Scrapbook: Anna McFarland Stabler, c. 1875- c.1812

CHARLOTTE CORDAY

BY JOHN S. C. ABBOTT.

During the French Revolution of 1798, there lived in the city of Caen, France, a young lady, of the celebrated Corneille. Though born of gentle blood, she had been nurtured in the school of adversity, her father being too aristocratic to work, and too poor to live comfortably without work. In early life she was placed in a monastery in Caen, where her whole future destiny was influenced by the peculiar discipline to which she was exposed, and the ideas of futy which were inculcated. In the dreams of the cloister her ardent soul became fired with the ambition of exalted deeds, which should render her a benefactress to her race.

After thus living for six years, the Jacobin hovernment suppressed the convent, and she took up her residence with an elderly relative in Caen, where she remained until she was nealy twenty-five years of age. Living amidst the terrible scenes of the revolution, where the guillotine was in constant exercise, and the mod daily demanding the blood of new victims, her thoughts naturally turned to the possibility of stopping these horrors. She mindgled as much as possible with the Girondists, to ascertain who were the principal agents in those woes which were desolating her native land.

Though Danton and Robespierre were then in their ascendencey, the sanguinary delirium of Marat rendered him more conspicuous to the mass of the people, who saw "tyranny and freedom in one man's hands only." To Marat, then, the eyes of Charlotte Corday were directed, as the one who was deluging the republic in blood. She thought that his death would arrest this flood and save the lives of thousands. It had been announced that he had proscribed twenty-five hundred victims in Lyons, three thousand in Marsellies, twenty-eight thousand in Paris, and three hundred thousand in Brittany. Conspiracies were being organized all over the republic for the overthrow of this bloodthirsty tyrant. The lover of Charlotte Corday, whom she idolized with all the purity and fervor of her impassioned nature, was engaged in one of these conspiracies, which, if successful, would cost the lives of thousands, and, if unsuccessful, would only consilidate the power of the tyrant. Charlotte resolved to free France of the monster at the certain sacrifice of her own life.

All the energies of her being were now aroused for the accomplishment of this object. It was no easy matter for an obscure young lady to get such access to the tyrant as to be able to assassinate him. She, however, formed her plans so cautiously, as to guard against every conceivable cause of failure.

THE following stanzas were not written for publication, but were selected from a mass of papers (by one given access to them) filed away in the escritoire of a loving septuagenarian couple of the old school. They had been making the journey of life together for nearly half a century when these stanzas were written, which are known to be authetic. These verses are commended to the perusal of that class of heretics who have adopted the old but often untrue proverb, "Hot love is soon cold." The lines entitled, "My Husband," were written by the wife on her seventieth birthday, and left on the table in the library:

MY HUSBAND.

Who in my youth said, "Dearest, come, Forsake your precious childhood's home, And with me o'er the wide world roam?"--My husband.

Who gently led me in the way, And caused my heart to bless the day That took me from my home away?--My husband.

Who at first sounding of alarm Would foldround me his loving arm, To shield me from impending harm?--My husband.

Who, when I, with each nerve unstrung, Next morn move round my cares among, If I should fret, would "hold his tongue?"--My husband.

Who through all changing scenes of life, The bright, the dark, the peace, the strife, Would call me naught but "precious wife?"--My husband.

Who, when of kindred dear bereft, And my sad heart in twain is cleft, Proves that my dearest friend is left?--My husband.

When overwhelmed with grief and fears, And through the gloom no star appears, Who cheers my heart and wipes my tears?--My husband.

MY WIFE.

IN RESPONSE TO HER STANZAS, "MY HUSBAND."

What maiden, in the days yore, Smote me with most tremendous power, Inflincting pangs unknown before?--My wife.

Who pities me in my distress, And, by one simple little "Yes," Changed all my woe to blessedness?--My wife.

Who did, with look almost divine, My soul in cords of love entwine, And gave her priceless heart for mine?--My wife.

Who to the altar went with me, Our hearts aglow with ecstasy, And my good angel vowed to be?--My wife.

Who, since I to the altar led My blushing bride, and vows were said, Has naught but blessings round me shed?--My wife.

Who in our pilgrimage below Has cheered with smiles the passage through, And ever faithful proved and true?--My wife.

When pressed with sorrow, toil, and cares, Who all my grief and trouble shares, And half at least my burden bears?--My wife.

