through the failure of a reputed wealthy firm in the city, and found himself at threescore without a penny in the world, having a feeble wife and several young children dependent upon him. He was accordingly employed to take general charge of the premises on which was located a little cottage, his former residence when in that service before, and in which he and his family were again reinstated.
The change inside was no less marked and pleasing to the observer. Old age and childhood met there and blessed each other; the most restless and turbulent spirits were soothed, and became contented and happy under Milly's genial influence. The most perplexing case she had to deal with was that of a bright little boy, of ten years, whom Amelia had found in the street, without home or friends, and getting a lodging wherever he could, but oftener under no roof at all. His unusual intelligence made him a great proficient in all the vile habits engendered by a too familiar intercourse with street influences, and few could exceed him in lying and profanity. Ha was also a confirmed smoker, sporting his cigar, when he could get one, with as much pomposity as any young dandy who considers this one of the first accomplishments of the gentleman.
By a little cajoling he could always get a pipe from some of the old people, with whose confirmed habits she knew it would be of little use to interfere, but she would not tolerate the practice among the young, deeming this the only effectual field in which to labor for its suppression. Besides being conscientiously opposed to the use of tobacco in all its
