through it, promised charity and mercy for the year to come. All felt this, even to the reddest topknot cook; but more the oldest of the four old gentlemen, who though he had heard that same old anthem in that same old room for, perhaps, full sixty Christmas eves, never had it seemed to him before so much the spoken voice of Christmas Angels. So creeping to the organ, there he stood rapt like a listening child; so followed in his footsteps the other three old men, the silver-haired old lady, and lastly as the final note died out, the young girl turned and saw beside her that same face, whose look had stayed her voice, the only time she ever sung at church, or tried to follow old Adam Peters on the organ. "Why-why-why-" commenced the sweet old lady, gathering the girl's small hands within her own"why-" But those same eyes which had disconcerted her so often before, disconcerted her now; so struggling to escape she drew back, though followed by the admiring old lady and the four old gentlemen. But the one before mentioned, of the latter, seeing her timidity and confusion, cried out in a voice so kind and cheerful as to be like the first note of another anthem of praise and goodness; "Come, come, I see we must have in the punch,-poor child, poor child, a little will revive her." This glorious punch must have been ready, for no sooner was the word spoken, and even whilst Miss Chloe Drayton made room in the snuggest corner of the richly embroidered sofa for Mary Locksley, the bowls were taken out and brought in again; and now all the domestics and others still attending, the steaming punch was ladled out and distributed. "And now," spoke Mr. Michael Drayton, this fine old London goldsmith, "according to old custom, dear sister Chloe, and brothers George, and Stephen, and Andrew, and nephew Richard, and you, our kind as sisting friends and servants, the anthem being sung, as our prayer for the good received, the good and charities to come, and as fitly ushering in the blessings of another Christmas day, let me thank you, one and all, for your love and honest services; and so wishing one another health, let us drink to this Christmas-eve, and that we live to meet again upon its anniversary." "Amen, amen," rejoined all present with truthful, honest hearts; and so, whilst saying this, Mr. Michael Drayton drew towards him a little silver bowl half-filled with sovereigns and shillings, and placed one of each in the hands of the choristers; but when he found a guinea still remaining in the bowl, and now for the first time missed Tim Nippit, he looked enquiringly at the little, rapt, quaint organist standing there, but before Adam could be aroused, for he was meditating his annual speech over Mr. Drayton's punch, Mary, rising and stepping modestly round the table, touched Mr. Michael on the arm. "If you please, Sir," she said, in as low a voice as possible," the guinea is still Tim's, for I have purposely earned it for him; and if you will so kindly and rightly bestow it, Mr. Adam will deliver it to his mother." So saying, she quickly, and as unobtrusively as she could, passed down the room and out at the door, for she did not wish to be known, or to receive any praise for the small service done. But before she was half-way through the hall, towards the door leading out into the quiet court, she was stayed by Miss Chloe in person. "Bless me, my dear, you're surely not going? We have much to say to you, much to thank you for, much to regard you for " As she thus spoke, the white-haired, little old gentlewoman drew the young girl into a sort of grand old store-room, leading from one side of the hall, vastly filled with stores of fine old china and glass; and now, with a long table spread across its whole breadth, was evidently the depository of Christmas gifts, in the shape of large piles of oranges, figs, and raisins, bottles of rum, and gin, and wine; dishes of cakes and mince-pies; ribbons, and gloves, and little frocks, and unmade gownpieces, and handkerchiefs, and flannels, and other warm and comfortable things, for disposal that night, as Christmas presents. And when safe in this room, Miss Chloe still more warmly repeated-"You must not go thus, my dear." And the old lady earnestly intreated Mary. "If you please, Miss Drayton, I would rather," replied Mary, "for I have done but a common duty to the friends of one whose relations have been so true and good to me and mine. I must go, for I have those at home who wait for me; though if it pain you that I take no refreshment, I will beg three of these mince-pies, for I know some baby hearts they will gladden. And now you must please let me go." As she thus spoke, Mary Locksley