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"SETKN UP.", " Why are you all so still, children P" asked Aunt Mary, coming into the nursery one evening. U 44 Oil, we are playing with a pack of Oards we have found In the old desk. Tom knows how, and has taught us ' old i maid/ and 4 solitaire.' " " Oh, that's nothing," said Tom, dis­ dainfully; "I can play 'seven up,' and ' poket-y Jim taught me, behind the stable.'* ." And does _>our father know it?" asked Aunt Mary, with a pale face. " Yes! and he* said he didn't care; * anything to keep me busy, and from scratching the panels of the car- f.-r ^riage.'". .. . I " Ah, me!" said Aunt Mary, and she • * 7pressed her arms tightly round Tom's neck, and kissed his cheek, shaded by his sunny curls. "Now','" she said, after a moment's reflection, " I would put away that dirty . pack of cards. I have a very pretty . * «||Btory to tell you to-night." '4 4'What's the name of the storyF" ̂T»cried they all, coming about her. v; a, " Seven Lip," she replied. -i*- ; ViP ** Vthat a funny name for •* Aunt Mary commenced: i s ! . ^ <4In a pleasant farm house, one win- -'•'/IjjtEyeve, after supper and a hard day's fwork at threshing, Samuel Grey rose from his chair with a sad, weary look, and stood before the drawer of an old .Imreau. -- „ 4 4 ' S a m u e l , w h a t i s t h e e d o i n g ? ' ,asked his mother, following him* 4 Thee is not going out to-night, when so tired.' , 44 4 Yes, mother!' he replied, taking up, with a sigh, a small calico ^which seemed well filled. 444 Why, that is the mortgage money, &amuel; what does thee want with that? It is not due till next spring.' 44 4 1 know it, mother; but I must have " this money to-night,' he answered, in a ijdetermined tone. S " "For what, my son? Thee has al- •'f;v%r*ys told me everything. We eafne ̂ the* money together" 44 4 1 know it, mother. All these j&emrs we have toiled to pay off the •imortgage left on the farm at my fa- .ithers death, and now it has all come nothing. Sit down in your chair, other, and I will tell you the truth, as trust I have ever done. I do not fear *??Vour blame, as I have ever loved your •praise. This one egregious error has mjfcaught me great lessons already. They il̂ ay women can bear trouble better than .•^uen.' fi'.i "Samuel's mother trembled very much, but she sat quietly down. Her Jaee was pleasant to look at--healthy and fresh, with a clean Quaker cap Crimped about it. She could not be- iMHeve that her son had done anything Yerywrong; but all was a mystery, •if: ««Lastt evening you know how late I -<*sBtaid awav, and I presume you thought was with Ellen at the farm; but I was Hot; more is the pity. I went on an ,-fCrrand to the tavern, to get some oil <>;tor our lame horse's leg. The bar- ifroom was a blaze of light, and all the l ,4)oys were there, and I stepped in to <l<f*varm. There were two finely-dressed gentlemen from Boston sitting around S table, calling for the best of port •^jVine, and treating the company. They 'iballed me to join so cordially that I consented, and felt rested with the ^J^ood fire and "exhilarating glass. Soon ^'one of the strangers brought out a pack *>f Cards, and played with Joe Lampson jand Jim White. I sat and smoked in He corner, and did not take much no- ice of the game. They played for ,5Scigars and wine, and then for money, j^jjand the game was 4 seven-up.' Now, * was a boy I used to have an ex- ^fpellent run of luck^ at cards, and beat everybody; and I suppose I was elated •with my reputation; for when Joe |>^«mpson said. 441 have won $200," I astonished, especially when the ,*«i£trangers paid it over as quick and •^^ifeasy as they would brush off a fly. I thought, 4'If dull Joe has won so quick­ ly such a sum, whv may not I, who am ao lucky at cards ?f" 4 4 4 They urged me to take a stand, •Jt?$ttiid the sight of the new bills on the •v**4 Merchants' Exchange Bank" so won J» * *tipon my better understanding that I drew right up to the table. I thought *^:*!>niy of winning: I never thought of los- r Jng. We played and won, and played and lost, and lost, and lost. Oh! m#hothtir, I lost all this money quick as ^ s® flash; Mid they taunted me that I * Mteould not pay; but I must pay it, or Jppiave my honor lost before the whole ** Village. I know how wrong it was, ibut it hard work will make it up to t;i^ou, you shall never want.' Here Sam **lbroke down and cried like a child. . '"Thee is welcome to take the j.