NEW YORK, APRIL, 1840.

Let THE YOUNG MOTHER. then, early-early, that her child is to be a MAN. her look forward to the good he may do-the station THERE is nothing so delightful in contemplation, as the innocent gaiety and thoughtlessness of childhood. | he may win, when the hairs of her head are silvered Many many a literal wanderer over earth's desolate with age, or the grave has enfolded her for ever-let walks against whom fortune has seemed to set herself her think, too, on the other hand of the wo-the evil he in unappeasable opposition-whose grey hairs, perhaps, may entail-of the curses that may be heaped upon him in life of a friendless death, and a memory black with there is no near relative to cheer-gazes upon the congregated bands of laughing urchins, who, in their sport, infamy-let her think this, for she should do so-and while she smiles from the unfathomable depths of materinterrupt him, it may be, in his perambulations, and, as nal tenderness upon the prattling child upon her kneevivid memory retraces the scenes of his career, drops a a sense of what it is to be, will render it more than a tear of wo, and sighs to be a boy again! And so, sometimes, have the most of us-yet few would repass the plaything, and fill her breast with a solemn feeling of her ordeal of vanished life, were there more than speculation responsibleness. in such a desire.

To one from abroad-we mean from out of our own city when he walks up Broadway of a pleasant day, the dress of many of the children creates a feeling of even astonishment. We have seen gentlemen pause, and ladies, too, in amazement, at the miniature men and women, scarce able to more than totter, yet bedizened with every attribute of the extreme of fashion. Thus to dress children in New-York, has become a fashion—a sad and lamentable one. No argument is required to develope its evil tendency. Every time such clothes are put upon a child, an appeal is made to Vanity—a feel

But early childhood—the infancy of the mind's expansion-when each new thing makes the little one's eye kindle, and its whole face glow with the curiosity of awakening reason-then is childhood most interestingyet then is it invested, in general, in the parent's mind with no measure of the true interest which should attach to it. It is a plaything—its half-framed phrases of speech—its exuberant outbursts of delight—its exhibitions of affection-all render it dear. But many an infant mind, at that period, drinks in the careless word that may be treasured up-indistinctly, yet with effecting strong enough, in almost every character, without to stamp its conduct in the future. The ear hears, and the mind understands the speech of elders, far earlier than it can frame thought into words. And acts, too— the outbursts of anger-the eye kindled into fury, are lessons. The tale of deceit-perhaps to that child itself -may be a lesson; for how can the period be designated when the destinctive outlines of truth and falsehood develope themselves in the mind of a child? Who shall presume to declare it?

We have given, this month, a beautiful engraving of a young mother and her child. The train of reasoning to which it has led us, in illustration, is, we know, trite, yet what subject can, with better effect, be brought up, and up again, for discussion and exhortation? There are mothers who will go with us through this short essay with no sneer upon their lips, though we say only what has been said over and over again. We have before expressed our views, in this magazine, that the mother is appointed, more especially, to be the instructress of her children. That, too, the education of her childrenthat noble, glorious duty, solves the mooted point of woman's sphere-for that is her sphere-and it is radiant, exalted. Generation follows generation to the grave. It is not in schools and academies that the character is formed. It may be, indeed, when the thought

less mother makes chance her child's moral instructor, and he is left to have his good faculties blunted, and his bad ones quickened and enlarged by evil companionship. HOME is, or should be, the nursery of character-the mother, the watchful gardener. Let the mother think, VOL. XII-31

extraneous applications to increase it-and intolerable, when stimulated and excited to unwarrantable and disproportionate action. It is, we say it again, a sad fashion-to make a puppet of a child, with the almost certainty, in a greater or less degree, of such dreadful results. Thoughtlessness gave it birth, doubtless-may thought abolish it at once.

