Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Vol. 26, August, 1880

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Various. Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Vol. 26, August, 1880

AMERICAN AËRONAUTS

ADAM AND EVE

CHAPTER XXII

CHAPTER XXIII

CHAPTER XXIV

CHAPTER XXV

POSSESSION

AN OLD ENGLISH HOME: BRAMSHILL HOUSE

CANOEING ON THE HIGH MISSISSIPPI

TWO PAPERS.—I

NATIONAL MUSIC AN INTERPRETER OF NATIONAL CHARACTER

MALLSTON'S YOUNGEST

THE EARLY DAYS OF MORMONISM

A VENGEANCE

STUDIES IN THE SLUMS

IV.—JACK

WESTBROOK

WHERE LIGHTNING STRIKES

THE SEA'S SECRET

DUNGENESS, GENERAL GREENE'S SEA-ISLAND PLANTATION

OUR MONTHLY GOSSIP

LITERATURE OF THE DAY

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The month of December was well advanced before Eve's letter had reached Reuben May. It came to him one morning when, notwithstanding the fog which reigned around, Reuben had arisen in more than usually good spirits, able to laugh at his neighbors for railing against weather which he declared was good weather and seasonable.

The moment the postman entered the shop his heart gave a great bound—for who but Eve would write to him?—and no sooner had his eyes fallen on the handwriting than his whole being rejoiced, for surely nothing but good news could be heralded by such glad feelings. With a resolute self-denial, of which on most occasions Reuben was somewhat proud, he refused himself the immediate gratification of his desires, and with a hasty glance laid the letter on one side while he entered into a needlessly long discussion with the postman, gossiped with a customer—for whose satisfaction he volunteered a minute inspection of a watch which might have very reasonably been put off until the morrow—and finally (there being nothing else by which the long-coveted pleasure could be further delayed) he took up the letter and carefully turned it first this side and then that before breaking the seal and unfolding the paper.

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The day passed away, the evening light had all but faded, when to the watchers the Cleopatra, with crowded sail and aided by a south-west wind, was seen trying to make the harbor, close followed by the cruiser. The news flew over the place like lightning, and but a few minutes seemed to have passed before all Polperro swarmed the cliffs, each trying to secure a vantage-point by putting forth some strong claim of interest in those on board. With trembling hearts and anxious gaze the lookers-on watched each movement of the two vessels, a dead silence prevailing among them so long as they both followed in the same course, but the instant a clever tack was made by which the pursuers were baffled, up rose the shout of many voices, and cries were heard and prayers uttered that the darkness would come quickly on and afford their friends a safe entrance.

Except to such men as steered the Cleopatra, to enter Polperro harbor amid darkness and wind was a task beyond their skill; and, knowing this, and seeing by her adversary's tactics the near possibility of defeat, the cruiser had resort to her guns, trying to cut away the Cleopatra's gear, and by that means compel her to heave-to. But, though partly disabled, the stout little vessel bore onward, and night's friendly clouds coming to her aid, the discomfited cruiser had to withdraw within hearing of the triumphant shouts which welcomed her rival's safety.

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