"Astonishing!" I cried, my ejaculation gusting people!-so horribly selfish that suiting both poor Stanton and the new they would not let each other speak. The President. most stupid impudence that ever disgraced vulgar sounds, without a thought of anything but their own spongy, sapless, rotten selves! Even their children are to them only things, chattels! and these people belong to the haut-ton! Twenty-five years ago, that man used to take a measure. Now he is spokesman on 'change and a member of twenty committees. And Arthurine she seventeen, and I eight-and "Are not to be slighted," was my opin-twenty-the most expensive girl in the ion. The five hundred thousand dollars had finally touched a corresponding chord, in the heart of the old man. "Five hundred thousand dollars! certainly," he rejoined. "Who could hesitate? All folly; these girls would ruin a Crœsus.” city, and that certainly, is not saying a little; but also the most elegant, fascinating, and perfect sylph! Could anything be more delicate than her complexion? Her whole figure, too, is enchanting! It is eleven months since I became acquainted, Yes, with your elections and the work-attracted, and enamored, as if I were bound ies," grumbled Mrs. Bowsends. by Armida's fetters. She had just return"You understand nothing of that," he ed to her father's house from the French replied warmly. "The interests of Con-boarding-school at St. John's. Now, to gress--of the country--must be sustained. How would it be done if we "Did not bet," I thought. "We will soon be unable to get a window-frame put in without special license; these congressmen already grow so much above us. And this Miss Fanny Wright The lady uttered a cry of horror; but she again became calm, and said: "No, you are our old family friend, and I hope you will-———————” "Apropos," interrupted her loving spouse. "How did your cotton crop turn out? You can consign to me. How many bales ?" "A hundred, and a few dozen hogsheads of tobacco." 66 make a passing remark, this is the manner and fashion in which our mushroom aristocracy is formed. A couple of daughters are sent to a fashionable school. On their return home, they attract with their companions, a few dozen young coxcombs, and the daughter's glory naturally reflects on the good papa and the dear mamma. Jove! this little witch knows how to attract. All hearts panted for conquest; but none could boast of being richer, even by a glance, than his twenty fellow-suitors. I was the only one who could rejoice somewhat over certain passive favors,--such as permission to accompany her on foot, on horseback, and in the carriage, to carry her shawl, and put it on her shoulders, to be her constant dancing partner, when there was no better, and to perform other such amiable offices. She joked, played, and fluttered "At all events, six thousand per annum," grumbled papa. Hem, hem." “For that matter, I have funds on hand," I continued carefully, "to double the hun-around me, hung upon my arm and tripped dred bales." "Two hundred two hundred!" the man's eyes glistened with approbation. "That will do; that's not bad. Yes, Arthurine is a dear girl! Well, my dear Mr. Howard, we'll see. Well, well! you come every evening-no ceremony-you know Arthurine is glad to see you." "And Mr. and Mrs. Bowsends ?" I asked. "Have no objections," said both, smiling. Pleasantly surprised, I bowed and left. Certainly a few of the latter phrases did not sound very agreeably to my ears. My kind, amiable father-in-law seems anxious to pay his lost bets with my cotton. There must be something in the way. I could barely restrain myself from exclaiming : "Dis with me up Broadway, or down by the Battery. I also undertook to provide her with the latest productions of Walter Scott, Cooper, Bulwer, etc.,-to surprise her with our Atlantic Souvenirs, Tokens, and also with the English Keepsakes and Amulets, as well as the fashionable bravura airs, of the favorite Madame Vestris. All this had cost me a heavy sum; yet the thought that it came into the hands of the prettiest girl in New-York, consoled me-some time she must surrender! Fortune really had favored me twice: once, as we stood upon Niagara bridge, and looked down into the roaring cataract, she allowed me to put my arm round her waist, to keep her from giddiness, and I almost fell into the stream thereby; again, |