The mother must temper her fondness with discretion, remembering how excess of dress-of adulation-of attention-trifling as it may seem, at the time, may be productive of lasting evil. It is the future which we would impress upon the mind of the mother, in connection with

her child-the dim and doubtful future! We would re-
peat that again and again—it should be written—if it be
not on the mother's heart-where her eye may rest upon
its truthful inculcation day after day-" Remember the
Future when you look upon your child!" And the young
mother more especially-who, for the first time, has felt
the absorbing glow of maternal love—she is, more than
all, apt to forget-to look only at the present-to make
her child no more than her plaything. We would im-
press the responsibleness of her charge upon such a one,
and teach her to reflect what her child is to be-that it

is to be fashioned for action-for life-for good.
Thus should every mother reason.
refers to a daughter.

The quotation

"Her womanhood!
"Tis when I think of that, I feel how great-
How solemn 'tis, to own a parent's love;
A parent's duty! "Twill be mine to nurse
This little bud, and shield it from the storm,
And make it ripe for Heaven! If she be fair,

255

Original.

THE CHARIB BRIDE;*

A LEGEND OF HISPANIOLA.

BY THE AUTHOR OF "CROMWELL," "THE BROTHERS," ETC.

CHAPTER VI.

saddle; and swinging her slight form, with scarce an
effort, to the croupe of the tall charger, Hernando,
without setting foot in stirrup, vaulted into the saddle
before her; grasped the reins firmly with a practised
hand; and stirring his steed's mettle with the rode
spur,
a few paces down the channel of the stream till he had
reached a place clear from the overbowering brushwood
-the boy, Alonzo, following hard on his traces, leading
the third horse by the bridle at his side.

"Where-oh, where tarries Orozimbo?" whispered, again the Charib maiden, in the sweet low music of her native tongue; "without him, all is naught!"

BRIEF time had the young Spaniard and his Indian princess for explanation, or for converse; for while she was yet clasped to his grateful breast in the first, sweet embrace of love, a long, wild yell rang far into the bosom of the night from the cave's mouth above; and the broad glare of a hundred torches, tumultuously brandished by Ere she had well done speaking, they had cleared the as many strong and savage hands, disclosed to the eyes thicket; and by the strong illumination of the lights of the astonished fugitives, the fierce Cacique, himself, above, a fearful scene was rendered visible. The foresurrounded by the flower of his wild chivalry, armed at most two of their pursuers were half way down the all points with bow, and buckler, war-club and javelin, ladder, while three more of their followers had comand pike, thronging the rocky threshold of that deserted menced the perilous descent, and were now hanging to dungeon. Each swarthy figure stood out revealed on the topmost rung! But where was Orozimbo? for, that bold eminence, like animated sculptures of the far- though the torchlight was of far more avail to them who famed Corinthian brass, the sinewy frames, the well-de-profited by its partial lustre from a distance, than to veloped muscles, nay more, the very features and expres- those whose eyes, blinded by its near presence, looked sion of every stern Cacique, the plumy crowns and pic- abroad vainly into the surrounding darkness-the bottom tured quiver, all clearly visible, and palpably defined of the precipice, and all the thicket round, were buried against the fierce red glow, which formed the back in impenetrable gloom. Where, where was Orozimbo? ground to that animated picture. Brief time was there, A sharp twang broke the silence which had succeeded indeed, for instantly discovering the mode by which the to the yell of the infuriate Indians. A keen, sharp, ringfugitive had left his place of confinement, and guessing,ing twang! a hurtling sound, as of some missile in quick as it seemed, that his flight was but recent-for though the crimson glare of the resinous torches rendered the group above as visible as daylight could have done, it lacked the power to penetrate the gloom which veiled the little knot of beings at the base of that huge precipice. Two of the boldest of the great Cacique's followers addressed themselves to the pursuit by the same fearful and precarious ladder; while many others might be seen casting aside the heavier portions of their dress and armature, and girding up their loins in preparation for a similar purpose.

