wing forward!" exclaimed the 'squire, dismembering a pullet; "right wing advance! chine support right wing! Fall in!" and at the word of command he commenced a vigorous assault. He then proceeded to demolish the "breast-work," as he termed it, and finally completed his gastronomicomilitary evolutions by ordering the left leg first," when the "right" followed as a matter of able than essential to our happiness." Why, the whole garrison are in favor of the alliance; therefore, pop the question-demand her hand-and, if the old boy holds out "What then?" "And I'm positive I'm your daughter,” replied Elvina," from the same feeling; for I have formed an unalterable resolution to become his!" The Baron looked at the gentle damsel for a moment as in surprise, and then suddenly burst into an immoderate fit of laughter. "Give me a buss," cried he affectionately; "you are my own child—a chip of the old block!” The affair was of course decided; the old Baron admired his daughter's firmness; the Blue Knight loved her for her tenderness; and the gordian knot of matrimony was soon after tied in the chapel of the castle of "What does he mean?" said the Blue Knight, Altenberg. Beauty presented her hand to Valour as looking bluer. .. He smells a rat, to be sure," whisp red the acute Grummel. the palm of victory; and Grummel had the felicity of being at the marriage-feast celebrated in honor of the nuptials of Elvina and the Blue Knight. EDITOR'S TABLE. Constance; or the Debutante. By J. H. Mancur. Author of the "Palais Royal," Henri Quatre," &c. New York: E. Ferrett & Co. 1816. The author of this tale is already favorably known to the public by his historical novels. Constance, although founded on incidents in private life, is not less interesting than any of his previous works, and will commend itself to general favor by the fine delineations of character, and touches of pathos, which are its leading characteristics. The Charmed Sea. By Miss Harriet Martineau. York: E. Ferrett & Co. 1816. New Miss Martineau's fictions are chiefly remarkable for their domestic character, and for the fine moral tone which always distinguishes them. This is her latest, and one of her very best productions. Waltham. A Novel. Edited by Leitch Ritchie. Author of the Robber of the Rhine.. New York: E. Ferrett & Co. 1846. This is a very clever production. The style is remarkably chaste and polished, and the plot and incidents exceedingly well managed. If it is not the work of Leitch Ritchie himself, which we strongly suspect to be the case, it is certainly one of which he might have been proud to acknowledge the authorship. Cousin Hinton. A Novel. By Miss Ellen Pickering. New York: E. Ferrett and Co. 1846. Miss Pickering always wrote with an elevated object. To guard the inexperienced from the dangers of life; to defend the oppressed; to humble the pride of the aristocracy, or the insolence of wealth; to portray human character in its stronger passions, or its finer shades of character; and by each of these methods to inculcate the love and practice of virtue, and a thorough detestation of every thing that is base and dishonorable. These were her objects; and her success is universally acknowledged by the remarkable popularity of her works among the reflecting and influencing portion of the reading public. Cousin Hinton" is one of her happiest efforts. Notes of a Journey from Cornhill to Cairo. By Michael Angelo Titmarsh. New York: Wiley & Putnam. 1846. This is a part of the Library of Choice Reading, which has become so extensively popular, and it is one of the most readable and entertaining books in the whole collection. Mr. Thackeray, the author, is an experienced writer, and well known and approved by the reading public These notes are written in that lively, sparkling **The style, which so well suits a book of travels. He describes, i by a few master touches, with more effect than more careful writers produce by elaborate pictures. Traveling Letters, Written on the Road," by Dickens. which form a part of the same Library, are a different vein, but not less entertaining. In that peculiar manner which is called grave banter, Dickens has few equalsscarce any superior. David Dumps, or the Budget of Blunders. A Tale B Thomas Hoynes Bayly. New York: E. Ferrett & Co. 14. As one would naturally expect from its title, this strey turns out to be one of the extravaganza sort, lively. p quant, full of fun and oddity. In grouping his characters int the oddest situations, the author rivals his prototype, Theodore Hook. "Father Ripa's Residence at the Court of Poking Trans lated by F. Prande." New York: Wiley & Putnam. 1846. This is one of the volumes of Messrs. Wiley & Putnam's "Foreign Library." It is the genuine work of a Catholz missionary, who resided several years in the court of the Chinese Emperor, where he was graciously permitted to exercise his talents in designing and engraving, witheat pay, for his majesty; and the circumstance of his making and baptizing a few converts, was graciously winked at by the government and the priests. The details e Chinese manners and customs which he gives, are extremely curious and amusing. The Elves. Translated from the German of Tierke. By Thomas Carlyle. With other Tales and Sketches. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1846. This collection consists of the best of the Edinburgh Tales, so extensively popular in Great Britain. The pa of that work appears to be to solicit contributions of short stories from all the leading novelists of England, and, accordingly, in the volume before us, we have nearly the whole of them, represented by first rate tales, not too long for an annual or Magazine. It is by no means easy to ob tain, in any other form, so much capital reading as th pamphlet contains, for the moderate price of two shi lings. The Queen of Denmark. A Historical Novel. By Mrs. Gore. New York: Harper and Brothers. 1816. Mrs. Gore excels in the historical novel. In this volume. and in the "History of a Royal Favorite," (. e. King Charles's lap-dog) she exhibits all her powers of style, and all her immense variety of historical allusion and graceful handling of grave subjects. "Pickings from the Port Folio of the Reporter of the New Orleans Picayune; with Eight Engravings, fress Original Drawings by Darley. Philadelphia: Carey & Hart. 1846. The reputation of the writer of this volume as a wit and humorist, is as well deserved as it is extensive. Nothing can excel the raciness of his sketches. Darley never ha better subjects for his pencil, and he has fairly outdone himself in the embellishments of this volume. |