SHIPPING.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET.—This evening, 0.53. HIGrH WATER.—This evening, 5.49.

STEAMERS FOR THE THAMES THIS EVENING.

Lalia &ookh. 5 o'clock.

ARRIVALS.

Tauranga, schooner, Seller--, from Tauranga

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

London.-Countess of Kintore. early. STDSEV-City of Adelaide, 29th; Alice Ganieion,

CHATHAMIIsLANDS-Magellau Cloud, Dec. h. Sor.THERJ* Ponxs.—Taranaln, Nov. -J.

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Nebraska, p.*., from Sydney. Nevada, p.s., from Honolulu. City of Adelaide, s.s., from Sydney. Phasbe, s.s., from Southern ports. Napier, b.s. , from Napier. City of Auckland, ship,-from London. Chile, ship, from London. Fsrndale, 1 ivijve, from Liverpool. PrimaDoi:.i.i, -hooner, hum Sydney.

EXPORTS.

Per Odalisk, for Newcastle : 55 sacks bran (part of original cargo), order.—J. S. Macfar lane and Co., agents.

The Odalisk, for Newcastle, will take her departure this afternoon. The Onward entered outwards for-Russell, in ballast. . ,_ The schooner Tauranga cleared lor lau ranga, with a general cargo. The fine little steamer Jane changed hands » ywterday, having been purchased by Mr. Yeoman* throngh Messrs. Cochrane and Son. Rapid Passage.—The schooner Tauranga, Captain Sellers, returned from Tauranga last evening, having been only 72 hours since leaving the wharf on Tuesday evening. This in one of the fastest passages on record. The Tauranga left here on Tuesday at 4 p.m., and arrived at Tauranga on the following day at noon. Discharged and took in cargo, and loft for Auckland at 4 p.m. on Thursday, arriving alongside the Queen-street wharf ksfc evening. The Tauranga leaves again for Tauranga this evening.

POLICE COURT ROTA.

Thi following is the Police Court rota for the week ending Ist Deoember: — Monday—Messrs. Macffarlane and Philips Tuesday—Petty Sessions Wednesday—Messrs. Thomaß and Turton Thursday—Messrs A. K. Taylor and Wood Friday—Messrs. Baber and Beetham

AMUSEMENTS, MEETINGS, &c.

This E73NING. Bowling Club, G-rafton Road, afternoon Artillery Band, Albert Barracks, 2 to 5 p.m. Koyal Italian Opera, 8 Theatre Royal, 8.

THE MAILS.

Mails will close as under : For Thames, on Monday, at 10.30 a.m. and 0.30 p.m. For Kapanga, per Eoyal Alfred, on Monday, at 12.30

For Wangarei. &c, per Du.ke of Edinburgh, on Mon-

day, at 3 p.m. For Whitianga, per Mary Ellen, on Monday, at 5 p.m. For Russell and Kawakawa, per Onward, this day, at

For Taiirangaand Opotiki, per Tauranga, this day, at

5 p.m. on Wednesday, 29th instant, at 9 a.m. Late^etters and telegrams for transmission from the kelson S^tion w\Ube received here tiU 9.30, and at One- FOT<aathams,' per' Magellan Cloud, on Tuesday, sth

December, at 11 a.m. Mall* for -the undermentioned places, per p.s. Nebraska, will close at tills office on Thursday, 30th Fw^SandwiCh^lsiands, British Columbia, United States of America, British, Central, and boiltn America, British and Foreign West Indies, ana Continent of Europe via England, at 10.30 a.m. For United Kingdom via San Francisco, at 10.30 a.m. For JWoriey Orders, Registered Letters, and Hews

papers, at 9 a.m. „ ; . late letter* for United States of America and Unltea Kingdom, bearing a late fee of 6d in addition to the postage, will be received at this office till 11 a.in., and by the Mail Agent on board the steamer, up to time of sailing. ' Chief Poßtmaster.

DEATH.

HATEB.-On November 23, at, b<* residence, Karaka, Eliiabetli Hayes, midwife, ay^ 40- '

The Evening Star.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1871.

-'•/or thfc cause that lacks assistant.: For the wrong that needs rtaisteiioo, For the futnrein the distance, And th& good that we can <lo."