"Haste, haste, Hernando," whispered the Indian maiden in a voice that fairly trembled with agitation"haste to yon thicket by the stream-fly thou, Alonzo, and unbind the horses! come, Orozimbo-brother."

And as she spoke, grasping her lover by the arm, she hurried him away to a dense mass of thorny brushwood, which, overcanopied with many a vine and many a tangled creeper, clothed the bank of a wide, brawling streamlet, flowing with a loud and incessant murmur, though in a slender volume, over a bed of gravel, and small rocky fragments, detached, in the lapse of ages, from the tall crag that overhung it. Here, fastened to the branches, stood three Spanish chargers, equipped with the lightest housings then in use; except that one, in addition to the saddle, was provided with a velvet cushion attached to the cantle, and kept in its place by a thong, securing it to the richly plated crupper.

"Mount, mount, Alonzo," cried the maiden;" stay not to hold your master's stirrup-mount, and delay not. Every minute, now, is worth a human life." While yet the words were on her lips, the page had leaped into his

Concluded.

motion followed-a long dark streak was seen almost immediately glancing, within the circling radiance of the torches, toward the leading Charib-at the next instant he relaxed his hold-a piercing yell of anguish and despair pealed up to the dark heavens-head foremost the tawny figure of the savage plunged earthward-and the soft, heavy, plashing noise with which it struck the soil, announced, as plainly as the clearest words could tell, that not one bone remained unbroken after that fearful fall! Another twang-and yet another-and, almost simultaneously with the small shrill voice of the fatal chord, another, and another of the wretched Indians, transfixed by the unerring shaft of Orozimbo, were precipitated-one shrieking hopelessly but incessantly through the deaf air, until the awful crash finished his cries and agonies together-one mute in his stern despair

from their slight foothold; while, daunted by the deadly archery of their unseen enemy, and ignorant how many foes were launching death at every shot among them, the survivors retreated up the ladder with wild haste; and, when they reached the summit, a longdrawn yell, strangely expressive of malice frustrated, and disappointed vengeance, told those who heard it from below, that they abandoned that precarious method of pursuit. Another moment, and the light passed away from the verge, and a loud burst of dissonant and angry voices, receding rapidly, betokened that the pursuers had turned off to some easier exit from their hill-fortress.

Secured, thus, by the bravery and foresight of her stripling brother, from a pursuit so instantaneous that escape would have been scarce possible, Guarica called aloud, no longer fearing to betray their proximity to the enemy by her words.

"Hasten, good brother, hasten! We tarry for thee, Orozimbo," and guided by the accents of her well-known voice, panting from the rapidity of his previous motions, and from agitation in a scarcely less degree, with his full quiver rattling on his naked shoulders, and the long bow, which had, of late, done such good service, swinging at his back, the Charib boy dashed down the slight declivity, and wreathing his hand lightly in the courser's mane, bounded, at once, upon his back.

wrought in thy behalf, young Spaniard. All our countrymen must hate us; and if we 'scape this 'venture, our future home must be within the scope of Spain's allpowerful protection. All peril is now over for a space; and if thou art aweary, my sweet sister, here may we rest awhile."

"No, no!" Guarica interrupted him, breathless from the wild speed at which they had thus far journeyed. No, no! no, no! we will not pause till we have reached the cavaliers."

"At least, however," interposed Hernando, using the Indian tongue, which was no less familiar to him than his native language-" at least, let us, if we be free from present danger, ride somewhat gently, in order that our steeds may so regain their wind, and be in ease again to bear stoutly, if aught should call for fresh exertion of their mettle."

"Be it so," answered Orozimbo, turning his horse's head, and riding, as he spoke, up the green margin of the rivulet, till he stood on the level meadow, where he was joined immediately by his companions" be it so. Well, I am assured no foeman can have followed with such speed as to be less than two leagues distant in our rear-and on this open plain, none can approach us undetected. One hour's advance will bring us to a band of horsemen, under the bold Ojeda, that would contemn the might of Caoñabo's tribe."