^money, Sam,' said his mother, quietly. I wish thee would promise never to .^./touph a card again.' 'Dear mother, I ili#polemnly ' 4 No, Sam! no oaths. tiv? Remember thee will be tempted this •3 very night to try and win back this very money.1 , 44 4 No, I have seen too many winks pass between those two men. They ' Hire gamblers, who have come down to *7 'imposeupon us 44green-horns" in the • a country. When I think how many hard days' work I have performed, V -and how* many chickens and eggs you have raised to sell, all for one good ob- f - Ject, and that my cursed follv has ruined but* all, I am ready to despair.'" 44 *1 shall liot live long to want money, Sam; I only thought of thee and Ellen, who is goon to become thv wife. ~atnnel groaned, aiiu left. tue house s t« }V1- heav>" heart. He knew by the twinkling light across the fields that s- .«**»„<• Ellen aat * i • • , . . 14*1 tu ' 1. >. . -mm JMf'::* I * \ J ' Ellen sat watching for his visit, but he sped on toward the village, until, stamping the snow from his shoes, he entered once more the tavern. Again, m a private parlor, he found the com­ panions of a previous night. He went firmly up to the table ana deposited his money. 41 have come,' he said, in a bold voice, 4 to pay you what you won me last night.' The man merely waved his hand, on which shone a jewel, toward him, in a negligent man­ ner, and went on with his game " 4Oh a mere trifle,' he said; 'time enough by and by.' 44 Sam turned toward the fire, with a .groan. Evil thoughts took possession of his mind. 4 Can some men 'take money thus easily by the toss of card or the turn of a die? And yet after all my honest labor, must I be turned from my humble home, and, my happy prospects broken up forinrfly two desperate gamblers?' Fiei** f>as- sions seemed at war within him, as the sweet visions of former hopes passed away. He did not notice that there were mutterings of wrath at the table, and one after another was fleeced in his turn. " Cries of4 unfair,' «unfair,' were met by contemptuous sneers from the suc­ cessful men who pocketed the gains. " Samuel's little roll of bills still laid upon the table, and he could not bear to leave it there. It seemed sacred money. 4 How little my father thought when he left me the farm, with only this mortgage as an incumbrance, that I should prove so recreant to my sol­ emn engagement to take care of my dear mother. Oh! God forgive me and spare me, that I may do better in the future.' And at that moment a softer emotion sprang up in*his heart. He felt a loathing for sin of all kinds that he had never felt before, and a de­ termination to shun even the smallest deviation from duty, if its retribution was so dreadful. "This was a more desirable state of mind; and a humble spirit breathed its blessings over him, as he rose up and buttoned his thin coat over his breast, again to face the cutting wihd of the wintry night. 44 About this time a handsome sleigh had driven.up to the door of the tavern. The horses were flecked with foam, and the frost hung about their trappings, showing how swiftly they had traveled Two strong men leaped" from it, and hastily entered the house. The host came obsequiously to the door. They drew him aside. 44 4We have tracked two notorious black-legs from Boston here, and think­ ing they might be making a little mis­ chief, have come down. Indicate, I say, the room where they now are, or shall we arrest you as an accomplice? Quietly!' as the gleam of a revolver shone in the cold moonlight. 4 In there, in there!' stammered the land­ lord, trembling with alarm. The de­ tectives came very softly, but not so gently that the gamblers did not listen intently. One said, 4 Throw the cards in the fire! raise the window! hark!' Just then the door was violently thrown open. 4 Ah, my hearties, well met! We have had quite a drive for you;' ad­ justing handcuffs all the time, as though they were used to the business, in spite of the desperate struggles of the two mfen. 44 4 Now, my birds, we will see what yon have caged!' said these minions of the law, and forthwith began to piek their pockets, having laid them at length on the floor. 