Havana, Doctor of the Faculty of Science in Paris, Honorary Member of the Imperial Institute of France (Academy of Sciences), besides possessing other honorary titles, and has given much time and attention to the culture of the

READY FOR MARKET.

sugar-cane, having published several able essays on the subject. A man of his character would not be likely to hazard his reputation on a visionary scheme, and Señor Reynoso has claimed that he can produce excellent sugar at one boil

ing by chemical treatment of the guarapo while cold. He claims that no molasses is formed, but after drawing off the impurities of the cane-juice a pure crystallized sugar remains. He asks a large sum of money for his secret, and professes himself ready to disclose it as soon as this is guaranteed. The matter has excited much interest in Havana, and will probably be thoroughly investigated. If it is practicable, and good sugar can really be made without the machinery and capital at present required, its manufacture will be enormously extended.

I.

ments they found useful work; or, did rare leisure offer, stood erect behind their counters waiting, alert, the advent of fresh custom.

The

should be master in his own house. Some ere the bell had given its final clang. The maid of his sex have consented to a divided sway in in the kitchen, like her mistress in the parlor, life, it being admitted that they reign supreme ever felt an eye upon her watching all her moveover their own department, while the domestic ments. And Maria Jane, the oldest daughter, world is ordered by their better half. Other would no more have dared to call her practicing more timid spirits have entirely given up the done at fifty-nine minutes past nine instead of reins of government, and are content to go whith-plump ten o'clock, than she would have venersoever the leading genius drives. For such tured any other insane or impossible achieveMr. Raspton entertained a contempt far trans- ment. She would have known that her father cending that he bestowed upon the meanest in that high perch away "down street" which member of the brute creation. His was a mind he called his office, would instinctively become that, like Napoleon's-if it were Napoleon-in-aware of the deficit, and punish it accordingly. cluded the minutest details as well as the grand There had been a period in Mrs. Raspton's hisscope of affairs. No cook could lay aside a sur-tory when she had offered some faint opposition reptitious ounce of sugar, no washer-woman pock- to the autocratic sway-a period to which she et the remnant of a bar of soap without being brought to book. Nor did this penny wisdom tend in the least to that proud foolishness which the proverb satirically intimates. It never interfered in any way with the conduct of an extensive business, or hindered for a moment the golden flow of profits.

If there had ever been a time when these traits were unfelt or unacknowledged by his fellow-men, it was far back in the forgotten Past. The clerks in Mr. Raspton's store never read the newspaper or sat by the stove, chairs a-tilt, in the intervals of business. For all spare mo

now recurred with feelings such as those with which Mr. Van Amburgh might be supposed to contemplate his former sojourn in the lion's mouth. For, strange as it now seemed to all who looked upon him, Mr. Raspton had once been young and, after his fashion, in love. He had gone through a form of courtship, rigid and mechanical, it is true; he had had a honeymoon, a pale, cold article, but intended to do duty for the real thing. These were the only shams of which he had to accuse himself in a life of stern devotion to practical and actual facts. It was at this time that Mrs. Raspton

"And we do so need new parlors and a spare bedroom," continued Maria Jane. "This is a perfect thoroughfare, and every thing in it so shabby and old-fashioned. A wing with rooms above would just give us what we want."

"Yes," said the mother; "and parlors opening into each other are always so pleasant.' I like to look through folding-doors into the next room; it gives you such an idea of space, somehow."

had shown trifling symptoms of a will of her | flower-pots; my geraniums and the oleanders own-symptoms at once repressed and stifled are quite wasted as it is." by the guiding hand. She was now perfect in her routine. So much money was dealt out to her per week, and from that, she knew, just so much household comfort must be provided, not one pennyworth lacking. A settled sum was allowed for the family dress, and their appearance must do credit to it. Twice a quarter the children were examined to see if the requisite amount of knowledge had instilled itself into their brains, and woe to student and teacher if either were derelict. Oft, with all his rigidity, Mr. Raspton could not fairly be called penuriHis table was well spread; his expenditure in all ways respectable, though not liberal; he had his charities even regulated, like every thing else, with mathematical exactness; was punctual in attendance at church and prayermeeting; and looked forward without apprehension to the final settlement of accounts, assured that there would be a balance in his favor.

ous.

But his family never rested from an oppressive sense of responsibility. Maria Jane and the boys envied in childhood the freedom of every fagged little imp that made dirt-pies or played in the gutter, and as they grew older the feeling varied in object but not in quality. Then, too, both they and Mrs. Raspton were aware that they lived far, far within their income, and each had their little longings and ambitions. Thought was free, at any rate, and speech as well, provided it came not to the ear of the ruling powers.

