Connecticut western news., 1874-08-28
THE MAGIC MIRROR.

THE MAGIC MIRROR.
 The Old Year was fast drawing tt close. But few hours, and the ad vent of it's successor would be hailed by merry shout and joyful gratula tions, mingling with the merry chime of the bells ringing out 8 noisy welcome rom church towers and steeples.
 Adam Hathaway, a wealthy mer chant, sat in his counting house striking Q balance between his gains and losses for the year which had nearly passed From the smile that lighted up his countenance, as he drew near the enc of his task, it might safely be inferred that the result proved satisfactory.
 He at length threw down his pen, after adding up the last column, and exclaimed, joyfully, "Five thousand pounds, net gain in one year. That will do very well-very we'll, indeed. If I am as we'll prospered in the year to come, it will indeed be Happy New Year."
 His meditations were interrupted by a knock at the door. He opened the door, and saw standing before him a man of ordinary appearance, bearing under his arm something, the nature of which he could not conjecture, wrapt up in brown paper. I.s-..
 "Mr. Hathaway, I believe ?" was the strangers salutation.
 "You are correct" .,a t..
 I" Perhaps, if not particularly en- gagged, you will allow me few minutes conversation with youY o- .
 H Yes, certainly" was the surprised reply "though am at loss to con lecture what can have brought you here" a=
 "You are wealthy man, Mir. Hatha- way, and every year increases your object in accumulating so much pro- perty?" .,.,j
 "This very singular question, sir, " said the merchant, who began to enter tain doubts as to his visitors sanity ; livery singular. I suppose I am in hueneed by the same motives that &C., tuate other men-the necessity of pro- viding for my physical wants, and so contributing to my happiness"
 "And this contents you? But your gains are not all devoted to this pur- pose. This last year, for example, the overplus has amounted to s5,O0O."
 "I know not where you have gained your information" said MT. Hatha- way, in surprise. However, you are . :" And what do you intend to do with this ?" -. ,-.. -.
 "You are somewhat free with you1 questions, sir. However, I have no objection in answering you. I shall lay it up."
 For what purpose? Ineed not tell you that money, in itself, is of no value. idle ?"
 "How else should I enjoy itP I have comfortable house, we'll furnished should. I purchase one more expen- sive? My table is we'll provided should I live more luxuriously My wardrobe is well supplied-should I dress more expensiveiy ?''
 '" To these questions I answer No. But it doesn't follow, because you have 8 good house, comfortable clothing, and well-supplied table, that others are equally well-provided. Have you thought to give of your abundance to those who are needy, and thus to pro. mote your own happiness by advancing that of others ?"
 "I must confess that this is @ duty which have neglected But there are alms-houses and benevolent societies, There cannot be much misery that es- capes their notice" said MT. Hathaway.
 "You shall judge for yourself"
 The stranger commenced unwrap. ping the package which he carried under his arm. It was small mirror. with a veil hanging before it. He slowly withdrew the veil, and said, "Look l"
 A change passed over the surface of the mirror: MT. Hathaway, as he looked at it, found that it reflected a small room, scantily furnished, while a faint fire fickered in the grate. A bed stood in one corner of the room, on which reposed a sick man. By the side of it sat Q woman, with a thin shawl over her shoulders, busily plying her needle. An infant boy lay in cradle not far off, while @ little girl. called Alice, whose wasted form and features spoke of want and privation, was rock ing him to sleep.
 "Would you hear what they are say ing ?" asked the stranger.
 The merchant nodded acquiescence. Immediately there came to his ear the confused noise of voices, from which he soon distinguished that of the sick man, who asked for some food.
 "We have none in the house." said his wife. "But I shall soon get this work finished, and then I shall be able to get some."
 The husband groaned.
 ooh, that I should be obliged to re- main idle on the sick bed, when ] might be earning money for you and the children. The doctor says that, now the fever has gone, need nothing but nourishing food to raise me up gain. But, alas! I see no means oi recurring it."
 The scene vanished, and gradually another formed itself upon the surface of the mirror.
 It was small room, neatly, but not extensively furnished. There were two occupants-a man of middle age, and g youth of 8 bright, intellectual counten. ance, which, at present, seemed over. spread with an air of dejection.
 Mir. Hathaway, to his suprise, recog. nized in the gentleman Mark Audley a fellow-merchant, and, formerly, in. innate friend, who, but 8 few months before, had failed in business and, toe honorable to defraud his creditors, had