modestly took three of the mince-pies, and folding a piece of paper round them, pressed warmly the aged gentlewoman's hands, and, was gone in such a moment after that, there was no detaining her, even by further words. But by the time Miss Chloe returned to the dining-room to relate her disappointment, the four old gentlemen (the young one already knew a great deal he did not mention,) had learnt all Adam Peters knew concerning Mary Locksley, and the poor surgeon's home in the next street. To judge, however, by the outside of the house, few would have imagined that poverty lay within, and that a young wife and her new-born infant, with three little ones besides, had tasted little more than bread that day. For the broad and ample steps were scrupulously clean, the gas burnt brilliantly in the fan-light, the brass plate shone, and Joe Nippit, still in his page's suit, opened the door. "So glad you're home, Miss Mary," spoke Joe exultingly, when the street door was closed, and the voice of poverty was safe from listeners, "for I've got the little 'uns to bed all nice and quiet, and there's a prime bit o' fire in the dining-room, for I brought home half a hundred o' th' very best Walls-end from a street a good way off here, as won't know sugar-loaf agin; and when I met Smith, the other doctor's boy by the werry door, I told him as how I was bringing home a dozen o' th' werry primest port, as a patient had sent to make master jolly; and he believed it, for he hinted that it'd just be prime in us two sugar loaves to borrow a cork-screw and tap a bottle, but I told him I'd taken to temperance lately, and at this he went off whistling. But never mind, Miss, the fire's special; and though master ain't home yet, missis is pretty right, and the baby quiet." And as he gave this piece of information, Joe Nippit threw open the parlour door, for Mary to enter the bright and cheerful room. She hastened to a couch drawn beside the fire, on which lay a very young wife and her baby, but a month old on the morrow, nestled in her arms; and kneeling down beside her, folded her loving arms around her and the little one. "My darling Harriet," she said tenderly, "all is over and happily too; Tim's mother is by this time rich with her guinea, and all we have now to do is to keep the matter from John, for he is proud you know, and might think I had done what is foolish." "I scarcely think that, my Mary," replied the young wife tenderly, "for none in the path of duty can be nobler, or more courageous, than my husband and your brother, but as you wish it, dearest, the secret shall be kept by me; though as far as regards Joe and his mother, we can never do enough; for what should I have done through my month of sickness without the ever watchful tenderness of this good soul, or what all of us for so many months without Joe. Why, since you have been gone, he has not only got these coals, but put the children to bed, brought me warm water to wash the baby with: and when after it he thought I looked faint, he went into the surgery and mixed me the little tonic he knows I take, and brought it saying, 'please take it, mum; and blessings on you and the little 'uns, as are gone so good to bed, I wish it was the werry nicest wine.' Ay, Mary, angels are on earth, though we dream it not." "They hover round us to-night, my Harriet," said Mary fervently, "for I feel my heart so full of gladness, that it must come of the ministry of such. But see here these, at least, for baby smiles." As she spoke she unpapered the delicate mince-pies, and held them in her hand exultingly, as if they were a treasure. "What will our little Willy say to one?" of all, making a very fair foundation for the superstructure, were three bottles of port wine, three of sherry, and one of pale brandy. Of all the Christmas presents ever chronicled, none exceeded this! even Joe and the astonished child were mute. Joe was, however, the first to recover, and propose the most sensible course of proceeding to the breathless ladies, which was to lift these astounding presents on to the sideboard, and lay the cloth for a good Christmas eve supper. So advising, Joe followed it by action, leav sider in what canister the tea could be put, and where, beside the sideboard closets and the pantry, the other good things could be stowed away. Just as the table was cleared, a nice cloth laid, and the cold fowls, the rolled tongue, the goose pie, the raspberry puff, and two or three bottles set thereon, the doctor's knock was heard at the door, and Joe, half bursting with garrulity and delight, hastened to it; in a minute more there came into the dining-room, and up to the couch, a young and stately man, so