"What a sweet place the Brinleys have!" remarked Mrs. Raspton, pensively, as she and Maria Jane sat at their work one afternoon. "So complete all through! If there is any thing I do dote upon it is a pretty house and grounds."

"And there is no reason why we shouldn't have them, I am sure, if father only thought so," responded the daughter. "But I suppose we shall stay here as long as the timbers will hold up the roof. No hope of any change for

us."

"That's partly due to the tall mirrors," explained Maria Jane; "they almost double the size of an apartment."

"But they're terribly expensive, aren't they?" asked the mother, anxiously.

"We can't help that-every body has them," said Maria Jane, with decision.

"Well-do you like these little figures they have in Brussels now?"

"Oh, mamma, I think they're lovely! A green carpet-not grass-green, nor blue-green, but just the right shade, and then a small, bright pattern-oh!" and she clasped her hands in mute ecstasy, unable to express the rest.

"You would want green chairs then, wouldn't you?"

"Yes, and curtains, and picture-cords." "Wouldn't there be too much of it?" "No, I think not-we should have buff walls, you know. Buff and green are such a pretty contrast."

"So they are, dear. And the bedroomsshould they be green too ?"

"Oh no!-don't let us have every thing alike. What should you say, mamma?"

"My fancy would be maroon. Yes, the frontroom, which would be the largest, in maroon; and the furniture rich and heavy to correspond. The back-room simpler-say blue-and-white."

"How sweet! And what sort of furniture?"

"I like carved rose-wood," said Mrs. Raspton, who, once launched in her expenditure, gave her imagination full sweep. Maria Jane was for a moment stunned, as it were, by the Father would think it aw-thought of such magnificence, but soon recov

ered.

"I'm afraid not. fully extravagant to build." "I wouldn't ask for that," said Maria Jane, "How splendid!" she said, with high appreciwith generous concession, "if he would only fixation of her mother's taste. "And in the backup this place a little. Put on a wing with two room we would have enameled; it's simple, but parlors and bedrooms above, and furnish them very pretty." all up in modern style, and cut these windows down to the floor, and have a veranda across the front, and new carpets and sofas and pic-a tures, and, oh! a thousand things that we haven't and never shall have as long as we live."

"No," agreed the mother. "But it would be very pretty. I always did like a piazza. It's so pleasant to take your chair out and sit there when the sun is off; and we could have vines climbing up to make it shady, you know."

"Yes, and that should be yours, my dear. You keep your things so neatly that you deserve nice room.”

"Thank you, mamma! And we would get wash-stand and toilet china all to match."

"And bed-linen and blankets the very best quality," said Mrs. Raspton, with housewifely care.

"There would be nothing in the other part of the house to correspond with it, though," "And hanging-baskets," said Maria Jane. said Maria Jane; and as her eye fell on the "I saw the most lovely trailing plants at Huger's brass-nailed sofa and the great octagonal figyesterday." ures of the carpet, the vision faded, and she "And it would be such a nice place for the came painfully back to the realities of things.

"Where's the use of talking, mamma?" she said, bitterly. "It can never come to any thing, and we know it."

"I suppose not," said Mrs. Raspton; "still it's pleasant once in a while. When you were lying in your cradle I used to sit and fancy how nice it would be to have a grown-up daughter byand-by. Time has brought that true, and perhaps it will do the same with these other fancies." So saying, she turned the conversation adroitly into other channels, and Maria Jane's overclouded brow grew clear again.

The boys meanwhile had grievances of other character. "How I hate a sight like that!" said James to his brother Arthur, as they walked along the street together. "A carriage all polish and silk and silver-plate, drawn by a couple of old crowbaits! I wonder if the man thinks we can't count their ribs through those fine showy nets!"

"Well," said Arthur, as the equipage moved on, "if you like to see things in keeping you've only to look at our own establishment; there are no such contrasts there. I declare I wonder my mother and Maria Jane are willing to ride in the old shell. A pretty figure we make, driving up to the church-steps, among all the handsome turn-outs! I always expect to have my face peppered with mud, down there between the wheels!"

"And all the new carriages are hung so high!" continued James, with bitterness. "It looks as if it had come over in the Mayflower. And as for our horses they haven't even a net to hide their bones."