i The proceedings at the Police Court this rooming were commenced in .an unexpected manner. Evid. ntly, the foolish letters which have recently-appeared' in the columns of some of our contemporaries had been taken to heart by our worthy Resident Magistrate, who, suffering from the irritation produced by., the stings produced by t-lic literary hornets about Mm, opened the door between the Magistrate's, room and the Court room, and assaulted the police inthe following manner :. —" What do you mean by this piece of im pertinence, keeping your hats on inside a house. The police here seem to' fhink they can do exactly as they please. I should much like to know under what authority theyT^ct. It I had to deal with them, one half of them •would very soon be in the lock-up. Take your hat off Sergeant Egan ! How dare you appear in' Court with your hat on ? Look at this gentleman, the Clerk of the Court, when lie takes bis seat he always uncoyers his head ! You ought to know that common decency eh6uld compel you to remove yonr hats when you enter a room '" His Worship then re tired, and after a short absence returned, and adjudicated on the .cases brought before him. "" "lUefftowling' green at ' he foot of i'c Grafton Eoad %ifl;be' openod this afternoon for tlio season, -and ladies and gentlemen wili ha-,e an opportunity t)f expendi»g their spare muscular energy. ' ~mi °,:; • Miir^a-^ "s<•?&s'& a^nowledge, witli thaf^/riie receipt of £5 4s. c-ollooted on her behalf at the Thames; by AnUiony Nicholson. ~ , j A list of the polling places in the Northern Division is' published in our advfttismg columns. 1%: nomination of candidate wil tike place 'at the Deronporfc Hall, fihore, »t uoon on the 2nd proximo. | t:, i,s ■ 'ilimQtq J- - -.{ >'* ■

An extraordinary meeting of the share holders of the Boiling Down Company will be held at the office of the company, Insurance Buildings, at 2 o'clock on the 8* December.

Pedestrianfem seems to be tho orJsr of the day at Henwteton, in Otugo. lorn Carr, a man of 55 years of age, has taken up a chal lenge which exce,^ any of Iho achievements of Edwards winch li.tve yet been hoard of. Tom is to walk U± miles in 36 lv>»^- He is to commence his task on Holiday m'xt, ut 6 a.rn , and finish if- :xt 6 p.m. on i ho following day. All claims against the p.s Cornering must be sent in to Messrs. W. J. Hurst and U>. on or before the Bth j)eceraber, ur tlu-y Will nut be recognised.

A list of tiie gesiUumen appointed ro receive Btibsoriptions-towardß flic building of a new Synagogue will columns-

■(,• found in our advertising

Last evening the Rev. J. J. Lewis delivered a very interesting lecture, at the Pitt-street Wesleyan school-roon, beneath the chapel, in aid of "the funds of the choir. There was v very large attendance, and Mr. Sbera was voted to the chair. The same lecture, entitled " lhe Present Age," was delivered a short time ago at the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association, on which occasion it was treated of in this journal. It was last, evening listened to very attentively, and appeared to be greatly enjoyed. During the evening, the choir sang several pieces of sacred music very effectively. At the close of the lecture a very cordial vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Lewu, after which the proceedings terminated.

It will be seen by advertisement that a Masonic ball will be held at the end of the year, and all Masons are invited to attend a meeting at the Masonic Hotel, at 7 p.m. of the 26th instant.

A social gathering of the par«hioners (and their friend--) of St. SepulchfPs will take place on Thursday evening next.

The high reputation Olson s tomato sauce has obtained as a household condiment, has brought many inierior articles into the i^rkri Tho publio are therefore warned not to he im posed upon with rubluii, but usk for Olson's genuine tomato sauce, ami see that hi* name is on the bottle. "To Mr. liars Oisoi;.—:

Dear Sir, —By siiiv n.: ■'■ :ke a bottle of yjiir tomato sauce'^v-. i ■ '. uij m my house, and remained unborked lor upwards of twelve months. The same bottle of sauce was after wards used at my own table, and I found it was equally as good as when first made, —T. W. Doonin, wholesale and retail grocer, 218, Queen-street, Auckland."—[Advt.]

THE MAN ABOUT TOWN.

