d not employ in any way; at once a temptation and a danger if it
should in any manner become known. The wandering poor, who are known to
the piety of the _habitans_ as the Brethren of Christ, were a terror to
Bird, in their visits, when they came by day to receive the charity
which no one denies them; he felt himself bound to keep a watchful eye
on this old Yankee, who was either a rascal or a madman, and perhaps
both, and to see that no harm came to him; and when he heard the tramps
prowling about at night, and feeling for the alms that kind people leave
out-doors for them, he could not sleep. The old hunter neglected his
wild-beast traps, and suffered his affairs to fall into neglect; but it
was not his failing appetite, or his broken sleep alone that wore upon
him. The disappointment with his guest that was spreading through the
community, involved Bird, and he thought his neighbors looked askance at
him: as if they believed he could have moved Northwick to action, if he
would. Northwick could not have moved himself. He was like one benumbed.
He let the days go by, and made no attempt to realize the schemes for
the retrieval of his fortunes that had brought him to that region.

The sound of the steamboat's whistle was a joyful sound to Bird. He rose
and went into Northwick's room. Northwick was awake; he had heard the
whistle, too.

"Now, Mr. Warwick, or what you' name," said Bird, with trembling
eagerness, "that is the boat. I want you take you' money and go hout my
'ouse. Yes, sir. Now! Pack you' things. Don't wait for breakfast. You
get breakfast on board. Go!"

VIII.

The letter which Pere Etienne posted for Northwick at Rimouski was
addressed to the editor of the _Boston Events_, and was published with
every advantage which scare-heading could invent. A young journalist
newly promoted to the management was trying to give the counting-room
proofs of his efficiency in the line of the _Events_' greatest
successes, and he wasted no thrill that the sensation in his hands was
capable of imparting to his readers. Yet the effect was disappointing,
not only in the figure of the immediate sales, but in the cumulative
value of the recognition of the fact that the _Events_ had been selected
by Northwick as the best avenue for approaching the public. The
_Abstract_, in copying and commenting upon the letter, skilfully stabbed
its esteemed contemporary with an acknowledgment of its prime importance
as the organ of