full of some news which he had to impart to his wife and Mary, as for the instant to unheed the mighty and surprising grandeur of the supper-table. "He cried at being sent to bed so early, poor child," spoke the mother gently, "for Joe had unhappily leting the ladies still to wonder, and Mary to especially condrop that this is Christmas eve; but I soothed him with a sweet old story, till at last he ate his bread and treacle contentedly, and let Joe take him up to bed, repeating my old story as he went along. Yet, Mary, I think he might come down again, it would so please me to see him eat the little pie, and, for once, John cannot be angry; for the other two, lay the mince-pies upon their pillows, and they will see them when they awake in the early morning." To merely mention this desire, was to command the heart of Mary, so hurrying up stairs, into the children's sleeping chamber, she knelt down beside the boy's small bed, and bent her face on his upon the pillow. Her loving kisses half awakened him, and he asked as he flung his arms round Mary's neck, "Mamma, are the angels come you told me about?" "Yes! my Willy," said Mary, "and one, a very gracious one with silver hair, has sent you something which you are to come down stairs and see; now waken up, and let me carry you." When she had thus spoken, she went and laid a pie upon each of the little pillows, and kissing the sweet baby faces lying there, brought a thick shawl, tenderly folded it round the boy, and had carried him down all the wide stairs but one, when there came such a stupendous single rap upon the hall door, as to make her heart stand still; it was such a grand, peremptory, important, meaning knock, a postman or a Lord Mayor's footman could not have exceeded it. Before Mary could advance or retreat, Joe (who had his apron off at the moment) bolted up the kitchen staircase, and opening the hall door, both he, and Miss Mary, and the little child, beheld a tremendous hamper resting on the topmost step, behind which stood a man dressed as a porter. "Does Mr. John Locksley live here?" he asked quickly. "I'm thinking so," replied Joe, his eyes opening wider, with astonishment, "unless he's bin to church and got fresh christened." "My darling wife," he said, "and you, my Mary, some good angel has smiled on me to-night, for, as I was coming out of the court, where our poor friends, the Fishers, are housed with fever, I met old Adam Peters, our organist; who observing he had got a patient for me, took a cab and drove with me to the house of some rich old merchant, in St. Helen's, Bishopsgate Street. Here I was at once introduced into the invalid chamber of a kind and gentlemanly old man, who, merely saying he had been recommended that night, by an old friend, to seek my aid, he did so at once, without more formal introduction. I prescribed, and stayed a while with him; and then, when withdrawing, and whilst arranging to see him again in the morning, he pressed those five sovereigns into my hand, saying that such was always his first fee, particularly, too, when he brought a man from his fire-side on the great holiday-eve of the year. when I refused, and said that one was my fee, he was quite peremptory and self-willed, and added, I either took the sum, or made my first, my last visit. I am therefore here, my dear ones, with something more than bread for to-morrow. So this good fortune is my angel." And "And we have had one, too, John," spoke Mary and Harriet in a breath, and pointing to the table and sideboard beyond, "a wonderful and beneficent one." ,,, But John Locksley was even more astounded than his wife and little sister had been, and listened over and over again to Joe's account of the porter, and his bringing of the hamper; and though he found, like the rest, that it was impossible to solve this mystery of beneficence, he was logician enough to be convinced that this good angel of both the hamper and the patient were one and the same. Mary now partly guessed the truth; but none there were churlish enough to repulse this blessed angel, because it was unknown; so the baby was put presently into the cradle, Harriet propped up, Willy set in his little chair, and thus, with Mary at his side, John Locksley commenced to carve the fowls. "Well then, my man, look sharp," said the porter quickly, "and don't stand gaping. Here's a hamper large enough to see, come per rail, carriage paid, and for your master." So saying, the porter gave the fat hamper a shove, pulled the door to, and was gone, leaving Mary and Joe, and the child, speechless with astonishment. Joe was the first to recover, and, after a due examination of top and bottom, sides and direction, to