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23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. MS80

(71ft) 872-4S03

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TKS: PATENT STAR TOBOGGAN IS THE BEST, •>.*'','

blaiiui.ictured only l>y J. '**. .ncI.AItlCN, fv^ Collc'Kc Sikcci, i^lONTRliAL. ^ '

SIR PETER PETTY SHAM.

A STOHY OF CANADIAN LIFE.

Tul5UCH(AMN(i AT .MoNT.MOUHNd.

CANADA JiAlLWA V XKWrS C'( >., ( Lnuii. d.) VM\ Sr.J wius Street, Mo.ntke.m..

PRICE. T^,N CKNTS.

D^TELL \ do,, the Old pMi, 16 Ho^iom jam PlvAtt, Bi|d 414 ^t. panl nmi,

R. HENRY HOLLAND&CO.,

WHOLESALE IMPORTERS OF

266 & 268 ST. PAUL STREET,

- AND-

107, 109 & 111 COMMISSIONERS ST.,

lS/LC)l<TTTt:BlJiJJL

Vases, Dolls, Baskets, Pipes, Cutlery,

Toys and Balls, Purses, Beads,

Combs and Brushes,

Novelties.

Bookbinders' Stamps, Rolls, &c.

DESIGNSiiFURNISHED.

"CRAIG ST

SOAP DIES

BURNING BRANDS

'SHOE MANF'RS STAMPS

BRASS SIGNS, SEALS Ac

DIESINKING&ENGRAVING

CORr0.iATiON, NOfARIAL AND SOCIETY SEALS.

Oatine Stafflpi Bepaired and 7ear Wheels Altered.
773 CRAIG STREET, MONTREAL.

^SaWis

DIE SINKER, ENGRAVER,

AKD aUBBEB STAIIF 1IANITFACTI7BER,

steel Letters and Figures, ?(otarial Seals,

liVax Seals. Brass Stamps, Brass

Isabels, Steel Dies, Stencils.

767 OlE^/^IO- STie;E£lT,

West of Victoria Square,

MONTREAL.

Telephone No. 1018

SHOW CARDS

AND

Window Tickets

J. H. HAWKINS,

634 CRAIG STREET,
MONTREAL

J. S. CARTNEY,

31 ST. I^AMBERT HILI..

Window Price Tickets 50c. per doz.

OstricliFeatliersCieaned, Dyed & Curled.

AH Kinds of Hats Blocked

AND REMADE IN ALL THE LEADING STYLES.

50,000 ALWAYS IN STOCK.

A Trial Respectfully Solicited.

O^TELL \ do., the Qld ^tand, 16 du^tom Hou^b %^m, &nd 414 ^t pauI ^m\

^PF

i! '

gt, '

0intiIlWBi<e^, Fi^lqg Tackle, and all l^ind^ of ^poi>ting ^ood^.

V-X(3TO:EtXJL

167 McGILL STREET, 167

G-ires tho Best Meals in the City for 30 cents.

GEO. ALDRIDGE, Proprietor.

SMOKE

•>

AND

SOLD ON THE TRAINS.

BOTH ARE POPULAR BRANDS. TRY THEM.

SMITH, FISCHEL &: CO., Manufacturers,

MoGCB^in^, Toboggan^, ^now^hoe^ and Lacifo^^e^.

aa-i3*i

SIR PETER PETTYSHAM.

A CANADIAN STORY.
" Aspiring beggary is -.vrctcheclncss itself.' — Goldsmith's Vicar of Wakefield.

CHAPTER I.

Tile Pettysham's were an exalted family in
the supremely aristocratic city of Montreal.
The blood of the ancicnne noblesse flowed
through their patrican veins though adulte-
rated by each successive generation with a
more plebeian, but proportionately more
practical fluid. The seignorial family from
which they were descended by the paternal
side was an infinitely decreasing series, and,
as time rolled on, the ancestral acres became
so divided that if placed on end and planted
on both sides, they might have sustained a
childless couple of meagre appetites. But
the quivers of the Pattyshams were full to
bursting, and the olive branches came " as
the leaves come when forests are blended."
Consequently the practice of small economies
was a school of adversity most beneficial to
the young ladies of the family.

In fact, the Pettysham girls were perfectly
phenomenal, as several of their acquaintances
remarked, and conjecture was rife regarding
the domestic economy of this remarkable
household. Always neat and attractive in
appearance, invariably bicn chauss^s et Men
yank's, they moved as peers in a sphere far
above their financial resources. They rigidly
|)ractised small economies, but, with a taste
begotten of good breeding, as rigidly abstain-
ed from the magpie chatterings of a cheese-
paring class who are prodigal of precious time
in making the aforesaid small economies the
staple of its conversation. No one ever
heard of the marvellous bargains Mrs. Petty-
sham made in the auction rooms, and few of
the secrets of her household were ever known
to the world. The family were well aware
that discretion was essential to social success,
and she was shrewd enough to employ none
but French Canadian servants, whose lan-
guage and nationality kept them estranged
from the English speaking Abigails of the
neighborhood. And in this particular showed
excellent judgment. She had a curt dis-
couraging way of remarking when a servant
ventured to speak of "her last place."
" I have no interest in their affairs "
This rebuke was conclusive and a great

many mistresses in all gossip loving com-
munities might profit by Mrs. Pettysham's
example

When the Pattyshams changed residences
and the carte blanche for promiscuous in-
trusion, " House to Let," disfigured the porch,
she peremptorily declined to admit any per-
son except at stated hours and by a written
order from the agent. Inquisitive, but im-
pecunious people, who seldom see the
inside of such mansions except on occasions
like this seldom went to the trouble of a long
ride to the house agent in Great St. James
Street, for permission to Paul-Pry through a
house they had not the slightest intention of
renting. Those who took the trouble were
people who meant business, and when these
unbidden visitors came during the prescribed
hours they found every part of the household
in orderly perfection. "The dining-room table
was laid as if the family were about to sit
down to an ordinary repast, though they and
the domestics might have dined gregariously
on " herring and point " in some obscure
apartment before the arrival of observant
house-hunters. These inquisitors were struck
by the display of plate, cutlery and old china
visible through the vistas in a miniature
forest of fruit, and flowers. Indeed, Miss
Martha Meany, who like her namesake, Mar-
tha of Holy Writ, was troubled about many
things which didn't in the least concern her,
lay awake two whole nights in a vain endea-
vor to solve the problem of how the Petty-
shams made both ends meet.

By arts like these and uncommon tact she
cleverly managed to keep the impecunious
skeleton in her closet at the centre, and not
at the circumference of her affairs. She
was the practical head of the family, as Mr.
Pettysham had so long suffered from an
exaggerated sense of his own aristocratic im-
portance as to be utterly incapacitated from
attending to the ordinary utilitarian affairs of
life. In condescending to marry Miss Mar-
garet Stuart, the only child of a wealthy mer-
chant, he concluded that his role in life had
been played, and, thereupon, placidly enve-
loped himself in the dressing gown, and put
on the easy slippers of sinecure as the hus-
band of a rich heiress.

^»:#

But the crash of 1858 revealed to the astonish-
ed Sir Peter that he had been living in a fools
paradise. His father-in law failed, and the cre-
ditors discovered that for many years the bank-
rupt had been living beyond his income. Mr,
Stuart was a man of preposterous Scotch pride
so led away by a little commercial success that
he would disown his own photograph taken in
less prosperous days.

" King Stuart" as he was facetiously called,
was a lion hunter and immoderately fond of as-
sociating with titled persons and people
of aristocratic pretentions. No person in
the retail trade was ever known to have cross-
ed his threshold except to collect a bill.
Unfortunately in the days immediately preced-
ing the crash these visits exceeded those of invited
guests by a large majority. The old gentleman's
ancestry was veiled in dense obscurity ; but like
the Homeric heroes under similar circumstances
who modestly declared themselves to be|descend-
ed from the Gods, he was understood to have
thrown out hints that if "the King should have
his own again" Victoria might not be on the
throne of England. In mellow post-prandial
port-pervaded moments he dwelt lovingly on
the Jacobite affairs of 1815 and the 45, bemoan-
ing CuUoden's fatal field as if it had deprived
him of the crown of England. If prodigality at
other people's expense and a strong antagonism
to strict veracity were traits of the unfortunate
Stuarts, especially of that mutton-eating King
Charles the Second whose word no man relied
on, he must certainly have been a lineal de-
scendant. His royal blood would boil with in-
dignation if any one ventured to spell his name
with a " w." Miss Margaret, his handsome
daughter, on becoming engaged to Mr. Petty-
sham, who was not Sir Peter then, rather en-
couraged her father's exaggerated Jacobinism,
shrewdly calculating that her future husband
could not offset his seigneurial blood against her
Royal pedigree. Mrs. Stuart, however, who hn.d.
been a milliner's apprentice in Edinburgh where
her future husband was a draper's clerk,had never
heard in their courting days of Jamie's regal pre-
tentions. He was silent on the subject for many
years until prosperity shone upon the couple in
Canada. Then for the first lime he took his
pedigree out of his pocker and aired it in mono-
grams, crests and the Royal Stuart coat of
Arms on his plate, carriages and everything in
which their was a shadow of excuse to put them.
In fact, it was even said that he seriously con-
templated having his coat of Arms tatooed on
the back part of his bald head, and was only
deterred by the fact that the blue ink would be
in too strong a contrast to the remaining fringes
of red hair.

When he enlarged too alarmingly on his Roy-
al ancestry, she would exclaim.

" Now James, now, now really ! "

But she never said more than this, and the
wit about town gave her the soubriquet of "Mrs.
now now really."

Tliat drastic year of shrinkage 1858 left Mr.
Stuart a wreck on the commercial shore. His
creditors cruelly intimated that he failed from
entertaining too many military people et hoc
genus omne, which being translated into modern
English means " all in that swim." Mr. Stuart,
unfortunately in this was but a type of a multi-
tude of Canadian merchants during the military
occupation of Canada.

He could not reconcile himself to live in a
rational manner on the residue of his fortune,
which his creditors through clannish generosity
left him, and after a few years died in debt and
the hopes of a blessed resurrection where vulgar
creditors and inquisitorial bankruptcy Courts are
unknown.

Mr. Pettysham, after his father-in-law had
wasted his substance on ephemeral society,
which, like the dew of the morning, came not to
refresh him at eve, found it necessary to doff his
slippers and don his boots for active service in
securing bread for his family. The small seig-
nenry of " Hardscrabble" bore a suggestive title.
The land from defective agriculture was so ex-
hausted that if presented to a western farmer he
would have taken it immediately to the poor-
house. The family lived at " Hardscrabble"
for several years, and managed by hook or
crook — principally by the latter — to make out a
very substantial existence.

Mrs. Pettysham, rose equal to the occasion,
and by her vigorous management " Hard-
scrabble" assumed a less rugged appearance.
The city's •' fair pale daughter" brought cultures
charms to her rural home to harmonize and solt-
en the rough farm life. She had acquired in the
cultured sphere in which she had moved.

" An inborn grace that nothing lacked
Of culture or appliance —
The warmth of genial courtesy,
The calm of self reliance."

This genial courtesy and self reliance made
her a favorite with her neighbors far and near,
and in return for their experienced advice inagri-
cultural matters, she taught them many of the
little arts and devices to embellish rude homes
which through the ministrations of a refined
monitor had less of the back wood, and more of
the boudoir about them, Then dairies, vege-
table gardens, graperies and flower plots soon
converted the forlorn seig^cury into a more pre-
sentable state, from whic fair income was de-
rived.

If blood tells, the Royal Blood of th^^ Stuarts
told most emphatically in this instance. I-Ier
husband, who was inert, selfish and full of mag-
nificent theories for the improvement of the goV'

ernment snon found that his wife was a skilful
domestic if not a political economist, and
though knowintr little of the tariff and revenue
was fully aware that the source of power lay
with the possessor of the purse. She sold
the produce and was finance minister of
" Hardscrabble" while he kept the accounts
and obeyed orders. There is no absolute
cure for constitutional laziness, but a vigor-
ous wife of decided character has been known
to infuse some of her energy into a drone
and by dint of perscvera ■»ce and proximity —
keep him galvanized into moderate activity.
Like an electric battery as soon as she ceased
working he relapses into his former shiftless-
ness, gets lazy and bilious, takes to pills, and
other internal improvements, dies and only
in death becomes a utilitarian by fertilizing a
soil he was too inert to cultivate while living.
Mr. Pettysham had abilities of no mean or-
der, which only required the rough school of
adversity to develo)), by attrition with the
world, into fortune winning instruments.
He was phlegmatic, had a portly, solid ap-
pearance, and by cultivating a reticence
which distinguished General Grant and
Napoleon the Third might pass for a man
who could " 'an if he would" utter many wise
thoughts on' any given subject if he only
wanted to. Such men get the credit for
much reserved power by simply lying hushed
in grim repose. He had been, by marrying
an heiress, a stall fed ox and expected to be
such for the remainder of his days, but his
father-in-law's riches took wing and fodder
came not to that bin to which a fortunate
marriage had tethered him. One morning
shortly after the failure his wife propounded
the following problem relating to domestic
economy :

" Peter what shall we have for dinner to-
night, there's not a cent in the house ?"

" My dear," he replied with a smile, " I
shall be better able to answer that question
to-morrow."

The Stuart blood was up in arms at this
levity, but restraining her anger, she deter-
mined to teach her easy going husband a
severe practical lesson. It was an October
day, crisp and bright. The air, full of tonic,
felt like immaterialized champagne and Mr.
Pettysham, after a brisk walk, from some
"down town" haunt, felt he could do justice
to a dinner which, from a woman so full of
resources as his wife, he knew must be in
waiting for him.

The master of the house took his accus-
tomed seat and looked with enough burning
hunger in his eyes to melt the silver dish

covers and scorch the food beneath.
Madame sat vis-a-vis, and when her hus-
band was not regarding her, one might have
observed a look of silent thunder in her eyes.
As usual he was full of club gossip and
that fractional currency of conversation pe-
culiar to men whose business in life is to kill
time.

She touched the bell and the little French
maid with a look of be 'Mlderment on lui
sparkling Gallic face removed the cover.

The dish contained only a card on which
was inscribed " work or starve."

*' Why, my dear," he exclaimed in a cheery
tone that ill concealed his mortification, " 1
never dreamt you had so much talent for
humor or were addicted to practical jokes !
" This is no joke," Avas the dry response.
" Then what is that ?" he added jticking
up the card.

*■ A stern reality, I told you this morning
there was not a cent in the house.*'

" Nonsense, Margaret, if I thought you
really meant it I should have been more con-
siderate. I'll just run down to the club and
raise the siege, we're not in Poverty Flat just
yet, are we .<•"

" My dear, I shall be better able to answer
that question to-morrow."

It suddenly struck him that he had made a
similar remark not many hours before.

Wheii a man's credit is "gilt-edged," to
use a cant phrase of the money market, there
are many ways of obtaining money, though
his business be rotten to the core. Mr.
•Pettysham was not long in discovering that
by his father-in-law's bankruptcy he had en-
tered a ctil de sac through which there was no
outlet. He also found that friends had feel-
ings for themselves. One had a heavy

and unexpected payment to meet, another
had invested every available cent in mortga-
ges, while a third, dear, good, kind soul, would
be only too happy to oblige him if he would
call next Monday. This promise the accom-
modating friend was quite safe in making as
he had already engaged a berth on the Allan
steamer for Glasgow which left the Saturday
preceding the appointed Monday.

Mortified beyond expression he sat in the
card room and watched the players for hours.
His meditations were not interrupted as
jjrosperity is the basis of most friendships,
and few care i > cultivate the poor "who no
revenue hath."

Thrusting his hand into his coat pocket it
came in contract with a card which he
mechanically drew out and again read its
significant inscription, " work or starve."

CHAPTER II.

A nui.r. ONE.

"The crowning fortuiio of Ji man is to bo born
with a bias toward Komo pursuit, which linds him
in employment ami happiness.

R. W. Emer-sov.

Those strong corrosive lioiirs lliat eat into
the lieart conquer us. Pettysham rudely awoke
to the fiict that Montreal was a magnificent
place no doubt to spend in, but an undesirable
locality when old debts were to be collected and
money borrowed. Then he wondered how he
could have wasted so much of youth's golden
prime in associating with this herd of frivolous
club-loungers, most of wiioni gambled in stocks
all day and at cards all night. How often had
his palate bribed his brains into accepting their
liosi)italities ! And how he had endured their
platitudes and inanites for the sake of unsatis-
factory supi)ers and semi-barbarous civilities,
from people who had just stepped into fortune
but were a considerable way from good taste.

His wife's intimation that he must work or
starve reminded him of the Scotch border cus-
tom. In the good old days of Lang Syne when
honest industrious Canadian farmers were tilling
the soil and building up Canada, the ancestors
of the present race of Foreign Satraps who
monopolize the Dominion and despise all other
nationalities were plunderers, robbers and cattle
raiders. Tney had little respect for the rights
of meum and tuum as shown by their predatory
free-booting mottoes such as " Thou shalt want
ere I want " and " I hope to share." When the
larder of one of these marauding lairds was
empty, the good wife placed a pair of spurs in-
stead of food on the dish — an intimation that the
clan should go on a raid and replenish the larder.
Pettysham resolved to do likewise. He owed
the world a grudge for not giving him a sybarite
livelihood suited to his ease loving constitution.

He thought he would turn his attention to
medicine and, after being pitchforked through
college, settle down to kill people scientifically, or
wreak his vengeance by physicking unfortunate
humanity. But in that noble profession one has
to do so much for nothing and it is not pleasant
to be disturbed at night. Sleep like an oyster
is to be swallowed at once and not to be nibbled
at intervals.

The army would suit him, but a moneyless
married man on a subaltern's pay knows much
of wretchedness though it be gilded by the gold
of a showy uniform— the livery of impecuniosity.
Besides fighting was unpleasant now-adays,
however glorious, what with mitrailleuses, tor-

pedoes, and a wretchedly mismanaged commis-
ariat. I le had no idea of dying for the glory of
Canada in the jungles of India or that "white
mans' grave" Sierra l.eone. To be sacrificed
for England's commerce .ind for the advantage
of mercenary adventurers and unscruplous
traders. True, in coming years he might have
staid at home and fought the Fenians, with vo-
lunteers who lost their positions in the Hanks
whose vaults they had gone to the front to de-
fend. Fxit army, better be a settler or keep a
canteen.

The church would be charming. He regretted
being a Protestant as only the R. Catholic
Church in Montreal is open to men of Canadian
birth. The p;istors of many of the religious
club-houses misnamed churches were Scotch
or Knglish, the majority of whom were furnished
like Dr. Holmes' country parson with a one
story intellect and a one horse vocabulary. I>ut
they were ignorant and bip^oted enough to con-
sider R. Catholics, Episcopalians and the fol-
lowers of all denominations but blue Prcsbyter-
ianism as only human beings by toleration.
This is the cause of so much sectarian bitterness
in Montreal. He might get a little church in
the suburbs to commence with and look out for
a larger.sphere of usefulness, or, in other words
an increased salary, as all spheres of usefulness
are larger where there is a large? salary.
He might while studying theology get the
bag pipes to play for an hour ©r so every morn-
ing under his window in order to acquire the
ministerial drone of Scotch divines so dear to
the " Presbyterian " heart. Put when he
thought of penurious, faultfinding, contradicting
elders who could ciuarrel like demons on the
question of standing, bowing or kneeling at
prayers, his heart failed him and he concluded
that he had not received a call to go forth and
preach the gospel of peace on earth and good
will to man. He once remembered hearing Dr.
CummingsofLondon, an eminent divineaddicted
somewhat t» tossing theological tea cups and
foretelling the destruction of the world, that
certain persons were " As quarrelsome as a
Scotch Presbytery— <z»(i'^//t// vas myiinj a, great
deal," Pettybham disliked quarreling on re-
ligious subjects because he looked upon religion
as spiritual food to be taken with the same un
questioning faith that we accord to i)oar(ling
house fricassee. A too close analysis of the
former miglit lead to heterodoxy and of the
latter to disgust.

Professor Grant, President of the Kingston
College, stated a short time ago that Presbyter
ianisin since the days of Jol.u Knox has split
up in to forty different sects. Pettysham therefore

fenred that when ho had achieved success in
gathering around liim a large wealthy and
fastidious congregation who could afford to
pay him a very handsome salary and not feel
the slightest drain on its resources, that cer-
tain of the members might be ambitious of
distinction in the religious world and strive
to be elders. Many would be called but few
chosen to this enviable position, while the
disappointed saint would hie into the cave of
AduUam and then secede from the church and
establish another sanctuary, the pulpit of
which would be filled by a clergyman from
Scotland, as no Canadian, no matter what his
talents and acquirements were, would be
deemed worthy even to teach a Sunday
School class among these chosen and peculiar
people Sandy McGrab, whose commercial
reputation has never been of the cleanest, can
then aspire to be elder and may be seen of
all men engaged in piously taking up the
collection. He knows that Bank Presidents
and Bank Directors will behold him in the
high places of the Sanctuary and be more
inclined to increase his line of discount at the
Bank. Those demi-gods of Mammon,
Presidents an I Directors of Banks, look less
to a merchant's commercial status than to
his social and religious standing. If he is of
the right faith and moves in the right circle
he can help himself from the Bank cotfers
until the crash comes and the Directors dis-
claim all culpable negligence for giving
unlimited credit to people of nominal means,
and pass resolutions thanking each other for
the talent and vigilance displayed in — robbing
and defrauding the orphan. These unfortu-
nates always suffer, as they have no right in
Canada that any one seems bound to respect.
The church has become simply an instrument
for advancing the temporal interests of its
members. It starts in debt, stays in debt,
and soon becomes a source of annoyance to
the congregation, who drop off one t ne and
join churches where the pulpits are not made
Sunday after Sunday a rostrum for dunning
purposes. Its projector, Mr. Sandy McGrab,
having disappeared under the debris of the
bank he was so material in destroying, is
known no more in the high places of the
church and, after a few years of painful
struggling, the sacred edifice is sold and
converted into a Variety theatre for the
apotheosis of "Jump Jim Crow" and other
Ethiopian farcicalities.

Pettysham concluded that the path of a
Minister of the Gospel is not strewn with
roses, and the pseudo-pleasant places on the
way to the colosUal city have a good deal

more of heart burning than of heart's case
about them

Should he go into trade ( The seignorial
blood rebelled at the bare thought. His hesi
tation, however was to a great extent
influenced by the knowledge that the whole
business of the city was in the hands of the
Scotch, whose motto was " we'll have none
but Hieland bonnets here." The Bank Presi-
dents and Directors were all Scotch, and
dish'-nestly favored men of their own
nationality and were not over scrupulous in
ridding Montreal of any other race. This is
how Scotch supremacy has been maintained
in Canada to the detriment of that unfortunate
country, seven hundred thousand of whose
people, after begging in vain from their
oppressors for leave to toil, are now living in
the United States. Two hundred thousand
more, of various nationalities, who attempted
to earn a livelihood among the Canadians,
have left in sullen disgust for the Great
Republic where no ime foreign race dare
assert a supremacy. TV* British merchant, in
tho^e days before the Protection Tariff, when
Canada was at the fe«t of England and paid
tribute to Manchester, welcomed with open
arms the representatives of Scotch houses in
the Dominion, but treated native born Ca; 1 1-
ians with coolness and insolence. Goods were
thrust on the former while the .ter had
shorter credits, higher prices, and smaller
discounts than his Caledonian rival. False-
hood, treachery and slander were freely
resorted to by the Sandy McGrabs to keep
the entire trade in their own hands. They
strenuously opposed any manufacturing enter-
prise in Canada, and took for their shibboleth
" Free trade forever — and let us do all the
importing."

A native born Canadian went heavily
handicai)ped into business as his foreign rival
was supreme and enjoyed every advantage.
The St. Andrew's, Caledonian, and Thistle
Societies advanced his interests, the pulpit
lent him every aid, his clan shielded him in
every dishonest proceedingprovided a Scotch-
man was not the victim, and the whole
masonic body, until recently, was at the feet
of the Grand Lodge of Scotland. How
different Canada would have been to-day if
her rulers had been as broad and liberal in
their views as those of the United States !
I ../sham wisely decided that business in
the face of oppressive monopoly was out of
the question.

The Civil Service certainly offers a refuge
for decayed gentility.

In the days when Canada was governed by

cart's case

seignorial
His hesi
at extent
the whole
ids of the
have none
ank Tresi-
otch, and
heir own
pulous in
This is
laintained
ifortunate
of whose
'om their
' living in
thousand
Utempted
anadians,
he Great
ace dare
rchant, in
riff, when
and paid
I'ith open
houses in
n Ca: I ',
)ods were
.ter had
1 smaller
False-
e freely
I to keep
i. They
igenter-
ibboleth
» all the

heavily
ign rival
vantage.

Thistle
e pulpit

him in
Scotch-
whole
the feet
How
)-day if
beral in
States !
ness in

out of

refuge
•ned by

a bureau consisting of Englishmen, very few
Canadians were able to obtain positions under
the (lovemment. Jf a vacancy occured one ol
Albion's lordly sons was imported, and as he
"seldom died, and never resigned his term of
office was lengthy. It was simply giving this
importation, who never i)aid a dollar of taxes,
a |)osition for life. If he had a salary of $1000
per annum, it was simply bestowing the usa-
fruct of $15,000 of the public money. In nine-
ty-nine cases out of a hundred a native born
Canadian would do the work better at half the
price. The civil service, in that particular, is
no better to-day. Young Flamingo Fastboy,
a showy sj)ec men of some noble family in Eng-
land, is sent out with letters of introduction to
one of o;ir ministers who has been wined,
dined and flattered, for an object, by the
youth's father. The Canadian statesman hav-
ing received their attention, when in England,
to whom he humbly took orders from Downing
Street to further British art at the expense ot
Canadian interests, feels < i nstrainod to do
something for the plausible yo th. The young
man dances with the minis, er's plain daughter,
makes himself very Pb eeablt> in the .wimic
court ciu'.es, and in d... courseof ti*n^ the civil
service carriage comes around .ind the people
of Cana'^a are saddled wi'li a. .ether imbceile
who, as befc.e stated, never paid a dollar of
taxes. But a Canadian, whose family has been
resident for centuries in the Dominion and
have paid thousands upon thousands of dollars
in taxes to the local and general governments,
is snubbed and his claims ignored. This will
not always last.

Pettysham felt that he might get something to
do in one of the departments, but it would take
time to work that oracle. In palmy, prosper-
ous days he had taken a part for mere pastime
in the election canvass, and was very felicitous
in stump speeches, and almost as happy as the
jaunty Sir. John Macdonald in illustrating his
telling points by apropos anecdotes. On one oc-
casion he had canvassed a county in which he
had never been before, and did so well that his
friend was ignominiously defeated and came
near being mobbed by the outraged constitu-
ents. It happened in this wise : Pettysham
had two lists of the voters, one for the Catholic
and the other for Jie Protestants. He started
ont with a box of Bibleti and a quintal of Cod-
fish. When he arrived at a farm house belong-
ing to a Catholic, a cod-fish was left for Friday's
use, and a %w appropriate remarks were made
on the divine origin of fast-days. When the
hardy yeoman was a Protestant, and it happens
that in this particular county those of that per-
suasion were uncompromising Orangemen, he

presented a bible and urged the recipient to
search the Scriptures and to beware of the scarlet
woman of Rome. These tactics, no doubt,
would have worked like a charm, but unfortu-
nately the stupid election agent put the Catho-
lics on the Protestant list and the Protestants

vice versa.

The Protestants at the histings, denounced
the candidate as a Jesuit in cjjsguise, and as
emissary of Rome, while the Catholics called
him a "Swiss," which is a term they use to de-
note Protestant, French speaking missionaries,
who are nearly all of that nationality. After
this little contretemps he had refrained from
meddling in politics.

"No,'' he soliloquised, "I am not in a posi-
tion yet to push for a position in the civil ser-
vice."

There was the law. Blackstone defines law
as "a rule of action." Aaron Burr's definition,
though Machiaellian gives % better idea of this
uncertain science. "Law," he says, "is that
which is plausibly, asserted and persistently
maintained.' Pettysham felt that he would
make a proficient pupil in the Burr school,
more especially as T ower Canadian law was a
crude, ill digested mass of antiquated absurdi-
ties. So much so that England assumes the
right to adjudicate on all cases involving a sum
greater than $2,500. This sum represents the
calibre of a Canadian Judge, and is the length
to which mother England will trust his legal
lore. The defendant, above that sum, may
take the case to the English privy counsel, who
knows about as much of Canadian law as a
wild Indian does of the technicalities of a steam
engine. It is true we have a Supreme Court,
but a defendant with a long purse who wishes
to ruin a poorer adversary who has both equity
and Canadian law on hio side, may take the
case to England in order to makv. ..e costs rs
formidable as possible. The new Pacific Raii-
waySyndicate should bi ng this fact prominent-
ly beforct^the Irish people — it will be such an
inducement to immigrate to the North-west. The
judicial robe in Canada, in order to harmonize
with the law, -hould be like Jacob's coat, of
many colors. It is an inharmonious composite
made up of the coitume ut Paris full of moedie-
val absurdities which the French Revolution
of 1793 swept out of existance. Engrafted on
this is the Code Napoleon, the English com-
mon law and a mass of statutes and amend-
ments, one over! pping the other like shingles
on a roof. The prophet Elijah says : "a sense
of wrong maketh a man mad," and considering
the hap-hazard way in which justice is adminis-
tered in this benighted realm, it is surprising

that there is so little personal violence. Exc
culors and guardians, for instance, give no
bonds, nor are they required by law to render
any account until the close of their official du-
ties To rob the widow and orphan is con-
sidered an accomplished pastime, and the
Dick Turpin Executor who succeeds best is
sent to Parliament to give him an opportunity
to rob the ;:easury. Such men bv-jomethe
public tools of railroad monopolists and are
instrumental in depopulating the country.

It was now just midnight and the billiard
room of the club had a desolate air. Petty-
sham had thoroughly reviewed the field, and
the law seemed to offer the best chance of
success. The " Hardscrabble " property yet
remained, though for years it had only paid a
nominal rent.

That night husband and wife remained
long in consultation. She reminded him that
his heritage, small as it was, had been suffi
cient for the moderate wants of a bachelor,
but was entirely inadequate to the require-
ments of a small family. In the past it had
been a title deed to stock, but in the future,
like Carlyle's little estate at Craigenputtick,
away up in the Scotish Highlands where he
spent six years in writing Sarters Resarters,
it would be a retreat where he could preen
his wings ere soaring to ambitious giddy
heights.

CHAPTER III.

" A knave a quoting holy writ,
Is like a villain with a smiling cheek,
A goodly apple rotten at the core."

Shakespeare.

Malevolent and frivolous reader, if you
imagine this story to be a cornucopia of sweet-
meats and complimentary bons bons lay it
down and read Martin Fraquhar Tupper or
any other versifier of commonplace cheap
morality. Gall and laughing gas are the
animating factors in this wormwood narrative,
and, to quote from Byron, '' as fools are my
theme let satire be my song."

It is very agreeable through such soothing
aminities as the foregoing, to put one self
en rapport with the reader and -rive him
thoroughly to understand that \\\i adverse
opinion is not of the slightest importance.

But let us return to our sheep — that is the
Canadian people. Also to the wolves in kilts.

The gift of continuance or "saintly perse-
verance " is essential to the novelist. Emerson
says that in the study of mankind " we touch
and go and sip the foams of many lives." So
let it be with this thread on which are strung

more facts than fancies in a touch ,and go
style, as connected thought is irksome, espe-
cially when we write to please ourselves and
not the reader.

Such being the case, no doubt a large
edition of this work will be left on our hands,
and our library will contain many hundred
volumes all of which, with the exception of a
ridiculous minority, will be the product of

our own pen.

* * % '.'; ■::■ %

The Pettyshams went to " Hardescrable,"
to practice economy in retirement. The
head of the family read laws in the office of
an advocate in Consumption, a neighboring
village where the notary and the storekeeper
kept the poor habitants for miles around in a
state of abject serfdom. The one by lending
money at fabulous usury ; the other, by his
over- reaching and rascility.

Solomon Screws, the storekeeper, was a
Caledodian Jew of Yankee extraction. IJn-
scruplous and selfish, he was fast amassing a
fortune with which he intended to go into the
wholesale line in Montreal.

Jean Prudhomme, the notary, had the
whole prothonotary system of Lower Canada
instilled into him from earliest boyhood, his
father for long years having been the leading
notary of the village.

Between him and the legal rate of interest
there was a deadly antagonism. He abhorred
schools, abominated newspapers, and never
heard of a city bank establishing a branch
without a premonitory symptom of apoplexy.

"De habitants," he was wont to say, "dey
know too much already. If dere was no
schools dey would not read, and no read dey
would never see dose newspapers, where de
fools say dey will lend money at six per cent.
Den de bank come here and, Mon Dieu, de
notary's business he am spoilt.

The cohesive power of plunder kept the
notary and the storekeeper on the most in-
timate terms. It was a tacit understanding
that when Jean Baptiste gave Prudhomme a
mortgag<^ on his farm, Jean should trade
exclusively with Screws, to whom he trans-
ferred the mortgage. If Jean failed to buy
his supplies from the storekeeper who charged
extortionate prices for adulterated goods, he
could expect no mercy if he failed to meet
his obligations.

Screws, like all his breed, was diabolically
vindictive to those who traded more cheaply
elsewhere, and when he " got the upper hand
of them" — a favorite Scotch expression — they
were cheated out of farm, home and country.

>uch ,and go
fsome, espc-
irselves and

ubt a large
1 our hands,
ny hundred
ception of a
product of

rdescrable,"
lent. The
he office of
neighboring
storekeeper
iround in a
i by lending
ther, by his

3per, was a

ction. IJn-

amassing a

> go into the

y, had the
war Canada
oyhood, his
the leading

of interest
le abhorred

and never
a branch
)f apoplexy.
3 say, ' ' dey
re was no
lo read dey
>, where de
ix per cent,
in Dieu, de

r kept the
le most in-
lerstanding
idhomme a
ould trade
1 he trans-
led to buy
ho charged
1 goods, he
d to meet

iabolically
ire cheaply
ipper hand
sion — they

d country.

Fortunate, indeed, were they who had
sufficient money left to take them to the
United States, tiie home for the oppressed of all
nationalities.

It is to be !«oped that the French Credit
Foncier Companies who ofter to lend money
for long i)eriods at a reaonable rate of interest
will be a check on the Sliylock storekeeper and
the unscruplous notary. This, by the way.
While Solomon sat in the little room at the end
of the store, which was hidden behind bales and
boxes of marchandise, he suddenly caught
sight of Mr. Samuel Sksimpit, his head clerk,
a diminutive man, with a lynx eye and a hatchet
face, on which nature had put a trade mark of
close bargains and sharp practices.

"Here, Skimpit," cried the Tycoon with
beckoning finger.

The clerk, who was carrying a gallon can of
rum that lacked at least a pint of full measure
hastened to his employer.

I didn't see you in church yesterday ?

I was there.

Not in your regular seat.

No, in the choir.

What was the text.

" When ye measure corn unto your neighbor,
measure as an offering unto the Lord full and
overflowing."

Skimpit glanced at the gallon measure.

So did Solomon.

They parted in silence.

" Yon Skimpit, is a shrewd lad," solitoquised
the employer, " he'll be a leading merchant in
Montreal yet."

" If the Tycoon knew as much of Scripture
as he does of falsifying errors" thought the
clerk " he would know there is no such text in
the bible. It's all right ; he won't trouble me
about church again. He values a man who
makes seven pints pass for a gallon and fifteen
ounces for a pound."

Both resumed their respective employments,
and between Skimpit in the front and Solomon's
system of book keeping in the rear, the habitant
might as well have been one of the children of
Israel in Egypt, making bricks without straw.

Screws, with a Louis the Eleventh class of
piety, which could plan a murder between the
pauses of a prayer, was only scrupulous in his
religious observances. With slimy softness of
speech, he uttered many edifying remarks when
the minister or one of the elders called on
maiters connected with the church of which he
was treasurer. Like Judas Iscariot, he kept near
the money bag. It was as truly refreshing as a
spring in the desert, to liear him, in the pauses
of his writing, dilate on the goodness of Divine

Providence. He punctuated his remarks by
occasional entries in the ledger, as he wished to
impress his visitors with the idea that he was
an exceedingly busy man, and consequently
tlicy sliould feel complimented that he could
spare them so much of his valuable time.
" My doctrine is that we shall be rewarded ia the
next vvorld for the good we do in this — "

Faase to enter one pair of boots to Jean
Baptiste who was too poor to wear anything
but home made beef mocgassins.

"And I make it a practice and instil it into all
whom I employ, to do unto others as they
would be done by."

Another pause to add twenty-five per cent to
the price. Skimpit had charged for a seven
pint gallon of rum.

"The Lord knows that the things of this world
trouble me not."

Here he dropped a cent and with a pained
expression fumbled over five minutes on the
floor until he found it.

Rising with a flushed hue on his porcine
countenance, with its small, deep-set, furtive
eyes, he continued the sermonette j pointing
out in speech the straiglit and narrow path and
by his actions travelling on »he broad road to
perdition.

In the estimation of his fellow citizens who
had a pity and contempt for any lack of shrewd-
ness in business, he was all in all. But he, and
those of whom he was a type, telt uneasy and
uncomfortable before superiors in education
and refinement.

The Revered Jeremiah Rose, the local canon
of the village, regarded Solomon Screws as a
very exemplary man, a sort of commercial demi-
god, and determined to place his son as an ap-
prentice in his store on the very first opportunity.

The Revered Jeremiah, in a voice loud
enough to reach the gratified «ar of the listen-
tening Solomon, said to one of the Elders on

departing :

"What modest piety ! what industrious enter-
prise."

"A very discerning Divine,^ thought Screws.
"Every far-seeing merchant should be on the
right side of the spiritual teachers of the
people."

That eccentric author, John Ruskin, whose
bright things come like flashes of kghtning,
said. An English clergyman told me, and I
agreed with him that it was acknowledged to be
i mpossible for an honest man to live by trade
|i England.

Ru skin's father was a wine merchant Oa

his death, the gifted son placed this epitaph on
his tomb stone:

"An entirely honest merchant."

Was this the exception to prove the rule, or
merely the out some of filial partiality ?"

Is staid honesty, in its severest sense, possible
in trade ?

Did the elder Ruskin ever tell a customer
that his claret was tbc cheapest in the market
when he knew that his aggressive rival was sel-
ling the identical article at half a crown less per
dozen ?

Had he never prevaricated, never misrepre-
sented, always pointed out to the unobservant
and careless the defects of his merchandise ?
Never persuaded a customer to load up with a
stock ruinously slow of sale ! Never asserted
that Tokays and Madeiras, as much out of fa-
shion as the Falernian vintage of Rome, were
once more popular?

If such a man can be found, make him the
Messiah of commerce - then crucify him for in-
troducing principles into business woUy in com-
patible with the present age standard of mer-
cantile morality.

Ruskin's clergyman was correct and his aph-
orism might apply the world over. All uier-
cliants are just as honest as circumstances will
allow them to be.

How men would smile it they beheld this par-
adoxical epitaph in a churchyard.

" An honest diplomat."

Byron, with his usual cynicism, says " Believe
a woman or an epitaph." A truism no doubt
when applied to the women with whom his lord-
ship associated, but a malicious libel when ap-
])Iied to the sex. This introduces us to another
scene.

Mrs. Screws sits at the head of the table. She
is a ponderous matron of the British type, sug-
gestive of Dublin stout and porter house
steaks. Around her are four little Screws, fat
l.odgy, and good natured. They look so much
alike, one might fancy they had been pulled from
a sheet of postage stamps.

Others were in the nursery in the tadpole
dough-like state of infancy, when all children
seem to old bachelors to be howling-machines
made on one universal plan.

" Solomon, my dear" said the buxom dame
to her husband, who was doing the great knife
swallowing trick at the other end of the table.
" Mr. Pettysham, and family are going to live at
" Hardscrabble so Buchan says."

" Indeed I its|aboutJtime they came and looked
after the place. Buchan has made a pretti/ good
thing out of it. Pettysham, got precious little

rest from him. They say Mrs. P. is a smart
woman. She's the man of that family. "

" She's very ladylike too," echoed Mrs.
Screws.

" Ladylike ! fudge ! she'll be putting a I«t of
nonsensical aristocratic notions into your head.
You're too extravagant already. She was brought
up with those military people, a reckless prodi-
gal lot. You don't catch me lending money on
officers' paper. When the " Buffshire bouncers"
were in Canada they were all in debt and used
to endorse each other's notes as carelessly as
confirmed topers take temperance pledges they
never mean to keep. Then, when matters got
too hot, the gallant officer went on leave of ab-
scence,exchanged into another regiment at Tim-
buctoo or the world's end, and that was the last-
you saw of your money. "

" But, my dear,thcy have had reverses in for-
tune, and have learnt prudence by adversity."

" What nonsense ! such people never learn.
They never learn economy, nor forget extrava-
gant habits. I suppose you'll want to imitate
their city ways, and dear Mrs. Pettysham will
be your guide and pattern. They are an un-
godly, worldly minded set, and walk not in the
fear of the Lord I .

