sea.

Moses stands on an eminence, and stretches his rod over the The waves, obedient, curl back and form a crystal wall on either side. And now the cloudy pillar majestically moves from before Israel, and takes its station between them and their foes; shedding a halo of light on Israel's camp, but dark and portentious it frowns on Egypt's sons. Holy awe pervades each breast, conscious that the battle was the Lord's alone. God commands, and Israel proceeds to pass through the chambers of the mighty deep.

Morning dawns; and Pharaoh, perceiving that Israel has escaped, pursues them. Now commence his trials. God looks through the cloudy pillar, troubles Pharaoh's hosts, "crazes his chariot wheels, so that they drag heavily; and last of all, as soon as Israel hath gained the shore, the rod of Moses is again stretched forth, and the waters, as if participating in the joy of the rescued, rush back to their wonted places, and overwhelm Pharaoh and his hosts.”

The sun sheds his first rays o'er nature, the waters as usual sparkle in his golden beams, the feathered warblers greet him with joy, and music is heard in the camp of Israel, even praises to him who hath redeemed them from Pharaoh and his proud hosts, who shall oppress them no more.

SHOPPING ON THE PRAIRIES.

An elegant carriage, whose glossy horses were held in by a white-gloved coachman, and whose door was opened by a nicely dressed footman, stood before a fashionable house in the city of New York. Mrs. Brown, in company with her aunt, who had just arrived on a visit from the West, entered the carriage to make a shopping excursion through some of the principal shops of the city. While there, seated at the counters, rich goods from all climes were placed before them; shawls from India, laces, silks, and fancy goods from France, England, and our own prolific looms, awaited their choice. Their purchases completed, they returned home, and while refreshing themselves over luncheon, the aunt remarked; "If you complain of fatigue, niece, while riding about the city shopping in your easy carriage, what would you do if you lived upon the prai"Riding upon those grassy tracts, I have heard, is very pleasant," the niece replied. "Riding-ay, but we seldom ride there. Every one does not keep a carriage, and

ries ?"

then the men are too busy to drive out the ladies. Shops are not as near to us as they are to you, and we often walk miles to reach one." "Dear me," replied Mrs. Brown-" that must be very unpleasant.' "Ah, you ladies who live at home at ease,' little know the inconveniences which we pioneers of the West suffer. Shall I tell you how two young ladies of the West once went a shopping?" "Do, dear aunt," replied the niece, "I shall be glad to know how you live in the wilderness."

"Before I narrate our adventures while shopping one day, let me describe the scene where they occurred. Picture to yourself a beautiful river in one of our Western States, winding its bright way amid fertile prairies. Its shores were bordered with a grove of fine trees, but far away on each side stretched the pathless, treeless, and apparently boundless prairie. A few settlers had erected dwellings along the shores, and comfortable farms attracted the attention of those travellers who, now and then, took passage in a steamboat which occasionally came hissing along, disturbing the calm face of the river, and distributing various conveniences among the settlers on the shores, and bringing news to this retired region, from the busy world below. Mr. Johnson had been one of the first to select this delightful spot as a residence; and from his representations, his old friend, Mr. Everett, was induced to sell his farm in the East, and remove his family to share in the promised advantages of this smiling wilderness.

"It was a warm day in the beginning of September, but a light haze tempered the glare of the sun. Mrs. Johnson, and her eldest daughter, Anna, had concluded that some curtain calico, and other articles, were very much needed in the family. As they were to be procured at a store lately established by a Mr. Carter, two miles above them, on the opposite side of the river, Anna proposed to call for her friend Jane Everett, and walk up to Carter's to purchase the things required. The mother agreed; and the light form of Anna, neatly arrayed for her walk, was seen entering Mr. Everett's door soon after dinner.

"Come, Jane," said the gay, light-hearted Anna, "I want you to walk up to Carter's with me. Will you go?"

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Willingly," replied Jane, "I have been wanting to walk, but had not resolution to set out alone."

"They were soon on their way-the happy young girls-they had grown up together-playmates from infancy-the gay, adventurous Anna, always loving, protecting, and encouraging the timid, affectionate Jane.

"How delightful was that afternoon's ramble. The bright river, and its noble group of trees on one side, while on the other stretched the fertile prairie, from which were wafted the most fragant perfumes. They followed a road which ran near the bank of the river, connecting the farms of one settlement with those of others along its shores. I must own they played and loitered rather thoughtlessly on the way, but then they were still quite young girls, although they had attained the stature of, and in their own opinion, were young women. At last they arrived opposite the store, as it was designated for miles above and below. Anna advanced to the water's edge, and waved her handkerchief. It was soon observed, and a small boat, rowed by Mr. Carter's smart clerk, came over and conveyed them to the landing near the store. Mr. Carter himself was a young man; and, if the truth be told, there was much laughing, talking, and a little flirtation going on, as well as buying and selling, between the master, his clerk, and the fair young customers. At last Jane made her friend observe that the haze had thickened, and threatened rain; and that it appeared to be nearly sunset. Some new customers had also just arrived, but Mr. Carter left them to the clerk, while he rowed the young ladies over the river. It was nearly dark when they landed. Mr. Carter bade them good evening, and rowed back as fast as possible, as he knew he should be wanted, soon losing sight of them among the trees.

