THE DREAMER OF DRIVA. In the hamlet of Driva, on the banks of the Danube, thera lived once an old man who called himself Sunheg, and who kept himself alive by the exercise of prophetic power, by means of visions, or dreams. He would often be seen sitting for hours together on a bench, at the door of his hut, with his back to the wall, and his face looking steadfastly out towards the east, and the village children, when they saw him assume this position, would skulk away from their games, and whisper in fearful accents to each other, " Sunbeg is going to dream!" He was in all the secrets of the village, from the lowest inhabitant to the highest; but all regarded him with a distant eye, as if they doubted his means of prophetic information. It happened that in the village lived a young man, named Dessein. His fathers were villagers before him, and his wishes and his heart went not beyond its narrow limits. He had followed, with considerable success, for some time, the Occupation of a carpenter, and he was now in search of that consummation of happiness which his prosperity allowed him to anticipate. The innocent young Paulina, bloomed forth in his eyes, lovely, affectionate, and virtuous. Brief, though glad, was the simplicity of village courtship, and already had her parents consented to their union. Paulina's heart beat with unusual emotions whenever she beheld Dessein approaching, and Dessein's was not less delighted when in the company of Paulina; in short, nothing now delayed their marriage, but an unaccountable wish which Paulina's mother expressed that it might take place on her birth-day. "Well, it is but a month," said Dessein, and Paulina looked as if she could have chid him for the word but. The villagers were making merry one evening on the green, when a party of soldiers was seen approaching. They proved to be a recruiting, or rather balloting party, for there was war at this time. How startled were the poor villagers at their unwelcome visitors. Every heart in an instant thought with boding on its nearest relatives. Paulina's shuddered, and, turning to Dessein, "Fly, fly," said she, "while you have yet time-they are coming on fast-escape, my Dessein, to the wood." Before Dessein had time to answer, the troops arrived at the green, where they halted, and sounded the trumpet to assemble the males of the village. It was now too late the lots were drawn, and Dessein was made a soldier. Months on months passed away, after his departure, but no tidings of Dessein. Poor Paulina's sorrow was too deep to find expression or relief in tears; but she sunk gradually away, without apparent malady. It occurred to her mother, that old Sunbeg should be consulted as to the fate of Dessein. Paulina's dim eye brightened up at the hope of learning the fate of her betrothed, and she walked tremblingly to the hut of the visionary, her heart beating high with the new excitement it had received. 66 Sunbeg," said the maid, "give me news of my betrothed Dessein. Hast thou seen him in thy visions? tell me, does he still live-shall I ever see him again? Where is he? tell me, good Sunbeg." Paulina," answered the old man, raising his gray eye with an inquiring look on the maid, " no, my child, I have not yet beheld thy beloved; but come to me to-morrow, and I will perchance give thee tidings of the youth." 'Tis a long time till to-morrow," said Paulina, but, father, I will come at the time thou namest." 66 Restlessly did Paulina's head rest on her pillow that night. Her weakened form was agitated by the alternate dreams of hope and despair. Next day she went to Sunbeg at the hour appointed; but he had sought in vain for a vision of the youth-another day was she to wait. Again the vision of Sunbeg fled before him. On the third she came to him. He had had a sight of the youth, stretched on the battle-field, pale in death: he had heard his last words-they were of Paulina he saw him carried in a cart, with other dead, for interment-and the vision closed. It was enough: the only hope which had sustained the heart of Paulina was now vanished -the last spark which was her "life of life" was now extinguised. She screamed not-neither spake ; but she went forth from the hut of Sunbeg a broken-hearted maniac. Two long years passed over the miserable head of the deranged Paulina. The village children, when they passed, would stand still, with one hand at their back, and the little fore-finger of the other on their half-open mouths, and gaze with uncomprehending pity on the maniac maid. There was an air of dullness in all the village; hearts beat not now so merry as once, for the merriest and lightest amongst them was laid waste. One evening, at twilight, a tap was heard at the door of Paulina's parents. The mother arose, and Dessein entered. Ah, how altered! a weary, worn-out, wounded soldier: no wonder that the eyes of affection did not recognise him!-he had to introduce himself by name. Paulina, at the sound, looked up, and smiled a smile of insanity. You Dessein!" she exclaimed ! "oh, 'tis false ! I only knew one of that name, and he has been dead and gone these twenty years. Poor soul, he went to the red wars, and shot himself, and I have been in mourning for him ever, ever since. It's a long time, but I should know him-I should know him if I saw him again." Dessein started back-his eyes were rivetted in his forehead-"oh, my Paulina!" uttered the mourner, "is this thou?" and his lips quivered in agony, and his face turned pale as death. Α ray of consciousness glimmered through the bewildered brain of the poor maniac; she uttered a faint scream, and sank lifeless in the arms of her lover. The whole village went forth to pay the last tribute to the memory of the dead, Dessein leading the procession as chief mourner. It was, indeed, a happy release for the departed; but what said the heart of Dessein? He looked down into the grave of his beloved-he saw the coffin covered out of his sight-he would have uttered a blessing over her virgin tomb -his lips moved, but expression was denied them: his spirit groaned in agony, and he departed. He flung his knapsack over his shoulders, went forth from his native village to the wars-and was heard of no more. AD PUELLAM. BY R. SHELTON MACKENZIE, ESQ. A blessing be with you, wherever, iv CONTENTS. Lyneham Grammar School-Miss Nancy H J. R. P.... To Sarah, by A..... A Lay of the Heart, by R. S. Mackenzie ..... The Quarrel of Love and Marriage, by G. F. The Evening Star, by Omega The Ladies' Toilet English Fashions .... French Fashions.... The Wood Wren .... Elegy on the Death of W. Rowlinson, Esq., Stanzas, by W. Rowlinson Mary of Keithhall Burns' Highland Mary.... dith, by Edmund Trafford. Viens-Je Va. The Escape, by J. R.P 125 126 127 ckenzie J. R. P. Cynthia, by Robert Sydal.. ge, by G.ning Primroses, by J.P... es to discover Married Persons e Servility rebuked logy of the Word Lady. dies' Toilet linson, Esq Superstition. trast, by Reginald Anguine irby, a Tale of real Life by .. Scape, by Jp Room, Bath.. derick Tyrrell entric Old Toer, by 1..... on |