"Judge not that ye be not judged, Solomon."
No man is a hero to. his valet, and some men
are precious small in the eyes of their wives.
Solomon knew that his wife was prone to ridi-
cule his religious cant and therefore did as most
men do on such occassions, got angry and abu-
sive.

Screws, in fact was a Bourbon himself, and
thirty years of Canadian civilization could not
expel the vulgarity of an Edinburgh slum, a
veritable in grained cowboy whom you could soak
in attar of roses for a generation, and yet the
fumes of the stable would still be paramount.

Bourgeois like he made the dinner table the
exchange for all that transpired in the house-
hold during the day, and there the fault finding
was done.

Unquiet meals make ill digestion, and Screws,
when his mouth was not full, growled about ex-
travagance, pausing occasionally to harpoon a
l)otato from the dish. A rather venal breach of
1 oUteness as he never ate with his fork. When
in a particularly bad humor he hurried over grace,
and the echo of " make us thankful for what we
a' e going to receive" had hardly died lut when
it would be supplemented with the angry ex-
clamation.

"Lord, woman ; what a devil of a dinner
you're givin' us."

Then Bridget carried the dismal tidings to

p. is a smart
uily. "

echoed Mrs.

Litting a l«t of
ito your head,
le was brought
eckless prodi-
ing money on
lire bouncers"
iebt and used
carelessly as
: pledges tiiey
n matters got
1 leave of ab-
iment at Tim-
t was the last-

;verses in for-
)y adversity."
never learn,
brget extra va-
nt to imitate
'ettysham will
Y are an un-
Ik not in the

:d, Solomon."
nd some men
' their wives.
)rone to ridi-
e did as most
igry and abu-

himself, and
on could not
jvgh slum, a
ou could soak
and yet the
)aramount.
ner table the
n the house-
fault finding

, and Screws,
led about ex-
harpoon a
nal breach of
brk. When
id over grace,
. for what we
:d -lut when
le angry ex-

of a dinner

il tidings to

the kitchen : "The master's jawin' agin'. 1"

Poor Mrs, Screws had got used to this, but
the Elder's children, just returned from board-
ing school in Montreal, remained silent and
mortified through these ever recurring scenes.

Their beloved parent's organs of alimenta-
tiveness were preternaturaHy developed. He
dotes on doing the marketing. It was quite
appetizing to sere him sniff food and make
voluminous remarks on its quality. The beef
was " beautiful," the mutton "lovely," and other
dishes were designated by similiarly expressive
but inappiopriate adjectives. But when he
scowled and prefaced his remarks with the trite
proverb : "God sends food but the Devil sends
cooks," a storm was bursting.

Bridget heard the cook reviled and the beef
disrespectfully used, and reported acordingly.

Cooks, as a rule, are not culinary angels, be-
ing so much near the fire is apt to make them
partake more of the character of the denizens
of a lower and hotier sphere.

"Ould Blood and Bones is at it again," cried
Bridget skipping gaily into the kitchen, "he
says the Devil sinds such cooks as ye be, and
it would take a sassage machine to chaw the
mate. Sorry a lie I'm telling ye !

The cook, full of speechless wrath, looks un-
utterable things, and amid angry snifits, she
hurriedly wipes her red, smoking arms with her
apron.

"I'll leave the house ! I'll give warning ! It's
meself as will be after sarvin' the loikes o' thini !
Me what cooks for the McFlyers, an the Ra-
vens, and all the hoigh families on the top of
themountain."

"Don't be after doing that," says Bridget,
soothingly ; "Never take heed of ould Blood
and Bones, just stay and the Missus will be af-
ter givin' yes an old dress or a rise in your
wages."

"Is it a rise of wages, indade, and live wid
the loikes; me, what's bin livin' wid the quality ?
I'p sooner cook for a has-been for me vittles
thin git good wages from a niver-was, and ould
Screws niver was and niver will belong to the
quality I Tell the Missus I've given her warn-
ing.

Poor Mrs. Screws, as she had often done be-
fore, managed to mollify the cook. Blood and
E>>nes marched off to the store muttering that
he w IS a misused man, though snmarling a re-
luctant consent to visit the Petlyshams on their
arrival at ' ^ardscrabble." He wanted to "hold
off" he said and "keep a stiff upper lip," just to
show these people that he considered himself
quite as good as they were.

The festive board was now the resort for Skimpit

and his fellow clerks, who luxuriated in the
baked meats of the funeral. Ther repast was
resided over by the elddest daughter of the
house, Miss Mary Screws, who adored Skimpit

"he was so business like."

Skimpiit thought more of a prospective share
in his future father-in-law's business than he
did for the undivided affections of the ever
faithfuj Mary

To his practical mind the heart was a useful
muscle to promote the circulation of the blood
and nothing more.

CHAPTER IV.

A chapter in which business and religion are mixed

like the sign on the Swiss inn.

" Wako anil repent your sins with grief,
I'm called tho (iolden Ijhin of Ueef."

The Seigneury of Hardscrabble, consisting uf
about a thousand acres, had been rent(xl for a
nominal sum during the prosperous days of tlic
Pettyshams to Robert Buchan, a Scotch High-
lander, known in the country round as " Bob
Buchan."

The generous Celtic blood coursed througii
Bob's vt'ins, making him ])assionate and jiroud,
but neither vindictive nor treacherous, and as
hospitable as an Arab. Poor Buchan was fear-
fully superstitious, and firmly believed in witches,
warlocks, wraiths, apparitions and all tlie para-
phernalia of the supernatural that precede,
sudden death and calamities.

In his native hills, where fancy feeds the
imagination with beautiful scenery, he imbibed
a strong love for the marvellous, the weird and
mysterious. Ossian, that Homer of Celtic song,
he had read and re-read, and found unbounded
delight in his sonorous swelling numbers and
majestic imagery. This poem, the Liimcntations
of Jeremiah, the woe begone book of Job, the
Apocalypse, and Wilson's tales of the Scotch
border formed the extent of his reading. The
'"mpress of such a library on the Gaelic nature
can well be conceived, and it is not astonish-
ing that in after life he fancied he had the gift
of prophecy and second sight, like Camp-
bell s seer who gave warning to I<ochiel.

" The advent of age (jave him mystical lore,
And coming events ca-.t their shadows before."

This generous Celt was a singular psycholo-
gical study, demonslrativ.g the injurious effects
of superstition on an impressionable romantic
nature. The ignoriint habitants who surrounded
him were not much improved by tlie advent
of several Scotch clans who settled in the
vicinity of the Seigneury towards the close of
the last century, and received from time to time
acessions to their nnmbcns. The Highland

regiments who took part in the taking of
Quebec, remained in Canada and formed
settlements in the country adjacent to that
fortress, but the assimilating power of the
French Canadian was too much for even the
obstinate Scotch blood. Their descendants
so gradually lost their nationality that the
traveller in less than half a century could
scarcely find an English speaking .person
among the population clad in homespun, with
tuques on their heads and moccasins on their
feet. These rustics were the descendants of
the Caledonian mountaineers who scaled the
rocks of Quebec and were led by Wolfe to
victory on the plains of Abraham. The clan
patronymic alone survived, and Macdonald,
Macpherson, Macintosh, were household
names borne by ruddy, often red haired men,
who were strangers to the garb of old Gaul
and to both the Celtic and the Saxon tongues.
The Highland clans, however, who settled in
the vicinity of Lancaster preserved their
national traits and language intact for a long
period, until within the past thirty years, when
the ever increasing frugal French invaded
their stronghold. These seem in a fair way
of attaining numerical supremacy, as many of
the descendants of the original settlers have
moved to that land of promise, the Western
States. The same singular transformation is
going on in Glengarry at the present day.
They swarm down from the lumber districts
in the Spring, singing merrily some simple
Canadian lay, which seems to have an immor-
tality of popularity. The fiddler plays an
electric lively air, beating time with his fete
and swaying his body in rhythm to the
music. The Frenchified Heelandman springs
on to a shutter, or any platform improvized
for the purpose, and dances with all the
abandon and vim of his Jacobite ancestor,
that Macpherson, who, when on the scaffold,
according to the old song,

" Sae rantingly, sae wantingly,
Sae dauntingly gaed he,
He played a sprig and danced it round,
Beneath the gallows tree."

Vive la bagatelle, Jean Baptiste with a
fiddle, a shutter and du sin rises like his
Scotch prototype, Tam O'Shanter, o'er all
the ills of life victorious, and sings this new
version of the patriotic air.

" Pour chasser le spleen,
J'entrais dans une inn,
Ou. je bus du gin,
God save ze (jueen. "

Boh Buchan, though he had many rollick-
ing semi-barbarous characteristics, was a fair
farmer, and during the period in which lie

was the " laird of Hardscrabble," as he loved
to be styled, managed to make a very
handsome income, but being hot-headed and
improvident, involved himself in a number of
petty lawsuits that depleted his money-chest
of more than petty cash.

But the reign of the Buchans was now
over.

The Pettyshams had come down to stay on
the old domain, but as Bob was advancing in
years, though still hale and hearty, he was
offered and had accepted the duties of overseer
under the supervision of Mrs. Pettysham,
who allowed him to lease, for a long time, a
few acres adjoining the homestead, on which
he erected a cottage and a small barn and
stable. Here he lived with his wife, a sonsie
Scotch matron, who, when not occupied
with household duties, revelled in reading
of the horrors of the siege of Jerusalem as
depicted by Josephus, Fox's book of martyrs,
the gloomy sr.rii)tural prophets. Revelations,
and other light cheerful literature of a
kindred character. Not a very desirable
person to be entrusted with the care of
impressionable young children. So Mrs.
Pettysham thought, and endeavored, but in
vain, to keep her younger brood from listen-
ing to the old dame's ghost stories. When
the dog howled, she prophesied a death, and
as the dog was a persistent howler, she a
persistent soothsayer, and the number of her
family and relatives exceedingly large, she
was invariably as correct — well, as Vennor.
Finding herself so successful in this grave-
yard department of the prophesying business,
she let her weird imagination take other
flights and protended dire evils to Church
and State. She fixed the day when the seals
would be opened, the vials of wrath poured
forth and the Scarlet woman of Rome hold
high carnival in this Canada of ours.

The children of this supernatural-loving
couple had all left the oracular, si>hynx-like
abode, and betaken themselves to the United
States. Thomas, the eldest, had gone to
Boston. Resembling his parents in their love
for the marvellous, he had gradually drifted
so far from religion, by attending spiritual
seances and associating with mediums, that
he conceived he had the gift of second sight
and look to table-turning and interviewing
the departed. In fact he was like one of
those doctrinaires who take you into a fog
and then leave you there. One would have
forgiven his religious eccentricities, were he
not a most persistant propagandist, seeking
to innoculate every one he encountered
with his own belief.

He preached by this text, " The chosen of "the
Ijord are we and heathen all besides," and with
an inherited spirit of intolerance, those who
were not spiritualist could never see the " Sum-
mer land," the heaven of this sect. They would
be condemned to hang around a celestial lobby
or wander in a sort of Swedenborgian Hades —
as ghostly undergraduates, until sufficiently ex-
amined to obtain admittance to a highar class.
This other spiritualistic world consisted of a
number of spheres into which mortals were
placed at death according to the relative degree
iif perfection they attained to in thi.s vale of tears.
If only comparatively good they were assigned
to the comparative sphere. But if t>!iey struck
the bull's eye of perfection in this sinful world
of weak flesh, they ascended immediately to the
superlative superstructure, on the summit of bliss,
and no doubt looked down with contempt from
their mountain perch on the dwellers in the
.Sherbrooke, St. Catherine, St. Antoine and
lower streets of this hereafter, where all men are
evidendy not equal before the throne. But of
this individual more anon.

The Buchans were regular attendants at the
Rev. Jeremiah Rose's church. That mild man-
nered Divine was much troubled in spirit by
Bob's vagaries, and strove ardently to keep the
imaginative highlander in the orthodox path. In
the main Bob was a full believer in the five
points of Calvinism and the great truths of
Christianity, but would too frequently allow
himself to wander into the circuitous paths of
superstition and have a good bout with witches
and warlocks. This bib and rattle theology
grieved the minister while Mrs. Pettysham quite
lost all patience at his absurdities.

Old Mrs, Buchan was always delighted to see
the Minister. It gave her a chance to talk on
religion which she loved only a little less than
contradiction. When there was a rheumatic
wind from the east she had serious doubts about
the resurrection of the body, coming to the con-
clusion that it was rather risky taking to the
next world this earthly tabernacle of the soul
with all the ills that it is heir to. In confirm-
ation of this she would hurl texts from the
minor prophets and other obscure portions of
the Scriptures at the good man's head until he
retired discomfited. Then the neighbors, loud
in praise of her piety and learning, would pass
the word from mouth to mouth.

" Mother Buchan has again stumped the par-
son.''

This rather lowered the good man in tlie esti-
mation of the Jennie Geddes's of the village
who " were no vera shure that the mcLMiistcr
was gifted we' the power o' the speerit," and as
women rule their husbands generally on re-

ligious matters, it was as generally concluded
that the Rev. Jeremiah was not a theological
breech-loading, hundred pound armstrong gun.
An itinerant preacher, when told that his pay
was very poor, remarked frankly, " Yes the pay
is dreadful poor — but it's dreadful poor preaching
I give for the money." So the people of Con-
sumption had to be contented with their minister
whose preaching at the worst was better than his
pay. Screws the Treasurer believed in keeping
the ministers poor, as poverty restrained pride
and begot humility — an essential in the character
of a country clergyman.

The Rose residence, or the Manse, as the old
country people calhd it, was a substantial struc-
ture having being built by an old Hudson Bay
trader who, from compunctions of a tardily awa-
kened conscience, devoted a pittance of the
pelf swindled out of the Indians to the service
of his Maker, like the penitent thief who thought
to silence the still small voice by giving in alms
the tail of the pig he had stolen. This Nor'-
West magnate had also built the church, and on
a marble tablet above the entrance commemor-
ated the fact by the following inscription : —

"This church was erected by Peter McGrab at liis
sole expense."

It might have been written truthfully at " his
soul's expense,"considering the number of shoddy
blankets and the amount of poor whiskey he
palmed off on Lo, the poor Indian. Peter for-
got, or never read Pope, or else the couplet
wo\ild have warned him that

" He who builds to God and not for Fame,
Will never mark tba marble with his name."

The church and manse, however, were the
pride of the village, and if the minister did get
poor pay, he was at least comfortably housed and
was not under the necessity of constantly dunning
the congregation for money to make as constant
repairs to a cheap church run up by a contractor,
who knew " - would have to wait a long period
for his money and consequently wasted as little
time and material as possible on the job.

Not a few such flimsy churches are built on
promises to pay.

The Rose family consisted of Mrs. Rose, a re-
fine lady, who in younger days had been one of
the garrison belles of Montreal, but
with that impulsiveness characteristic of
the sex, suddenly embraced religion at a re-
vival meeting and as suddenly embraced the
opportunity of making the impression perman-
ent by accepting the Rev. Jeremiah, who oppor-
tunitely presented himself, while she was in this
spiritual mood. The whilehome garrison
belle made a most exemplary wife, and with

mam

ready tact adopted herself to the entourage of
a Canadian village. She more than supplied
the deficiencies of her husband, and managed
tlieir small income with the skill of a finan-
cier.

The reverend gentleman was undoubtedly a
good man. He had a solid figure, unimpas-
sioned flice and all the dignity of dullness — a
dignity most essential in divmes of imposing
appearance and limited abilities. The Buchans
delighted to "sit under him" and Robert could
truthfully exclaim :

" I stroked with joy my o.J grey beard,
To hear the points of doctrine cleared,
And all the horrors of damnation
Set forth with faithful ministration.
No doubtful testimony here,
"We all were damned, and that was clear
I owned with gratitude and wonder.
He was a pleasure to sit under.

No one could deal in purgatorial pyrotech-
nics, nor amplify a parable into a sermon better
than the Rev. Mr. Rose, and this even his
worst enemies admitted.

Two children enlivened the manse. The
eldest Frederick, a young lad of sixteen and
full of promise, had been reared in the family
circle, and inheriting a studious refined dis-
position with a certain nobility of character, was
better adopted for a learned profession than to
measure tape and sell molasses in Screw's store,
where his father had determined to place
him.

Florence, the other child, was in the delec-
table period of budding womanhood. Her
well poised head of oval form, giving the im-
pression of refinement and intellect, was graced
by luxuriant waves of golden hair like an
aureole, that swept back into a plain Grecian
knot, regular features of Hellenic loveliness,
were made most piquante by a pair of dark
hazel eyes which contrasted startingly yet
harmoniously with her sun-lit hair. This
Andaliisian type of beauty, so rare, so unique
in our colder climes, may be frequently en-
countered in the sunny land of Spain. The
late Adelaide Neilson, born in Madrid, was the
most lovely being that has graced the stage in
this generation at least. And of the pure
Spanish type also, was tUe radiant Eugenie
Countess de Montejo, whose beauty bid the
ambition of a usurper sleep, as Napoleon, de-
clining a monarchical aliiance that might have
strengthened bis dynasty, raised the daughter
of a Count of comparative insignificance to the
Imperial Throne of France. Of this rare type
was lair Florence, who had that indiscribable
soft charm of manner which a convent education
there being an entire absence of the
dmg School Bonn- which intrudes so un-

givcs,
Boar

pleasantly in young ladies fresh from Miss Mc-
Smatters fashionable Seminary, where the
proprietress modestly purports to teach every-
thing within the bounds of the human under-
standing. The Sisters of St. Joseph, where she
was educated, were ladies of intelligence, and
that exquisite French refinement characteristic
of the ancienne noblesse. In fact, not a few of
these worthy women belonged to families of the
highest rank in the courtly land of France.
Her father, and many of the leading members of
the congregation, were at the commencement
antagonistic to his child's being educated by the
nuns, but as no one offered to pay his
daughters expenses at a fashionable Montreal
boarding school, they were constrained to
silence. On one occasion her mother called at
the convent to see Florence, who was sent for
by the nun in attendance.

"Oh Mamma," she cried on seeing her
mother, and was just about rushing into her
dear parents arms when the nun stepped for-
ward and gently but firmly arrested her progress,
saying with dignity.

" Miss Rose, leave the room and enter pro-
perly."

The hot indignant blood mounted to the
rebellious young beauty's face, but she restrained
her anger and left the room.

On being summoned she re-entered, and
turning to the nun made a most respectful
courtesy which the sister returned and then
retired, leaving mother and daughter to-
gether.

Withal, her voice, like Cordelia's, " was ever
soft, gentle and low, that excellent thing in
woman," and her accents fell so naturally that it
was quite refreshing to listen to her liquid Can-
adian tones, after the tympanum had been
harrowed by the affected English drawl imitated
by too many of our Dominion belles. This
drawl is perfectly excusable in young gentlemen
who have been sent from Canada to Oxford or
Cambridge for the purpose of forgetting tbis
native accent and their country. These soft-
shelled snobs come back so imbued with Eng-
lish ideas, that when bad weather in London
is cabled, they put up their umbrellas in Mon-
treal.

*******

We have now, inconsequential reader, intro-
duced the main army of our characters in due
form, and with the foregoing dramatis persome
we intend to work on to the finis, introducing oc-
casionally, as they say in the play bill, persons
ecjuivalent to "soldiers, sailors, peasants, police-
men " and other utility people that vulgar
little boys in the gallery jeer at and call

Miss Mc-

vliere the

;ach every-

an under-

where slie

gence,and

aracteristic

Dt a few of

ilies cf the

of PVance.

nembers of

nencement

ated by the

pay his

Montreal

rained to

r called at

as sent for

seeing her
g into her
cpped fof-
er progress,

enter pro-
ted to the
e restrained

tered, and
1 respectful
i and then
lighter to-

" was ever
It thing in
rally that it
liquid Can-
had been
wl imitated
:lles. This
gentlemen
» Oxford or
getting tkis
I hese soft-
with Eng-
n Ix)ndon
as in Mou-

lder, intro-
ers in due
s persome
iducing oc-
11, persons
Its, police-
at vulgar
and call

" soups," and men of the world consider as in-
signiticaiit pawns on life's chess-board,

Wkv the Gi.'rman army at the seige ol Sedan,
wc have placed our forces on the surrounding
hills and now tlie cannonading begins. The
modern slory-tellers introduce the reader into a
room full of people, and he finds out the char-
acter as best he can in such a colloquial fashion
that it is difficult to know who's who, until half
way througli the book, vide tlio realistic pages
of " Ouida " and the Sunday school editions of

•' Zola."

CHAPTER V.

A chapter wlierein conceit chones a text, ignorance ex-
pouuib it, and auiwratition advocatea it.

The F^ettyshams had been for several days in
possession of " Hardscrabble " and as soon as
" things were set to rights " as our practical
American cousins say, the family received calls,
Already the old place shows traces of rejuven-
ation, a few coats of paint, a little tidying up,
a little gardening, a nail here and a rail there,
and the wrinkles gradually disappear from the
face of the old mansion, as if it had applied an
infallible " Bloom of Youth " or some other
cosmetic to its aged features. Mrs. Pettysham
put energy into all arouna her and even the
lubberly cow boy endeavored to be active and
let people know he was alive while he did live.
Mr. Pettysham, though a mortal of the careless
kind and something of a Sybarite, was almost
transformed into a stern Spartan by his indefati-
gible wife. He read law diligently and being a
man of varied information with strong percep-
tive and retentive faculties might have been a
Canadian Solon had fate called him to the bar
at an earlier age. A jovial corpulent man with
something of a sensual expression, he took life
easy and never worried. There is an impression
that fat people are " so good aatured." This is
an error, the most intensely selfish people are
invariably fat, they havj no sympathy for others
and with them freedom from pain and a fair
supi)ly of material wants means liuppiness un-
alloyed. Your fat jovial sybarite is a very
^«/^</^^/6' fellow in the city, and a very pleasant
person to chat with at the country store where
he spends most of his time, but for active work
ai live sympathy, and the fatherly care of to
family the loss of corpulence the better.

Pettysham had all the (pialifications for achiev-
ing jjopularity, not being troubled with delicate
sensibilities or active sympathies, consequently
he could refuse a favor in a suave pleasant way
that would be utterly impossible to a man of
heart and impulse who, in endeavoring to hide
the pain it gave him to refuse, would too fre-
qi'ently assume au austere and even harsh man-

ner. Being indifferent on religious mutters, he
was very tolerant and took the first opportunity
to give old Mrs. Buchan a practical lesson on
that subject. Like the Earl of Shaftesbury he
believed all sensible men to be of the same re-
ligion and men of sense never tell what that re-
ligion is.

One fine sunny afternoon in the early part of
June, Pettysham might have been seen sur-
rounded by a troop of olive branches among
whom were Miss Constance, a romping lass of
fourteen and the eldest son Fred, a handsome
youth of sixteen who had passed very creditably
thr sixth form at the High School, Montreal,
and would have entered McGill College had his
grandfather not failed. Would t' at many of us
could but recall those happy school days, when
gay and free from all care and pain we frolicked,
fought and got thrashed with unfailing regularity.
There was even sugar in Howes' cane, " Uavy "
Rogers' taws which sometimes made us wish wo
were cherubs without bodies to be whacked,
were never laid on except when the culprit
richly deserved it. Well do many of us remem-
ber being called out to perform for the warning
and benefit of the class a, pas sen/, a sort of a
squirming minuet to the swishing music of the
cane, and were so demoralized as to find it pre-
ferable to being kept in, a more dignified but
terribly tedious punishment to young mercurial
blood.

The Pettyshams were on their way to pay
their respects to Mrs. Buchan, whom they found
sitting on the porch of her cottage knitting.

" How's a' wi' ye the day '^ cried out Mr.
Pettysham when within speaking distance.

" Brawly " responded the old dame, " come
awa ben."

" No, no, its a fine day and we'll pay our res-
pects to you here on the porch."

" Na, na, I will ca' it a veesit unless you cross
my threshold."

" Well, well, children come away in," said Mr.
Pettysham laughing, as he humored the old
dame, who insisted on the ' bairns, puir
bodies' gorging themselves with cakes
and currant wine. These juveniles with
phenomenal digestions were soon romping
over the premises, into the stable, up in the hay
loft, and then far into the fields, where they
wondered until nightfall.

After the children had gone, the old lady re-
sumed her seat on the porch, and Mr. Petty-
sham, leaning against the post, kept up quite an
animated discussion on prophetical scriptural
problems which could only be solved by the
author, and she had lost the key.

" Don't you think Mrs. Buchan, that all good

folks in the world will be saved ? There are,
perhaps more roads to Heaven than one."

" Na, Na, ye must be saved by faith, ye canna
be saved by works alone, there is only one
straight and narrow path, that John Knox in
the time of the Reformation pointed out."

" What ! You don't mean to say that only
Presbyterians will be saved !"

" I hae me doubts aboot ither creeds, they are
a led by the false prophets of Anti-Christ."

" Indeed — How lucky it was for the world that
Christ was born a poor Jew, if Scotland had
been the place of nativity, no one south of the
Tweed would have been saved ! Come, come,
Mrs. Buchan, be a little more charitable."

" I am charitable but ye ken well that many
are called and but few chosen."

" And I suppose the majority of that few will
come from Scotland ?"

" Aye, aye, they'll all come from the land
where they ken how to keep the Sawbat/i."

" I thought you said we could only be saved
by faith and not by works. Keeping the Sab-
bath is not an exercise of faith. Do you see
that cart-wheel leaning against the fence."

" Yes."

" What are the ants climbing up the spokes
for?"

" To eat the grease at the hub."

" Can't they get to the hub as well by one
spoke as by another."

" Certainly."

" Now these ants are like Christians travelling
to the promised land. They are on different
roads, but all lead to the same centre. Perhaps
these ants resemble human beings. Those on
one spoke are calling to those on another, warn-
ing them that they are on the wrong path and
will never reach the grease at the hub. How
astonished some ants will be at th« end of the
journey to find those they thought on the wrong
way have arrived before them ! There will be
many such surprises in Heaven. People we
expected to meet are absent and many we
thought doomed to perdition are in the high
places."

The old bdy adjusted her spectacles and was
about to demolish Mr. Peltysham with texts
from the minor prophets, when Mrs. Pettysham
opportunely arrived and tke conversation drift-
ed for a time into other channels.

Mrs. Pettysham must of course " come awa
ben " and taste the cake and currant wine.

"What sultry weather we are having, is it not
unusual for this season of the year," she re-
marked.

" It is indeed Mrs. Pettysham, we're living in
dreadful days, the prophesied time is at hand,

and " the fifth angel has , soundc.i, and a star
has fallen from Heaven unto the earth, and to
him was given the key of the bottomless pit,
and he opened the bottomless pit, and
there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the
smoke of a great furnace and the sun and the
air were darkened by reason of the smoke of
the pit," Now all this is in Revelations, ninth
Chapter, ist and 2nd verses. I saw we my ain'
eyes yon star fa last night."

" But stars fall in some parts of the Heavens
evary night. Do you really think the bottom-
less pit is opened and this is the cause of the
warm weather?"

" I'm verra verra sure I dreamt for the third
time last night of the seven seals and the beast
with seven heads and ten horns."

" Perhaps you had indigestion" here inter-
posed Mr. Pettysham, adding laughingly, '-when
I have a nightmare of that sort I see the Jab-
berwock. and the Giascutus flying with the
Rhinoceroses among the trees, and bob-tailed
salmon swimming backward up Niagara Falls
for mere diversion."

Mrs. Pettysham gently reproved her husband
for his levity and then turning to the prophetess
said half laughingly half seriously.

" My dear Mrs. Buchan don't you think it is
rather an impious assumption to imagine that
Providence has appointed you the expounder of
his will !"

" Providence, rradam, has chosen the weak
things of this world to confound the
mighty."

" But Mrs. Buchan," again interposed Mr.
Pettysham, " you are not a weak woman, the
people say you often stump the minister in
argument ?"

The old lady acknowledged the
with a grateful smile of conscious
partially mollified her. But just
rallying to annihilate Mrs.
mendous uproar was heard

compliment
pride, which
as she was
Pettysham, a tre-
in the rear of the

house and m rushed " Bob " Buchan in a state
of furious indignation, crying.

" I'll wrestle the evil one out of her. I'll not
stand it, she's a witch and has sold herself to
Satan."

" What's the matter Mr. Buchan?" cried the
visitors in a breath, considerably alarmed.

" Mucklo the matter, that old witch lias been
up to her tricks again, she's sold me rats."

" Sold you rats, Mr. Buchan ! " exclaimed
Mrs. Pettysham in astonishment, moving to-
wards the door as if she had some doubts about
Bob's sanity.

" Yes, sold me rats, I just found the penny
under the door of the barn and as I picked it
up a rat : in across the floor. There wasn't a

dr
I

1, and a star
larth, and to
tomless pit,
s pit, and
pit, as the
iiin and the
le smoke of
ations, ninth
w we my ain'

the Heavens
the bottom-
cause of the

for the third
id the beast

here intcr-
ingly, '"when
iee the Jab-
ig with the
1 bob-tailed
iagara Falls

her husband
e prophetess

lu think it is
magine that
pxpounder of

jn the weak
ifound the

rposed Mr.

woman, the

minister in

compliment
pride, which
as she was
iham, a trc-
rear of the
,a in a state

ler. I'll not
herself to

' cried the
rmed.
;h lias been

rats."

exclaimed
moving to-
)ubts about

1 the penny
picked it
wasn't a

rat to be seen for months past, but I'll wrestle
with her as Jacob did with the angel, she'll not
sell nie rats again I'se warrant ye."

" Who is the woman? " queried Mrs. Petty-
sham with an amused smile.

" That I'renchwonian, the Widow Barbotte,
wlu) lives near the creek at the back of Screw's
store. Slie's the mother of Narcisse Barbotte,
who used to work for me. But he's gone to the
United States where these French go, and it
will be a lucky day when they all leave Canada.
I knew something would happen, I never yet
dreamt of Moses and the plagues of Egypt but
I was bewitched. Only last night I saw in a
vision the Egyptians, full of boils and blains,
rubbing themselves against scratching posts as
they do in Scotland, and now the witch Barbotte
has sold me rats !" ■

"Nonsense man ! she's a poor half idotic crea-
ture who can harm nobody."

"Harm nobody indeed! I tell ye one of those
French Canadian farmers gave her a few pen-
nies and some food to sell his rats and she's
sold them to me."

" You astonish me ! How does she do it ? "

" With the help of Satan she bewitches the
rats. Then she goes to the barn at night and
calls out ."

" 'Rats ! Rats ! Rats 1 ! . ^Ve sold ye to Bob
Buchan, I've got the money and yo must go
when I lay the penny. '

" The old hag then comes to my barn and
slips a newly minted penny that Satan has bitten,
under the barn door and says :

" ^Rats ! Rats ! ! Rats ! ! ! While ye stay with
Bob 'Buchan, cats can not kill ye, dogs cannot
bite ye, traps cannot catch ye, nor poison de-
stroy ye. Kiss ye the penny.'

"She no sooner says this than the rats who
have lollowed her squeal with delight and each
one as he passes through the barn door kisses
the penny and is safe from all harm. I'll make
the old beldame rue this job, I'll no leave her
till she and Satan lead the rats into the creek
and drown them."

Despite all remonstrances Bob rushed off to
put his design into execution. During this
strange scene Mrs. Buchan never uttered a
syllable but shook her head in a dismal con-
ceited owlish way, as if to infer that the bot-
tomless pit was now open and she would not be
astonished though Lucifer himself and all the
powers of darkness paid her a visit,

Mr. Pettysham enjoyed this characteristic
little melo-drama, but his wife was shocked at
such a display o( sacrilegious ignorance, where-
in rats and Holy Writ seemed inextricably
mixed.

On their return after remaining silent for

some time, she abruptly asked her husband :

" Had poor Mary Queen of Scots to live
among such uncouth superstitious people ? "

Yes, my dear, the Scotch in her day were
exceedingly rude in their manners and horribly
superstitious. Her son, " his .sowship" James
the First, of England, found that text in the
Bible, " Thou slialt not suffer a witch to live."
This modern Solomon employed a wretch to go
around the country and discover those
possessed of evil spirits. This miserable fellow
known as " Hopkins the Witch finder,"
caused a number of harmless old women
to be brought before one of the pet judges
of the King. Sir Matthew Hale, who,
acting as judge, jury, and prosecuting
council, readily admitted the most absurd and
suborned testimony, and condemned these un-
fortunates to be tortured, drowned or burnt at
the stake. His Majesty, or his "Sowship" as
his favorite Carr, called him, was grasping
avaricious, and mean even for a Scotchman,
which is saying a great deal. The King's ene-
mies, with much apparent truth, asserted that
Hopkins and the Monarch levied a considerable
amount of black mail, and not a few wealthy old
ladies were compelled secretly to pay heavy
fines lest they should be denounced and burnt
as witches. To be denounced meant conviction
as much as being suspected of being a Royalist
meant death during the reign of terror in
France. It was this apology for a King who
caused the great Sir Walter Raleigh to be be-
headed in the tower and then seized his estate,
saying " I must have it for Carr." This Carr
was the worthless favorite who familiarly ad-
dressed the Royal James as " his sowship," and
no doubt the monarch deserved the title.
Rather singular that such a defender of the
Divine right of Kings should allow such famil-
iarity from a subject, but a Scotchman can never
see any wrong in his cronies."

" I had my doubts'about poor Mary " inter-
posed Mrs. Pettysham," but now I sincerely
pity her. Just fancy her leaving the polished,
gay, esthetical Court of France, to live in such
a bleak, severe, barbarous country. I can well
imagine with what infinite feelings of disgust
she was compelled to listen to John Knox.

Yes, John Knox was not a pleasant propa-
gandist according to our modern notions of
making converts. The spirit of love and moder-
ation was foreign to his rough, harsh character.
With Mahomet it was the sv/ord, tribute, or the
Koran, with John Knox, Presbyterianism or
persecution. He was born in 1505, became a
Protestant in 1545, and though over three
hundred years have passed, the same intolerant
spirit towards every other creed is a distinguish-

ing trait of Scotch theology. Monseigneur
Capel, (the Caterby of Disraeli's Lothair, which
was not written at that period) who has convert-
ed half the English nobility to Catholicism, used
the sumiiter in inodo method, — a method the
Protestants might learn to advantage in dealing
with the Catholics of Canada. But the Stuarts
were a bad lot."

" Mr. Pettysham, remember my father was a
descendant of these Kings,*' exclaimed the lady
indignantly.

" By Jove, my dear, I forgot I was declaiming
against your family. Pray moderate your anger,
you are almost as bad as the humorist who wept
at the grave of Adam because he felt the rela-
tionship."

This levity was too much for the haughty
descendant of a royal line, and the irreverent
ribald was in process of receiving a sound rat-
ing when, from a path turning into the road,
her belligerent ladyship encountered Mr. and
Mrs. Screws, Miss Mary Screws accompanied by
Mr. Samuel Skimpit, the Rev. Jeremiah Rose
and his pretty daughter Florence. These good
people had come to pay their respects to the
new-comers. After many serious and pro-
longed consultations, these rural fashionables
concluded to visit the Pettyshams in a body, to
• support and encourage each other. Dame
Rumor having circulated exaggerated reports
concerning the grandeur and fashionable style
of life maintained at " Hardscrabble."

Chapter VI.

" As the husband, so the wife is
Thou art mated to a clown,
And the grossness of his nature
Will have weight to drag thee down."

LOCKESLY Haxl.

Mr. Solomon Screws greeted Mr. and Mrs.
Peitysham, with a disagreeable mixture of assur-
ance and servility, coupled to an unctuous
dcfferencc interrupted by a harsh spirit of con-
tradiction. Though generally soft and slimy in
speech he could not disguise the natural rough-
ness of his nature. One saw only the artificial
civility of the tradesman who endeavors to
please that he may rise in his business, but the
true c.vility of the gentleman who endeavors to
make others happy, even at his own cost, was
net a component part of Screw's politeness.

Mrs. Pettysham, a keen but kindly observer,
soon placed these people at their ease, by her
affable engaging manners. The clergyman and
his daughter, the fair Florence, particulary inter-
ested her. She felt that w.th them there might
be some approach to intimacy, but a secret in-
stinct warned her to be on guard wiih the

Screws family whose ideas and habits were on a
much lower plane. These she treated with the
most marked and stately politeness —a polite
ness that effectually checked all undue familiar-
ity. She felt like a beseiged commander who
is compelled to admit an enemy under a flag of
of truce, but is determined to keep hidden from
his observation the condition of the fort and
garrison. To treat thisgossip-mongering clique
genially and yet allow no prying into her
affairs was no easy task with people accustomed
to.ask the most blunt questions.

Poor Mrs.. Screws was one of those good-
natured common -place souls made by the
thousand like planks from a saw-mill, and well
fitted for the common usages of life. Nursing,
dressing and housekeeping, with a little peppery
gossip filled up the gamut of her life. She
never meant any harm by what she said, but
like most people who make the same remark did
a great deal. Her husband had frequently to
reprimand her for speaking too freely of the
internal economy of the household, then she
would cry and sob " Solomon I'm far from
well. Pm not long for this world." This plain-
tive appeal, in the early days of matrimony, was
potent to quiet the angry passions of Screws
but of late years it had become monotonous.

** You're not long for this world are you ?" he
would exclaim, " if you keep on whining you'll
be dead in a month and then I'll be at the ex-
pense of a funeral, and the 'annoyance of being
without a wife for six months."

This had an electrical effect on Mrs. Screws
who lived in mortal terror that she should die
and her children be left to the care of a step-
mother, for nothing could convince her that
Screws would not marry again. Had she
studied better that species of the human race
the widower, she would have known such be-
reaved ones are not over apt to take a second
chance in the lottery of matrimoney when the
HTst proves to be a blank. These truths she
poured, into Mrs. Pettyshams ear in &sotto voce
while Solomon was discussing politics and
Skimpit entertaining the young ladies with a
story wherein he quizzed a countryman who
called tomatoes iomafeses, by saying sys-
tematically potateses instead of potatoes. The
little imp, hardly large enough to bait a mouse-
trap, was taking lessons in grammar at a night-
school and went around like a nonpareil edition
of Lindly Murray obnoxiously correcting every-
body and telling them they spoke "bad gram-
mer." Indeed he got quite a reputatio*^ as a
grammarian, and on one occasion an American
from over the lines not seeing him in the store
asked one of the clerks if that " Little diction-
ary cuss was around."

:s were on a
etl with the
3 -a polite
le familiar-
ander who
Icr a flag of
lidden from
e fort and
2ring clique
into her
iccustomed

lose good-
e by the
II, and well
Nursing,
tie peppery

life. She
e said, but
remark did
equently to
ely of the
, then she
n far from
This plain-
mony, was
of Screws
otonous.
e you ?" he
ning you'll

at the ex-
of being

rs. Screws
should die
of a step-
e her that
Had she
uman race
n such be-
e a second

when the
truths she
I soUo voce
itlcs and
es with a
man who
nng
jes.

a mouse-
fc a night-
«V edition
ng every-
)ad gram-
itio" as a
A.merican

the store
e diction-

sys-
The

Poor Skimpit was not naturally of a literary
turn of mind. His esthetic taste had just
sprouted and was not yet out of the nursery.
People wandered how Sammy should '' go so
suddenly for book laming. " I-ittle they knew
that under the calm business-like exterior of
Samuel Skimpit there was an emotional volcano
of romance. It that heart, as it were, Cupid had
started business and was doing a roaring trade.
Miss Mary Screws had found pices of paper in
his room covered with original poetry, wherein
the spondees and dactyls were about as musical
as if they had been fired out of a cannon.
One line could be measured with a yard-stick
and the other with a ten-foot pole, for Skimpit
cultivated the rugged metre of Walt Whitman
and made his poetic lines like " Blades of
Grass," some " long, and t'others short." Mary
treasured these effusions and grew more lovingly
affectionate with her own Sammy. But she
acted on him like a dose of treacle and brim-
stone they give school boys in spring to cool
their blood.

Alas poor Samuel, alas poor Mary. The
course of true love never does run smooth.
Talk of the " Rocky Ride " to Dublin, dream of
riding over a corduroy road in a springless hay-
cart I These are as ephemeral as infantile
spankings, forgotten perhaps ere the maternal
slipper is replaced, but what, 7v/iat balm is there
for the pangs of unrequited affection ?

Skimpit loved — but not where he could get a
share in the business. This was quite a mis-
take from a commercial point of view. Where
were the claims of interest and advancement ?
"The thoughts ye cannot stay with brazen
chains a girls hair lightly binds." The spell of
woman's wiles have been woven around Sam-
uel's heart, and

Love forever hath

A spell to make Ambition sleep.

crews now had no occasion to reprimand his
head clerk for non attendance at church.
Samuel, instead of racing around the country
on a buck -board on the Sabbath day buying pro-
duce and doing a little note shaving on his own
account, now went regularly to chnrch, taught
Sunday school, attended the Thursday evening
meetings, and not unfrequently led in prayer.
He never played cards now on Sunday even-
ings, and spoke of the failings of others in a tone
;ndicative of his own infallibility. In fact he be-
<ame a pious prig, but, like a pendulum, was
eternally swinging to extremes. One month
he would forswear dancing and declare it was
sinful. Then his restless energy, like one of
Cromwell's Roundheads, with a text of Scrip-
lure for a Clirislian name, would denounce stage

plays as vain devices of the evil one. When the
pendulum was at stage plays he never missed a
dance in the whole country side, but when ir yot
back he attended every vagabond strolling com-
pany that performed, and talked of high art
and the drama.