44 4 Counterfeit bills in plenty, some golden eagles, silver. Get pen and pa­ per, landlord, and state the amount. Now, young men,* the Sheriff said, ad­ dressing Samuel Grey and his friends, who stood in silent amazement behold­ ing the scene, 4 we might consider you under arrest for gambling, but pre­ sume you Were just green enongh to be entrapped by these Boston youths. Didn't understand the ways of our wicked city. However, I will just ad­ vise you to beware of bad company for the future; it does not lead to pleasant results,' 44 4 How much hare you been robbed of this night?1 4 There is my money," said Samuel, as each one stated tne amount, and pointed to the roll upon the table. 44 4 Well, take it, and go instantly," said the men. 44 Samuel obeyed; and when once more in the silent fields, and within sight of his mother's cottage, he fell on his knees and wept aloud, giving thanks to.God as he had never done before. He was not yet twenty-one; life was before him; hope again dawned; let us trust that the sad lesson was not in tun. 44 The old mother could not knit the long, blue woolen sock that evening. She paced the low room with prayers and tears. Never, in her lonely widow­ hood, had sorrow come so heavily upon her heart; and when the door opened and Ellen stole gently in, to inquire what was the matter, missing her lover, Aunt Rachel threw her arms about her neck and gave way to grief. So Sam­ uel found them when he returned, most unexpectedly, to change their hearts to joy." I do believe," exclaimed Tom, who has listened attentively, "that this is is the very cottage where we are visit­ ing grandma. I mean to ask Uncle Sam when <he comes home, to-night, from the wdods; for grandma's name is Rachel." There was a general shout, and the cards were voted out unanimously, and consigned to the fire, with much merri­ ment, while Aunt Mary hoped, secret­ ly, that her nephew had learned a les­ son he would not soon forget, from the ^story of his uncle's one sa!d fault. A Swarm of Vs, THIS first American paper published on the Pacific Coast was the Califor- nian, the first number of*which was issued at Monterey in the fall of 1846. The types and press once belonged to the Spanish authorities and were used to print their public documents. Ev­ erything used was in a state of dilapi­ dation, but that seemed to be of minor consideration as soon as it was possi­ ble to put forth a sheet containing let­ ters, whether they were legible or not. Instead of w's two v's were used. In explanation of this the foliowing ap­ peared: OUB ALPHABET.--Our type is a Spanish font picked up here in a clois­ ter, and has no W's (W's) in it, as there is none in the Spanish alphabet. I have sent to the Sandwich Islands for this letter, in the meantime vve must use two Vs. Our paper at present is lhat used for vvraping cigars; in due time vve will have something better; our object is to establish a press in California, and this in all probability we shall be able to accomplish. The absence of my partner for the past three months, and my duties as Alcalde here have deprived our little paper of some of those attentions which 1 hope it will hereafter receive. VVALTIB COLTOH. --Five feet one inch; 140 pounds; bright and sharp gray eyes; action quick and nervous; foot small. That is the Widow Oliver as seen by the Wash­ ington Post reporter. ^ 1 AMI FlftURBir . .. LAWYERS have fleeced the Erie Rail­ way out of $400,000 since 1875. THE Pacific States say that Asia con­ tains 460,000,000 of people, and can spare 60, (XX),000 and not feel the loss, outnumbering the present population of the United States. This is one of their objections to Chinese immigra­ tion. THE estimated cost of the police force for Paris for 1878 is about $4,000,- 000, and there are 7,695 men engaged in the business pf preserving the pub­ lic peaoe. . The fire brigade is also un­ der the control of the Prefect of Po­ lice, who is at the head of, in one way or another, nearly 50,000 people. THERE was a total of 75 railroad ac­ cidents in January of this year, where­ by 28 persons, were killed and 77 in­ jured. Eight accidents caused the death of one or more persons, ten caused injury less than death, while 57, or 76 per cent, of the whole, re­ sulted in no injury severe e&ouirh for record. . . THE daily consumption of lucifer matches in France is estimated at the rate of half a dozen per head of the population; the proportion for England is as high as eight, and it reaches nine for Belgium. Basing the estimate upon that of six per head per diem, the daily consumption of these useful little arti­ cles throughout the whole of Europe is set down