BATH MAINE THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH S 1871.
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of the carriage was thrown open. An elderly
gentleman, very neatly dressed, but palld,
emac lated and lame, was assisted by his servants
up to the two low steps that led to the porch
Having assembled them with some difficulty, he
turned round, took off his hat, bowed with a
gracious smile to the assembly, and then pansed,
as if in search of some one whom he expected to
see.


The effect of this apparitlon was start Of sur
prise and horror from the portly landlady, seldom
equalled on the stage or off; her brother the
haherdasher, who had just fourished his hat pre-
paratory to the general cheer, let it fall in dismay,
looking the curses which his habitual hypocrisy
scarce repressed; cousin Anthony, the miserable
miscr, smothered groan and Nicholas Hume,
in spite of his consummate impudence, fairly
stole away.


What in the meanwhile did our friends in their
humble nook under the sycamore Little Mich
ael danced for joy; Annie clapped her hands
and poor Margaret, for the twentieth time during
the last six hours, burst into tears-this time
however, of unminglcd joy.


Mrs. Leslie Margaret my dear niece %
cried Michael, or, as we may now call him, Mr..
Norris, advancing to meet her "to you alone OF
all my relations now living, do | owe any accout
of my motives for coming amongst you as have
to-day. With the rest of my kindred | have
done. for ever. But also owe some explanation
to my tenants and future neighbors. You all
know that left England about fifty years ago, a
poor and friendless lad. returned nearly thirty
years afterwards, with riches honestly obtained,
the happy husband of wealthy and excellent
woman, and the father of four hopeful children.
] came to Corston found my relations, some
INDECENT; some comfortably situated did what
good ] could amongst them, and went back to ia
maica, with the view at some future day or plac-
ing my sons at the head Of my plantations IN that
island, and coming home to my native village
A hurricane passed over the estate where lived
destroying my dwelling, my wife, my children
almost myself. For many years | was dead tC
the world but care had been taken of the large
property that remained to me, and when, by God i
mercy, | was restored health, mental and bodily
/ found myself rich indeed, far money was
concerned-richer than ever; but in the blessed
charities of life most poor-a childless, destitute,
bereaved old man | knew that a report had
gone abroad that was ruined by the hurricane,
and resolved to prove the relations | had left in
England, coming amongst them in seeming pcv-
erty. have done so, and the experiment has
answered well. And now, my dearest niece,
need not tell you that the cottage is yours; but
for the second time to-day throw myself upon
your charity. You will not abandone me because
| happen to be rich' You will never have the
heart to do SO. You will remember your promise
that we should live together, and come, with
those dear Children to brighten and gladden. the
old hall"