In fact Skimpit fell over head and ears in love
with that heart ensnarer, Florence Rose,
the minister's lovely daughter, who had just
finished her education at the Convent and had
returned to Consumption. How eagerly he
embraeed ;he opportunity of obtaining an intro-
duction when the visit to the Pettyshams was
arranged. How agreeable he tried to make
himself while his little enslaver, as demure as a
nun quietly enjoyed this her first triumph.

" Yes, M's. Pettysham, the doctor knows my
constitution, Mrs. Pettysham, and 1 feel far fruin
well, Mrs. Pettysham, and I know I'm not long
for this world, and what's to become of those
poor motherless children, Mrs. Pettysham?"

" There she goes again," said Screws to him-
self, pausing in the conservation with Mr.
Pettysham and darting a fierce look at his wife.
"I suppose Mrs. Pettysham will know more than
I do of my own house if I stay much longer."

But Mrs. Screws was not to be put down, and
by way of defiance raised her voice a little
louder, and having beard somewhere that it
showed respect when addressing a person to re-
peat their name as frequently as posoible, took
care to sprinkle Mr. Pettysham's patronymic
pretty liberally in the conversation. She learnt
it from her father, Joblot, boot-maker to the
nobility, who couldn't sell Lord Tom No^'dy
even a pair of laces without calling him " My
lord" as often as there were eyelets in his shoot-
ing boots.

" Yes, Mr. Pettysham, what is to become of
those poor motherless darlings. There is my
eldest daughter, Mary, she of course will be pro-
vided for — "

The rest of the conversation could only be
inferred from fragments — Mr. Skimpit — steady
pious young man— good husband — s/mre in busi-
ness.

This little bit of family history was unfortun-
ately revealed at a time when a complete lull in
the conversation took place.

Skimpit heard it and could have howled with
anguish.

Miss Screws heard it, blushed, and looked ten-
derly at her own Sammy.

Miss Rose heard it, and imagining there
could be no harm in being affable to the fiancid
of her friend, made herself very agreeable.

Mr. Pettysham heard it, and putting Skimpit
under a mental microscope, anatomized the in-
sect in his usual calm way, "Confidence—

brass— assurance — never lack anything for want
of asking."

Mrs. Pettysham of course heard it, and with a
woman's unerring instinct, considered it a very
good match.

What more unseasonable confidences the
loquacious Mrs. .Screws would have inflicted on
her much enduring kostess had not the servant
announced —

Mr. and Mrs. Prudhomme.

The notary, a short meagre man, witli a coun-
tenance as full of angles as a treatise on trigon-
ometry, advanced into the room followed by his
wife, a large corpulent woman, who was dressed
so inharmoniously that each article looked as if it
had been won at a lottery. A paint shop struck
with a bombshell would have been harmony it-
self compared with her toilet.

The man of deeds and titles bowed politely to
the hostess and host,' and was about to take his
seat when Screws advanced familiarly and shak-
ing hia hand exclaimed — •

" Why, Toughheel, you here ? Didn't expect
this. Mrs. Pettysham, all the village seems to
be making you a call to-day."

"Ah, Monsieur Screws, you will '-.all rae
foug/i heel. Monsieur Pettysham, dis man no
pronounce the French vera well. My name
is Theophile Achille, and he call me Tough-
heel."

"Your name in English is Theophilus
Achilles," responded Mr. Pettysham. " Mr.
Screws perhaps is something of a humorist, and
calls you ' the tough heeled Achilles.' That my-
thological warrior was only vulnerable in the
heel, but you are completely invulnerable, judg-
ing by your name . "

The notary laughed at this quaint conceit
and so did Screws, to show that that he under-
stood the classical illusion, which he did not.

Mr. Pettysham took a good look at the hard-
featured notary, and concluded that his tough
heel was the only soft spot about him.

The notary in his turn thought that as far as
Pettysham was concerned, "Hardscrabble" would
not stay long in such hands. The Madam, as
he called Mrs. Pettysham, would be a foil *-o any
plans he and Screws had to eventually possess
the seignory.

Injustice to-day lives as much in a fortress as
in the old feudal times when the predatory
baron swept down from his stronghold and har-
ried the defenceless peasants of the plain. Our
modern robbers are the store-keepers, and the
extortionate money-lenders and they are destitute
of chivalry and romance, redeeming features of
their prototypes, That delightful writer, Wash-
ington Irving, says, " a conscientious highway-
man reforms and becomes a praiseworthy citizen.

contenting himself with cheatiug his neighbor
out of that property he would formerly have
seized with open violence."

" Ah, Monsieur Pettysham, you will soon make
one fine place of dis ' Hardscrabble.' "

" TV) be sure," added Screws. " Mr. Petty-
ham has no doubt studied scientific farming and
wfll help to educate our farmers up to the
modern style of agriculture. They know nothing
about sub-soil drainage and plowing, phosphate,
guano and patent fertilizers. I suppose you will
introduce the new systems?"

" Not I ; in fact I know but little about farm-
ing, except in theory — enough perhaps to enable
me to make a short speech at an agricultural
dinner. Besides, 1 have no capital to embark
in 'such enterprises. I Ipave that for Montreal
millionaires, who farm on the Lachine Road
for pleasure and raise potatoes that cost about
ten cents each. My wife will look after ' Hard-
scrabble.' "

"As for capital," said the notary, " you would
have no trouble, I assure you, in raising all the
money you want at a nominal rate of interest,
— merely nominal, I assure you. Is that not so,
Mr. Screws ?"

Certainly, ray dear Toughheel, no man .
this county has better judgment on such mat-
ters, and Mrs. Pettysham, this fine estate is
susceptible of great improvement, but it never
has had such intelligent management as you can
bestow upon it.

" I am afraid, Mr. Screws, replied the hos-
tess, this is no country for scientific agriculture
and gentleman farming." "He who would thrive
by the plow must hold it himself." ThI in an
old and true saying and worthy of ail •ii.:«,5pta-
tion. I have many friends in the townships t» ho
have sunk large sums in experimental farming
without much success, and you fknow sir it is
wisdom to profit by the experience of others.

" Madam is very prudent,>but too great pru-
dence kills enterprise."

"Experience teaches us caution."
"Caution carried to excess makes us lose many
opportunities."

" It is better to lose opportunities than to im-
perii that by which opportunities can be im-
proved."

" Ah, Madame, it is useless to discuss with
so clever a lady, you should be in Parliament."
•'No thank you, that is not woman's sphere, I
hope my husband will some day get there."

" If he ever gets there," thought hcrcws, " he
will be more indebted to you maa to his own
abilities. He may have book learning, but a
baby could beat him at a bargain."

Skimpit listened attentively to this conversa-
tion. He bad heard similar conferences on

sev«

the
hou

fifs neighbor
rmerly have

ill soon make

"Mr. Petty-
fariuing and
up to the
now nothing
, phosphate,
jose you will

about farm-
ps to enable

agricultural
il to embark
3r Montreal
:hine Road

cost about
after ' Hard-

" you would

ising all the

of interest,

i that not BO,

no man . .
such mat-
tie estate is
)ut it never
: as you can

:d the hos-
agricuUure
vould thrive
ThI- id an
lii ar., epta-
^nships «i ho
tal farming
jVf sir it is
L/f others,
o great pru-

is lose many

than to im-
can be im-

iscuss with
'arliament."
's sphere, I
there."
:fcws, " he
to his own
ling, but a

i conversa-
:rences on

several occasions and they boded little good for
iht person who got between Hcrews aud Prud-
homme.

'The notary before retiring was loud in liis
praises ofliis good friend Sciews and improv-
ing an opportunity when Mrs. Pettysham was
alone, informed lier in l-'renchitied Knghsh that
he admired " self inado " men.

" Dere is my vera good friend Monsieur
Screws. Smart ii/i oui. He make every ding him-
self — lie make himself No fadder no nnidder,
he came here all alone. He rich now ah oui.
He rise from de lowest of de lov/."

Screws heard these too fulsome compliments
at hrst with pleasure, but when the enthusiastic
notary said that he arose from " the lowest of
de low," he fidgetted, grew red, and looked dag-
gers at his indiscreet eulogist.

Mr. Pettysham listened with amusement to
the httle notary's application of the phrase
" lowest of the low," which he had heard in
some other conversation and imagined it would
be suitable in describing the primal condition
of a self made man. These self made men
worship their creator, that is self, and though
willing to be considered the architect of their
own fortune, hardly wish to convey the impres-
sion that they were, " Born in the garret, in
the gutter bred." All men, would prefer to
have it known, that like St. Patrick, they "came
oi da cent people."

" Wh" dear," he said when the visitor left,
" I doii t think Mr. Screws appreciated the re-
ference to his being the " lowest of de low."
That was a pretty good joke. Do you remem-
ber old bald-headed Crawfish who died worth a
mint of money ? "

"Yes, he was very proud of being a self made
man."

"Well one day at the club he was boasting
rather loudly of the fact, when Charley Bounce,
the broker asked him slowly and dryly :

" Mr. Crawfish — you say you are a self made
man, — well when you — were — about it — why
did'nt you put a little more hair on the top of
your h«ad."

CHAPTFR VII.

"Will I write in your album t Ah, do you not knew,
We are writing ia albums v. herevet we go I
Do good or do evil, whatever our part,
We are writing a line on somebody's heart."

Screws when angry was a master of invective
and could be as vituperative as a police court
lawyer. He allowed the rest of the party under
Skimpit to form the advance guard while he
held Prudhomme back, and gave the astonished
notary such a volley of abusa for his too candid

rcfercute to his lowly origin, that the little man
fancied he nmst have sugj^'csted there was a bar
sinister on the Screws coat of arms.

The two men hated each other, but the co-
hesive power of plunder kept them together,
though they could kiss like Judas and deny e^( h
other in d.mger like Peter, (irab and self were
their gods, ami to tiie'r master passions all
other considerations mu.st succumb. Both
prostituted their relij;ion to gaining temporal
ends. Like pirates beguiling an unsuspecting
merchantman they attrac ted the strangers un-
der the "Banner of the Lamb," but when they
came within ran,L;e hoisted the skull and
cross bones anci hred a raking broad-
side. One rode the Protestant horse,
while the other poses as a leading light
of the Ultramontane party and thus they led the
religious world of Consumption. It was robbery
in broadcloth and therefore reverenced. Not the
act but the manner of doing it constitute the
difference between the financier and ihe felon.
Speculate with the employer's money and the
penitentiary awaits the loser, but taking the
funds of a bank and sinking it in a hazardous
railroad enterprise is only considered a financial
misfortune, whereas success leads to knighthood
and a seal at Royalty's table.

" Tough-heel, I don't see any use of a man who
has been brought up in the gutter always talk-
ing about mud pies," said Screws to his com-
panion with an angry snort.

" Dat isvere true, Mon Dieu, nor do I see any
use in the man what no speaks the French call-
ing his friend, Tough heel and every body laugh.
Ef you call me tough heel — bah ! cet nom bete —
I vill tell that little story of de lowest of de low
and vill lief you and take my hat and pro-
menade."

" Tut, tut, Mr. Frudhomtne, we can't afford to
fall out about trifles, let's us change the subject.
I found out in this visit just what I wanted to as-
certain. The lady is the head of that house' .old.
No use wasting any powder on Pettysham. '

Ah ! yes, she smart, vere smart. He good
fellows, pleasant man to transact de business,
he know so leetle of de grand art of making one
bargain. Eh !"

" Make a bargain I he make a bargain ? J ust
about as well as an Indian could with a Hudson
Bay trader. But he is no fool though he may
not be sharp at a trade."

" Yes, he have de grand ability, and he is of de
noblesse, his family is von of stupendous anti-
quity in la France."

■' What does family amount to if you can't pay
cash?"

"Ah ! Monsieur Screws, you are too practical.
You can pay cash for one, two, dree, four thous-

'^*

and dollar. Maybe he no have a leetle ten
dollar bill, mais mon Dieu, if he run and you
run for de Parliament, he takes his seat, and
you ! You stay at home."

Screws made no reply, but after some minu-
tes reflection in which his pace kept time to the
hurrying thoughts pass'ng through his scheming
brain, he remarked :

" Every man can be had somehow. Mrs.
Pettysham is ambitious to have her husband in
Parliament. The Conservative party is coming
to the front."

" De liberal member is vere rich. He will spend
much money to be re-elected !"

*' Money alone won't do. The people evidently
want a change, and a Conservative candidate of
old family would command much influence es-
pecially with the clergy."

" His election will cost two or tree thousand
dollar."

" I'll furnish that amount."

" Without security."

" No," a mortgage on " Hardscrabble."

" His wife will never consentt"

•' She will if the money is to send her husband
to Parliament. That is her dearest ambition."

" What good will his going to Parliament do
us."

" None at present."

" Then why elect him ?"

" I don't purpose he shall be elected, at least,
this time."

" If he run we must support him. "

" Yes, we can urge him on with one hand for
the sake of appearances, and pnll him back
with the other."

" How?V

"Circulate reports that he is an infidel.
Mrs. Buchan says that he laughs at the holy
Prophets. He is careless, make jokes, and we
can easily manage to convey an impression that
he is not sound on religious subjects. If de-
feated, we hold the mortgage on " Hard-
scrabble " and you know what that means. Eh,
Mr. Prudhomme I"

" Yes, yes, but dey are not like the poor habi-
tant, dey read and dey know where money can
be had for low interest.

I am aware of that. We can say we don't
wish to hurry him, and will make a mortgage
at low interest, say for five years. Paying the
interest will reduce their income. I'll allow
them to open a running account at the store,
and you know what that means. Eh, Prud-
homme ?

" Ah ! yes," replied the Notary with alacrity,
biij face puckered inio a priiunace, den you will
suddenly have some notes falling due, eh. Some
heavy payments to meet, eh. Must have the

money, eh. Perhaps your vere good friend
Prudhomme, might oblige de Pettyshams with
a loan, eh. Yes, but it is second mortgage, must
pay good interest on second mortgage, eh! Ah
ah ! ! he ! ! ! you vere smart man, Screws."

The conspirators were so interested m their
schemes, that they unwittingly approached the
party led by Skimpit and the clergyman, who
being guileless of the ways of business men, did
not understand the purport of their remarks.
The clerk putting together the conversation in
tlie drawing-room and this on the road had the
key to the plot.

" What a pity " he thought, that Florence is
not Mr. Pettysham's daughter, then I could
counteract the plot, save her father from ruin,
who would out of gratitude bestow on me the
hand of his lovely child. Cracky, this is getting
romantic!"

Skimpit, since he joined the church never in-
dulged in strong language. He had quite a vo-
cabulary of modified oaths, and never got nearer
to swearing under the highest provocation than
an occasional " darn."

But he wss too much occupied with his fair
enslaver to give much attention to planning per-
sonal advantages from the knowledge he over-
heard.

Fair Florence loved poetry, and so did Skim-
pit. He never heard Shakspeare's name men-
tioned without a jealous pang, failing to see
much difference between his Muse and that of
the Bard of Avon. Skimpit's imagination was
not of a glowing, tropical cast ; on the contrary,
it was very practical . With a knowledge of
the art of versification, he could have put Da-
vid's Psalms in as good long metre as a ceitain
exalted personage, who may be heartily con-
gratulated himself on not being obliged to live
by his pen, which, in the hands of Httle men,
is an instrument for their own martyrdom,

" What a lovely vegetable garden 1" ejaculated
the poet. " Are you not fond of vegetables.
Miss Florence? Why shouldn't poets praise
these useful products ? Flowers are very
well, but they only please, whereas vegetables
sustain life. And as poets write much about
life, why shouldn't they sing about that which
sustains it?" If I had been Tennyson, I would
have written, ' Come into the garden, Maud,
and cull a cabbage for cooking.' Better than
culling lilies. A man can't live on lilies."

" You're evidently not an aesthetic," replied
the young lady, laughing.

"A what?"

'* An sEsthotic. Don't you know what that
means ? .Esthetics are — well, they are people
who live on sentiment for breakfast, languish
over a lily for dinuer and sup on moonbeams."

Mr.

;re good friend
^ettyshams with

mortgage, must
)rtgage, eh! Ah
an, Screws."
crested m their
approached tlie
clergyman, who
siness men, did

their remarks,
conversation in
le road had the

hat Florence is
then I could
ther from ruin,
stow on me the
', this is getting

hurch never in-
had quite a vo-
ever got nearer
rovocation than

d with his fair

planning per-
ledge he over-
id so did Skim-
e's name men-
failing to see
se and that of
lagination was
n the contrary,

knowledge of

have put Da-
e as a ceitain

heartily con-
obliged to live

of little men,
rtyrdom ,
:n I" ejaculated
of vegetables,
t poets praise
;rs are very
;as vegetables
: much about
lit that which
yson, I would
irden, Maud,

Better than

1 lilies."
:tic," replied

w what that
Y are people
fast, languish
moonbeams."

'' Indeed ! They should be exterminated."

"Why?"

" They spoil trade. When people get to live
on nothing, they ruin the country stores, and I,
as a business man, object to them. I do a little
quiet trading on ray own account in 'he beef
and pork line."

" Why not write poetry on beef and pork,
Mr. Sl.impit? They sustain life," queried the
young lady, with a quizzing laugh.

Why not, reader ? This is a prosaic, prac-
tical age of heifers and hogs. We banquet not
on manna, ambrosia, nectar and such celestial
cordials. Let the modern bard, then, strike
the lyre, and sing a cantata on cabbage, a bra-
vaura on turnips, or warble the tender lamen-
tations of the onion, that tearful Niobe of vege-
tables. Let the love-lorn poet indite a soft,
sentimental sonnet to the potato (when
mashed), or cultivate a philosophical mood and
rival Virgil and Homer in an epic on pork !
Again, why not? The citron, the orange, the
fig and the vine are all praised in immortal
verse. Then why should the more substantial
part of the staff of life be neglected?

Pope did, however, devote this couplet to the
kitchen garden :

"See dying vegetables life sustain ; '

See life, di«solviDg, vegetate again."

But the muse on this subject is not exhausted.

Skiriipit took the practical view, and as a con-
sequence his versification was a blending of
the sublime and the commonplace, a charac-
teristic of the inspired Fenian orator, who said,
that the ship of state of the Irish republic
would ere long walk the waters like a canvas-
back duck. He no doubt meant to give the
quotation that the vessel would " walk the
waters like a thing of life," but his memory was
treacherous, and his florid imagination supplied
the duck simile. It was not so sublime and
comprehensive as "a thing of life," which might
mean a swan or a whale.

It is ditTicult to hide genius under a bushel.
Mary Screws confided to Florence that her
Samuel was a poet and wrote lovely verses.
Though Skimpit never gave out, like Simon,
Magus,"thsit himself was some great one," yet he
never denied that he occasionally cultivated the
muse, and, though some might think it un-
business-like, he entertained a contrary opinion,
as in the present age, he said, literary ability
is a synonym for genera' ability, vide Disraeli,
(Gladstone, Cobden, Bright. Lord John Russel,
and many other able statesmen, who have also
left their impress on the world of letters, to say
nothing of Carlyle's " Able Editors."

The m-'pse was at length reached, but before
saying adieu to her admirer the young beauty
made the blushing Skimpit a request, that ho
should write a few lines in her album, and
without waiting for a reply tripped gaily into
the house, and speedily reappeared with a deli-
cately bound, gilt-edged, perfumed little book —
the bugbear of poets, and the delight of versi-
fiers.

The poet received this tribute to his genius
with all the rapture a lover would a tell-tale rose
from his mistress. In the solemn stillness of the
night, he pondered on the profoundness of his
passion, which was too great for his tongue to
utter. His heart must break or burst in song.
It did burst into song, but not of the agonizing,
wailing, woe-begone sch-; ol that apostrophizes
life and asks if it be worth living — a school that
alternates its lamentations on getting into the
scrape of being alive with mixed metaphors,
which may be highly suggestive, like Browning's
poems, but are not easily understood. The
reader gropes after the hidden, mysterious
meaning in fear and trembling, lest he should
lose his mind, and when he snatehes bald-headed
the mercurial thought, thinks it might much
better have been said than sung, as there was
nothing so sublime in it to warrant such ambigu-
ous phraseology. But this is one of the fashion-
able freaks of the modern muse, and every
lamb's wool suckle-thumbkin who makes a bur-
glarious entrance into Parnassus must be termed
a poet because he darkens the most common-
place thought in sublimity.

Skimpit was not of this pernicious school.
He wrote for the people. Every phrase was as
clear as the noonday sun, and every line was
plain to the least tutored mind. He penned an
acrostic on "Florence," but its burning ardor was
too pronounced for common eyes to see in a
semi-public album. He laid the effusion aside,
and,after long tossing in the bed in a wild frenzy
of composition, produced this sweetly tender
couplet, so full ot fervid remembrance and unaf-
fected simplicity :

When this you spy
Remember I.

Sau'l Skimpit.
5, 4, '58.

True, it was not strictly grammatical, but the
free-bounding soul of the poet was not to be
chained Prometheus-like to a work of Prosody.
He disdained the artificial rules of a class cul-
ture, out of all originality, and as tihepoet of the
people gave the rugged nuggets of his Muse just
as they came from the mine of his exalted soul.

The young lady's feelings on receiving back
her album were not those of unmingled delight
Her first impulse was to tear the couplet out aa

being too touching and tender for the general
eye, but unfortunately it was written on the back
of a page that bore a name and a couplet which
was the refrain of her every song.

CHAPTER VIII.

" 'Tia sweet to court.
But how l)itter.
To court a girl
And then not get her."

Sweet Singer of Michigan.

Miss Florence showed her album to a
particular friend, who solemnly ejaculated after
a peal of laughter,

" In the name of the prophet — Figs."

This is a cry that may be heard daily in the
streets of Constantinople. There the peddlers
preface the name of their wares by a pious ex-
clamation, regardless of the incongruous associa-
tions and the rapid transaction from pathos to
bathos.

This friend, Richard Douglas, the village
schoolmaster, was a tall muscular young man
whose father, a farmer, not far distant from
" Hardscrabble," having a large family to sup-
port, had early suggested that his eldest son
Richard, who showed a very decided disin-
clination to farming, should find employment in
the city. The young man had no love, how-
ever, for trade, and notwithstanding bright
prospects held out to him by relatives in Mon-
treal, accepted the offer of teaching school at a
mere nominal salary. Unlike a great many
shallow pretenders, who by teaching others learnt
themselves to spell, he brought to bear on his
duties a culture and conscientiousness, the re-
sult of arduous study and a stern devotion to
principle. A school is a mimic world, and the
master no mean potentate. He rules the chil-
dren, the children influence the mothers, and
the mothers the fathers ; consequently, he is an
unseen force acting in the present and reaching
far into the future. Dionysius, the tyrant, after
his downfall, taught in Greece, and became the
autocrat of the school-room. Louis the Eight-
eenth was a pedagogue in Switzerland, and was
fonder of translating Horace than of framing a
constitution for the French. Louis Phillippe
taught philosophy and gave French lessons in
New York city. Royalty under a cloud teach-
ing the sovereign citizens of the American Re-
public !

" Oh, he is only a schoolmaster ! " sniffed
Miss Screws to Miss Florence a few days after
the latter's return from the convent.

" He's very nice-looking ; do you know his
name? "

" Richard Douglas, son of an old farmer up the
river.with a large family, and as poor as charity."

" Does he farm when not teaching ? "
" Not he ; it would be something to his credit
if he did. It would aid the old people who
have a hard struggle to make a living. Pa
offered to take him into the store before Mr.
Skimpit came, and, just imagine, he actu-
ally had the insolence to refuse. He might
have got to be a partner. Pa even offered
to give him a salary to keep the books
in his spare hours, and do you know that after
a week's trial Pa found him so obstinate and
unwilling to learn business habits that he was
obliged to dismiss him. Then he took to study-
ing law. There, he's crossing over as if he wanted
to speak to me ! "

Mr. Douglas advanced with a polite bow, but
Miss Screws returned the salute in such a frigid
manner and with a quickened step that he saw
any attempt at conversation would be considered
intrusive. He looked at Florence, their eyes
met, and in that momentary glance lay concealed
the fate of a lifetime.

The funny cynic who laughs with all and weeps
with none loves to analyze the grand passion
and puts it down to mere imagination which
clothes lovers in each other's eyes with more
charms and graces than the world can see. It
is therefore quite a fallacy to suppose love is
blind. In fact it would be truer to say that he
enlarges the vision and lovers see more in each
other than the cold, disinterested onlooker who
judges with the intellect and not with the heart.
No doubt Douglas thought Florence an angel,
and he was to her a demi-god. If in after life
such fond lovers discover that he has married
but a woman and she only a man, why should the
laughing cynic ridicule the the romance of court-
ship ? Disillusion will come soon enough — al-
most with the laying aside of the illusion fabric
of the bridal veil. This is not a love story, and
therefore the minute details of this courtship will be
omitted. Suffice it to say, that he duly obtained
an introduction, as most people ran when there
is a will, and she was not displeased with his
attentions. " Love in a village " would, no
doubt, make a very pretty story, but when
one grows old and cynical, few flowers of Fancy
bloom on the rugged granite of his mind ; in
fact the vegetation of romance at a late period
of life becomes stunted, and if the attempt be
made to portray passion, the reader feels more
inclined to laugh than to liquefy into sympathe-
tic tears. May and December never agree
either in writing or reality. If readers hunger
after highly-wrought love romances, let them
seek the columns of the Montreal Star and
there find passion torn to tatters by characters
who walk on stilts with their heads in the
clouds. To be realistic in this intensely prac-

har
ab
fin{
lut(
dov
tat(

ng?"

5 to his credit
I people who
I living. Pa
e before Mr.
le, he actu-
He might
even offered
' the books
)w that after
bstinate and
that he was
)ok to study-
if he wanted

lite bow, but
such a frigid
that he saw
e considered
, their eyes
ly concealed

1 and weeps
ind passion
:lion which
i with more
an see. It
ose love is
iay that he
ore in each
looker who
1 the heart,
an angel,
in after life
las married
should the
:e of court-
nough — al-
tsion fabric
story, and
ship will be
5' obtained
vhen there
I with his
■Tould, no
but when
i of Fancy
mind; in
te period
ttempt be
feels more
iympathe-
'er agree
rs hunger
let them
Star and
:haracters
s in the
sely prac-

tical age, one must deal with facts as they are.
The young lady no longer attitudinizes at the
harp, an instrument well calculated to display
a beautiful figure, nor do her tapering jeweled
fingers play over the chords of the soul-melting
lute. No, as Skimpit would say, she flounces
down at the piano and pounds, while the agi-
tated lover turns the wrong leaf of the music
and makes a mess of the robust melody.
What pathos or passion is suggested by a mo-
dern young lady sitting at a piano ! Juliet
discovered by the light of a moonbeam play-
ing the lute, or burning Sappho in the isles
of Greece waking to ecstasy the living lyre are
fit subjects for Anacreon and the Irish bard who
sang of love and wine and song. Our barque,
with flowing sail, is no longer on the sea ; the
chaste Dianas of Belgravia grace not chariots
drawn by prancing steeds ; nor is the melodious
horn of the post-boy heard on the king's high-
way. Times are changed. Juliet goes to the
ball in an unpoptical carriage, while Romeo
rattles down tojhesea behind a shrieking, rush-
ing locomotive, and takes a panting snorting
steamer like a Leviathan or Behemoth of flesh
and blood, to plow the watery main. What poetry
or romance is therefore left in the age of machines !
Even love itself has become a mechanical assort-
ment of the sexes to meet the demand of the
matrimonial market.

True, people do elope nowadays, but in the
majority of instances such elopements are not
from, opposition of relations, but from notions of
economy. The hero comes riding along in a buggy,
snatches up the heroine in travelling dress, and
gets married by the nearest parson without any
flowers or flummery. Sensible way ! as there will
be fewer remarks, several years afterwards, when
the divorce comes, then if there had been a grand
wedding and a grand display.

People even in this prosaic age, when disap-
pointed in love, presumably commit suicide, but
the scientist says this is merely a specimen of
emotional insanity and cannot be relied on as an
exact science, not being reducible to this mathe-
matical formula : — Given two lovers, one a jilt the
other infatuated ; result suicide. The infatuated,
contrary to all the approved rules of romance,
instead of his own life, takes another woman to
wife and laughs at his former passion as a sickly
sentiment. This is indeed an era of india
rubber hearts so elastic that no trace of a past
impression is left. It is hard to break such
organs, and though broken they brokenly live on.
Douglas was not melodramatic and Florence
was a lovely, healthy specimen of womanhood,
not " too bright and good for human nature's
daily food." He paid her no compliments in the
Chesterfieldian style of the days of the Regency,

when Turveydrop was master of ceremonies and
manners were as fine as morals were coa»se.
Like all her sex she no doubt appreciated sighs,
but doted on suppers, silks, and other superflu-
ities, and, all things being equal, would marry
where her vantage lay.

As he turned the leaves of the album she re-
marked,

"What an extraordinary person this Mr.
Skimpit is. So very practical, so shrewd in busi-
ness, and so very pious."

" Oh, very ! but his interest will never be sac-
rificed to piety or principle."

" You are not an admirer of poor Mr. Skim-
pit?"

''Yes, I admire him for what he seems to be."

"That is rather an ambiguous answer."

" Like the sphynx, one must speak in riddles
when we speak of appearances."

" Miss Screws told me you were in her father's
employ. Perhaps you were jealous of Mr. Skim-
pit ? " she said laughingly.

"Yes, I was in her father's employ. But our
arithmetics were at fault. He preached long
and practised short measure. One day he asked
me with a cunning look if I understood addi-
tion, division and silence. I guessed at his
meaning, and told him I coiiid but would not
understand it. He pretended to be very angry
at the insinuation, and intimated that my services
would be no longer required."

" I don't quite understand you."

" It is better that you should not, nor shall I
be more explicit, provided the Screws family let
my reputation alone."

The Rev. Jeremiah Rose at this moment en-
tered the drawing-room and observed the young
man, whom he usually received in a very gra-
cious manner, as Douglas was a favorite with
Mrs. Rose. On this occasion his greeting was
far less cordial and much constrained. Turn-
ing to his daughter, he said in a tone of dis-
pleasure,

" Go to your mother, my dear ; she desires to
see you."

After the young lady left there was an awk.
ward pause. The silence was at length broken
by the reverend gentleman.

" Mr. Douglas," he said, " I regret to say that
at a meeting of the school trustees held at Solo-
mon Screws' store this afternoon a change was
deemed necessary, and at the end of this term
your connection with the school closes."

" You surprise me. Most of the trustees ex-
pressed perfect satisfaction, and only yester-
day one of them spoke of increasing my sal-
ary."

"That is just the point. A friend of Mr.
Screws, a gentleman from Scotland, has offered

to teach for less salary than you are now getting,
and you know Mr. Screws is a man of great in-
fluence in the conamunity. Besides, he offered
to repair the school-house at his own expense,
and the least the Board could do would be to ap-
point his friend, which they accordingly did.
I am sorry to lose you, but Mr. Screws says
that, if you will accept it, he can almost guar-
antee you a similar position in Upper Canada."

" Mr. Screws is very kind,'' replied the young
man, with a mingled haughtiness and bitterness,
" but I am not reduced so low yet as to be in-
debted to Mr. Screws for a livelihood."

" Richard I Richard ! You shouldn't speak
in that way of this excellent man. He is very
much respected."

•' Mr. Rose, you are entided to your opinion,
what you choose to assert. I prefer to remain
silent as to my opinion regarding Mr. Screws.
He is a man of influence, I am but a school-
teacher and a poor law student ; but the time
may come when my asserted opinion will out-
weigh his influence. I hope, however, that our
pleasant relations may remain unchanged? "

" Well, Richard," replied the minister in a
hesitating, embarrassed voice, "you see, Mr.
Screws is very influential, and— well, he is the
leading elder of the church, and I am under
many obligations to him. He has been very
kind, and, though there was no vacancy, he
made a position for my son in his establishment,
and "

" That is quite enough, I shall not place you
under the disagreeable necessity of being too
explicit. It is very evident to m'- that further
friendship would be intiusive, therefore —

"O, dear, no ! As a member of my congregation
it is my duty to welcome you to the manse,
and—"

" Pray don't explain," said the young man,
bowing and approaching the door, " time will
justify me in your estimation, but until then I
must refrain from considering myself more than
a mere memher of your congregation."

When Douglas left,, the Rev.' Mr. Rose gave
a sigh of relief, and was positively thankful that
the young man had intuitively perceived that
further acquaintanceship would be prejudicial tc
the Rose interest. Screws was the satrap in tliat
district and Screws must be obeyed. To offend
him was to draw down on the culprit's head a
surly vindictiveness that would stoop to the
lowest meanness to accomplish its object.

He sought his wife and daughter, whom he
found in earnest converse, and was delighted to
find the young lady so resigned. BLfore the
advent of her husband Mrs. Rose had explained
how matters stood. Screws had much influence,
and, in fact, could compel ft change of ministerf ,

were he so disposed. He had taken a violent
prejudice against Douglas, and evidently desired
to drive the young man out of the village. She
was fully aware that an attachment between her
daughter and Richard existed, and she en-
couraged it j for with a woman's keenperception,
they being better judges often oi the other
sex than men are of each other, she saw that he
possessed latent power that would one day lead
on to fame and fortune, but at present without
opportunity he was as seed without soil. She
permitted her daughter, in the event of Richard
accepting a position in Upper Canada, to cor-
respond, and hoped that the future would bring
them freedom from the influence of Screws.

" My dear," said the minister on entering,
" the interview was less painful than I thought,
but I was grieved to find the young man would
not accept Mr. Screws, kind offer. I felt like
telling him it was very ungrateful."

" Did he give any reason? "

" No, but he as much as inferred that he
would not stoop to be under any compliment to
such a man as Screws."

" Did he say what his future intentions
were ? "

" No, but I suppose he will leave the village
and find employment elsewhere, or return to the
farm ; but I hard' / tiiink he will do that, as his
fatiier has too many mouths now to feed."

'' This "is very awkward. I hope, Florence,
you will be discreet and give no cause for further
comment."

The young lady bowed, blushed, and remained
silent.

The parents then discussed Frederick's pros-
perity in Screws' employ The mother, with a
woman's pride, was desirous that her son should
study a profession, but they could ill afford '.->•
send him to college. She had to forego her
desire, and in due time Frederick entered Screws'
store, where he measured tape, the narrowest
piece of which was broader than his employer's
mind, though he was considered a Solomon on
commercial matters.

CHAPTER IX.

She brought me hope, and joy, and wild ambition ;

She taught my h. art new prayers, my li|)snew songs.
To all my thoughts she gave that glad fruition

Which wins the plaudits of the earth's great throngs.

DkWitt Van Bvrbn.

Why come not spirits from the realms of glory
To visit earth, as in the days of old —

The times of ancient writ and sacred story 1

Is heaven more distant t or has earth grown cold !

" Hallo, Douglas ! "

The 'person addressed was walking along
moodily, after leaving the Manse, and had just

iken a violent

dently desired

village. She

t between her

and she en-

;n perception,

oi the other

\e saw that he

d one day lead

resent without

out soil. She

nt of Richard

nada, to cor-

ro would bring

3f Screws.

on entering,
an I thought,
ig man would
;r. I felt like

iferred that he
compliment to

are intentions

,ve the village
)r return to the
do that, as his
to feed."
lope, Florence,
;ause for further

1, and remained

ederick's pros-
mother, with a
; her son should
d ill afford '.«■
to forego her
entered Screws'
, the narrowest
his employer's
a Solomon on

Id ambition ;

ay lips new songs.

fruition

h's great throngs.

rx Van Burem.

alms of glory
r old-
red story I
earth grown cold !

walking along
>e, and had just

commenced to realize how much his position
had changed in a few hours. He turned, and
was soon joined by Squills, the editor of the
Consumption Clarion, a weekly paper, devoted
to Freedom, Liberty, and the latest gossip.

" I say," began Squills, who never wasted
words, but talked as if he were telegraphing
across the ocean, and had to pay the heavy
tolls out of his own pocket, " you are just the
man I wanted to see. Here, I've got a letter
from my brother away out in California, and he
wants me to come on without delay, as he has
been sick for some time and don't expect to
recover. You've done 8ome writing for me.
Will you take charge of the paper while I am
away ? I like your dashing style."

" Yes, I should like it, but first I must tell
you that I am no longer connected with the
school, and I must work to eat."

" Country papers, you know, are not Eldo-
rados, but if you choose, I will give you a small
salary, and as much as you can make over run-
ning ex]>enses."

Squills named the salary, Douglas accepted,
and next day the editor was on his way to the
Far West, and Richard reigned in his stead.

The Rose and Screws families were quite
surprised at this sudden change, and, no doubt,
if Screws had known that^ Douglas could have
so opportunely dropped on his feet, he would
have found a method to prevent it. A journal
creates popular opinion, and an intrinsically
had man fears popular prejudice, the most for-
midable, because it is the least tangible oppo-
nent a man has to encounter. Screws felt this
and dreaded the impalpable touch that can
direct public opinion, without seeming to lead
it. The Cardinal in Bulwer Lytton's "Richelieu,"
exclaims when the courtiers come to demand
Julia De Mauprat in the name of the King —
" Aye, is it so !

Then wakes that power which, in the age of iron,

Biu^t forth to curb the great and raise the low.

Mark where she stands ; around her form I draw

The awful circle of our solemu church.

Set but a foot within its bounds, and on

Thy head — aye, thotigh it wear a crown —

I launch the thunders of the Church of Rome.

What the Church was in mediaeval ages the
Press is to-day, in curbing the great and raising
the low. That is to say, when it is untram-
melled, and not in the leash of King Corpora-
tion, who has his collar around the servile necks
of too many editors in Canada, whose pens are
directed by railroad magnates, who corrupt
legislatures and tyrannize over the people.

Douglas took to his new duties kindly ; the
work \vas congenial, and gave him anipk? time
to pursue his legal studies ; and between irim-
self and Mr. Pettysham there sprang up a wa-m

friendship, as both were students in the same
office.

He had neither seen Florence nor heard from
her, and as time advanced, his imeasiness, de-
spite the absorbing nature of his labors, grew
apace. He was now going through the agony
of Love's Mount of Olives, and in such mo-
ments even the most stoical pagan deems the
gods too prodigal in dealing out evil to mortals,
and too stingy of good. On Sunday, however,
he would at least see her, and that was some
consolation,

Sunday came ; she was not in her accustomed
place. The family, however, were very atfable.
Fred ran up, on the way home, to tell him the
good news that Florence was on a visit to an
aunt in Montreal, where she would probably
stay for a long time, as the old lady was very
rich and wanted a companion.

" It will be so much pleasanter for poor Flo ;
there is no society, nor any one she cares about
here, but in Montreal she will have a chance to
enjoy herself going to balls, sleighing parties,
and the skating rink. My aunt entertains a
great deal, and the officers are fond of her
society."

Poor Douglas ! The thoughtless boy's pratde
fell on his heavy heart like molten lead and he
felt a sickening sense of despondency and deso-
lation stealing over him. A strong ge-
nuine early attacii.nent is «he best safe-
guard for a young man, and during the period
he had known Florence the world was bright
and hopeful, but now life in his loneliness de-
void of all attraction stood before him with the
brutal justice of a photograph. Come what
may he was determined to face the world man-
fully and seek in hard and unremitting
toil the only panacea for the pilgrim of love. In
those bright brief days just closed he found
in his grand passion as grand an incentive to am-
bition, and under the fostering light of woman's
laughing eyes and lovely lips his labors attained
to a happy joyous fruition, but now labor would
press its heavy weight on his equally heavy
heart.

As he sat at his desk, her love-ensnaring face
was ever present, and seemed to guide his pen
to nobler thoughts and loftier sentiments, and
bade him nurture his mind at the spring of
knowledge. He would become a lawyer by
profession — a gentleman by practice ; and should
he attain to political power would make moral
suasion the only proper way of governing men.

Heigh ! ho ! What grand resolves young
lovers make on the threshold of a career I

Mr. Pettysham often listened to the newly
hatched young editor, with fragments of the
shell still clinging to him, giving an opinion on

^*w

W\ $

men and things with all the dogmatism of a ve-
teran scribbler. He had yet to learn the vast
difference between theory and practice even in
editing a newspaper.

" How do you propose to run this paper,
Douglas ?" inquired his visitor.

"I intend to follow James Gordon Bennett's
advice, and never be more than a day in advance
of the people. In fact, to hold my hand on the
public pulse, write as it indicates and thus seem
to lead, where in reality I only follow public
opinion."

" That course is well enough for an independ-
ent paper, but I am afraid you would never
make a party man, and the Clarion is a Con-
servative paper."

" How so ? Cannot a party man be at least
truthful ?''

" No, because you will find that when the
party pulse is at the lowest, the party organ will
be expected to crow loudest."

" But that would be partisanship, not journal-
ism."

" No party journal can be truthful at all times
and under all circumstances. The status of any
party is best ascertained by the independent
press. Its friends over estimate its virtues, its
enemies exaggerate its faults."

