Year: 1876

And how did he pass these hours of soil
tude? In writing sermons, or reading theo
logical works, or mapping out duties and Ia
bors for himself among the people2 No. HI
would sit up for hours 10 reverie, with fixed
downcast looks, his hands listlessly folded be
fore him, his books unopened on the study ta
BILE, many of them covered with dust. They
had lost their charm for him, and be preferred
his own unwholesome thoughts to their di
vine and healthy teachings-thoughts o.
money, and what money could do-golder
visions floating continually before him, ma
king everyday occupations appear pro6tles'
and tame, and robbing even his high calling
of its sacredness and beauty in his eyes. The
work once so gladly and willingly performed
was now reduced to mere drudgery. The
home he had once loved, the domestic comfort
he had enjoyed, now seemed poor and bare
and valueless. Even family ties seemed te
have weakened in their clasp upon his heart
He would steal off, when no one saw him, and
gloat over the chest which had made all this
misery, but which was to make, as he'beieved
bis fortune and happiness Sometimes he
would pass his hands over the surface of it
almost carressingly, feeling its strength, and
lingering over the massive lock, as if by the
touch of bis fingers be could persuade it to
open, and revealto his expectant eyes the val
uables hidden within. Obi that his vision
could pierce that iron barrier, and satisfy his
longing mind as to the reality Of its gorgeous
'imaginings! This suspense was intolerable
What would he not giveto end it?


Could it be ended-and how?


Only in one way-by the death of the own
or of the chest; that is, before the end Of the
allotted term of years which must expire, &C.
cording to the provisions Of the will. One
of the years had passed-nine more were in
prospect. Nine weary, tedious years to drag
their slow length along! He felt that he
could not endure the waiting-he would
surely lose his reason in the interval. Some
times it seemed to him that he was already
losing it. ...........T Then that darker thought
would come, that was ever lurking like a
grim shade of evil in the background of his
refections-a thought vague and shadowy'
like phantom, yet with a certain fearful
suggestiveness of outline, only needing few
bold touches to give it the necessary distinct
ness of detail.


What if his brother could -be-made to
die?


Murder was horrible word-it was hor.
rible thing. He would not think Of that
word. Did he not read aloud, every Sunday,
from the chancel, ''Thou shalt do no murder p


But somehow, though his thoughts never
actually touched that point, they revolved
around it, now approaching, now receding
from it, always with dread submissiveness
to the fascination of power which they
Iuuov coosEP1T nc Ss1"nseo' s'nn"1
tudes presented themselves to his miDd-a
child pursuing butterfly in meadow
catching and imprisoning it, and watching its
gay Auttering life die gradually out; that was
not murder. An angler, who flung his line
in the stream, and drew his quivering captive
out of its native element to perish slowly
upon land, did not commit murder. A per-
son who knew that certain prepared dish
was poisoned, or that a certain state of atmos.
phere contained the elements of destruction,
would not commit murder by suffering a fel'
low.being, or an animal, to eat of that dish, OF
breathe that atmosphere. Yet the same end
came alike to all.


And then, he thought, how useless were
some lives How meagre, and aimless, and
Improbable, was the existence of some Of
Gods creatures on this earth.


Still, they were Gods creatures, and had
right to live. Had He not placed them there


But it was pity, nevertheless, that they
should stand in the way of others, as they Of
ten did-especially where they derived nc
benefit, no enjoyment, themselves from their
own existence. Could the choice be offered
them between a prolongation of this tedious
vegetating life, and painless termination tc
it, ought they not willingly to accept the lat
ter?


Then again-if his brother should live to
inherit this bequest, what use would he make
of it? He was so eccentric-he had such
odd, unaccountable ideas at times. What if he
should fancy to dispense it all in charity te
the poor, or give it to some public fund, in
stead of reserving it for his own kindred, who
he might think, had already sufficiency o1
this worlds goods, and needed no more
There was no telling what folly-what mad
ness-he might be guilty of! 1t would be al
most thing to be deplored if the money did
ever fall into his hands His judgment was nc
better than a child's. He was no more capa
BILE than q child would be of managing SC
weghty an affair. How much better that
some one should get it who could put it to q
wiser use. How much good, for instance, be
himself could accomplish with larger means
if he had them! How he could enlarge his
own usefulness and add to the comfort and
happiness of his family


1t was wonder that, with these thoughts
preying upon bis mind, he could 60 through
his church duties even as creditably as he
did; but he managed to fulfill them 30 as tc
avoid any special remark, though his parish
toner's noticed that he was looking rather spir
itless and dull, and thought that his manner
lacked something of its wonted fervor. He
kept himselfat this time very much aloof from
society of all kinds, only going out when be
was obliged, and seeing such visitors as he
could not with propriety refuse.