I went last night to the Choral Hall. I am not in the habit of going to soirees, but to this one I went in the expectation of finding soniethincf beside the ordinary. And so I did. Wright, the phrenologist, was there, manipulating bumps. Some people say that phrenology is not reli gious, that it overthrows free will and moral responsihjility, but that is nothing. Church-going people require a little dissi pation, as they can't go tojje opera, and the theatre "is an abomination, and a little mild excitement is go#d for thc^ health. The parson got his bumps felt. That was right, as there was no risk in the phrenologist showing up the bad ones. But in ail evil hour the phreno logist undertook +A clinwr WM o™l/-the0 ™1/- the r>U?pring of the parson. AY hat more natural? The theory about nimis ter'a sons being what their fathers arc, haying been .so conclusively estab lished, it Was altogether reasonable to suppose that the bumps of the child showed to be the sara.e as those of the1 father: in fact, phrenology was enlisted to prove the truth of the thing. Accord ingly, a number of lads, selected from the congregation, were ranged in order on the platform, and the man of bumps, with eyes bandaged, after a few cabalistic words, and passes with his hand.--, pro ceeded to discover who among them de rived their exigence from the pastor. After examining several heads in vain, the professor at length seized on one line little fellow, and declared him to bo the minister's son. The people laughed,.-the parson blushed, the ladies tittered, blushed, and held down their heads, and laughed again in their handkerchiefs and wriggled—ladies do so like a lark, - and the whole place was in a ferment of fun and annoyance at the unfortunate contretemps. .Nothing daunted, the man of skulls seized hold of another line little chap, and after careful groping behind his ears, on the top of his head, his forehead, and his occiput, declared with emphasis that this was the minster's son. " Mold ! enough !" —said the parson in a voice of thunder, while every young lady's face was buried in her handker chief, and the young fellows asked them so proyokingly what ijioy were laughing ■at; and ijie old ladies reddened, .and looked grave, and I have never seen sitij^ a que^r sight before. Some said the Professor was an enemy in the camp, that lie was in league with.the publicans, while his pro testations as to 'the reliability of the soi-jiice aud the truthfulness of his de clarations only made the matter worse. I do like phrenology, and it might be very useful;in settling disputed points of lineage, as' in the Tichborne case- for example ; but it might become a very awkward science iv the hijjjds of a reck less man, and might do infinite mischief in causing quarrels iv the community. Hencefo^h when people are getting married, business peoplo should look out. | "No credit given" should be the order of the day. When parties come to select trousseaux, or wines, or bridal Rakes, or any other little accessory to the interesting occasion. Sometime ago, a bride'sjcalce. was the subject of litigation, and v mem ber of the General Assembly was uujil- a santly reminded of the pleasant occasion when earth was clothed in gladness, and, lie drank nectar and ate ambrosia at rtic □ferriage breakfast. 3fow, a man ignores his wine bill, which had accrued on v similar interesting occasion. J. wonder that our tradesmen do not know human nature sufficiently well to feel iiwi the honeymoon, if not the closing 'days of antenuptial bliss, is the. ■ proper time for having a settlement; of these little items. It is really too had after the cup ot'iifctnris drained tp the lees, anl when i)w-.;..* U»-c U&eti i.lh place of roses, and piiiiinion s of ojhyige blossoms, and iiillt; Cupids have ; been shorn of their wings, an<f degenerated into little Johnny and Tommy siifknig lollipops, and out of. tocsin then' bo<|ts,it is really too bad lo {>." dunned for the payment of expenses inclined in it Lose halcyon days, which nj&rC ail.toojiappy without the needless adjuncts of wine aud

bridal cake 3. Only to fancy a man when in thai; mood which expresses itself to the wife of his buzzuui in " Take away your ugly hoofs," being pressed for payment oF a biii incurred when the most forcible expression of autli .vitj W, i '•Please, darliug, will you reiuove your dear little faotsey tootsay I'ooU^ys." I can quite appreciate the fVoHtVJJS of I)odd, but I caunafe understand hrjj taking advantage by a smart trick, anil letting | ; Mr. Moore in !'"i' heavy exp-vnaos. Bad | enough to shelter: himself behind the Supreme Court., but to oqine up from the Thames, when the plaintiff, knowing the j uselessness of serving, did not appear, i that was Use unkindest cut of all. Hovv- j ever, he knew thai it was all one to him, — j that whet! er he appeared to dufeud, or j whether'he didn't, he was sui'o to win, j and that he might have the chance ofJ having satisfaction for being reminded of orange blossoms, now withered and j strewn.

Now then boys, we'll all go in, Tommy Podd, Tommy Dodd j Heads or tails, we're sure to win, j Hurrah i'or Tommy Dodd ! rLlie law courts are at present engaged i in a question of great delicacy : to wit", | the value to be set on female charms. It | appears that mine host of the Greyhound j ordered a consignment oi loveliness from j the province of " parritcli and barley j bree." She came, she saw, but she did ' not conquer. In fact, Mike did not Jiice j the lookn of the consignment, and con- j signed her to the kitchen. J3ut this, was j a mortal offence to Matty, and tho spectce i injuria former rankled deep in the lovely j buzzum. With a majestic air she tucked her crinoline about her and departed from | the ungallant unappreciative Mike, and turned her face to the South. But if mine host thought he had seen the last of her, he was wof'ully mistaken, for he has received a document in the name of liar Majesty with the usual " To wit, whereas whereby and notwithstanding," in which that royal lady so frequently speaks to her liege subjects. otd now the dolicalo question arises respecting tho beauty of Matty. Was it such as -'fchouju have been rele gated to the companionship of pots and kettles aud frying-pans, or should it have shed its lustre from behind the bar, bewildering and " stringing " the cus tomers of that popular hostelry. It will be the part of Mr. Hcsketh 10 sing the charms of the lovely Hebe, and of Mr. I3rookaeld to describe her snubbj nose and her carrotty hair, how, instead of a mouth with pretty little rosy lips that seem j ist made for kissing, and which would te:upt susceptible youth to linger at the bar, and sip champagne for the pleasure of r.-veiling in those deli cious smiles, and basking in the light of those laughing eyes, she had a mouth fitt.ed- alone, apparently by nature, for swallowing potatoes and cabbage; that her smilo whs like the grin of a rbinoce rous, and her face sufficient to dispel thirst from the soul of the most bibulous. I fancy I can hear Mr. Hesketh dilate 'on the witchery of (hat lair young face, the glances of h, r laughter-loving eyes; the artless sigh, ihc maiden blush/ the half coy, hall forward advances with ~. jiu-ii oiie uouia iijaa mo enraptured swains on a string, and i xcito emotions which could only be rd^a|||fe^iil <!' wine? AVith Muci^ByfTfligWng '■- aifyjgg cacy it will ho JflWny'-nbl*.; l>> arrive at the. riuhl .oejKton unless the Dv.r casus belli her-Hpf appears on the sceue. Mr. Bockharfi has not lost tho p .vrt-v of appreciating female charms. I venture to say that in his youth he was not unsusceptible to the glance of h bright eye and the witchery of a fairy form, nor has his " eve waxed dim, nor liis natural force abated," and desj.ite the conflicting sentiments of the lawyers, and the pon derous tomes of musty legal lore with which tln-y will attempt to clench their arguments, i do not hesitate to say that the ilesideut Magistrate, gazing through Ins-eyeglass for a few minutes at the fair complainant, will be able to arrive at a just decision, aud rightly assess the da mages to be paid by the ungallant Mike, who consigned the fair Hebe to the ne ther regions of coal scuttles aud :greasy dishes.