" Why use the phrase enemies ? It seems to
me that the perpetuation of personal friendship
i • not incompatible with political antagonism."
" But you must assert your opinion."
" Decidedly I It is the duty of every public
man to enforce his convictions with energy and
persistency."

" Then you may expect to be bitterly assailed
and if you can go through the crucible of vitu-
peration and calumny, yet still preserve friend-
ship for traducers you will be a phenomenon in
the journalistic world. Take my advice, keep
within the party lines, but still, at least, be in-
dependent of the politicians. Let them have no
hold on you for politicians " who seem to see
the thing they do not" spoil everything they
lay their hands on. They make use of the
press. See that you are no crossing sweeper
to this class who forget to throw a copper for
past services and are only grateful for favors to
come. — Hallo ! I who is that stranger passing
with old Bob Buchan?" exclaimed Pcttysham
breaking the thread of his sermonette.

" Oh ! that is his son Thomas !" responded
Douglas. " He is on a visit from Boston. A
creaky notional spiritualist, rather amusing
at intervals but a terrible bore. Shall I call him
over to inflict you with some of the mysteries of
the Summer Land as they term their para-
dise."

By all means do so. I like such characters.

I make them either afford me amusement or pay
tribute to my stock of information."

The young editor then opened the window,
hailed the Buchans and beckoned them over to
the editorial looms. As they approached,
Pettysham, a shrewd observer, noticed that the
spiritualist had mild peculiar grey eyes that
fieemed to be looking far away into the future,
and light colored hair indicative of a sanguine
temperament. The majority of spiritualists, and
the late Judge Edmonds declared there were
eleven millions in tlie United States and Eng-
land have these peculiar traits which are also
common to persons of an emotional poetical
temperament. The finer higher organization of
Americans, especially in the New England
States, a land of refinement and high mental
training, is more susceptible to such hallucin-
ations. One is rather startled to find there so
many who have a firm belief in mediums and
supernatural manifestations.

A heavy tramp on the stairs, a shuffling, and
the two Buchans appeared in the flesh.

" Ho ! Douglas, lad, dindyou Mr. Pettysham,
how's a' wee ye ? "

" Brawly, brawly, Mr. Buchan," responded
Douglas, using a favourite expression of the old
Highlander, who added :

" Gentlemen, this is my son Tam, frae Bos-
ton. Tarn, yon is Mr. Pettysham, the laird o'
Hardscrabble, and this is the laddie we ca'd
'wee Dick Douglas,' but it's lang syne he
was wee Dick ! "

" How do, how do, gentlemen," said Tam,
with a sharp New England accent. " Most
pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Petty-
sham. Mr. Douglas and I have had the plea-
sure of a previous introduction."

To this Douglas gave a bow of acquiescence,
full of nerve-torturing recollections, and know-
ing by experience that a long siderunt would
ensue, bade the visitors be seated.
The seige then commenced.
" Tam O'Shan/^/-/^," as Prudhomme, the no-
tary, nicknamed the spiritualist, from his fami-
liarity with supernatural beings, soon turned
the reconnoitering conversation into a general
engagement, and enlightened his hearers on
his peculiar religious views, which views were
clothed in very vague but tropically luxuriant,
grandiloquent language.

" How do you define Spiritualism.? " inquired
Douglas, who wished to give a direction to
Buchan's rambling eloquence.

" Spiritualism, sir," responded Thomas, with
solemn impressive pomposity, " is to-day a light,
a voice, a power from Heaven rolling away the
stone of doubt from the door of a long en-
tombed humanity. It is Paradise Regained !

'»»

lusement or pay
ion."
[nsd the window,
^ed them over to
ley approached,
noticed that the
grey eyes that
into the future,
^e of a sanguine
JspirituaHsts, and
llared there were
States and Eng-
ts which are also
notional poetical
Ir organization of
New England
ind high mental
|o such hallucin-
to find there so
in mediums and

, a shuffling, and

lie flesh.

I Mr. Pettysham,

lan,' responded
ession of the old

\ Tam, frae Bos-
ham, the laird o'
laddie we ca'd
lang syne he

nen," said Tam,
accent. " Most
:ance, Mr. Petty-
-ve had the plea-

of acquiescence,
;ions, and know-
siderunt would
ed.

Ihomme, the no-
, from his fami-
gs, soon turned
1 into a general
his hearers on
lich views were
ically luxuriant,

lisQii? " inquired
a direction to

d Thomas, with
is to-day a light,
•olHng away the
of a long en-
iise Regained I

It is Harmoniai Philosophy ! It is the Univer-
sal religion of the future ! It is eclectic and
assimilates the essences of all past creeds ! Of
Mammon and Moloch, Belial and Baal, Isis
and Osiris, Jupiter and Minerva, Thor and
Odin, and that of the Nazarene. All have con-
tributed to its advancement, and before it the
dark idolatries of alienated Judah must dissolve,
for the Anglo-Saxon deluge is over the world,
and it is difficult to Jerusalemize an Anglo-
Saxon."

" Very," ejaculated Douglas, smiling; "but
proceed."

" Sir, it is folly maddened by bigotry," em-
phasized the Spiritualist, with knit brow, " to
ask the thinkers of the nineteenth century to
hold the flag-staffs of the ancients over desert-
ed forts. All religions must have their day
and lie on one another like the strata of a geo-
logical formation. Each one of us should be
his own authority. Jehovah speaks to us just
as frequently and just as fatherly as he did to
Jewish seers."

" Oh, I see," suggested Pettysham. " Every
one should be a seeker after the truth on his
own account, as the man remarked when he fell
down the well."

" Yes, let them seek the truth at the bottom
of a well or on the top of a steeple, and there find
the divine afflatus from celestial hosts, submerg-
ing and suffusing our natures in a measureless
ocean of purity and wisdom."
^ " Yes, yes, but what is Spiritualism?"

"Spiritualism, sir, grasps the highest concep-
tion of the infinite, incarnate life principle of
the Universe. It discards tlie mouldy crumbs
' that fall from the oily lips of ordained Rip Van
Winkles, who 'say' their prayers instead of
doing them, and 'profess' instead o'i possess
the Divine principles of absolute religion."

"Just so, just so, but light, more light," de-
manded Pettysham petulantly. "Now what
are the principles, tenets, dogmas, doctrines, of
Spiritualism '?"

" Tut, tut, man," responded the fervid irras
cible Thomas at what he supposed to be Petty
sham's dense stupidity, " have I not been telling
you all along what Spiritualism is? Can't you
understand that the conscious human spirit,
as the innermost of man, is an essential portion
of the Infinite, pure and eternal, a celestial
compa.ss witlf an infinitude of points bearing
fixed relations when in conjunction with grosser
matter, to time past, present, and future ? Do
you comprehend ?"

" I can't say that I seize your ideas at the
first bound. 1 shall have to reflect. But is
not Spiritualism of very modern origin, dating
only from the Rochester Rappings in 1850 ?"

" Bless you, no ! Modern Spirituali-sm n
certainly of modern origin. Three mighty
waves have loomed up ou the ocean of tiie
ages, ancient, mediaeval, and modern. The
first shed its kindling glories in India, Egypt and
China, and iMuniinated the world down to the
birth of the Nazarene."

"Indeed, do you maintain that the Saviour
was a Spiritualist?"

" Most assuredly, mediaeval Spiritualism
dates from the advent of Christ, that eminent
Judean Spiritualist. It lasted for nearly twenty
centuries, until the Rochester Rappings.'"
" ^Vere the Patriarchs gifted in that way."
"Certainly! Moses was a medium. But the
magii of Egypt were his superiors. They turned
theii rods into serpents, water into blood, and
produced the frogs also, with seemingly the
same ease and celerity that Moses and Aaron
did, but when the Lord through Moses, com-
manded Aaron to "stretch out his rod" and
go to manufacturing " lice" the magicians begged
to be excused ; it was too small business —
utterly beneath the magii of proud old classic
Egypt. They would not thus degrade the sacred
mysteries !"

"Lucky they drew the line at 'lice,' they
might have got to grasshoppers and Canada
thistles," ejaculated Doyle, laughingly. "Do
you think Socrates, Plato, Demosthenes and
snarling Diogenes were spiritualists ?"

•^ Yes, every one of them. All the heathen
divinities were only different representatives of
decea.sod progenitors ; Gods and demons of the
mythological ages were the good and heroic of
earth's immortalized, yet giving oracles to the
living."

" How fortunate spirits are not quite so socia-
ble novv-a-days," remarked Pettysham. " II
would be very awkward, for example, if paternal
spirits could appear to spendthrift sons."

" Spirits come not to tell us pleasant things
Ccfisar's spirit came to Brutus and said, ' 1 shali
meet thee at Phillippi,' and at Phillippi Brutu*
fell."

" The St. Francois-Xavier street brokers should
retain the services of a spiritualist."

" The spirits never gamble. Yet presentiments,
spirit voices, portents, bodings, visions, dreams
and shadowy warnings here, frequt ntly precede
individual, and almost uniformly national dis-
asters."

" Does the dog no see specrits when lie howls,"
queried old Bob Buchan getting interested in his
son's discourse.

" Tut, tut, father, that is all bib and rattle
superstition, only fit for babies and dotards."

"I'm no sae sure o' that,'" growled the nettled
old man. " Yon fash ye hae been telling us is no

gospel I'm vera sure. I've ta'en a scunner at
a' yer speerit dirt. Hae ye the impudence,
man, to tell me the Lord was ane o' yer lang-
haired, loony bodies ye ca' mediums ?"

" Of a surety," almost screamed Tam ris.iig to
his feet. " Did not Gabriel, the j)rophet's angel,
hail Mary, 'Blessed art thou among women.'
Did not a host of angels, appearing K) the shep-
herds, sing at his birth, " Glory to God in the
highest ; on earth peace and good will towards
men.' In the temple, when a mere lad, under
the heavenly ministering, he confounds the
Rabbis. At his baptism the spirit descends in
form of a dove and voices his conversation, as
it has to other mediums."

•• Fudge, havers," growled the old man.

The spiritualist took no notice of the inter-
ruption but proceeded:—" At his temptation,
when famishing with hunger, angels came and
ministered unto him. Under spirit influence he
healed the diseases of the people. Inspired by a
Sampson he drives out the money changers of
the Temple. Moved by,his mighty guards, in-
dignant at religious corruption, he utters words
that call down upon him the anathemas of all
the priesthood — a true sign of the faithful
iconoclast. Is he not traasii£;iired before
the Apostles. Upheld by spirit hands he
walks upon the sea of Tiberias. In Geth-
semane an angel appeared strengthening
him. At his crucifixion, the electrn-spirit
batteries are strong enough to rend the rocks,
and the veil of the Templefrom top to bottom."

' ' Oh, my, my, did ye iver hear sich a daft loon.
Tam you've been to see the widow Barbotte.
I kent it weel ?" fairly roared the old man.

" Nonsense father let the poor old woman
alone. She can't hurt anybody."

" She's put Beelzebub into you. I'll no stand
it. I'll make her rue this, noo see if I don't !"

Douglas and Pettysham, after considerable
difficulty quieted the pair and the latter, finding
that further questioning at present, would not
enable him to see further into the spiritualistic
Millstone suggested that Thomas should relate
some of his personal experience and manifest-
ations instead of giving such gorgeous and ab-
.struse definitions that raised the r'erriment of
mortals and caused the infinite sorrow of angels.
The old man sat down and glared at Tam
who gave the loUowing sample of his exper-
ience.

" Two nights before I left Boston I attended
a seance. We all stood around and I held out
my hands. In a few minutes a pair of soft
hands were placed in mine. I pressed them and
knew they were the beloved hands of my dear
wife, who has gone before me to the Summer
Land. Skeptics said I must be mistaken, so

next day I drove out to Cambridge wh«re my
wife's sister resides. I said to her,''

" Susan, take my hands."

" Yes," says she, " I wilt Thomas."

" Susan, were your hands not like my dear
wife Kate's } "

" They w»re, Thomas," she replied.

" Now, gentlemen, was that not extraordin-
ary ? "

The spiritualist looked around with the air of
one who has adduced incontrovertible, infallible
proof.

Pettysham, in a gay spirit of levity, thought
he would match this story, and exclaimed :

" Yes, most extraordinary ; I had a similar
experience in Montreal last winter, at a circle.
I felt a number of smart tappings on my back,
and next day I went to my aunt, and said to
her :

" Aunt, was your foot not like mother's ?"

" Yes, Peter," says she, " we used to wear
each other's shoes."

" Aunt," said I, " take off your slipper ? "

" Y'es, Peter," says she ; " I will."

" Now," said I, " spank hard."

" She did, and it felt just like mother's slip-
per. Mother died when I was a boy."

" Now, gentlemen, was that not extraordina-
ry ? " and Pettysham, imitating ITiomas, looked
around with a convincing air.

Douglas, who had moved out of sight of the
spiritualist, shook with laughter, and was so
intent on listening to these extraordinary mani-
festations, that he failed to notice the entrance
of Solomon Screws, and Prudhomme the notary,
who listened in astonishment to Pettysham's
spiritualistic experience.

CHAPTER X.

" A man may cry, Church, Church at every word,
With no more piety than other people,
A daw's not reckoned a religious bird
Because he keeps a cawing from the steeple."

Religions toleration well practised and well under-
stood is one of the noblest conquests of the human mind,
and this is the conquest of Hi^nry IV. Thiers.

" Skimpit ! Take this note over to Prud-
homme and tell him to come immediately."

Solomon Screws, hastily applying his lips to
the envelope, handed the missive to the waiting
clerk.

Now Samuel was ostensibly deeply religiou :,
but as no mention has been made in the muial
code regarding the surreptitious reading of other
people's letters, he, without compunction,
moistened the envelope, took out the note
and perused its contents.

This was merely a breach of etiquette, a social

i:e wh«re ray

nas."

like my dear

ied.

>t extraordin-

nth the air of
Me, infallible

vity, thought
laimed :
ad a similar
r, at a circle,
on my back,
and said to

other's ? "
ised to wear

slipper?"

nother's slip*
oy."

extraordina-
)mas, looked

sight of the
and was so
dinary inani-
the entrance
le the notary,

Pettysham's

every word,

lie,

steeple."

d well under-
human mind,

TlIIEIU.

■ to Prud-

liately."
his lips to
the waiting

ly religiou ■,
in the muial
ling of other
impunction,
t the note

;tte, a social

sin from which vulgar piety considers itself
morally absolved. The wordly religion of honor,
not being a matter of faith with a certain
oleaginous, emotional class, whose sole salva-
tion is by a Faiih much handicapped by works,
is deemed no obstacle in the way of self-in-
terest. Sanuiel, therefore, scaled the note, and
conscience gave no rebuke.

The notary read it, threw it carelessly on the
table, and taking up his hat, told the clerk he
would be with his employer in a few minutes.
Skimpit, watching an opportunity when the
notary's clerk was not observing him, slipped
the note into his pocket and hastened to deliver
the answer.

Jfcs Scripta Manet. The thing written re-
mains and the shiewdest men write the fewest
and the shortest letters. " If you want to give
or get information from a politician," said a
crafty statesiuan, " walk ten miles to see your
man rather than write him a letter.'' "The
thing written remains " ought to be placed over
the door of the Divorce Court, but then the
public would be deprived of many a good laugh
if none of " his letters were put in evidence."
Skimpit had it in black and white, and it might
be useful some day.

.Screws received the message with a silent
nod, and while awaiting the notary stood jing-
ling the coin in his pocket with an air of self-
conscious infallibility. The coin had a harsh
sound and Screws smiled cynically at its clink
which echoed so well his own harsh metallic
voice. The notary, who had gone to make a
lew touches to his toilette, appeared from bc-
hmd a pile of boxes.

" Ready for Hardscrabble, Prudhomme ?"
inquired Screws, in what he meant to be a cheer-
ful tone.

" Yes, Monsieur, all ready."

"Then let us be off at once. Saw old Bob
Buchan a moment ago. He says Pettysham is
in the village, so wc can have an uninterrupted
interview with the lady."

" Mortgage, eh !"

"Yes, mere matter of form, low rate of inter-
est, long time to run."

" Madame is one vere smart woman."

•*Yes,very, but very proud and very ambi-
tious,"

" Pride pay de fiddler, de no proud man he
dance at Pride's (.xpcnsc, eh !"

" You're not proud, Prudhomme."

"Oh no, when we poor we makede grand bow,
we vere polite. Mais, Mon Dieu, when we vere
rio<i we no say bon jour to all de world."

" Except about election times," added Screws
sarcastically.

" Ah yes, dear Monsieur de Candidate he vere

good friend to every body, but afier de election
he vere good friend to himself."

"True, and all the bills he introduces are
written on paper bearing the stamp of ' Private
Interest.'"

" Is Private Interest do man as makes de
stationery for the Government ? " asked Prud-
homme, not qiM . catching the meaning of
Screws' remark.

"Well, no, not in theory," laughed Solomon,
" but he does in reality. I mean by private interest
the bills that best serve himself"

"Den if Pettysham be elected, Monsieur
Screws will be de stationer."

" Perhaps, but he must not be elected this
time, he is not sufficiently in our power. If,
however, he does succeed he must be in the
hands of his friends and we are his very best
friends, head and right hand men.

Screws here changed the tenor of his remarks
by a suggestion which (lashed across his quick
schemingbrain, "There" he exclaimed, "is the
office of the Clarion. Let us drop in and start
the ball rolling. Must get Squills to insert a
notice that Pettysham will probably be the
Conservative candidate. How provoking 1 Squills
the Editor has gone West, and that fellow
Douglas is running the paper. It won't do to
be out with him. Must have his good will \"

'• No fear of dat. De paper is Conservative
journal."

"Yes, that may be, but when an editor is at
enmity with the candidate or managers of a
party, he can give such lukewarm support, that
his open enmity would be better. Douglas for
the sake of appearances, might give only a feeble
squeak in reply to the most damaging statements
of the Liberals. Editors often get the wrong
collar around their necks."

" You no good friends with Douglas ?"

" Well we are not bad friends. I employed
him but found he would not suit."

" He no vere good bookkeeper. He no under-
stand de double entry style, eh."

Screws, stung by the manner more than the
matter of the question, which might not, though
it did convey, a double meaning, sternly
demanded if the young man had said anything
to the notary regarding his connection with his
store.

The notary who had only suspected, now had
his suspicions confirmed, and only smiled sardon-
ically when Screws muttered.

" Miserable fellow ! One of those high-strung
fools, bHnd to his own and his friends' interests.
Never succeed, never ! Poor all his life."

Screws was not a moral philosopher. He
only professed to be a Christian, yet deemed that
gilded vice was better than draggle-tailed virtue.

^-^

I.:

, .

I:'

" I would have taken this young man by the
hand," continued Screws, " and made something
of him. He might have been a merchant prince,
now he's nothing but a scribbling schoolmaster
dabbling at law."

Prudhomme made no reply as they were just
at the door of the Clarion office. They ascend-
ed the stairs but unexpectedly finding Pettysham
in discussion with the spiritualist, postponed for
a time the object of their visit, and after listening
to Pettysham's farcical spiritualistic experience,
turned to leave. Before reaching the door,
Skimpit, who had hurried upstairs, almost ran
into them.

" Hallo, what are you doing here ?" demanded
his employer.

"J just ran over," responded the clerk hesita-
tingly, " to correct a line of goods in the advertise-
ment. I saw there was a mistake and before it
escaped my memory, came to correct it immed-
iately."

Screws made no further inquiries, and taking
the notary's arm, proceeded on his way.

Skimpit, when his employer's back was
turned, winked knowingly at Douglas, as he
handed him a contribution, with the question :

"Get it in this week?"

" Perhaps, We'll try," smiled the young editor.

As Skimpit departed, Douglaj turned laugh-
ingly to Pettysham, and remarked :

" That is Screws' head clerk. He is a poet,
and writes those rhymes in the advertisements.
You were not aware that Screws keeps a poet ?
But what's this ! A poem to the ' Absent One,'
signed ' S. S.' Skimpit is becoming ambitious."

" He has evidently a wide and deep vein of
romance. Did you hear him tell Screws he
came to change an advertisement? Did he do
so?"

" No ; he came to leave this poem."

" I do like to hear a man lie beautifully. It's
quite refreshing in this age of bungling menda-
city."

"Skimpit's not exactly untruthful. He
is only moderate in all things, even in truth-
telling and other virtues. Would you like to
read his poem to the ' Absent One ?' I wonder
who she is."

Pettysham took the effusion, and after perusing
a few hobbling, commonplace lines, asked the
editor if he was afflicted with much stuff of that
sort. But as he was about to hand it back, he no-
ticed that the poem was an acrostic.

" Douglas, who do you think the absent one
is ?"

" Possibly Mary Screws. She's off somewhere
on a visit."

"No, that's not the name. It's F-L-O-R-
E-N-C-E R-O-S-E."

of
cd

the Rev

explanation !

ness prospects,

Now, the hero in most novels, wht* suck a
revelation was made, would cither Le " petrified
with astonishment " or "start as if a thunderbolt
ytruck him. " Douglas did neither. His
lip curled not in proud scorn, nor did his brow
darken. He merely drew a long breath, and gave
a long and not very polite whistle.

This, then, was the cause, he thought,
Jeremiah Rose's embarrass-
Skimpit, who had good busi-
was then the favored suitor
Yet he was attentive to Miss Mary Screws I
Could it be possible that the clerjryman was
somethinf^ of a diplomat, and to shield himself
had inferred that Screws was his enemy and
wished to drive him out of Consumption, and
failing in that had sent his daughter away. This
seemed most probable. Screws, after all, might
not be the implacable enemy he imagined him

to be.

♦ * # *

Screws and the notary proceeded on their
way to Hardscrabble, and passed the cottage of
the widow Barbotte, whom they saw sitting in
her porch. As they approached, she hobbled
inside, muttering ^^ Anglais" and closed the
door.

Prudhomme, who noticed her flight, involun-
tarily crossed himself and, though a man of
education, believed the poor woman to be a witch,
or at least " femmc sage " endowed with super-
natural powers, having been raised to that bad
eminence by scUing her soul to Satan. The
French Canadians are almost as superstitious
as the Scotch Highlanders. In some parts of
Canada, few will venture outside their homes
on Hallowe'en or All Saints' Night when the
ghosts of the dead walk abroad. Those whose
cupidity overcome their superstiiious fears, sally
out on this night to pick up chickens, fowls, or
such trifles, as the owners would not leave the
house, even if instead of screeching poultry,
they heard the crack of doom. This creduHty
is strengthened by the belief tliat at midnight,
the cock that crew thrice when St. Peter
denied the Saviour, can be seen and heard, but
the unlucky spectator is sure to die within the
year.

" Madame Barbotte is one vere bad woman.
She make the people si«k, she kill ca,ttle, she do
much bad; when she die she go to hell sm^e."

*' What nonsense, Prudhomme, I thought you
at least had more sense. It seems to me ypu're all
daft. But here is Mother Buckan's place, let
us give her a .«»hort call. I like to be civil to the
old lady, she may be of use to me."

" Ah, Mf. Buchan is that you ? have come all
the way from Consumption to pay you a visit.
How's a' wi' ye ?"

V9»

•••1PV

, fvhi'K such a
r be " petrified
f a thunderbolt
neitlier. His
r dill his brow
rcath, and gave

:, he thought,
s's embarrass-
lad good busi-
ivored suitor
Vlary Screws !
ler<ryman was
shield himself
Is enemy and
sumption, and
teraway. This
ifter all, might
imagined him

dad on their
the cottage of
saw sitting in
she hobbled
d closed the

ight, involun-
jh a man of
1 to be a witch,
i with super-
1 to that bad
• Satan. The
superstitious
)me parts of
; their homes
ght when the
Those whose
us fears, sally
ins, fowls, or
lot leave the
hing poultry,
"his credulity
at midnight,
n St. Peter
ad heard, but
within the

I bad woman.

:a,ttle, she do

' hell sure."
thought you
meypu'reaU.

I's pkce, let

)e civil to the

ive come all
you a visit.

"No vera weel, Mr. Screws. I'm sorely
troubled about my son Tam. He's been
among the Yankees, and has come back with
the most outlandish notions. Talks havers
about spirits. Yester morn I came in to take
him his breakfast and I found him laughing
and talking to himself."

"'Tarn,' says I, 'yer in good spirits this
morn.'

"'Yes, mother,* says he, 'I've just been
having a chat with King Solomon.'

" ' King Solomon,' says I.

'"Yes, mother, King Solomon,' says he.
' He told me he was in awfu' distress at the
way the women do now-a-days, and if he lived
in the present, he was no vera shure buc that
one wife would be over too much for him.
Just think o' having to gie eight hundred
wives spring bonnets and sealskin tippits.' Did
ye iver hear tell o' such daft doings as yon ?"

"Why do you not get the minister to speak
to him ?"

"The minister, indeed! I can do naething
mysel' wi' Tam. If he dared to expound
the prophets wi' my Tam, he would go off wi'
a flea in his ear, exclaiming wi' Job, ' Hast
thou not poured me out as milk and curdled
me like cheese?' The minister canna convince
me, and I'd like to see the one that could
meddle wi' Tam, sir."

" Perhaps your landlord, Mr. Pettysham,
might have some influence .'"

*■ Na, na, Mr. Pettysham's no the man for
our Tam. The blind cannot lead the blind.
He compares Christians to caterpillars on the
spokes o' a cart wheel and Heaven to the
grease at the hub, and all religions may yet get
to the Golden City by works and no by faith.
Just think o' likening the Lord's people to
caterpillars and the new Jerusalem to the
grease on a cart wheel!"

Screws shook his head and Prudhomme did
likewise.

It evidently never does to us2 figures of
speech in addressing people of a matter-of-
fact turn of mind like Mrs. Buchan.

"It's a great pity Mr. Pettysham is loose on
the subject of religion. He is too liberal, too
freethinking, tending towards German Ma-
terialism, and Mrs. Buchan," added Screws,
lowering his voice, " they do say he is a spir-
itualist."

The old lady raised her hands in astonish-
ment, and before she could summon presence
of mind to detain her visitors longer they
were off.

" I think," sneered Screws, " I have sent a
counter ball rolling. That Pettysham is a

spiritualist will he all over the village and
country before the week is out."

"A truth that's told with bad intent,
Beats all the lies you can invent."

CHAPTER XI.

"It is not what we want that constitutes happiness,
but that which i-. good for us."

Screws and the notary found the lady of
Hardscrabble, attending to her household
duties, but looking more neat and tidy than
many a fashionable dame, whose sole employ-
ment is copying impossible figures in pre-
Raphaelite worsted work. She received her
visitors courteously, and with ready tact soon
placed them at their ease.

Aftor the usual conversational skirmishing,
the attack commenced in earnest by Screws
remarking,

" Mrs. Pettysham, my patriotic friend here,
Mr. Prudhomme, and I, have been discussing
a very serious question. The Conservative
member for this county can neither fill nor
inflate the position. We might just as well
have no representative, and in these times of
great jniblic enterprises it behooves us to have
an active intelligent man in parliament, a man
whose voice will be heard in legislative halls,
and who will see that our interests are pro-
tected. Perhaps you have heard that a great
railroad project is under way, between
Montreal and Quebec. Our people must
make an effort to have it pass through
Consumption. It will require strong and
persistent effort to do this. Our member who
resides at St. Croix, is determined to have it
pass through his village, where he has a large
amount of property, therefore, he is leaving
no stone unturned to be re-elected."

" He is a very wealthy man, Mr. Screws,
and I have no doubt will succeed."

" I am not so sure of that. The Conservatives
are gaining strength here every day, and if
the proper candidate comes forward he will
be almost certain of election."

" But the Liberals .re still in the majority."

" True, but it might happen that two
Liberal candidates would be in the field, and
between their faction fights a consolidated
Conservative vote would carry its candidate
into Parliament."

" I always thought you were an ingrained
Liberal," remarked the lady, laughingly.

" So I was, so I was," responded Screws
with some embarrassment, " but their policy
has been far from satisfactory. I have, there-

ri !

fore, determined to be independent in politics,
and choose the best from both sides."

" Are you not afraid of being deemed a
renegade?" she asked with a pleasant smile
which softened the asperity of her que^ tion.

*' O, they may say what they please, madam,
every pure honest man must obey the dictates
of his conscience, and as a Christian and a
patriot I feel compelled to dissent from the
party. In so doing, I only admit that I am
wiser to day than what I was yesterday, and
this is a progressive age."

" I must compliment you, Mr. Screws, both
on your tact and on your sagacity, but I am
afraid the leaders of the Liberals will hardly
put such a construction on your defection
from their ranks."

"O, my character is sufficient guarantee
that I am only actuated by the purest
motives."

"Yes," thought Prudhomm:, "such as the
purest of gold obtainable by cheques from
railroad promoters."

" Madam," continued Screws, " you will no
doubt, be surprised to learn that I intend to
run as an Independent candidate, provided
your husband will accept the Conservative
nomination."

Mrs. Pettysham expressed unfeigned sur-
prise at this proposition, which so anticipated
her views in regard to her husband's future
career and visions of Vice-regal magnificence
at Ottawa rose before her. She had longed
to leave the country as her children were
growing up and required the culture of City
life, and that social and professional advance-
ment which it was her dearest ambition to
give them.

Screws and the notary divined the thought
passing through her mind and the former, as
pat as echo to the sound, remarked as he leant
forward in his chair and looked at her with
earnest impressiveness,

" Such a refined family as yours, madam,
accustomed to the advantages and pleasures
of town life, must feel dreadfully duil in this
quiet place."

The lady bowed an acknowledgmen*. with
one of her most gracious smiles. Sh; !;uighingly
admitted Screws' insinuation that her husband
was a sort of unemployed Caesar who only
required her persuasive eloquence to cross
the Rubicon, and achieve pelf, position and
power.

The notary then began to speak in
parables regarding the trifling sum required
for election purposes, say about $2,500 to
$3,000, and as his election was almost as

certain as a mathematical proposition, she
need have no uneasiness on that score, con-
sidering thai Mr. Pettysham would be in the
hands of friends who would cheerfully advance
him any sum required.

Poor Mrs. Pettysham, until then, had been
indulging in most fallacious hopes. The
thought that high political position required
considerable pecuniary outlay never entered
into her feminine calculation, as she had
heard so much of the vaunted "purity of
election " which many politicians indulge in,
which vaunting must appear to their supporters
like the invectives of the fox against chicken
stealing while the feathers are clinging to
his whiskers. '

The notary thus artfully showed, with all
the tropical effusiveness of a real estate
auctioneer, how values would run on the
competition of the railroad, and mysteriously
hinted that the company work shops were to
be placed on the " Hardscrabble " estate, and
buildings and houses for the workmen would
rise on the ground as if by the stroke of the
enchanter's wand.

Fortunes like the locomotive on the rail-
way become immensely magnified by the
smoke and steam, but considerably diminish
when that iron horse has cooled off in the
engine room.

The subtle pair, with their Munchausen
imagination, soon imbued the lady with their
inflated pretensions, and Screws, swollen up
with presumption, a vulgarity that belongs
more to character than condition, ventured
to ask Mr. and Mrs. Pettysham to dinner,
which invitation the hostess was at first
inclined to refuse, but, considering that it
came from an influential man, who could
materially advance her husband's interests,
graciously accepted.

There is an Arabian custom which makes
firm friends of those who have eaten together
the bread and the salt. The British are more
enlightened. Some one says that if the world
were suddenly destroyed by an earthquake,
the English would meet somewhere and com-
memorate the event by a dinner, whereas the
more practical Americans would appoint a
committee to enquire into the cause. John
Bull and those in Canada who imitate him,
give dinners to those whom they wish to lead,
and more frequently mislead, into commercial
transactions. Well does the leper of the
lobby, tainting legislation with his touch, know
the gastronomical art, and many a represent-
ative of the people, over the walnuts and the
wine, finds that he has dined vith Caesar

Borgia. '

entered int

rci)resenl I

has hecomt

ulous Kin(.

The mi

departed,

Pettysham

her sluggis

ination fu

moment, v,

Conservati

sounded, a

of iniegrif

ciplc, woui

people in t

They st(

tion Ciario

squibs an

against tht

with broad

retaliate b)

My dear

ly exclaini(

come arou

between us

Consumpti

anxious, tc

" Yes," 1

election di

"And,"

misundersl

to the scho

an old rela

interes-ts ir

same time,

Rose, I us

you the ref

at Thornt(

manding a

There i;

young nat

mistrusted

this seduc

" Perha

you therel

put on yo

"Don't

bygones b

business.

Mr. Petci

ment des]

" Vou s

there som

at pieseni

"How

" Finar

" Oh, f

Rorgia, The poison of unlawful nain has
entered into his system, and, in ceasing to
represent the interests of his constituents, he
has become the facile tool of soulless, unscru-
ulous King Corporation.

The merchant and the man of deeds
departed, rejoicing in the fact that Mrs.

" Oh yes, moh affii," responded the notary,
with an ilebraic smile on his thin yellow lips,
like a moon in a very jjoor cliromo-premium
for a country paper. " I will take care dat
Monsieur Pettysham represent us dis time in
de Parliament."

Yes, that he shall," exclaimed Screws em-

I'cttysham's ambition would eventually arouse phatically, if it costs $5,000 he must go in.

We must have the railroad through Consump
tion at all cost."

" I hope," laughed Douglas, " that the Con-
sumption railroad will not be so sensitive to
public opinion as the one at St. Jerome, when
an engine ran into a cow and the stock fell
three per cent."

As this juncture, Pettysham himself entered,
and Screws, with his usual brutal frankness,
exclaimed :

" Pettysham, to Parliament you ^o, even

her sluggish husband into accepting the nom
ination for Parliament. And at the last
moment, when victory was perching on the
Conservative banners, the retreat would be
sounded, and Screws, the independent man
of iniegritv, enterprise and high moral prin-
ciple, would be called upon to represent the
people in the councils of the nation.

They stopped at the office of the Consump-
tion Ciarioti, where Douglas was busy writing
squibs and other journalistic firecrackers

against the municipal authorities and bodies though you do nothing there, it is better than
with broad backs and no personal identity to rusting here."

retaliate by a libel suit.

-My dear Douglas, how are you .-'" unctuous-
ly exclaimed Screws. " Why is it you never
come around } There should be no enmity
between us. I am sure there is no man in
Consumption who would be more ready, nay
anxious, to serve you than myself."

"Yes," thought the notary, "until after de
election dis is von grand hand-shaking time."

" And, continued Screws, " you must have
misunderstood my action altogether in regard
to the school matter. I merely wished to have
an old relative beside me, and worked for his
interes-ts in getting the mastership, but at the
same time, at the suggestion of the Rev. Mr.
Rose, I used my influence in obtaining for
you the refusal, as Principal,of a large academy
at Thornton, a wider sphere for your com-
manding abilities."

There is an eternal womanly vanity in all
young nature, and Douglas, though he much
mistrusted the merchant, was not proof against
this seductive flattery.

" Perhaps, Mr. Screws, I was m.staken, and
you therefore must pardon the construction I
put on your actions."

" Don't mention it, my dear fellow, just let
bygones be bygones. But you know I'm all
business. What do you think .' Your friend,
Mr. Peter Pettysham, will be sent to Parlia-
ment despite himself ?"

" Von surprise me. I knew he would get
there some day, but hardly as he is situated
at present."

" How situated."

" Financially, I mean."

" Oh, friend Prudhomme wil' see to that."

I fail to understand you," said the coming
statesman, in a cold tone, and an air of offend-
ed dignity.

" Why, my dear fellow, have you not an in-
stinctive feeling that you are a born politician ?
Who knows, but you may yet be Sir Peter
Pettysham ?"

'' I hardly think so, I am not 'po ted.' as
you merchants say, * in party's doubtt ays,'
and I think with so much railroad ( < tion

prevalent, such titles resemble a Dick i urpin
nobility of the rope."

" Pettysham, man ! you are too candid,
you'll ruin our cause," exclaimed Screws, pet-
tishly. " Do you know that we want to raise
heaven and earth at Ottawa, to have the rail-
road pass through Consumption .''"

" But I'm not there yet, I am afraid I'm
rathi=r domesticated, and am not one of those
people with a faculty for germinating excite-
ment who are never more happy than when
sitting on a volcano."

" Madame," thought the notary, "will stir
you up a little."

" Mrs. Pettysham," thought the merchant,
"like Lady Macbeth, will screw your courage
to the sticking point. As Job says, " you're a
fool when fed. A pressing debt will do you
good." Strange how often great minds run
in the same current !

"Besides," added Pettysham, "a student's
life suiti, me admirably. Don't it, Douglas?"
" Yes, you certainly improve on a sedentary
life, which makes me bilious. You are get-
ting uncommonly broad chested about the
waist."

"After the mild laugh had subsided at this

sally of Douglas, the party discussed the
question, and Pettysham finally consented to
offer himself as a candidate for the suffrage
of the people.

Douglas duly announced the fact in the
Clarion, and turned the electric light of his
callow intellect on the subject, dashing off
withering sarcasms and disembowelling re-
bukes at the proud stomachs of the party in
power.

There are a good many conceited editors
like Douglas who cannot plead youth as an
extenuation . They imagine their fulminations
to be as terrible as those of Archilochus,
whose satires were so fatal as to induce the
satirized, after having read them, to go and
hang themselves. They imagine that it is all
sufficient to write a lengthy leader on any
subject, and it is quite unnecessary to repeat
the dose.

The dinner at Screws' was a memorable
affair, requiring another chapter to do it that
justice which such occasions demand. It
was a political-financial dinner, when the
it'N fare well at the expense of the many.

CHAPTER XIII.

The dinner at Screws' was regarded as the
social event of the season at Consumption.
Mr. and Mrs. Pettysham, htmg par excellence
the guests, occupied the usual positions of
honor, and received the somewhat awkward
courtesies of the host and hostess with as
much gravity as was possible under the cir-
cumstances.

Skimpit, as head clerk oi tne great mercan-
tile house of Solomon Screws, was one of the
guests. Beside him sat Miss Mary Screws,
who did her best to entertain her neighbor,
Mr. Douglas, while the Rev. Jeremiah and
Mrs. Rose found congenial society in the
Pettyshams, who were accustomed to all the
little social arts that make up that indefinite
word known as society.

Screws, forgetful that a minister was pres-
ent, said grace himself. It was an entirely
non-committal grace, and one of stinted gra-
titude. Screws had a habit of depreciating all
things except his own. It was a mercantile
habit, begotten of a bargaining spirit, and this
habit grew so unconsciously on Screws that
he carried it often to a ridiculous excess. On
this occasion his caution was embodied in a
short, sharp, enigmatic grace denoting that
time was valuable.

" For what we are about to receive, make us
correspondingly grateful."

This grace of Screws was measure for mea-
sure, making gratitude correspond to the
bounteousness of the repast. The table cer-
tainly was well laden with provisions, and if
food were the main essential to be thankful
for, the amount of gratitude was unbounded.

Miss Mary was more animated than usual,
and rather slighted poor Skimpit, who had to
play a minor part to Douglas, the chief actor,
and the objective point of Miss Mary's bland-
ishments, " The sex is always to the stranger
kind," and Douglas had been more than a
stranger to the Screws household for a long
time.

He rather enjoyed the situation, and know-
ing that Mary and Florence Rose correspond-
ed, it gave him an opportunity to learn much
of the movements of the latter, who was lead-
ing a gay life in Montreal, which was then
crowded with military men, whose chief object
in life seemed to be enjoyment.

" Just imagine, Mr. Douglas, there is Flor-
ence Rose, who has only been in Montreal a
few months, and she is engaged to be married
already. I do think we are living in too fast
an age. Engagements are too short now-a-days.
What can people know of each other in a few
weeks or months' acquaintance.^"

Douglas gave no reply, as this unexpecLcl
piece of news was too overwhelming. He
had entertained some hope that F^lorence
would yet be his wife, and the whirligig of
time which sets all things even would affon
him the opportunity, under more favorable
circumstances, to press his suit.

Miss Mary's information was only too true.
In the course of conversation she informed
him that the fortunate bridegroom was an
officer in the Guards, a Major Ward, very
wealthy, and very higlily connecti;d. " But
Florence says he is as jealous as Blue Beard,
and she can hardly show ordinary courtesy to
any of her friends without incurring his dis-
pleasure. . It must be very annoying to be
obliged to humor such a jealous disposi-
tion."

" Jealousy," replied Douglas, with a faint
smile, ''is the tribute genuine love must pay
to the object of its adoration, and where there
is no love there is no jealousy."

" Yes, it is certainly very gratifying to
one's vanity, to have a very jealous lovp- , nd
if jealousy betokens, as you say, genuiii. jve,
Major Ward must be devotedly attached io
poor Florence whom I really don't envy. If
I had such an eccentric lover, I would invent

ceive, make us

isuie for mea-
spond to the
riie table cer-
^isions, and if
) be thankful
IS unbounded,
ed than usual,
it, who had to
le chief actor,
Mary's bland-
3 the stranger
more than a
)ld for a long

3n, and know-
le correspond-
:o learn much
vho was lead-
lich was then
5e chief object

there is Flor-
n Montreal a
to be married
ng in too fast
rt now-a-days.
3ther in a few

s unexpecLcd
lelming. He
;hat Florence
: whirligig of
would affon
)re favorable

only too true.
;he informed
room was an
r Ward, very
;ct;;d. " But
; Blue Beard,
ry courtesy to
rring his dis-
noying to be
lous disposi-

, with a faint
)ve must pay
d where there

gratifying to
lus lovp- . nd
genuiii. ^ve,
f attached io
n't envy. If
would invent

some ruse to make him jealous, and keep him
in a perpetual ferment."

