"I hope," said Jane, after a long pause, in which her countenance discovered the workings of her mind-"I hope there are few such instances as this?"

"I never met with such a one-not exactly," added she hesitatingly; "but indeed, ma'am, the rich little consider how important our wages for a day's work are to us. It would be bad manners in us to insist upon being paid immediately; and yet many is the time when I have depended upon one day's wages for my e children's food for the next."

"It must be such a trifle to the rich, that if you only let them know you are going away, they will pay you.'

"It is because it is such a trifle to them, I suppose," said the woman, "that they cannot understand how important it is to us. Somehow or other, rich ladies never have anything they call change; and they are very apt to say, "They will remember it,' and, Another time will do as well; and so it is as well for them, but not for us." Mrs Barber's heart seemed to be quite opened by Jane's sympathy, and she went on. Indeed, ma'am, I sometimes think that there is more kindness than justice towards the poor. The ladies are very good in getting up societies and fairs to help us, but they very often seem unwilling to pay us the full price of our labour. If they would pay us well, and give us less, it would be better for us.

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Perhaps you are right," said Jane, "about paying for work ; but only think how much good has been done by fairs!"

"Yes, ma'am; good has been done to some, and injury to others. I know of a poor woman who was born a lady, and who was reduced in her circumstances. Her health was very feeble, but still she was able to earn a living by making those curious little things they sell at fairs: but since the ladies have taken to making them, it is hard times with her; for she says the market is overrun.'

"The right way," said Jane, "would be to employ these people to work for others; and instead of the ladies making pincushions and emery-bags, to buy them ready made, and sell them again. Then charity would operate equally among the poor; for what one class could not make, another could, and labour would be exchanged."

"I don't know how it ought to be settled. Perhaps it is all right as it is; but we poor folks think we have our wrongs. For instance, ma'am, I sometimes do washing for people at boardinghouses. They will appoint me to come about nine o'clock in the morning to get their clothes. When I go, very likely they are not up. Then I must wait till they are-sometimes an hour or more. All this is lost time to me; and time, to daily labourers, is money. My husband was a carpenter; and he used to say that he gave the rich a great deal more than he got from them for he gave them time. One fine lady and another would send for him, and ask him if he could not put a shelf up here, or

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make a closet there and after he had measured and calculated, perhaps they would come to the conclusion not to have anything done, and he had his trouble for his pains."

All the wrongs you have mentioned," said Jane, "seem to arise from want of consideration, not want of benevolence." mov "That's pretty much what I said, ma'am, at first-that nowa-days there was more kindness than justice to the poor. If I were paid for all the time I have wasted in waiting upon the rich, sometimes for clothes, sometimes for pay-for I often have to go two or three times before I can find a lady at home I should be better off than I am now. To be sure it is but small sums that are due to us; but my husband used to say these ought to be paid right away, because they don't go upon interest, like larger

"How true was your remark," said Jane, when she related the poor woman's conversation to her husband, "that if Mrs Hart spent so much upon her pelisse, she probably had little to give away! I am sure I never shall see a very costly dress again, that I shall not think of poor Martha."..

Dr Fulton's business increased with his reputation, and his reputation with his business. Now, indeed, our young couple felt happy. There is something in home that gives dignity to life. The man who can say my home and my family, and who has a pride in them, possesses the strongest influence that can operate on character. As a mother, Jane was exemplary in her duties; and as the number of her children increased, she might be truly said to share the laborious toil of the family. At first she had but one female domestic, and then Mrs Barber's little daughter was occasionally called in. Many a weary day and night did Jane cheerfully go through: sometimes she had to watch by a sick child till the morning dawn; and then came washing-day, and she must hold her infant in her arms till night came round again. The comforts of life gradually increased, though they did not lose sight of the principle with which they set out-of living within their means. The close of every year left them a small overplus, which was scrupulously invested as capital.

We fear there are few who sincerely repeat, "Give me neither poverty nor riches." This was the situation to which Frank had attained. Blest with health, a promising family, respected as a physician, and cherished as a friend-with the wife of his youth, the partner and lightener of his cares-it seemed as if there was little more to desire. We talk of the blessing of an amiable disposition; what is it but the serenity of a mind at peace with itself-of a mind that is contented with its own lot, and which covets not another's? They sometimes made a morning call at the houses of the rich and fashionable; but Jane looked at the splendid apartments with vacant admiration. It never for a moment entered her head that she should like such herself. She returned home to take her seat by the side of the

cradle, to caress one child, and provide for the wants of another, with a feeling that nobody was so rich as herself.