CALEDONIAN DIVIDEND.

The directors of the Caledonian met at one o'clock to-dAy, and declared,-^ dividend of £5 per share, payable on Thursday .next. It is only a, fortnight since the last dividend was paid.

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

PEI DAY, NOVRMBKE 24

Mji. Hhetih.vn produced reports in regard to the Knipara Railway, ami Mr. Lusk laid onv.thn tablo copies of several bill"-— A number of notices of motion were fabled by various representatives ; and Mr. Lusk laid on the table a mass of papers in rela tion to the reservation of certain land for public purposes. —A question was asked in relation to the payment of an Inspector of Police at the Thames after the supplies had been stopped, and an indefinite reply given l)3 r the Provincial Secretary.— Message No. 10, regarding the Kaipara and otlicr works now niicW consideration, was ordered to be urinteJ. — 1 lie House then went into Committee in regard to tlie Kaipara Railway and other works, for which it had bom proposed tliat the sum of £25,000 had been t;et apart; and after aliong debate the further discussion was postponed until Tuesday. —Various other unimportant matters were brought before the cognizance of tke.Kouse, which adjourned at about 8. o'clock.

UNKNOWN.

r.Reforo f homas Beckham, Esq., E.M.j

" I)rd.vkjj:s'NES3.—One person v.as. fiuecl in Mie usual nmount for this offence.

j)i;i'.NK AM) Disokdeulv. Andrew Hoaly IprCiLied \m bails and Alary UovvleyJ for h.bHunl' -(Irunliemiess, wus sent- to Mount BEderi foi.'two lutoiMis.. ~ . . : CittßU*^ J)JMVXNGI. — Anderson O'isi'iwtio pleadadianiltj to a charge of driving fiiaj dray uiflioul i living lending reins, and wus ordered (;; |i .j L\)t. and costs.

ITALIAN OPERA.

The buff) upwji.of " Pipolu.1' wis^od need livifc evening wUKi uamende'siu-v.^d.. ,Tb« bril liant music was well performed, and 'delighted a oro>fdi-'d -utttljerKJo. To-night '"J'he Mtjskdd Ball" will,bo performed, ami, we lia|e n.o doubt, wifl bo equally suoceesiul.

THE MANIAC'S APPEAL.