at over 2,000,000,000. The weight of these matches varies consider­ ably, those most use in'France giving about 1,840 to the pound, while the same weight will yield three times as many of tne round and square descrip­ tion common in other countries. As­ suming, however, 1,700 as the average, the daily quantity of wood consumed in their manufacture would amount to some 800 tons. Poplar and aspen are generally preferred for this purpose. The weight of the former per cube foot, when squared and reduced to available dimensions, is about twenty pounds. Making all allowances for loss by sawing and other causes, that arise before the wood becomes convert­ ed into a marketable article, it is found that out of a cubic foot of rough un­ hewn timber, not more than a quantity equal to eighteen pounds can be prac tically utilized. It is calculated that more than 50,000 persons are employed in this industry in Europe, one estab lishment alone in Austria numbering some 5,000, and the total value of the production reaches a very high figure. NEWYORK CITY'S population is about 1,200,000. The number of families liv­ ing in the city is 185,789; dwelling- houses, 67,200; houses containing three or more families are classed as tene­ ments, and number 20,000, with a pop­ ulation of 500,000. Of this number, 528,198 were born in the United States, while forty different nationalities sup­ ply a population of 419,094. During the past year there were 20,000 mar­ riages, 35,000 births and 30,709 deaths. The total value of property within the city limits is set down as $1,101,092,093, paying taxes to the amount of $32,000,- 000. There arc 489 places of religious worship--one church for every 2,045 of the population. There are 418 Sabbath- Schools, with an attendance of 115,826 pupils; 122,997 children are instructed in the public schools, at an expense of nearly $4,000,000. A careful estimate gives 10,000 children living in the streets, uncared-for. Of drinking-sa- loons, licensed and otherwise, there are 7,874, absorbing about $60,000,000 a year, while the total cost of supporting the 489 churches is less than $5,000,000 per annum. This would give each boy and girl in the city a capital of $300 to start life with. To these saloons is chargeable 75 per cent of the pauper­ ism and crime of the city. The city authorities--the Commissioners of Pub­ lic Charities and Correction--require $800,000 annually to maintain the pub­ lic institutions--the alms-houses, hos­ pitals and prisons. There were 92,830 ar­ rests by the police during the past year. Of the 47,569 persons committed to the City Prison, 35,676 were of intemper­ ate habits. The Police Stations lodged 185,124 persons; 22,782 out-door poor were relieved. Russian Characteristics. THE whole Government of Russia has been toned <down from the Russia of twenty years ago/ I witnessed in St. Petersburg the reception of the Em­ peror upon his return from this war. After leaving his carriage to go to his palace the people crowded around him and pushed him about as Americans would a politician. The reception was the most enthusiastic I ever saw, and he seemed to enjoy it thoroughly. It is true that some of the poorer classes of Russians are very ignorant, and the Nation itself is not so far ad­ vanced in civilization as other Euro­ pean Nations are, but it must be con­ sidered what a vast area of population there is to reach and civilize. The re­ sources of the country are infinite. In the neighborhood of the Caspian Sea there are rivers of petroleum run­ ning away, and the mineral wealth of the country is enormous. But the Russians have not the energy which Americans possess, hence the great bulk of this wealth lies undeveloped. They import petroleum from this country. The people are more con­ servative and careful in taking risks than Americans are, although many rise from the lowest conditions to po­ sitions of affluence, and some make their fortunes rapidly. A shrewd, ig­ norant fellow will crop out there and become rich, just as they do in America. They have not the great inventive faculty of Americans and other peo­ ples, and they are not very. quick to adapt the improvements of other Na­ tions to their own nse. . For example, in their immense grain trade they do not use elevators, but handle this prod­ uct altogether with shovels. They lose time in this way, and when their grain does get into the market it is generally dirty