" That would be very cruel on your part,
and rather a dangerous method to pursue
with a jealous husband."

"Florence has given me an invitation to
visit her after her marriage, which invitation
I intend to accept, and if she takes my advice
Major Ward will have something to be jealous
about. But I see papa has given the signal
that the ladies should retire, so I will leave
you to your horrid political discussions.

The ladies retired to the drawing-room,
where Douglas would feign have followed
them, but the host, suspecting he had some in-
tention of deserting the board for the drawing-
room, requested him to remain.

Skimpit, who was as eager to hear tidings
of the fair Florence, would also have joined
the ladies, but being equally anxious to learn
the method that his employer and the notary
would take to get Pettysham into their toils,
he remained. His information might be
valuable 3ome day.

•■■■-■mmimemmm

T'J^Tirc II.

CHAPTER XIII— Continued.

When the men were left to themselves, the
scene almost suddenly changed. The real
object of the entertainment then became ap-
parent, although the host comported himself
with such skill and self-possession as not to
betray his design to those who were more
directly interested. The dessert was not of
the most delicate or fashionable character,
but it was abundant ; and Screws, for once,
went out of his grooves of parsimony to ply
his guests with apocryphal wines. Rev. Jere-
miah Rose dallied with his glasses, and at no
time outstepped the bounds of clerical de-
corum. Mr. Pettysham was inclined to be
dainty at first, but his good-nature prevailed
over his fastidiousness, and he glided merrily
into the gene'al amusement. Mons. Prud-
homme, who was a better judge of whiskey
blanr than of Burgundy or Bordeaux, was con-
vivial throughout, enlivening the company
with anecdote and song, but never for a sin-
gle moment losing his level head. Skimpit,
who sat near the foot of the table, had very
little to say, but his eyes were wide open all
the same, and not an incident of the whole
by-play escaped him. Douglas, who was a
little above on the opposite side, was equally
attentive, but he joined in the spat more freely,
drinking and talking with the best. Screws
had most of the speaking to himself, as was
his right. The first use which he made of it
was to offer a toast.

"Cientlemen,"said he, "charge your glasses
and join me in drinking the health of our new
candidate. Mr. Pettysham has consented to
be our standard bearer. I know that he does
so at great personal sacrifice, both of his vak
able time and of his feelings. But this is an
important crisis, and he is equal to it. We
have l)een told that the Conservative party is
the party of gentlemen. However this may
be, our candidate is every inch a gentleman,
and he will be a credit to our county among
the best men at Ottawa. Here's to Mr. Pet-
tysham."

The toast was received with all the honors.
There was clinking of glasses, and the rattle
of knife handles made the table fairly dance.
The rollicking old song •' For he's a jolly
good fellow" followed, and the chorus was
taken up with a roar.

Pettysham was keen enough to see the

ludicrous aspect of the scene, but he was far
too well-bred to do otherwise than make a
pretence of appreciating the compliment paid
him. His answer was brief, but in very good
taste, and the dashes of humor with which ht
spiced it, imparted a fresh zest to the prevail-
ing merriment.

It was plain, however, to the mind of the
shrewd old notary that the game was not yet
fairly caught, and his little ferret eyes flashed
signals toward Screws to push the matter a
little farther. The host understood at once,
and directly set about this duty.

"I say, gentlemen," he exclaimed, "we
might as well go to work and map out the
plan of campaign. This is as good a time as
any, and there need be no secrets among us,
as we are all good friends together, are we not,
Mr. Douglas ?"

Douglas, whose mind was rather far away
just at that moment, made a little start on
hearing his name called out. He looked in
the direction of Screws, and seized an expres-
sion on that gentleman's countenance which
puzzled him still more. He cut matters short,
however, by blurting out : " I guess so. Who-
ever is a true friend of Mr. Pettysham need
be no enemy of mine."

The slight emphasis on the adjective true
was apparently unnoticed, neither Screws not
Prudhomme making the slightest sign, but
Skimpit caught it on the fly, and his eyes
sparkled as he settled back in his chair to
watch the further progress of the game.

" Very well, then'' continued Screws in the
most natural tone possible, "let us have an-
other glass all around and then buckle down
to business. You know I'm all business, and
like to have everything in black and white."

There is no need to go into the particulars
of the long conversation which ensued, es-
pecially as the sequel will show all its ramifi-
cations. Suffice it to say that Screws and the
notary played their parts with consummate
tact, covering the whole transaction with an
air of plausibility that was simply fascinating.
Rev. Jeremiah Rose took it all in ea~erly and
with many an approving word, ever> now and
again shouting out a little compliment to the
sagacity and unselfishness of his host. Pet-
tysham looked on almost silently, now smiling,
then appearing quizzed, but gener-i.lly acqui-
escent. But the two keenest observers were
Douglas and Skimpit. Neither uttered asyl-

lable, but both watched intently. The former,
however, was rather the gloomier of the twain,
and as his interest waxed stronger, he set
aside the glasses thAt were pushed before him.
Skimpit was in far lighter spirits, sucking in
his breath occasionally as if in the enjoyment
of something particular delectable, and toss-
ing off his liquor with edifying regularity.

A message came from the ladies at length,
•reminding the company of the late hour.
Screws glanced at his watch and exclaimed :
" Nigh on to twelve, I declare. How time
flies when we enjoy ourselves. And the best
of it is, our work is done. Well, it's all agreed
upon, isn't it ? What do you say, Mr. Petty-
sham."

" Oh, all right," was the off-hand reply.

" Certainly, it is correct and the plan is ex-
cellent," said Mons. Prudhomme.

Rev. Jeremiah Rose was profuse in his ex-
pressions of approval and admiration, and
Screws appeared particularly pleased at be-
ing thus backed by the pastor.

" And you, D Mi^las," he continued " of
course we can t ■ 'v you. "You can
count on me, sir, sea . ,; / my friend Mr.
Pettysham every when md always," said
Douglas rising and speaking m slow deliberate
tones.

Screws and Prudhomme apparently took no
notice of his manner, however, and nodded
as if it were all a matter of course.

Skimpit's advice was not asked nor was his
adhesion challenged. But he was " all there"
nevertheless, and the way in which he rubbed
his hands, as if performing an ablution, was
significant of an interest in the plot, which no
one present suspected, except, perhaps, the
vigilant Douglas.

All moved away from the table, and joined
the ladies. Mrs, Pettysham and Mrs. Rose
were already dressed for departure. A mo-
ment later they had taken their leave and
were on their way homeward. The old notary
slipped away, almost without being observed.
As they stood together on the threshold,
Screws slapped his big hand on the shoulder
of Douglas, and said laughingly :

"Well, my boy, I rely on you. Now is
your chance. We will need your services
both in your paper and on the platform.
This thing will be the making of you, if you
are smart enough to make use of it, Mind, I
want no fooling. I am willing to be your
friend. Good-night."

He dismissed the young man before the
latter had time to edge in a word. It was as
well, perhaps, that the reply was not given, as,

judging from Douglas' hard-set features and
the lambent fire in his eye, his words mi^ht
have given rise to provocation. He walked
along moodily for awhile, but as he turned in-
to a flowery lane leading to his humble
quarters, he stopped a moment to take in the
beautiful scene spread out before him. The
crescent moon gleamed in the blue, unclouded
heavens, like a Turkish scimitar, and the
golden stars twinkled like laughing mymphs.
The tranquil air of night was sweetened by
the perfume of stately field -plants, and afar
he heard the music of hidden springs. The
heart of the youth was moved by the influ-
ences of the time and place. He moved on
with lighter step, and a smile played upon his
handsome face. The memory of Florence
was wafted to him like a benison, and he took
it in, crooning the fragment of an old love
song. For a few brief moments Douglas for-
got all his troubles, and he was very happy.
But as he reached his home, the illusion was
suddenly dispelled. He was only a few steps
from the door, when a dark shadow passed
rapidly across his path,

" Hello, Douglas."

"Hello."

" Don't you know me ?"

" No. Who are you ?"

There was a low chuckle, and the figure
passed on. Douglas stood looking at the
receding form.

" Oh, I see," he muttered, striking his
forehead with his open palm. " That's Skim-
pit. But what the deuce is he doing around
here at this hour, a full mile from his house ?"

Douglas said no more and went up to his
room. Within a quarter of an hour, he was
fast asleep, sweetly dreaming of Florence
Rose.

CHAPTER XIV.

The next morning at breakfast, Mr. and
Mrs. Pettysham talked over the situation.
The lady disclosed, in fuller detail than she
had thought fit to do before, the different
points of her interview with Screws in regard
to raising the ways and means to carry on the
duties of her husband. Pettysham also gave
an account of what took place at the dinner
the evening previous. Then the twain went
more directly to the heart of the subject,
with the viewof reaching a definite conclusion.

" Have you really set your heart upon this
thing?" queried Pettysham. The wife
balanced her spoon on the edge of the coffee-

cup

acy

pos!
It

dea
the

features and
words mi^ht
He walked
he turned in-
his humble
take in the
him. The
e, unclouded
ar, and the
ng myraphs.
t^eetened by
■s, and afar
rings. The
y the influ-
s moved on
ed upon his
5f Florence
and he took
an old love
'ouglas for-
very happy,
llusion was
a few steps
dow passed

the figure
ting at the

itriking his
lat's Skim-
ng around
lis house .>"
t up to his
ur, he was
Florence

:> Mr. and
situation.
I than she
: different
in regard
rry on the
also gave
he dinner
'ain went
■ subject,
•nclusion.
ipon this
'he wife
le coffee-

cup, and smiled with that seductive diplom-
acy of which clever women of the world alone
possess the secret.

" Well, I would hardly go that far, my
dear," she replied. " It's you that is to be
the candidate, not I, you know "

"Oh, yes, I know. But ihere is such a
thing as the power behind the shiine, and in
many cases, it is really men's wives that are
elected to Parliament."

'' I have no such ambition, I assure you.
To be very candid, however, I must confess
that I should be proud to see you in public
life."

" And you would also be proud to go to
Ottawa yourself."

" Of course. You and I could hold our
own there, I think."

"It's rather expensive business, remember."

" Yes, but you forget the sessional allow-
ance."

"A mere globule in a bucket of water.
And there is the expense preliminary to the
election. Don't forget that."

" I don't forget it, that's the very point we
have undertaken to decide, if I mistake not."

" Yes, the very point. And. let us come to
it at once. Shall we risk the mortgage?"

" Risk, Peter ! I see no risk. It is a mere
formality."

" This property is our all in life." •

" For the present, yes. But we shall have
more. You are young, you are talented,
and...."

" You are ambitious," bowing to his beau-
tiful wife with a pleasant smile.

" Very well, then let me communicate some
of my ambitions to you."

" AH right. Here goes. I will be a candi-
date ; I will be elected ; I will be a great Par-
liamentary Orator ; I will wield large territor-
ial influence ; I will become a Minister of the
Crown ; I will shine as a Privy Councillor. . .
and.... what next ?"

" That's quite enough, my dear. My am-
bition is satisfied. Do all this and I shall be
content."

It was through the thin gauze of this inno-
cent badinage that the pair viewed the case
of the mortgage, on which the destiny of their
lives depended. Whatever misgivings Petty-
sham may have had were now dispelled, and
as to Mrs. Pettysham, the future spread out
before her poetic imagination in rosete hues.

When Screws was informed of the success
of his scheme, up to this important point, he
was delighted, and at once set his wits to
work with the object of making assurance

doubly sure. He found a ready and skilful
coadjutor in Mons. Prudhomme. These two
worthies set their heads together to carry out
all the details of the campaign, in such wise
that there would be no possibility of a hitch.

Douglas was by no means adverse to the
advancement of his friend, and when he
learned all the conditions entered into be-
tween Pettysham and Screws, he manifested
less hesitation than might have been expected
from his manner of acting at the dinner. He
had all the buoyancy and sanguine expectation
of youth, and not being a business man, did
not comprehend thoroughly the risk which
Pettysham was incurring. Besides that, his
mind was made up to secure the election of
Mr. Pettysham.

" Here is the chance for me," he thought,
" and I'm going to improve it. I will see
that this whole business is done squarely, and
if all turns out right, why — perhaps — who
knows — I may ultimately benefit by it my-
self."

Nomination day came on at length. Ac-
cording to the time-honored custom, the stand
was erected in front of the Parish Church,
where the usual formalities were gone through,
and there the candidates were expected to
address the free and independent electors.
It goes without saying that nearly the whole
parish was in attendance on the interesting
occasion, for besides that country folks are
in general very eager to hear political dis-
cussion, and will go a great way to indulge
their curiosity, in the present case, it was
Saturday, or market day as well, so that not
only the farmers, but also their wives and
children trooped to the village.

Three candidates were put up, the old
member, who was a Liberal ; Mr. Pettysham,
as Conservative, and Mr. Screws, as Indepen-
dent. The feeling of the County was Liberal,
and although Pettysham engaged a large de-
gree of personal popularity, it was necessary
to bring in certain influences from the Liberal
side, in order to ensure his election. This
Screws promised to furnish by splitting the
Liberal vote.

An election meeting in an unknown French
parish is a sight worth seeing. For the
nonce, the speaker is transformed into a
superior being, and whatever falls from his
lips is oracular. No matter if he is only an
understrapper, an unfledged little lawyer
from the city, engaged for this work at four
or five dollars a day and his expenses, the
good simple folks will listen to him with
reverential awe, as if he were a superior being.

When he reads passages frrri that dt-lectable
well of light literature, the Blue Hook, they
say t?ie orator is profound. When he soars
off on the wings of imagination, astride of
some preposterous figure of rhetoric, which
he cannot handle properly, they exclaim that
he is sublime. When he reviews some worn-
out old joke, that has done campaign service
for years throughout the Province, or trots
out a superannuated anecdote, of enigmatical
humor and still more dubious morality, there
is a universal titter, and they rub their hands,
declaring that it is really too funny for any-
thing.

On the present occasion, the Liberal candi-
date was listened to with all the respect and
attention due to his long services in Parlia-
ment, and much party enthusiasm was evoked.
Mr Pettysham also made a favorable impres-
sion, his evident superiority not escaping even
those obtuse bumpkins. Screws had rather
a harder road to travel. He was called upon
to explain why he stood up between and
against the otJier two. He did this, however,
with an air of candor and a show of plausibil-
ity that carried con\'^'ction to many of his
honest, single-minded hearers. As he got
through, Douglas, who had been an attentive
listener throughout, u'^der ood the exact
nature of the game that was about to be
played. He was still further confirmed in
his suspicions when Mons. Prudhomme was
called upon to hold forth to the French
portion of the audience. The wily old notary
had a subtle role to perform, but he did it
admirably. It would not do to go too openly
for Screws, or too openly against Pettysham,
and, in consequence, he so nicely balanced
the measure of blame and praise between
them as to leave his audience in a state of
happy uncertainty, without, however, stirring
any passion. The result was that Screws
gained considerable ground in the estimation
of the French electors, while Pettysham would
appear to require a little closer looking into.
Douglas determined that the case should be
thoroughly looked into, and he set about
this immediately after the meeting. There
was no time to be lost. The election
took place only eight days after the
nomination^ and a week was barely sufficient
to baffle the machinations of the enemy. He
published several extras of his paper, in
which he came out squarely and strongly in
favor of Pettysham, without even so much as
one good word for Screws. This put the
latter on the alert, and he sought out an inter-
view with the independent young editor.

"I am surprised, Douglas."

" Surprised at what .<•"

" At your not sticking to your word ?"

" What do you mean ?"

" Did you not say you would work with me
in this thing ?"

" I said I would work with you, so long as
it was not against Mr. Pettysham."

" But am I working against him ?"

" You know best."

" I know this, that unless you change your
tone in the very next number of the paper,
you will not only injure Pettysham, but ruin
yourself."

" You want to see Pettysham defeated
then ?"

" I don't want to be defeated myself."

" That amounts to the same thing."

" No, it doesn't. When I put myself for-
ward, it was to break up the liberals and help
Pettysham. But now I find that I have a
chance against both the other candidates, I
don't see why I shouldn't snap at it."

" Snap away, but a bargain is a bargain. I
will stand by Pettysham and care nothing for
the consequences."

" Beware, young man."

" I'll take care of myself, Mr. Screws. I
have felt the effects of your good will, before,
you know, and am still alive."

Saying which Douglas turned scornfully in
his chair, and resumed the working of a
slashing editorial, on the conduct of the elec-
tion. Screws betrayed no undue excitement,
as he turned down the narrow stairway into
the village street, but there was a fire in his
eye that betokened mischief.

After Screws, Douglas had to have an en-
counter with Mons. Prudhomme, The oc-
casion soon presented itself. It was at a com-
mittee meeting where final instructions were to
be delivered to the different agents for the
final day of battle. The room was lighted
by a single lamp, leaving all the corners in
darkness. It was also densely packed, so that
Douglas stood on the outer edge quite unob-
served. The old notary sat at the head of
the narrow table, detailing his instructions
with a skill and shrewdness worthy of a
Talleyrand. At length, in speaking of the
measures to be taken to secure Screw's elec-
tion beyond a peradventure, he said : —

"My friends, here is the coup de grace."
The audience listened very attentively.

'• Mr. Pettysham is a spiritualist !"

" A spiritualist.?" was the general cry.

" Yes, a spiritualis."

"What is that?"

|with nje
long as

fge your

paper,

fut ruin

lefeated
If."

lelf for-

nd help

have a

dates, I

am. I
ing for

ews. I
before,

ifully in
g of a
^e elec-
tement,
ay into
in his

an en-
le oc-
acom-
t'ere to
)r the
ghted
Jrs in
that
iinob-
ad of
tions
of a
f the
elec-

arr<f."

" A dealer in the black art."

"Oh! Oh!"

" A confederate of the devil !"

"Impossible!"

"I tell you it is true!"

"And I tell you it is a lie," was shouted
from the rear in a voice of thunder.

All the company turned around with amaze
ment stamped upon their faces.

" Who is that }" shrieked the notary.

" It is I !" replied Douglas, pressing forward-

" Enough," said Prudhomme, "The meet-
ing is over. Let every one go to his work."

The lamp was suddenly blown out, and the
guests departed pell-mell in the darkness.

With such events to enliven the strife, it
need not te added that the campaign was
thenceforth conducted with the keenest in-
terest and the utmost acrimony. Screws and
Prudhomme being unmasked were now open
in their hostility to Pettysham, while the lat-
ter, understanding the gravity of the situation,
was put upon his mettle, and entered person-
ally upon the canvass with the heroic deter-
mination to win. Douglas was a host in
himself. In his paper, on the platform, in
the committee rooms, in door-to-door visits,
he labored unceasingly, and with the best
results for his friend. The Conservatives
stood manfully by their colors,and promised to
come forward, an unbroken Macedonian Pha-
lanx, on polling day.

They were true to their word. The ballot
was not thought of in those good old times,
and the open voting gave occasion to much
excitement, as it was so easY to follow the
varying tide of the battle.

At noon the votes were about evenly bal-
anced, with the odds slightly in favor of the
former member.

At two o'clock, Screws made a leap ahead,
leaving Pettysham at the foot of the poll.

At three o'clock the former member fell be-
hind, and Pettysham picked up a bit.

At four o'clock. Screws and Pettysham were
almost neck and neck. Now began the tug
of war, only one hour remained before the
closing of the poll. Vehicles darted right and
left bringing in the laggards.

At hatt-past four, the old members have
fallen out of the race, and the figures stood : —

Screws,.. . .
Pettysham,.

'330
329

been intensely absorbing. The returning
officer made ready to fold up his papers, and
glancing at the clock was about to close the
poll book when an immense cry arose with-
out : — " Five more voters !"

And so they were led in blowing an pant-
ing by Douglas.

They gave in their names, all five — for Pet-
tysham, and the result was announced :

Pettysham 334

Screws 330

Screws, who had watched the whole per-
formance, said not a word, but walked away,
darting a g' ce of inferndl flame at Douglas,
who only smiled faintly in reply. Then the
whole crowd burst away, with the shout : —

" Hurrah for Mr. Pettysham !"

CHAPTER XV.

And thus they remained for the last half
hour, to about three to five o'clock the excite-
ment was at white heat. If there had been
betting men there, the interest would have

In us both one soul.
Harmony to behold in wedded pair I
More grateful than harmonious sounds to the ear.

Mi/ttm.

While all tti^se exciting scenes were being
enacted in the solitude of Consumption,
Florence Rose was closing one of the most in-
teresting chapters of her young life. From
the moment of her arrival in Montreal she
had attracted attention by the beauiy of her
perso'' and thecharmsof her character. The
circle of her acquaintance widened from week
to week, until it grew quite outside the limits
of her clerical associations. As we have said,
Montreal was then a garrison town, and at
the epoch of which we write no less than two
regiments were stationed there. Several of
the officers, belonging to distinguished families
at home, laid themselves out to capture Cana-
dian wives. Among these was Major Ward,
who united to the best qualities of a soldier
the finest attributes of a gentleman. Although
not more than thirty years of age, he had seen
thirteen years of service, and having been
brilliantly engaged in several campaigns, had
risen with uncommon rapidity in his profes-
sion. Between him and Florence a strong at-
tachment was formed, from almost the first
moment of their acquaintance, and in due
time it culminated in a marriage. The match
was pronounced by all a most con^^enial one,
although there were a few who f mcied that
Florence had rather hastily forgotten the
friends of her childhood, and some of the at-
tachments which she had made in her coun-
try home. The first year of her married life

il't

.: ,i

was, however, so evidently happy that all
criticism was disarmed and the handsome
couple went through a round of enjoyment
in which their popularity was very materially
increased. Florence was not unmindful of
her family, and when a vacancy occurred in
one of the most fashionable parishes of the
city, she used her influence to obtain it for
her father. The removal of Rev. Jeremiah
Rose from the village of Consumption to
Montreal was a notable event, inasmuch as it
was the first break in the charmed circle of
that little community, Mr. Pettysham, after
securing his election to Parliament, fancied it
would add to his dignity, as well as his influ-
ence, to have a city as well as a country estab-
lishment, and accordingly took a sumputous
house in Sherbrooke street, as a winter resi-
dence. There his brilliant wife was in her
glory. She entertained in royal fashion, re-
ceiving to her levees the highest represen-
tatives of the military, political and commer-
cial world. From the first Major and Mrs.
Ward were privileged guests. Mrs. Petty-
sham took a special interest in Florence, who
resembled her in many prominent traits of
character. They used to spend many a long
afternoon in each other's company. One day
JVIrs. Pettysham said, rather abruptly :

" Florence, do you remember Douglas ?"

•' What Douglas ?"

" Richard Douglas, the farnier's son."

Florence smiled faintly, anS there was a
faint glimmer in her eyes.

" Oh, yes, I remember Douglas. What of
him ?••

" Why, he thinks of coming to the city."

" Oh, I thought he would be a fixture at
Consumption. He is always editor of the
Clarion, isn't he V

" Not at all. Squills has returned from the
West and resumed his goose-quill."

" But is he not practising law as well ?"

" He has just been received at the Bar, but
my husband thinks that a country place is no
field for him, and has laid inducements to
have him try his luck in Montreal. He has
splendid talents, you know."

" Yes, I think he hw, and I hope he will
succeed, I'm sure."

This was said in a conventional manner,
but Mr Pettysham imagined t'lat she traced
therein . "eeble sentiment of interest.

The conversation was about turning into
other channels, when Major Ward was an-
nounced.

" Why, Major," exclaimed Mrs. Pettysham,
" You are a thousand times welcome, but to

what ou earth are we indebted for this early
visit ?"

" Why, madam, with your leave, I am come
to fetch Mrs. Ward."

' Fetch Florence. Nothing has happened,
I hope."

A smile on the Major's handsome face re-
assured the two ladies.

" Oh, no, but Florence is wanted at home."

*' What for ?" asked the wife in her turn.

" A visit, my dear."

'* Something grand, I suppose."

" Not exactly, but something nice."

" Not a dowager then," rejoined Florence,
with a merry peal of laughter.

" No. A young lady.'

" Oh, I see," and Florence laughed again,
adding immediately :

"Who is she?"

" Quite a stranger, I assure you."

*' Her name T

" Miss Mary Screws !"

Both ladies broke out again into a ringing
laugh.

"Mary Screws," exclaimed Florence;
" why, there was no need of so much mys-
tery. Major. She's an old friend of mine.'

" So she told me and so I'm glad to know.
That's the reaion I came for you at once."

" I must go to meet her by all means," said
Florence, and she immediately made prepa-
rations for departure.

Mary Screws had grown into a very stylish
girl. Her country airs were softened into an
agreeable gentility, and there was a great deal
of ease in her deportment. She had been
frequently pressed by Florence to spend some
weeks with her, but it was not till the present
occasion that she was enabled to accept the
invitation.

" Well, here you are at last," said Mrs.
Ward, after affectionately embracing her.
" But why didn't you write to let me know
you were coming V

" I didn't know it myself till the last mo-
ment. You know how queer father is. Be-
sides, I wanted to surprise you."

" You are cordially welcome, all the same,
my dear. Make yourself at home, and settle
down for a long stay. I am going to keep you
till further orders."

Before an hour had elapsed the two friends
had well nigh exhausted all the news of the
day. Florence was particularly interested to
get every scrap of information about her
country acquaintance, and Mary was quite
prepared to tell her even a great deal more
than she knew.

irence,
again,

mging

"And Skimpit," said Florence, "why we
had almost forgotten him."

" Oh, he can keep," answered Mary, but
there was the tell-tale blush on her cheeks.

" Surely, he might have accompanied you."

" That's just what he did, my dear."

" Why didn't you tell me so before .' He
has returned, i hope .'"

" Oh, no, he will be up this evening to pay
his respects,"

And so he did.

CHAPTER XVI.

I.ove is a passion whose effects are various ;
It ever brings some change upon tlje soul.

Burke.

The last time we saw Skimpit was imme-
diately after the Screws' dinner to Pettysham,
when he roamed mysteriously during the
night, under the very eyes of Douglas. He
had watched all the incidents of that enter-
tainment, and came to the conclusion that he
could find profit for himself therein. He saw
plainly that, while it was the intention of
Screws and Prudhomme to place Pettysham
in their power, through the terrible agency of
a mortgage on " Hardscrabble," it was no less
the purpose of Screws to get himself into
Parliament over the shoulders of his rival,
thus securing two enviable prizes at one
stroke. No one understood Screws better
than Skimpit, both because of something
congenial in their natures, and of their close
business relations ; when once in possession of
so important a secret, Skimpit's position be-
came strong and he could afford to put him-
self forward without fear. That letter of
Screws' to the notary, which he had purloined
and treasured ever since, was a talisma*^
whose influence was bound, sooner or later, .j
become potential and, of course, Skimpit was
not the man to neglect any coign of vantage.

He had another string to his bow. He
was in love with Mary Screws, or rather, to
speak within the strict bounds of truth, Mary
was in love with him, and self-interest, no less
than sentiment, impelled him to reciprocate.
An alliance with the Screws family .would
further him immeasurably in his projects.
While it would secure the favor of Mrs.
Screws — a point of no little moment — it would
ingratiate him no less with the father. At least,
that strange individual would recognize the
wisdom of taking his son-in-law into his com-
mercial and financial confidence. Skimpit
was in no hurry, however, he bided his time

till all his plans were matured, and Mary, al-
though somewhat more impatient, entered
into his views.

It was during this interval that the girl re-
solved on making her long-promised visit to
Florence. Besides the pleasure of meeting
her friend, she would obtain an insight into
the initial stages of the matrimonial state, at
the same time that she quietly visited the
shops and made remote preparations for her
own trousseau. There is no more acute
creature than our country girl who has her
eyes all about her and forecasts everything
under the mask of rural simplicity and inno-
cence.

Skimpit called on Mrs. Ward, on the day
of Mary's arrival at Montreal, but the visit
was merely formal and not repeated. Mary
met him by appointment the next day, and
together they viewed the principal points of
the city, not forgetting several of the more
fashionable shops. On escorting her back
to the Ward house, the couple were met by
Florence and her husband as they were
about entering their carriage for an afternoon
drive. Florence immediately offered to post-
pone her departure, but neither Mary nor
Skimpit would hear of it.

" We shall not be gone longer than an hour,"
said Florence, " and, perhaps, Mr. Skimpit
will await our return."

" Thank you," was Skimpit's reply ; " but I
cannot delay. 1 must go back to the country
this evening, rather earlier than I expected."

*' But you will soon come in again, will you
not ? There will be a special attraction in
the city now, you know."

Mary laughed heartily at this little thrust,
but Skimpit looked rather foolish. Indeed,
his whole manner was constrained, although
he managed to reply in something of his old
ofT-hand way.

" Mary has bargained to enjoy your hos-
pitality for some three months, and I guess
we'll have to spare her that long. But you
may be sure I'll be here prompt in time to
take her back."

" Oh, all right. A great deal of water will
flow under Victoria Bridge,'' said Florence,
gaily, as she stepped into her carriage and
drove away.

During this whole interview, the Major had
not opened his lips. Indeed, he seemed
hardly to have given any heed to the conver-
sation. After driving on a little way, he said : —

"What do you call that fellow, Florence ?"

" Skimpit !'^

"Such a name." — . .;;

Florence laughed outright.

" And such a fellow too. You don't mean

}

is your young friend's aflfi-
what's naore, he

to tell tne
anced ?"

" Why, certainly. And
once made " set for me."

The Major uttered a low growl and said no
more.

On their side, Mary and Skimpit sat togeth-
er for a while in the Ashton drawing-room.

" Florence appears to be happy," said the
latter unconcernedly.

" Oh, yes, I'm sure she is. She told me as
much, and I have seen enough already to be
convinced of it."

" And what do you think of her husband ?"

Mary smiled, and shrugging her shoulders
womanlike, answered evasively :

" He seems devoted to his wife."

Skimpit muttered something to the effect
that the Major appeared a little haughty, and
left the impression that he did not much like
the gallant officer.

" Mind, Mary, that you and I are simple
people, and I trust you won't take on any of
the military airs of a house like this. I leave
you here in the company of Florence, but, if
you find that things don't suit you, I will ex-
pect you to write and let us know. I will
then come for you at once."

Mary reassured him in words that intimated
plainly that she was quite able to take care of
herself, and after a few more commonplaces,
Skimpit rose to depart. The lovers separated
without any great effusion on either side, and
Mary went up to her room to await Florence's
return.

CHAPTER XVn.

The age of jealousy then fired his soul,
And his face kindled like a burning coal ;
And cold despair succeeding in her stead,
To livid paleness turns the glowing red.

Dryden.

Mary soon got tired of being alone, and,
with pardonable feminine inquisitiveness,
wandered into the other apartments, making
as minute an inspection of their contents as a
practised bailifT would do who had some sus-
picion that the tenants were on the qui vive
to smuggle out sundry articles of the seized
furniture. On a little buhl console she saw
a number of photographs, and her eye was
suddenly attracted by that of a handsome
young officer, whose autograph was attached
to it. On taking it up to examine it more

minutely, she read the name of the officer,
Archie Digby. Then a w Id freak suddenly
seized her with an impulse that was irresist-
ible. She would write a note to Florence in
this gentleman's name, and raise a spark of
jealousy in her husband's breast.

That would be such a lark. It would sig-
nalize the beginning of her visit by a brilliant
coup. A little scene would follow, explana-
tions would be made, there would be a grand
reconciliation, a love feast would celebrate
the event, and she would be the heroine of
the whole conspiracy. Florence would be the
first to laugh heartily over it all, and the
Major, who was a sensible man, would think
all the more of her, while he would certainly
have a high opinion of Miss Mary Screws
herself. All these fancies flashed through
her mind at once, producing upon her the
effect of a fascination. Foolish girl !
she forgot the peril of playing with edged
tools. She did not realize the danger of
sporting with fire. Just then the wire of the
door-bell vibrated sharply.

" Oh, my, I shall be caught," she said,
thinking it was Florence that had returned.
She ran to the window and saw a gentleman
in undress uniform walking away from the
steps. His face was partially turned, so that
she caught a fair sight of it.

" I declare, it is himself," she exclaimed.
" Archie Digby himself, what a handsome
fellow ! just the man for an adventure ! Any
man would be jealous of him."

There was a slight rap at the door, and the
maid entered, holding in her hand a beautiful
bouquet.

"This is for the Missus," said the girl,
*' with the compliments of Captain Digby.

And she proceeded to place it in a Bohe-
mian vase that stood upon the mantel.

Mary did not say a word, but kept her eyes
fixed a^ the flowers, and did not notice the
departure of the girl. Then she burst out
laughing, clapped her hands together, and
fairly danced with excitement.

" What a comcidence !" she said to herself.
" This bouquet comes just in time. I will
write the note and put it among the flowers.
All will look so natural."

Without further hesitation, she tripped over
to her own room, took up pen and pap '•, and
indited the following note :

Dear Madam,

Please accept these flowers as a token of the deep
feeling of regard which I entertain for you. The beauti-
ful lilies of the valley are emblems of the angelic purity

(if your character, and the red rosus are symbols i if tlic
love with which,

I am, dear Madam,

your devotcil friend,

Akciiik Di(;iiv.

Mary read the lines over carefully and pro-
nounced them good. She also made a critical
examination of the penmanship which she
found to be a capital imitation. Then, with
a chuckle of satisfaction and triumph, she
folded the paper as neatly, and into as do-
minutive a size as possible, and slijjped back
into the boudoir. Going on ti])toe, and look-
ing about to make sure that she was not spied,
she advanced to the mantel, and, in the
twinkling of an eye, the skilful fingers had
inserted the little note in the body of the
bouquet. The trick was so deftly played that
the paper was clean hidden out of sight.

Mary had just got through her game of
mischief, when the sound of wheels were
heard outside, and a moment later the door-
bell rang sharply.

" This time it must be Florence," murmur-
ed Mary. And so it was.

She entered gaily with her husband, ran up
the stairs, and in a few seconds had divested
herself of her riding garments. She then
went forward to meet Mary, who was quietly
sitting in her room, and looking as innocent
as possible. The two chatted together very
pleasantly for an hour or so, until dinner was
announced. At the entrance to the dining-
room, they were joined by the Major, who po-
litely offered his arm to Mary and escorted her
to her seat. The repast was heartily enjoyed,
and the Major especially w?s in the very best
of spirits. He enlivened the conversation by
anecdotes and reminiscences of his military
life, and while duly attentive to the wants of
his guest, had occasion several times to dis-
play his tender affection for his wife.

While the table was being cleared for the
dessert, Florence happened to inquire of the
maid whether any one had called during her
absence.

" Beg pardon. Missus, but I declare I quite
forgot. Captain Digby called at the door
and left a bouquet for you with his compli-
ments."

"Oh! ah!" interrupted the Major. "I
say, didn't Captain Digby say he would
come for me this evening."

"No sir. He did not."

" That's strange, he promised to. I'll have
to go myself, then, and meet him at the
mess."

Prophetic words, whose meaning, however.

no one could foresee, inuc h less the speaker
himself.

" Where is the bouquet ?" asked Florence.

" Up-stairs, Mum."

"do and fetch it at once."

Mary listened, and looked as though un-
con;;cious.

When tlie flowers were produced, there was
a general cry of admiration.

" Hallo," said the Major, " Digby is a tasty
fellow. That's a rare bouijuet, Florence,
and you ought to be proud of it."

" So I am, I'm sure, it's very kind of the
Captain," and she inhaled the subtle frag-
rance of the central rose.

She was about setting it in a glass before
her, when her eye caught sight of the tiny
edge of paper, peeping out from among the
border of fern leaves.

"Ah! what is this.'" she said, cheerily.
" The Captain has left a message with the
flowers."

And so saying, she opened the note and
glanced through it, taking in its contents like
a flash. Then with a hearty, honest laugh,
she exclaimed :

" The Captain is a i)oet as well as a florist.
That's something sentimental for you. Major.
Read it."

And she passed it over to her husband.
He took it with the smiling remark that his
friend Digby could turn as neat a compliment
as any man he knew, which was not odd,
seeing the good family to which he belonged.
The words had scarcely died on his lips when
his eyes fell on the lines and their look in-
stantly turned to a stony stare. He held the
paper up before him rigidly, and his face was
as pale as ashes, while his broad forehead
shone white and cold as marble. Florence
was making some playful remark to Mary and
not noticing her husband, when suddenly he
shot bolt-upright from his seat, made a pro-
found bow, and without uttering one word,
darted out of the room, holding the paper in
his hand. The movement was so rapid and un-
expected, that the two ladies were taken com-
pletely aback, and sat looking at each other
fnr a second or two, without knowing what to
v. Florence's beautiful face looked bewil-
dered indeed, but neither frightened nor in
pain, while there was a very visible smile on
Mary's saucy lip. But, all at once, tlie unerr-
ing feminine instinct asserted itself. Florence
understood everything in an instant.

" It cannot be possible," she exclaimed, and
rising abruptly from her seat she hurried after
her husband. But he was gone. His hat

and coat had disappeared from the hall ra< k,
and he was already far away down the street.

With ini).^lity strides lie went down iJeaver
Hall iiill and along the thoroughfares, looking
neither to right nor left, stopping t() speak to
no one, and apparently seeing nothing in his
path. Right on he strode till he reached
Dalhoiisie Siiuare and uirned in toward the
stately pile of stone, still standing, then
occii|)ied as officers' (juarters. He incpiired
for Captain Higby, of the porter ai the enter-
ancc, and being informed tliat that officer
was at dinner, he directed his steps forthwith
to the mess-room. There was a full attend-
ance that evening, and high mirth prevailed.
Digby was seated in the midst of a group of
congenial spirits and enjoying himself with
the best. The Major's eagle eye singled
him out of the crowd, and in an instant he
stood lowering at his side.

"Captain Digby !" he said, in a deep low
voice.

The officer looked up.

" You sent my wife a boutiuet this after-
noon."

"Hallo, Ward. Why yes, I did," and he
laughed in his old way, not noticing the cloud
that lowered on his friend's brow.

" That's very well. And you wrote her a
letter, besides."

" I ?"

"Yes, you."

" I declare, Ward "

" I want no words. F'.ere it is," and he
thrust the paper before liim.

Then only did Archie Digby understand
the situation. He was astounded.

"Why, Ward, there must be some mistake."

" Mistake! Isn't this your handwriting."

" Devilish like it, but not mine, all the
same."

" Villain !" shouted the Major, in a voice of
thunder, and he smote the 'Japtain on the
cheek with a glove.

Instantly the whole room was in an uproar.
Those who had witnessed the scene sprang to
their feet, while the others ran forward to
find out what was the matter. Digby stood
up speechless and thunderstruck. Ward
made a deep bow to him and tlie company,
and stalked out as silently as he iiad come.

CHAPTER XVIII.

And thou art dead, as young and fail ,

As augh; of mortal birth ;
And form m soft, and chartiis so rare.

Too soon retuinel to earth !

Tho' earth received them in her l)ed,
And u'er the spot the crowd may tread,

In cari:lessncsi. or mirth,
There is an eye which could not brook

A moment on that grave to look.

It was a beautiful morning in June.
Nature was decked in all the freshness of
youthful summer, and the atmosphere was
bracing, balmy and bright, as if fraught with
a benison from Heaven. The air was redo-
lent of bloom from the gardens, the multi-
tudinous birds chirped in their leafy solitudes,
and the buzz of insect life fell upon tiie ear
with the softness of muffled music. It was
one of God's perfect mornings, when the very
act of breathing is a luxury, and the heart
palpitates with hope and contentment. Every
thing inspired peace, banishing ;;hts of

strife, and repelling with a shuc .- the very
suggestion of blood. On such a morning,
the invalid, the limp and the halt felt the as-
surance of renewed existence, and yet on that
morning two precious lives trembled in the
balance, and two noble spirits were about to
stake their all on the chances of a leaden
bullet.

Of course, Ward's insult to Digby could
have only one issue. The inexorable code
had to be carried out. It was in vain that
friends interposed, and exhausted every
attempt to prevent a hostile meeting. The
Captain was too proud to make further
explanations, though all his comrades were
convinced of his innocence. The M 'or would
listen to no remarks on the subj 'ne way
or the other. The die was cast. \ false

sense of honor had to be vindicated. Neither
the pleadings of a devoted wife, nor the hys-
terical protestations of Mary Screws, who re-
alized only too late the horror of the situation
which her foolishness had created, were of
any avail. The day was set, the seconds were
chosen, the place was marked out, and the
pistol was to decide a case in which two val-
uable lives were staked.

The eventful day arrived. At the first
peep of dawn, the preparations were made
on one side and the other. Ward's friends
met him at a suburban tavern, where he re-
sided since that eventful evening in the mess
room, having abandoned his home, in order
to be freed from what he regarded as the im-
portunities of his wife. With his second and
a surgeon he drove out, in a closed carriage,
to the field of honor. Not a word was spoken
on the way. The unhappy man brooded over
his sorrow, as he had never done before, and
with the culmination of his fate standing clear

II
a
ti
o
tl
h

\on.