"Oh dear," said Jane, "how could we stay so iong; let us hurry and get in the road.”

"Here it is," exclaimed Anna, "trip along, we shall soon get home."

On they went, but heeded not the increasing gloom, knowing they were in the road, and that there was but one which ran parallel with the river, they gave themselves up to chat, amusing each other with some jesting about the young mer chant they had just seen. It grew darker and darker, but they heard the noise of the water on one side, and could discern the road. At last Jane became tired. "I do declare, Anna, it is the longest two miles I ever walked." "That must be because you drag at each remove a lengthening chain," replied Anna, laughing, "but cheer up, we must be nearly home." They went on, until even Anna began to feel much fatigued. She felt sure they must have walked much more than two miles, but looked in vain for Mr. Everett's househer own father's was just beyond. Directly they reached a small bridge, on which the road crossed a little brook, which emptied near by into the river. "Courage, Jane," exclaimed

Anna, "here is the little bridge, we must be close to your house." Jane felt new energy when she crossed the little bridge, well remembering such a one within a few rods of her house. It now began to rain, and on they hurried, trying to discover through the gloom the wished-for shelter-on they went-on-but no house could they discover; only the dismal wind came moaning over the prairie. Anna encouraged and supported Jane, wondering what had become of the house, but scarcely feeling her own weariness, so anxious was she for her friend. At last Jane stopped. "Anna, we are certainly lost, let us sit down and wait until morning." Anna looked all around, and joyfully exclaimed! "I see a dark something, it is certainly your house or barn; come, lean on me, we shall be at home in a few minutes." Thus encouraged, they dragged on their weary limbs, until they reached the dark mass they had espied, which alas, proved to be several hay-stacks. "Now I know we are lost," said Jane, "Oh, mother will be almost crazy about us."

"Oh no," replied Anna, "she will think you are at our house, and my mother will think I went home with you. We are certainly lost, for I do not know of any hay-stacks near home, but let us creep in the hay as much out of the rain as we can, and wait for day-light."

They made themselves as comfortable nests as they could,. and laid down to rest. Anna was composing herself to sleep. when Jane started up. "Did you hear that howl? Oh, Anna, I cannot stay, do let us move on, I feel wild with terror here; and hark how dismally the wind roars. Oh! let us go on, we must at last find a house, for we were certainly just now in the road, and can find it again. Oh, Anna, hark! there are wolves out, and I fear something worse."

She started up, and Anna dragged her weary limbs to follow her excited companion. They regained the road, and directly, to their great joy, saw a light. Hastening on, they found to their great relief, it proceeded from the window of a house. They hurried forward, and attempted to enter the gate of a door yard which surrounded it, when a fierce dog sprang out the door, and came barking furiously at them. A moment after, a man appeared at the door with a gun, which he had hastily snatched up. They screamed; and terror lent them strength to run, pursued by the man and dog. Their screams were unheard at first, being lost in the furious barking of the dog, but at last Jane fell and fainted. Anna stepped before her, stretching out her arms, with an imploring cry.

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Mercy on us," exclaimed the man, calling off the dog, and

coming up to them, “ladies! wolves? How came you here ?"

I thought you were prairie

“Oh, help her! I am afraid she is dead," said Anna, and the man lifted Jane up in his arms, and carried her to the house. Terribly astonished was his wife, when she saw him enter the room with an insensible female in his arms, while another followed carrying his gun which he had committed to her care, in order to carry the poor terror-stricken girl. A little water soon revived Jane, and when she opened her eyes and spoke, Anna was relieved enough to listen to the questions of their astonished host and hostess.

"Where have you come from? Where are you going?" "We have come from Carter's store, and are going to our fathers', Mr. Johnson and Mr. Everett."

"Mercy on me, why, are you Johnson's and Everett's dar ters? Why, you are nine miles from home, and seven from Carter's."

The truth flashed on them-they had, after crossing the river, turned the wrong way, and had gone up instead of down the river. (Oh, sly Cupid, had you not some share in that mistake?)

"What shall we do? Our parents will be frightened dreadfully about us."

"Let me see," said the good-natured man, "it is now nine o'clock, I have no team of my own, but my next neighbor, about a mile up the river, has one, and will lend it, I know, on such an errand. My woman will get you some tea, for you look real tired, and I will go up there to get his team and wagon." A cup of tea did much refresh them. It still continued to rain, but after an hour and a half of rest, they seated themselves in the wagon, and were driven home by their kind host. It was nearly one o'clock when they reached Everett's. They found the family up, anxiously awaiting for day-light to search for the lost ones, as it was useless to try to find them until then. Both families had concluded that the missing ones were at the other house, until about ten, when Mrs. Everett having retired to bed, could not sleep, recollecting she had not seen Jane and Anna pass on their return. She finally got up, and sent her son to Johnson's to inquire if the girls were there. Great was the alarm when it was known they had not reached their homes. They must be lost on the prairie! Mr. Johnson was away from home, and Mr. Everett just recovering from an attack of fever. Nothing could be done until morning, when they could call upon their neighbors to assist in the search. Just imagine what a relief it was, when they arrived