and sells for less than it would otherwise bring. Beside, it usually goes to market in bags, while in En­ gland and America they ship it in bulk, which makes it less liable to spoil. The people in the interior Provinces of Russia are, some of them, very igno­ rant, while the higher classes in the cities are as much enlightened as those of any other Nation. Not many speak always has been a very friendly senti­ ment on the part of the Russians to­ ward our country. The cause of some parts of the population being so highly civilized and other parts rather be­ nighted may be accounted for in the fact that the race, spread over such an immense area of country, is not easilv reached and centralized. But with their mineral wealth and other re­ sources there is an immense prospec­ tive power belonging to them. It is this that makes other Nations anxious and uneasy in issues like the present. It is this that Napoleon the First had before him when he spoke about his ultimately getting into his possession all of Asia Minor. The Russians de­ velop slowly, as is the case with all great Nations. They are badly priest- ridden, an<i that, probably, is a cause that keeps them back. Out of the 365 days of the year I forget how many holidays they keep, but they are a great many, and the giving of their time to these observances is an immense waste. But too much praise cannot be bestowed upon Alexander for his untiring efforts to promote the good of his people.-- Kr-Minister Boker in the Philadelphia Times. ' Death Ut a Miser's ! ̂ WRITERS of fiction have not" imag­ ined and pictured a more perfect miser than was, in fact, David Leach, who died alone, an old man of seventy-three, on his pile of rag-pickings, in the tene­ ment house at 264 Wayne street, Jersey City, on Friday last. Mr. James Har­ per, one of the Jersey City freeholders, owns the tenement, and has known Leach for twenty years. He said yes­ terday that he found the old ragpicker on ^Thursday morning lying on the pavement near his room, the center of a circle of curious women and children, and nearly unconscious. Mr. Harper picked him up, and, carrying the old man's inseparable rag-bag, basket and rag-hook, led him to his room. Leach said that he was subject to fainting-fits, and added, as he tottered to the solitary camp-stool: 44 Leave me now, James!" Mr. Harper went away, and returned twenty-four hours afterward. The ol man had fallen backward from the stool and died. The room is about twelve feet square, and, at first glance, appears to contain only rags and rubbish three feet deep all over the floor. A second look dis­ covers the top of a little cook-stove amid the trumpery, and two plain wooden tables, whose tops are level with the enveloping mass and piled with stuff. What is at the bottom of the pile is not known, but on the sur­ face are bales of rags, wash-boilers, crockery, bottles, cigar-boxes, rickety baskets, some rat-traps, machinists' broken tools, and all sorts of iron scraps, two fire bellows, old boots and shoes and burned-out stove-grates. Every old trap that could hold anything held worthless trash. One old boiler the miser had used for a pantry. There were in it a few spoonfuls of flour, Indian meal and tea, some rice in a bottle, a speck of ham on the string by which it formerly hung, and a lot of broken, unwashed dishes. For many years Leach ate only what he picked from the garbage boxes. A narrow mantel behind tne stove bore a handsomely pictured vase and some broken lajoips. Two oil-cloth jackets hung from a wall in a corner, and across the room was stretched a cord holding a blue flannel shirt and a towel, as though hung up to dry. The ragpicker's hook and bag lay where he had dropped them. Here he had lived for five years. The two windows were nailed so that the sashes could not be moved. In a small dark closet was an iron-framed cot piled high with rags, whereon the miser has slept. Tne stove had evidently contained no fire in many months. Mr. Harper said that Leach came from Southern Ireland. How much property the old man had accumulated no one knew, for he was not communi­ cative; but there is no doubt that he had many thousand dollars scattered around in savings banks both in New York and in Jersey City. No trace of the bank books or of any other thing of value can be found. Coroner Gannon tpok the body on Friday to Brady's city morgue and had his coat, pantaloons and boots