Year: 1877

The poor child tried to comfort me with
tender caresses and hopeful words, but
the words died away ON her quivering
lips and gave place to bitter sobs. And
1 could do nothing. Nothing? All, yesl
. one last hope remained to me. Some
days previous 1 had written to Mr. Matt
land, telling him of my desperate condi-
ton and requesting him to give me some
letters of introduction to the New York
law Offices, and that very morning had
received an answer in the shape of a
large, official looking letter, bearing the
address of Hon Mr. Carleton, an emf
nent member of the judicial bench.
Taking up my hat,I straightway bore the
letter to its destination, and having read
it the judge said to me glancing at me
kindly over his gold trimmed spectacles:


In few days you will hear from
me, and ! think shall have good rews
for YOU"


On the third morning after this inter
view had persuaded my sister to take
walk with me. During our promenade
we happened to pass before restaurant
in the neighborhood, whence a waiter
had just issued forth, bearing luncheon
tray, on which, among other tempting
viands, was a dainty roast chicken. My
poor sister involuntary fixed such a
longing, hungry look on the food as it
passed before her that it almost broke
my heart. On our return home, found
letter from Judge Carleton awaiting
me. Apologizing for the irregular form
of his invitation, he said he should be
happy to see me as guest at dinner on
the same evening.


As the servant announced me, Judge
Carleton came toward me, and taking
me kindly by the hand, introduced me
TO his wife and daughter, and then to
several of his guests who had known my
father. All were so kind and cordial to
me that in few moments 1 felt quite at
home. The dinner was.a brilliant one,
l was engaged in an animated converse
ton with charming and very witty
lady beside whom was seated, when
suddenly all my CAVITY fled from me.
l had just perceived at one end of the
table splendid roast fowl that domes-
tic had just placed there, The scene of
the morning and the hungry look in my
sisters eyes rose up before me and my
heart was wrung by the remembrance.
The next instant portion of the fowl
was placed before me. In the meantime
the lady beside me, finding / had sud-
denly become taciturn and diSraI gave
her attention to my next neighbor, and
left me to my devices and the satisfac-
ton of my greedy appetite 1 madesuch
good use of the liberty thus accorded to
me, that in few seconds every trace of
food on my plate had disappeared. Din
ner was nearly over when the converse
ton turned on lawsuit that my host
had gained for one of his clients.


Well said the Judge, laughing, the
case is one Of my best. I'll allow; but my
client deserves little mention too Just
look at the handsome present he has
sent me-" and he drew from his finger a
magnificent diamond ring, and handed it
for inspection to the lady who sat next
to me. In the midst of expression of
delight and admiration, the jewel was
handed from one guest to another round
the table, and Mrs. Carleton had Just
risen and was proceeding to pass into the
drawing room when her husband ex-
claimed, my dear, have you my ring?"


NO, indeed; Mrs M-returned it to
you few minutes since


Bless me, then where can it be-" he
said, shaking out his napkin, and feeling
in al Of his pockets, one after the other.
No one stirred from the table. and for
some minutes the room was i.lled with
confused hum Of voices and the jing-
ling of knives and forks, china glass,
brought into violent collision by the ex-
cited guests in their search after the
missing jewel. But the search was in
vain; the ring had certainly disappeared.


is how it is, said the Judge, joking
ly, that ring must be some wicked fairy
who has maliciously hidden herself away
in the pocket of one of our number.
Now, | am going to make proposal if
you willard which you would utterly
reject if it came from any other quarter;
but which you will accede to, coming
from an eccentric individual like me-"


Explain. explain" cried all the guests
in chorus.


a propose then," continued our host,
that before We leave this room We shall
proceed to search each other, the ladies
on this side, and we gentlemen yonder.
Let all who object hold up their hands. I"


At the word search" all the blood in
my veins rushed back to my heart, and
a cold sweat broke out on my forehead
and trickled down my face, which felt
had become ashy pale. / stood there
apart, with rush of sound in nv ears,
mist before my eyes. and swaying to
and fro like a man drunk with wine.
And through it all l could hear the
laughing voice of my host counting the
votes in favor of his proposal. Suddenly
he confronted me and said in peculiar
tone and with a significant glance at my
arms which were tightly folded on my
breast:


And you, sir, 90 YOU not approve Of
my SUGGESTION


Il do not, sir, replied with outward
firmness, but with face paler than ever.
A silence as of death succeeded these
words, and every eye in the room was
turned in my direction.


Il beg your pardon for this foolish
joke, sir" said the Judge after pause, in
tone which I shall never forget. Il
would rather be the loOser of ten thous-