propose that it should be carried into the parlour, which was effected, partly by dragging, and partly with Mary's assistance. After every guess had been exhausted as to what it could contain, and who could have sent it, it was decided that it should be opened, Joe fetching the carving knife to cut the string, and Willy standing up on a chair, wrapped in the shawl, to peep in. And certainly a more prolific or enticing hamper was never known. On the top lay, after sundry nice papers had been removed, a fine goose pie, a large-sized pair of cold roast fowls, a rolled tongue, "And a phial full of the port," added John. a dish of potted hare, some jars of preserves, a very large "And a piece of the puff, mamma," whispered Willy, raspberry puff, a dozen of mince-pies, a large plum cake, whilst he pointed with his little fore-finger, "two pieces; and a fair sized sponge cake, a box of bloomy raisins, and the Christmas angel has sent a puff so big." half a drum of figs, sugar kisses and bonbons in a bag; "I'll run with the things, missis," spoke Joe, who and beneath these a quarter of Welsh mutton, a fine stood behind his master's chair, in the full pride of his undressed goose, a small Westphalia ham, and a half-sugar-loaf buttons-for their brightness did not often boiled plum pudding; whilst in a stout foolscap paper bag were six pounds of fine tea; and at the very bottom "I think, John," spoke Mary and Harriet again in a breath, "that your poor patient, Fisher, might have a wing and a piece of the breast." reflect such marvellous dainties. As thus suggested, so was the good performed; and Joe, setting off with a well-filled basket, soon returned to worthy acts at this old festival, yet, never did it, as with an astonishing account of the sick compositor and his it did last night, pray forth to us so much of charity and children's delight and thanks-they, in turn, thinking that human kindness. And this, because this young girl sung some Christmas angel had indeed descended, though, un- and touched our hearts-for why she sung was in itself like the rest, they knew its form and kind. And now an act of sweetest mercy: therefore, Sir, we must be Joe found that he too had had the ministry of a thought-friends; such prayers, on such old festivals, should make ful and rewarding angel in his absence, who had roused us so." And then the old gentleman, willing to explain all up the small kitchen fire with a marvellous amount of in due course, went into the little history of Tim's cold, wood and coal, and swept the hearth, and set forth snugly Mrs. Nippit's distress, and Mary's good deed; and foron the little round table before it, his supper, consisting mally ended by requesting to be honoured with John of a most important fraction of the cold goose pie, some Locksley's friendship, and that he and his would dine fowl and tongue, a fair slice of the great puff, crowned with him that day. with a glass of wine, which, upon his being called up into the dining-room to drink, he completed his amazing toast with drinking long life and posterity to the porter who brought the "big hamper," and might he live to bring as big a one, carriage paid," for the next fifty years. By-and-by, when Willy was carried by Mary up to bed again, "to be gloriously ill" on the morrow, according to his papa's prediction, after eating such an amount of puff, there was also carried with him a paper-bag, containing bloomy raisins, figs, and sugar-kisses; which, before the child lay down, he helped the young girl to set out upon his little brother's and his little sister's pillow, beside the grand mince-pies already there, so that on waking in the morning" they will think, dear aunty," as he whispered nestling to his pillow, " that the good Christmas Angels, which mamma talks about, have flown around their bed with lovely wings and gracious, giving hands."" "I am glad that Mary proves to others what she proves every hour to us, that she is a good and noble girl," said John, drawing his little sister proudly to his heart; "but if not for this, Mr. Drayton, we must be friends. The two acts of last night, are they nothing?" "Nothing," replied Miss Chloe, colouring very much, as she turned round to the cradle and pretended to look at the baby. "Nothing, nothing," spoke the old gentleman; "Mr. Bradbury wanted a doctor and you a patient, that was all. Now let us talk about the dinner." "Why, thank you," replied John, "we cannot manage to come to-day, for Harriet is going to church, and the baby to be christened." "Just the very thing," said Miss Chloe and Mr. Michael in a breath, "just the very thing to make the matter more desirable; for we have arranged it all, and you