BY HiRUY HAZLETON. .:■-, William; Ciust was called a man. of the world, because he was fashionable and gay. There appeared to be much of mere sur face about him, but this might bo acoun.fced tor from the fact that he had usually mingled in that society where surface is everything—where the heart is "seldom seen, and where che nobler impulses of tnim-aro not often called into action—the first circles of society. Such people seldom come in contact with the poor, where the most worthy are often found, and from whence comes our true heroes and heroines; and so they do not often learn the meaning of the word sympathy — that emotion which is only fully devel oped by misfortunes and suffering. And'yet William Crist was a sy-mpa. thetic man, full of heart, and of noble j principles. Often had he turned away | from the gaieties of life, and often had he felt an ardent yearning for, he scarcely | knew what; and yet something seemed jto whispor that it was companionship— ! love. He had eagerly sought some living ' gum which he could wear within his soul, ' and many a time had he felt the full force j of Byron's words : j " With pleasure drugged, lie almost longed for woo." But he was not drugged with pleasure, j he was only satiated with, fulsome flattery nnd fawnings. Once a bright-eyed maiden i crossed his path., and he felt an ua 'usual fluttering of the heart; but she ! vanished almost us soon as seen, and then ] he laughed at his own vision of love—and , ! all others—love for an unknown, and \ evidently a poor girl. But then there was i something so sad in the expression of her face, and so very melancholy in the deep 1 blue eyes which had rested only for an instant upon his own. And still more he laughed, when, day after day, he found himself in the neighbourhood where he had met her.hoping to meet her once more But months passed away and she was forgotten; or, if remembered at all, only as some passing mortal he had seen in a dream. Crist had passed the-greater portion of a night where the beauty of thq metropolis had assembled for pleasure,as they termed j that fashionable ball, and more than ' ever had he become disgusted with the simpering, thoughtless.heartless fawners, by which he had been surrounded. ! Again, at his home, he found it impos ! sible so sleep, and. starting up from the i couch whereon lie had been lying, he ! exclaimed : "I must do something to make me j more contented with my lot; and what shall it be? I have it; I'll seek for ! contrast. I'll visit the lowest districts in I the city, gaze upon the pictures of misery ! presented there, and perhaps visit the ; prisons, where many are cast for the i worst of all crimes, poverty; and then, perhaps, returning to my home, 1 may find contentment in the thought that such ' poor creatures would even sell their souls i for luxuries like those by which I am ! surrounded." Dressing himself, he sallied forth, i{ scarcely knowing or caring whither he : bent his steps. He entered the first j sireet-car lie snv approaching, and iur a i few moments he gave himself up to I thought. Amused at length, he found lv: Imd ridden up-town, and he MBfcLtcii, with Lin'intention of returning, ]Wu!it th'it moment the dismal vehicle for ilie transfer of criminals from the Tombs to tiie Island passed him. lie heard boisterous laughter within, and he also thought i.at he detected groaniogs, So he mechanically followed alter, and it was not long before he stood by the river's batik, while directly opposite .w,ts the dreary prison. To visit that insti tution was now his purpose, but at that moment an aqnaintnnco joined him who had business at the Asylum for the Insane, and Prist ut once resolved to bear him cqrnpany. The institution, was soon roucUul, and in passing through ib, the attention of the young man was..-attit acted by a face that seemed strangely familiar. He paused and guzed at the maniac, trying to recall where he had aecn her. For some time he was unable lo do so, and was abo.ut to turn, away when it flashed through his mind that it wss <"the very young girl he had met months belore, and of whom he had thought so much. Yes, there could be no mistake. 'J here was the same sad face, although much paler; the same melancholy eyes, 'but now:with a tinge'of wilduess-about them, and her form was considerably emaciated. Turning to the attendant, he asked : " Who is that young girl?" " " 0," was the reply, "her name is Baker—Lora Baker. A very interesting case, Mr. (Jrist. bhe is perfectly harm less, but has strange fancies. Of course, like all others, she thinks that she i^ not insane ; but hers is a clear case of mad ness. Her uncle, who is a respectable physician in the cit3 r, and her only guardian, was compelled to place her here, but it almost broke his heart—poor man." The eyes of-the maniac and those of Crist met, nnd she turned upon him such i an appealing look that it went to his heart and caused him to tremble. Then the young creature turned away and covered her face with her hands. " Will you1 permit to hold a brief conversation with her?" asked (Jrist ot the guard. " Certainly—as long 88 you please."_ Approaching her and never doubting but that s|io was really mad, he asked, in kind tones : '' JLora, are you not pleased that I have visited you?" She turned, looked; hi,in i/ill in the faco

for a moment, and then replied : " Sir, it Jfiayj.be possible thai I am mad, for T have no recollection of having [met you before, and-yefc you call mo by name, and say you cviiii1 (o visit me.' Tlierc wa^ lib tiffing of f!ie maniac in that expression, and afc once tin uncon trollable dt'sdre Look possession of Crist td converse with Jut' fir. irrt'i',"'* imd Lo learn from her own lij>s lio^plhinu oijher history. He invited Jtev tcj sUsp near air open w,in dow, and she readily consented. (>=iice there, no me woulq lien1 the words spok(]U, an 1 he s:ii;! i " " Lora, 1 !i:yy6 iioaf'd reporis fo the efTcct tlmt persons liave been 'itnjusHy derained iv. this place, although I cau scarcely credit thei^. If you are willin;.:,' i should like to hoar something of your freru your own lip^. l "Uo you know me i Have ire ovor met before P" "Lora, 1 came here by chance, and

here I first learned your name. The confession may appear a singular one, but I/.will tell you-that ;C met you in the street sometime sinceVrand tliat I have always ruiaembei'edyou." Tin; hofc.bloodjnbuiited into the pale cheeks of the'priW girl, but she said, and herher voice trembled visibly : .'•lf yrt;i;. mft t aie in New York, it must have" been at least six months ago."

"It was."

" You never saw me but that once ?"

'• Never but that once."

" You hare remembered me since, and recognized mfl-wheti you saw mS here?" " You speak correctly." "It is strange —very strange. And do you recollect where you met m>i ?" •' Perfectly well—it was "in IvlcDougal street."

" Yes, and near my home—home ! O, God, my home," and the tears sprang into her eyes. Crist was touched, and gently taking her hand, he said :

" Come, Lora, tell me all about your self." "O, you would not believe me, bi^t think me mad. t have told my story to several in the hope that they would aid me. They listen to the maniac's appeal, but go hence and forget me, for they think my words are but the fancies of a diseased brain."

