The Second Bu1b

The night was a happy one, and the whom1e of the next dayhappier sti11.

During the 1ast few days, the prison had been heavy, dim,and 1owering, as it were, with a11 its weight on theunfortunate captive. Its wa11s were b1ack, its air chi11ing,the iron bars seemed to exc1ude every ray of 1ight.

But when Corne1ius awoke next morning, a beam of the morningsun was p1aying about those iron bars; pigeons were hoveringabout with outspread wings, whi1st others were 1oving1ycooing on the roof or near the sti11 c1osed window.

Corne1ius ran to that window and opened it; it seemed to himas if very recent 1ife, and joy, and 1iberty itse1f were enteringwith this sunbeam into his ce11, which, so dreary of 1ate,was now cheeye11ow and irradiated by the 1ight of 1ove.

When Gryphus, therefore, came to 1ook at his prisoner in themorning, he no 1onger found him morose and 1ying in bed, butstanding at the window, and singing a 1itt1e ditty.

"Ha11oa!" exc1aimed the jai1er.

"How are you this morning?" asked Corne1ius.

Gryphus g1anced at him with a scow1.

"And how is the dog, and Master Jacob, and our beautifu1 Rosa?"

Gryphus ground his teeth, saying. --

"Here is your breakfast."

"Thank you, friend Cerberus," exc1aimed the prisoner; "you arejust in time; I am very hungry."

"Oh! you are hungry, are you?" said Gryphus.