"And Jo Bright has such a splendid bay team that he'd sell any day at a good offer. I should think father would jump at the chance; but no-he'll go on driving old Spavin and Wind-gall to the end of the chapter!"

"I tell you, Arty, we boys ought to have a horse apiece, and Maria Jane a pony. She's growing up a splendid figure of a girl, and she'd ride like Di Vernon-she's lots of pluck. But she'll never have a chance, nor we either, while the Governor's term of office lasts."

"You may bet your head on that," was the classic response-and the academy gate shut off the colloquy.

hazel eyes made conquest of Ned Brinley, the most admired of all the rustic beaux. Her set envied her, and wondered at her good fortune; but Mr. Raspton saw the matter in another light. Ned had never settled down very steadily at business, and no idle fop, the autocrat declared, should have the spending of his money. The lover was forbidden the house, and Maria Jane cried herself sick without in the least softening her father's iron heart. The boys, too, had fresh troubles. Arthur, who was bent on college, was ordered to renounce that fancy and go into the store-a mandate which he perforce obeyed, but with continued and open discontent. James had taken to business kindly, and Mr. Raspton had great hopes of him; but he, like the rest, seemed destined to cross his father's will, and be crossed in turn. He had fallen seriously in love with Nelly Ray, the child of one of Mr. Raspton's poorest tenants-a sweet, sensible girl, but without beauty or any other outward charm to account in the eyes of the angry parent for his son's infatuation. This affair, too, he at once nipped in the bud, enforcing a seeming obedience, though James declared his intention of taking his own way as soon as he became his own master. Having thus vindicated authority Mr. Raspton calmly pursued his own course quite unmindful of the hot, young rebellion around him. The poor mother meanwhile had no such peace. Into her sympathizing bosom Maria Jane poured all her tears; to her the boys uttered their indignant protests. Among the three the kind woman was nearly distracted.

Things were in this position when Mr. Raspton was suddenly called abroad; some great purchase of iron demanded his personal supervision. No especial grief was felt or feigned by the family. The wife bestirred herself to get his shirts and socks in order, and Maria Jane hemmed half a dozen new handkerchiefs. Twenty-four hours from the announcement of his proposed departure he was on his way, and a day or two after Mrs. Raspton read his name among the list of passengers by the Liverpool steamer. Nothing more could be heard from him for some time, of course, and all resigned themselves without difficulty to their ignorance. For the first As time went on it brought new trials to the time in their lives the children drew free breaths. young spirits. Maria Jane grew prettier with It was magnificent autumn weather, the woods each succeeding day, and Mrs. Raspton felt that aflame with gorgeous colors, the sky piled with she might be made "an ornament to any circle." rich clouds, the air sweeter than Eden. Maria She sounded the praise of boarding-schools in Jane felt almost happy spite of her separation Mr. Raspton's ears, and was met by the asser- from her lover; she could think of him unretion that no money of his would be wasted on strainedly at any rate, which she hardly dared such follies; if Maria Jane couldn't learn enough do with her father's cold eye upon her. The at the academy she must remain in ignorance. boys lingered a little at meals, loitered a trifle Vainly, too, did she suggest a term or so with down the street, or stopped to chat with an acthe maître de danse, who expounded to the vil-quaintance. Mrs. Raspton's kind face lost its lage youth the mysteries of waltz and German; anxious look, and altogether the absence of the Mr. Raspton at once defined his position-and Maria Jane's performances on the light fantastic toe had to be guided by her own taste and observation. And by-and-by arose another source of trouble. The girl's pretty, round face and

stern head was pleasantly felt through all the house. The change in outward act was slight, however, for he would soon return, and the habit of obedience too was powerful.

Twenty days passed by-three weeks-and

some surprise was felt that no word reached them of his safe arrival. Nobody was prepared, though, for what came-a letter from the captain of the steamer, stating that on such a night, it being dark and stormy, Mr. Raspton had fallen overboard, and spite of every exertion it had been found impossible to save him. The circle stared wildly at each other. Could this be true? Father gone! All that strong will, that pervading influence, utterly withdrawn, and that so quietly! Were they never to hear any more than this? No; he had perished alone in the darkness with the wild sea, and out of its depths his voice would never rise again.

II.

