Year: 1871

oN.eo N'"o nun uoWu~iuSt, fOSf, LUST IOT
ever and for ever moment since he
dared to live, now he dared not to die.
That awful horror lent him superhuman
strength. Threading his way through the
flames, which were now rising all round
him, nc crept down as far as he could,
and then grasping the broken handrail,
swung himself over, and dropped as best he
might, depth Of some fifteen feet into the
hall below. Fearfully burnt, he had just
strength-still holding his burden in his
arms-to staggcr into the street, and fell
senseless into the fremen's arms.


For many weeks he hoverel between
life and death, in the intenscst physical
and mental agony. For most of the time
he was delirious, and haunted by the mem.
ory Of that awful moment when standing
on the brink Of death, he had looked over
into the abyss Of eternity. As he regained
his reason new terror came over him,
the dread Of the consequences Of his crime
lie never woke without fearing to find the
officers Of justice at his bedside, waiting
to carry him before the judge But this
last fear had lost its former horror being
as it were. swallowed up in his overwhelm :.
ing thankfulness at having been saved
from a far greater crime, the crime that
knows no repentance. On his bed of pain
he prayed as never before-prayed with a
penitent and thankful heart and by the
time he was able to sit upright he was
ready to endure without finching the
shame and pain of his punishment. For
some weeks the evil day was delayed; but
at last, as he was beginning to regain
strength, visitor was announced, and his
employer entered the room. With beat.
ing heart, but still resigned, he felt that
his hour was come, and nerved himself to
meet it. To his surprise his master made
no allusion to his misconduct, but kindly
praised his courage and his daring deed !;
and the thought flashed across him that
his folly and sin were still unknown, and
if he did but keep his own counsel, might
so remain forever. The temptcr whisper
ed, BE SILENT and for moment he was
inclined to yield; but his good angel
triumphed. With bowed head and
downcast eyes he told the story of his sin,
and waited to hear his sentence from the
man he had wronsed. For few moments
the good old man God bless him) was 81.
! lent, and then he said with tears in bis
eyes:


"My lad, I am glad that you have told
me this, very glad; although l knew it
before. You have committed great sin,
aud you have suffered heavy punish
ment. Thank God, who in his mercy has
saved you from far greater sin-a sin
whose punishment is for ever and ever.
You have been through fiery taial; let
your future life show that you have been
truly pursed in the fire. For your Of
fense against myself, God forbid that l
should add to your punishment-I for.
give you with all my heart, my boy, aud
you need have no fear about your coming
back to your place in the Office, for no
one except myself will ever know a word
of the matter. One thing, however,
you must promise me-never to enter a
gambling hou.e,--or stake money at
play"


THAT 1 do, sir, upon my hon" he
began, and then stopped short, as the un-
fitness of the word, from one in his situa-
ton, flashed cruelty upon him.


"Nay, lad," said the old man, holding
out his hand, " don't take it back, it is just
the way in which I want your promise.
Upon your honor, mind. 1t is tranished
now let it be the labor of your life to
make and keep it bright"
And with Gods help he did. lie rose
from that bed, where for so many weeks
he had lain in peril of his life, an altered
man. His former friends wondered at the
change and declared that he had left his
youth in the fire; but they knew nothing
of the fercer fire which during the long
weeks had ragged in his bosom, and had
scorched away the relish for youthful fol-
lies. Having stood so awfully near to
death he had learnt to value life and to
strive so to use life that death should be
no longer terrible. Aud, so striving, God
prospered him. The father of the little
girl that he had saved was wealthy man, +,
aud with generous kindness helped him
even against his will. His kind old mas
ter stood his faithful friend, and even
made opportunities Of showing his conf
dence in him and for many years past he
has been partner in the firm, rich and
respected merchant. Very few know his
story. It is not very merry one, but it
was uppermost in my mind when Efhe
asked for story-it mostly is on Christ
mas eve, aud therefore 1 have told it to
you. -,


"Who was the young man, uncle =
said childish voice. Have We ever seen
him."


"Yes, my dear, you know him very
WELL"


"But what became Of the little girl that
was saved, uncle? Is she still alive yet"


"My dears," said uncle Herbert, the
little girl is now your aunt Alice"


Just then the freight, which had grown
dim, Aickered up in blaze. Aunt Alice
bent over uncle Herbert's hand aud kissed
it, and as she raised her head, we could