June.
less of
fe was
It with

rcdo-
Imulti-
Jtudes,
|ie ear
tt was

very
heart

in front of him, he felt that he needed to have
all his faculties concentrated. Florence had
tried to go to him during that terrible interval
of two days, but he always denied her, and it, on
that morning, he felt some inclination to ^ive
his lovely wife a parting kiss, he nevir be-
trayed it. He went forth sullen, silent and
hopeless.

It was slightly different with the party of
Digby and his friends. The Captain was es-
sentially a jovial character, and, after havin^^
discussed with himself all the circumstances
of the case, and satisfied his own conscience
that he had done absolutely nothing unwortliy
of a gentleman and an ofHcer, he accepted the
situation cavalierly enough, as one of those
accidents to which every man of the world is
exposed. He had done nothing wrong, but
appearances were against him, and he was re-
signed to be the victim of false appearances.
Every brave man must be prepared for inci-
dents like this, and Arthur Digby was of the
bravest. Although his military career did
not extend beyond six years, he had been in
the front rank of several sanguinary engage-
ments, and death had no terrors for him.
With his second, an officer as young and
chivalrous as himself, he rode on horseback
to the scene of action. They went along the
lower Lachine road, chatting and laughing as
if they were going to a picnic. The breezes
of the river caressed their hair when they
took off their hats to enjoy the f shness of
the morning, and faraway the green summits
of Rouville and Rougemont, bathed in the
blue of heaven, looked down upon them with
an aspect of benignant force. They drew
bridle at length at the Pavilion, a well-known
sporting resort of those days. They dis-
mounted, tied their horses to the trunks of
trees, and walked forward to the open space
where the other party were already in waiting
for them.

The two seconds cam.e out to confer to-
gether. On a grassy slope fringed by a belt
of maples on the one hand, and a small run-
ning stream on the other, the ground was
marked out. The Major had first desired
that the two principals should stand back to
back, walk forward six paces, turn and fire.
But his seconds demurred to this as a needless
display of cruelty and recklessness. After
many other propositions, all indicative of a
morbid and insatiable hostility on the Major's
part, it was finally stipulated that the contes-
tants should stand twenty paces apart, and
fire simultaneously at the word of command.
The lay of the ground was so selected that

neither liad the n;orning sun in his t\e».
'I'hey faccrl each other from ' '.u' north and
soiitii. The snow-capi of the Kapids glisten-
ed like diamonds, the fair isle of the Nuns
lay like a tran(|iiil green le;if on the bosom of
the water, and a soft- balmy bree/e jilayed on
the surf.ice of the waves What a desecration
to mar a scene of sik h holy (luietude by the
loud, deadly report of the pistol I

Digby would have spoken a last kind word
to the M.ijor, but the latter miijetiiously re-
fused to hear, so the twain took up their po-
sitions. The seconds stood a little to the
right of their principals. The surgeon sta-
tioned himself under a tree, with his box of
instruments ooen at his feet. The signal was
given.

One !

The ])istols were up-raised

Two !

The weapons were pointed.

Three !

Two blinding flashes and two sharp reports-
Ward, who was a dead shot, had aimed
direct for the heart of his adversary, but
the lattei being rather thin had left his
coat open and turned his body so as to
present as small a target as possible. When
the smoke had cleared away, Digby was seen
pressing his hand hard upon his side, while
his lips were clenched, and his eyes glinting
like steel. Ward stood upright and unhurt.
And no wonder, as the captain had purposely
fired over his head. This enraged tlie Major.
He wanted no favors. It was to be a duel to
the death. When the two seconds and the sur-
geon pressed forward to interpose and insist
that honor had been satisfied, he repelled
them all, and vowed that he must have an-
other shot, and still another after that, until
the end of the one or the other had come.
Digby stood stock still during this parley,
silent and holding his left hand over his heart.
The bright red blood crimsoned his fingers,
but he moved never a muscle. His second
conferred with him a moment.

" That man," he muttered; "is determined
to have your life ; you are already wounded,
and perhaps grievously. But promise me
thai you will fire straight this time, or I will
retire."

" Well, be it so," replied Digby, with u sad
smile. " I promise."

Major Ward went back to his place, and
the whole scene was enacted again. The
captain did not appear to take deliberate aim,
but his hand was steady and his eye was bright.

The two explosions were simultaneous.

^5ili3.

Digby dropped his pistol arm by his side and
remained immovable. Ward gave a leap in
the air, turned to the right on his own length,
and fell like a stone to the ground He was
shot through the heart.

There is no need to dwell on the scene of
desolation, l^gby had not the heart to look
at the form of his prostrate foe, but, after
silently pressing the hand of Ward's second
and of the surgeon, who assured him that he
had acted like a chivalrous man of honor, he
untied his horse and rode back to town with
his friend. The shimmering waves still
danced in the sunshine, the birds sang in the
trees, and sounds of animation were heard all
over the green country side, but there was no
echo of joy in his heart. He had fulfilled
what he deemed a desperate duty, but there
was no feeling of satisfaction thereat. Nay,
he carried in his youthful bosom a burden
that would weigh on him through life — the
death of one of his dearest friends.

The funeral of M.^jor Ward was one of the
most imposing military displays that ever took
place in Montreal, and all our old residents
still remember it with emotion: not only the
troops, but nearly tlie whole city joined in
the procession, because the dead man was an
universal favorite, and because such a domes-
tic and social tragedy had never occurred
before.

The scene in the broken home was still
moi-e pathetic. Who shall tell the misery of
the poor widow, and the despair of the sense-
less girl who was the first cause of all the
mischief.'' Mary did all shr- could to repair
an irreparable loss, and poor Florence was
gentle to her, but not even her forgiveness
could soften the grief which both of them ex-
perienced. It was a shadow that would pur-
sue them to the grave.

CHAPTER XIX.

"Is the dollar only real? (iod and truth and right a

dream ?
Weighed against your lying ledgers must our manhood

kick the beam ?"

The days of widowhood passed drearily
with Florence, and would have been more
drear, were it not for the consoling ministra-
tions of her mother and the friendship of
Mrs. Pettysham. Miss Mary Screws had re-
turned to her home in Consumption, but her
residence tliere was to be of brief duration.
Screws had a friend, a director in the Bank
of Montreal. That director was not over

scrupulous. He was a man who could never
see any wrong in one of his own countrymen,
or any good in people of another nationality.
At that time, there was a young Canadian
merchant, who, with a sufficiency of capital,
had endeavored to obtain a share of the im-
porting trade, which was wholly in the hands
of foreigners. Letters of introduction had
been given him by several merchants, to firms
in which they dealt at "home," as the British
Isles were called. These letters, however,
were only blinds, to hide the cupidity and de-
pravity of the writers, who took care to for-
ward by the same mail very ambiguous epis-
tles, which were intended to convey an un-
favorable impression. The young Canadian
was, of course, coolly received by the British
merchants, who favored his rivals of their own
nationality.

He paid higher figures for his goods and
received shorter terms of credit.

Even thus handicapped in making pur-
chases, he might have successfully competed
with his sly, clannish rivals. They, however,
had friends at the financial court.

Their friends and relatives had the bank at
their feet. Few, if any, Canadians were on the
directorate, and, consequently, when their
customers' notes, were sent to the board for
approval they were passed upon without a
question and the manager ordered to discount
them. When the Canadians' notes, however,
came before this dishonest clannish board,
they were systematically declined. Finding
himself thus hampered, and knowing by bitter
experience the oppressive, cruel power of that
foreign mercantile element, he wisely deter-
mined to sell out his business and go to the
United States, where he subsequently made a
large fortune. The bank director gave Screws
the hint, and that worthy was not long in be-
coming owner of the persecuted merchant's
business.

Solomon Screws, Esq., of course, got all the
credit at the bank he required. In fact, he
was treated most generously and a liberal line
of discount was given, which enabled him im-
mediately to greatly extend his business.
The family moved to Montreal, and Skimpit,
now formally engaged to the store-keeper's
daughter, was taken in as junior partner, re,
ceiving a fair share in the profits, out of which
a certain portion was to remain in the busi-
ness as capital on which he received a fixed
rate of interest. Skimpit was not a financier,
but he was a good judge of merchandise, and
in making a bargain could out-Jacob Jacob
in iiis commercial transaction with Esau,

ill

nl
ni

uld never

ntrymen,
i^ionality.
Canadian
capital,
the im-
5e hands
tion had

to firms
e British
lowever,

and de-

to for-
Jus epis-

an un-
anadian

British
leir own

Jds and

ng pur-
mpeted
owever,

bank at
; on the
^ their
ird for
hout a
iscount
wever,
board,
inding
'bitter
ofthat
deter-
to the
nadea
'crews
n be-
hant's

.11 the

:t, he

il line

nim-

ness.

iipit,

per's

» re,

hich

)usi.

xed

:ieri

and

cob

To delight in making bargains requires a
peculiar cast of character. Noble, high-mind-
ed men of delicate sensibilities are always
placed ^t a disadvantage when dealing with
cool,sly,sharpand not over-scrupulous traders,
whose finer feelings have been roughened by
attrition to an obtuse, and almost brutal
bluntness.

The following anecdote of Daniel Webster
illustrates this very happily.

The great statesman, weary of the importu-
nities of clients and the turmoil of politics, an-
nounced his determination of visitingEngland.
A merchant of Boston, who had subscribed,
with others, a considerable amount to further
a private bill in Congress, of which Mr.
Webster had charge, and for which he re-
ceived a large fee, canic in alarm to the states-
man, and in a very querulous- tcne interro-
gated the wayward genius.

" Mr. Webster," he said, " I am surprised
to hear that you intend to visit England
immediately."

" Yes, such is my intention."

*' Pray, may I ask why you visit England at
this critical period in our affairs."

" O, certainly, I am going to England to
see the Duke ot Devonshire."

"Indeed ! If not too inquisitive, may I ask
why you wish to see the Duke of Devonshire."

" I wish to see the Duke of Devonshire,"
replied the scornful statesman, drawing him-
self up to his majestic height, and giving his
impertinent interrogator a soul-piercing look
from his grand dark, eagle eyes, " because I
have heard that his grace never made a bargain
in his life."

The merchant retired abashed, and " the
god-like Daniel," as his enthusiastic admirers
called him, was allowed to visit without further
questioning, Albion's lordly patrician who
never made a bargain in his life.

Skimpit was not a Duke of Devonshire in
this respect. Indeed, he even carried his
mercantile spirit into his devotions, and fre-
quently boasted that his religion cost him less
than fifty cents a year, and though attending
church regularly, he never, by any accident,
put more than a cent in the plate, and if by
chance he sat at the head of the pew and had
to pass the plate, he invariably forgot to give
his own mite offering to the sanctuary.

Screws and he were ben trwato. Their
small souls, as our American neighbors in
their humorous hyperbolic style would say,
might travel in a pea-pod as long as the chil-
dren of Israel were in the desert, and never
touch the sides.

It was therefore agreed that Skimpit
should be the buyer for the firm. He went
armed with many genuine letters of introduc-
tion, and in order to strengthen his position,
had a commission to employ half a dozen
clerks.

" But what are you going to do with the
hands ot the old firm ?" queried Skimpit,
" they have all been re-engaged for a year."

*' That's a matter of no consequence. When
the new ones arrive it will not be very hard
to get rid of them. Three or four are in the
volunteers, and I hear they are ordered to the
front, as a Fenian raid is expected."

" If they are not ordered, what then ?"

"They are not competent."

" They have the reputation of being steady,
able men."

" Drilling interferes with business."

"If dismissed now the firm will be unpopu-
lar among the people."

" Not a bit of it, Canadians are only colon-
ists and have no pride or spirit of nationality.
But enough of this. When I want to make a
place, I never allow sentiment to stand in the
way. I say they are not competent."

Skimpit understood his senior partner too
well to make further objections, but as Fred
Pettysham was among those marked for dis-
missal, he only stipulated that the young
man, being useful to him in a social way,
giving him the entree of the Pettysham iiouse-
hold where he met many "nice people,"
should be retained. To this the senior part-
ner consented.

" By the way," said Screws, as if speaking
of a mere side issue in a not very important
business affair, " my daughter Mary has men-
tioned that you have made matrimonial
proposals ?"

Skimpit admitted the tender impeachment,
and as his senior partner, like most old
country people, was a man of" family-founding
instinct, he thought it well to unite his com-
mercial and social interest with the house and
home of Screws, who could advance his
interests.

It was therefore agreed in family council
that Mary and Samuel should be united on
the latter's return. The happy day was duly
fixed, and the expected bride's trousseau was
ordered from England, as nothing in this
country was considered good enough for the
merchant's daughter. The lovers spent the
last evening together eating sugar plums out
of a brown paper bag, French hoithons being
too expensive. They talked of love, bridal
veils.affection. flounces, sentiment, silk dresses,

and heaven knows what besides. He look
a more lively interest in the toilette than did
his fair companion, who was tearfully senti-
mental, while he scanned the list of the
trousseau, and debated whether a plain silk
would not look as well as a gros grain, and
be ever so much cheaper. Samuel, though in
the midst of a delightful courtship, had a
frugal mind, and wished ta instil into his
future bride that the chief end of man was
to practise small economies, and make them
the staple article of conversation on all oc-
casions.

The morning came and Samuel's little per-
son, less baggage, were driven to the station.
He carried just enough baggage to give him
a change of flannel shirts during the voyage,
" As everything you know could be purchased
so much cheaper on the other side."

"Good-by, Samuel," said Mary, tenderly,
with tear glistening eyes.

" Good-by, Mary, take good care of your-
self. Here, here, hold on driver. Mary, I
forgot my wash list ; here it is, clothes get
mouldy if they are not washed. You'll
attend to it, Mary, won't you.?"

Mary nodded, and before she could decide
whether to be amused or disgusted, her pro-
vokingly practical lover was out of sight.
She read the wash list, which was character-
istic of its writer. Among the items were
" }4 doz. 3 ply linen-faced collars, }( doz.
pair of double heeled lisle thread >^ hose, 3
shirts, linen bosom and cuffs." The other
items were as technically particularized.

An assuredly sweet souvenir.

At the time the fatal duel, recorded in the
previous chapter, took place, he was tossing on
the broad Atlantic, and, as Mark Twain says,
was "heaving uphis immortal soul "orasmuch
of that article which was not out at a usurious
interest. A great many people in this world
put their souls out to interest which yields
in the hereafter Dead Sea fruit.

He found no difficulty on the other side in
obtaining all the goods required. The mer-
chants pressed them upon him, dined, wined
and feted him to his heart's content. They
knew the oppressive clan which held mer-
cantile Montreal under its grinding hoof was
at his back, and no matter what commercial
crisis miglit sweep over Canada, the Bank
directors would see their favorites through.
Skimpit never received so much distinguished
attention in his life before, and not fully
appreciating the real motive for these diplo-
matic civilities, rttributed them to his personal
merit. Every day he was waited on by

merry portly gentlemen connected with one
or other of the large mercantile houses, who
almost fought for the special privilege of his
edifying society.

How immoderately they laughed at all his
absurd and wicked little stories, applauding
to the echo any asinine comparison he miglu
make between Canada and England ! These
affable gentlemen were the touters of the
establishments whose business it was to wait
on buyers from Canada and the United States.
And these exceedingly plausible persons
showed the young traveller the sights of
London, but not in patrician circles. They
were more at home in very questionable
places, where coarse buffoonery passed for hu-
mor and obscenity for wit.

One morning while sitting in the coffee-
room, concealed in one of those boxes pecu-
liar to English coffee-rooms, he overheard
one of his companions of the night previous
say to his vis-a-vis at the breakfast-table :

" What an infernal - v your little Canadian
buyer makes of him. Can't you give him

a hint to dress more like a civilized being
than a backwoodsman."

The rest of the conversation was inaudible,
but Skimpit, with ready tact, sMpped quietly
and unobserved out of the room, but soon
reappeared. Walking up to the box where
the two gentlemen were taking breakfast, he
saluted them, and of course was most gra-
ciously received.

*' Jones, old fellow, could you recommend
me to a tailor. I'm almost ashamed to be
seen in this outlandish suit, it was good
enough, you know, to cross the Atlantic, and
I brought very little with me, as we get the
fashions in Canada long after you have dis-
carded them here ?"

Of course Jones knew a tailor, and as Jones
got a liberal discount from the knight of the
shears for the customers he brought, was
never backward in suggesting to provincials
and colonials that their costumes were hardly
in the fashion.

Skimpit arrayed himself in the loudest of
check pants, tight buttoned frock coat and a
high silk hat, the first he had ever worn. The
little wretch managed iii a few weeks to raise
his voice a key higher, and speak in the bluff
commanding English style, and soon acquired
the noble British habit of bullying servants
and inferiors.

As he was commissioned to employ several
salesmen for the firm of Screws, Skimpit
& Co., he felt his importance and, like a skil-
ful politician, with ten offices in his gift made

a
ther
andl
ellil

the I

asi

less
in

with one
)uses, who
ge of his

at all his
pplauding

he miglit

f These
rs of the
as to wait
ed States.

persons
sights of
They
;stionable
ed for hu-

coffee-
es pecu-
•verheard
previous
ible :
I^anadian
give him
'd being

laudible,
i quietly
•ut soon
c where
cfast, he
iost gra-

Jmmend
d to be
s good
tic, and
get the
ive dis-

is Jones

of the
ht, was

incials
hardly

iest of

and a

1. The

1 raise

2 bluff
luired
rvants

evcral
^impit
iskil-
made

a hundred imagine they were to obtain
them. Late hours, fast life, heavy drinking,
and the whirl of commercial travel were nov-
elties, and, as was said of Alfred de Musset,
he was not content to inhale the fragrance of
the rose, leaf by leaf as it were, but tore it
asunder, that he might exhaust its perfume
at a single breath.

Did thought of his fiancee, Mary Screws,
lessen his dissipated life ?

No, she was seldom in his thought, and if
in an idle moment her form passed before
him, it was soon banished by a plunge into
pleasure or business.

The Times lay in the coffee room. A telegram
from Moville announced that the Allan Steam-
ship " Peruvian," had been sighted the day
previous. The imposing waiter made his ap-
pearance while Skimpit was pursuing this in-
telligence, and on the tray with his breakfast
lay his letters.

Ilis partner's epistle was all business from
date to signature, but underneath was the
apologetic postscript. " Mary will give you
all the news."

Her billet-doux gave every detail of the
dreadful duel and its unhappy termination,
with the exception of the part she played in
fomenting it. He re-read the letter, and
when sure that Major Ward was killed, ex-
claimed aloud. " Then Florence is free."

CHAPTER XX.

' The means to do dark deeds,
Make dark deeds done."

Tikimpit was himself again. The duel had
]iiit a new phase on matters. For the next
ten days he was the incarnation of business
which was pressed so rapidly forward that he
could leave the shores of Albion fully ten
days sooner than he had at first calculated.
His answer to Mary's affectionate letters
were of the coldest and briefest kind, and
with a woman's bookless lore of instinct she
f It that his feelings towards her were chang-
ed. Perhaps he had met some florid English
beauty and had forgotten the sun-tanned
Canadian.

In those days the lordly merchant and
his imported employees were not condescend-
ing enough to marry loveable economic Ca-
nadian girls. They had no dash, no style,
were not sufficiently accomplished, and failed
to shine in society, as society was then con-
stituted with its deep military and patrician

coloring. Professional gentlemen and a few
wiiolesale merchants were only tolerated by
the military and the civil service, while tra-
ders were completely ostracised. A paltry St.
Francois Xavier street broker assumed pre-
cedence over the wealthy retail merchant
who had the mortification to find that his
family were ostracised and black-balled at a
miserable shed called a rink on Shuter street.
One very agreeable, highly educated gentle-
man was actually black-balled by a pack of
dissipated worthless Knglish snobs in the
uniform of British officers, because his father
was a partner in a very wealthy tailoring
establishment. Cockney Cads economic of h's
in the right, and prodigal in the wrong places,
came out and were received into families
simply because they were Englishmen, and
these imported specimens of unbounded
assurance were more arrogant dnd exclusive
than the young noble through whose veins
coursed "the blood of all the Howards." In a
word everything British was more appreciated
then than now. We have got bravely over
that mania, and are getting more self-reliant.
The young merchant now, if he wants to suc-
ceed in life, had much better marry a suitable
Canadian girl than bring out a gushing
British belle. Many a merchant in times not
so long past would have avoided the bank-
rupt court had he not listened to the counsels
of an aspiring wife who imitated Belgravia on
an income that could barely secure suburban
comfort.

For true hearted women in every phase of
life, the fair Canadian against all the world.

In due time the travelled, gorgeously ap-
parelled Skimpit bustled into the St Paul
street warehouse, and soon made every one
feel ho was unapproachable. With a talent for
low intrigue and an unscrupulous disposition
that could stoop to the basest meanness to at-
tain its ends, he was not long in weeding out
the Canadians, and filling their i)laces with
British importations, whose ill-breeding was
only equalled by their assurance.

Screws was energetic, and though backed
liberally by the bank with its board of foreign
directors, yet his ambition and haste to be
rich carried hiin beyond the bonds of pru-
dence, and a large proportion of his immense
importations lay at the Custom House stores,
as he was unable to pay the duty.

This would never do. True, many of his
rivals were in the same position, but Screws,
being fully impressed that Canada was the
promised land for those of his nationality,
managed to have the upper portion of his

store converted into a bonded warehouse. A
large number of cases of expensive goods, on
which the duty was very high, were accord-
ingly stored in this private bonded warehouse.

Screws was the financial head of the con-
cern, and Skimpit looked after the sales de-
[)artment.

Many said it was quite edifying to hear the
" dear fellow" call off a parcel of goods. He
did it in such a business-like manner since he
visited England.

No martinet colonel of a well disciplined
regiment could take such pride in giving the
word of command as Sammy did in calling
off the goods.

It was truly sublime to hear the Anglicized
voice of Skimpit wafted on the air heavy
laden with odors of merchandise, uttering
these words of high import:

" One piece of grey cotton, fowty-four a
'awf yawds, h'eight a 'awf cents."

"One piece of moire antique," 'now boy
look shawp, don't spell antique with a K.
Canadians are such duffers you'd get the
sack in Lunnen, you know, if you had'nt a
good h'education an could'nt spell.'

Here Skimpit, after the piece of goods was
entered, marked the parcel, " O. K.," which
stands for the initials of the words all correct.
These cabalistic letters had there origin in the
store of a London draper,who,many years ago,
instructed one of his educated clerks to write
all correct on parcels of goods. The young
man first spelt out the words, " oil kerrect,"
but getting tired merely put the initials
" O. K.," which symbols for accuracy passed
down from generation to generation of busi-
ness men, few of whom knew what theymeant
or how they originated.

Skimpit's lecture to the unfortunate entry
clerk was here cut short by a messenger bear-
■ ing the tidings :

" Mr. Screws wishes to see you."

Samuel made his appearance in the count-
ing-room, where he was not often seen.
Screws beckoned to him, and they both en-
tered the private office, the door of which was
carefully closed after them.

"Skimpit, I'm in a tight fix. The bank
manager won't allow us to exceed our line of
discount. Here are nearly $20,000 worth of
orders from Upper Canada, which we tnust
fill before to-morrow morn or they will be
taken to Mackay Bros, or Mackenzie's. I
see no means of raising the sum sufficient to
pay the duty to get them out of bond."

" Yes, this is a pretty bad fix."

" The goods are in the bonded warehouse,

upstairs.''" asked Screws in a low tone of
voice.

" They are."

" The lock is sealed with the broad arrow
of the custom house."

" Yes, but it is fastened by a mere barn door
bolt. I was thinking how very insecure it
was yesterday,"

" Ah, indeed ! Suppose you return to the
store after tea.-*"

Skimpit bowed, but made no reply.

" Just tell the storeman that you have some
neglected work to finish, and get the ':ey."

Skimpit nodded and departed.

The pair worked with a will that night, and
before daylight had set in, many thousand
dollars worth of valuable goods had been al)-
stracted from the bonded warehouse, the cases
nailed up again and carefully replaced.

Just as the last screw was being driven
home in the bolt, a muffled figure passed them
unperceived and disappeared in the gloom of
the darkened store.

The two men, now completely exhausted
with their night's efforts, wended their way to
the lower story. Skimpit turned the lock in
the front door and hardly had he opened it,
when a figure rushed past him and disap-
peared in the street.

"Is that you, Mr. Screws!" he cried in
terror.

"What's the matter," replied Screws from
behind.

" I thought it was you who rushed past me
just now."

" Not I ; you are excited, your imagination
has been playing you a trick. 'Twasonly the
wind."

" The wind has pretty sharp elbows then
for it gave me such a dig that my ribs feel
sore.

"Nonsense, nonsense, it was only the handle
of the door. You'd be a failure as Jack Shep-
pard."

Screws laughed ai his comparison, and the
pair who had excused themselves at home for
the night's absence, turned up St. Francis
Xavier street, took rooms at the St. Lawrence
Hall, and leaving orders to be called at ten
o'clock, retired to enjoy a few hours' repose
before the business of the day commenced.

The orders were filled, much to the chagrin
of several rival firms, who also had the goods
in" bond, but were not in sufficient funds to
pay the duty.

The firm in the course of a few days got re-
mittances in the shape of notes from the per-
sons to whom the goods were sent, which

Screws immediately discounted and hastening
to the Custom House, took all the goods in
the private warehouse out of bond, and the
sleepy official, with an owlish look of exces-
sive wisdom and vigilance, duly inspected
the removal of empty cases.

Overhearing one of the clerks say that the
cases were very light, he was on the point of
having one opened, when Skimpit, with ready
tact, interposed :

" Men be careful with that case ; don't put
it in a damp place, or all the starch will be
taken out of the light muslin trimmings."

This satisfied the Custom House official,
whom Screws immediately engaged in conver-
sation on the subject of the former's applica-
tion for a higher position under the govern-
ment which Screw's influence eventually ob-
tained for him.

Under such circumstances the officer could
hardly give the firm the unnecessary trouble
of opening suspiciously light cases.

CHAPTER XXI.

Florence Ward, after her husband's death,
" broke up housekeeping," and resided with
her father, the Rev. Jeremiah Rose, who had
succeeded in getting a call from a fashionable
church on Dorchester street. She spent
most of her time, however, at Mrs. Petty-
sham's ; in fact a room was reserved for her,
and she as frequently slept beneath the Petty-
sham roof as she did under that of her father.

The family were sitting around the early
breakfast table on the morning that Screws
and Skimpit were winding their way for a
few hours repose at the St. Lawrence Hall,
after having surreptitiously removed the mer-
chandise from the private bonded warehouse.

" Fred, you look very pale this morning,"
said Mrs. Pettysham ; " why were you not
home to dinner.""

"You know, mother, I was out at the
Gaults' party the night before last, and it was
nearly four o'clock before I got home. We
had a hard day's work at the store, as a large
quantity of goods were coming in and going
out. I stood it pretty well in the morning,
but after lunch I got so tired that I could
hardly keep my eyes open, so I slipt away to
take half-an-hour's sleep behind some bales of
cotton in the upper story. I must have slept
for a long time, for when I woke all was dark-
ness. I then remembered what had occurred,
and by the ray of a moonbeam could make
out my surroundings. Making the best of

this adventure, I lay down again and was on
the point of going to sleep when I heard the
found of approaching footsteps. Through the
gloom I saw two men approach the lattice
work that divides the store from the bonded
warehouse. They had an oil lamp which
they placed on a dry goods case directly in
front of me. Just imagine how astonished
I was to see Mr. Screws and Mr. Skimpit at
that late hour. I lay perfectly motionless
and watched their every .tiovement, Mr.
Skimpit drew a screw-driver irom his pocket

" That will do, Fred," intc-posed Mr.
Pettysham, with a look that insured obedi-
ence, " I will hear the rest of this story in the
library after breakfast."

Mrs. Pettysham and Florence, though hav-
ing the due share of curiosity natural to the
sex, refrained from urging Fred to continue,
but the younger members of the family were
urgent until their father, with the affectionate
admonition, " that will do, my dears," which
conveyed more of sharp reproof than paternal
love, silenced their importunities, and Fred
was allowed to finish his breakfast in undis-
turbed rumination.

After the meal father and son retired to
the library, when Fred continued the story of
his adventures on the previous night :

" Skimpit soon displaced the lock and both
went hastily to work to remove the lids of the
cases with a chisel and mallet. They made but
little noise,as a pad of thick cloth over the head
of the chisel deadened the sound. They car-
ried the goods on their shoulders down stairs.
When I first perceived them I was about to
make myself known, but that idea was soon
dispelled when I saw the stern, forbidding
look on Screws' countenance. The night-air
was very chilly, and though there was a pile
of blankets near me, I dared not move. My
teeth chattered, and with the greatest diffi-
culty I refrained from coughing."

"We have enough," I heard Screws say.
" Now put the lids on the cases, and leave
everything as it was, and I'll take the rest of
these goods down stairs."

The cases were soon fastened, and Skimpit
who looked terribly frightened, hurriedly re-
placed the bolt. What if they should catch
me here, I thought. This is some crime,
and cough I must. Skimpit started and
looked around nervously, and was just on the
point of examining my retreat, when Screws
called up through the hoist in a hoarse whis-
per :

" Put out the lamp and hurry, it is almost

daylight. Don't forget the key of th. front
door, I laid it beside the lamp."

My curiosity got the better of my fears,
and going in advance of Skimpit, I hurried
softly down stairs and was soon on the ground
floor, near the door.

When SI impit opened it I rushed past him,
nearly knocking him over, and when I got
home this mv rning it was broad daylight and
I felt tired and sick ; and no wonder mother
thought I looked pale at breakfast.

" Fred," enjoined Mr. Pettysham, " pro-
mise me you will not mention this matter to
a living soul." This is a most valuable piece
of information. I must tell you that this man
Screws has it in his power to make us abso-
lute beggars. He holds a mortgage on
" Ha.rdscrabble," and since we have lived in
the city, I have been under the necessity of
borrowmg a great deal of money from him,
which I expect to pay as soon aa the railroad
bill passes the Senate. There is some opposi-
tion, but if it succeeds, the shares I hold will
be of considerable value, and they will prob-
ably enable me to get from under this tyran-
nical man's heel."

P"red promised, and then hurried to the
store, as Skimpit was a little martinet, and
never failed to make some disagreeable re-
mark when any o' the employees arrived late.

Skimpit was not at his usual post. In a
few hours, however, he turned up and bust-
ling around soon accomplished the task of
filling the orders. He was particularly gracious
to young Pettysham and about noon asked
him to have lunch at Alexander's. The
young man was suspicious that Skimpit knew
that he was being watched the night previous,
and this made him feel somewhat uncomfor-
table, but his host was after other game,
lie knew that Florence was in the habit of
visiting Mrs. Pettysham, and that the famulus
were on intimate terms, and learning from
Fred that she was spending a few days at
their house he proposed that, as he and Fred
had been doing some very hard work lately
they should take a drive around the mountain.

" Perhaps the ladies would like to go ; sup-
pose we ask them ?" insinuated Skimpit.

Of course Fred acquiesced, and strolling
over to a livery stable on Bonaventure street,
Skimpit ordered the handsomest turnout
in the establishment. This equipage be-
longed to a British officer in the Guards who
had been quartered in Canada, but finding
provincial life too monotonous had exchanged
into the battalion quartered in London.

CHAPTER XXII.

" They often have revealed their passion to me ;
But tell me whose address thou favorest most :
I long to know."

Addison.

Florence was much in the society of Mrs.
Pettysham, who ministered to her grief and
comforted her loneliness with all the delicacy
and tact that are the unerring instincts of the
female heart. In course of time the friend-
ship of the two grew so close that they were
pretty much continually in one another's so-
ciety, and Florence, as we have said, used to
spend whole weeks at the Pettysham mansion
on Sherbrooke street. With Mary Screws
her intercourse was less frequent and inti-
mate. Although she had forgiven, in a true
Christian spirit, the author of her misfortune,
the latter could not so easily forgive herself,
and she could not divest herself of a certain
constraint in the presence of Florence.
Furthermore the coldness and growing indif-
ference of Skimpit was soon associated in
Mary's mind with the superior attractions of
the lovely widow. These little rivalries are
sooner detected, and go further with women
than with men. It is only just to say that
Florence herself was for a long time uncon-
scious of all this. But gradually, as the days
of mourning passed by, and the gloom of sol-
itude lifted its sombre curtains, the sunshine
of life crept back into her heart, the hunger
of a new love insensibly developed itself, and
she began to look about her to those changes
which were inevitable in the case of a young
woman like herself.

Mrs. Pettysham was a true friend and the
best confidant that Florence could have
under the peculiar circumstances in which
she was placed. Douglas had done, like all
the rest of the Consumption people who have
been introduced in this story, and removed
to Montreal, where he had succeeded, within
a diort space, in creating quite a practice for
himself as a lawyer. He had been among
tl e first to sympathize with Florence in her
s( rrow, and had greatly assisted her with his
counsel in the arrangement of her affairs.
Major Ward had left a considerable estate,
the whole of which was willed to his widow,
i>ut when Douglas came to unravel it, he
fi und that it was considerably involved.
Vv hen all the legal technicalities were settled,
there remained to Florence only a small
annuity, with the prospects of further allot-
ments, when the parents of her deceased
husband had passed away.

In the course of these negotations, Douglas
was naturally thrown a great deal in Flor-
ence's company, and naturally the old feel-
ing that existed between them, blossomed and
bore fruit. Florence could not be blind to
the attractions and merits of the talented
young lawyer, and Mrs. Pettysham was per-
fectly aware of that fact. But neither could
the attentions of Skimj)!! be overlooked.
Without being exactly assiduous in his visits,
he had made several calls and was well re-
ceived. Florence was in particularly good
spirits when Skimpit made his call with Fred.
She had no objection whatever to the drive
provided Mrs. Pettysham accompanied
the party. Mrs. Pettysham, taking in the
situation at a glance, readily consented,
and the four were soon bowling along St.
Lawrence Main street, in the direction of
Mile End. After passing the toll-gate, they
advanced through the leafy arcades of Mount
Royal Avenue, till they reached a quaint-
looking old building on the right, which at-
tracted the attention of the ladies.

** Why, that looks like Peggotty's ark in
David Copperfieltl" exclaimed Florence, as
she looked at Skimpit.

That worthy, who had never heard of Peg-
gotty or Copperfield, smiled warily and re-
plied :

" It looks to me like a boat cabin."

"A boat cabin! That's it exactly," broke
in lovely Master Fred, who knew all about
the old fisherman and little Em'ly.

And the young archaeolgist, much to his
mother's delight, explained, that the structure
was no less than the upper works of one of
the old Molson steamboats, which lay there
high and dry, after doing much good service
in the primitive days of St. Lawrence naviga-
tion. And it was a snug and cosy hostelry,
surrounded by beautifully shaded grounds.

Skimpit proposed that they should stop
there for a few moments' repose, and some
refreshments. 'I'he ladies were agreeable and
the whole party got of the carriage.

They were shown to a pavilion in the gar-
den, embowered in grapevines and honey-
suckle. There they partook of sherbet and
cakes, and indulged in agreeable conversation.
The summer air was calm and laden with the
sweet scent of flowers. Even the mercenary
soul of Skimpit was softened by the influence
of the time and place. He stole glances of
furtive imagination at the handsome figure of
Florence, seated beside him, her beauty mel-
lowed and deepened by the heavy mourning
weeds in which she was enveloped. The

long black veil thrown aside over her shoul-
ders, imparted an impressive charm to her at-
tractive face. A thousand thoughts rose to
Samuel's mind, a thousand feelings buzzed at
his heart. He felt that the time was propi-
tious to say, to do something, he hardly' knew
what, to advance his suit. The opportunity
was afibrded him by Mrs. Pettysham propos-
ing a stroll through the garden. She took
the arm of her son and walked forward, Skim-
pit found himself in the company of Florence
lagging behind. Not soft of speech was Mas-
ter Samuel, neither was he versed in the art
of courtship, but he seized his opportunity
neverthless, and managed to utter a few words
that revealed his heart to Florence. Did she
laugh at him } Did she stare in blank amaze-
ment? Did she repel him by look or gesture?
None of these. Her eyes wandered out wist-
fully over the fair landscape spread before
her, decked in all the alluring charms of a
mild summer's evening. She listened, not as
in a dream, indeed, for that would have been
far too romantic, but with a passive kind of at-
tention, and a faint smile that hovered over her
rosy lips,wasthe indefinite answer which Skim-
pit interpreted as not altogether unfavorable
to him. Thus encouraged, Samuel continued
to speak, and a certain rude eloquence and
fervor accompanied his speech. When after
making the rounds of the garden, Mrs. Pet-
tysham and Fred came up to the twain, he was
not averse to meet them, for he felt satisfied
that he had gotten on very well for a begin-
ning. Mrs. Pettysham shot a sly look at him,
and a cunning smile showed that she suspected
something. She avoided looking at Florence
who stepped forward with Fred, in the direc-
tion of the garden gate.

" Well Mr. Skimpit, shall we move along ?"
asked Mrs. Pettysham jauntily, " Florence has
had enough of your company, I should think.
Now, it's my turn."

"Oh, Mrs. Pettysham!" exclaimed Samuel
with a gulp. *' I hope you will be my friend."

" Ah, Mr. Skimpit," rejoined Mrs. Petty-
sham with a hearty laugh " and has it come
to this ?"

Skimpit saw that the clever woman under-
stood everything, and there was something
about her demeanor which gave him hopes
that he might find in her a powerful ally.
Brooding over these thoughts, he reached the
carriage, helped the ladies in and the drive
around the mountain was continued very
agreeably. Florence was quite lively in her
conversation, and almost familiar with Skim-
pit, acting in a way that reminded him of the

(ii

old days in the country, and when they separa-
ted after reaching home she thanked him
warmly for his kindness, and invited him to
call again.

" She shall be mine yet !" exclaimed Skim-
pit.

And he drove away triumphant.

CHAPTER XXIII.

Passion unpitied ami successful love
Plant daggers in my heart.

Mary Screws sat all alone in her room at
home. Doleful and wistful was poor Mary,
with her keen woman's eyes, she had been no
stranger to what was going on around her.
The coldness of Skimpit was not new to her.
At first, she was not disposed to resent it,
imagining that siie might fly at higher game,
than at her father's clerk — a lawyer, perhaps,
or even a military man. But when Skimpit
had come back from England with such flam-
ing new clothes, and such lofty ideas, she
thought better of it and concluded that she
could not do better than stand by him. Both
her father and mother encouraged the alliance
and that was a further motive. She prided
herself that she could combat his indifference
and overcome it, when she discovered the
causes of it. But when at length she did dis-
cover it, she was in a worse quandary than be-
fore. Samuel loved Florence ! well, that was
a joke. Ah ! if it had been only a joke.
Unfortunately, it wa« something far worse.
Mary, though she was the child of a wretched
father, had a keen appreciation of the fitness
of things, and many delicate sensibilities. She
sat alone in her room and reflected : —

" What does this mean ?" she murmured.
" Sam is in love with Florence ! I could'nt
believe it at first, but there is no use of de-
ceiving myself any longer. It is only too
true."

She rocked herself in the arm chair for a
while longer, then resumed the course of her
reflections : —

"This is very strange. It is more than
strange, it is dangerous. What have I done
to Samuel that he should treat me so ? What
have I done to Florence that — "

Then she rocked herself with more anima-
tion and her eye was aflame.

" Florence ! — Samuel ! — Samuel ! — Flor-
ence ! — "

She stopped the motion of her chair and
remained immovable for a moment. Her
eyes were fixed with a wild painful stare on
some object directly in front of her. It was

a bouquet of flowers on the mantle. How
innocent those blossoms looked, and what a
soft perfume they shed throughout the room.
But to her disordered senses they shot a poison
as deadly as that which took away the senses
of Maxaniello, in the proudest day of his Nea-
politan triumph.

" Retribution !" she exclaimed, abruptly,
rising, " I fired Major Ward with jealousy
against Florence. Florence is firing me with
jealousy against Samuel. These flowers are
the tokens of revenge."

She made a rapid step toward the mantel,
seized the bouquet in her trembling hand,
raiseil the sash with a renewed exertion, and
dashed the flowers into the street.

Poor Mary ! It was a retribution indeed,
but she was wofully mistaken in connecting
Florence therewith. Florence would have
smiled sadly at the bare idea of such a con-
summation.

In the meantime, Skimpit was agitated too,
but in quite another way. For the name
Mary was altogether out of his thoughts, and
his sordid soul was basking in sweet dreams
of love, of which the central figure was the
beautiful widow. He determined at all haz-
ards to pursue the advantage which he fancied
he had gained in the drive around the moun-
tain, and the interview in the garden.

" Mrs. Pettysham is my main stand-by," he
murmured, " and I must come to conclusions
with her."

And accordingly he went to see Mrs. Petty-
sham. He found that lady very cordial and
affable. Indeed, he fancied that she divined
the object of his coming, and was ready to
meet him half way. What transformations
there are in the causes of love. Here was
this clown bearing himself as well in the pres-
ence of Mrs. Pettysham, as if he had been a
gentleman born and bred. His awkwardness,
and sheepishness vanished as by enchant-
ment, and he poured out his story with a
facility and force which astonished himself,
while it amused the lady.