cut into shreds to see whether the miser had concealed his money on his person, but without result. The, clothing was patched and coarse. Mr. Harper says that ten years ago Leach bought two lots, fifty feet front and 100 feet deep, and six tenement houses standing thereon, at Railroad avenue and Crucible alley. The pur­ chase was in this wise: The old man lived in one of the rooms, and his neighbors complained that he was a nuisance, and wanted him to move out. He would not, and Donohuc, the agent for the owner, Mr. Frank Gautier, was taking steps to turn him out, when Leach, learning what was going on, went to Mr. Gautier and bought the whole property, paying the landlord's price, $6,000. So he remained in his room unmolested for five years. About five years ago he sold the prop­ erty to the Dixon Crucible Manufactur­ ing Company for $8,500. He has had two wives and a son and daughter. All are dead. The daughter worked in a private family as a serv­ ant. Becoming lame, she" asked her father for help, and he took her to the Charity Hospital, where she died, and was buried in a miserable coffin in the Potter's Field. She was an amiable girl, and. highly re­ spected. The boy was, says Mr. Harper, made half crazy by the beat­ ings that his father gave him. He was playing at leap-frog with some boys one day, and he fell on his head and broke his neck. It has been Leach's habit for years to declare that he would go to England to live, and that after he died he would bequeath his money to Queen Victoria, because she would know how to use it carefully. He was far from being crazy, and talked ably on financial sub­ jects. He was strictly honest, and would not accept a gift without offering something in return of equal value.--- N. Y. Sun. m --A school-house Itot in a New Hamp­ shire district stands <in three towns, so SOMEBODY1 S MOTHER. THE woman WM old and ranted and gmy. And bent with the ehill of the winter* cut] • tytJyf'*. that the pupils sitinRindge, the'teacher ot any otfter JNation. Mot many speak in New Ipswich and recess is taken in the ftoglish language, but these lr^r*riTrfri4|few». ^ Nor offered a, band to her. So meek, BO timid, jif raid to stir The street was wet with a recent snow, And the woman's feet were aged and 8low,;,., She stood at the croiwintt. and waited long , t Alone, uncared for, amid the throng / - Of human beings who passed her by, J v Nor heeded the glance of her anxious eye. * . 3 * Dovra the street, with laughter and shout,"' ' Gmd in the freedom ofschool let out," ILi&ul Came the boys, like a flock of sheep, * 1 '.<K- 1 Hailing the snow piled white and dweftM , . • Past the woman so old and gray ri Mt#. Hastened the children on their way; • r k ..'Vflti st the carriage wheels or the horses' fee#-; ohould crowd her tiown in the slippery rtionii At last came one of the merry troop-- ifk ( iv The gayest laddie of all the group; i< Henawsed beside her, and whispered low, I II help you across, if you wisn to go." ; . ; r Her aged hand on his strong young arm ^ She placed, and so, without hurt or harm. He guided the trembling feet alonj, Proud that his own were firm and strong. Then back again to his friends he went, His young heart happy and well content. "She's somebody's mother, bovs, yoli know, For all she's aged and poor and slow; And I hope some fellow will lend a hand To help my mother, yon understand, If ever she's poor and old and gray, When her own dear boy is far away." And " somebody's mother" bowed low her head In her home that night, and the prayer she said' Was, God, be kind to the noble boy. Who is somebody's son and pride and joy'" --Harper's Weekly. THE MUDBII WHO WAS GIVEN AWAY. LITTLE BESS WHEELER had a grand­ ma whom she dearly loved. Nothing pleased Bess better than to sit at grand­ ma's feet and watch the bright knitting- needles, as they flew in and out, while grandma told the story of her own liildhood. Often, when the short win­ ter afternoons were beginning to grow dusky, grandma would hear in the hall the patter of little feet. Then the door would open, and Bess1 voice ask: " Dan'ma, tan I tnm in and have 'la&ses tumfort?" „ Grandma, who knew what " 'lasses tumfort" meant, would draw Bess' little chair beside her own in front of the always glowing grate. Then, tak­ ing a rosy-cheeked apple, she would cut it into halves and scrape out the pulp. Bess, who sat with her mouth open, like a young robin, would receive the juicy morsel upon outstretched tongue. Every once in a while Bess, who thought grandma careless of her own interests, would say: "It's'our turn now, dan'ma." Then grandma would take a *' scrape."' When the apple was finished, grand­ ma would take her knitting, ana tell a story, which began with the words, ever musical in Bess' ears, "when I was a little ffirl." One day Bess was visiting a little friend.. In the course of their play, Bess said something about grandma. 