Year: 1867

tie in their little bed and see if you do not think
you could teach their little hearts to love you"


IT can do anything when you encourage me,
mother, and will try to be less sensitive and more
willing to obEge. If Johnnie would only love
me" ........


'He will Annie-he cannot help it, if you will
only appear in your true character, which do not
like to believe is either indolent or cross but OBJ
liging, affectionate and dutiful"


CHAPTER II.


Mr.. Carter was wealthy Southern merchant,
senior partner of an importing house, which was
thought to be of fabulous wealth and Rothschid
resources. Just before the opening Of our story,
he had been embarrassed by the failure of several
houses. He was now harrassed by the non-ap-
pearance of certain ships, freighted with valuable
cargoes, and only partially insured. Should they
fail to appear, he would be obliged to suspend
This, to merchant high in position and indu-
ence, whose word had hitherto been his bond be-
fore whose form banks had trembled, was blur
that was indeed terrible. But it was misfortune
without disgrace no one should point to him as
an insolvent man. He determined to face the
trial, wait given time for the appearance OF the
ships, and then, when struggle would only involve
him further, wind up his business and pay out, If
it took his last dollar. To man not only proud
of his mercantile honor, but proud Of his position
and family; proud of his noble Margaret; of his
bold brave boy-extravagant and wilful though he
was; of his playful, spirited jamie; of the quiet
Annie, of his little pets-Bettie and katie-and
most of all, of the dear wife, who had for years
been a companion and friend to him; this was in
deed trial, but one from which such thoughts
made him neither shrink, nor hesitate from accom-
plishing. True. he dreaded the moment Of reve-
lation He might suffer from the reproach OF
loved ones, from their anguish or bitter disappont
ment, but strong in his own rectitude, he never
faltered in his decision. He dreaded it for bis
wife.


Mrs Carter was quiet, patient woman, indul-
gent to fault, and yet with all her yielding, had
managed to retain the almost idolatrous love Of her
children Perhaps it was partly owing to the ex-
ample of the father; for if ever angel walked on
earth, Mr.. Carter believed his wife to be one
While at home, he always exacted perfect obedi-
ence from the children towards her, and taught
them to look upon their mother as choice treas
ure to be carefully preserved. Mrs. Carter's in
diligence and want Of discipline did much to coun-
teract this, yet still their love for their mother was
the one redeeming trait of the wealthy, pleasure
seeking and to some degree, selfish household
She had been so tenderly nurtured and depend
ent, as she was upon not only the comforts, but
the luxures of life, how could she bear the change
from afluence to poverty. The husbands heart
answered nobly for herself, but bitterly for her
children. How could she see them suffering for
their accustomed comforts and not feel most acute
ly the loss? He did not dread repining-he knew
her love forbade that; but far more, he dreaded
the care-worn look, the haggard face, the struggle
to hide what would appear in the thousand little
frettings, which even her luxury did not always
forbid.


And Margaret-how would she bear it His
heart sweed as he thought of his lovely daughter.
Educated from home, living out Of its atmosphere
for so many years. identified only with its rest and
luxury, how would her proud heart submit to the
ills of poverty? How wasted would now be that
finished education; how idle all her accomplish
ments how lost to the society she was so fitted to
adon Was there one point in her character he
could rest upon with hope, that she would endeav-
or to bear and bear patiently? Yes, there it was.
She would bear rossicey, perhaps patiently. There
was in her the elements OF character which IN
fortitude, frmness and energy, would make noble
woman. He trusted her.


And John-the father smiled sternly. The fact
of his boys manhood forbade tenderness. LET
him work." said he, as he rapidly dismissed him.


And jamie. His eyes filled. my bright, joy
GUS child She can make sunshine in shady
place " but will not stern poverty crush that hap
py spirit? Will she not become, under its hard
rule, fretful, impatient and discontented? He
would not believe it; there was material there for
activity and perseverance, for cheertuness and
submission Her sanguine nature would toll and
not know it, in the earnest purpose OF acquiring
future good. Crushed, she might and would be;
but the rallying would be correspondingy rapid,
and her hopeful nature would not suffer despon-
dency.


And Annie. He had watched Annie's almost
reyerential love for her brother; had noticed the
quiet performance of many little household duties
light and pleasant though they We're; and he
thought he discovered sterling qualities, which
would fit her eminently for the position Of wife
and mother Poverty was the school for sloth,
and if her keen sensibility could rise superior to
childish wailings, she would come out Of the fur
mace refined gold. But what, if following the i'm
pulses of her nature, vain regrets and copous tears
would employ the refining spirit, with no struggle
against the Incidence so habitual to her? He
would not think of it. The children he so loved
must aid him, and they would, for their mother $
sake The little ones were too young yet to feel
the change very sensibly their youth would be
guarded as it had ever been-the battle Of Life had
not yet commenced with them.


(To BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK


sa- Riches are not easily acquired, and when
acquired, are, with extreme care, preserved but
when death comes they are gone Be not, there
fore, too anxious for wealth. The poisonous tree


Il l..-, x,,,o S-,,ifa Of aYouisita sav0r .