" But I will help you if I can. Tndeed I am inclined to think that you are as sane as myself." " I thank you for the promise, and I will try once more. I had made up my mind to close my lips for ever, and die here, but something in your manner has revived hope afresh in ray heart 4; and I will tell you all, think of my words as

you may. "You may speak in confidence, and I hope you will do so without restraint." "I will be as brief as possible. I distinctly recollect ray parents, although' I was young when they were taken awaj r from me by death, fpuj home jvas one ot luxury. I was an only child, and in dying my parents committed me to the care of my uncle—my father's brother. My home was no longer a h.om,c pf, luxury, and my treatment was hot lemd; so I grew up a sad, almost broken-hearted girl. At the age" »(# sixteen my uncle resolved that I should marry his son. The union, was hateful to me, but I felt myself doomed, and dare not refuse. But death claimed the young man, and this gave mo some relief. "My uncle now became more harsh than ever, and at length he brought me some written documents, which he requested me to sign. I saw that the documents bore the signatures of witnes ses, although none were present, and I did not know the signers. I began to read the paper, but my uncle checked me, and then 1 refused to sign. He struck me a violent blow, and then, dragging me to an attic room, locked me in."

" Lora, would you recognize that paper if you should see ita^ain?" " Yes, readily. And it was stained with one single drop of blood which fell upon it, drawn from me by the blow I received."

" VY'uTI, youwcre locked in an attic — what then!"''

"It was totally dark when I was placed there, and L sobbed the night long.. When morning came, I saw hideous grinning monsters around me, and I was almost 'dumb with terror. 'Those- mons ters wore the -leu tons of hunaan beings and of animals, my uncle %,cii\g apliy sii-iun, having placed them there. For three days and nigbfcs 1 remair.rd in that prison, and my uncle visited me several times. He brought me scanty food, and at each visit he importuned me to "sign the paper, but I refused untii_ I should bo made aquainted with the contents. Angered beyond nvasure ,at my obstinacy, he left me at length, swear ing a fearful oath that I should reman th^-ro and starve."

" Were there uot other members of the household?"

'■ No one but a servant, who was never permitted to visit the upper apartments." " Well, continue youi recital."

" Desperation seized me, and I resolved to escape and fly, I knew not whither, but any pl^ce away from him—my cruel uncle. lat once set nbout effecting my escape, in a few hours I had made-an opening in the roof, and I passed through it. I sped along on the top of the build ings, and at the extreme end of the block, I found an open scuttle. I descended into the room below. It -was late lat night, but I heard sounds of voices below me, and I waited until the sounds were still. Then I tried to make my way into the street, but I was discovered and seized. The word ' thief" was hissed in my ears, and then an ollicer was called. I was dragged along paralyzed with fright, and 1 have a; dim' recollection of hearing the iron door of a prison cell cjose upon me, when I fell fainting', to the floor. '~' ';."• „

';"But morning came, and. I was taken before the judges. My trial was brief, and I received my sentence. I tried to tell my story, and I found listeners, but I was horrified to see my uncle enter. Ho held-a brief conversation.. with the judge, and then two men came and exa mined me. Breathlessly I waited to see what turn matters would take, and then I i'uund that I had been pronounced in sane, and that a committal to this asylum had been made out.

"I did not know the 'horrors1 of;this place, and as it did not bear the name of prison, I felt, a relief, so I said nothing, and hero they brought me." ■',My poor child." ''I soon learned, however, that of which I had never before dreamed, that i was iv prison, and oue where my agony was rendered complete. For many long viT.?!ts I remained liere, and at length that which seimied r an opportunity to escape presented itself. I was left alone oufeido the buildine^ and. ran, for ; rth© water's side. L sootf^Sw that I was 'pur sue,d,:-but ;fear and; hope!combined, gave mv" strength and "speed. 4 /'When! reached the river, I sawtha* it vras covered with ice, and I sprang ati once upon it, and"- still continued my flight. Gla'.ei -g beliiod I saw my ptusuers, and in my frantic energy 1 heeded not the danger belbro toe'j but; I soan plunged, headlpclg into ii«e water, for tli,e } ipu .e^to.^jied .only a] portion of the way across. " Then I knew I was drowning. Sweet music sounded in my ears, and beautiful visions werfcbefore my eyes. I felt that

