child I now hold in my arms, I am sure he would no longer persist in being so hard-hearted towards its unhappy mother, and I could not help saying so to Harriet, as we were sitting together. She sighed and said, she trusted her uncle would soften his heart towards her in due time;' but Harriet, said I, the time that we have to pass in this world is short, and, besides, uncertain; I have heard it said that ' one to-day is worth two to-morrows;' now your uncle is an old man and a wealthy one, and in the event of his death, what do you think will become of his nice little property? Poor soul, the tears came into her eyes when I talked of her uncle's death, and she replied,

I hope the Lord will spare him to forgive me, I do not fret for the loss of his money, but because I have lost his affection.""

On hearing these last words Mr. Dilkes became too strongly agitated to suppress his feelings, and rising hastily, he advanced with trembling limbs towards the child, as if he wished to take it from its nurse's arms. The old woman's amazement was extreme, she held her little charge more tightly; and, with a countenance expressive of terror and astonishment exclaimed, "What does the man want?-Oh, spare the child for pity's sake, Sir! The poor little fatherless infant. Oh! what have I done to deserve this?"

"I would not injure a hair of the child's head," returned Mr. Dilkes warmly, "I am Harriet's uncle."

"Her own uncle?" exclaimed the old woman,

terrified beyond measure at the thoughts of what she had said, "who could have guessed that? I humbly ask your pardon, Sir, for all the words I uttered."

"You have no cause to ask my pardon," observed Mr. Dilkes gravely, "you said nothing that was not true; too true, indeed; but thank God I have lived to acknowledge and, I trust, repair those wrongs which pride and passion tempted me to commit."

Thus saying, he gently took the child into his arms, and kissed it with all the affection of a parent. At that very moment the door opened, and Harriet was witness of the scene I have just described. Overpowered by joy she could scarcely speak, nor was it till some moments had elapsed that she could express the feelings that this affecting and wholly unexpected interview awakened in her heart; but I shall pass over the events of that evening, and resume my narrative at the period of the ensuing Sabbath, when Mr. Hughes, who had been informed by Mrs. Dallas of what had passed, again visited the poor woman in whose behalf he had so humanely and so effectually exerted himself

the week before. As he approached the door he heard the sound of two voices, and on entering the room his eyes rested on the figure of Mr. Dilkes, who with the child on his knee, appeared to be conversing with his niece in the most affectionate manner. A flush of downcast shame passed over the features of the old man, as he met the eye of the gentleman whose remonstrances he had repulsed, with such vehemence, the preceding week; but no sooner had Mr. Hughes observed his confusion than he advanced, and, having shaken him cordially by the hands, (as it were to efface the recollections of the interview which had so recently occurred between them) he expressed the sincere pleasure he felt on witnessing the happy effects of their reconciliation.

"Oh, Sir," said Harriet, while tears of gratitude started in her eyes, "how can I ever thank you sufficiently for what you have done? May that Almighty Being who blesses the peace-maker reward you both here and hereafter for those efforts which have restored peace to my poor heart."

"Harriet," said Mr. Dilkes, in a low but impressive tone of voice," we have both reason to pray night and day for this our benefactor. He has shewn us that all our doings, without charity, are nothing worth; and we have both had reason to acknowledge, that 'he who refuseth reproof erreth.'

Now he alone who is proud of heart will shut his ears against instruction and admonition, and the experience of our lives has sufficiently proved that, 'where pride cometh there cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom." "

THE

DUTIES OF A HOUSEKEEPER EXPLAINED,

IN A

LETTER FROM MARY BROWN TO HER NIECE.

:

I SIT down with pleasure, my dear Martha, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, which communicated the happy tidings of your promotion in service. I feel assured that your master and mistress never could have placed you at the head of their establishment, if they had not considered you calculated for such a charge: and that is saying a great deal for the duties of a housekeeper can only be fulfilled by one who is thoroughly trustworthy. I observe that you express a fear, that you may be too young to discharge this office properly. Now though I do not wish to see you too confident of success, yet at the same time I can safely assure you, that it depends entirely upon yourself: for a young person, by the propriety of her conduct, may always render herself respected even by her elders. Perhaps you would like me