Year: 1873

nzHunHln1nm in fit of mysteries, while the madman was capering about her in the most fran tic manner, making frequent lurches at her with his pocket-handker travel ing cape, Charley's brandy flask, and,

 As I marched valiantly up with my rear guard, mamma looked up through her tears, with the oldest imaginable ex- pression, and faltered out in Q tremulous whisper, Why, my darling child. don't you know this gentlemanY

 .Horrid memories of Mrs. Nickleby and her vegetable adorer associated themselves with my consciousness of mammals late distracting anxieties, as beheld her posi- lively smile at this crucial moment.

 (That last is another phrase weich I have always aspired after, but never be- fore achieved.) - Goodness gracious, mammal He is as mad as 8 March hare. He came on the train with us, and it is mercy he didn't murder us ali.' Perhaps I didn't say l quite all that, for the dreadful German suddenly whirled around, and catching me up bodily from the floor, kissed me seven times (Charles counted lem. Yes, you are right, young man, said he to Charley in passably good English -sher dimple is an improvement on mine, but you had best not forget that am the one to be thanked for this little minx, dimple and all! .f ss 1 Of course it was papa-it alwaysis papa | If anything out of all reason happens. It seems that just before sailing he must needs make way with his moustache and whiskers, and become utterly beardless for the first time for 9 years.

 l An old acquaintance whom he met on the steamer not only failed to recognize him, but when finally convinced of his identity declared that even his wife would be at fault, he was so completely unsettled. Still he had no intention of experiment. ing with us until he met us face to face | In U1ie Ia1lIoau wa1LIng-IUUn without O ripple of recognition on our ingenious countenances. He was so astounded at our behavior, that it was some time be- fore he could convince himself that we were not feigning; but then he revenge fully set up his little limp, and brushed up his German. The gray glasses he had ship-board that he still chung to them (and still clings), while our missing him on the dock was owing to his expressing search for his luggage in the depth of the steamer, which luggage was 0f course in mammals room at Chester, having come off with us when he himself was left be- hind through his own awful infrmity. You can perhaps imagine the torture to which l am subjected on account of my 'absent-mindedness,' as papa delights to call it, and it is in vain to tell him that, thanks to him, I was born to this herit- age of woe, and that if it hadn't been for mamma I shouldn't have come naturally by wit enough to have known my own fa- ther under infinitely less trying circum- stances than his total disfigurement. He still doubles himself up every little while in an agony of laughter over some fresh remembrance of our journey, and keeps Charley and me uncomfortably warm with his basely caricatured rehearsals, or congealed with terror at what he may next choose to remember or invent. But honestly and most seriously, dear auntie, these torments are nothing to what en- dure in my heart of hearts, in tho knowl- edge that identity is such dubious thing, and that is was possible for me to meet and be so long within touching nearness to my own precious (though very trying) father, whose coming had so longed for, and yet not dream that it was he. Not the faintest culver of sensibility nor shad- of thrill in the child's heart in her fathers presence, just because her eyes missed a peck or so of brown hair from his dear old face.

 You needn't ask me why didn't know his hand or his foot, or his 'Winthropy' nose or his broad shoulders, for that is what ask myself in vain continually l only know, that although could have taken oath previously that should re- cognize any Invisible square inch of him 1T haven't the least idea how much or 1it- tie a square inch may be) anywhere and any when the trial came, did not recog- nize him in his entirety Ca few hairs more or less oughtn't to count), and this, my dear aunt, will leave a little ache ill my heart as long as I live.

 But l didn't mean to be criey, dear aunt. We are all well and jolly (consid- ering my drawbacks and Charley's).

 Papa's cough is entirely cured; but am happy to say that his wicked pulmo- nary performances yesterday have left him so hoarse to-day that have several times been obliged to tell him didn't t understand German. If you only could keep anything from your husband, l should beg you not to put such weapon against me into his hands as my tale will afford. But don't ask impossibilities, only in your great compassionate heart pray find little sympathy for this poor little soul, who feels as if the very foun- dations were shaken since she cannot even be sure of the personality of her own fa- ther. -...

 Lovingly your niece,

 FANNY WINTHROP"