FRAGMENT OF A BEAUTIFUL NEW BALLAD OF THE SAILOR MAN.

"I do recall," said the sailor man,

"A tale of the Southern sea

(A glorious place, where the palm-leaf fan
Grows wild on the palm-leaf tree),

And every gent wears a smile of tan

Who enters society."

Then he gave his eyes a monstrous wipe,

And took a drag on his T. D. pipe.

"In 'forty-four I was cast ashore

With a gallant brigantine,

With nothing to eat from the good ship's store

But a cask of kerosene.

From head to foot I was lame and sore,

And starved in the place between."

And the thought so burdened him with grief

Then he piped his lamps with his handkerchief;
Then he passed a look askance at me,

And pulled again on his old T. D.

R. B. M., '02.

MISTRESS ROYALL.

From the pocket of a faded gown that I took from the bottom of an old trunk, there fell a small packet of what appeared to be letters. They can best tell their own story:

January 1st, 1775.

'Tis monstrous fine to be in Medford, and especially on New Year's day. My much-respected uncle, and madame, his wife, have been most kind to me, but I must confess I have feared very much I should misbehave in some way, or let my unruly temper bring me to disgrace.

Everything is much grander than at Aunt Hannah's in Royal

ston.

"Poor, dear Aunt Hannah! I don't wish her alive again, because she suffered much from the severity of the east winds.

Madame rebuked me a week ago come Tuesday for speaking thus of Aunt Hannah, but I have pondered it much and am resolved that I meant only happiness to poor aunt.

I shall never be able to call madame, aunt; she is much too stern.

I must let my serving woman dress my hair now, for there are to be New Year's callers. Medford and Boston people shall see that I know the latest style of coiffure, too (I wonder if I have spelled it aright).

12 P.M.

I cannot sleep. I do not feel tired. There have been a great many callers, and some very notable people.

Madame looked very splendid in her brocade gown with its beautiful Duchesse lace.

While I was sitting in one of the alcoves I overheard some gentlemen conversing. One said something about young Mistress Royall being very fetching. I do not know what else they said I trembled so, for fear they would discover me in the alcove. A Mr. Harcourt then proposed a toast to me. I was right glad no

one was with me for my cheeks grew monstrous red, I know. I tried to forget what I had overheard by repeating the sermon of Cotton Mather's I learned last year at Mistress Wright's school.

Some of the men of the colony stayed after the others had gone, to talk politics with Uncle Isaac. Everyone seems over much wrought up about the trouble we are having with England. I tried to make Mr. Harcourt tell me about it, but he would not talk at all seriously.

My candle is burning dim, and I must stop this foolish writing, but it is such a comfort to be able to express my thoughts in some way.

January 13th.

'Twill be two weeks come tomorrow since I began my journal. I have been working on a sampler I intend to carry Aunt Penelope when I visit her next week. I have chanced to see Mr. Harcourt many times since New Year's. Thrice have I met him at the bridge, and each time he has insisted on paying the toll. I fear me madame would disapprove if she knew. He has been to the house several times and we have argued much concerning the affairs of England and the colonies. I trust he does not think me too bold, as madame does.

I fear he is disloyal to the King, and I shall not like him for that.

January 26th.

I have just returned from Aunt Penelope Vassell's. Things are much more exciting in Cambridge than here. I have met many officers of the British army, also many enthusiasts in the colonies' cause. I am anxious to see Mr. Harcourt, for I am almost won over to the colonists' side.

February 3rd.

Mr. Harcourt was more pleased than I expected him to be when I told him my change of views. His speech was very precise, but his eyes told very plainly that he cared more than he said.

I am very sorry, for I have liked him too well. Now he will become stupid, as they all do.

February 10th.

Mr. Harcourt and uncle got into a very heated debate last evening. Uncle said some very hateful things about some of our leading colonists. I never intended to, but before I was aware of what I was doing, I was standing up before them, and I fear me my very unruly tongue said some very disrespectful things to uncle.

Mr. Harcourt pressed my hand tighter than was necessary when he left, and kissed it twice.

I hope he won't come on any more errands to uncle. I don't think they are a bit necessary.

February 11th.

Madame Royall is a mean old tabby-cat. She is frightfully bigoted. This morning, after reproving me very sharply for my conduct of last eve, she bade me discontinue my acquaintance with Mr. Harcourt. As much as if that could have aught to do with my views about our trouble with England. I shall continue to speak to him when I meet him, for it would be monstrous rude

not to.

February 20th.

Things are happening very fast. I am fully convinced that we are in the right. Uncle is becoming worse and worse every day. He won't listen to reason. If he thinks anyone is going to say anything against the King he pounds on the floor with his cane and cries, "No words of treason in my house, sir."

I don't meet Mr. Harcourt very often now.

March 9th.

I have been spending the day at Rachel Tufts'. Mr. Harcourt happened in during the afternoon. Rachel says he is a dear friend of her brother, but I mistrust the sly puss shares her brother's friends if he is.

Oh fie! Mistress Rachel, you can have him and welcome.

March 10th.

Uncle says I mustn't have anything more to do with Mr. Harcourt, not even to let him escort me home, as he did last night

from Rachel's. But no matter what Uncle says I shall not be rude to him. It would be most unladylike as long as he has been always gentlemanly to me.

March 25th.

Rachel has been up here this afternoon. She says her brother and Mr. Harcourt have joined the militia and have been appointed captains. She talks a great deal about Mr. Harcourt. I wonder if he likes her. I don't think she is the girl to please him. Rachel stayed to tea; I really didn't want her to, I had gotten so tired of her prattle in the afternoon.

April 14th.

It has been a very bad rainstorm all day. At dusk this evening a man was galloping along the highway on horse-back, when his horse slipped and both fell. Some of the servants brought him in. It was Mr. Harcourt. His arm was badly sprained, but he would hurry on. He said it was an important message for General Putnam. When Uncle heard that he left the room, thumping his cane at every step, I almost wish sometimes he wasn't my Uncle.

I brought some old antiqua to Mr. Harcourt. different from the man I met New Year's day. missed my handkerchief. I wonder if he took it. wish him to have it.

He seemed very

After he left I I'm sure I don't

April 20th.

Since the battle of Lexington I haven't known hardly what has happened. Uncle has acted very cowardly. Sir William Pepperell, who married my cousin Elizabeth, is in England, and urges Uncle to go, too. What will I do if he does go?

April 22nd.

Rachel and I were going down the Salem Road today on an errand. As we passed the Fountain Inn, we saw her brother and Mr. Harcourt with some other officers on the platform in the elms. They hurried down to meet us.

Mr. Harcourt says he has been offered the rank of colonel un