heavenly smile on her lips! She was so friendly, so amiable, to everybody! Friends and relatives arrived; the rooms became filled. They drank tea, ate ices, and so on; and then there fell at once a great silence. The two old people seated themselves in two easy-chairs, which stood near each other in the middle of the saloon, on a richly embroidered mat. Their children and their children's children gathered in a half-circle round them. A clergyman of noble presence stepped forward, and pronounced an oration on the beauty and holiness of marriage. He concluded with a reference to the life of the venerable pair, which was in itself a better sermon on the excellence of marriage, for the human heart, and for life, than was his speech, though what he said was true and touching. There was not a dry eye in the whole company. All were in a solemn, affectionate mood. Meantime, preparations for the festival were completed in the second story, to which the guests ascended. Here tableaux were presented, whose beauty and grace exceeded everything I had anticipated. The last one consisted of a well-arranged group of all the descendants of the Dahls, during the exhibition of which a chorus was sung. The whole exhibition gave great and general pleasure. When the chorus ceased, and the curtain fell, the doors of the dance-saloon flew open; a dazzling light streamed thence, and lively music set all the hearts and feet of the young people in lively motion. We sat talking pleasantly together, till supper was served, on various little tables, in three rooms. Lagman Hok raised his glass, and begged permission to drink a toast. All were attentive. Then, fixing a mild, confident gaze on the patriarchs, he said, in a low voice: "Flowers and Harps were woven into the mat on which our honored friends this evening heard the words of blessing pronounced over them. They are the symbols of Happiness and Harmony; and these are the Penates of this house. That they surround you in this festive hour, venerable friends, we cannot regard as an accident. I seemed to hear them say, During your union you have so welcomed and cherished us, that we are at home here, and can THE wisest man may be wiser to-day than he was yesterday, and to-morrow than he is to-day. COLTON. THE WORN WEDDING RING. By W. C. BENNETT. OUR wedding ring wears thin, dear wife. Ab summers not a few, YOUR Since I put it on your finger first, have passed o'er me and you. And, love, what changes we have seen! what cares and pleasures too! Since you became my own dear wife, when this old ring was new. O blessings on that happy day, the hap, iest of my life, When, thanks to God, your low, sweet "Yes" made you my loving wife! Your heart will say the same, I know; that day's as dear to you, The day that made me yours, dear wife, when this old ring was new. How well do I remember now your young, sweet face that day! How fair you were, how dear you were, my tongue could hardly say; Nor how I doated on you. Ah, how proud I was of you! But did I love you more than now, when this old ring was new? No! No! no fairer were you then, than at this hour, to me; And dear as life to me this day, how could you dearer be? As sweet your face might be that day as now it is, 't is true; But did I know your heart as well, when this old ring was new ? O partner of my gladness, wife, what care, what grief, is there For me you would not bravely face? with me you would not share? O, what a weary want had every day, if wanting you! Wanting the love that God made mine when this old ring was new! Years bring fresh links to bind us, wife, - small voices that are here, Small faces round our fire that make their mother's yet more dear, Small, loving hearts, your care each day makes yet more like to you, More like the loving heart made mine when this old ring was new. And, blessed be God, all He has given are with us yet; around Our table every little life lent to us still is found; Though cares we've known, with hopeful hearts the worst we've struggled through; Blessed be His name for all His love since this old ring was new. The past is dear; its sweetness still our memories treas ure yet; The griefs we've borne, together borne, we would not now forget. Whatever, wife, the future brings, heart unto heart still true, We'll share, as we have shared all else, since this old ring was new. And if God spare us, 'mongst our sons and daughters to grow old, We know His goodness will not let your heart or mine grow cold. Your aged eyes will see in mine all they've still shown to you; And mine in yours all they have seen since this old ring was new. And O, when death shall come at last to bid me to my rest, May I die looking in those eyes, and resting on that breast! O, may my parting gaze be blessed with the dear sight |