When tempests rage and billows roll, And humanpassions spurn control, Who calms the tumult of my soul?--My wife.

When storms are hushed and skies are bright, And shadows dark are changed to light, Who joys with me in sweet delight?--My wife.

Who was in youth th' admited of men; But now, at threescore years and ten, Is far more beautiful than then?--My wife.

As down life's rugged steep I go, With careful, trembling steps and slow, Who clings to me and helps me through?--My wife.

Who, when my toilsome days are o'er, Will meet me on blest Canaan's shore, And sing with me for evermore?--My wife.

THE LATE AMOS KENDALL.

The Hon. Amos Kendall, Ex-Postmaster General, and an able editor, lawyer, politician and author, died at his residence in Washington, D.C.,on Friday, November 12. He was born at Dunstable, Mass., August 16, 1789. He worked upon his father's farm until he was sixteen years of age, when he began to prepare himself for college, and in about a year was admitted to Dartmouth College. During his college life, which lasted until 1811, he supported himself entirely by teaching school. After graduating, he studied law in Groton, Mass., and was duly admitted to the bar. In 1814 he settled in Lexington, Ky., but subsequently removed to Georgetown, where he became postmaster, practiced law, and edited a newspaper. His writings attracted attention, andin 1816 he accepted a position on the staff of The Argus of Western America, the State journal at Frankfort. He advocated the measures of the Democratic party, taking, too,a special interest in the common schools, and securing the passage of anact to district the State, and set apart one-half the profits of the Bank of the Commonwealth as a school fund. During the Presidential contest of 1824 Mr. Kendall was a warm supporter of General Jackson, and when he took the Presidential chair, Kendall was called to Washington as Fourth Auditor of the Treasury. Here his influence was soon felt, and augmented by his own natural secretiveness, he soon came to be looked upon as the secret spring which moved the Presidential pen, and perhaps, also the Presidential will.

In 1835 Mr. Kendall was placed at the head of the Post Office Department. His administration here was very successful. He freed the department from debt, and induced Congress to adopt an organization which has continued with littl echange up to the present time. He left the Cabinet in 1840, and was no longer heard of in public life. President Polk offered him a foreign mission, but it was not accepted. Since 1845 he has had the management of Professor Morse's interest in the American telegraph. In addition to this duty, he devoted much time to a history of Andrew Jackson's life and administration, but the work has never been published.

THE following stanzas were not written for publication, but were selected from a mass of papers (by one given access to them) filed away in the escritoire of a loving septuagenarian couple of the old school. They had been making the journey of life together for nearly half a century when these stanzas were written, which are known to be authentic. The verses are commended to the perusal of that class of heretics who have adopted the old but often untrue proverb, " Hot love is soon cold." The lines entitled, " My Husband," were written by the wife on her seventieth birthday, and left on the table in the library :

MY HUSBAND.

Who in my youth said, " Deares, come, Forsake your precious childhood's home, And with me o'er the wide world roam ?"- My husband.

Who gently led me in the way, And caused my heart to bless the day That took me from my home away ?- My husband.

Who at first sounding of alarm Would fold round me his loving arm, To shield me from impending harm ?- My husband.

Who at first token of distress, Exhibited by restlessness, Oft soothes me by his fond caress ?- My husband.

Who, if long, watchful nights there be, When sleep-sweet sleep-won't come to me, Will keep awake for company ?- My husband.

Who, when I, with each nerve unstrung, Next morn move round my cares among, If I should fret, would " hold is tongue ?"- My husband.

When, if in haste, to mar our bliss One word is thoughtless said amiss, Who asks forgiveness with a kiss ?- My husband.

Who through all changing scenes of life, The bright, the dar, the peace, the strife, Would call me naught but "precious wife ?"- My husband.

When on the couch of suffering laid, With throbbing pulse and aching head, Who anxious watches round my bed ?- My husband.

Who, when of kindred dear bereft, And my said heart in twain is cleft, Proves that my dearest friend is left ?- My husband.

When overwhelmed with grief and fears, And through the gloom no star appears, Who cheers my heart and wipes my tears ?- My husband.

Who, When I've done with all below, And death's dark waters round me flow, Would fain with me o'er Jordan go ?- My husband.

MY WIFE.

IN REPONSE TO HER STANZAS, " MY HUSBAND." What maiden, in the days of yore, Smote me with most tremendous power, Inflicting pangs unknown before ?- My wife.

