Year: 1865

Jamie's first sensation was that of indig
nant wrath; the blush ran in angry torrents t.
bis cheek and brow, and he shook his small
fist impotently in the direction which the ia
man mad taken But in an instant feeling O
forlorn wretchedness came over him; no tempt
ing bit of cake-no purple grapes for poo
IKaty-perhaps not even a superior hl
knew his mothers wages must go towards th'
rent of the room. They depended entirely OF
his exertioDs for their evening meal, and tht
sun was declining in the West already.


The reflection was too much for his boyisl
heart, and he was sobbing violently, when &
gentle hand was laid on his shoulder. He
started up, and before him stood pleasant
| gentleman, who had watched the whole trans
action.


"There, my boy" he said, laying a silver
dollar in the boys hand "thst will set yeu
up again. No thanks; the money was intend
ed for some piece of extravaganza, and
choose to use it thus. But remember this, my
boy, when you are pushed down in the race,
don't stop to rub your bruises, but pick your
self up and start again.


Jamie thought the smile with which this was
said the pleasantest and kiudest expression
that ever frightened human face; but ere
| he could stammer out his thanks, the gentle
man was gone.


The boy started for home with light and
joyous heart, stopping to purchase the cherish
ed morsel of fruit and cake on bis way. The
gentleman walked leisurely up Broadway
Seeing in a bookstore the title OF Il newly
published work that he had such desired to
read, his footsteps involuntarily turned in that
direction, but in an instant he went on, but
| toning up his pockets and murmuring to him
self with a smile-"Cant afford it; one luxury
in day ought to be enough" There was a
vast difference between man and child in their
capacities for enjoyment, but both were happy
that night.


The supper was joyful ceremony in the
garret-room that evening. The grapes pleas
ed Katy's appetite to charm, and the story
of the dollar was listened to with interest.


II wish I could see the kind gentleman" "
said the child earnestly "I would give him
my beautiful rose, if he liked flowers"


She looked strangely beautiful that night,
her head resting upon her brothers shoulder,
while Jamie fed her with the juicy berries, one
by one, as a bird might feed its young.


"Why, how bright the color in your cheeks
is," cried Jamie. II believe you have been
stealing the red shadows from our favorite
rose. Mother am sure Katy will get well"


The next morning, while yet the golden
spear of sunrise was in rest among purple
hills, Katy died.


x


The moss of twenty years had gathered up
on Katy's headstone; the violets of twenty
years had blossomed over her grave, and it
was a glorious summer day, whose light
streamed along the busy thorougbfare, and
shone on the magnificent marble erection de-
voted to the extensive operations of the cele-
brateI Bank of X.


A splendid carriage cushioned with velvet,
and glittering in the sunshine, was drawn up
opposite the door, waiting to take the great
banker to his palatisl home.


The spirited horses, foaming and prancing,
could hardly be curbed, and the driver looked
wondering toward the door, and marvelled why
his usually punctual master did not come.


Mr.. Arnet stood in a little Office opening
from the main bank, where the long rows of
clerks were bending over their desks. He
was looking over a little pocket book which
be always carried about him, for some note or
bill, and as he turned its pages, bit of fold
ed paper dropped out.


The banker opened it, and although twenty
years had deadened the first edge of his sor-
row, the tears rushed to his eyes as they fell
on the contents. A pencilsketcb, rude and
unfinished of meekbrowed child-a lock of
soft brown hair, and that perfnmed dust of a
crimson rose; those were dearer to the banker
than his vaults of yellow gold.


As he looked at them, a tremulous voice
without arrested his ear.


81 would be glad If you would buy, gentle
men, for my need is very great. 1 have
sickly daughter at home who m ust be fed"


"Be off about your business" was the sharp
reioinder. 81 won't let you in. Don't you
see you are not wanted here"


The voice seemed to strike a responsive
chord in the rich mans heart; surely be had
heard its mild tones before. He partially
opened the door and called out sternly:


''Mr. Waters, show that gentlemen in if you
please"


The abashed clerk obeyed, but not with
out surprise, and the old man, with his heavy
basket of strawberries, came humbly into the
private room of the great banker.


"Will you take chair, sir" politely inquir-
ed Mr.. Aruet, moving forward a luxurious
fautersI.


The old man, taking off his hat said:


"Sir, fear that intrude on your valuable
time. If you would buy some of my fruit
necessity, you know, is strong, and my power
ty is extreme. l was not always in such
position"


Mr.. Arnet watched the proud turn of that
gray head with singular smile; then sitting
down to his desk he wrote off a check and
handed it across the table.


Zone thousand dollars!" faltered the old
man as he read, turning red and white in
breath. He held it toward the banker.


"Sir, hoped you were too much of gen.
tlemau to make sport of age and distress Is
there anything to jest about in my want?'


Not at all, sir. You spoke of = sickly
daughter. 1 have a cottage vacant just out
side the city, with fountain, grounds, and OBJ
servatory. If you and your daughter will oc-
cupy it rent free, shall be very glad to have
you take care of it for me-"


The old man stood white and breathless as
if in a dream. In an instant his hand was
taken in the clasp of the great banker.


"My, friend, my benefactor, you have for
gotten me; but my youthful memory is strong
er than yours. Is it possible that you have no
remembrance Of me?"


The old man shook his head.