Allegretto. THE SUMMER LEAF. FROM THE COMMON SCHOOL SONGSTER. The summer leaf, the summer leaf Is spreading fresh and fair; The blooming flower, the blooming flower Gives fragrance to the air. b 2 The verdant fields, the verdant fields, Invite the gay to rove; The sportive birds, the sportive birds, 3 The meadows rich, the meadows rich, 4 The winding stream, the winding stream, The morning beam, the morning beam, 5 Fair nature smiles, fair nature smiles, And tells to every heart, There is a God, there is a God, These blessings to impart. THE YOUNG LADY'S FRIEND. [Written for the Young Lady's Friend.] THE CHOICE. BY MISS MARY M. GRIFFIN. Reader, see you yonder mansion, so beautifully shaded by those majestic elms, the ground in front so gently sloping, and its green surface interrupted only by the strait walk which leads to the door? See you yonder garden, from which the air is even now bearing to us the sweet fragrance of its flowers? It is the dwelling of Inez Stanley. Shall I describe her? She is not an ideal creature, living in fancy's bower, only to sigh away the existence God has given her. Though possessed of striking beauty, her fair symmetrical form never moved in the mazy dance. Though there is music in her sweet voice, it was never heard in the song of revelry, nor did it ever waste its sweetness in the scenes of mirth. But she is seen, fair reader, in woman's loveliest sphere; in the scenes of want and misery; raising the suffering and neglected of her race to comfort and happiness. Her voice is heard in the chamber of the dying christian, caroling songs of praise to God, as preludes of the songs of angels. Often, too, is she hailed as the messenger of peace; the presiding angel of those who need her counsel and assistance; for often has she caused the widow's heart to sing for joy, and brought the blessing of friendless orphans upon her head. The suns of eighteen summers have passed over her, and she is still "Inez Stanley," and is now seated, with her mother, in the little parlor, the windows of which overlook the garden; but her mind is in a deep reverie."Inez, my dear," said her mother, "what have your heart and mind been so absorbed in?" Inez made no reply. دو "From cradled infancy, my daughter has had no thought or wish, which was not willingly laid before her mother's heart; has she a secret now?" (( No, dear mother, but-I have been thinking of that dreaded decision;" and a deep blush overcast her cheek. "Well my dear, it is proper, that, in your present situation, you should think of the subject, and come to a decision. Perhaps, however, your profound meditations have brought you to some conclusion.” “ No, not any, mother.” “ I am sorry to hear it, for you should not keep in suspense two waiting hearts so long; some time has elapsed since you have been obliged to think seriously of the subject. I do not wish by any means to hasten you to a premature decision, but I shall soon begin to think my daughter has lost, in some degree, her decision of character. You ever have been decided on such subjects. I would not wish to chide you, but a mother's duty leads me to speak plainly to you. "My dear mother, how can I decide this difficult question? If, in previous instances, I have been decided, it was because my decisions were in the negative." "True, Inez; but if you wish to decide now in the affirmative, and you cannot give the affirmation to both, why not consult the state of your own heart and bring the feelings of your bosom to a contrast in regard to both your friends?" "I have endeavored to," replied Inez, "but I fear there are selfish motives in my heart which draw me to the one, while affection bids me not forget the other. Would I had not been called to the painful duty of making one of the friends I most respect, and who is the dear, chosen companion of my only brother unhappy, and of casting a blight over the first vow of affection. Decide for me my dear mother; I will be happy in your choice." The troubled, beautiful Inez bowed her head and wept freely. Inez had only one brother, who was two years her senior. At the time I write, he was a member of a university, and had nearly finished his collegiate course. He had passed his days free from the contaminating associations, which generally mingle with, and despoil the brightest gems of our land. As a scholar he had always stood high in his class, and his firm decision against the temptations of his profligate classmates, soon raised Edward Stanley as a moral model. Many, however, were the dear friends he had found in pursuing his college life, and these were ushered to his father's mansion, to become the friends of his father, mother and beloved sister. * He knew not the many aching hearts he had caused by their