Who pitied me in my distress, And, by one simple little " Yes," Changed all my woe to blessedness ?- My wife.

constant attendance. One evening Dr. Drew called, and, sitting on one side of the bed, was inquiring into to condition of his patient, when in walked Dr. Sabal, and, taking an extended hand, sat on the other side of the bed. For a moment there was silence, when the prostrate man said : " Death sits secure on either hand, While Jordan rolls between." Both M.D.s smiled audibly ; the crisis was over, and J----- now pursues his avocation is Jacksonville as of yore.

COLLIE.

OLD SIDEWAYS, up ! You harrow your track As if every muscle had gone to rack ; Ho, Sirrah, see that chuck on the knoll ! Time was when you'd cropped him atop his hole. Ah, collie, it's over ; you've had your "day ;" Death whistles, and you must hobble away ! Fat chuck, you're safe ; keep end as you are, My collie can't focus a barn so far; Black blessed, he's old, and it hurts my soul To see him blink tow'rd the chuck on the knoll. What ! a touch of youth those bones still feel ! Doen, plucky tyke, settle back to my heel : Back, fellow, back ! Death's calling, I say ; He whistles you off another way.

This is the last time I shall bless His poor old patient shagginess. The rhythmic beating of that tail, No wonder it at last must fail ; He thwacks if feebler, less and lessSpent pendulum of pleasantness. The humor of that hairy handle, Pumping joy into this world of jangle, As though two hearts took turn about, One thump inside, and then one out ; Pacific gesture (mercy's plan)

THE perfumes of Eugene Rimmel, of Paris and London, have obtained great celebrity in the United States, as well as all over the civilized and un-civilized world, that enterprising perfumer having his special representatives even in China, Japan, India, and the Brazils, where, as in the country, the name of Rimmel is identified with is delicious perfume, Ihlang-Ihlang. Three years ago this exquistie sent was unknown here, but its immense popularity to-day shows how fully American ladies can appreciate a really first-class perfume. Monsieur Rimmel has lately added a new odor to his already long list of extracts, and Vanda, a delightful perfume, distilled from the Javanese flower of that name, is rapidly becoming a favorite with the fair sex. But it is not only in perfumes for the handkerchief that Rimmel is famous, as we notice his Costume Crackers are used in the German at every recherche gathering, in preference to the unnumerable imitations of those articles with which the public have of late been favored, while his bijou Perfumed Almanac for 1870 is more beautiful and fragrant than any of its predeseccors, and proves that in all things Monsieur Rimmel, like the master of his art that he is, considers " a thing of beauty to be a joy forever."

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S PRESENTS.-

Kimmel & Foster, of New York city, have, since the last holidays, been catering for the amusement of the young folks, and, in addition to their beautiful Paper Dolls, Flags of all Nations, etc., have published this year a very beautiful and amusing floral game, consisting of upward of fifty elegant Flowers, colored after Nature. They can be formed into bouquets and wreaths in endless variety. Also the Boy Doll, with various change of costume, which can be instantaneously changed, thus transforming the warlike Zouave into the lover, sportsman, skate, etc., etc. Also the Dissected Animal Game. THis is a very amusing puzzle, and can be played by from two to six persons, and suitable for old or young. We have seen them, and believe they will conduce much to the amusement and pleasure of the youth of both sexes.

FACTS FOR THE LADIES.-I purchased my Wheeler & Wilson machine July 10th, 1857, and for the first six years used it constantly from moring until late in the evening on heavy cloth and Marseilles work, and the remainder of the time I have used it for family sewing, without repairs, and the machine is in so good condition that I would not exhange it for your latest number. It will wear a dozen years more without repairing. I have used one needle nearly three years, and have some of the dozen needles that I received with the machine. MRS. T. EDMONSON. Jersey City.

but refused to swear allegiance to the Transvaal republic.

1. Are the Boers in the Transvaal Roman Catholics? 2. Are the people of Holland Catholics? J. F. M. 1. No. They more closely resemble Congregationalists or the ancient Puritans. 2. There are about 1,545,000 members of the Roman Catholic in the Netherlands, 2,756,000 members of Protestant churches, and 99,000 members of other religions.

and emerges in perfect health is thoroughly seasoned, and promises to be useful quite as long as others, even though he be a year or two on the wrong side of the age limit. The bill is a good one, and should be passed. It will enable the government to show its gratitude for services rendered without incurring any expense.

THE STANDING OF PUERTO RICO.