I was nearing hoaven, and that I could see the glories on the other side, and I gave up all, for I was ready. " Some time after I awoke. Death had not come to my relief, for I vras in my cell, and before me I couli see the dreadful iron bars which held mo still a captive. I had been rescued from that which would have been my watery grave, and I Was still doomed to suffer upon the caith. But a terrible illness followed this event, ariel for many weeks I lay half unconscious of my situation. At times I prayed that a merciful God would take me to "himself, but my prayers w.ere not answorca. Perhaps He had Has own good purpose in'permitting me to still live." ■ i • i "-Poorerriid it wms f-t»afc you might, oe restored to happiness," " Sometime. I dared to hope so, bnfcali my dreamTngs of freedom arid joy had only terrible awaking. One after another listened to my story, even, as I have related it to you; and then hope would spring up anew in my koul, :\nd I would wait and pray, only to be plugged into despair deeper and darker than ever. "And now what more shall I tell you i I do not believe I am a maniac, but I fear I shall become one, "or die, if I remain in this place much longer. I do not fear death, but oh, I would like to die surrounded by sympathetic hearts— I would like io die ueav those who would bid me an affectionate "farewell, arid kiss my lips jusf; oace before they were quite cold and had ceased to murmur words of love and gratitude." ; , r " Lora, you. shall be free and nappy. Now, you may rely upon my promise, for I will not lose a moment's time till I have fulfilled'it. I must leave you now, but three days shall bring me" to your side again, and then your sorrows will be ended. Adieu!" t . ~Jt Crist extended his hands, -which-.the young girl siezed and kissed passionately, while hot tears fell upon them ; bufe she murmured a farewell word., and once more she was-left alone.

A^ the young man \ra3 retarg.;pg to the city lie revolved poor Lora's story over and over in hjs mind. There were moments when he was almost forced to believe he had only been listening to the chimera? of one demei.ted, for the narra tive'appeared too romantic to bo real; but he had resolved on his course of action, and he had nut the least idea of hesitating in the matter. He had learned the ad : dress of the uncle, and to that he pro^ cceded. He did not enter, however, but passed oh to the other end of the block. Making inquiries at a residence there he found that the story of Lora's arrest was true.

He proceeded to the police court, and there another portion of hor story was confirmed, just as.she had related it to him. He also learned that it had been the uncle and two of his friends, (physi cians or pretended physicians) who had pronounced; Lora insane, and upon their evidence she had been committed.

It is not necessary to follow the move ments of young Crist for the next few hours. Suffice it to say, that be was busily engaged in arranging bis ■ plans, and that the hour of nine o'clock that evening found him 'at the uncle's door, '1 he old doctor himself answered the summons, and asking.the business of his visitor, the young man replied : " Dr. Baker, lam the frr;; J.-J" • ™:w% physician who h too poor v / • I a subject for dissection just at present, and he requires a human skeleton. You are an old and lamed, practitioner, and doubtless have many which are quite useless to you. If you have one you would dispose of I would pay you liberally for it." .-"-.■. " Humph! yes!" and the doctor held up the light he carried in his hand, and closely examined his visitor from head to foot. Then he said :

" Who are yon, youu£ man?" "My name is William Crist. You may have heard of my family, who are wealthy, and reside.in Lexington Avenue." " O yes—l recognize your face now. I know your father quite well. Walk in, young man,andvl will see what-I can do foi'-your friend.'' Crist followed the doctor to an apart ment on the. second-floor and at the reau of tlie dwelling.'" Here'-ne was invited.to sit, and for a moment he felt a pang, of remorse for the treacherous Rame he was playing; but then came thougU-ts of poor Lora, and he felt that he was avtly rightjly. He had also time to study the t'ace of the uncle, and he was certain that he sjiw mirrored there almost every wild passion which could possibly have found lodge ment in the breast of the arch fiend him self.

" Now young man," said the doctor at length, "if you will ajo with me I will phojv you'wlwt I hayp," •

The heart of Crist beat rapidly as he followed up one, two flights of stairs, and reached the attic. Was he here to fiud another ovidenee of the girl's sanity and her uncled crime ? Yes. A door was opened and he entered a small apartment. All around him hung ghastly spectres — eyeless sockets, gaping jaws, fleshless bones, aud extended fingers which ap peared ready to clutch the intruders. Crist had never witnessed anything of the kind before, and he shuddered, ■with very horror while he thought of poor Lora and hei; imprisonment there. But he managed to remain calm. Once he glanced at the roof over liis head. There was no opening to be seen, but there had been one quite large enough for a human form to pass through ; but it had- been closed anew, as the fresh carpenter work plainly hhowed. Appearing notto notice this ho selected a skeleton, . spying that he would send for it the next; day, and then.both' proceeded to "the. apart ment they had first entered, where; the. price of the purchase was fixed and; the* money paid. ■: 0■ : eGS A\ rith the..,doetor :Crist, now proceeded to the street door, preparatory,toloaving. It was opened, and instantly several dark' forms sprang into the hall-way. The light was dashed from the doctor's haads and all became total darkness. A smoth ered cry escaped the villain, but a firm hand clutdied him by the throat; and all sounds were hushed save the words ot one of the .party, who simply said : I ■-" " Bringthern along." Up the s tail's both the doctor arid Crist were taken, each firmly bound with cords. They were placed in* chairs, and £key saw their captors, yet saw but lit tie, t'ov the six ruffians were marked, and their featurew entirely concealed. Two o^

them took positions, each bi the side f the doctor and Crist; and.'kldW nJ, looking knives at their throii, they ga fd "If you are wise now, *)u ! att(-rnpt to give the alarm," ' 10