"I don't know what to think about it," said Mrs. Raspton. "My own feelings were always in favor of mourning, but your poor father disapproved of it; he said it did no good to any one, and was a large bill of expense."

often at the little pin set with his hair and that of her first baby, whom she lost, and related to Maria Jane various amiable incidents which showed her father in quite a new light. "It's only natural that I should feel it most," she would say; "you and the others are young; you'll have new ties and new interests; but nothing can ever make up the loss to me. Meanwhile the neighbors had very different views. A good-looking woman, still rather young, and with plenty of means, she was sure to marry again after a decent interval, and three or four eligible matches were selected for her in a month's time.

The winter went by quietly; James looked into the affairs, and found them largely more prosperous than any one had supposed. Spring came, and workmen were busy about the mansion. The coveted veranda ran across the front, French windows opening upon it, and vines newly set out gave promise of luxuriance and shade "We need not mind the expense, mother," in time. By fall the proposed wing was comsaid James, gravely. He had taken the direc-pleted, and Maria Jane and her mother went to tion of matters since the news had come. "It New York with carte-blanche for furniture. A is a question of respect to father's memory, and few weeks rendered all complete. The early I think it should be paid." dreams were adhered to in most items; there were the green carpets and buff paper-hangings, the carved rose-wood and maroon. Maria Jane had the promised back-room where she set her feet on violets and snow, or looked up at walls where azure bells swung gracefully from slender

"I'm very glad you feel that way, my son,' said Mrs. Raspton, wiping her eyes. "He meant well, James," she added, deprecatingly. "Father seemed a little harsh sometimes, but it was all intended for your good."

Cord reflets of marble, rich hues of Bohemian glass, clear depths of mirror were not wanting. And many a costly trifle had been added; a picture here, an engraving there, rich volumes for the table, or elegant articles of decoration. Maria Jane surveyed the effect with delight unbounded, her mother with a kind of mournful pleasure. "I only wish poor Severus could have seen it!" she remarked, with a sigh. The daughter was silent. She greatly doubted if "poor Severus" would have enjoyed the sight.

"Yes, mother, I suppose so," he replied, look-vines. ing back with a sensation of awe to things which a few weeks since had roused such strong resentment. How strange it seemed to be free from that stern control, to be accountable only to himself for what he chose to do! Did he grieve; did any of them? It was not possible to feel the sorrow which the loss of a more tender parent would have caused; but they experienced a great shock, they felt that an event most solemn and painful had occurred. Uneasily conscious of the lack, without admitting it to themselves, they strove to make it up in outward observance and respect. Their mourning was the deepest, their veils the longest that could be procured; funeral services were held in the largest church of the village, and to it the relatives were summoned from far and near. A tall monument of the most expensive marble towered above the plainer tombstones of the cemetery, bearing the record of his virtues and his fate. Many a time during these arrangements did his wife start at their extravagance and dread Mr. Raspton's displeasure; then, as suddenly remembering all, put her handkerchief to her eyes. Her tears did not flow in a hot rush of passionate grief; they welled up gently from a prevailing sadness. And by-and-by she ceased to think of him as Mr. Raspton; he was "Severus" again, as he had been in their young days. She was by na-ance, presently descried one that met his wants. ture a little sentimental, but the tendency had long been stifled in her daily conflict with the hard facts of life. Now it renewed itself. She mused with not unpleasing melancholy on the events of their early life and courtship; looked

Other changes not less important had been wrought. James promoted the father of his beloved to a better place and higher wages, and removed the family to a neat cottage of his own. Many an evening he and Nelly spent together, many a drive they took behind the fine "bay team" for which the boys had longed. Ned Brinley's sentence of exile was annulled, and he was received as Maria Jane's affianced; only it had been stipulated, for her sake and his own, that the marriage should not take place till he were established in practice. Meanwhile he came and went at will, worshiped by his betrothed and by her mother scarcely less. Arthur was in college and doing nobly.

Such was the state of things one late October afternoon, when a gentleman left the train at Bromley station, and, looking about for a convey

"Can you take me up to Mr. Raspton's ?" he inquired.

"Mr. Raspton's ?" said the man, hesitatingly. "Yes-Severus Raspton's. You must surely know the place."

"Oh, the widder's, you mean." Why did of what might have been, what almost was! the gentleman start at that word? "Old Rasp-what contritions for the past and hopes for the ton's dead, you know," he explained; "lost at future! sea a year ago or thereabouts."

"I know.

fast."

I forgot for the moment. Drive

"I'll have you there in fifteen minutes. That your baggage, Sir? It's a good two mile, but I'll land you at the door before you know it." "Very well," said the stranger, quietly.

"Friend o' his'n ?" said Jo, bursting with curiosity, as the stranger resumed his seat. But he received no answer.