44 Oh, dear!" said Lucie. "I wish I had a grandma. I haven't got any." 44 Ain't dot any dan'ma!" cried Bess, in a voice of deep pity. 44 'Ou poor itty dirl!" All the rest of the afternoon Bess seemed unusually thoughtful, and less light-hearted than was her wont. Nurse came for her at four o'clock. Just as they were going out the door, Bess drew her hana from nurse's, say­ ing: 441 want to do back a minute." Running up the stairs, she burst into the nursery with: 44 I'll do it: 'ou poor itty dirl with no dan'ma. I'll div 'ou half of mine." Bess was in great haste to get home. She did not care to stop at the store- windows, or any of the usual places of attraction. When nurse lifted her out of the carriage, she saw that Bess was crying softly. 44 Why, Bess, what is the matter?" she asked. 44 Not'in'," said Bess, choking back the sobs. Bess waited only to have her wraps taken off, then ran np to grandma's room. She did not enter in ner usual manner; but walked slowly up to and around grandma's chair, looking at her on every side. 44 Come here, dearie," said grandma. 44 Have you had a nice time?" Bess, regardless of both invitation and question, continued to survey grandma from head to foot. At length she said: v 44 Is 'ou all here, dan'ma--all insides of 'ou?" 44 Why, yes, child. What makes you ask such a question?" replied grand­ ma, in astonishment. With a lonff sigh of relief, Bess drew nearer, and, leaning upon grandma's knee, asked: 44 Does 'ou love me, dan'ma, a* well as 'ou did this morning?" 44 Why, yes. What a child! You are the only grandchild grandma has got. Of course. I love you better and better every dav." " No,'f said Bess, 441 isn't the only dan'child 'ou's dot now. 'On's dot an­ other." 44 No, child, I haven't. Your mamma is the only child I have, and you have no brothers and sisters." Bess gave her head a mournful shake and continued her investigations: 44 Would 'ou div me away, dan ma? Would 'ou div half of me awav* to somebody who hadn't dot no 'itty dan'- child?" . ' 44 No," said grandma, mistaking the anxiety evident in Bess' face. "IM be very sorry for them; but I couldn t spare my Bess. Give you ̂ way ? T <V1Vi No. I wouldn't give your little finger for all the world." The words that grandma had thought to make so full of comfort were the last drop in poor Bess1 cup of sorrow. With an outburst of grief, she ran from the room, down the stairs, pausing never until she threw herself into mam­ ma's lap. It was long before mamma could gain from the sobbing child any clew to her trouble. Just as Bess was felting a little quieted, grandma, who ad followed her as fast as her trem­ bling limbs would allow, entered the sight burst fdrth afresh. presence only made matters. grandma in a thoroughly frame of mind, Went back to^t? room. Little by little mamma gaifte ^ the whole story. Like the wise manFr ma she was, she did dot make ligfctctf her child s grief, but said, in a tone assurance that brought comfort Bess' troubled heart: t f ' " I think I can arrange it. Mayb|p Lucie will give grandma back." " No," said Bess. 44Cousin, sftys it s awful ni63.ii to t&ke b&clc«" 44Well," said mamma, "then yon., can buy her back." l£! "No," said Bess, mournfully.*, Lucie won t sell her, and I ain't dot" ^ ̂ en cents in my bank. I spent H> all Klsmas." 