"Follow, Guarica, follow me close; there is no time for words," he exclaimed, as he snatched the bridle, and dashing, at once, into a gallop, drove down the pebbly channel of the stream-the small stones and the water flashing high into the air at every stroke of the fleet steed, and indicating to Hernando the direction which his guide had taken. No easy task was it, however, to ride at the fierce pace which Orozimbo had taken up, down that wild water-course; for though the streamlet was so shallow that it barely reached the horse's knees, the rugged inequalities of its bed-here thickly interspersed with rough and craggy fragments, here paved with round and slippery boulders, and there with broad, smooth ledges of hard, slaty rock, polished by the incessant rippling of the current, till ice itself would have afforded a less treacherous foothold, rendered it perilous indeed, save to a cavalier of the first order, to put a horse to his speed among its numerous obstacles. At first, the youthful Spaniard could not conceive the cause Taking the lead once more, he trotted gently forward; which should have tempted Orozimbo to lead him by so the daylight brightening more and more, till the great strange a path; but, busy as he was in holding up and sun burst from the cloudy veil that curtained his bright guiding the stout charger which nobly bore his double orient chamber, and filled the earth with lustre and "freight, his mind was actively employed; and almost on rejoicing. Oh, how sweet, to the weary fugitives, was the instant remembering the wondrous instinct, scarcely that glad sunburst; awakening, as it did, upon the inferior to the scent of the sagacious bloodhound, with instant, the matutinal chorus of ten thousand joyous warwhich the Charib tribes were wont to follow on the track blers, and calling forth unnumbered odors from the upof any fugitive, he saw the wisdom of this singular pre-rising flowers, which had lain sad and scentless during caution. For something more than two hours they the absence of that glorious bridegroom. Hope, which dashed on unwearied through the sparkling waters,, had languished in their bosoms during the long night which, driven far aloft, had draggled all their garments hours, was now, at once, transmuted by nature's wonfrom buskin to the very plume-the stream now winding drous alchymist, into gay, cheery confidence-Love, in bold curves through rich and fair savannahs, now which, oppressed by doubt, anxiety and care, had been diving into the deepest and most devious shades of under-remembered only to aggravate their sorrows, and enhance wood and forest. Still on they dashed, whether the free night wind, laden with its freight of ten thousand dewy odors, sweeping across the open meadows, brought freshness to their heated brows-or the damp mist-counting to the attentive ears of the sweet Indian girl, wreaths of the steamy forest chilled the very life-blood in their veins. Still on they dashed, rousing the wildfowl from their sedgy haunts on the stream's margin, scaring the birds of night from their almost impervious roosts, till now the stars began to pale their ineffectual fires, and a faint streak on the eastern sky to tell of coming day. They reached a smooth green vega, broader than any they had yet passed or seen, and here, for the first time, Orozimbo paused from his headlong

race,

"All is well, now, Guarica-pursuit is far behind; three leagues hence, just beyond that fringe of wood which you may see glooming dark against the opening morn, tarry your gallant kinsmen, Don Hernando. Many would blame us for the deeds which we have

their apprehensions, resumed, beneath that gladsome light, its more legitimate and wonted function, and, before many moments had elapsed, Hernando was re

his confident and certain expectation of an immediate termination to all the obstacles which had thus far opposed their union; while he inquired eagerly into the late mysterious history of his surprise, imprisonment, and rescue. Few words sufficed to make all clear. Chance, alone-blind and sudden chance had brought about his capture-a chance, which had, in fact, preserved the Spanish settlements from certain peril—proba ble destruction. Apprised of the relaxed discipline, and contemptuous negligence of military usages, which had crept on the garrison during the absence of its great commander, the wily Charib had assembled all his bold tributary hordes, and was even then in full march to commence an onslaught, on walls which he would most assuredly have found mounted with culverins unloaded,