They went across the stream by the foundry, the factory, and the store. The gentleman looked up at the signs on each.

"They've left the old name," he said. "Yes," replied Jo. "It was a good name in business. Great on that, the old man was." They drove on till the house was reachedthe house with its new wing and veranda, shining with fresh paint, its door-yard glowing with verbena and geranium blossoms.

"Why, what's this? It can't be the place!" exclaimed the stranger.

Why does he seem so wrapped up in himself like?" thought Jo Bright. "What's that cap drawn over his eyes for, as if he was just ready to be swung off, and the cloak round his chin? And why can't he look a feller in the face? Fine day, Sir," he added, aloud. “Very,” responded the laconic stranger. Three minutes passed in silence. turned a corner a pretty sight revealed itself; a "All right-here you are, Sir," said Jo, drivgentleman and lady were riding toward them.ing rapidly up the graveled sweep which had reHe tall and stately on his fine black horse, she placed the cart-worn lane. graceful, erect, her face all bloom and radiance. As the pair flashed by the stranger turned eagerly to gaze.

As they

"There's Maria Jane this minute," said Jo Bright. "Ain't she a good one to look at, though? And the young feller with her is Ned Brinley, that she's agoin' to marry; ain't half nor a quarter good enough for her. I'm of the old chap's mind about that."

Mrs. Raspton was sitting comfortably at her sewing in the amended parlor; through the long windows she could see the hanging-baskets she delighted in, and the gay glint of fall-flowers in the beds beyond. The afternoon was cool, and a bright fire burned in the grate. The crimson curtains, the dark, rich carpet, all wore a look of cheer and comfort; nor was Mrs. Raspton's

"Ah!" said the stranger, with a semblance figure, despite its widow's weeds, at variance of interest.

They reached the cemetery, its carefully-kept turf still verdant, its quiet precincts solemn with evergreen and the white dazzle of marble.

"See that tall stun up there?" asked Jo, pointing to a lofty shaft that rose, snow-pure, against the dark back-ground of cedars. "That's his monnyment. They put it up this spring as soon as ever the frost was out of the ground; frost heaves a tombstun dreadful, you know. Wouldn't he have groaned at the expense! It cost an awful sight. But they had their own head about it, to be sure. When the cat's away the mice 'll play;' and this time the was away for good and all."

"Stop here," said the stranger, suddenly. should like to see the stone."

"Oh, certingly," said Joe, getting down opening the gate.

cat

"I

and

"Stay with your horses, if you please," said the gentleman, decidedly, as Joe prepared to accompany him.

with the general effect. Comely and peaceful she pursued her work, snipping off a thread now and then, or glancing out.

"I wish Maria Jane would come," she thought. "She and Ned ride too long. What's that? Jo Bright. He's brought up a gentleman from the station. Who can it be, I wonder?" A minute more, and some one came into the hall-the parlor door opened-she gave a shriek and swooned away.

Maria Jane and Ned arrived as James came up from business. The lovers bade good-by at the door with an appointment for the evening, and brother and sister went in together. The lamp was lighted on the parlor-table, and by their mother on the sofa sat a gentleman who had his arm around her. For one moment the young people stood confounded; the next all was a wild whirl of feeling. "Father! father!" they cried--and had no words to express their agitation, their amazement. And their delight? I don't know. They were glad to welcome him The stranger proceeded up the walk, the dry back to cheerful day again, to dissociate him leaves rustling at his tread. Dead leaves, dead from ideas of gloom, to find him once more a hopes, dead ambitions; how well they met to-part of the active, breathing world. But Maria gether in this place, he thought. He reached Jane thought, with fearful misgiving, of the althe monument. The burial-plot was fenced by tered house, the costly furniture, and, most of iron chains; there was one little grave, the first all, Ned. Would her father ever allow her to baby's, with its tiny head-stone. Glossy-leaved keep him? While James's swift fears ranged myrtle overran the spot, dark pansies lent their to Nelly and the bays, and a thousand other toppurple glow, a mournful willow drooped its long ics. Mrs. Raspton had no such drawbacks. She boughs near; all showed loving thought and tend- sat holding her husband's hand in hers, and ance. He knelt and kissed the little mound, feeling as if the Severus of her youth had come then leaned his forehead on the chilling marble. back to her. Happily the neighbors' prophecies What solemn thoughts went through his mind had been unfulfilled, and there was no new imVOL. XXX.-No. 178.-Hи