must come. Thus, precisely at two o'clock, a family sedan, we have, will call and take Mrs. Locksley and the baby snug and warm to church, without fear of cold or harm, and there I and sister Chloe will attend, and be godfather and godmother, if you will; after this, Mrs. Nippit can carry the baby to ours, whilst Mrs. Locksley hears the afternoon service, and after it go snug and warm to our old-fashioned hearth, where this young lady and these little ones shall be ready to receive her, and our old brothers, and young Richard, give you all the best welcome. Eh! this is the very thing. Come, come;” and the hearty old gentleman rubbed his hands. Though snow was on the ground, and the air frosty and keen, the brightest winter sun gilded the city streets on the Christmas morrow, and by half-past ten, just as the very first church-bells rang for morning service, not only was the great brass plate rubbed to golden brightness, the broad steps clean, the dining-parlour fire cheerful, and its hearth trim, but Harriet and the baby and the children dressed, John Locksley ready with his hat on to go his morning rounds, whilst Mary, dressed too, was arranging the manner and matter of the grand Christmas dinner, down in the kitchen, with Betsey Nippit, and her incomparable Joe. Just as it was settled that the goose and apple-sauce, and the plum pudding, should be ready by four o'clock, and that Tim and Joe, and their mother, should dine together jollily in the kitchen, another astounding rap was heard on the hall-door-but this time not a porter's knock, but as brilliant a carriage knock as the greatest genius of a footman ever achieved. Mary's very heart stood still, and Joe was petrified; nevertheless he bolted up stairs, and soon after, sotto voce from the staircase said to his little mistress, "You're wanted, miss." Mary, thus summoned, hoped to make enquiry of Tim, but that young gentleman being already diligently out upon the door-steps, staring at the new-known them for an age, and her sweet face beaming on come coach, she had to enter the dining-room, where, before she could well open or close the door again, the sweet-faced, white-haired old gentlewoman of the over night, had clasped her round the neck, and the most complacent and burly of the four old gentlemen, had taken both her hands, and tried to lead her towards the table. My dear girl, my sweet young creature," exclaimed the old lady, "brother Michael and I have made it our duty to come this morning and see you." "To disclose your sin, of singing as you did to us last night," said the old gentleman, succeeding in his purpose of drawing Mary forward full face before her wondering brother, "for this, Mr. Locksley, is the kind and sweet angel who helped our old anthem so effectively last night, on purpose to earn Tim's good mother her Christmas guinea; and though for many years that old anthem has been sung on Christmas eves to me and mine, as by a quaint conceit we cherish, we fancy it to be, as it is yearly sung, the voices of good and kindly angels, such as Charity, and Love, and Faith, and Mercy, inciting us There were other objections, but all were overruled. Thus it was finally settled that Mrs. Nippit, and Joe, and Tim should dine in the merchant's fine old kitchen, whilst Harriet should not only have a snug little sitting-room, leading from the drawing-room. appropriated to her own and the baby's exclusive use, but that also she should remain all night, lest the cold should do her harm. "And now dear Harriet Locksley," said Chloe Drayton, when after some half hour's talk, she sat by the side of John Locksley's wife and sister, as happily as if she had the children as if she were their mother, "tell me what poor and needy patients Mr. Locksley has, such I mean as have suffered from cholera, or fever, or are out of work; such as would appreciate a warm dinner of meat and pudding sent to their homes; for hearing from Adam Peters, how nobly, and at what self-sacrifice your husband had acted through this past autumn of sickness and trouble, he will know those whom we may assist, though in a humbler way than his own. And Tim or Joe might go round, and tell such to send to our house at mid-day." The bells now giving warning that it was time for church, the doctor and the old gentleman ended their pleasant conversation; and the former gladly writing down the names of such as rarely saw the golden wings of Angel Mercy in their sad and sordid rooms, Joe when called in, did more than what was asked, by offering to carry the dinner himself, as according to his own experience and opinion, "folks thought sich a deal of things which ain't expected." It was beautiful to behold, just