acquaintance with Inez. Some of Edward's companions had sought the heart and hand of Inez, but, although she loved them as friends, she had, until the time of which we speak, decided their suits in the negative. Among the number introduced to the friendship of the family, were two young men, whose characters presented a striking contrast. Albert Hadley was an only son, and heir to a large estate. He was his father's pride, and all the affection of a mother's heart and a mother's hope rested in him. His every wish had been gratified. Though naturally possessed of an amiable disposition, indulgence had crushed control over his own spirit, which often led him far astray from the path of duty. His fine form, gentle, yet manly grace, united with high, scholastic attainments, gained him a ready entrance into the highest circles of beauty and fashion. When he first saw the sister of his friend Stanley, he was struck with her beauty and the amiability of her character, and soon spent as many of his leisure hours as possible in her society, yielding his heart's affection to the sway of the gentle Inez. Albert owned to Edward the magic of his sister's power, and expressed his desire that she might shine as a star in the fashionable world. Edward had hoped that Albert might love his sister. Edgar Washburn was the second to whom I refer. Trained from infancy beneath a widowed mother's watchful eye, it is not strange he should offer in the principles of his character, a contrast to Albert's. The property left by his father had been devoted to the interests of Edgar, and the days of his early childhood had been spent far different from those of Albert Hadley's. With a pure heart and refined taste, the counterpart of a mother's virtues, he entered the dangerous career of a collegiate course, and had passed unsullied, and with many a triumph, too, to the senior class. Edgar had always been the friend of Edward Stanley, but he now seemed eclipsed in the heart of Edward, by the brilliant professions of Albert Hadley. Nevertheless, he too owned Inez as his beacon light, his guiding star. Her interests, however simple, were his own. He planted her sweetest flowers, culled her favorite ones, and seldom was he seen to approach the dwelling of the queen of his heart, without the emblems of her purity. Albert walked with Inez. He listened with enraptured emotion to the mu * sic of her voice. He viewed with interest the drawings sketched by her hand; admired her painting and embroidery; and, in various ways, known only to a lover, expressed his admiration of her. Inez would often sit with Edgar, and listen with delight to the selections he loved to read. Her sweetest, plaintive song was sung to soothe his spirit, and he often declared that his sad heart was cheered by the delightful influences of her sweet notes. If a scene of sorrow presented itself before the charity of Inez, Edgar was her companion to the lowly cot. He advised, and his judgment was generally owned superior. Such was the state of affairs, when, nearly at the same time, the young gentlemen both declared their love, and both sought the heart and the hand of Inez. Edgar, with a trembling hand wrote the tale of love which breathed the feelings of his bosom, and, with a sigh, placed it at parting in the hand of Inez. Albert declared his admiration, and told how ardently and how sincerely he loved. Far different were the motives which actuated their bosoms. Albert wished Inez might shine as the belle of beauty and fashion, and adorn his fashionable dwelling with her ease and grace. Along with the homage of his heart, he offered his wealth. Edgar could offer nothing but a true, devoted heart. He sighed that she might become his companion through the path of life. He knew well, the christian graces which adorned the character of Inez, and as a follower of the meek and lowly Son of God, as a messenger of his gospel, he wished for one like her, to walk with him in the ways of truth, and to shed the gentle influences of her spirit over him. What now must she do? Her happiness depended upon the choice, and which should she choose? Her brother had whispered his choice in her ear; it was that she should become the wife of his friend Albert. But to return. Inez wept long, for her tears were the gushing of suppressed sadness and of painful suspense. The tear of sympathy filled her parent's eye, for well she knew the struggle in her daughter's bosom; but she spoke not, till the flood of tears was dried from Inez's cheek, for she knew her feelings would be more calm, and her aching heart would be relieved. "Inez, it is not right that I should decide for you," said her mother; "let your intercession at the throne. of mercy, bring heavenly guidance to your aid. I would |