Year: 1867

Mrs. Williams might have said that
he had brought this upon himself, but
she wisely forebore. Just then there
came the sound of u quick, buoyant
step, and there burst into tho room
fine, sturdy lad of about ten, his eyes
bright, and his checks glowing from
the keen, frosty air.


fIt's bitter cold, tell you 7 he ex-
claimed, fiinging his cap boy-fashion
upon the kitchen settee, and stepping
up to the kitchen fire. Not but what
I've been as warm as toast, all but
my ears and fingers ho added, blow
ing up the latter as he spoke.


Here is something for you, mother,
he said, seating himself on a stool at
her feet, and tossing into her lap
shining piece of gold.


Why, Arthur, whore did you get
this?


'The strange gentleman down at the
tavern gave it to me, mother. He
asked me into his room, and gave me
as many nuts and raisins as could
eat, beside


Il wonder who he is she said, mu-
singly.


Il can tell you,' exclaimed her hus-
band, his eyes flashing angrily. 'Ho
is the man who bid against me on the
few articles | wanted to reserve. The
curse of the homeless rests upon him.
NAY, john interposed his wife,
gently, perhaps he did not know how
| highly you had priced them
'Yes he did; Parson Brown stepped
up and told him, but he only smiled,
and said he wanted to buy everything
just as it stood


WELL said the boy, gazing thought
fully into the fire, / can't help plying
him, he looked so sorrowfuI. lie ask
ed me great many questions about
you, mother, and all the rest Of US, and
kept walking up and down the room,
wringing his hands and groaning as if
he was in great trouble
Il will buy you a new coat with this,
Arthur said Mrs. Williams, as she ex-
amined anew the gold coin. You
need one badly enough she added,
| glancing, with sigh, at his well patch
| ed roundabout.


you shall do nothing of the sort,
mother said the generous hearted boy.
You shall buy yourself and sissy
nice warm shawl


Before Mrs. Williams could reply
there was q quiet knock at the door.
Farmer Williams opened it. 1t was
only boy who brought small par
Gel for Mrs. Williams.
Another New Years gift, I sup
pose,' he said bitterly, as he handed it
to her, for he was in bitter mood
Mrs. Williams glanced reproachfully
at her husband.


God grant that it may bring US
much comfort she said, laying her
hand fondly upon the head that was
resting against her knee.
As she opened it she uttered an cx-
clamation of surprise. 1t was a deed
of Red Stone m-house, made out in
her name. On the inside wrapper
were these words:


FInasmuch as We did it unto the least
of these, We did it unto me-


There wero grateful and happy
hearts beneath the roof of the old home
stead that night, though with Mrs.
Williams joy there was mingled an un-
easy feeling. She was well assured
that it was in some way connected with
Arthur, and trembled with apprehcn-
sion lest some one should appear who
had stronger claims to him. This fear
was dissipated the next morning by
letter that came to her in the first
mail. 1t contained a check for five
thousand dollars, together with these
| words:


'The boy that you so generously re-
ceived ten years ago, and have so ten
derly cherished since, will never be
taken from you. The mother, forced
to relinquish the babe, dearer to her
than life, is now in heaven. The
father, who so basely forsook his child,
and her whom he had sworn to cher
ish, is unworthy of so sacred trust.
In s. Bank you will find the sum
of twenty thousand dollars deposited
in the name of your adopted son, of
which he is to come into possession
when he is legally of age, and the inte-
rest of which is to be appropriated to
his support and education during his
minority


To this singular letter there was
neither date nor signature. There
were various conjectures in regard to
the stranger, who had been in the vii
lage for some days, and from whom it
was evident this letter came as we'll as
the package received the night before.


But when Arthur recalled to his
mind the look of sad, remorseful ten
derness with which he had regarded
him, he felt that it must have been his
father. Yet he often said, as he look
ed into tho face of his adopted mother,
that he wanted no dearer friends than
those he already had. And as for Mrs.