44 Grandma is not worth so much Lucie as she is to1'you; because Lucie- can t have her in the house, as you cadt" The last time Lucie was here^ you rdS® member how much she wanted that little doll-baby of yours. Would yon, give that to have grandma all your1 own again?" J Mamma, who knew that doll-bt. was Bessie's especial treasure, watch* for some sign of unwillingness; bu». found none in the eager little face lifted to hers. "Oh, yes, mamma! May 1 go take it to her to-night?" '. . Mamma hesitated, for it was now quite dark. Then, remembering thajl to the impatience of childhod to-mofct row seems a long, long time to wait, she said: 44 Yes. I will go up with ypu. Run up-stairs and ask nurse to wrap you up warm," S* The bargain was quickly concluded. Lucie was only too delighted to e? change the unknown advantages of halved grandma for the weU-kn< ones of a doll-baby that opened and shut its eyes. 44 Now, 'member," said Bess, as sh^ took her leave, " t%t my dan'ma Wl one bit 'ours. I's sorry for 'ou; but 'ott tant have my dan'mia." 44 No," said Lucie, pinching the d<ill, to see how loud a cry it could make. 44 She's all yours, every bit." That night Bess could not be gotten away from grandma. She sat in grand­ ma's arms, with her curly head renting on the Snowy 'kerchief. Every few minutes she would raise her head ami ask: "Is 'ou sure 'ou fordives me, dan^ ! ma, for diving 'ou away?" " Then patient grandma would repeat the assurance, so many timea asked an4 given: , , 44 Why, yes, dearie; and £ tfQn't ba given." ' v" < ' f And Bess, caressing with her plum* little h^nd the withered cheeks, woula repeat: 44 'Ou is my own dan'ma, e-v-e-r-y bit of 'ou!" » Even after Bess was tucked; in her crib, she would start out of her sleep with the cry: "Dan'ma!" So grandma took her knitting and sat beside thto crib, to comfort with her 44 Yes, dearie, here I am," the troubled child. The doll-baby seemed scarcely missed; but grandma would not rest content ui|» til another, of greater beauty, rested ill the little cradle--E. L. B(ekwiih, *n N. Y. Independent -mh.-. >, - • • -- ' -- • • < iiiiHg' tuV : r M Polar Regions. s Mft: CLIMES GORDON BENNETT farfcfftfto in earnest in his determination to make another effort for the discovery of the North Pole. Having purchased the Pandora--the vessel which he and Capt. Young sent on an Arctic Expedition two years ago--Mr. Bennett has pre­ sented a memorial to Congress^ stating that as it is his intention to equip andL man this vessel at his own expense, with a view of solving, if possible, the Polar problem, he desires permission to have the Pandora transferred to the Ameri­ can flag, commanded by American Nar val oflicers and made subject to" Ameri­ can Naval discipline. It is to be hope$ that Mr. Bennett's request may be speedily granted; and it would b*. well if, in passing the bill required. Congress should accompany it with some words of commendation of Mr. Bennett's patriotic desire that his own country should share in the glory of the discovery which he hopes toe Pandora will accomplish. For our own part, we are confident that Mr. Bennett's new enterprise will not fail to elicit for him the warm praise of his countrymen. We wish Mr. Bennett all success with the Pandora; and we wish also that success may crown the Arctic Expedi­ tions from other countries, which are now or may be undertaken. But we repeat what we said the other day that in our opinion the North Pole is a Plevna which cannot be taken by as sault, but which will surely fall at the end of a siege conducted in the manner of all successful sieges, by means of gradual approaches, and with a plenti­ ful expenditure of time, skill and pa­ tience. Mr. Bennett hopes, as so many before him have hoped, to carry the Pole by a coup de main. We should be rejoiced at his success; but we fear the voyage of the Pandora. will add only ohe more to the long and dreary record of Arctic failures. But the Iiowgate plan of colonization, gradual and steady- approaches until the fortress is in clear view and its defenses rendered nugato­ ry, and then a dash forward to seize it. This plan, we say, if steadfastly persist­ ed in, can scarcely fail of success. The colory once fairly planted and in good WOrKing Oi'UKl, c*ci j ouaavu Wu} B66 it nearer to its goal; and when one of the warm summers arrives and the great Polar Sea is open, the colony, being on the spot and ready for action, can dash forward and gr&sp the prize. We understand that Mr. Bennett in­ tends to dispatch the Pandora by way of the Spitzbergen, or European, route. The Howgate, or Colonization Expedi­ tion, proceeds by way of Smith's Sound, or the American route. It is possible that the Pandora may meet the Col­ onization Expedition at some point in Northern Greenland; but the fate of all previous expeditions via Spitzbergen justifies grave doubts as to this being the practicable route to the Pole.--Nt Y. Graphic. --A Boston editor says henever knew a man who was very sociable on short acquaintance but that he wanted to bor­ row money.