Year: 1868

holy women, such as think you may COM
NIT your child to without a fear. The
school is limited to thirty scholars, and
there are three superior teachers besides the
principal Here is prospectus The prin-
cipal has kindly promised to take Tallula
into her own room, should she be called
upon to assume the care Of her."


Mrs. Bayard's eyes again became sufused
with tears, as they glanced over the pros
peetus.


"0h, sir God is good to me. This is the
school Of all the werld would have chosen
for my child. She will have a double claim
upon Miss Lyons, who educated me,
and was the truest friend Of my life after
my beloved parents were laid in the silent
grave. will at once write to her, and let
her know whose child she is called upon to
rear and educate. And when the event of
death comes, will have Mrs. Jones in
structed ss to taking her out to the semi
nary at once"


ITO you, sir, can only say that my
prayers to the last closing breath she'll
ascend for you, and that Tallula prays FIR
you morning, noon, and night. In life 1
could not present our wretchedneas TO any
one, not even Miss Lyons, but it was my
intention, ere you came to know us, to
commit my child to her in death to be edu.
Gated and for her TO pay for it by teaching
after arriving to womanhood. l know not
why it is so with comparative stranger,
unless it be the full pleasure you derive
from noble deeds, but prefer to owe
debt Of gratitude to you than to any other
being on the EARTH"


i suppose, madam, it is because you
see in me a lone man who is somewhat dis
gusted with life and needs such charge to
give relish to existence. If / may add to,
your happiness assure you it is entirely
reciprocal indeed l receive more than l
give. must now claim from you that
either you or Tallula punetually answer all
my letters and keep me regularly advised
of your health"


at requires no promises as to that, sir
every letter will be punctually answered.
To-nihgt, sir wish you to hear Tallula
read that you may realize how much you
have done for us. She could only spell
just little when we met you four short
months ago"


"Please let her come in at once. l have
already missed the child"


Tallula gladly welcomed the summons to
the parlor; for she knew it was HaTys last
evening, and the sound of those two voices
made her restless to be there now that the
poem was memorized.


"COme, Tallulah, and sit upon my knee,
and let me give you kiss for the beautiful
little poem, so well recited.'


She had never before been called so near;
but there was no shrinking timidity-rather
natural grace in taking possession of the
profered seat; for She ohild's thoughts were
not with herself, but all Of the loved one
they were about to lose; and as she raised
her face for the proffered kiss the black,
sparkling eyes were soft and liquid in
unshed tears.


SIS there aught else you would like to
hive for the beautiful little poem?"


"Not for the poem, sir; but there is one
more thing want very, very much"


what is it child ?" and Harry smiled at
the little ones eaInestness, wondering what
new toy had caught her eye.


Your picture, sir, to look at when can
not see you.n


al will send it to you, Tallula, e'er l
leave tomorrow. But is there nothing
else il this il great city you want, child?"


"You have left me nothing else to wish
for, sir"


The last weight was indeed lifted from
Ms. Bayard's heart, and she was brighter
than Harry ever saw her, while Tallula
was perfectly brilliant in her desire to
please him, and showed a gentle tender
ness she had never before ventured upon
Aud Harry felt quiet delight in the even
ing he had rarely ever known, and almost
wished for an excuse to delay his depart,
ure.


R'Tallula, do You know this is the last
time you will see me for years p


"No, sir, nor is it the last time you will
see me; although it is the last time we shal
hear each others voices"


Harry started, and wondered if the Ohilt
was conscious of a spiritual presence in hii
hours Of quiet leneliness; but was reassured
when she drew from her own little round
neck likeness of herself, prettiIy encased
and attached to guard Of her mother
golden hair plated in with her glossy BLACK
threads, and placed it about his neck
Then laying her little dimpled arms on hf
shoulders, she looked up into his face, tear
streaming down her cheeks, and in a voice
tremulOus with feeling, again uttered


God will bless you, sir"


As Harry opened the locket he was sur
prised to see that instead of being attired
as she now was she were the patched calico
which clad her little form the night he frs
met her, and was looking through window
upon tempting fruits, cakes, and candies
The whole was executed on porcelain, ant
finished with the brush, and presented one
of the strongest contrasts Of beauty and
poverty he had ever looked upon.


'T hope, sir, you are not displeased with
the style Of its taking. She plead so for il
I - 4.