much harder trial when she was doomed to lose her treasured children one after another. Of six that she had borne, only two remained; Jack, a sturdy boy, an embryo tallow-chandler, already in his own conceit abundantly qualified to offer an opinion as to the processes of the melting pot-good-hearted, and industrious-over what he liked-and Abel, some two years younger, a pale thoughtful boy, fonder of sitting by his mother's side with his book, than of romping with his stout brother Jack. His mother's nervous system had received a severe shock before his birth, and it seemed from the boy's delicate habits and quiet, nervous temperament, as if he was doomed to pay the penalty. These were the boys whom Mr. Snobbins ushered into the parlour.

"Well, my young short-sixes, how are you?" said the Alderman, as they entered the room.

"I'm very well, thank your Worship," said Jack, in a laudable voice', like

Swift's P.P., and coming forward boldly to shake hands with the distinguished visitor.

Oh, Jack," said his mother, in a remonstrative tone, "you are too forward." "Not a bit, not a bit," said Mr. Gobble, shaking the boy's hand heartily.

"So,

my fine fellow, you mean to be a tallowchandler do you ?"

"And, I dare say, you think you are fit for one now, eh?"

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Yes, sir, I'm sure I'm big enough to begin; only father won't let me try."

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He won't, won't he? Well, you see, my boy, I think perhaps your father knows best; so if I were you I'd go to school a little longer, and then see what he says."

Very well, sir," said Jack, with such blank disappointment painted on his visage that the Alderman could scarcely keep his gravity. He took out half-a-crown, and held it up.

"Would you know what to do with this, Jack?"

"Oh, yes, sir," said the boy, his whole

face brightening up,

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oh, yes, sir." Well, tell me what you will buy."

Oh, sir, a new peg-top, for the one I've got is lop-sided, it isn't my fault that it don't spin well, everybody says it's a bad top."

"Well, but you'll buy something else besides a top."

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"Oh, yes, sir, I want some marbles, and I know where I can get some taws--beauties, sir, and some hardbake, and some string, and there's a boy at the back has got a tame jackdaw, and he asks eightpence for it, but I think I could get it for seven-pence, only mother said she couldn't afford it, sir."

And Jack stopped partly from want of breath, partly in awe of some cabalistic signs from his mother, certainly not because his catalogue of desirables was exhausted. The Alderman, laughing heartily, put the half-crown into his hand, and turned towards Abel, who all this time

had stood close by the side of his mother, and beckoned to him. The boy moved timidly forward and held out his long thin fingers in imitation of his brother whom he thought perfection, and idolized rather than loved; but in reply to Mr. Gobble's salutation he merely bowed shyly, and cast a timid glance at his mother.

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Well, my boy, how is this? why don't you speak?"

"Silence doth seldom harm,'" said the boy, in a low sweet tone.

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Why, how now, my little Solomon. Your youngest son is your pet pupil, I suppose, Mrs. Snobbins ?"

"No, sir, no more a pet than his brother; but Abel has been always delicate, and is quiet and bookish, and sits more with me. But you know, sir,

'Children pick up words as pigeons pease And utter them again as God shall please.''

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Oh yes, oh yes! it's all easily accounted

for. But, Master Abel, here's half-a-crown

for you what shall

you buy ?"

"Please, sir, I should like to buy a new pencil, and some ginger-bread, and a ball, a good bouncer, I mean, for brother Jack."

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Very well, and what else?" "Nothing else, please sir."

"What will you do with the rest of the money then?"

"Give it to mother to put bye with my Of saving cometh having,'

other money. you know sir."

"Yes, I do know, my little preacher," said he, much amused. He pursued the conversation for some time, and Abel's fair, thoughtful, countenance, sweet toned voice, and quaint sayings made an impression on him that was never effaced. In short before another fortnight had passed Abel was Mr. Alderman Gobble's acknowledged protegé, his adopted son, at the worthy Alderman's earnest, reiterated entreaty. He had no children of his own; he under