MISCELLAN EOU s.

- From the Ladies' National Magazine.


THE NOBLE RETALIATION.

CONCLUDED.
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CONCLUDED.


Having satisfied themselves with supper,
for which Richards paid promptly on the
spot, they once more sailed forth-the
wanderer and the mechanc--and turned
their steps towards neighborlng store,
where second -hand boots and shoes were
kept for sale. After much persuasion the
arlizan prevailed upon MS new acquaintance
to accept a pair Of shoes at his hands
He then insisted on his accompanying him
TO his house-where he said he had some
thing to communicate


Arrived at home, momentary sense OF
apprehension pervaded his honest breast as
he thought Of the little ones who were a
waiting his return with that anxiety which
is experienced by all children on Christ
mas eve. But the assurance that he had
done his duty, and done it nell, restored
his confidence completely, so that when he
introduced his newly acquired friend to his
wondering wife, and witnessed the we'll
pleased smile with which she listened to
his recital of the evenings occurrences, he
felt more than repaid for all his liberality.


The children were not painpered, as rich
mems children too frequently are, and were
easily contented with the fathers promise
of presents for the coming week. Rich
ards, in fact, was infinitely more happy IN
the secret satisfaction which he derived
from his generous and unselfish conduct,
than he could possibly have been under any
other circumstances.


Notwithstanding his generous outlay in
behalf of the stranger, he had still little
odd change left-so one of the boys was
dispatched for variety of nuts, cakes, and
refreshments, with which he and his guest
made merry until the usual hour for retiring
to rest, when Richards showed him to his
sleeping room-the same as that occupied
by the chidren-and babe him good night.


This, after all, is the true course OF con-
duct: and we will venture to say that the
poor artzan in his humble dwelling, spent
far happier Christmas Eve than Mr..
Pryce Benedick- as he was by
all the luxures which wealth can purchase.
Early next moraing, and long before the
merchant had left his bed-Richard's pro-
posed to him to Join in his business (Which
was that of carver) and prellmlnarles be-
ing arranged TO their mutual satisfaction,
the good man made him don suit Of his
own clothing, and took him round, when
it was time, to call on some acqualntances
where open house was kept.


CHAP. HI,-THE RETALIATION.


On the night before Christmas, 1914, a
gentleman of portly dimensions, with some
appearance of gentility, but whose clothes
were evidently somewhat the worse lor
wear, stepped up TO the door Of an unos-
tentatious dwelling house i'll Square
and after slight hesitation, (Which might
have endured much longer than it did, had
not the night been intensely cold and un-
pleasant gave several brisk raps upon the
knocker.


The summons was answered by the own
er of the mansion in person, who very cour-
teously bade the stranger enter, and con-
Quoted him to comfortable parlor, hand
scmely furnished, throughout which CRATE
ful warmth was diffused by bright coal
fire burning in CRATE at the further end OF
the room.


A table occupied the space before the fire,
and over the mantel, against the wall, was
suspended painting which was not SO re-
markable for its execution, as for the slngu-
lar nature of the scene it was intended to
illustrate. 1t represented dark street on
stormy winters night-the ground, roofs
of houses, and whatever other objects were
in sight, being covered with heavy robe
of snow. Only two figures were observa-
ble-a passenger rendering succor to help
less being, who, from the attitude in which
he was depicted, had evidently encountered
a fall. But what was stranger still than all ,
was the fact that the features of the passen-
ger bore strong resemblance to those OF
Richards, the artisan, while between the
countenance of the other, and that of the
gentleman who had given admittance to his
visiter few minutes previously, there ex-
isted resemblance quite as striking.


The table was covered with books and
papers, giving evidence of the literary turn
Of the proprietor, and from some writing
implements which also lay thereon, it was
equally apparent that be had just been en-
gagged in writing,


The host babe his visiter be seated, and
the latter then proceeded to unfold his bu-
sness. He had come, he said, to procure


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