re mentioned, or darkly
shaded by the messenger clouds aforesaid; flowing at right angles with
said Desert, and adjacent thereto, I see the silver and sinuous thread
of the river, commonly called Carson, which winds its tortuous course
through the softly tinted valley, and disappears amid the gorges of the
bleak and snowy mountains--a simile of man!--leaving the pleasant valley
of Peace and Virtue to wander among the dark defiles of Sin, beyond the
jurisdiction of the kindly beaming sun aforesaid! And about said sun,
and the said clouds, and around the said mountains, and over the plain
and the river aforesaid, there floats a purple glory--a yellow mist--as
airy and beautiful as the bridal veil of a princess, about to be wedded
according to the rites and ceremonies pertaining to, and established by,
the laws or edicts of the kingdom or principality wherein she doth
reside, and whereof she hath been and doth continue to be, a lawful
sovereign or subject. Ah! my Mary, it is sublime! it is lovely! I have
declared and made known, and by these presents do declare and make known
unto you, that the view from Sugar Loaf Peak, as hereinbefore described
and set forth, is the loveliest picture with which the hand of the
Creator has adorned the earth, according to the best of my knowledge and
belief, so help me God.

Given under my hand, and in the spirit-presence of the bright being
whose love has restored the light of hope to a soul once groping in the
darkness of despair, on the day and year first above written.

(Signed)

SOLON LYCURGUS.

Law Student, and Notary Public in and for the said County of Storey, and
Territory of Nevada.

To Miss Mary Links, Virginia (and may the laws have her in their holy
keeping).

SETTIN' BY THE FIRE

BY FRANK L. STANTON

Never much on stirrin' roun'
(Sich warn't his desire),
Allers certain to be foun'
Settin' by the fire.

When the frost wuz comin' down--
Col' win' creepin' nigher,
Spent each day jest thataway--
Settin' by the fire.

When the dancin' shook the groun'--
Raised the ol' roof higher,
Never swung the gals eroun'--
Sot thar' by the fire.

Same ol' corner night an' day--
Never 'peared to tire;
Not a blessed word to say!
Jest sot by the fire.

When he died, by slow degrees,
Folks said: "He's gone higher;"
But it's my opinion he's
Settin' by the fire.

THE WHISPERER

BY IRONQUILL