It would be pleasant to dwell longer on this period of Dr Fulton's life. It was one of honest independence. Their pleasures were home pleasures the purest and the most satisfactory that this world affords. We cannot but admit that they might have been elevated and increased by deeper and more fervent principle. Nature had been bountiful in giving them kind and gentle dispositions and generous emotions; but the bark, with its swelling sails and gay streamers, that moves so gallantly over the rippling waters, struggles feebly against the rushing wind and foaming wave. Prosperous as Frank might be considered, he had attained no success beyond what every industrious, capable young man may attain, who, from his first setting out in life, scrupulously limits his expenses within his means. No one could appreciate the amiable qualities of Dr Fulton more highly than poor, rich Mr Harrington, who had been laughed at by his ene mies, scolded by his friends, blistered by one physician, dieted by a second, and steamed by a third, till he was an epitome of human hypochondriacism. Frank soon saw that his case was an incurable one, and sought only to soothe and alleviate his suffer ings. Perhaps Mr Harrington learned to appreciate some of the blessings of his own affluence, by witnessing the exertions that Frank and Jane were obliged to make. At any rate he enter tained much respect and regard for them, and was often heard to say that there was more happiness in their "little bird's-nest" than in a palace. At length, worn out by nervous disease, his emaciated frame found refuge in its mother earth, and he quietly slept with his fathers. After his death, it was found that he had bequeathed to Dr and Mrs Fulton, " as a mark of his regard," five thousand dollars. This sum was immediately invested as capital, and both resolutely declared that they would consider the principal a sacred deposit, and not encroach upon it.

We have alluded to the increase of their family. The "little bird's-nest" had become quite too small for the number of its inhabitants. Before Mr Harrington's legacy, they had determined to take another house. Perhaps the bequest might influence them in getting one in a more agreeable part of the city, though they only gave as a reason the health and advantage of their children.

Dr Fulton and his amiable wife, whom we have described as rising by slow but sure degrees to a state of comfort and respec tability in the city of New York, were now placed in that happy medium condition in which it has been acknowledged the greatest earthly enjoyment consists. Had they foreseen their

1

present degree of affluence when they first set out in life, they would have considered it little less than a miracle. But, like everything else that is gradually attained, it now excited no wonder in their minds. There was still a striking simplicity in

Jane's manners and appearance, a consciousness of happiness

and a refinement of feeling, that intercourse with the world too often blunts. When her children were fairly in bed, and the domestic duties of the day overwhen her husband laid aside his day-book and ledger when the fire burned bright, band het little work table stood by her side when Frank ventured to pull off his boots, and lay half-reclined on the sofa then came the hour of conversation. Then Jane loved to talk over the past

ando the present, and sum up their stores of happiness/Some

I

t some

times she requested her husband to read aloud but he never got through a page without her interrupting him," to point out thing congenial, or something in contrast with their situation, and the book was soon thrown aside, as far less interesting than their own conversation?" Dudorp positively believe," said Jane, "we are the happiest people in the world. I can say with truth that I have scarcely a wish ungratified. I am sure I envy nobody." and ama ed doidw of loode sut to 99melleaze 900 mi "Yes, we are happy," said Frank. “Our condition is not n is not what it once was! Wou remember when I paid our first quarter's rent, that I had but three-and-ninepence in my p pocket to pay the second?"-zlatih joy to and yo 10 006

It was by reminiscences like these that their present enjoyment was heightened. Uncle Joshua often called on his young relatives; but their removal had increased the distance, and he began to feel the infirmities of advancing life. Jane had observed that he often pressed his hand upon his heart; and to her inquiries, he said, "A pain but it is gone."

The house they rented was larger than they thought necessary; yet as the rent was reasonable, and the situation good, they concluded it was best to take it. The whole of it need not be furnished.A large room might be left for the children's play-room, and another over it for a storeroom. A little expe rience, however, convinced them that they wanted all of it; and, as Jane said, "they could furnish these two rooms from the in terest of their legacy." They soon found that the size of the house required an additional domestic. Indeed they seemed to have attained new importance by its size and and situation. Mrs Hart, on this occasion, acknowledged Jane as an acquaintance, and made a morning visit, sporting her camels-hair shawl, which, to use her own phrase," looked still fresh and lovely. She had never remembered to reimburse Jane for her subt scription.tooni absol

It was really astonishing how fast the Fultons became known. People in the first society, as it is termed, began to ask who they were. Those who called, professed themselves delighted with

Jane's is yet, however, they had only reached the magic bircle her." As of genteel society; they had not stepped over it. They had no

humble manner," and determined to patronise

heart-burnings when them; and yet Jane said, on her chilt

How rich the Reeds must be!" said she one evening, when they returned from a visit they had been making there. bed ede You are mistaken," said Frank; "Mr Reed's income is buta y little more than

more than ours!" said Jane; "then how can he afford to furnish his house so elegantly torq bellso od ozodT STOW