“There, boys,” exclaimed Mr. Patterson, “I have a greater opinion of my oratorical powers than ever. Be ye all dismissed until I again appear as a Pawnee brave, which I fear will be a long time, for ’tis not every day that such men as my western client are picked up. But, Mr. Sears, what do you say about Dogberry? He must be where he was; to-morrow must but type yesterday. Dogberry, how is Verges?” “I don’t know him,” said Dogberry, doggedly. “Why, sir, he is the associate of your namesake in Shakspeare’s immortal page. Let this play to-night, Mr. Sears, be like that in which Dogberry’s namesake appeared—let it be ‘Much Ado About Nothing.’” Sears smiled, and nodded his head approvingly. “Then be the court adjourned,” exclaimed Mr. Patterson. “Dogberry, you and my friend Sears are still together, and you must remember in the premises what your namesake said to Verges, ‘An’ two men ride of a horse, one man must ride behind.’” Giving three cheers for Mr. Patterson, we boys departed, and the next day found us betimes in the academy, where mum was the word between all parties. * * * * * THE WITHERED ROSE. BY ALEX. A. IRVINE. Thou pale withered flower, oh! once thou wert fair, But now ev’ry leaf has been nipped by a blight— Dost thou pine for the bosom, its fragrance to share, Whence I won thee, sweet nestler, at parting one night? How beauteous thy head, as it modestly stoop’d Its blushes to hide in her bosom of snow— How sweetly above thee her fair tresses droop’d— How pure was the heart beating stilly below! Oh! sweet was her smile as the first blush of Eve, And soft was her voice as the low summer wind, When she gave thee away, half reluctant to leave, Like an angel from heaven sent down to mankind. I have cherished thee since as if never to part, Thou remindest me so of that fair girl away;— But, ah! can I banish the blight from thy heart, Or save thee from withering day after day? And thus, oh! how often, the ones we love best, Drop away from our sides like the roses in June— But why should we weep? since they pass to their rest, And if parted awhile, we shall follow them soon. * * * * * THE REEFER OF ’76. BY THE AUTHOR OF “CRUISING IN THE LAST WAR.” CUTTING OUT. We had now been several months at sea, and, although our stores had been more than once replenished from the prizes we had taken, our provisions began to grow scarce. The skipper accordingly announced his intention of going into port. We bore up, therefore, for Charleston, that being the most convenient harbor.