as the wintry sun began to wane in glory on the holly-boughs and tinted windows, the christening party round the ancient font, to hear the baby named Michael Drayton Locksley, to see the old man take and fondle it as he called it his, to see the mother's earnest tears, to see the father's manly pride, to see the sweet shy looks of Mary, as turning round she saw a well-known face within that well-known pew; but last and best of all, and touching there all hearts, but more than all there, one, was to hear the rich old organ touched by Adam Peters, and the young girl's voice in sweet and caroling accompaniment. The family sedan brought Harriet and the goldsmith's young godson so safe and free from cold, that when at four o'clock the great Christmas party assembled round the fine old hospitable dinner-table, Harriet seated at Mr. Michael's right hand was amongst the merriest of the guests. Then there were the other three old gentlemen, quite disconsolate till their first glass of wine, that they should have to intrust Mary to the care of "that young fellow Dick," and obliged to be contented with the partnership of ancient cousins, and friends of the family, who had brought their best caps, and travelled from the suburban retreats of Clapham, and Holloway, and Paddington that very morning to the annual dinner of their great relations, the Draytons; then there was Chloe and John Locksley, the most urbane and companionable of friends; whilst long serving clerks of half a century date, were merry down the table right and left, to where there sat in his accustomed place the worthiest and the quaintest of old organists, Adam Peters. And such a dinner! it was worthy of an alderman, a duke, or parishboard-nay of a Lord Mayor, and the Mansion-housefor there were soups and fish, a baron of beef, a mighty turkey, and such a world of other dishes, as would need the culinary learning of M. Soyer to enumerate; though I must not forget the glorious plum pudding, brought in on a silver dish garnished with scarlet geranium blooms and myrtle leaves. After this, and the wine and fruit were set on, in was brought the young godson, and the other little ones; the first, so that he might have his health drunk out of a rich and grand old silver mug bestowed upon him, and the others to have fruit, and entertain the three disconsolate oli gentlemen, whilst incomparable Betsey Nippit descended to enjoy the jollity of the kitchen, and the particular snug place reserved for her by the cook, whose opinion concerning Joe and Tim was an amazing one. But nothing of a Christmas night could it be said to be, till, tea over in the drawing-room, and Joe been in and related his rounds with the pudding and beef, the party begun to be merry. Some playing forfeits, and after this, all joining in a round game, "that fellow Dick," monopolizing Mary as before, and all fully intent, except Miss Chloe, who must now and then steal down-stairs to see that all were well supplied and happy in the kitchen, or else to peep with the anxious mother at the sleeping baby; sleeping, as Mrs. Nippit confidently declared, "on purpose, as the darling knew it was Christmas night, she was sure." Just as the round game was ended, in came the punch in the same old bowls, and with it such a cake as I can scarcely describe; though what could make so many of the old guests laugh, the four old gentlemen especially, it was at first difficult to imagine. But the truth soon came out. For the cake being cut by no less a hand than that of Mr. Michael, every guest, besides plums and sweetmeats, found something better; for instance, old Adam Peters a nice gold pin for his shirt, Harriet Locksley a pretty brooch, the children, "killing themselves,' as their papa said, "by sitting up," each one something or another, till at last the four old gentlemen, in a breath, saying that "Dick and Mary must take their slice together," it was cut and handed to them, and the youngest of the Draytons taking one side and Mary another, out there dropped a wedding-ring, and fell upon the table as the slice broke in two. At this, such a laugh was raised as to cover Mary's face with blushes, and make Mrs. Nippit exclaim, as she sat sipping her punch in the kitchen, "they was certainly 'specially merry up-stairs, but on course they'd suffer for it, as no baby, excep one of wood or stone, could sleep with sich a noise." My dear Mary," said Mr. Michael, leaning across the table, and speaking pretty loudly too, "if our boy, Dick, likes to put this ring on, we shan't, not one of us, say nay, particularly as he tells us he has been thinking of the matter these three months. Come, what do you say?" Of course Mary made