rence to me," remarked the new boarder, in the
blandest manner imaginable.

"Just suit yourself about that, Mr. Cameron. It is altogether
immaterial," Mrs. Turner replied, smiling. "I am in no particular
want of money."

Mr. Cameron bowed lower, and smiled more blandly, if possible, than
before.

"You have just opened a boarding house, I suppose, madam?" he said.

"Yes sir, I am a new beginner at the business."

"Ah--well, I must try and make you known all I can. You will find
Mrs. Cameron, here, a sociable kind of a woman. And if I can serve
you at any time, be sure to command me."

"You are too kind!" Mrs. Turner responded, much pleased to have
found, in her first boarders, such excellent, good-hearted people.

In a few days, a couple of young men made application, and were
received, and now commenced the serious duties of the new
undertaking. Mary had to assume the whole care of the house. She had
to attend the markets, and oversee the kitchen, and also to make
with her own hands all the pastry. Still, she had, a willing heart,
and this lightened much of the heavy burden now imposed upon her.

"How do you like your new boarding house?" asked a friend of one of
the young men who had applied, and been received. This was about two
weeks after his entrance into Mrs. Turner's house.

"Elegant," responded the young man, giving his countenance a
peculiar and knowing expression.

"Indeed? But are you in earnest?"

"I am that. Why, we live on the very fat of the land."

"Pshaw! you must be joking. Whoever heard of the fat of the land
being found in a boarding house. They can't afford it."

"I don't care, myself, whether they can afford it or not. But we do
live elegantly. I wouldn't ask to sit down to a better table."

"What kind of a room have you? and what kind of a bed?"

"Good enough for a lord."

"Nonsense!"

"No, but I am in earnest, as I will prove to you. I sleep on as fine
a bed as ever I saw, laid on a richly carved mahogany bedstead, with
beautiful curtains. The floor is covered with a Brussels carpet,
nearly new and of a rich pattern. There is in the room a mahogany
wardrobe, an elegant piece of furniture--a marble top dressing
bureau, and a mahogany wash-stand with a marble slab. Now if you
don't call that a touch above a common boarding house, you've been
more fortunate than I have been until lately."

"Are there any vacancies there, Tom?"

"There is another bed in my room."

"Well, ju