American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-01-27
PAST.

IASl.
The air of Harrow on theHill must be
peculiarly bracing, if the proverbial sen.
timent about the bird of st. Michael, at
tributed to the boys educated there, be
founded on anything like practical expe-
rience. The goose, they say, is an awk-
ward dainty, being too much for one, and
not enough for two. | know that if had
two sons who asked for more" after fin
ishing goose at sitting, should write
to the Times. 1t is true there are geese
and geese, and the specimen sent to the
Maplesons may have been exceptionally
good; but though they had gone into
training, as it were, by dining at six in
stead of one, and though they had the
fellowlodger to help them, they left pick
ings; and if some Harrovian curls the lip
of scorp, cannot help it; the truth is my
hobby.
When they had got their first glasses of
sherry after the meal, Harry said eve
must drink the health of Mr.. Anonymous,
please"
'Mr. Anonymous, repeated Susan, sip
ping
''Mr. Anonymous, echoed Mr.. Nickol-
son, who drank, and then added, "some
rclative?"
81 don't know" replied Harry. "He
is deed, or rather succession of deeds,
without a name. He sent us the goose,
he sent us the sherry, he has made us
more valuable presents. Do you think l
ought to receive benefits without know
ing from whom they Gomez
" Certainly not" said the fellow-lodger.
d" think you have told me that in one of
his first letters this unknown professed
friend of your-your mothers
Am | not cOrrect?'
Yes. But why such mystery?"
Oh, there are several reasons for that;
he may be ashamed of doing more. You
may have substantial claims upon him as
trustee of those funds which think you
said had been unwisely invested; or
he may have morbid dislike to being
thanked"
1T is strange anyhow" said Harry,
not have come forward to assist us when
we most needed it"
" When you lost your mother:'
eyes"
Perhaps" said Susan, che was not
in England then, and knew nothing about
what had happened"
nav IL tClJ Hhcil, Sdlu MI NlCHol-
son, especially as you were supposed to
be well provided for. Have you not said
so?n
Yes replied Harry; "our poor moth
ers little property was in a bank, which
broke, but, thank God, she did not know
what had happened. She died in the be-
lief that her children were beyond the
reach of sordid cares"
" 1t was about two years ago, l think
you have said?'
e" Yes, two years last August. l was at
college when summoned away TO her bed
side, for her illness was sudden and short
And just as we were recovering a little
rom the shock, ruin came. If | had
Deen alone in the world think | should
nave enlisted or emigrated, for felt very
desperate; but unfortunately had Susan
o look after, and that steadied me. Well,
he must not complain. was fortunate
o get my clerkshir, and we managed to
ave the piano, and a few things which
we're sacred in our eyes, from the wreck.
I" 1t was a sad blow and the cares of
ife have fallen upon you early, my young
riends," said Mr. Nicholson. " But
,ardon me for having led the conversa-
ion into such a melancholy channel he
dded, seeing that Susan had much ado
o restain her tears. | do not know how
I happened"
"Oh, Harry, and often talk over old .
ines; like il, said Susan. II would be
dreadful thing to avoid speaking OF /
mamma because she has been taken from 4
IS it seems to me that those we love are 4
My really lost when We Danish them
rom our memories
The old man bowed his head and sighed
eeply. Have YOU any likeness Of hers"
e asked after pause
oh, yes" replied Susan and she
use and placed a miniature in his hand.