to him, was constantly before his eyes. In
addition to this, the clerk who stood next to him, on his right hand,
was a most estimable and kind young man, of the name of Hull; who used
every effort to assist his young neighbor, in learning to correctly
perform his work, and by his own example, taught him patiently to
endure its tediousness. This, together with the frequent and
kindly-tendered instructions of Wilkins, enabled Guly, who was naturally
very quick, to readily acquire the knowledge requisite for his
situation; and with his brother, nearly opposite, to speak to
occasionally, and to see all the time, he felt that he was highly
favored.

As Mr. Delancey had never shown any interest in the matter of their
board, they still continued to "victual," as Wilkins called it, at the
restaurant, and sleep at the store. By dint of working a little before
going to bed every night, the brothers, without reminding Wilkins of his
promise to "see to it," had managed to make their sleeping apartment
present a very habitable appearance.

As every moment of their time, since their arrival, had been taken up
with business, they remained in their room the first Sunday, without
going to church; feeling that for each of them to pour into the fond
breast of their distant mother all the thoughts, feelings, and events,
which they had experienced since they had left her side, would be as
acceptable to Him whose day it was, as to attend church, leaving her to
mourn in anxious uncertainty as to their safety or happiness. The
succeeding Sabbath, however, they rose early, and, after performing
their devotional exercises, prepared themselves to attend public
worship.

While waiting for the bell to ring, they sought Wilkins, for the
purpose of inquiring what church Mr. Delancey attended. Wilkins had
taken possession of the merchant's seat at the high desk when they found
him, and, as usual had his coat off, reading.

He looked up, apparently a good deal surprised, as they put the question
to him, and exclaimed, rather dryly:

"Why, you don't say you're going to church!"

"Certainly, Mr. Wilkins. Won't you go with us?"

"Ah! not I."

"Do you never go?"

"I used to, but it was a long time ago. You forget that I have been in
New-Orleans five years."

"No, we don't forget that. Mr. Hull said, the other day, that Mr.
Delancey would never get as good a clerk as you again, or one that would
be as faithful, and remain with him so long. Bu