no answer; but struggling away from Mr. Michael's restraining hand, hurried to the piano, not daring once to look up for fear of encountering Dick Drayton's gaze; but quite conscious that Miss Chloe gently remonstrated, and John her brother laughed. But to sober them, and to close the glorious happy evening by a sort of prayer, she touched the chords of that fine old anthem once again. And as she played on and sung, and Tim came in to help her, the sweet serenity of the overnight stole around, and those same Christmas Angels, in fancy, hovering near, prayed out their blessed incitation, to make our olden festival again, and yet again, divine by birth and life, to newer Charity, to newer Mercy, to newer Truth, to newer Human Love. the last note fell, another hand was laid upon that hand which touched the trembling chords, and some voice saying, "Will you?" no negative was returned; and so, at least, amongst the Christmas Angels which had made the hours so holy by their gracious deeds, one was triumphant now above the rest. And as Amen! So let us pray for Christmas-tide, and Christmas Angels. LINES FOR MUSIC, Sung at the Sheffield Athenæum, November 6th, 1849, on the occasion of opening the Mechanics' Institute. The sweetest lays that man can raise The loudest in the bright spring season; That sees us here with goodly will, To make Truth's sunshine wider still. Of Peace and Knowledge rule our land; That we would bravely seek to win; By quelling Ignorance and Sin. Of Peace and Knowledge rule our land; ELIZA COOK. Lessons for Little Ones. MARGARET CARTWRIGHT. THE cupboard stood invitingly open, and the jars of preserves were placed in tempting rows upon the wellstocked shelves. Margaret Cartwright had passed and repassed the door several times, and still she came back, and still she lingered. At length she placed her foot upon the threshold, and at the same moment something said within her heart, "Go not in." She was startled from her purpose by the warning voice, and the foot was withdrawn ; but happening to raise her head, she again caught sight of the jars, and the momentary check was forgotten. So by degrees she ventured farther and farther in, standing still every now and then to listen, her heart the while beating so violently that she could only hear its throbbings, and was not aware of stealthy footsteps that passed outside the door. All unheeding the warning voice that continued to make itself heard from time to time, Margaret at length reached down a jar from the shelf, unfastened the string that held tight the covering, inserted a thumb and two fingers, and had already eaten two or three preserved damsons, when she heard footsteps behind her, and in her fright and confusion, endeavouring hastily to replace the jar, she let it fall to the ground. It broke into several pieces, and the rich crimson contents besmeared the carpet. "Well, miss," said a sharp voice, "I could not have believed this of you; you who have been so well brought up, and taught your catechism, and that part where it says about picking and stealing.' I'm sure when I tell your mamma, she won't be able to believe it, till I bring her here to see all the mess you've made. This sticky syrup won't come off the carpet in a hurry, I can tell you." And the servant walked towards the door, as if about to inform Mrs. Cartwright immediately of her little girl's delinquency. ing as the sisters entered with Hannah, that the little girls were nearly frightened out of their wits. And now the children heard language that had never saluted their ears before, and terrified and disgusted they hid themselves behind their nurse, while the boys kicked the dogs until the poor animals howled dreadfully. The conversation that followed was not of the most improving nature; and right glad were Margaret and Mary when, after a lengthened visit, they left the close, foul room for the open air. "Now," said Hannah as they walked home, "mind, we have been in the Hall Fields." Little Mary looked up wonderingly. But Margaret was indignant, and said to Hannah that she wondered how she could tell such a story, and that she certainly should acquaint her mamma where they had been when she got home. Very well, miss, but remember that I also have something to tell of you." Margaret's round, rosy face turned quite pale. "Hannah, I had forgotten that," she said in a trembling voice. "But I have not forgotten it, Miss, and I shall tell your mamma how I went quietly into the room, and how you were standing, with the jar in your hand.” Margaret interrupted her by a quick glance towards Mary, who with upturned face was eagerly listening to all that was said. Margaret sprang up from the