" There is one obstacle in the way," said
Mrs. Pettysham, kindly, after listening to all
his arguments.

"What is that, madam.'" — eagerly.

" Florence may not care to marry ag?in."

" Oh ! Mrs. Pettysham, don't say that. So
young, so beautiful !"

" Or perhaps "

" Well ?"

" Her heart may be given to another."

" I hope not, madam. Indeed, I know it
is not. She gave me to understand as much. "

■HBHP

" Perhaps, then, she is still undecided ; may
not have thought about it, and "

" That is just it, dear Mrs. F'.'ttysham. Tiiat
is just it. Just where I want your assistance.
Speak for nie, work for me, and I will do any-
thing for you "

There was just the faintest curve of disdain
on Mrs. Pettysham's lips at these words — as
if Skimpit could do anything for her ? The
idea!

Skimpit seized her thought at once, and,
with a stroke of genius, determined to clinch
the argument.

" Mrs. Pettysham," he exclaimed, " I am in
possession of a secret."

" A secret, sir !" murmured the lady, elevat-
ing her eyebrows.

" An important secret," madam.

" An important secret ? sir. You astonish
me."

" A secret that concerns yourself."

Mrs. Pettysham sat perfectly immovable,
and there was a cold stare in her clear gray
eyes.

Skimpit was not slow»to seize the opport-
unity. He intuitively saw his advantage.

" Mrs. Pettysham, do you remember the
mortgage ?" he exclaimed.

'' Mortgage ? what do you mean," very
severely.

" Oh, madam, do not feign to misunder-
stand me, I mean the mortgage on the Hard-
scrabble estate."

Mrs. Pettysham saw something coming,
and said gently, without, however, altering
her reserved manner.

" And what of it, sir }*'

*' Mr. Screws has got it."

" Yes, I believe he has."

" And will keep it."

" Oh, I hope not."

" You don't know Mr. Screws."

" He is an honorable man, I hope."

" You know him best."

" He is the man to hold that mortgage,
madam."

"Not if we clear it."

" He will see that you do not clear it."

" This is strange language, Mr. Skimpit."

" It is truthful, madam."

Mrs. Pettysham paused in the dialogue,
closed her eyes, and reflected for one rapid
moment. What did the man mean ? What
object had he in view ? Was he prepared to
exchange an important secret for his love to
Florence ? She resumed quietly : —

" Mr. Skimpit, you astonish me just a little.
Why this turn to our conversation ?"

Samuel stopped a minute, then said
iibrui)tly : —

" I'm a business man, madam. I come to
make a bargain with you,"

" A bargain, Mr. Skimpit ?" said Mrs.
Pettysham. merrily.

'' Yes, a bargain. That mortgage was a
conspiracy."

" Ah !"

" Intended to ruin your husband."

" Oh !"

'• And it will ruin him."

" The proof, sir," sternly.

" Here it is."

And Skimpit drew from a side pocket the
letter of Screws to Prudhomme, which he
had purloined long ago.

Mrs. Pettysham folded her arms and looked
at Skimpilkeenly.

" That letter is yours, madam."

Mrs. Pettysham held out one hand, cau-
tiously.

" It will reveal the whole plot and enable
you to counteract it."

Mrs. Pettysham's eyes softened, but there
were hard lines about her mouth.

" This letter is mine, sir ? On what con-
ditions .=>"

Here Samuel lost his balance a bit, at the
sight of those sharp, inquiring eyes.

"No conditions, madam. The letter is
yours, absolutely. Only — ■"

Mrs. Pettysham's lips broadened into a
genial, knowing smile. She understood
everything at a glance.

" Only " she repeated.

" That you will do what you can for me,
madam, with Florence."

Mrs. Pettysham laughed outright at this,
and tapping Skimpit's shoulder with the let-
ter, she said :

" We will do what we can, Mr. Skimpit,
you can't ask anything better than that."

Samuel did not reply, but bowing himself
out of the room, he hurried away, with the
foolish assurance in his heart that all was
well, and that Florence Ward was his very
own.

CHAPTER XXIV.

Meantime Pettysham was getting on very
well in the world at politics. As soon as he
entered Parliament, it became apparent to
his friends that he was destined to make his
mark, and he himself had a vague confidence
that public life was destined to be the crown-

ing sphere of his fortune. During the first
session, he maintained his own counsel, tak-
ing no part in debate, but keenly observing
men and things. He was not slow to make
acquaintances and form friendships, and by
the end of the first year Pettysham was quite
a figure at the Capital. His wife was an effi-
cient factor in his success, her accomplished
manners, agreeable conversation, and rare
knowledge of the world, contributing in a
marked degree toward attracting the most in-
fluential society to her residence. The Petty-
shams resided habitually in Montreal, but
during the session of Parliament, they kept
open house at Ottawa, where their recep-
tions and entertainments were among th'i
chief festives of the season.

It was during the second session that the
great railway project, of which mention was
made in the earlier part of this story, and
which was the principal issue in the electoral
contest that ended in Pettysham's return,
was brought up prominently before the House.
It was then that Pettysham burst out in all
his glory, revealing his whole character, and
showing conclusively the stuff that was in
him. Not only was that railway necessary
to his county but to the whole district to
which the county belonged, but it was a
matter of the greatest importance to himself
both politically and financially. If he suc-
ceeded in carrying it through, according to
his ideas, he would become the idol of his
constituency, a power in the state and —
what was not the least consideration — a man
of commanding wealth.

But he could not succeed by his own indi-
vidual efforts. He must needs get assistance
from outside. Eloquence was something,
but not nearly enough. There was down-
right hard work to be done in the committee
rooms, and members had to be button-holed
in the corridors. In fact the final triumph
could be achieved only in the lobbies. Lob-
bying is an institution in all legislative bodies,
but in Ottawa it has been raised to the pro-
portions of a science. Nowhere, except at
Washington, is the system so admirably
managed, and nowhere does it produce such
extraordinary results.

The only other curiosity that can hold a
candle to it is our Civil Service. Canadians
would imagine in their simplicity that the
Civil Service was established and kept going
for their special behoof, for the best men
among themselves, and for their children after
them. They would fancy it was meant to be
an opening lor the rising talent of the country.

PiUt there never was a more egregious mistake.
The Civil Service of Canada is used as a kind
of asylum for English refugees. If a deputy
head of a department is wanted, or a chief
clerk, or a specialist of any kind is wanted,
straightway application is made " at home,"
and the want is supplied. Engineers on pub-
lic works, superintendents of military colleges,
commanders of militia, surveyors of mineral
lands and other such high officials are not
supposed to grow in the uncongenial climate
of Canada, but must be transplanted from
British soil. Public opinion, so far, has had
little or no fault to find with this beautiful
system, and when our institutions of learning
in Ontario and Quebec want a professor, they
never for a moment suspect that they can
find such among their own alumni, but in-
stinctively turn to the English Universities
for the same.

Nor are our Civil Service men entirely
foreign to the lobby. On the contrary, they
are often the active agents therein, their know-
ledge of the inner workings of the several de-
partments being a loaterial advantage to them
and their friends. There is nothing in the
world to prevent an official of this kind sup-
plementing his large salary by a goodly amount
of pickings during the year. It is easy for
him to cloak his actions, and nobody can pre-
vent him doing a little for himself outside of
office hours. So long as he does not betray a
state secret, he may make indirect use of the
information in his possession without let or
hinderance.

In the present instance, it is not necessary
to our purpose to detail the interference of
these gentlemen. Suffice it to say that the
lobby for the railway was a powerful one, and
that what a contemporary Canadian Statesman
has picturesquely termed " human devices "
were not wanting. That very convenient and
handy contrivance denominated a syndicate
was called into existence for the nonce. A
wonderful conglomeration is a syndicate. It
is as sinuous and multiform as a polype, and
has as many tentacles as a devil-fish. It rakes
in all influences, and is compounded of all
elements. But always and everywhere, the
the irrepressible Scotchman predominates.
The slogan sounds, the clans muster, and from
every quarter of the compass the San dies are
seen coming with gray eyes ashine and nos-
trils upturned, scenting the prey. They meet
in conclave, dine and wine each other, and
over their Glenlivit, concoct the clever
schemes that put the fattest jobs in the b.nd
within their grasp, with the assurance of col-

ossal returns. Sandy goes into the syndicate
of this kind with only a few bawbees in his
pocket, and comes out a stunning millionaire.
It IS a thousand pities that all this wealth does
not broaden his sympathies and lessen his
greed.

Pettysham < onsortcd well with his Scotch
associates. He was as sharp as themselves,
and they recognized from the first that his
leadership was necessary to their success.
But there was another man who thought he
had a right to have a finger in the pie, that
was Screws. He had interested himself in
the railway long before Pettysham went to
live at Consumption, had run for Parliament
in order that he might control it himself, and
it was not in human nature that he would
abandon his hold, even if circumstances had
somewhat gone against him. He therefore
paid frequent visits to the capital. At first
the Sandies tried to shake him off, but soon
found that his grip was as firm as theirs.
Pettysham, too, attempted the game of bluff,
and even went so far as to snub him on one
or two occasions ; but Screws was like the
Duke of Wellington, never knew when he
was beaten, and he gave Mr. Pettysham so
broad a hint c.bout the Hardscrabble mort-
gage,that that gentleman immediately dropped
the policy of obstruction. He went further
and took Screws into the Syndicate with every
mark of cordiality.

" Very well, sir," said Screws. " As far as
I'm concerned that's all right, but there's
something more."

" Something more .-•" replied Pettysham
with astonishment. "What is that .''"

" I have a partner."

Pettysham thought of Skimpit and smiled.

Screws understood him at once and broke
out :

" Oh, I don't mean Sam. He's with me
only in the store. He's nothing to do with
my outside business,"

" Whom then do you mean. Screws ?"

" I mean my friend Prudhomme He's
able, influential and has money."

Pettysham winced as he remembered the
letter which Skimpit had delivered to his wife.

" There's another enemy of mine, in this
thing," he said to himself, " and I don't half
like it."

But he understood that, for the time being,
he was helpless, and so had to put on the best
face possible.

" Very well. Screws ; let Prudhomme come
in. You are a guarantee for him, are you
not ?'•

Screws' lips were tortured into a grin as he
replied ;

" Oh, yes, Prudhomme will come in as my
partner. But he is able to take care of him-
self."

Then Prudhomme was introduced, and a
queer interview took place between the three
men. The wily little notary was all smiles
and sallies, but before he got through, the
contract was drawn up by him in due form
and he got thenecessary signatures appended.
He thanked Pettysham effusively, and they
parted with the semblance of the best of
friends.

On the way to the hotel, Prudhomme glar-
ing through his spectral glasses, whispered :

" And the mortgage. Screws ?"

" I will hold on to that, in spite of all, and
Pettysham, big as he feels, is still in my
power."

And Screws' face looked very wicked.

CHAPTER XXV,

" The fairest action of our human life
Is scorning to revenge an injury ;
For who forgives without a further strife
His adversary's heart to him doth tie."

Carew.

The railway bill passed at length, and Pet-
tysham's fortune was made. The event gave
himall the importance that hehad anticipated,
and even his most sanguine hopes were more
than fulfilled. He rose from step to step up
the ladder with wonderful rapidity. From a
simple member of Parliament, representing
an obscure rural constituency, he stood in the
public eye as one of the leaders of his party.
From a common country Squire, burdened
with debts, and handicapped by a mortgage
on his family patrimony, he found himself a
man of large wealth, and the broadest finan-
cial expectations. His friends were loud in
their praise of his abilities, and his political
adversaries gave him credit for having taken
clever advantage of a remarkable stroke of
luck.

The Syndicate set to work without delay.
They determined to reap a harvest while the
sun of prosperity was shining full upon them.
It was a wonder where all the money came
from, but they seemed to get as much of it as
they wanted without the least difficulty. They
bought a magnificent building in St. James
strfeet ; fitted up luxurious offices, and opened
business with all the magnificence of nabobs
and all the shrewdness and thrift of canny
Scotchmen. They flooded the market with

their bonds and debentures, secured by an
extravgant grant of government lands, and the
leading bank of the country acted as their
agent. The secretary had as many favors to
distribute and wielded as much power as a
Cabinet Minister. The road was soon built
and from the first yielded large dividends.
Everybody was in high good humor over the
result of the venture. The Sandies purred
and chuckled over their toddy. Prudhomme
rubbed his hands and his spectacles gleamed.
Screws figured up his columns of profit with
sardonic delight. Pettysham went backwards
and forwards, from Ottawa to Montreal, and
from Montreal to Consumption, receiving with
complacency the felicitations of his friends
and the adulations of his sycophants. There
was no more elegant indolence or aristocratic
leisure for him. His whole time was em-
])loyed. His mind was always on the stretch
toward that ultimate goal which bore so nch
a promise for him and his.

A further promotion soon came to pass. A
change took place in the Cabinet of the day.
One of those Ministers who have always an
eye to some fat office that shall keep them
comfortable for life, at the public expense,
had pleaded his claim to a vacancy on the
Bench of his Province, and had his claim al-
lowed. He resigned his portfolio, and was
inducted into his new functions and settled
down with a blessing to Heaven that he was
so well provided for, away from the storms
that wreck the strongest of Governments, and
blast the fondest hopes of politicians. Here
was Pettysham's chance. The empty seat in
the Cabinet might be his if he only knew how
to go about obtaining it. His individual
merits and his public services were recom-
mendations enough of themselves, but these do
not always weigh in the choice of Ministers.
There must be wire-pulling and lobbying
there too. Pettysham was perfectly aware of
this and acted accordingly. He got his
friends to send up a strongly-worded and
numerously signed petition to the Prime
Minister. His electoral district prepared a
similar document of their own. Then he
made several visits to Ottawa on the same
mission. There was considerable delay ow-
ing to the number of rival claimants, but he
triumphed in the end, and one fine Saturday
the Canada Gazette came out with his appoint-
ment to the Privy CDnncil and to the depart-
ment of Secretary of State. According tb
constitutional usage he had to go to his con-
stituents for re-election, and this he did with-
in a fortnight after his appointment.

" Will I have any opposition, Screws .^" he
asked, laughingly, on the eve of nomination
day, as he was packing his portmanteau, for
a journey to Consumption.

" Why, who would oppose you ?"

" Yourself, for instance," laughing again
slyly.

Screws was not a bit abashed.

" Pshaw ! By opposing you I helped you in
your election."

" You did, eh?"

" The result proved it."

" That's a cjueer way of looking at it, but I
guess we had better let that drop."

Screws thought so too, and there was a grim
manner about him which showed that he did
not relish the allusion. He said to himself,
that a year before Pettysham would not hivo
dared to recall the event of his election, and tlio
desreputable part that Screws played therein.

" He is rich and powerful now, and n<»
longer afraid of me, I must dissemble, how-
ever, and bide my time."

After making these reflections Screws in-
formed Pettysham that he intended to go
with him to Consumption, and assist in mak-
ing his triumph as complete and brilliant as
possible. And he kept his word to the letter.
The whole country turned out to meet its
representatives. A platform, decorated with
bunting and evergreens, was set up in front
the parish church, and from that elevation
the returning officer announced to the as-
sembled hundreds that Mr. Pettysham was
the sole candidate on the lists, and that the
time regulated by law having expired without
any opposition being offered, that gentleman
was duly elected to represent them in Parlia-
ment. An immense acclamation was the
response to this announcement, followed by
loud cries for Pettysham. He stood
upon the platform and his presence was the
signal for a fresh out-burst of applause. The
burden of his speech, after the preliminary
expression of his thanks, was that he had
henceforth a double opportunity of serving
his country, both as a member of Parliament
and ?s a Minister of the Crown. He added
the promise — promises are very cheap wit'
politicians — that he would exen ise tb dudi
prerogative in their behalf with Mi -nergy
of his nature ; whereupon the nore ap-

plause. Then a procession chicles of

every kind, buggies, coaches I carts was
formed, some two hundred strong, ard the
Minister was escorted through the village to
the railway station, where he took final leave
of his friends, amid the ringing of bells, the

SWB--

- IIUJUWD) I

tooting of engines and the wild yells of the
crowd.

Pettysham returned to Ottawa and entered
upon his new duties with ardor. His ad-
ministrative talents had a field for develop-
ment and he profited by the occasion. The
office of Secretary of State is one of the least
important in the Cabinet, and it soon became
apparent that as soon as a change took place,
I'etlysham would receive a further promotion.
This ch nge came about within the year. The
cards were shuffled and the Secretary of State
became Minister of Railways, the most impor-
tant and responsible position after that of
Premier and Minister of Finance. Nor was
this all. Within a few months after his ap-
pointment, the Government had need of a
large amount of money for the prosecution
of certain public works, and the Minister of
Railways was deputed to go to England to
negotiate the loan. His wife accompanied
him on the voyage, and they resided abroad
about three months, during which Pettysham
succeeded admirably in the object of his mis-
sion. He had occasion also to mingle in the
best society of London, where Mrs. Pettysham
won many admirers and he made many
friends. Indeed the popularity of the couple
was so great that Mrs. Pettysham laid her
plans for securing to her husband a substan-
tial token of regard from the Crown. This
was nothing less than a decoration and a pa-
tent of Knighthood for her husband. A
little before the order of St. Michael and St.
George had been revived and made a field of
competition for colonists throughout the
Empire.

"How nice 'Sir Peter' would sound,"
mused Mrs. Pettysham, and then added with
a smile of ineffable complacency,

" And how grand to be called Lady Petty-
sham !"

It was a beautiful dream, almost too good
to be realized.

" But who knows ?'' the lady would say
again. " Strange things have happened."

And strange as it was, the thing did hap-
pen. A few months after his return to Can-
ada, Pettysham was given to understand that
he might expect a mark of royal favor as a
reward for his able administration. On the
Queen's birthday, at Montreal, the whole
militia force turned out, and there was a grand
review and sham fight, in presence of the
Governor-General. To give the celebration
still greater eclat, His Excellency had been
commissioned to initiate several prominent
men in the order of St. Michael and St.

Ocorgc. PL'ttysluun was among them. The
ccrciuony of installation took place in one of
the leading hotels, according to all the rites
prescribed for such occasions, and in the
presence of a chosen circle of friends and
relatives of the recipients. When all was
over, Sir Peter I'ettysluun was met with
congratulations on all hands. The Governor
saluted him, ]\is colkMi'iies in the Cabinet
gave him the accolade, and his wife threw
herself upon his neck in an cctasy of joy.

Sir Peter Pettysham.

Lady Pettysham.

It was no dream now, but a golden reality.
There was the title ir black and white on the
grand old parchment. There was the royal
seal. There was the cross and the other in-
signia. The triumph of the man was com-
plete, but there was something almost pathetic
in the exultation of the woman.

CHAPTER XXVL

Women are more far-seeing than men. Much
as she enjoyed the honors which had been
heaped upon her husband, Mrs. Pettysham
did not forget that his position was not as
secure as it might be. Sir Peter did not give
that matter a thought. Feeling his political
strength, and conscious of his ability to meet
all financial engagements, he was willing to
let his affairs stand, without inquiring too
closely into the past. Mrs. Pettysham re-
solved to rouse him from his apathy.

They were sitting one day together in the
breakfast room, he, reclining in an arm chair,
in shirt sleeves and slippers, with the morning
paper on his knee, and she, gently rocking
herself.

"Well, what is there new.'" she inquired,
looking up from the King Charles that lay
curled at her feet.

" Oh, nothing much."

" Nothing from Ottawa ?"

" No. The Government are all away you
know, the other members, like myself, being
off on their holidays."

" Nothing from Quebec .''"

" No. The old place seems to be as sleepy
as ever."

" Nothing local V

" Not the least accident, crime or catastro-
phe. No fire, no flood."

" Oh, you don't know how to read a paper.
Come, let me have it and you'll soon see."

He handed her the sheet, and she had
scarcely glanced at it, when she exclaimed
with a smile,

" Well, here's a big item, the first thing.
Don't you call that news ?"

Sir Peter's eye fell on Prudhomme's name
in the column of legal notices.

" Ah ! and what is the notary doing now ?"
he asked, with just the faintest show of
curiosity.

" Doing ? Why, he is at one of his old
tricks again."

" Selling some poor fellow out.''"

" Exactly."

And she read out aloud the notice of a
sheriff's sale of a valuable piece of property,
under a mortgage held by Prudhomme.

Pettysham listened carelessly, puffing blue
rings of smoke to the ceiling from a fragrant
Golden Eagle.

His wife laid the paper on her lap, and
looked at him a moment. Then she said
quietly :

" Don't you think, my dear, that this little
notice is a reminder to ourselves .'*"

" You can take it that way," was the negli-
gent reply.

" And so ought you take it that way. There
is no reason why we should allow that mort-
gage to hang over our heads any longer.
Hardscrabble is the family homestead. We
have the means to redeem it. We owe this
redemption to ourselves as well as to our
children."

'' I agree with you that we have the means
and "

" And we should use them. We cannot
read the future. This good fortune may not
always last. Misfortune may fall upon us as
suddenly as came the rise of our good for-
tune.

" You are right, my dear," said the states-
man, bracing himself up in his chair and
looking serious, " I will look to this matter
without further delay."

While this conversation was going on in
the Pettysham mansion, on Sherbrooke street,
Mons. Prudhomme sat in his dingy little
office, off St. Vincent street. His table was
littered with papers, a few old books stood
slanting on the shelves. The floor was un-
carpeted, and a few rickety chairs were scat-
tered about the room. The ceiling was black
with dust and smoke, the window panes were
clouded with accuinulated dirt, and festoons
of cobweb dangled gracefully in the low cor-
ners. He was peering intently through his
glasses at a voluminous document spread
out before him, while his lips were puckered
by a cunning smile.

" This was a tough case," he muttered to

himself, ''but it's all right now. C'est correct."

And another ghastly smile flitted over his
face.

Just then, there was a timid rap at the
door.

" Come in !" cried out the notary, in his
shrill, piping voice.

A middle aged woman, with two young
children, entered.

" Are you Mons. Prudhomme ?" was the
hesitating inquiry.

" That's my name, madam, at your service."

" Might I speak to you a moment .>''

" Certainly, take a seat."

And the little man, rising from his desk,
set out three chairs.

The woman was poorly, but neatly dressed.
She looked fifty, but might have been, as in-
deed she was, much younger, her features
bearing the traces of premature age. The two
children were likewise simply clad, and wore
a serious, troubled mien. The oldest, a boy.
was about twelve years of age. The younger,
a girl, was not mor« than ten. They were
both very handsome — blue eyes, golden hair,
and delicately chiseled features.

" Well, madam, what can I do for you .'"
asked Prudhomme, after having scrutinized
the three for a minute or two.

" I have come to see ^o\x, sir, about a most
painful matter. It is not for myself, but for
these poor little children ."

Prudhomme's aspect suddenly changed.
He appeared to have caught a new idea.

'* What is your name, madam .?" he asked,
abruptly.

" Belair, sir."

The big spectacles flashed, and the old man
sat bolt upright in his chair.

" Oh, indeed !" he said, after a pause, " I
know now what brings you here."

" Yes, he knew only too well. The woman
who sat before him, was the widow of a
wealthy farmer in the environs of Montreal.
After doing very well for several years on the
paternal acres, this man was smitten with the
mineral fever that raged at that time in the
West, and went off to better his fortunes,
leaving his wife and two little ones to the care
of an elder brother, whom he appointed sole
guardian of his estate during his absence, and
sole executor in the event ot his death. The
adventurer prospered in the land of the set-
ting sun. Every three months he remitted
considerable sums to his family, and in the
course of two years, quite a competence had
been accumulated. Then, at the instance of
his wifcj he resolved to -eturn and devote hU

savings to the comfort of home and to the educa-
tion of his children. When he had settled all
his affairs in the West, he wrote that he might
be expected within a month from the date of
the letter. But he never came. On his way,
a terrible railway collision took place, and
the poor fellow was among the victims. It
was a terrible shock for the widow, of course,
but after the first outbursts of grief were over,
she fount'' some comfort in the thought that
at least her little ones were not left unpro-
vided for. It was there that she counted
without her host. Her brother-in-law took
hold of the whole property, managed it in his
own way, and never accounted for it to her in
any particular. If she vjntured to make in-
quiries occasionally, she was put off, and
never could get any satisfaction. It was in
vain that she pleaded later on, as suspicions
arose in her mind, and once or twice when
she made feeble threats at the instigation of
friends who knew more gr less about the law,
the fellow laughed her menaces to scorn. At
last, the whole truth came to light. The man
had in\ ested all his brother's money in a large
property, which had proved unremunerative,
and on which he had piled up mortgages to
suit his own purposes. All these mortgages
were in the hands of Prudhomme, who had
obtained them at a fabulous discount from
clients and other parties. Then he advertised
the property to be sold, as we have seen, and
from it, expected to realize a handsome profit.
It was on the eve of this sale that the widow
with her children, called upon him. No
wonder he was disturbed when he saw them.
But he was disturbed only for a moment.
He recovered his self-possession at once,
and his heartless craft displayed itself in its
full colors. We must draw a veil over the
scene that ensued. There is no need to de-
tail the sorrowful supplications of the poor
woman, nor the silent appeals of t!ie orphan
children. All was lost on Prudhomme. He
had the law on his side, and that was enough
for him. The statute is inexorable, and no-
taries are not expected to have souls. The
rights of minors are all very well to be senti-
mental about, but they have no protection in
the Province of Quebec. A man, after work-
ing hard, may leave a competence to his chil-
dren ; but, if that estate is badly administered,
squandered or diverted from its legitimate
channel, there is no recourse, and the children
must go either penniless or with such scraps
as they may, by accident, recover.

In an hour's interview, Madame Belair be-
came painfully aware of the situation. She

saw it yawoing before her in all its hor-
ror.

"V/ell, Mons. Prudhomme, it is all over
then .'" she sobbed.

"Alas! madam."

" You can do nothing ?"

"Nothing."

She gathered her little ones to her, and
went out weeping hysterically.

" On the threshold, she met a gentleman
who was about entering the notary's office.

" What is it madam ?" he asked, instinc-
tively.

" Oh, sir, do not ask me. It is too terrible."

The stranger was Sir Peter Pettysham.

CHAPTER XXVII.

For should you to extortion be inclined,
Your cruel guilt will little booty find.

Drydkn.

The gallant Knight saw at once that he
was in the presence of some dreadful misfor-
tune, and hesitated only one moment in the
fear that perhaps the matter was of so private
a nature, that it would be impertinent on his
part to interfere. The helpless look of the
little children decided him.

" Is there anything I can do for you,
madam ?" he inquired.

" Alas ! sir, nothing."

" How so ?"

" Mons. Prudhomme has told me that
nothing could be done, and as he is both a
notary and personally interested in the mat-
ter, he ought to know.''

These words struck Sir Peter. Was it
some further act of spoliation on the part of
Prudhomme ? And what if this case was the
one referred to in the papers .•• In any case,
he was determined to find out. If the matter
was all correct, a few words of sympathy
would not come amiss. If there was rascality
at the bottom of it, his position as Minister
of the Crown might help him in circumvent-
ing or punishing it.

He led the woman down the stairs to the
open area in front of the building, and there
asked her to tell him all her trouble.

" Confide in me, madam ; I may be able to
assist you."

Thus encouraged, the widow repeated, in
pathetic language, all the facts that we men-
tioned in the preceding chapter. Pettysham
listened without interrupting her once, but his
attention was closely fixed, and not a single
detail escaped him. When the story was told,
he said ; —

*' Madam, you did well to speak to me thus.
I am jio stranger to you ; I knew your hus-
band."

Sir Peter had known Belair in former days,
and distinctly remembered how industrious
and honorable he was. This was an addi-
tional inducement with him to take up the
case and befriend the widow as far as he
could.

" You say that Mons. Prudhomme holds
the mortgages on your property }"

"He does, sir, indeed."

" And you know that he was thoroughly
cognizant of all the doings of your brother-
in-law ?"

" He was, sir."

*' And he will not relent .''"

" Not the least, sir."

" Did you make him any offer.''"

" I had none to make. I have nothing. I
am penniless, and these poor orphans are
beggars. I could only appeal to his mercy."

"And — .?"

"He told me distinctly he could do
nothing."

Petty sham's eyes were moist as he heard
this harrowing tale, and he immediately made
up his mind what to do.

" Madam, leave this matter in my hands. I
am just going to Mons. Prudhomme, and will
see him about it. Go home and take heart,
I will see you again in the course of the day."

Saying which, he produced his card and

On reading it, she

You can help me
providence that I

handed it to the woman,
looked up in surprise.

" Oh, sir, is it possible.'
if anybody can. It is a
met you."

And, renewing her thanks, she moved away
with her children, who had listened to the
whole colloquy with that innocent wonder and
vague look of sorrow that make the sufTerings
of the young so irresistibly pathetic.

In two bounds Pettysham ascended the
steps to Prudhomme's office. He was rather
off-handed in his manner, setting aside all the
little compliments, ceremonies and blandish-
ments of the wily notary. He had come on
business and must transact it at once. He
declared that he wanted to settle the mortgage
on his Hardscrabble estate, and was ready to
pay the whole of the money down. It was in
vain that Prudhomme feigned surprise, and
assured him that there was no hurry at all,
that he never thought of asking for settlement,
and that it would be better to let things re-
main as they were, for a little while longer at
least. Pettysham would allow no delay. The

property was his, and he wanted it. The
mortgage was Prudhomme's and Screws', and
here was the money to cover it. Prudhomme
tried all his artifices, but they only served to
convince Pettysham still more of the deep
designs of the man. When every argument
had failed, the notary hinted at resistance to
the demand. Besides, he said he would have
to see Screws.

" Never mind, Screws. I will settle the
matter with him. It's your consent I want."

" What if I don't give it ?" squeaked the
little fellow, mustering up all the courage of
his nature.

" Oh, you Miisf," quietly said Pettysham.

" Must, must }" squeaked the notary again,
jumping up and fairly dancing in front of his
desk.

Pettysham looked at him with a bitter
smile.

" Prudhomme, this farde must end. You
once had me in your power, and you would
like to keep me there now. If fortune
had not favored me, you would have
crushed me, as you have done the poor widow
who has just left here "

" What, what ?" piped out the notary.

" Never mind, we'll talk about this widow
presently, you and Screws would ruin me
if you could, but you can't, you see."

" Ruin you ? What do you mean. Sir Peter ?
This is the language of slander and I might
invoke the law."

" But I have proof," said Pettysham sternly.

" Proof ? what proof.?"

" Ah, Mons. Prudhomme, you are very
cunning, but you cannot hide all your tricks.
One ought to be very careful about his letters."

" Letters, letters ? You have none of mine."
.'ettysham very (juietly put his hand in his
breast pocket, very quietly produced a bundle
of letters, very quietly undid the red tape
that bound the letters, very quietly selected
one paper, very quietly opened it, and very
quietly held it up before the glare of the
notary's glasses.

The little man's face was a picture. It was
surprise at first, then perplexity, then fear,
then indignation.

" Where did you get this ?" he cried out,
almost beside himself:

" Never mind, look at it. Do you recog-
nize it ?"

He recognized it only too well. It was the
note which Screws had written him about the
Hardscrabble property and which Skimpit had
purloined, subsequently delivering it to Lady
Pettysham.

id
le
J to

|ep
bnt

J to
live

he
(t."
the

Jun,
■his

Iter

The old man looked at it more closely, then,
as if finding a clue, he brightened up and
exclaimed :

** Oh, but I didn't write that letter."

" No, you didn't write it, but it was written
to you, and you acted on it."

That was conclusive. The notary had
nothing more to say. He was defeated and
he knew it. There remained only acquies-
cence to the demand of Pettysham, and that
acquiescence was given with as good grace
as he could manage to show under the cir-
cumstances.

Pettysham followed up this victory by an-
other. He at once introduced the case of the
poor widow. Taking advantage of the no-
tary's discomfiture, he assumed a high tone,
and exaggerated his knowledge of the partic-
ulars. He even went the length of threaten-
ing Prudhomme with prosecution if he did
not settle the matter honestly and at once.
Then and there papers were drawn up return-
ing the property to the widow, and his own
account against it was immediately settled by
Pettysham. Sir Peter, satisfied with the day's
work, immediately repaired to the house
where the poor woman was anxiously await-
ing his arrival ; when she saw him coming,
with a smile on his lips, and a broad paper in
his hand, she felt that the hour of deliverance
had come. There is no need to dwell upon
this scene, three hearts wf re happy that even-
ing which were plunged in sorrow when the
morning sun arose, and one man had the proud
consciousness of having wrought a good deed.

Pettysham's interview with Screws was as
satisfactory as had been that with Prudhomme.
The old merchant, after a few minutes of re-
sistance, was thrown off his balance when
informed that Prudhomme had given in. He
was further put aback when the purloined
letter was spread out before him. His de-
feat was complete, when Pettysham informed
him that his son was a witness in his and
Skimpit's Custom House rascality.

When Sir Peter reached home that evening,
he was met at the threshold by his wife.

" Well .-' " she asked anxiously.

" We are free ! " he exclaimed, and as he
told her all that had happened, she shed
copious tears of joy.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Why will you fight against so sweet a jjassion,
Ancf steel your heart to such a world of charms.

Akdison.

And where was our friend Douglas all this
time.'' Do not be uneasy about him, gentle

reader. Douglas has taken good care of him-
self, and comes forward thoroughly equipped
for the battle of life. He had studied hard
and worked assiduously, building up quite a
lucrative practice in his profession. His abil-
ities soon gave him a position at the bar, and
his oratorical talent brought him forward as
a candidate for political honors. He took
his position under the standard of Reform.
His friend Pettysham tried hard to press him
into the ranks of Conservatism, but without
sijccess. Douglas had higher aims. He
would, do away with the trammels of effete
partisanship ; would deliver his country from
the swathing clothes of Colonial tutelage, and
give her a place among the nations of the
earth. To accomplish this, independence
was necessary — not only commercial, but
political independence. At the time of which
we write, Douglas was preparing to secure a
nomination to Parliament on that ticket.
That was his ambition, and he was deter-
mined to fulfil it. But he had other designs
to fulfil as well. He had not lost sight of
Florence, nor she of him. He had sympa-
thized in her misfortunes — had helped her in
her troubles, in the early days of her widow-
hood, and had occasion to admire the noble
qualities which she displayed in her terrible
misfortune. And then her beauty had ripened.
The bud had blossomed into flower, and the
flower had developed into rich, mellow fruit.
On her side, Florence had followed the career
of Douglas with tender interest. His brilliant
talents, his noble character, his physical ad-
vantages enlisted her warmest sympathies.

Meantime, Skimpit continued his atten-
tions. The more he saw of Florence, the
more he was in love with her. In his calls on
her he often met Douglas, and while the latter
was reserved, the former was effusive ; so that
his game was quite apparent to the young
lawyer. If Douglas had taken the trouble to
analyze his feelings, he could have found
therein no trace of jealousy against Skimpit.
He would never have regarded him as a
serious rival. His relations to Florence were
in no wise disturbed by the presence or the
suit of Master Samuel. But the situation
was not so clear for Florence. She saw her-
self between two fires — interest and love.
Of course, she did not put it before herself so
crudely. She did not dislike Skimpit, and
his fortune was by no means his only merit
in her eyes. She did indeed love Douglas,
but that affection had not yet become so
ardent as wholly to counterbalance oth^r de-
ficiencies. She was in that transition state

■i

when, one day, the subject came up between
Lady Pettysham and herself.

" I was thinking about you, this morning,"
said Lady Pettysham, as the two sat together
in the latter's boudoir.

" Well, and what did you think about me ?"

" I thought that you ought to come up
with us to Ottawa, and spend the next session
there."

" I am very much obliged to you, I'm sure.
If nothing interferes I shall be happy to ac-
cept the invitation. Indeed, I should be very
lonely when you go, as you will be gone at
least six months."

" Lonely ?' echoed Lady Pettysham, with a
merrv laugh.

" Why, certainly."

" You need never want for company, and if
you remained here I shouldn't be surprised
to find quite a change when I return."

This was said slyly, Florence pretended
not to understand it, but she failed egregiously.

The two friends took up this cue, and the
conversation turned on the relative merits of
Douglas and Skimpit. Lady Pettysham,
mindful of her bargain with the latter, a bar-
gain laughingly made when the purloined let-
ter was delivered into her hands, took a ma-
licious pleasure in exalting the merits of
Samuel. Florence listened rather more at-
tentively than her friend expected, and al-
though the subject had often been jestingly
broached between them before, Lady Petty-
sham imagined that Florence had increased
instead of lessened her leaning for Skimpit.
This did not suit her ladyship at all. She
could not bear the idea of such a noble woman
as Florence throwing herself away on so des-
picable a creature. She was too loyal, how-
ever, to interfere farther, as by contradicting
her own words, she would be throwing ridi-
cule upon what was for Florence, a very ser-
ious matter. She determined, however, to
watch the situation more closely, for that
purpose, she further insisted upon Florence
accompanying her to Ottawa. As they were
speaking. Sir Peter came in with the intelli-
gence, that the member for a strong Reform
Constituency had just resigned, and that
Douglas was going to get the nomination in
his stead. If nominated, he would surely be
elected.

" Oh, how glad I am to hear that !" ex-
claimed Florence, with the illumination of
love in her beautiful eyes.

*' And so am I," chimed in Lady Pettysham,
"yes," she continued, "and that settles it.
Von will have to come to Ottawa now."

Florence at once consented with a sweet
smile.

CHAPTER XXIX.

I do contest
As hotly and as nobly with thy love,
As ever in ambitious strength I did
Contend against thy valor.

Shakespeare.

Things came to pass precisely as Sir Peter
Pettysham had expected. The Parliamentary
vacancy was offered to Douglas, At first he
was inclined to refuse the honor, on the
ground that he was not sufficiently blessed
with this world's goods to justify himself in
neglecting his profession. But this objection
was waived when it was represented to him,
that his constituency being a rural one, he
would not be called upon to devote so mucii
time and attention to it, as he otherwise might
have to do. Before giving a final answer,
however, he asked leave to consult his friends.
Chief among these was Pettysham.

" Well, what do you think of it, Sir Peter ?"

"Oh, I'm hardly the man to tell you." was
the laughing reply.

" How do you mean ?"

" You are my enemy,"

" Oh !"

" You would fight me tooth and nail."

" I would that.'^

" Then, how could I counsel such a terrible
fellow, such a dangerous enemy to enter Par-
liament ?"

" Why, you want just such fellows to keep
you straight. You are altogether too strong,
and require to be checked as much as possi-
ble."

" Do you really think so ?"

" I do. I believe your powerful govern-
ment wants to be curbed, in its own interest
as well as in that of the public."

" There may be something in that. At all
events, my dear Douglas, I have only one
word to say in your case."

" What is that .?"

" Accept the nomination.'

" But my age ?"

" There are younger than you in the House,
and some of those youngsters put on the most
airs and have the most to say."

"■ I have no experience."

** You will acquire it."

" And my profession ?"

" It will take care of itself. Your Parlia-
mentary duties will keep you away from
Monitreal not more than three months of every

P<l

year, and even during those three months,
there is nothing to prevent your working at your
briefs. Besides this, your very Parliamentary
duties will enlarge your legal knowledge, as
all kinds of technical questions come up be-
fore the Committees and the House."

" But I have got no money."

"Parliament is just the place to make it,
my dear fellow," said Pettysham with a hearty
laugh. "In the first place, you get your ses-
sional allowance, which is $i,ooo. That's
not so bad for three months' work, f"h ? Then
you can make fees by draughting measures
^ and pushing them through committees."

" But isn't that directly against the spirit
of the Independence of Parliament Act }

" Independence fiddlestick ! I'll venture to
say that one half the members of the House
double their salary at Ottawa by this kind of
work. Of course I don't speak of a lot of old
fools, who have not sense enough to think or
speak for themselves, and are only voting
machines, but the bright fellows are all in the
way of making money."

** That is a pretty picture," said Douglas
with a sarcastic laugh.

" It is real, ray dear boy. The only trouble
you will find is the competition among the
host of lawyers who are members of Parlia-
ment. But I fancy you will be able to hold
your own even there. '

" I hope so."

" Then there remains for me only to repeat
my advice."

*♦ Namely .>"

" Accept the nomination."

Douglas did not feel altogether convinced,
but he thanked his friend very warmly all the
same.

" There is more," said Sir Peter. " I will
give you all the assistance I can, both as a
friend and as a politician. You know I had
just as little experience as yourself when I
first entered Parliament, and I have got on
pretty well, considering."

" Aye, but your party was in power, you
were on the winning side."

" Not at all. For a pushing young fellow,
the Opposition is a much better school than the
Ministerial side. It brings out the stuff that
is in him. But let that pass. I repeat that
I will give you all the help in my power.
Political differences do not interfere with
friendships, you know."

"At least they should not."

■' They will not in our case, I assure you.
People imagine from reading the papers that
because we go for each so heavily in the

House, the Ministerialists and Oppositionists
cannot possibly be on speaking terms.
Some of my dearest friends are my political
opponents, and you will be among these.
You may abuse the government as much as
you like, you may criticise my own depart-
ment as sharply as you know how, it will
make no difference, and you will always be a
welcome guest at my table."

" Thank you, very much, I did not expect
any less of you. I will consider the matter a
little more, and let you know my decision."