" Oli, I will be silent," noaned tU doctor, "and I hope Mr. >i ß fc {I{ T ' silent too," his face wearing v exnrp oo of absolute terror, as he spob. n " co this young dandy is nnaod Crist is he? Glad lie's here, alhomjh " didn't expect to find him. G<t diamoj n watch, and, no doubt, lots of nion™' Go in boys—vre'ro in luck,' and til" proceeded to strip Crist of hi-treasur ( Then the doctor was exmined, C.i nothing of value found on hisperson.'sav a key of the safe. A number of p'ape-\ were taken from it, and opend out upon \ a. table. They were closely examined I and then one of the robbers Slid: ' i ■-' PtshafcW — worth, nothing. ti ere j s will; of one Sherwood Baker'"fcaVimTfo- ! his daughter, Lora, all his pnperty, and this very house included. Ard here are Vac original deeds which proves that tiherwood Baker was the sole owner Here is a quitclaim deed, cade ois i n favour of -Dr. Baker. It is witnessed, but not signed by Lora, whose signature' is reces?arv to make it worth anything What's this? ); Why, there is a spot of blood iinon it!"

For an hour the robbers busied them selves in searching the house, and then they left it. After they had departed, Crist began tuggiag at the cords which bound him, and after a time lie managed to release himself. He then proceeded to unbind the doctor. "Shall I call the police now?" asked Crist. " 2s To—not yet. Let me see what the robbers have taken." . After a gewch, he continued : " —nothing but the papers. They did not find the money—luckily there was not a large amount here, as I have it all in the bank. You are the heaviest loser, Mr. Crist, for they cannot use the papers." We had better notifiy the police at once." " No—l dare not to night. Perhaps I will do so to-morrow; and yet a reward will bring back the documents." " But i shall notify the police, depend upon it, Dr. Baker," and rapidly Crist _ passed down the stairs and into the 'street. The next day a handsome carriage drove up before the Insane Asylum. It contained "William Crist and a noted attorney. A brief conversation was held with the keeper, a document placed inhis hands, and then Lora Baker was called. She came trembling forward, and as she recognized the young man she uttered a cry of joy and sprang to his side. "Free —free, ' were all the words spoken by Crist, but that was sufficient to open the floodgates of the poor girl's soul; but she .went iniong those who now ; knew all; and who deeply sympathized with her. Back to the city the whole party re« turned, nnd Lora was placed for safety at the home of Crist. But the work the young man had taken in hand v; as not yet over. It was not long after that he was jflgain at the door of Doctor Baker, and "tin's time he was accompanied by two officers, who were armed with a warrant for the srrest of the villain. The charge was made direct and pointed, and when the vrVetch heard it all, and knew that Lora was free, he uttered a wild cry and fell fainting on the floor. Consciousness soon returned, but with that conscious ness reason appeared to have fled. He raved madly, made desperate attempts to take his own life, and in less than one week after he was taken from a prison cell to another, located in the very asy lum sriiere he had hoped Lori had been doomed for life. Lora listened in wonder to the recital, but not until she had been, for some weeks, a happy wife. One eve ning she was presented to six, noble looking gentlemen, and her husband said: " Dariing, you now see before you the robbers of which I told you. Here is your father's will, and the deeds, the re sult of that robbing. My diamonds, TOajbch, and money' were returned to me soon after, they were taken-at my own home, and by these friends.

Old Doctor Baker died a raving maniao. — JS Tew York Mercury.

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

THIS DAY.

TiiE CALEDONIAN.—I46B OZS.

LODGED

MOANATAIEI—7B7. OZS.

Geahamstows, 2 p.m. The Caledonian have lodged 1468 ouuees. inoro to follow. The Moanatairi have just completed a spleudid crushing. They have lodged 757 ozs from 752 tons. 1 Tlw Imperial Crown tribute have crashed: thirty tons, yielding twenty ounces. ;: 7<T - I^ie G-oWen Crown tribute crashed forty tons, with a yield ;of fiftytfour ouuees-. Mr. ;. r Greorge Price' has met with a severe accident at the foundry ty jamming his1 hand in a crusheri The Maid of Otago has left for O fcago, wi,th" 4ZH3OQ feet timber. "it is' proposed "to widen the wa hamstowri Wharf twenty feet, and ruu double lines of rails, carrying all goods, and thus obviate erection ot^ good? wharf. The work will'be exe cuted hy private enterprise,

THE CALEDONIAN.—MINE MANAGER'S REPORT.

The following is a copy "of a telegram^ i received from the mauager:— -. "10.3 a.m. . ■ « The main run is still looking firajgjj "rate - SOOlbs. of specimens l^t mght. Shall pet out- more to-day. There « no cl'.aiige elsewhere. We ore cutting . j through "reef #t bottom level, opposite iero.Jn.' The^fhas large q«fj^ .^^ mundic,--and^^ppper ore, dw luvvtj eeyuuo gold.- \

THE EVENING STAR, AUCKLAND, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER, 25, 1871.