floor where she had sunk "Well then, promise me not only to pretend to have in her shame and terror. "Oh, Hannah! good Han-been to the Hall Fields, but also to make a certain little nah!" she sobbed, “don't, don't tell mamma! she will | blab hold her tongue if she is asked any questions.” whip me if you do." "But what am I to do, miss? she will be sure to find out that one of the jars is missing, and then she will think that some one of us servants has taken it." "Oh, Hannah! don't you think that we could manage for her not to know that a jar has been taken? She won't count them, Hannah." "I am not sure of that; but as you are so very frightened, miss, I think I might perhaps manage for her not to know that her Miss Margaret, that she is so proud of, is a thief." "Please, Hannah, not to call me such a hard name. Oh, what shall I do? Will you, dear, good Hannah, manage for mamma not to know? will you really?" "Well, give up crying and sobbing so, there's a dear, and I will try what I can do. Only you must do me a kindness in return, when I ask you." The little girl promised that she would comply with anything that Hannah wished, little thinking to what misery this thoughtless promise would lead. The pieces of the jar were picked up, the carpet cleansed from the damson preserve, and the delinquent fancied herself in security. A few days after this, Margaret and her little sister went out with Hannah for a walk. The morning was fine and warm, and Mrs. Cartwright desired Hannah to take the children into the Hall Fields, where they might play about and gather buttercups and daisies. They proceeded in the right direction until they were out of sight of the house, and then Hannah turned suddenly down a narrow by-lane, where the sights and scents were of no very pleasing nature. "Dis not way to Hall Fields," lisped little Mary, "Mamma say we go to Hall Fields and pick pretty daisies." "Yes she did," said Margaret. "Where are you going, Hannah? I am sure mamma would not be pleased for you to take us into such a dirty lane as this." Margaret promised, sorely against her better judgment; and fortunately for her, as she considered it at the time, her mother did not ask them any direct questions, but simply kissed them, hoped they had enjoyed themselves, and remarked that they did not look as if their walk had done them much good. Week after week were the children cheated out of their healthful exercise by the artful Hannah, and taken to the close cottage of her friend, the poacher's wife; and at length the effects of the foul atmosphere they so often breathed for two or three hours at a time, became visible in their countenances. Their mother wondered why from rosy, merry children, they had grown pale and languid; but as Hannah, who had much influence over her, assured her that nothing serious could be the matter with them, for that they played and took their meals as usual, she contented herself by thinking that the time would soon come when they should all go to the seaside together, and that there her little girls would speedily recover their former blooming appearance. Hannah had been very constant in her visits to the poacher's wife for several weeks, and her disobedience had hitherto remained undiscovered, when one day, just as she and the children turned down the well-known dirty lane, they were met by a friend of the family, who was also Margaret's godfather. "Well, my little girls," said he, stopping directly in front of them, "and where are you going this fine day? You ought to be out playing in the fields, for these cheeks are not so rosy as I could wish to see them." Margaret blushed and trembled. "We are going with Hanush," was all that she could say. Hannah hastened to interpose. "Mistress has sent me with a message," said she, and "afterwards we are going into the Hall Fields." "See that you do, and be quick about it, for I think it is going to rain." The gentleman left them and they proceeded down the lane, not without Hannah casting a glance or two behind her, to be sure that he was not watching their movements, But though something in the manner both of Hannah and of his little god-daughter made him fear that all was not as it should be, he had not time to see after them just then, and so postponed further inquiry until another Hannah made no answer, but knocked at the door of one of the worst-looking cottages. A rough voice told her to "come in," and she lifted the latch, and introduced the children into a filthy room, where an untidy slattern of a woman was cooking something over the fire, while several ragged boys tumbled about the mud floor with a couple of savage dogs, which set up such a bark-opportunity. |