While Sir Peter Pettysham s arguments
have gone far toward convincing Douglas of
the wisdom of entering public life, he thought
he could not do better than consult Mrs.
Pettysham herself about it, having the most
implicit confidence in the soundness of her
judgment, and the sincerity of her friendship.

The lady did not give him time to broach
the subject, but opened out herself : —

" Allow me to congratulate you, my dear
Douglas," she exclaimed, holding out both
hands to him.

" Thank you, milady. But I came for ad-
vice, rather than congratulation."

" Why, you don't mean to say you are still
undecided .*"

" Not if you insist that I shall accept the
offer made me."

" Oh, but you must accept. It will be the
making of you. We want just such young
men in public life, you would be surprised to
know how many dull fellows there are in
Ottawa. You can count the really clever men
on your fingers' ends."

Douglas felt flattered, of course, but pro-
ceeded to inquire whether her ladyship seri-
ously thought he ought to forego his profes-
sion for the chances of a public career. In
reply, she went over pretty much the same
ground as her husband had done, but put the
argument ii such a new light that the ima-
gination of the young man was fired, and he
then and there made up his mind.

"Then, there's another thing, Douglas,"
said Lady Pettysham, with a most winning
smile.

" What is that, madam >"

" We are going to have a gay time at Ottawa
this winter — balls, parties, concerts, private
theatricals, receptions and what not."

" That will be an attraction, certainly."

" Yes, and I will look to you to assist us in
enlivening our own household entertain-
ments."

" Oh," said Douglas, with a gesture of
modest deprecation. ^

■■pMUi

" There is no * oh ' about it ; you are just
the man we want."

" I'll do my best, I'm sure."

'* You will not want for assistance."

" I don't doubt that."

" But special assistance, I mean," and there
was fun gleaming in the beautiful eyes.

Douglas looked up inquiringly.

" Don't you know ?" asked her ladyship,
what I intend doing this winter.''"

'* Well, not particularly, I must say."

" I intend having a young lady to help me
do the honors of my house."

Douglas smiled.

" And we are going to have a special recep-
tion to celebrate your election to Parliament,
and that lady will be the presiding goddess
on the occasion."

Douglas looked at his friend, as though to
make sure that she was not quizzing him.

*' Can't you guess who it is .•'"

Douglas gave a short laugh, and said :

" You don't mean she is going up to Otta-
wa ?

" Yes, I do !"

" Then that settles it ; I will go at once to
announce my acceptance of the nomination."

Douglas went off with a bird of joy flutter-
ing at his heart, and a sky irradiated with
hope spreading its bright wings above and
around him.

CHAPTER XXX.

You love me for no other end
But to become my confidant and friend ;
As such I keep no secret from your sight.

Dryden.

Through the kind offices of Sir Peter Petty-
sham, the writ was issued without unnecessary
delay. Douglas was nominated, and elected
unopposed. The news was telegraphed at
once all over the Province, and the first de-
spatch which the new member received, v/as
from Sir Peter, at Ottawa, congratulating him
on his return. A second message, couched
in the most delicate terms, was signed by
Florence. Douglas was a very happy man
that day. Life opened before him with a
broad illuminated horizon, and he felt that
he had reaped th j reward of many years of
patient hardship and toil. On his return to
Montreal, his first visit was to Lady Pettysham,
who had not yet taken her departure for Ot-
tawa, and he was received with unfeigned
cordiality.

" I am glad you took my advice," said his
friend, '' and I am sure you will not regret it.

You begin your career under the happiest
auspices. Your party is in need of able men,
and it depends on yourself to take a front
rank among them from the very start. You
musL stop to dinner with me. Florence, who
has heard of your arrival in the city, will be
here presently, and will ioin me in offering
you her felicitations."

Of course, that was an inducement which
Douglas could not resist. Nor had he long
to wait. Florence was soon announced, and
on her appearance in the drawing-room, went
up to Douglas with a radiant countenance,
offering him her hand, which he grasped with
warmth.

" An M.P., I declare. Why, we shall not
be able to stand you after this, you will look
down on us from the height of your new dig-
nity."

Douglas protested that he felt not at all
elated, that he would remain always the same,
and that he was quite i^attered by the kind
opinion of his friend.

" And so you are going lo Ottawa for the
session, Florence," said Donglas, after dis-
missing the usual commonplaces.

"I? Who told you so ?"

" Never mind, I know it."

Lady Pettysham smiled, as she exclaimed :

" He caught you there, Florence !"

It was the young widow's turn next.

" And you are going to Ottawa, also, after
all."

" After all ?"

*' Yes. It took you some time to make up
your mind, did it not ?"

" I must confess it did."

Lady Pettysham broke out into another
laugh, and said :

" She caught you there, Douglas."

The two young people looked at each other
and there was deep meaning in their coy
glances.

Lady Pettysham exclaimed : —

" Ycu are both arrant hypocrites. I am
going to tell on each of you, now."

"Oh, please don't," cried Florence, with
empurpled cheeks.

*' Madam, I entreat you," cried Douglas,
with a gesture of mock apprehension.

" Yes, I will," cried Lady Pettysham,
louder than either of them.

" Douglas !"

"Milady!"

" What persuaded you to accept a nomina-
tion, and thus determine your visit to Otta-

wa:

" Your kind advice."

' I

iest
ten,
ont
ifou
who
be
ring

lich
ong
and
vent
nee,
with

not
look
dig-

t all
ame,
kind

■ the
dis-

ned :

after

e up

ather

Dther
• coy

[ am

with
iglas,
ham,

una-
Dtta-

" What next?"

" Sir Peter's friendly argument."
" Come, now, what else ?"
Douglas hesitated.

" Speak out, like a man. Confession is
good for the soul, you know."

" The assurance that Florence would be at
Ottawa during the session,"

"Oh, my! who ever heard of such a thing ?"
exclaimed Florence, clapping her white hands
together and blushing to the roots of her
golden hair,

" Florence !" said Lady Pettysham, with a
delicious affectation of severity.
" Madam !"

" What made you consent to spend the
session with me at Ottawa ?"
'' Your gracious invitation."
"What else?"

"' The promise of balls, parties, and all
manner of festivities."
" What else ?"

Florence pretended to pout,
" Speak like a brave girl. Tell the truth
and shame — yourself."

" The intelligence that Douglas was going
to be elected and that he would spend the ses-
sion with us !"

" Good gracious ! what an idea !" exclaimed
Douglas, pretending to be awfully astonished.
J^ady Pettysham enjoyed her ruse immense-
ly. She had played her game to perfection.
The two victims reproached and upbraided
her, but the more they scolded, the more she
was delighted. Tears ran down her cheeks.
" It's a shame !" cried Florence.
" It's an outrage !" cried Douglas.
" Go on," said Lady Pettysham, hardly able
to articulate for laughter. " Go on. I can
stand it."

After bantering the twain a little longer,
she displayed her exquisite tact by turning
the conversation into a more serious channel.
"I am really happy," she said, "that
things have turned out so well. I could
not have expected a better result. Your
stay at Ottawa will thus be materially a-
greeable. Florence secures a cavalier who
will escort her to all the entertainments
to which she will be invited. Douglas has a
companion to grace all the festivities which he
will be called upon to attend. And as for me,
I own that I have been a little selfish in this
matter, I shall be able to count upon two assis-
tants, who, I am certain, will vie with each
other in making my house a pleasant place of
reunion."

"What could be wiser than all that?"

Douglas and Florence could not help admit-
ting, with smiles, that the combination was a
clever one.

" And shake hands over it," said Lady
Pettysham.
They shook hands.
"And promise you will do your best."
They promised.

Florence's cheek was on fire, and there was
a lambent gleam in Douglas' honest eye.

The evening passed off very gaily, the
dinner was thoroughly enjoyed, and when all
was over, the three joined in the feeling that
a good day's work had been done.

Later on, as Lady Pettysham sat by her-
self before the grate, in her chamber, wrapped
in a snowy white night-dress, and rehearsing
the several details of the scene just described.
She suddenly stamped her embroidered slip-
per on the floor, and exclaimed, with a merry
peal of laughter :

" And poor Skimpit ! Clean forgotten !
His name not mentioned once, and perhaps
not thought of, certainly not by me. What a
shame ! And after my bargain with him ! It
is really too bad ! How shall I ever reconcile
my conscience to such base treachery ?"

Then she remembered that Skimpit had
promised to call the next day to show her
some samples of goods which he had just
imported, and which, he said, were intended
expressly for her choice.

" Oh, I guess I can manage him," she said
to herself, with another little laugh, and
th . . eupon she retired to a placid slumber.

Skimpit did call the next day. His sam-
ples of silks and satins were superb and her
ladyship gave him a large order. This put
the fellow in such capital humor that he felt
disposed to talk. He rattled on for quite a
while, when Lady Pettysham abruptly asked
him whether he had heard the great news.
" What news. Milady ?"
" About Douglas' election ?"
" Douglas elected? To what ?"
" To Parliament, of course."
Skimpit could not conceal his surprise and
disappointment.

" Yes, Douglas is elected and we shall have
the pleasure of his company during the whole
of the approaching session at Ottawa."
, Skimpit did not say anything in response,
but his face brightened up perceptibly.

Lady Pettysham read him right through.
She saw he rejoiced in the belief that Dou-
glas' absence during three months would leave
Florence all to himself, and she at once took
a malicious pleasure in disabusing him,

'Do

"Ne

you ever go to Ottawa, Mr. Skitnpit ?"
ver, madam. I'm too busy."

" We shall have plenty of attractions there,
this winter."

" Is that so ?"

" And our house, to which I invite you,
will have a bright, particular attraction. Can
you guess it .^"

Skimpit's cunning eye sparkled.

"We are to have Florence with us the
whole session."

Skimpit's visage fell, and he could not help
showing that he was wholly discomfited.

A few minutes later, as he left the house
with his samples under his arm, he muttered
to himself :

" By thunder ! I, too, will go to Ottawa."

CHAPTER XXXI.

How heroes rise, how patriots set,
Thy father's bloom and death may tell ;

Excelling others, these were great ;
Thou greater still, must these excel.

Prior.

The session was a brilliant one. A num-
ber of very important measures, both of a
public and private character, came up for
consideration, enlisting the strength of both
parties, and bringing out the talents of the
more conspicuous men. Outside of Parlia-
ment there was a round of festivities, Lent
being late that year, and what is known in
Canada as the Carnival season, correspond-
ingly long. The incumbent of Rideau Hall
displayed a princely hospitality ; the Minis-
ters, each in their turn, gave dinners and
conversaziones, while several of the wealthier
members entertained their friends in the
hotels. For many of the members of our
Parliament the sessional allowance is a boon.
There are some who have nothing else to live
on during the year, and the consequence is
that they spend as little as possible at Ottawa.
Others consider the .allowance as so much
pocket-money, and go through it freely. But
there are a few to whom the money is the
merest trifle, and the expenses of these are
very heavy.

It is the etiquette of the House that, after
a new member has taken the oath, he is pre-
sented to the Speaker by two of the principal
representatives of his party.

" I should be only too happy to be your
sponsor," said Sir Peter Pettysham to Dou-
glas, " but unfortunately you are a Grit, and
I must therefore introduce you to two good
men of your own side."

And he did so. When Douglas took his
seat he was greeted with loud applause from
every quarter of the House, his reputation
for learning and eloquence having preceded
him. Lady Pettysham and Florence had
made it a point to be present in the ladies'
gallery, and after the adjournment they were
the first to meet him in the lobby and offer
their congratulations.

It is not necessary to follow Douglas more
closely in his Parliamentary career. Suffice
it to say that although he occupied a back
se'at, and remained habitually silent, as became
a young man and a new member, he was a
very attentive listener and a close observer of
everything that went on. The result was
that he soon became thoroughly acquainted
with Parliamentary forms, and made himself
master of every subject that came up for dis-
cussion. He was also a frequent visitor to
the library, where he was known to study
works on Canadian history and constitutional
law, and delve into those mines of dull,
official information — the Blue Books.

" In society he shone no less. There was
a quiet grace and dignity in his bearing that
carried him with uniform success through the
different ordeals of fashion ; and though he
lacked some of the accomplishments of the
mere man of the world, his many mental and
physical gifts made him a welcome guest in
the very highest circles.

The session was about two months old,
when an incident occurred which brought
Douglas forward into still greater prominence.
A most important question was under debate,
on which the very existence of the govern-
ment depended. The House was crowded as
it generally is on the most exciting field days.
Not only were all the galleries filled, but there
were numbers gathered on the floor of the
chamber around the Speaker's chair. While
all the ministers were subjects of criticism
the fire of the opposition was centred against
Sir Peter Pettysham whose department was
particularly involved. The Minister of Rail-
ways was a fearless man, striking back blow
for blow, and having braced himself up for
one supreme effort, passed hot shot into the
ranks of his enemies, but these were so nu-
merous that he could not possibly make a
speech in reply to each one of them m succes-
sion. After standing the torrent of abuse for
three or four consecutive hours, he had occa-
sion to absent himself from the House for a
time and while he was away, one of the
speakers wound up a terrific tirade by launch
ing a most damaging charsje against his per

his
Irom
Ition
Ided
Ihad
lies'
/ere
}ffer

lore
Iffice
}ack

sonal honor. The effect was tremendous.
The ministers looked aghast. There was an
expression of triumph on the faces of the Op-
position leaders. During the brief pause that
ensued, a pin might have been heard to drop.
Suddenly, away back from the farthest Ojj-
position bench, a voice was heard saying :
*Mr. Speaker," and that word pierced the
stillness like an arrow.

'* Mr. Speaker, I cannot allow the Honorable
Minister to be thus attacked in his absence.
Furthermore, I protest against the outrageous
accusation just made against him. However
I may differ from him on public questions, I
know that a more honorable man does not
breathe in this House, and if my party is
privy to this attack upon his character, I say
emphatically, that it disgraces itself."

This was said calmly, slowly, without hec-
toring or any explosions of voice ; every eye
was turned upon the speaker. For a moment
there was a breathless pause, then a thunder
of cheers broke forth, rocking the House.

A whisper ran through the galleries :

'• Who is it .?"

And the answer was flashed back all around
the circle : —

" Douglas, member for !"

There were two ladies sitting in the gallery,
one was as pale as death, and the hot tears
coursed down her cheeks. The face of the
other was flushed, her eye was aflame, and
she waved a white kerchief in token of exul-
tation. The former was Lady Pettysham
the latter was Florence.

From that day, Douglas' political future
was made.

" That's a noble fellow. Too good for a
Grit," said the Conservatives.

" An independent fellow. He will have to
be consulted, hereafter, if we expect to retain
him," said the Reformers.

That same evening there was a reception
at Government House, where Douglas was
the observed of all observers. With Florence,
radiant in her pride of him, hanging on his
arm, he moved about modestly, but still con-
scious of the homage that was paid him. Sir
Peter and Lady Pettysham, who arrived late,
went straight up to him and silently grasped
his hand, with tears in their eyes, amid the
murmured applause of all around.

This event set the seal upon Florence's
affection for Douglas. If she hesitated be-
fore, she could do so no longer. Skimpit,
true to his vow, had run up to Ottawa three
times during the two months, spending sev-
eral days at each visit, and attending differ-

ent parties at the Pettysham mansion, where
he was very assiduous in his attentions to
Florence. She received him kindly, as did
als( U.e lady of the house. Indeed, the poor
fellow thought so well of his reception, that
he went away on each occasion confident of
ultimate success.

" I shall call again once more before the
close of the session," said he, " and pop the
question. The coast is yet quite clear, and
Douglas has not done half the damage tliat I
expected. The goose is dabbling too deep in
politics to bother himself much about love."

There is no need to say that when he did
call again, a couple of weeks later, his eyes
wf" opened to the situation. He did not
\ a';, 'n'-body to tell him how things stood
fc •' ^^ were only too painfully apparent. He
was dumbfounded, and for a wliile did not
know what to do. Recovering a little, he
went off whimpering to Lady Pettysham, but
got scant comfort from her. Although re-
ceiving him with kindness and politeness, she
gave him to understand that she could not
interfere in the matter. When she was foolish
enough to insist upon her intervention, she
went further and delicately hinted to him that
he was not worthy of Florence.and that the best
thing he could do was to fulfil his long-stand-
ing obligations to Mary Screws. Skimpit got
furious. He left the house in a rage, breath-
ing vengeance against everybody, but especi-
ally against Douglas.

*' He shall not enjoy his triumph in peace."
growled Skimpit, between his teeth, on the
way to the station, "I'll be even with him yet."

CHAPTER XXXII.

Believe me, friends, loud tumults are not laid
With half the easiness that they are raised.

Bfn. /onsoft.

Mary Screws nas purposely been left in
the back ground. The part she took in the
most lamentable episode of this story,
naturally required that she should retire for
a time into seclusion. She had shown her-
self guilty to an inexcusable degree. She had
trifled with the friendship of a loving and
trusting companion. She had abused the
hospitality of two confiding hearts. She mar-
red a happy honeymoon, was the cause of a
tragic death, and might have blighted another
existence forever, but foi the merciful inter-
vention of favoring circumstances. Indeed,
if Florence had not been gifted with a buoy-
ant spirit, or if she had not found in the
Pettvshams that tenderness and sympathy

which imparted a gradual alleviation to her
grief, at the same time that they encouraged
the hopes of the future, she might have re-
mained a broken thing, whose life would
have been the heaviest of burdens.

It must be said, however, for Mary Screws,
that she bore herself well in the dreadful or-
deal. She was intelligent enough to under-
stand the real nature of the mischief
she had wrought, and she had sufficient sen-
sibility to experience all the pangs of a terri-
ble remorse. She did not hesitate to do
everything in her power to m:.ke amends for
her fault. She stood by Florence during the
darkest days, watched over and attended her
as devotedly as if she had been her slave.
These good offices were, of course, not lost
upon the young widow, and the two might
have continued to be inseparable companions,
if the other events which we have described
had not interfered to throw Florence more in
the society of the Pettyshams. Mary had in
consequence to fall back upon herself, and as
she did not succeed to any extent in widen-
ing the circle of her acquaintance, her solitude
was almost complete.

Of course, Skimpit was neither forgotten
nor overlooked. He could not well be, see-
ing that he was virtually a member of the
family, and almost continually within sight or
hearing. It had been understood all along
that if he succeeded in ingratiating himself
into Screw's affections, and seconding him in
his financial and commercial transactions,
that he would be entitled to have the daugh-
ter of the house for a wife. That Ski.-npit
succeeded in the double object for which he
was brought into Screw's employ, the reader
must have sufficiently discovered for himself.
Indeed, Samuel was a fellow after Screws' own
heart. The two supplemented and completed
each other. What one lacked the other pos-
sessed, and between them they presented a
combination which it was well nigh impossible
for an ordinary man of the world to circumvent.
The consequence was that the men understood
each other,' and the strength they wielded.
They might differ on details, and even quar-
rel, but they could not afford to break from
•ne another. Here is an example, bearing
directly on the evolution of this story.

One day Skimpit was sitting in the front
part of the warehouse, going over the inven-
tory of a large consignment of goods which
he had sold that morning at an extraordinary
profit. Presently he felt a warm breath near
his ear, looking up he saw Prudhomme. The
little notary's face was pale and drawn down,

while his eyes seemed to be completely
(luenched.

" Hello ! Prudhomme, what brings you
here to-day ?"
" Is Screws in .-'"

"Ves, in the private office. But what is
the inittcr? you look troubled."

" Oil, nothing much. Only I want particu-
larly to see Screws."

Skimpit chucVled, as he watched the notary
shambling away in the direction of Screws*
office. Although ine two often worked to-
gether, and were confederates in many a
crooked transaction, they disliked each
other.

" I wonder what he is after nov^," nuumur-
ed Skimpit. " He looks as if he had got the
worst of it for once."

Samuel had divined correctly.
The notary was precisely going to confer
with Screws, after the sharp interview with
Pettysham in which he had been constrained
to knock under unconditionally. He found
the old merchant in pretty much the same
mood of mind as himself, for he, too, had just
got through with Sir Peter, after being forced
to back down at every point.

Prudhomme was about to speak, when
Screws raised his hand and said : —
" Net a word. I know all."
And in a few words of explanation, the
whole matter was explained.

" Well, what is to be done ?" asked Screws,
after a moment.

"To keep quiet," responded the notary.
" We can do nothing for the time being,
and it depends entirely on ourselves to have
the thing buried out of sight forever."
" What about Pettysham?"
" He is not vindictive."
" But there are others."
This made the two men reflect.
Yes, there was another, and with him lay
all the trouble.

' I wonder how Pettysnam got hold of that
letter of yours to me." I did not carry it
about, and therefore did not lose it. It must
have been stolen from my office."
" Who brought it to you ?"
" Skimpit, so far as I remember."
" Then, let us see Skimpit. He may possi-
bly remember something about it, and give us
a clue."

Skimpit was called into tne little office, and,
on entering, saw at once that something out
of the common was in deliberation. Instinc-
tively, he braced himself up, feeling that he
was to be called upon to say or do things

[tely
you

It is

ticii-

kary
rews'
to-
lly a
leach

Imiir-
\t the

len

upon which the whole drift of his life de-
pended.

Interrogated about the letter in (|uestion,
he replied off-handedly, that he remembered
all about it. He had seen Screws write it,
had himself brou^^iit it to Prudhomme, and
had seen the notary read it, of course, he did
not know what was in it — he was not the man
to pry into the correspondence of others.
Of course, too, when asked if he had any idea
what had become of it, he replied with some
sharpness, that he was not the keeper of the
office. This answer was satisfactory enough on
the surface, but it did not deceive the two old
men. They said nothing, but only exchanged
glances, and drew their own inferences.
These men all understood each other It
was a triangular fight among them. Diamond
was set to cut diamond. Each one under-
stood his strength, as well as his weakness.
The notary was implicated in the mortgage
business, and there both Screws and Skimpit
had him. Screws was implicated in that and
in the Customs' burglary, and there Skimpit
had him, while he was equally guilty himself.
Neither of them could turn about on the
others, and the three were necessary to each
ot'.ier.

At this time, Skimpit was in love with
Florence and fondly imagined that his de-
livering of the compromising letter to Lady
Pettysham would be the means of winning
his suit. He felt, therefore, no compunction
at having thus betrayed his friends, the only
important point being that they should never
find him out. If either of them did that
he would be ruined, even if he did drag
down the two with him in his downfall.
On his side, did Screws make up his mind
to secure the marriage of Skimpit with his
daughter Mary. He knew, of course, from
his wife and from Mary herself, that Samuel
had his eyes turned upon Florence, but he
had hitherto paid no attention to that circum-
stance. Now, however, he understood
thoroughly that the best, if not the only way,
of keeping his secret inviolate, and of attach-
ing Skimpit to his fortunes irrevocably was to
make him his son-in-law. To this end he
worked strenuously, but with little apparent
effect, until the event narrated in the preced-
ing matter, put a new face on the situation
and led to other results.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

It may have appeared singular to some of
our readers that Skimpit was admitted on

term.4 of familiarity in the Pettysham family.
The reason is to be found in the political
])osition of Sir Peter, who could not afford to
hreak with such men as Skimpit, even when
their rascality was unveiled. The trouble
with him was, as we have seen, that he fell
into the hands of sharpers from the initial
stages of his public career, and indeed, but
for their assistance, given indirectly, might
not have attained to a seat in Parliament
at all. For a considerable time after he was
in their power, and when finally he
emancipated himself, as we have described,
here were further considerations which pre-
vented him from estranging those fellows
altogether. In the case of Skimpit, more
particularly, there was this further compli
cation that Ji'lorence really entertained some
regard for him, and at one time seriously
balanced in her mind the chances of joining
her fate with his. Such being the case. Lady
Pettysham could hardly deny her house to
this suitor, especially when she remembered
the quasi bargain she had made with him on
the delivery of the Screws-Prudhomme letter.
Sir Peter had rather objected to her invit-
ing him up to Ottawa. But her reply was
that this would precisely answer the purpose
of putting an end to the whole trouble. The
event proved that she was wir the appear-
ance of Douglas upon the scene, his fine
manner, and his Parliamentary success,
brought about an absolute change. The very
removal of Florence to Ottawa was likewise
beneficial, imparting to her mind new views,
and altering her sentiments in many import-
ant particulars.

When Samuel left the capital in j.igh dud-
geon, after his last interview with Lady Petty-
sham, the latter rather pitied him, in spite of
her evil opinion of him.

" Poor fellow," she said, " It is hard to be
dismissed in that fashion. There is no doubt
he loved Florence, and there may be some
good in him after all. However, I have
nothing to reproach myself with. I did my
duty by my friend and feel relieved that the
strain is over."

When she mentioned the matter to her
husband, he drew a long sigh of relief.

"That is the last of him, I hope," he said.
" He must not darken our door again. We
shall not be compromised any longer by his
visits. I can now snap my fingers at the
whole crew of them."

When Florence heard of the occurrence
just the slightest shadow passed over her
beautiful countenance-

" It's all for the best," imirmured Lady
Pettysham, kissing her on the forehead.

" So it is, and 1 am indebted to you for
everything."

Douglas only smiled gVimly when the in-
cident was mentioned to him. He knew
everything and feared nothing ; only a few
days before, Sir Peter had appointed him his
private and confidential lawyer, and had laid
all his papers before him.

" If these three fellows attempt to give me
any further trouble, you will be there to help
me," he said.

And Douglas promised him that he would.

The whole Screws family were perfectly ac-
quainted with the object of Samuel's trips to
Ottawa, and, on his return from his last visit,
they naturally noticed that he Was taciturn
and ill-humored. The circumstance was all
the more remarkable, that he had been in
high feather for several days after each of his
preceding journeys. Old Screws was the
first to turn the conversation in that direction,
by bluntly asking Skimpit how he was getting
along with his suit. The latter adroitly
evaded the question, by making inquiries into
the standing of Douglas.

•*Oh, wecan do nothing with him," said
the merchant. " He's hand in glove with
Pettysham now, and the two make a pretty
strong team. Besides, young Douglas is no
fool, Sam."

Samuel knew very well that he was not, as
the events of the preceding few days abun-
dantly proved. He knew very well, also, that
he could not undermine him through Sir
Peter and Lady Pettysham, for the latter had
the fatal letter in her possession, and the
former was well aware of his participation in
the Custom House affair. He was simply in
a quandary, and the more he thought over it,
the darker his prospects appeared. Finally,
he bethought himself of the last words LaW
Pettysham had spoken to him.

" Fulfil my obligations to Mary !" he
mused; "yes, that is just what she said. If
I could not have Florence, there was Mary
waiting for me. Now, what are my obliga-
tions to Mary?"

For having thought of them so late, they
were no less vivid to his mind. He remem-
bered that the two had been intended for each
other from childhood, that he had made fre-
quent advances to her, that the old people
fully expected the match to take place, and
the only wonder was, that they had not in-
sisted upon it long before. A further wonder
was, that Mary had not pressed him, nay.

had looked with seeming indifference on
his intentions to Florence. What was he
going to do ? How was ho to manage the
new situation to the best advantage.* It was
evident to him that he could not engage Screws
to work for him against Douglas. Might he
secure Mary's help to take revenge upon
Florence ? The idea at first glittered before
his eyes like a fantastic mirror. But his own
good sense soon persuaded him of his error.
Mary could not raise a little finger against the
woman whom she had so terribly wronged
Indeed, that fact explained why Mary never
interfered by word or gesture in his relations
with the young widow. If Samuel could get
Florence, she, of all others, had not a single
obstacle to interpose, however much her own
career might have been blighted by it. Skim-
pit saw all this clearly, when he set himself to
think it all over, and he saw as clearly that
Lady Pettysham's advice was the best course
for him to pursue — fulfil his obligations to
Mary Screws.

He was in this frame of mind, when Screws
came up to him-y saying that he wanted to
have a little private talk.

" Sam, you and I are business men and we
understand each other. Don't we.'"

"We ought to."

"Well, I have come to talk business."

Skimpit was just a trifle disconcerted, but
recovering himself, he asked what the busi-
ness might be.

" About Mary," said the old man.

" Well "

" Our Mary is getting on, Sam. In a year
or two she will be an old maid. That would
never do, you know, Sam."

Sam emphatically declared that if there
was one thing on earth that he objected to, it
was an old maid.

" Exactly, and it depends on you, Sam,
that she won't be an old maid."

Full explanations followed. Old Screws
was quite eloquent, and instead of showing
anything like peremptoriness, he was kind,
gentle and persuasive. By a singular per-
versity, Samuel was belligerent and hostile
throughout. The arguments that had con-
vinced a little before when addressed to him-
self by himself, he combated strenuously
when urged by Screws. In the course of the
discussion. Screws incidentally made use of
the words :

" Remember your obligations to Mary."

This fired Skimpit. What meant that co-
incidence with the language of Lady Petty-
sham ? When all was said and done, what

c:. ■

that

rieh» had Screws thus ^,o force his daughter
upon him ' In his inner soul, Skimpit knew
that he was shamming, and had no solid
cround to stand on, but there was a devil in
him just then that jjrompted him to force an
issue.

"Obligations to Mary?" he said, " what do
yf)U mean ?'

" I mean just what I say."

" How far do those obligations go ?"

" To marriage, my boy."

" But suppose I don't want to marry ?"

" You must."

" Why '"

" You just said, Sam," whispered Screws,
in his insmuating manner, "that an old maid
was a most pitiful object. The next most
pitiful object is an old bachelor. You
couldn't be that, you know, Sammy."

Sammy would not be persuaded, and blurt-
ed out, that he did not care to be pushed in
a matter of such importance. Then Screws
sprang a mine upon him. He declared that
he knew who had delivered his letter to Lady
Pettysham. A scene ensued. Recrimination
upon recrimination followed. But it was of
no use. Screws triumphed, and Samuel had
to promise that he would fulfil his obligations
to Mary.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

" So let us this change of weather view,
Change eke our minds to former lives amend;
The old year's sins forepast let us eschew,
And fly the faults with which we did oflfend."

Spense* .

The reader will not have forgotten our old
Scotch friend and his Spiritualist son from
Boston. The latter has found his new creed
a source of material profit. He, too, removed
from the quiet village of Consumption and
took up his residence in Montreal. He be-
came quite an oracle among a certain class of
simpletons, and was frequently consulted on
knotty matters of social, domestic or religious
needs. He was not slow to appreciate th.,
classes that were spread out before him, and
determined to make the most of them. With
a rare combination of Scotch shrewdness and
Yankee craft, he supplemented his spiritual
interpretations and ministrations by the vend-
ing of patent medicines. His " Quintessence
of Vitality," the invention of his own unaided
genius, was a rare and valiant compound,
wonderfully and fearfully made. It professed
to cure every mortal ailment under the sun,
and when administered in connection with

evolutions of the spirit was omnipotent in its
results, It is needless to add that our friend
speedily acquired a name at the same time
that h'j bettered his fortunes. The world
teems with fools that take a sui)erlative de-
light in being humbuggc<l. The patent medi-
cine-man increased his profits by establishing
an American printing office in the city, through
which he scattered broiidcast a series of al-
manacs and fly-sheets, filled with infallible
predictions of the weather, which Vennor
must have studied, unfailing household re-
ceipts, and a lot of social maxims of the most
orthodox description. All this did not pre-
vent him from carrying on a nice little smug-
gling busine:ss across the lines. He got his raw
material from t • other side, passed it through
without paying duty, and by the simple addi-
tion of Canadian water in generous quantities,
he manufactured his nostrums at a profit of
nearly seventy-five per cent. No qualms of
conscience had he in pursuit of this dishon-
orable traffic. It takes your intensely spiritual
people to play pranks ?f that kind without
wincing. If the world were purged of the
oleaginous hypocrites who trade upon thei
good name and sanctimonious reputation, the
world would suddenly find itself shorn of a
moiety of its inhabitants.

One day Skimpit called upon the Charlatan.
He was in great distress of mind. Things
were going badly with him inside and outside
of his business. The fever of extravagant
speculation which had raged
country had well nigh spent
ancial crisis was at hand,
prosperous houses, his firm
over-importation, and found itself glutted with
unsalable goods. Both he and Sorev/s had
also dabbled heavily in land investments,
which suddenly became a drug on the market.
If the reader will recall to mind the tremen-
dous crash of 1873, he will have some idea of
the condition in which Skimpit found himself.
It must not be inferred, however, that he was
totally ruined. He and Screws being far too
cunning to allow themselves thus to run down.
But because he had lost much and grieved
exceedingly over his loss, he thought he would
pay a visit to the spiritualist, with a view of
getting some comfort and counsel from his
wisdom. It is needless to enter into the de-
tails of this conversation, but the close de-
serves to be noted, as bearing with singular
directness on our story.

" It is peace of mind you chiefly want," was
what the man said to Skimpit.

"That I never knew."

throughout the

itself, and a fin-

Like so many

had gore into

U "

" No, your mind has been too active »n the
pursuit of e;ain- You have no conception of
the bliss of spiritual fruit'on,"

" What must I do to get this ?"

' Contract the lines of your business and
content yourself with normal profits in a single
legitimate sphere of trade."

Coming from a smuggler this was particu-
larly rich advice.

" That's what I intend to do," said Skimpit.

' lUit there is something else."

' What ?"

" You must learn to commune with the
spirit world."

Skimpit replied, with a coarse humor, that
he knew nothing about spirits, except Usque-
baugh and Glenlivet.

" Oh, but you can be taught."

"Allright. What next .>"

The seer looked very wise for a momen*^
then said with becoming solemnity,

" You will have to contract an alliance.

" An alliance ?"

" Yes, I mean a marriage."

" Is it a spiritual marriage, you mean V and
Skimpit burst out laughing. " That will
never do for me ; I am a practical man, you
know."

" 1 intend something practical."

"Well, what is it.?"

"Take a wife."

Skimpit uttered a lOW growl, thinking he
had no need to go as far to learn that. But
he was struck all the same, and resolved to
question his friend more closely.

"Well, what kind of a wife would you
choose for me.''"

The clairvoyant replied by a series of
queries.

" Is there not some female that you particu-
larly fancy ?"

" I won't say no."

" And have you reason to believe that she
fancies you ?"

"I think she does."

" Furthermore, is there not a female to
whom you owe certain obligations ?"

"Humph," thought Skimpit, "what does
the fellow mean ? What is he driving
at .''

Then looking at his interlocutor, he blurted
out : —

"Well, suppose I bave ?"

" If you have, marry her."

" Marry her ?" , _ .

"Yes, and you will be happy."

The reader may laugh at this singular
scene, but it is drawn from life, and none the

less striking, because of its burlesque sur-
roundings.

Skimpit was taken completely aback. It
appeared passing strange to him that, from
three different sources, he should be reminded
of his obligations to Mary Screws. A light
dawned upon his sordid soul, and 1 e felt in
the presence of the soothsayer, a different man
from what he was when he went.

On his return he walked straight to the
old notary's office.

" Good morning, Prudhomme."

" Good morning, Sam. How is business
to-day ?"

"Oh, about the same, but I don't care
; ')out business just now."

" Don't care about business ?" echoed the
notary, thinking that something must certain-
ly be up with his comrade.

" No, I don't, but I did come on business
all the same."

" Oh, I thought so," said Prudhomme,
laughing.

" Yes, I want you to draw up a contract
for me,"

" Certainly, what kind of a contract ?"

"A marriage contract."

" Mille tonncrres !" exclaimed the notary,
laughing aloud and slapping his thigh, *' has
it come to that at last, Sam ?"

" Yes, it has."

"Who, pray, is the fortunate one V

"Oh, you know."

" But, still—"

" Why, Mary, of course."

"Good, Give me )our hand, my boy.
And Screws ? You are aware that a notary
must ask these questions."

" None of your fooling, Prudhomme. You
are perfectly well acquainted with Screws'
feeling in the matter."

" Oh, yes. And Mary V

" Pshaw, she is all right. Hurry up and
make that contract. We will fill in the blanks
at the house to-night."

There was a family meeting at Screws' that
evening, where the preliminaries of the mar-
riage were settled to the satisfaction of all
concerned. Within a week, Samuel and
Mary were man and wife. The event was
the making of Skimpit, who became a respect-
able citizen, and went into a legitimate
business, on the retirement of Screws, whom
he bought out.

CHAPTER XXXV.

up and
blanks

" When all the bravery that eye may see,
And all the happiness that heart desire.
Is to be found — "

Spenser.

The session was over. It had lasted over
three months, and during it both Pettysham
and Douglas had continued to distinguish
themselves. They were well tired out, too,
and hailed prorogation as a relief.

"Where shall we spend the summer?" was
Sir Peter's query to his wife. " I have earned
my holidays, and want to make them as en-
joyable as possible."

Lady Pettysham smiled.

" You will have to give me at least one
whole month in Montreal before we proceed
elsewhere," she said. '' Oh, my ! I shall be
ever so busy."

" Busy ? At what ?"

''Don't be so inquisitive. T^iis is a wo-
man's affair."

" Exclusively .?"

Sir Peter knew his wife thoroughly, and
immediately guessed what she was up to.

" Not exclusively. No. But the prelim-
inaries are all in my hands, and don't you
enquire any further."

" You will let me know in time ?"

" Oh, certainly !"

" Very well, then. This is the fourth of
May. I give you to the fifteenth of June.
Your grand event must take place by that
time. Immediately after we will go down to
the seaside."

Sir Peter took his leave, and Florence en-
tered the apartment.

" We start for Montreal to-morrow, my
dear. Make ready."

" But, Sir Peter "

" He will not be ready for a week or two
yet. He hr" o wind up the routine work of
his depiri.meni, and attend a few cabinet
meetings, /here the odds and ends of legisla-
tion win be gathered together and stowed
away until next session. But we don't need
him, do we, Florence ?"

" Not just yet," said the young widow, with
a smile and a blush.

" No, only a little later on. For the pres-
ent, Douglas will do."

Florence smiled and blushed again, and
repeated the operation several times, as, in the
course of conversation. Lady Pettysham un-
folded her plans. They were going to Mon-
treal at once, in the company of Douglas, and
nuke due preparations for the grand event,

which our readers have doubtless antici-
pated.

One month was surely not too much for the
accomplishment of all that she contemplated.

Florence would have preferred less pomp
and circumstance of fashion, but her friend
would not hear of anything else.

" I will yield on the question of privacy,*"
said Lady Pettysham. " The wedding will
take place quietly, in the presence of only a
few friends of the family. But as to style, my
dear, I mean that you shall be arrayed as the
Queen of Sheba in all her glory."

There was nothing for it but Forence must
yield, knowing, as she did, that her friend
meant for the best, and would do the best.

The days glided by ever so fast. And liow
busy we were ? The needle was plied both
night and day, and mountains of silks, satins,
cambrics and cloths were deftly transformed
into the daintiest of garments.

**0h, we shall never get through," exclaim-
ed Florence.

" Yes, but we will though," triumphantly
replied Lady Pettysham, " and with several
days to tpare."

Down came Sir Peter from Ottawa in due
time, and he was in the best of spirits, having
got through his work for the summer.

"I am yours to command, old boy," he
said, tapping Douglas on the shoulder. " Let
us make all necessary preparations on our
side."

And they did. The two were inseparable
during the ensuing fortnight.

At length the great day made its ai)pear-
ance. The sun shone forth in all its splendor,
as if in welcome and felicitation, and the air
was redolent of perfume from all the gardens
of Sherbrooke street. The ceremony was
performed with great solemnity, in presence
of a chosen few. Sir Peter stood up for Doug-
las, and the nuptial blessings were pronounced
by Florence's father. It was an impressive
spectacle. After the wedding, a sumptuous
breakfast was partaken of at the Pettysham
mansion. One toast was offered and one reply
was made. Sir Peter drank to the health of
the married couple, had a few words of grace-
ful eulogy for both, and concluded by wishing
that their path through life might be strewn
with even sweeter roses than those that
blush d upon the board-

Douglas made a touching answer.

"I take this occasion." he said, "in the
presence of those whom I love best, and care
most for, to proclaim my sense of deep in-
debtedness to Sir Peter and Lady Pettysham.

It is mainly to them that the union which has
just taken place is due, and them must I
specially thank for the happiness which I this
moment enjoy. I cannot say more, but here,
Sir Peter, is my hand ; I am your friend for-
ever."

The two hands were fervidly clasped, while
tears stood in the manly eyes.

" Lady Pettysham, allow me to kiss your
hand, in token of obeisance and gratitude."

Douglas bent over her like a cavalier, and
the diamond ring on the soft white hand,
flashed a pencil of light into his face and

illumined it. . , r u

Florence could not resist the impulse of her
husband's example. She arose swiftly from
her chair, and with both of Sir Peter's hands
in her's murrauriug words of affectionate ac-

knowledgment, then fell upon the neck of
Lady Pettysham, where she remained for sev-
eral seconds unable to contain her emo-

The rest is soon told. After the bridal
tour, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas repaired to Trois
Pistoles, as the guests of the Pettyshams at
their summer villa. A few weeks later Douglas
went down to Restigouche on a salmon fishing
expedition with Sir Peter. In September all
returned to Montreal, and the work of life
was resumed. There we leave all o"f friends
in the enjoyment of that domestic peace and
material prosperity which their patient labor
won, and which their trials and sorrows went
far to sanctify. Douglas and Florence still
live in Montreal, while the position of the
Pettyshams is ever high ia the land.

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